The killing of Philando Castile, 32, who was shot by a police officer after a traffic stop on Wednesday evening, prompted Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to order a state investigation. "Would this have happened if the driver and the passengers were white? I don't think it would have," Dayton told reporters on Thursday. "So I'm forced to confront that this kind of racism exists, and it's incumbent upon all of us to vow and ensure that it doesn't happen and doesn't continue to happen." Castile's death occurred within a day of the shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Sterling was killed during an altercation with two white police officers. Graphic video of that incident triggered protests and an outcry on social media. Dayton called for the U.S. Department of Justice to open its own investigation, but the department said on Thursday it would assist the state investigation as necessary. The department has opened an investigation into the Baton Rouge … [Read more...] about U.S. police shoots two black men in two days, sparks outrage, protests
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Dallas shooter planned larger attacks, police say
Anger around America over the deaths of two black men at the hands of police in recent days, the stated reason for the black Dallas gunman's deadly rampage targeting white officers, showed no signs of abating. President Barack Obama cautioned protesting Americans against casting all police as racially biased. Obama has ordered flags at half-staff 67 times in response to tragedies, more than any other president before him, and may address that grim record when he speaks at an inter-faith memorial service Tuesday. Vice President Joe Biden will also attend, along with Obama's predecessor and ex-Texas governor George W. Bush, who will deliver brief remarks, and his wife Laura. The Dallas community's "unity is reflective of who we are as Americans" during these trying times, said Obama, who will meet privately with the families of the five fallen police officers and those wounded. The past week's violence has shocked a country seemingly inured to its epidemic of gun violence and … [Read more...] about Dallas shooter planned larger attacks, police say
Gunman kills 3 police officers in Louisiana; Obama condemns attack
A gunman killed three police officers and wounded three others in Louisiana's capital on Sunday, nearly two weeks after the fatal police shooting of a black man there sparked nationwide protests, one of which led to the massacre of five Dallas policemen. The suspect, described by a U.S. government official as having served in the Marine Corps, was himself shot to death minutes later in a gunfight with police who converged on the scene. Two Baton Rouge Police Department officers and one sheriff's deputy were killed, and one sheriff's deputy was left critically wounded in what Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden said began as an "ambush-style" attack on officers. Another police officer and one other deputy suffered less severe wounds and were expected to survive. Colonel Mike Edmonson, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, said in a press conference that the gunman was believed to have acted alone, contrary to early reports that police may have been looking for other shooters. … [Read more...] about Gunman kills 3 police officers in Louisiana; Obama condemns attack
Nhandan Newspaper – HCM City honours 10 outstanding young citizens of 2016
The event was attended by Politburo member and Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee, Dinh La Thang and former Vice President, Truong My Hoa. The honourees were selected from 131 nominees who had made excellent achievements in the diverse fields of economics, startups, armed forces, workers, students, public servants, scientific research, artists and sports. Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee, Tat Thanh Cang extend his congratulations to the city’s exemplary young citizens, while urging the municipal youth union to continue accelerating activities and movements to promote the creativity potential of HCM City youth and introduce the outstanding performers in a timely fashion. The vote for HCM City’s young outstanding citizens was launched by the city’s youth union in 2006. In the 10 years since its debut, the programme has honoured a total of 68 exemplary residents. 10 outstanding young citizens of 2016: Le Thanh Vu, 27, a … [Read more...] about Nhandan Newspaper – HCM City honours 10 outstanding young citizens of 2016
SOCIETY IN BRIEF 26/11
Central region braces for widespread flooding Over the past two days, heavy rains have caused water levels in major regional rivers to rise quickly, flooding many parts of provinces from Thua Thien-Hue to Quang Ngai. Water levels of the Ve River in Quang Ngai province surpassed the third alert level on November 26, leaving thousands of households in Mo Duc and Tu Nghia district deep under water. Rainfall of up to 300mm was recorded in Son Tay and Ba To districts, disrupting traffic on district and provincial roads. Mountainous communes were completely isolated. Quang Ngai province mobilised forces to stand by in flooded areas to help local people with evacuation and travel. Floods caused by torrential rains also completely cut off highland communes in Nam Tra My, Bac Tra My and Tay Giang districts of Quang Nam province. Que Ninh, Phuoc Ninh, Que Trung and Que Lam communes of Nong Son district were between 0.5-1m under water. Widespread flooding is expected to threaten … [Read more...] about SOCIETY IN BRIEF 26/11