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Volume 80 Edition 49 ©SS 2021 THURSDAY,JUNE 24, 2021 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas

SEXUAL ASSAULT Historic alliance In reversal, Austin backs independent prosecutors

BY WYATT OLSON Stars and Stripes Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has for the first time thrown his support behind removing decision-making from military commanders over prosecution in cases of sexual assault. In a statement issued Tuesday, Austin said the Pentagon would work with Congress to amend the Uniform Code of Mil- itary Justice by removing the prosecution of sexual assaults and similar of- Austin fenses from the military chain of command. The statement comes a day after Austin received the final recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sex- ual Assault and Sexual Harassment, which he established Feb. 26. “The IRC recommended the inclusion of Ha Neul and Miles Gabrielson other special victims’ crimes inside this in- U.S. Army Capt. Miles Gabrielson and South Korean army Capt. Ha Neul pose on their wedding day Feb. 20 in Busan, South Korea. dependent prosecution system, to include In lieu of a honeymoon, the couple toured five South Korean cities with their families due to the coronavirus pandemic. domestic violence,” Austin said in the statement. “I support this as well, given the strong correlation between these sorts Marriage between US, South Korean army officers is first of its kind of crimes and the prevalence of sexual as- sault.” BY DAVID CHOI tween active-duty officers in the U.S. and Ko- Austin said that in coming days he would Stars and Stripes rean armies, according to the 2nd Infantry Divi- provide President Joe Biden specific rec- CAMP CASEY, South Korea — South Korean sion. ommendations based on the findings. army Capt. Ha Neul laughed as she recalled The bond between Ha, 31, and Gabrielson, 29, The about-face on removing such prose- meeting her husband, U.S. Army Capt. Miles both artillery officers, formed in May 2020 after SEE AUSTIN ON PAGE 6 Gabrielson, last year. the pair was tasked with one of the most mun- “We have a very different memory over that,” dane duties in the military: creating a Power- she said during a recent interview with the new- Point presentation. RELATED lyweds at this base 40 miles north of Seoul. “He The project required them to make a bilingual House introduces bill merging thought I was smiling at him.” report for 2nd ID’s Republic of Korea-U.S. Com- 2 high-profile measures to While relationships between Americans and bined Division, a unique coalition where U.S. Koreans are not uncommon, the couple’s Feb. 20 combat military sexual assault union became the first of its kind: a marriage be- MATTHEW KEELER/Stars and Stripes SEE ALLIANCE ON PAGE 12 Page 6 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER Some used cars now cost more than original price EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1, 135.07 Associated Press to record levels. on the wholesale market.” Switzerland (Franc) .9155 Euro costs (June 24) $1.17 Thailand (Baht) 31.76 DETROIT — When it was new, In the past year, used vehicle Yurchenko has found 73 models Dollar buys (June 24) 0.8160 Turkey (New Lira) 8.6137 British pound (June 24) $1.36 the window sticker price on a typi- prices on average have climbed of 1- to 3-year-old vehicles being Japanese yen (June 24) 108.00 (Military exchange rates are those available cal 2019 Toyota Tacoma SR double 30%, according to Black Book, sold at auctions for prices above South Korean won (June 24) 1,108.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ cab pickup was just under $29,000. which tracks car and truck data. their original sticker. many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain (Dinar) .3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ Two years later, dealers are paying That’s created many crazy situa- Used vehicle price increases ac- Britain (Pound) 1.4000 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2259 your local military banking facility. Commercial almost $1,000 more than that to buy tions where high-demand vehicles counted for one-third of the large China (Yuan) 6.4729 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.2132 the same vehicle, even though it’s are selling for more than they did rise in inflation last month, accord- Egypt (Pound) 15.6602 when buying currency. All figures are foreign used. when they were new, said Alex Yur- ing to the Labor Department. Prices Euro .8355 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7658 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ Then they’re selling it to consum- chenko, the company’s senior vice shot up a record 10% in April and an- Hungary (Forint) 292.78 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2536 ers for more than $33,000. president of data science. other 7.3% in May, as inflation Japan (Yen) 110.71 INTEREST RATES Welcome to the wacky world of “The market is very strange right spiked 5%, the biggest 12-month in- Kuwait (Dinar) .3010 Norway (Krone) 8.4817 Prime rate 3.25 U.S. car and truck sales, where the now,” said Yurchenko. “Dealers crease since 2008. The average used Philippines (Peso) 48.73 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.78 Federal funds market rate 0.09 pandemic and a global shortage of need the inventory, so they are pay- vehicle cost $26,457 this month, ac- Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7502 3­month bill 0.04 computer chips have pushed prices ing lots of money for their vehicles cording to Edmunds.com. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3432 30­year bond 2.10 WEATHER OUTLOOK THURSDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY IN EUROPE FRIDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 64/60

Kabul Seoul 86/53 75/65 Baghdad 106/77 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar 76/64 73/64 Mildenhall/ Pomorskie Busan 99/59 Lakenheath 68/54 68/46 71/66 Iwakuni 73/69 Kuwait City Bahrain Brussels Zagan Sasebo Guam 106/86 89/82 Ramstein 66/61 65/55 70/56 77/66 83/80 Lajes, Riyadh Stuttgart 108/79 Doha Azores Pápa 68/65 70/62 106/84 Aviano/ 96/69 Vicenza 87/66

Naples 87/74 Morón Okinawa 81/76 95/63 Sigonella Rota 105/69 Souda Bay The weather is provided by the Djibouti 82/60 American Forces Network Weather Center, 100/84 80/73 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 18 Opinion ...... 14 Sports ...... 19-24 Thursday, June 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Senators grill Navy heads on China-related budget

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS To do so, the Navy budget pro- Stars and Stripes posed $830 million in shipyard in- WASHINGTON — As the Navy vestments for the coming fiscal sailed a guided-missile destroyer year and more than $1.37 billion in through the Taiwan Strait on Tues- research and development for its day, senators on Capitol Hill conventional prompt strike pro- hounded the service’s top leaders gram, which will develop hyper- on whether their proposed 2022 sonic glide rockets for missiles – a budget will be enough to deter an capability China has but the U.S. increasingly aggressive China. doesn’t. One issue was that the Navy Still, there remains a chance that 2022 budget proposed canceling Congress could fund the second the previously planned construc- destroyer in 2022, which the Navy tion of a second destroyer, mean- listed among its highest unfunded ing only one of the ships used to pa- priorities for the next fiscal year. trol contentious waterways, pro- Last year, Congress funded a sub- tect aircraft carriers and strike marine that was originally on the down enemy missiles is included Navy’s list of unfunded priorities. in the new budget. More so, increases to the Navy’s The service would need an addi- budget will be necessary in coming tional $1.66 billion on top of its pro- years as tensions rise with China, posed $211.7 billion budget to fund Gilday said. This year’s $211.7 bil- the second destroyer, which it is lion budget proposal is a 1.8% in- under contract to have built by In- crease from the 2021 budget, galls Shipbuilding and General which he said was not enough to Dynamics Bath Iron Works. kept up with the rate of inflation. Canceling construction of one “Our fleet can control the seas in ship would be an overall cost sav- U.S. Navy conflict and project power ashore ings, though the Navy would have The destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur transits the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday. today, but we will be increasingly to pay a $33 million breached-con- challenged to do so in the future tract penalty for doing so, Adm. destroyer, not because he doesn’t ward that goal so far. through it aim to reaffirm that unless hard choices are made,” Mike Gilday, the chief of naval op- need it or doesn’t want it,” Inhofe While senators and Navy lead- view, the service has said. Gilday said. erations, told the Senate Armed said. “He wants it — but he’s ers debated the issue, the USS Cur- Recognizing the Chinese threat, Gen. David Berger, the Marine Services Committee at its hearing forced to cut it, didn’t have a tis Wilbur — an Arleigh Burke- Gilday said the Navy’s fleet must Corps commandant, offered an- on Navy force posture. choice.” class destroyer like the one cut in grow, but the service had to make other warning to senators about Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Instead, Inhofe said he wants to the 2022 proposed budget — budget sacrifices to help modern- keeping the Navy’s budget flat in Harker said canceling the second see more ships built — not fewer. steamed through the Taiwan Strait ize its shipyards and develop bet- the face of an advancing Chinese destroyer was a “very hard Fewer ships sends adversaries the to assert the U.S. commitment to a ter nuclear capabilities to fend off military — it could send a message choice,” but it was necessary to message that “we’re not willing to free and open Indo-Pacific region, Beijing’s increasingly capable mil- that the U.S. is not committed to make room for other priorities in do what it takes to defend our- Lt. Andrew Bertucci, a 7th Fleet itary. deterring Beijing. the budget. selves, our allies and our part- spokesman, said in a statement “America needs a larger, more “Conventional deterrence is in “Every dollar is a strategic asset ners,” he said. Tuesday. capable fleet,” Gilday told sen- the mind of the adversary — do that must be maximized to stay “While China is growing its fleet, U.S. Navy ships passing through ators. “However, our Navy faces they believe we have the capabil- ahead of the pacing threat of Chi- our Navy is struggling to avoid the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait the task right now of recapitalizing ities and do they believe we have na,” Harker told the committee. shrinking,” Inhofe said. typically provoke condemnation our strategic nuclear deterrent — the will to use?” Berger said. But Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklaho- China has about 350 ships com- from China. The strait separates something we haven’t done in 40 “There’s a degree of operational ma, the ranking Republican on the pared with 296 for the United China from Taiwan, which Beijing years — and we’re making a once risk that we need to understand — committee, said the budget States. Congress in 2018 mandated sees as a breakaway province and in a century investment in our pub- the budget is part of that.” “makes bad choices — not hard that the Navy work toward a 355- the waterway its territory. The lic shipyards, long overdue … so choices.” ship fleet as soon as possible, but U.S. regards the strait as interna- the fleet can confidently operate [email protected] “Adm. Gilday is forced to cut the little progress has been made to- tional waters and passages forward and be relevant.” Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos Navy sends warship through Taiwan Strait for sixth time this year

BY WYATT OLSON Taiwan deployed its combat air the Communist Party of China Stars and Stripes patrol forces in response to the has squelched Hong Kong’s A week after China flew a re- incursion on the southwestern semi-autonomy by imposing a cord sortie of 28 fighter jets into part of the island’s air defense national security law last sum- Taiwan’s air defense zone, the identification zone, according to mer that has been used to silence U.S. Navy on Tuesday sent a the report. and imprison dissenters. guided-missile destroyer Beijing considers Taiwan a That move ran contrary to Chi- through the narrow strait divid- renegade province that must, at na’s agreement to allow Hong ing the island from mainland Chi- some point, be unified politically Kong a degree of political autono- na. with the mainland. my — the so-called “one country, The guided-missile destroyer Leaders of the Group of Seven two systems” principle — after USS Curtis Wilbur’s “routine” industrialized nations — the Great Britain handed over the transit through the Taiwan Strait United States, United Kingdom, former colony in 1997. “demonstrates the U.S. commit- Canada, France, Germany, Italy Beijing had likewise main- ment to a free and open Indo-Pa- U.S. Navy and Japan — after meeting earli- tained for years that unification cific,” the Navy said in a news re- Petty Officer 3rd Class David Feder stands watch as the er this month issued a statement with Taiwan would be peaceful lease Tuesday. guided­missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur sails through the Taiwan calling for “peace and stability” and mutual, but the turnabout in It was the sixth time this year Strait on Tuesday. across the Taiwan Strait. Hong Kong has led many inter- that a Navy surface ship passed China maintains that such national observers to ponder through the politically sensitive fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, on June 15 included 14 J-16 and statements interfere in the na- whether China is preparing for channel. The Curtis Wilbur made according to a report by the Con- six J-11 planes, The Associated tion’s internal affairs. forcible reunification. the most recent transit on May 18. gressional Research Service. Press said in a report, citing Tai- Taiwan, which enjoys a func-

Navy warships passed through China’s sortie of fighter jets wan’s Ministry of National De- tioning democracy, has garnered [email protected] the Taiwan Strait 11 times in the that flew into Taiwan’s air space fense as the source. greater international attention as Twitter: @WyattWOlson PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 WAR ON TERRORISM UN urges world to push Afghanistan to return to talks

BY EDITH M. LEDERER crease in civilian casualties in the Associated Press first quarter of 2021 compared to UNITED NATIONS — The the same period last year, includ- U.N.’s top envoy for Afghanistan ing major increases among wom- urged the international communi- en and children. She singled out ty on Tuesday to do everything the May 8 attack on girls leaving possible to push the Taliban and school in a majority-Hazara area the government from the battle- of Kabul that killed nearly 100 field back to the negotiating table, young female students, and two ABDULLAH SAHIL / AP warning that “inertia” and the attacks this month that killed 11 An Afghan army Humvee patrols in Kunduz city, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Monday. Taliban fighters lack of action might lead to more people clearing mines in Baghlan took control of a key district in Kunduz province and encircled Kunduz, the provincial capital, police said. years of bloodshed and conflict. province and five people engaged Deborah Lyons told the U.N. Se- in polio vaccinations in Nangarhar America, to reduce violence, and stead stepping up violence and U.S. commitment to Afghanistan’s curity Council that she cannot province. to enter negotiations with the gov- leaving the country and region safety and security and continuing overstate her concern at the cur- While Afghans knew interna- ernment aimed at reaching a per- “dangerously unstable.” support for its security forces and rent situation, saying every major tional forces would be leaving, manent cease-fire and restoring He pointed to the Taliban’s fail- economic and humanitarian trend — politics, security, the Lyons said President Joe Biden’s peace to the war-battered country. ure to cut ties with international needs. peace process, the economy, the mid-April announcement that the Lyons said, however, “the driv- terrorist groups, saying it is host- She also urged countries with humanitarian emergency and remaining 2,500-3,500 troops ers of conflict seem for now to ing “not only al-Qaida but also re- influence to press for negotiations tackling COVID-19 — is either would be gone by Sept. 11 sent “a overwhelm” hoped-for negotia- gional terrorist groups ... in pur- between the Taliban and the gov- “negative or stagnant.” seismic tremor through the Af- tions. suit of their violence campaign ernment to move forward toward She said the Taliban’s increas- ghan political system and society “For the Taliban to continue this against both Afghanistan and oth- a peace settlement “with the full ing violence over the past year, at large” because of the speed of intensive military campaign er countries.” He didn’t mention participation of women.” even as now stalled peace talks be- their departure. would be a tragic course of ac- the Islamic State extremist group Biden will meet Ghaniand Ab- gan in Qatar in September, and its A U.S.-led coalition launched an tion,” she warned. “It would lead which has been blamed for recent dullah Abdullah, the head of the latest intensified military cam- invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 to to increased and prolonged vio- attacks on minority Hazaras. country’s High Council for Na- paign have led to significant ad- hunt down and destroy the al-Qai- lence that would extend the suf- With the withdrawal of U.S. and tional Reconciliation, which over- vances for the insurgents. da network and its leader, Osama fering of the Afghan people and NATO troops “to be completed in sees the government’s negotiation “More than 50 of Afghanistan’s bin Laden, blamed for the 9/11 at- threatens to destroy much of what the coming weeks,” Atmar urged team with the Taliban, at the 370 districts have fallen since the tacks on America, and overthrew has been built and hard won in the the international community to White House on Friday. beginning of May,” the U.N. spe- the Taliban, who during their rule past 20 years,” including the try to persuade the Taliban to hon- “The world will not recognize cial representative said in a vir- imposed a harsh brand of Islam rights of women which she or its agreement with the United the establishment in Afghanistan tual briefing to a ministerial meet- that stripped virtually all rights stressed “are not negotiable." States and the Security Council of any government imposed by ing of the council. “Most districts from women. Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister resolution supporting it. He said it force, nor the restoration of the Is- that have been taken surround Under a February 2020 agree- Mohammad Haneef Atmar told should also establish a “mecha- lamic Emirate (under the Tali- provincial capitals, suggesting ment with the United States, the the council the Afghan people nism” to monitor implementation ban),” ambassador Thomas- that the Taliban are positioning U.S. agreed to withdraw its troops have recently witnessed “the of the agreement “and to take ap- Greenfield warned. “There is only themselves to try and take these in exchange for a Taliban promise worst violence of the past two dec- propriate measures to ensure one way forward: a negotiated and capitals once foreign forces are to denounce terrorist groups and ades,” accusing the Taliban of fail- compliance.” inclusive political settlement fully withdrawn.” keep Afghanistan from again be- ing to honor any obligations in the U.S. Ambassador Linda Tho- through an Afghan-led and Af- She also pointed to a 29% in- ing a staging arena for attacks on February 2020 agreement and in- mas-Greenfield reiterated the ghan-owned process.” Militias in northern Afghanistan take up fight against Taliban The Washington Post During a separate ceremony, the newly said Tamim Asey, chairman of the Institute Pashtun group based in southern Afghanis- KABUL — A sweeping Taliban offensive appointed acting defense minister, Bismil- of War and Peace Studies in Kabul. “It will tan. across northern Afghanistan, unchecked by lah Khan Mohammadi, called on “my patri- enlarge ethnic fault lines and undercut gov- The most significant confrontation this overstretched government forces, has trig- ots and people everywhere to stand along- ernment legitimacy.” He said that relying week has come in Mazar-e Sharif, the coun- gered a sudden resurgence of anti-Taliban side their security and defense forces.” He on the militias is a “poison pill” that might try’s fourth-largest city and the capital of militias in half a dozen provinces, raising said the government is “ready to provide give Ghani short-term relief but will ulti- Balkh province, long impregnable to Tali- concerns that the country could plunge into them with all equipment and resources.” mately “kill his administration.” ban threats. Insurgents breached the city a prolonged civil war. The Ghani government hopes the added Atta Mohammed Noor, a northern war- Monday and were pushed back by a mix of President Ashraf Ghani, scheduled to vis- support will shore up the beleaguered na- lord and former governor, posted a tweet local militias and national forces, but area it Washington on Friday to meet with Presi- tional defense forces, which have struggled Monday calling for a “national mobiliza- residents remained frightened, and the in- dent Joe Biden amid growing concerns here to send reinforcements and supplies to tion” of former anti-Soviet groups to fight surgents posed for videos just outside the about the withdrawal of U.S. forces, has en- troops facing repeated Taliban attacks. Taliban aggression. He called on all north- city gates. dorsed the sudden call to arms by former But the prospect of unleashing a hodge- ern factions to “stand alongside” state “People here have enjoyed a peaceful life ethnic rival groups and shaken up his top podge of rogue warriors to repel their old forces, and in a separate Facebook post he for 20 years. Now they are very worried,” security team, in hopes of stemming the Ta- enemies also raises the specter of civil war, asked their leaders to join in the fight with- said Mohammad Afzal Hadid, head of the liban onslaught and calming public panic. a state of violent anarchy that Afghans re- out creating separate “islands of power.” Balkh provincial council, noting that seven In a meeting Monday with influential for- member all too well from the 1990s. And al- In the past several days, fighting has been districts in the province had fallen to the Ta- mer anti-Soviet and anti-Taliban militia though the armed groups have pledged to reported in nine provinces across the north, liban in the past month. “Government leaders, Ghani called on them to create a coordinate with government forces, it is al- and armed militias or civilian groups have forces lost morale. Bases were falling one “united front” and support the Afghan secu- so possible that effort could unravel into formed to repel the insurgents, often fight- after another.” He said that public fear had rity forces to “strengthen peace” and “safe- confused, competing clashes among pur- ing alongside state forces. All are loyal to lo- died down after local militia members came guard the republic system.” The Taliban re- ported allies. cal leaders from minority Tajik, Uzbek or to reinforce government troops, and that jects the current democratic governing sys- “The surge in militias is a recipe for di- other ethnic groups that have no love for hundreds more were preparing to join the tem and seeks to install an Islamic one. saster and a repetition of a dark history,” Ghani, a member of the dominant ethnic fight. Thursday, June 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY UK denies claim that Russia fired warning shots

