washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Report shows Kansas officer denied Black man was run over

An attorney representing a Black man who was injured after being run over by a sheriff ’ s patrol truck while running across a Kansas field said Friday that law enforcement authorities engaged in a cover-up that began as soon as emergency medical personnel arrived .
Lionel Womack , a 35-year-old former police detective from Kansas City , Kansas , alleges in a excessive force lawsuit filed Thursday that Kiowa County Sheriff ’ s Deputy Jeremy Rodriguez intentionally drove over him during the Aug. 15 incident that was captured on dashcam video .
Womack says he sustained serious injuries to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thigh , knee and foot .
Womack ‘ s attorney , Mike Kuckelman , released a copy of the report from the Kiowa County Emergency Medical Services .
It shows that a law enforcement official who was at the scene told the paramedic that the patrol vehicle was chasing the man at around 5 mph in the field and that the man “ veered in front of the vehicle ” with the vehicle “ tapping ” him before he fell down on the ground screaming .
Kuckelman said Friday that the Kiowa County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account to paramedic Kaylan Jones was then-Kiowa County Undersheriff Scott McCann .
The former undersheriff , who now works for the Harper Police Department , did not immediately return a message seeking comment .
Misleading the medical providers was “ irresponsible ” as it could have caused them to fail to provide Wolmack with necessary treatment , according to a letter Kuckelman sent Kiowa County Sheriff Chris Tedder .
Still , medical providers took the injured man to the the Pratt County Regional Medical Center .
It is unclear when McCann arrived at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that he talked to the paramedic after twice watching the video footage that came from the Kiowa County patrol truck that ran Womack down .
That is not the same video as the dashcam video that came from a Pratt County vehicle which has been released .
Kiowa County has not released its video , Kuckelman said .
The attorney says there is a dispute on multiple elements of the case .
His client insists he wasn ’ t speeding when the chase began , while the Kansas Highway Patrol has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car traveling 101 mph ( 163 kph ) in a 65 mph ( 105 kph ) zone .
Kuckelman speculated that there may have been a mistake in identifying the vehicle .
“ We have a lot of inconsistencies in that regard but what I am going to point to in regard to my civil case is watch the video .
There is no doubt they ran this man over with a pickup truck , although they denied it , ” Kuckelman said .
“ He clearly was run over by a truck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the other disputes are worked out - they had no right to use deadly force against Mr. Womack.
” Online court records also show Womack was charged Aug. 12 in Texas County , Oklahoma , with endangering others while eluding or attempting to elude police .
He was extradited Thursday to Oklahoma , the soonest a prosecutor there said they were able to make arrangements to get him .
“ What we did here in our office had absolutely nothing to do with any kind of lawsuit in the state of Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant district attorney in Texas County .
Leach said that law enforcement officials in Oklahoma received a citizen report that a vehicle was driving recklessly .
The driver ignored lights and sirens , and the pursuit was called off for safety reasons when the entered the city of Liberal in Kansas .
Womack was first arrested after he left the city limits , but Kansas officials released him despite a hold Oklahoma had put on him on the felony warrant for eluding police , Leach said .

An attorney representing a Black man who was injured after being run over by a sheriff’s patrol truck while running across a Kansas field said Friday that law enforcement authorities engaged in a cover-up that began as soon as emergency medical personnel arrived.
Lionel Womack, a 35-year-old former police detective from Kansas City, Kansas, alleges in a excessive force lawsuit filed Thursday that Kiowa County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Rodriguez intentionally drove over him during the Aug. 15 incident that was captured on dashcam video.
Womack says he sustained serious injuries to his back, pelvis, and right thigh, knee and foot.
Womack’s attorney, Mike Kuckelman, released a copy of the report from the Kiowa County Emergency Medical Services. It shows that a law enforcement official who was at the scene told the paramedic that the patrol vehicle was chasing the man at around 5 mph in the field and that the man “veered in front of the vehicle” with the vehicle “tapping” him before he fell down on the ground screaming.
Kuckelman said Friday that the Kiowa County officer who gave medical responders the inaccurate account to paramedic Kaylan Jones was then-Kiowa County Undersheriff Scott McCann. The former undersheriff, who now works for the Harper Police Department, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Misleading the medical providers was “irresponsible” as it could have caused them to fail to provide Wolmack with necessary treatment, according to a letter Kuckelman sent Kiowa County Sheriff Chris Tedder. Still, medical providers took the injured man to the the Pratt County Regional Medical Center.
It is unclear when McCann arrived at the scene, but the EMT report noted that he talked to the paramedic after twice watching the video footage that came from the Kiowa County patrol truck that ran Womack down. That is not the same video as the dashcam video that came from a Pratt County vehicle which has been released. Kiowa County has not released its video, Kuckelman said.
The attorney says there is a dispute on multiple elements of the case. His client insists he wasn’t speeding when the chase began, while the Kansas Highway Patrol has said it began the pursuit after observing a car traveling 101 mph (163 kph) in a 65 mph (105 kph) zone. Kuckelman speculated that there may have been a mistake in identifying the vehicle.
“We have a lot of inconsistencies in that regard but what I am going to point to in regard to my civil case is watch the video. There is no doubt they ran this man over with a pickup truck, although they denied it,” Kuckelman said. “He clearly was run over by a truck, and I don’t care how the other disputes are worked out - they had no right to use deadly force against Mr. Womack.”
Online court records also show Womack was charged Aug. 12 in Texas County, Oklahoma, with endangering others while eluding or attempting to elude police. He was extradited Thursday to Oklahoma, the soonest a prosecutor there said they were able to make arrangements to get him.
“What we did here in our office had absolutely nothing to do with any kind of lawsuit in the state of Kansas,” said Buddy Leach, first assistant district attorney in Texas County.
Leach said that law enforcement officials in Oklahoma received a citizen report that a vehicle was driving recklessly. The driver ignored lights and sirens, and the pursuit was called off for safety reasons when the entered the city of Liberal in Kansas. Womack was first arrested after he left the city limits, but Kansas officials released him despite a hold Oklahoma had put on him on the felony warrant for eluding police, Leach said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Navajo Nation reports 175 new COVID-19 cases, 10 new deaths

WINDOW ROCK , Ariz. ( AP ) - Navajo Nation health officials on Friday reported 175 new COVID-19 cases and 10 new virus-related deaths .
In all , the tribe has reported 20,569 coronavirus cases resulting in 742 deaths since the pandemic hit the vast reservation in March .
The new statistics come as the reservation enters the latest in a string of weekend-long lockdowns designed to limit activity that can spread the virus .
Health officials said more than 186,000 people on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona , New Mexico and Utah have been tested and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Health officials said 62 communities on the reservation reported new cases Friday .
Communities of particular concern include Kayenta , Tonalea , Shiprock , Tuba City , Leupp , Rock Springs , St. Michaels , Tachee/Blue Gap , Tsayatoh and Cameron .
The Navajo Nation remains in a three-week lockdown that requires all residents to remain home at all times with the exception of essential workers that are required to report to work , cases of emergencies , and to obtain essential items such as food , water and medicine .

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) - Navajo Nation health officials on Friday reported 175 new COVID-19 cases and 10 new virus-related deaths.
In all, the tribe has reported 20,569 coronavirus cases resulting in 742 deaths since the pandemic hit the vast reservation in March.
The new statistics come as the reservation enters the latest in a string of weekend-long lockdowns designed to limit activity that can spread the virus.
Health officials said more than 186,000 people on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah have been tested and nearly 11,000 have recovered from COVID-199
Navajo Department of Health officials said 62 communities on the reservation reported new cases Friday. Communities of particular concern include Kayenta, Tonalea, Shiprock, Tuba City, Leupp, Rock Springs, St. Michaels, Tachee/Blue Gap, Tsayatoh and Cameron.
The Navajo Nation remains in a three-week lockdown that requires all residents to remain home at all times with the exception of essential workers that are required to report to work, cases of emergencies, and to obtain essential items such as food, water and medicine.
The nation’s roads remained closed to visitors.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Michigan man gets prison for threatening call to congressman

KALAMAZOO , Mich. ( AP ) - A Michigan man who left a threatening voicemail for a Georgia congressman was @ @ @ @ @ and a day in prison .
Martin Osborn , 60 , of Bangor referred to @ @ @ @ @ s sponsorship of gun control legislation and said he would attack him at his bedside @ @ @ @ @ Johnson , who is Black , as “ boy.
” He pleaded guilty in August @ @ @ @ @ during the June call .
A 366-day sentence allows Osborn to qualify for good behavior @ @ @ @ @ stay .
“ Osborn may not have had the actual intent or means to carry @ @ @ @ @ his victims , the Capitol Police , and the FBI did not know that , @ @ @ @ @ Kessler said in a court filing .
“ Osborn ’ s threats obligated congressional staff @ @ @ @ @ to expend valuable time and resources assessing their viability.
” Osborn had also made threatening @ @ @ @ @ Spanberger of Virginia and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut , Kessler said .

