GENEVA — Iran nuclear talks entered a delicate phase Thursday as negotiators tried to fine-tune a draft agreement that would limit Tehran’s atomic program in return for easing some sanctions. Iran’s ability to produce nuclear fuel and relief for Iran’s oil and banking sectors appeared to be among the sticking points.
Envoys at Iran nuclear talks try to chip away
at key differences
GENEVA — Iran nuclear talks entered a delicate phase Thursday as negotiators tried to fine-tune a draft agreement that would limit Tehran’s atomic program in return for easing some sanctions. Iran’s ability to produce nuclear fuel and relief for Iran’s oil and banking sectors appeared to be among the sticking points.
Renewed opposition from influential members of the U.S. Congress to any deal they feel gives the Iranians too much for too little complicated the diplomatic maneuvering. The Democratic-led Senate signaled Thursday it would only give President Barack Obama until next month before pressing ahead with new Iran sanctions, and a key Republican introduced legislation to limit the president’s future negotiating ability with Tehran.
Participants at the talks refused to spell out what was standing in the way of a deal. But Iranian statements and remarks from Western officials suggested they included finding mutually acceptable language on whether Iran has a right to enrich uranium, a technology that can produce both reactor fuel and nuclear warhead material.
Sanctions relief was also an issue.
The United States and its allies have signaled they are ready to ease some sanctions in return for a first-step deal that contains Iran’s nuclear program. But they insist that the most severe penalties — on Tehran’s oil exports and banking sector — will remain until the two sides reach a comprehensive agreement to minimize Iran’s nuclear arms-making capacity.
Dems clear way for speedy confirmation
of appointments
WASHINGTON — Sweeping aside a century of precedent, Democrats took a chunk out of the Senate’s hallowed filibuster tradition on Thursday and cleared the way for speedy confirmation of controversial appointments made by President Barack Obama and chief executives in the future.
Majority Leader Harry Reid, who orchestrated the change, called the 52-48 vote a blow against gridlock. Republicans warned Democrats they would regret their actions once political fortunes change and they find themselves in the minority and a GOP president in the White House.
At the White House, Obama welcomed the shift. “The gears of government have got to work,” he said, and he declared that Republicans had increasingly used existing rules “as a reckless and relentless tool to grind all business to a halt.”
But Republicans warned of a power grab by Democrats, some predicting that worse was yet to come. “This drastic move sets a dangerous precedent that could later be expanded to speed passage of expansive and controversial legislation,” said Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama.
The day’s change involved presidential appointees, not legislation — and not Supreme Court nominees.
Congressman checks into rehab after pleading guilty to cocaine charge
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Republican Congressman Henry “Trey” Radel (RAY-dul) says he has checked himself into a Florida rehabilitation center after pleading guilty to cocaine possession this week.
The freshman lawmaker says he’s seeking treatment and counseling and hopes to win back the trust of his constituents, friends and family.
Radel is taking a leave of absence from Congress and donating his salary to charity.
At a press conference Wednesday, he apologized and said he has been struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse “off and on for years.” He said in a statement Thursday he has entered a rehabilitation center. He represents southwest Florida.
As part of a plea agreement, Radel acknowledged purchasing 3.5 grams of cocaine from an undercover police officer in Washington last month. He was sentenced to a year’s probation.
By wire sources
Arizona agency: Thousands of child-abuse hotline tips have gone uninvestigated in recent years
PHOENIX — Thousands of cases of suspected child abuse that were reported to a statewide hotline have gone uninvestigated over the past four years, putting children across Arizona at risk, state officials disclosed Thursday.
The cases were misclassified as not requiring investigations starting in 2009. The number rapidly escalated in the past 20 months as caseloads increased and changes were made to the hotline team, said Clarence Carter, head of the state’s child welfare system.
Five thousand of the 6,000 cases that were not investigated happened in that time, and all will be reviewed, Carter said. At least 125 cases already have been identified where children subsequently became the subject of another child abuse investigation.
“The idea that there are 6,000 cases where we don’t know whether or not children are safe, that’s cause for grave alarm,” Carter said.
Arizona’s Child Protective Services department has been one of Gov. Jan Brewer’s major priorities and has suffered from understaffing and major increases in abuse reports and workloads in recent years. She got approval from the Legislature in January for emergency funding for 50 new caseworkers and regular funding for 150 more in the budget year that began July 1.