Associated Press entered an internationally recog- Dmytro Kuleba said it was “clear MOSCOW — Russia said one of nized traffic separation corridor,” proof of Ukraine’s position: Rus- its warships in the Black Sea fired he tweeted, adding that HMS De- sia’s aggressive and provocative warning shots and a warplane fender exited the corridor safely at actions in the Black and Azov seas, dropped bombs Wednesday to 9:45 a.m. its occupation and militarization of force a British destroyer out of an “As is routine, Russian vessels Crimea pose a lasting threat to Uk- area near Crimea that Moscow shadowed her passage and she raine and allies.” claims as its territorial waters, but was made aware of training exer- “We need a new quality of coop- Britain denied that account and in- cises in her wider vicinity,” he eration between Ukraine & NATO sisted its ship wasn’t fired upon. added. allies in the Black Sea,” Kuleba It was the first time since the Speaking to Parliament’s de- tweeted. Cold War that Moscow acknowl- fense committee, Wallace again In November 2018, Russian edged using live ammunition to denied Russia’s version of events. coast guard ships fired on three deter a NATO warship, reflecting “These are the things that come Ukrainian gunboats trying to pass the growing risk of military inci- and go with Russia,” he said. “Dis- from the Black Sea into the Azov dents amid soaring tensions be- information, misinformation is Sea and captured them along with tween Russia and the West. BEN MITCHELL/AP something that we have seen regu- 24 crewmembers. It later returned The Russian Defense Ministry The HMS Defender in Portsmouth, England, last year. larly. We’re not surprised by it; we the crew and boats. said a patrol ship fired warning plan for it.” HMS Defender, a Type 45 de- shots after the HMS Defender had cow to protest the destroyer’s warships visiting near Crimea as Asked if Defender’s crew had stroyer, is part of the U.K. Carrier ignored a notice against intrusion “dangerous move” and urged Brit- destabilizing. In April, it declared seen or heard anything, he said Strike Group heading to the Indo- and sailed 3 kilometers (1.6 nauti- ish authorities to investigate the abroader area off Crimea closed to “initial reports say they did hear or Pacific region. It was announced cal miles) into Russia’s territorial crew’s actions. foreign naval ships. observe training noises some- earlier this month that it would be waters near Sevastopol, the main Britain’s Ministry of Defense “We believe the Russians were where to the rear of her but beyond temporarily breaking away from Russian naval base in Crimea. It denied the Defender had been undertaking a gunnery exercise in visual range.” the group to carry out its “own set said a Russian Su-24 bomber also fired on or was in Russian waters, the Black Sea and provided the “We saw the reports this morn- of missions” in the Black Sea. dropped four bombs ahead of the but had been in Ukrainian waters. maritime community with prior ing,” said Max Blain, a spokesman Just before Wednesday’s inci- vessel to persuade the Defender to “No warning shots have been warning of their activity,” the Brit- for Prime Minister Boris Johnson. dent, Defender stopped in the Uk- change course. Minutes later, the fired at HMS Defender,” it said in a ish Ministry of Defense said. “No “It’s incorrect to say either that it rainian port of Odessa, where Uk- Defender left Russian waters, the statement. “The Royal Navy ship shots were directed at HMS De- was fired on or this ship was in rainian and British officials and in- ministry said. is conducting innocent passage fender and we do not recognize the Russian waters. HMS Defender dustry representatives signed an Russian Foreign Ministry spo- through Ukrainian territorial wa- claim that bombs were dropped in was taking the most direct and in- agreement to collaborate on boost- keswoman Maria Zakharova de- ters in accordance with interna- her path.” ternationally recognized route be- ing Ukraine’s naval capabilities. nounced the “rude British provo- tional law.” British Defense Secretary Ben tween Ukraine and Georgia.” NATO members Turkey, Roma- cation that defies international Russia annexed Ukraine’s Cri- Wallace said the Defender “car- He emphasized that Britain, and nia and Bulgaria border the Black law,” and said London’s ambassa- mean Peninsula in 2014, a move ried out a routine transit from much of the international commu- Sea. Warships from the U.S., U.K. dor was being summoned. The De- not recognized by most countries, Odessa towards Georgia across nity, does not recognize Russia’s and other NATO allies also have fense Ministry said it also called in gaining access to its long Black Sea the Black Sea.” annexation of Crimea. made increasingly frequent visits the U.K. military attache in Mos- coast. Russia has chafed at NATO “As is normal for this route, she Ukraine’s Foreign Minister in support of Ukraine. US bases in Europe vulnerable to low-yield Russian nuclear weapons

BY JOHN VANDIVER conflict before allies assembled a The U.S. and NATO should take Stars and Stripes larger force. steps to reduce its vulnerability by STUTTGART, Germany— In Over the past several years, hardening bases in Europe, add- the event of a war with Russia, Western security analysts and ing more conventional deterrents Moscow could use its arsenal of U.S. military officials have em- and developing better active de- low-yield nuclear weapons to de- phasized the importance of rein- fense systems, the report recom- stroy key bases in Europe, neutra- forcing NATO’s position in the mended. lizing the U.S.-led NATO allianc- east to deter potential Russian ag- Allies should also consider dis- e’s conventional military edge and gression. U.S. Navy persing more forces and “try to re- possibly delivering a defeat to al- But less attention has been giv- A Russian Tu­95 Bear long­range bomber in an undated photo. duce reliance on unique, high-val- lies wary of a larger nuclear esca- en to the alliance’s vulnerabilities ue facilities that could be targeted lation, a new research report cau- should a conflict with Russia in field targets. with a nuclear strike on the Rus- by Russian precision strike weap- tions. Europe turn nuclear, the Rand re- Since the collapse of the Soviet sian homeland, Moscow could re- ons.” “Although the overall military port said. Union, however, the U.S.-led NA- taliate with a nuclear strike in the “The possibility of escalation to power of the United States and the “Any conventional conflict with TO alliance has expanded to in- continental U.S., Rand said. nuclear use will cast a shadow NATO alliance vastly outstrips Russia will have to be fought in a corporate areas previously occu- The U.S. has about 500 nonstra- over any military confrontation that of Russia, a regional conflict way designed to limit the risk of pied or aligned with the Soviets, tegic nuclear weapons, with between Russia and NATO,” it close to Russia’s borders would nuclear escalation, which might while Russian military positions around 200 deployed on aircraft in said. pose enormous challenges and constrain NATO from employing have mainly been reduced to the Europe, a Congressional Re- Russia’s top military official could result in defeat for the its full capabilities,” it said. “Rus- homeland. search Service report in March said Wednesday that the use of nu- West,” according to the study by sia’s arsenal of (non-strategic nu- At issue isn’t a “capability gap” said. But adding to the arsenal clear weapons was justified to de- the nonpartisan Rand Corp., clear weapons) and its potential with Russia, which has an estimat- would do little to offset Russia’s fend against any existential threat which examined the nuclear im- employment of limited nuclear ed 2,000-6,000 nonstrategic nucle- targeting advantage, the study to the homeland. plications of a war with Russia. options also poses a vitally impor- ar bombs, but rather a “vulnera- warned. “Russia reserves the right to use The Pentagon has made coun- tant puzzle for U.S. and NATO offi- bility gap” because of a lack of via- “Although at present the Rus- nuclear weapons in response to tering Russia, along with China, a cials.” ble Russian targets, Rand said. sian government appears to have the use of nuclear or other mass focal point of its strategy over the During the Cold War, the threat “Although NATO is vulnerable little appetite to challenge NATO destruction weapons against it or last few years. of mutually assured destruction to Russian (nonstrategic nuclear) by exploiting this local advantage, its allies, or in case of aggression In Europe, much of that focus was considered fundamental to attacks … a NATO attack on Rus- the possibility that Russian lead- against Russia with conventional has been on boosting U.S. and al- the notion that the U.S. and the So- sian territory is liable to be much ers will be tempted to do so in the weapons that endangers the very lied forces in places like the Bal- viet Union would never use high- more escalatory than a Russian at- future cannot be ruled out,” ac- existence of the state,” Gen. Val- tics and Poland. But Russia main- yield strategic nuclear weapons tack on targets in a non-nuclear cording to Rand, which said “that ery Gerasimov said in Russian tains an edge in conventional fire- against each other. Both sides also NATO state such as Germany or limited nuclear warfighting op- state media. power along NATO’s eastern had lower yield tactical nuclear Italy,” Rand said. tions might appear attractive to flank, which would likely give it an bombs that could be used for a If the U.S. responded to a low- Russian decision-makers during [email protected] advantage in the early stages of a more limited effect against battle- yield nuclear attack on an ally an extreme crisis.” Twitter: @john_vandiver PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 MILITARY Austin: DOD Leaders resist will need more funding to carry prosecution out changes

