NCAA TOURNAMENT NATION FACES Droughts over: Drexel, Georgia shooting Wallen’s sales Rutgers lead charge suspect may have still soaring after back to March Madness ‘sex addiction’ he was ‘canceled’ Page 24 Page 9 Page 17

Commanders call for more resources in Latin America, Arctic ›› Page 5

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Volume 79 Edition 237 ©SS 2021 THURSDAY,MARCH 18, 2021 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas US airstrikes target Taliban in southern Afghanistan

BY PHILLIP WALTER WELLMAN Stars and Stripes KABUL, Afghanistan — The U.S. has conducted airstrikes against the Taliban in southern Af- ghanistan in the past 48 hours fol- lowing multiple attacks by the in- surgents on Afghan government forces, a military spokesman said Wednesday. The airstrikes, the latest in Kan- dahar province, underscore the re- liance of Afghanistan’s military on U.S. airpower, even as the Biden administration mulls whether to pull all U.S. troops out of the coun- COLD try by May. The strikes targeted Taliban fighters in the Zharay, Spin Boldak CALLING and Kandahar districts of the province as they were “actively at- tacking and maneuvering on” Af- ghan troops, U.S. Forces-Afghan- istan spokesman Col. Sonny Leg- gett said on Twitter. PHOTOS BY JASON WELCH/U.S. Army “The U.S. continues to defend A paratrooper from 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment moves to the assembly area during an airborne operation in Alaska on March 2. [Afghan forces] in accordance w/ the US-TB agreement,” Leggett tweeted, referring to a deal struck Army focuses on defending and fighting in Arctic region with new strategy between Washington and the Tali- ban in Doha, Qatar, last year that BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY al Force Next virtual event. paves the way for a complete with- Stars and Stripes Like in the Arctic strategies of drawal of foreign forces by May. WASHINGTON — The Army the Defense Department, Navy An undisclosed number of needs to reinvigorate how it and Air Force, the Army’s docu- strikes were carried out, he said. trains, equips and positions troops ment describes the competition Leggett’s tweet came after the in the Arctic region as competi- that the United States faces with tion with Russia and China grows, Russia and China for the region’s SEE AIRSTRIKES ON PAGE 6 according to the service’s new economic resources and how the strategy document released Tues- impacts of climate change is RELATED day. opening more navigable water- “We’re seeing that many of our ways. House lawmakers competitors are focused on the “With increasing levels of ad- Arctic, and also many of our allies versary activities in the Arctic re- split during debate and partners have concern about gion, it is essential for the U.S. Ar- that competition,” Gen. James my to employ a calibrated force on Afghanistan McConville, the Army’s chief of posture with units that are troop withdrawal staff, said during the Association Paratroopers execute an airborne operation as part of Arctic Warrior of the United States Army’s Glob- 21 in February at Malemute Drop Zone, Alaska. SEE ARCTIC ON PAGE 5 Page 6 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER Retail sales fall 3% after soaring in January EXCHANGE RATES Military rates So. Korea (Won) 1,131.22 Associated Press nuary number upwards to 7.6% cans get $1,400 direct payments, Switzerland (Franc) .9286 Euro costs (March 18) $1.16 Thailand (Baht) 30.78 NEW YORK — Americans from its previously reported rise part of a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 re- Dollar buys (March 18) 0.8186 Turkey (New Lira) 7.5084 British pound (March 18) $1.35 spent less last month, partly due to of 5.3%. lief package that was signed into Japanese yen (March 18) 106.00 (Military exchange rates are those available bad weather in parts of the coun- Analysts at JPMorgan Chase law last week. South Korean won (March 18) 1,105.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ try that kept shoppers away from had expected retail sales to dip in “With healthier and warmer many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain (Dinar) .3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ stores. February after icy weather in days nearing, and generous stimu- Britain (Pound) 1.3899 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2476 your local military banking facility. Commercial Retail sales fell a seasonally ad- Texas knocked out power and lus checks on their way, consum- China (Yuan) 6.5022 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.2482 justed 3% in February from the forced some stores to temporarily ers are poised to shake off the win- Egypt (Pound) 15.7115 when buying currency. All figures are foreign month before, the U.S. Commerce close. The bank said credit and ter chills,” wrote economists at Euro .8402 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7659 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ Department said Tuesday. The debit card spending fell sharply Oxford Economics. Hungary (Forint) 309.02 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2908 decline comes after retail sales after the storm in Texas, as well as Wider distribution of vaccines Japan (Yen) 109.19 INTEREST RATES soared in January as people spent nearby states, such as Arkansas is also expected to boost economic Kuwait (Dinar) .3019 Norway (Krone) 8.4964 Prime rate 3.25 $600 stimulus checks sent at the and Mississippi. growth in the second half of this Philippines (Peso) 48.68 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.88 Federal funds market rate 0.09 end of last year. In fact, the Com- Retail sales are expected to rise year as people become less fearful Saudi Arab (Riyal) 3.7503 3­month bill 0.02 merce Department revised its Ja- again in March as many Ameri- of catching the coronavirus. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3468 30­year bond 2.39 WEATHER OUTLOOK THURSDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY IN EUROPE FRIDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 42/36

Kabul Seoul 56/41 59/45 Baghdad 72/58 Drawsko Osan Tokyo Kandahar Mildenhall/ 59/44 54/46 Pomorskie Busan 78/44 Lakenheath 37/29 45/41 55/46 Iwakuni Kuwait City 54/50 Bahrain Brussels Zagan Sasebo Guam 81/64 79/70 Ramstein 36/29 64/54 43/38 40/32 83/79 Riyadh Lajes, Stuttgart 98/70 Doha Azores Pápa 61/57 39/29 100/68 Aviano/ 42/31 Vicenza 44/30

Naples 52/43 Okinawa Morón 73/69 69/49 Sigonella Rota 53/42 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 67/46 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 8675 57/52 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 17 Opinion ...... 14 Sports ...... 18-24 Thursday, March 18, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Few improvements follow Fort Hood report BY ROSE L. THAYER own agency’s initiatives. of the Air Force Office of Special Stars and Stripes Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana, the Investigations, and Omar Lopez, Officials for the Army’s Crimi- ranking Republican on the com- director of the Naval Criminal In- nal Investigation Command of- mittee, also expressed concern af- vestigative Service, known as fered few examples to Congress ter Martin provided vague details NCIS. Both have a different oper- on Tuesday about improvements on how she has improved relation- ational make up than the Army. to their operations more than ships with law enforcement agen- The Army’s agency is composed three months after a report fo- cies in the community surround- almost entirely of military person- cused on Fort Hood, Texas, found ing Fort Hood. nel, while the Air Force is a mix of the agency to be understaffed, un- “I’m not hearing a specific an- about 1,300 military personnel der-resourced and unable to pur- swer about a specific effort at Fort and 475 civilians. The Navy, sue some cases properly. Hood to repair damaged relation- which has 753 investigators, has Maj. Gen. Donna Martin, the ships. There should be an extra ef- been civilian run since 1991 when Army’s provost marshal general fort or strategy. I hope that you’ll it was redesigned to an FBI-type and commander of CID, de- come back and give us more of a organizational structure. Bullard scribed an ongoing “bottom up re- specific answer to that question,” and Lopez said their agencies are view” of the agency following the he said. reviewing the findings of the Fort December release of the Fort Martin did provide at least one Hood report for insights to better Hood Independent Review Com- concrete example of a staffing their organizations. PHOTOS BY ALEX BRANDON/AP mittee’s report. The civilian com- change inspired by the report. Some news reports have circu- Maj. Gen. Donna Martin speaks before a House Armed Services mittee, many of whom had investi- During the Guillen investigation, lated that CID is contemplating a Committee subpanel on military personnel hearing on Capitol Hill on gative or military experience, pro- CID moved its lead investigator of switch to a civilian-led agency Tuesday in Washington. vided 70 recommendations to im- the case to a new duty station as similar to NCIS. However, Martin prove conditions at the base, with part of a routine reassignment said the proposal must still be pre- lightly and reforming CID is my committee. about a dozen of those related spe- that all soldiers face. Martin sented to senior Army leaders and top priority. I acknowledge the ne- Chris Swecker, who led the cifically to CID. Proposals includ- pledged to stop that from happen- is too premature to discuss. cessity of the task ahead.” committee, said there were times ed improving staffing and re- ing in future complex cases and “Ultimately, any decision made She said she also plans to pro- while reviewing case files at Fort sources at the base, leveling the she said she’s already changed by Army senior leadership will pose to senior leaders that 300 ci- Hood that he found actions of Ar- ratio of new and experienced policy so investigators can stay up lead to an organization with en- vilian agents be added across the my CID agents as “puzzling.” Be- agents, and building better rela- to five or six years at a base. hanced capabilities organized and agency. Some of those agents will cause the review focused on Fort tionships with the surrounding ci- That case also exposed that the led by law enforcement profes- go to Fort Hood, where the office Hood, he said he couldn’t say vilian communities. base lacked the ability to conduct sionals,” Martin said. “The find- needed three times as many sex- whether these problems were sys- The report was conducted fol- forensic cellphone analysis, ac- ings of the Fort Hood Independent ual-assault investigators than temic throughout the Army. lowing the death of Spc. Vanessa cording to the report. That has Review Committee were eye what it was allocated to manage its Getting this process right, Guillen, who was killed by another been remedied, Martin said. opening to our Army, but particu- case load, according to the report. Swecker said, is important be- soldier in an arms room at Fort She testified alongside Brig. larly to the law enforcement en- All agency leaders in the hear- cause a wrongdoing must be taken Hood. Following her disappear- Gen. Terry Bullard, commander terprise. I do not take this report ing said they’ve seen an uptick in seriously. ance and death in April, the Army sexual assault cases. For the Navy, “For many victims of crime at announced the review to dive into cases have doubled in eight years, Fort Hood, justice delayed felt like concerns raised about CID’s Lopez said. Even with additional justice denied,” he said. handling of the case and the base’s constraints from staffing cuts, he Mary Counts, a former FBI su- ability to investigate sexual as- said NCIS has surged resources pervisory special agent and con- sault and harassment allegations. from other programs “to ensure sultant to the committee, said she The House Armed Services that all allegations of sexual as- was able to identify serial offend- Committee’s subpanel on military sault are fully investigated in a ers at the base within days just by personnel on Tuesday held its sec- timely and thorough manner.” speaking with victims and wit- ond hearing on the report, though “In maintaining the surge, NCIS nesses. it was the first time that Army has focused heavily on two key is- “I think whatever model CID leaders answered questions di- sues, improving the quality of in- goes to, there needs to be an em- rectly from lawmakers about ac- vestigations and reducing investi- phasis on focus and they need to tion on the recommendations. gative timelines. This has resulted prioritize their investigations. It “I’m truly disappointed that in a very robust case oversight can’t be one size fits all,” Counts that is the extent of what you have system and significant reductions said. “You have to be able to go af- gleaned from the report,” Chair- in timelines over the same peri- ter those people who are not only woman Jackie Speier, D-Calif., od,” he said. victimizing soldiers, but could said after hearing Martin use her Before hearing from the mili- possibly victimize others in the fu- opening comments to describe Chairwoman Jackie Speier, of Calif., speaks during a hearing about tary services, lawmakers heard ture.” two programs that Fort Hood has Military Criminal Investigative Organization Reform testimony from members of the Recommendations from the Fort Hood Independent Review implemented since the report in- Fort Hood review committee and [email protected] stead of offering examples of her Committee. consultants who supported the Twitter: @Rose_Lori Workers uncover hundreds of WWII-era bombs from Kadena base

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE per reported Sunday. The Okinawa Defense Bureau funeral home and community tions” and set up signs indicating AND HANA KUSUMOTO The bombs were discovered confirmed the discovery to Stars groups in Chibana. road closures in the event more Stars and Stripes during work to prepare the site and Stripes on Monday but re- A road in Okinawa city was munitions are found at the site, CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — for warehouses being relocated ferred questions to U.S. military closed several times during the according to the Okinawa Times. Nearly 300 bombs from World from the Marine Corps’ Camp officials. Kadena’s 18th Wing did removal work, sometimes on “We coordinate with related War II were uncovered and re- Kinser in Urasoe. The property not immediately respond to short notice, for between 35 min- organizations by setting up signs moved from a Kadena Air Base in Urasoe will be returned to the questions Tuesday. utes to five hours, according to notifying the road closure if clo- construction site in recent prefecture. The munitions were 8 to 12 an official with the city’s base af- sure is necessary,” the bureau weeks, according to Okinawa of- Another 280 bombs were un- inches long, according to the fairs office. The closure delayed spokesman said, according to the ficials and local media reports. covered March 8 and the last of Okinawa Times. some visitors to a nearby funeral newspaper. The first of the 296 unexploded the munitions were discovered The defense bureau, which home, which afterward request- munitions was found Feb. 10 on the next day, the paper reported. represents the Japanese Minis- ed advance notice of a road clo- the east side of Route 38 on the They were removed by U.S. mil- try of Defense on the island, noti- sure. [email protected] Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 base ordnance facility in Chiba- itary explosive ordnance dispos- fied the city of the munition dis- A bureau spokesman said it [email protected] na, the Okinawa Times newspa- al personnel. covery. The city in turn notified a would notify “related organiza- Twitter: @HanaKusumoto PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 PACIFIC Austin, Blinken in S. Korea for talks in Seoul

BY SETH ROBSON at its first step,” North Korean Stars and Stripes leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Yo Jong, said in a statement pub- touted the importance of the U.S.- lished Tuesday in the state-run Ro- South Korea alliance Wednesday dung Sinmun newspaper. as he kicked off two days of talks in Ongoing computer-simulated Seoul that are likely to focus on military drills between U.S. and Pyongyang and its growing nucle- South Korean forces drew Kim’s ar arsenal. wrath. The Pentagon chief was greeted “The South Korean government by the commander of U.S. Forces yet again chose the ‘March of War,’ Korea, Army Gen. Robert the ‘March of Crisis,’” she said. Abrams, after touching down just U.S. officials are worried that after noon at Osan Air Base, south North Korea could resume missile of the capital. Austin was later tests after a three-year break in re- joined by Secretary of State Anto- sponse to the drills, Politico report- ny Blinken, and the pair held sep- ed Wednesday, citing anonymous arate discussions with their South sources. Korean counterparts, Minister of Defense Suh Wook and Foreign ‘Part of a big team’ Minister Chung Eui-yong. Before flying to South Korea on Given the unprecedented chal- Wednesday morning, Austin met a lenges posed by North Korea and group of service members and ci- China, the U.S. alliance with South vilians at Yokota Air Base, the Korea has never been more impor- home of U.S. Forces Japan in west- tant, Austin said ahead of his meet- ern Tokyo. ing with Suh, according to the Yon- “It’s really great to lay eyes on hap news agency. you,” he told troops lined up on a “I am here today to reaffirm the ramp near his aircraft. United States’ commitment to the Austin praised them as repre- defense of [South Korea],” he said, PHOTOS BY MATTHEW KEELER/Stars and Stripes sentatives of America and for con- according to the report. “You and I Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin walks with the commander of U.S. Forces Korea, Army Gen. Robert tinuing their mission during the can both agree that military read- Abrams, after arriving at Osan Air Base, South Korea, on Wednesday. coronavirus pandemic. iness is a top priority, and that our “You are what it is all about, and combined readiness must ensure stability,” Austin and Blinken said there are 3 million more of your that we are ready to fight tonight, if in a joint statement following those comrades spread around the globe needed.” talks. who are working hard just like you Referring to a recent agreement Nuclear-armed Pyongyang, are,” he said. “We are all part of a that gives a 13.9% boost to the claiming it possesses the “world’s big team.” amount South Korea pays to sup- most powerful weapon,” showed Col. Andrew Campbell, com- port U.S. troops on the peninsula, off a new submarine-launched in- mander of Yokota’s 374th Airlift Austin said the deal reflects Presi- tercontinental ballistic missile Wing, introduced Austin to a pair dent Joe Biden’s “commitment to during a parade in January. The of airmen and two Japanese civil- reinvigorating and modernizing” USFK commander, however, in ian workers who were involved in alliances around the globe, ac- written testimony to the House Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. re- cording to Yonhap. Armed Services Committee this sponse to the earthquake and tsu- Describing the alliance as the month, said North Korea’s claims nami that struck northeastern Ja- “linchpin” of peace and stability about the missile’s capabilities pan in March 2011. on the peninsula and beyond, Suh aren’t evidence of a viable new nu- “I appreciate your courage,” said links between the two coun- clear weapon. Austin told them. He handed chal- tries have developed “in a reci- The ministers’ Tokyo statement lenge coins to each in the group, procal manner from the start of the Secretary of State Antony Blinken chats with the 7th Air Force called for complete denucleariza- which included a pilot and crew Biden administration,” the report commander, Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus, after landing at Osan Air Base, tion of the Korean Peninsula. chief who flew missions over the said. South Korea, on Wednesday. “Trilateral cooperation among disaster zone, a firefighter who de- “Over the course of the develop- the United States, Japan and livered a firetruck from Yokota to ment of the alliance, it is of utmost ken visit South Korean President peninsula on Friday. [South Korea] is critical for our emergency personnel struggling importance to maintain our com- Moon Jae-in at the Blue House, his shared security, peace, and pros- to control meltdowns at the Fu- bined defense posture and the for- official residence in Seoul, that af- Threat to peace, stability perity in the Indo-Pacific region,” kushima Daiichi Nuclear Power midable deterrence against North ternoon, according the Chosun Il- Blinken and Austin traveled to the statement said. Plant and a member of Yokota’s Korea,” Suh said, according to bo newspaper. the peninsula from Tokyo, where North Korea, in its first state- Mission Support Group who mon- Yonhap. “Going forward, we will Afterward, Austin and Suh plan they met with their Japanese coun- ment geared toward the Biden ad- itored radiation exposure during continue to further strengthen our to pay tribute to fallen heroes at a terparts Tuesday during the U.S.- ministration on Tuesday, warned the crisis. bond as a military alliance.” state cemetery in Seoul, Yonhap Japan Security Consultative Com- the U.S. not to ruffle any feathers. The four ministers will meet as a reported, and the U.S. defense sec- mittee, also referred to as 2+2. “If [the U.S.] wants to sleep in Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report. group Thursday during so-called retary is expected to meet with “North Korea’s arsenal poses a peace for coming four years, it had [email protected] 2+2 talks before Austin and Blin- American troops stationed on the threat to international peace and better refrain from causing a stink Twitter: @SethRobson1 Sailor dies from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on submarine

