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Volume 80 Edition 67 ©SS 2021 TUESDAY,JULY 20, 2021 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas

VIRUS OUTBREAK With pandemic worsening in States, surgeon general worried

BY JAY REEVES Associated Press The U.S. surgeon general said Sunday that he’s concerned about what lies ahead with cases of CO- VID-19 increas- ing in every state, millions still unvaccinat- ed and a highly contagious virus variant spread- ing rapidly. Noting that Murthy nearly all coro- navirus deaths now are among the tens of millions of people who haven’t received shots, despite widespread vaccine availability, Dr. Vivek Murthy painted an un- settling picture of what the future could hold. “I am worried about what is to KARIN ZEITVOGEL/Stars and Stripes come because we are seeing in- Air Force Tech. Sgt. Hazel Cochran, left, cleans the axle of a C-130J’s nose landing gear wheel while showing German military academy cadet creasing cases among the unvac- Tom Palzer how to remove a tire from the plane at Ramstein Air Base on Thursday. cinated in particular. And while, if you are vaccinated, you are very well protected against hospitaliza- SEE STATES ON PAGE 8 The tools to succeed Future Luftwaffe pilots learn aircraft maintenance 101 at Ramstein

BY KARIN ZEITVOGEL C-130J Super Hercules. Stars and Stripes “To have them actually “I also had them pulling out a toilet, taking RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Air off floor panels, and they just do it and knock ALBERTO PEZZALI/AP Force Tech. Sgt. Hazel Cochran threw the do maintenance tasks, it out,” she said. RELATED seven future Luftwaffe pilots into the deep Bringing the seven cadets to the largest end from the start of their two-week intern- they get an idea of U.S. air base in Germany to train with the US bases ease a few ship with maintainers at Ramstein Air Base. what it takes to Aerospace Ground Equipment crew was a restrictions as others “They’ve been getting dirty,” she said first for the Germans and Americans. Thursday as she guided two of the cadets generate an aircraft.” The main aim of the internship, which is a in UK celebrate from the University of the Armed Forces in required part of the aeronautical engineer- ‘Freedom Day’ Munich — Germany’s equivalent of a service Senior Master Sgt. Dominik Gutierrez ing curriculum at the German academy, was academy — through the steps required to re- Aerospace Ground Equipment flight chief Page 8 move the nose landing gear wheels of a SEE TOOLS ON PAGE 5 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER OPEC, allies to boost oil production, ending dispute EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1,152.74 Associated Press nounced that Iraq, Kuwait, Rus- to improve. Switzerland (Franc) 0.9168 Euro costs (July 20) $1.15 Thailand (Baht) 31.85 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates sia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE “Economic recovery continued Dollar buys (July 20) 0.8264 Turkey (NewLira) 8.5738 British pound (July 20) $1.34 — OPEC and allied nations agreed would see their limits rise. in most parts of the world with the Japanese yen (July 20) 107.00 (Military exchange rates are those available Sunday to raise the production Under the new production lim- help of accelerating vaccination South Korean won (July 20) 1,116.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ limits imposed on five countries its, the UAE would be able to pro- programs,” the cartel said. many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain (Dinar) 0.3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ next year and boost their produc- duce up to 3.5 million barrels of Oil prices collapsed amid the Britain (Pound) 1.3715 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2753 your local military banking facility. Commercial tion by 2 million barrels per day by crude oil a day beginning May coronavirus pandemic as demand China (Yuan) 6.4884 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.2923 the end of this year, ending a dis- 2022. That’s below the 3.8 million for jet fuel and gasoline dropped Egypt (Pound) 15.6702 when buying currency. All figures are foreign pute that roiled oil markets. barrels it reportedly sought. Saudi amid lockdowns across the globe, Euro 0.8460 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7697 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ The disagreement, sparked by a Arabia’s limit of 11 million barrels briefly seeing oil futures trade in Hungary (Forint) 304.28 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2956 demand by the United Arab Emir- a day would rise to 11.5 million, as the negatives. Demand since has Japan (Yen) 109.21 INTEREST RATES ates to increase its own produc- would Russia’s. Iraq and Kuwait rebounded as vaccines, while still Kuwait (Dinar) 0.3007 Norway (Krone) 8.9220 Prime rate 3.25 tion, temporarily upended an ear- saw smaller increases. distributed unequally globally, re- Philippines (Peso) 51.02 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.88 Federal funds market rate 0.10 lier meeting of the cartel. In a In its statement, OPEC ac- ach arms in major world econo- Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7506 3­month bill 0.05 statement Sunday, the cartel an- knowledged oil prices continued mies. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3616 30­year bond 1.93 WEATHER OUTLOOK TUESDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST TUESDAY IN EUROPE WEDNESDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 74/70

Kabul Seoul 89/60 91/76 Baghdad 117/88 Drawsko Osan Tokyo Kandahar 90/75 86/72 Mildenhall/ Pomorskie Busan 99/74 Lakenheath 70/55 77/57 80/75 Iwakuni Kuwait City 78/73 Bahrain Brussels Zagan Sasebo Guam 108/90 97/92 Ramstein 66/58 86/74 75/59 74/55 84/81 Riyadh Lajes, Stuttgart 109/86 Doha Azores Pápa 71/68 73/58 105/89 Aviano/ 77/62 Vicenza 82/64

Naples 81/70 Okinawa Morón 84/81 94/59 Sigonella Rota 88/64 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 74/66 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 99/85 79/73 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 14 Opinion ...... 15 Sports ...... 18-24 Tuesday, July 20, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY US power on display during Pacific drills

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE Home Air Force Base, Idaho; 25 F-22 Rap- Stars and Stripes tors from the 525th Fighter Squadron, Joint The U.S. military with its allies is produc- Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and ing twin displays of air, land and sea power the 199th Fighter Squadron, Hawaii Air Na- in Guam, the Northern Marianas and Aus- tional Guard at Joint Base Pearl Harbor tralia this month in a demonstration for po- Hickam, Hawaii; and two C-130J Super tential adversaries of its ability to move and Hercules from the 374th Airlift Wing from fight. Yokota Air Base, Japan, according to the Air Force commands in Alaska, Idaho, statement. Hawaii and Japan are fielding more than 35 Anderson Air Force Base posted photos aircraft, many of them fifth-generation of F-22s arriving Sunday and F-15Es arriv- stealth fighters, to Guam and Tinian for Pa- ing Thursday for Pacific Iron on its website. cific Iron 2021, according to a Pacific Air They will operate from Anderson and its Forces news release from July 12. That ex- Northwest Airfield and A.B. Won Pat Inter- ercise, scheduled through the remainder of national Airport, both on Guam, and Tinian this month, will test the Air Force’s ability to International Airport, according to PACAF. disperse its aircraft and fight them effec- They aim to practice “agile combat employ- tively, according to PACAF. ment,” or the ability to create robust air- power in a contested environment. “Pacific Iron 2021 is a PACAF dynamic The 2018 National Defense Strategy calls force employment operation to project on military commanders to use ready forces” into the Indo-Pacific Command ar- forces to “proactively shape the strategic ea of responsibility as part of the 2018 Na- environment” while also standing ready to tional Defense Strategy, according to the re- respond quickly to contingencies and main- lease. The exercise will entail simulated taining long-term combat readiness, PA- combat flight operations from local airports CAF said. on Guam, a U.S. territory, and Tinian, 106 Speaking Friday during the 18th Wing nautical miles to the northeast in the North- change-of-command ceremony at Kadena ern Marianas. Air Base Okinawa, 5th Air Force deputy Meanwhile, a biennial exercise in Aus- commander Maj. Gen. Leonard Kosinski tralia involving 17,000 U.S., Australian, directly called out INDOPACOM’s poten- New Zealand, Japanese, South Korean and tial adversaries. British troops got underway Wednesday. “As the U.S. National Security Guidance Talisman Sabre hones the military and hu- KEVIN IINUMA/U.S. Air Force highlights, China has become rapidly more manitarian capabilities of the participating Airmen assigned to the 389th Fighter Squadron inspect an F­15E Strike Eagle after assertive,” he said. “Russia continues to nations. The exercise ends in August. landing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for the Pacific Iron exercise, on Wednesday. play a disruptive role on the world stage and At Talisman Sabre this year, U.S. troops North Korea pursues game-changing tech- for the first time fired a live Patriot air-de- Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queen- missile defense units, demonstrations the nologies, threatening U.S. allies and part- fense missile in Australia. Soldiers of the sland, according to video of the shot posted Marine Corps has made recently, too. ners and challenging regional stability.” Army’s 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artil- online by the Marine Corps. For Pacific Iron, PACAF dispatched ap- lery Regiment, deployed from Okinawa, hit The exercise demonstrated the Army’s proximately 10 F-15E Strike Eagles from [email protected] a drone target with a missile Friday at ability to quickly move and bring to bear its the 389th Fighter Squadron out of Mountain Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 US-led coalition disputes reports of hit on Iran-backed militia truck BY CHAD GARLAND province, who also denied the at- Iraq and Syria. Stars and Stripes tack. Several thousand American and Military officials disputed re- Unnamed Iraqi militia officials allied forces are deployed to the ports that a U.S. drone attack de- had told The Associated Press that two countries to battle ISIS. They stroyed an Iran-backed militia’s the drone first fired a warning largely provide training, equip- truck in eastern Syria, calling shot and the driver jumped from ment, intelligence assistance and them an attempt to discredit the the truck before the missile hit it. air support to the Iraqi govern- U.S.-led coalition. The vehicle supposedly belonged ment forces and partner militias /CENTCOM The news came as U.S. and Iraqi to the Iran-backed Kataeb Sayyid that make up the Syrian Demo- JACK HOLT leaders are expected to meet in al-Shuhada. cratic Forces. A screenshot from a video shows airstrikes against suspected militia Washington next week, where The region has seen “an in- In recent days, the coalition has storage facilities near the Syria­Iraq border, on June 27. they will discuss the battle against crease of disinformation released assisted SDF forces in operations Islamic State and other militants. ers are also deployed to parts of ment about the interview, which by adversaries,” an unnamed se- that have resulted in the killing or The coalition “has not conduct- Syria to assist President Bashar his office issued via the Telegram nior U.S. military official told Kur- capture of ISIS militants, includ- ed airstrikes of any nature in the Assad’s forces in the 10-year civil app. distan 24. ing the head of a network that was Combined Joint Operations Area war there that has killed half a mil- Kadhimi will visit Washington The reports came just weeks af- smuggling the terrorist group’s af- today or yesterday,” spokesman lion people. next week to meet with President U.S. Army Col. Wayne Marotto ter U.S. warplanes struck sites filiates out of a displacement Iraqi officials have expressed Joe Biden, the White House said said in a statement Sunday, fol- along the Iraq-Syria border that camp, officials have said. concerns over U.S.-Iran tensions Friday. lowing reports that a drone had the Pentagon said were used by Coalition forces have come un- playing out on Iraqi soil, and in a The leaders will discuss the fired a missile that destroyed the the militia groups to support der attacks for years from rockets televised interview Sunday, Iraqi withdrawal of U.S. combat forces, vehicle but caused no casualties. drone and rocket strikes inside and, since April, bomb-laden re- Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhi- among other shared interests, Officials believe the earlier re- Iraq. Those air raids killed four motely piloted aircraft, which the mi told Al-Arabiya that his gov- Kadhimi said. A NATO mission in ports were an attempt at disinfor- militiamen. U.S. has blamed on Kataeb Hez- ernment was working to encour- Iraq is expected to take on more mation, a military official told Shortly after the June 27 strikes, bollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shu- age dialogue. training activities to bolster secu- Stars and Stripes on Monday. The Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada’s com- hada. “It is not in anyone’s interest to rity forces. official pointed to a report by the mander vowed retaliation. That The Shiite militias are formally have a conflict in Iraq, as it will

Kurdish news site Rudaw quoting week saw near daily attacks hit in- part of government forces in Iraq. have very large regional reper- [email protected] a militia commander in Anbar stallations housing U.S. troops in Thousands of Iran-backed fight- cussions,” said a translated state- Twitter: @chadgarland PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 MILITARY Marine general upholds corporal’s discharge BY CHAD GARLAND statement. But he imposed the re- merman cited her mental health by Marine Corps Times. for a prior four-year period, and Stars and Stripes mainder of the sentence, includ- history in recommending Alford A bad conduct discharge would because of the agency review A Marine general’s decision ing reduction to private and the hold off on the punitive discharge make her ineligible for guaran- process, said Sherman Gillums not to suspend Cpl. Thae Ohu’s discharge, “as adjudged without for a probationary period. teed veteran benefits. Her attor- Jr., a retired Marine chief war- bad conduct discharge could suspension.” Ohu was born in a refugee neys had sought a medical dis- rant officer 2 who has worked in jeopardize her mental health Ohu was released in May from camp and had a difficult upbring- charge instead that would have veterans advocacy for many care, despite a diagnosis that led a the Navy Consolidated Brig in ing, with a history of mental ill- allowed her to seek treatment years and is in regular contact judge to recommend the suspen- Chesapeake, Va., after pleading ness before joining the service. through the Department of Veter- with Ohu. sion earlier this year. guilty to several She began having mental health ans Affairs. But her care could be ham- Ohu was the subject of a com- charges, includ- challenges after arriving at her A veteran with a “bad paper” pered while she remains in the plicated and high-profile assault ing aggravated first duty station in Japan in 2014, discharge may only qualify for “administrative nightmare” of case in which the man she at- assault with a the nonprofit investigative news VA benefits under certain cir- the legal process awaiting dis- tempted to stab in April 2020, her dangerous site The War Horse reported. cumstances, after an agency de- charge, said Gillums, now chief then-boyfriend, had called on the weapon, which A counselor she saw there rec- termination about specifics of strategy and operations officer at Corps not to punish her, but to stemmed from ommended to two senior Marines their case, the VA website states. the National Alliance on Mental help her get treatment for issues the 2020 attack. that she be separated, calling her Under a suspended sentence, Illness. She may face obstacles stemming from a rape she report- Both she and the “an accident waiting to happen,” the bad conduct discharge would with Tricare and within the mil- Ohu ed years earlier in Japan. victim have said one of those Marines, Sgt. Maj. be canceled if Ohu didn’t violate itary bureaucracy she would not Advocates highlighted it as em- the attack came during a mental Jerry Bates, told the news site. conditions Alford would have set. face on the outside, he said. blematic of the military’s mis- breakdown. But Bates felt that she just But the general approved the Ohu described her feelings handling of sexual assault and Ohu’s case made headlines last needed to talk to someone and discharge without suspension Thursday as “overwhelmed and mental health issues. year after her family called on the seemed to be a “squared-away “based on the totality of the cir- worried, I dare say discouraged” “This whole situation has been Marine Corps to release her into Marine” after doing so. cumstances of the case,” he wrote and said she was “failed physical- disparaging towards my service, mental health treatment. It was Hinesley said her condition in a letter to the VA, Marine Corps ly, morally, and ethically” after my assault, my care and now my one of a series of cases that gained worsened after another Marine Times reported. seeking care and reporting the future,” Ohu said in a statement widespread attention in the wake raped her in Okinawa in 2015, and Her conviction “should not pre- 2015 rape. issued on the website justicefor- of the killing and disappearance that locking her up for assaulting vent her from receiving neces- “This is not justice,” she said in ThaeOhu.com Thursday. “I still of Spc. Vanessa Guillen at Fort him “stripped away” any pro- sary treatment” from the VA, Al- the statement, but she said she cannot fathom the contemptuous Hood, and as lawmakers pushed gress she’d made in treatment. ford wrote. could say little more for the time behavior of the Corps towards me for reform to the military’s hand- Her advocates say she suffered Ohu’s case is being reviewed by being. from the moment I reported, ling of sexual assault cases. severe post-traumatic stress dis- the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Ohu’s sister Pan Phyu, one of along the way when I sought care Ohu’s victim, Michael Hines- order and other issues after the Criminal Appeals and her dis- her most vocal advocates, has and now a final infliction to hin- ley, never wanted the service to rape. charge will not be complete until pledged to continue fighting. der my care post service.” prosecute her, he wrote in a state- During the April 2020 attack on the review is finalized, Marine “It’ll be a cold day in hell until I Maj. Gen. Julian D. Alford, ment to the court earlier this year. Hinesley, she’d initially grabbed spokesman Capt. Sam Stephen- stop asking for #JusticeForThae- commanding general of Marine “It is like you are leaving a the knife with suicidal intentions, son told Task and Purpose. Ohu,” she wrote Thursday on Corps Training Command, sus- wounded Marine on the battle- but then confused her boyfriend The bad conduct discharge Facebook. pended any brig time beyond field” if she were convicted, he for the man who raped her in Oki- likely won’t affect Ohu’s access to

Ohu’s 328 days of “time served” wrote. nawa. She became enraged, she VA health care because she re- [email protected] before trial, the service said in a Judge Lt. Col. Michael Zim- said in court testimony reported ceived an honorable discharge Twitter: @chadgarland Veteran submariner takes command of Navy on Guam BY ALEX WILSON mander at the time, Capt. Brett of command happened just two Stars and Stripes Crozier, reported the first of 1,273 days from Guam Liberation Day, A veteran submariner with cases of COVID-19 aboard the when the U.S. territory marks its three recent deployments in the ship on March 24, 2020. The carri- liberation from Imperial Japan Indo-Pacific region aboard a sub- er steamed to Guam and off-load- during World War II. marine tender took the helm of ed its crew of 4,800, one of whom, “No matter what challenge falls U.S. Naval Base Guam on Mon- Chief Petty Officer Charles Rob- our way I know that everyone — in day. ert Thacker Jr., 41, died weeks lat- uniform and in island casual — Capt. Michael Luckett relieved er at the naval hospital there. Cro- will show up to fight, stand side- Capt. Jeffrey Grimes during a cer- zier’s handling of the outbreak led by-side with their neighbor, lend a emony at the base’s Cmdr. Wil- to his dismissal. helping hand,” Grimes said, “and liam C. McCool Elementary/Mid- The pandemic dominated we will defeat whatever challenge dle School. The day provided sig- Grimes’ tenure as base command- that is placed before us.” nificant memories for the outgo- er. He oversaw the construction of Luckett, a native of Banning, ing Grimes, who took command of a 150-bed emergent medical facil- Calif., most recently commanded the base in July 2018. ity and the creation of standard the USS Emory S. Land, the lead “This place at this time of year procedures to address outbreaks ship of the Emory S. Land-class JORDYN DIOMEDE/U.S. Navy has a very special meaning for me like the one aboard the Theodore submarine tenders. Under Luck- Capt. Michael Luckett, seen here on May 25, took command of Naval for several reasons,” he said. Roosevelt, according to an email ett, the Land spent more than 10 Base Guam, on Monday. The cafeteria and gymnasium Saturday from base spokeswoman months in the Indo-Pacific region, were the first shelters for crew of Theresa Cepeda. including three deployments with USS Jefferson City, the USS Hous- you plays an important part in ex- the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Grimes also supervised im- the U.S. 7th Fleet before returning ton and the USS Pennsylvania. ecuting the mission of Naval Base Roosevelt when COVID-19 broke provements to the base’s Inner to its homeport on Guam, accord- He earned master’s degrees Guam,” Luckett said during the out aboard the ship while at sea Harbor wharf system and more ing to Cepeda. from the National Defense Uni- ceremony. “Your efforts enable last year, Grimes said. COVID-19 than 7,000 crane lifts for visiting Luckett graduated from the Na- versity, Naval Postgraduate the mission readiness of our is the respiratory disease caused ships, including foreign vessels. val Academy with a bachelor’s in School and the University of Cali- homeported ships, our shore- by the coronavirus. At McCool, 300 children even- naval architecture and went on to fornia, Berkeley, according to his based commands and our visiting The episode proved a defining tually finished a full year of in-per- command the fast-attack subma- LinkedIn profile. units.” moment for the Navy early in the son learning during the pandemic, rines USS Mississippi and USS “I am excited, honored and pandemic. Grimes said during his farewell Missouri. He served as an officer humbled to have the opportunity [email protected] The Theodore Roosevelt’s com- address. And, he said, the change on three other submarines: the to lead this fantastic team. Each of Twitter: @AlexMNWilson Tuesday, July 20, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Tokyo sees dip in new virus cases; USFK reports 23

