WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice has moved to sharply curtail federal authority aimed at curtailing abuse and civil rights violations at local police departments across the country by directing U.S. attorneys to limit the use of consent decrees and settlement agreements. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions attends a news conference with other law enforcement officials on the arrest of suspect Cesar Sayoc on charges of sending at least a dozen parcel bombs to Democratic politicians and high-profile critics of President Trump, at the Justice Department in Washington, U.S., October 26, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in one of his final acts before President Donald Trump ousted him, said the Justice Department could investigate alleged legal violations but that “special caution” was required before resolving any disputes with states or local entities, the department said late Thursday. Sessions has long opposed … [Read more...] about Before he is ousted, Sessions limits U.S. oversight of local police
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Razor-thin margins in Florida’s races for U.S. Senate and governor raise the specter of recounts
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Razor-thin margins in Florida's bitter races for the U.S. Senate and governor are raising the specter of possible recounts, potentially prolonging two of the most closely watched contests of the nation's midterm elections.In the governor's race, Democrat Andrew Gillum's campaign said Thursday it's readying for a possible recount. He conceded to Republican Ron DeSantis on Tuesday night, though the race has since tightened. As of Thursday afternoon, DeSantis led Gillum by 0.47 percentage point.Meanwhile, Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson has begun preparing for a potential recount in a race still too close to call against Republican Gov. Rick Scott. Nelson's lawyer called that race a "jump ball" — though Scott's campaign urged Nelson to concede. Scott held a 0.21 percentage lead over Nelson on Thursday afternoon.The tight races underscored Florida's status as a perennial swing state where elections are often decided by the thinnest of margins. … [Read more...] about Razor-thin margins in Florida’s races for U.S. Senate and governor raise the specter of recounts
Vietnam, U.S. complete environmental remediation at Da Nang airport
This is the third and last portion of land to be turned over for expansion of the Da Nang International Airport. The ceremony also marked the completion of the six-year, US$ 110 million Environmental Remediation of Dioxin Contamination at Da Nang Airport Project, jointly implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense (MND). Launched in August 2012, USAID’s Environmental Remediation of Dioxin Contamination at Da Nang Airport Project serves as an important milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two governments and will result in a cleaner, safer environment for the people of Da Nang. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh addressing the event The project has successfully treated over 90,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil and sediment through thermal desorption and safely contained an additional 50,000 cubic meters of low concentration, dioxin-contaminated material. … [Read more...] about Vietnam, U.S. complete environmental remediation at Da Nang airport
U.S. judge halts construction of Keystone XL oil pipeline
By Brendan O'Brien (Reuters) - A federal judge in Montana halted construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline on Thursday on the grounds that the U.S. government did not complete a full analysis of the environmental impact of the TransCanada Corp (TRP.TO) project. The ruling deals a major setback for TransCanada Corp and could possibly delay the construction of the $8 billion, 1,180 mile (1,900 km) pipeline. The ruling is a victory for environmentalists, tribal groups and ranchers who have spent more than a decade fighting against construction of the pipeline that will carry heavy crude to Steele City, Nebraska, from Canada’s oilsands in Alberta. U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris' ruling late on Thursday came in a lawsuit that several environmental groups filed against the U.S. government in 2017, soon after President Donald Trump announced a presidential permit for the project. Morris wrote in his ruling that a U.S. State Department environmental analysis "fell short of a … [Read more...] about U.S. judge halts construction of Keystone XL oil pipeline
Party official receives Assistant U.S.Trade Representative
Head of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee (CPVCC)’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh receives Assistant US Trade Representative for Services and Investment Daniel Bahar, Ha Noi, November 8, 2018 At the reception, Bahar said he is impressed with the steady economic growth of Viet Nam, expressing his hope to keep enhancing bilateral economic and trade partnerships between the two nations. In turn, Binh reiterated that the Vietnamese Party and State have always and will continue to pay special attention to the bilateral relations, with economic-trade ties being seen as an important pillar. He noted that bilateral economic and trade links have enjoyed great progress recently and continue to be a driving force in the Viet Nam-U.S.relationship, thus meeting the expectations of their people. By Vien Nhu … [Read more...] about Party official receives Assistant U.S.Trade Representative