BY WYATT OLSON “Out of respect for the family the announcement. Our thoughts and died from an apparent self-inflicted three civilian workers, killing two, Stars and Stripes name will not be released until 24 prayers are with the Sailors’ family, gunshot wound while on duty before turning his service-issued FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii — A hours after next of kin have been no- friends and shipmates.” aboard a submarine at Pearl Har- M-9 pistol on himself. sailor died Monday from an appar- tified,” Cmdr. Cindy Fields, a spo- The Naval Criminal Investigative bor Naval Shipyard,” Fields said. Romero had been assigned to the ent self-inflicted gunshot wound keswoman for Submarine Force, Service is investigating the death, The shipyard was the scene of a fast-attack submarine USS Colum- while on duty aboard a submarine at U.S. Pacific Fleet, said in a state- the Navy said. murder-suicide by a 22-year-old bia. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, the ment to Stars and Stripes. “This is to “While it would be inappropriate sailor in December 2019.

Navy said in a news release Tues- provide adequate time to notify and to comment on specific details of an Machinist’s Mate (Auxiliary) [email protected] day. care for the family prior to public ongoing investigation, the Sailor Fireman Gabriel A. Romero shot Twitter: @WyattWOlson Thursday, March 18, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY 4-stars: Boost assets in Latin America, Arctic

BY COREY DICKSTEIN ral said his budget for those assets combat brigades to fight in the re- Stars and Stripes was cut 46% for fiscal year 2021, gion. The U.S. military needs more re- leaving him with critical gaps in VanHerck endorsed the need for sources in Central and South Amer- tracking the drug trade run by a port north of Dutch Harbor, Alas- ica and the Arctic region to counter transnational criminal organiza- ka, to provide U.S. ships fuel to en- increasing Chinese and Russian ac- tions and other threats, including sure a more persistent presence to tivities in those areas, the top U.S. power rivals’ activities in the region. compete with growing Russian and military officers in charge of oper- “Our understanding of what our Chinese naval presence in the Arc- ations in the Western Hemisphere competitors are up to — Russia, Chi- tic region. VanHerck said he had no testified Tuesday. na, Iran — a lot gets left on the table, preference about which military The commanders of U.S. North- and that is contributing to violence service would run such a port or ern Command and U.S. Southern and driving instability,” Faller said. where it should be located. Howev- Command told the Senate Armed “We’ve got to be on the field to com- er, the Navy has proposed building a Services Committee that China and pete.” base near Nome, Alaska. Russia have increased efforts to as- VanHerck issued a similar warn- VanHerck said it was important sert influence in the Western Hemi- ing about the American military to increase the United States’ inven- sphere and test American resolve presence in the Arctic, where melt- tory of two polar icebreakers quick- amid the ongoing coronavirus pan- ing ice has provided new access to ly, to compete with Russia’s about demic. Both of the primary power natural resources and potential fu- 40. The Coast Guard plans to build competitors for the U.S. have long ture shipping lanes, at least in part six, with the first scheduled for com- sought to increase their global influ- sparking a competition for influen- pletion in 2023. China, too, has said it ence and have grown increasingly ce in the far north. plans to build several icebreakers. emboldened, Adm. Craig Faller, the ANDY MARTINEZ /U.S. Marine Corps “We are lagging behind,” he said. The Coast Guard ships would en- SOUTHCOM commander, said A U.S. Marine and a U.S. soldier train at Soto Cano Air Base, “We’re in competition … and to be sure the U.S. can send cutters and Tuesday. Honduras, in September. The commanders of U.S. Northern competitive with Russia and China, “potentially destroyers or maybe Faller said the Chinese are using Command and U.S. Southern Command told the Senate Armed specifically in the Arctic, you have cruisers” into the region, VanHerck coronavirus pandemic aid as lever- Services Committee on Wednesday that China and Russia have to be on the field. And, so it’s crucial said. age to persuade countries — includ- increased efforts to assert influence in the Western Hemisphere. that we do that and we continue pro- Though Defense Secretary Lloyd ing those in Latin America — to ducing capabilities that will allow us Austin and Pentagon leaders have partner with them on infrastructure it to drive a wedge between some from whoever throws it,’ ” includ- to be in the Arctic.” assessed China poses the most seri- projects such as updated wireless nations in the region.” ing the Chinese, Faller said. The U.S. military has increasing- ous threat now to U.S. global influ- network capabilities. The admiral Faller told senators that U.S. in- To remain the top power in the re- ly looked to bolster its activities in ence, VanHerck warned Tuesday labeled it “mask and vaccine diplo- fluence in his region was “eroding,” gion, the United States must be able the Arctic. In recent months, the Air that Russia was the most viable mil- macy.” telling them a colleague from a to provide partner nations critical Force and Navy have issued strate- itary threat to the U.S. homeland in “The conditions that the pandem- country within the SOUTHCOM ar- military assistance and other aid, gies for increasing their activities in 2021. ic has caused in Latin America and ea of responsibility that he spoke to but he warned he needed more in- the region, which call for new Coast He said NORTHCOM reported the Caribbean rival those of the recently compared the region to a telligence, surveillance and recon- Guard icebreaker ships and a po- more Russian military flights — of- Great Depression here in the Unit- lifeboat “sinking in violence and … naissance assets and security tential new base for them in the Arc- ten formations with multiple bom- ed States,” Faller told senators in a sinking in Chinese influence.” forces. tic. bers and fighter jets — near Alas- hearing alongside NORTHCOM’s “What I hear from our partner is: Faller and SOUTHCOM com- The Army on Tuesday also issued ka’s coast in 2020 than “in any year commander, Air Force Gen. Glen ‘We know that the United States mil- manders before him have warned its own Arctic strategy, which calls since the end of the Cold War,” some VanHerck. “China has moved in itary is the best, [and] we want to for years that the command was un- for increased training in the region, 30 years ago. particularly heavy handed … and partner with you. But, we’re drown- derfunded and especially lacking in the establishment of a new two-star they’re using vaccines to leverage ing, and we need a LifeRing, and intelligence, surveillance and re- headquarters to oversee Arctic op- [email protected] deals for their 5G, and they’re using we’re going to take the LifeRing connaissance resources. The admi- erations and to equip and train some Twitter: @CDicksteinDC Arctic: Strategy prioritizes training troops to live, operate in the cold FROM PAGE 1 contested environments against Training troops on how to live cause of their qualifications, ac- who can provide their knowledge manned, trained, and equipped to adversaries such as China or Rus- and operate in the Arctic is also a cording to the document. of the region for training. One of maintain a credible deterrence sia. The Army has decided to place priority in the strategy. There is a Having this qualification infor- the ideas is to look into the devel- and the first line of defense of the a Multi-Domain Task Force in training range and a few training mation available in personnel files opment of an “Alaska Scouts” aux- homeland,” the document states. Alaska to experiment with how centers that teach skills in cold would “allow the Army to rapidly iliary force that was first proposed Most of the Army’s personnel the unit can function in the region weather and rugged terrain, in- build environmental expertise in a by Alaska’s governor in 2015. The living in the Arctic or sub-Arctic with extreme conditions, accord- cluding the Northern Warfare unit designed for deployment, force would be comprised of vol- regions are soldiers stationed at ing to the document. There is now Training Center at Fort Wainw- providing the Army the ability to unteers of Alaska Natives that three installations in Alaska: Fort a task force located at Joint Base right. However, upgrading or cre- respond to crisis without main- would be “a source of environ- Wainwright, Joint Base Elmen- Lewis-McChord, Wash., and it ating new training areas are being taining an array of environmental- mental expertise and situational dorf-Richardson and Fort Greely, brings together intelligence, in- considered to ensure that units specialized units,” the document awareness in support of the joint according to the document. The formation, cyber, electronic war- can receive the Arctic-specific states. force,” according to the docu- soldiers also fall under a unique fare, and space capabilities. The training that they need to be effec- Working with allies and part- ment. command environment, support- Army also plans to have another tive. ners in the Arctic is also key to the ing U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, task force in Europe. “Do we do the training up there Army’s strategy, especially work- [email protected] U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Having this type of task force in rather than taking them to Fort ing with Indigenous populations Twitter: @caitlinmkenney Army Alaska. U.S. European Alaska will allow the Army to be- Polk [in Louisiana] for [the] com- Command is also involved in the gin tackling some of the region’s bat training center? Would they be Arctic. challenges, including the extreme better at a combat training center The Army’s intended “end environment, multiple combatant where they train in the harshest state” for their Arctic strategy is to commands, and little infrastruc- conditions that you could have? be able to deploy troops trained ture, according to the document. Would that be better for them? So, and equipped to operate in the re- “In Alaska, [the task force] will we’re putting those together as we gion and fight in extreme condi- have the ability to take advantage speak,” McConville said. tions for extended periods, ac- of world-class training facilities The Army also wants to ensure cording to the document. and the presence of significant troops with this specialized train- The new strategy incorporates U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy ing and knowledge are prioritized the Army’s new Multi-Domain forces to experiment and train for units in the Arctic. This could Operations concept, which in- multi-domain operations,” the mean some soldiers are more like- volves a joint force operating in document states. ly to command Arctic units be- PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 WAR ON TERRORISM Lawmakers split in debate on troop withdrawal

BY SARAH CAMMARATA port that achieving our counterterrorism said Tuesday that “the new administration en’s rights, as well as rampant corruption, Stars and Stripes and reconstruction objectives depends on a and Congress will need to decide whether and dependence on foreign aid and future WASHINGTON — House lawmakers on strong, stable, democratic and self-reliant and to what extent reconstruction will con- funding. Tuesday debated whether American troops Afghanistan. Unfortunately, as our report tinue” with troops or not. The government has spent $143 billion on should stay in Afghanistan as a deadline for discusses in great detail, Afghanistan is far House lawmakers debated the need for reconstruction in Afghanistan, Sopko said, their withdrawal looms and a new report as- from that reality and may be fighting for its keeping the remaining 2,500 U.S. troops in but a large chunk of that money has been sessing the state of that country warned of very survival,” John Sopko, the SIGAR chief, Afghanistan as President Joe Biden’s admin- “wasted, stolen or didn’t accomplish any- the possible consequences if U.S. forces told House lawmakers. istration faces the May 1 deadline for their thing.” In 2018, a SIGAR report found of the pulled out. Most lawmakers agreed Tuesday on a removal, which was agreed to in February investment that they examined, one-third of “I really don’t see a viable long-term strat- long-term goal of pulling all U.S. civilian and 2020 as part of a peace agreement with the the money had been wasted. egy for the United States in Afghanistan and I military personnel from Afghanistan, Taliban. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said he agreed strongly support withdrawing troops,” said though some remained conflicted on wheth- Since the agreement was signed, Taliban with Speier. Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the ranking er to keep troops there. attacks and assassinations have continued to “We cannot create a vacuum of power in Republican on the House Oversight and Re- Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said she increase, Sopko told the House lawmakers. the wake of our absence that would destabil- form Committee. wants U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan, but Biden, in an interview with ABC News’ ize the region and our rebuilding efforts. This Comer’s comments came during a hearing without “ears on the ground” to conduct George Stephanopoulos that aired Wednes- committee will play a crucial role in ensuring of the committee’s national security subpan- oversight, terrorist groups will be able to day, said he was consulting with allies on the that U.S. tax dollars overseas … are being el to discuss the Special Inspector General grow and the U.S. will be “at grave risk.” pace of the drawdown. Of meeting the May 1 used effectively to assist in the pathway to for Afghanistan Reconstruction’s 2021 High- “I’ve come to believe that we need some deadline, he said it “could happen, but it is democracy — a task that will be more diffi- Risk List — a congressionally mandated re- boots on the ground to just protect ourselves. tough.” If the deadline is extended, he added, cult without a presence on the ground,” he port that offers an assessment of risks that If that requires committing some money to it won’t be by “a lot longer.” said. the White House and Congress face as they Afghanistan, I’m willing to do it,” she said. Sopko discussed a wide range of concerns make decisions on the future of the U.S. mis- The SIGAR report does not make specific raised in the report, such as inadequate over- The Associated Press contributed to this report. sion in Afghanistan. policy recommendations or take a position sight without contractors and troops on the [email protected] “I believe most would agree with our re- on keeping troops in Afghanistan and Sopko ground, threats to the advancement in wom- Twitter: @sarahjcamm Military warns of scammers pretending to be US commander BY PHILLIP WALTER In response to the warning, mained out of the public eye dur- WELLMAN Twitter user Lenna Dunagan said ing his nearly two-and-a-half Stars and Stripes she had been contacted by nearly years in charge. KABUL, Afghanistan — Scam- 60 Miller imposters on various He was assigned a Twitter ac- mers posing as the top U.S. com- platforms since May. count for the position of USFOR-A mander in Afghanistan have used Dunagan said one of them end- and NATO Resolute Support com- hundreds of social media ac- ed up being a 29-year-old from mander with the handle @Com- counts to try to defraud people in Africa, but didn’t disclose how she mander_RS, which uses his name recent months, the military said. got that information. and photo. However, Miller has U.S. Forces-Afghanistan has re- Another Twitter user, Elke not posted a single tweet since tak- ported almost 900 fake accounts Gloyer, said she’s reported fake ing command, and his only ret- posing as Gen. Scott Miller on accounts every day and likened weet was Leggett’s warning of sites like Twitter, Facebook and the experience to an “endless fake profiles Tuesday. Instagram this year alone, the war.” “We certainly find this concern- command said Wednesday. “Yep. He’s on Word Wars right ing, which is why we chose to alert Scammers have also been ac- now trying to pick me up,” said the public via Twitter,” Leggett tive on platforms like Google Han- Twitter user Robin Zell, referring said in an email to Stars and gouts, Pinterest and the online to a Miller imposter on the word Stripes. “It’s unfortunate scam- Scrabble app Word Wars. game app. mers misrepresent themselves as The accounts are largely used to Gen. John Nicholson, who led Gen. Miller online for personal or trick people out of money and troops in Afghanistan until Sep- financial gains. items such as gift cards and cell- tember 2018, was also a target of Anyone wishing to report a fake phones, USFOR-A warned. Twitter impersonators, though it appears Miller account to USFOR-A can “Gen. Miller does NOT use pub- Scammers are using Gen. Scott Miller's likeness and photos to create the attempts at fraud have in- write to: [email protected] lic accounts on social media. fake social media profiles, a U.S. Forces — Afghanistan spokesman said. creased under Miller. to.int. Scammers are using his likeness Miller, the longest-serving com-