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - A Michigan man who left a threatening voicemail for a Georgia congressman was sentenced Friday to a year and a day in prison.
Martin Osborn, 60, of Bangor referred to U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson’s sponsorship of gun control legislation and said he would attack him at his bedside.
Osborn also referred to Johnson, who is Black, as “boy.” He pleaded guilty in August to threatening a public official during the June call.
A 366-day sentence allows Osborn to qualify for good behavior credits and a shorter prison stay.
“Osborn may not have had the actual intent or means to carry out his threats, but his victims, the Capitol Police, and the FBI did not know that,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler said in a court filing. “Osborn’s threats obligated congressional staff and multiple law enforcement agencies to expend valuable time and resources assessing their viability.”
Osborn had also made threatening calls to U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Kessler said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Moderna COVID vaccine cleared by U.S.

Moderna COVID vaccine cleared by U.S.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Moderna ’ s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use on Friday , clearing the way for an immediate shipment of 6 million doses on top of the Pfizer vaccine that ’ s already in use .
No one ’ s happier about it than Sen. Steve Daines .
Back in March , as the coronavirus hit and Congress scrambled to cut checks to struggling Americans , the Montana Republican was looking months down the road .
What if the virus didn ’ t go away as it got warmer , and the only way out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13-year career at Proctor and Gamble , Mr. Daines knew that companies weren ’ t going to spend big on a product that might not get approved by the Food and Drug Administration .
He asked Sen. Roy Blunt , who oversees health matters on the Senate Appropriations Committee , for $ 10 billion to help companies develop vaccines and start making doses before regulators weighed in .
“ That was a pretty big ask at the time , ” Mr. Daines told The Washington Times .
“ Many believed the pandemic was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But many feared a second wave , including myself , and that ’ s what we ’ ve seen.
” Mr. Daines ‘ request made it into the $ 2 trillion CARES Act .
Now , the senator believes the pandemic will start to wind down within six months .
Without early manufacturing , he believes the world wouldn ’ t have seen the first vaccines until mid-2021 .
“ It ’ s remarkable .
Nobody thought we would have an approved vaccine and see Americans vaccinated by the end of the calendar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I view this as an early Christmas present that we were able to give to the American people.
” Pfizer didn ’ t accept federal money for the development of its vaccine but the Trump administration spent nearly $ 2 billion to secure early doses .
Moderna , a smaller company , did accept federal help and worked with the National Institutes of Health on its vaccine .
Companies like AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson were also boosted by Mr. Daines ‘ push and President Trump ’ s vaccine initiative , Operation Warp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for leveraging his background in manufacturing and business .
The Missouri Republican said the simultaneous review and manufacturing was a “ significant step toward vaccines being available for the American public in under one year.
” Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel also said he is grateful for Mr. Daines ‘ “ full commitment in this fight against covid-19 through scientific innovation.
” Moderna ’ s vaccine , like Pfizer ’ s , uses “ messenger RNA ” to teach the body to fight the coronavirus by making imposters of its trademark spike protein .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in bubbles of fat known as a lipid nanoparticle .
The shots from Moderna can last in a refrigerator for up to a month .
Pfizer ’ s degrade after five days in a normal fridge , so they need to be packed in special boxes with replenishments of dry ice for up to 15 days if they ’ re not used immediately .
Initial deliveries of the Moderna vaccine will be sent to the states through Wednesday .
“ Congratulations , the Moderna vaccine is now available !
” Mr. Trump tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence in the shots so the country can build up the type of widespread immunity needed to break the pandemic .
Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence received their shots publicly on Friday .
“ Karen and I wanted to step forward and take this vaccine to assure the American people that while we cut red tape , we cut no corners , ” Mr. Pence said at the White House event .
President-elect Joseph R. Biden plans to get the vaccine Monday , and Congress ‘ physician told members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuity of government operations .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted photos of her receiving the shot on Friday .
She reminded Americans to maintain COVID-19 precautions while the nation works to “ crush the virus.
” Mr. Daines took part in Pfizer ’ s vaccine trial this year after his mother told him about enrollment back home in Bozeman , Montana .
It was a hotspot at the time , and scientists wanted to make sure they were testing the vaccine in places with transmission .
The senator said the injection felt a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s pretty sure he got the real thing , not a placebo , because he tested positive for antibodies later on .
He said the vaccine is clearly effective , including for seniors that are most vulnerable to COVID-19 .
“ Hope is not a strategy , ” he said .
“ A vaccine and widespread adoption of the vaccine is a strategy that ’ s going to end the pandemic .
”

The Food and Drug Administration approved Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use on Friday, clearing the way for an immediate shipment of 6 million doses on top of the Pfizer vaccine that’s already in use.
No one’s happier about it than Sen. Steve Daines.
Back in March, as the coronavirus hit and Congress scrambled to cut checks to struggling Americans, the Montana Republican was looking months down the road. What if the virus didn’t go away as it got warmer, and the only way out was through a vaccine?
After a 13-year career at Proctor and Gamble, Mr. Daines knew that companies weren’t going to spend big on a product that might not get approved by the Food and Drug Administration. He asked Sen. Roy Blunt, who oversees health matters on the Senate Appropriations Committee, for $10 billion to help companies develop vaccines and start making doses before regulators weighed in.
“That was a pretty big ask at the time,” Mr. Daines told The Washington Times. “Many believed the pandemic was going to end by the summer. But many feared a second wave, including myself, and that’s what we’ve seen.”
Mr. Daines’ request made it into the $2 trillion CARES Act.
Now, the senator believes the pandemic will start to wind down within six months. Without early manufacturing, he believes the world wouldn’t have seen the first vaccines until mid-2021.
“It’s remarkable. Nobody thought we would have an approved vaccine and see Americans vaccinated by the end of the calendar year,” he said. “I view this as an early Christmas present that we were able to give to the American people.”
Pfizer didn’t accept federal money for the development of its vaccine but the Trump administration spent nearly $2 billion to secure early doses.
Moderna, a smaller company, did accept federal help and worked with the National Institutes of Health on its vaccine. Companies like AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson were also boosted by Mr. Daines’ push and President Trump’s vaccine initiative, Operation Warp Speed.
Mr. Blunt credited Mr. Daines for leveraging his background in manufacturing and business. The Missouri Republican said the simultaneous review and manufacturing was a “significant step toward vaccines being available for the American public in under one year.”
Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel also said he is grateful for Mr. Daines’ “full commitment in this fight against covid-19 through scientific innovation.”
Moderna’s vaccine, like Pfizer’s, uses “messenger RNA” to teach the body to fight the coronavirus by making imposters of its trademark spike protein. The snippets of genetic code are delivered in bubbles of fat known as a lipid nanoparticle.
The shots from Moderna can last in a refrigerator for up to a month. Pfizer’s degrade after five days in a normal fridge, so they need to be packed in special boxes with replenishments of dry ice for up to 15 days if they’re not used immediately.
Initial deliveries of the Moderna vaccine will be sent to the states through Wednesday.
“Congratulations, the Moderna vaccine is now available!” Mr. Trump tweeted.
Federal officials are trying to boost confidence in the shots so the country can build up the type of widespread immunity needed to break the pandemic.
Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence received their shots publicly on Friday.
“Karen and I wanted to step forward and take this vaccine to assure the American people that while we cut red tape, we cut no corners,” Mr. Pence said at the White House event.
President-elect Joseph R. Biden plans to get the vaccine Monday, and Congress’ physician told members they’re eligible as part of continuity of government operations.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted photos of her receiving the shot on Friday. She reminded Americans to maintain COVID-19 precautions while the nation works to “crush the virus.”
Mr. Daines took part in Pfizer’s vaccine trial this year after his mother told him about enrollment back home in Bozeman, Montana. It was a hotspot at the time, and scientists wanted to make sure they were testing the vaccine in places with transmission.
The senator said the injection felt a lot like taking the flu shot. He’s pretty sure he got the real thing, not a placebo, because he tested positive for antibodies later on.
He said the vaccine is clearly effective, including for seniors that are most vulnerable to COVID-19.
“Hope is not a strategy,” he said. “A vaccine and widespread adoption of the vaccine is a strategy that’s going to end the pandemic.”
• David Sherfinski contributed to this report.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Senate investigators fault FAA over Boeing jet, safety

Boeing improperly influenced a test designed to see how quickly pilots could respond to malfunctions on the Boeing 737 Max , and Federal Aviation Administration officials may have obstructed a review of two deadly crashes involving the plane , Senate investigators say .
In a report released Friday , the Senate Commerce Committee also said the FAA continues to retaliate against whistleblowers .
The FAA ’ s parent agency , the Transportation Department , has also hindered investigators by failing to turn over documents , it said .
The report follows a similarly scathing review of the FAA by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew out of concern about the agency ’ s approval of the Boeing Max .
In a statement , the FAA said the report “ contains a number of unsubstantiated allegations ” and defended its review of the Max , calling it thorough and deliberate .
“ We are confident that the safety issues that played a role in the tragic accidents involving Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 have been addressed through the design changes required and independently approved by the FAA and its partners , ” the agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee ’ s findings and will continue to review the report in full , ” the Chicago-based company said .
All Max planes were grounded worldwide after crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people .
Following a lengthy review of Boeing changes , the FAA last month approved the plane to fly again if airlines update a key flight-control system and make other changes .
The Senate report , however , criticized a key part of the FAA review .
It said that Boeing “ inappropriately influenced ” FAA testing of pilot-reaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane .
According to a whistleblower who was an FAA safety inspector , Boeing representatives watched and gave advice to help test pilots in a flight simulator respond to the problem in a few seconds .
The reaction of three flight crews was still slower than Boeing had assumed , according to the report .
Each time the plane would have been thrown into a nose-down pitch , although recovery would have been possible , the investigators said .
In the two Max crashes , a failure of the key flight system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly , sending the planes into fatal dives .
The FAA countered that it was an FAA pilot who discovered a separate computer issue in the plane , a flaw that took Boeing additional months to fix .
Investigators also said an FAA division manager was first invited , then excluded from a review of the Max crashes even though his position normally would call for him to participate in the review .
The official said he believes he was excluded to shield FAA from criticism .
“ The report details a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety oversight and failed leadership in the FAA , ” Wicker said in a statement .
“ It is clear that the agency requires consistent oversight to ensure their work to protect the flying public is executed fully and correctly.
” Wicker and the panel ’ s top Democrat , Maria Cantwell of Washington , have introduced legislation to make changes in FAA ’ s process for certifying new planes .
The House passed a similar but more far-reaching bill offered by Transportation Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio , D-Ore .

