Head of US Strategic Command says he’s Retiring

The Air Force says the commander of U.S. Strategic Command is retiring.

In a news release Thursday, Gen. Kevin Chilton said that after 34 years of service, “it’s time to close this chapter of my career.”

The Air Force says President Barack Obama has nominated Air Force Gen. C. Robert “Bob” Kehler (KAY-luhr) to replace Chilton at Strategic Command, which is based at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

US Lauds Japan for New Iran Sanctions

The United States praised Japan Friday for imposing new sanctions on Iran that include an asset freeze and tighter restrictions on financial transactions, part of a global response to Tehran’s contested nuclear program.

“The United States welcomes the announcement by Japan of new sanctions on Iran that implement UN Security Council 1929,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said in a joint statement.

“They mark a significant step forward in the international community’s efforts to combat proliferation and prevent Iran’ development of nuclear weapons,” they said.