WH walks back new Russia sanctions

The White House reneged on plans for new sanctions against Russia in response to an alleged chemical attack by its ally, Syria, on its citizens. An announcement by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley on Sunday calling for additional levies against Russian companies connected to equipment used in the attack was characterized Monday as “a misstatement” by administration officials, The Washington Post says. The U.S. Treasury recently imposed sanctions against top Russian officials and “plutocrats” for malfeasance around the globe.