NATION/WORLD
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Budget talks
resume amid
pessimism over
border differences
Bezos probe
concludes mistress’
brother was
Enquirer source
WASHINGTON
(AP)
— Politically freighted bor-
der security negotiations are
teetering just days before a
potential new government
shutdown. The turmoil is
testing the changed balance
of power in Washington,
with lawmakers engaged in
a sparring match over immi-
gration policy that is chal-
lenging their ability to reach
any accord.
Republicans say Dem-
ocratic demands to limit
immigrant detentions by
federal authorities are a deal
breaker — eclipsing the bor-
der wall issue for now —
and represent overreach by
top Democrats like House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi of
California.
The two sides also
remained separated over
how much to spend on Pres-
ident Donald Trump’s prom-
ised border wall. A Friday
midnight deadline is loom-
ing to prevent a second par-
tial government shutdown.
Lawmakers hoped to
get the talks back on track
at a meeting on Monday
afternoon.
WASHINGTON (AP) —
Private investigators work-
ing for Jeff Bezos have con-
cluded that the brother of
the Amazon CEO’s mistress
leaked the couple’s inti-
mate text messages to the
National Enquirer, a person
familiar with the matter told
The Associated Press on
Monday.
The findings add to
the intrigue surround-
ing the clash between the
pro-Trump tabloid and the
world’s richest man. Bezos’
Clamor for ouster
of top Democrats
slows in Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)
— The clamor for the resig-
nation of Virginia’s top two
politicians seemed to die
down Monday, with some
black community lead-
ers forgiving Gov. Ralph
Northam over the blackface
furor and calling for a fair
hearing for Lt. Gov. Justin
Fairfax on the sexual assault
allegations against him.
Over the past several
days, practically the entire
Democratic establishment
rose up to demand fellow
Democrats Northam and
Fairfax immediately step
down. But the tone changed
markedly after the weekend.
A Democratic state law-
maker who had threatened
to begin impeachment pro-
ceedings against Fairfax,
Virginia’s
highest-rank-
ing black politician, set the
idea aside after running into
resistance.
At the same time, several
black clergy and civic lead-
ers made clear they are will-
ing to give both Northam
and Attorney General Mark
Herring a second chance,
while urging due process
for Fairfax. Herring, like
Northam, has admitted put-
ting on blackface in the
1980s.
Woman begins
jail sentence for
texting suicide
conviction
TAUNTON, Mass. (AP)
— A Massachusetts woman,
who sent her suicidal boy-
friend a barrage of text mes-
sages urging him to kill
himself, was jailed Mon-
day on an involuntary man-
slaughter conviction nearly
five years after he died in a
truck filled with toxic gas.
Michelle Carter, 22, was
sentenced to 15 months in
jail in 2017 for her role in
the death of Conrad Roy
III, but the judge allowed
her to remain free while
she appealed in state court.
Massachusetts’
highest
court upheld her conviction
last week, saying her actions
caused Roy’s death.
A lawyer for Carter had
argued she should stay out
of jail while her defense
team takes her case to the
U.S. Supreme Court. Her
attorneys said in court doc-
uments that she has no prior
criminal record, hasn’t tried
to flee, and has been receiv-
ing mental health treatment.
But a judge ruled Mon-
day that she should start
her sentence. Earlier in the
day, Massachusetts’ highest
court denied an emergency
motion filed by her lawyers
to keep her out of jail.
Carter showed no emo-
tion as she was taken into
custody, though her shoul-
ders sagged as she stood and
prepared to be led away.
investigators have sug-
gested the Enquirer’s cover-
age of his affair was driven
by dirty politics. Trump has
been highly critical of Bezos
over his ownership of The
Washington Post and Ama-
zon, and the Post’s coverage
of the White House.
The brother, Michael
Sanchez, is a supporter of
President Donald Trump
and an acquaintance of
Trump allies Roger Stone
and Carter Page. He is also
the manager of his sis-
ter, Lauren Sanchez, a for-
mer TV anchor. The inves-
tigators have not said how
they think Michael Sanchez
came into possession of his
sister’s intimate messages.
