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Volume 78, No. 225A ©SS 2020 CONTINGENCY EDITION SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020 stripes.com Free to Deployed Areas

AFGHAN WAR Final steps CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK underway for US-Taliban deal in Doha

BY J.P. LAWRENCE Stars and Stripes DOHA, Qatar — The stage was set Friday for hundreds of guests to witness an accord expected to lay the groundwork for a U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghani- stan after more than 18 years of war. Workers at the posh Sheraton Grand Doha hotel Friday lined up dozens of chairs and tested a pro- jection screen that serves as the backdrop where U.S. and Taliban officials will gather for a deal that would begin a conditions-based drawdown of American, NATO and foreign partner troops. Most of the roughly 12,000 U.S. troops and 8,500 other foreign troops in the country support a NATO training and advising mission. The U.S. is expected to reduce its contingent to 8,600 to continue fighting terrorism. In return, the militant group is expected to break ties with ter- rorist organizations like al-Qaida, Financial pain deepens over virus which it had harbored in the early 2000s and refused to give up after the 9/11 attacks, prompting the U.S.-led invasion. Fears drive stocks, tourism down as nearly 60 countries report cases The agreement would also usher in talks involving the in- BY FOSTER KLUG AND MATT SEDENSKY surgent group, the U.S.-backed ‘ “The damage that worries us even more is Kabul government and other Associated Press It’s not cholera or the black the damage to the economy.” The head of the World Health Organization Afghans to address how Taliban TOKYO — A deepening health crisis plague. The damage that fighters would integrate into the said Friday that the risk of the virus spread- became an economic one too Friday as ing worldwide was “very high,” citing the government and military. the coronavirus outbreak sapped financial worries us even more is the “It is probably the most impor- “continued increase in the number of cases markets, emptied shops and businesses and damage to the economy. and the number of affected countries.” tant event in the history of Af- put major sites and events off limits. ’ Simone Venturini Economists have forecast global growth ghanistan over the last 18 years, The list of countries hit by the illness city councilor for economic development, will slip to 2.4% this year, the slowest since in terms of giving the greatest edged toward 60 as Mexico, Belarus, Lithu- Venice, Italy the Great Recession in 2009, and down from potential in ending the war,” said ania, New Zealand, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, earlier expectations closer to 3%. For the Sultan Barakat, director of the Iceland and the Netherlands reported their U.S., estimates are falling to as low as 1.7% Doha-based Center for Conflict first cases. The threats to livelihoods were growth this year, down from 2.3% in 2019. and Humanitarian Studies, who increasingly as worrisome as the threats to A soldier stationed at U.S. Army Garrison But if the disease known as COVID-19 is expected to attend the signing. lives. Casey, South Korea, wears a mask in However, peace with the Tal- “It’s not cholera or the black plague,” said response to the surge of coronavirus becomes a global pandemic, economists ex- iban comes with mixed reactions Simone Venturini, the city councilor for eco- cases throughout the country. USAG Casey pect the impact could be much worse, with from many in Afghanistan, who nomic development in Venice, Italy, where personnel are conducting coronavirus the U.S. and other global economies falling want an end to war but fear that tourism already hurt by historic flooding screenings at entry points around the base. into recession. SEE DOHA ON PAGE 4 last year has sunk with news of virus cases. AMBER I. SMITH/U.S. Army SEE VIRUS ON PAGE 6 PAGE 2 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, February 29, 2020 BUSINESS/WEATHER EXCHANGE RATES Military rates Euro costs (March 2) ...... $1.1273 Switzerland (Franc)...... 0.9668 Virus sparks global run on face masks Dollar buys (March 2) ...... €0.8871 Thailand (Baht) ...... 31.54 British pound (March 2) ...... $1.32 Turkey (Lira) ...... 6.2382 A ssociated Press Japanese yen (March 2) ...... 107.00 (Military exchange rates are those break and medical professionals infected or those showing symp- South Korean won (March 2) ...... 1,185.00 available to customers at military banking are facing shortages. toms should wear masks to avoid Commercial rates facilities in the country of issuance Fear of the spreading coronavi- Bahrain (Dinar) ...... 0. 3771 for Japan, South Korea, Germany, the rus has led to a global run on sales Some industry officials are at- spreading it to others. British pound ...... $1.2951 Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For tributing the shortages not just to Dr. John Huber, a clinical psy- Canada (Dollar) ...... 1.3432 nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., of face masks despite medical China (Yuan) ...... 6.9879 purchasing British pounds in Germany), experts’ advice that most people high demand but to disruptions in chologist and chairman of the Denmark (Krone) ...... 6.8146 check with your local military banking Egypt (Pound) ...... 15.6333 facility. Commercial rates are interbank don’t need to wear them. supply . Austin, Texas-based nonprofit rates provided for reference when buying In the U.S., Walgreens, Home Mainstream Mental Health, said Euro ...... $1.0967/.9119 currency. All figures are foreign currencies Many businesses are sold out, Hong Kong (Dollar) ...... 7.7942 to one dollar, except for the British pound, while others are limiting how Depot, Lowe’s and True Value retailers need to do a better job Hungary (Forint) ...... 308.36 which is represented in dollars-to-pound, Hardware are reporting a sharp of allaying customers’ fears and Israel (Shekel) ...... 3.4795 many a customer can buy. Ama- Japan (Yen) ...... 108.42 INTEREST RATES zon is policing its site, trying to uptick in sales of masks over the sharing the CDC’s advice. Kuwait (Dinar) ...... 0 .3060 Norway (Krone) ...... 9.4816 make sure sellers don’t gouge past several weeks and say they “It’s the fear of the unknown,” Philippines (Peso)...... 51.09 Prime rate ...... 4.75 Poland (Zloty) ...... 3.95 Discount rate ...... 2.25 panicked buyers. are scrambling to get more from Huber said. “Once we under- Federal funds market rate ...... 1.58 Both ordinary people trying to suppliers. stand something, we tend not to Saudi Arabia (Riyal) ...... 3.7515 3-month bill ...... 1.42 Singapore (Dollar) ...... 1.3957 30-year bond ...... 1.79 protect themselves from the out- Still, the CDC says only people be so fearful.” South Korea (Won) ...... 1208.27 WEATHER OUTLOOK SATURDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST SATURDAY IN EUROPE SUNDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 42/36 Kabul 61/36 Seoul 50/33 Baghdad 70/48 Kandahar 64/39 Osan Tokyo Mildenhall/ Drawsko 51/33 55/40 Lakenheath Pomorskie Busan 49/39 43/32 53/42 Iwakuni 51/45 Kuwait Bahrain Zagan Sasebo City 66/63 Brussels 47/33 Guam 69/53 47/44 Ramstein 53/49 80/77 Lajes, 52/39 Riyadh Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 83/54 72/51 62/59 56/41 47/31 Aviano/ Vicenza 46/32

Naples 55/43 Okinawa Morón 71/68 62/50 Sigonella Rota 59/42 The weather is provided by the Djibouti Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 85/70 62/56 53/50 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. T O D A Y IN STRIPES American Roundup ..... 14 Comics/Crossword ...... 16 Entertainment ...... 13 Movies ...... 12 Opinion ...... 15 Sports ...... 17-24 Video Games ...... 11 Saturday, February 29, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 3 MILITARY House questions cuts to Navy shipbuilding budget

BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY procurement, from $24 billion to tails the service’s plans for the Stars and Stripes $20 billion. The Navy seeks con- specific makeup of its fleet, such tracts for eight battle-force ships as how many aircraft carriers, WASHINGTON — House in 2021. However, funding for submarines and destroyers it lawmakers voiced frustration to one Virginia-class submarine the needs to compete against Russia naval leadership Thursday about Navy had already planned to buy and China. shipbuilding cuts in the fiscal in 2021 did not make it into the The reduction of shipbuilding year 2021 budget proposal. Un- proposal. The money was instead funds became even more of a con- certainty is growing about how put into the Navy’s operations and cern for congressional members the sea service can reach its 355- maintenance funding. Feb. 13, when Esper approved ship goal in 10 years while fund- The budget proposal allows for $3.8 billion in FY 2020 operations ing is being reduced and diverted 306 deployable ships by the end of and maintenance funds to be di- to build the U.S.-Mexico border 2021, up from 297 ships in 2020. verted to support building the wall. The Navy is putting more border wall. Those funds were Acting Navy Secretary Thom- money in operations and mainte- to be used for ships and aircraft, as Modly told representatives on nance for 2021 because the ser- including a landing helicopter as- the House Armed Services Com- vice needs to improve readiness sault ship; two F-35B Lightning mittee that the Navy still plans to after falling behind for many II fighters; and a P-8A Poseidon JOE GROMELSKI/Stars and Stripes make its goal. years, Modly said. reconnaissance aircraft used in Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly, left, answers a “While this budget does slow “Because that immediately im- counter-submarine operations. question during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on our trajectory to a force of 355 pacts the safety and security of “To be frank, it’s not helpful be- Capitol Hill, on Thursday. With him is Marine Corps Commandant ships or more, it does not arrest the sailors and Marines that we cause it takes a ship out of a plan Gen. David H. Berger. it. … We are still deeply commit- put out on these platforms,” he that we’re driving toward,” Modly ted to building that larger, more said. “We could not in good con- said of the unfunded submarine. When it comes to defending there on an accelerated path and capable, more distributed naval scious trade that money for more The diversion of funds irritated against near-peer adversaries, political will. That’s it.” force within what I consider a ships that could not operate prop- committee members Thursday, “attack submarines are really the Smith said that focusing on the strategically relevant time frame erly with the right equipment and and they repeatedly pointed to tip of the spear in terms of what 355 number “kind of offends me” of no more than 10 years.” with the right readiness. And so the 2018 National Defense Strat- we need out there,” he said. because it detracts from hearing The Navy is requesting $207.1 that’s the trade we made.” egy’s focus on competing against Some lawmakers said the 355- more about what capabilities the billion, a $2.9 billion decrease Congress is still waiting on the Russia and China, which have ship goal in 10 years was impos- Navy needs. from its 2020 funding. The re- Navy to submit its 30-year ship- increased their naval operations sible to meet. Rep. Adam Smith, “You could have 355 rowboats, quest includes the budget for the building plan, which is required and continue to grow their sub- D-Wash., chairman of the com- Marine Corps. by law. It’s being held up because marine fleets. mittee, called it “aspirational,” theoretically, and you’d have 355 The Navy aims each year to Defense Secretary Mark Esper Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., and not a realistic strategy. ships,” he said. “The point is move toward its total battle-force wants time to compare it to the questioned the purchase of two Modly defended the number much more the capabilities and requirement of 355 ships by 2030. new Integrated Force Structure salvage ships in the 2021 bud- and timeline, stating that it can the deployability” of each ship. However, the 2021 request has a Assessment that the Navy has get proposal instead of more be met with “a reasonable plan [email protected] 17% reduction in shipbuilding sent him, Modly said. That de- submarines. that demonstrates how we can get Twitter: @caitlinmkenney Lack of response to sick troops at ex-Soviet base scrutinized

BY COREY DICKSTEIN the House Oversight and Reform to presume that the connection to,” said Widener, who was diag- ers, recounting what troops at K2 Stars and Stripes Committee. He also said the Pen- was there and that it was service- nosed with colon cancer in 2007. were regularly advised. tagon has asked for three months related. We don’t want people to “Because people think we’re The Pentagon estimates about WASHINGTON — House law- to prepare documents. have to jump through all those crazy when we tell them.” 7,000 troops served at K2, which makers on Thursday blasted On Wednesday, Lynch, who is hoops to try to prove their case Widener is among a group of was used as a staging and sup- the Pentagon and Department the chairman of the subpanel, individually, one at a time. It’s not K2 veterans who have been fight- port base during the first four of Veterans Affairs for a lack of introduced going to work that way. That’s not ing to convince the VA to recog- years of the war in Afghanistan. response to requests for infor- legislation for the benefit of the families that nize cancers among troops who However, the number might not mation about contamination at a with Rep. are going to need care.” served at the base as service-con- include troops who served there former Soviet base in Uzbekistan Mark Green, Former service members who nected. Thus far, the VA has not on short, temporary assignments linked to hundreds of cancers R-Tenn., spent time at K2 testified Thurs- done so, saying the evidence is or certain special operators serv- among U.S. troops who served that aims to day that they were aware of at not clear. ing highly classified missions. there between 2001 and 2005. produce a least 400 individuals diagnosed But the McClatchy news orga- Lynch and Green compared Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., database of with cancers who served at the nization, which first exposed the the government’s response to the said the Defense Department had troops who base. They said at least 30 have breadth of the cancers experi- K2 cancers to its slow responses yet to provide a single document served at K2 to recognized service-connected about the Karshi-Khanabad air died. enced by K2 veterans last year, and force the disabilities stemming from expo- base, better known as K2, which The veterans described a toxic reported this week that Pentagon VA to rec- former service members testi- Widner environment at the post, where documents show the Army knew sure to Agent Orange in Vietnam ognize the fied Thursday was replete with pond water glowed green, black at least by 2009 that cyanide, and later to burn pits in Iraq and contaminants and the Pentagon base as a hazardous workplace sludge oozed from the ground nerve and blister agents were Afghanistan. knew about it. that is responsible for the can- and the government posted mas- present in water and bunkers on They said troops who spent In addition, the VA since Janu- cers reported among its former sive white and yellow signs warn- the base. time at K2 deserved to be covered ary has produced only a single inhabitants. ing troops to keep out of certain Widener told lawmakers that for any cancers that they face. Army health assessment, which Green counted himself among areas due to chemical agents. they should request reports from These exposures — they hap- was already publicly available. the victims. He disclosed during Paul Widener, a retired Air the Pentagon describing regular pened, and therefore the diagno- Lynch said this suggested further the hearing that he spent time Force master sergeant who de- environmental studies completed sis that came from them — brain investigation was needed to es- at K2 while an Army flight sur- ployed to K2 shortly after the 9/11 at K2. He said the results of those cancer, colon cancer, thyroid tablish the links between the base geon. The lawmaker has battled terrorist attacks, told lawmakers tests were always quickly clas- cancer, whatever they are — they and high rates of cancer among colon and thyroid cancer, he said, that he recalled other service sified and government officials may very well be of other etiolo- its veterans. which he suspects were tied to his members seeking out those signs sought to tamp down rumors of gies, but the fact that this expo- “So far, the responses from time in Uzbekistan. to pose with for photographs. chemical exposures at the post. sure occurred, we have to give both departments have been far “It should be automatic. You “Everybody knew that at some “ ‘Another false alarm,’ we the benefit of the doubt to the below the standard that these vet- were at K2? It’s automatic: ser- point we would need direct evi- were told, ‘but you cannot go warrior. These presumptive diag- erans and their families deserve,” vice-connected,” Lynch said. dence to prove that we had been back into that house you were in noses need to be included in it.” Lynch said during a hearing of “We’re not going to require any there and that we had been ex- before, even though it was a false [email protected] the national security subpanel of further medical tests. We’re going posed to what we were exposed alarm,’ ” Widener told lawmak- Twitter: @CDicksteinDC PAGE 4 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, February 29, 2020 MIDEAST Tensions remain despite reduced violence

BY DAN LAMOTHE that the agreement calls for the “resolve their political differenc- The Washington Post eventual departure of all U.S. es in a positive way as they move forces, while U.S. and Afghan forward to the next step.” Doing KABUL, Afghanistan — The government officials will empha- so, Miller said, will allow them to Taliban and United States had size that any withdrawal will be have a “united front” as they ne- just launched a seven-day agree- conditions-based. gotiate with the Taliban. ment to reduce violence and pos- A spokesman for Ghani, Sediq Some U.S. officials have grum- sibly end America’s longest war, Sediqqi, disputed that the deal bled that the United States gave but U.S. and Afghan officials between the United States and away too much to the Taliban in wondered whether the Taliban Taliban is about the withdrawal negotiations, but Miller applaud- would keep its end of the deal. of U.S. forces. ed Khalilzad and his team for Then a rocket crashed into a fire “It is going to be an opportunity their work. station at Bagram air base within for the Taliban to abandon vio- “We would not be where we are the first hour of the so-called “re- lence, break ties with Al Qaeda/ without him,” the general said. duction in violence” period that other terror groups and embrace “We have from the very begin- began at midnight last Saturday. a political settlement pursuing a ning been very intertwined.” That was followed by dozens of lasting peace,” he tweeted. On Thursday, Miller and other attacks across the country, In Washington, a group of Re- Khalilzad also met with senior including Taliban ambushes that publican lawmakers sent a letter Taliban officials in the Qatari city killed at least six people in the to Defense Secretary Mark Esper of Doha, where the Taliban main- northern province of Balkh. DAN LAMOTHE/The Washington Post and Secretary of State Mike Pom- tains an office. Afghan officials said violence Army Gen. Scott Miller meets with civilians in the streets of Kabul, peo on Wednesday raising alarm Amid the violence reduction, was down about 80% nationwide. Afghanistan, on Wednesday, about the plan. Miller visited with U.S. and Af- But the attacks prompted Army The lawmakers included Af- ghan troops in several locations. Gen. Scott Miller, the top U.S. Helmand, Paktika and Nangahar, will likely need to address such ghanistan veterans like Mi- At a base in Kabul that is home commander in Afghanistan, to di- chael Waltz of Florida and Dan to U.S. and Afghan special opera- rect his staff to speak to Taliban all of which have been insurgency issues as how territory is con- hotbeds, and civilians celebrated trolled, what power the Taliban Crenshaw of Texas, who was tions forces, the general observed leaders about restraining their wounded there while serving as as Afghanistan’s acting defense in the streets in some locations. gets, the release of prisoners, and fighters. a Navy SEAL. They highlighted minister, Asadullah Khalid, In Balkh, where attacks caught how to safeguard women’s rights “The message that I passed is the Taliban’s bloody history and praised Afghan soldiers for their U.S. attention, it is believed that and other protections gained since that if they can’t get that under questioned whether the militants role in securing the Taliban’s a Taliban commander was op- the fall of the Taliban in 2001. control, we’re going to start shoot- will meet their obligations in the commit to reducing violence. He erating without the approval of This account of the U.S. mil- ing,” Miller said in a staff meet- agreement. hoped for a full cease fire later, his leaders, said one senior U.S. itary’s week in Afghanistan is ing, referring to the situation in “They will accept nothing less he said. military official, speaking on the based on several days of inter- Balkh. “That’s a very tough deci- than a full-scale U.S. withdrawal Asadullah said that Afghan condition of anonymity because views with U.S. and Afghan of- sion if we have the opportunity to from Afghanistan as they seek forces must remain apolitical as end violence.” of the sensitivity of the issue. The ficials, including Miller, as they to establish their ‘Islamic Emir- Abdullah and Ghani discuss their The rocket at Bagram was commander needed to “pick up grappled with a potential new ate,’ ” the lawmakers wrote. “Our political futures. “pretty close to hitting coalition” his game” and meet the terms era. withdrawal would then allow ter- On Wednesday, Miller and Asa- members, he added, something of the seven-day deal, a message Miller said in a rare 40-minute rorist groups in Afghanistan to dullah walked through the streets that “would be one of the red lines that was relayed to Taliban lead- interview Thursday that his dis- grow stronger and establish safe of downtown Kabul without hel- that is hard to come back from ers overseeing him, the senior cussion with Taliban leaders was havens from which to plot attacks mets or body armor in an effort despite all the work.” U.S. official said. “pragmatic and serious.” The against us.” to demonstrate that the violence The behind-the-scenes mo- The violence reduction — group, he said, was serious about Meanwhile, a dispute among Af- reduction was holding. ments, observed by The Wash- something short of a full cease meeting its obligations and seeing ghan government officials could They greeted shopkeepers and ington Post, illustrate how U.S. fire — opened the door for the the United States do the same. threaten further negotiations. passersby warmly, posing for military leaders are grappling signing this Saturday of a his- “In terms of what I’ve seen, I’m An independent election coun- selfies under the watchful eye of with how to extricate the United toric peace deal that calls for the satisfied that the Taliban made cil declared this month that a small group of armed U.S. spe- States from the longest war in United States to withdraw several a good-faith effort,” Miller said . Afghanistan’s president, Ashraf cial operations forces on Miller’s American history ahead of the thousand service members with- “The violence we have seen is spo- Ghani, had won his reelection bid. security team. expected signing of peace deal in months and more as conditions radic. In some cases, it appears to But his rival, Abdullah Abdullah, Miller traveled by helicopter to with the Taliban on Saturday. on the ground allow. be harassing, although there have rejected the results and pledged Camp Dahlke in the eastern prov- For U.S. defense officials, the The agreement would be a first been a couple of fatalities associ- to form a parallel government. ince of Logar on Tuesday and met deal allows the United States to step on a road still rife with haz- ated with violence — and those Protests, mostly against Ghani, with Green Beret soldiers and keep a foothold in Afghanistan ards. They include overcoming are things that we will talk to the broke out across northern Af- conventional U.S. soldiers who depending upon the conditions on distrust on all sides, patching to- Taliban about directly.” ghanistan, where Abdullah is advise Afghan forces. the ground, monitor whether the gether a toxic political situation The expectation, Miller said, is allied with Gen. Abdurrashid In a room of bushy-bearded Taliban seeks peace, and carry among senior Afghan govern- that the Taliban will continue to Dostum, a power broker and for- Green Berets, Miller asked: How out strikes against the Islamic ment officials, and dealing with reduce its attacks. In one positive mer vice president under Ghani. many times have you deployed State militants, who are at war irreconcilable Taliban members sign that U.S. officials observed, U.S. officials expressed con- here? with the Taliban, too. It also will who may join the Islamic State Taliban officials told their fight- cern about the political crisis. One after another, the soldiers could leave U.S. forces vulner- out of disgust with the deal. ers to hold fire in a message that Miller and special U.S. envoy answered: Three, four, even able to some casualties. There is also the concern that was distributed on WhatsApp. Zalmay Khalilzad met with both seven times. By early this week, U.S. mili- the Islamic State will step up its Miller and his staff began re- parties, and privately with each “In a perfect world, if all is tary officials had grown confident attacks. ducing forces from about 14,000 other. Ghani eventually agreed to working, we may have fired our that bloodshed with the Taliban Additional negotiations be- last year and are expected to cut postpone his inauguration . last shots, at least against the Tal- could remain low through a sign- tween the Afghan government again from about 12,000 to 8,600 Miller, asked about the situa- iban,” Miller said. “Maybe — un- ing deal. Notably, there were and Taliban could take months or within months as part of the deal. tion, said that it will be “neces- less they attack us first. It’s the few attacks in provinces like years, or fall apart. The two sides The Taliban is likely to highlight sary” for Ghani and Abdullah to Taliban’s choice.” Doha: Preparations made for official signing of Afghan peace agreement