Boeing improperly influenced a test designed to see how quickly pilots could respond to malfunctions on the Boeing 737 Max, and Federal Aviation Administration officials may have obstructed a review of two deadly crashes involving the plane, Senate investigators say.
In a report released Friday, the Senate Commerce Committee also said the FAA continues to retaliate against whistleblowers. The FAA’s parent agency, the Transportation Department, has also hindered investigators by failing to turn over documents, it said.
The report follows a similarly scathing review of the FAA by a House panel earlier this year. Both grew out of concern about the agency’s approval of the Boeing Max.
In a statement, the FAA said the report “contains a number of unsubstantiated allegations” and defended its review of the Max, calling it thorough and deliberate.
“We are confident that the safety issues that played a role in the tragic accidents involving Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 have been addressed through the design changes required and independently approved by the FAA and its partners,” the agency said.
Boeing didn’t comment on specific allegations.
“We take seriously the Committee’s findings and will continue to review the report in full,” the Chicago-based company said.
All Max planes were grounded worldwide after crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people. Following a lengthy review of Boeing changes, the FAA last month approved the plane to fly again if airlines update a key flight-control system and make other changes.
The Senate report, however, criticized a key part of the FAA review. It said that Boeing “inappropriately influenced” FAA testing of pilot-reaction time to a nose-down pitch of the plane.
According to a whistleblower who was an FAA safety inspector, Boeing representatives watched and gave advice to help test pilots in a flight simulator respond to the problem in a few seconds. The reaction of three flight crews was still slower than Boeing had assumed, according to the report. Each time the plane would have been thrown into a nose-down pitch, although recovery would have been possible, the investigators said.
In the two Max crashes, a failure of the key flight system, called MCAS, pushed the nose down repeatedly, sending the planes into fatal dives.
The FAA countered that it was an FAA pilot who discovered a separate computer issue in the plane, a flaw that took Boeing additional months to fix.
Investigators also said an FAA division manager was first invited, then excluded from a review of the Max crashes even though his position normally would call for him to participate in the review. The official said he believes he was excluded to shield FAA from criticism.
The committee chairman, Roger Wicker, R-Miss., called the investigators’ findings troubling.
“The report details a number of significant examples of lapses in aviation safety oversight and failed leadership in the FAA,” Wicker said in a statement. “It is clear that the agency requires consistent oversight to ensure their work to protect the flying public is executed fully and correctly.”
Wicker and the panel’s top Democrat, Maria Cantwell of Washington, have introduced legislation to make changes in FAA’s process for certifying new planes. The House passed a similar but more far-reaching bill offered by Transportation Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--4 men indicted in racially motivated assault of Black man

SEATTLE ( AP ) - A federal grand jury indicted four men from Idaho , Oregon and Washington state , accusing them of hate crimes and making false statements in the assault of a Black man at a suburban Seattle bar , authorities said Friday .
An investigation by the FBI and the Snohomish County Sheriff ’ s Office of the incident two years ago at The Rec Room Bar & Grill in Lynnwood prompted the indictment .
Several men tried to take over a Black disc jockey ’ s audio equipment and beat him when he protested , The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Seattle names Jason Desimas of Tacoma , Washington ; Jason Stanley of Boise , Idaho ; Randy Smith of Eugene , Oregon ; and Daniel Delbert Dorson of Corvallis , Oregon .
It could not be immediately determined if the men had attorneys to comment on their behalf .
The indictment charges each man with three counts of committing a federal hate crime and one count of making false statements to FBI agents .
It also charges the defendants with assaulting two other men .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ racially derogatory comments ” while assaulting the disc jockey , who is not named in the indictment .
The men willfully caused bodily injury to the disc jockey because of his “ actual and perceived race , ” the indictment says .
The false statement counts allege that Desimas denied to the FBI that he and others used racist language during the assault .
Dorson is accused of lying about attending a “ Martyr ’ s Day ” celebration before the incident and said “ he had not owned a jacket associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office said .
“ Martyr ’ s Day ” commemorates the 1984 death of white supremacist Robert J. Matthews on Whidbey Island , near Lynnwood .
The indictment also claims Stanley lied about being present at the bar and that Smith lied about how he had bloodied his knuckles .
Smith is in custody in Oregon and Stanley is in custody in Idaho on unrelated charges and will be brought to the Western District of Washington for arraignment , the Justice Department said .
Dorson was scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
Desimas was not in custody as of Friday afternoon , according to DOJ spokeswoman Emily Langlie .

SEATTLE (AP) - A federal grand jury indicted four men from Idaho, Oregon and Washington state, accusing them of hate crimes and making false statements in the assault of a Black man at a suburban Seattle bar, authorities said Friday.
An investigation by the FBI and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office of the incident two years ago at The Rec Room Bar & Grill in Lynnwood prompted the indictment.
Several men tried to take over a Black disc jockey’s audio equipment and beat him when he protested, The Seattle Times reported.
The indictment announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle names Jason Desimas of Tacoma, Washington; Jason Stanley of Boise, Idaho; Randy Smith of Eugene, Oregon; and Daniel Delbert Dorson of Corvallis, Oregon. It could not be immediately determined if the men had attorneys to comment on their behalf.
The indictment charges each man with three counts of committing a federal hate crime and one count of making false statements to FBI agents. It also charges the defendants with assaulting two other men.
The indictment accuses the defendants of making “racially derogatory comments” while assaulting the disc jockey, who is not named in the indictment. The men willfully caused bodily injury to the disc jockey because of his “actual and perceived race,” the indictment says.
The false statement counts allege that Desimas denied to the FBI that he and others used racist language during the assault.
Dorson is accused of lying about attending a “Martyr’s Day” celebration before the incident and said “he had not owned a jacket associated with white supremacy hate groups,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. “Martyr’s Day” commemorates the 1984 death of white supremacist Robert J. Matthews on Whidbey Island, near Lynnwood.
The indictment also claims Stanley lied about being present at the bar and that Smith lied about how he had bloodied his knuckles.
Smith is in custody in Oregon and Stanley is in custody in Idaho on unrelated charges and will be brought to the Western District of Washington for arraignment, the Justice Department said. Dorson was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Eugene on Friday. Desimas was not in custody as of Friday afternoon, according to DOJ spokeswoman Emily Langlie.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--New leader at Western Illinois U. will get $320K a year

MACOMB , Ill. ( AP ) - Trustees at Western Illinois University approved a 2 1/2-year contract with the school @ @ @ @ @ and set the salary at $ 320,000 a year .
Guiyou Huang starts Jan. 1 @ @ @ @ @ president since July 2019 at Edinboro University in Edinboro , Pennsylvania .
“ I want @ @ @ @ @ - minority students , all students - to hear their concerns and know how I @ @ @ @ @ Huang told the Quad-City Times .
WIU trustees unanimously chose Huang on Nov. 16 .
@ @ @ @ @ eight years .
Martin Abraham served as interim president for 18 months .

MACOMB, Ill. (AP) - Trustees at Western Illinois University approved a 2 1/2-year contract with the school’s new president Friday and set the salary at $320,000 a year.
Guiyou Huang starts Jan. 1. He’s been president since July 2019 at Edinboro University in Edinboro, Pennsylvania.
“I want to talk to the students - minority students, all students - to hear their concerns and know how I can support them,” Huang told the Quad-City Times.
WIU trustees unanimously chose Huang on Nov. 16. Jack Thomas was president for eight years. Martin Abraham served as interim president for 18 months.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Florida launches investigation into hacking of its servers

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. ( AP ) - Florida officials acknowledged Friday that state servers appear to have been compromised by overseas hackers who gained entry by imbedding malicious code into networking software from a Texas-based software company , SolarWinds .
Two Florida officials who have knowledge of the matter but spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about it said the hackers apparently infiltrated systems of the Agency for Healthcare Administration , which runs the state ’ s Medicaid program , and other agencies .
It was unclear what information the hackers may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will continue to review and monitor the situation , ” the Florida Department of Management Services said in a statement to The Associated Press late Friday .
“ Florida , like many states , continues to coordinate with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and additional federal , state , and local partners on all matters related to cybersecurity.
” Software from SolarWinds has been at the center of global worries over a spate of hackings into computer systems operated by government agencies and major companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company ’ s software .
SolarWinds had begun alerting 33,000 of its customers that an “ outside nation state ” - widely suspected to be Russia - had inserted malicious code into some versions of its Orion software .
The software helps network administrators monitor the performance of their servers and systems .
The Florida officials were not prepared to discuss how serious the breach might have been amid conflicting statements and information from some companies involved in investigating the breach .
The officials said they were still trying to understand to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether any data was harvested and , if so , for what purpose .
Outside meddling has been an especially sensitive issue in Florida because of previous breaches by Russian hackers .
Last year , Gov .
Ron DeSantis ordered his secretary of state to launch a review of election security after revelations that Russian hackers infiltrated election systems in at least two Florida counties .

