Every week, “The Patriot” scours the web to bring you headlines from around the world. Please note that no original reporting is involved. Feel free to discuss these stories at the bottom of the page.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Incarcerated for nine years, Marchello Bitting walked free after Wake Forest University students discovered an error in his sentencing. According to the incorrect sentencing order, Bitting was scheduled to be released in 2012. That sentence was based on the fact that Bitting was still under probation in South Carolina at the time of his arrest for attempted armed robbery in 2000. The Wake Forest students are part of the Innocence and Justice Clinic that works for incarcerated persons who believe they were wrongly prosecuted or incarcerated. This is the clinic’s first release.

Read more at wxii12.com.

Caracas, Venezuela – Venezuelans went on a frantic shopping spree Saturday after learning that currency devaluation in the country would soon drive prices for consumer goods through the roof. President Hugo Chavez made the announcement publically on Friday. The announcement, however, was made during a popular baseball game that much of the country was watching. Venezuelans learned of the price hike on Saturday through non-state-run media. Consumer prices in the country are expected to double.

Read more at reuters.com.

Shenzhen, China – China has overtaken Germany as the world’s top exporting country, according to figures released by China’s customs agency. China received the title even though its exports fell 16% in 2009. Germany’s total exports last year were $1.17 trillion, just behind China’s $1.2 trillion. Arthur Kroeber, an economic researcher in China called the ranking another step in making China’s economy proportionate to its population. China’s population weighs in at 1.3 billion, far larger than Germany’s 80 million.

Read more at washingtonpost.com

Collin Hoofnagle can be reached for comment at [email protected].