FROM FRONT PAGE phone from Kabul. The expected signing comes at the end ghan Defense Minister Asadullah Khalid gains for women and basic freedoms, par- Others expected to attend the signing of of a seven-day partial cease-fire between and followed by select media outlets, Mill- ticularly in the cities, might be lost as a the accord includes former Taliban captive the insurgents and government forces, er walked some Kabul streets outside the Timothy Weeks, an Australian university which stopped most offensive operations in group that once banned music and shaving capital city’s heavily fortified green zone to professor who arrived in Doha on Thurs- Afghanistan. gains legitimacy. publicize the reduction in violence. day. Weeks, who was held for three years, During the weeklong period, meant to The city, long one of the safest in the The Taliban has long refused to negoti- said on Twitter that he will be an “official test the Taliban’s ability to halt its fighters, ate with the government in Kabul and a guest” at the signing ceremony. U.S. counterterrorism operations against country, has seen increased suicide bomb- spokesman for the militant group Friday The Taliban posted a picture of Weeks the Islamic State continued. ings and other attacks following the with- denied they would meet with their repre- with Anas Haqqani, one of three high- While scattered attacks broke the week’s drawal of most foreign combat forces at sentatives in Doha. Nevertheless, a gov- ranking militants released from Afghan calm, Gen. Scott Miller, the top U.S. com- the end of 2014. ernment delegation will try to speak with custody last year as part of a prisoner swap mander in the country, said Tuesday there Zubair Babakarkhail contributed to this report. them, Javed Faisal, a spokesman for the that freed Weeks and another professor, was a “downward trend in violence.” [email protected] Afghan National Security Council, said by U.S. citizen Kevin King. The following day, alongside acting Af- Twitter: @jplawrence3 Saturday, February 29, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 5 MILITARY/MIDEAST Airman demoted for peeing in coffee pot

BY ROSE L. THAYER duty, the unnamed airman “knew from Nov. 27 until he was appre- Facebook page popular with en- that information. Stars and Stripes or should have known” to “refrain hended on Dec. 2. Both charges listed Air Force personnel when Joint Base Elmendorf-Rich- from urinating in the squadron were addressed through article someone anonymously shared ardson is located near Anchor- An airman in Alaska was de- coffee maker,” according to the 15, which allows the commander a newsletter from the Alaska age and has about 5,500 military moted and received a letter of redacted charge sheet provided to determine guilt and punish- base that mentioned the charges. and civilian personnel. It is home reprimand for peeing in his squad- by the base public affairs office. ment for minor offenses instead The newsletter posting, which to U.S. Alaskan Command, 11th ron’s office coffee maker, among The incident occurred some- of through a judicial hearing. garnered more than 400 shares Air Force, U.S. Army Alaska and other violations of the Uniformed time between Jan. 1 and Oct. The airman received the letter and nearly 650 comments, also Code of Military Justice, accord- 31, 2019, but the document does of reprimand as well as a demo- mentioned the airman had five the Alaskan North American ing to documents from Joint Base not stipulate how the crime was tion in rank to airman basic, the previous letters of reprimand Aerospace Defense Command Elmendorf-Richardson. discovered. Air Force’s lowest enlisted rank. unrelated to these charges. Joint Region. Formally charged as a viola- The airman also faced a charge The charges were first made Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s [email protected] tion of article 92, dereliction of of being absent without leave public earlier this month on a public affairs office confirmed Twitter: @Rose_Lori Turkey, Russia work to alleviate tensions after 33 troops killed

BY MEHMET GUZEL AND ANDREW WILKS ‘ We want to call Associated Press for restraint, for REYHANLI, Turkey — The presidents of Turkey and Russia de-escalation and a spoke by phone Friday to try to cease-fire. defuse tensions that rose signifi- ’ Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve cantly in Syria after 33 Turkish U.N. Security Council president troops were killed in a Syrian government airstrike, and a new wave of refugees and migrants headed for the Greek border by need to respond strongly. land and sea after Turkey said it Thursday’s attack sharply would no longer hold them back. raised the risk of direct military The attack Thursday marked confrontation between Turkey the deadliest day for the Turkish and Russia, although Turkish of- military since Ankara first en- ficials blamed Syria for the air- tered the Syrian conflict in 2016 strike. The Turkish stock market and also was the most serious fell 10%, while the Turkish lira escalation between Turkish and slid against the dollar. OMER KUSCU/AP Russian-backed Syrian forces, In their phone call, Erdogan raising the prospect of an all-out and Russian President Vladimir A Turkish man place national flag on a barrier outside the Russian consulate, in Istanbul, on Friday. war with millions of Syrian civil- Putin discussed implementing ians trapped in the middle. agreements in Idlib, the Kremlin NATO envoys held emergency said. Fahrettin Altun, Erdogan’s talks at the request of Turkey, a director of communications, said NATO member. Turkey’s 28 al- they had agreed to meet “as soon lies also expressed their condo- as possible.” lences over the deaths and urged Two Russian frigates armed de-escalation, but no additional with cruise missiles were en NATO support was offered. route to the Syrian coast, Russian Apart from providing some navy officials said. aerial surveillance over Syria, Erdogan held a six-hour emer- NATO plays no direct role in the gency security meeting in Ankara conflict, but its members are late Thursday, the Anadolu news deeply divided over Turkey’s ac- agency reported. Turkish Foreign tions there, and European allies Minister Mevult Cavusoglu spoke are concerned about any new to NATO Secretary-General Jens wave of refugees. Stoltenberg by telephone while Turkish President Recep Erdogan’s spokesman Ibrahim Tayyip Erdogan, whose country Kalin, who plays a senior role in already hosts more than 3.5 mil- foreign affairs, spoke to U.S. Na- lion Syrian refugees, has long tional Security Adviser Robert threatened to “open the gates” for O’Brien. AP millions to flee to Europe unless The U.N. Security Council has more international support was scheduled an emergency meeting Honour guards carry the coffins of Turkish soldiers killed in Syria to the airport to be sent to their provided. for Friday, with the council presi- homelands, in Hatay, Turkey, on Friday. Greece and Bulgaria increased dent, Belgian U.N. Ambassador security at their borders with Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve, Center in Syria, “there were no spokesman Hami Aksoy warned from Istanbul and headed toward Turkey in preparation for an calling the escalating conflict Turkish military units in the area that the movement of migrants Greece. influx. “very, very concerning.” ... and there weren’t supposed to to the West could continue if the Dozens waited on the Turkish The crisis stems from a Syrian “We want to call for restraint, be,” the ministry said. situation in Idlib deteriorated side of the border gate at Paz- government offensive that began for de-escalation and a cease- Russian air forces did not further. arkule; a few hundred were wait- carry out airstrikes in the area, Greek Prime Minister Kyria- Dec. 1 with Russian military sup- fire,” he told reporters. ing in a fenced-off no man’s land port to retake Idlib province in Russia’s Defense Ministry said the statement added, and after re- kos Mitsotakis tweeted that no between the two countries. northwestern Syria, the last op- the Turkish troops that came ceiving information about Turk- illegal border crossings will be position-held stronghold in Syria. under fire were deployed among ish casualties, “the Russian side tolerated and that Greece was not Greece has about 50 coast Turkey, the main backer of the “terrorist battle formations.” took all the necessary measures to blame for the “tragic events in guard patrol boats active in the Syrian opposition, has lost 54 sol- They were in the area of Behun, in order for the Syrian forces to Syria.” eastern Aegean, assisted by about diers this month, including the and according to coordinates stop the fire.” Already on Friday, some peo- a dozen vessels from Frontex, the latest fatalities, and now feels the given to Russia’s Reconciliation Turkish Foreign Ministry ple took minibusses and taxis European border agency. PAGE 6 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, February 29, 2020 VIRUS OUTBREAK CENTCOM issues travel restrictions for troops

BY COREY DICKSTEIN command. The new restrictions mand area of responsibility.” CENTCOM’s area of responsibil- soldier stationed at Camp Carroll Stars and Stripes do no impact official or tempo- Officials at the Pentagon said ity, though the vast majority of in South Korea tested positive rary duty travel nor do they im- there are no known or suspected those cases were reported in Iran, for coronavirus on Wednesday. WASHINGTON — U.S. Central pact leave travel to destinations cases of the coronavirus among where the U.S. does not have ser- South Korea has the second larg- Command on Thursday issued outside the CENTCOM area, such its troops in the CENTCOM vice members. In countries with est outbreak of the virus outside travel restrictions for troops sta- as the continental United States. region. American troops in the region, 43 of China. tioned within its area of responsi- “U.S. Central Command is tak- The move is the latest in a se- cases were reported in Kuwait, The WHO reported Thursday bility across the Middle East and ing multiple prudent measures ries of travel restrictions placed 33 in Bahrain, 13 in the United that 1,766 cases are confirmed in southwest Asia, citing fears about to prevent the transmission of on American troops across the Arab Emirates, six in Iraq, and South Korea. On Wednesday, U.S. the fast-spreading coronavirus, a COVID-19 coronavirus and to globe due to the threat of the one each Afghanistan and Egypt. defense official said. mitigate the operational risk such virus, which initially broke out in Those numbers were provided troops and Defense Department The command has canceled all transmission would pose,” Urban China but has spread to at least 47 Thursday by the WHO. civilians stationed there were leave and liberty travel planned wrote in an emailed statement. additional countries, according to So far, only one American ser- banned from any nonessential within the CENTCOM area until “One of those steps is to suspend the World Health Organization. vice member has been confirmed travel in South Korea. further notice, said Navy Capt. leave and liberty for U.S. service Coronavirus cases have been to have contracted the corona- [email protected] Bill Urban, spokesman for the members within the Central Com- reported in 10 countries within virus. A 23-year-old American Twitter: @CDicksteinDC Virus: Economists warn of recession

FROM FRONT PAGE points in mid-day trading. The index has “If we start to see more cases in the Unit- dropped more than 13% since last week. ed States, if we start to see people not trav- Businesses large and small saw weak- eling domestically, if we start to see people ness, and people felt it in their wallets. stay home from work and from stores, then “There’s almost no one coming here,” I think the hit is going to get substantially said Kim Yun-ok, who sells doughnuts worse,” said Gus Faucher, an economist at and seaweed rolls at Seoul’s Gwangjang PNC Financial. Market, where crowds were thin Friday Part of the problem is that the health as South Korea counted 571 new cases — more than in China, where the virus measures needed to combat the outbreak emerged. “I am just hoping that the out- — locking down cities and ordering work- break will come under control soon.” ers and students to stay home — damage Booking Holdings, which owns the on- the economy. line travel firms Priceline, Booking.com, “This is a case where in economic terms Kayak and OpenTable, said this week that the cure is almost worse than the disease,” the coronavirus has had a “significant and said Jacob Kirkegaard, senior fellow at the negative” effect on its business. Peterson Institute for International Eco- Facebook announced that it would can- nomics. “When you quarantine cities … cel its annual conference for software de- CLAUDIO FURLAN, LAPRESSE/AP you lose economic activity that you’re not velopers, set for early May in San Jose. The A worker disinfects a ferry boat in Venice, Italy, on Friday . going to get back.” event typically attracts 5,000 attendees. Kirkegaard said that hard-hit Japan, In Italy, where the count of 650 cases is South Korea and Italy could slip into reces- growing, hotel bookings fell, and Premier Fashion Mall staged a flash mob, shouting merchants. sion. And if the U.S. stock market continues Giuseppe Conte raised the specter of re- “Reduce the rent!” and holding signs that Some saw dollar signs in the crisis. Twen- to plunge, American consumers could lose cession. Shopkeepers like Flavio Gastaldi, said “Tourists don’t come, shops suffer.” ty people were arrested in Italy for selling confidence and cut their spending, threat- who has sold souvenirs in Venice for three Tourist arrivals in Thailand are down masks they fraudulently claimed provid- ening to turn the record-breaking 11-year decades, wondered if they could survive 50% compared with a year ago, according ed complete protection from COVID-19. U.S. economic expansion into a recession. the blow. Capital Economics, a consulting firm. Police said they were selling them for as “You don’t need many more days like “We will return the keys to the landlords Kanya Yontararak, a 51-year-old owner much as $5,520 each. this,” he said, as stocks tumbled again on soon,” he said. of a women’s clothing store, said her sales Japan’s schools prepared to close and Wall Street. Europe’s economy is already teetering have sunk as low as $32 some days, mak- the country’s Hokkaido island declared a In Asia, attractions including Tokyo on the edge of recession. A measure of ing it a struggle to pay back a loan for her state of emergency, with its governor urg- Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan business sentiment in Germany fell sharp- lease. She’s stopped driving to work, using ing residents to stay home over the week- announced closures, and events that were ly last week. China is a huge export market public transit instead. She also packs a end. The Swiss government banned events expected to attract tens of thousands of for German manufacturers. Weaker busi- lunch instead of buying one and is cutting with more than 1,000 people, while at the people, including a concert series by the K- ness sentiment could lead companies to her grocery bills. The situation is more Cologne Cathedral in Germany, basins of pop group BTS, were called off. postpone their investment and expansion severe than the floods and political crises holy water were emptied for fear of spread- Investors watched as stocks fell across plans. her store has braved in the past. ing germs. Asia. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones index The economic hurt came with anger in “Coronavirus is the worst situation Globally, more than 83,000 people have suffered another brutal drop, falling 715 Bangkok, where tenants at the Platinum they have ever seen,” she said of the fallen ill with the coronavirus. Health officials confirm 1st case of coronavirus in Kaiserslautern

BY MARCUS KLOECKNER overseas, where about 50,000 chanical engineering department the military up to date on new de- Tracy Bozung, a public health AND JENNIFER H. SVAN Americans live in the city and out- at Technical University Kaiser- velopments, hospital spokesman expert, was scheduled to answer Stars and Stripes lying villages. No cases of corona- slautern, the Wochenblatt news- Dennis Kolter said Friday. questions about the virus on virus have been reported among paper reported. The hospital’s clinics in Kirch- Ramstein’s Facebook page Fri- KAISERSLAUTERN, Ger- the U.S. population in the area, Seventeen people with whom heimbolanden, Rockenhausen day. As of early Friday afternoon, many — A 32-year-old Kaiser- military officials said Friday. he was in close contact with in and Kusel are continuing to see nearly 150 people had commented slautern man has contracted the German health officials believe recent days are self-quarantined patients. or posted questions to the page. coronavirus and 17 others are the patient contracted the corona- in their homes, officials said. Military officials said they are Germany is trying to contain in self-quarantine after being in virus in Iran, which has reported They include 15 colleagues and tracking the coronavirus case in the spread of the virus after 14 contact with him, city health of- 22 related deaths and 141 con- the patient’s two roommates — a Kaiserslautern and added that new cases were confirmed Thurs- ficials said Friday. firmed cases, the World Health student at the university and a the patient has no U.S. military day in the western state of North The patient recently returned Organization said Thursday. teacher at a vocational school in affiliation. from a trip to Iran, health offi- He arrived back at Frankfurt Landstuhl, officials said. They “We do anticipate that it’s just Rhine-Westphalia, the state’s cials for the city and Westpfalz airport on Feb. 19 symptom-free have been tested for the corona- a matter of time before we see health ministry reported. Klinikum, a Kaiserslautern hos- and took a bus to Kaiserslautern virus and results were expected cases of our own,” said Gino Mat- Another case was confirmed pital, said Thursday night. that day. Friday or Saturday. torano, a spokesman for Regional in Heidelberg on Friday in a man The hospital as a precaution On Wednesday, he went to City employees will provide Health Command Europe on Fri- who recently returned from a has shut down all non-emergency the hospital with a fever, while the 17 people food and water day. “We have been expecting skiing holiday in South Tyrol, in services and plans to return to a shaking and coughing, officials while checking whether they stay this, and we are prepared to re- northeast Italy, a region hit par- normal schedule Tuesday, offi- said. The hospital tested for home, the Rheinpfalz newspaper spond appropriately.” ticularly hard by the virus. cials said. and confirmed the coronavirus reported. The commander of the 86th [email protected] Kaiserslautern is home to the Thursday. The Westpfalz hospital also sees Aerospace Medicine Squadron [email protected] largest U.S. military community The patient works in the me- American patients and is keeping at Ramstein Air Base, Lt. Col. Twitter: @stripesktown Saturday, February 29, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK Congress eyes billions in funding to fight virus

