Pipe pressure before gas explosions was 12 times too high Source: AP

The pressure in natural gas pipelines prior to a series of explosions and fires in Massachusetts last week was 12 times higher than it should have been, according to a letter from the state's U.S. senators to executives of the utility in charge of the pipelines. Democratic U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey sent the letter Monday seeking answers about the explosions from the heads of Columbia Gas, the company that serves the communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, and NiSource, the parent company of Columbia Gas.

Lawsuit targets Massachusetts utility over deadly gas explosions

A resident of a Massachusetts city rocked by last week's deadly gas blasts that damaged dozens of homes sued utility operator NiSource Inc ( FILE PHOTO: A burnt Columbia Gas of Massachusetts envelope sits on the sidewalk outside a home burned during a series of gas explosions in Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S., September 14, 2018.

Marco Rubio Twitter-Assassinates Celebrity Chef Salt Bae For Serving Dictator Steak

Senator Marco Rubio gutter-sniped viral "weirdo" Salt Bae , aka Nusret GA kA e, after the Instagram-famous chef posted a video of himself serving steak to Venezuelan President NicolA s Maduro-continuing the senator's recent bloodlust for shaming celebrity bottom-feeders in public forums. I don't know who this weirdo #Saltbae is, but the guy he is so proud to host is not the President of #Venezuela .

Trump accuses China of trying to sway U.S. midterms with retaliatory tariffs

Trump accuses China of trying to sway U.S. midterms with retaliatory tariffs President Donald Trump says Chinese tariffs - a response to U.S. tariffs - target products in politically important states. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2xniGBc WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump accused China on Tuesday of seeking to interfere in the U.S. congressional elections by slapping tariffs on products from politically pivotal states, even though it was the president who instigated the latest fight by imposing $200 billion in new tariffs on Beijing.

A Full Investigation Is Needed Into the Sexual Assault Allegations Against Brett Kavanaugh

The Senate cannot move forward with this lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land without considering the results of a fair, non-partisan, and complete process. Over the weekend, details of serious charges of sexual assault alleged to have been committed by Judge Brett Kavanaugh became public, as did the name of the woman raising these allegations.

Turkish delight for Venezuela’s Maduro draws opponents’ fury

Videos going viral of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro feasting on a steak prepared by a celebrity chef at a time many in his crisis-wracked nation are going hungry is drawing fury from opponents of the embattled socialist leader. Maduro visited the famed Nusr-Et steakhouse in Istanbul when he stopped over briefly in Turkey on the way home from a trip to China to raise badly needed investment.

Related:With Trump muted, White House leans on Kavanaugh to defend himself

President Donald Trump's routine reaction to allegations of sexual assault is to deny, retaliate and repeat. He has dismissed accusations against himself as "phony" and "false," and when presented with claims against other men, the #metoo-era president tends to side instinctually with the accused.

Senate committee to hold public hearing with Kavanaugh and accuser after sexual assault allegation

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and the woman who has accused him of sexually assaulting her decades ago will testify publicly before the Senate next Monday, setting up a potentially dramatic and politically perilous hearing that could determine the fate of his nomination. Republicans, including President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., remained defiant as they scrambled to protect Kavanaugh's nomination in the wake of the allegation by Christine Blasey Ford, who told The Washington Post in an interview published Sunday that Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed on her back, groped her and put his hand over her mouth at a house party in the early 1980s.

Showdown between Kavanaugh, accuser scheduled for next week

President Donald Trump defended his Supreme Court nominee in the face of allegations of sexual misconduct, calling him "an outstanding intellect." Trump said Kavanaugh's confirmation is still on track, though a "little delay" is possible.

Hearing sets up showdown between Kavanaugh and his accuser

Republicans on Monday abruptly called Brett Kavanaugh and the woman accusing him of sexual assault decades ago to testify publicly next week, grudgingly setting up a dramatic showdown they hoped would prevent the allegation from sinking his nomination to the Supreme Court. Senate leaders announced the move under pressure from fellow Republicans who wanted a fuller, open examination of the allegations from Christine Blasey Ford, a college professor in California.

Differences separate allegations against Kavanaugh, Thomas

In this Dec. 8, 2017, file photo, Anita Hill speaks at a discussion about sexual harassment in Beverly Hills, Calif. The sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh recall Hill's accusations against Clarence Thomas in 1991, but there are important differences as well as cautions for senators considering how to deal with the allegations.

NY Comptroller wants to know companies’ greenhouse gas emissions

New York's Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says he backs a bill by U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren, to require that publicly traded... New York's Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says he backs a bill by U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren, to require that publicly traded companies disclose to the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, how their businesses effect climate change. The companies would have to report greenhouse gas emissions, and what steps they are taking to minimize the risks in the operations.

Kavanaugh accuser wants FBI investigation before testifying

The woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault says the FBI should investigate the incident before senators hold a hearing on the allegations. In a letter addressed to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa, and obtained by CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360," Christine Blasey Ford's attorneys argue that "a full investigation by law enforcement officials will ensure that the crucial facts and witnesses in this matter are assessed in a non-partisan manner, and that the Committee is fully informed before conducting any hearing or making any decisions."