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida officials acknowledged Friday that state servers appear to have been compromised by overseas hackers who gained entry by imbedding malicious code into networking software from a Texas-based software company, SolarWinds.
Two Florida officials who have knowledge of the matter but spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about it said the hackers apparently infiltrated systems of the Agency for Healthcare Administration, which runs the state’s Medicaid program, and other agencies.
It was unclear what information the hackers may have taken, the officials said.
“We will continue to review and monitor the situation,” the Florida Department of Management Services said in a statement to The Associated Press late Friday. “Florida, like many states, continues to coordinate with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and additional federal, state, and local partners on all matters related to cybersecurity.”
Software from SolarWinds has been at the center of global worries over a spate of hackings into computer systems operated by government agencies and major companies. The intruders apparently exploited vulnerabilities in the company’s software.
SolarWinds had begun alerting 33,000 of its customers that an “outside nation state” - widely suspected to be Russia - had inserted malicious code into some versions of its Orion software. The software helps network administrators monitor the performance of their servers and systems.
The Florida officials were not prepared to discuss how serious the breach might have been amid conflicting statements and information from some companies involved in investigating the breach.
The officials said they were still trying to understand to what extent their systems were penetrated, whether any data was harvested and, if so, for what purpose.
Outside meddling has been an especially sensitive issue in Florida because of previous breaches by Russian hackers.
Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered his secretary of state to launch a review of election security after revelations that Russian hackers infiltrated election systems in at least two Florida counties.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--'Obamacare' enrollment rising as COVID-19 pandemic deepens

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Sign-ups for “ Obamacare ” health insurance plans are trending more than 6 % higher amid surging coronavirus cases and deepening economic misery , according to preliminary figures released Friday by the government .
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services , or CMS , said more than 8.2 million people had signed up through the close of open enrollment Dec. 15 in the 36 states served by the federal HealthCare.gov website .
An apples-to-apples comparison with last year ’ s sign-ups translates to a 6.6 % gain , the agency said .
Unlike last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used the federal website are now running their own .
Numbers from New Jersey and Pennsylvania were not counted in Friday ’ s tally from HealthCare.gov states .
They ’ ll be reported in coming weeks , along with those from other remaining states .
Created by former President Barack Obama ’ s health law , the insurance markets offer taxpayer subsidized private plans to more than 11 million people who don ’ t have job-based coverage .
Insurers can not turn away customers with pre-existing medical conditions .
Medicaid expansion , another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covers about 12 million people .
President Donald Trump failed to repeal “ Obamacare ” his first year in office , an early defeat he never forgot .
Although Trump has been trying to convince a skeptical Supreme Court to overturn the law in its entirety , his administration took credit Friday for what officials called a successful enrollment season .
“ We ’ ve opened more pathways to enroll by taking advantage of private sector and people are clearly finding the coverage they need at this critical time , ” CMS Administrator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nonetheless , the Trump administration ignored calls to provide a special sign-up period related to the pandemic , something President-elect Joe Biden has said he will do .
Former Obama administration officials who keep a close eye on the health law celebrated .
“ This is the largest increase in HealthCare.gov enrollment since 2016 and it ’ s the only increase during the Trump administration , ” said Joshua Peck , who once served as marketing chief for the program .
It ’ s “ a testament to the role the ACA is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Some states that run their own enrollment campaigns are also reporting stronger numbers .
Maryland said this week it signed up more than 166,000 people , a record .
Final numbers for HealthCare.gov , expected soon , will include people who started their applications before the Dec. 15 deadline but weren ’ t able to finish .
Those usually track close to the preliminary results reported Friday .
The official national enrollment report will be released sometime early next year , counting big states like California and New York that run their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million uninsured Americans before the pandemic , the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation estimates more than 16 million were eligible for some form of subsidized coverage through the health law .
With coronavirus shutdowns leaving even more people uninsured , Biden has pledged to build on the ACA to provide coverage to all Americans .
His path forward doesn ’ t look that easy , since he will come into office with a closely divided Congress and most Republicans still opposed to “ Obamacare.
” ACA coverage starts Jan. 1 for those who signed @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sign-ups for “Obamacare” health insurance plans are trending more than 6% higher amid surging coronavirus cases and deepening economic misery, according to preliminary figures released Friday by the government.
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services, or CMS, said more than 8.2 million people had signed up through the close of open enrollment Dec. 15 in the 36 states served by the federal HealthCare.gov website.
An apples-to-apples comparison with last year’s sign-ups translates to a 6.6% gain, the agency said. Unlike last year, two populous states that had used the federal website are now running their own. Numbers from New Jersey and Pennsylvania were not counted in Friday’s tally from HealthCare.gov states. They’ll be reported in coming weeks, along with those from other remaining states.
Created by former President Barack Obama’s health law, the insurance markets offer taxpayer subsidized private plans to more than 11 million people who don’t have job-based coverage. Insurers cannot turn away customers with pre-existing medical conditions. Medicaid expansion, another component of the Affordable Care Act, covers about 12 million people.
President Donald Trump failed to repeal “Obamacare” his first year in office, an early defeat he never forgot. Although Trump has been trying to convince a skeptical Supreme Court to overturn the law in its entirety, his administration took credit Friday for what officials called a successful enrollment season.
“We’ve opened more pathways to enroll by taking advantage of private sector and people are clearly finding the coverage they need at this critical time,” CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in a statement. Nonetheless, the Trump administration ignored calls to provide a special sign-up period related to the pandemic, something President-elect Joe Biden has said he will do.
Former Obama administration officials who keep a close eye on the health law celebrated.
“This is the largest increase in HealthCare.gov enrollment since 2016 and it’s the only increase during the Trump administration,” said Joshua Peck, who once served as marketing chief for the program. It’s “a testament to the role the ACA is playing in creating a strong safety net.”
Some states that run their own enrollment campaigns are also reporting stronger numbers. Maryland said this week it signed up more than 166,000 people, a record.
Final numbers for HealthCare.gov, expected soon, will include people who started their applications before the Dec. 15 deadline but weren’t able to finish. Those usually track close to the preliminary results reported Friday. The official national enrollment report will be released sometime early next year, counting big states like California and New York that run their own sign-up efforts.
Of some 28 million uninsured Americans before the pandemic, the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation estimates more than 16 million were eligible for some form of subsidized coverage through the health law.
With coronavirus shutdowns leaving even more people uninsured, Biden has pledged to build on the ACA to provide coverage to all Americans. His path forward doesn’t look that easy, since he will come into office with a closely divided Congress and most Republicans still opposed to “Obamacare.”
ACA coverage starts Jan. 1 for those who signed up this year.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Sudanese protesters mark anniversary of anti-Bashir uprising

CAIRO ( AP ) - Protests in Sudan ‘ s capital and across the country on Saturday demanded a faster pace to democratic reforms , in demonstrations that marked the two-year anniversary of the uprising that led to the military ’ s ouster of strongman Omar al-Bashir .
The protests come amid rising tensions between military and civilian members of Sudan ‘ s transitional government , which was set up after al-Bashir ’ s arrest in April 2019 and has promised sweeping reforms .
Tensions have largely centered on the Sudanese military ’ s economic assets , over which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Saturday ’ s “ million-man march ” was called by the Sudanese Professionals ’ Association , and the so-called Resistance Committees , which were instrumental in leading protests against al-Bashir and demanding the army generals who replaced him share power with civilian officials .
Security forces closed off major roads and streets leading to government and military headquarters in Khartoum ahead of the protests .
Footage circulating online Saturday showed thousands of protesters marching in Khartoum and its twin city , Omdurman , as well as in other cities across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas in the capital .
There were no immediate reports of casualties .
The protesters have called for a swift formation of a legislative body .
Creating an interim parliament was part of a power-sharing agreement signed in August 2019 between pro-democracy protesters and the country ’ s powerful military .
The demonstrations have also renewed calls for a government-led investigation into the violent dispersal of a protest camp outside outside the military headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 .
According to the protesters , at least 128 people were killed and hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll at 87 , including 17 inside the sit-in area .
The probe was supposed to have been completed by February , but investigators asked for an extension , in part due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The transitional government faces steep challenges in transforming Sudan ’ s economic system and meeting the demands of the protest movement , which has been spurred by soaring prices of staple goods and rising youth unemployment .
The government has been struggling with a huge budget deficit and widespread shortages of essential goods , including fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soared past 200 % in the past months as prices of bread and other staples surged , according to official figures .
The demonstrations have come amid an increase in the reported coronavirus cases in the county .
In its latest report for Wednesday , the Sudanese Health Ministry reported more than 356 confirmed cases and 17 fatalities , one of the highest daily tallies in months .
Overall , Sudan has reported more than 22,620 confirmed cases , including 1,425 deaths .
The actual COVID-19 tally is believed to be higher given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