Associated Press Chuck Schumer of New York. taxpayer dollars … not dependent “Congress is willing to give us on ‘Big Pharma.’ ” WASHINGTON — Capitol much more than we’re even ask- Schumer grabbed some head- Hill negotiations on emergency ing for,” Trump said Wednesday. lines Wednesday by outlining an spending to combat the coronavi- rus outbreak are likely to produce “That’s nice for a change.” $8.5 billion plan to fight coronavi- a bill that’s double or even triple Still, Trump did use the out- rus, even as he threw his support NATE GUIDRY, PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE/AP break to re-air his grievances behind bipartisan talks by the top the $2.5 billion plan requested Matt Dunn, a researcher for the Center for Vaccine Research at by President Donald Trump just over impeachment. “Do Nothing members of the House and Sen- Democrats were busy wasting ate Appropriations committees. the University of Pittsburgh, holds dead samples of the coronavirus days ago. Thursday at the Biomedical Science Tower 3 in Oakland, Pa. Lawmakers and aides involved their time on the Impeachment “He’s prioritized fighting with Hoax, & anything they could do the White House over simply let- in the talks say they are proceed- licans all say it’s too much. And pressure to approve the funding ing well and are likely to produce to make the Republican Party ting the appropriators do their look bad, while I was busy call- work,” said Senate Majority they’re probably both right,” said quickly. legislation in the $6 billion to $8 Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. “In a more Congress also faces a looming billion range. Both the Democrat- ing early boarder & flight clos- Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. functional Congress, we would March 15 deadline for expiring ic-controlled House and GOP- ings, putting us way ahead in our “‘Fortunately, it appears we will do something like the president’s electronic surveillance provisions held Senate are eager to complete battle with the Coronavirus,” he have an opportunity to put this work on the measure in the next tweeted Thursday night. cynicism behind us quickly and number and 60 days from now of the Foreign Intelligence Sur- two weeks. On Thursday, Schumer and move forward in a unified way.” we’d all get together and do a sec- veillance Act that are key tools in All sides say the $2.5 billion Pelosi weighed in with a roster Lawmakers involved in the ond number once we know more, the war against terrorism. There White House coronavirus plan — of demands, including interest- talks say it’s impossible to come but we appear to be incapable of has been some speculation that of which only $1.25 billion would free loans for small businesses up with a precise estimate of the that kind of realistic approach to McConnell could pair the two is- be new funding — is inadequate. harmed by the outbreak and re- funding needs at this point, giv- legislating.” sues together to ensure passage. And Trump himself appears to imbursements for state and local ing the unknowns involved. With both House and Senate But combining the two bills be in no mood to pick a fight on governments for costs incurred “If a Republican president asks taking a recess in two weeks, and could prove controversial. Pelosi the issue with Democratic rivals in fighting the coronavirus. Pe- for money the Democrats always U.S. health officials warning the and House Republican Leader like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, losi said any vaccine should be say it’s not enough. And if a Dem- public to prepare for the spread Kevin McCarthy of California D-Calif., or top Senate Democrat “affordable” and “developed with ocrat asks for money the Repub- of the virus, lawmakers are under both came out against the idea. Schools in Whistleblower: Feds US told to lacked proper protection plan ‘just while helping evacuees Associated Press Whistleblower Protection Act,” HHS spokeswoman Caitlin Oak- WASHINGTON — A govern- in case’ ley said in a statement. ment whistleblower has filed a Gomez’s office said the com- complaint alleging that some fed- Associated Press plaint was filed by a high-ranking eral workers did not have the nec- official at the Administration for Schools across the United essary protective gear or training Children and Families, an HHS States are canceling trips abroad, when they were deployed to help social service agency. preparing online lessons and Americans evacuated from China The whistleblower was among a even rethinking “perfect atten- during the coronavirus outbreak. ELAINE THOMPSON/AP team of about a dozen employees dance” awards as they brace for The complaint deals with De- from the agency who had been de- the possibility that the new coro- A school janitor opens the door to a staff room inside Bothell High partment of Health and Human ployed to help connect the evacu- navirus could begin spreading in School, which was closed for the day on Thursday in Bothell, Wash. Services employees sent to Tra- their communities. vis and March Air Force bases ees with government assistance that they might qualify for to ease Districts have been rushing to sought to assure parents that, in be missed because of the virus. in California to assist the quar- their return. The team was there update emergency plans this week most communities, the risk of At least one school temporarily antined evacuees. The Office of from mid-January until earlier after federal officials warned exposure to the virus is still very closed Thursday over fears tied Special Counsel, a federal agency this month. that the virus, which started in low. Most suggested the same to the virus. Bothell High School, that investigates personnel is- Although team members had China, is almost certain to begin precautions used to combat the near Seattle, canceled classes sues, confirmed on Thursday gloves at times and masks at other spreading in the U.S. Many are flu: Wash hands frequently, cover after a staffer’s family member that it had received the unnamed preparing for possible school clo- sneezes and coughs, and stay was placed in quarantine for whistleblower’s complaint and times, they lacked full protective sures that could stretch weeks or home if fever or other symptoms showing symptoms of possibly had opened a case. gear and received no training longer, even as they work to tamp arise. contracting the virus. Officials Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., on how to protect themselves in down panic among students, par- At schools, cleaning crews said the school was being cleaned said the whistleblower recently a viral hot zone, according to a ents and teachers. have been told to pay extra at- and disinfected “out of an abun- contacted his office, also alleging description provided by the con- President Donald Trump has tention to door knobs, keyboards dance of caution.” retaliation by higher-ups for hav- gressional office. They had no worked to minimize fears about and other surfaces that students In Miami, public school lead- ing flagged safety issues. respirators. While helping the the virus, but on Wednesday he touch through the day. Some dis- ers said they’re readying 200,000 “My concern from the mo- evacuees, team members noticed and federal health officials rec- tricts have invested in handheld laptops and tablets for students ment I heard it is that individu- that workers from the Centers for ommended that schools start plan- disinfectant sprayers that are in case buildings close and force als at HHS are not taking the Disease Control and Prevention ning for arrival of the COVID-19 used in hospitals, Others are add- classes online. They’re also di- complaints of HHS employees were in full gear to protect them virus “just in case.” ing traditional hand sanitizers in recting new international stu- seriously,” Gomez said in an in- from getting sick. “It’s the perfect time for busi- schools and buses. dents to register at two reception terview. “Their superiors are not Gomez’s office said the high- nesses, health care systems, But even as they work on pre- centers instead of at school build- supposed to brush them off. By ranking whistleblower com- universities and schools to look vention, schools are also starting ings, where students have typi- retaliating against people if they plained to superiors and was at their pandemic preparedness to prepare for the worst. Many cally registered. do call out a problem, that only given the choice of being reas- plans, dust them off, and make are making plans to teach stu- “If there is one place where a discourages other people from signed or being fired. sure that they’re ready,” Dr. Anne dents online in case the virus contagion can actually spread, ever reporting violations.” Gomez said as far as he knows Schuchat, principal deputy direc- spreads so widely that schools it could be the schoolhouse,” Al- HHS said it was “evaluating none of the workers from the tor of the U.S. Centers for Disease are forced to close. Officials are berto Carvalho, superintendent the complaint.” agency has become infected with Control and Prevention, said at a considering how they would han- of Miami-Dade County Public “We take all whistleblower the virus. Wednesday news conference. dle large numbers of absences Schools, said at a Wednesday complaints very seriously and Oakley, the HHS spokeswoman, School letters sent home from among students or teachers, and news conference. “We are ready. are providing the complainant all said the department had “nothing Florida to California this week how to make up days that could We have protocols in place.” appropriate protections under the further to add at this time.” PAGE 8 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, February 29, 2020 NATION Dems shift focus to Super Tuesday

Associated Press up to Super Tuesday. If someone seems out of the running, they’re CHARLESTON, S.C. — Bernie going to lose value,” said Achim Sanders will swing through North Bergmann, a Democratic strate- Carolina, Virginia and Massa- gist whose firm does work in a chusetts in the coming days. Eliz- abeth Warren will make stops in number of Super Tuesday states. Texas and Arkansas. Amy Klobu- “It’s a tough deal for the candi- char will be in Tennessee and dates who are perceived to be at Virginia. the lower rungs at the moment The South Carolina primary is to figure out where can they get just two days away, but the race some juice.” is quickly going national as can- New York billionaire Mike didates pivot to the 14 states that Bloomberg bypassed traditional vote on Tuesday. early voting states including South Carolina to focus exclusively on The move is in part a recog- GERALD HERBERT/AP nition of Joe Biden’s strength the Super Tuesday states. But in South Carolina, with most of even he had to balance the com- Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden poses for photos at a campaign the focus on the margin of his peting demands as he qualified event in Conway, S.C., on Thursday. victory and who might come in for Tuesday’s debate in Charles- second place. But it’s also an ef- ton. He went back to New York But even a meticulously craft- Jim Messina, a top aide on both make up their minds. fort to tap into the hundreds of after the debate only to return to ed schedule can fall apart. Butti- of Barack Obama’s presidential “Anybody who defies expecta- delegates at stake in the Super South Carolina the next day to ap- gieg had planned to swing down campaigns, said Buttigieg is in a tions and does better than you Tuesday contests. About a third pear at a CNN town hall. to Florida, which votes later in bind when it comes to the South expect, it just builds a stronger of the delegates needed to secure Bloomberg will be in Okla- March, for three private fund- Carolina-Super Tuesday dance. narrative for them,” said Matt the Democratic nomination will homa, Arkansas, Tennessee and raisers Wednesday. He abruptly “It is a big deal” for his cam- Angle, a Texas Democratic be on the table. North Carolina — all Super Tues- canceled the events and a public paign if Buttigieg doesn’t per- strategist. The tight turnaround between day states — over the next several campaign stop in the Miami area form in South Carolina, he said, Texas offers the second-biggest Saturday’s primary in South Car- days. because of illness. His aides said because “more people like me are delegate pot on Super Tuesday, olina and the contests that follow The strains on some candi- he had flu-like symptoms. going to say on TV he can’t get the with 228 pledged delegates, and on Tuesday is creating a hectic dates are evident. Pete Buttigieg Buttigieg met with members of minority vote, and that’s not help- Buttigieg and Biden are expected stretch for campaigns. hopscotched from Nevada on the Congressional Hispanic Cau- ful to his narrative.” to campaign there after South “What happens in South Caro- Saturday to Colorado and South cus and did media interviews in Indeed, strategists in key Super Carolina votes. But other candi- lina does matter, mostly because Carolina by Sunday morning. He Washington, D.C., before return- Tuesday states say voters there dates, including Sanders, Warren of what the coverage is going to then hit Virginia before return- ing to South Carolina to campaign are watching to see what happens and Bloomberg, have all made be over the three days leading ing to South Carolina. on Thursday . in South Carolina before they stops there this week. Ex-mayor IG probes whether Wilkie of Baltimore sought dirt on House aide

BY STEVE BEYNON own directive. I’ve said that to gets 3 years Stars and Stripes [Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif.] and [Takano] I should’ve never in prison WASHINGTON — The inspec- used that word.” tor general for the Department Goldstein, a lieutenant in the of Veterans Affairs has launched Associated Press Navy Reserve and senior policy an investigation into whether VA adviser for the House VA com- BALTIMORE — Yet another Secretary Robert Wilkie tried to mittee’s Women Veterans Task embarrassing chapter in Balti- gather damaging information on Force, said in September that a more’s troubled history ended a Democratic policy adviser, who man groped and propositioned Thursday when the city’s ex- is also a Navy Reserve officer, her inside the VA hospital. The mayor was sentenced to three after she reported she was sexu- VA inspector general’s office in- years in federal prison for fraud- ally assaulted last year at a VA vestigated the alleged sexual as- ulently selling her self-published hospital. sault but announced in January children’s books to nonprofit or- VA Inspector General Michael that it had closed the case without Missal on Thursday wrote a letter ganizations to promote her politi- STEVE RUARK/AP filing any charges. cal career. to Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., Goldstein’s report set off a Catherine Pugh accepted “full Former Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh, second from left, and her chairman of the House Commit- harsh exchange between Demo- responsibility” for her actions and attorney Steven Silverman, left, leave a sentencing hearing at U.S. tee on Veterans’ Affairs, telling cratic lawmakers and the VA. apologized through tears during District Court in Baltimore on Thursday. him the matter is “a high prior- Takano, in a statement earlier the roughly 10 minutes she spoke ity” and investigators will report this month, said Wilkie’s call- in federal court in Baltimore be- political mismanagement, record purchased for, including the Bal- their findings to Congress once ing out of a congressional staffer fore she was sentenced. The vet- crime rates and police abuses timore City Public Schools. Pugh their probe is complete. It was was “shockingly tone-deaf” and eran Democratic politician said that led to massive riots. And it used the proceeds to fund straw unclear Thursday how long the “outrageous” and an example il- that “no one is more disappoint- made a mockery of Pugh’s inau- donations to her mayoral cam- investigation will take. lustrating how female veterans’ ed than me” and added that she gural promise to restore trust in paign and buy a new house. Earlier Thursday after a House concerns are often dismissed by did not want to bring “any more Baltimore’s leaders. Pugh was also sentenced VA committee budget hearing, the VA. shame” to the city. Pugh, who turns 70 next week, Thursday to serve three years of Wilkie apologized for initially The IG’s probe comes two days “I think the first thing I should was elected mayor in 2016 and supervised release after getting calling Andrea Goldstein’s re- after six senators demanded an do is apologize to the citizens of resigned under pressure in May out of prison. She was ordered to ported sexual assault at the investigation into how the VA Baltimore who put their faith and as authorities investigated bulk pay more than $411,000 in res- Washington DC VA Medical Cen- handled investigating the alleged trust in me as their mayor, and to sales of her “Healthy Holly” pa- titution and to forfeit more than ter “unsubstantiated.” sexual assault, prompted by the all the people who put their faith perbacks, which netted her hun- $669,000 to the government. “I wasn’t calling her a liar … reports that Wilkie attempted to and trust in me as state senator dreds of thousands of dollars. The disgraced former mayor I was sorry about the implica- discredit Goldstein. The sena- and as delegate,” Pugh said out- Federal authorities accused pleaded guilty to federal conspir- tion from the word,” Wilkie told tors, led by Sen. Patty Murray, D- side the courthouse afterward. her of double selling the books, acy and tax evasion charges in a group of reporters before the Wash., called the reports “deeply The scandal shook Maryland’s keeping many for self-promotion November. She will be notified by news of the IG’s investigation concerning.” largest city, which for years has purposes and failing to deliver April 13 when she must surren- became public. “It was a word I [email protected] struggled with grinding poverty, them to institutions they were der and begin her sentence. used from the inspector general’s Twitter: @StevenBeynon Saturday, February 29, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 9 NATION ‘Into the Wild’ lures unprepared to wilderness

BY RACHEL D’ORO which was left in the wilderness Associated Press to house construction crews working to improve the trail so ANCHORAGE, Alaska — For trucks could haul ore from a more than a quarter-century, the mine, according to the book. It’s old bus abandoned in Alaska’s outfitted with a barrel stove and punishing wilderness has drawn bunks, and McCandless wrote in adventurers seeking to retrace his journal about living there for the steps of a young idealist who 114 days, right up until his death. met a tragic death in the derelict Author Jon Krakauer, who vehicle. wrote “Into the Wild,“ said he is For many, Christopher Mc- “saddened and horrified” by the Candless’ deaths of people trying to cross legend was the Teklanika. He’s also skeptical cemented in building a bridge or moving the the “Into the bus will solve the problem. Wild” book “I really don’t know what can and movie. be done or should be done about But scores the unprepared ‘pilgrims’ who of travelers get into trouble and perish or following his journey need to be rescued,“ he said in an along the email to the AP. “I have no objec- Stampede tion to removing the bus, or build- Krakauer Trail just ing a bridge to it, if a persuasive outside De- argument can be made that doing nali National Park have been either of these things would solve rescued and others have died in the problem. I am skeptical about the harsh reality of backcountry the wisdom of either of these pro- terrain that’s marked by no cell JILLIAN ROGERS/AP posed measures, however.” phone service, unpredictable McCandless’ sister agrees. Ca- The abandoned bus where Christopher McCandless starved to death in 1992 on Stampede Road near rine McCandless believes people weather and the raging Teklan- Healy, Alaska, is seen in 2006. ika River, whose swollen banks will keep trying to reach the site, regardless of what locals decide. prevented the 24-year-old Virgin- Maikamava when she was swept the bridge idea and would prefer this one involving five Italian ian from seeking help before his She said people send her mes- away by the river. “Making the to see warning signs posted in the tourists — one with frostbitten 1992 starvation death. sages every day from all over the crossing safer is a social respon- area instead. feet — who were rescued last Sat- Now families of some of those world, identifying with her broth- who died are proposing looking sibility. It is also a constructive Borough Mayor Clay Walker urday after visiting the dilapidat- er’s story, and she understands at building a footbridge over the and humane way to learn from wants to see the bus relocated to ed bus. There are other hazards, why people continue to make the Teklanika. The effort is led by the people who died there.” a safer location on the other side including harsh weather and dan- trek. husband of a 24-year-old newly- But some local officials in De- of the Teklanika with the help of gerous terrain. Some attempting “It is not Chris’s story they are wed woman from Belarus who nali Borough in Healy, about 25 federal and state agencies. the trip are ill-prepared. following, it is their own, even if died last year trying to reach the miles away, fear a footbridge “This bus has meaning to a The long-discarded bus sits in they don’t realize it at the time,” bus. could give people a false impres- lot of people, and the challenge a clearing on state land roughly she said. “And as far as the lure “People keep going there sion of safety that doesn’t exist. will be to put together a plan that half a mile from the boundary of the bus — it’s not about the bus, despite multiple accidents re- “It’ll only encourage more peo- works for all,” Walker said. of the Denali National Park and either. If the bus is moved, people ported,” said Piotr Markielau, ple to go,” says Denali Assembly A bridge would not have made Preserve. Travelers often tra- will simply erect a memorial in its who was with his wife Veramika member Jeff Stenger, who rejects a difference in the latest rescue, verse park land to get to the bus, place and continue to go there.” Ski racing community starts to back away from toxic wax

Associated Press the use of fluorinated glide wax the base of skis and then scrap- — used in both classic and skate ing it off for years — often in wax MONTPELIER, Vt. — At ski skiing — for all athletes under rooms and trailers before a race. races across the United States, age 16 two years ago. Many now wear masks and work competitors are starting to aban- That leaves skiers to use hydro- in highly ventilated areas and don a type of wax many count on carbon waxes on their skis. wonder if they have suffered any for speed amid concerns it con- “I’m very happy with the de- health problems from all that ex- tains toxic chemicals that threat- cision not to use it,” said Sverre posure to the wax. ens human health and could Caldwell, director of the SMS T2 “The jury’s going to start com- reach streams and other critical team of elite cross-country ski ing back with a verdict in the next groundwater sources. racers, including U.S. Ski Team couple of years about what that The International Ski Federa- members, based at Stratton meant for them,” said Jeff Clarke, tion, the governing body for in- Mountain in Vermont. “For two a former U.S. cross-country ski LISA RATHKE/AP ternational skiing, announced reasons: one is the potential dan- team director, who is now coach- plans to ban the use of fluorinat- ger and the other is, anything that ing the Stowe Middle/High School A waxing table is seen earlier this month at a cross-country ski race ed waxes in all disciplines next kind of evens the playing field is Nordic team in Vermont. at U-32 Middle & High School in East Montpelier, Vt. season. good to me. It should be the ath- While coaches say they are These waxes contain perfluo- letes racing not the skis racing.” ready for a ban, until the FIS yet determined what will be the rial that contains PFAS. roalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl sub- The move to shift away from rules go into effect, the waxes best approach. But supporters of the bans stances, collectively known as those particular waxes goes well still will be used in national races “The trick is going to be finding point to one site in Vermont to PFAS. They are commonplace in beyond the professional circuit and they worry about how the FIS a test because right now they’re show that the wax can foul drink- the environment and have been and the skiers themselves. In Ver- ban will be enforced. the fastest thing,” Caldwell said. ing water supplies. linked to a growing list of health mont, the VPA Nordic High School The waxes make a bigger dif- “People will cheat at that level A well at the site where National problems. Coaches Association decided to ference in cross country skiing, given the opportunity.” Guard biathletes, the U.S. Biath- Nordiq Canada, the govern- stop using all fluorinated glide particularly in warmer condi- Meanwhile, wax companies are lon Association and the University ing body for cross country skiing waxes this season and in Maine tions, than in alpine skiing, coach- working on alternatives. of Vermont Nordic team train has in Canada, also prohibited high high fluoro waxes were banned at es say. So far, much of the PFAS con- been found to have PFAS above and medium fluorinated waxes the state championship. The International Ski Federa- tamination has been linked to the state’s interim standards for in most cross-country races this Wax technicians, coaches and tion says it’s looking at many op- firefighting foam at military safe drinking water. The well is season. The Norwegian Ski As- athletes have been heating the so- tions for testing for the presence bases and household products currently not used for drinking sociation, meanwhile, banned called fluoro waxes with irons on of the fluoro waxes and has not like carpet and packaging mate- water, according to the Guard. PAGE 10 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, February 29, 2020 WORLD Ex-Philippine aide warns of disaster if US pact ends

BY JIM GOMEZ a national tragedy which should Associated Press be resisted,” del Rosario said. “As a democratic and republican MANILA, Philippines — A country, we do not believe that one former Philippine foreign sec- man alone can make this damag- retary warned Friday that the ing choice for our people.” president’s decision to end a key The move by Duterte, known ALTAF QADRI/AP U.S. security pact will undermine for his disdain of U.S. security the ability of American forces to policies while praising China and Muslims offer prayers on the roof of a fire-bombed mosque in New Delhi, India, on Friday . help the country deal with major Russia, would be a major setback disasters and deter aggression in for the two countries’ decades- the disputed South China Sea. long treaty alliance. Former Foreign Secretary Haiyan was one of the most Prayers at fire-bombed mosques Albert del Rosario cited the de- ferocious typhoons on record ployment of more than 13,000 and left more than 7,300 people American military personnel, dead or missing, flattened entire as India’s religious riot toll grows dozens of aircraft and U.S. Navy villages swept ships inland and ships under the Visiting Forces displaced more than 5 million BY SHEIKH SAALIQ men who prayed on the rooftop of Al-Hind hospital, a small clinic Agreement when Typhoon Hai- AND EMILY SCHMALL a mosque that was set on fire in with two doctors, was the nearest yan ravaged the central Philip- people. Associated Press the unrest. medical facility for many of the pines in 2013. Duterte defended his decision Wednesday, saying the Philip- Tensions between Hindu hard- victims. When the riots broke out, “Other countries wanted to NEW DELHI — Muslims in a immediately respond but were pines can survive and address liners and Muslims protesting it turned into a chaotic emergency a long-running communist in- northeastern neighborhood of In- the Hindu-first policies of Prime ward, its doctors dealing for the constrained by the lack of legal dia’s capital returned for weekly surgency and threats by Muslim Minister Narendra Modi’s gov- first time with injuries such as arrangements for their troops to prayers at fire-bombed mosques extremists in the largely Roman ernment had been building for gunshot wounds, crushed skulls, enter the Philippines,” del Rosa- on Friday, two days after a 72- Catholic nation’s south without months when the violence ex- stabbings and torn genitals. rio told a Manila forum where the hour clash between Hindus and American military assistance. ploded Sunday night, on the eve “It was horrific as if evil had repercussions of President Rodri- Muslims that left at least 40 dead of President Donald Trump’s first pervaded and housed itself in go Duterte’s decision to terminate “Do we need America to survive and hundreds injured. the VFA were discussed. as a nation?” Duterte asked. “Do Five days after the riots start- state visit to India. the hearts of the mob,” said M.A. Duterte’s administration no- we need ... the might and power of ed, authorities have not said what Kapil Mishra, a local leader of Anwar, the doctor on duty, tified the U.S. government two the military of the United States sparked the worst communal vio- Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party Religious tensions in the area weeks ago that it intends to abro- to fight our rebellion here and the lence in New Delhi in decades. who lost his Delhi state assembly where the clashes occurred still gate the 1998 agreement, which terrorists down south and control Hospitals were still trying to seat in recent elections, demand- simmered on Friday, tempered by allows the entry of large numbers drugs?” identify the dead as the toll con- ed at a rally Sunday that police a heavy police presence. On one of American forces for joint train- Philippine Ambassador to tinued to rise, and residents of the shut down a Muslim-led protest riot-torn street, Hindus shouted ing with Filipino troops, includ- Washington Jose Manuel Ro- areas affected by the riots were in the city or else he and his fol- “Jai Shri Ram,” or Long Live ing disaster-response maneuvers, mualdez told the forum there still seeking loved ones. lowers would do it themselves. Ram, the Hindu god, as Muslims and lays down the legal terms for are efforts to find a way to keep “If they burn our mosques, we And it appears they did. attempted to reach a mosque their temporary stay. The termi- American special forces who will rebuild them again and pray. Hindus and Muslims attacked damaged in the riots. nation will take effect after 180 provide counterterrorism train- It’s our religious right and nobody each other with guns and swords, Several Muslim residents told days unless both sides agree to ing, intelligence and advice to can stop us from practicing our metal rods and axes, leaving The Associated Press that most keep the agreement. Filipino troops in the southern religion,” said Mohammad Sulai- the streets where the rioting oc- Muslim families had locked their “What is unfolding before us is Philippines. man, who was among about 180 curred resembling a war zone. homes and fled the area. East Africa’s huge locust outbreak now spreads to Congo