& photos,” USFOR-A spokesman Anyone contacted online by report it to USFOR-A and block mander of U.S. and NATO forces [email protected] Col. Sonny Leggett said in a tweet. someone claiming to be Miller can the account, Leggett said. in Afghanistan, has mostly re- Twitter: @pwwellman Airstrikes: Taliban accuse US of unlawfully targeting fighters FROM PAGE 1 The Taliban have refrained ital of their heartland. Fighting longer to complete. A New York Times report this Taliban earlier Wednesday ac- from attacking international throughout Kandahar province “That was not a very solidly ne- week said the actual number of cused the U.S. of unlawfully tar- forces as part of last year’s deal, has displaced some 10,000 fam- gotiated deal that the president, American troops in Afghanistan is geting Taliban fighters in Kanda- under which they also pledged to ilies, according to government da- the former president worked out,” closer to 3,500, citing tallying dis- har who were not involved in the meet vague counterterrorism ta. Biden said. “We’re in consultation crepancies disclosed by unnamed fighting. commitments. But attacks by the If President Joe Biden chooses with our allies as well as the gov- sources. “We strongly condemn these group on Afghans have intensified. to end the war soon, analysts and ernment, and that decision is in The U.S. military in Afghanistan bombardments and crimes by the The deal does not explicitly bar Afghan officials say some key ci- process now.” conducts a counterterrorism mis- American invaders,” Taliban the Taliban from attacking gov- ties like Kandahar would likely fall There are officially 2,500 Amer- sion and a separate mission that spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi ernment forces but does include a to the insurgents. ican troops in Afghanistan after trains Afghan forces. The latter is said in a statement. “This is clearly clause that says the U.S. will de- It will be “tough” for the U.S. to former President Donald Trump supported by roughly 7,000 NATO a violation of the Doha agree- fend Afghans against attacks. meet the May deadline, Biden said made steady reductions through- and coalition troops. ment.” The Taliban have encroached on in an interview with ABC News out last year, which started with If the attacks continue, the Tali- key Afghan cities in recent that aired Wednesday. roughly 13,000 American service Zubair Babakarkhail contributed to this report ban will “take the same steps” in months, including Kandahar, However, Biden added a full members in the country. Trump [email protected] defense, Ahmadi added. which once functioned as the cap- drawdown shouldn’t take much campaigned on ending the war. Twitter: @pwwellman Thursday, March 18, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 MILITARY USAF stops using firing range near monastery in Scotland

BY KYLE ALVAREZ The decision was announced af- permission to develop the area to AND KARIN ZEITVOGEL ter nearly 20,000 people had accommodate long-range fire- Stars and Stripes signed an online petition against a arms training, and has been nego- RAF MILDENHALL, England move to establish two permanent tiating with the Air Force special — The Air Force has stopped us- training areas for long-range operations unit to use it, the news- ing a firing range near a Buddhist shooting in the valley. paper reported. retreat in southwest Scotland, it “The installation of a facility, Residents of the valley said in said Wednesday after residents contrary to the religious beliefs of the petition that they have been raised concerns that it would shat- Eskdalemuir residents and thou- sidestepped in the planning proc- ter the tranquility of the Eskdale- sands of visitors who come here to ess and are against the expansion muir valley. use the Temple or to attend cours- of the range. The Air Force had used a range es offered by Samye Ling, is offen- Hanna Casement, who posted Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist monastery amile from the 53-year-old Samye sive, grossly insensitive and com- the petition on behalf of the com- The Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Eskdalemuir Ling Tibetan Buddhist monastery pletely inappropriate,” the pet- munity, said if planning permis- valley in Scotland. for “multiple events within the ition said. sion is granted, the range would be past seven months” but was “un- The abbot of Samye Ling mon- allowed to operate year-round. 30 years. “We are extremely grateful for aware of concerns from the local astery has also spoken out against “It would massively increase “It’s like putting a nightclub the long-standing, strong relation- community,” Capt. Kevyn Kaler, the project. the noise in the valley,” she said. next to a convent,” she added. ships with our U.K. hosts, includ- spokeswoman for the 352nd Spe- “Our precious haven of peace “Scotland has a lot of land and a It was unclear when the Air ing local community partners and cial Operations Wing, told Stars and harmony is under threat of be- lot of people support shooting, but Force learned about locals’ con- Ministry of Defense and RAF and Stripes. ing caught in the noise of gunfire,” not in a peaceful valley where cerns over the firing range. counterparts,” she said. “We regret the disturbance that Lama Yeshe Rinpoche told the there’s a Buddhist temple and But it has “no future plans to uti- this has caused,” she said in an Scotsman newspaper earlier this where a lot of people come for re- lize this training area” and is re- email. “We have suspended all month. treats and care — including veter- viewing its training processes and [email protected] Twitter: @Kalv2931 training events at this area as a re- The owner of the land where the ans with PTSD,” said Casement, protocols with the British Defense [email protected] sult.” range is located has applied for who’s lived in the area for around Ministry, Kaler said. Twitter: @StripesZeit Virus numbers increase in Tokyo, Seoul; US military reports 1 case

BY JOSEPH DITZLER Korea Disease Control and Pre- according to the information cen- Stars and Stripes vention Agency. Tuesday’s num- ter update Monday. The Guam TOKYO — New coronavirus ber is the highest count since 490 Hotel and Restaurant Association cases in the capital cities of Japan on Saturday, according to WHO. is counting those employees, ac- and South Korea inched higher Seoul accounted for 120 new cording to the center. Wednesday while reports from cases and Gyeonngi province — Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero plans the U.S. military in those coun- home to Camp Humphreys and to reopen the island to tourism on tries remained low. Osan Air Base — reported 182. May 1. U.S. Army Japan, headquar- Both one-day counts were higher tered southwest of Tokyo at Camp than the previous day’s report by Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report. Zama, had one person test posi- 45 patients in Seoul and 36 in [email protected] tive for COVID-19, the coronavi- Gyeonngi, according to KDCA. Twitter: @JosephDitzler rus respiratory disease, sometime The pandemic has claimed 1,686 between March 10 and Wednes- lives in South Korea. day, according to a news release. On Guam, health authorities on That individual was already in Monday lowered the eligibility quarantine as a new arrival to the for COVID-19 vaccines to age 40 country. and older, according to the U.S. No other U.S. bases in Japan or territory’s Joint Information Cen- South Korea reported new coro- ter. navirus patients by 6 p.m. The island, population 160,000, Wednesday. had administered nearly 63,000 Tokyo announced 409 new cor- AKIFUMI ISHIKAWA/Stars and Stripes doses as of Sunday, according to onavirus patients Wednesday, 109 Pedestrians wear masks to guard against the coronavirus in the Ginza the center. More than 7,700 peo- more than the previous day, ac- district of central Tokyo on Tuesday, March 9. ple have been infected there and cording to public broadcaster 134 people have died of complica- NHK and metro government da- Flower viewing, called hanami, talities, of which 1,605 occurred in tions of the coronavirus. ta. Wednesday’s count is the high- with picnics in Tokyo’s parks nor- Tokyo. The vaccine prioritization com- est since 445 on Feb. 18, also the mally attract thousands. South Korea reported 469 new mittee on the island is consider- last time the one-day count ex- All the U.S. military installa- patients Tuesday, up by 106 from ing opening vaccine eligibility to ceeded 400. tions in Japan except Yokota Air the previous day, according to the workers in the tourism industry, The increase comes as the state Base in western Tokyo have put of emergency that called on busi- all or most of Tokyo off-limits to nesses, particularly restaurants, their people, uniformed and civil- to close between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. ian, except for duty or essential is set to expire Monday in Tokyo services. and three surrounding prefec- Japan on Tuesday reported 782 tures — Saitama, Kanagawa and new cases, according to the World Chiba — that comprise the grea- Health Organization. The nation ter metro area. has reported 488,688 coronavirus It also coincides with the cher- patients during the pandemic. ry blossoms, which began Mon- Tokyo accounts for 116,293 day in Tokyo and are expected to cases, more than one-fourth the peak March 22, according to the total, according to WHO. Japan Japan Meteorological Agency. has reported 8,622 COVID-19 fa- PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 NATION McConnell: ‘Scorched earth’ if filibuster axed

BY LISA MASCARO While the Democratic-controlled century. be forced to hold the floor, as Jimmy Associated Press House is able to swiftly approve a Supporters of the process say it Stewart did in “Mr. Smith Goes to WASHINGTON — Senate Re- long list of potentially popular bills protects the rights of the party not in Washington.” These days, senators publican leader Mitch McConnell — to expand voting rights, extend power, but detractors argue it is be- can simply signal their filibuster, warned ominously of a “scorched gun purchase background checks ing used to block popular bills. which Durbin derided as “Mr. earth” landscape if Democrats use and other measures — the rules of Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Smith Phones it In.” their new majority to bring an end to the Senate are more cumbersome. It Tuesday that nearly 65 years after “We must change the rules,” Dur- the Senate filibuster in hopes of typically requires 60 votes to break a South Carolina Sen. Strom Thur- bin said. muscling legislation supporting filibuster to advance most legisla- mond’s record-setting 24-hour-plus McConnell warned Democrats President Joe Biden’s agenda past tion. filibuster over the 1957 Civil Rights not to take the next step, unveiling GOP opposition. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Act, “the filibuster is still making a the actions he could take in retribu- McConnell unleashed the dire Schumer brushed off McConnell’s mockery of American democracy.” tion. forecast of a Senate that would all remarks as a “diversion” and said It takes 51 votes to change the Sen- “This is an institution that re- but cease to function, implying that he hopes to work with Republicans ate rules and do away with the fil- quires unanimous consent to turn Republicans would grind business on the upcoming bills, but said all ibuster, and Democrats do not ap- the lights on before noon, to proceed to a halt by refusing to give consent J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP options for filibuster changes are on pear to have support from within with a garden-variety floor speech, for routine operations — from the Senate Minority Leader Mitch the table. their ranks to do so, even with Vice to dispense with the reading of a start time for sessions, to the reading McConnell, R­Ky., leaves the Biden told ABC News’ George President Kamala Harris serving as lengthy legislative text, to schedule of long legislative texts, to quorum chamber after criticizing Stephanopoulos on Tuesday: “I the tiebreaker. At least two Demo- committee business, to move even call votes. Democrats for wanting to change don’t think that you have to elimi- cratic senators, Joe Manchin of non-controversial nominees at any- “Let me say this very clearly for the filibuster rule, at the Capitol nate the filibuster, you have to do it West Virginia, and Kyrsten Sinema thing besides a snail’s pace,” he said. all 99 of my colleagues: Nobody in Washington, on Tuesday. what it used to be when I first got to of Arizona, have signaled their ob- Changes to the filibuster have serving in this chamber can even the Senate back in the old days. You jections, but there may be more. been underway for a decade, an es- begin — can even begin to imagine age that was approved by Congress had to stand up and command the The Senate will be put to the test in calating procedural arms race —what a completely scorched earth without a single Republican vote. floor, you had to keep talking.” the weeks ahead. As senators start alongside the nation’s rising parti- Senate would look like,” McConnell Republicans acknowledged pri- Senate Democrats are talking pri- considering the House-passed bills, sanship. Democrats did away with said Tuesday in a Senate speech. vately they are struggling to pry at- vately about changing the decades- Democrats will be testing Republi- the filibuster rules to overcome Re- McConnell said the partisan gri- tention away from the bill, which ap- old rules for the filibuster, which al- can willingness to participate in the publican stonewalling of President dlock of the Trump and Obama eras pears to be popular among Ameri- lows a single senator to block a bill legislative process by amending the Barack Obama’s executive branch would look like “child’s play” com- cans benefiting from $1,400 cash by objecting. In earlier eras, sen- bills toward eventual passage. nominations and some judicial pared to what’s to come. payments, vaccine distribution and ators would seize the floor, speaking If Republicans simply block the nominees. Republicans and The GOP leader’s stark remarks other aid, as the GOP focuses on fu- for hours about their objections, as bills, Democrats are expected to McConnell then escalated the proc- landed as the Biden administration ture battles. was done in the Hollywood movie lean in more forcefully to try to ess by eliminating the filibuster for is taking a victory lap over the just- With the Senate evenly divided, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” change the rules. Supreme Court justices, smoothing passed $1.9 trillion American Res- 50-50, the rest of Biden’s priorities They also used it to stall civil rights Some Democrats want to require confirmation of President Donald cue Plan, the COVID-19 relief pack- face a tougher climb in Congress. legislation in the middle of the 20th senators who engage in filibusters to Trump’s three high court nominees. 7 jurors face new questioning about Floyd family settlement Associated Press same behavior in two incidents, almost one MINNEAPOLIS — Jury selection for a for- year apart,” Nelson said. mer Minneapolis police officer’s trial in Ge- Paramedics who examined Floyd in 2019 orge Floyd’s death faced a possible setback warned him that his blood pressure was dan- Wednesday, as the judge prepared to recall gerously high, putting him at risk for a heart seven jurors to see if they have been tainted attack or stroke, and took him to a hospital for by news of a $27 million settlement for the examination. Nelson argued that shows Floyd Floyd family. knew that swallowing drugs might result in Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill was going to the hospital rather than jail. to question the jurors by video ahead of ordi- But prosecutor Matthew Frank argued that nary jury selection. The move came at the re- evidence from the 2019 arrest was prejudi- quest of former officer Derek Chauvin’s at- cial. He called it “the desperation of the de- torney, Eric Nelson, who called the timing of fense to smear Mr. Floyd’s character, to show last week’s announcement by city leaders in that what he struggled with an opiate addic- the middle of jury selection “profoundly dis- tion like so many Americans do, is really evi- turbing” and “not fair.” dence of bad character.” Nelson has also requested a delay in the And he argued that the only relevant thing trial, which Cahill is considering. Cahill has in Floyd’s death is how he was handled by set opening statements for March 29 at the Chauvin and the other officers. earliest, but dismissal of some of the jurors al- “What these officers were dealing with is ready seated could imperil that date. JIM MONE/AP what they were responsible for,” Frank said. Nine jurors had been seated through Tues- Protesters march in the snow around the Hennepin County Government Center in “What is relevant to this case is what they day, including five who are white, one who is Minneapolis on Monday. The second week of jury selection is underway in the trial of knew at the scene at this time.” multiracial, two who are Black and one who is former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the 2020 death of George Floyd. Cahill said he would stop the defense “very Hispanic. The jurors include six men and quickly” from suggesting at trial that Floyd three women and range in age from their 20s Minneapolis should be allowed at trial. encounters are relevant: Both times, as offi- didn’t deserve sympathy because he used to their 50s. Fourteen people, including two The judge previously rejected Chauvin’s cers drew their guns and struggled to get drugs. alternates, are needed. attempt to tell the jury about the arrest — a Floyd out of the car, he called out for his moth- “You don’t just dirty up someone who has Chauvin is charged with murder and man- year before Floyd's fatal encounter with er, claimed he had been shot before and cried, died in these circumstances as a defense,” he slaughter in the May 25 death of Floyd, a Chauvin — but heard fresh arguments Tues- and put what appeared to be pills in his said. But he said he would weigh the defense’s Black man who was declared dead after day from both sides. He said he would rule on mouth. Both searches turned up drugs in the argument that alleged drug use during the Chauvin pressed his knee against his neck for the request Thursday. cars. Officers noticed a white residue outside 2019 arrest that led to “a hypertensive emer- about nine minutes. Floyd’s death, captured Nelson argued that new evidence makes his mouth both times, although that has not gency” is relevant to what may have caused on a widely seen bystander video, set off the earlier arrest admissible: Drugs were been explained. Floyd’s death in 2020. weeks of sometimes-violent protests across found last December during a second search In the first arrest, several opioid pills and “I think that’s, that’s the only relevance I the country and led to a national reckoning on of the car Floyd was in, and were found in a cocaine were found. An autopsy showed see,” Cahill said. racial justice. January search of the squad car into which Floyd had fentanyl and methamphetamine in Three other former officers face trial in the On Tuesday, the two sides skirmished over the four officers attempted to put Floyd. his system when he died. matter on charges of aiding and abetting sec- whether evidence of Floyd’s 2019 arrest in He also argued the similarities between the “The similarities are incredible. The exact ond-degree murder and manslaughter. Thursday, March 18, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Georgia shooting suspect may have ‘sex addiction’ Associated Press was racially motivated — “but the ATLANTA — A white man ac- indicators right now are it may not cused of killing eight people, most be.” of whom were of Asian descent, at Georgia state Rep. Bee Nguyen massage parlors in the Atlanta ar- said the shootings appear to be at ea told police the attack was not the “intersection of gender-based racially motivated and that he po- violence, misogyny and xenopho- tentially had a “sex addiction,” of- bia.” ficials said Bottoms, Atlanta’s mayor, said Wednesday. that regardless of the shooter’s Still, author- motivation, “it is unacceptable, it ities said they is hateful and it has to stop.” were investigat- The attacks began Tuesday eve- ing whether the ning, when five people were shot MIKE STEWART/AP deaths were hate at Youngs Asian Massage Parlor Authorities investigate a fatal shooting at a massage parlor late Tuesday in Woodstock, Ga. crimes amid near Woodstock, about 30 miles concerns over a north of Atlanta, Baker, the sher- en into custody “without inci- died were women of Korean de- how this has frightened and Long wave of attacks iff’s spokesman, said. Two people dent.” scent. The ministry said its Con- shocked and outraged all people,” on Asian Americans. Six of the died at the scene, and three were Crisp County sheriff’s spokes- sulate General in Atlanta is trying said Harris, who is the first Black victims were identified as Asian taken to a hospital where two died, woman Haley Wade said Wednes- to confirm the nationality of the and South Asian woman to hold and seven were women. he said. day morning that Long is no long- women. the office of vice president. It was not clear if Robert Aaron About an hour later, police re- er in their custody and that her of- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Over the past year, thousands of Long, 21, ever went to the parlors sponding to a call about a robbery fice has turned over its informa- Blinken, who is in South Korea cases of abuse have been reported where the shootings occurred; found three women dead from ap- tion to the other Georgia agencies meeting with Foreign Minister to an anti-hate group that tracks one official said he had while an- parent gunshot wounds at Gold and the FBI. Chung Eui-yong, mentioned the incidents against Asian Ameri- other indicated he may have only Spa, along of strip of tattoo parlors Rita Barron, the store manager killings during an opening state- cans, and hate crimes in general visited businesses like them. Au- and strip clubs in one of the last of a business neighboring the ment. are at the highest level in more thorities also said he was planning ungentrified holdouts in an up- massage parlor that was targeted “We are horrified by this vio- than a decade. to go to Florida in a plot to attack scale area of Atlanta. Officers in Cherokee County, said that se- lence which has no place in Amer- “We are heartbroken by these “some type of porn industry.” then learned of a call reporting curity footage of the parking lot ica or anywhere,” he said. acts of violence,” Asian Ameri- “He apparently has an issue, shots fired across the street, at outside the stores showed the gun- White House press secretary cans Advancing Justice — Atlanta what he considers a sex addiction, Aromatherapy Spa, and found an- man had been sitting outside in Jen Psaki said President Joe Bi- said in a statement. “While the de- and sees these locations as some- other woman apparently shot his car for about an hour just den has been briefed on the “hor- tails of the shootings are still thing that allows him to go to these dead. watching. rific shootings” and would receive emerging, the broader context places, and it’s a temptation for Crisp County Sheriff Billy Han- Nico Straughan, 21, who went to an update later Wednesday from cannot be ignored. The shootings him that he wanted to eliminate,” cock said in a video posted on school with Long, described him Attorney General Merrick Gar- happened under the trauma of in- Cherokee County Sheriff’s Facebook that his deputies and as “super nice, super Christian, land and FBI Director Christoph- creasing violence against Asian spokesman Capt. Jay Baker told state troopers were notified Tues- very quiet” and said that in high er Wray. The FBI is assisting At- Americans nationwide, fueled by reporters. day night that a murder suspect school Long brought a Bible to lanta and Cherokee County au- white supremacy and systemic When asked by a reporter out of north Georgia was headed school every day and would walk thorities in the investigation. racism.” whether the businesses were a their way. Deputies and troopers around with it in his hands. Vice President Kamala Harris Police in Atlanta and other ma- place where somebody could have set up along the interstate and “He went from one of the nicest expressed support to the Asian jor cities deplored the killings. sexual encounters, Atlanta Mayor “made contact with the suspect,” kids I ever knew in high school to American community, as she sent Seattle’s mayor said “the violence Keisha Lance Bottoms did not an- he said. being on the news yesterday,” condolences to the victims’ fam- in Atlanta was an act of hate,” and swer, saying she did not want “to A state trooper performed a Straughan said. ilies. San Francisco police tweeted get into victim blaming, victim pursuit intervention maneuver, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry “We’re not yet clear about the #StopAsianHate. The New York shaming here.” “which caused the vehicle to spin earlier said that its diplomats in motive. But I do want to say to our City Police counterterrorism unit Sheriff Frank Reynolds said it out of control,” Hancock said. Atlanta have confirmed with po- Asian American community that said it was on alert for similar at- was too early to tell if the attack Long, of Woodstock, was then tak- lice that four of the victims who we stand with you and understand tacks. Biden defends inaction against Saudi crown prince in killing BY ELLEN KNICKMEYER of Saudi journalist Jamal Khash- cision. prince’s approval of the killing of “pariah” for the killing and other Associated Press oggi. U.S. intelligence, in a report Biden was overstating the U.S. Khashoggi, who at the time of his abuses. President Joe Biden defended released Feb. 26, concluded that relationship with Saudi Arabia, killing was living in the U.S. and Rights groups and some jour- his decision to waive any puni- the crown prince authorized the however. writing critically for The Wash- nalists organizations criticized shment for Saudi Arabia’s crown team of Saudi security and intelli- The United States has no treaty ington Post about the prince’s the decision not to punish the prince in the killing of a U.S.- gence officials that killed Khash- binding itself with Saudi Arabia, rights abuses as he consolidated crown prince, saying it signaled based journalist, claiming that oggi. and the kingdom is not one of the power. impunity for the royal and other acting against the Saudi royal “We held accountable all the Arab countries designated as a The U.S. has imposed visa re- authoritarian leaders in the fu- would have been diplomatically people in that organization — but major non-NATO ally. The U.S. strictions and penalties on the ture. unprecedented for the United not the crown prince, because we often refers to the kingdom as a Saudi agents who killed and dis- Biden noted that he had ap- States. have never that I’m aware of, strategic partner because of its oil membered Khashoggi inside the proved releasing the intelligence Biden, in an ABC News inter- when we have an alliance with a production, its status as a regional Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. report and also said he had “made view that aired Wednesday, dis- country, gone to the acting head of counterbalance to Iran and its Biden’s inaction against the it clear” to Saudi Arabia’s aging cussed his administration’s deci- state and punished that person counterterrorism cooperation. prince was a turnabout from his king “that things were going to sion to exempt Crown Prince Mo- and ostracized him,” Biden said in Biden administration’s last campaign, when he spoke scath- change.” King Salman, who is in hammed bin Salman from any pe- his first extended public com- month released the U.S. intelli- ingly of the royal family and said his mid-80s, has allowed his son nalties for the Oct. 2, 2018, killing ments on his administration’s de- gence report concluding the he wanted to make Saudi Arabia a broad governing authority. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 NATION Biden: Cuomo should resign if claims confirmed

