Iran could face new pressure
House panel OKs sanctions on refined petroleum sales
WASHINGTON– A House committee, seeking to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions, adopted a bill Wednesday aimed at punishing the Islamic government by cutting off the country’s access to gasoline and other refined petroleum products.
The measure, which would give the president powers to punish foreign companies that sell refined petroleum to Iran, is popular on Capitol Hill, and three-quarters of House members have co-sponsored the legislation.
But the measure could undermine the Obama administration’s efforts to negotiate with Iran over the country’s nuclear program. If talks fail and sanctions become necessary, administration officials prefer measures supported by many countries rather than just one.
The legislative measure still must win passage by the full House and Senate. But initial approval by the House Foreign Affairs Committee came at a crucial moment. The Iranian leadership is expected to announce Thursday whether it accepts an international proposal to modify its existing stocks of enriched uranium for medical and research purposes. If Iran accepts, the deal could delay what the West suspects is a push to develop nuclear weapons.
Even though Iran is a leading crude oil producer, it must import 40 percent of its gasoline, a point of economic vulnerability.
Critics contend that the measure would punish average Iranians without affecting the leadership. They say that sanctions could also disrupt the unity of the West by pressuring European companies to give up their sales to Iran, opening the way for China and Persian Gulf states to provide much, if not all, of the supply.
Advocates contend that Iran has been stringing along the West on efforts to secure a nuclear deal.
Tough economic measures, they believe, will force the Iranian public and leadership to decide whether the nuclear program is worth the hardship and international isolation.
— Paul Richter, Tribune Newspapers
Might as well jump
BAGHDAD– Schoolgirls cross a street in the Fadi neighborhood after a heavy rain Wednesday.
THE NEWSMAKER
First woman to lead Germany’s Lutherans
Lutheran Bishop Margot Kaessmann of Hanover made history Wednesday when she was overwhelmingly voted to a six-year term to lead the majority of Germany’s Protestants, the first woman to hold the position. Kaesmann, 51, was ordained in 1985 and is one of only two women ever to serve as bishop in Germany’s Protestant Church, which dates to the 16th century. Viewed as media savvy and politically active, she has four grown children.
WORLD
In familiar landslide, U.N. condemns Cuba embargo
UNITED NATIONS– The U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly condemned the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, the 18th year in a row that the world body has taken up the symbolic measure.
This year’s vote was 187-3 in opposition to the embargo, up from 185-3 last year, with only Israel and the tiny Pacific island nation of Palau supporting the United States.
It was the first time the world body has taken the vote since President Barack Obama took office in January.
The administration has loosened financial and travel restrictions on Americans with relatives in Cuba, and it tarted talks aimed at restoring direct mail links. Still, Washington has made clear that it is not prepared to lift the embargo until Cuba accepts some political, economic and financial changes.
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11th body recovered
BOGOTA, Colombia– Venezuelan authorities on Wednesday recovered the body of the 11th and last man who was kidnapped near the Colombian border and killed execution-style in an incident that has stoked tensions between the neighboring countries. The bodies of several other victims were found Saturday.
Most of the Colombian victims were living on the Venezuelan side of the border. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez hinted the Colombians may have been spies.
NATION
Sheriff in balloon case faces investigation
FORT COLLINS, Colo.– A special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate allegations that the Larimer County sheriff violated privacy laws in the case of the runaway balloon that was believed to be carrying a young boy.
Sheriff Jim Alderden doesn’t believe he broke the law when he disclosed that child welfare workers were involved in the inquiry, his spokeswoman said Wednesday.
Alderden has accused Richard and Mayumi Heene of lying to authorities for saying their 6-year-old son, Falcon, was on the runaway balloon when it was launched from their backyard. Falcon turned up safe at the family’s home. Prosecutors are weighing whether to file criminal charges against the Heenes.
Bay bridge closed
SAN FRANCISCO — Officials cannot say yet when the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge will reopen to traffic.
California Department of Transportation spokesman Bart Ney said during a briefing Wednesday evening that the bridge probably would not be available for Thursday morning’s commute.
Ney also said he did not have a time when the bridge would open.
Crews have been working in gusty winds as they try to do repair work after metal rods and a cable broke off the bridge during the Tuesday evening commute.
Traffic continues to be jammed on San Francisco Bay-area highways as commuters take alternate routes.
Radical leader dies in raid
DETROIT
— Federal authorities in Detroit say they fatally shot the leader of a radical fundamentalist Sunni Muslim group after he failed to surrender on several criminal charges.
The U.S. attorney’s office said Luqman Ameen Abdullah was killed while exchanging gunfire with federal agents Wednesday at a warehouse in Dearborn.
A court document says Abdullah is an imam, or prayer leader, of a radical group whose primary mission is to establish an Islamic state within the United States. Authorities say he is also known as Christopher Thomas.
The FBI was trying to round up Abdullah and 10 followers on several charges, including conspiracy to sell stolen goods and illegal possession and sale of firearms.
— From news services