BY RODNEY MUHUMUZA Mark Lowcock, and World Food outbreak is affecting millions of Associated Press Program Executive Director already vulnerable people across David Beasley called the swarms the region. KAMPALA, Uganda — A of locusts “a scourge of biblical Uganda’s government said Inquiry raised of China’s small group of desert locusts has proportions” and “a graphic and Tuesday it was trying to contain a entered Congo, marking the first shocking reminder of this region’s large swarm and will need more locust-eating ‘duck army’ time the voracious insects have vulnerability.” resources to control the infesta- been seen in the Central African The FAO said mature locusts, tion that has spread to over 20 Associated Press However, local media said it country since 1944, the U.N. Food carried in part by the wind, ar- districts in the north. Soldiers wasn’t clear if such a plan ex- and Agriculture Agency said BEIJING — Questions were rived on the western shore of have been battling swarms using isted and a provincial agricul- Tuesday as U.N. agencies warned raised Thursday about a Chi- Lake Albert in eastern Congo on hand-held spray pumps, while ex- tural technology institute cited of a “major hunger threat” in East nese newspaper report that Feb. 21 near the town of Bunia. perts have said aerial spraying is in the story said it was looking Africa from the flying pests. The country has not seen locusts the country is planning to dis- the only effective control. into the matter. Kenya, Somalia and Uganda for 75 years, it said. patch a 100,000-strong army of The U.N. recently raised its aid The website of Hong Kong’s have been battling the swarms “Needless to say the potential ducks to help Pakistan combat pro-China Phoenix TV said in the worst locust outbreak that impact of locusts on a country still appeal from $76 million to $138 a massive locust infestation. officials with the Zhejiang parts of East Africa have seen in grappling with complex conflict, million, saying the need for more The Ningbo Evening News 70 years. The U.N. said swarms Ebola and measles outbreaks, help is urgent. had said the legion of lotus- Provincial Institute of Agri- have also been sighted in Dji- high levels of displacement, and “This funding will ensure that eating waterfowl would be sent cultural Technology were hop- bouti, Eritrea and Tanzania and chronic food insecurity would be activities to control the locusts from the eastern province of ing to talk with researcher Lu recently reached South Sudan, a devastating,” the U.N. officials can take place before new swarms Zhejiang following the earlier Lizhi, who was quoted exten- country where roughly half the said in the joint statement. emerge,” the U.N. officials said. dispatch of a team of Chinese sively in the story. population already faces hunger Locust swarms can reach the Experts have warned that the experts to Pakistan to advise Calls to the provincial gov- after years of civil war. size of major cities and can de- number of locusts if unchecked on a response to the infesta- ernment press office seeking A joint statement Tuesday stroy crops and devastate pasture could grow 500 times by June tion, which is being called the confirmation of the report from FAO director-general Qu for animals. when drier weather is expected worst in 20 years. rang unanswered Thursday. Dongyu, U.N. humanitarian chief Experts have warned that the in the region. Saturday, February 29, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 11 VIDEO GAMES Interactive, slice-of-life stories Coffee Talk, Wide Ocean Big Jacket explore the dynamics, diffi culties of navigating interpersonal relationships

BY TODD MARTENS Big Jacket or opting to mix gin- Los Angeles Times ger and cinnamon in Coffee Talk, offer the illusion of choice, thus itting around a campsite creating relaxing environments near a tent. Making a cof- in which we can explore weighty fee drink. topics. S Typically, these ac- Coffee Talk alludes to multiple tivities are interstitial moments, thought-provoking subjects, actions that occur before or after from interracial dating (here it’s something more exciting. Yet interspecies dating, between an these undertakings are at the elf and a succubus) to a parent core of two new games, Wide struggling to maintain a con- Ocean Big Jacket and Coffee nection to his daughter. Wide Talk. Ocean Big Jacket, meanwhile, Both approach interactivity emphasizes the fragility in with a light touch, letting players relationships. In Coffee Talk, uncover intimate, conversa- we sometimes feel like a barista tional moments. We play less as therapist, while Wide Ocean Big directors of action and more as Jacket shows how efforts to con- voyeurs. Throughout, we connect sole often fail. When a teen asks Toge Productions with sometimes odd characters about sex, we shift the spotlight A scene from Coffee Talk featuring otherworldly customers in near-future Seattle in which the player, as — we meet an alien, for instance, to her aunt, who squirms her way a barista character, solves their troubles while mixing coffee drinks. who is not so hot at the dating out of answering the questions. app game in Coffee Talk — and So while the core narratives “good” stretches to alleviate back while we don’t become friends of the two games use interactiv- with these characters (tech has pain — and as we hop from adult ity relatively sparingly, they to kid and back again, we can yet to make such a thing pos- connect by creating a world in sible), we do walk away feeling serve alternately as instigators which we explore topics we often or connectors, setting into action as if we’ve shared a moment with try to avoid. The characters in relationships and bonds. them. Wide Ocean Big Jacket may try We can let much of Coffee Talk Play here comes in the form to joke away a serious moment, play on autopilot, or take a more of discovery, as each game deals as if real life could be solved active role and explore the char- with mature themes where with a clever social-media-wor- acters we meet via their writings what isn’t said is often of equal thy quip, but we’re still there, a or social media pages. Their importance to what is said. Wide faceless observer moving among concerns and their troubles are Ocean Big Jacket unfolds like the campgrounds and prompting discussed at the coffee counter, an interactive animated fi lm, conversations to happen whether and whether it’s a vampire, an albeit one with adult topics such the characters want it or not. elf or a succubus, their issues are as the never-ending diffi culty Mord, the outgoing, goofy teen, relatable. Be careful, of course, of navigating interpersonal seems to court confrontation, not to mess up their drinks — we relationships regardless of age. while her fi rst crush, Ben, along may not be solving problems, but Toge Productions Coffee Talk, which contrasts its for the family trip, struggles in Coffee Talk, the happier the Gameplay in Coffee Talk includes mini games in which the player nondescript name — one with with awkwardness. The adults, patrons are, the more they may attempts to create latte art. echoes of an old “Saturday Night Brad and Cloanne, are appar- share. Live” skit — with a roster full of ently happily married, although Regular customer Freya, a mythic creatures, can be experi- their partnership is stitched green-haired journalist with enced in multiple ways. together with a string of com- dreams of writing fi ction, digs Both largely dispense with promises. The characters are into the tales and woes of every- typical game-like elements, yet drawn slightly exaggeratedly, all one who comes into the shop, show how even delicate partici- fl oppy limbs and bones. Charm approaching most with equal pation can illuminate the every- abounds — Mord is confused amounts curiosity and suspicion. day. Simple acts, be it swinging when the grownups enthusiasti- Male customers immediately put around a camera in Wide Ocean cally praise one another for their her on guard, and the world out- side this near-future Seattle cof- fee shop is relatively bleak, even if werewolves and vampires are enjoying a peace treaty. America here is a place where “anyone can dream of being whatever they want to be and have those dreams crushed before they can even be discussed.” Fear is everywhere, and there’s talk of closing borders. Toge Productions A fi sh, for instance, must leave her home in the ocean because Coffee Talk puts the player in the role of a barista therapist. there are no decent schools underwater anymore, only now power of listening and talking. fi ght off orcs or bounce off mush- she’s lonely because no one she When an alien, dressed as an rooms and blast away at Nazis. knows can get a visa. We delight astronaut, lands in the coffee Maybe they can also remind us in uncovering the interpersonal shop, the visitor proclaims that how to talk to one another. drama of fairy tale and fantasy Earth has done little more than Coffee Talk creatures, but there’s no denying cause frustration. The planet’s Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox that this is a game of modern life, “vagueness has taught us a new One, Nintendo Switch, PC where relaxing electronic beats kind of feeling,” the extraterres- Online: coffeetalk.info create a calm environment in trial says, clearly indicating that Wide Ocean Big Jacket Tender Claws which we can make drinks and this newfound emotion is one of Platforms: PC, Mac, Nintendo provide a little relief to those we discomfort. Switch Wide Ocean Big Jacket, allows players to explore the unique meet along the way. Games for decades have been Online: wideoceanbigjacket. interaction of four believable, flawed characters. It’s a reminder of the healing teaching us new tools — how to com PAGE 12 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, February 29, 2020 MOVIES

How ‘Invisible Man’ star Elisabeth Moss helped writer/director Shifting Leigh Whannell turn classic monster tale the focus into survivor’s story

UNIVERSAL PICTURES/AP

BY SONAIYA KELLEY to make the Invisible Man scary is to quickly realized that the success of the watching Lupita and how absolutely mag- Los Angeles Times not focus the fi lm on him,” said Whan- fi lm would hinge on its central perfor- nifi cent she is in that movie,” said Moss. nell. “Once you put the monster in the mance. “I realized that the whole movie “I could see, ‘Oh, my God, OK, that’s what hen writer-director Leigh spotlight, you demystify it. Not showing rested on this one character’s shoulders,” you can do with a role like that.’ She went Whannell was approached something is always the scariest thing.” he said. “The list of actors that can (carry so far and it was just the coolest thing, to update the horror classic Instead, he shifted the narrative focus an entire fi lm) is short. And I remember so I couldn’t wait to get the script. They W“The Invisible Man,” he basi- from the titular antagonist to his intimate everyone at Universal was really excited said, ‘You’re going to get an offer for “The cally spitballed the entire plot on the spot. partner Cecilia Kass, a woman who is about Lizzie because they had just done Invisible Man.” And I was like, ‘OK, that’s Fresh off the modest success of his gaslighted to the brink of insanity, played ‘Us’ with her.” amazing,’ because I loved working with In a stroke of kismet, Moss had been low-budget 2018 sci-fi thriller “Upgrade,” by Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning ac- Blumhouse. But I also was like, ... ‘The hankering to revisit the horror genre after Whannell found himself in a room with tress Elisabeth Moss. “One of the things I Invisible Man?’ ” executives from Blumhouse Productions her experience working with Universal liked the most about this movie is that it’s “ ‘I guess if they can’t see me, it’s fi ne,’ ” and Universal when “they fl oated this and Jordan Peele on the fi lmmaker’s soph- a real-life monster,” Moss said during a Whannell joked. title to me like, ‘What do you think about omore outing, which joint interview with Whannell this month. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 the Invisible Man?’ ” he said. “Which was was produced by “That’s what really curdles your blood weird to me because it was a bit Mad Libs. Jason Blum and when you watch the movie. I was like, ‘Not really sure? Never thought starred Lu- about the Invisible Man too much.’ “That feeling of not being believed, pita Nyong’o as a Elisabeth Moss “But one of the guys in the meeting not being heard or being scrutinized for woman battling stars in “The said, ‘Well, what would you do with the believing something you know in your her shadow self. Invisible Man,” “I’ve always character?’ And purely to fi ll the airtime I heart to be true is something I think on written and loved horror, but was like, ‘I guess I would probably tell the varying levels we can all identify with,” directed by Leigh I really wanted to story from the point of view of a victim, she added. “When I start telling people Whannell. do one after the like a woman escaping a relationship.’ I what this movie was about and how it was experience of NURPHOTO/Getty Images sort of vomited out the entire movie.” being used as an analogy for gaslight- Whannell conceived of the character ing, I was really surprised by how many as a wealthy scientist (played by Oliver people would get this look in their eye. It’s Jackson-Cohen of “The Haunting of Hill a commonality that I think deserves to be House”) who is charming and controlling explored.” in equal measure. After his girlfriend “I think the 1933 fi lm is a classic hor- manages to escape the glass prison they ror movie with an important place in the share together, he stages his own suicide history of horror, but it’s not terrifying just to continue to torment and control her to modern audiences,” said Whannell. “I under the cover of invisibility. saw an opportunity to reframe it in a way In a departure from the original H.G. that could be scary. We didn’t want to rely Wells novel and its 1933 fi lm adaptation on the histrionics of horror, we wanted it — and despite the character’s title billing to be real. The scarier monster is the one — this invisible man is a distant second- you can imagine in your own life. It’s not a ary character. fanged beast, it’s the guy next door.” “I think it’s really obvious that the way Upon fi nishing the script, Whannell

‘ I think it’s really obvious that the way to make the Invisible Man scary is to not focus the film on him. Once you put the monster in the spotlight, you demystify it. Not showing something is always the scariest thing. ’ Leigh Whannell writer/director, “The Invisible Man” Saturday, February 29, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 13 ENTERTAINMENT

FROM PAGE 12 “Yeah, ‘If they can’t see me, I guess I can play any gender?’ ” said Moss. “But they said the woman was the lead and when I read the script, it was not only a horror fi lm but this incredible charac- ter piece. It had a really challenging arc that you don’t get in some of your best dramas. So I said yes immedi- ately.” After Moss was secured, Whannell leaned on his leading lady to authen- ticate the female perspective. It’s the latest in a successful series of creative collaborations for Moss, who has Walt Disney Co. unveiled helped shape many of her strongest new products tied to “The roles, from the heroine of Hulu’s “The Mandalorian” breakout Handmaid’s Tale” to her partnerships character Baby Yoda ahead of with indie fi lmmaker Alex Ross Perry, the New York Toy Fair , which including last year’s grunge rock concluded Feb. 25. drama “Her Smell.” DEVIN DOYLE “That was the missing puzzle piece For The Washington Post of the script,” Whannell said. “I was happy with the screenplay, but I needed that collaboration with Lizzie. We would dissect scenes for hours and we would rewrite the script and kind of do an autopsy on these scenes. I feel like the fi lm became stronger because we were like copilots.” “There were times when a scene would only exist on our scripts,” said Moss. “Yeah, exactly,” said Whannell with a laugh. “And everybody would be like, ‘Scene what?’ ” “It would just be written in the mar- gins,” said Moss. “And some of it would be written in mine and some of it would be written in yours.” “The funniest thing was watching BY DAVID BETANCOURT the reactions of the other actors,” said The Washington Post Whannell. “They just had to roll with They’re here! reatly anticipated, this it. Because there’s a certain sense of moment has been. impostor syndrome that happens if The Baby Yoda toy void, the you’re writing a story about a woman’s destroyer of many 2019 holiday point of view (as a man). And I didn’t G shopping hopes, is offi cially coming to an Unveiled ahead of NY’s big Toy Fair, really start feeling comfortable with it end this spring. until Lizzie and I had all these conver- That was the offi cial word from the far, sations. She gave the fi lm authority ... far away galaxy known as the Big Apple Baby Yoda toys missed the holidays, and it felt like a true collaboration.” last week, as Disney and Lucasfi lm gath- Though the script required Moss ered journalists days ahead of Toy Fair to stretch her imagination by fi ghting New York to show off their Baby Yoda but at least that prevented spoilers against an invisible adversary multiple wares of all forms, from pajamas to Pop- times, the actress says the biggest chal- Sockets, ones that will soon fi nally be in lenge of all was the amount of running Star Wars fans’ eagerly outreached palms. the role demanded. The event was offi cially described as a left hand, he made baby noises. Squeeze could come up with product quickly.” “Let’s just say I underestimated it,” showcase for merchandise inspired by the the right hand, and Ludwig Goransson’s Paul Southern, Lucasfi lm’s senior vice she said. “And the speed at which Mr. live-action “The Mandalorian” and the earworm theme song from “The Mandalo- president of licensing and franchise, was Whannell would require me to run, animated “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” rian” begins to play. one of the few on “The Mandalorian’s” which was basically faster and faster An espresso machine, seemingly guided product production side who knew of Baby two Disney Plus hits that represent the and faster. I am not a particularly by the Force itself, churned out Baby Yoda Yoda’s existence before the series aired. best of the fi ctional universe after the physical person; I do not really work lattes. “We live in a world with Star Wars polarizing “Star Wars: The Rise of Sky- out. And I got there and was like, ‘I’ve One thing you wouldn’t fi nd was a mea where the fans, they have a voracious ap- walker.“ made a terrible mistake. I absolutely culpa from Lucasfi lm and Disney for petite for news. It’s very diffi cult for us to But there was no denying that everyone should have gone to the gym.’ ” seemingly missing out on millions by not manage the security and confi dentiality was here for products tied to the most “Remember a lot of times you’d be having product ready for the 2019 holiday of everything once things are in develop- like, ‘I feel like we got the shot?’ ” said famous 50-year-old child in Hollywood season. Bootleg product ended up appear- ment. It just touches too many people,” Whannell with a laugh. “You’d be like, — which were strangely unavailable in ing on eBay and Etsy, and Disney made Southern said. “The last three months ‘I really feel like that one worked.’ And shops in the wake of his viral fame in the efforts to remove them. have been a lot of blood, sweat and tears to I’d be like, ‘One more!’ ” fall. But attendees got confi rmation of what get this product to market quickly.” “I should have perhaps trained a That child, by the way, is offi cially just was already assumed: The only way to JoAnn McLaughlin, the senior vice little bit,” she said. “And then once I the Child, having yet to be named on “The keep Baby Yoda’s end-of-Episode-1 debut president of brand merchandising and got there I quickly ordered an elliptical Mandalorian” despite fans affectionately a secret was to not have any products product design at Lucasfi lm, didn’t know machine for my apartment. Warming dubbing him Baby Yoda because of a ready for purchase. Those products would the Baby Yoda storm was brewing be- up before takes is different for me. I strong likeness to the legendary Star Wars have been seen online months ahead of cause the decision to keep the character don’t usually do the plank before a take Jedi master. After the show’s debut in No- “The Mandalorian’s” debut, so showrun- a secret came before she was offi cially on on ‘Handmaid’s Tale.’ So that was a vember, “the Child” became a sensation ner Jon Favreau asked the powers that board. But she later became a quick study. whole new thing, but it was fun. I felt through memes and GIFs, especially one be at Disney and Lucasfi lm to hold off “The phone didn’t stop ringing from the like I was Jason Bourne, basically.” that showed him sipping soup. on production until the fi rst episode was powers that be at Disney saying, ‘OK, how But not all of the stunts were gruel- On Feb. 20 at the Dream Hotel in Man- released — thus creating a streaming, fast are you going to get this done?’ ” said ing. Thanks to her background in hattan, the Child was everywhere. Legos, 21st-century “I am your father” moment. McLaughlin. She also said fans should ex- dance, the choreographed fi ght scenes action fi gures, costumes, backpacks, hats, The goal of holding back on products pect to see a heavy “Mandalorian” pres- were a lot less arduous, Moss said. shirts, wallets and socks were all on dis- was to give Star Wars fans the same ence at Disney Parks in California and “It was so much fun. We had such a play. An image of the now-classic moment feeling they had when they discovered Florida soon. And she’s been taking calls great stunt team and they took really in “The Mandalorian” when a young Baby George Lucas’ universe for the fi rst time, from retailers in regions where Disney good care of me and made sure things Yoda reaches out of a capsule and extends according to “The Mandalorian” producer Plus isn’t even available yet. were safe. Leigh called me when I the cutest fi nger in the universe for the Dave Filoni. If that meant millions were “China. Latin America. This is truly a was in Toronto shooting Season 3 (of fi rst time? Framed and ready for your left on the table, so be it. global (event),” McLaughlin said. “(These ‘Handmaid’s Tale’) and said, ‘Look, I wall. The capsule itself? Also available, “It’s so hard to do surprises anymore,” regions) are reaching out, saying ‘What want to talk to you about the stunts and and featuring an animatronic Baby Yoda Filoni said. “We wanted the audience have you got? People here want the I would like you to do as much of it as that blinks, coos and will melt your heart, to experience meeting the Child with Child.’ ” possible.’ And I basically was like, ‘I for $60. Mando,” the bounty hunter title character. The Baby Yoda products will be rolled want to do as much as I can. We should Build-A-Bear employees were there to That meant more than a few sad faces out starting in March, and some — such just always decide by what looks best show onlookers that if you squeezed their come the recent holiday season, but Filoni as Lego products on Amazon — won’t on camera.’ ” soon-to-be-available plush Baby Yoda’s said Disney and Lucasfi lm knew “they come until as late as August. PAGE 14 •STARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, February 29, 2020 AMERICAN ROUNDUP Stolen hearse carrying casket recovered