BY JOSEPH DITZLER data. Saturday was also the peak Stars and Stripes of a five-day run of better than TOKYO — Japan’s capital city 1,000 new coronavirus cases each surpassed 1,000 new cases of cor- day. The city counted 1,008 new onavirus for a fifth straight day coronavirus cases Sunday. Sunday, and reported another 727 Tokyo began a second week un- on Monday, days ahead of the To- der emergency measures aimed kyo Olympics opening ceremo- at controlling the virus’ spread, nies. urging bars and restaurants to U.S. commands across Japan close early and refrain from sell- reported no new COVID-19 infec- ing alcohol, and residents to avoid tions between Friday evening and unnecessary travel. PHOTOS BY KARIN ZEITVOGEL/Stars and Stripes 6 p.m. Monday. But in South Ko- Meanwhile, two South African Col. Johannes Rudolf, foreground left, presents Senior Master Sgt. Dominik Gutierrez with a plaque for rea, 23 people tested positive be- soccer players became the first hosting seven cadets from Germany's University of the Armed Forces in Munich for two weeks of training tween July 9 and Saturday, ac- athletes in the Olympic Village to at Ramstein Air Base, on Thursday. cording to a U.S. Forces Korea test positive for the coronavirus, news release. according to the BBC on Monday. Seventeen people turned up in A team video analyst also tested Tools: tests after developing COVID-19 positive and 21 South African US airmen train German cadets symptoms: three service mem- players and officials were identi- bers at Osan Air Base, eight ser- fied as close contacts, the news vice members at Kunsan Air service reported. on importance of airplane maintenance Base, one service member and NBC News reported Monday two South Korean contractors at that a member of the U.S. wom- FROM PAGE 1 Camp Casey and one Defense De- en’s Olympic gymnastic team had to educate the future pilots on the partment civilian and two con- also tested positive for the coro- essential work that maintainers tractors at the Army’s K-16 air- navirus. The unidentified gym- do, said Senior Master Sgt. Do- field, according to Monday’s re- nast, between the ages of 10 and minik Gutierrez, the AGE flight lease. 19, was tested at Narita, one of two chief. Another six service members airports serving Tokyo, said the “You don’t just walk up to an air- surfaced Wednesday and Thurs- report citing Japanese officials. craft and get in the seat. There’s day during contact tracing: three Another team member was iden- hours and hours of maintenance at Camp Casey and three at Kun- tified as a close contact. that goes in front of that,” he said. san Air Base, according to USFK. The Olympic opening ceremo- “To have them actually do mainte- Those patients had recent contact ny is scheduled Friday, in a stadi- nance tasks, they get an idea of with previously infected individu- um expected to be mostly devoid what it takes to generate an air- als. of spectators. craft.” South Korea reported another For the past month, new case As Cochran worked with cadets 1,208 new COVID-19 patients numbers in Tokyo have exceeded Tim Herbst and Tom Palzer to re- Sunday, according to a daily up- those on the same day the previ- move the wheels of the C-130J, German military academy cadets Tim Herbst, left, and Tom Palzer date Monday by the Korea Dis- ous week, according to public Airman 1st Class Samuel Alcala listen to instructions from U.S. maintainers at Ramstein Air Base ease Control and Prevention broadcaster NHK. It reported Perez walked Nicolas Polster and before removing the wheels of a C­130J to check the bearings. Agency. that Tokyo had counted another Nirushegan Veerasingam around Seoul accounted for 413 new pa- 727 new patients Monday, which the Super Hercules. nance hangar “into the future.” tients and Gyeonggi province re- typically yields the lowest daily “We’re making sure they know “I saw how hard you worked, ported 336. Camp Humphreys, count of the week. what they’re looking at so it’s safe what you achieved and learned,” the headquarters for the U.S. Ar- Japan reported 3,065 new CO- to fly, basically,” Alcala Perez he told them in German. my and the United Nations Com- VID-19 patients, according to the said. “Take that with you into the fu- mand, is based there. Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Re- “Then we go inside and I show ture, when you go to America and Japan’s capital on Saturday re- source Center on Monday, for a them what we do: running our en- do your pilot training at Sheppard. ported 1,410 newly infected peo- pandemic total of more than gines, making sure they’re run- You know now that you can rely on ple, its highest one-day total since 842,000 cases and 14,993 deaths. ning at optimal, making sure there what maintainers do — that when 1,485 on Jan. 27, according to To- are no fault codes, no automated you get into an aircraft that every- kyo Metropolitan Government [email protected] signal that says there’s something thing is in the best working order.” Twitter: @JosephDitzler wrong with the engine, and this is As for the wheels of the C-130J how you look for it.” Airman 1st Class Samuel Alcala that Herbst and Palzer removed, The program has also helped to Perez, left, explains some of the both have to be replaced, Cochran strengthen vital U.S.-German re- workings of the C­130J to cadet said before she praised the trai- lations, said general staff Col. Jo- Nicolas Polster. nees for their hard work. hannes Rudolf, commander of the “They’ve been eager, enthusias- Air Liaison Command, German After presenting Gutierrez with tic and laughed off the banter and Air Force to U.S. Air Forces Eu- aplaque to thank him and the AGE culture of the maintenance rope, who was instrumental in crew for working with the young world,” she said. “They’ve been a creating the internship. Germans, Rudolf — himself a for- big help — and I’ve thrown them “This is the perfect way for us to mer fighter pilot who trained at right in there on some of the har- get closer, to understand each oth- Sheppard Air Force Base in Wich- dest jobs that we do.” er, and for Germans to step into ita Falls, Texas — urged the ca- DANIEL BETANCOURT/Stars and Stripes the American mentality of doing dets to carry what they had [email protected] The Olympic opening ceremony is scheduled for July 23 in a stadium things,” he said. learned in the Ramstein mainte- Twitter: @StripesZeit expected to be mostly devoid of spectators. PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 WAR ON TERRORISM Gitmo inmate sent back in policy shift

BY DINO HAZELL ulation at Guantá- Cuba’s southeastern tip into a place Director of National Intelligence into Nasser “on suspicion of com- AND ALEXANDRA JAFFE namo “while also to interrogate and imprison people said in a 2016 report that about 17% mitting terrorist acts.” It didn’t spec- Associated Press safeguarding the suspected of links to al-Qaida and of the 728 detainees who had been ify what those “terrorist acts” are. WASHINGTON — The Biden ad- security of the the Taliban after Sept. 11. released were “confirmed” and 12% Nasser’s attorney in Morocco, ministration on Monday trans- United States and The Obama administration, seek- were “suspected” of reengaging in Khalil Idrissi, said judicial author- ferred a Guantánamo Bay detainee its allies.” A se- ing to allay concerns that some of such activities. ities should not “take measures that to his home country for the first nior administra- those released had “returned to the But the vast majority of those re- prolong his torment and suffering, time, a policy shift from the Trump tion official who fight,” set up a process to ensure engagements occurred with former especially since he lived through the Nasser presidency that repatriated a Mo- insisted on ano- those repatriated or resettled in prisoners who did not go through the hell of Guantánamo.” Idrissi said he roccan man years after he was rec- nymity to discuss internal delibera- third countries no longer posed a security review that was set up un- hoped the investigation into Nasser ommended for discharge. tions told reporters Monday that the threat. It also planned to try some of der Obama. A task force that includ- would not “continue to deprive him The prisoner, Abdullatif Nasser, Biden administration is engaged in the men in federal court. But the clo- ed agencies such as the Defense De- of his freedom” so he could finally who’s in his mid-50s, was cleared for that process with the aim of ulti- sure effort was thwarted when Con- partment and the CIA analyzed who “meet his family again.” repatriation by a review board in Ju- mately closing the Guantánamo gress barred the transfer of prison- was held at Guantánamo and deter- Nasser’s journey to the Cuban ly 2016 but remained at Guantána- Bay facility. ers from Guantánamo to the U.S., in- mined who could be released and prison was a long one. He was a mo under President Donald Trump. Of the 39 detainees remaining at cluding for prosecution or medical who should continue in detention. member of a nonviolent but illegal In announcing his transfer Monday, Guantánamo, 10 are eligible to be care. President Barack Obama ulti- The U.S. thanked Morocco for fa- Moroccan Sufi Islam group in the the Pentagon cited the board’s de- transferred out, 17 are eligible to go mately released 197 prisoners. With cilitating Nasser’s transfer back 1980s, according to his Pentagon termination that Nasser’s detention through the review process for pos- Nasser’s transfer, the Guantánamo home. file. In 1996, he was recruited to fight was no longer necessary to protect sible transfer, another 10 are in- population stands at 39. “The United States commends in Chechyna but ended up in Af- U.S. national security. volved in the military commission The prisoner transfer process the Kingdom of Morocco for its long- ghanistan, where he trained at an al- Nasser, also known as Abdul Latif process used to prosecute detainees had stalled under Trump, who said time partnership in securing both Qaida camp. He was captured after Nasser, arrived Monday in Moroc- and two have been convicted, anoth- even before taking office there countries’ national security inter- fighting U.S. forces there and sent to co, where police took him into custo- er senior administration official should be no further releases from ests,” the Pentagon statement said. Guantánamo in May 2002. dy and said they would investigate said. “Gitmo,” as Guantánamo Bay is of- “The United States is also extremely An unidentified military official him on suspicion of committing ter- The Biden administration didn’t ten called. “These are extremely grateful for the Kingdom’s willing- appointed to represent him before rorist acts — even though he was address how it would handle the on- dangerous people and should not be ness to support ongoing U.S. efforts the review board said he studied never charged while in Guantána- going effort to prosecute five men allowed back onto the battlefield,” to close the Guantánamo Bay De- math, computer science and En- mo. held at Guantánamo for the Sept. 11, he said. tention Facility.” glish at Guantánamo, creating a The State Department said in a 2001, terrorist attacks. The possibility that former Guan- In a statement, the public prose- 2,000-word Arabic-English dictio- statement that President Joe Bi- The detention center opened in tánamo prisoners would resume cutor at the Court of Appeal in Rabat nary. The official told the board that den’s administration would contin- 2002. President George W. Bush’s hostile activities has long been a said the National Division of the Ju- Nasser “deeply regrets his actions of ue “a deliberate and thorough proc- administration transformed what concern that has played into the de- dicial Police in Casablanca had been the past” and expressed confidence ess” to reducing the detainee pop- had been a sleepy Navy outpost on bate over releases. The office of the instructed to open an investigation he would reintegrate in society. US envoy calls on Islamabad Biden hosts leader of as Pakistan-Afghan ties sour Jordan amid tough

BY KATHY GANNON Associated Press choices in Mideast ISLAMABAD — Washington’s BY AAMER MADHANI role in promoting peace and stabili- point man in talks aimed at ending Associated Press ty in the region.” decades of war in Afghanistan made WASHINGTON — President Joe Abdullah had a difficult relation- a brief visit Monday to Pakistan as Biden is set to host King Abdullah II ship with Trump, who he saw as un- relations between Islamabad and of Jordan during one of the most dif- dercutting a peace deal between Is- Kabul reached a new low. ficult moments of the Jordanian raelis and Palestinians with his 2017 Zalmay Khalilzad’s visit came leader’s 22-year rule and at a pivotal declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s just hours after Afghanistan with- time in the Middle East for Biden. capital. He also chaffed at the drew its ambassador from Pakistan Abdullah arrives Monday after- Trump administration’s pursuit of late Sunday after the diplomat’s noon at the White House. Last week what officials called the Abraham daughter was brutally attacked last aJordanian state security court sen- Accords — deals with Bahrain, the week. The U.S. envoy met with Pa- tenced two former officials to serve United Arab Emirates, Sudan and kistan’s powerful army Chief Gen. 15 years in prison over an alleged Morocco that normalized relations Qamar Javed Bajwa but nothing AP plot against the king uncovered ear- with Israel but left out the Palesti- was immediately known of their dis- U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad — lier this year that involved Abdul- nians. cussions. shown with Tajikistan's Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, left, on lah’s half brother. Biden has no plans to reverse U.S. Pakistan and Afghanistan have a Friday — made a brief visit to Pakistan just hours after Afghanistan Meanwhile, Biden, who has put recognition of Jerusalem as the cap- long and troubled history, their rela- withdrew its ambassador from neighboring Pakistan late Sunday. much of his foreign policy focus on ital, and his administration has even tionship fraught with mistrust and China and Russia in the early going, offered praise for the Trump-bro- suspicion. Each accuses the other of Khalilzad had expressed hope end the fighting. faces some difficult issues in the kered accords. fomenting violence on its territory that the sides would agree even to a In Kabul, the Afghan foreign min- Middle East. He is dealing with Biden officials plan to stress to while also harboring its enemies. temporary truce — to mark the Is- istry issued a statement Sunday say- stepped-up attacks against U.S. Abdullah that the accords are not an Khalilzad arrived in Islamabad lamic holiday Eid al-Adha, or “Feast ing it was recalling its senior diplo- troops in Iraq and Syria by Iranian- “end run” on finding the way to a from Qatar where the Taliban and of Sacrifice,” which begins Tuesday mats from Islamabad over the as- backed militias at the same moment peace deal that includes a Palesti- Afghan government representa- in most Muslim countries. Instead, sault on the ambassador’s daughter. that his administration is trying to nian state, according to a senior ad- tives have held two days of talks that the talks ended with a communiqué Silsila Alikhil, 26, was abducted in nudge Iran back to the negotiating ministration official who was not au- ended late Sunday, with a promise that offered little prospects of an end the middle of the afternoon in the Pa- table to revive the nuclear agree- thorized to comment publicly and by the warring sides to meet again. to fighting anytime soon. kistani capital, held for several ment that Donald Trump aban- spoke on condition of anonymity. It was the highest level of talks so Last week, Khalilzad attended an hours and brutally assaulted. doned during his presidency. The two leaders are expected to far, aimed at jumpstarting a peace international conference in Uzbe- The ministry said the diplomats White House press secretary Jen discuss the situation in Syria — process that has stagnated while kistan that tried to find a resolution would not return to Islamabad “un- Psaki said the meeting “will be an more than 1 million Syrian refugees fighting inside Afghanistan soared for the rapidly deteriorating situa- til all security threats are met in- opportunity to discuss the many have fled the war-ravaged nation for as the U.S. and NATO complete tion in Afghanistan but the gather- cluding the arrest and trial of the challenges facing the Middle East Jordan — and a wobbly security sit- their troop withdrawal. ing did not produce a road map to perpetrators of the abduction.” and showcase Jordan’s leadership uation in Iraq, the official said. Tuesday, July 20, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 EUROPE Germany defends flood preparation, mulls lessons