FROM PAGE 1 decision changes cutions from the chain of com- mand comes after the Pentagon’s long-held opposition to the idea. BY JOHN M. DONNELLY tary service leaders all argued in Some key lawmakers remain CQ-Roll Call their letters that whatever legis- staunch in their resistance to the WASHINGTON — America’s lation Congress passes this year change. military service chiefs, in sepa- on the subject should only re- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D- rate letters to a senior senator move from commanders’ hands N.Y., has authored legislation that made public Tuesday, expressed the prosecution decisions they CARLOS M. VAZQUEZ/Defense Department would establish a system of inde- resistance to legislation that must make on sexual offenses, Members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from left, in December: Vice pendent prosecutors to handle would alter how commanders not a wider gamut of felonies. Chairman, Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten, Chairman, Army Gen. Mark more serious felonies in the mil- decide which allegations of ma- In stating this view clearly and A. Milley, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. James C. McConville, itary. She has garnered a filibus- jor crimes to prosecute, putting in writing now, the service Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger, Chief of ter-proof level of support from 66 themselves directly in the mid- chiefs have aligned themselves Naval Operations, Adm. Michael M. Gilday, Chief of Staff of the Air senators, including 43 Demo- dle of a political fight that tran- with a position held by certain Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., Chief of the National Guard Bureau crats, 21 Republicans and two in- Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, and Chief of Space Operations Gen. scends party lines. senators — and perhaps vice dependents. John W. Raymond. The mid-May letters to James versa. The senators who want to Senators Jack Reed, D-R.I, and M. Inhofe of Oklahoma, the top limit the scope of any coming armed forces to enabling women that he was open to supporting a Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., respectively Republican on the Senate change include Inhofe and to serve in combat to allowing change in how prosecution deci- the chair and ranking member of Armed Services Committee, in- Rhode Island Democrat Jack LGBTQ service members to sions are handled if it were limit- the Senate Armed Services Com- directly but unmistakably criti- Reed, the Senate Armed Servic- serve openly, the chain of com- ed to covering sexual offenses. mittee, have blocked the legisla- cized a bill by Sen. Kirsten Gil- es Committee chairman. mand has always fought to pro- But the newly revealed letters tion from advancing. librand, D-N.Y., that has attract- Some of the chiefs also said the tect the status quo, just as they put Milley and the other chiefs On Tuesday, Inhofe released ed an almost unheard-of 66 cos- Gillibrand bill could hurt mili- are doing here,” Gillibrand said. clearly and explicitly on the re- letters from top U.S. military ponsors. tary readiness by creating new “Their arguments are recycled cord about Gillibrand’s bill and a leaders that argue, to one degree Her bill, and a similar one to costs and delays — arguments talking points from the battles comparable measure by Reps. or another, prosecution should be introduced in the House on that are very much in dispute. for progress in the past and are Jackie Speier, D-Calif, and Mi- remain in the chain of command. Wednesday, would require that Inhofe, in a statement Tues- void of any coherent argument chael R. Turner, R-Ohio, among “It is my professional opinion decisions on prosecuting most day, effectively said that the beyond the disingenuous ‘good others. that removing commanders from major crimes in the military — chiefs believe Gillibrand’s bill order and discipline.’” The letters from the brass prosecution decisions … may including sexual assault but also could hurt the military’s ability The letters to Inhofe were make plain that the members of have an adverse effect on read- including murder and more — to perform its missions and that written at his request by Army Joint Chiefs of Staff — who, as an iness, mission accomplishment, must be made not by command- any legislation should be “limit- Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman institution, have fiercely resist- good order and discipline, justice, ers but by trained military pros- ed in scope to sexual assault and of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as ed any changes at all to military unit cohesion, trust, and loyalty ecutors. The change would not related offenses.” well as the top officers in the Ar- prosecution decisions ever since between commanders and those affect treatment of military- Gillibrand fired back in a my, Air Force, Navy, Marine Gillibrand and Speier first start- they lead,” Gen. Mark Milley, unique crimes such as disobey- statement of her own on Tues- Corps, Space Force and National ed pushing for them about eight chairman of the Joint Chiefs of ing an order. day. Guard Bureau. years ago — now support them, Staff, said in a passage posted on Most significantly, the mili- “From racially integrating the Milley had previously hinted but only for sexual crimes. Inhofe’s official website. Austin said in his statement that addressing and solving the problem of sexual assault and ha- House merging measures to fight sexual assault rassment in the military will re- quire not just reforming account- BY NIKKI WENTLING ents. However, Senators Jack Reed, D-R.I, and Gen. Mark Milley wrote. ability but also “changes to our Stars and Stripes Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., respectively the chair and The legislation introduced Wednesday com- approach on prevention, com- WASHINGTON — House lawmakers intro- ranking member of the Senate Armed Services bines Gillibrand’s bill with the I Am Vanessa mand climate, and victim servic- duced a bill Wednesday that combines two Committee, have blocked the legislation from Guillen Act, a House bill that would change the es.” high-profile measures to combat military sex- advancing. reporting process for sexual harassment and “I am reviewing the full scope ual assault and harassment. In a split with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, De- assault in the military and allow service mem- of the commission’s recommen- The new legislation would remove the deci- fense Secretary Lloyd Austin threw his support bers who are victims to seek monetary damages dations in these areas, but gener- sion to prosecute serious crimes in the military Tuesday behind removing decision-making from the Defense Department. It was named ally they appear strong and well- from the chain of command. Instead, the deci- from military commanders over prosecution in for Spc. Vanessa Guillen, a 20-year-old small grounded,” he said. “I have di- sion would fall to trained, independent military cases of sexual assault. arms repair soldier who was sexually harassed rected my staff to do a detailed prosecutors. This would apply to non-military, “It’s historic to have the first secretary of de- before she was killed by a fellow service mem- assessment and implementation felony-level crimes, such as murder, rape, do- fense to agree with us that sexual assault should ber last year. plan for my review and approv- mestic violence and sexual assault. be taken out of the chain of command,” Gilli- Speier sponsored the I am Vanessa Guillen al.” “The time has come,” said Rep. Jackie brand said. “That is a monumental step for- Act and will now lead the new Vanessa Guillen Whatever changes are ulti- Speier, D-Calif., lead sponsor on the bill. “To- ward. It’s validation that our approach is the Military Justice Improvement and Increasing mately decided upon, the De- day we have broad, bipartisan support to make right approach.” Prevention Act. Natalie Khawam, the attorney fense Department will need ade- a critical and fundamental change to the mili- Gillibrand’s bill, though, goes beyond sexual for the Guillen family, said she and the family quate funding to implement tary justice system.” assault and would send cases of all non-mili- supported the new measure, believing it could them, Austin said. The bill, titled the Vanessa Guillen Military tary, serious crimes to independent prosecu- get passed through Congress quicker than the I “We will most assuredly re- Justice Improvement and Increasing Preven- tors. In letters last month, the Joint Chiefs of Am Vanessa Guillen Act. quire additional resources, both tion Act, is being introduced as the House ver- Staff argued that the bill went too far. “We’re doing it this way because we have the in personnel and in funding,” he sion of a bill by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. “It is my professional opinion that removing votes. We’ve got the Senate votes and the House said. “But it may take us some After nearly a decade of pushing for the change, commanders from prosecution decisions, proc- votes,” Khawam said. “We’re making sure this time to determine how much and Gillibrand’s Military Justice Improvement Act ess and accountability may have an adverse ef- can now get passed immediately and codified where they are most wisely ap- has been gaining momentum in the Senate. fect on readiness, mission accomplishment, into law.” plied.” Gillibrand’s bill now has a filibuster-proof good order and discipline, justice, unit cohe- level of support from 66 senators, including 43 sion, trust and loyalty between commanders [email protected] [email protected] Democrats, 21 Republicans and two independ- and those they lead,” Joint Chiefs Chairman Twitter: @nikkiwentling Twitter: @WyattWOlson Thursday, June 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 PACIFIC Pandemic abbreviates Okinawa ceremony BY MATTHEW M. BURKE Stars and Stripes CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Only 36 people attended a Wednesday ceremony commemo- rating the Battle of Okinawa’s 76th anniversary, even as cases of the respiratory disease continued to decline across Japan. The annual Irei no Hi ceremo- ny, which takes place at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park in Itoman every June 23, was scaled-back for the second consecutive year due to the pandemic, Kyodo News reported shortly after the ceremo- ny. The ceremony usually draws upwards of 5,000 people. Last year, 160 attended the first pan- demic-abbreviated tribute. Okinawa prefecture remains in a state of emergency until July 11. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, in a video message played at the ceremony, attributed Japan’s modern-day peace and prosperity to the more than 200,000 lives lost in the battle, the Kyodo report said. He also acknowledged Oki- nawa’s burden in hosting the lion’s share of the approximately 54,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan. “We need to change the current situation by any possible means,” he said, according to the report. The Battle of Okinawa began April 1, 1945. More than 14,000 Americans, about 110,000 Japa- nese troops and at least 140,000 Okinawan civilians were killed during or after the fighting. Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki used Wednesday’s ceremony to lobby the Japanese government to collect the remains of Japan’s war dead and to recover and dispose of unexploded ordnance that still lit- ter the island prefecture to this day, the Kyodo report said. Okinawa prefecture reported another 96 new infections Wednesday, 19 fewer than the same day last week, according to public broadcaster NHK. The U.S. military in Japan and South Korea reported nine new COVID-19 cases as of 6 p.m. Wednesday. Kadena Air Base on Okinawa had one infection on Tuesday, ac- cording to a base Facebook post that evening. In South Korea, sev- en service members and one fam- ily member tested have positive since numbers were last reported on June 17, U.S. Forces Korea re- ported. [email protected] Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 MILITARY Army: Restore Capitol security funds to Guard trict of Columbia Air National Secretary says units’ Guard to create a quick-reaction force of service members ready to training, readiness respond to threats on Capitol Hill. Tester asked Gen. James will be affected if McConville, Army chief of staff, at the Tuesday hearing if he sup- money not returned ports the proposal and if he thinks BY SARAH CAMMARATA it is appropriate for the Army. Stars and Stripes “Law enforcement should be WASHINGTON — The Nation- conducted by law enforcement al Guard’s ability to train will take agencies and the military should a hit if $450 million spent to pro- be the last resort when it comes to vide security to the Capitol after law enforcement,” McConville the Jan. 6 riot is not recouped, the said. Army’s top civilian leader told Specifically, the provision would senators Tuesday. create “a ground force equivalent “If we are not able to cover that of the 113th Wing within the Dis- [bill] right now, the Army Guard is trict of Columbia Air National basically in a situation where they Guard at Joint Base Andrews” in are concerned about their ability Maryland, which protects Wash- to pay for training for the rest of ington’s regional airspace. this year,” Army Secretary Chris- Retired Brig. Gen. J. Roy Rob- tine Wormuth said during a bud- inson and retired Maj. Gen. Mi- get hearing of the Senate Appro- TAMARA DABNE/U.S. Air National Guard chael McGuire, the National priations Committee’s subpanel Soldiers with the Indiana National Guard provide security near the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 21. Guard Association’s president for defense. and chairman, said in a statement Aviation and ground vehicle training has been postponed and to defend the Capitol. riot, there were as many as 26,000 when the proposal was announced readiness at Guard units across now is at risk of not being able to The security funding measure Guard troops in Washington to that they did not support the move. the country will be affected if the be funded, and so it’s definitely a passed the House in late May in a support federal law enforcement Such a unit “would be another money is not returned, Wormuth concern and something that will close vote, and it now heads for a agencies with security, communi- personnel-intensive requirement said. Training exercises have al- impact our Guard all around the vote in the Senate. cations, medical evacuations, lo- on our force as well as a detractor ready been pushed back due to nation,” Wormuth said. A mob of former President Do- gistics and safety. The last of the from the Guard’s main mission of National Guard deployments to Subcommittee Chairman Jon nald Trump’s supporters on Jan. 6 Guard troops deployed to Wash- serving as the primary reserve of the U.S.-Mexico border and the Tester, D-Mont., said he is “get- attempted to disrupt the certifica- ington — a force of about 2,300 the Army and Air Force,” they Capitol, as well as missions in re- ting nervous” over the odds of a tion of the results of November’s personnel — returned home May said. sponse to the coronavirus pan- supplemental appropriations presidential election and broke in- 23. demic, she added. bill’s approval that would provide to the Capitol. The security funding bill in- [email protected] “All of that regularly scheduled $1.9 billion for the costs incurred Immediately after the deadly cludes $200 million for the Dis- Twitter: @sarahjcamm WWII medal recipient welcomes Fort Benning great-grandson into Marines soldier returns BY CHAD GARLAND Williams is the namesake of the expedi- Stars and Stripes tionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Wil- ‘safe and sound’ Cedar Ross got a word of advice before liams, currently deployed to the U.S. 6th Stars and Stripes Marine Corps boot camp from a family Fleet to support operations in Europe and A Fort Benning soldier who went mis- member who knows a thing or two about the Africa. sing on Father’s Day has returned “safe service himself. Ross was about halfway through boot and sound,” officials said late Tuesday. His great-grandfather is Hershel “Woo- camp before his drill instructors realized he Days earlier, officials and family dy” Williams, 97, the last living Medal of was the descendent of the legendary Ma- asked the public for information that Honor recipient from World War II and a rine, CBS News reported. might help locate Spc. Jared Ziehm, af- retired chief warrant officer. “The chief drill instructor told me, ‘Ross, ter the soldier’s wife said he hadn’t been “The only advice I think I gave him was to you’re going to have big shoes to fill,’” Ross seen or heard from since he went to sign do the very best that he could and then do a said in an interview seated beside his great- in for work at about 12:30 p.m. Sunday. little more,” Williams said in a CBS Evening grandfather. “I said, ‘Yes, sir. Thankfully, I Before his disappearance, Ziehm had News interview. wear size 15.’” last been seen on the base outside Co- Going “above and beyond the call of du- Last week, Williams visited Parris Island, lumbus, Ga., which is home to the Ar- ty” at the risk of his own life earned Wil- S.C., to watch his great-grandson and some Brent Casey my’s Ranger School, as well as Airborne, liams the country’s highest medal for com- 350 other new Marines cross the parade Pfc. Cedar Ross, left, exchanged a armor and infantry training, Maj. Gen. bat bravery during the Battle of Iwo Jima in deck during a boot camp graduation cere- challenge coin with his great­grandfather, Patrick Donahoe, the base commander, 1945, while he was serving with the 3rd Ma- mony. retired Marine Hershel ‘’Woody’’ Williams, said Monday on Twitter. rine Division. For his efforts during the rigorous 13- after Ross graduated from Marine Corps Ziehm had taken his military ID with Marine tanks were maneuvering in vain week training, Ross earned a meritorious boot camp Friday in Parris Island, S.C. him and had left in his car, but didn’t to clear a path for the infantry through a net- promotion to private first class, a program take his wallet or cellphone, his wife work of reinforced concrete pillboxes when for the event indicated. told them to take pride in themselves, their said in a Facebook post seeking help on Williams, then a corporal, volunteered his Friday’s ceremony was the first that fam- uniforms and their accomplishments Fri- Sunday. services, the award citation says. ily members were allowed to attend in-per- day. They had plans to celebrate his first “Covered by only 4 riflemen, he fought son since the COVID-19 pandemic began, “But tomorrow is no longer about you,” Father’s Day before he disappeared, desperately for 4 hours under terrific ene- and Williams was decked out in his dress he said. “Tomorrow is about those Marines Gussy Ziehm said. my small-arms fire and repeatedly return- blues to honor the newest Marines. who came before us, whose legacy you are Neither she nor the military base pro- ed to his own lines to prepare demolition “They have said by their taking that oath, now a part of. Tomorrow is about those Ma- vided information about what had hap- charges and obtain serviced flamethrow- ‘You may take my life, but you cannot take rines to your left and to your right who are pened to him, where he had been or how ers,” it says. my country or my freedom,’” Williams said. depending on you.” he had been found and returned home. He struggled back, “frequently to the Addressing the graduating Marines, Lt. rear of hostile emplacements,” to wipe out Col. Robert M. Groceman, commanding of- [email protected] [email protected] seven machine guns, one-by-one. ficer of the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Twitter: @chadgarland Twitter: @starsandstripes Thursday, June 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Houston hospital workers fired, quit over vaccine

BY JAMIE STENGLE said Bridges, who said she does Associated Press not have confidence in the vac- DALLAS — More than 150 em- cine’s safety. ployees at a Houston hospital sys- The Centers for Disease Con- tem who refused to get the CO- trol and Prevention has said that VID-19 vaccine have been fired or while a small number of health resigned after a judge dismissed problems have been reported, an employee lawsuit over the vac- COVID-19 vaccines are safe and cine requirement. highly effective. A spokesperson for Houston Other hospital systems around Methodist hospital system said the country, including in Wash- 153 employees either resigned in ington, D.C., Indiana, Maryland, the two-week suspension period Pennsylvania and most recently or were terminated on Tuesday. New York, have followed Houston The case over how far health Methodist and have also gotten care institutions can go to protect pushback. patients and others against the Legal experts say such vaccine coronavirus has been closely requirements, particularly in a watched. It’s believed to be the public health crisis, will probably first of its kind in the United continue to be upheld in court as States, but it won’t be the end of long as employers provide rea- the debate. sonable exemptions, including for Earlier this month, a federal medical conditions or religious judge threw out the lawsuit filed objections. by 117 employees over the re- Harris Methodist has said some quirement. The hospital system’s employees got medical or reli- decision in April to require the YI­CHIN LEE, HOUSTON CHRONICLE/AP gious exemptions, and some were vaccine for workers made it the A person holds a sign to protest at Houston Methodist Hospital in Baytown, Texas, a policy that says deferred for pregnancy or other first major U.S. health care sys- hospital employees must get vaccinated against COVID­19 or lose their jobs. reasons. tem to do so. But Houston Methodist’s presi- The Houston Methodist em- employees didn’t like the require- nurse who is the lead plaintiff in ands or buts.” dent and CEO, Marc Boom, has ployees who filed the lawsuit li- ment, they could go work else- the lawsuit against Houston She had worked for 6½ years at said nearly 25,000 of the system’s kened their situation to medical where. Methodist, said her director the medical-surgical in-patient more than 26,000 workers have experiments performed on un- Those who filed the lawsuit called her Tuesday to ask if she’d unit at Houston Methodist’s hos- been fully vaccinated against CO- willing victims in Nazi concentra- have already appealed the judge’s gotten the vaccine yet or made pital in the suburb of Baytown. VID-19. tion camps during World War II. dismissal to the 5th U.S. Circuit any effort to do so. She said that Bridges said Tuesday was also “You did the right thing. You U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes Court of Appeals. when she replied “absolutely her first day at her new job at a protected our patients, your col- called that comparison “repre- The hospital system had re- not,” she was told that she was ter- company that sends nurses into leagues, your families and our hensible” and said claims made in quired employees to complete minated. people’s homes. community. The science proves the lawsuit that the vaccines are their immunization by June 7. “We all knew we were getting “I’m hoping if we win this at a that the vaccines are not only safe experimental and dangerous are The next day, 178 employees were fired today,” said Bridges, 39. federal level, then they’re going to but necessary if we are going to false. suspended for two weeks without “We knew unless we took that create laws to protect employees turn the corner against CO- Hughes, who dismissed the pay for not complying. shot to come back, we were get- from having to go through this VID-19,” Boom said in a state- lawsuit on June 12, said that if the Jennifer Bridges, a registered ting fired today. There was no ifs, anywhere else in the country,” ment to employees. US to review Native American boarding schools’ dark history Associated Press ties, U.S. Interior Secretary Deb “To address the intergenera- American to serve as a Cabinet Starting with the Indian Civi- The federal government will in- Haaland announced Tuesday. tional impact of Indian boarding secretary, Haaland outlined the lization Act of 1819, the United vestigate its past oversight of Na- The unprecedented work will schools and to promote spiritual initiative while addressing mem- States enacted laws and policies to tive American boarding schools include compiling and reviewing and emotional healing in our com- bers of the National Congress of establish and support Indian and work to “uncover the truth records to identify past boarding munities, we must shed light on American Indians during the boarding schools across the na- about the loss of human life and schools, locate known and possi- the unspoken traumas of the past group’s midyear conference. tion. For over 150 years, Indige- the lasting consequences” of pol- ble burial sites at or near those no matter how hard it will be,” She said the process will be nous children were taken from icies that over the decades forced schools, and uncover the names Haaland said. long, difficult and painful, and will their communities and forced into hundreds of thousands of children and tribal affiliations of students, A member of New Mexico’s La- not undo the heartbreak and loss boarding schools that focused on from their families and communi- she said. guna Pueblo and the first Native endured by many families. assimilation. Poll: Just over half of Democrats want more US support for Palestinians

Associated Press tinians, with liberal Democrats The poll shows Americans over- conservative. supportive of Israelis and not sup- WASHINGTON — A new poll on wanting more support for the Pales- all are divided over U.S. policy to- Paul Spelce, a 26-year-old Demo- portive enough of the Palestinians. American attitudes toward a core tinians and conservative Republi- ward Israel and the Palestinians. It cratic-leaning independent voter “I don’t think Biden’s word was conflict in the Middle East finds that cans seeking even greater support also shows more Americans disap- and supporter of Palestinian state- that strong,” Spelce said. “And I about half of Democrats want the for the Israelis. prove of President Joe Biden’s ap- hood, is a member of a heavily reli- don’t think this administration ... United States to do more to support The survey also examined Amer- proach to the conflict than approve gious Texas Republican family can actually do anything” regarding the Palestinians, showing that a icans’ opinions on the Biden admin- of it. whose support for Israel is in- the conflict. growing rift among Democratic istration’s handling of the Israel- Among Democrats, 51% say the grained with their Christian faith. Overall, the poll shows that 29% lawmakers is also reflected in the Palestinian conflict. The survey U.S. is not supportive enough of the Spelce, of Austin, says he followed of Americans say the U.S. is too sup- party’s base. was conducted about three weeks Palestinians. The sentiment jumps news of last month’s Gaza war and portive of the Israelis, 30% say it’s The poll from The Associated into a cease-fire following a devas- to 62% among Democrats who de- the U.S. response closely on the ra- not supportive enough and 36% say Press-NORC Center for Public Af- tating 11-day war last month be- scribe themselves as liberal. On the dio as he helped deliver mail. it’s about right. In its approach to- fairs Research finds differences tween Israel and the Gaza Strip’s other hand, 49% of Republicans say “I started paying a lot more atten- ward the Palestinians, 25% say the within both the Democratic and the Hamas militant rulers. The fighting the U.S. is not supportive enough of tion,” said Spelce, who said he dis- U.S. is too supportive, 32% say it’s Republican parties on the U.S. ap- killed at least 254 Palestinians and the Israelis, a number that rises to approved of Biden’s handling of the not supportive enough and 37% say proach toward Israel and the Pales- 13 people in Israel. 61% among those who say they’re conflict and thinks the U.S. is too it’s about right. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 NATION GOP filibuster blocks voting rights bill