LOS ANGELES — A CA thief stole a hearse — with a body inside — that went on a wild ride, ending with a chase and a crash on a busy freeway. Authorities say they found the body undisturbed inside a casket Thursday morning and took someone into custody after the crash, which closed the 110 Freeway during the morning commute. The crime began Wednesday night, when the thief stole the black Lincoln Navigator from out- side St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in East Pasadena. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Depart- ment pleaded with the thief on so- cial media to return the body. “Out of all the bad decisions you have made, at least make one good one & bring back the de- ceased person & casket inside the Navigator,“ it tweeted. Beehive, 8-feet long, discovered in apartment

RICHMOND — An ani- VA mal control company in Virginia said it’s removed an 8- foot-long beehive from someone’s apartment. Virginia Wildlife Management and Control said in a statement CHRIS PIZZELLO/AP that they removed the hive from the ceiling of a living room in Richmond on Monday. The space ‘The Art of the Brick’ was in between tenants at the time. The company said the hive Sky Itomi, 3, peers at the sculpture “Dinosaur Skeleton,” made out of 80,020 LEGO bricks, at a media preview of “The Art of the Brick” produced about 80 to 100 pounds exhibition at the California Science Center on Wednesday in Los Angeles. The exhibit, which features more than 100 works of art created of honey, although only about from over one million LEGO bricks by contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya, opened on Friday. 15 to 20 pounds was able to be salvaged. Rich Perry, owner of the wild- the department about a month THE CENSUS morning. He was waving at them life control company, told The ago when two pets were trapped from a stilt home near the mouth Charlotte Observer that the inside a large house fire. The amount raised from an effort to sell T-shirts of the Pithlachascotee River. hive was big enough to support “We were able to save one of for a Minnesota police officer injured in a shoot- Torrent told WTVT-TV he saw 100,000 to 150,000 bees. But he the animals and the other one was ing , according to supporters. Waseca Officer Arik a bird tangled in wiring and want- said it wasn’t fully occupied. not able to make it,” he said. “So I $16K Matson was shot in the head in an exchange of ed to save it. He docked his jet ski wanted a better way to help the gunfire in January. A group of people represent- to help the bird but didn’t secure community and our four-legged Tractor, equipment runs ing various businesses on Wednesday presented Matson’s wife, Megan, with the the watercraft and it drifted away family members, as well.” over used cars in lot money gained from the sale of about 1,200 T-shirts, the Alberta Lea Tribune re- from him. Early risers in West see ported. Lori Nelson and her son, Trent, run 407Designz in Alden. Lori Nelson said KINSTON — A trac- that after her son designed the shirt, they posted it on Facebook, and the effort 8-year-old hailed for NC tor hauling a piece of apparent meteor in sky grew rapidly from there. The design includes the words “praying for Arik.” equipment malfunctioned and saving younger cousin ran over a number of vehicles PHOENIX — Early ris- LISBON — An 8- in a used car lot, police said AZ ers in several Western university. The conference will eral hours for a trailer to arrive to Wednesday. states reported seeing what ap- include presentations and discus- transport the animal back to the NH year-old girl has been Kinston police said the tractor peared to be a meteor streaking sions on topics such as grains, water. awarded the American Red Cross’ was hauling a dirt pan used in across the sky before dawn. fermentation, warehousing and Authorities believe the female Certificate of Extraordinary Per- landscaping when it ran over at The American Meteor Society logistics. sea lion was hunting smelt, a sonal Action after saving her least five cars parked at Faith Au- received multiple reports from A panel comprised of repre- small fish. younger cousin from drowning. tomotive Sales, WITN reported. Arizona, California, New Mexico sentatives from UK, Beam Sun- Victoria Lombardi used her According to police, the tractor and Utah about the fireball. tory, and master distillers from Rescued jet skier says water rescue training when 5- had a mechanical malfunction The phenomenon was captured multiple distilleries will answer year-old Ariana Chattin stepped that caused it to veer to the right. on video by meteorite hunter Rob- questions about the future of the he lost ski saving bird onto a frog pond that was 5 feet No injuries were reported, and ert Ward in Prescott, Ariz., that industry and the Beam Institute. PORT RICHEY — A deep and was covered in blue- an employee at the dealership es- he posted on the organization’s green algae, The Caledonian Re- timated damage to the vehicles at website. It was also captured by a FL missing Florida jet skier Sea lion wanders into took refuge in a stilt house after he cord reported. The girls were at a around $20,000. video camera mounted on Phoe- family picnic last August in New nix City Hall. woods far from water lost his water scooter attempting Pet oxygen masks given to save a bird caught in a wire. Tripoli, Pa. Beam Institute to hold CASTLE ROCK — A Cole Torrent, 28, borrowed Lombardi was given the award to fire department WA sea lion wandered far a friend’s jet ski and launched Tuesday by Maria Devlin, the 1st bourbon conference from water in southwest Wash- around 1 p.m. Tuesday. He was CEO of the American Red Cross HURRICANE — Pet ington state. The Oregonian/Or- reported missing in the evening in New Hampshire and Vermont, WV oxygen masks have LEXINGTON — The egonLive reported the Steller sea by the same friend, news outlets at a reception at Evergreen Sports been given to a West Virginia fire KY James B. Beam Insti- lion, weighing around 600 pounds, reported. The search began at Center. department to help animals in- tute for Kentucky Spirits was was discovered in a wooded area Millers Bayou in Port Richey. Lombardi used the “Reach, jured in fires. holding its first bourbon industry outside the town of Castle Rock, The U.S. Coast Guard was called Throw, Don’t Go” rescue proce- Hurricane Fire & Rescue Lt. conference this week at the Uni- Wash . in around 7 p.m. and a few hours dure she learned in a Red Cross Bobby Bragg told WSAZ-TV the versity of Kentucky. The animal was about two miles later Port Richey police said they class. She said it made her feel department received the masks The Beam Institute collabo- from a viable water source. found Torrent’s jet ski in a man- through the Emma Zen Founda- rated with the Kentucky Distill- Sheriff’s deputies, Fish and grove but not Torrent. good to save someone’s life and tion, which donates masks to de- ers Association to plan the event Wildlife officers, and represen- Twelve hours later, the Pasco encourages more people to learn partments across the country. around key industry issues, ac- tatives from the Cowlitz County County Sheriff’s Office found water safety skills. Bragg said he noticed a gap in cording to a statement from the Humane Society had to wait sev- Torrent by helicopter Wednesday From wire reports Saturday, February 29, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 15 OPINION Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Sean Klimek, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander To fix the primaries, bring back peer review Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY ELAINE C. KAMARCK — citizens are accustomed to voting in pri- all, absent the bad publicity of failing this Joshua M. Lashbrook, Pacific Chief of Staff Special to The Washington Post maries, and any attempt to exclude them first test. Or, those who failed the vote of would be widely viewed as illegitimate — confidence could be kept off the debate EDITORIAL n the four years after the 1968 but it would be prudent to reintroduce an stage or even primary ballots, although Democratic convention, the nomi- element of peer review. One option would voters could still write them in and would Terry Leonard, Editor nating power in both parties shifted be to allow superdelegates to vote on the still have the final say on the nomination. [email protected] Ifrom elected officials and party lead- first ballot in the Democratic system and Were such a system in place in 2016, Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor ers to primary voters. For many years the to introduce superdelegates into the Re- Republicans might still have nominated [email protected] effect of this change was limited, as each publican primaries, as well. This would Trump. And in 2019, given his long service party continued to nominate candidates give governors and members of Congress in Congress, Sen. Bernie Sanders surely Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content who would have been plausible under the [email protected] votes independent of the primary voters. would have passed this first, modest test. old convention system. Of course, these people are themselves Nonetheless, a system like this would have Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation But the Republican nomination of Don- elected and have historically been reluc- advantages. [email protected] ald Trump in 2016 illustrated a hidden tant to go against the will of their voters. If candidates had to discuss their posi- weakness in the new system — the absence Managing Editor for Digital A second, more novel option would be tions with other lawmakers, the process Joe Gromelski, of peer review. It is practically impossible [email protected] to require each group of superdelegates — could help keep unrealistic policy formula- to imagine Trump being nominated in a House members, senators, governors and tions from becoming rallying cries, such as system where responsible political actors national committee members — to cast Trump’s contention that Mexico would pay had a hand in deciding who was capable of BUREAU STAFF for a wall on the border. It would subject the job. ballots before the first primaries and cau- Europe/Mideast potential presidents to the real demands It’s easy to see how our nomination sys- cuses. These groups could meet to evaluate Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief of the presidency, rather than the fluff tem suffers from the lack of this key com- the presidential candidates as they declare. [email protected] But rather than casting ballots in favor of that often passes in their stead. (Trump’s +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 ponent, but much harder to figure out how lack of knowledge as to the nuclear triad, to slip it back in. A system that includes one candidate or another — a system that Pacific peer review should be able to “assess the would tip heavily in favor of the “estab- for instance, could have been sussed out Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief qualities of candidates for public office lishment” candidate — they could make a long before the debates.) And it would re- [email protected] quire other public servants to evaluate the +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 according to such dimensions as intelli- simple vote of confidence or no confidence. gence, sobriety of judgment, intellectual The criterion: Is this person someone who, subjective issue of temperament: Is this Washington flexibility, ability to work well with others, by virtue of experience and temperament, person capable of operating in a system of Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief willingness to learn from experience [and] can operate successfully in a democratic shared power? [email protected] detailed personal knowledge of govern- form of government? The current nomination system makes (+1)(202)886-0033 both parties vulnerable to the easy lies of Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News ment,” as the late political scientist Nelson A potential president could get an overall [email protected] Polsby wrote in 1983. Voters in early states “vote of confidence” by crossing a modest popular characters who are not equipped may see candidates up close, but they can’t threshold of superdelegates — say, 15% or for the presidency, or who pose a threat to CIRCULATION very well assess a potential president’s 25%. This would be small enough to allow democracy by virtue of their authoritarian capacity to govern — something that is es- for minority ideologies to get a candidate temperaments. The parties need to step Mideast up. Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager pecially important in a system where the into the ring, but large enough to rule out [email protected] president shares power. people with no track record of working Elaine C. Kamarck is a senior fellow at the [email protected] It would be neither possible nor wise to within a democratic system. Brookings Institution and author of “Primary DSN (314)583-9111 try to roll back the system of binding pri- The consequences of a no-confidence Politics: Everything You Need to Know About How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates.” Europe maries that allows millions of partisans vote could be structured in a variety of This is the fourth op-ed in a series about how to Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager to choose their party’s standard-bearer ways. There could be no consequences at improve the presidential nominating process. [email protected] [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Pacific Don’t blame capitalism for shrinking airline legroom Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 BY NOAH SMITH North Atlantic region cost about $33. competition. But airlines were operating CONTACT US Bloomberg Opinion There are still some customers who on the edge of bankruptcy before the con- will fall through the cracks in this system solidation wave; now, their margins are Washington viral video of a man punching the — if you want just a little more legroom merely up to the normal level for a U.S. tel: (+1)202.886.0003 back of a woman’s reclined air- than coach provides, for just a little more business. So there’s not a lot of profit to be 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 line seat got Delta Air Lines Chief money, you might not be able to find a seat. squeezed out of the system — perhaps only Executive Officer Ed Bastian’s at- Reader letters A But overall, for customers who are willing $20 per flight, or less than one inch worth tention. But he made things worse when he [email protected] to do a little shopping, today’s free-market of legroom. asked flyers to be polite and check with the air-travel system makes it easier for people Nationalized airlines could also be run Additional contacts passengers behind them before hitting the to optimize their own personal mix of leg- at a loss, subsidized by tax money, but this stripes.com/contactus recline button. This angered many people room and ticket price. would likely lead to the airlines becoming who have watched seats shrink over the And as always when discussing the a political bone of contention, with even- OMBUDSMAN years while airlines try to raise profit mar- shortcomings of capitalism, it’s important tual privatization as the result. Or salaries Ernie Gates gins by packing ever-more paying custom- to think about what the alternative would could be cut and the savings passed on to ers onto their planes. be. In this case, that would mean national- flyers, but this would likely degrade opera- Why, observers asked, should flyers be ization of the industry. That’s not as crazy The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow tional efficiency and quality. of news and information, reporting any attempts by the forced into a vicious zero-sum battle over a notion as it might sound; Qatar Airways So although no one likes having to military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s physical comfort just to fatten the coffers and Singapore Airlines, rated the top two choose between paying an upgrade fee and independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns of companies that already earn billions of carriers in the world in 2019 by consulting and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fair- being shoe-horned into a tiny seat, it’s un- ness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman dollars a year? Some blamed the capitalist firm Skytrax, are both state-owned. likely that nationalization would improve welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted system itself. But it’s far from clear that American matters. by email at [email protected], or by phone at Defenders of the system will tend to Airlines or United Airlines could match 202.886.0003. With only limited scope to increase com- retort that airlines are just giving people the performance of those champions fort while also keeping costs low, airlines what they want; smaller seats, they argue, under state ownership. Very high U.S. in- should try to improve the flying experience Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- are simply the price consumers have cho- frastructure costs suggest that the federal by making it more egalitarian. That makes days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday sen in exchange for cheaper airfares. It’s government may have problems in its deci- being told how to behave while flying by a through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and hard to tell how airfares have changed over sion-making processes that make cost con- Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals man who makes a multimillion-dollar sal- postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send time, because just looking at ticket prices trol difficult. ary by packing more people onto planes address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison; the In most developed nations, the trend has particularly galling. So yes, airline CEOs APO AP 96301-5002. average flight distance changes, and cus- been toward privatization. Most European This newspaper is authorized by the Department of should avoid seeming like they’re talking Defense for members of the military services overseas. tomers nowadays pay fees for things such airlines, once owned by national govern- down to passengers. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, as checked baggage and meals that once ments, have been privatized; Korean Air Meanwhile, it might be a good idea to and are not to be considered as the official views of, or were included in fares. But the data from was privatized in 1969, and Japan Airlines endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, offer flights with identical seats — no pre- Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official chan- the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tries in 1987. This was generally a result of fi- mium economy, business class and so on nels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote to account for all of these factors, suggest nancial distress. Meanwhile, the majority — as well as no preferred boarding. Elimi- locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. that flying has gotten cheaper during the of remaining state-owned carriers are in The appearance of advertising in this publication does nating those visible inequalities might not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense past 20 years. developing countries, with Singapore and make flyers feel better about the air-travel or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. This decline has happened in spite of a Qatar being the exceptions. experience. Who knows — they might Products or services advertised shall be made available for slight rise in real oil prices. Proponents of nationalization might purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, even be willing to pay a little more for the What’s more, air travel today offers con- religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical argue that without the need to make a prof- pleasure. handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor sumers a bigger menu of choices. They can it, airlines could reduce fares or increase of the purchaser, user or patron. go with a discount airline and less leg room legroom while holding fares constant. A Noah Smith is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He in exchange for a cheaper ticket. They can wave of big airline mergers has increased was an assistant professor of finance at Stony © Stars and Stripes 2020 Brook University, and he blogs at Noahpinion. This upgrade to premium seats with more space. the industry’s profitability since 2005, and column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of stripes.com In 2016, each extra inch of legroom in the common ownership may also be reducing Bloomberg LP and its owners. PAGE 16 • S TARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, February 29, 2020 Saturday, February 29, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 17 SCOREBOARD