BY GEIR MOULSON of North Rhine-Westphalia; and at they have to be corrected,” Econo- election rhetoric,” Seehofer said He said “we will have to investi- Associated Press least one in Bavaria, parts of which my Minister Peter Altmaier told the during a visit to the Steinbach Res- gate” where sirens sounded and BERLIN — German officials are saw heavy rain and flooding over Bild newspaper. “That isn’t about ervoir in western Germany, where where they didn’t. defending their preparations for the weekend. At least 31 people died finger-pointing — it’s about im- authorities said Monday they no Officials in Germany’s Rhine- flooding in the face of the raging tor- in Belgium. provements for the future.” longer fear a dam breach. “Now re- land-Palatinate state said they were rents that caught many people by The downpours that led to usual- Federal and state authorities ally isn’t the hour for this.” well-prepared for flooding, and mu- surprise and left over 190 people ly small rivers swelling at vast faced criticism from opposition pol- The head of Germany’s civil pro- nicipalities were alerted and acted. dead in Western Europe, but con- speed in the middle of last week iticians for allegedly failing to warn tection agency said that the coun- But the state’s interior minister, cede that they will need to learn les- were forecast, but warnings of po- citizens of the impending disaster, try’s weather service had “forecast Roger Lewentz, said after visiting sons from the disaster. tentially catastrophic damage which came ahead of a national relatively well” and that the coun- the hard-hit village of Schuld with Efforts to find any more victims didn’t appear to have found their election in September. But Interior try was well-prepared for flooding Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sun- and clean up the mess across a way to many people on the ground Minister Horst Seehofer dismissed on its major rivers. But, Armin day that “we of course had the prob- swath of western Germany, eastern — often in the middle of the night. claims that federal officials had Schuster told ZDF television late lem that the technical infrastruc- Belgium and the Netherlands con- “As soon as we have provided the made mistakes, and said warnings Sunday, “half an hour before, it is ture — electricity and so on — was tinued Monday as floodwaters re- immediate aid that stands at the were passed to local authorities often not possible to say what place destroyed in one go.” ceded. So far, 117 people have been forefront now, we will have to look “who make decisions on disaster will be hit with what quantity” of Local authorities “tried very confirmed dead in the worst-affect- at whether there were things that protection.” water. He said that 150 warning no- quickly to react,” he said. “But this ed German region, Rhineland-Pa- didn’t go well, whether there were “I have to say that some of the tices had been sent out via apps and was an explosion of the water in mo- latinate; 46 in the neighboring state things that went wrong, and then things I’m hearing now are cheap media. ments.” PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK US bases in Rising cases mar UK ease few restrictions UK’s ‘Freedom Day’ BY KYLE ALVAREZ Stars and Stripes Associated Press sands of people danced the RAF LAKENHEATH, England LONDON — Corks popped, night away at “Freedom Day” —The U.S. Air Force in the United beats boomed out and giddy parties starting at midnight. Kingdom will ease mask restric- revelers rushed onto dance “I’m absolutely ecstatic,” tions in some buildings but main- floors when England’s night- clubgoer Lorna Feeney said at tain most other COVID-19 restric- clubs reopened Monday as the Bar Fibre in the northern En- tions, even after England ended country lifted most remaining gland city of Leeds. “That’s my many of its own strict measures coronavirus restrictions after life, my soul — I love dancing. It Monday. more than a year of lockdowns, bonds me. It’s amazing. It Fully vaccinated personnel no mask mandates and other pan- makes me feel so good.” longer have to wear masks in the demic-related curbs on free- At The Piano Works in Lon- commissary, exchange and other dom. don, patrons packed the area buildings where 6 feet of distanc- For clubbers and nightclub around the cordoned-off dance ALBERTO PEZZALI/AP ing can be maintained, command owners, the moment lived up to floor on Sunday night as a host People drink on the dance floor shortly after the reopening of The memos to U.S. service members its media-given moniker, “Free- led a countdown to midnight. Piano Works in Farringdon in London on Monday. stationed in the U.K. said. dom Day.” But the big step out Once a ceremonial ribbon was Those who aren’t fully vaccinat- of lockdown was met with nerv- cut, the crowd ran toward the the highly infectious delta vari- days after contact with Health ed must continue to wear masks in- ousness by many Britons and dance floor as confetti canons ant first identified in India. Secretary Sajid Javid, who test- doors and outdoors, with limited concern from scientists, who went off and a disco ball spun Cases topped 50,000 per day last ed positive for COVID-19 on exceptions. Everyone on base, re- say the United Kingdom is en- above. Soon, unmasked club- week for the first time since Ja- Saturday. gardless of their vaccination sta- tering uncharted waters by goers dancing to a live band’s nuary, although virus deaths re- Johnson initially said he tus, must wear masks on public opening up when confirmed rendition of Whitney Houston’s main comparatively low so far. would take daily tests instead of transportation, in lodging recep- cases are not falling but soaring. “I Wanna Dance With Some- Prime Minister Boris John- self-isolating — an option not of- tion areas and in health care facil- As of Monday, face masks body” filled the floor. son, who has dialed down talk of fered to most people — but U- ities, military officials said. were no longer legally required One of the people attending freedom in recent weeks, urged turned amid widespread public “The decisions we make to miti- in England, work-from-home The Piano Works party, Mark the public to exercise “pru- outrage. gate COVID-19 can still impact guidance ended and, with social Troy, called the return of night- dence and respect for other peo- The prime minister is among mission and the quality of life,” distancing rules shelved, no clubs “a most joyous occasion.” ple and the risks that the dis- hundreds of thousands of Brit- Col. Jason A. Camilletti, the com- limits existed on the number of But while entertainment busi- ease continues to present.” ons who have been told to quar- mander of the 48th Fighter Wing, people attending theater per- nesses and ravers are jubilant, In a reminder of how volatile antine because they have been said in a memo to personnel at RAF formances or big events. many others are deeply worried the situation is, the prime min- near someone who tested posi- Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell. For nightclubs, it is the first about the British government’s ister was spending “Freedom tive. The situation is causing The eased restrictions were wel- time they have been allowed to decision to scrap restrictions at Day” in quarantine. Johnson staff shortages for businesses comed by some service members. open in almost 18 months, and a time when COVID-19 cases and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak including restaurants, car man- “I think it’s good because it’s sort from London to Liverpool, thou- are on a rapid upswing due to are both self-isolating for 10 ufacturers and public transport. of a sign of normalcy again,” said Senior Airman Destiny Moore, who works in squadron aviation resource management with the States: 493rd Fighter Squadron. “We’re Restrictions returning in US as case numbers rise actually heading toward getting FROM PAGE 1 get inoculations. the most new cases per capita over “I think the best thing for us to back to how things used to be.” tion and death, unfortunately that “It is our fastest, most effective the last two weeks. do is just encourage everyone to The military’s decision came as is not true if you are not vaccinat- way out of this pandemic,” he said. Los Angeles County late Satur- use their common sense and prac- the U.K. removed restrictions on ed,” Murthy said on CNN’s “State About 186 million Americans day reinstated rules requiring ev- tice personal responsibility and social contacts in England. At the of the Union.” have received at least one shot, but eryone to wear masks inside pub- make themselves and their fam- same time, Prime Minister Boris U.S. cases of COVID-19 last another 90 million eligible Amer- lic buildings. Around San Francis- ilies safe,” Gov. Kay Ivey told re- Johnson said it was vital to proceed week increased by 17,000 nation- icans haven’t. Officials are trying co’s Bay Area, which has some of porters last week. with caution, warning that “this wide over a 14-day period for the to overcome a refusal among some the highest vaccination rates in Cases also are on the rise in pandemic is not over,” the BBC re- first time since late fall, and an in- — particularly conservative, rural California, health officials have Springfield, Mo., where Mayor ported. crease in death historically fol- white people — to get vaccinated, recommended that everyone Ken McClure told CBS-TV’s The new measures end limits on lows a spike in illness. Much of the but it’s unclear how to do that. So, again wear masks inside public “Face the Nation” that false infor- how many people can meet at worsening problem is being dri- for the meantime at least, some buildings, regardless of their vac- mation about the pandemic was home gatherings, weddings, con- ven by the delta variant first iden- places have reverted to health cination status. hampering the fight to get people certs, sporting events and places of tified in India, that has since hit precautions that had been cast But in conservative Alabama, vaccinated. worship, the BBC reported. Addi- the United Kingdom and other aside. where COVID-19 hospitalizations “I think we are seeing a lot tionally, masks will no longer be countries, said Murthy. In Las Vegas, some resorts and have more than doubled in a spread through social media as required, nightclubs can reopen, While U.S. case numbers and casinos are again requiring em- month and only about a third of the people are talking about fears and pubs and restaurants must no hospitalizations are still far below ployees to wear masks in response population is fully vaccinated, of- which they have, health related longer offer table-service only. levels from the worst of the pan- to a recommendation issued by ficials have refused to reinstitute fears, what it might do to them lat- For those traveling to and from demic early this year, Murthy said health officials amid rising CO- statewide health rules or use gim- er on in their lives, what might be Britain, government restrictions the worsening situation shows the VID-19 case rates in Nevada; it micks such as lotteries to boost im- contained in the vaccinations,” he on travel to countries on the “am- need to convince more people to ranks fifth among U.S. states for munizations. said. ber list,” with relatively high infec- tion rates, have been lifted. But those returning from France and going to England, Wales and Scot- Bangladesh lifts lockdown to celebrate, riling experts land must still quarantine for 10 days. Associated Press warn it could exacerbate an ongo- patrolled the streets and thou- Despite the warnings from ex- Fully vaccinated travelers un- DHAKA — Tens of millions of ing surge fueled by the highly con- sands were arrested and sent to perts — and with just over 4 mil- der 18 years old must no longer Bangladeshis are shopping and tagious delta variant, which was jail for violating the lockdown. lion of the country’s 160 million self-isolate after visiting amber list traveling this week during a con- first detected in neighboring In- Yet even with the new restric- people fully vaccinated — the gov- countries. troversial eight-day pause in the dia. tions, virus deaths still hovered ernment announced that from Ju- More coronavirus restrictions country’s strict coronavirus lock- With the spread of the virus around 200 each day and daily in- ly 15-23, all restrictions would be remain in other parts of the U.K., down that the government is al- rampant, most everything in Ban- fections were still around 11,000, lifted and everything would be re- including Northern Ireland, Scot- lowing for the Islamic festival Eid gladesh was ordered shut on July both thought to be undercounts. opened so people could celebrate land and Wales. Detailed informa- al-Adha. The suspension has been 1, from markets to mass transpor- On Sunday, 225 deaths and 11,758 the festival, which is normally a tion is available at www.gov.uk/ panned by health experts who tation. Soldiers and border guards infections were reported. boon to the economy. coronavirus. Tuesday, July 20, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Hack firm allegedly targets journalists, activists by spying BY FRANK BAJAK Financial Times. Associated Press Amnesty also reported that its BOSTON — An investigation by forensic researchers had deter- a global media consortium based mined that NSO Group’s flagship on leaked targeting data provides Pegasus spyware was successful- further evidence that military- ly installed on the phone of Post grade malware from Israel-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s fian- NSO Group, the world’s most infa- cee, Hatice Cengiz, just four days mous hacker-for-hire outfit, is be- after he was killed in the Saudi ing used to spy on journalists, hu- Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The man rights activists and political company had previously been im- dissidents. plicated in other spying on Khash- From a list of more than 50,000 oggi. NOAH BERGER/AP cellphone numbers obtained by NSO Group denied in an Firefighters battle the Tamarack Fire in the Markleeville community of Alpine County, Calif., on Saturday. the Paris-based journalism non- emailed response to AP questions profit Forbidden Stories and the that it has ever maintained “a list human rights group Amnesty In- of potential, past or existing tar- ternational and shared with 16 gets.” In a separate statement, it Dangerous conditions impede news organizations, journalists called the Forbidden Stories re- were able to identify more than port “full of wrong assumptions 1,000 individuals in 50 countries and uncorroborated theories.” wildfire fight in western US who were allegedly selected by The company reiterated its NSO clients for potential surveil- claims that it only sells to “vetted Associated Press among lakes and wildlife refuges 85 people watched warily as the lance. government agencies” for use BLY, Ore. — Erratic winds and near the fire, which has burned at blaze burned. They include 189 journalists, against terrorists and major crim- dry lightning added to the dangers least 67 homes and 100 outbuild- A growing wildfire south of more than 600 politicians and gov- inals, and that it has no visibility for crews battling the nation’s ings while threatening many Lake Tahoe jumped a highway, ernment officials, at least 65 busi- into its customers’ data. Critics largest wildfire on Monday in more. prompting more evacuation or- ness executives, 85 human rights call those claims dishonest — and parched Oregon forests, just one Climate change has made the ders, the closure of the Pacific activists and several heads of have provided evidence that NSO of dozens burning across several West much warmer and drier in Crest Trail and the cancellation of state, according to The Washing- directly manages the high-tech Western states. the past 30 years and will continue an extreme bike ride through the ton Post, a consortium member. spying. They say the repeated The destructive Bootleg Fire, to make weather more extreme Sierra Nevada. The journalists work for organiza- abuse of Pegasus spyware high- one of the largest in modern Ore- and wildfires more frequent and The Tamarack Fire, which was tions including The Associated lights the nearly complete lack of gon history, has already burned destructive. Firefighters said sparked by lightning on July 4, Press, Reuters, CNN, The Wall regulation of the private global more than 476 square miles, an ar- these conditions in July are more had charred about 28.5 square Street Journal, Le Monde and The surveillance industry. ea about the size of Los Angeles. typical of late summer or fall. miles of dry brush and timber as of The blaze just north of the Califor- Pyrocumulus clouds — literally Sunday night. The blaze was nia state line was 25% contained. translated as “fire clouds” — com- threatening Markleeville, a small Meteorologists predicted criti- plicated containment efforts Sun- town close to the California-Neva- cally dangerous fire weather day for the Dixie Fire in northern da state line. It has destroyed at Microsoft Exchange through at least Monday, with California, where flames spread least two structures, authorities lightning possible in both Califor- in remote areas with steep terrain said. nia and southern Oregon. crews can’t easily reach, officials A notice posted Saturday on the hack leads to China, “With the very dry fuels, any said. New evacuation orders were 103-mile Death Ride’s website thunderstorm has the potential to issued in rural communities near said several communities in the ignite new fire starts,” the Nation- the Feather River Canyon. area had been evacuated and or- US and its allies say al Weather Service in Sacramen- The Dixie Fire remained 15% dered all bike riders to clear the Associated Press threats from Beijing disclosed on to, Calif., said on Twitter. contained and covered 29 square area. The fire left thousands of WASHINGTON — The Biden Monday included ransomware at- Thousands have been ordered miles. The fire is northeast of the bikers and spectators stranded in administration and Western allies tacks from government-affiliated to evacuate, including some 2,000 town of Paradise, Calif., and survi- the small town and racing to get formally blamed China on Mon- hackers that have targeted vic- people who live in rugged terrain vors of that horrific fire that killed out. day for a massive hack of Micro- tims — including in the United soft Exchange email server soft- States — with demands for mil- ware, and accused Beijing of lions of dollars. U.S officials allege working with criminal hackers in that China’s Ministry of State Se- Multiple people shot in Ariz. attacks ransomware attacks and other curity has been using criminal cyber operations. contract hackers who have en- Associated Press and arm. The man was in critical determine the location of the chil- The announcements, though gaged in cyber extortion schemes TUCSON — A series of attacks condition and the woman was sta- dren. not accompanied by sanctions and theft for their own profit, offi- Sunday afternoon in Arizona end- ble. Apolice officer responding to the against the Chinese government, cials said. ed with five people shot, including The suspect is then accused of scene encountered the suspect a were intended as a forceful con- The European Union and Bri- one fatality, and two or three chil- driving up to the scene of a nearby couple blocks away, the chief said. demnation of activities a senior tain also called out China. The EU dren missing, Tucson police said. house fire and shooting at firefight- Police said the suspect rammed his Biden administration official de- said malicious cyber activities The suspect in the attacks was crit- ers and neighbors trying to douse SUV into the officer’s vehicle and scribed as part of a “pattern of ir- with “significant effects” that tar- ically wounded by an officer. the flames, the chief said. One opened fire. The officer returned responsible behavior in cyber- geted government institutions, po- A 35-year-old man is accused of neighbor was shot in the head and fire and shot the suspect, critically space.” They highlighted the on- litical organizations and key in- opening fire on an ambulance crew died. A firefighter was shot in the wounding him, the chief said. The going threat from Chinese govern- dustries in the bloc’s 27 member around 3:45 p.m. Sunday, Tucson arm, and another bullet grazed an- officer was not injured. ment hackers even as the states could be linked to Chinese police Chief Chris Magnus told other neighbor’s head. “This is a highly tragic, really administration remains con- hacking groups. The United King- news outlets. The driver of the am- A “badly burned” body was horrific incident, with many un- sumed with trying to curb ran- dom’s National Cyber Security bulance, a 20-year-old man, was found inside the home that was on knowns,” Magnus said. somware attacks from Russia- Centre said the groups targeted shot in the head, and a paramedic fire, and “two or three” children The investigation was ongoing. It based syndicates that have target- maritime industries and naval de- in the passengers seat, a 21-year- who lived there are missing, Mag- was unclear what prompted the at- ed critical infrastructure. fense contractors in the U.S., Eu- old woman, was shot in the chest nus said. Officials were working to tacks. The broad range of cyber- rope and Finnish parliament. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 NATION Trump recasts attackers as martyrs, heroes

