China Reports Record Trade Surplus with US, Amid Signs of Slowing Economy
VOA News China’s trade surplus with the United States rose dramatically in 2018, despite a tit-for-tat tariff war with the that has roiled global markets. The surplus stood at a record-high $ billion, compared to $ billion recorded the year before. Data released Monday by China’s customs bureau shows the country’s exports to the grew more than 11 percent in 2018. Imports from the United States rose only slightly ( percent). But the data also revealed that exports slowed by percent last month, as the administration of President Donald Trump imposed a series of stiff tariffs on billions of dollars…
USCIS to Hold Children’s Citizenship Ceremony at the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine
PORTLAND, Maine — Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will celebrate the citizenship of 29 children during a special citizenship ceremony Friday at the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine. USCIS Portland Maine Field Office Director Cindy Lembarra will administer a special Oath of Allegiance to the children and will present the children with their certificates of citizenship. USCIS periodically holds these special ceremonies to recognize and celebrate the citizenship of children who have derived citizenship through their naturalized parent(s) or through adoption. Those participating in the ceremony range in age from 1-17 years old. They come from the following 10 countries:…
Ahead of One Year Anniversary of Parkland Tragedy, Rubio, Reed Re-Introduce Bipartisan “Red Flag” Bill
WASHINGTON, DC – Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Angus King (I-ME), and Susan Collins (R-ME) today re-introduced the bipartisan Extreme Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Act, which will dedicate Department of Justice funds to incentivize states to give law enforcement the authority to prevent individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others the ability to purchase or possess firearms, while still providing due process protections. Senators Rubio and Reed first introduced this bill in March of 2018, following the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. “A gun violence restraining order is one…
RIDOH Cautions about Potential Risks of Traveling Abroad for Medical Care
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is reminding Rhode Islanders to be mindful of the potential risks associated with traveling to another country for medical care. Rhode Island hospitals have seen an increase in the number of Rhode Islanders who have traveled to other countries for medical procedures and returned with serious, antibiotic-resistant infections that require months to years of treatment. These infections have been associated with wounds that are painful, slow to heal, and often require draining. Such infections can also lead to permanent disfigurement. Although people travel to many countries to receive medical care, several patients with…
RIDOT REOPENS SLATERSVILLE STONE ARCH BRIDGE IN NORTH SMITHFIELD
Rehabilitation of historic structure running several months ahead of schedule Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti, Jr. joined with state and local officials in North Smithfield today to celebrate the reopening of the historic Slatersville Stone Arch Bridge. The bridge reopened several months ahead of its originally projected schedule, and overall the project is on track to finish in the 2019 construction season. The bridge, part of the Slatersville Historic District, is the oldest documented masonry bridge in Rhode Island, dating back to 1855. Deemed structurally-deficient since 2007, large trucks were not permitted to cross it. It…
Rep. Diaz announces agenda for 2019 House session
STATE HOUSE — In the wake of a successful 2018 session that saw many of her policies passed into law, Rep. Grace Diaz (D – Dist. 11, Providence) has announced her agenda for the new session and looks forward to developing policies that will continue to help the people of Rhode Island, including early learning, business opportunity, education, social justice and children’s safety. “I am honored to once again be serving in the House of Representatives,” said Representative Diaz, who was first elected to the chamber in 2004. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to address my policy priorities.” Representative…
Flu Activity Prompts Healthcare Worker Masking Requirement; Health Department Reminds Rhode Islanders of the Best Settings for Care
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced today that the flu is "widespread" in Rhode Island, triggering the State's requirement for unvaccinated healthcare workers in hospitals and many other types of healthcare facilities to wear masks during direct patient contact. "The masking requirement helps protect healthcare workers from catching the flu, and helps protect patients who are often dealing with other serious health issues," said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH. "For people who have not been vaccinated yet, it is not too late. Flu vaccine is the single best way to keep yourself and the people you…
Rhode Island State Police Arrests 16 Individuals for Driving While Impaired During Two-Week Holiday Period
Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, announces that 16 individuals were arrested and charged with driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs over the past two weeks. The arrests resulted from intensive enforcement of Rhode Island laws as part of the national traffic enforcement campaign to keep intoxicated motorists off the roadways during the holidays. “There is simply no excuse for anyone driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol,” Colonel Assumpico said. “The Rhode Island State Police will continue to aggressively pursue, arrest and prosecute anyone who drives…
Reed-Backed Bipartisan Bill to Fight Alzheimer’s Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) helped notch a major victory in the effort to combat Alzheimer’s disease and promote brain health, with the signing of the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act this week. The BOLD Act authorizes $100 million over five years to develop a public health approach that will improve prevention, treatment, and care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Senator Reed cosponsored the BOLD Act, which was authored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Shelley Capito Moore (R-WV), and Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), and helped pass it through the full Senate on December 18. It was…
PAWTUCKET MAN CHARGED WITH MANUFACTURING COUNTERFEIT MONEY
PROVIDENCE - A Pawtucket man, previously convicted and incarcerated for producing counterfeit casino coins, was arrested at his Pawtucket residence on Friday and made an initial appearance before District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on charges that he allegedly possessed equipment used to manufacture counterfeit currency and that he manufactured counterfeit $100 bills. Louis B. Colavecchio, 76, was arrested by United States Secret Service agents as the agents, assisted by Coventry and Pawtucket Police, executed a federal court-authorized search of his residence. The Secret Service seized, among other items, electronic media and presses used in the production of…