Sports College basketball Pro baseball Tennis Oregon 69, Oregon St. 54 Thursday’s men’s scores Pacific 60, Loyola Marymount 53 Spring Training Mexican Open on AFN EAST Portland St. 89, Idaho St. 76 AMERICAN LEAGUE Thursday Albertus Magnus 95, Lasell 94 Sacramento St. 81, Montana St. 52 W L Pct. At Fairmont Acapulco Princess Endicott 63, Wentworth 62 Saint Mary’s (Cal.) 78, Santa Clara 72 Toronto 3 1 0.750 Acapulco, Mexico Fairleigh Dickinson 74, Bryant 72 San Francisco 81, Portland 65 Minnesota 3 1 0.750 Purse: $1,845,265 Go to the American Forces Geneva 91, Chatham 63 Southern Cal 57, Arizona 48 Chicago 3 2 0.600 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Grove City 70, St. Vincent 69 UC Irvine 82, Cal Poly 76 New York 3 2 0.600 Men’s Singles Network website for the most Iona 86, Canisius 65 UC Santa Barbara 65, UC Riverside 60 Detroit 3 2 0.600 Quarterfinals up-to-date TV schedules. LIU 74, Wagner 66 UCLA 75, Arizona St. 72 Boston 3 3 0.500 John Isner (5), United States, def. Tom- Mass.-Dartmouth 84, Plymouth St. 71 W. New Mexico 83, Angelo St. 78 Texas 3 3 0.500 my Paul, United States, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2. myafn.net Merrimack 69, CCSU 58 West Texas A&M 82, Midwestern St. 58 Tampa Bay 3 3 0.500 Taylor Fritz, United States, def. Kyle Whitman 85, Linfield 70 Kansas City 3 4 0.429 Mitchell 73, Eastern Nazarene 69 Baltimore 3 4 0.429 Edmund, Britain, 6-4, 6-3. New England Coll. 92, Dean 79 Whitworth 87, Pacific Lutheran 57 Cleveland 2 3 0.400 Grigor Dimitrov (7), Bulgaria, def. Stan Niagara 63, St. Peter’s 54 Houston 2 3 0.400 Wawrinka (3), Switzerland, 6-4, 6-4. College baseball Nichols 88, Gordon 76 AP Men’s Top 25 schedule Los Angeles 2 3 0.400 Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, def. Kwon Northeastern 77, James Madison 57 Seattle 2 4 0.333 Soon Woo, South Korea, 6-2, 6-1. Purchase 81, Sarah Lawrence 67 Saturday’s games Oakland 2 5 0.286 Women’s Singles Sacred Heart 73, St. Francis (NY) 63 No. 12 Villanova vs. Providence at the NATIONAL LEAGUE Quarterfinals Thursday’s scores St. Francis (Pa.) 75, Mount St. Mary’s 62 Wells Fargo Center W L Pct. Xiyu Wang, China, def. Zhu Lin (6), SOUTHWEST Towson 76, Hofstra 65 No. 16 Penn State at No. 18 Iowa Miami 6 0 1.000 China, 6-2, 6-2. Abilene Christian 5, Youngstown State 2 W. Connecticut 88, Mass.-Boston 73 No. 22 Texas Tech vs. Texas Philadelphia 5 1 0.833 Heather Watson (7), Britain, def. Chris- WEST Westfield St. 102, Salem St. 74 No. 1 Kansas at Kansas State Los Angeles 4 1 0.800 tina McHale, United States, 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. New Mexico 8, BYU 7 Worcester St. 96, Mass. College 72 No. 2 Baylor at TCU San Diego 4 1 0.800 Renata Zarazua, Mexico, def. Tamara Oregon State 13, San Diego State 1 Yeshiva 74, Farmingdale St. 69 No. 6 Florida State at Clemson San Francisco 3 2 0.600 Zidansek, Slovenia, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. Santa Clara 6, Sacramento State 5 SOUTH No. 13 Seton Hall at No. Marquette Colorado 3 2 0.600 Leylah Annie Fernandez, Canada, def. Ala.-Huntsville 79, Montevallo 68 No. 15 Auburn at No. 8 Kentucky Milwaukee 3 2 0.600 Anastasia Potapova, Russia, 6-3, 7-5. Austin Peay 67, Morehead St. 58 No. 20 West Virginia vs. Oklahoma Chicago 3 3 0.500 Men’s Doubles Belmont 65, Tennessee Tech 62 No. 7 Duke at Virginia Cincinnati 2 3 0.400 Quarterfinals Pro football Coll. of Charleston 80, Delaware 71 No. 17 BYU at Pepperdine Arizona 2 3 0.400 Robert Farah and Juan Sebastian Ca- FAU 80, UTSA 71 No. 5 San Diego State at Nevad Atlanta 2 3 0.400 bal (1), Colombia, def. Sander Gille and No. 9 Maryland vs. No. 24 Michigan State Washington 2 3 0.400 Joran Vliegen, Belgium, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 10-8. Fayetteville St. 72, Virginia Union 67 St. Louis 2 4 0.333 XFL Florida Gulf Coast 73, Jacksonville 67 No. 3 Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary’s Dusan Lajovic and Nikola Cacic, Ser- Sunday’s games New York 1 5 0.167 bia, def. Santiago Gonzalez, Mexico, and Gardner-Webb 83, Charleston South- Pittsburgh 0 6 0.000 EASTERN CONFERENCE ern 74 No. 10 Creighton at St. John’s Ken Skupski, Britain, 4-6, 6-4, 10-2. W L Pct PF PA Wednesday’s games Lee 74, Shorter 55 No. 25 Houston vs. Cincinnati St. Louis (ss) 7, Houston (ss) 5 Fabrice Martin and Adrian Mannarino, St. Louis 2 1 .667 68 46 Liberty 76, Kennesaw St. 52 No. 19 Michigan at No. 23 Ohio State France, def. Mischa Zverev and Alexan- DC 2 1 .667 67 58 N.Y. Yankees 8, Washington 2 Longwood 58, Presbyterian 55 No. 11 Louisville vs. Virginia Tech Miami 8, St. Louis (ss) 7 der Zverev, Germany, 6-1, 6-4. New York 1 2 .333 32 59 Morehouse 65, Fort Valley St. 60 No. 21 Colorado at Stanford Lukasz Kubot, Poland, and Marcelo Tampa Bay 0 3 .000 39 74 Minnesota (ss) 10, Tampa Bay 8 Murray St. 74, E. Kentucky 62 Boston 6, Pittsburgh 3 Melo (2), Brazil, def. Grigor Dimitrov, WESTERN CONFERENCE North Alabama 72, NJIT 65 Thursday’s women’s scores Philadelphia 5, Minnesota (ss) 4 Bulgaria, and Taylor Fritz, United States, W L Pct PF PA Baltimore 4, Atlanta 3 walkover. Houston 3 0 1.000 99 68 North Florida 85, Stetson 72 North Texas 78, FIU 59 EAST Detroit at Toronto, ppd. Women’s Doubles Dallas 2 1 .667 58 45 Iona 78, Canisius 72 Houston (ss) 4, N.Y. Mets 2 Quarterfinals Los Angeles 1 2 .333 74 71 Radford 81, Hampton 78 SIU-Edwardsville 90, UT Martin 75 Michigan 80, Penn St. 66 Milwaukee 3, San Francisco 3, 10 innings Kateryna Bondarenko, Ukraine, and Seattle 1 2 .333 48 64 Monmouth (NJ) 49, Siena 43 Chicago Cubs 8, Kansas City (ss) 0 Sharon Fichman, Canada, def. Sabrina Saturday’s games Tennessee St. 65, Jacksonville St. 55 UAB 88, Marshall 80 Quinnipiac 70, St. Peter’s 69 L.A. Dodgers 9, L.A. Angels 4 Santamaria, United States, and Nina Sto- Los Angeles at New York Rider 68, Fairfield 60 Oakland 16, Arizona 3 janovic, Serbia, 7-6 (5), 6-2. Seattle at St. Louis UNC-Asheville 80, High Point 76 UNC-Wilmington 76, Drexel 65 Rutgers 63, Wisconsin 43 Seattle 5, Cincinnati 3 Astra Sharma, Australia, and Caroline Sunday’s games SOUTH Kansas City (ss) 7, Chicago White Sox 6 Dolehide, United States, def. Sara Errani, Houston at Dallas Union (Tenn.) 85, Christian Brothers 73 Valdosta St. 80, West Florida 66 Austin Peay 70, Morehead St. 65 San Diego 8, Cleveland 0 Italy, and Daniela Seguel, Chile, 4-1, ret. DC at Tampa Bay Belmont 68, Tennessee Tech 52 Colorado 4, Texas 3 Storm Sanders and Ellen Perez (3), Saturday, March 7 W. Kentucky 95, Louisiana Tech 91, OT Thursday’s games West Georgia 75, Auburn-Montgomery 74 Coastal Carolina 88, Louisiana-Monroe 69 Australia, def. Heather Watson, Britain, Seattle at Houston Florida St. 81, Clemson 54 Philadelphia 12, Boston 5 and Nao Hibino, Japan, 6-3, 5-7, 10-7. New York at Dallas Winthrop 90, SC-Upstate 82 N.Y. Yankees 7, Tampa Bay (ss) 1 MIDWEST Jacksonville St. 63, Tennessee St. 45 Desirae Krawczyk, United States, and Sunday, March 8 Kentucky 88, Georgia 77 Tampa Bay (ss) 6, Detroit 3 Giuliana Olmos (2), Mexico, def. Arantxa St. Louis at DC Ashland 83, Wayne St. (Mich.) 63 Atlanta 3, St. Louis 1 Bellarmine 78, S. Indiana 63 LSU 61, Vanderbilt 55 Rus, Netherlands, and Tamara Zidansek, Tampa Bay at Los Angeles Baltimore 13, Pittsburgh 0 Slovenia, 6-3, 1-6, 10-3. Saturday, March 14 Cent. Oklahoma 80, Fort Hays St. 73, OT Louisiana-Lafayette 57, Appalachian Minnesota 3, Toronto 3 Houston at New York Cleveland St. 70, Milwaukee 68 St. 51 Texas 13, Chicago Cubs 1 St. Louis at Tampa Bay Coe 103, Wartburg 75 Louisville 68, Boston College 48 Chicago White Sox 6, Seattle (ss) 5 Chile Open Concordia (Wis.) 96, Wis. Lutheran 83 Mercer 60, W. Carolina 54 Oakland 5, Colorado 2 Drury 85, William Jewell 68 Miami 79, Wake Forest 63 L.A. Dodgers 6, Cleveland 5 Thursday E. Illinois 72, SE Missouri 70 Mississippi St. 92, Arkansas 83 Milwaukee 4, Kansas City 2 At Club Deportivo Universidad Catolica Golf Ferris St. 84, Lake Superior St. 67 Murray St. 66, E. Kentucky 65 San Diego 1, L.A. Angels 0 Santiago, Chile Grand Valley St. 75, Davenport 66 NC State 69, Syracuse 60 San Francisco 5, Seattle (ss) 4 Purse: $604,010 Green Bay 102, Youngstown St. 92 Samford 69, UNC-Greensboro 57 Cincinnati 8, Arizona 0 Surface: Red clay Honda Classic Greenville 164, Fontbonne 148 South Carolina 100, Florida 67 Houston 5, Washington 5 Men’s Singles IUPUI 71, Oakland 68 Tennessee 77, Mississippi 66 Miami 3, N.Y. Mets 1 Round of 16 PGA Tour Ill.-Chicago 84, Detroit 67 UT Martin 75, SIU-Edwardsville 58 Friday’s games Thiago Monteiro (8), Brazil, def. Ro- Thursday Illinois 74, Northwestern 66 Virginia 66, Pittsburgh 55 Tampa Bay vs. Washington at West berto Carballes Baena, Spain, 6-1, 6-4. At PGA National (Champions) Virginia Tech 70, Duke 56 Palm Beach, Fla. Thiago Seyboth Wild, Brazil, def. Juan Indianapolis 96, McKendree 91 Houston vs. Miami at Jupiter, Fla. Palm Beach Gardens Fla. John Carroll 86, Marietta 79 MIDWEST Ignacio Londero (5), Argentina, 7-6 (7), Purse: $7 million Auburn 95, Missouri 82 Atlanta (ss) vs. Philadelphia at Clear- 6-4. Lindenwood (Mo.) 85, Ill.-Springfield 80 water, Fla. Yardage: 7,125; Par: 70 Miami (Ohio) 76, Cent. Michigan 57 Bradley 61, S. Illinois 57 Albert Ramos-Vinolas (3), Spain, def. Denver 85, Fort Wayne 67 N.Y. Yankees vs. Atlanta (ss) at North Juan Pablo Varillas, Peru, 7-6 (3), 6-2. First Round Michigan Tech 91, N. Michigan 61 Port, Fla. Tom Lewis 32-34—66 -4 Milwaukee Engineering 74, Benedic- Green Bay 81, Cleveland St. 51 Cristian Garin (1), Chile, def. Alejan- Illinois St. 78, Missouri St. 66 Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, dro Davidovich Fokina, Spain, 6-2, 0-6, Harris English 32-34—66 -4 tine (Ill.) 70 Fla. Zach Johnson 35-32—67 -3 Missouri S&T 82, Quincy 77 Indiana 81, Nebraska 53 7-6 (4). Iowa 90, Minnesota 82 Boston vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla. Cameron Tringale 34-33—67 -3 Missouri-St. Louis 73, Lewis 61 Toronto vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla. Men’s Doubles J.T. Poston 33-34—67 -3 Mount Union 97, Heidelberg 66 Milwaukee 59, Youngstown St. 54 St. Louis vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lu- Quarterfinals Lee Westwood 34-33—67 -3 N. Dakota St. 71, S. Dakota St. 69, OT N. Kentucky 82, Detroit 61 cie, Fla. Pablo Cuevas, Uruguay, and Facundo Brian Stuard 32-35—67 -3 NW Missouri St. 69, Washburn 61 North Dakota 71, Nebraska-Omaha 67 Cleveland vs. Chicago White Sox at Bagnis, Argentina, def. Gonzalo Escobar, Wyndham Clark 31-37—68 -2 Neb.-Kearney 66, Newman 64 Notre Dame 83, North Carolina 65 Glendale, Ariz. Ecuador, and Ariel Behar (4), Uruguay, 6- Brendan Steele 36-32—68 -2 Nebraska Wesleyan 91, Simpson 77 Rio Grande 74, CS Bakersfield 65 Oakland vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, Ariz. 3, 6-4. Doc Redman 33-35—68 -2 Northeastern St. 93, Emporia St. 76 S. Dakota St. 85, N. Dakota St. 58 San Francisco (ss) vs. Kansas City at Alejandro Tabilo and Marcelo Tomas Patrick Rodgers 34-35—69 -1 Northwood (Mich.) 78, Saginaw Valley SE Missouri 72, E. Illinois 56 Surprise, Ariz. Barrios Vera, Chile, def. Matwe Middel- Charl Schwartzel 34-35—69 -1 St. 72 Wright St. 77, Oakland 60 L.A. Dodgers vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix koop, Netherlands, and Marcelo Demo- Sam Burns 33-36—69 -1 Ohio St. 75, Nebraska 54 SOUTHWEST Texas vs. L.A. Angels at Tempe, Ariz. liner (1), Brazil, 1-6, 6-3, 10-8. Alabama 76, Texas A&M 63 Cameron Percy 35-34—69 -1 Oral Roberts 113, W. Illinois 70 Seattle vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, Ariz. Jonny O Mara, Britain, and Marcelo Oral Roberts 71, W. Illinois 60 Tim Wilkinson 34-35—69 -1 Purdue 57, Indiana 49 Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego at Peoria, Arevalo-Gonzalez (2), El Salvador, def. Harold Varner III 34-35—69 -1 Texas State 72, Georgia Southern 68 Ariz. Juan Ignacio Londero and Federico Co- Purdue-Northwest 99, Wis.-Parkside 65 Texas-Arlington 58, Georgia St. 32 Colorado vs. San Francisco (ss) at Kyoung-Hoon Lee 35-34—69 -1 Rockhurst 63, Southwest Baptist 58 ria, Argentina, 7-6 (3), 6-3. Mark Hubbard 32-37—69 -1 FAR WEST Scottsdale, Ariz. St. John’s (Minn.) 71, St. Olaf 43 Air Force 49, Colorado St. 44 Kevin Streelman 35-34—69 -1 St. Thomas (Minn.) 74, St. Mary’s Dubai Championship Daniel Berger 33-36—69 -1 BYU 66, Pepperdine 64 (Minn.) 72 CS Northridge 66, Long Beach St. 54 Shane Lowry 32-37—69 -1 Truman St. 94, Maryville (Mo.) 65 Friday Jamie Lovemark 34-35—69 -1 Cal St.-Fullerton 68, UC Riverside 45 Pro soccer At Dubai Tennis Stadium Webster 85, Blackburn 77 Idaho 70, N. Colorado 65 Bud Cauley 36-34—70 E Wichita St. 72, Temple 69 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Robby Shelton 35-35—70 E Idaho St. 68, Portland St. 63 Purse: $2,794,840 Wis.-Eau Claire 78, Wis.-Platteville 74 Montana 70, N. Arizona 57 Ian Poulter 36-34—70 E Wis.-Oshkosh 76, Wis.-La Crosse 68, OT MLS schedule Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Hudson Swafford 35-35—70 E Montana St. 113, Sacramento St. 69 Men’s Singles Wisconsin 81, Michigan 74 New Mexico 54, Utah St. 52 Saturday’s games Ryan Palmer 34-36—70 E SOUTHWEST Colorado at D.C. United Semifinals New Mexico St. 69, Grand Canyon 58 Stefanos Tsitsipas (2), Greece, def. Ark.-Fort Smith 59, Texas-Tyler 54 S. Utah 70, E. Washington 67 New England at Montreal E. Texas Baptist 80, Concordia-Austin 76 Los Angeles Galaxy at Houston Daniel Evans, Britain, 6-2, 6-3. San Diego 54, Loyola Marymount 50 Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, def. Gael East Central 90, Ouachita Baptist 76 Toronto at San Jose San Diego St. 81, Nevada 68 Monfils (3), France, 2-6, 7-6 (8), 6-1. Deals Harding 78, SW Oklahoma 66 Philadelphia at Dallas San Francisco 67, Pacific 61 Real Salt Lake at Orlando City Men’s Doubles LeTourneau 94, Mary Hardin-Baylor 90 San Jose St. 76, UNLV 63 NW Oklahoma 85, Arkansas Tech 78 Atlanta at Nashville Semifinals Santa Clara 94, Saint Mary’s (Cal) 87, OT Sporting Kansas City at Vancouver Michael Venus, New Zealand, and Thursday’s transactions Oklahoma Baptist 77, Ark.-Monticello 74 UC Irvine 72, Hawaii 71 John Peers, Australia, def. Jurgen Melzer, S. Nazarene 67, S. Arkansas 59 Sunday’s games BASEBALL Wyoming 64, Fresno St. 55 New York City FC at Columbus Austria, and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, SE Oklahoma 81, Henderson St. 79, OT Cincinnati at N.Y. Red Bulls France, 7-6 (2), 6-2. Major League Baseball Sul Ross St. 65, Louisiana College 54 MLB — Promoted umpires Kerwin Chicago at Seattle Danley, Dan Iassogna, Alfonso Marquez Tarleton St. 76, Texas A&M Interna- AP Women’s Top 25 schedule Inter Miami at Los Angeles FC and Jim Reynolds to Crew Chiefs. Pro- tional 59 Saturday’s games Minnesota United at Portland Qatar Open moted Ryan Blankley, Ramon De Jesus, Texas A&M Commerce 69, Oklahoma No. 18 Northwestern vs. Illinois Saturday, March 7 Christian 55 Friday Nic Lentz, Chris Segal and Jansen Vis- No. 20 South Dakota vs. North Dakota Chicago at New England At Khalifa International Tennis and Texas A&M Kingsville 70, Dallas Bap- conti to Major League umpire positions. No. 6 UConn vs. Houston N.Y. Red Bulls at Real Salt Lake Squash Complex tist 65 Announced the retirement of umpires No. 13 Gonzaga at Portland Montreal at Dallas Doha, Qatar Texas-Dallas 77, Hardin Simmons 61 Gary Cederstrom, Dana DeMuth, Mike No. 25 Princeton vs. Yale Inter Miami at D.C. United Purse: $2,939,695 Everitt, and Jeff Kellogg. Texas-Permian Basin 106, Lubbock No. 2 Baylor vs. Kansas State New York City FC at Toronto Surface: Hardcourt outdoor HOCKEY Christian 95 Sunday’s games Cincinnati at Atlanta No. 12 Texas A&M at No. 1 South Caro- Minnesota United at San Jose Women’s Singles National Hockey League UALR 79, Louisiana-Monroe 63 Semifinals NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Recalled D Josh FAR WEST lina Houston at Sporting Kansas City No. 5 Louisville vs. Virginia Tech Orlando City at Colorado Aryna Sabalenka (9), Belarus, def. Jacobs from Binghamton (AHL). CS Bakersfield 79, Texas Rio Grande Svetlana Kuznetsova, Russia, 6-4, 6-3. Valley 59 No. 18 Iowa at Rutgers Vancouver at Los Angeles Galaxy SOCCER No. 22 Indiana at Michigan Columbus at Seattle Petra Kvitova (8), Czech Republic, def. Major League Soccer CS Dominguez Hills 82, San Francisco Ashleigh Barty (1), Australia, 6-4, 2-6, 6- St. 67 No. 25 TCU at Texas Tech Sunday, March 8 COLUMBUS — Signed F Miguel Berry. No. 4 Stanford at No. 24 Arizona State Nashville at Portland 4. NEW YORK RED BULLS — Signed D Pat- Cal Poly-Pomona 67, Cal St.-East Bay 54 California 76, Colorado 62 No. 8 N.C. State at Virginia Philadelphia at Los Angeles FC rick Seagrist. No. 13 Arizona vs. California Saturday, March 14 PHILADELPHIA — Signed MF Alejandro Concordia (Ore.) 78, Alaska 73 No. 15 Kentucky at Vanderbilt Dallas at New York City FC Bedoya. E. New Mexico 92, Cameron 71 No. 19 Florida State vs. Notre Dame Los Angeles Galaxy at Inter Miami AP sportlight REAL SALT LAKE — Signed F Giuseppe E. Washington 69, S. Utah 51 No. 10 Mississippi State at Mississippi Nashville at Toronto Rossi. Gonzaga 94, San Diego 59 No. 3 Oregon vs. Washington Real Salt Lake at Columbus SAN ANTONIO — Signed F Jose Gal- Hawaii 70, Cal St.-Fullerton 59 No. 12 DePaul at Marquette D.C. United at Cincinnati Feb. 29 legos to a multi-year contract. N. Arizona 57, Montana 56 No. 17 Oregon State vs. Washington Sporting Kansas City at Atlanta 2012 — In Genoa, Italy, the United SAN JOSE — Signed F Jack Skahan. N. Colorado 93, Idaho 49 State Colorado at Vancouver States beats Italy in soccer for the first National Women’s Soccer League New Mexico St. 67, Grand Canyon 53 No. 21 Missouri State at Bradley San Jose at Philadelphia time in 11 games over 78 years, taking a NWSL — Named Lisa Baird Commis- Notre Dame de Namur 82, Dominican No. 7 Maryland at Minnesota Chicago at Orlando City 1-0 exhibition victory on Clint Dempsey’s ioner. (Cal) 75 No. 9 UCLA vs. Utah Seattle at Houston goal in the 55th minute. PAGE 18 • S TARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, February 29, 2020 MLB/SPORTS BRIEFS Bumgarner has solid first outing with D-Backs

New Arizona starter shows DID YOU KNOW ? he’s not just a rodeo star Thursday’s two-inning spring training outing was the first pitching appearance for four- BY DAVID BRANDT time All-Star Madison Bumgarner since The Associated Press Athletic revealed the pitcher’s hobby as a rodeo participant. The 30-year-old has been SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Madison competing in rodeo events under the alias Bumgarner showed the Arizona Diamond- backs he’s more than a rodeo star. Mason Saunders and won $26,560 in a The team’s marquee free-agent acquisi- team-roping competition in December. tion of the offseason was solid in his first SOURCE: Associated Press spring training outing on Thursday. He re- tired his first five batters, including four on fastball that was in the low 90s and a sharp strikeouts, before giving up a solo homer to breaking ball. Derek Dietrich. He allowed one run over “Mixed in everything, threw a few more two innings. fastballs than I was originally planning,” “I felt good — a lot better than I expected Bumgarner said. “I was planning on kind for the first game of spring,” Bumgarner of mixing it up and seeing where every- said. “Especially the way it usually goes thing was at and what I needed to work on. for me. I was pretty happy with it.” I actually ended up going out there and the Bumgarner signed an $85 million, five- fastball felt pretty good, so I wanted to see year deal in the offseason as the D-backs exactly where it was at.” tried to close the gap in the NL West with Bumgarner was an elite pitcher from the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have won 2013-16, finishing in the top 10 of the NL seven straight division titles. He spent his Cy Young Award voting in all four seasons. first 11 seasons with the San Francisco Gi- He injured his shoulder in 2017 in a dirt ants, helping the franchise win three World bike accident and missed three months of Series titles. the season. He apologized at the time and It was also the four-time All-Star’s first called it a “stupid” decision that likely vio- MATT YORK/AP pitching appearance since The Athletic lated his contract, though the Giants are revealed the pitcher’s hobby as a rodeo Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner retired the first five Cincinnati Reds not believed to have pressed the issue. participant. The 30-year-old has been batters he faced, including four on strikeouts, before giving up a solo homer to Derek He pitched a full season in 2019, fin- competing in rodeo events under the alias Dietrich on Thursday in Acottsdale, Ariz. Bumgarner allowed one run over two innings. ishing with a 9-9 record and 3.90 ERA in 2 of Mason Saunders and won $26,560 in a 207 ⁄3 innings. team-roping competition in December. was happy with where it was at.” to have other interests as long as they’re He said wearing a different uniform in a Bumgarner wasn’t interested in discuss- D-backs GM Mike Hazen said this week smart about their health. game situation for the first time in the big ing his surprising side hustle, deflecting he was unaware of Bumgarner’s rodeo par- Hazen wouldn’t comment on what the leagues wasn’t a big deal. several questions about the story. ticipation when the team signed the lefty team allows the 2014 World Series MVP to “For me, when I’m out there, I just focus “Like I said, I felt really good today,” but added that it wouldn’t have affected his do in his spare time or any specifics of the on what I’m doing,” Bumgarner said. “I Bumgarner said, changing the subject decision. Manager Torey Lovullo called it contract or guarantee language. Bumgar- honestly never thought about it one time when asked. “Everything felt good and I a non-issue and said he wants his players ner looked healthy on Thursday with a while I was out there.”

