SENATE VOTES 98-2 TO PUNISH RUSSIA AND IRAN
The Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to place new sanctions on Iran and Russia, setting up a possible confrontation with the Trump administration as it attempts to improve relations with Moscow.
Republican and Democratic senators said the sanctions, approved by a vote of 98-2, are needed to punish Iran for its recent flurry of ballistic missile tests and human rights abuses and to show Russia that its interference in last year’s presidential election and its aggression in Syria will not be tolerated. Voting no were Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
The White House has not said whether President Trump would veto the legislation but has sent signals that it opposes the bill.
STUDENT FREED BY N. KOREA HAS SEVERE BRAIN INJURY
Doctors in Cincinnati who are treating the American college student released by North Korea in a coma say he has severe injury to all regions of his brain.
On Thursday, they described 22-year-old Otto Warmbier as in a state of “unresponsiveness wakefulness.”
They say he doesn’t show any consistent response to stimulation, shows no sign of understanding language, responding to commands or awareness of his environment.
Doctors with the University of Cincinnati Health system say Warmbier shows extensive loss of brain tissue, consistent with respiratory arrest, when the brain is cut off from oxygen but they aren’t sure why. They said his prognosis remains confidential.
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Mueller, appointed as special counsel in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is scrutinizing Jared Kushner’s “finances and business dealings,” The Washington Post reported Thursday, citing unnamed “officials familiar with the matter.” USA TODAY previously reported that the FBI was investigating Kushner for his contact with Russian officials, but there was no word at that time that his financial dealings were part of the probe.
in Rutherford County, Tenn., captured Thursday evening two Georgia fugitives accused of double homicide. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal confirmed the capture of Donnie Rowe, 43, and Ricky DuBose, 24, via Twitter.