Associated Press maiden in his clutches. That paled WASHINGTON — A cocktail of next to what followed years later propaganda, conspiracy theory with Nazi Germany’s terrifying and disinformation — of the kind use of propaganda for the slaugh- intoxicating to the masses in the ter and subjugation of millions. darkest turns of history — is fuel- Whether the deception feeds ing straight-up delusion over the warmongering or merely a defeat- agonies of Jan. 6. ed president’s ego, some of the Hate is “love.” Violence is methods are the same, like telling U.S. CAPITOL POLICE/AP “peace.” The pro-Donald Trump the same fabrication over and Paul Allard Hodgkins, 38, of Tampa, Fla., front, stands in the well on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Jan. 6, attackers are patriots. over until it sticks. at the Capitol in Washington. Months after the then-presi- Trump perfected the art of rep- dent’s supporters stormed the etition — about the “election Capitol that winter day, Trump hoax,” the “rigged election” and and his acolytes are taking this re- “massive voter fraud,” with none Capitol rioter sentenced to 8 months visionism to a new and dangerous of those accusations substantiated place — one of martyrs and war- but engrained nonetheless among BY MICHAEL TARM it did ... I would never have ven- not as significant as others, in like heroes, and of revenge. It’s a his supporters. Associated Press tured farther than the sidewalk one of the worst episodes in place where cries of “blue lives Four years ago, Trump ap- A Florida man who breached of Pennsylvania Avenue,” American history. Still he chose matter” have transformed into peared to equate white suprema- the U.S. Senate chamber carry- Hodgkins told the judge. He to give Hodgkins a year less in shouts of “f—- the blue.” cists and racial justice protesters ing a Trump campaign flag was added: “This was a foolish deci- prison. The fact inversion about the in Charlottesville, Va., with his sentenced Monday to eight sion on my part.” “That was not, by any stretch siege is the latest in Trump’s con- comment that there were “very months behind bars, the first Prosecutors had asked for of the imagination, a protest,” torted oeuvre of the “big lie” com- fine people, on both sides.” resolution for a felony case in Hodgkins to serve 18 months be- Moss said. “It was … an assault pendium, the most specious of This time, in this telling, the ve- the Capitol insurrection. hind bars, saying in a recent fil- on democracy.” He added: “It which is that the election was sto- ry fine people on Jan. 6 were on Paul Allard Hodgkins apol- ing that he, “like each rioter, left a stain that will remain on us len from him, when it was not. one side: his. ogized and said he was ashamed contributed to the collective … on the country for years to It is rooted in the basic formula For the other side — the police, of his actions on Jan 6. Speaking threat to democracy” by forcing come.” of potent propaganda through the overwhelmed for hours and bea- calmly from a prepared text, he lawmakers to temporarily aban- The sentencing could set the ages: Say it loud, say it often, say it ten in the insurrection — Trump described being caught up in the don their certification of Joe Bi- bar for punishments of hun- with the heft of political power be- only has an in-your-face question euphoria as he walked down den’s 2020 election victory over dreds of other defendants as hind you, and people will believe. that doubles as a four-word con- Washington’s most famous ave- President Donald Trump and to they decide whether to accept Once spread by pamphlets, post- spiracy theory: “Who killed Ashli nue, then followed a crowd of scramble for shelter from in- plea deals or go to trial. Hodg- ers and word of mouth, now Babbitt?” hundreds up Capitol Hill and in- coming mobs. kins and others are accused of spread by the swipe of a finger, the Those words have become a vi- to the Capitol building. In pronouncing the sentence, serious crimes but were not in- result is the same: a passionate, ral mantra meant to elevate Bab- “If I had any idea that the pro- Judge Randolph Moss said that dicted, as some others were, for unquestioning following. bitt as a righteous martyr. They ri- test ... would escalate (the way) Hodgkins had played a role, if roles in larger conspiracies. Techniques of glorifying your cochet around the mainline social side and demonizing the other media platforms where Trump is with skewed information, if not banned for spreading misinfor- House chamber. Then were said to be overexcited were among the shocked targets outright lies, have been in play at mation but his followers still com- Trump and many Republicans tourists. Now they are heralded as of the attackers that day. least since World War I, when the miserate. have cycled through various char- foot soldiers for freedom. The revisionists and their be- U.S. government roused senti- The woman died from a police acterizations of the insurrection, Each iteration has required lievers are “swimming in a vast ment for the cause with posters officer’s bullet fired as she tried to each wholly unlike the previous Americans to ignore the rage they sea of nonsense,” said Brendan depicting the German soldier as climb through the jagged glass of a one. The attackers were said to be saw on their screens, and some Buck, a former top aide to House an ape-human with an American smashed window toward the leftist antifa followers in disguise. lawmakers to ignore that they Speaker Paul Ryan. Pa. election audit gets GOP campaign trail embrace BY MARC LEVY The effort is likely to face legal challeng- damage the state’s democratic institutions, thorough investigation to prove to U.S. vot- Associated Press es and is still limited to three counties, but also the party’s credibility with critical ers that our votes were fairly counted, and HARRISBURG, Pa. — Former Presi- where it is getting pushback even from Re- swing voters. that we have nothing to worry about,” Mas- dent Donald Trump’s false claims of a sto- publican commissioners. But its march “Most of the Republicans I know, at the triano wrote in the email appeal last week- len election have been debunked by the forward is forcing many to stop viewing it very least, have misgivings and, at worst, end. courts, his own Justice Department and as one lawmaker’s pet project and take it are like me and realize this is just really a Earlier this month, Mastriano sent let- scores of recounts. seriously. blunder of epic proportions,” said former ters to three counties — including Phila- But in the battleground state of Pennsyl- The audit has fast become a litmus test in congressman Charlie Dent, a centrist Re- delphia, a Democratic bastion and the vania, where Trump lost by 80,000 votes an election cycle where an open governor’s publican from the Allentown area. “Why state’s largest city — to request access to a eight months ago, they’re finding new office and an open U.S. Senate seat — the bring the Arizona clown show to Pennsyl- sweeping list of information, documents signs of life. political equivalent of a blue moon — have vania?” and equipment, with the threat of subpoe- A Republican state lawmaker, bolstered triggered fiercely competitive Republican Those worries have been easily drowned nas for holdouts. by campaign trail support from top Repub- primaries. out by supporters of the effort. Gov. Tom Wolf and state Attorney Gen- lican candidates for governor and U.S. That has some GOP party officials and One, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who has eral Josh Shapiro, both Democrats, have Senate, has launched a push for a “forensic donors squirming with discomfort, albeit claimed that Trump “asked me” to run for vowed to fight the subpoenas in court, giv- investigation” of the presidential election quietly. Some Republicans privately wor- governor, is the ringleader of the audit ing Republicans who are leery of Trump’s results, a review modeled on the widely ry that the spectacle of a protracted elec- campaign and is fundraising off it. antics hope that the audit will have a short discredited process underway in Arizona. tion audit is a time bomb that not only will “All I’m asking for is a transparent and life. Tuesday, July 20, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Baseball team changes name for Korean fans MONTGOMERY — A AL Minor League Baseball team in the South temporarily changed its name and its jerseys to celebrate the Korean community in its hometown. For one night only, the Mont- gomery Biscuits became the Montgomery Kimchi, WFSA-TV reported. Wearing jerseys with Korean lettering, the team beat Mississippi’s Biloxi Shuckers 9-8 in 11 innings. The Biscuits partnered with A- KEEP, the Alabama-Korean Edu- cation and Economic Partnership, to incorporate elements of Korean culture into the game. Fans could sample kimchi, the traditional dish of salted and fermented vege- tables. Grocery operator fined for child labor violations MANCHESTER — A NH grocery store operator paid over $27,000 in fines to the U.S. Department of Labor after an investigation found that some mi- nors employed by the business RUSS DILLINGHAM, (LEWISTON, MAINE) SUN JOURNAL/AP were cleaning power-driven meat mixers and grinders, and others worked in violation of federal Sparking interest in animals hours restrictions. People gathered around the gazebo in Kennedy Park react as Josh Sparks from Sparks Ark’ shows them a boa constrictor during his Federal child labor laws prohib- presentation in Lewiston, Maine. The event was part of Lewiston Public Libraries Summer Program. it employees under 18 from oper- ating or cleaning the machines. officers have been sentenced for THE CENSUS publicly for the idea. He said the On The Vine Marketplace in beating porcupines to death on question could be brought back Scarborough, Maine, recently several occasions while on duty. The number of people who were injured in an accident involv- for a countywide vote. paid a fine for that violation and Addison Cox, 28, of Warren, and 12 ing a trolley that typically ferries tourists around historic St. Commissioner Wes Henderson one at its sister store in Exeter, Michael A. Rolerson, 31, of Sears- Augustine, Fla., authorities said. All 12 were hospitalized, including one flown originally favored the proposal, N.H., after the department identi- mont, were sentenced on misde- to a larger nearby medical center, said Chris Pacetti, operations chief for the St. but said he reconsidered due to fied two minors under 16 who meanor charges of cruelty to ani- Augustine Fire Department. The St. Augustine Record reported that the Old concerns about issues including worked too many hours. mals and night hunting, according Town Trolley overturned while trying to make a turn at an intersection. St. Au- Trump’s impeachment trials. to court documents. gustine police spokesman Dee Brown said officials are investigating the crash Some residents opposed spend- and aren’t sure yet what caused it. Environmental officials, Both former Rockland officers ing $8,000 for physical changes in- police probe fox attacks pleaded guilty, the Bangor Daily cluding street and building sig- News reported. length. multiple deer were shot from nage, letterhead, business cards SARATOGA SPRINGS Cox was sentenced to 90 days in Once they are able to feed on trucks, shot with the aid of spot- and public records fees. NY — New York environ- jail, fined $1,000, placed on admin- their own, the snakes will be lights at night, and intentionally mental officers and local police istrative release for six months moved to a habitat visible to the run over with vehicles, and then 3 decapitated ducks are investigating fox attacks in Sa- and must complete 100 hours of public. stabbed or kicked to death. found in neighborhood ratoga Springs and urging people community service. Rolerson was The juveniles faces misde- in the area to be cautious outdoors. sentenced to 270 days in jail, fined 4 juveniles accused of meanor charges and violations HONOLULU — Three Melissa Thompson-Flynn told $1,000 and placed on probation for poaching deer in 2 states that include: torture or mutilation HI decapitated ducks were the Times Union of Albany that six months. of a vertebrate animal, use of arti- found in the middle of a road in a she was attacked by a fox while PRINCETON — Indiana ficial light to take deer, hunting Honolulu neighborhood and resi- jogging. She said the animal came Endangered snakes born IN prosecutors have without landowner consent and dents upset by the gruesome dis- up behind her and bit her leg. at zoo to help species charged four juveniles from criminal trespassing. covery have raised about $1,500 in She pried the fox off her leg, but southeastern Illinois with alleged- reward money to find those re- it then bit her right arm. Thomp- OMAHA — Four en- ly torturing and poaching more Rural county decides not sponsible. son-Flynn, 51, a retired U.S. Army NE dangered indigo than 20 wild deer in the two states. to name road for Trump Beth-Ann Kozlovich told Ha- officer who served in Iraq, snakes are the newest babies at After an investigation by Indi- waii News Now she came upon the grabbed the fox by the throat with Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & ana conservation officers, the Gib- YERINGTON — Elect- duck carcasses while walking her her left arm. Police arrived as she Aquarium, marking a first-time son County Prosecutor’s Office re- NV ed officials in a rural dogs in Hawaii Kai. was still battling the fox and an of- birth of the species at the zoo. cently charged four juveniles Nevada county where voters sided Kozlovich said the ducks are ko- ficer killed the animal. Their births are the result of an from Mount Carmel, Ill., with solidly with Republican President loa — ducks native to Hawaii that Thompson-Flynn has begun a Eastern Indigo Species Survival committing a combined 119 wild- Donald Trump in the 2020 elec- are on the federal endangered series of anti-rabies shots. Plan recommendation. life violations in Indiana and Illi- tion have rejected a proposal to re- species list. At a day camp for children host- The zoo said in a news release nois over a 2-year span. name a road for him. The birds frequent Hahaione ed by Skidmore College, a fox bit a that such plans manage threat- Illinois conservation officers al- Lyon County commissioners Valley, with many gathering along camp counselor and scratched a ened and endangered species to so investigated the alleged poach- cited community opposition be- a drainage canal. camper. They were treated for mi- ensure that they are healthy, ge- ing in Mount Carmel, Ill., and Gib- fore voting 3-2 against renaming Kozlovich posted a photo of the nor injuries and began receiving netically diverse and demograph- son County, Ind., starting in Janu- the half-mile Old Dayton Valley dead ducks on the NextDoor app. anti-rabies shots, a college spokes- ically varied across institutions ary. Road in Dayton, an unincorporat- In response, residents raised person said. accredited by the Association of The investigations in the two ed community 23 miles south of about $1,500 in reward money to Zoos and Aquariums. states found that the juveniles ille- Reno. The new name would have find those responsible. Ex-cops jailed for beating Eastern indigos are native to the gally killed more than 20 deer in been Pres. Trump Way. Sgt. Chris Kim of Honolulu porcupines to death southeastern United States and both states during the 2019, 2020 Commissioner Ken Gray, pro- CrimeStoppers said it’s a case of are considered the largest non- and 2021 deer seasons, officials ponent of the measure, told the second-degree animal cruelty. ROCKLAND — Two venomous snake in the country. said in a news release. Nevada Appeal that supporters ME former Maine police Some reach up to 8½ feet in Prosecutors have alleged that were intimidated not to come out From The Associated Press PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 WORLD Thai police use tear gas on anti-government protesters Associated Press The demonstrators were de- growing surge of the virus. down that includes restrictions on ment for failing to secure early and BANGKOK, — Thai police used manding Prime Minister Prayuth The rally came as Thailand re- gatherings and business operations adequate vaccine supplies is wide- tear gas, rubber bullets and water Chan-ocha’s government step corded its largest single-day jump in as well as a nighttime curfew. spread. Thailand mostly relies on cannons Sunday to disperse hun- down, insisting the budget of the virus infections — nearly 11,400 — As infections and deaths climb two vaccines, including China’s Si- dreds of anti-government protes- monarchy and the military be cut and as fresh restrictions were an- and as more people face economic novac shot, which some studies ters who held a rally in Bangkok de- during the pandemic and calling for nounced such as the shutdown of suffering, disapproval of the gov- have indicated is less effective spite coronavirus restrictions ban- the import of mRNA coronavirus most domestic flights. Many parts of ernment’s handling of the pandemic against the delta variant, which is ning gatherings of more than five vaccines that have yet to be brought the country, including Bangkok, are has grown. currently wrecking havoc across people. to Thailand on a large scale to fight a already under some form of lock- Criticism of Prayuth’s govern- Southeast Asia. American father, son receive prison terms for helping Ghosn escape

Associated Press sentenced to one year and eight months. a serious violation of the law, as now there is ing the decisions, he said. TOKYO — A Tokyo court handed down They were charged with helping a crimi- next to no chance of putting Ghosn on trial. Ghosn was arrested in Japan in Novem- prison terms for the American father and nal in the December 2019 escape of Ghosn, “This case enabled Ghosn, a defendant of ber 2018 on charges of underreporting his son accused of helping Nissan’s former who hid in a big box that was flown on a pri- a serious crime, to escape overseas,” he compensation and of breach of trust in us- chairman, Carlos Ghosn, escape to Lebanon vate jet via Turkey to Lebanon. Lebanon said. ing Nissan Motor Co. money for personal while awaiting trial in Japan. has no extradition treaty with Japan. Although the defense argued the two had gain. He says he is innocent, and he left be- Michael Taylor was sentenced Monday to In handing down the sentencing, Chief been merely used by Ghosn, they clearly cause he could not expect a fair trial in Ja- two years in prison, while his son, Peter, was Judge Hideo Nirei said they had committed were involved, regardless of who was mak- pan. Tuesday, July 20, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 WORLD Controversial Hajj in Mecca pared Muhammad cartoon artist down for 2nd year dies at age 86 Associated Press scaled back for the second year Associated Press MECCA, Saudi Arabia — in a row due to the coronavirus HELSINKI — Danish cartoonist Tens of thousands of vaccinated pandemic. Kurt Westergaard, whose image of Muslim pilgrims circled Is- The pared-down hajj pre- the Prophet Muhammad wearing a lam’s holiest site in Mecca on vents Muslims from outside bomb as a turban was at the center Sunday, but remained socially Saudi Arabia from fulfilling an AMR NABIL/AP of widespread anti-Danish anger in distanced and wore masks as Islamic obligation and causes Muslim pilgrims practice social distancing as they pray at the Namira the Muslim world in the mid-2000s, the coronavirus takes its toll on financial losses to Saudi Arabia, Mosque in Arafat during the annual hajj pilgrimage near the holy city has died. He was 86. the hajj for a second year run- which took in billions of dollars of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Monday. Westergaard’s family an- ning. as the custodian of the holy sites nounced his death to Danish media The hajj pilgrimage, which in pre-pandemic years. The hajj concludes with the Eid Saudi citizens or residents of late Sunday and told the newspaper once drew some 2.5 million The Islamic pilgrimage lasts al-Adha celebration, marked by Saudi Arabia have been allowed Berlingske that he died in his sleep Muslims from all walks of life about five days, but Muslims the distribution of meat to the to perform the hajj due to con- after a long period of illness. Danish from across the globe, is now al- traditionally begin arriving in poor around the world. tinued concerns around the media reported that he died July 14, most unrecognizable. It is being Mecca weeks ahead of time. This year, 60,000 vaccinated spread of the coronavirus. a day after his birthday. From the early 1980s, Wester- gaard worked as a cartoonist for Jyllands-Posten, one of Denmark’s Corruption trial resumes for South Africa’s jailed ex-president leading newspapers, and was asso- ciated with the daily until he turned Associated Press from the French arms manufacturer ceived the bribes through his former fi- 75. JOHANNESBURG — The corruption Thales related to the country’s controver- nancial advisor, Schabir Shaik, Zuma was Westergaard became known trial of former South African President sial 1999 arms procurement contracts. a high-ranking official in the ruling Afri- worldwide in 2005 for his contro- Jacob Zuma resumed Monday, more than The trial is taking place virtually, but Zu- can National Congress party and a pro- versial depiction of the Prophet a week after his imprisonment for con- ma’s lawyers may seek to postpone the vincial minister in KwaZulu-Natal. Muhammad in Jyllands-Posten, tempt of court in a separate case set off proceedings so he can appear physically Shaik was convicted on related charges which published 12 editorial car- rioting in parts of the country. in court. in 2005, sentenced to prison and later re- toons of the principal figure of Is- Zuma is accused of receiving bribes At the time he is alleged to have re- leased on medical parole. lam. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 FACES

Study finds more diversity in LGBTQ film characters The Associated Press from the previous year, but a de- The year 2020 saw welcome crease of 12 films overall (last growth in racial diversity of year’s study looked at 118 films.) LBGTQ characters in films re- GLAAD counted 20 LGBTQ leased by major studios, accord- characters in those films, a de- ing to a new study by the advocacy crease from 50 in last year’s report group GLAAD. But for the fourth (attributable to the reduced sam- year in a row there were no trans- ple size of films released in 2020.) gender or non-binary characters Especially concerning, GLAAD in those films. noted, was that for the fourth year The study, released July 15, also in a row, there were zero trans- found no LGBTQ characters in gender and/or non-binary charac- those films living with HIV, or ters counted. The group renewed with disabilities. its call for increased transgender GLAAD looked at 44 films re- and non-binary representation leased in theaters by major stu- and storytelling. dios in 2020, a limited number due A welcome finding was the in- to the pandemic. crease in racial diversity of Of those films, 10 (22.7%) con- LGBTQ characters. Of the 20 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT/AP tained LGBTQ characters. The characters counted, 40% (or eight) LeBron James is pictured in a scene from “Space Jam: A New Legacy.” The film performed better than films included “Kajillionaire,” were characters of color, an in- expected on its opening weekend and topped the box office with $31.7 million in North America. “Like a Boss,” “The Broken crease of 6% from 2019 (though an Hearts Gallery,” “Fantasy Is- overall decrease of nine charac- land,” “Valley Girl,” “Freaky,” ters). GLAAD noted that was still “The New Mutants” and “Birds of 17% lower than a record of 57 per- Prey.” It was an increase of 4.1% cent characters of color in 2017. ‘Space Jam’ dunks on ‘Black Widow’ for No. 1

