[kangus]

modify /skin1/customer/home.tpl
Add the if statement:

{if $conf.news_show}
{ include file="news.tpl" }
{/if}

INSERT INTO xcart_config VALUES ('news_show', 'Show News', 'N', 'Modules', 11, 'checkbox');

Now you can turn the news on/off from the General/Modules screen.