Associated Press He has denied touching any wom- NEW YORK — The pressure en inappropriately. against New York Gov. Andrew The first woman to publicly Cuomo over sexual harassment speak out against Cuomo, Lindsey allegations reached the White Boylan, said the governor kissed House on Tuesday, with Presi- her on the lips without consent dent Joe Biden saying Cuomo and “would go out of his way to should resign if the state attorney touch me on my lower back, arms general’s investigation confirms and legs.” CAROLYN KASTER / AP the claims against him. The New York Times reported President Joe Biden visits Smith Flooring Inc. in Chester, Pa., on Tuesday in his first stop on a tour to Biden made the remarks in an Tuesday when Boylan initially ac- highlight the coronavirus relief packge. He is joined by owners Kristin Smith and James Smith. interview with ABC News that cused the governor of harassment was scheduled to air Wednesday. in December, some of Cuomo’s When asked by anchor George aides and allies drafted an open Stephanopoulos whether Cuomo letter attacking her as part of a Biden showcases aid to small should resign if the investigation campaign to undermine her cred- confirms the women’s claims, Bi- ibility. den said “yes” and added, “I think The Times, speaking to three businesses at Pennsylvania stop he’d probably end up being prose- people with direct knowledge, Associated Press locations but then was forced to lay off workers when cuted, too.” said the letter accused Boylan of CHESTER, Pa. — President Joe Biden turned up the coronavirus struck. “It takes a lot of courage to being politically motivated. at a minority-owned flooring business in suburban She said 80% of her team came back through previ- come forward so the presumption One of the people told the Times Philadelphia to highlight how his $1.9 trillion corona- ous relief programs but it could take two years to get is it should be taken seriously,” that Cuomo had been involved in virus relief package can help small businesses and to back to full capacity and “recover all this loss.” Har- Biden said. “And it should be in- drafting it. put a face on those who have struggled throughout ris and Emhoff did their part by departing with em- vestigated, and that’s what’s un- The letter ultimately wasn’t re- the pandemic. panadas in tow. derway now.” leased. The visit Tuesday to Smith Flooring Inc. was Bi- In Pennsylvania, meanwhile, Smith Flooring had Cuomo is facing allegations that A query was sent to Cuomo’s of- den’s first stop in a cross-country administration 23 employees during peak times but currently is em- he sexually harassed or behaved fice asking about the Times’ re- roadshow — also involving his vice president and his ploying 12 workers. It is using the loan to help retain inappropriately toward multiple port, as well as Biden’s comments. wife — designed to publicize, and take credit for, the workers and upgrade technology. Borrowers are eli- women, including several former The three-term governor has virus relief package. gible for forgiveness if they meet certain require- staffers. rejected calls for his resignation It “took some loud, strong voices to get this done,” ments, including devoting at least 60% of the pro- The former staffers have ac- from fellow Democrats, including Biden said, making a subtle dig at Republicans dur- ceeds to payroll expenses. cused Cuomo of workplace ha- New York’s two U.S. senators, ing his visit to the small union shop that will benefit In his chat with the owners of Smith Floors, Biden rassment, including demeaning Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gil- from the relief. “And it’s not like it passed with 100 repeatedly asked “what else” they thought his ad- them with pet nicknames or mak- librand, and has asked New York- votes. It was close.” ministration should be doing to help businesses like ing objectifying remarks about ers to await the results of an inves- While Biden was in Pennsylvania for his first stop theirs. their appearance, subjecting tigation headed by state Attorney on the “Help is Here” tour, Vice President Kamala In Washington, the Senate confirmed Isabel Guz- them to unwanted kisses and tou- General Letitia James. Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were rein- man, Biden’s pick to lead the Small Business Admin- ches or asking them about their The sexual harassment investi- forcing the small business theme Tuesday with stops istration on Tuesday. She is expected to play a key sex lives. gation is in addition to scrutiny in Colorado. role in implementing the relief bill. Cuomo also faces an allegation that Cuomo is facing from federal With Harris and Emhoff taking notes during a Biden is trying to showcase how the aid package that he groped a female staff prosecutors who are looking into business roundtable in Denver, Lorena Cantarovici, will bring transformational change to the nation by member under her shirt after how his administration handled who began making empanadas in her garage after halving child poverty, fueling record levels of hiring summoning her to the governor’s data on COVID-19 outbreaks at emigrating from Argentina, told of how her small and pumping money to parents, schools and state and mansion in Albany late last year. nursing homes. shop grew over the years into three Maria Empanada local governments. Report: White supremacist propaganda surged in 2020 Associated Press frequently veiled with a patriotic tivity. NEW YORK — White suprema- “There’s no pixie dust that you can sprinkle slant, making it seem benign to an The propaganda appeared in ev- cist propaganda reached alarming on this, like it’s all going to go away.” untrained eye. ery state except Hawaii. The highest levels across the U.S. in 2020, ac- Some flyers, stickers and posters levels were seen in Texas, Washing- cording to a new report that the An- Jonathan Greenblatt are explicitly racist and anti-Semi- ton, California, New Jersey, New ti-Defamation League provided to Anti-Defamation League tic. One piece of propaganda dis- York, Massachusetts, Virginia and The Associated Press. seminated by the New Jersey Eu- Pennsylvania, according to the re- There were 5,125 cases of racist, last year marked the highest level of group CEO Jonathan Greenblatt ropean Heritage Association includ- port. anti-Semitic, anti-LGBTQ and other white supremacist propaganda seen said. ed the words “Black Crimes Mat- Greenblatt acknowledged that hateful messages spread through in at least a decade. Its report comes “The reality is there’s a lot of ter,” a derisive reference to the free speech rights allow for rhetoric physical flyers, banners and posters, as federal authorities investigate things that happened in between Black Lives Matter movement, that “we don’t like and we detest.” according to Wednesday's report. and prosecute those who stormed those moments that set the stage,” along with cherry-picked crime sta- But when that speech spurs violence That’s nearly double the 2,724 in- the U.S. Capitol in January, some of he said. tistics about attacks on white victims or creates conditions for normaliz- stances reported in 2019. Online whom are accused of having ties to Propaganda, often distributed by Black assailants. ing extremism, it must be opposed, propaganda is harder to quantify, or expressing support for hate with the intention of garnering According to the report, at least 30 he said. and it's likely those cases reached in- groups and antigovernment militias. media and online attention, helps known white supremacist groups “There’s no pixie dust that you to the millions, the anti-hate organi- “As we try to understand and put white supremacists normalize their were behind hate propaganda. But can sprinkle on this, like it’s all going zation said. in perspective the past four years, messaging and bolster recruitment three groups — NJEHA, Patriot to go away,” Greenblatt said. “We The ADL, which was founded we will always have these bookends efforts, the ADL said in its report. Front and Nationalist Social Club — need to recognize that the roots of more than a century ago, said that of Charlottesville and Capitol Hill,” Language used in the propaganda is were responsible for 92% of the ac- this problem run deep.” Thursday, March 18, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP Girl, 12, headed to ASU, hopes to work for NASA