Associated Press Biden praised Senate Democrats who tend to support Democrats. Re- WASHINGTON — The Demo- for standing together “against the publicans, cheered on by Trump, crats’ sweeping attempt to rewrite ongoing assault of voter suppression talk instead about fighting potential U.S. election and voting law suf- that represents a Jim Crow era in voting fraud and say the Democrats’ fered a major setback in the Senate the 21st Century.” In a statement concerns are wildly overblown. on Tuesday, blocked by a filibuster from the White House, he said that As the Senate discussion churns, wall of Republican opposition to in their actions, though unsuccess- more changes could be coming to what would be the largest overhaul ful on Tuesday, they “took the next the bill. Democrats propose enhanc- of the electoral system in a genera- step forward in this continuous ing penalties for those who would tion. struggle.” threaten or intimidate election The vote leaves the Democrats The rejection forces Democrats workers and creating a “buffer with no clear path forward, though to reckon with what comes next for zone” between election workers and President Joe Biden declared, “This their top legislative priority in a nar- poll watchers. They also want to lim- fight is far from over.” rowly divided Senate. They’ve tout- it the ability of state officials to re- The bill, known as the For the Peo- ed the measure as a powerful coun- move local election officials. ple Act, would touch on virtually ev- terweight to scores of proposals ad- But Democrats have divisions of ery aspect of how elections are con- vancing in GOP-controlled state- their own. Until Tuesday, it wasn’t ducted, striking down hurdles to houses making it more difficult to even clear that they would be united voting that advocates view as the vote. on the vote to bring the bill up for de- Civil Rights fight of the era, while al- “Once again, the Senate Republi- bate. Manchin, a moderate from so curbing the influence of money in can minority has launched a parti- J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP West Virginia, announced earlier politics and limiting partisan influ- san blockade of a pressing issue,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D­N.Y., meets with reporters this month that he couldn’t support ence over the drawing of congres- Senate Majority Leader Chuck before a key test vote on the For the People Act, which would overhaul the bill because it lacked Republi- sional districts. Schumer said from the chamber the election system and voting rights, at the Capitol on Tuesday. can support. He flipped his vote to a But many in the GOP say the mea- floor. He vowed that the vote was the “yes” after Democrats agreed to sure represents instead a breathtak- “starting gun” and not the last time Sen. Ted Cruz dismissed it as “parti- ruled that out, denying the votes consider his revised version. ing federal infringement on states’ voting rights would be up for debate. san legislation, written by elected needed to make a filibuster change. Manchin has proposed adding authority to conduct their own elec- Whatever Democrats decide, Democrats, designed to keep elect- Biden has vowed what the White provisions for a national voter ID re- tions without fraud — and is meant they will likely be confronted with ed Democrats in office.” House calls the “fight of his presi- quirementand dropping a proposed to ultimately benefit Democrats. the same challenge they faced Tues- And, more graphically, Sen. Shel- dency” over ensuring Americans’ public financing of campaigns. The It failed on a 50-50 vote after Re- day when minority Republicans ley Moore Capito called the bill “a access to voting. But without chang- ID requirement would be less strict publicans, some of whom derided used the filibuster — the same tool despicable, disingenuous attempt to es to Senate rules, key planks of his than ones pushed by Republicans in the bill as the “Screw the People that Democrats employed during strip states of their constitutional agenda, including the voting bill, ap- certain states and allow voters to Act,” denied Democrats the 60 votes Donald Trump’s presidency — to right to administer elections.” pear stalled. provide non-photo ID such as a util- needed to begin debate under Sen- block consideration of the bill. Pressure has been mounting on The changes being enacted in ity bill. ate rules. Vice President Kamala Republicans showed no sign of Democrats to change Senate rules many Republican states are decried Those changes did little, however, Harris, the first Black woman to yielding. Republican leader Mitch or watch their priorities languish. A by voting rights advocates who ar- to garner the bipartisan support hold her office, presided over the McConnell called the bill a “a solu- group of moderate Democratic sen- gue the restrictions will make it Manchin was hoping for. McCon- chamber as the bill failed to break tion looking for a problem” and ators, however, including Sens. Joe more difficult for people to cast bal- nell dismissed Manchin’s version as past that filibuster barrier. vowed to “put an end to it.” Texas Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, have lots, particularly minority residents “equally unacceptable.” Pelosi signals new panel to Biden urges shots for investigate US Capitol riot more young adults as Associated Press the building and from three additional Republicans. variant concern grows WASHINGTON — House hunted for law- Pelosi said earlier this month that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is signaling makers to try to the House “can’t wait any longer” Associated Press knowledged that President Joe Bi- that she is poised to create a new stop the certifica- and would proceed with a probe. WASHINGTON — The U.S. gov- den will fall short of reaching his committee to investigate the Jan. 6 tion of Joe Bi- She said then that she was consid- ernment is stepping up efforts to get goal of vaccinating 70% of all Amer- insurrection at the Capitol, pushing den’s election ering a select committee or having younger Americans vaccinated for ican adults with at least one shot by closer to a partisan investigation of victory. an existing committee conduct the COVID-19 as the White House ac- Independence Day. the attack after Senate Republicans A new select investigation. knowledges it will miss two key vac- Biden also expects to miss a sec- Pelosi blocked the creation of an inde- committee would Many Republicans have made cination benchmarks and as con- ond goal — fully vaccinating 165 mil- pendent probe. put majority Democrats in charge clear that they want to move on cern grows about the spread of a lion adult Americans by July 4. Aperson familiar with the matter of the investigation. More than from the Jan. 6 attack, brushing new variant that threatens to set the White House COVID-19 coordina- said after a meeting with Demo- three dozen Republicans in the aside the many unanswered ques- country back in the months ahead. tor Jeff Zients projected it will take crats that Pelosi had told her col- House and seven Senate Republi- tions about the insurrection, includ- The delta variant, first identified several more weeks to hit that num- leagues that she would create a se- cans said they wanted to avoid a ing how the government and law in India, in the last two weeks has ber. On Monday, the U.S. crossed lect panel. The person spoke on partisan probe, and they supported enforcement missed intelligence come to represent more than 20% of 150 million fully vaccinated. condition of anonymity to discuss the legislation to form a commis- leading up to the rioting and the role coronavirus infections in the U.S., Administration officials said they the private remarks. But Pelosi lat- sion, which would have been mod- of Trump before and during the in- the Centers for Disease Control and were redoubling their focus on vac- er denied that, telling reporters, eled after a similar panel that inves- surrection. Prevention reported Tuesday. cinating younger Americans age 18- “No, I did not make that announce- tigated the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Some Republicans have gone so That’s double what it was when the 26, who have proved to be least likely ment.” Still, those numbers weren’t far as to downplay the violence, CDC last reported on the variant’s to get a vaccine when it’s available. The new committee would come strong enough to overcome GOP with one suggesting the rioters prevalence. “The reality is many younger after the Senate voted earlier this opposition in the Senate, where sup- looked like tourists. “The delta variant is currently the Americans have felt like COVID-19 month to block legislation to form a port from 10 Republicans is needed Last week, 21 Republicans voted greatest threat in the U.S. to our at- is not something that impacts them, bipartisan, independent commis- to pass most bills if all Democrats against giving medals of honor to tempt to eliminate COVID-19,” Dr. and they’ve been less eager to get the sion investigating the attack by for- vote yes. Senate Democratic leader Capitol Police and Metropolitan Po- Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top in- shot,” Zients said. “However, with mer President Donald Trump’s Chuck Schumer has said he may lice to thank them for their service fectious disease expert, said at a the delta variant now spreading supporters. Pelosi said afterward hold a second vote after the legisla- that day. Dozens of those officers White House briefing on the virus. across the country, and infecting that the House would step up inves- tion failed to advance last month, suffered injuries, including chem- “Good news: Our vaccines are effec- younger people worldwide, it’s tigations of the riot, in which a vio- but there’s no indication that Demo- ical burns, brain injuries and bro- tive against the delta variant.” more important than ever that they lent mob overran police, broke into crats can win the necessary support ken bones. The White House on Tuesday ac- get vaccinated.” Thursday, June 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Rail traffic stops so THE CENSUS cops can corral cows The approximate BLUEFIELD — $5M worth of an 18-bed- WV Trains had to be stop- room oceanfront rental home that ped along a stretch in southern was destroyed by fire in Kill Devil West Virginia as authorities tried Hills, N.C. Officials said the fire spread to homes on both sides as well to coax three cows off of railroad as a motel pool. Rachel Tackett, a tracks. town spokesperson, said 42 people The cows appeared on the were staying at the home when the tracks in the city of Bluefield, the fire erupted. She said eight people Bluefield Daily Telegraph report- from a nearby home were also dis- ed. placed. No injuries were reported. Witness Angie Sharp said the cows came from a wooded area and made their way down a street as NorthPak are accused of doz- into downtown Bluefield. ens of crimes since 2018, accord- Bluefield police used a livestock ing to a news release. All 14 are trailer to try to corral the cows. charged with illegal gang partici- The cows broke away at one point pation and seven are charged in before being herded back toward six killings. the trailer. The News Journal reported that Officers finally caught the cows the defendants ranged in age from after darkness fell, the newspaper 15 to 23 at the time of the crimes. reported. Police: Boy Scouts find Lost hard hat found in human remains time for Father’s Day PENSACOLA — Some FAIRHAVEN — A FL Boy Scouts who were MA Massachusetts man conducting a cleanup operation as said he received an unexpected part of an Eagle Scout project gift just in time for Father’s Day found human remains under a when his lost hard hat washed ash- building in Florida’s Panhandle, ore on a Portuguese island. police said. In 2014, Conrad Roy Jr. was The medical examiner’s office working a New Bedford site job concluded the remains found are with his late son, Conrad Roy III. human and an investigation is un- During the job, Roy Jr. lost his derway, the Pensacola Police De- hard hat when it fell into the water, partment said in a statement. WCVB reported. Anthropologists from the Uni- His son, Roy III, died by suicide versity of West Florida are assist- a year later. ing in the investigation, the state- On Father’s Day, Roy Jr. saw a ment said. Facebook post about a hard hat washing up on Azores, an archi- Police: Fireworks blast pelago off the Portuguese coast. inside pickup injures man The hard hat had a New Bedford sticker on it, the news station said. EMMAUS — A fire- Roy Jr. said the discovery of the PA works explosion inside hat 2,000 miles away felt like his a pickup critically injured a man son sent him a Father’s Day gift. in eastern Pennsylvania, author- ities said. Rattlesnake found in Police in Emmaus said the 35- metro neighborhood year-old man was sitting inside the truck when the fireworks deto- ALEXANDRIA — A nated. He was rushed to Lehigh VA rattlesnake was spotted Valley Hospital in critical condi- slithering through a neighborhood tion with injuries that Chief Troy in northern Virginia, a local ani- DAVE SCHERBENCO, THE (WILKES­BARRE, PA.) CITIZENS’ VOICE/AP Schantz called “severe.” mal services group said. Investigators determined that The Animal Welfare League of the man had purchased the fire- Alexandria received a call Sunday Above it all works about a year ago and wasn’t about a snake in the Old Town sec- Workers make repairs to the onion domes at the top of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church oninvolved in their manufacture. tion of the city. River Street in Wilkes­Barre, Pa. The poisonous reptile was “ap- Bison injures woman prehended” by animal services of- charges, for the fourth time, offi- Grandmother: Boy hurt on under the rails. in national park ficers and transported to a wildlife cials said. The state Court of Ap- His legs and right arm were facility, according to a statement peals overturned the previous coaster might lose legs crushed, and doctors don’t know if YELLOWSTONE NA- from the organization. three convictions on procedural BRANSON — The they will be able to save his legs, WY TIONAL PARK — A Timber rattlesnakes are rare in grounds. MO grandmother of an Ford said. bison injured a hiker in Yellow- the Washington metropolitan re- Terrance Jon Irby, 63, was 11-year-old Tennessee boy who stone National Park. gion, the welfare league said, but it found guilty of first-degree mur- was injured on a roller coaster in AG: 14 indicted on more How the bison hurt the uniden- isn’t impossible for them to live in der and first-degree robbery in Missouri says doctors are con- than 120 charges tified woman near a trail at Yel- the area’s climate. They are en- the death of James Rock in 2005, cerned his legs might have to be lowstone Lake was unknown but dangered and will usually avoid the Skagit Valley Herald reported. WILMINGTON — she had significant injuries, park amputated. contact with humans. Irby was arrested after attempt- Aalondo Perry, who is visually DE Fourteen alleged mem- spokeswoman Linda Veress said. ing to flee during a traffic stop, po- impaired, was injured when he bers of a Wilmington-area gang “We’re not clear how the en- Man convicted of murder lice said. Authorities said he was fell while getting off The Branson were indicted on more than 120 counter with the bison occurred,” for the 4th time found with guns that witnesses Coaster, said his grandmother criminal charges, including mur- Veress told the Billings Gazette. identified as belonging to Rock, Shelandra Ford. der, after a six-month investiga- The woman was flown to a hos- MOUNT VERNON — and boots that had Rock’s blood on Ford said she was told Aalondo tion involving federal, state and lo- pital in Idaho Falls, Idaho. WA A jury convicted a them. fell when he tried to get off after cal agencies, Delaware’s attorney Washington state man, who stood He is scheduled to be sentenced the roller coaster stopped. When general announced. From The Associated Press trial on robbery and murder in July. the ride restarted, he was trapped Members of the gang identified PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 PACIFIC Alliance: Love story has a military twist

FROM PAGE 1 blamed himself for having intro- duced the couple. and Korean forces work side by Nothing prohibits a marriage side. For Ha, the project was as- between active-duty service signed during “one of the busiest members from the two countries, days of my life,” when she was fi- a spokesperson for the combined nalizing the purchase of a new division told Stars and Stripes on a home. customary condition of anonymi- “I’ll do the more important part, ty. She said Gabrielson and Ha, which is translating,” Ha said she who are of the same rank, went told herself at the time. “So, I went through the proper channels to get out to do all the [real estate] paper- their marriage certified. work and then I came back.” After thoroughly examining Meanwhile, Gabrielson com- military regulations, Gabrielson pleted the lion’s share of their pre- proposed to Ha last summer, just sentation. Ha returned and apol- three months after they were in- ogetically asked him out to lunch, troduced. and then later to a coffee shop. Gabrielson admits their mar- “I felt bad about it,” she said. “I riage “might have been a fast deci- felt bad to make him work for me.” sion,” but insists it was not impul- The two gradually grew closer sive. MATTHEW KEELER/Stars and Stripes over subsequent lunches and din- “In the military, where uncer- U.S. Army Capt. Miles Gabrielson and South Korean army Capt. Ha Neul, both assigned to Camp Casey ners. During one of those get-to- tainty is the nature of our profes- north of Seoul, married on Feb. 20. The union is the first between active­duty officers in the U.S. and gethers, Ha brought up her con- sion, sometimes you have to seize Korean armies, according to the 2nd Infantry Division. cern about their off-duty meet- opportunities when they’re pre- ings, which she described as po- sented to you,” he said. “We didn’t “I am very pleased and proud of in common than a lot of couples some time in the States,” Gabriel- tentially “scandalous.” Ha said know how much time I would be in their marriage,” South Korean ar- from the same country.” son said, adding that he wants to she had avoided relationships Korea, and we didn’t know how my Lt. Col. Son Sanghyun, deputy Gabrielson and Ha acknowl- “start a family together” back with service members, in the off much more time she’d have left in commander of the 210th Field Ar- edged there are “huge differenc- home. chance they could develop into a Camp Casey. We saw an opportu- tillery Brigade and one of Ha’s se- es” in their respective cultures but Soon after their wedding, South disreputable affair. nity and we went with it. nior officers, told Stars and noted that the “biggest glue that Korean news outlets reported on “The beautiful thing about our Stripes. “I sincerely hope for their kept us together” was their shared the significance of the union. Ga- ‘We saw an opportunity’ relationship is that it really did best as they continue on with their Catholic faith. brielson said “there’s no bigger It was on a night shift during a start as colleagues, as professional army career.” “That’s something that’s been purpose behind our marriage,” field exercise when the two counterparts,” he added. “And important to me, my whole life,” despite media reports focusing on “couldn’t keep back our feelings then we became friends.” Common ground Gabrielson said. the historic precedent. for each other anymore,” Gabriel- They exchanged vows at a Ca- Despite wearing different uni- Both Gabrielson and Ha said “We’re two people that have a son said, and they decided to make tholic church in Busan, about 220 forms and being raised in differ- they have no immediate plans to lot in common with each other and their relationship official. miles south of Camp Casey. The ent countries, Gabrielson said he leave the military. Gabrielson in- got married,” Gabrielson said. “We agreed to keep it very dis- ceremony included a Korean- and his wife have a lot in common. tends to extend his tour in South “We just happened to meet creet, not tell anyone for a while,” style reception with Ha and Ga- “We both went to military aca- Korea for as long as possible and through this military venue.” he said, adding that their interac- brielson wearing traditional Ko- demies,” he said, referring to his plans to eventually attend gradu- “I would’ve married [Ha] if she tions were kept strictly profes- rean clothing. graduation from the U.S. Military ate school in the United States. had any other job in the world,” he sional. Gabrielson’s family flew in Academy at West Point and Ha’s Ha hopes to attend a military- added. “I would’ve married her if “And then, the next day, she told from Connecticut to attend the graduation from the Korea Mili- sponsored study-abroad program she was from any other country in her boss,” Gabrielson said, laugh- ceremony. In lieu of a honeymoon, tary Academy. “We both have the there. the world.” ing. the couple toured five South Ko- same job, the same rank, and work “We’ll make the most of our

Ha said her senior Korean offi- rean cities with their families due in the same place. On the surface, time together and hopefully ma- [email protected] cer was shocked and humbly to coronavirus travel restrictions. you might say we have a lot more neuver some kind of way to spend Twitter: @choiboy

Pro-democracy Hong Kong newspaper closes

Associated Press and online editions will cease due to “the current cir- HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s sole remaining pro- cumstances prevailing in Hong Kong.” democracy newspaper will publish its last edition The silencing of a prominent pro-democracy voice is Thursday, forced to shut down after five editors and ex- the latest sign of China’s determination to exert greater ecutives were arrested and millions of dollars in its as- control over the city long known for its freedoms after sets were frozen as part of China’s increasing crack- antigovernment protests there in 2019 shook the govern- down on dissent in the semi-autonomous city. ment. Since then, Beijing has imposed a strict national The board of directors of Apple Daily parent company security law and revamped Hong Kong’s election laws Next Media said in a statement Wednesday that the print to keep opposition voices out of the legislature. Thursday, June 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 WORLD

