Democrat blocks nominee until he gets Russia papers

Democrat blocks nominee until he gets Russia papers

WASHINGTON

The top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee says he will block the nominee for a Treasury post until the department delivers documents related to Russia and its financial dealings with President Donald Trump and his associates.

Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon on Wednesday put a hold on Sigal Mandelker’s nomination to become undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

Wyden says the office Mandelker has been nominated to lead has the information his committee wants.

US risks a backlash for its growing role in Syrian conflict

BEIRUT

With the Trump administration’s decision to supply Syria’s Kurdish fighters with heavier weapons, U.S. troops inside Syria are in the crossfire between Turkey, a powerful NATO ally, and the Kurdish fighters that Ankara deems as terrorists.

In only a few months under President Donald Trump, the U.S. has almost doubled the number of troops in northern Syria, taking a highly visible role that also risks a backlash from militants such as the Islamic State group and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, and even pro-Turkey Syrian fighters angered by the U.S. move to arm the Kurds.

Tuesday’s decision to arm the Kurds is a public rebuff to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a week before he meets Trump in Washington. For months, Erdogan has been trying to convince the U.S. to cut off its support for the Kurds and partner instead with Turkey-backed fighters to liberate the Islamic State group stronghold of Raqqa.

Serial killing suspect seemed to live in isolation

PHOENIX

The man dubbed by police as the Serial Street Shooter has left behind few signs of what his life was like before he was arrested in Phoenix’s first serial killings in a decade.

Aaron Saucedo, 23, didn’t have a criminal record, as many people accused of murder often have. He didn’t have a visible presence on social media as most millennials do. And he still lived with his mother and had a series of low-paying jobs.

This hazy portrait of Saucedo emerged as police said Saucedo was a serial killer responsible for 12 nighttime shootings from August 2015 until July 2016 that unnerved residents of a largely Latino neighborhood. Saucedo declared to a judge “I’m innocent” as he made a brief court appearance Monday night.

Rescued donkey gives birth, public can vote on a name

PHILADELPHIA

A starving and abandoned miniature donkey rescued from a Pennsylvania farm had a little secret for animal welfare workers: She was pregnant.

Sadie and a male mini-donkey named Romeo were rescued from a Huntingdon County farm in January, along with a cow, two beagles, chickens and roosters.

Workers at the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals say they had no idea when Sadie was due but she gave birth to a male foal Sunday.

The baby has health complications likely caused by the mother’s treatment at the farm.

The PSPCA is having a naming contest to raise money for the foal’s medical care. For $5, the public can cast a vote and be entered for a chance to meet the baby and Sadie.

Associated Press