lincoln group co-founder called “liar,” “predator”

WASHINGTON» The influential anti-Donald Trump group Lincoln Project is denouncing one of its cofounders after multiple reports that over several years he sexually harassed young men looking to break into politics.

The Lincoln Project in a Sunday statement called co-founder John Weaver, 61, “a predator, a liar, and an abuser” following reports he repeatedly sent unsolicited and sexually charged messages online to young men, often while suggesting he could help them get work in politics.

The online magazine The American Conservative first reported the sexual harassment allegations earlier this month.

EU: AstraZeneca to supply 9 million more vaccine doses. BERLIN» Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has agreed to supply 9 million additional doses of its coronavirus vaccine to the European Union during the first quarter, the bloc’s executive arm said Sunday.

The new target of 40 million doses by the end of March is still half of what the British-Swedish company originally aimed for before it announced a shortfall due to production problems, triggering a spat between AstraZeneca and the EU last week.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a call with seven vaccine makers Sunday that AstraZeneca will also begin deliveries one week sooner than scheduled and expand its manufacturing capacity in Europe.

Israel to give some vaccines to Palestinians. JERUSALEM» Israel has agreed to transfer 5,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine to the Palestinians to immunize frontline medical workers, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s office announced Sunday.

It was the first time that Israel has confirmed the transfer of vaccines to the Palestinians, who lag far behind Israel’s aggressive vaccination campaign and have not yet received any vaccines.

The Palestinian Authority has been trying to acquire doses through a WHO program known as COVAX. But the program, which aims to procure vaccines for needed countries, has been slow to get off the ground.

Afghan negotiating team warns Taliban it must resume talks. AFGHANISTAN» A KABUL, member of the Afghan government’s peace negotiating team Sunday warned the Taliban if they don’t resume peace talks in Qatar soon, the government could recall the team before a deal is reached.

Government negotiator Rasul Talib said in a news conference the team is waiting for the return of the Taliban leadership to Doha, where a second round of peace talks began this month but have made little progress.

He asked the Taliban to “stop spreading baseless remarks” and return to the negotiating table.

There was no immediate response from the Taliban.