Iran likely had Witnesses say airstrike in Tigray kills dozens a failed rocket Associated Press reported “more than 80 civilian at Mekele’s Ayder hospital told counted more than 30 bodies, NAIROBI, Kenya — An air- deaths.” The health workers spoke health workers that a plane drop- while other witnesses were report- launch, getting strike hit a busy market in Ethio- on condition of anonymity for fear ped a bomb on Togoga’s market- ing more than 50 people killed. pia’s northern Tigray village of To- of retaliation. place. The six patients included a Many more were said to be wound- ready for more goga on Tuesday, according to The alleged airstrike comes 2-year-old child with “abdominal ed in the remote village that’s link- Associated Press health workers who said soldiers amid some of the fiercest fighting trauma” and a 6-year-old, the ed to Mekele in part by challenging DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — blocked medical teams from trav- in the Tigray region since the con- nurse said. An ambulance carry- stretches of dirt roads. Iran likely conducted a failed launch eling to the scene. Dozens of peo- flict began in November as Ethio- ing a wounded baby to Mekele, al- “It was horrific,” said a staffer of a satellite-carrying rocket in re- ple were killed, they and a former pian forces supported by those most 37 miles away by road, was with an international aid group cent days and now appears to be pre- resident said, citing witnesses. from neighboring Eritrea pursue blocked for two hours and the baby who told the AP he had spoken with paring to try again, the country’s lat- Two doctors and a nurse in Ti- Tigray’s former leaders. A mili- died on the way, the nurse added. acolleague and others at the scene. est effort to advance its space pro- gray’s regional capital, Mekele, tary spokesman and the spokeswo- Hailu Kebede, foreign affairs “We don’t know if the jets were gram amid tensions with the West told The Associated Press they man for Ethiopia’s prime minister head for the Salsay Woyane Tigray coming from Ethiopia or Eritrea. over its tattered nuclear deal. were unable to confirm how many did not immediately respond to a opposition party and who comes They are still looking for bodies by Satellite images, a U.S. official people were killed, but one doctor request for comment. from Togoga, told the AP that one hand. More than 50 people were and a rocket expert all confirmed said health workers at the scene Wounded patients being treated fleeing witness to the attack had killed, maybe more.” the failed launch earlier this month at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran’s Semnan province. Iran’s Telecommunications Min- Russian gas pipeline vexes US charm offensive in Germany ister Mohammad Javad Azari Jah- romi on Wednesday denied Tehran Associated Press Blinken and his German counter- the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, joint news conference, Maas said had a failed satellite launch, but of- BERLIN — The United States part Heiko Maas met in Berlin and which we continue to believe is a Germany was well aware of the fered no explanation for the activity and Germany struggled Wednes- extolled the depth and strength of threat to European energy securi- U.S. concerns and was trying to at the spaceport. day to resolve a major dispute U.S.-German relations, but there ty,” Blinken said. “Germany has a address them. Satellite photos from Planet Labs over a Russian gas pipeline even was no sign of progress in talks to different perspective, and that Ideally, he added, a resolution Inc. and Maxar Technologies show as the Biden administration seeks overcome the impasse over the happens from time to time. We’ll could be reached by the time out- preparations at the spaceport on to improve relations with Western Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Neither handle our disagreements while going German Chancellor Angela June 6. Those images include what Europe that had been strained Blinken nor Maas could offer a pressing ahead on the many areas Merkel visits Biden in Washing- appears to be fuel tanks alongside a during Donald Trump’s presiden- timetable for a possible resolution. where we are working very close- ton next month. Maas stressed, massive white gantry that houses a cy. “We don’t always agree and one ly together.” however, that such timing was as- rocket, while scientists fuel it and U.S. Secretary of State Antony of those areas of disagreement is Speaking alongside Blinken at a pirational only. prepare for launch. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Michael Kerschbaum, Pacific commander In Afghanistan, a summer of pain awaits Michael Ryan, Pacific chief of staff BY DAVID IGNATIUS these Afghans. What’s harder for the Af- taining a power grid, U.S. officials say. Washington Post Writers Group ghans to fathom is why Biden pulled the “I don’t think the president understood WASHINGTON plug so quickly, with so little apparent plan- how precarious the situation would be- EDITORIAL s U.S. troops head toward the exit ning for what’s next. Leaving the modest re- come” as soon as he announced on April 14 Terry Leonard, Editor in Afghanistan, the menu of pol- maining force of 2,500 U.S. troops there a that he planned to withdraw all troops by [email protected] icy options to prevent another ru- while longer would have been a low-cost Sept. 11, says Kagan. Biden’s pledge to re- inous civil war is depressingly way of sustaining the shaky status quo. move U.S. military forces came as the Af- Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor A meager. And vignettes from across the Instead, we have “rapid disintegration,” ghan fighting season was beginning. Ram- [email protected] country offer a glimpse of the torment according to Frederick W. Kagan, a former paging Taliban rebels seized about 50 dis- Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content ahead. West Point military history professor who trict capitals after May 1. But they’ve held [email protected] In northern Afghanistan, residents of has advised three U.S. commanders in Ka- back from capturing big provincial capitals shelters for battered or homeless women bul. The Taliban, intoxicated with immi- such as Kandahar or Jalalabad, perhaps be- Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] are fleeing in advance of the fighting be- nent victory, are advancing toward major cause they fear U.S. reprisals or maybe just tween the Taliban and the government, says provincial capitals. The Afghan army is because their forces are stretched. Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital Annie Pforzheimer, a retired U.S. diplomat buckling in many areas. And in the vacuum, Although Pentagon civilian and military [email protected] who served two tours in Kabul and is now a ethnic militias and criminal gangs are be- leaders widely opposed Biden’s decision, director of a group called Women for Af- coming the only security for a terrified pop- they have moved to implement it quickly BUREAU STAFF ghan Women. She won’t discuss where the ulation. and decisively. They don’t want scenes of women are heading, for fear it could endan- Biden has a last chance to salvage some of last-minute chaos, with Taliban flags atop Europe/Mideast ger them. this wreckage when President Ashraf Gha- captured U.S. Army vehicles or American Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] In Kabul, young Afghan journalists re- ni visits Washington on Friday. He can’t of- helicopters lifting desperate stragglers +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 main “stoic and courageous” as they cover fer Ghani U.S. military muscle — it’s too from rooftops. Pacific the mayhem, says Saad Mohseni, whose late for that. But he can pledge financial and The Taliban is like the proverbial dog that Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief Moby Group runs Tolo TV, the largest diplomatic support that, perhaps, could al- caught the car. It has achieved its dream of [email protected] media operation in Afghanistan. “My jour- low Ghani’s government to avert total col- forcing American withdrawal, but now +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 nalists have the pain of the country written lapse. And he can mobilize the international what? Afghanistan is a much more urban Washington in their faces,” he writes in a text. consensus — which includes Russia, China, and modern nation than when the Taliban Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief In the Afghan military, “the mood toward Pakistan and Iran — against a Taliban mil- were driven from power 20 years ago. Ka- [email protected] the U.S. is souring by the hour,” as they itary takeover in Kabul. bul and other major cities may not fall eas- (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News watch the rapid retreat of American troops Biden had hoped for an intra-Afghan ily; even if the army crumbles, militias will [email protected] and contractors, says David Sedney, who peace agreement before U.S. troops depart- keep fighting. spent much of the past two decades as a ed. He won’t get that, largely because the Americans grew tired of this war, but CIRCULATION Pentagon official dealing with Afghanistan. triumphal Taliban have dragged their feet. they won’t like scenes of our departure, ei- Mideast “As the full implications of the U.S. aban- Resolution of the conflict — on the battle- ther. What Biden owes Afghanistan and Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager donment sink in, dynamics are in motion field or in negotiations — won’t come until America both is a frank explanation of what [email protected] that could lead in many directions, almost after U.S. troops have left. The Taliban ap- he’s doing — and how he plans to keep faith [email protected] all of them bad.” pear startled by the speed of their advance; with the Afghan people to provide as honor- DSN (314)583-9111 President Joe Biden’s decision to with- they have begun privately messaging able a retreat as possible. But for Afghan- Europe draw U.S. troops after two decades of war is Americans about the mundane realities of istan, and perhaps Biden, too, this will be a Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager understandable, however dispiriting it is to governing, such as operating dams or main- summer of pain. [email protected] [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Pacific Dems know big government is a one-way ratchet Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 BY MARC A. THIESSEN st shift since 1948. A 45% plurality of voters the filibuster in place, Democrats can’t cre- CONTACT US Washington Post Writers Group said that they cast their vote as a message of ate two safe Democratic Senate seats by hy are so many Democrats opposition to Obamacare. And the losses kept making D.C. a state, or pass an election law Washington hell-bent on shunning biparti- coming. During President Barack Obama’s that will make it harder for Republicans to tel: (+1)202.886.0003 sanship and ramming trillions term, the number of Democratic senators win back power. 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 Win spending through Congress dropped from 60 to 46, while the number of But even if Republicans manage to win Reader letters on party-line votes? Why are they pushing to Democrats in the House fell from 257 to 188. back the House, the Senate and eventually [email protected] get rid of the filibuster so they can pass the But Democrats were willing to sustain those the White House, Democrats know it will be Additional contacts most radical elements of their agenda over losses because they knew the fruits of their only a temporary setback — because the stripes.com/contactus Republican objections — even though it sacrifice would never be undone — and they GOP will not enact irreversible accomplish- would strip them of the ability to block GOP were right. ments of their own. If Republicans cut taxes, OMBUDSMAN legislation when they return to the minority? This is why so many Democrats have no Democrats will raise them when they return Ernie Gates For the answer, just look at the Supreme interest in reaching across the aisle today. to power. 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This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services ment is a one-way ratchet. Once a new entit- enact as much as they can, as quickly as they and pick up where they left off — and the in- overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are lement program is created, it never gets dis- can. And if doing so costs them power, so be exorable march toward socialism starts up unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- mantled. So, if you believe in big government, it. again. per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to compromise is foolish. You should go for Make no mistake, Democrats don’t want to This is why Democrats are willing to risk remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. broke whenever you have power — because lose power. 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In The filibuster not only stands in the way of in power will be temporary and reversible, handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. the 2010 midterm elections that followed its their most radical agenda items, it also pre- while what Democrats do is lasting and per- © Stars and Stripes 2021 passage, Republicans gained six seats in the vents them from building a firewall against manent. Senate and 63 seats in the House — the large- the inevitable conservative backlash. With Just look at Obamacare. stripes.com Thursday, June 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 59 Cabinet 21 Mellowed 1 Show to a dept. head 22 Wrestling style seat, slangily 60 Polio vaccine 23 Lab eggs 4 Carry discoverer 27 Shade tree

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 8 Wife of Jacob 61 Bashful 29 Climbing plant 12 Cyndi Lauper’s 30 Supergirl’s “— Bop” DOWN first name 13 Stadium cheers 1 PC port 31 — incline (tilted) 14 High hairstyle 2 Moo — pork 33 Without 15 Shoulder malady 3 Discoverer’s cry hesitation 17 Give up 4 ER prioritization 35 Gaiety 18 Clean air org. 5 Feedbag tidbit 38 Drunkard 19 Annual 6 Reedy 40 Retreat celebration 7 Road curves 43 Faucet faults

Non Sequitur 21 Italian cheese 8 “Elementary” 45 Scooted 24 Bando of actress 46 Mid-month date baseball 9 Duel tool 47 Bear lair 25 Belly 26 Leading lady? 10 “— pinch of 48 Power co. supply 28 Michael Moore salt ...” 49 Gillette razor documentary 11 Farmer, at times 53 Texter’s chuckle 32 Mideast ruler 16 Hot tub 54 Somewhat (Suff.) 34 TV alien 20 Existed 55 Tofu source 36 — Bator Answer to Previous Puzzle

Candorville 37 Rx amounts 39 Coffee holder 41 Notable time 42 MSN alternative 44 Opera legend Jessye 46 Cold brew 50 Sheepish remark 51 Painter Salvador 52 Lost continent Carpe Diem 56 Daring Knievel 57 Ray of McDonald’s 58 Equi- Beetle Bailey Bizarro Thursday, June 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 FACES

Eilish apologizes for mouthing slur in video Pop musician Billie Eilish has apologized for a viral video of her mouthing an anti-Asian slur when she was “13 or 14.” On Monday, the “Bad Guy” hit- maker released a statement on her Instagram addressing the clip, in which a young Eilish lip-syncs along to a racist lyric in rapper Tyler, the Cre- ator’s “Fish.” “This is some- thing that i WANT to ad- Eilish dress because i’m being labeled something that i am not,” the Grammy winner wrote. “There’s a video edit going around of me when i was 13 or 14 where i mouthed a word from a No joke song that at the time i didn’t know was a derogatory term used against members of the asian ALEX LOMBARDI/Netflix community. From left: Ryan Hansen as Dennis Kelly and Iliza Shlesinger as Andrea Singer in the Netflix film “Good on Paper.” “I am appalled and embar- rassed and want to barf that i ever mouthed along to that word. this Iliza Shlesinger explains ‘insane’ true story that inspired comedy ‘Good on Paper’ song was the only time i’d ever heard that word as it was never BY PETER SBLENDORIO happens, it’s my job to get up there and talk life and ambitions, whereas she’s actually used around me by anyone in my New York Daily News about it, process it and make things relatable,” quite normal. She’s more like a normal girl family.” he real story behind Iliza Shlesin- Shlesinger said. “This was so heavy, and it so than we see in romantic comedies. She’s not Eilish, 19, added that regardless ger’s new comedy movie is no joke. stopped me in my tracks, so my cathartic way hapless. ... She didn’t need any saving.” of her “ignorance and age at the The stand-up comic and actress of processing it was to write it in a script.” Shlesinger expects that some viewers will time, nothing excuses the fact ... Twrote and starred in “Good on Pa- “Andrea is unrepresented in most movies, relate to Andrea’s experiences. that it was hurtful. and for that i per” after she found out a man in her life was and what’s crazy is that she’s more like the av- “I think it’ll create a conversation about am sorry.” She pushed back on the fabricating facts about himself. erage woman than movies give us credit for,” these sort of lying sociopaths that walk among accusation that she mocked the “We were friends for about a year,” Shles- us, because it was only in sharing the stories way Asian people speak in another inger said. “A little bit after a year, we dated for that so many people reached out to me and clip of her making a series of unin- about three months. It was only at the end of “This was so heavy, and said, ‘Oh my God, I know a guy like this. I dated telligible sounds. that, that I started to put together he had lied a girl like this. This is my roommate. This is my “The other video in that edited about every single thing since the day I met it so stopped me in my cousin,’” Shlesinger said. clip is me speaking in a silly gib- him.” tracks, so my cathartic Shlesinger, who has five stand-up specials berish made up voice... something “Good on Paper,” which began streaming on Netflix, began her comedy career in her i started doing as a kid and have Wednesday on Netflix, stars Shlesinger as a way of processing it was early 20s but has had recent success with mo- done my whole life when talking to stand-up comic who hits it off with a man she vies, including roles in 2019’s “Spenser Confi- my pets, friends and family,” she meets on a plane. Her character, Andrea Sing- to write it in a script.” dential” and 2020’s “Pieces of a Woman.” continued in her post. er, eventually falls for Dennis Kelly — played She said she enjoyed writing a character for “It is absolute gibberish and just by Ryan Hansen — who claims he’s a Yale Uni- Iliza Shlesinger herself in a tale filled with twists and turns. me goofing around, and is in NO versity-educated hedge fund honcho taking “The more I worked on it, the more it be- way an imitation of anyone or any care of his ailing mother. Shlesinger said. “She is just a normal girl who came less about the anger and more about the language, accent, or culture in the Shlesinger, 38, says about two-thirds of the is working her way through life, works on her nuance, and the comedy, and the world and the SLIGHTEST. anyone who knows script reflects exactly what she experienced career, loves her friends and kind of gets some- characters,” Shlesinger said. “I just felt this me has seen me goofing around with a man she was with in her early 30s. thing that she doesn’t deserve. was a unique story. Not a lot of crazy things with voices my whole life.” “As an artist, and especially as a comic, “Women are so quickly labeled as strong be- happen to me, but I just felt that this was such whenever bad things happen, whenever life cause they merely have a job and have goals in an insane story that I had to get it out.” New York Daily News T-Pain: Battled depression for years after Usher insulted his music

Los Angeles Times “Usher was my friend. I really “I was like, ‘What did I do? I “Usher put T-Pain into depres- Singer and rapper T-Pain is respect Usher,” the “Buy U a came out, and I used Auto-Tune.’ sion by saying autotune f— up mu- opening up about his lengthy bat- Drank” artist says in the video, He’s like, ‘Yeah, you f— it up,’” T- sic and then went and released tle with depression, which began adding that his contemporary Pain repeats in the Netflix teaser. ‘OMG’ a song full of autotune that after Usher allegedly insulted his “sounded real concerned.” “I’m like ... ‘But I used it. I didn’t went No. 1,” tweeted one person. music. “He was like, ‘Man, I wanna tell tell everyone else to start using it.’ “This man a whole demon.” In a brief clip from the docuser- you something, man. You kinda That is the very moment — and I “T-Pain said he didn’t realize ies “This Is Pop,” released Tues- f— up music.’ I chuckled a little don’t even think I realized this for for years that his depression start- day on Netflix, T-Pain reflects on bit. It was a nervous chuckle, but I a long time — that’s the very mo- ed because of Usher’s comment,” an alleged conversation with the chuckled. I didn’t understand. I ment that started a four-year de- wrote another. “That’s literally “Yeah!” singer that he said nega- thought he was joking at first, but pression for me.” how mental disorders show up. It tively affected his mental health. then he was like, ‘Nah, man. You The snippet from “This Is Pop,” takes years to unravel feelings & In the video, which has gone vi- really f— up music for real sing- which has amassed more than 3.9 find the trigger. Though when you ral on social media, T-Pain says he ers.’” million views on Twitter alone, find the trigger, you find things was asleep on a first-class plane T-Pain is known for heavily Au- prompted an outpouring of sup- run deeper. Be kind to people.” ride to Los Angeles for the 2013 to-Tuning his vocals, producing a port for T-Pain from fans who A representative for Usher did RICHARD SHOTWELL, INVISION/AP BET Awards when a flight attend- tinny and distorted sonic effect hailed the “Bartender” hit-maker not immediately respond Tuesday T­Pain was allegedly criticized by ant woke him and told him that that has become popular across as a musical “pioneer” while to the Los Angeles Times’ request Usher for his heavy use of Usher wanted to speak with him. various genres of music. slamming Usher as a “demon.” for comment. Auto­Tune in his music. Thursday, June 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 SCOREBOARD/SPORTS BRIEFS

