Other News

The US Department of State Today: February 16 – February 18, 2024

Under Secretary Zeya’s Travel to Jamaica and Belize 02/16/2024 Media Note Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya will travel to Kingston, Jamaica, and Belmopan, Belize from February 19-23, 2024, to advance bilateral and regional cooperation on civilian security, migration, and human rights. In Kingston, Under Secretary[Read More…]

by February 18, 2024

The Ukraine: Two years on, The International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Warns of Increasing Debt Creating Unstable Futures for Millions

    From: The International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)   Two years since the Russia-Ukraine international armed conflict escalated, the human cost is insurmountable, with no end in sight. Not only have many lost their loved ones, homes, livelihoods, and savings, but millions of Ukrainians[Read More…]

by February 17, 2024

Rhode Island ACLU: ACLU Defends Westerly Resident Sued by Fire District for Defending Public Access to the Shore

      In its third skirmish with the Weekapaug Fire District in less than six months, the ACLU of Rhode Island has come to the defense of Westerly resident Caroline Contrata, who has been sued for monetary damages by the District in a high-profile shoreline access case solely because, the ACLU argues, she “had the[Read More…]

by February 17, 2024

Committee to Protect Jounalists (CPJ) Israel-Gaza War Propelled Journalist Killings to Near-Record High

  From The Committee to Protect Journalists: More than three quarters of the 99 journalists and media workers who perished worldwide in 2023 were killed in the Israel-Gaza war, according to a report published today by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). CPJ’s report documents the highest number of deaths recorded by the organization since 2015—a[Read More…]

by February 17, 2024

Human Rights Watch: Statement on the Death of Alexei Navalny

  Statement from Human Rights Watch:   The Kremlin bears responsibility for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s death in prison, Human Rights Watch said today. Russia’s state prison service said in a public statement on February 16, 2024 that Navalny had lost consciousness and could not be resuscitated.“For more than a decade the Kremlin[Read More…]

by February 16, 2024

Rep Seth Magaziner (RI-02) Calls the Question! Urges Speaker Mike Johnson to Vote on Ukraine Funding

    From The Office of Congressman Seth Magaziner (D RI):   Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) spoke on the House floor urging Speaker Mike Johnson to call a vote on Ukraine funding. The Senate passed an emergency defense spending bill on Tuesday which would provide military assistance for Ukraine and Israel, among[Read More…]

by February 15, 2024

UN OHCHR: Syrian Returnees Subjected to “Gross Human Rights Violations & Abuses” (Report Included)

  From The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commisioner:   Many Syrians who had fled the war face gross human rights violations and abuses upon their return to Syria, according to a report by the UN Human Rights Office released today. The documented violations and abuses have been perpetrated[Read More…]

by February 14, 2024

Rhode Island Senator Senate Armed Service Chair Reed Remarks-President Biden Speech As US Senate Passes Bipartisan National Security Supplemental Appropriations Bill

  REED URGES HOUSE TO ACT ON BIPARTISAN BILL THAT INVESTS IN STRENGTHENING U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY, PROMOTING GLOBAL STABILITY, AND PREVENTING WIDER CONFLICTS   From The Office of Senator Jack Reed (D RI) After months of debate and bipartisan negotiation and a weekend session that saw votes on Super Bowl[Read More…]

by February 13, 2024

Is Pawtucket Schools Chief Financial Officer Anthony Voccio Out?

  Just last week, we reported that freshly minted Pawtucket School Committee Chair Jay Charbonneau was already at odds with SuperCFO-Melissa-Devine replacement Anthony Voccio, himself a refugee from the Providence School Department. It appears Mr. Voccio may be about to exit, as they say, “Stage Left” The Coalition has received[Read More…]

by February 13, 2024

Human Rights Watch: Afghanistan-Aid Cutbacks, Taliban Abuses Imperil Health Report: “‘A Disaster for the Foreseeable Future’: Afghanistan’s Healthcare Crisis” Included

  Addressing Economic Crisis, Ongoing Rights Violations Critical to Meeting Needs From: Human Rights Watch The loss of foreign assistance has severely harmed Afghanistan’s healthcare system and exacerbated malnutrition and illnesses resulting from inadequate medical care. Taliban restrictions on women and girls have impeded access to health care, jeopardizing their[Read More…]

by February 12, 2024