TEMPE — Alena Wick- AZ er has been thinking big since she was small. At age 4, she told her mother that she wanted to work for NASA someday. Now, the 12-year-old has been accepted to Arizona State Univer- sity and she hopes to become a NASA engineer by age 16. Daphne McQuarter said her daughter will be double-majoring in astronomical and planetary sci- ence and chemistry at ASU. “Her goal is to, by the age of 16, be working for NASA,” McQuar- ter said. Police block street racers in retail lot, arrest 88 MORROW — Author- GA ities in Clayton County responding to a call of street rac- ers laying drag in a retail parking lot arrested dozens of people. Clayton County sheriff’s depu- ties and county police officers re- sponding to the call blocked all en- trances and exits to a Sam’s Club parking lot, according to a state- ment from the sheriff’s office. They used spike strips to keep drivers from leaving the parking lot and then went from car to car to ANDREW CRAFT, THE FAYETTEVILLE (N.C.) OBSERVER/AP arrest people, the statement says. The sheriff’s office said 88 peo- ple were arrested. The parents of We get it, kid 16 minors who were present were First­grader Kayden Welch gets frustrated with his computer during the first day back to in­person learning at Cliffdale Elementary School in issued tickets when they came to Fayetteville, N.C., on Monday. Students last went to school buildings for classes on March 13, 2020. pick up their children, the state- ment said. Four guns were seized mentation of safety measures for THE CENSUS from Radford University were said and about four dozen vehicles ice cream trucks. to be involved, authorities said. were towed. The state Transportation Com- The number of gallons of milk that were spilled when a semi- Radford police said that of the 13, mittee and the Committee on Chil- 8K trailer crashed in central North Dakota. The North Dakota 10 have been arrested and three Police chief sorry for dren passed nearly identical bills Highway Patrol said the truck went in the ditch about 4 miles south of Wing. are still wanted on warrants, The ticket quotas memo that would require trucks to be The cab overturned and came to rest on its wheels while the trailer came to rest Roanoke Times reported. Accord- outfitted with stop signs — similar on its side. The driver, Orlando Nieves, 38, of Granville, was taken to a Bis- ing to police, all 13 face charges in- HONOLULU — Honolu- to those on a school bus — and a marck hospital with serious injuries. cluding assault by mob, breaking HI lu Police Chief Susan mirror to allow the driver to see and entering, and felony destruc- Ballard apologized after a memo anyone in front of the truck, the opened up for a limited number of tion of property. that asked officers to fulfill weekly Record-Journal reported. Man gets 2 years for trying indoor tours, which had been off- Radford University confirmed ticket quotas was made public by a The bills would allow drivers to to set police car on fire limits for more than a year due to that the fight involved nine stu- local television station. pass at 5 miles per hour after com- the pandemic. dents enrolled in the current KHON-TV reported that the ing to a complete stop if there are RALEIGH — A North Face masks and social distanc- spring semester before they were memo set for officers a weekly no pedestrians present. NC Carolina man was sen- ing are still required at the island, placed on interim suspension. minimum of five moving citations, tenced to more than two years in which once housed Al Capone and five parking citations and two DUI Bowling alley drone video federal prison for attempting to George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Rabbit tests positive for stops. takes off online set fire to a marked police car in Ferries to Alcatraz are operating contagious infection The police officers union, the Raleigh after a protest against the at 25% capacity, carrying about State of Hawaii Organization of MINNEAPOLIS — A death of George Floyd. 150 passengers instead of the usu- PROVIDENCE — A cot- Police Officers said the policy is MN video taken by a cam- The U.S. Attorney’s Office for al 600. RI tontail rabbit trapped by not allowed under the current con- era-equipped drone buzzing the Eastern District of North Car- Access to the infamous cell authorities tested positive for a tract. through the nooks and crannies of olina said in a news release that house will also be limited only to contagious bacterial infection that “When the union found out it a historic Minneapolis bowling al- Jabari Devon Davis got a prison visitors who sign up for the audio can sicken humans and other ani- was being implemented, we im- ley attracted hundreds of thou- sentence of 30 months. tour in advance. mals. mediately sent a letter to the chief sands of views online. Federal authorities said that he Safety modifications have been The rabbit with Tularemia, or and she responded saying basical- The drone in the 1½-minute was charged in June with one made throughout the island in- rabbit fever, was trapped on Pa- ly it was not supposed to be start- video at Bryant-Lake Bowl follows count of attempting to damage or cluding social distancing mark- tience Island in Rhode Island’s ing,” said Malcolm Lutu, who bowling balls down the alley and destroy by fire a vehicle owned or ers, increased cleanings and hand Narragansett Bay, the state De- heads the union. takes viewers behind the alley’s possessed by an institution receiv- sanitizing stations. partment of Environmental Man- Ballard apologized in an inter- reset mechanism, back out onto ing federal financial assistance. Alcatraz usually hosts up to agement said. nal video to officers. the floor and into the bar. He entered a guilty plea in Octo- 5,000 tourists a day. For now, that Authorities urged visitors to Pa- The video is the work of cinema- ber. number will be reduced to about tience Island to avoid contact with Ice cream truck safety tographer Jay Christensen, 25, Authorities said Davis admitted 1,000. wildlife, including biting insects, measures proposed produced by Minneapolis-based to setting the vehicle on fire. and to cover their face and eyes. Rally Studios and directed by An- Police charge 13 in Tularemia can be spread CHESHIRE — The thony Jaska, the Star Tribune re- Alcatraz reopens February melee at house through insect bites or the inhala- CT parents of a Connecti- ported. for indoor tours tion of bacteria particles, author- cut child who was struck and Christensen approached the ROANOKE — Thirteen ities said. killed by a vehicle after buying an bowling alley’s owner, who let SAN FRANCISCO — VA people were charged in ice pop from an ice cream truck them shoot after-hours because of CA Alcatraz, the historic connection with a fight at a house are leading the push for the imple- coronavirus restrictions. island prison off San Francisco, in February in which students From The Associated Press PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 NATION US: Putin OK’d actions to aid Trump in election BY ERIC TUCKER the 2020 US elections by altering any tech- social media effort, seized on an intelli- cratic administration as the election Associated Press nical aspect of the voting process, including gence assessment from August that said neared. WASHINGTON — Russian President voter registration, ballot casting, vote tab- China preferred a Biden presidency — even The report also says Putin authorized in- Vladimir Putin authorized influence oper- ulation, or reporting results.” though the same assessment also said Rus- fluence operations aimed at denigrating Bi- ations to help Donald Trump in last Novem- The report is the latest official affirma- sia was working to boost Trump’s own can- den, boosting Trump, undermining confi- ber’s presidential election, according to a tion of the integrity of the election, even as didacy by disparaging Biden. dence in the election and exacerbating so- declassified intelligence assessment that Trump supporters continue to make false Tuesday’s report, however, says China cial divisions in the U.S. found broad efforts by the Kremlin and Iran claims of interference, from foreign or do- ultimately did not interfere on either side Central to that effort was reliance on to shape the outcome of the race but ulti- mestic actors, and refuse to accept Biden’s and “considered but did not deploy” influ- proxies linked to Russian intelligence “to mately no evidence that any foreign actor victory. Multiple courts and even Trump’s ence operations intended to affect the out- launder influence narratives” by using changed votes or otherwise disrupted the own Justice Department refuted claims of come. U.S. officials say they believe Beijing media organizations, U.S. officials and peo- voting process. widespread fraud. The document makes prioritized a stable relationship with the ple close to Trump to push “misleading or The report released Tuesday from the Of- clear that even while Trump has cried foul U.S. and did not consider either election unsubstantiated” allegations against Biden. fice of the Director of National Intelligence about the legitimacy of the election, intelli- outcome as advantageous enough for it to Intelligence officials did not single out represents the most detailed assessment of gence officials believe Russia sought to in- risk the “blowback” that would ensue if it any Trump ally in that effort. But longtime the array of foreign threats to the 2020 elec- fluence people close to Trump as a way to got caught with interfering. associate Rudy Giuliani met multiple times tion. These included efforts by Iran to un- tip the election in his favor. The primary threats instead came from with Ukrainian lawmaker Andrii Derkach, dermine confidence in the vote and harm The report, rejected by Russia as “unsub- Russia and Iran, albeit with different inten- who in 2020 released heavily edited record- Trump’s reelection prospects as well as stantiated,” wades into the politically tions and through different means, accord- ings of Biden in an effort to link the Demo- Moscow operations that relied on Trump’s charged task of ferreting out which foreign ing to intelligence officials. cratic nominee to unsubstantiated corrup- allies to smear Joe Biden, the eventual win- adversaries supported which candidates In the case of Russia, the report says, tion allegations. U.S. officials have said they ner. during the 2020 election, an issue that dom- Russia sought to undermine Biden’s candi- regard Derkach as an “active Russian Despite those threats, though, intelli- inated headlines last year. Trump, whose dacy because it viewed his presidency as agent,” and Tuesday’s report said Putin is gence officials found “no indications that 2016 campaign benefited from hacking by opposed to the Kremlin’s interests, though believed to have “purview” over his activ- any foreign actor attempted to interfere in Russian intelligence officers and a covert it took some steps to prepare for a Demo- ities. Once held in Iranian jail, US veteran fights spy claims BY ERIC TUCKER “In this case, the U.S. govern- documents filed in the case. believe were outside the scope of Associated Press ment should put up or shut up,” The documents show the FBI his job responsibilities, the docu- WASHINGTON — After Amir said Scott Gilbert, a lawyer hired opened an espionage investigation ments say. Hekmati was released from Ira- to recover damages. “If the gov- into Hekmati as far back as 2011, Hekmati, the son of Iranian im- nian custody in a 2016 deal trum- ernment believes they have a the year he was detained in Iran migrants, says he researched Iran peted as a diplomatic break- case, indict Amir. Try Amir. But on suspicion he was spying for the openly to cultivate an expertise on through, he was declared eligible you, the U.S. government, won’t CIA. Iranian influence in Afghanistan. for $20 million from a special U.S. do that because you can’t do that. Hekmati, who was raised in Mi- “Everyone knew” about the work government fund as compensa- You don’t have sufficient factual chigan and served as an infantry- he was doing, he said at a hearing tion for years of imprisonment evidence to do that.” man and interpreter in Iraq be- last year, and supervisors didn’t that included brutal torture. FBI records show an investiga- fore being honorably discharged place restrictions. He says he’d al- But payday never arrived, leav- tion was opened 10 years ago and from the Marines in 2005, says he ready quit his job when he left for ing Hekmati to wonder why. that Hekmati was interviewed by went to Iran to visit an ailing Iran and wasn’t obligated to tell The answer has finally arrived: agents after his release from Iran. grandmother after a brief, unsat- supervisors of his trip. At no point Newly filed court documents re- Yet prosecutors have brought no isfying stint as a Defense Depart- in Iran, he said, did he meet with viewed by The Associated Press case. Years after the FBI scrutiny ment contractor conducting intel- any Iranian officials or try to sell reveal decade-old FBI suspicions AP had begun, Hekmati was awarded ligence analysis in Afghanistan. secrets. Hekmati also produced that he traveled to Iran with the Amir Hekmati payment from the fund — money But the FBI concluded that he correspondence that he says goal of selling classified secrets to he expected to receive until the went there intent on selling Iran showed he planned to travel to the government. Hekmati vigor- ry of state. The documents offer fund’s special master revoked his classified information, according Iran before learning of the Af- ously disputes the allegations, has radically conflicting accounts of eligibility in January 2020. to an unsigned five-page sum- ghanistan opportunity. never faced criminal charges and Hekmati’s purpose in visiting Iran Gilbert declined to make Hek- mary of its investigation. Hekmati’s lawyers say the is challenging a special master’s and detail the simmering behind- mati available for an interview The unproven assessment is FBI’s suspicions are impossible to conclusion that he lied about his the-scenes dispute over whether while the lawsuit seeking pay- based partly on accounts from square with the treatment he en- visit to Iran and is therefore not he is entitled to access a fund that ment is pending. But in a lengthy four independent but unnamed dured in prison, which included entitled to the money. compensates victims of interna- internet post published Tuesday, sources who say Hekmati ap- torture such as being whipped, The FBI suspicions help explain tional terrorism. Hekmati accused the FBI of hav- proached Iranian officials offer- struck with batons and chained to the government’s ongoing refusal Hekmati said in a sworn state- ing “abused its authority” and said ing classified information, as well a table. Were he actually spying to pay Hekmati for his ordeal and ment that allegations he sought to the Justice Department had failed as the fact he abruptly resigned for Iran, Gilbert said, “You’d think muddy the narrative around a U.S. sell out to Iran are ridiculous and to respond to evidence he’d pre- his contracting position and left the guy would have been a valua- citizen, Marine and Iraq War vet- offensive. His lawyers say the gov- sented contradicting the allega- for Iran without notifying supervi- ble asset, they actually would have eran whose release was cham- ernment’s suspicions, detailed in tions. sors, the FBI says. An FBI com- wanted to do something with him” pioned at the U.S. government’s FBI documents and letters from The FBI and the Justice Depart- puter forensics search concluded rather than abuse him.” highest levels, including by Joe the fund’s special master denying ment declined to comment, but that while in Afghanistan, he ac- He was initially sentenced to Biden, then the vice president, payments, are groundless and details from the investigation cessed hundreds of classified doc- death, but the punishment was ul- and John Kerry, then the secreta- based on hearsay. emerge in hundreds of pages of uments related to Iran that agents timately cut to 10 years. Thursday, March 18, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 WORLD Court backs rights for Myanmar protesters don’t relent same-sex couples in Japan Associated Press Judge Tomoko Takebe said in in the face of deadly crackdown TOKYO — A Japanese court the ruling that not allowing same- ruled Wednesday that the gov- sex marriages violates Article 14 Associated Press compiled by the independent As- been arrested or charged, with ernment’s ban on same-sex mar- of the Japanese Constitution pro- YANGON, Myanmar — Protes- sistance Association for Political 1,862 still being detained or riages is unconstitutional, recog- hibiting discrimination “because ters against the military takeover Prisoners. sought. nizing the rights of same-sex cou- of race, creed, sex, social status in Myanmar were not relenting “Junta forces target protesters, Police in several Yangon neigh- ples for the first time in the only or family origin.” Wednesday as the deadly crack- but also ordinary people using borhoods on Tuesday night con- Group of Seven country that Under Japanese law, marriage down on peaceful demonstrations sniper rifles regardless of the time tinued their aggressive patrols, doesn’t acknowledge their legal should be based on “the mutual took an increasing toll. or place,” charged the organiza- firing in the air, attacking several partnership. consent of both sexes,” which is The verified death toll among tion. individuals and conducting raids Even though the court dismis- currently interpreted as allowing protesters since the Feb. 1 coup The association, whose tallies on the homes of suspected protes- sed the plaintiffs’ demand for marriage only between a man ousting the elected government of include only verified cases, said ters. They also dismantled barri- government compensation, the and a woman. Aung San Suu Kyi has now ex- that as of Tuesday, in addition to cades put up Wednesday morning precedent is a major victory for The ruling does not mean an ceeded 200, according to a tally 202 fatalities, 2,181 people have by protesters. same-sex people and could affect immediate change to the govern- similar lawsuits pending around ment policy, but could influence the country. decisions on other lawsuits pend- The Sapporo District Court ing and prompt calls for the gov- Gunmen kill at least 58 leaving Niger market said sexuality, like race and gen- ernment to change the law. der, is not a matter of individual While awareness and support Associated Press to the Islamic State in the Greater Niger state television Tuesday eve- preference, therefore prohibit- for LGBTQ people is rising in Ja- NIAMEY, Niger — Gunmen on Sahara group are known to be active ning by government spokesman Ab- ing same-sex couples from re- pan, discrimination persists. motorcycles attacked a group of ci- in the Tillaberi region where the vil- dourahmane Zakaria, who declared ceiving benefits given to hetero- Same-sex couples cannot inherit vilians returning from market day in lages were attacked. three days of national mourning for sexual couples cannot be justi- their partner’s houses, property a volatile corner of Niger, leaving at The victims were returning home the victims. fied. and other assets, or have parental least 58 people dead and then burn- from a large livestock market in Ba- Monday’s attack echoed a Janu- “Legal benefits stemming from rights to any children. ing granaries to the ground, the gov- nibangou, near Niger’s troubled bor- ary massacre that left 100 people marriages should equally benefit In a society where pressure for ernment said Tuesday. der with Mali. The suspected extre- dead in two villages also in the Till- both homosexuals and heterosex- conformity is strong, many gay There was no immediate claim of mists also destroyed nearby grana- aberi region that hadn’t been uals,” the court said, according to people hide their sexuality, fear- responsibility for Monday’s mas- ries that held valuable food stores. claimed by any extremist group or a copy of the summary of the rul- ing prejudice at home, school or sacres, though extremists belonging The announcement was read on militia. ing. work. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Injecting fairness into the post-pandemic economy BY DAVID IGNATIUS executive of consulting firm Accenture, said other advanced economy in the Group of Sev- Washington Post Writers Group in an interview streamed on Dec. 9. She noted en, according to a January 2020 study by the EDITORIAL WASHINGTON that during the pandemic, there had been Pew Research Center. Terry Leonard, Editor s the post-pandemic economy be- “even greater success for the leaders” but, at The pandemic made those distribution [email protected] gins to surge forward, the Biden best, “survival for the laggards.” Her mess- problems worse. “It’s an even more unequal administration has an awkward age was that the pandemic had produced a recession than usual,” former Federal Re- Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor economic problem. The rewards “digital acceleration” as nimble companies serve chair Ben Bernanke told Post reporters [email protected] A of renewed prosperity are likely to be distrib- transformed how they operated. in September, noting that “the sectors most Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content uted very unequally, with rich people and My worry is that by increasing the spread deeply affected by COVID disproportionate- [email protected] companies getting richer — adding to the between leaders and laggards, the pandemic ly employ women, minorities and lower-in- Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation United States’ racial and economic injustice. will reinforce what economists Robert H. come workers.” [email protected] Our economic system is starting to roar Frank and Philip J. Cook described in a 1995 The post-pandemic economy could make it back, with Goldman Sachs forecasting a book as “The Winner-Take-All Society.” easier for the federal government to address Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital whopping 6.8% growth rate this year. That Frank, a professor emeritus at Cornell, told fairness issues — simply because the govern- [email protected] will be fueled partly by the just-passed Amer- me this week: “During the pandemic, gains at ment is now so much more involved in busi- ican Rescue Plan, which will raise incomes of the top have far outpaced anywhere else.” ness. Take the pharmaceutical industry, BUREAU STAFF the neediest. But the post-pandemic economy “This shock has been so brutal and so harsh which after decades of wary standoffs with will be leaner and potentially meaner than be- . . . that everyone is rethinking and reconsi- regulators, embraced the vaccine drive of Europe/Mideast fore, too. Companies have shed stores, work- dering,” Christine Lagarde, the head of the “Operation Warp Speed.” Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] ers and inefficient business practices. The European Central Bank, told us on July 22. Alex Gorsky, the chief executive of John- +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 distribution of wealth and income, already She predicted an “acceleration of transfor- son & Johnson, told us March 4, “I hope we Pacific badly skewed, may become more unequal. mations,” and a global economy that was don’t go back to doing business as usual,” with Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief Over the past year, my Post colleagues more “green,” more digital, and with tighter constant regulatory battles. Jeff Immelt, for- [email protected] have gathered evidence about the post-CO- supply chains. In Europe, as elsewhere, mar- mer chief executive of General Electric, put it +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 VID future through a series called “The Path ket logic was pushing companies to adapt or bluntly on March 1: “Government and busi- Washington Forward” that’s streamed on Washington die. ness have fully intersected. . . . The govern- Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief Post Live. We’ve done 42 interviews with The Biden administration understood that ment is really one of the major actors in the [email protected] chief executives and other business leaders, the unequal distribution of rewards — tipped economy. It’s crazy for any businessperson to (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News and we’ve been hearing the same basic mess- toward the tech billionaires and their adroit, say that government is going to go away any- [email protected] age over and over: The pre-COVID economy market-dominating companies — was feed- time soon.” is gone. Companies and people that don’t ad- ing populist anger in the country. That’s one The fact is: Government rescued corporate CIRCULATION just will be left behind. reason they pushed so hard for the American America this past year. Now it’s giveback Chief executives tell versions of the same Rescue Plan’s $1.9 trillion in spending, to time, and the Biden administration should Mideast story: The pandemic accelerated the pace of pump cash to lower-income families with keep fighting to rebuild a middle class that’s Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager [email protected] change. Companies that could quickly move children. But this cash infusion, welcome been hollowed out. [email protected] their businesses online and decentralize op- though it is, doesn’t address the deeper caus- Stimulus checks will provide short-term DSN (314)583-9111 erations prospered. So did adaptive employ- es of inequality, which may have a tighter grip help for minority and lower-income workers Europe ees with technology skills. The nimble gig on our post-pandemic economy than before. who have suffered disproportionately from Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager economy thrived; airlines, hotels and other Income inequality has widened so much in the pandemic. But that’s just a beginning. The [email protected] industries geared to the old normal of busi- recent decades that it will be hard to close the rules need to change in our winner-take-all [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 ness travel got hammered. gap. The share of aggregate income held by distribution of rewards. Otherwise, no matter “In every single industry, you actually have the wealthiest Americans rose steadily from how prosperous the economy looks, the politi- Pacific leaders and laggards,” said Julie Sweet, chief 1980 to 2018, and the gap is wider than for any cal fissures in the United States will deepen. Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 CONTACT US Maine prefers not-too-religious schools. Is that fair? Washington tel: (+1)202.886.0003 BY GEORGE F. WILL gram had a valid secular purpose (education). classes and at mandatory weekly chapel 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 Washington Post Writers Group And that any advancement of, or entangle- meetings. So, Maine says a school can have a Reader letters WASHINGTON ment of government with, religion was merely nominal religious status but cannot act on its [email protected] ecades ago, the Supreme Court “incidental” because the money reached the particular religious tradition. Additional contacts ruled that the First Amendment’s school by the private choices of parents, and If the court agrees to hear the Maine par- stripes.com/contactus prohibition of “establishment” of this involved no imprimatur of government ents’ case, the court can clarify whether a state Dreligion was violated if the gov- approval of religion. can make a school’s participation in a tuition OMBUDSMAN ernment supplied maps to religious schools, Last year, in a case from Montana, the court program conditional on the school submitting Ernie Gates but not if it supplied books. So, Sen. Daniel Pa- held that if a state decides to subsidize private to government officials’ investigations of the trick Moynihan, D-N.Y., mischievously won- education, it cannot disqualify some private school’s religiosity. The distinction between The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow dered: What about atlases, which are books of schools solely because of their status as reli- the religious status of a school and the use to of news and information, reporting any attempts by the military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s maps? gious. Now, the court is being asked (by a pair which a religious school might put funds it re- independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns Now comes another occasion for jurispru- of parents, represented by the Institute for ceives as tuition often is a distinction without a and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman dential hairsplitting about contacts between Justice) to decide whether Maine can disqual- difference: Status and usages are inseparable. welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by the government and religious schools. At the ify a school that has a religious status because Decades ago, the court elaborated a three- email at [email protected], or by phone at 202.886.0003. court’s conference on April 1, the nine judicial of the use the school would make of the tuition part test of whether a statute pertaining to gov- brows will be furrowed as they consider money. Maine says, in effect, that it can dis- ernment contact with religion violates the pro- Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- whether to hear a case that poses this question: qualify a religious school that takes its status scription of “establishment” of religion. One days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Is it constitutional for Maine to say that par- too seriously. part is: Does the statute require “excessive Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals ents can use state aid to pay tuition at religious In the many Maine school districts that nei- government entanglement with religion.” postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, schools if the schools are not too religious. If, ther operate a public secondary school nor Surely Maine is plunged into entanglements APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the that is, they are not excessively serious about contract with a school to educate district stu- when it undertakes to decide whether this or Department of Defense for members of the military services overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are religion, with excess to be determined by gov- dents, parents can use state funds to pay tui- that religious school’s practices are below the unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views ernment officials measuring such things with tion at a public or private school, in-state or state’s threshold of permissible religiosity. of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official some unspecified theological micrometer. elsewhere. But only if the school is “nonsec- Usually, questions about possibly excessive channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to In 1925, the court, in unanimously striking tarian.” Maine says the school must not pro- government entanglements with religion remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. The appearance of advertising in this publication does down an Oregon law requiring children to at- mote “the faith or belief system with which it is have involved governments somehow endors- not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or tend public schools, declared that a child’s associated” and must not present the material ing or otherwise promoting religion (e.g., Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Products or services advertised shall be made available for education is within “the liberty of the parents it teaches “through the lens of this faith.” That crèches on public property, or prayers at pub- purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical and guardians to direct.” Nineteen years ago, is, parents can pick only religious schools that lic events). If on April 1 the court agrees to hear handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the court upheld a Cleveland program empo- are not very serious about religion. the Maine case, it can erase the unhelpful dis- the purchaser, user or patron. wering parents to redeem publicly funded Maine has no objection to its funds paying tinction between religious status and religious © Stars and Stripes 2021 vouchers at religious as well as nonreligious tuition at a New Hampshire school that says it use, a distinction akin to the one it once made stripes.com private schools. The court held that the pro- teaches “universal . . . spiritual values” in between books and maps. Thursday, March 18, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 54 Fine, to NASA 24 Toward the stern 1 Low- — diet 55 Engrossed 25 Bill’s partner 5 Sharif of 56 Try out 26 Plant-based “Funny Girl” drink 9 Sweetie DOWN 27 Campus Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Abbr. on a phone 1 Silver salmon bigwig 13 “Arrivederci —” 2 Pinnacle 29 Eg. and 14 Conceit 3 Notes after “do” Syr., once 15 “A Farewell to 4 Horse’s 30 Family docs Arms” author headgear 35 Garden buzzer 17 Club — 5 PTA and 37 Hit the road 18 Rust and the like NEA, e.g. 39 Different 19 Leers at 6 Trim the grass 40 Evergreen type 21 — and behold 7 Docs’ bloc 41 Celestial bear 22 Mideast 8 Synthetic fabric 42 Taboo