CAIRO (AP) - Protests in Sudan’s capital and across the country on Saturday demanded a faster pace to democratic reforms, in demonstrations that marked the two-year anniversary of the uprising that led to the military’s ouster of strongman Omar al-Bashir.
The protests come amid rising tensions between military and civilian members of Sudan’s transitional government, which was set up after al-Bashir’s arrest in April 2019 and has promised sweeping reforms.
In the capital of Khartoum, protester Mosaab al-Shraif said he took part in the demonstrations to pressure the transitional government to carry out the demands of the 2018 uprising.
“We’ve come out to fulfill the demands of our revolution that have not been fulfilled and bring down all of them,” he said in a reference to al-Bashir’s legacy.
Tensions have largely centered on the Sudanese military’s economic assets, over which the civilian-run finance ministry does not have control.
Saturday’s “million-man march” was called by the Sudanese Professionals’ Association, and the so-called Resistance Committees, which were instrumental in leading protests against al-Bashir and demanding the army generals who replaced him share power with civilian officials.
Security forces closed off major roads and streets leading to government and military headquarters in Khartoum ahead of the protests.
Footage circulating online Saturday showed thousands of protesters marching in Khartoum and its twin city, Omdurman, as well as in other cities across the country. Protesters set tires ablaze in some areas in the capital. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The protesters have called for a swift formation of a legislative body. Creating an interim parliament was part of a power-sharing agreement signed in August 2019 between pro-democracy protesters and the country’s powerful military.
The demonstrations have also renewed calls for a government-commissioned investigation into the violent dispersal of a protest camp outside outside the military headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019.
According to the protesters, at least 128 people were killed and hundreds went missing. Authorities put the death toll at 87, including 17 inside the sit-in area.
The probe was supposed to have been completed by February, but investigators asked for an extension, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The transitional government faces steep challenges in transforming Sudan’s economic system and meeting the demands of the protest movement, which has been spurred by soaring prices of staple goods and rising youth unemployment.
The government has been struggling with a huge budget deficit and widespread shortages of essential goods, including fuel, bread and medicine.
Annual inflation soared past 200% in the past months as prices of bread and other staples surged, according to official figures.
The demonstrations have come amid an increase in the reported coronavirus cases in the county. In its latest report for Wednesday, the Sudanese Health Ministry reported more than 356 confirmed cases and 17 fatalities, one of the highest daily tallies in months.
Overall, Sudan has reported more than 22,620 confirmed cases, including 1,425 deaths. The actual COVID-19 tally is believed to be higher given the country’s limited testing capabilities.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Seaweed industry stays afloat, seeks growth during pandemic

SACO , Maine ( AP ) - The coronavirus pandemic has been a struggle for much of American seafood , but at least one sector of the industry has found a way to grow during the crisis - the seaweed business .
Seaweed harvesting and farming , based largely along the rocky and chilly coast of Maine , has grown for several years as interest in foods and nutritional products made with the gooey marine algae have risen in popularity .
Like many pieces of the seafood industry , seaweed is highly dependent on the restaurant sector , which made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But that hasn ’ t been the case , according to state records and members of the industry .
Representatives for Atlantic Sea Farms , a Saco company that works with two dozen seaweed farmers and accounts for most of the seaweed aquaculture in the state , said it nearly doubled its harvest this year to 450,000 pounds .
Other growers said they continued harvesting seaweed through the pandemic , though finding workers and buyers was more complicated than a typical year .
The industry was able to pivot to selling more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that meant it avoided the trouble that befell other seafood industries , such as the hard-hit oyster business , said Tollef Olson , president of the Maine Seaweed Council .
“ Almost all the products we put out have been stabilized , ” Olson said .
“ Some of the wholesale business definitely dropped off , but we ’ re seeing more shelf space , and more online platforms.
” The statewide harvest of farm-raised seaweed in Maine grew from about 50,000 pounds in 2018 to about 275,000 pounds last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Farms alone thinks its farmers will harvest more than 800,000 pounds in 2021 .
The seaweed is processed into products such as seaweed sauerkraut and frozen kelp cubes for smoothies .
The state ’ s seaweed industry also includes a wild harvest of rockweed , which is used for livestock feed and fertilizers .
The pandemic hit Maine right around the same time as the seaweed aquaculture business ’ s spring harvesting season , said Bri Warner , chief executive officer of Atlantic Sea Farms .
Members of the industry have had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores due to restaurant closures , and have had some success , she said .
“ Four ounces of a kelp in smoothie cubes is not the same as kelp on every salad in Sweetgreen that ’ s going out the door .
We ’ re being very creative about how we sell , ” Warner said .
“ We feel very good about being able to weather the storm.
” The seaweed business ’ s ability to grow during the pandemic is an outlier within the U.S. seafood business .
Consumer demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 70 % during the early months of the pandemic , and that sent troubling economic ripples through the business , according to one study published in the scientific journal Fish and Fisheries in November .
The seaweed industry has been limited by restrictions on the amount of people who can work on farms , said Sarah Redmond , one of the owners of Springtide Seaweed , a Gouldsboro grower .
Growers often grow the seaweed underwater on ropes in bays , and the work is labor intensive .
However , the growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking to experiment with new ingredients , during the pandemic might have helped the seaweed trade , Redmond said .
“ We ’ ve actually seen an increase in demand for our seaweed products , ” she said .
“ There ’ s still a demand for healthy food and healthy ingredients .
”

SACO, Maine (AP) - The coronavirus pandemic has been a struggle for much of American seafood, but at least one sector of the industry has found a way to grow during the crisis - the seaweed business.
Seaweed harvesting and farming, based largely along the rocky and chilly coast of Maine, has grown for several years as interest in foods and nutritional products made with the gooey marine algae have risen in popularity. Like many pieces of the seafood industry, seaweed is highly dependent on the restaurant sector, which made the pandemic a potentially major setback.
But that hasn’t been the case, according to state records and members of the industry. Representatives for Atlantic Sea Farms, a Saco company that works with two dozen seaweed farmers and accounts for most of the seaweed aquaculture in the state, said it nearly doubled its harvest this year to 450,000 pounds.
Other growers said they continued harvesting seaweed through the pandemic, though finding workers and buyers was more complicated than a typical year. The industry was able to pivot to selling more of its products via retail locations than restaurants, and that meant it avoided the trouble that befell other seafood industries, such as the hard-hit oyster business, said Tollef Olson, president of the Maine Seaweed Council.
“Almost all the products we put out have been stabilized,” Olson said. “Some of the wholesale business definitely dropped off, but we’re seeing more shelf space, and more online platforms.”
The statewide harvest of farm-raised seaweed in Maine grew from about 50,000 pounds in 2018 to about 275,000 pounds last year, state records show. Atlantic Sea Farms alone thinks its farmers will harvest more than 800,000 pounds in 2021.
The seaweed is processed into products such as seaweed sauerkraut and frozen kelp cubes for smoothies. The state’s seaweed industry also includes a wild harvest of rockweed, which is used for livestock feed and fertilizers.
The pandemic hit Maine right around the same time as the seaweed aquaculture business’s spring harvesting season, said Bri Warner, chief executive officer of Atlantic Sea Farms. Members of the industry have had to hustle to get seaweed products in new stores due to restaurant closures, and have had some success, she said.
“Four ounces of a kelp in smoothie cubes is not the same as kelp on every salad in Sweetgreen that’s going out the door. We’re being very creative about how we sell,” Warner said. “We feel very good about being able to weather the storm.”
The seaweed business’s ability to grow during the pandemic is an outlier within the U.S. seafood business. Consumer demand for seafood at restaurants dropped by more than 70% during the early months of the pandemic, and that sent troubling economic ripples through the business, according to one study published in the scientific journal Fish and Fisheries in November.
The seaweed industry has been limited by restrictions on the amount of people who can work on farms, said Sarah Redmond, one of the owners of Springtide Seaweed, a Gouldsboro grower. Growers often grow the seaweed underwater on ropes in bays, and the work is labor intensive.
However, the growth in people cooking at home, and looking to experiment with new ingredients, during the pandemic might have helped the seaweed trade, Redmond said.
“We’ve actually seen an increase in demand for our seaweed products,” she said. “There’s still a demand for healthy food and healthy ingredients.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Russia to give icon that sparked controversy back to Bosnia

MOSCOW ( AP ) - Russia said Saturday it will return an Orthodox icon presented to the Russian foreign minister @ @ @ @ @ that has triggered a protest from Ukraine .
The presiding Serb member of Bosnia ’ @ @ @ @ @ Dodik , gave the icon to Russia ’ s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov when he @ @ @ @ @ .
The icon , which was said to be 300 years old , is believed @ @ @ @ @ , where Russia-backed rebels have fought Ukrainian troops in a six-year conflict .
The Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ information on how the Bosnian Serb leader came to possess the icon , noting that @ @ @ @ @ information would mean Bosnia is supporting Russia ’ s “ aggressive policy and military actions @ @ @ @ @ .
Dozens of Serbs have fought alongside the pro-Russia rebels in the conflict , which @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry said the icon would be returned to Bosnia @ @ @ @ @ clarify its origins .

