LOS ANGELES — Gov. Gavin Newsom of California is expected on Monday to withdraw nearly 400 of his state’s National Guard troops from deployment along the border with Mexico and assign them to other duties, according to aides to the governor. The step to rescind state authorization for the border deployment is a sharp rebuke of President Trump’s continued warnings that undocumented migrants present a national security risk to the United States. It follows a similar move last week by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico.

Under a “general order” that Mr. Newsom plans to sign on Monday, 110 California National Guard troops will be redirected to support the state’s central fire agency, Cal Fire, and another 100 will work on statewide “intelligence operations” aimed at international criminal drug gangs.(NYtimes)…[+]

Public officials in Trinidad and Tobago have acquired new technical skills in the use and application of the Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA) methodology, following a workshop from 6-8 February 2019, conducted by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) subregional headquarters for the Caribbean. With the Ministry of Planning and Development as co-host, participants were drawn from several national entities, including the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission, and other partner Ministries involved in disaster response and management in Trinidad and Tobago.

Delivering opening remarks on behalf of ECLAC Caribbean was Deputy Director, Dr. Dillon Alleyne, who underscored the organization’s experience in disaster assessment. “ECLAC’s experience in this area to date has fully convinced us that in order to understand and reduce the risk of future disasters, as a region we need to evaluate the effects and impacts of past disasters, regardless of their magnitude. Large disasters showcase how they can setback previous social, economic and environmental gains, and remind us of our vulnerabilities…[+]

Port of Spain- The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) today released its 2018 annual report, which is currently available on the Court’s website at ccj.org. CCJ’s President, the Honourable Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders, said in his introduction to the report, “over the last year, the Court maintained its solid track record of outstanding judicial work. The appellate caseload of the CCJ steadily expanded. But, even more significant than the increase in the number of appeals heard and judgments delivered, was the impressive variety and significance of the cases themselves.”

The theme of the Court’s annual report, ‘building’, reflects on the solid foundation that the CCJ now has and how it will be used to fuel growth in the future. The report covers the CCJ’s previous judicial year, which began in August 2017 and ended in July 2018, and contains summaries of the 34 judgments issued in the Appellate Jurisdiction and one judgment from the Court’s Original Jurisdiction.  The Court’s financial performance, including its audited financial statements for 2017, is also included in the publication. In addition, the publication also includes reports from each of the Court’s departments, committees and related organisations.

The report also paid tribute to the Right Honourable Sir Dennis Byron, who demitted office as CCJ President during the period under review.  CCJ’s Registrar and Marshal, Ms. Jacqueline Graham, who heads the administrative function of the organisation commented, “the dynamism inherent in the leadership transition fostered an atmosphere that propelled the Court in the direction of exploring and taking advantage of opportunities to strengthen an already sturdy foundation”. Ms. Graham pointed to the fact that the CCJ’s 2019 – 2024 Strategic Plan, which was developed after seeking input from external and internal stakeholders, will direct the future of the organisation.  The CCJ will celebrate its 14th anniversary on 16 April 2019…[+]