PRO SOCCER PRO BASKETBALL TENNIS BRIEFLY MLS WNBA Bad Homburg Open Anastasija Sevastova, Latvia, def. Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine, 6-1, 6-7 (6), 6-4. EASTERN CONFERENCE EASTERN CONFERENCE Tuesday Camila Giorgi, Italy, def. Karolina Plisko- At Bad Homburg Tennis Club va (5), Czech Republic, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. Lloyd makes US soccer WLTPts GF GA WLPct GB Hamburg, Germany Bianca Andreescu (3), Canada, def. Surface: Grass Christina McHale, United States, 6-4, 2-6, New England 6 1 2 20 14 9 Connecticut 9 5 .643 — team for 4th Olympics Women’s Singles 6-2. Orlando City 5 1 3 18 16 6 Washington 7 6 .538 1½ Round of 32 Jelena Ostapenko, Latvia, def. Anastasia Carli Lloyd is headed to her Philadelphia 4 2 3 15 11 7 Chicago 8 7 .533 1½ Victoria Azarenka (2), Belarus, def. Yuli- Pavlyuchenkova (8), Russia, 6-1, 6-3. Shelby Rogers, United States, def. Kiki fourth Olympics after all. Columbus 4 2 2 14 9 6 New York 7 7 .500 2 ya Hatouka, Belarus, 7-5, 6-0. Round of 16 Bertens, Netherlands, 6-1, 7-5. The 38-year-old Lloyd had New York 4 4 0 12 12 10 Atlanta 5 7 .417 3 Laura Siegemund (8), Germany, def. Ons Jabeur, Tunisia, def. Marketa Von- D.C. United 4 5 0 12 9 11 Tamara Korpatsch, Germany, 6-2, 6-2. drousova, Czech Republic, 6-3, 7-6 (4). vowed after the 2019 World Cup Indiana 1 14 .067 8½ Daria Kasatkina, Russia, def. Vera Zvo- NYCFC 3 3 2 11 15 10 Katerina Siniakova, Czech Republic, def. nareva, Russia, 7-5, 2-2, ret. that she would push to make the WESTERN CONFERENCE Jessica Pegula (3), United States, 6-3, 5-7, Iga Swiatek (4), Poland, def. Heather CF Montréal 3 3 2 11 10 9 6-4. team for Tokyo before stepping WLPct GB Watson, Britain, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-5. Atlanta 2 1 5 11 11 9 Amanda Anisimova, United States, def. Anett Kontaveit, Estonia, def. Svetlana Andrea Petkovic, Germany, 6-1, 7-5. away from the sport. But then the Nashville 2 1 5 11 9 8 Seattle 12 3 .800 — Women’s Doubles Kuznetsova, Russia, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Inter Miami CF 2 5 2 8 8 14 Alison Riske, United States, def. Veroni- games were pushed back a year Las Vegas 10 3 .769 1 Round of 16 ka Kudermetova, Russia, 6-3, 6-4. Arantxa Rus, Netherlands, and Anna Toronto FC 1 5 2 5 10 15 Phoenix 6 7 .462 5 Viktorija Golubic, Switzerland, def. Sam because of the coronavirus, and Chicago 1 6 1 4 4 13 Blinkova (3), Russia, def. Katarzyna Piter, Stosur, Australia, 6-2, 6-3. Dallas 6 8 .429 5½ Poland, and Rosalie van Der Hoek, Nether- Coco Gauff, United States, def. Elise Mer- Lloyd needed knee surgery. Cincinnati 1 5 1 4 6 17 Minnesota 5 7 .417 5½ lands, 6-2, 6-0. tens (7), Belgium, 0-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5. Ekaterina Yashina and Alena Fomina, So making the 18-player roster Los Angeles 5 7 .417 5½ Aryna Sabalenka (1), Belarus, def. Ber- Western Conference Russia, def. Julia Middendorf and Mara narda Pera, United States, 6-3, 6-4. was by no means a slam dunk for Guth, Germany, 6-4, 6-4. WLTPts GF GA Monday’s games Belinda Bencic (6), Switzerland, def. Pe- Lloyd, who scored three goals in Eastbourne International tra Martic, Croatia, 6-1, 6-3. Seattle 6 0 3 21 16 4 No games scheduled. Mallorca Championships the opening 16 minutes of the 2015 Tuesday’s games Tuesday Sporting KC 5 3 2 17 17 13 At Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club World Cup final in Canada. Chicago 92, New York 72 Tuesday Colorado 5 2 1 16 14 8 Eastbourne, Great Britain At Santa Ponca Lloyd, who will turn 39 before Connecticut 80, Dallas 70 Purse: Euro 547,265 LA Galaxy 5 3 0 15 12 13 Washington 87, Seattle 83 Mallorca, Spain Portland 4 4 0 12 11 12 Surface: Grass Purse: Euro 783,665 the Tokyo Games, is the oldest na- Wednesday’s game Men’s Singles Surface: Grass Real Salt Lake 3 1 3 12 12 8 tional team Olympian, besting Minnesota at Atlanta Round of 32 Men’s Singles Houston 3 3 3 12 12 13 Egor Gerasimov, Belarus, def. Jo-Wilf- Round of 32 Thursday’s games Christie Rampone, who was 37 San Jose 3 6 1 10 11 17 ried Tsonga, France, 6-3, 6-4. Ugo Humbert (7), France, def. Miomir Chicago at New York Alexei Popyrin, Australia, def. Norbert when she played at the 2012 Lon- LAFC 2 3 3 9 9 10 Kecmanovic, Serbia, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2. Dallas at Indiana Gombos, Slovakia, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. Round of 16 don Games. Austin FC 2 4 3 9 6 9 Washington at Los Angeles Ilya Ivashka, Belarus, def. Alastair Gray, Casper Ruud (5), Norway, def. Tennys Britain, 6-2, 7-6 (5). Minnesota 2 4 2 8 7 12 Friday’s game Sandgren, United States, 6-3, 6-4. Heath did not play in the nation- Alexander Bublik (8), Kazakhstan, def. Daniil Medvedev (1), Russia, def. Coren- Vancouver 2 5 1 7 7 12 Las Vegas at Minnesota Mikhail Kukushkin, Kazakhstan, 6-1, 6-4. tin Moutet, France, 6-4, 6-2. al team’s recent Summer Series in FC Dallas 1 3 4 7 9 12 John Millman, Australia, def. Jay Clarke, Adrian Mannarino, France, def. Dominic COLLEGE BASEBALL Britain, 6-3, 6-2. Thiem (2), Austria, 2-5, ret. Texas because of a knee injury. Note: Three points for victory, one point Max Purcell, Australia, def. James Duck- Feliciano Lopez, Spain, def. Karen Kha- Julie Ertz is also recovering from for tie. World Series worth, Australia, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (5). chanov (6), Russia, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. Tuesday’s game Emil Ruusuvuori, Finland, def. Albert Ra- Men’s Doubles an injury but should be ready At Omaha, Neb. mos-Vinolas (7), Spain, 6-4, 6-3. Orlando City 5, San Jose 0 Round of 16 (Double Elimination; x-if necessary) Andreas Seppi, Italy, def. Yoshihito Nish- Marcel Granollers, Spain, and Horacio when the United States opens the Wednesday’s games Saturday, June 19 ioka, Japan, 7-6 (5), 6-1. Zeballos (1), Argentina, def. Roman Jeba- Olympics on July 21 against Swe- Game 1: N.C. State 10, No. 9 Stanford 4 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (6), Spain, vy and Jiri Vesely, Czech Republic, 6-2, 3-6, New York at New England def. Mikael Ymer, Sweden, 7-5, 6-1. Columbus at Philadelphia Game 2: No. 4 Vanderbilt 7, No. 5 Arizona 12-10. den. 6, 12 innings Vasek Pospisil, Canada, def. James Andres Molteni, Argentina, and Andrea Atlanta at New York City FC Ward, Britain, 6-4, 6-4. Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O’H- Austin FC at Minnesota Sunday’s games Vavassori, Italy, def. Guido Pella, Argenti- Game 3: Virginia 6, No. 3 Tennessee 0 Liam Broady, Britain, def. Frances Tia- na, and Joao Sousa, Portugal, 7-6 (3), 7-6 Cincinnati at Chicago foe, United States, 6-3, 7-6 (4). ara, Alex Morgan and Megan Ra- D.C. United at CF Montréal Game 4: No. 7 Mississippi St. 2, No. 2 Tex- (6). as 1 Marton Fucsovics, Hungary, def. Aljaz Philipp Oswald, Austria, and Marcus Da- pinoe will be playing in their third Colorado at Sporting Kansas City Bedene, Slovenia, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 7-6 (3). Portland at Houston Monday’s games niell (2), New Zealand, def. Matwe Middel- Game 5: No. 9 Stanford 14, No. 5 Arizona 5 Women’s Singles koop and Sander Arends, Netherlands, 6-3, Olympics. Toronto FC at Nashville Round of 32 Real Salt Lake at Seattle Game 6: N.C. State 1, No. 4 Vanderbilt 0 6-2. Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Da- FC Dallas at Los Angeles FC Tuesday’s games Elina Svitolina (2), Ukraine, def. Paula Novak Djokovic, Serbia, and Carlos Go- LA Galaxy at Vancouver Game 7: No. 2 Texas 8, No. 3 Tennessee 4 Badosa, Spain, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (1). mez-Herrera, Spain, def. Nikola Cacic, Ser- vidson, Emily Sonnett, Rose La- Game 8: No. 7 Mississippi St. 6, Virginia 5 Elena Rybakina, Kazakhstan, def. Har- bia, and Tomislav Brkic, Bosnia-Herzego- Friday’s game Wednesday’s game riet Dart, Britain, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-4. vina, 5-7, 6-4, 13-11. velle and goalkeeper Adrianna Orlando City at Miami Game 9: Stanford vs. No. 4 Vanderbilt Thursday’s game AP SPORTLIGHT Franch are first-time Olympians, Saturday’s games Game 10: No. 2 Texas 8 vs. Virginia as are sisters Samantha and Kris- Los Angeles FC at Sporting Kansas City Friday’s game Cincinnati at Toronto FC Game 11: N.C. State vs. Game 9 winner June 24 1947 — Jim Ferrier wins the PGA cham- tie Mewis. Houston at Real Salt Lake Game 12: No. 7 Mississippi St. vs. Game 1910 — James Braid wins his fifth British pionship by defeating Chick Harbert 2 and Philadelphia at Chicago 10 winner Open with a four-stroke victory over 1 in the final round. Kristie Mewis is the only player CF Montréal at Nashville Saturday’s game Sandy Herd. 1958 — Brazil, led by 17-year-old Pele, on the roster who was not on the Vancouver at Seattle x-Game 13: Teams TBD 1913 — John Henry Taylor wins his fifth beats France 5-2 in a semifinal of the LA Galaxy at San Jose x-Game 14: Teams TBD and final British Open Championship at World Cup. With Brazil up 2-1 in the second 2019 World Cup-winning team. Minnesota at Portland Championship Series Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake, En- half, Pele scores three consecutive goals. — Canada’s Sandra Post beats She and Samantha are the first sis- Sunday’s games (Best-of-three) gland. 1968 Monday, June 28: Teams TBD 1928 — John Farrell beats Bobby Jones Kathy Whitworth by seven strokes in a ters to play for the senior national New York at Atlanta Tuesday, June 29: Teams TBD by one stroke in a 36-hole playoff to win playoff to become the first non-U.S. player D.C. United at New York City FC x-Wednesday, June 30: Teams TBD the U.S. Open. and rookie to win the LPGA championship. team in a world championship. Columbus at Austin FC New England at FC Dallas DEALS USWT coach Vlatko Andonov- Thursday, July 1 ski also named four alternates that Portland at Austin FC Tuesday’s transactions West). Transferred INF Evan White from andLHP Stephen Tarpley to Syracuse. will travel to Tokyo with the team: Saturday, July 3 the 10-day IL to the 60 day IL. Recalled INF PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Signed RF Lo- BASEBALL Donovan Walton from Tacoma (Triple-A gan Landon to a minor league contract. Goalkeeper Jane Campbell, de- New England at Columbus Major League Baseball West). Optioned RHP Yohan Ramirez to ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Selected the fender Casey Krueger, midfielder Toronto FC at D.C. United MLB —Suspended Cincinnati 1B Joey Tacoma. contract of OF Lars Nootbaar from Mem- Miami at CF Montréal Votto two games and fined an undisclosed TAMPA BAY RAYS — Selected the con- phis (Triple-A East). Optioned OF Lane Catarina Macario and forward New York at Orlando City amount for aggressive behavior during a tract of SS Wander Franco from Durham Thomas to Memphis. Designated LHP Ber- Atlanta at Chicago June 19 game against San Diego. Suspend- (Triple-A East). Designated 1B Wyatt nardo Flores Jr. for assignment. Lynn Williams. San Jose at Minnesota ed Toronto RHP Alek Manoah five games Mathisen for assignment. — Sent 2B Tom- Philadelphia at Nashville SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS and fined an undisclosed amount for in- TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Reinstated OF my La Stella to Sacramento (Triple-A Olympic golf field Cincinnati at Houston George Springer from the 10-day IL. Op- Los Angeles FC at Real Salt Lake tentionally throwing at Maikeel Franco West) on a rehab assignment. during a June 19 game against Baltimore. tioned INF Rowdy Tellez to Buffalo (Tri- WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Reinstated missing some stars NWSL Suspended Toronto manager Charlie ple-A East). Reinstated OF Jonathan Davis RHP Max Scherzer from the 10-day IL. Montoyo one game for Alek Manoah’s ac- from the restricted list and optioned him Placed RHP Kyle Finnegan on the 10-day IL, to Buffalo. Assigned OF Jared Hoying out- Four of the top 10 men in the WLTPts GF GA tions. retroactive to June 21. American League right to Buffalo. Placed RHP Jacob Barnes BASKETBALL world golf rankings are not going on the active roster. Orlando 3 0 3 12 8 5 BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Seleced the con- Women’s National Basketball tract of RHP Mickey Jannis from Norfolk National League Association to Japan for the Olympics, only Portland 4 2 0 12 12 4 (Triple-A East). Designated RHP Mac Sce- ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Assigned NEW YORK LIBERTY — Released F Resh- one of them by choice. Washington 2 1 3 9 6 6 roler for assignment. 3B Ildemaro Vargas outright to Reno (Tri- anda Gray. ple-A West). Gotham FC 2 1 2 8 3 2 BOSTON RED SOX — Placed C Kevin Pla- FOOTBALL The 60-man field was set Tues- wecki on the 10-day IL, retroactive to June ATLANTA BRAVES — Recalled RHP Kyle National Football League Chicago 2 3 2 8 5 10 21. Recalled C Connor Wang from Worces- Wright from Gwinnett (Triple-A East). BUFFALO BILLS — Placed DE Bryan Cox day based on the world ranking North Carolina 2 2 1 7 8 4 ter (Triple-A East). Placed LHP Max Fried on the 10-day IL, ret- on IR. Signed DTs Eli Ankou and Nazair with a half-dozen late withdraw- CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Placed OF Adam roactive to June 19. Optioned LHP Kyle Jones. Reign FC 2 3 1 7 5 5 Muller to Gwinnett. als, a list that included U.S. Open Houston 2 3 1 7 6 7 Engel on the 10-day IL, retroactive to June MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Named Reed 20. Recalled OF Luis Gonzalez from Char- CHICAGO CUBS — Signed 1B Matt War- Burckhardt director of pro scouting, Luke kentin to a minor league contract. Louisville 2 2 1 7 3 8 lotte (Triple-A East). Burson senior manager, football informa- runner-up Louis Oosthuizen of CINCINNATI REDS — Reinstated RHP Tre- Kansas City 0 4 2 2 2 7 CLEVELAND INDIANS — Sent RF Franmil vor Antone from the 10-day IL. Optioned RF tion systems, Caroline DeFelice player South Africa, Tyrrell Hatton of Note: Three points for victory, one point Reyes to Columbus (Triple-A East) on a re- Scott Heineman to Louisville (Triple-A personnel assistant, Jake Essler college England and Sergio Garcia of for tie. hab assignment. East). Sent RHP Jeff Hoffman to Louisville scout, Ryan Monnens co-director of play- DETROIT TIGERS — Sent OF Victor Reyes er personnel, Paul Nelson executive direc- Tuesday’s game on a rehab assignment. Spain. to Lakeland (Low-A Southeast) on a rehab COLORADO ROCKIES — Reinstated INF/ tor, football information systems, Chisom Reign FC 2, Chicago 0 assignment. OF Chris Owings from the 60-day IL. Desig- Opara national scout, Pat Roberts assist- Dustin Johnson, the No. 2 player — Reecalled LHP ant director of college scouting, Rob Wednesday’s games LOS ANGELES ANGELS nated RHP Joe Harvey for assignment. in the world, had already said he Jose Quijada from Salt Lake (Triple-A LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Reinstated Roche assistant head athletic trainer, Ja- Orlando at Kansas City West). INF Max Muncy from the 10-day IL. Op- maal Stephenson co-director of player would not be going because the North Carolina at Louisville MINNESOTA TWINS — Placed OF Byron tioned OF Zach Reks to Oklahoma City personnel, Kaitlin Zarecki special assist- Saturday’s games Buxton on the 10-day IL. Recalled OF Gil- (Triple-A West).. ant to the general manager/player devel- Tokyo Olympics on July 29 berto Celestino from St. Paul (Triple-A opment and Chris Blanco assistant direc- Louisville at Chicago MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Placed LHP through Aug. 1 are crammed into East). Claimed RHP Beau Burrows off Brett Anderson on the 10-day IL. Rein- tor of pro scouting. Gotham FC at Reign FC waivers from Detroit and assigned to St. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Signed DE Portland at North Carolina stated OF Tyrone Taylor from the 10-day an already busy golf schedule. Paul. IL. Selected RHP Miguel Sanchez from Joe Tryon to a four-year contract. Orlando at Houston NEW YORK YANKEES — Recalled from re- HOCKEY The men’s field still has four of Washington at Kansas City Nashville (Triple-A East). Recalled RHP hab assignment and reinstated INF Luke Ryan Weber from Nashville. Optioned LHP National Hockey League the top five in the world rankings. Friday, July 2 Volt from the 10-day IL. Sent RHP Darren Hoby Miller to Nashville.Designated OF NHL — Fined New York Islanders F Math- Chicago at Washington O’Day and LHP Justin Wilson to Scranton/ Derek Fisher for assignment. ew Barzal $5,000 for cross-checking Tam- The women’s field will be set Kansas City at Gotham FC Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A East) on rehab as- NEW YORK METS — Recalled C Patrick pa Bay D Jan Rutta during a June 21 game Reign FC at Houston signments. Mazeika from Syracuse (Triple-A East). against Tampa Bay. next week. SEATTLE MARINERS — Claimed INF/OF Claimed RHP Robert Stock off waivers COLLEGE Saturday, July 3 Jake Hager off waivers from Milwaukee from Chicago Cubs and optioned to Syra- MARYLAND — Named Ryland Adkins di- Portland at Louisville and optioned him to Tacoma (Triple-A cuse. Optioned INF/OF Brandon Drury rector of basketball operations. Associated Press PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 COLLEGE FOOTBALL/COLLEGE WORLD SERIES Playoff presidents OK expansion evaluation BY STEPHEN HAWKINS the number of schools that partici­ talk to athletes, presidents, coach­ Associated Press pate in it.” es, partners,” Penn State President DALLAS — The 11 university The 12­team proposal was pre­ Eric Barron said. “So it’ll take presidents and chancellors who sented to the presidents and chan­ time.” oversee the College Football Play­ cellors after the 11­person panel The proposal doesn’t address off on Tuesday authorized a contin­ that manages the postseason sys­ when a new format or any expan­ ued evaluation of a proposed 12­ tem — 10 conference commission­ sion could be implemented. The team playoff that, if adopted, could ers and Notre Dame athletic direc­ earliest possibility is 2023 if every­ still be another five years away. tor Jack Swarbrick — last week thing falls into place. It could as be The move by the CFP board of had its first meeting with everyone as late as the 2026 season after the managers was a necessary step to together in person. current media rights contract with determine the feasibility of tripling Keenum said the next step is a ESPN expires, along with some the size of the playoff field. summer review phase that will contractual considerations with “The four­team playoff has been “engage other important voices,” bowl games, including those that a great success and I’m confident it including athletes, campus leaders are part of the New Year’s Six. will remain a success,” said Mark and coaches. “I would temper my expecta­ Keenum, the Mississippi State “We’re going to be just very de­ tions, and never say never, but president and CFP board chair­ liberate and we’re not going to talk we’ve got an opportunity to dig LM OTERO/AP man. “Nevertheless, it is our re­ timing until we get the answers to deeper as a group,” Southeastern College Football Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock, right, and sponsibility to explore options to all the feasibility issues and until Conference Commissioner Greg Mark Keenum, Mississippi State president and chairman of the CFP make it even better by increasing we have a chance to to listen and Sankey said. presidents group, listen to a reporter’s question Tuesday. Clark, Mississippi State rally, slip past Virginia

