U.S. authorities are easing requirements for background checks for some immigrants hoping to become permanent U.S. residents.

The United States says a U.N. Security Council vote increasing sanctions on Iran for failing to halt uranium enrichment could come as early as Saturday. U.S. officials say visas have been issued to allow Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to deliver a statement at the concluding council session on the resolution. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

Tehran says Washington has so far failed to provide a promised visa to Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad so he can address the UN Security Council in New York when it meets to vote on proposed new sanctions against Iran.

The United States has granted a visa to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, allowing him to travel to New York to address the U.N. Security Council as it considers new sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program.