Port of Spain, Trinidad. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) sat in St Vincent and the Grenadines today, July 20, 2018 for the first time in its 13-year history. The Ceremonial Sitting concluded the Court’s inauguration activities for its recently sworn- in President, the Honourable Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders. Hosted in the House of Assembly, Kingstown the sitting was attended by various members of local government including Dr the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Leader of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday, Speaker of the House of Assembly Mr Jomo Thomas and Heads of regional judiciaries, Court of Appeal judges, diplomats and numerous local attorneys.

During his presentation, the CCJ President explained the decision to host the Sitting in St Vincent and the Grenadines. He stated that it resulted from a desire “to provide an opportunity for the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines to see and meet with the Judges of the CCJ. And, naturally, it gives the Judges, only one of whom is Vincentian, the opportunity to experience the flavour and nuances of the rich diversity of the Caribbean and SVG in particular.” In an afternoon in which, speakers quoted various regional musicians, poets, eminent academics and jurists; there were many who both lauded the character, temperament and integrity of the CCJ’s third President and who also called upon regional nations to complete the circle of independence and accede to the Appellate Jurisdiction of the CCJ…[+]

Israel has evacuated hundreds of members of the volunteer Syrian civil defence forces known as the White Helmets to Jordan, with Amman claiming it had struck a deal for them to be resettled in the UK, France and Canada. The Israeli operation was undertaken at the request of London, Paris and Ottawa, the UK’s foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and the international development secretary, Penny Mordaunt, said in a joint statement. Jordan had been refusing entry to refugees crossing the border from Syria, even though many were under severe bombardment from a joint Syrian-Russian air and ground offensive, saying its refugee camps were already full.(theguardian)…[+]

A draft of Cuba’s new constitution omits the aim of building a communist society, recognises private property and opens the door to same-sex marriage, although it keeps the Communist party as the guiding force of the one-party system.

Cuba’s national assembly was this weekend debating a draft of the document to replace its Soviet-era constitution, reflecting political, social and economic changes designed to make its brand of socialism sustainable. Once lawmakers have approved the draft, it will be submitted to a popular consultation. The final document, which could include changes, will then be put to a national referendum. The draft omits a clause in the 1976 constitution on the ultimate aim of building a communist society, instead simply focusing on socialism.(theguardian)…[+]

The FBI has released documents related to the surveillance of former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, as part of an investigation into whether he conspired with the Russian government to undermine the 2016 US election.

A surveillance application filed in October 2016, a month before polling day, said: “The FBI believes that Page has been collaborating and conspiring with the Russian government.” Page has denied being an agent of the Russian government and has not been charged with any crime. In an interview with CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, Page reiterated his denials and described the FBI’s application to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance (Fisa) court as “so ridiculous it’s beyond words”. He accused law enforcement of misleading the court. “I’ve never been an agent of a foreign power by any stretch of the imagination,” he said.(theguardian)…[+]