Briefl y Chinese Olympic champ Sun gets 8-year ban for doping

Associated Press take care of myself, which makes F1 teams fear outbreak it more frustrating,” Stanton said GENEVA — When the hammer Friday. “I can’t stop and feel sorry may restrict race travel came down on a container hold- for myself.” ing a vial of Sun Yang’s blood, it MONTMELO, Spain — The Stanton was hurt Tuesday dur- ultimately shattered the career of virus outbreak breeding illness ing outfield drills, and an MRI China’s greatest swimmer. and fear around the globe is caus- The three-time Olympic cham- revealed a Grade 1 strain, the least serious on the scale. Stanton ing Formula One teams serious pion was banned for eight years on concerns about their ability to Friday, likely ending the 28-year- said his chances of playing in the March 26 opener at Baltimore travel to races with the season set old Sun’s racing days before he to start in two weeks. could defend his 200-meter free- all depend on his progress “this Ferrari team principal Mattia style title at the Tokyo Games. week, next week.” The Court of Arbitration for “Kind of get some slower move- Binotto said on Friday on the final Sport found the three-time Olym- ments the next few days and see day of preseason testing in Spain pic champion guilty of refusing where I’m at then,” Stanton said. that the Italian outfit wants guar- to cooperate with sample collec- Known for his strenous work- antees from F1 that its staff will tors during a visit to his home outs, Stanton played in just 18 not have trouble entering the host in September 2018 that turned games last season due a number countries of the opening races in confrontational. of injuries, and he hit .288 with Australia and Bahrain. The most vivid detail of the evi- three homers in 59 at-bats. He Ferrari and F1 rival AlphaTau- dence — a blood sample rendered had 38 homers in his first year ri, as well as F1 tire provider with the Yankees in 2018, one useless for testing by a hammer LEE JIN-MAN/AP Pirelli, are all based in northern blow — left a clear impression on season after hitting a career-high Italy, the epicenter of the Italian 59 for Miami. the judges. Chinese swimmer Sun Yang has been banned for eight years for outbreak. Haas and Sauber also breaking anti-doping rules and will miss the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. New York put a major league- A rare hearing in open court have some Ferrari employees on record 30 players on the injured in November was reminded of their teams because Ferrari pro- how a security guard instructed collection containers and forego list last season, and there have Yankees’ Stanton upset, vides engines for their cars. by Sun’s mother broke the cas- the doping control when, in his been more injuries this year. ing around the vial to ensure the opinion, the collection protocol frustrated with injury All-Star pitcher Luis Sev- “The situation is certainly blood could not be used for anti- was not in compliance,” the CAS erino had Tommy John surgery concerning us, worrying us, es- TAMPA. Fla. — New York Yan- doping tests. The swimmer lit the panel of three judges agreed in a Thursday and will miss the en- pecially back in Italy,” Binotto early-hours scene with his mobile unanimous verdict. kees slugger Giancarlo Stanton tire season. Lefty James Paxton said. “We are in contact with FIA phone. Now banned until February is upset over his latest injury, a is projected to miss the first two and F1. What we will need is as- “The athlete failed to establish 2028, the 28-year-old Sun cannot strained right calf that could side- months following back surgery surance before leaving (for the that he had a compelling justi- defend his 200-meter freestyle line him for opening day. and Aaron Judge has been slowed Australian Grand Prix). We can’t fication to destroy his sample title in Tokyo. “It makes it seem like I didn’t by right shoulder soreness. discover what it is on arrival.” Saturday, February 29, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 19 MLS Owners: League will surpass MLB, Premier League

BY RONALD BLUM Associated Press DID YOU KNOW ?

NEW YORK — Three days Charlotte, one of two MLS ahead of the Major League Soc- franchises that will debut next cer’s 25th season, owners, execu- season, paid a $325 million tives and players gathered for a expansion fee. The original teams day of unbridled optimism and hyperbole. that started play 25 seasons ago Los Angeles FC lead owner paid just $5 million each. Larry Berg predicted MLS will SOURCE: Associated Press surpass Major League Baseball in popularity during the next 10 here. It’s an incredible lifestyle. years and Inter Miami managing The infrastructure is fantastic.” owner Jorge Mas maintained it Mas partnered with Beckham, will be of higher quality than the the former England captain, and Premier League and La Liga by envisioned the league’s 50th year 2045. in 2045. MLS anticipates soccer’s sta- “I think the MLS will be one CHRIS O’MEARA/AP tus in the U.S. will be boosted of the top sports leagues in the when the Americans co-host the United States. I think it will be on Inter Miami FC’s Robbie Robinson, left, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Forrest Lasso battle for control of 2026 World Cup with Mexico and par or exceed the best leagues in the ball during the first half of a preseason friendly on Feb. 22 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Canada. the world, the Premier League or “We definitely have the de- Serie A or La Liga worldwide,“ mographics in our favor, both in Mas said. “I think that the MLS terms of youth and diversity. So 25 years from now will be Pre- I think we’ll pass baseball and mier League-ish if we want to Beckham’s Miami team hockey and be the No. 3 sport in so-call it that on the metrics that the U.S. behind football and bas- leagues are measured by.” ketball,” Berg said Wednesday at Clark Hunt, CEO of MLS’ Dal- the league’s kickoff event. las team and the NFL’s Kansas MLS expanded to 26 teams City Chiefs, compared soccer’s this season with the addition of progress in the U.S. to that of the ready after seven years David Beckham’s Inter Miami NFL, which celebrated its 100th and Nashville, and plans are in anniversary this season. place to reach 30 franchises by “The momentum that we have 2022 — triple the league’s low I think has a chance to take us to BY RONALD BLUM stymied in its search for a sta- from 2002-04. The league has where the NFL is today,” he said. Associated Press dium site. increasingly attracted better Austin, Texas, and Charlotte, “I’m obviously not from Miami. players from South America, and N.C., join the league next year, NEW YORK I’m from East London,” Beckham Berg called youth academies the followed by St. Louis and Sacra- sed to bending free said. “So me going to Miami, try- league’s “crown jewel.” mento, Calif. kicks for goals, David ing to buy a piece of land, talk “The academies will be pump- Charlotte, announced in De- Beckham was not pre- to the politicians, wasn’t actu- ing out just incredible talent, which cember, agreed to pay a $325 mil- Upared for seven years ally getting us anywhere, funnily will help both the league and the lion expansion fee. The original of twists en route to his team’s enough.” U.S. men’s national team such teams that started play in 1996 Major League Soccer debut this Jorge and Jose Mas of the that we will vault way past Liga paid $5 million each. weekend. telecommunications company MX and the U.S. men’s national Detroit, Las Vegas and Phoenix “This I always knew was going MasTec Inc. were added to the team will vault way past Mexico, remain in contact with the league, to be a challenge. I didn’t real- ownership group in December and then it will come down to the which also is monitoring efforts ize how big of a challenge it was 2017, with Jorge becoming the media deals. ... Whether we can in San Diego. More warm-weath- going to be,” the former England managing owner. be a top-five league or a top-three er cities would help the schedule captain said Wednesday. “When MLS awarded the team the fol- league will really come down at early and late in the year. we announced seven years ago, I lowing month, and it was named the end of the day to money, our “We have no plan in place to go thought it would take one or two Inter Miami in September 2018 ability to compete for players.” past 30,” MLS Commissioner Don years and we’ll be playing in the — the name was picked because “I think the good news is play- Garber said. “It’s conceivable that RICHARD DREW/AP league. We’ll have a stadium. owners view Miami as a diverse, ers want to play here,” Berg in time we might look at a larger We’ll have great players. But it Co-owner David Beckham global city. Still, it took until added. “We’re the United States league to be able to address some took slightly longer than that.” considers Inter Miami his legacy. March 2019 for the team to say it of America. People want to live of those challenges.” Inter Miami opens its first would start play in 2020 in Fort season on Sunday at Los Ange- playing with Manchester United Lauderdale, where the Strikers les FC, joining the league along from 1992 to 2003, then added a of the North American Soccer with Nashville as MLS expands La Liga championship while with League were based from 1977-83 to 26 teams. After a match at D.C. Real Madrid. He joined MLS with and Miami’s first MLS team, the United on March 7, Inter plays its the Galaxy from 2007-12, win- Fusion, played from 1998 to 2001 home opener March 14 against ning two titles and boosting the before getting contracted. the LA Galaxy — not in Miami league’s profile as part of a deal A proposed long-term home but at an 18,000-capacity, $120 that gave him the right to buy an at Miami’s Freedom Park still million venue and training com- expansion team at a discounted awaits political and legal approv- plex built over about 10 months in price of $25 million. als and a hoped-for 2022 opening Fort Lauderdale on the site of old After detouring twice to AC could be pushed back to at least Lockhart Stadium. Milan on loans during his time 2023. “There were moments where with the Galaxy, he finished his Beckham has watched his team I looked and I thought this might playing career with a Ligue 1 train this week and looks forward not happen,” said Beckham, the championship with Paris Saint- to its first competitive match. He team’s co-owner and president of Germain in 2013. hopes his ownership will be re- soccer operations. “The biggest A jet-setter married to a former membered as much as his play- lesson is I’m more persistent than Spice Girl, Beckham decided in ing days. I thought I was and I’m more stub- 2013 on Miami as his preferred “I want a legacy in the game,” born than my wife thinks I am.” site for his team, and MLS made he said. “I want to be able to cre- RICHARD DREW/AP Now 44, Beckham won six the announcement in February ate a legacy that my children can Premier League titles and the 2014. But the launch repeatedly turn around in 20 years and say, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber speaks during the 1999 Champions League while was put off while the team was ‘My dad built this club.’ ” 25th season kickoff event in New York on Wednesday PAGE 20 • S TARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, February 29, 2020 NBA/COLLEGE BASKETBALL NBA roundup NBA scoreboard

Eastern Conference Embiid-less 76ers Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Toronto 42 16 .724 — Boston 41 17 .707 1 Philadelphia 37 23 .617 6 top woeful Knicks Brooklyn 26 31 .456 15½ New York 17 42 .288 25½ Southeast Division Miami 36 22 .621 — Orlando 26 32 .448 10 Associated Press added 17 for the Thunder. They Washington 21 36 .368 14½ Charlotte 20 38 .345 16 have won five straight and 14 of PHILADELPHIA — Tobias Atlanta 17 43 .283 20 17. Central Division Harris’ performance had the x-Milwaukee 50 8 .862 — Harrison Barnes scored 21 Indiana 35 24 .593 15½ 76ers feeling good during the points for the Kings. Chicago 20 39 .339 30½ game, and the doctor’s report on Detroit 19 41 .317 32 Pacers 106, Trail Blazers Cleveland 17 41 .293 33 Joel Embiid afterward had them 100: Domantas Sabonis had 20 feeling even better. Western Conference points and 11 rebounds in host Harris scored 34 points to lead Southwest Division YOUNG KWAK/AP short-handed Philadelphia to a Indiana’s victory over Portland. W L Pct GB Malcolm Brogdon had 17 Houston 38 20 .655 — 115-106 victory over the New Dallas 36 23 .610 2½ Gonzaga guard Admon Gilder, right, drives while pressured by San points, eight assists and six re- Memphis 28 30 .483 10 Diego guard Finn Sullivan during the second half of Thursday’s game York Knicks on Thursday night. New Orleans 25 33 .431 13 The 76ers played without in- bounds, and T.J. Warren and Vic- San Antonio 24 33 .421 13½ in Spokane, Wash. Gonzaga won 94-59. tor Oladipo scored 15 points each. Northwest Division jured All-Stars Embiid and Ben Denver 40 18 .690 — Simmons. The Pacers have won four of their Oklahoma City 37 22 .627 3½ Top 25 roundup last five. Utah 36 22 .621 4 Embiid was hurt in Wednesday Portland 26 34 .433 15 CJ McCollum had 28 points and Minnesota 17 40 .298 22½ night’s loss at Cleveland when he Pacific Division collided with Ante Zizic. After eight assists for the Trail Blazers. L.A. Lakers 45 12 .789 — They have lost five of six. L.A. Clippers 39 19 .672 6½ Thursday’s victory, the 76ers Sacramento 24 34 .414 21½ learned that their star center Lakers 116, Warriors 86: An- Phoenix 24 35 .407 22 thony Davis had 23 points and Golden State 12 47 .203 34 didn’t have any structural dam- Wednesday’s games age. He has a sprained left shoul- six rebounds in three quarters Cleveland 108, Philadelphia 94 No. 3 Gonzaga Charlotte 107, New York 101 der and will be re-evaluated in and visiting Los Angeles won its Washington 110, Brooklyn 106 about a week. seventh straight game and NBA- Orlando 130, Atlanta 120 Minnesota 129, Miami 126 “That’s exciting news,” 76ers record 18th in a row on the road Houston 140, Memphis 112 against the Western Conference, Dallas 109, San Antonio 103 coach Brett Brown said. L.A. Clippers 102, Phoenix 92 Before the game, Brown dis- beating injury-plagued Golden Boston 114, Utah 103 cussed playing without Embiid State without LeBron James. Thursday’s games routs San Diego Philadelphia 115, New York 106 and Simmons. Rajon Rondo started in place of Indiana 106, Portland 100 Oklahoma City 112, Sacramento 108 “It’s a painfully obvious bind,” James and contributed 12 points L.A. Lakers 116, Golden State 86 Brown said. “We’re missing two and six assists as the Lakers Friday’s games Minnesota at Orlando Bulldogs wrap up West Coast title All-Stars. You yank that from the turned it into a rout with a 40-17 Brooklyn at Atlanta team and it’s painful.” third quarter. James sat out be- Charlotte at Toronto Cleveland at New Orleans Associated Press The duo’s absence didn’t hurt cause of recurring soreness in his Dallas at Miami to five, never trailing in the game troublesome left groin. Oklahoma City at Milwaukee and repelling every Michigan against the woeful Knicks. Sacramento at Memphis SPOKANE, Wash. — Filip Pe- push in the second half. The Wol- Shake Milton scored 19 points Davis shot 6-for-13, made 10 of Detroit at Phoenix trusev had 21 points and nine re- Washington at Utah verines cut a 14-point deficit to and Al Horford added 15 for the 12 free throws and also had a pair Denver at L.A. Clippers bounds as No. 3 Gonzaga beat San 76ers, who improved to their of blocked shots and steals for Saturday’s games three, but after a Wisconsin time- Chicago at New York Diego 94-59 on Thursday night out with 2:50 remaining, Trice NBA-best home record to 28-2. Los Angeles, whose 12 first-half Brooklyn at Miami to clinch its eighth straight West Harris signed a five-year, $180 turnovers allowed the Warriors to Portland at Atlanta sank a three-pointer to double the Indiana at Cleveland Coast Conference regular-season lead. million deal in the offseason. keep it close. Kyle Kuzma added L.A. Lakers at Memphis title. Thunder 112, Kings 108: 18 points off the bench. Houston at Boston Zavier Simpson scored a ca- Orlando at San Antonio Corey Kispert scored 16 points reer-high 32 points for the Wol- Danilo Gallinari scored 24 points Rookie Eric Paschall scored 23 Golden State at Phoenix and Ryan Woolridge had 15 for Sunday’s games verines (18-10, 9-8) who were and host Oklahoma City over- points off the bench for his 11th Milwaukee at Charlotte Gonzaga (28-2, 14-1 WCC), which without guard Eli Brooks because came a 19-point deficit to beat 20-point game and Jordan Poole Dallas at Minnesota Philadelphia at L.A. Clippers rebounded from its loss at BYU of a broken nose. Sacramento. had 16 in the Warriors’ eighth Detroit at Sacramento on Saturday. The win came on a California 76, No. 21 Colo- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander straight loss both overall and at Toronto at Denver L.A. Lakers at New Orleans night when former Gonzaga star rado 62: Matt Bradley matched scored 20 points and Chris Paul home in new Chase Center. Washington at Golden State Adam Morrison was honored. his career highs of 26 points and Joey Calcaterra scored 19 for five three-pointers, and the host undersized San Diego (9-21, 2- Golden Bears pulled away in the 13), which has lost 12 straight to second half to beat the Buffaloes. Gonzaga. Kareem South had 19 points Gonzaga has won 38 consecu- and Paris Austin added 12 as Cal tive home games, the longest (12-16, 6-9 Pac-12) emphatically streak in the country. ended a five-game losing streak No. 14 Oregon 69, Oregon against Colorado and gave first- State 54: Payton Pritchard year coach Mark Fox his most scored 15 of his 23 points in the significant win of the season second half and the host Ducks while handing the Buffaloes a pulled away from the Beavers. stinging setback. Oregon (22-7, 11-5 Pac-12) had McKinley Wright IV scored 18 only a four-point halftime lead points for Colorado. but started the second half with The Buffaloes (21-8, 10-6) were a 22-4 run to send Oregon State among a handful of teams who (15-13, 5-11) to its fourth consecu- began the night a half-game be- tive defeat. hind conference-leading Arizona Will Richardson added 15 State. points for the Ducks, including No. 23 Ohio State 75, Ne- 13 in the second half as he and braska 54: Kaleb Wesson had Pritchard combined for 28 of Or- 16 points and a career-high 18 egon’s 40 points after the break. rebounds, and the visiting Buck- Anthony Mathis finished with 13. eyes got out to a quick double- Ethan Thompson led the Bea- digit lead on their way to a victory vers with 15 points and Tres over the Cornhuskers. Tinkle had 14 points and 10 Ohio State (19-9, 9-8 Big Ten), rebounds. playing without injured starting Wisconsin 81, No. 19 Michi- forward Kyle Young, won for the gan 74: D’Mitrik Trice scored fourth time in five games. Ne- 28 points and the visiting Badgers braska (7-21, 2-15) lost its 13th snapped the Wolverines’ winning straight. MATT SLOCUM/AP streak at five. The Buckeyes led 26-12 after The 76ers’ Tobias Harris, right, reaches in as the New York Knicks’ RJ Barrett tries to take a shot during Wisconsin (18-10, 11-6 Big Ten) making nine of their first 11 shots, the first half of Thursday’s game in Philadelphia. The 76ers won 115-106. extended its own winning streak including 5 of 6 three-pointers. Saturday, February 29, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 21 COLLEGE BASKETBALL Mane event: Martin revs up Arizona State Guard, known for his hair, is candidate for Pac-12 Player of Year

