Heeding President Obama’s call for tougher sanctions on Russia, Congress approved bills that expand the scope of imposed economic restrictions to include freezing the assets of and denying visas for top Russian officials and others with close ties to Putin. The energy sector responded positively to the news and stocks are expected to rise as tensions with Russia increase and the House holds hearings on loosening restrictions surrounding natural gas exports.

The Senate and House easily passed HR 4278 yesterday, broadening the scope of the sanctions and approving a $1bn aid package to the Ukraine. As part of their response to escalating tensions, soon after the Congressional vote the State Department announced that they halted granting export licenses to Russia for defense items, including some used in their oilPublished 4:00 am, Tuesday, June 30, 1998

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101 MAIN-MS/C/25JUN98/MN/KK--Michelle Scully, widow of John Scully, who was killed in the 101 California massacre, with her two sons from her second marriage at their San Pedro home. The boys are Frank Scully Hobus, 20 months and Ryan Thomas Hobus, 5 weeks. PHOTO BY KIM KULISH/FOR THE CHRONICLE less

101 MAIN-MS/C/25JUN98/MN/KK--Michelle Scully, widow of John Scully, who was killed in the 101 California massacre, with her two sons from her second marriage at their San Pedro home. The boys are Frank Scully ... more

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Somber workers exit 101 California Street, SF - scene of the shooting deaths of nine people, including a gunman with a grudge. SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE PHOTO BY CHRIS STEWART

Somber workers exit 101 California