Iran, world powers reach nuke deal
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran has agreed to limit uranium enrichment and to open its nuclear program to daily inspection by international experts starting Jan. 20, setting the clock running on a six-month deadline for a final nuclear agreement, officials said Sunday.
In exchange, the Islamic Republic will get a relaxation of the financial sanctions that have been crippling its economy.
In a statement, President Barack Obama welcomed the deal, saying it “will advance our goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”
The announcement that Iran and six world powers had agreed on the plan for implementing an interim agreement came first from Iranian officials and was later confirmed elsewhere. Some U.S. lawmakers have been leery of the agreement, calling for tougher sanctions against Iran, rather than any loosening of controls.
Giuliani backs Christie on Sunday news show
TRENTON, N.J. – Prominent Republicans leapt to GOP Gov. Chris Christie’s defense Sunday, insisting an ongoing traffic scandal wouldn’t ruin any presidential ambitions, while Democrats say it’s difficult to believe such a hands-on manager knew nothing about a plan by a top aide to close lanes at a bridge into New York City.
Politicians from both sides of the aisle took to the Sunday talk shows to debate the fallout from the traffic jams near the George Washington Bridge in September and any role Christie may have played. Documents show Christie’s aides appeared to engineer lane closures at the heavily traveled bridge to punish a Democratic mayor who failed to endorse his re-election bid.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican, said on ABC’s “This Week” he found Christie’s explanation “pretty darn credible” that he didn’t know what members of his inner circle were up to while he was running for re-election.
“He was in campaign mode,” he said. “You miss a lot of things. You’re not paying as much attention.”
U.S. gas prices up 8 cents per gallon
CAMARILLO, Calif. – Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg says the average U.S. price of gasoline is up 8 cents a gallon over the past three weeks.
According to the Lundberg Survey released Sunday, the average for a gallon of regular gas is now $3.35. Midgrade averages $3.54, and premium is $3.68.
Of cities surveyed in the Lower 48, the lowest price, $2.97 a gallon, was in Albuquerque. Long Island, N.Y., had the highest, at $3.67.
Vigilantes battle drug cartel in Mexico
NUEVA ITALIA, Mexico – Gunfire erupted Sunday in western Mexico as hundreds of vigilantes pressed their fight over territory with a drug cartel, and Mexico’s top security officials prepared to make yet another effort to try to stop the violence.
Members of so-called self-defense groups entered the town of Nueva Italia in Michoacan state on a campaign they say is designed to liberate towns from the control of the Knights Templar cartel. Opponents and critics say the vigilantes are backed by a rival cartel, something the groups vehemently deny.
Associated Press