BY LINDSEY BAHR Dragon” — have opened well under $20 million. But Associated Press audiences of all ages turned out for the new “Space “Black Widow” ceded its No. 1 spot to an unlikely Jam.” foe in its second week in theaters: The Tune Squad. “It shows that families have waited for a movie that LeBron James, Bugs Bunny and the rest of the everyone can go to and that’s this movie,” said Jeff stars of Warner Bros.’ “Space Jam: A New Legacy” Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ head of domestic distribu- defied expectations and won the box office this week- tion. “It’s just a fun movie for the family.” end. According to studio estimates Sunday, “Space “Black Widow,” meanwhile fell 67% in its second Jam: A New Legacy” grossed $31.7 million in North weekend, which, although steep, is also fairly normal America, while “Black Widow” took in $26.3 million. for superhero films, which tend to have frontloaded Not many expected “Space Jam: A New Legacy” to audiences. Internationally, the Scarlett Johansson- pull off this win. The poorly reviewed film was led film picked up another $29.9 million, bringing its VIANNEY LE CAER/AP pegged for an opening in the $20 million range. But a global grosses to $264 million. Director Julia Ducournau won of the Palme d’Or for the film ‘Titane’ on sizable number of families and millennials who grew Last weekend, “Black Widow” became the highest Saturday night at the Cannes Film Festival in southern France. up with the original “Space Jam” left the house and grossing film of the pandemic. Disney also surprised went to a theater to see it, even though it’s currently many in the industry by revealing its first weekend streaming on HBO Max free for subscribers. Not on- profits from the movie’s streaming rentals. Rental ‘Titane’ wins top Cannes honor, ly that, audiences also gave the film a promising A- grosses were not provided this week, however. CinemaScore, suggesting word of mouth could be This weekend also saw the launch of “Escape second ever for female director strong. Room: Tournament of Champions,” a sequel to the Associated Press because it was not perfect.” “Space Jam: A New Legacy” is the largest pandem- high-concept 2019 film. Sony is projecting that the Julia Ducournau’s “Titane,” a After several false starts, Lee ic opening for Warner Bros., which is significant film will gross $8.8 million over the weekend, which wild body-horror thriller featur- implored Sharon Stone to make since the studio in 2021 is releasing all its films simul- is actually better than the first film’s debut and in line ing sex with a car and a surpris- the Palme d’Or announcement, taneously in theaters and on HBO Max. with studio expectations. ingly tender heart, won the Palme explaining: “She’s not going to It’s also the largest domestic opening for a family “F9” took fourth place with $7.6 million. The “Fast d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, mess it up.” The problems started film since the beginning of the pandemic. Warner & Furious” film has made $591.2 million globally to making Ducournau the second fe- earlier when Lee was asked to say Bros. said 32% of the audience was under 18, which is date. The fifth and sixth place spots also went to Uni- male filmmaker to win the festiv- which prize would be awarded larger than usual. Most of the major family films that versal films: “The Boss Baby: Family Business” with al’s top honor in its 74 year history. first. Instead, he announced the have come out during the pandemic — from “The $4.7 million and “The Forever Purge,” with $4.1 mil- The win on Saturday was mis- evening’s final prize. Boss Baby: Family Business” to “Raya and the Last lion. takenly announced by jury presi- Lee spent several moments dent Spike Lee at the top of the with his head in his hands before closing ceremony, broadcast in apologizing profusely for taking a France on Canal+, unleashing a lot of suspense out of the evening. Dylan returns to stage — at least on film few moments of confusion. Du- “I have no excuses,” Lee said. “I cournau, a French filmmaker, messed up. I’m a big sports fan. Associated Press Dylan hasn’t performed live since December didn’t come to the stage to accept It’s like the guy at the end of the After a year and a half away because of the pan- 2019, COVID-19 finally concluding his so-called the award until the formal an- game who misses the free throw.” demic, relentless road warrior Bob Dylan return- Never Ending tour. Since 1988, he had kept per- nouncement at the end of the cere- “I messed up,” he added. “As ed to a concert stage on Sunday — at least online. forming regularly: 78 gigs in 2019, 84 in 2018, for mony. The early hint didn’t dimin- simple as that.” He performed for fans who paid $25 to watch example. ish from her emotional response. Ducournau’s win was a long- through the live-streaming platform Veeps. It was His wardrobe changes and differences in the “I’m sorry, I keep shaking my awaited triumph. The only previ- less a concert than a stylized black-and-white film, placement of the band and witnesses made clear head,” said Ducournau, catching ous female filmmaker to win with the 80-year-old singer fronting a four-piece that Sunday’s performance, titled “Shadow King- her breath. “Is this real? I don’t Cannes’ top honor — among the band in a juke joint before audience members who dom,” did not run straight through. His audience know why I’m speaking English most prestigious awards in cine- smoked a lot and paid little attention to him. was actors rather than fans; they didn’t applaud. right now because I’m French. ma — was Jane Campion for “The This evening has been so perfect Piano” in 1993. Tuesday, July 20, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Michael Kerschbaum, Pacific commander Iraq, a bet for the US that is worth continuing Michael Ryan, Pacific chief of staff BY DAVID IGNATIUS continue to need intelligence support, mi. Washington Post Writers Group training, capacity building, and advice.” The campaign against the militias is BAGHDAD With his trim suits and dark, sharply broader than this week’s arrest. A security EDITORIAL ighteen years after the U.S. inva- drawn features, al-Kadhimi could play an official tells me that Iraqi forces have con- Terry Leonard, Editor sion that deposed Saddam Hus- Arab spymaster in the movies. He still lives ducted 30 to 40 operations to disrupt at- [email protected] sein, Iraq offers a long, painful in the stylish but relatively small house he tacks planned by Iranian-backed militias, story about the limits of Ameri- inhabited before taking office. taking such preemptive action almost Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor E can power. But Prime Minister Mustafa al- Al-Kadhimi took office in May 2020 as a weekly in recent months. [email protected] Kadhimi will visit the White House this representative of a movement of young, an- Al-Kadhimi wants a middle ground, a sit- Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content month to urge President Joe Biden to keep gry Shiites who had a simple slogan: Nu- uation where Iraq is a bridge, rather than a [email protected] trying — by maintaining a U.S. military reek Watan. “We want a country,” free battleground. He has told American vis- commitment to a country that straddles the from the corrupt sectarian political parties, itors that when he became prime minister, Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] fault lines of the Middle East. Iranian-backed militias and Sunni terror- he had three choices: Open war with the mi- Al-Kadhimi is a rare figure in a region ists that have enfeebled the country since litias; giving in to them and becoming a sub- Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital where most political leaders are autocrats, the U.S. invasion. servient prime minister; or a gradual strat- [email protected] crooks, or both. He’s a former journalist More than 600 of these Iraqi protesters egy of hit and run. He chose the third. and intelligence chief who’s long on ideal- are dead, killed during the demonstrations If Iraq can fight its own battles, going for- BUREAU STAFF ism and short on political power. He doesn’t or since then by Iranian-backed death ward, it will be thanks in part to an elite, have a party or a militia. He has tried but squads who’ve hunted them down. Al-Kad- U.S.-trained group known as the Counter- Europe/Mideast often failed to curb the Iranian-backed mi- himi has sometimes seemed powerless. But Terrorism Service, headquartered in a Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] litias that plague his country. He has made security officials tell me that about 150 mili- sparkling white stone building. A heroic +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 reform promises that, so far, he has mostly tia members have secretly been arrested mural of its fighters graces the entrance, Pacific been unable to keep. and are being held at undisclosed locations and guards in elaborate gold braided uni- Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief Yet after a five-day visit here with al- pending charges. forms flank the entrances. The commandos [email protected] Kadhimi and most of his top lieutenants, I’d Iran is a pervasive presence here. Drive themselves wear crisply tailored black uni- +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 assess the experiment he started when he the streets of the Green Zone and you see forms, like Iraqi versions of Ninja warriors. Washington became prime minister just over a year ago posters every few blocks with doleful pic- The CTS, as it is known, was the hero of Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief as a bet worth continuing. It may be a long tures of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleima- the battle for Mosul against Islamic State [email protected] shot, but the costs to the United States are ni and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al- fighters. The commander, Gen. Abdul-Wa- (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News relatively low and the potential rewards are Mohandess, who were both killed by a U.S. hab al-Saadi, is an Arab version of Clint [email protected] large. This is a situation where the tired drone near the Baghdad airport on Jan. 3, Eastwood, gruff, measuring his words, al- phrase “stay the course” actually has some 2020. “We will never forget the blood of our ternating puffs on a cigarette and a vape. CIRCULATION meaning. martyrs,” warns a caption under the por- When prompted, he points to the five Mideast Al-Kadhimi is trying to strike a tricky traits. The Iranian-backed militias regular- wounds he’s received in battle: throat, Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager bargain with Biden. He wants agreement ly attack the U.S. Embassy with rockets and shoulders, back, arm and leg. [email protected] on withdrawal of U.S. “combat” forces, as drones. They have also invaded the Green Al-Saadi is proud that his forces liberated [email protected] the Iraqi parliament has demanded, but a Zone several times to threaten al-Kadhimi. Iraqi cities from ISIS. But he knows he de- DSN (314)583-9111 continuation of the other American military Last year, militia fighters surrounded his pended on American military help, and he Europe support that gives Iraq a shot at maintain- house for hours, making him a virtual hos- wants to keep it. “For training and air sup- Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager ing independence and sovereignty. His tage, demanding release of comrades that port, we still need the Americans,” he tells [email protected] [email protected] problem is that Iran wants America out en- al-Kadhimi’s forces had arrested. me. +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 tirely, and its militias keep firing rockets at Al-Kadhimi keeps pushing back at the A reminder of how far Iraq has traveled, Pacific the American Embassy and military sites to militias, despite these threats. This week despite internal chaos, came during a visit Mari Mori, [email protected] make the point. Al-Kadhimi needs to do the government announced the arrest of this week with President Barham Salih. We +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 more to stop them — for America’s protec- Ahmed Hamdawi Al-Kinani, an Iranian- sat in his garden by the Tigris River on a tion and Iraq’s. backed militant who allegedly killed a gentle summer night, recalling our first CONTACT US “We are seeking a long-term strategic prominent Iraqi intellectual named Hish- meetings in the 1990s, when he was a young Washington partnership,” he told me in an interview at am al-Hashemi a year ago. Al-Hashemi Kurdish activist lobbying Washington to his residence here. “Iraqis are now ready to was a historian and human-rights activist oppose the murderous regime of Saddam tel: (+1)202.886.0003 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 stand up on their feet and protect them- who had written about the militias; he was Hussein. The garden of the presidential Reader letters selves. We are no longer in need of U.S. also al-Kadhimi’s friend, and many Iraqis palace where we talked was once Sad- combat troops. At the same time, we will saw the murder as a message to al-Kadhi- dam’s. [email protected] Additional contacts stripes.com/contactus Meeting would show Belarus that Biden is serious OMBUDSMAN Ernie Gates A Washington Post editorial rus — and the world — that the United States — the people of Belarus were insulted and resident Joe Biden’s campaign for is prepared to defend democracy and con- furious at his theft of their election. Lukash- The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow of news and information, reporting any attempts by the the White House featured a pledge front autocrats, and not just in news releas- enko forced Tikhanovskaya out of Belarus military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s to “revitalize our national commit- es. and then proceeded to crack the heads of independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for Pment to advancing human rights Belarus has been ruled since 1994 by demonstrators, hauling hundreds of them fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman and democracy around the world.” Last Alexander Lukashenko, who never aban- into prisons, where they have been beaten welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by email at [email protected], or by phone at month, he declared that the United States is doned the misguided Soviet model, and re- and tortured. His regime used a phony bomb 202.886.0003. in a “contest with autocrats, autocratic gov- lies on his security services, still known as threat to seize one independent journalist ernments around the world, as to whether or the KGB, to keep him and his dictatorship in from a flight crossing Belarus airspace. Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday not democracies can compete with them in power. He’s an erratic opportunist, veering Just last week, on Wednesday, at least a through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and the rapidly changing 21st century.” Biden’s between East and West in foreign policy but dozen people were detained in raids by Lu- Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send ambitions have yet to be matched by action. always ruling internally with an iron hand. kashenko’s regime against the Vyasna hu- address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, But this week he has an opportunity to show Before the election, Lukashenko went after man rights center and the Belarusian Hel- APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services he means business. Tikhanovskaya’s husband, Sergei, a popular sinki Committee, and on Friday, the author- overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who over- YouTuber who summoned thousands of ities launched arrests and raids of journal- unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- whelmingly won last August’s presidential people to sign ballot petitions with an anti- ists’ offices, breaking down the door of per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to election in Belarus, only to see her rightful corruption slogan. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Minsk. remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. victory stolen away, is coming to Washing- When he was imprisoned (and he still is), “Again a massive attack by security forces The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or ton. She represents all that the United States Tikhanovskya got on the ballot and, with two on journalists across the country,” said the Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. and Biden hold dear: a popularly elected other women, Veronika Tsepkalo and Maria Belarusian Association of Journalists. Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, leader, and a champion of democracy, rule Kolesnikova, inspired a vast wave of enthu- Tikhanovskaya is at the front lines of the religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical of law and civil society who has courageous- siasm for change. They defeated Lukashen- contest between democracy and dictator- handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. ly stood up against dictatorship in Europe. ko by a large margin, but Lukashenko then ship. No single visitor to the White House © Stars and Stripes 2021 Biden should meet with her at the White declared himself the winner. This ignited could carry more symbolism and meaning stripes.com House to demonstrate to the people of Bela- massive protest marches, week after week at this juncture. PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 50 Horn sound 20 Vintage 1 Soother 51 Tool set 21 Border on 5 March 52 Facts and figures 22 Antitoxins Madness gp. 53 Hollywood 23 “Don’t let go!” clashers 24 Carrots’ mates

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 9 Fella 12 “The King —” 26 Hand (out) 13 Hoops great DOWN 27 Rage Monroe 1 Satchel 28 Merlot or Chianti 14 Bruins legend 2 Year in Spain 29 Close 15 Olympian’s 3 “Bad” cholesterol 31 Observed dream 4 Bette in 34 Cauldron 17 NYC airport “Beaches” 35 Buccaneer 18 Young fellows 5 Must have 37 PC alternative 19 Encryptions 6 Scoundrels 38 Slugger Aaron 7 Coach 39 Con

Non Sequitur 21 “My Name Is — Lev” Parseghian 40 Move like a 24 Tropical tree 8 Like some real butterfly 25 “To — not ...” estate deals 41 — St. Vincent 26 Loses steam 9 Daring Millay 30 Web address maneuvers 44 Mouths (Lat.) 31 “Don’t Know 10 Incite 45 Journal Why” singer 11 Bikini parts 46 Privy 16 Scratch 47 Rds. Jones 32 Compete Answer to Previous Puzzle

Candorville 33 Baby frogs 35 Michael of “The Martian” 36 Convention freebie 37 Skinflint 38 Part of Hispaniola 40 Dread 42 Director Lee

Carpe Diem 43 Telemarketing tactics 48 Ultimate 49 Ms. Brockovich Beetle Bailey Bizarro Tuesday, July 20, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 SCOREBOARD/SPORTS BRIEFS

