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"US is readying Iran sanctions."

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By Sarah Naffa April 17, 2024

In the news today: The U.S. is weighing sanctions against Iran; a House report blames China for fueling the American fentanyl crisis; and Biden kicks off a campaign trail across Pennsylvania by focusing on a “billionaire’s tax” and calling Trump an out-of-touch elitist. Also, Matzo Buttercrunch is your new must-have Passover dessert. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during an Army Day parade in northern Tehran on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) POLITICS The US could hit Iran with new sanctions after an attack on Israel, Yellen says Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Tuesday of potential global economic damage from rising tensions in the Middle East as the Biden administration said it was readying new sanctions in response to Iran’s activity in the region. Read more.

Recent developments: Yellen condemned Iran’s “malign and destabilizing activity,” saying Iran’s weekend attack on Israel “underscores the importance of Treasury’s work to use our economic tools to counter Iran’s malign activity.” Yellen said she expected the new sanctions to be announced in the coming days. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday that coming U.S. sanctions would target Iran’s missile and drone programs, as well as entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran’s Defense Ministry. “We anticipate that our allies and partners will soon be following with their own sanctions,” Sullivan added. World leaders cautioned Israel against retaliation for Iran’s attack, trying to avoid a spiral of violence. Iran’s attack came in response to what it says was an Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria earlier this month. Israel’s military chief said Monday that his country will respond to the attack.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Israel says it will retaliate against Iran. These are the risks that could pose to Israel UN appeals for $2.8 billion to help 3 million Palestinians in desperate need of food and other aid Columbia University president to testify in Congress on college conflicts over Israel-Hamas war U.S. NEWS House panel says China is fueling the fentanyl crisis in the US The crisis is being fueled by China directly subsidizing the manufacturing of materials that traffickers use to make the drug outside the country, according to a report released Tuesday by a special House committee focused on countering the Chinese government. Read more.

Why this matters: Most overdose deaths in the U.S. continue to be linked to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Inexpensive fentanyl is increasingly cut into other drugs, often without the buyers’ knowledge. The chemical companies providing fentanyl precursors often have legitimate businesses with customers around the world. The report said fentanyl precursors and other synthetic narcotics are a “side hustle” designed to maximize profits. In November, President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached agreements to curb illicit fentanyl production and focused on reducing the flow of precursor chemicals and synthetic drug trafficking. But the congressional report raises questions about whether China is following through.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Vertex Pharma scientist talks about the long road to developing non-addictive painkillers Mexico, a leading producer of illicit fentanyl, can’t get enough for medical use, study finds Police say fentanyl killed 8-year-old Kentucky boy, not an allergic reaction to strawberries ADVERTISEMENT POLITICS Biden calls for more taxes on the rich and casts Trump as an elitist President Joe Biden made a nostalgic return to the house where he grew up in working-class Scranton on Tuesday, kicking off three days of campaigning across Pennsylvania by calling for higher taxes on the rich and casting Donald Trump as an out-of-touch elitist. Read more.

Why this matters: Biden is looking to gain ground in a key battleground state while Trump spends much of the week in a New York City courtroom for his first criminal trial. Biden’s team has quietly embraced the contrast between the sequestered former president and a campaigning Biden who is free to focus on economic issues that are top of mind for voters. However, the juxtaposition could become less helpful if Trump captures the country’s attention during the first-ever criminal trial of a former president. The president said he wanted to make the tax code fairer, keeping more money in Americans’ pockets, while criticizing Trump as a tool of wealthy interests – and a billionaire himself. Biden has proposed a 25% percent minimum tax rate for billionaires.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Trump goes from court to campaign at a bodega in his heavily Democratic hometown Justin Trudeau’s government raises taxes on wealthiest Canadians in federal budget Fed’s Powell: Elevated inflation will likely delay rate cuts this year ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ Historic weather: Storm dumps heaviest rain ever recorded in the UAE, flooding roads and Dubai’s airport 2020 election: Voting technology company settles lawsuit against far-right news outlet Croatian election: A parliamentary showdown between president and prime minister Book ban: DeSantis tweaks a Florida book law and blames an activist who wanted the Bible out of schools Churchill portrait: A painting of Winston Churchill by an artist whose work he hated is up for auction Today in History: In 1961, the US launches Bay of Pigs invasion WATCH Denmark fire: Spire tumbles, famous painting rescued at burning building in Copenhagen Nuclear-powered subs: French Navy gives a rare tour of a nuclear submarine USC valedictorian: Students react to rare cancellation of a speech by valedictorian who supported Palestinians Mojave desert tortoises: 70 endangered tortoises are reintroduced into the wild Starry show: Anya Taylor-Joy, Michelle Williams and Rachel Zegler are front row at Dior A CHANGE OF PACE Chocolate-covered caramel matzo, also known as Matzoh Buttercrunch. (Cheyenne Cohen via AP) A word-of-mouth sensation, Matzo Buttercrunch earns a place on the dessert table On Passover, dessert options can feel limited. No leavened foods are allowed, so the usual recipes for cakes and cookies are off the table. Flourless desserts or desserts made with matzo meal are fair game, and there are some great recipes out there, including a must-have Passover dessert: chocolate-covered caramel matzo. ADVERTISEMENT

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