Prime minister Dr Denzil douglas says he will sign the code after certain modifications

The governing Labour Party in St Kitts and Nevis has denied reports that it has refused to sign a code of conduct intended to police the coming elections that's yet to be announced.

The code is being pushed by a number of organisations including the St Kitts Evangelical Association, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Christian Council.

A government statement says Prime Minister Denzil Douglas met with the organisations involved and committed to sign the code after certain modifications had been made.

The elections have to date been delayed because of several court matters that culminated in a recent ruling that went against new constituency boundary changes.

The government has accused the opposition Peoples Action Movement of deliberately trying to delay the poll through a number of court injunctions.

The two main parties have been trading insults as they attempt to bring the country's voters on their side.

Bahamas deports thousands

Immigration officials in the Bahamas say they have deported close to 5,000 illegal immigrants so far this year - the majority of them, Haitians.

These repatriations are part of the country's stepped up campaign to rid the Bahamas of undocumented migrants.

However, deputy director in the department of immigration, Roderick Bowe, says the department does not expect things to get any better anytime soon, as traditionally hundreds more Haitian nationals flock to the Bahamas during the Christmas holiday.

JA Charity urges government to help abused children

Jamaican activist Betty Ann Blaine has called on the island's authorities to make a concerted effort to tackle violence against children.

Her charity, Hear the Children's Cry, has just concluded a six month research project into the plight of Jamaican children.

Ms Blaine told BBC Caribbean they have unearthed a few cases of teenaged girls held hostage by inner-city thugs who impregnate or infect them with sexually transmitted diseases.

She said there is concern that in some cases parents are aware of their children being abused but are too frightened to report these cases to the police.

New venture capital fund for Barbados

Officials behind a new venture capital fund about to be launched in Barbados, say it'll benefit the island's local economy by providing funding for around 40 new businesses per year.

The Barbados Entrepreneurs' Venture Capital Fund says it aims to rapidly provide seed money for new ventures of between US$100,000 - $250,000.

It will also provide a business expert to help guide new entrepreneurs to reduce the failure risk of the business.

Money for the venture capital fund, will come from the Barbadian government and the private sector.

Haiti PM makes pledges

Haiti's new prime minister has promised to forge good relations with lawmakers who have ousted two heads of government in as many years.

Economist Jean Max Bellerive was speaking after he was sworn in at the National Palace on Wednesday.

Mr Bellerive expressed his gratitude to President Rene Preval for choosing him - the sixth person to hold the post of Prime Minister since 2004.

He also pledged to persuade donors that Haiti was ready for private investment to create jobs.

Britain to get tough on immigration

Britain's Labour party government, buffeted by accusations that it's letting in far too many immigrants into the country, has announced even tougher immigration rules.

Immigration is a hot topic in the UK at the moment but there is a fear the debate is being hijacked by the anti-immigrant, British National Party.

On Thursday Mr Brown outlined a series of measures, including a review of student visas to make sure people didn't use them to work illegally in Britain.

However, some immigration pressure groups and the main opposition party the Conservatives, say the government's plans to restrict the number of foreigners coming to Britain do not go far enough.