MOSCOW (AP) - Russia said Saturday it will return an Orthodox icon presented to the Russian foreign minister in Bosnia, a gift that has triggered a protest from Ukraine.
The presiding Serb member of Bosnia’s three-member presidency, Milorad Dodik, gave the icon to Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov when he visited Sarajevo earlier this week. The icon, which was said to be 300 years old, is believed to originate from eastern Ukraine, where Russia-backed rebels have fought Ukrainian troops in a six-year conflict.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Sarajevo has requested information on how the Bosnian Serb leader came to possess the icon, noting that the failure to provide the information would mean Bosnia is supporting Russia’s “aggressive policy and military actions’’ in eastern Ukraine. Dozens of Serbs have fought alongside the pro-Russia rebels in the conflict, which started in 2014.
On Saturday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the icon would be returned to Bosnia pending an Interpol probe to clarify its origins.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Sydney-Hobart yacht race canceled after new COVID outbreak

SYDNEY ( AP ) - The Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been canceled for the first time in its history , with organizers admitting border restrictions forced by Sydney ’ s new coronavirus outbreak made it impossible to stage the race .
“ We are bitterly disappointed to cancel the race this year , especially considering the plans and preparations we had put in place to have a COVID-safe race , ” Cruising Yacht Club commodore Noel Cornish said in announcing the cancellation on Saturday .
The race , first held in 1945 , was scheduled to begin Dec. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tradition in Australia .
The yachts leave Sydney Harbor amid a huge spectator fleet of boats and travel down the east coast of New South Wales state en route to the island state of Tasmania and its capital Hobart .
“ We were so well prepared to run the race , ” Cornish said .
“ The primary consideration for the club continues to be the safety of competitors , members and staff , along with the health and welfare of the people of New South Wales and Tasmania.
” The final blow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peter Gutwein announced on Saturday that all people arriving from Sydney would have to undergo 14 days of quarantine .
He confirmed no exceptions would be made for the Sydney to Hobart race and its sailors .
Earlier in the day , the New South Wales health department announced a further 23 COVID-19 cases , prompting the state government to enforce a lockdown in Sydney ’ s northern beaches area until Wednesday .
Around 150 sailors registered for the event - about a third of the fleet ’ s crew - are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel to Tasmania .
“ It is unlikely the restrictions and advice will lift in the immediate future , ” Cornish said .
“ As such , the immense logistics involved in reorganizing and running a significant sporting event … as well as the planning and preparation required by crews , precludes the club from postponing the race.
” Around 100 entries were initially expected for this year ’ s race , but numbers had dropped back to 75 yachts as travel restrictions and economic circumstances impact on participants from around the world @

SYDNEY (AP) - The Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been canceled for the first time in its history, with organizers admitting border restrictions forced by Sydney’s new coronavirus outbreak made it impossible to stage the race.
“We are bitterly disappointed to cancel the race this year, especially considering the plans and preparations we had put in place to have a COVID-safe race,” Cruising Yacht Club commodore Noel Cornish said in announcing the cancellation on Saturday.
The race, first held in 1945, was scheduled to begin Dec. 26 as part of a Boxing Day tradition in Australia. The yachts leave Sydney Harbor amid a huge spectator fleet of boats and travel down the east coast of New South Wales state en route to the island state of Tasmania and its capital Hobart.
“We were so well prepared to run the race,” Cornish said. “The primary consideration for the club continues to be the safety of competitors, members and staff, along with the health and welfare of the people of New South Wales and Tasmania.”
The final blow to the race came when Tasmania Premier Peter Gutwein announced on Saturday that all people arriving from Sydney would have to undergo 14 days of quarantine. He confirmed no exceptions would be made for the Sydney to Hobart race and its sailors.
Earlier in the day, the New South Wales health department announced a further 23 COVID-19 cases, prompting the state government to enforce a lockdown in Sydney’s northern beaches area until Wednesday.
Around 150 sailors registered for the event - about a third of the fleet’s crew - are in that hot-spot area and not allowed to travel to Tasmania.
“It is unlikely the restrictions and advice will lift in the immediate future,” Cornish said. “As such, the immense logistics involved in reorganizing and running a significant sporting event … as well as the planning and preparation required by crews, precludes the club from postponing the race.”
Around 100 entries were initially expected for this year’s race, but numbers had dropped back to 75 yachts as travel restrictions and economic circumstances impact on participants from around the world.
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--The Latest: Cup rugby match in Italy off due to outbreak

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world : A Challenge Cup rugby match @ @ @ @ @ France was canceled because of several positive COVID-19 tests in the Italian team .
Benetton @ @ @ @ @ game Saturday in Treviso , Italy .
The Challenge Cup is the second-tier competition for @ @ @ @ @ Three matches in the top-tier Champions Cup this weekend were earlier canceled due to coronavirus-related @ @

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
___
Pittsburgh basketball coach Jeff Capel has tested positive for COVID-19.
The schoolsaid Saturday he will be unavailable when the Panthers (5-1) play Louisville on Tuesday. The team will continue to practice and play. Subsequent testing following Capel’s diagnosis resulted in no additional positive results.
There was no immediate word on who would fill in for Capel when Pitt hosts the Cardinals. Tim O’Toole is listed as associate head coach while Jason Kapel, Jeff’s brother, and Milan Brown are assistants.
There’s a chance Capel will miss just one game. The Panthers have a week off following the game against Louisville and don’t play again until a visit to Duke on Dec. 29.
___
Canada won’t play Sweden in a pre-tournament game before the world junior hockey championship in Edmonton, Alberta, because of Sweden’s extended quarantine.
Exhibition games scheduled for Sunday and Monday ahead of the tournament starting Christmas Day were canceled because German players and Swedish staff tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
Players and personnel from all participating countries were required to isolate in hotel rooms
Canada was scheduled to face the Swedes at Rogers Place on Monday. Canada’s warmup game Wednesday against Russia remains on the schedule.
On Tuesday, Switzerland faces Austria and the U.S. meets Finland. Canada takes on Russia and Slovakia plays the Czech Republic on Wednesday.
___
The New York Giants took another coronavirus hit, with offensive assistant coach Stephen Brown testing positive and the team facing the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Browns is in isolation and the team said Saturday it is working with the league’s chief medical officer regarding close contacts.
The training center remains open, and the Giants are following their usual practice and meeting schedule.
Already out for Sunday night’s game because of COVID issues are offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and cornerback James Bradberry. Garrett tested positive and Bradberry was deemed at high risk because of close contact with someone who tested positive.
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A Challenge Cup rugby match between Benetton and Agen of France was canceled because of several positive COVID-19 tests in the Italian team.
Benetton was scheduled to host the game Saturday in Treviso, Italy. The Challenge Cup is the second-tier competition for European rugby union clubs.
Tournament organizer European Professional Club Rugby said a “match result resolution committee” will allocate points.
Three matches in the top-tier Champions Cup this weekend were earlier canceled due to coronavirus-related problems.
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Epstein-linked modeling agent charged with rape of minors

PARIS ( AP ) - A modeling agent associated with disgraced U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein has been charged in France with sexual harassment and the rape of minors over 15 years old .
Jean-Luc Brunel was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation on Wednesday at Charles de Gaulle airport as he was preparing to take a flight to Senegal .
The Paris prosecutor announced in a statement Saturday that the charges were handed out Friday by a magistrate at the end of Brunel ’ s custody period .
It said Brunel was not handed any human trafficking charges , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of inquiry .
The magistrate decided that there was not currently enough evidence to rule on that count , but he was not acquitted and could be charged in the future if anything new emerges .
Brunel was remanded in custody .
Brunel is being investigated as part of a broad French probe into alleged sexual exploitation of women and girls by Epstein and his circle .
Multiple women have identified themselves as victims and spoken to police since the French probe was opened in August last year , the same month in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A former model who testified to French police that she was drugged and raped as a teenager by Brunel said she wept tears of joy at the news of his detention .