East Oregonian
Fierce battles near
final IS foothold in
eastern Syria
BEIRUT (AP) — Islamic
State group militants cor-
nered in their last foothold
in eastern Syria fought back
with suicide car bombs,
snipers and booby traps
Monday, slowing Kurdish
fighters advancing under the
cover of U.S.-led coalition
airstrikes, Kurdish news
agencies said.
An Italian photographer
was wounded in the clashes
between the U.S.-backed
Syrian Democratic Forces
and the militants holed up in
the village of Baghouz, near
the border with Iraq, an Ital-
ian news agency said.
No one knows exactly
how many Islamic State
fighters are still holding
out in the sliver of territory
under attack, although they
are estimated to be in the
hundreds. It is also unclear
if civilians are still inside.
Venezuela’s crisis
hits standstill over
emergency aid
CUCUTA,
Colombia
(AP) — Nearly three weeks
after the Trump administra-
tion backed an all-out effort
to overthrow Nicolas Mad-
uro, there is little sign the
Venezuelan president is los-
ing his grip on power.
Dozens of nations have
recognized
opposition
leader Juan Guaido’s claim
to the presidency and the
U.S. has tightened sanctions
aimed at cutting off billions
of dollars in oil revenue.
But anti-Maduro street pro-
tests have come and gone,
and military defections have
failed to materialize.
With the U.S. virtually
certain not to launch mili-
tary action, Guaido is trying
to regain momentum with an
effort this week to move U.S.
emergency food and medi-
cine into Venezuela despite
Maduro’s pledge to block it.
FIELD TEST Candidates Wanted
URGENT NOTICE: You may be qualified to participate in a special Field
Test of new hearing instrument technology being held at a local test site.
An industry leader in digital hearing devices is sponsoring a product field
test in your area next week and they have asked us to select up to 15
qualified candidates to participate. They are interested in determining
the benefits of GENIUS™ 3.0 Technology in eliminating the difficulty
hearing aid users experience in difficult environments, such as those with
background noise or multiple talkers. Candidates in other test areas have
reported very positive feedback so far.
We are looking for additional candidates in
Pendleton and the surrounding areas.
Dates: February 12th - 15th
Product Test Site:
Hermiston
Pendleton
955 SE 4th St. Ste. B, Hermiston, OR 97838.
125 SE Court Ave. Ste. #6., Pendleton, OR 97801
541-716-5092
541-224-8661
In an effort to accurately demonstrate the incredible performance of these
devices, specially trained representatives will be conducting testing and
demonstrations during this special event.
In addition to an audiometric hearing evaluation, candidates will receive a
fiber-optic otoscope exam, a painless procedure that could reveal common
hearing problems such as excessive wax or damage to the eardrum, as
well as other common causes of hearing deficiencies.
Qualified Field Test Candidates:
• Live in Pendleton or the surrounding area
• Are at least 55 years of age or older
• Have experienced some level of hearing difficulty, or currently wear hearing aids
• Don’t currently work for a market research company
We have a limited supply of the GENIUS™ 3.0 test product currently on hand and ready
for testing. We have also been authorized to offer significant discounts if you decide to
take the hearing instruments home. If you choose not to keep them,
there’s no risk or obligation of any kind.†
TO PARTICIPATE:
1. You must be one of the first 15 people to call our office Mention
Code: 19FebField
2. You will be required to have your hearing tested in our office,
FREE OF CHARGE, to determine candidacy.
3. Report your results with the hearing instruments to the Hearing
Care Specialist over a three week test period.
FIELD TEST
PARTICIPANTS
Will be tested and
selected same-day.
A7
Qualified candidates will be selected on a first-come, first-served
basis so please call us TODAY to secure your spot in the
Product Field Test.
Participants who qualify and complete the product test will receive
a FREE $100 Restaurant.com Gift Card* as a token of our thanks.
AVOID WAITING – CALL AND MENTION CODE: 19FebField
*One per household. Must be 55 or older and bring loved one for familiar voice test. Must complete a hearing test. Not valid with prior test/purchase in last 6 months. While supplies last. Free gift card may be used
toward the purchase of food at participating restaurants where a minimum purchase may also be required. See restaurant.com for details. Not redeemable for cash. Promotional offer available during special event
dates only. †If you are not completely satisfied, the aids may be returned for a full refund within 30 days of the completion of fitting, in satisfactory condition. See store for details.