In brief: U.S. weighs abstention on Cuba embargo vote at U.N.

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration may allow the U.N. to condemn America’s economic embargo against Cuba without a fight, the Associated Press has learned, an unprecedented step that could increase pressure on Congress to end the 54-year-old restrictions.

As it does every year, the U.N. General Assembly will vote as early as next month to demand the embargo’s end. But this time, U.S. officials told the AP that the United States could abstain instead of voting against the resolution as it normally does.

It is unheard of for a U.N. member state not to oppose resolutions critical of its own laws. And by not actively opposing the resolution, the administration would be effectively siding with the world body against the Republican-led House and Senate, which have refused to repeal the embargo despite calls from President Barack Obama to do so.

The U.S. and Cuba restored diplomatic relations this year, and leaders of the two countries want to improve commercial ties. But the embargo remains.

No final decision on how to vote has been made, said four administration officials who weren’t authorized to speak publicly on sensitive internal deliberations.

Pennsylvania AG’s license suspended

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania’s highest court on Monday ordered the temporary suspension of state Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s law license, a step that could trigger efforts to remove her from office as she fights perjury, obstruction and other charges.

The unanimous order by the state Supreme Court’s five justices also could prompt a legal challenge from the first-term Democrat.

The decision by the justices – three Republicans and two Democrats – dealt with a petition by state ethics enforcement lawyers who accused Kane of admitting that she had authorized the release of information that allegedly should have been kept secret. That allegation is also central to the criminal case against her.

In the meantime, it creates the unprecedented situation of leaving the state’s top law enforcement official in charge of a 750-employee office and a $93 million budget but without the ability to act as a lawyer.

In statements issued through her office, Kane, 49, said she was disappointed in the court’s action and would not resign.

Family withdraws Muslim boy from high school

DALLAS – The family of a 14-year-old Muslim student who got in trouble over a homemade clock mistaken for a possible bomb withdrew the boy Monday from his suburban Dallas high school.

Ahmed Mohamed’s father, Mohamed El-Hassan Mohamed, said he has pulled all of his children from their Irving Independent School District schools. Mohamed said the family is still deciding where to send the children to school.

Ahmed has said he brought the clock he made to MacArthur High School in Irving last week to show a teacher. Officials said he was arrested after another teacher saw it and became concerned. Ahmed wasn’t charged, but he was suspended from school for three days.

News of the arrest sparked an outpouring of support for Ahmed, including from President Barack Obama.

The turmoil surrounding Ahmed’s case has had a harmful effect on the teen, Mohamed said.