PARIS (AP) - A modeling agent associated with disgraced U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein has been charged in France with sexual harassment and the rape of minors over 15 years old.
Jean-Luc Brunel was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation on Wednesday at Charles de Gaulle airport as he was preparing to take a flight to Senegal.
The Paris prosecutor announced in a statement Saturday that the charges were handed out Friday by a magistrate at the end of Brunel’s custody period. It said Brunel was not handed any human trafficking charges, which was one of the main lines of inquiry. The magistrate decided that there was not currently enough evidence to rule on that count, but he was not acquitted and could be charged in the future if anything new emerges. Brunel was remanded in custody.
Brunel is being investigated as part of a broad French probe into alleged sexual exploitation of women and girls by Epstein and his circle. Multiple women have identified themselves as victims and spoken to police since the French probe was opened in August last year, the same month in which Epstein committed suicide in jail.
A former model who testified to French police that she was drugged and raped as a teenager by Brunel said she wept tears of joy at the news of his detention.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--EXPLAINER: Iran, despite sanctions, has routes to vaccines

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) - Although Iran faces crushing U.S. sanctions , there are still ways for Tehran to obtain coronavirus vaccines as the country suffers the Mideast ’ s worst outbreak of the pandemic .
After earlier downplaying the virus , Iran has since acknowledged the scope of the disaster it faces after 1.1 million reported cases and over 52,000 deaths .
Getting vaccines into the arms of its people would be a major step in stemming the crisis .
But while Iran is able to obtain vaccines , challenges remain ranging from sanctions imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of making mass vaccinations happen .
HOW COULD IRAN GET THE VACCINE ?
Iran has signed up for COVAX , an international program designed to distribute coronavirus vaccines to participating countries around the world .
That program is run in part by Gavi , The Vaccine Alliance .
Gavi says the U.S. Treasury ’ s Office of Foreign Asset Control has already issued a license for Iran to take part .
The Treasury declined to comment .
For its part , Iran has alleged U.S. sanctions have affected its ability to purchase medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Iranians “ should curse Trump a hundred times ” over the difficulties .
U.S. sanctions do have specific carve-outs for medicine and humanitarian aid to Iran .
However , international banks and financial institutions hesitate in dealing with Iran transactions for fear of being fined or locked out of the American market .
Those sanctions , however , would not stop Iran from flying a load of cash to Geneva to pay for its participation in COVAX .
Gavi declined to offer any information about Iranian payments or orders , though Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order vaccines for 50 % of its 82 million people .
Alireza Miryousefi , a spokesman at Iran ’ s mission to the United Nations , criticized the U.S. for its sanctions and banking restrictions , which he said “ cruelly put many obstacles in the way of Iran receiving the COVID-19 vaccine .
“ Nonetheless , along with our own indigenous vaccine trials , we fully expect the international community and the relevant international drug companies to fulfill their humanitarian obligation and expedite all our orders , ” Miryousefi said .
Local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begun in earnest , meaning the Islamic Republic may need to rely on those abroad .
DOES IRAN HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A MASS INOCULATION ?
When it comes to childhood vaccinations , Iran has nearly 100 % success in inoculations , according to World Health Organization data .
People from surrounding countries often come to Iran for medical care as well .
Iran ’ s hospitals , doctors and nurses are known as some of the best in the wider Middle East , with a network of clinics from villages to big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while private hospitals can be incredibly expensive .
However , there are questions about the logistics of a mass vaccination drive .
Iran ’ s aging fleet of aircraft likely would need to fly to pick up vaccines made abroad .
Many airlines don ’ t fly into Iran due to sanctions .
Keeping vaccines ultra cold , like in the case of Pfizer-BioNTech ’ s required minus 70 degrees Celsius ( minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit ) , also likely would be a challenge .
Mostafa Ghanei , the director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Headquarters for Combating the Coronavirus , reportedly has said that Iran doesn ’ t want the Pfizer vaccine for that reason .
That remains in question .
Early in the pandemic , Iran ’ s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei floated an unfounded conspiracy theory claiming the virus could be man-made by America .
In those March remarks , he suggested that “ possibly your medicine is a way to spread the virus more.
” Those remarks appeared aimed at dismissing any U.S. assistance out of hand from the Trump administration , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden .
Iran is looking at Chinese and Russian vaccine options .
However , if it relied on COVAX for the vaccines , the cooperative could choose to issue it American-made vaccines .
There ’ s a cost implication as well for Iran if it decides to choose which vaccine it wants from COVAX .
It would need to put up $ 3.50 a dose in advance to have the ability to refuse the vaccine offered , as opposed to $ 1.60 per dose .
If Iran chooses to offer a deposit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that means a $ 143.5 million as opposed to a $ 65.6 million initial payment .
Rejecting a COVAX vaccine offer could see Iran receive doses later as well .
WHY IS IRAN UNDER U.S. SANCTIONS ?
Since the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and the 444-day hostage crisis in Tehran , Iran has been subject to a series of changing economic sanctions .
Some were lifted under Iran ’ s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers , which saw Tehran limit its uranium enrichment in exchange for that relief .
In 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that accord , re-invoking sanctions that had crushed Iran ’ s long-anemic economy .
Trump said he pulled out of the deal over Iran ’ s ballistic missile program , its regional ambitions and other issues - all of which were not part of the 2015 deal .
Biden has signaled he could return America to the deal if Iran agrees to again honor its limits .
However , a series of escalating incidents over the last year and a half across the Mideast have raised tensions between Tehran and Washington .

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Although Iran faces crushing U.S. sanctions, there are still ways for Tehran to obtain coronavirus vaccines as the country suffers the Mideast’s worst outbreak of the pandemic.
After earlier downplaying the virus, Iran has since acknowledged the scope of the disaster it faces after 1.1 million reported cases and over 52,000 deaths. Getting vaccines into the arms of its people would be a major step in stemming the crisis.
But while Iran is able to obtain vaccines, challenges remain ranging from sanctions imposed under President Donald Trump to the logistics of making mass vaccinations happen.
HOW COULD IRAN GET THE VACCINE?
Iran has signed up for COVAX, an international program designed to distribute coronavirus vaccines to participating countries around the world. That program is run in part by Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance. Gavi says the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control has already issued a license for Iran to take part. The Treasury declined to comment.
For its part, Iran has alleged U.S. sanctions have affected its ability to purchase medicine and vaccines. President Hassan Rouhani has said Iranians “should curse Trump a hundred times” over the difficulties. U.S. sanctions do have specific carve-outs for medicine and humanitarian aid to Iran. However, international banks and financial institutions hesitate in dealing with Iran transactions for fear of being fined or locked out of the American market.
Those sanctions, however, would not stop Iran from flying a load of cash to Geneva to pay for its participation in COVAX. Gavi declined to offer any information about Iranian payments or orders, though Iran under its rules at a maximum could order vaccines for 50% of its 82 million people.
Alireza Miryousefi, a spokesman at Iran’s mission to the United Nations, criticized the U.S. for its sanctions and banking restrictions, which he said “cruelly put many obstacles in the way of Iran receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Nonetheless, along with our own indigenous vaccine trials, we fully expect the international community and the relevant international drug companies to fulfill their humanitarian obligation and expedite all our orders,” Miryousefi said.
Local efforts to produce a vaccine have not begun in earnest, meaning the Islamic Republic may need to rely on those abroad.
DOES IRAN HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A MASS INOCULATION?
When it comes to childhood vaccinations, Iran has nearly 100% success in inoculations, according to World Health Organization data. People from surrounding countries often come to Iran for medical care as well. Iran’s hospitals, doctors and nurses are known as some of the best in the wider Middle East, with a network of clinics from villages to big cities. State-run facilities offer subsidized care, while private hospitals can be incredibly expensive.
However, there are questions about the logistics of a mass vaccination drive. Iran’s aging fleet of aircraft likely would need to fly to pick up vaccines made abroad. Many airlines don’t fly into Iran due to sanctions. Keeping vaccines ultra cold, like in the case of Pfizer-BioNTech’s required minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit), also likely would be a challenge. Mostafa Ghanei, the director of the scientific commission at Iran’s National Headquarters for Combating the Coronavirus, reportedly has said that Iran doesn’t want the Pfizer vaccine for that reason.
WOULD IRAN ACCEPT AN AMERICAN-MADE VACCINE?
That remains in question. Early in the pandemic, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei floated an unfounded conspiracy theory claiming the virus could be man-made by America. In those March remarks, he suggested that “possibly your medicine is a way to spread the virus more.” Those remarks appeared aimed at dismissing any U.S. assistance out of hand from the Trump administration, but Iranian officials also now increasingly criticize President-elect Joe Biden.
Iran is looking at Chinese and Russian vaccine options. However, if it relied on COVAX for the vaccines, the cooperative could choose to issue it American-made vaccines. There’s a cost implication as well for Iran if it decides to choose which vaccine it wants from COVAX. It would need to put up $3.50 a dose in advance to have the ability to refuse the vaccine offered, as opposed to $1.60 per dose. If Iran chooses to offer a deposit to vaccinate half its population through COVAX, that means a $143.5 million as opposed to a $65.6 million initial payment.
Rejecting a COVAX vaccine offer could see Iran receive doses later as well.
WHY IS IRAN UNDER U.S. SANCTIONS?
Since the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and the 444-day hostage crisis in Tehran, Iran has been subject to a series of changing economic sanctions. Some were lifted under Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which saw Tehran limit its uranium enrichment in exchange for that relief. In 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from that accord, re-invoking sanctions that had crushed Iran’s long-anemic economy.
Trump said he pulled out of the deal over Iran’s ballistic missile program, its regional ambitions and other issues - all of which were not part of the 2015 deal. Biden has signaled he could return America to the deal if Iran agrees to again honor its limits. However, a series of escalating incidents over the last year and a half across the Mideast have raised tensions between Tehran and Washington.
___
Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--'Big win for democracy': Bosnian city of Mostar gets a vote