SOCCER TENNIS AUTO RACING GOLF BRIEFLY MLS Hall of Fame Open Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 Barbasol Championship Sunday NASCAR Cup Series Eastern Conference At International Tennis Hall of Fame Sunday F1 condemns racist Newport, R.I. At New Hampshire Motor Speedway PGA Tour WLTPts GF GA Purse: $466,870 Loudon, N.H. Sunday attacks on Hamilton Surface: Grass Lap length: 1.06 miles At Keene Trace Golf Club New England 8 3 3 27 23 18 Men’s Singles (Start position in parentheses) Nicholasville, Ky. Philadelphia 6 3 5 23 18 13 Championship 1. (22) Aric Almirola, Ford, 293 laps, 46 Yardage: 7,328; Par: 72 LONDON — Mercedes, Formu- points. Orlando City 6 3 4 22 21 13 Kevin Anderson (8), South Africa, def. Purse: $3.5 Million la One and its governing body the Jenson Brooksby, United States, 7-6 (8), 2. (9) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 293, 40. Final Round 3. (11) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 293, 53. CF Montréal 6 3 4 22 19 15 6-4. x-won on the sixth playoff hole FIA issued a joint statement Mon- Nashville 5 1 7 22 21 14 Men’s Doubles 4. (15) Joey Logano, Ford, 293, 33. 5. (7) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 293, 50. x-Seamus Power, $630,000 65-68-67-67—267-21 day condemning the online racist Columbus 5 3 5 20 15 12 Championship J.T. Poston, $381,500 65-66-66-70—267-21 Jack Sock and William Blumberg, United 6. (12) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 293, 47. abuse aimed at Lewis Hamilton. NYCFC 5 5 2 17 20 15 States, def. Vasek Pospisil, Canada, and 7. (10) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 293, 35. Anirban Lahiri, $206,500 68-67-68-65—268-20 8. (20) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 293, 34. New York 5 5 2 17 17 15 Austin Krajicek, United States, 6-2, 7-6 (3). Sam Ryder, $206,500 66-69-68-65—268-20 Hamilton was targeted follow- 9. (5) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 293, 28. Ryan Armour, $115,938 65-67-69-68—269-19 D.C. United 5 7 1 16 18 16 10. (6) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 293, 38. ing the Mercedes driver’s crash James Hahn, $115,938 69-70-60-70—269-19 Atlanta 2 4 7 13 13 16 Hungarian Grand Prix 11. (14) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 293, 28. 12. (2) Martin Truex Jr, Toyota, 293, 25. Luke List, $115,938 65-68-65-71—269-19 with rival Max Verstappen on the Cincinnati 3 6 3 12 16 25 Sunday 13. (8) Tyler Reddick, Chevrolet, 293, 33. Henrik Norlander, $115,938 68-68-66-67—269-19 opening lap of Sunday’s British Chicago 3 8 2 11 14 23 14. (21) Cole Custer, Ford, 293, 23. At Europe Tennis Center Mito Pereira, $115,938 67-70-65-67—269-19 Grand Prix that sent the cham- Toronto FC 2 8 3 9 17 30 Budapest, Hungary 15. (29) Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Chevrolet, Patrick Rodgers, $115,938 68-67-67-67—269-19 Purse: $235,238 293, 22. Inter Miami CF 2 7 2 8 9 17 Surface: Red clay 16. (4) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 292, 22. Joseph Bramlett, $77,875 65-67-67-71—270-18 pionship leader hurtling out of the Women’s Singles 17. (13) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 292, 20. Bo Hoag, $77,875 66-68-67-69—270-18 race. Western Conference Championship 18. (3) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 292, 32. David Lingmerth, $77,875 65-70-65-70—270-18 Yulia Putintseva (1), Kazakhstan, def. 19. (24) Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 292, 18. Taylor Pendrith, $77,875 65-68-69-68—270-18 “Formula One, the FIA and the WLTPts GF GA Anhelina Kalinina, Ukraine, 6-4, 6-0. 20. (31) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 292, 17. 21. (16) William Byron, Chevrolet, 292, 16. Beau Hossler, $58,625 67-68-69-67—271-17 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Seattle 8 1 5 29 23 9 22. (25) Ryan Preece, Chevrolet, 292, 15. Adam Schenk, $58,625 66-69-67-69—271-17 Team condemn this behavior in Sporting KC 8 3 2 26 24 15 Swedish Open 23. (26) Corey Lajoie, Chevrolet, 292, 14. Brian Stuard, $58,625 64-69-70-68—271-17 24. (28) Ryan Newman, Ford, 292, 13. the strongest possible terms,” the LA Galaxy 8 5 0 24 21 20 Sunday Josh Teater, $58,625 69-67-69-66—271-17 25. (23) Michael McDowell, Ford, 292, 12. Michael Gligic, $49,875 67-68-71-66—272-16 Colorado 6 3 3 21 19 13 At Bastad Tennis Stadium 26. (18) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 292, 11. statement said. “These people Rafael Campos, $38,325 70-66-71-66—273-15 LAFC 6 4 3 21 17 13 Bastad, Sweden 27. (19) Chase Briscoe, Ford, 291, 10. have no place in our sport and we Purse: Euro 419,470 David Hearn, $38,325 67-67-67-72—273-15 Minnesota 5 5 3 18 13 16 28. (30) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 291, 0. Surface: Red clay 29. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford, 290, 8. Jim Herman, $38,325 67-70-65-71—273-15 urge that those responsible should Portland 5 6 1 16 15 19 Men’s Singles 30. (32) BJ McLeod, Ford, 288, 0. Championship Mark Hubbard, $38,325 66-69-70-68—273-15 be held accountable for their ac- Real Salt Lake 4 4 4 16 19 14 31. (34) Cody Ware, Chevrolet, 285, 0. Satoshi Kodaira, $38,325 68-69-68-68—273-15 Casper Ruud (1), Norway, def. Federico 32. (27) Anthony Alfredo, Ford, 285, 5. tions.” Houston 3 4 6 15 16 19 Coria, Argentina, 6-3, 6-3. 33. (33) Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, 283, Ben Taylor, $38,325 67-69-68-69—273-15 Austin FC 3 6 4 13 10 14 Men’s Doubles 0. Mark Anderson, $26,075 69-69-69-67—274-14 Championship Power outlasts Poston in San Jose 3 7 3 12 15 23 34. (35) Josh Bilicki, Ford, 280, 3. Jason Dufner, $26,075 67-69-65-73—274-14 David Pel and Sander Arends, Nether- 35. (36) Quin Houff, Chevrolet, accident, Vancouver 3 7 3 12 14 23 lands, def. Andre Begemann, Germany, Charl Schwartzel, $26,075 71-68-68-67—274-14 187, 2. Kevin Tway, $26,075 69-71-67-67—274-14 Barbasol Championship FC Dallas 2 6 5 11 14 21 and Albano Olivetti, France, 6-4, 6-2. 36. (37) James Davison, Chevrolet, clutch, 40, 1. Vincent Whaley, $26,075 69-67-69-69—274-14 NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — Sea- Greg Chalmers, $20,475 66-71-67-71—275-13 Note: Three points for victory, one point Swiss Open 37. (1) Kyle Busch, Toyota, accident, 8, 1. mus Power won the Barbasol for tie. Race Statistics were not immediately Robert Garrigus, $20,475 69-70-71-65—275-13 Monday available. Wilco Nienaber, $20,475 68-71-69-67—275-13 Championship on Sunday for his Sunday’s games At Roy Emerson Arena F1 British Grand Prix Roger Sloan, $20,475 69-71-68-67—275-13 first PGA Tour victory, beating Minnesota 1, Seattle 0 Gstaad, Switzerland Davis Thompson, $20,475 67-70-71-67—275-13 Purse: Euro 419,470 Sunday J.T. Poston with a tap-in par on the Tuesday’s game Surface: Red clay At Silverstone Circuit Bo Van Pelt, $20,475 67-72-66-70—275-13 Derek Ernst, $16,625 69-66-66-75—276-12 Houston at Vancouver Men’s Doubles Silverstone, England. sixth hole of a playoff. Round of 16 Lap length: 5.00 kilometers Sahith Theegala, $16,625 69-71-70-66—276-12 Wednesday’s games Jakub Paul and Leandro Riedi, Switzer- (Start position in parentheses) Nick Watney, $16,625 69-66-70-71—276-12 Poston drove into the water that Nashville at Columbus land, def. Evan King and Max Jacob Dominic Bozzelli, $14,875 70-65-73-69—277-11 lines the right side of the par-4 Schnur, United States, 6-3, 6-4. New York at Toronto FC 1. (2) Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mer- Tom Lewis, $14,875 69-71-72-65—277-11 18th at Keene Trace and made a CF Montréal at New York City FC DEALS cedes, 52 laps, 1:15:28.716, 25 points. Bobby Bai, $12,425 66-71-68-73—278-10 New England at Miami 2. (4) Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, bogey on the final extra hole. Pow- Atlanta at Cincinnati 52, +3.871 seconds, 18. Paul Barjon, $12,425 71-69-65-73—278-10 D.C. United at Chicago Sunday’s Transactions 3. (3) Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, David Gazzolo, $12,425 70-68-71-69—278-10 er hit the fairway, played his sec- San Jose at Sporting Kansas City 52, +11.125, 15. Cameron Percy, $12,425 67-69-71-71—278-10 FC Dallas at Colorado BASEBALL 4. (5) Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLa- ond to 12 feet and two-putted for Major League Baseball Vaughn Taylor, $12,425 65-72-72-69—278-10 LA Galaxy at Real Salt Lake ren, 52, +28.573, 12. Will Grimmer, $9,287 64-74-71-70—279 -9 the victory. Los Angeles FC at Portland American League 5. (6) Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, McLa- DETROIT TIGERS — Optioned LHP Miguel ren, 52, +42.624, 10. Wes Roach, $9,287 71-69-71-68—279 -9 “I was able to just kind of stay Thursday’s game Del Pozo to Toledo (Triple-A East). 6. (10) Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, Ferrari, 52, Greyson Sigg, $9,287 68-71-69-71—279 -9 Philadelphia at Orlando City KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Agreed to +43.454, 8. J.J. Spaun, $9,287 71-69-69-70—279 -9 patient enough there and J.T. Seattle at Austin FC terms with LHPs Noah Cameron, Tyson 7. (7) Fernando Alonso, Spain, Alpine, 52, made just one mistake and I was Guerrero, Shane Connolly, Caden Monke Austin Cook, $9,287 69-68-70-72—279 -9 +1:12.093, 6. Ted Potter, Jr., $9,287 69-68-68-74—279 -9 Saturday’s games and Jack Aldrich and RHPs Patrick Halli- 8. (14) Lance Stroll, Canada, Aston Mar- able to take advantage,” Power Columbus at Atlanta gan, Anthony Simonelli and Harrison tin, 52, +1:14.289, 4. Ryan Brehm, $8,239 70-66-75-69—280 -8 Portland at Minnesota Beethe, OFs Parker Bates and River Town 9. (9) Esteban Ocon, France, Alpine, 52, Bronson Burgoon, $8,239 69-69-70-72—280 -8 said. Toronto FC at Chicago and SS Camryn Williams on minor league +1:16.162, 2. Scott Harrington, $8,239 65-75-70-70—280 -8 contracts. Cincinnati at Nashville 10. (16) Yuki Tsunoda, Japan, Alphatauri, Lee Hodges, $8,239 67-71-67-75—280 -8 Predators prospect LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Recalled CF 52, +1:22.065, 1. LA Galaxy at FC Dallas Camilo Villegas, $8,239 71-69-72-68—280 -8 Colorado at Real Salt Lake Brandon Marsh from Salt Lake (Triple-A 11. (11) Pierre Gasly, France, Alphatauri, comes out as gay Houston at San Jose West). Optioned 2B Kean Wong to Salt 52, +1:25.327. J.J. Henry, $7,910 72-68-71-70—281 -7 Vancouver at Los Angeles FC Lake. 12. (12) George Russell, Great Britain, Richard S. Johnson, $7,910 69-70-73-69—281 -7 A Nashville Predators prospect MINNESOTA TWINS — Optioned LHP Williams, 51, +1 lap. Ben Martin, $7,910 66-69-74-72—281 -7 Sunday, July 25 Charlie Barnes to St. Paul (Triple-A East). 13. (15) Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Ro- Davis Riley, $7,910 68-70-69-74—281 -7 has come out as gay before his first NEW YORK YANKEES — Placed OF Tim meo Racing, 51, +1 lap. CF Montréal at New England Ricky Barnes, $7,595 69-70-71-72—282 -6 Orlando City at New York City FC Locastro on the 10-day IL. Selected the 14. (17) Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Wil- NHL camp, intent on leading an Philadelphia at Miami contract of OF Ryan LaMarre from Scran- liams, 51, +1 lap. Jason Bohn, $7,595 68-68-74-72—282 -6 “authentic life.” New York at D.C. United ton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A East) and 15. (13) Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Ro- Jonathan Byrd, $7,595 68-72-72-70—282 -6 Sporting Kansas City at Seattle agreed to terms on a major league con- meo Racing, 51, +1 lap. MJ Daffue, $7,595 70-68-71-73—282 -6 Luke Prokop, a 19-year-old Can- tract. 16. (20) Sergio Perez, Mexico, Red Bull Shawn Stefani, $7,595 67-71-69-75—282 -6 Wednesday, July 28 SEATTLE MARINERS — Recalled OF Dillon Racing, 51, +1 lap. adian who was a third-round pick David Pastore, $7,315 73-67-72-71—283 -5 Austin FC at Vancouver Thomas from Tacoma (Triple-A West). 17. (19) Nikita Mazepin, Russia, Haas F1 in the 2020 draft last fall, posted a Minnesota at Los Angeles FC Placed OF Jake Fraley on the 10-day IL. Team, 51, +1 lap. Trey Shirley, $7,315 70-69-73-71—283 -5 TEXAS RANGERS — Recalled RHP Demar- 18. (18) Mick Schumacher, Germany, Nick Taylor, $7,315 71-69-72-71—283 -5 message to Twitter on Monday: Friday, July 30 cus Evans from Round Rock (Triple-A Haas F1 Team, 51, +1 lap. Rob Oppenheim, $7,140 70-69-72-73—284 -4 West). “It has been quite the journey to Columbus at New York City FC 19. (8) Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Aston Zack Sucher, $7,140 70-69-72-73—284 -4 Atlanta at Orlando City TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Selected the Martin, did not finish, 40. contract of LF Breyvic Valera from Buffalo Brice Garnett, $7,000 71-69-71-74—285 -3 get to this point in my life, but I Portland at LA Galaxy 20. (1) Max Verstappen, Netherlands, (Triple-A East) and agreed to terms on a Red Bull Racing, did not finish. Michael Kim, $7,000 69-71-71-74—285 -3 cannot be happier with my deci- major league contract. Designated LHP NWSL Andrew Loupe, $6,895 71-67-73-75—286 -2 sion to come out,” he said. “From a Nick Allgeyer for assignment. Optioned OF Driver Standings K.J. Choi, $6,790 71-68-73-75—287 -1 Jonathan Davis to Buffalo. Sent RHP Tyler WLTPts GF GA Chatwood to Buffalo on a rehab assign- 1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Stephen Stallings Jr., $6,790 67-73-71-76—287 -1 young age I have dreamed of be- ment. Bull Racing, 185 points. ing an NHL player, and I believe Portland 6 3 1 19 16 7 National League 2. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mer- Chicago 5 4 2 17 11 15 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Agreed to cedes, 152. PRO BASKETBALL that living my authentic life will 3. Sergio Perez, Mexico, Red Bull Racing, North Carolina 5 4 1 16 15 8 terms with RHP Shane Carle on a minor allow me to bring my whole self to league contract. 104. WNBA Gotham FC 4 1 4 16 10 5 CHICAGO CUBS — Claimed 1B Frank 4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren, the rink improve my chances for Houston 5 4 1 16 13 11 Schwindel off waivers from Oakland and 101. 5. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 93. EASTERN CONFERENCE filling my dreams.” Orlando 4 3 4 16 14 13 optioned him to Iowa (Triple-A East). CINCINNATI REDS — Reinstated RHP 6. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 62. WLPct GB Washington 4 3 3 15 12 11 Sonny Gray from the 10-day IL. Optioned 7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, Ferrari, 60. Olympic composer steps Louisville 3 4 2 11 7 13 2B Alejo Lopez to Louisville (Triple-A East). 8. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, McLaren, Connecticut 14 6 .700 — 40. MIAMI MARLINS — Added LHP Braxton Chicago 10 10 .500 4 Reign FC 3 6 1 10 8 13 Garrett to the roster. 9. Pierre Gasly, France, Alphatauri, 39. down over past bullying Kansas City 0 7 3 3 5 15 NEW YORK METS — Placed RHP Jacob 10. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Aston New York 10 11 .476 4½ deGrom on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Ju- Martin, 30. Washington 8 10 .444 5 TOKYO — Keigo Oyamada, a 11. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Alpine, 20. Note: Three points for victory, one point ly 15. Atlanta 6 13 .316 7½ Japanese composer working on for tie. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Sent RHP 12. Lance Stroll, Canada, Aston Martin, Sam Coonrod to Lehigh (Triple-A East) on 14. Indiana 4 16 .200 10 the Tokyo Olympics opening cere- Saturday, July 17 a rehab assignment. Recalled RHP Maur- 13. Esteban Ocon, France, Alpine, 12. Houston 2, North Carolina 1 icio Llovera from Lehigh. 14. Yuki Tsunoda, Japan, Alphatauri, 9. WESTERN CONFERENCE mony, resigned on Monday after 15. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Agreed to WLPct GB coming under fire for bullying Sunday’s games terms with C Henry Davis on a minor Racing, 1. 16. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Gotham FC 3, Washington 2 league contract. Reinstated RHP Duane Seattle 16 5 .762 — classmates during his childhood. Chicago 3, Reign FC 1 Underwood Jr. from the 10-day IL. Op- Racing, 1. Portland 2, Orlando 1 tioned RHP Nick Mears to Indianapolis Las Vegas 15 6 .714 1 “I sincerely accept the opinions (Triple-A East) and INF Rodolfo Castro to Manufacturers Standings Minnesota 12 7 .632 3 Friday’s game and advice I have received, ex- Altoona (Double-A Northeast). 1. Red Bull Racing, 289. Phoenix 9 10 .474 6 North Carolina at Kansas City WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Recalled 2. Mercedes, 245. press my gratitude, and will keep CF Andrew Stevenson from Rochester 3. McLaren, 141. Dallas 9 12 .429 7 them in mind for my future ac- Saturday’s games (Triple-A East). 4. Ferrari, 122. Los Angeles 6 13 .316 9 Portland at Houston SOCCER 5. Alphatauri, 48. tions and thoughts,” he said on his Reign FC at Orlando Major League Soccer 6. Aston Martin, 44. Sunday’s games ATLANTA UNITED — Relieved head 7. Alpine, 32. No games scheduled. Twitter and Facebook accounts. Sunday, July 25 coach Gabriel Heinze of his duties. Assist- 8. Alfa Romeo Racing, 2. Washington at Louisville ant coach Rob Valentino named interim 9. Williams, 0. Monday’s games Chicago at Gotham FC head coach. 10. Haas F1 Team, 0. No games scheduled. Associated Press Tuesday, July 20, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 NHL/AUTO RACING Under darkness, Almirola pulls off Cup shocker Driver that has struggled all year now in playoffs BY DAN GELSTON going to be a heck of a race. Associated Press Almirola rested his head on LOUDON, N.H. — Aric Almi- the car in almost stunned disbe- rola carried the weight of a win- lief that he clinched his playoff less season while chasing a play- spot. off berth that seemed implausib- “There is no doubt we have le for a driver buried deep in the struggled,” Almirola said. “But standings on a Stewart-Haas guess what? We’re going playoff Racing program that had yet to racing.” take a checkered flag. Almirola, who entered 27th in PHELAN M. EBENHACK/AP His confidence sagged. The the points standings, was the Canadiens goaltender Carey Price helped Mopntreal reach the Stanley Cup finals against the Tampa Bay pressure tightened on the No. 10 first driver out of the SHR pack Lightning. Price is available to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft but carries a big salary. team. that includes Kevin Harvick, With darkness falling at New Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe Hampshire, Almirola saw his to take the checkered flag. Almi- ANALYSIS season suddenly come into fo- rola had only two top 10s this cus. Almirola sprung to life late season. Harvick was sixth and Sunday at New Hampshire Mo- led a race-high 66 laps. tor Speedway and pulled off the Ford drivers took five of the Kraken, Francis face tough surprise victory, a vital boost for top six spots. SHR, Ford and another shake- Almirola said there was up of the NASCAR playoff pic- “enough light” to keep racing to expansion draft decisions ture. the scheduled finish. “Coming into this race, we NASCAR senior vice presi- BY STEPHEN WHYNO and little doubt they’d help the Kra- three more seasons at $5 million never gave anybody a reason to dent of competition Scott Miller Associated Press ken win a lot of games in their first annually. Maybe it’s a draft pick or pick us,” Almirola said. “It feels defended the decision to shorten Ron Francis is on the clock. season. But Price is signed for a sal- another pricey player who could good to be the underdog and the race. The Seattle Kraken's general ary cap hit of $10.5 million for the give Seattle a boost and the Light- come out of nowhere and have “We just felt like it was getting manager gets to pick 30 players in next five years, Tarasenko $7.5 mil- ning some cap relief. the race car we did.” too dark and needed to call it. It’s the expansion draft to build out the lion for two and Giordano $6.75 Cap-strapped Toronto would al- Almirola snapped a 98-race just as simple as that,” he said. roster for the NHL's 32nd fran- million for one more. so make sense after leaving Alex- winless streak and added New “Completely based on raceabil- chise. Those selections get un- Price alone would take up nearly ander Kerfoot and newly acquired Hampshire to a rain-shortened ity.” veiled Wednesday night. 13% of the $81.5 million cap, and Jared McCann exposed. The Ma- win at Daytona in 2014 and Tal- NASCAR started the race un- Francis has some big decisions to he’s the only player counting $10 ple Leafs have $75 million commit- ladega in 2018 for his third victo- der wet conditions and that deci- make on how many big-money million or more to win a playoff ted to 18 players for next season ry in 374 races. sion turned into a disaster when stars and their sizeable contracts to round since the limit went into and could use a little help lighten- And he’s in the playoffs. Kyle Busch, the polesitter, spun take on, what risks to take on place in 2005-06. Take all three and ing the load to keep their Cup-con- Almirola was the latest sur- on the slick track and wrecked younger, less-proven players and that's almost a third of the available tending window open, even at the prise winner and played havoc only six laps into the race. Joe which side deals are worth it to space. expense of the future. with the playoff picture with on- Gibbs Racing teammates Martin stockpile assets as the Vegas Gold- Of course Price could be the face ly four races left before the 16- Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin al- en Knights did at their expansion of the franchise like Marc-Andre Surprises driver field is set. Austin Dillon so spun and the red flag was draft in 2017. Fleury was for the Golden Knights, The Canadiens exposing Price and Tyler Reddick are among waved to stop the race. Truex In four years as Carolina’s GM, and he has roots in the area. The instead of backup Jake Allen fresh the drivers who could use a win and Hamlin returned to race. Francis did not make a lot of big combination of his abilities on the off their run to the final is the early and clinch a berth. Busch’s race in the No. 18 Toyota splashes and preferred a more con- ice and potential to be Seattle's leader for stunner of the offseason. The race was delayed nearly was over and he bit his tongue on servative approach to rebuilding most marketable star should make Columbus also exposed forward two hours by rain and NASCAR NASCAR’s call to start the race. the Hurricanes. Only after his de- Francis think long and hard about Max Domi less than 10 months af- called it early due to darkness, “It never should have gone parture did they develop into the the possibility. ter trading for him, and Carolina leaving it eight laps shy of its green to begin with, but then it kind of perennial playoff contender He could also flip Tarasenko, left 20-goal scorer Nino Niederrei- scheduled conclusion. kept getting worse and worse lap he envisioned. who asked the Blues for a trade and ter unprotected — perhaps hoping New Hampshire was sched- over lap,” Busch said. “We’ve Building Seattle from scratch is a wants to go to a contender. Maybe Seattle doesn't want him at $5.25 uled for 301 laps and 318.46 been talking about it for two laps different kind of challenge and that’s the Kraken right away. million. miles. Almirola took the check- that it was raining. There’s no could alter the way Francis manag- There were some other mini sur- ered in 293 laps. He broke up the sense in saying what I want to es the situation. In a matter of days, Side deals prises around the league, like Team Penske party — Brad Ke- say, it doesn’t do you any good.” the Kraken will have the bulk of George McPhee fleeced some Washington protecting little-used selowksi and Ryan Blaney had a Hamlin said, “this is just a bad their team for their inaugural sea- colleagues around the league as Trevor van Riemsdyk over second- fun back-and-forth for the lead look.” son — all from the choices the Hall Vegas’ first GM four years ago, pairing defensemen Justin Schultz at one point — and Christopher NASCAR executive vice presi- of Fame player makes at the center adding prospects and draft picks in and Brendan Dillon, and St. Louis Bell could not catch him. dent Steve O’Donnell said on of the hockey universe. a handful of trades around the ex- letting the Kraken choose between Bell won the Xfinty Series NBC Sports races have started pansion draft. Francis is hampered Tarasenko and rumor mill staple race Saturday and was second. in the mist but the track “got Big stars by that history and the desire by Vince Dunn. Keselowski, Joey Logano and slick in a hurry.” Montreal goaltender Carey many not to repeat it, but there's Philadelphia exposed Trevor’s Blaney made it a 3-4-5 finish for Busch pulled down the win- Price. St. Louis winger Vladimir still some potential for deals. brother, James van Riemsdyk, af- Team Penske. dow net in his Toyota and ap- Tarasenko. Calgary defenseman Back-to-back champion Tampa ter a 17-goal, 43-point season, “I felt like I probably had a lit- peared to bump the pace car in Mark Giordano. Bay is desperate to clear cap space though his $7 million cap hit could tle bit better pace than him, able frustration on his way to pit There’s a Stanley Cup title, an and could sweeten the deal for the scare Francis away, especially if to get to him,” Bell said. “Lapped road. Miller said NASCAR Olympic gold medal and a whole lot Kraken to take Spokane, Wash., na- he's willing to take on other big con- cars were giving him a bad time. would address Busch’s actions of NHL hardware on their resumes tive Tyler Johnson, who’s signed tracts. If I was able to get to him, it was this week. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 MLB Nats end odd weekend with a win Scoreboard American League

