House passes bill normalizing Russian trade

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House showed some bipartisan cooperation Friday by voting overwhelmingly to end Soviet-era trade restrictions so that American companies and farmers can take advantage of Russia's expanding and more open markets.

But Moscow reacted angrily to a provision that punishes Russian officials involved in human rights violations, threatening to increase tensions between the two countries at a delicate time. "A defiantly unfriendly and provocative attack," the Russian Foreign Ministry branded it and promised "a tough response."