BY ERIC OLSON Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. — Once Kellum Clark got that first hit, Mississippi State was on its way to another Col­ lege World Series win. Clark’s eighth­inning homer ended Griff McGarry’s bid for a no­ hitter, and Logan Tanner went deep three batters later to lead the Bulldogs past Virginia 6­5 on Tues­ day night. The sudden turnaround gave JOHN PETERSON/AP Mississippi State (47­16) control of Mississippi State infielder its bracket and left it one win away Kellum Clark, left, celebrates his from reaching the best­of­three fi­ two­run homer during the eighth nals next week. inning of the Bulldogs’ 6­5 defeat “We talked to the team about of Virginia on Tuesday. how it’s hard to get the last outs in JOHN PETERSON/AP Omaha, and just to keep fighting, his arms up in frustration, and then Texas outfielder Eric Kennedy hits a three­run homer during the second inning Tuesday in an 8­4 defeat ofkeep fighting, get something going, was able to make it back to second Tennessee that eliminated the Volunteers from the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. and we were able to do that,” coach base. Chris Lemonis said. Hatcher’s baserunning error McGarry, who was trying for the didn’t matter in the end. Stephen first CWS no­hitter since 1960, Schoch (4­2) relieved, and Allen Longhorns extend CWS stay, walked Scotty Dubrule leading off sent his second pitch into nearly the eighth before Clark drove a 93­ the same spot in the right­field bull­ mph fastball into the right­field pen for a 5­4 lead. send the Volunteers packing bullpen. Dubrule added an RBI single off Clark’s fourth homer of the sea­ Nate Savino for an insurance run BY ERIC OLSON ance since 2005. son ended a 22­inning shutout that stood up after Virginia’s Chris Associated Press “Sometimes baseball is a crazy game,” the Vols’ Pete streak for the Cavaliers (36­26) Newell homered in the bottom half. OMAHA, Neb. — Freshman nerves? Apparently Derkay said. “First day we kind of just didn’t show up along with McGarry’s night — and Lemonis had jokingly asked Al­ there’s no such thing to Texas relief pitcher Tanner like we were capable of doing. Today, they were the bet­ marked the start of the Bulldogs’ len midway through the Bulldogs’ Witt. ter team.” offensive push. game against Texas on Sunday if With the Longhorns in an elimination game at the Col­ Witt (5­0) allowed only three singles, walked none and “I don’t think it was a gut punch. I he planned to help out the team. lege World Series and Tennessee on the verge of a big struck out two. He pitched three 1­2­3 innings and no mean, that’s just baseball,” McGar­ Allen is the Southeastern Con­ inning in a one­run game, Witt got the call with two run­ Tennessee runners made it past first base after the ry said. “It’s a game that can go ference player of the year and he ners on base and one out. fourth inning. back and forth, and Mississippi came to Omaha batting .392. He The moment was not too big for Witt. He embraced it. “Future of Texas pitching is in good hands,” left fiel­ State got the best of us tonight. I’m went 0­for­4 against Texas, and he “I love that big stage, big atmosphere,” he said. “I feel der Eric Kennedy said. “As a freshman he’s the most hoping we play them again.” flew out and struck out twice in his I only get better in those situations because that’s what I poised pitcher I’ve ever seen. Nothing fazes him. He’s Zach Messinger came on and first three at­bats against McGar­ live for.” been nails all season, and that just continued on the big­ surrendered a pinch­hit single to ry. 2 Witt threw 5 ⁄3 innings in his longest outing as a colle­ gest stage. Josh Hatcher before Rowdey Jor­ “I knew they weren’t going to gian, and the No. 2 national seed Longhorns eliminated “I know a lot of guys, if that was their first appearance,dan doubled to the wall in left­cen­ throw me a fastball,” Allen said, “so the Volunteers with an 8­4 victory Tuesday. they would be walking a bunch of guys or not have their ter. I was looking for a slider I could do Silas Ardoin provided the key hit — a tie­breaking, stuff. But he was able to do what he’s been doing all Hatcher, who hadn’t been in a some damage with. It was a big sigh two­run single — and was part of a crucial double play year.” game since May 27, inexplicably of relief. I hadn’t had a hit in a cou­ that helped Texas (48­16) pick up its first win in Omaha “I felt my best stuff was later in my outing and that’s stopped at third when he could ple days. But honestly it really since 2014. No. 3 Tennessee (50­18), which lost its open­ big,” he said. “It’s elimination games. You’ve got to do have scored easily. Jordan was doesn’t faze me. It’s about the next er to Virginia 6­0, went two­and­out in its first appear­ whatever you can for your team to win.” forced to stop halfway to third, put at­bat.” Thursday, June 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NHL/GOLF Olympic berth fulfills dream for DeChambeau BY JIMMY GOLEN ing. Associated Press “As of right now, I am definitely Bryson DeChambeau grew up going,” he said, acknowledging watching the Olympics and wish- that the games have already been ing that someday he would be able postponed for a year because of the to take part. COVID-19 pandemic and Japan re- As a golfer, he knew that was a mains in a partial lockdown. “If bit of a stretch. something was crazy to happen, Although the sport was a part of obviously, we all wouldn’t be go- the Olympic program early in the ing.” 20th Century, it was dropped from The 2020 U.S. Open champion, 1904 until it returned for Rio de Ja- DeChambeau was leading this neiro in 2016. year’s tournament with nine holes “There was never a thought in to play before imploding on the my mind — before 2016, obviously back nine at Torrey Pines. He DAVID BECKER/AP —that I thought I was going to be in made back-to-back bogeys on Nos. Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith shoots against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price the Olympics,” he said this week af- 11 and 12, then took a triple on the during the third period of the Canadiens’ 4­1 Game 5 semifinal win Tuesday in Las Vegas. ter making the field for the Tokyo 13th hole and a quadruple bogey on Games. “I never would have the 17th. thought that. Playing as good as I He finished the final round with have these last few years has af- a 6-over 77, nine strokes behind forded me that opportunity.” winner John Rahm. Price makes 26 saves, Habs DeChambeau, 27, was one year This week brings him to TPC removed from his amateur days in River Highlands outside of Hart- 2016, and didn’t come close to earn- ford, Conn., for the Travelers ing one of the four U.S. spots in the Championship. Five of the world’s move one win from Final Olympic field. Now the sixth- top 10 players are in the field, in- ranked golfer in the world, he is one cluding Johnson, Patrick Reed and of four Americans selected for the Brooks Koepka. Montreal tops Vegas 4-1, poised to reach first Stanley Cup Final in 28 years 60-man field that will play at the DeChambeau has played in the BY W.G. RAMIREZ has been this whole playoff, is get- Kasumigaseki Country Club out- tournament five times, never mis- Associated Press ting to do what we do, regardless of NHL scoreboard side of Tokyo from July 30-Aug. 8. sing the cut and finishing in the top LAS VEGAS — No team has what happens,” Staal said. “I don’t Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa 10 the last three years. been to the Stanley Cup Final more think we change much. We do what Semifinals and Xander Schauffele will also DeChambeau also said he was than the Montreal Canadiens. Now we do every single shift, every mo- (Best-of-seven; x-if necessary) represent the U.S.; world No. 2 eager to get back in front of fans af- they stand one victory away from a ment we have, every opportunity Montreal 3, Vegas 2 Dustin Johnson has opted out. ter playing last year’s tournament 35th appearance and their first in we have to try and be difference Vegas 4, Montreal 1 DeChambeau said he remem- on an empty course. If that brings Montreal 3, Vegas 2 28 years. makers for our team.” Montreal 3, Vegas 2, OT bers loving Olympic table tennis as out the hecklers trying to stoke his Montreal 1, OT feud with Koepka, that’s fine, too. Carey Price made 26 saves to Meanwhile, as Max Pacioretty Tuesday: Montreal 4, Vegas 1 a child and seeing Michael Phelps lead Montreal to a 4-1 victory over was the only one to score for the Thursday: at Montreal dominate the swimming in Athens “It’s something that just rolls x-Saturday: at Vegas the Vegas Golden Knights on Tues- Golden Knights, the storyline re- and Beijing. Most of all, he hoped to right off my back,” he said. “People day night, putting the Canadiens mained the same with Vegas strug- Tampa Bay 3, N.Y. Islanders 2 someday be able to march into an think it bothers me. It doesn’t. At N.Y. Islanders 2, Tampa Bay 1 one step closer to the Stanley Cup gling to find its offense against the Tampa Bay 4, N.Y. Islanders 2 Olympic stadium in the opening all. It’s, like, just an afterthought to Tampa Bay 2, N.Y. Islanders 1 Final. Canadiens’ suffocating tactics, in N.Y. Islanders 3, Tampa Bay 2 ceremony. me. I hear it and it doesn’t even reg- “You know, it’s the oldest cliché limiting space and dominating the Tampa Bay 8, N.Y. Islanders 0 “When I missed it in Rio in 2016, ister in my head anymore. So peo- Wednesday: at N.Y. Islanders in hockey, but the fourth one’s go- neutral zone. The Golden Knights x-Friday: at Tampa Bay I was like ‘Man, that’s a goal of ple can keep saying it if they want. ing to be the hardest and we’re for- had 56 shot attempts, with 12 mis- mine that I want to check off the I’ve got no issue with it. It’s funny, if tunate to have the opportunity at sing the target and 17 others being Kotkaniemi was the beneficiary list. I want to be an Olympian for anything.” home and we’ll be ready to go in blocked. of strong defensive play in the the American team,’ ” he said. And good for golf? Game 6,” said Eric Staal, whose Marc-Andre Fleury, the Knights’ offensive zone, as Cana- “And I’m very fortunate to say that “There’s some good aspects to second-period goal held up as the league’s active leader in playoff diens defensemen Jeff Petry and I’m an Olympian now.” it,” he said. “Now when you start game-winner. wins (90) and games played (162), Jon Merrill created a turnover to DeChambeau said Rickie Fow- saying it during somebody’s golf The Canadiens, who last won the made 22 stops in front of an an- push the puck in transition. Josh ler, who played in Rio, said it was swing, it’s different. But, you know, Stanley Cup in 1993, lead Vegas 3-2 nounced crowd of 17,969 that were Anderson streaked past Vegas de- “the coolest experience ever.” walking down the fairway, whatev- in their best-of-seven series, with left stunned with Vegas on the fenseman Zach Whitecloud and Not that he needed any convinc- er? No harm, no foul.” Game 6 scheduled for the Bell brink of elimination. pulled Fleury to his far right with a Centre in Montreal on Thursday. The Golden Knights, who have backhand that was stuffed. The re- Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Cole Cau- scored 11 goals in the series, have bound floated to Fleury’s left, field and former Golden Knight gotten just four from their for- where Kotkaniemi was in position Nick Suzuki also scored for the wards. to backhand the puck into a wide- Canadiens, whose 11th playoff vic- “You can point to a lot of things open net to give Montreal a 1-0 tory is the franchise’s most in one —we just weren’t sharp in our exe- lead. postseason since the 1993 cham- cution, in our decisions and it cost Suzuki, who was dealt to the pionship run, also the last time a us,” Vegas coach Peter DeBoer Canadiens in the trade that sent Canadian-based team won the ti- said. “We’ve got to find a way. Pacioretty to Vegas, set Montreal tle. You’ve got to find a way this time of up for a two-goal lead in the second Montreal, which rallied from a year against the good teams, and period with a perfectly timed back- 3-1 series deficit in the first round against pressure, and against ten- check on Jonathan Marchessault against Toronto and swept Winni- sion, against a good goalie. Those to the right of Price. At the other peg in the second round, shook off are the teams that end up standing end, Suzuki’s patience paid off, as Sunday’s home loss in Game 4 to at the end of the day.” he waited until the precise mo- win for the second time in Las Ve- Montreal’s forwards continued ment to feed Staal between the MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP gas. to stand tall, scoring all four goals hashmarks for a wrist shot that Bryson DeChambeau hurries to see his shot after hitting from the “I think that’s what our mindset in the win. beat Fleury top shelf. 11th fairway rough during the final round of the U.S. Open. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 NBA Slam: George misses free throws for Clippers FROM PAGE 24 Scoreboard next offensive possession for a 103-102 lead. Playoffs But there was a lot more action CONFERENCE FINALS (Best-of-seven) left. x-if necessary George — an 85% career free- Eastern Conference Atlanta vs. Milwaukee throw shooter — missed two free Wednesday: at Milwaukee Friday: at Milwaukee throws with 8.2 seconds remain- Sunday: at Atlanta ing and the Suns had a chance to Tuesday, June 29: at Atlanta x-Thursday, July 1: at Milwaukee win, but it looked as if it wouldn’t x-Saturday, July 3: at Atlanta x-Monday, July 5: at Milwaukee happen when Mikal Bridges mis- Western Conference sed a corner three-pointer and the Phoenix 2, L.A. Clippers 0 Phoenix 120, L.A. Clippers 114 ball was deflected out of bounds. Tuesday: Phoenix 104, L.A. Clippers 103 Thursday: at L.A. Clippers Instead, it set up Crowder’s Saturday: at L.A. Clippers heave to Ayton, who was dominant x-Monday: at Phoenix x-Wednesday, June 30: at L.A. Clippers in the paint all game long. x-Friday, July 2: at Phoenix Even with his big late shot-mak- ing, George’s missed free throws loomed large. cause look at this game, we’ve got MITCH ALCALA/AP “Obviously, it was an opportuni- this game won,” Beverley said. With the top pick in the NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons are expected to take Oklahoma State’s Cade ty that was missed,” George said. “But we have been in the trenches Cunningham, the Big 12 Player and Freshman of the Year in his lone college season. “Pat made an unbelievable play before. We respond well in the that put me in the position to ex- trenches and we will respond well. tend the lead. I am always confi- We always do.” dent at the free-throw line. I have It was a tough night for the stars always been very successful in from Game 1 until the final min- clutch moments at the free-throw utes. Booker shot just 5-for-16 Pistons win lottery, get line. Tonight, I was just unsuc- from the field and missed part of cessful.” the third quarter with a bloody Phoenix has won a franchise-re- nose. George was 10-for-23 from cord nine straight games in the the field and missed his first seven playoffs. three-point attempts before his No. 1 pick in NBA Draft The Suns were led by Cameron late buckets. Payne, who was brilliant while Ayton continued his eye-open- BY TIM REYNOLDS ramento picks No. 9, New Orleans subbing for All-Star Chris Paul. ing performance in these playoffs. Associated Press NBA Draft order No. 10, Charlotte No. 11, San Antonio He finished with a career-high 29 The No. 1 overall pick in 2018 out Newly selected Basketball Hall of July 29 No. 12, and Indiana No. 13. points. Ayton had 24 points and 14 of Arizona often has been over- FIRST ROUND Famer Ben Wallace tapped his fist 1. Detroit The lottery — 14 ping-pong balls, rebounds, while Booker added 20 shadowed by later picks in the on the table a few times, then 2. Houston all numbered 1 through 14, placed points. same draft such as Atlanta’s Trae 3. Cleveland clapped his hands and pointed one 4. Toronto into a hopper — technically only de- “We just had no answer for Young and Dallas’ Luka Doncic. 5. Orlando finger skyward. 6. Oklahoma City termines the first four picks. The Cameron Payne,” Lue said. “He But he has carved out quite a niche 7. Golden State (from Minnesota) After one of the worst seasons in 8. Orlando (from Chicago) rest then default to a preestablished got downhill all night. His speed with the Suns and now has a signa- franchise history, Detroit has some- 9. Sacramento order of finish; Golden State, for ex- and his quickness really hurt us all ture play that will live on in fran- 10. New Orleans thing to celebrate. 11. Charlotte ample, had only a 2.4% chance of its night.” chise history. 12. San Antonio The Pistons won the NBA Draft 13. Indiana own pick being anything other than Payne repeatedly carved Phoenix was playing without 14. Golden State lottery on Tuesday night, meaning 15. Washington the No. 14 selection. through the Clippers defense, Paul for the second straight game. they’ll have the No. 1 pick on July 29 16. Oklahoma City (from Boston) And form held through the first making tough buckets at the rim The 11-time All-Star has been in 17. Memphis — and, presumably, the chance to 18. Oklahoma City (from Miami) six picks that were unveiled. The No. with pretty left-handed finishes. the league’s COVID-19 health and 19. New York take Oklahoma State guard Cade 20. Atlanta 8pick, which was slotted to Chicago, He made what looked like a cru- safety protocol for the past week Cunningham. 21. New York (from Dallas) winds up with the Magic as part of cial layup with about 90 seconds and the team isn’t sure when he’ll 22. L.A. Lakers “We get to add another young 23. Houston (from Portland) the Nikola Vucevic trade from this left, finishing high off the glass to return. 24. Houston (from Milwaukee) player to the restoration process,” 25. L.A. Clippers season. That’s when the first signif- give Phoenix a 100-95 lead. Clippers star Kawhi Leonard 26. Denver Detroit general manager Troy 27. Brooklyn icant buck-the-odds move hap- But gritty Los Angeles respon- missed his fourth straight game Weaver said. “We’re excited to be in 28. Philadelphia pened, when Toronto’s 31.9% ded and nearly pulled this one out. with a right knee sprain, and 29. Phoenix this position. But it means that we’ve 30. Utah chance of cashing into a top-four slot “It is a hard game to swallow be- stayed in Los Angeles. got a lot of work to do. We’re going to delivered. be diligent about it, but it always The Thunder will have three first- helps to be able to add a No. 1 pick er and Freshman of the Year honors round picks, but none higher than from a talented group of players to in the same season, after averaging No. 6. That’s good news for them, choose from.” 20.2 points per game in his lone col- and really good news for Houston. Houston — which basically had legiate season — is at the “top of the The Rockets had a 52% chance of 50-50 odds of picking in the top four list.” winning a top-four pick. The worst — got the No. 2 pick. Cleveland will “It’s going to mean a lot. It’s going Houston could do was the No. 5 se- pick No. 3 and Toronto will pick No. to mean a lot for this team,” Wallace lection, and that truly was a worst- 4, after both of those franchises got said on the ESPN telecast of the lot- case scenario because if the Rockets some lottery luck to move up in the tery, after he served as the team’s were outside of the top four, the pick order. virtual representative for the event would convey to Oklahoma City as But the big winners were the Pis- that took place in Secaucus, N.J. “I part of the compensation for the tons, with Weaver saying the team think the team is headed in the right Russell Westbrook-Chris Paul will take a look at five players before direction.” trade between those teams in 2019. deciding on the No. 1 selection. Un- Orlando will get the No. 5 and No. In that scenario, if Houston had got- less Detroit moves the pick, it will be 8 selections, with Oklahoma City ten the No. 5 pick, it would have gone picking No. 1 overall for the first time picking No. 6 and Golden State also to the Thunder in exchange for the MATT YORK/AP since taking Bob Lanier in 1970. with two lottery slots — No. 7, as part No. 18 pick. Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley shows officials blood on And, as if there was any doubt, of a trade with Minnesota, and the his hand as he reacts after being called for a foul on Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 2 of the Western Conference Weaver said Cunningham — just Warriors’ own pick at No. 14. AP sports writer Tom Withers in Cleveland the fourth player to win Big 12 Play- The rest of the lottery results: Sac- contributed. finals on Tuesday in Phoenix. Booker needed stitches on his nose. Thursday, June 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 MLB