East Division Escobar homers, hits WLPct GB Boston 56 38 .596 _ walkoff single in an 8-7 Tampa Bay 55 38 .591 ½ Toronto 48 42 .533 6 victory over San Diego New York 48 44 .522 7 Baltimore 30 62 .326 25

BY HARVEY VALENTINE Central Division Associated Press WLPct GB WASHINGTON — The Wash­ Chicago 56 36 .609 _ ington Nationals needed a win Cleveland 47 43 .522 8 Sunday to end their losing streak. Detroit 43 51 .457 14 To manager Dave Martinez, Minnesota 39 53 .424 17 this walk­off victory had a greater Kansas City 37 55 .402 19 meaning. West Division Alcides Escobar homered in the WLPct GB eighth inning and hit a game­end­ Houston 56 38 .596 _ ing single in the ninth Sunday as Oakland 53 42 .558 3½ the Nationals wrapped up a dis­ Seattle 50 44 .532 6 Los Angeles 46 46 .500 9 turbing weekend with an 8­7 win Texas 35 58 .376 20½ over the San Diego Padres. A day after the game was sus­ National League pended in the sixth inning because East Division of a shooting outside Nationals WLPct GB Park, the Padres completed a 10­4 New York 48 42 .533 _ victory. Washington then came Philadelphia 47 45 .511 2 back to end a six­game losing Atlanta 45 47 .489 4 Washington 43 49 .467 6 streak. Miami 40 53 .430 9½ “I think it means more to myself Central Division and the players knowing that the NICK WASS/AP WLPct GB fans came back after yesterday,” The Washington Nationals’ Alcides Escobar, right, celebrates his walkoff single with Gerardo Parra during Martinez said of Sunday’s crowd the ninth inning of the Nationals’ 8­7 win Sunday in Washington over the San Diego Padres. Milwaukee 56 39 .589 _ Cincinnati 48 45 .516 7 of 27,221. “They came to support Chicago 46 47 .495 9 us and it was huge. It was awe­ attempt, Victor Robles was hit by tually sitting on the breaking “We just couldn’t hold the lead St. Louis 46 47 .495 9 some. Our players, they feed off pitch. Escobar hit a flyball that pitch,” Escobar through an inter­ today, and that hasn’t happened Pittsburgh 36 57 .387 19 that and it was a good day for Nats center fielder Trent Grisham preter. “And when he got ahead, I very often,” San Diego manager West Division fans and the Nationals.” couldn’t corral near the warning was just looking for a pitch in the Jayce Tingler said. “We’ll take our WLPct GB Tres Barrera singled off Mark track and Barrera scored. zone that I could make solid con­ chances with the back end of our San Francisco 58 34 .630 _ Melancon (2­2) with one out in the “Melancon throws a lot of cut­ tact with and I was fortunate to bullpen any day and today we just Los Angeles 58 36 .617 1 ninth and, after failing on a bunt ters and curveballs and I was ac­ make solid contact on that pitch.” weren’t able to hold the lead.” San Diego 55 41 .573 5 Colorado 41 53 .436 18 Arizona 27 68 .284 32½ ROUNDUP Sunday’s games Toronto 5, Texas 0, 7 innings, 1st game Toronto 10, Texas 0, 7 innings, 2nd game Detroit 7, Minnesota 0 Tampa Bay 7, Atlanta 5 Torres, Odor homer to back Taillon in Yankees’ win Chicago White Sox 4, Houston 0 Baltimore 5, Kansas City 0 Cleveland 4, Oakland 2 Associated Press Seattle 7, L.A. Angels 4 of a doubleheader. N.Y. Yankees 9, Boston 1 NEW YORK— Gleyber Torres and Rougned It was the first time the Blue Jays swept a Milwaukee 8, Cincinnati 0 Philadelphia 4, Miami 2, 10 innings, 1st Odor homered to back another strong start doubleheader with two shutouts in team histo­ game Philadelphia 7, Miami 4, 2nd game from Jameson Taillon as the depleted New ry. San Diego 10, Washington 4, 1st game York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 9­1 on Indians 4, Athletics 2:Bradley Zimmer had Washington 8, San Diego 7, 2nd game N.Y. Mets 7, Pittsburgh 6 Sunday. three hits, including a home run on All­Star St. Louis 2, San Francisco 1 Colorado 6, L.A. Dodgers 5, 10 innings Playing without All­Star slugger Aaron Chris Bassitt’s first pitch, to help Cleveland win Arizona 6, Chicago Cubs 4 Judge and five of his teammates who also tested at Oakland. Monday’s games positive for COVID­19 recently, the Yankees Rays 7, Braves 5:Yandy Diaz homered dur­ Minnesota at Chicago White Sox, 2 Boston at Toronto won their second straight against the rival Red ing a four­run rally in the seventh inning and Baltimore at Tampa Bay Sox Tampa Bay won at Atlanta. Texas at Detroit Cleveland at Houston “It would have been easy for us to roll over Rockies 6, Dodgers 5 (10): Charlie Black­ L.A. Angels at Oakland Miami at Washington after everything that’s happened,” Taillon said. mon hit a solo homer in the bottom of the 10th N.Y. Mets at Cincinnati 1 Taillon (5­4) pitched 5 ⁄3 scoreless innings of inning, leading host Colorado over Los Angeles. San Diego at Atlanta Chicago Cubs at St. Louis four­hit ball in his 100th major league start. Cardinals 2, Giants 1: Harrison Bader put Pittsburgh at Arizona Ryan LaMarre added a two­run homer in the host St. Louis ahead with a checked­swing sin­ San Francisco at L.A. Dodgers eighth and DJ LeMahieu extended his on­base gle off the glove of first basemen LaMonte Tuesday’s games L.A. Angels (Suarez 4-2) at Oakland (Ka- streak to 30 games. ADAM HUNGER/AP Wade Jr. in the seventh inning in a win over San prielian 4-3) Kansas City (Minor 6-8) at Milwaukee White Sox 4, Astros 0: Carlos Rodón al­ New York Yankees pitcher Jameson Taillon, Francisco. (Lauer 3-4) 1 lowed one hit through seven dominant innings, in his 100th MLB start, threw 5⁄3 scoreless Diamondbacks 6, Cubs 4: Merrill Kelly Philadelphia (Nola 6-5) at N.Y. Yankees (Germán 4-5) Yoán Moncada and Tim Anderson hit solo innings of four­hit ball in a 9­1 win Sunday threw eight solid innings, Eduardo Escobar hit Boston (Richards 5-5) at Toronto (Mano- over the Boston Red Sox in New York. ah 2-1) homers and host Chicago topped Houston. a two­run homer and host Arizona avoided a Baltimore (Means 4-2) at Tampa Bay Mariners 7, Angels 4:Ty France hit a three­ three­game sweep with a win over Chicago. (McClanahan 3-3) Texas (Dunning 3-6) at Detroit (Skubal run homer, Logan Gilbert struck out a career­ day’s suspended game. Brewers 8, Reds 0:Corbin Burnes pitched 5-8) Cleveland (McKenzie 1-3) at Houston high nine and Seattle won at Los Angeles de­ Mets 7, Pirates 6: Michael Conforto hit a sharply into the ninth inning, leading Milwau­ (Garcia 6-5) Minnesota (Ober 1-1) at Chicago White spite Shohei Ohtani’s 34th homer of the season. two­run homer in the ninth inning to complete a kee to a win at Cincinnati. Sox (Keuchel 7-3) Phillies 4­7, Marlins 2­4:J.T. Realmuto fol­ rally from six runs down and New York over­ Tigers 7, Twins 0:Jeimer Candelario home­ Seattle (Gonzales 1-5) at Colorado (Már- quez 8-6) lowed a two­run walk­off homer in the comple­ came an embarrassing gaffe by All­Star pitcher red, drove in three runs and started two double Miami (Rogers 7-6) at Washington (Espi- no 2-2) tion of a suspended game with a 3­for­5 per­ Taijuan Walker to win at Pittsburgh. plays as host Detroit finished a weekend sweep N.Y. Mets (TBD) at Cincinnati (Miley 7-4) formance with two RBIs and host Philadelphia Blue Jays 5­10, Rangers 0­0: In Buffalo, of Minnesota. San Diego (TBD) at Atlanta (Toussaint 0-0) beat Miami in the regularly scheduled series fi­ N.Y., Hyun Jin Ryu threw a three­hitter in the Orioles 5, Royals 0:Matt Harvey ended his Chicago Cubs (Williams 3-2) at St. Louis (TBD) nale. opener, and Steven Matz and two relievers nine­game losing skid with his best perform­ Pittsburgh (Anderson 5-8) at Arizona Realmuto’s two­run 10th­inning homer gave combined for another shutout in the second ance in years, pitching six crisp innings and (TBD) San Francisco (Wood 8-3) at L.A. Dodg- the Phillies a win in the conclusion to Satur­ game as Toronto blanked Texas in both halves sending Baltimore to a win at Kansas City. ers (TBD) Tuesday, July 20, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 BRITISH OPEN/NBA FINALS

Scoreboard

British Open Morikawa is a double major winner Sunday At Royal St. George's Golf Club Sandwich, England Yardage: 7,189; Par: 70 British Open victory is a­amateur Final Round 24-year-old’s 2nd slam FedExCup Points in parentheses C. Morikawa (600), $2,070,000 67-64-68-66—265-15 win in only eight attempts J. Spieth (330), $1,198,000 65-67-69-66—267-13 L. Oosthuizen (180), $682,500 64-65-69-71—269-11 BY DOUG FERGUSON Jon Rahm (180), $682,500 71-64-68-66—269-11 Associated Press Dylan Frittelli (120), $480,000 66-67-70-68—271 -9 M. Hughes (105), $386,500 66-69-68-69—272 -8 In a year of firsts in the majors, Brooks Koepka (105), $386,50069-66-72-65—272 -8 Collin Morikawa might have Daniel Berger (85), $255,250 70-67-68-68—273 -7 topped them all. Dustin Johnson (85), $255,250 68-65-73-67—273 -7 Robert MacIntyre, $255,250 72-69-65-67—273 -7 His performance over four days S. Scheffler (85), $255,250 67-66-69-71—273 -7 at the British Open was unlike any- Emiliano Grillo (68), $181,083 70-64-72-68—274 -6 Viktor Hovland (68), $181,083 68-71-69-66—274 -6 thing seen at Royal St. George’s, Shane Lowry (68), $181,083 71-65-69-69—274 -6 even in such ideal weather for the Paul Casey (58), $143,063 68-67-70-70—275 -5 English coast. Corey Conners (58), $143,063 68-68-66-73—275 -5 Tony Finau (58), $143,063 70-66-72-67—275 -5 In his first real test of links golf, Marcel Siem, $143,063 67-67-70-71—275 -5 Morikawa didn’t make a bogey over Sergio Garcia (47), $109,000 68-69-73-66—276 -4 Justin Harding, $109,000 67-67-70-72—276 -4 his final 31 holes, blowing past mis- Brian Harman (47), $109,000 65-71-71-69—276 -4 take-prone Louis Oosthuizen and Aaron Rai, $109,000 70-69-68-69—276 -4 never flinching as Jordan Spieth Webb Simpson (47), $109,000 66-72-67-71—276 -4 B. Snedeker (47), $109,000 68-68-72-68—276 -4 made one last charge late Sunday K. Streelman (47), $109,000 70-69-66-71—276 -4 afternoon. Byeong Hun An (33), $79,821 67-70-73-67—277 -3 Matt Fitzpatrick (33), $79,821 71-69-67-70—277 -3 Morikawa made three straight Jason Kokrak (33), $79,821 70-70-66-71—277 -3 birdies at the turn to build a four- Ian Poulter (33), $79,821 72-66-71-68—277 -3 shot lead. He made a 20-foot birdie X. Schauffele (33), $79,821 69-71-72-65—277 -3 Andy Sullivan, $79,821 67-67-71-72—277 -3 on the 14th when Spieth had closed C. Tringale (33), $79,821 69-66-71-71—277 -3 to within one. He saved par with a PETER MORRISON/AP B. DeChambeau (23), $60,143 71-70-72-65—278 -2 T. Fleetwood (23), $60,143 67-71-70-70—278 -2 10-foot putt on the next hole for Collin Morikawa played bogey­free golf over his final 31 holes to win the British Open on Sunday. Talor Gooch (23), $60,143 69-72-67-70—278 -2 breathing room. Lanto Griffin (23), $60,143 69-70-68-71—278 -2 Benjamin Hebert, $60,143 66-74-71-67—278 -2 He played with the confidence of shot until Jon Rahm at Torrey tle help from Morikawa. Cameron Smith (23), $60,143 69-67-68-74—278 -2 amajor champion, which he is from Pines. “I needed a break, and I didn’t get Danny Willett (23), $60,143 67-69-70-72—278 -2 his PGA Championship title last And then along came Morikawa, it from him,” Spieth said. Dean Burmester, $45,417 70-67-71-71—279 -1 Max Homa (15), $45,417 70-69-71-69—279 -1 year. He showed the experience of as pure an iron player as there is in Oosthuizen provided plenty of JC Ritchie, $45,417 71-70-72-66—279 -1 aveteran. That part is up for debate. the game today, making his own them to Morikawa, notably the Justin Thomas (15), $45,417 72-67-71-69—279 -1 Daniel van Tonder, $45,417 68-66-74-71—279 -1 “When you make history — and brand of history. He is the first to par-5 seventh hole, the easiest of the Matt Wallace (15), $45,417 70-68-69-72—279 -1 I’m 24 years old — it’s hard to win two majors that he played for final round. With an iron from the Joel Dahmen (10), $33,679 69-68-69-74—280 E grasp,” Morikawa said. the first time. fairway for his second shot, Oos- Harris English (10), $33,679 75-65-72-68—280 E J. Janewattananond, $33,679 70-69-74-67—280 E The silver claret jug in his posses- Just under a year ago in his first thuizen went bunker-to-bunker and Rory McIlroy (10), $33,679 70-70-69-71—280 E sion as he stood on the 18th green, time playing the only major re- made bogey, going from a tie for the Justin Rose (10), $33,679 67-70-70-73—280 E Adam Scott (10), $33,679 73-66-73-68—280 E Morikawa first paid tribute to Mat- stricted to pros, he won the PGA lead to two shots behind when Mo- Johannes Veerman, $33,679 70-68-72-70—280 E thias Schmid of Germany, who won Championship at Harding Park by rikawa made birdie. Marcus Armitage, $29,417 69-72-70-70—281 +1 the silver medal as low amateur. boldly hitting driver on the 16th Morikawa birdied the next two C. Bezuidenhout, $29,417 68-72-70-71—281 +1 Rickie Fowler (7), $29,417 69-72-75-65—281 +1 “It feels like literally two years hole for a 7-foot eagle. And then he holes and he was on his way. Billy Horschel (7), $29,417 70-69-73-69—281 +1 ago I was an amateur,” Morikawa won the British Open in his debut There were cheers from 30,000- Chan Kim, $29,417 70-69-74-68—281 +1 IAN WALTON/AP Jon Thomson, $29,417 71-67-73-70—281 +1 told him. with a 4-under 66 to finish at 265. plus fans for Rahm running off four Abraham Ancer (5), $27,929 69-71-71-71—282 +2 That is entirely literal. Morikawa holds up the claret jug “He’s got the potential and the straight birdies in a late bid, for Ryosuke Kinoshita, $27,929 72-69-72-69—282 +2 Two years ago, the ink was barely trophy after winning the British game, and the head, to be able to Spieth making four birdies in a six- Joaquin Niemann (5), $27,929 69-70-73-70—282 +2 Chez Reavie (5), $27,929 72-66-74-70—282 +2 dry on his diploma from Cal. In the Open. manage any kind of bumps in the hole stretch. Antoine Rozner, $27,929 70-71-67-74—282 +2 eight majors Morikawa has played road,” Spieth said. Would that have made a differ- Lee Westwood (5), $27,929 71-67-72-72—282 +2 Bernd Wiesberger, $27,929 71-70-70-71—282 +2 since then, he has won two of them. teach myself to embrace it a little Spieth knows all about bumps. ence? a-Matthias Schmid 74-65-71-72—282 +2 The last player to win two profes- more.” When he won the Open at Royal “Then you step into 35,000 and Richard Bland, $26,900 70-70-73-70—283 +3 sional majors in so few attempts The major season began with Birkdale in 2017, he had three legs holding a lead down the stretch,” Ryan Fox, $26,900 68-68-71-76—283 +3 Sam Horsfield, $26,900 70-70-69-74—283 +3 was Bobby Jones nearly a century Hideki Matsuyama becoming the of the career Grand Slam at age 23. Spieth said. “He spent a year, year- Jack Senior, $26,900 67-71-72-73—283 +3 ago. first Japanese player to win the And then he didn’t win again for and-a-half in essentially a crowd- Brendan Steele (4), $26,900 73-68-74-68—283 +3 P. Harrington (3), $26,375 72-68-73-71—284 +4 “It’s so hard to look back at the Masters. Phil Mickelson became nearly four years, having to rebuild less environment. And it’s harder. Kevin Kisner (3), $26,250 70-69-78-68—285 +5 two short years that I have been a the first player at age 50 to win a his swing and his confidence. It’s harder with big crowds. You Richard Mansell, $26,125 72-69-76-69—286 +6 pro and see what I’ve done because major at the PGA Championship. He played the final 12 holes in 6 feel it more. You know where you Yuxin Lin 69-72-74-71—286 +6 Sam Burns (3), $25,938 71-69-76-72—288 +8 Iwant more,” he said. “I enjoy these No one had ever birdied the last two under. It looked like it might be are. It’s a bigger stage. Poom Saksansin, $25,938 73-68-76-71—288 +8 moments and I love it, and I want to holes at the U.S. Open to win by one enough, except that he needed a lit- “I think that’s impressive.” Resilient Suns? Down 3-2 in Finals, it’s time to find out BY DAVID BRANDT It’s the first time since January more fun.” several for the Phoenix offense: Associated Press that the Suns have lost three straight Phoenix missed a great opportu- Hand the ball to Booker and hope he NBA scoreboard PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns games. nity to take control of the series in does something awesome. There like to believe they’re a resilient Down 3-2 in the NBA Finals is Game 5. It jumped out a 37-21 lead in were a lot of times that he did and he (Best­of­seven) x­if necessary bunch. never an ideal situation, especially the first quarter but fell apart on de- finished with 40 points. The num- Milwaukee 3, Phoenix 2 Now is one of their few chances with the Phoenix facing Game 6 on fense in the second and third, giving bers say that the Suns had a very Phoenix 118, Milwaukee 105 Phoenix 118, Milwaukee 108 this season to prove it. the road. But Suns center Deandre up 79 points over the two quarters. good offensive performance in Milwaukee 120, Phoenix 100 Milwaukee 109, Phoenix 103 The Suns will be facing an elim- Ayton said there’s nothing left to do The Suns nearly pulled off an im- Game 5: They shot 55% from the Milwaukee 123, Phoenix 119 ination game for the first time in this but embrace the current scenario. probable comeback after trailing by field, 68% on 3-pointers and 91% on Tuesday: at Milwaukee, AFN-Sports, 3 a.m. Wednesday CET; 10 a.m. Wednesday postseason when they travel to Mil- “Tables are turned now,” Ayton 10 in the final minutes, but Milwau- free throws. JKT x­Thursday: at Phoenix, AFN-Sports, 3 waukee for Game 6 of the NBA Fi- said. “Now we’re the desperate kee point guard Jrue Holiday ripped But Phoenix is at its best when its a.m. Friday CET; 10 a.m. Friday JKT nals on Tuesday night. Phoenix won team. We had our chances of being the ball out of Booker’s hands and sharing the basketball on offense, the first two games of the series be- up and trying to finish the job, now threw a spectacular alley-oop to whipping the ball around the perim- sets. The team’s 19 three-point at- fore the Bucks rallied to win the next we’re in the same position that they Giannis Antetokounmpo in the final eter in an effort to find the open man. tempts were far fewer than their three, including Saturday night’s were in. They’re up and now we got seconds to secure a win. Without many defensive stops, the usual 34 per game during the regu- thrilling 123-119 victory in Game 5. to go get it. That’s why it’s a little bit It was a play that looked a lot like offense was often stuck in halfcourt lar season. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 OLYMPICS Zero risk? Cases test assurances by Bach, IOC officials