SARAJEVO , Bosnia-Herzegovina ( AP ) - Irma Baralija is looking forward to Sunday , when she intends to vote and hopes to win her race as the southern Bosnian city of Mostar holds its first local election in 12 years .
To make that vote possible in her hometown , the 36-year-old Baralija had to sue Bosnia in the European Court of Human Rights for letting a stalemate between two major nationalist political parties prevent her , along about 100,000 other Mostar residents , from voting or running in a municipal election for over a decade .
By winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes she has “ busted the myth ( that nationalist parties ) have been feeding to us , that an individual can not move things forward , that we matter only as members of our ethnic groups.
” Parties representing only one ethnic group have dominated Bosnian politics since the end of the country ’ s devastating 1992-95 war , which pitted its three main ethnic factions - Serbs , Croats and Muslims - against each other after the break-up of Yugoslavia .
“ I hope that my example will inspire citizens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to be brave , to realize that as individuals we can bring positive change , ” said Baralija , who is running for a city council seat on the ticket of the small , multi-ethnic Our Party .
Divided between Muslim Bosniaks and Catholic Croats , who fought fiercely for control over the city during the 1990s conflict , Mostar has not held a local poll since 2008 , when Bosnia ’ s constitutional court declared its election rules to be discriminatory and ordered that they be changed .
The dominant nationalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SDA and the HDZ respectively , have spent over a decade failing to agree about how to do that .
Meanwhile , Mostar was run by a de facto acting mayor , HDZ ’ s Ljubo Beslic , and his office , which included SDA representatives , with no local council to oversee their work or the allocation of nearly 230 million euros from the city ’ s coffers they have spent over the years .
Left without fully functioning institutions , Mostar - one of the impoverished Balkan country ’ s main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crumble , trash repeatedly pile up on its streets and hazardous waste and wastewater treatment sludge dumped in its only landfill , which was supposed to be for non-hazardous waste .
An agreement between the two parties , endorsed by the top European Union and U.S. diplomats in Bosnia , was finally reached in June - eight months after the court in Strasbourg had ruled in favor of Baralija and gave Bosnia six months to amend its election laws so a vote can be held in Mostar .
Mostar is divided in half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war , Croats moved to the western side and Muslims to the east .
Since the fighting stopped , the city has had two post offices , two electricity and water suppliers , two phone networks , two public hospitals and more - one crumbling set for each ethnic group .
On Sunday , several small , multi-ethnic parties will be vying for seats in the city council after campaigning on bread-and-butter issues .
But the nationalist HDZ and SDA parties hope that , among them , they will secure a two-thirds majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on power .
While acknowledging that the nationalists have armies of faithful voters whom they mobilize by stoking ethnic mistrust , non-nationalist election candidates in Mostar hope the past 12 years has shown that those two parties are too corrupt and incompetent .
“ I think that many people finally realized that the abstract , ethnic interests are meaningless while their children are leaving ( Mostar ) in droves in search of decent jobs and a decent life ” elsewhere in Europe , said Amna Popovac , a candidate from the multi-ethnic Platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now promising to fix the city ’ s many problems as if “ Martians and not they were running Mostar , unchecked , for the past 12 years , ” she added .
Miljan Rupar ’ s name will also be on the ballot .
The 35-year-old , who is running as a candidate from the multi-ethnic Social Democrat Party , decided to get involved in politics after realizing that over 38 friends and relatives , including his sister , had left Mostar “ for good ” in search of a better life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the future , just like the international school where he teaches physics , the United World College branch in Mostar .
The school is one of 17 around the globe and run by a movement founded in 1962 with the aim of overcoming Cold War divisions by bringing high-achieving youngsters from all over to live and learn together .
“ When I walk into the classroom or attend our bi-weekly assembly and see students and teachers from all over the world , including from various parts of Bosnia-Herzegovina , who share the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me hope , ” he said .
Political journalist Faruk Kajtaz , however , thinks that hope could prove to be treacherous in the divided city , despite local voters ’ well-justified grievances .
He notes that not just Mostar but all of Bosnia has long been politically and administratively fragmented along ethnic lines .
“ Maybe too much is expected from the people of Mostar , ” he said .
“ ( But ) just the fact that citizens of Mostar will finally get a chance to vote for their local legislators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy.
” Kemal Softic in Mostar , Bosnia , contributed to this report

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) - Irma Baralija is looking forward to Sunday, when she intends to vote and hopes to win her race as the southern Bosnian city of Mostar holds its first local election in 12 years.
To make that vote possible in her hometown, the 36-year-old Baralija had to sue Bosnia in the European Court of Human Rights for letting a stalemate between two major nationalist political parties prevent her, along about 100,000 other Mostar residents, from voting or running in a municipal election for over a decade.
By winning in court in October 2019, Baralija believes she has “busted the myth (that nationalist parties) have been feeding to us, that an individual cannot move things forward, that we matter only as members of our ethnic groups.”
Parties representing only one ethnic group have dominated Bosnian politics since the end of the country’s devastating 1992-95 war, which pitted its three main ethnic factions - Serbs, Croats and Muslims - against each other after the break-up of Yugoslavia.
“I hope that my example will inspire citizens of Mostar, when they vote on Sunday, to be brave, to realize that as individuals we can bring positive change,” said Baralija, who is running for a city council seat on the ticket of the small, multi-ethnic Our Party.
Divided between Muslim Bosniaks and Catholic Croats, who fought fiercely for control over the city during the 1990s conflict, Mostar has not held a local poll since 2008, when Bosnia’s constitutional court declared its election rules to be discriminatory and ordered that they be changed.
The dominant nationalist Bosniak and Croat political parties, the SDA and the HDZ respectively, have spent over a decade failing to agree about how to do that. Meanwhile, Mostar was run by a de facto acting mayor, HDZ’s Ljubo Beslic, and his office, which included SDA representatives, with no local council to oversee their work or the allocation of nearly 230 million euros from the city’s coffers they have spent over the years.
Left without fully functioning institutions, Mostar - one of the impoverished Balkan country’s main tourist destinations - has seen its infrastructure crumble, trash repeatedly pile up on its streets and hazardous waste and wastewater treatment sludge dumped in its only landfill, which was supposed to be for non-hazardous waste.
An agreement between the two parties, endorsed by the top European Union and U.S. diplomats in Bosnia, was finally reached in June - eight months after the court in Strasbourg had ruled in favor of Baralija and gave Bosnia six months to amend its election laws so a vote can be held in Mostar.
Mostar is divided in half by the Neretva River. During the war, Croats moved to the western side and Muslims to the east. Since the fighting stopped, the city has had two post offices, two electricity and water suppliers, two phone networks, two public hospitals and more - one crumbling set for each ethnic group.
On Sunday, several small, multi-ethnic parties will be vying for seats in the city council after campaigning on bread-and-butter issues. But the nationalist HDZ and SDA parties hope that, among them, they will secure a two-thirds majority in the council and keep their grip on power.
While acknowledging that the nationalists have armies of faithful voters whom they mobilize by stoking ethnic mistrust, non-nationalist election candidates in Mostar hope the past 12 years has shown that those two parties are too corrupt and incompetent.
“I think that many people finally realized that the abstract, ethnic interests are meaningless while their children are leaving (Mostar) in droves in search of decent jobs and a decent life” elsewhere in Europe, said Amna Popovac, a candidate from the multi-ethnic Platform for Progress party.
The nationalists are now promising to fix the city’s many problems as if “Martians and not they were running Mostar, unchecked, for the past 12 years,” she added.
Miljan Rupar’s name will also be on the ballot. The 35-year-old, who is running as a candidate from the multi-ethnic Social Democrat Party, decided to get involved in politics after realizing that over 38 friends and relatives, including his sister, had left Mostar “for good” in search of a better life abroad.
Rupar wants his city focused on the future, just like the international school where he teaches physics, the United World College branch in Mostar. The school is one of 17 around the globe and run by a movement founded in 1962 with the aim of overcoming Cold War divisions by bringing high-achieving youngsters from all over to live and learn together.
“When I walk into the classroom or attend our bi-weekly assembly and see students and teachers from all over the world, including from various parts of Bosnia-Herzegovina, who share the same values and goals, it gives me hope,” he said.
Political journalist Faruk Kajtaz, however, thinks that hope could prove to be treacherous in the divided city, despite local voters’ well-justified grievances. He notes that not just Mostar but all of Bosnia has long been politically and administratively fragmented along ethnic lines.
“Maybe too much is expected from the people of Mostar,” he said. “(But) just the fact that citizens of Mostar will finally get a chance to vote for their local legislators is in itself a big win for democracy.”
___
Kemal Softic in Mostar, Bosnia, contributed to this report


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--AP Week in Pictures, Global

AP Week in Pictures, Global

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images from around the world , made or published in the @ @ @ @ @ Press .
The selection was curated by AP photo editor Patrick Sison in New York @

DEC. 12 - 18, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images from around the world, made or published in the past week by The Associated Press.
The selection was curated by AP photo editor Patrick Sison in New York.
Follow AP visual journalism:
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