Mr Golding says Jamaica will meet its financial obligations

Jamaica's Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, has fended off suggestions that the island might default on its debt repayments.

Jamaica has seen its credit-worthiness downgraded further by at least two major credit ratings agencies as a result of a worsening economy and vital negotiations with the International Monetary Fund dragging on for months.

However, Prime Minister Golding has promised that despite its economic crisis Jamaica will be able to service its debts.

Manning supports non-Commonwealth leaders

Prime Minister Patrick Manning has said this week's Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Trinidad can play a historic role in helping major world powers come up with a global agreement on climate change.

Some analysts have expressed fears that other Caribbean issues could be sidelined at the Commonwealth summit, which is to be attended by major leaders of non-Commonwealth countries who are interested in pushing their climate change agenda.

The French President, the Danish Prime Minister and the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, are expected in Trinidad to woo support for their stance on climate change ahead of next month UN climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.

However Prime Minister Manning has said the presence of leaders such as France's Nicolas Sarkozy will raise the profile of this week's Commonwealth summit.

St Vincent ready for constitutional vote

St Vincent and the Grenadines Electoral Commission says it is prepared to extend polling stations opening times to ensure all voters get the chance to have their say in Wednesday's historic constitutional referendum.

More than 98,000 people are eligible to vote in the referendum and a high turn is expected.

225 polling stations will be open from 7am to 5pm with results expected by midnight on Wednesday.

Among the key issues voters are being asked to vote is whether the country should ditch the Queen in favour of Republican status.

Caricom drafting regional anti-crime plan

Caricom is stepping up efforts to tackle rising crime in the region.

It's crafting a regional crime-prevention plan which aims to combat violent gun-crimes, deadly traffic accidents, and drug-trafficking.

Coordinator of Crime and Security at the Caricom Secretariat, Retired Colonel Fairbairn Liverpool told BBC Caribbean that the plan is expected to make in-roads with the help of the wider society.

"Labour's to lose"

Dominican political analyst Lennox Honeychurch has told BBC Caribbean that the governing Labour Party has started as the early front-runners as campaigning kicks into high gear for the 18 December general election.

Mr Honeychurch says the Labour party is buoyed by the charisma and popular appeal of its leader, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

He said while the race will be tough, the oppositions United Workers Party and the Dominica Freedom Party do not yet appear to have the fire-power to take down Labour.