Non Sequitur peninsula 9 Fashion trends 43 “Hey!” 24 Dull pain that rise and fall 44 “Rule, 27 June honoree 10 Curved molding Britannia!” 28 Comfy-cozy 11 Auction signals composer 31 Nemesis 16 “The Matrix” role 45 Classic Fords 32 “Strange 20 Tank filler 46 Attempt Magic” gp. 22 Charlie Brown’s 49 Geological 33 “The Raven” sister period monogram 23 Altar vows 50 Swab the decks 34 Pyramid, maybe Answer to Previous Puzzle

Candorville 36 Gore and Pacino 37 Former polit. divisions 38 State flower of Indiana 40 Old pronoun 41 Not fulfilled 43 Rose parts 47 King, in Cannes 48 Liam of “The Hunger Games” Carpe Diem 51 NBC weekend show 52 Cupid’s alias 53 Nullify Beetle Bailey Bizarro Thursday, March 18, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 FACES ‘Canceled’ and topping the charts Wallen’s music sales are still soaring after racial slur, but the story is bigger than him

BY EMILY YAHR long-overdue reckoning with its lack of diver- The Washington Post sity. Wallen’s fallout highlighted this on a na- Six weeks after critics cried that country star tional level, leading to a more forceful reaction CHRIS PIZZELLO, INVISION/AP Morgan Wallen was being “canceled,” his mu- than usual in a genre that likes to stay quiet Filmmaker Spike Lee is the first sic sales are soaring. about negative stories. Black person chosen to be the Wallen’s historic chart reign continued this “It’s really just the fact that there’s a reaction president of the Cannes jury. week, as “Dangerous: The Double Album” at all. So the reaction is where the hope lies,” spent its ninth consecutive week at No. 1 on the said Shannon Sanders, executive director of Billboard 200 chart — the first country album performing rights organization BMI’s Nash- Lee to head in history to do so. In the past five years, only ville creative team. “Because people are open Drake’s “Views” in 2016 has topped the chart to having conversations and listening, where Cannes Film for a longer amount of time, with a run of 13 they may not have done so before.” weeks. “Dangerous” has sold 2.25 million “It’s making people really look at Nashville Festival jury equivalent album units overall, which includes as a whole, comprehensively,” he added. “And streaming, and 201,000 pure album sales. they’re saying: ‘You know what, how are we From wire reports This comes after Wallen was caught on cam- contributing to the manifestation and the con- Spike Lee, who was set to lead era outside his home saying the n-word, in a tinuance of what has been considered a sys- last year’s jury for the Cannes video published by TMZ. It led to hundreds of tematic problem? And what are we doing to Film Festival that was canceled by radio stations dropping his songs. He was also contribute to a systematic solution?’” the pandemic, will preside over let go from his talent agency, WME, and “sus- Sanders is also president of Nashville Music this year’s jury instead. pended indefinitely” by his record label, Big Equality, an organization formed last summer The French Riviera festival on Loud. amid the national Black Lives Matter protests. Tuesday announced that Lee will But there’s more to the story — on multiple With the mission to create an anti-racist envi- be president of the jury for the levels. ronment among the Nashville music industry, 74th Cannes. Usually held in May, In addition to his unprecedented streaming the group regularly holds panel discussions on this year’s Cannes Film Festival figures and high sales numbers, country radio topics from moving the culture forward to the John Shearer has been delayed by the health cri- trade publication Country Insider reported history of the Black Country Music Associ- sis. It’s set to take place July 6-17. last week that some stations are “slowly” add- Morgan Wallen was suspended by his label ation. Sanders said he has heard that others are Lee is the first Black person to ing Wallen’s music back to their playlists. “We after he was caught on video using a racial facilitating similar forums within their own or- slur, but “Dangerous: The Double Album” head the Cannes jury, which se- never intended to leave it out forever,” one pro- ganizations. just completed its ninth consecutive week lects one of cinema’s top prizes, grammer explained, while another added, at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. There’s also the underlying issue that coun- the Palme d’Or. “You hate the sin, not the sinner.” try music is rooted in the contributions of Black Organizers said preparations Plus, there’s still no clarity on what financial in the United States. artists, which were effectively erased decades “are in full swing” for this year’s implications Big Loud’s suspension had for the “Based on the data, it looks like (the No. 1 ago when executives separated songs into Cannes, more details of which will singer. The head of Wallen’s label has been vo- streak) probably would have happened even “country and western” and “race records.” Ev- be announced in coming weeks. cal in social media comments that he still very without the racial slur getting caught on video er since, the genre has been overwhelmingly Selections will be announced in much supports him. Even Wallen’s critics have and becoming a national controversy,” Karp White, but Sanders hopes that the format is early June. said that if he does the work to educate himself said. “It seems like that core demand was there headed to a place where country music “is not Several of Lee’s films pre- on why what he said was so harmful, they don’t from the get-go.” just the singular expression of Southern White miered at Cannes, including “Do want to see him lose his career. She also theorized that “Dangerous” stayed people.” the Right Thing” in 1989. In 2018, Many of his fans also appear to be sticking by at the top because of the relative lack of compe- “It’s more than that, it’s always been more his “BlacKkKlansman” won one him. Hannah Karp, editorial director of Bill- tition. It’s a slow time of year for album releas- than that. It’s really about music out of the of the festival’s top prizes, the board, noted that it’s “very unusual” for a coun- es in general, and the Grammy Awards being Southern experience, life through a Southern Grand Prix. try album to stay No. 1 for so long, especially delayed from January to mid-March may have lens,” he said. “It’s about everybody that lives Marvel to introduce because the genre lags behind others in terms affected the market. Some have speculated life through that particular lens and writes of streaming numbers. (The Billboard 200 that Wallen’s fans, outraged about his removal songs and communicates musically from that gay Captain America chart measures sales and streaming from mul- from radio, coordinated campaigns to boost his perspective.” Marvel Comics is celebrating tiple platforms.) Wallen’s record, which has al- streams. While that certainly could account for He also feels optimistic about the next gen- the 80th anniversary of Captain so remained at the top of the Spotify album some of the streaming, Karp said she would be eration of country music’s leaders, who are not America with a gay teen superhe- chart for weeks, was already seeing daily surprised at that sort of organized effort, based only open to candidly discussing difficult top- ro. The company said in a press re- streaming numbers in the mid-20 million on country music listening habits. Fans are ics but are actively interested in moving the lease that its newest hero, Aaron range in the weeks after its release. That num- probably seeking out his songs at a high rate, needle. Fischer, is making his debut June ber shot up to 30 million the week of the TMZ she said, “not to make a point, but because they “They’re not afraid of this conversation or 2. He’ll be featured in a new limit- video, then settled just under 20 million. Ac- like his music.” afraid of bringing about or ushering change ed series titled “The United States cording to the most recent data, the songs on The other piece of the story is that the conse- and being a part of that,” he said. “The time is of Captain America.” “Dangerous” have generated between 13 mil- quences of Wallen’s racial slur go far beyond now. There’s a lot going on, so it would be a The series will feature the origi- lion and 15.5 million daily on-demand streams just him. Country music was already facing a shame for us to miss an opportunity to grow.” nal Captain America Steve Rogers teaming up with Captain Ameri- cas of the past — including Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson and John CBS: ‘The Talk’ staying off air after racism discussion Walker — traveling across Amer- ica to find his stolen shield. Associated Press that she had considered sui- being placed on “the electric chair” for having As they go on their road trip, CBS says its daytime show “The Talk” will cide when unhappy with her a friend that some people think is racist. they will discover “everyday peo- stay on hiatus for another week after a discus- life in Britain’s royal family. The emotional discussion continued after a ple from all walks of life” who sion about racism involving co-host Sharon Os- A fellow host, Sheryl Un- commercial break. At one point Osbourne said have taken up the mantle of Cap- bourne went off the rails last week. derwood, said to Osbourne on to Underwood, “don’t try to cry. If anyone tain America to defend their com- The network said in a statement that it is the show last Wednesday, should be crying, it should be me.” munities. committed to “a process where all voices are “what would you say to peo- Osbourne claimed later that the show’s pro- heard, claims are investigated and appropriate ple who may feel that, while ducers told her offscreen that CBS had ordered Osbourne Other news action is taken where necessary.” you’re standing by your she be confronted about her support for Mor- ■ Yaphet Kotto, the command- Osbourne reacted angrily last week during a friend, it appears that you gave validation or gan. CBS has not addressed that accusation. ing actor who brought tough mag- discussion about British television personality safe haven to something that he has uttered CBS said in a statement that it “is committed netism and stately gravitas to Piers Morgan, who she describes as a friend. that is racist, even if you don’t agree?” Under- to a diverse, inclusive and respectful work- films including the James Bond Morgan left the “Good Morning Britain” show wood, like Markle, is Black. place across all of our productions.” movie “Live and Let Die” and after he said he didn’t believe Meghan, the Du- Osbourne replied angrily, using words that CBS said the show is expected back on the “Alien,” has died. He was 81. chess of Sussex, when she said in an interview were bleeped out, and said she felt like she was air next Tuesday. PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 SCOREBOARD/GOLF