BY JOHN MARSHALL Associated Press TEMPE, Ariz. — Remy Martin’s bloom of hair has an ebullient quality to it, shim- mying as he shakes a defender, bopping when he stops and pops, swooshing back as if he’s in a wind tunnel as he flashes through the lane. It’s in his game, too, in the way the Ari- zona State junior guard whips crowd-roar- ing, no-look passes through his legs, raises up for three-pointers with the game on the line or bursts in front of a defender for a charge. And it’s in his personality, his natural joy for life revving up teammates and fans on the court, lifting the spirits of everyone he meets off it. “He has such a positive way about him that’s infectious to everyone around him,” Sun Devils coach Bobby Hurley said. Martin, whose full name suggests a top- shelf after-dinner drink, was named after an uncle. He came to Arizona State as a /AP star recruit and quickly became a favorite, PHOTOS BY DARRYL WEBB with fans delighting in his game. Above: Arizona State’s Remy Martin (1) leads his team off the court during a timeout against Oregon State during a game Saturday. Martin burst off the bench as a momen- Below: Martin is the Sun Devils’ emotional leader and scoring leader at 19.1 points a game. tum-changing sixth man as a freshman. The 6-foot guard played with a confi- the hops to finish at the rim against much has embraced his heritage. He wears a dence beyond his years, flicking no-look bigger players. He’s the rare guard with a ‘ Not only do I think he’s wristband with the flag of the Philippines passes, fearlessly driving to the basket. He sublime mid-range game, usually stopping on it and serves as a role model for young picked up opposing point guards full court, and popping while the defender is still in one of the best players in Filipino basketball players, showing them nodding his bouncy hair in approval after mid backpedal, and is one of college bas- the Pac-12, he’s one of there is a path to success. inevitably finding a way under their skin. ketball’s fastest end-to-end players with a Right after hitting the game-winner Martin still plays with the same this- ball in his hand. the best guards in college against Southern California on Feb. 8, could-be-the-last-play abandon as a junior, Hurley, the point guard for two national basketball. Martin gave his shoes to a young boy who though he has morphed into a level-minded championship teams at Duke, has given ’ gleefully carried the oversized sneakers in floor leader to balance Hurley’s volcanic Martin the freedom to do things other Sean Miller his arms up into the stands. Another Remy sideline demeanor. coaches would wince at, like the one-footed Arizona coach on ASU player Remy Martin Martin fan for life. Martin has range that extends practi- fadeaway he shoots multiple times a game. When his team won the 10-11-year-old cally to Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport and, “I’ve worked hard at being able to score championship at Hurley’s camp, Martin with a 40-inch standing vertical leap, has at multiple levels,” Martin said. gon’s Payton Pritchard. He’s been the key celebrated like he had won the national With his 24-point performance in a one- cog during a seven-game winning streak championship, jumping with the players point, comeback win over rival Arizona, that moved Arizona State, a team picked to before galloping off with one in his arms. Martin became the first Pac-12 player in finish sixth, to the top of the Pac-12 stand- “I love living, I’m happy, I’m not taking 23 years to start conference play with six ings with two weeks left in the regular anything for granted,” Martin said. “I’m straight 20-point games. season. living, I’m healthy, I’m playing the game I Martin took over down the stretch in a “Remy Martin, what he’s done at Ari- love, so how can I not be happy?” win over Stanford on Feb. 14, scoring 11 zona State is remarkable. He’s a heck of a Now, about that hair. points in the final seven minutes. Two days player,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said, Close-cropped on the side, it bursts out later, he scored 15 of his 22 points in the unprompted. “He’s willed them to so many of the top of his head in an overrun bouquet final 11 minutes in a win over California, wins. Not only do I think he’s one of the of curls and swirls. When Martin is going giving the Sun Devils their first Pac-12 best players in the Pac-12, he’s one of the at full speed, which is nearly all the time, weekend road sweep in 10 years. best guards in college basketball.” his locks bob and sway as if he’s being elec- Martin became the second player in Martin’s infectious imprint spreads be- trocuted, making it look like he’s playing Arizona State history (Shannon Evans in yond the hardwood. even harder than he is. 2018) to be named the Oscar Robertson Through a joy for life and sincerity, he The upkeep, minimal. Martin usually National Player of the Week for his big Bay forges an instant bond with anyone he climbs out of bed, does a quick check and Area efforts. meets. Fans and kids who meet him usu- heads out the door. The Pac-12’s second-leading scorer at ally decide Martin is now their favorite “I’m usually getting out of bed to head to 19.1 points per game, Martin is a front- ASU player. practice,” he said. “It’s not like I’m going runner for conference player of the year in His mother, Mary Ann Macaspac, emi- to a club or something, so there’s not much what could be a two-player race with Ore- grated from the Philippines and Martin that needs to be done.”

No. 16 Penn State (20-7) No. 13 Seton Hall (20-7) No. 15 Auburn (24-4) No. 7 Duke (23-5)) Saint Mary’s (23-6) at No. 18 Iowa (19-9) at No. 19 Marquette (17-9) at No. 8 Kentucky (23-5) at Virginia (19-7) at No. 3 Gonzaga (27-2) AFN-Sports AFN-Atlantic AFN-Sports AFN-Sports AFN-Sports 6 p.m. Saturday CET 8:30 p.m. Saturday CET 9:45 p.m. Saturday CET Midnight Saturday CET 4 a.m. Sunday CET 2 a.m. Sunday JKT 4:30 a.m. Sunday JKT 5:45 a.m. Sunday JKT 8 a.m. Sunday JKT Noon Sunday JKT PAGE 22 • S TARS AND STRIPES• Saturday, February 29, 2020 NHL Roundup Ritchie, Bruins put away Stars

Associated Press played on Nov. 16 in Buffalo, but had been skating on his own since BOSTON — Nick Ritchie had late December. a goal and an assist for his first Rangers 5, Canadiens 2: Ryan points since Boston acquired him Strome scored twice and added at the trade deadline to help the an assist and visiting New York NHL-leading Bruins beat the rallied to beat Montreal for its Dallas Stars 4-3 on Thursday night. fifth straight victory. Brad Marchand broke a second- Phillip Di Giuseppe, Adam Fox period tie and Ritchie scored 1:27 and Mika Zibanejad also scored later to make it 3-1. Then, after for the Rangers and Alexandar Denis Gurianov cut the deficit Georgiev made 32 saves. New to one early in the third, Ritchie York pulled into a tie with Caro- PHOTOS BY CHRIS O’MEARA/AP fed David Pastrnak in the slot to lina, two points behind Columbus again make it a two-goal game. for the final Eastern Conference Chicago Blackhawks left wing Dominik Kubalik, center, celebrates one of this three goals against the Jaroslav Halak stopped 31 playoff berth. Lightning with defenseman Duncan Keith, right, and center Jonathan Toews during the third period of shots, and Charlie Coyle scored on Predators 4, Flames 3 (OT): Thursday’s game in Tampa, Fla. Kubalik scored all three of his goals in the third period. a double-tipped swat out of the air Mikael Granlund tied it just be- for Boston. The Bruins snapped a fore the end of regulation and Scoreboard two-game losing streak. scored 1:20 into overtime to lift host Nashville past Calgary in a Kubalik’s hat trick John Klingberg and Miro Heis- kanen also scored for Dallas. showdown of the Western Confer- Blues 3, Islanders 2 (OT): ence’s two wild-card teams. Eastern Conference Colton Parayko scored on an un- Roman Josi and Colton Sissons Atlantic Division rallies Blackhawks also had a goal apiece, and Ryan GP W L OT Pts GF GA assisted wraparound at 3:23 of Boston 65 40 13 12 92 214 167 overtime to give host St. Louis its Ellis added three assists. Tampa Bay 64 40 19 5 85 226 180 BY ERIK ERLENDSSON sixth consecutive victory. Jets 3, Capitals 0: Connor Hel- Toronto 65 34 23 8 76 229 216 Florida 64 33 25 6 72 222 218 Associated Press Vince Dunn tied it for St. Louis lebuyck stopped 34 shots for his Montreal 66 29 28 9 67 199 204 fifth shutout of the season, leading Buffalo 63 29 26 8 66 184 196 with 1:44 left in the third period. Ottawa 65 22 31 12 56 174 221 TAMPA, Fla. — Dominik Kuba- host Winnipeg over Washington. Detroit 66 15 47 4 34 132 251 Brayden Shenn also scored for lik recorded a hat trick with three Dmitry Kulikov, Kyle Connor Metropolitan Division the defending Stanley Cup cham- Washington 64 39 19 6 84 222 196 goals in the third period, and the and Mark Scheifele scored for Pittsburgh 62 37 19 6 80 202 170 pions, and Jordan Binnington had Philadelphia 63 36 20 7 79 210 185 Chicago Blackhawks rallied past Winnipeg. 14 saves N.Y. Islanders 63 35 20 8 78 181 171 the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 on Wild 7, Red Wings 1: Defense- Columbus 65 31 20 14 76 170 171 Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 3: Carolina 62 35 23 4 74 202 176 Thursday night. man Matt Dumba had two goals William Nylander scored the go- N.Y. Rangers 63 35 24 4 74 212 193 Slater Koekkoek scored his and an assist in visiting Minneso- New Jersey 63 25 27 11 61 173 214 ahead goal midway through the first goal of the season and Bran- ta’s rout of Detroit. third period to lift visiting Toron- Western Conference don Saad added another score as Kevin Fiala had a goal and two to past Florida. Central Division Chicago beat the Lightning for assists, Ryan Hartman and Ryan GP W L OT Pts GF GA Auston Matthews, Kasperi the first time in regulation since Donato had a goal and an assist St. Louis 65 38 17 10 86 209 181 Kapanen, Zach Hyman and Jus- Colorado 62 37 18 7 81 215 168 Dec. 13, 2009. each and Jordan Greenway and Dallas 64 37 21 6 80 174 164 tin Holl also scored for Toronto. The Blackhawks scored three Eric Staal also scored for Minne- Nashville 63 32 23 8 72 202 201 Frederik Andersen stopped 24 Winnipeg 66 33 27 6 72 199 195 goals in a span of 5:20 and five shots in his sixth straight start. sota. Alex Stalock made 25 saves. Minnesota 63 31 25 7 69 198 202 Chicago 64 28 28 8 64 192 205 goals total in the third period to Senators 5, Canucks 2: Sharks 3, Devils 2 (OT): Logan Pacific Division erase a two-goal deficit. Kubalik Bobby Ryan had a hat trick in Couture scored 38 seconds into Vegas 65 35 22 8 78 211 196 Vancouver 63 34 23 6 74 209 195 tied the game at 5:02, provided an his first game in more than three overtime, lifting host San Jose to Edmonton 64 33 23 8 74 201 199 Lightning center Brayden Point insurance goal on the power play months, leading host Ottawa past a comeback win that snapped a Calgary 65 33 25 7 73 195 202 reacts after his second-period Arizona 66 31 27 8 70 182 176 at 11:43 and capped it off with his Vancouver. five-game skid. Anaheim 63 25 30 8 58 165 200 goal. Point also had an assist. third of the period into an empty Ryan entered the joint NHL/ Rookie Mario Ferraro and San Jose 64 27 33 4 58 164 209 Los Angeles 64 23 35 6 52 158 204 net at 17:29. NHLPA assistance program Nov. Marcus Sorensen each scored in Note: Two points for a win, one point “You don’t see that happen for overtime loss. Top three teams in “I’m really happy that it hap- 20 after admitting to having a regulation for the Sharks. Martin very often and it hasn’t happened each division and two wild cards per pened,” said Kubalik, who has problem with alcohol. He last Jones made 22 saves. conference advance to playoffs. to us too often,” Lightning head Thursday’s games seven goals in his past seven Toronto 5, Florida 3 coach Jon Cooper said. “It tends N.Y. Rangers 5, Montreal 2 games and leads all rookies with to happen once per year. You Chicago 5, Tampa Bay 2 29 on the season. “I have no idea Minnesota 7, Detroit 1 don’t want it to happen, but it hap- Ottawa 5, Vancouver 2 (what’s clicking). I would like to pened tonight, and you just have Boston 4, Dallas 3 know as well. I’m just trying to Winnipeg 3, Washington 0 to make sure you don’t let it hap- St. Louis 3, N.Y. Islanders 2, OT do the same thing, be around the pen again.” Nashville 4, Calgary 3, OT net. I’ve been lucky.” San Jose 3, New Jersey 2, OT Koekkoek, a 2012 first-round Friday’s games Kubalik is the third rookie pick by the Lightning who was Colorado at Carolina Minnesota at Columbus in Blackhawks history to score traded to Chicago last season, N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia three goals in one period, joining fired a shot from the right point Buffalo at Vegas Pittsburgh at Anaheim George Hay (Feb. 19, 1927) and through traffic for the eventual Saturday’s games Ryan Hartman (Jan. 8, 2017). winner. It was his first goal since Boston at N.Y. Islanders Calgary at Tampa Bay Chicago’s Corey Crawford fin- April 5. New Jersey at Los Angeles ished with 37 saves. Chicago at Florida “It felt amazing obviously,” Carolina at Montreal Tampa Bay had won eight con- Koekkoek said. “I was lucky Detroit at Ottawa Vancouver at Toronto secutive games against Chicago enough to get the winner.” Buffalo at Arizona and was 14-0-2 in the last 16 meet- After a combined eight power- Colorado at Nashville Dallas at St. Louis ings in the regular season. play chances through the opening Winnipeg at Edmonton Nikita Kucherov and Brayden 32 minutes of play, Point finally Pittsburgh at San Jose Sunday’s games Point each had a goal and an as- broke through during even- Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers sist for Tampa Bay, which lost its strength play at 15:31 of the sec- Calgary at Florida Vancouver at Columbus fourth consecutive game. Curtis ond period. He wheeled around MICHAEL DWYER/AP New Jersey at Anaheim McElhinney stopped 22 shots for the zone from the left circle to the Washington at Minnesota Dallas Stars goalie Ben Bishop sits on the ice after a goal by the Los Angeles at Vegas the Lightning, who had been 28- high slot and zipped a wrist shot Monday’s games Bruins’ Brad Marchand, left, during the second period of Thursday’s Colorado at Detroit 0-4 on the season when entering through traffic for his 24th goal of game in Boston. The NHL-leading Bruins won 4-3. Edmonton at Nashville the third period with the lead. the season. Saturday, February 29, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 23 NFL Ruggs fast, still short of all-time combine mark Alabama WR runs DID YOU KNOW ? 40 in 4.27 seconds Bengals wide reciever John Ross, drafted ninth overall by Cincinnati out of the University of Washington in 2017, set the all-time NFL Draft combine mark of ARNIE STAPLETON 4.22 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Associated Press SOURCE: Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — The stars He was initially clocked at 4.28 quarterback prospects (exclud- came out at night inside Lucas on his first of two runs but the of- ing projected top overall pick Oil Stadium, especially Henry ficial time was recorded at 4.27 Joe Burrow and a rehabbing Tua Ruggs III who came up short in seconds. His second time was Tagovailoa). his quest to set a record but still 4.31. Utah State’s Jordan Love, clocked the fastest 40-yard dash Ruggs did back up his other around whom buzz has been at the NFL scouting combine. boast this week, when he said he building this week, shined dur- A 4.27-second time in the 40 is was the fastest guy at the NFL ing the second QB session after nothing to scoff at, but Ruggs had scouting combine. Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts stood out hoped to run faster. Quez Watkins of Southern Miss in the first group. Oregon’s Justin The 5-foot-11, 188-pound speed- was the next-fastest at 4.35 sec- Herbert also impressed. ster from Alabama fell short of onds when the combine’s on-field Other receivers who stood out the record 4.22-second time set workouts and 40-yard dash made from an unusually deep group by Bengals wide receiver John their prime-time debut. were LSU’s Justin Jefferson, Ross during a blazing 2017 run. Ruggs, who is often compared Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Okla- “I’m trying to hit the lowest to Tyreek Hill, also had a 42- hom’s CeeDee Lamb. ever,” Ruggs said earlier in the inch vertical jump, which was MICHAEL CONROY/AP week. “So, 4.22 or lower.” tied for second-best among the Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton Ruggs said he had previously on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arni- Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III runs the 40-yard dash at the receivers who later ran routes estapleton run the 40 in 4.25 seconds and felt NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Thursday. Ruggs’ time of and and caught passes — along More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL he could top that in Indianapolis. 4.27 was fastest at the combine this year. with the tight ends — from the and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL Crop: Young hoping to follow in footsteps of former Ohio State teammate Bosa

FROM BACK PAGE “I definitely think I’m the best player in the draft,” Young declared. “I think I showed it on my tape. You can go to every game. I think I showed it. I definitely think I’ll put my best foot forward this year. I grinded hard. Two of my biggest things are my hard work and dedication and I’m going to bring those two to the NFL with me.” Young is considered a generational tal- ent, but Joe Burrow, who led LSU to the national title, is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft in April. That selection is owned by the Cincinna- ti Bengals, and Burrow said this week he wouldn’t have any qualms playing for them despite their lack of Super Bowl success. Burrow grew up in Athens, Ohio, about 2 ½ hours away, and he cracked this week that he’d be able to head out for some home cooking now and again if Cincinnati indeed selects him. Young would be even closer to his home- town if the Washington Redskins grab him at No. 2. He was raised in Upper Marlboro, Md., about 10 miles from FedExField, where the Redskins play. “Yeah, I always watch the Redskins, the hometown team,” said Young, who insisted he wasn’t a fan of the team as much as he was of certain players such as Clinton Por- tis or the late Sean Taylor. “It’d mean a lot, playing in front of my hometown people, it’d definitely be a bless- ing,” Young said. “Everybody who has DAVID PETKIEWICZ, CLEVELAND.COM/TNS known me since I was younger could come to a game and things like that. But right Defensive end Chase Young, right, is considered by many evaluators to be a once-in-a-generation talent coming out of Ohio State — now, I’m not focused on who could draft one season after a similarly hyped player, 2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa. Like Bosa, Young is expected to be me. I’m focused on being the best player, taken No. 2 by the Washington Redskins in the NFL Draft, one spot below Heisman Trophy-winning LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. the best person, I could be and impress the coaches at the combine.” terback Dwayne Haskins, the Redskins’ sitions who don’t need to impress teams ward as far as being the best player I can New Redskins coach Ron Rivera de- first-round pick out of Ohio State a year physically at the combine this week, Young be.” murred this week when asked about se- ago, definitely hopes things go so well that isn’t going to showcase his skills during on- Young said he’ll do position drills at Ohio lecting a generational talent such as Young the ’Skins don’t even consider trading the field drills at Lucas Oil Field with the rest State’s pro day instead, but he won’t run with the second selection. pick. of the defensive linemen Friday night. the 40-yard dash there, either. “Well, before we can do anything with “Yeah, me and Dwayne talk all the time. “I chose — me and my team — we de- Bosa, who also avoided the combine the No. 2 pick, we got to see what happens I’ve known Dwayne since high school. He cided that because that first day of camp workouts a year ago when he was coming with the No. 1 pick,” Rivera said. “So once definitely loves the organization and obvi- when I step on the field, I want to be the off an injury, did impart some advice to that pick goes 1, we’ll go from there. But ously wants me to come play with him,” best player I can be. I don’t want to waste Young. again, as I said, everything’s an option.” Young said. “We’ll see how this whole time trying to be a combine athlete,” Young “He just told me to be myself,” Young Young was scheduled to meet with the thing turns out.” said. “When I step on the field, I know, I said. “That’s what I have been trying to do Redskins on Friday, and Washington quar- Like many of the top players at their po- need to know that I put my best foot for- the whole time I’ve been here.” S TARS AND STRIPES Saturday, February 29, 2020 Best in the West Gonzaga wraps up eighth straight SPORTS WCC title » College hoops, Page 20

NFL Cream of the crop Like former teammate Bosa, Ohio State DE Young figures to make immediate impact

BY ARNIE STAPLETON Associated Press ‘ Nick (Bosa), he’s always setting the standard. That’s just INDIANAPOLIS motivation for me to achieve a lot of real good things. hase Young wants to follow in ’ fellow Ohio State star Nick Bosa’s Chase Young NFL footsteps, and he probably Ohio State defensive end, on the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, former teammate Nick Bosa won’t have to wait all that long to start. CThe freakishly athletic defensive end who’s just motivation for me to achieve a lot of real grateful to be able to see him grow.” widely viewed as the best player coming out good things,” Young said on Thursday dur- And to follow suit. of college — just as Bosa was — figures to ing his media session at the NFL scouting “It’s going to be exciting,” Young said. “I’m start off his pro career just as combine. definitely excited to play with the big dogs and the 2019 NFL Defensive “It’s definitely been a excited to show the world what I can do.” Rookie of the Year did: blessing to watch him Like Bosa 11 months ago, Young is the con- as the second selection grow into the player sensus cream of this year’s crop, an All-Pro in in the draft behind that he is. He’s defi- waiting, said NFL Network draft analyst Dan- a hot-shot, Heisman nitely helped me iel Jeremiah, who compares Young to Julius Trophy-winning along this pas- Peppers and Mario Williams. quarterback. sage. He hasn’t Bosa helped to stopped. I’m just SEE CROP ON PAGE 23 lead San Francisco to the Super Bowl after he watched Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young, pictured above, enters Arizona make Kyler the NFL Draft widely viewed as the best player coming out of Murray of Oklahoma college — just like former Ohio State teammate Nick Bosa, the top overall pick left. Bosa was the 2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, in last year’s draft. helping lead the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl. “Nick, he’s al- ways setting the AP photos standard. That’s

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