PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

The Trinidad and Tobago government has "strongly condemned" the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the main opposition United National Congress Alliance (UNCA) warned Trinidadians to take heed of the disaster of dictatorship.

Bhutto, 54, was killed in a suicide attack after addressing thousands of supporters during a pre-election rally in Pakistan on Thursday.

"The government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago strongly condemns this act and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to international efforts to eradicate terrorism," read a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

Politicians in Guyana joined their counterparts worldwide in condemning the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

The ruling People's Progressive Party (PPP) in a statement said that the incident occurred just days before the scheduled January 8 election and that while it did not have all the facts surrounding the matter, it believed that some actions created the conditions for such disasters.

"The dismissal of the Chief Justice and the judges, among other undemocratic actions, were fertile grounds for terrorists to grow," the party said, while extending its deepest sympathy to the people of Pakistan and Bhutto's family.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

Parliament has approved legislation paving the way for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to proceed with house-to-house registration despite reservations by the opposition that the measures may threaten the independence of the commission.

GECOM says it is ready to begin the exercise that is scheduled to start on January 7, and end on July 4 next year.

The house-to-house registration is expected to be done before the local government polls scheduled for next year.

CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC):

Farmers were preparing for an increase in the price of fertilisers as officials warn of the possibility of higher food prices as a result.

The National Fair Trade yesterday announced a major delay in procuring fertilisers for farmers receiving assistance in the post-Hurricane Dean rehabilitation programme. It said it would be seeking to source fertilisers from another supplier.

But a price hike will take effect in January, adding to the woes of the farming community that is still coming to terms with implications of the Economic Partnership Agreement that will allow for greater competition on the local market.

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC):

Police here have announced plans to enforce laws pertaining to the transportation of building supplies and other materials on trucks and other open back vehicles.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Claudius Coutain of the Traffic Division said there is a growing problem of construction material falling from trucks and endangering the lives of members of the travelling public.

"We have received a number of reports about those vehicles which have materials falling off because of overloading, and for this coming year we will be effectively enforcing the law with a view to stopping the practice," he promised.

CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC):

Opposition members walked out of the Senate on Thursday in a scene reminiscent of the action taken by their colleagues in the House of Assembly last week over the passage of new legislation governing the re-establishment of the St. Lucia Development Bank.

The opposition legislators, who had boycotted last week's Senate session, showed up to debate the bill, but staged their walkout after the government senators shot down a recommendation to send the legislation to the Committee Stage.

Opposition Senator Sylus Wilson led the walkout, shortly after taking the oath to become a senator. Wilson had resigned from the Upper House in November to contest a by-election on behalf of the main opposition St. Lucia Labour Party.

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC):

A British-based company has agreed to purchase the controversial Port Louis Marina being developed by millionaire investor Peter DeSavory, a senior official has said.

Camper and Nicholson Marina Investments will buy the Marina for US$24 million, said Richard Hallam, who heads Development and Operations for DeSavory.

The marina is part of a multimillion-dollar development project just outside Grenada's capital, St. George's. It will also include other developments, including hotels, restaurants, and cottages.