COLLEGE BASKETBALL COLLEGE HOCKEY TENNIS

Men’s NIT Arkansas (19­8) vs. Wright St. (18­7) Tuesday’s scores Dubai Duty Free Championships Oregon (13­8) vs. South Dakota (19­5) MIDWEST Tuesday First Round Georgia (20­6) vs. Drexel (14­8) At Dubai Tennis Stadium Woods Minnesota 6, Wisconsin 4 Wednesday, March 17 Northwestern (15­8) vs. UCF (16­4) Dubai, United Arab Emirates At Denton, Texas Louisville (23­3) vs. Marist (18­3) North Dakota 5, St. Cloud 3 HEMISFAIR REGION Purse: $1,897,805 Richmond (13­8) vs. Toledo (21­8) Surface: Hardcourt outdoor At Frisco, Texas First Round DEALS Sunday, March 21 Men’s Singles Saint Mary’s (Cal) (14­9) vs. Western Round of 32 Kentucy (20­7) At TBD Tuesday’s transactions Thursday, March 18 South Carolina (22­4) vs. Mercer (19­6) Hubert Hurkacz (13), Poland, def. Ri­ At Denton, Texas Oregon St. (11­7) vs. Florida St. (10­8) BASEBALL chard Gasquet, France, 6­3, 6­4. Lorenzo Sonego (17), Italy, def. Bernabe Davidson (13­8) vs. NC State Georgia Tech (15­8) vs. Stephen F. Austin Major League Baseball returns At Frisco, Texas (24­2) American League Zapata Miralles, Spain, 6­2, 6­2. Denis Shapovalov (3), Canada, def. Jan­ Boise State (18­8) vs. SMU (11­5) West Virginia (21­6) vs. Lehigh (10­5) BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Agreed to terms Friday, March 19 Monday, March 22 with INF Maikel Franco on a one­year con­ Lennard Struff, Germany, 6­1, 6­3. Aslan Karatsev, Russia, def. Daniel At Denton, Texas At TBD tract. Optioned INFs Rylan Brannon and UCLA (16­5) vs. Wyoming (14­9) Tyler Nevin, OFs Yusniel Diaz and Ryan Evans (12), Britain, 6­4, 4­6, 6­4. Colorado State (18­6) vs. Buffalo (16­8) Jannik Sinner (16), Italy, def. Alexander Frisco, Texas Texas (18­9) vs. Bradley (17­11) McKenna and RHP Ashton Goudeau to Alabama (16­9) vs. North Carolina (13­ Norfolk (Triple­A Southeast). Reassigned Bublik, Kazakhstan, 2­6, 7­6 (2), 6­4. Mississippi (16­11) vs. Louisiana Tech Karen Khachanov (8), Russia, def. Alexei (21­7) 10) C Taylor Davis to Twin Lakes camp. Placed Maryland (24­2) vs. Mount Saint Mary RHP Hunter Harvey on 60­day IR. Popyrin, Australia, 6­4, 3­6, 7­6 (4). Saturday, March 20 Dusan Lajovic (11), Serbia, def. Malek Ja­ home At Denton, Texas Knights (1­0) BOSTON RED SOX — Optioned RHPs RIVER WALK REGION Eduard Bazardo and John Schreiber and ziri, Tunisia, 7­5, 6­2. Memphis (16­7) vs. Dayton (14­9) First Round Andrey Rublev (2), Russia, def. Emil Ruu­ At Frisco, Texas C/INF Connor Wong to alternate training Sunday, March 21 site. suvuori, Finland, 6­4, 6­4. BY DOUG FERGUSON St. Louis (14­6) vs. Mississippi State (15­ At TBD DETROIT TIGERS — Optioned RHPs Matt Roberto Bautista Agut (4), Spain, def. 14) Associated Press UConn (24­1) vs. High Point (22­6) Manning, Franklin Perez and Alex Lange, Matthew Ebden, Australia, 4­1, ret. NCAA Men’s Division II Syracuse (14­8) vs. S. Dakota St. (21­3) INF Zack Short and OF Christin Stewart to Aljaz Bedene, Slovenia, def. Lorenzo Gi­ Tiger Woods is back at home in Iowa (18­9) vs. Cent. Michigan (18­8) Toledo (Triple­A Midwest). Reassigned ustino, Italy, 6­4, 6­3. Tournament Kentucky (17­8) vs. Idaho St. (22­3) INF Kody Clemens to the mini­camp. Marton Fucsovics, Hungary, def. Pablo Florida to resume his recovery Michigan (14­5) vs. Florida Gulf Coast KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Optioned C Se­ Carreno Busta (6), Spain, 6­7 (5), 6­3, 6­2. Regional Finals Taylor Fritz (15), United States, def. Ni­ from career-threatening leg inju- Monday, March 15 (26­2) bastian Rivero and P Tyler Zuber to Omaha Tennessee (16­7) vs. Middle Tennessee (Triple­A East). koloz Basilashvili, Georgia, 4­6, 6­3, 7­6 (4). West Region (17­7) SEATTLE MARINERS — Optioned RHP Kei Nishikori, Japan, def. David Goffin ries he suffered when his SUV ran At Golden, Colo. Virginia Tech (14­9) vs. Marquette (19­6) Sam Delaplane to Tacoma (Triple­A West) (5), Belgium, 6­3, 7­6 (3). off a road and down a hill in the Los Colorado Mines 84, NW Nazarene 52 Baylor (25­2) vs. Jackson St. (18­5) and RHP Juan Then to Everett (High­A Filip Krajinovic (14), Serbia, def. Alejan­ Tuesday, March 16 MERCADO REGION West). Re­assigned RHP Moises Gomez dro Davidovich Fokina, Spain, 7­5, 6­4. Angeles suburbs last month. Atlantic Region First Round and LHP Ian McKinney to the minor league Lloyd Harris, South Africa, def. Dominic West Liberty, W.Va. Sunday, March 21 camp. Thiem (1), Austria, 6­3, 6­4. “Happy to report that I am back West Liberty 78, Hillsdale 61 At TBD TAMPA BAY RAYS — Optioned INF/OF Vi­ home and continuing my recov- Central Region NC State (20­2) vs. NC A&T (14­2) dal Brujan, OF Josh Lowe, INFs Kevin Padlo St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy At Aberdeen, S.D. South Florida (18­3) vs. Washington St. and Taylor Walls, RHPs Drew Stotman, Tuesday ery,” Woods said in a tweet posted NW Missouri St. 91, Northern St. (SD) 81, (12­11) Brent Honeywell and Luis Patino, LHPs OT Monday, March 22 Shane McClanahan and Brendan McKay to At Sport Club Dinamo Tuesday night. “I am so grateful for St. Petersburg, Russia East Region At TBD Durham (Triple­A Southeast). the outpouring of support and en- At Albany, N.Y. Gonzaga (23­3) vs. Belmont (20­5) National League Purse: $565,000 Daemen 71, St. Thomas Aquinas 70 Indiana (18­5) vs. VCU (16­10) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Optioned Surface: Hardcourt indoor couragement that I have received Midwest Region Rutgers (14­4) vs. BYU (18­5) RHP J.B. Bukauskas, OF Stuart Fairchild Women’s Singles At Evansville, Ind. Arizona (16­5) vs. Stony Brook (15­5) and INF Geraldo Perdomo to Reno (Tri­ Round of 32 over the past few weeks.” Truman 65, Michigan Tech 62 Iowa St. (16­10) vs. Michigan St. (15­8) ple­A West). Kamilla Rakhimova, Russia, def. Daria South Region Texas A&M (23­2) vs. Troy (22­5) COLORADO ROCKIES — Optioned LHP Mishina, Russia, 6­1, 6­7 (2), 6­1. Woods was injured Feb. 23, two At Valdosta, Ga. Women’s NIT Yoan Aybar, INF/OF Bret Boswell and RHPs Jaqueline Adina Cristian, Romania, def. days after the Genesis Invitational Flagler 89, Ala.­Huntsville 75 Ryan Castellani, Justin Lawrence and Jose Vera Lapko, Belarus, 6­7 (3), 6­4, 2­1, ret. Southeast Region FORT WORTH REGIONAL Mujica to Albuquerque (Triple­A West). Daria Kasatkina (8), Russia, def. Clara at Riviera. He was on his way to a At Harrogate, Tenn. At Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center Re­assigned RHP Jesus Tinoco, C Willie Tauson, Denmark, 6­4, 7­6 (0). television shoot for GolfTV a little Lincoln Memorial 103, Emmanual (Ga.) Fort Worth, Texas MacIver to the minor league camp. Xinyu Wang, China, def. Viktoriya Tomo­ 67 First Round MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Agreed to va, Bulgaria, 6­1, 5­7, 7­5. after 7 a.m. when his SUV crashed South Central Friday, March, 19 terms with INF Travis Shaw. Placed INF/OF Katerina Siniakova, Czech Republic, def. At Lubbock, Texas Arizona State (11­10) vs. Rice (18­4) Mark Mathias on 60­day IR. Optioned RHP Kirsten Flipkens, Belgium, 6­1, 6­2. into a median, rolled over and end- West Texas A&M 101, Lubbock Christian Fresno State (16­10) vs. Missouri (9­11) Phil Bickford to Nashville (Triple­A South­ Margarita Gasparyan, Russia, def. Kris­ ed up on its side near a steep road 92 San Francisco (15­10) vs. Houston (16­7) east). Reassigned OF Dylan Cozens, INF tina Mladenovic (7), France, 6­7 (1), 6­1, Quarterfinals Cal Baptist (24­0) vs. New Mexico (15­4) Zach Green, C Payton Henry, INF/OF Pablo 6­1. known for wrecks, authorities aid. At Evansville, Ind. Reyes, LHP Aaron Ashby and RHP Zack Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (5), Russia, Wednesday, March 24 NCAA Women’s Division II Brown to minor league camp. def. Cagla Buyukakcay, Turkey, 6­4, 6­4. He had to be pulled out through the TBD Tournament NEW YORK METS — Optioned RHP Sam Tereza Martincova, Czech Republic, def. windshield. Semifinals McWilliams and OF Khalil Lee to Syracuse Stefanie Voegele, Switzerland, 6­0, 4­6, 6­4. At Evansville, Ind. Regional Finals (Triple­A East). He had a lengthy surgery that Thursday, March 25 Monday, March 15 PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Optioned INFs Monterrey Open Atlantic Region Rodolfo Castro, Liover Peguero and Oneil TBD Tuesday day at Harbor-UCLA Medical Championship At Columbus, Ohio Cruz, RHPs Roansy Contreras, Max Kran­ ick and Nick Mears. Reassigned RHPs Co­ At Club Sonoma Center for shattered tibia and fib- At Evandsville, Ind. Charleston 82, Tiffin 52 Central Region dy Bolton, Quinn Priester and Jandel Gus­ Monterrey, Mexico Saturday, March 27 tave, C Jason Delay, OFs Cal Mitchell, Tra­ Purse: $235,238 ula bones of his lower right leg in Semifinal winners At Warrensburg, Mo. Cent. Missouri 67 Nebraska­Kearney 57 vis Swaggerty and Canaan Smith­Njigba, Surface: Hardcourt outdoor multiple locations. Those were sta- CBI East Region INF Nick Gonzalez and INF/OF Mason Mar­ Women’s Singles At Buffalo, N.Y. tin. Round of 32 bilized with a rod in his tibia. Addi- Quarterfinals Daemen 58, Roberts Wesleyan 40 SAN DIEGO PADRES — Optioned RHP Harriet Dart, Britain, def. Heather Wat­ tional injuries to the bones in his Monday, March 22 Midwest Region Reggie Lawson to San Antonio (Double­A son (5), Britain, 6­4, 7­6 (1). Stetson (11­14) vs. Bowling Green (14­ At Springfield, Mo. South). Kaja Juvan, Slovenia, def. Maria Camila foot and ankle required screws and FOOTBALL 11) Drury 88, Ashland 69 Osorio Serrano, Colombia, 6­4, 6­4. Coastal Carolina (16­7) vs. Bryant (15­6) South Region National Football League Kristina Kucova, Slovakia, def. Sloane pins. Longwood (12­16) vs. Pepperdine (12­ At Dahlonega, Ga. ARIZONA CARDINALS — Re­signed OT Stephens (1), United States, 6­2, 6­2. He was transferred to Cedars- 12) Lander 67, North Georgia 48 Kelvin Beachum to a two­year contract. Zheng Saisai (3), China, def. Varvara Bellarmine (13­7) vs. Army (12­9) 67, Southeast Region BALTIMORE RAVENS — Re­signed LB Gracheva, Russia, 6­3, 7­5. Sinai Medical Center for follow-up Semifinals At Jefferson City, Tenn. Chris Board to a one­year contract. Viktorija Golubic, Switzerland, def. Anna Tuesday, March 23 Belmont Abbey 62, Barton 52 BUFFALO BILLS — Agreed to terms with Blinkova (6), Russia, 6­4, 6­4. procedures. Quarterfinal winners South Central Region LB Tyler Matakevich on a one­year con­ Sara Sorribes Tormo (7), Spain, def. Le­ Woods thanked the medical staff Championship At Canyon, Texas tract extension. sia Tsurenko, Ukraine, 5­7, 6­2, 6­4. CHICAGO BEARS — Agreed to terms with Anna Kalinskaya, Russia, def. Nadia Po­ Wednesday, March 24 Lubbock Christian 78, SW Oklahoma 65 at both hospitals for taking care of Semifinal winners West Region DE Mario Edwards Jr. on a three­year con­ doroska (2), Argentina, 6­4, 6­4. tract extension. At Grand Junction, Colo. Zhu Lin, China, def. Eugenie Bouchard, him. NCAA Women’s Tournament CINCINNATI BENGALS — Re­signed S Canada, 7­5, 7­6 (3). Azusa Pacific 53, Westminster 48 Braandon Wilson to a two­year contract “I will be recovering at home and ALAMO REGION Quarterfinals extension. Mexican Open working on getting stronger every First Round At Columbus, Ohio HOUSTON TEXANS — Waived LB Curtis Sunday, March 21 Tuesday, March 23 Bolton, DT Andrew Brown and WRs J’Mon Tuesday day,” Woods said in the statement. At TBD TBD Moore and Damion Ratley. At Fairmont Acapulco Princess Stanford (25­2) vs. Utah Valley St. (13­6) Semifinals MIAMI DOLPHINS — Re­signed LB Vince Acapulco, Mexico A dozen or so players at the Oklahoma St. (18­8) vs. Wake Forest (12­ Wednesday, March 24 Biegel. Purse: $1,053,910 12) TBD MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Released DT Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Workday Championship in Florida Monday, March 22 Championship Shamar Stephen. Men’s Singles wore black trousers and red shirts At TBD Friday, March 26 TENNESSEE TITANS — Released CB Ado­ Round of 32 Missouri St. (21­2) vs. UC Davis (13­2) TBD ree Jackson and RT Dennis Kelly. Milos Raonic (4), Canada, def. Tommy — the Sunday colors of Woods for HOCKEY Paul, United States, 7­6 (6), 6­4. PRO BASEBALL National Hockey League Lorenzo Musetti, Italy, def. Diego his record-tying 82 victories on the BUFFALO SABRES — Recalled Ds Bran­ Schwartzman (3), Argentina, 6­3, 2­6, 6­4. PGA Tour — in the final round. don Davidson Henri Jokiharju from the mi­ Frances Tiafoe, United States, def. Bran­ Spring training St. Louis vs. Houston at West Palm nor league taxi squad. Assigned F Rasmus don Nakashima, United States, 6­4, 6­7 (5), Woods has stayed in touch Beach, Fla. Asplund and D Jacob Bryson to the minor 7­6 (5). San Diego vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, through text messages, sending Tuesday’s games league taxi squad. Fabio Fognini (6), Italy, def. Stefano Tra­ Ariz. CAROLINA HURICANES — Recalled D vaglia, Italy, 7­5, 6­2. them to Bryson DeChambeau Tampa Bay 7, Baltimore 1 Arizona vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz. Joey Keane and G Beck Warn from the mi­ Stefanos Tsitsipas (1), Greece, def. Be­ Pittsburgh 4, Minnesota 2 Cleveland vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, nor league taxi squad. noit Paire, France, 6­3, 6­1. ahead of his Bay Hill victory and to Toronto 14, Philadelphia 5 Ariz. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS — Signed LW Tallon Griekspoor, Netherlands, def. De­ Boston 5, Atlanta 3 L.A. Angels vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz. Josiah Slavin to a two­year entry­level nis Kudla, United States, 7­6 (4), 4­6, 6­3. Justin Thomas, one of his closest N.Y. Yankees 7, Detroit 4 Thursday’s games contract. Cameron Norrie, Britain, def. Stefan Ko­ N.Y. Mets 8, Houston 3 friends in golf, ahead of his victory Washington vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lu­ COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS — Waived LW zlov, United States, 6­3, 6­3. Milwaukee 7, L.A. Dodgers 2 Mikhail Grigorenko. Miomir Kecmanovic, Serbia, def. Felicia­ in The Players Championship on Arizona 12, Oakland 3 cie, Fla. Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland at MONTREAL CANADIENS — Waived RW no Lopez, Spain, 6­4, 6­4. Chicago White Sox 4, San Diego 3 Paul Byron. Grigor Dimitrov (5), Bulgaria, def. Adrian Sunday. L.A. Angels 17, Cleveland 8 Goodyear, Ariz. Kansas City vs. Chicago White Sox at SAN JOSE SHARKS — Assigned G Kris Mannarino, France, 6­4, 3­0, ret. “He’s doing better,” Rory McIl- Miami 4, Washington 3 Oldham, D Chaz Reddekopp and Fs Kyle Casper Ruud (8), Norway, def. Daniel Ela­ Colorado 11, Cincinnati 7 Glendale, Ariz. Oakland vs. San Diego at Peoria, Ariz. Topping, Krystof Hrabkik and Joseph Gar­ hi Galan, Colombia, 6­4, 6­1. roy said in an interview with Jim- Seattle 13, Kansas City 0 reffa to San Jose (AHL). Texas 10, San Francisco 6 L.A. Dodgers vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, my Fallon. “I think all the guys Ariz. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS — Waived RW AP SPORTLIGHT Milwaukee vs. L.A. Angels at Tempe, Jimmy Vesey. Wednesday’s games VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS — Signed D Da­ have reached out to him. Hopefully Ariz. March 18 Tampa Bay vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Miami vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla. niil Miromanov as free agent to a one­ if things go well over the next week Fla. Cincinnati vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz. year, entry level contract. 1945 — Maurice Richard of the Montreal Minnesota vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla. Seattle vs. San Francisco at Scottsdale, WINNIPEG JETS — Waived G Anton Canadiens becomes the first NHL player to or so, he might be able to get home Detroit vs. Philadelphia at Clearwater, Ariz. Forsberg. score 50 goals in a season during a 4­2 tri­ Fla. SOCCER umph over the Boston Bruins in the final and start recovery at home, which N.Y. Mets vs. Miami at Jupiter, Fla. MLB calendar Major League Soccer game of the season. would be great for him. See his N.Y. Yankees vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla. FORT LAUDERDALE CF — Named Darren 1953 — Don Schlundt scores 30 points to L.A. Dodgers vs. Chicago White Sox at March 27 — Last day to offer a retention Powell as head coach. lead Indiana to a 69­68 victory over Kansas kids, see his family. But yeah, he’s Glendale, Ariz. bonus to an eligible player attending NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION — Signed for the NCAA basketball championship. Kansas City vs. Oakland at Mesa, Ariz. spring training with a minor league con­ MF Arnor Ingvi Traustason to a two­year 1993 — Santa Clara beats Arizona 64­61 doing better. And I think all of us San Francisco vs. Colorado at Scotts­ tract. contract. to become the second 15th­seeded team are wishing him a speedy recov- dale, Ariz. March 30 — Last day to place a player on PHILADELPHIA UNION — Signed G Matt to win a first­round game in the NCAA Atlanta vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla. waivers for 45 days termination pay. Freese to a new one­year contract. tournament. ery.” Thursday, March 18, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 NHL Scoreboard Sabres, in East Division GP WLOT Pts GF GA a 12-game Washington 29 19 6 4 42 103 88 N.Y. Islanders 30 19 7 4 42 87 67 Pittsburgh 29 18 10 1 37 94 82 skid, fire Boston 27 15 8 4 34 73 65 Philadelphia 26 14 9 3 31 88 87 N.Y. Rangers 27 11 12 4 26 76 76 New Jersey 26 9 13 4 22 65 84 Krueger Buffalo 28 6 18 4 16 60 97 Central Division BY JOHN WAWROW Associated Press GP WLOT Pts GF GA BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Tampa Bay 28 20 6 2 42 102 67 Florida 28 19 5 4 42 99 81 Sabres fired coach Ralph Krueger Carolina 28 20 7 1 41 97 72 on Wednesday, less than two years Chicago 30 14 11 5 33 92 98 into his second season, and with Columbus 30 11 12 7 29 80 99 the freefalling team in the midst of Dallas 25 9 9 7 25 72 68 Nashville 29 12 16 1 25 71 97 an 0-10-2 skid. Detroit 30 9 17 4 22 68 99 The Sabres made the move the West Division morning following a 3-2 loss at GP WLOT Pts GF GA New Jersey, against a Devils team which snapped an 11-game home Vegas 26 19 6 1 39 85 57 Minnesota 27 18 8 1 37 86 64 winless skid. Colorado 27 17 8 2 36 86 64 The team did not say who would St. Louis 28 14 9 5 33 88 92 NICK WASS / AP take over for Krueger, except to Los Angeles 27 11 10 6 28 79 78 Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin celebrates his goal during the second period of his team’s 3­1 defeat of say first-year general manager Arizona 29 12 13 4 28 70 88 San Jose 26 11 12 3 25 76 91 the Islanders Tuesday in Washington. It was his 718th NHL goal, moving him to sixth on the career list. Kevyn Adams Anaheim 30 8 16 6 22 67 103 would speak lat- North Division er in the morn- ROUNDUP ing. GP WLOT Pts GF GA Krueger’s fir- Toronto 30 19 9 2 40 102 79 ing comes two Winnipeg 28 17 9 2 36 93 82 Edmonton 31 18 13 0 36 103 91 weeks after Montreal 28 13 8 7 33 90 76 Adams said he Calgary 29 14 12 3 31 80 85 Ovechkin scores 718th goal; was evaluating Vancouver 32 14 16 2 30 89 102 the entire oper- Krueger Ottawa 32 10 20 2 22 85 127 ation, including Monday’s games the coach, with the team in jeopar- Washington 6, Buffalo 0 dy of extending its playoff drought Pittsburgh 4, Boston 1 Caps move past Islanders Florida 6, Chicago 3 to an NHL record-matching 10th Vancouver 3, Ottawa 2, OT Montreal 4, Winnipeg 2 Associated Press hadn’t been able to get his timing Frederic beat goaltender Casey season. Buffalo’s winless streak Calgary 4, Edmonton 3 Nashville 4, Tampa Bay 1 quite right on his trademark one- DeSmith with a wrist shot from matches the third-worst in team Philadelphia 5, N.Y. Rangers 4, OT WASHINGTON — Alex Ovech- timer but didn’t miss this time. the top of the left circle through history, and longest since losing a Vegas 2, San Jose 1 St. Louis at Los Angeles, ppd kin scored his 718th goal to pass “I just have to hit the net,” he traffic 7:07 into the third. David team-record 14 straight midway Tuesday’s games Phil Esposito for sole possession said. “Finally.” Pastrnak scored his 13th on the through the 2014-15 season. At 6- Washington 3, N.Y. Islanders 1 of sixth on the NHL’s career list Ovechkin is 13 goals shy of tying power play for the Bruins, who 18-4, the Sabres rank last in the New Jersey 3, Buffalo 2 Boston 2, Pittsburgh 1 and became the second active Marcel Dionne for fifth and needs had lost nine of their previous 13 NHL in victories and points, and Detroit 4, Carolina 2 player with 1,300 points, helping 177 more to break Wayne Gretz- games. It was Boston’s second win have been shut out as many times Minnesota 3, Arizona 0 Tampa Bay 4, Dallas 3, SO the Washington Capitals beat the ky’s record. in its last seven road games follow- as they’ve won this season. Colorado 8, Anaheim 4 New York Islanders 3-1 on Tues- “You are a fantastic hockey ing a 5-0-1 stretch away from Krueger is the third NHL coach Wednesday’s games day night. player,” Esposito said in a video home. to be fired during this shortened, Vancouver at Ottawa Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers “A goal is a goal — it’s always a message congratulating Ovechkin Wild 3, Coyotes 0:Kaapo Kah- 56-game season with all divisional Montreal at Winnipeg nice feeling to get it,” Ovechkin for passing him. “I don’t know how konen made 31 saves in his second play. He’s the first outside the Edmonton at Calgary San Jose at Vegas said. “It was very good match, big you score all those goals with the shutout of the season as Minnesota North Division, which has seen St. Louis at Los Angeles points and obviously big num- way these guys block shots with blanked visiting Arizona. Montreal let go of Claude Julien Thursday’s games bers.” the great equipment that they Ryan Hartman, Mats Zuccarel- and Calgary replace Geoff Ward Boston at Buffalo Washington snapped New wear. Good luck.” lo and Jared Spurgeon scored for with two-time Stanley Cup-win- Chicago at Tampa Bay Columbus at Carolina York’s winning streak at nine and T.J. Oshie also scored for the the Wild. Kahkonen won his ninth ning coach Darryl Sutter. Nashville at Florida Philadelphia at N.Y. Islanders point streak at 12. The Capitals Capitals, and Ilya Samsonov stop- straight start during a standout Adams considered taking over Pittsburgh at New Jersey have won six in a row and 10 of 11 ped 21 shots. Oliver Wahlstrom rookie season. behind the bench, but had previ- Dallas at Detroit Minnesota at Colorado to move ahead of the Islanders in- scored on the power play for New Red Wings 4, Hurricanes 2: ously elected not to do so because Winnipeg at Edmonton Arizona at Anaheim to first place in the East Division. York. Adam Erne scored twice, Jonath- it would take away from his man- Ovechkin is a big reason for Lightning 4, Stars 3 (SO):Bray- an Bernier made 35 saves and host agerial duties leading up to the Friday’s games Calgary at Toronto that. The captain has goals in four den Point had a goal, an assist and Detroit snapped Carolina’s eight- NHL’s trade deadline next month. N.Y. Rangers at Washington consecutive games and five of six. the shootout winner, helping Tam- game win streak. Krueger’s firing continues to Vancouver at Montreal St. Louis at San Jose He is tied with longtime teammate pa Bay recover from a late melt- Robby Fabbri broke a tie mid- spin a revolving door of coaching Vegas at Los Angeles Saturday’s games Nicklas Backstrom, who also down to win at Dallas for a third way through the second period, and general manager changes in N.Y. Rangers at Washington scored, for the team lead with 12 win in three games this season be- sending the rebuilding Red Wings Buffalo. He became the team’s Vancouver at Montreal Calgary at Toronto goals this season. tween last year’s Stanley Cup Fi- to just their ninth win in 30 games. fifth coach since Lindy Ruff was St. Louis at San Jose Vegas at Los Angeles “We’ve seen him do it year after nal participants. The Hurricanes entered one point fired a month into the lockout- Scoring leaders year,” Backstrom said of Ovech- Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 24 shy of the NHL leaders. shortened 2013 season. And his Through Tuesday kin. “It’s just so impressive. I think shots in his ninth straight victory. Avalanche 8, Ducks 4: Nathan firing comes nine months after GP GAPTS the way he shoots the puck, the Mathieu Joseph and Steven Stam- MacKinnon and Samuel Girard Adams became the team’s third Connor McDavid, EDM 31 17 36 53 way he scores, the way he plays kos scored in regulation and Ross scored 2:23 apart early in the third GM in six years after Jason Botte- Leon Draisaitl, EDM 31 17 29 46 the game is just fun to see. As a Colton also converted in the shoo- period, and host Colorado rallied rill was abruptly dismissed fol- Patrick Kane, CHI 30 12 30 42 teammate, you’re just enjoying ev- tout for the defending champion for six unanswered goals to beat lowing a three-year tenure. Mitchell Marner, TOR 30 11 28 39 Mark Scheifele, WPG 28 12 25 37 ery moment.” Lightning, who vaulted from third Anaheim. It’s a season in which the Sabres Auston Matthews, TOR 27 21 15 36 Goal No. 718 also came against place to first in the Central Divi- Devils 3, Sabres 2: Miles Wood have lurched from one crisis to an- Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA 28 10 24 34 former Capitals teammate and sion. scored the tiebreaking goal on a other. Captain Jack Eichel hasn’t Aleksander Barkov, FLA 28 12 22 34 countryman Semyon Varlamov, Bruins 2, Penguins 1 : Trent power play early in the third peri- been healthy all season and is out Mark Stone, LV 25 10 23 33 Anze Kopitar, LA 27 7 25 32 his supporting actor in the classic Frederic scored the lone goal of od and New Jersey beat visiting indefinitely with an upper body in- Brad Marchand, BOS 26 12 20 32 Russian spy “This is SportsCen- the third period and Boston won at Buffalo in a matchup of skidding jury — and a two-week COVID-19- Nicklas Backstrom, WSH 28 11 20 31 ter” ESPN commercial. Ovechkin Pittsburgh. teams. forced pause to their schedule. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 NBA