Scoreboard

American League Franco shines but Rays lose again East Division WLPct GB Tampa Bay drops 7th in Boston 44 29 .603 _ Tampa Bay 43 31 .581 1½ a row, but rookie homers, New York 38 34 .528 5½ Toronto 36 35 .507 7 doubles in his debut Baltimore 23 50 .315 21 BY MARK DIDTLER Central Division Associated Press WLPct GB ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As Chicago 43 30 .589 _ advertised, Wander Franco got off Cleveland 40 31 .563 2 to a tremendous start for the Tam- Kansas City 33 38 .465 9 Detroit 31 42 .425 12 pa Bay Rays with his production Minnesota 31 42 .425 12 — and prediction. West Division Franco hit a three-run homer WLPct GB and doubled in his big-league de- Houston 45 28 .616 _ but for the Rays, who lost their Oakland 45 30 .600 1 seventh straight in falling to the Seattle 39 36 .520 7 Boston Red Sox 9-5 in 11 innings Los Angeles 36 37 .493 9 Tuesday night. Texas 26 47 .356 19 The 20-year-old Franco, con- National League sidered the best prospect in the East Division minor leagues, connected in the WLPct GB fifth off Eduardo Rodriguez and New York 37 31 .544 _ drew his first curtain call in the Atlanta 35 37 .486 4 majors. Philadelphia 34 36 .486 4 “In that at-bat I actually knew I Washington 34 36 .486 4 Miami 31 41 .431 8 was going to hit a home run be- Central Division cause that was the pitch I was CHRIS O’MEARAAP WLPct GB looking for,” Franco said through an interpreter. “I ended up getting Chicago 41 33 .554 _ The Tampa Bay Rays’ Wander Franco, right, celebrates his three­run home run off Boston Red Sox pitcher Milwaukee 41 33 .554 _ the pitch that I was looking for and Eduardo Rodriguez with Randy Arozarena during the fifth inning Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla. Cincinnati 36 36 .500 4 I was able to help the team out.” St. Louis 36 37 .493 4½ Franco pointed toward his fa- this.” family. A talented player that’s go- first in the ninth, and grounded Pittsburgh 26 45 .366 13½ ther, who was at the game, while Praised Tampa Bay manager ing to be fun to watch in the com- out to the mound. West Division crossing the plate. He got the ball Kevin Cash: “Pretty electric play- ing months,” he said. “What a good player he is,” Bos- WLPct GB back and plans to display it at his er.” Franco doubled in the seventh ton manager Alex Cora said. “The San Francisco 47 26 .644 _ home in the Dominican Republic. “Win or lose, we’re trying to win and finished 2-for-4 with a walk. way he controls the at-bat for how Los Angeles 44 29 .603 3 “I felt super good,” Franco said. them all, obviously, but it had to be The switch-hitting infielder came young he is. They have a special San Diego 44 32 .579 4½ Colorado 30 44 .405 17½ “God sent me a surprise with all a great day for Wander and his up with one out and a runner on one.” Arizona 21 54 .280 27 Tuesday’s games Cincinnati 10, Minnesota 7 ROUNDUP Toronto 2, Miami 1 Pittsburgh 6, Chicago White Sox 3 Houston 3, Baltimore 1 Detroit 8, St. Louis 2 Kansas City 6, N.Y. Yankees 5 Chicago Cubs 7, Cleveland 1 Oakland 13, Texas 6 Scherzer passes checks, Nats edge Phils Boston 9, Tampa Bay 5, 11 innings San Francisco 5, L.A. Angels 0 Associated Press and rookie Kim Ha-seong homered off Clay- Seattle 2, Colorado 1 Atlanta 3, N.Y. Mets 0 PHILADELPHIA — Max Scherzer threw ton Kershaw (8-7), Blake Snell (3-3) pitched Washington 3, Philadelphia 2 his glove and hat to the grass, then stared five scoreless innings and host San Diego won Milwaukee 5, Arizona 0 San Diego 3, L.A. Dodgers 2 down Phillies manager Joe Girardi after get- its third straight over Los Angeles. Wednesday’s games ting checked for a third time by umpires for Astros 3, Orioles 1: Zack Greinke (8-2) Chicago White Sox at Pittsburgh St. Louis at Detroit sticky stuff as the Washington Nationals beat took a four-hitter into the eighth inning, San Francisco at L.A. Angels Philadelphia 3-2 Tuesday night. Myles Straw homered and drove in two runs, Colorado at Seattle Houston at Baltimore Scherzer (6-4) looked sharp in his return to and Houston won at Baltimore for its ninth Kansas City at N.Y. Yankees Boston at Tampa Bay the rotation after missing a start due to a groin straight win. Toronto at Miami injury, striking out eight in five innings. Gi- Pirates 6, White Sox 3: Pinch-hitter Erik Oakland at Texas Washington at Philadelphia rardi apparently didn’t like what he saw. Gonzalez’s two-run single highlighted a four- Milwaukee at Arizona Atlanta at N.Y. Mets In the fourth, Scherzer threw high and in- run rally in the seventh inning as host Pitts- L.A. Dodgers at San Diego side to Alec Bohm, sending him sprawling to burgh beat skidding Chicago. Thursday’s games the ground before striking him out. Prior to Tigers 8, Cardinals 2: Jonathan Schoop Kansas City (Keller 6-7) at N.Y. Yankees (Taillon 1-4) the next batter, Girardi asked the umpires to and Jake Rogers each drove in three runs, Oakland (Bassitt 7-2) at Texas (Allard MATT SLOCUM / AP 2-2) check Scherzer. leading host Detroit over St. Louis. Baltimore (Kremer 0-6) at Toronto (TBD) Scherzer already had been checked by sec- Athletics 13, Rangers 6: Matt Chapman Boston (Pivetta 6-3) at Tampa Bay (Wa- Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer cha 1-2) ond-base umpire Alfonso Marquez after the reacts as he talks with umpires during a and Ramon Laureano hit two-run home runs Houston (Garcia 5-4) at Detroit (Ureña 2-7) first and third innings. So, when he was ap- foreign substances check in the Nationals’ in the first two innings and Cole Irvin (5-7) Cleveland (Mejía 1-2) at Minnesota (Ber- proached for a third time, this time at Girar- 3­2 win at Philadelphia on Tuesday. earned his second straight win as Oakland ríos 7-2) Atlanta (TBD) at Cincinnati (Santillan di’s request, Scherzer threw his glove and hat raced to an early nine-run lead in a win at 0-1) Washington (Lester 1-2) at Miami (Po- to the ground, unbuckled his belt and ap- corded its second straight shutout at New Texas. teet 2-2) Pittsburgh (Kuhl 1-4) at St. Louis (Martí- peared ready to take his pants off. York. Giants 5, Angels 0: Anthony DeSclafani nez 3-8) Royals 6, Yankees 5: Gerrit Cole’s strike- Dansby Swanson hit a three-run homer in (8-2) allowed three hits in seven sharp in- Chicago Cubs (Davies 4-4) at L.A. Dodg- ers (Buehler 7-0) outs and spin rate dropped as he pitched for the third for the Braves. nings, Wilmer Flores homered during a four- Friday’s games the first time since MLB’s crackdown on Cubs 7, Indians 1: Kyle Hendricks (10-4) run first and San Francisco won at Los An- Baltimore at Toronto Houston at Detroit sticky substances, and Ryan O’Hearn and dominated over six scoreless innings to win geles. L.A. Angels at Tampa Bay Kansas City rallied for four runs in the eighth his eighth straight start, Kris Bryant homered Mariners 2, Rockies 1:Shed Long Jr. hit a N.Y. Yankees at Boston Kansas City at Texas inning to win at New York. and host Chicago avoided a two-game sweep solo homer with one out in the eighth inning Cleveland at Minnesota Seattle at Chicago White Sox Cole allowed two runs and three hits in sev- by beating Cleveland. that lifted host Seattle to its fifth straight vic- Oakland at San Francisco en innings, showing his usual velocity but Blue Jays 2, Marlins 1: Cavan Biggio and tory. Colorado at Milwaukee Atlanta at Cincinnati without his explosive strikeout pitches. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubled on consecutive Brewers 5, Diamondbacks 0: Burly slug- Philadelphia at N.Y. Mets (2) Washington at Miami Braves 3, Mets 0: Charlie Morton (7-3) pitches to break a ninth-inning tie, and Toron- ger Daniel Vogelbach hobbled home on one Pittsburgh at St. Louis struck out 11 in seven innings of one-hit ball to won at Miami. leg when Arizona’s defense fell asleep, and Arizona at San Diego Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers for his 100th major league win, and Atlanta re- Padres 3, Dodgers 2: Jake Cronenworth Milwaukee won on the road. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, June 24, 2021 Off to a flying start SPORTS Highly touted Rays rookie Franco homers in first at-bat ›› MLB, Page 23

NBA PLAYOFFS Last-second slam lifts Suns Phoenix forges 2-0 series lead on alley-oop to Ayton

BY DAVID BRANDT Associated Press DID YOU KNOW?

PHOENIX — Devin Booker sat The Clippers are facing a 2-0 series in a chair with a crooked and swol- deficit for the third time this postsea- len nose, complete with tape over son. They were forced to rally from two three fresh stitches. games down to beat Dallas in the first He also had a big smile on his round and Utah in the second. face, remembering Jae Crowder’s SOURCE: Associated Press pass, Deandre Ayton’s tip-in dunk and a play that will live in Phoenix I wasn’t sure if it counted.” Suns lore for a long, long time. The referees spent about a min- Ayton jammed an alley-oop ute reviewing the play before rul- pass from Crowder with 0.7 sec- ing the basket was good and Book- onds left, lifting the Suns to a 104- er spent some time jawing with 103 win over the Los Angeles Clip- Clippers players Rajon Rondo and pers on Tuesday night in Game 2 Demarcus Cousins in the after- of the Western Conference finals. math. The Clippers couldn’t get a It was a game that looked as if it shot off in the final 0.7 seconds. was all but over, but Booker’s Suns “Those are my Kentucky guys,” were not going to be denied. Booker said with a grin. “I told “I believed it could happen,” them ‘Go Big Blue.’ ” Booker said. “One-hundred per- The Suns now have a 2-0 lead in cent.” the series heading to Los Angeles The Suns were down one with for Game 3 on Thursday night. 0.9 seconds left when Crowder The Clippers will be fighting from lofted a high pass on an out-of- a 2-0 deficit for the third time in bounds play on the baseline. A these playoffs after rallying to soaring Ayton came down the lane beat the Mavericks and Jazz. and stuffed it through the net over The Crowder-to-Ayton connec- L.A.’s Ivica Zubac as the crowd tion negated a Clippers rally that roared in disbelief. Booker — was led by Paul George, who had playing with a stitched-up nose 26 points. following a collision with Clippers George made a layup with 31 guard Patrick Beverley — had a seconds left to give the Clippers a key screen on Zubac on the final 101-100 lead for their first advan- play, which helped free Ayton. tage since early in the third quar- “The celebration and reaction ter. He added a 22-footer on their were a little shaky,” Ayton said. “Because I wasn’t sure what I did. SEE SLAM ON PAGE 22

PHOTOS BY MATT YORK/AP Above: Suns center Deandre Ayton, top right, scores over Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the final second of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday in Phoenix. Left: Clippers guard Paul George, right, is defended by Suns guard Devin Booker during the first half.

Canadiens one win from Stanley Cup Final ›› Page 21