BY STEPTHEN WADE, YURI KAGEYAMA 727 AND GERALD IMRAY Associated Press Reported new COVID-19 cases in TOKYO — Two South African Tokyo on Monday, the 30th straight soccer players became the first day that cases were higher than the athletes inside the Olympic Village seven previous days. to test positive for COVID-19, and SOURCE: AP other cases connected to the Tokyo Games were also confirmed Sun- Those positive tests further day, highlighting the herculean stoked local fears, with the South task organizers face to keep the vi- African team scheduled to play rus contained while the world’s against host nation Japan in its first biggest sports event plays out. game on Thursday. The positive tests came as some There has already been consis- of the 11,000 athletes and thou- tent opposition from the Japanese sands more team officials expect- public to holding the Olympics ed from across the globe began ar- during the pandemic, with fears riving, having traveled through a that it could become a super- pandemic to get to Tokyo. spreader event and cause a spike YURI KAGEYAMAN/AP They’ll all now live in close quar- in infections among Japanese peo- People gather for a rally in Tokyo’s Shinjuku shopping district Sunday to protest against the Olympics. ters in the Olympic Village on To- ple. Many in Japan are concerned the event will be a superspreader for COVID­19. kyo Bay over the next three weeks. Bach and the IOC have insisted International Olympic Commit- it will be safe and have forged ganizers said that another athlete Olympic Team, tested positive for The British Olympic Association tee President Thomas Bach said ahead against most medical ad- had tested positive, although they COVID-19 before the team was to said six athletes and two staff in the last week there was “zero” risk of vice. The IOC says it sees the were not residing in the Olympic depart its Doha, Qatar, training track and field squad are isolating athletes passing on the virus to Ja- Games as a chance to foster inter- Village. The athlete was not named base for Tokyo, two people with at the team’s pre-Olympic base in panese or other residents of the vil- national solidarity during difficult and only identified as “non-Japa- knowledge of her condition told the Yokohama after being deemed lage. But that bold statement was times, but the IOC would also lose nese.” AP. The team delayed its arrival in close contacts of a person who test- already being tested. billions of dollars in broadcast The first International Olympic Tokyo while Loroupe is expected ed positive following their flight to The Olympics, which were post- rights if the Games were to be can- Committee official was reported as to stay behind, according to two Japan. U.S. tennis player Coco poned for a year because of the celed completely. positive. He recorded a positive people who requested anonymity Gauff didn’t travel to Japan after pandemic, are set to officially open Also Sunday, Team South Africa test on Saturday when arriving at a because they weren’t authorized to testing positive for the coronavi- Friday and run until Aug. 8. confirmed the coach of its rugby Tokyo airport. The IOC confirmed reveal medical information. rus. The two soccer players and a sevens team also tested positive at the test and identified him as IOC Organizers say that 55 people Tokyo reported 1,008 new CO- team video analyst who also tested a pre-Olympics training camp in member Ryu Seung-min of South linked to the Olympics in Japan VID-19 cases on Sunday and 727 on positive had been moved to “the the southern Japanese city of Ka- Korea. He was reportedly being have reported positive tests since Monday, making it 30 straight days Tokyo 2020 isolation facility,” the goshima. He was also in isolation held in isolation, too. July 1, but that figure does not in- that cases were higher than the South African Olympic committee there and would miss the entire Former distance runner and clude athletes or others who may seven days previously.The Olym- said. The rest of the squad mem- rugby competition, the team said. world championship bronze med- have arrived for training camps pics will open under a state of bers and officials had also been And there were other Olympics- alist Tegla Loroupe, the chief of but are not yet under the “jurisdic- emergency in Tokyo and three quarantined. related positive tests. Olympic or- mission of the IOC’s Refugee tion” of the organizing committee. neighboring prefectures. American gymnastics alternate tests positive for COVID-19 BY STEPHEN WADE coaches and staff is our top priority. We can pic Trials did battle both COVID-19 and Associated Press confirm that an alternate on the women’s pneumonia last winter. TOKYO — Kara Eaker, an alternate on artistic gymnastics team tested positive for Alternates have been rooming with other the United States women’s gymnastics team, COVID-19,” the United States Olympic and alternates since arriving in Japan, with the has tested positive for COVID-19 in an Olym- Paralympic Committee said in a statement. competitive team rooming with fellow com- pic training camp in Japan. “In alignment with local rules and protocols, petitors. All Olympic athletes and coaches Al Fong, the personal coach for both Eak- the athlete has been transferred to a hotel to have been moved to their own rooms since er and fellow Olympic alternate Leanne quarantine. Out of respect for the individu- the positive test, with the Olympic athletes Wong, confirmed the positive test in an al’s privacy, we cannot provide more infor- also moving to a new hotel, as was originally email to The Associated Press on Monday. mation at this time.” planned. Fong said Eaker, 18, was vaccinated against The four alternates — Eaker, Wong, Kayla The Games are set to open on Friday with the novel coronavirus two months ago. DiCello and Emma Malabuyo — traveled to a state of emergency in force in Tokyo, Both Eaker and Wong have been placed in KIICHIRO SATO/AP Japan with the six-woman U.S. delegation of which means almost all venues will be with- isolation. Simone Biles and the U.S. women’s world and Olympic champion Simone Biles, out any fans as new cases rise in the capital. USA Gymnastics did not identify Eaker or gymnastics team arrive for the Tokyo Jordan Chiles, Grace McCallum, Sunisa The women’s gymnastic team begins com- Wong but said in a statement that the athlete 2020 Summer Olympic Games at Narita Lee, MyKayla Skinner and Jade Carey. peting on Sunday. who tested positive and another alternate International Airport on Thursday. The positive test came after Eaker re- The U.S. officials said the test took place would be subject to additional quarantine re- ceived what was described as a “false posi- when the team was training just outside To- strictions. tain strict protocols while they are in To- tive” over the weekend. Eaker took a subse- kyo in Inzai City. Team members arrived “Accordingly, on Monday, the Olympic kyo.” quent test that was negative before testing last week for the camp to great fanfare at athletes moved to separate lodging accom- The positive test was the latest in a grow- positive again multiple times. Narita airport. modations and a separate training facility, as ing line of daily reports of athletes and others Biles, who is also the world champion, and The Tokyo Metropolitan Government on originally planned, and will continue their testing positive at the pandemic-delayed the rest of the regular team have been vacci- Monday reported 727 new cases in the cap- preparation for the Games,” the organiza- Olympics. Eaker is the first American to test nated. Skinner, who made the team in the ital. It is the 30th straight day that cases were tion said in a statement. “The entire delega- positive. “plus-one spot” — meaning she can compete higher than the previous week. The cases tion continues to be vigilant and will main- “The health and safety of our athletes, as an individual in Tokyo — following Olym- last Monday were 502. Tuesday, July 20, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 OLYMPICS Rowers allege threats, verbal abuse by coach

BY JANIE MCCAULEY “It was a disagreement over the best way Associated Press for an athlete to reach his highest potential. OAKLAND, Calif. — As the Tokyo Games I expressed my feelings clearly, and firmly, approach, US Rowing is awaiting the re- and so did he. I called him moments later sults of a monthslong assessment commis- and we apologized to each other. … There sioned by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic were no threats of violence.” Committee of the sport’s national team pro- After reaching out to Teti, the AP re- grams, including the men’s group based in ceived more than a dozen unsolicited affir- Oakland, where longtime coach Mike Teti is mations from former rowers, fellow coach- being criticized by some rowers for what es and other colleagues expressing grati- they call his intense and intimidating style. tude for Teti’s leadership and guidance. Athletes offer drastically different ac- The law firm Arent Fox, which is con- counts of what rowing is like under Teti’s ducting the rowing assessment, declined to leadership. provide a timeline for its work. The AP ob- Members of the men’s eight boat team tained a copy of a letter the firm sent rowers stood united behind Teti before departing in January saying it planned “to review this month for Hawaii to train ahead of the whether elite athletes’ concerns are capa- Olympics, determined to limit distractions ble of being heard in a fair and neutral way as they prepare to race in Japan, and others that does not contribute to a fear of retalia- said Teti’s coaching breeds winners. tion.” But nine rowers who spoke to The Associ- Some athletes have communicated their ated Press describing Teti’s intimidation — feedback about the culture under Teti di- all but one on condition of anonymity be- rectly to US Rowing CEO Amanda Kraus, cause they either want to continue in the who came aboard in November. sport or fear retaliation — said they have di- Kraus said the review “is not an investi- PAUL SAKUMA/AP rect knowledge of Teti physically threaten- gation of any particular coach at US Row- Mike Teti shows off the bronze medal in the Seoul Olympics and the gold medal in the ing athletes or verbally attacking them if 1987 World Championship in his office in Oakland, Calif., on May 12, 2012. The coach ing. It is a high-level assessment of the cul- they challenged him in any way. is being criticized by some rowers for his intense style. ture of our men’s and women’s training cen- “He’ll vary so wildly from the guy that ters in an effort to ensure that our athletes’ you think is actually going to have his uncle years ago outside the Oakland boathouse. “I coached fairly, with the athletes’ well-being concerns are being addressed and that fair- kill you if you don’t win … to the guy that’s have heard Mike Teti tell athletes ‘If you in mind,” adding, “Any athlete who thinks ness and transparency are always at the crying and telling you that he loves you,” take one more step, I am going to punch you they have been the subject of improper con- core of how we operate.” one former Olympic rower said. “That ex- ... I’m going to kill you,’ ” said the rower, duct or unfair treatment should voice that Teti was investigated by the watchdog ists in the same guy — and I believe both of who didn’t want his name used because he concern in the appropriate venue. US Row- group SafeSport in 2018 and also in 2016 on them. There is a storm raging inside that may row again. The athlete who he said was ing has reporting mechanisms and person- behalf of the University of California at Ber- guy that he has a hard time controlling.” threatened confirmed the account. nel in place for that very purpose, and has a keley, where he formerly coached. The A former national team member said he In response to questions from the AP, the zero tolerance policy for retaliation.” SafeSport probe was closed with no sanc- witnessed Teti threaten another rower two 64-year-old Teti said, “I believe that I have Of the incident at the boathouse, he said: tions and Cal never disclosed its findings. Culture: USA Gymnastics seeks middle ground, same success

FROM PAGE 24 Nassar while making sure tempt to make things safer able at least in the short term after Tokyo as Yet the 24-year-old is also acutely aware not to let the organization for athletes at all levels, he the organization searches for middle of the pressure that follows when the peren- off the hook. also is wary. ground. nially loaded U.S. team is on the interna- The air needs to be Yes, the gymnasts need Finding the right balance is difficult. It’s tional stage. cleared. It’s one of the to be empowered. At the also where real, substantive, long-lasting The Americans have produced the past many reasons why World same time, the Olympics transformation lies. four Olympic all-around gold medalists and Champions Centre is don’t hand out participa- Dancing after a meet is one thing. What captured every major team title since the awash in floor-to-ceiling tion trophies. Biles head- happens near the end of another muscle- Nassar Landi 2011 world championships, a streak they windows. There are 36 lines a group expected to sapping, mentally-draining practice on an are heavily favored to extend in Tokyo cameras placed throughout the 50,000 come home with a fistful of medals. Any- anonymous Tuesday is another. thanks in large part to Biles’ unmatched square-foot facility in the northern Houston thing less would be a disappointment. “There’s a time to coddle, a time to be pos- brilliance. suburbs, each with the volume turned all Winning might not be the sole focus any- itive, but sometimes you’ve got to hold the The question is what comes next. How the way up. more, but it still needs to be in the conversa- law,” said Tom Meadows, an elite men’s will one of the gold standards of the U.S. “Everything needs to be visible, and the tion. coach at Cypress Academy in Houston. Olympic movement foster a healthy, posi- coaches know that,” said Nellie Biles, who “You need expectations,” Landi said. “I “You tell them, ‘You say you want to do this? tive climate and a competitive one at the opened the gym to give daughter Simone a don’t think right now there is expectation. Well let’s go.’ ” same time? place to train. “The coaches know that they Before the expectation was (under Karo- It’s a conversation Biles has had with her The two are not mutually exclusive by are watched at all times, not only from the lyi), they were not said. We were not told. coaches in some form or another for years. any stretch. Biles need only point to her re- viewing arena but by cameras. They know But we knew the expectation. Everybody She isn’t sure how long it might take for the lationship with former coach Aimee Boor- that. That should not distract from what knows the expectation.” next wave to understand the difference be- man and current coaches Laurent and Ce- they’re doing if they’re doing their job. They Landi laughed as he completed the sen- tween constructive criticism from a coach cile Landi as proof. Yet she also knows her just know that there are cameras and they tence, a glimpse at the thorny relationship designed to maximize an athlete’s potential experience is not exactly commonplace for know that nothing is a secret. So yeah, just the U.S. program has with its recent past. and criticism that crosses over into the per- a sport in the middle of a reckoning. do whatever is right and you don’t even Karolyi took over a program in disarray in sonal, or worse. Gymnastics federations from the U.S. to have to worry that anyone is watching you.” 2001 and turned it into one of the most dom- Biles wants all sports to eradicate the lat- Great Britain to Australia are grappling That level of transparency — as neces- inant forces in any Olympic sport, using an ter. with their own version of a #MeToo move- sary as it may be — has created an athlete- authoritarian approach that some Nassar She’s still an advocate, however, for the ment as athletes in each country have come coach dynamic that’s a marked departure survivors say contributed to allowing the former. forward to detail a culture they viewed as from what Laurent Landi grew up with former national team doctor’s behavior to “There’s a big line on what you can and toxic. Despite measures by leadership to while training and competing for France in run unchecked for years. can’t do, what you can and can’t say to these push USA Gymnastics forward, the Nassar the 1990s. While USA Gymnastics has undergone a kids rather than whenever I was growing fallout isn’t going away anytime soon. “Now kids sometimes, you don’t want to drastic overhaul since the 2016 Olympics — up,” Biles said. “I would say (back then): Even as Biles and her teammates flew to offend them, so you tiptoe,” said Landi, who current president Li Li Leung is the fourth ‘OK, you say that. I’m pissed off but I’m go- Tokyo on Wednesday, the Justice Depart- is serving as the head coach of the U.S. person to hold the position since the closing ing to do my work.’ Now it’s like, I’ve even ment’s inspector general released a long- women in Japan. ceremony in Rio de Janeiro — the external told the other girls: ‘Don’t take it to heart. awaited report that pointed out repeated While Landi made it a point to praise USA standards have not. They don’t mean to say that to you. So just failures by the FBI to properly investigate Gymnastics for being proactive in its at- Biles wonders if that level will be sustain- let it roll off your shoulder.’ ” PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Tuesday, July 20, 2021 Nats get needed victory SPORTS After shooting outside park, Washington stops skid ›› MLB, Page 20

OLYMPICS Too much, too soon? USA Gymnastics tries to maintain gold standard amid culture shift

BY WILL GRAVES Associated Press FORT WORTH, Texas — The U.S. gymnastics cham- pionships were over. The pressure — mercifully if only momentarily — gone. On the floor at Dickies Arena, Olympic hopefuls milled about aimlessly. Some talk- ed. Some grabbed their phones. Others searched the JEFF ROBERSON/AP stands for their families. MyKayla Skinner, a member Jordan Chiles did what she usually does when of the U.S. women’s team, has there’s a lull in the action. She danced. Soon, a been highly critical of former couple joined in. Then a few national team coordinator more. Then a few more. Martha Karolyi. Within a minute or two, nearly the entire group was doing “The Cha Cha Slide” for all the world to see. Martha Karolyi’s pro- gram, this is not. Biles The vibe around the top level of the sport in the United States has loosened in the five years since the highly successful yet highly divisive national team coordinator retired. The impromptu flash mob

at national championships last month offered a DARRON CUMMINGS/AP symbolic if somewhat superficial glimpse at USA Gymnastics president how the landscape is evolving. and CEO Li Li Leung is the “I feel like the trainings are actually kind of a fourth person to hold the lot more fun and not — I mean, it’s still stressful, position since the Rio Games but it’s not as stressful as it used to be,” said My- closed in 2016. Kayla Skinner, an alternate on the 2016 Olympic team who will be one of six American women compet- ing in Tokyo this month. Jordan Chiles is introduced at the Olympic trials on June 25 Still, the greatest gymnast of all time wonders if in St. Louis. Chiles is part of the sport’s next generation, a the pendulum has swung too far, too fast. group that doesn’t always respond to the coaching methods Simone Biles has embraced the long-overdue that have produced results in the past. push to create a more athlete-centric environ- JEFF ROBERSON/AP ment. Her concern, however, is that the sport’s brave new world might make it difficult for the coaches hired to mold prodigies into champions to RELATED effectively do their jobs. “I think the culture shift is happening, but it’s al- US rowers say they most as if the athletes almost have too much power were threatened, and the coaches can’t get a rein on it,” Biles told The Associated Press in May. “So then it’s kind of wild. It’s verbally abused like a horse out of the barn: You can’t get it back in.” Page 23 Biles, among the most outspoken critics of USA Gym- nastics in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse Zero risk? scandal and herself a Nassar survivor, is not complain- ing. It’s unlikely she would have returned to the sport in Virus cases test late 2017 if Karolyi was still in charge. Things needed to organizers’ change. assurances SEE CULTURE ON PAGE 23 Page 22

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