ROUNDUP Scoreboard

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division Lillard’s 50 lead Blazers to win WLPct GB Philadelphia 28 12 .700 — Brooklyn 27 13 .675 1 Portland rallies in last 6 Boston 20 19 .513 7½ New York 20 21 .488 8½ minutes top New Orleans Toronto 17 22 .436 10½ Southeast Division Associated Press WLPct GB PORTLAND, Ore. — Damian Miami 22 18 .550 — Lillard has led some memorable Charlotte 20 18 .526 1 comebacks and made some Atlanta 20 20 .500 2 clutch game-winners, but to him, Washington 14 24 .368 7 Orlando 13 26 .333 8½ this win was noteworthy. Lillard had 50 points and 10 as- Central Division sists, and the Portland Trail Blaz- WLPct GB ers came from behind to beat the Milwaukee 25 14 .641 — New Orleans Pelicans 125-124 on Chicago 18 20 .474 6½ Indiana 17 21 .447 7½ Tuesday night. Cleveland 14 25 .359 11 Lillard, who finished with six Detroit 10 29 .256 15 three-pointers, made a pair of Western Conference free throws with 1.2 seconds left for Portland, which rallied from a Southwest Division 17-point deficit with some six WLPct GB minutes remaining. He scored 20 San Antonio 20 16 .556 — of his points in the final quarter. Dallas 20 18 .526 1 “I think with how it happened Memphis 17 19 .472 3 and the position we were in down New Orleans 17 23 .425 5 Houston 11 27 .289 10 the stretch, this will be one I re- Northwest Division member,” Lillard said. WLPct GB Brandon Ingram scored 30 points and Zion Williamson add- Utah 29 10 .744 — Denver 23 16 .590 6 CRAIG MITCHELLDYER / AP ed 28 for New Orleans. Lonzo Ball Portland 23 16 .590 6 had 11 points and a season-high 17 Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, right, had 50 points and 10 rebounds in his team’s 125­124 Oklahoma City 17 23 .425 12½ assists. defeat of the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday in Portland, Ore. Minnesota 9 31 .225 20½ Nickeil Alexander-Walker had Pacific Division 20 points, including six three- seconds left, Portland got the ball about that before: We’ve got to straight win. WLPct GB pointers, off the bench for the with the Pelicans hanging on to a get the ball down the floor and Hawks 119, Rockets 107:Da- Phoenix 26 12 .684 — Pelicans. His three midway 124-123 lead. play the game. And we did not do nilo Gallinari scored 20 of his 29 L.A. Lakers 27 13 .675 — through the final quarter Bledsoe fouled Lillard, who it.” points in the first half and visiting L.A. Clippers 26 15 .634 1½ stretched the lead to 112-96. made both his shots to put the Jazz 117, Celtics 109: Dono- Atlanta dealt Houston a franchise Golden State 20 20 .500 7 Sacramento 15 24 .385 11½ But Gary Trent Jr.’s three- Blazers up 125-124 with 1.2 sec- van Mitchell had eight of his 21 record-tying 17th straight loss. Tuesday’s games pointer pulled the Blazers to onds left. Williamson’s turn- points in the fourth quarter and Heat 113, Cavaliers 98: Jim- Utah 117, Boston 109 within 117-113 with 3:30 left. Lil- around hook at the other end at Utah hit 19 three-pointers to beat my Butler had 28 points and 12 Atlanta 119, Houston 107 Chicago 123, Oklahoma City 102 lard added a three to make it a the buzzer missed the mark. Boston. rebounds, Bam Adebayo return- Miami 113, Cleveland 98 Philadelphia 99, New York 96 one-point game. “I got to my spot and drew a Lakers 137, Timberwolves ed from a knee issue and finished Portland 125, New Orleans 124 Eric Bledsoe answered with a foul and that was game,” Lillard 121: LeBron James had 25 with 14 points, nine rebounds and L.A. Lakers 137, Minnesota 121 three for New Orleans, but Car- said. points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists six assists, and host Miami eased Wednesday’s games Brooklyn at Indiana melo Anthony’s jumper kept it New Orleans was stunned. in his 99th career triple-double, past Cleveland. Milwaukee at Philadelphia close. Williamson’s layup made it “I mean, we just didn’t play the leading host Los Angeles. 76ers 99, Knicks 96: Tobias Sacramento at Washington Toronto at Detroit 122-118 with just over a minute to way we played the whole game, Bulls 123, Thunder 102:Zach Harris scored 30 points, Seth Boston at Cleveland Golden State at Houston go. After Lillard and Williamson like we were trying to run the LaVine scored 40 points on 15- Curry had 20 and host Philadel- San Antonio at Chicago Charlotte at Denver traded layups, Lillard was fouled clock out,” Pelicans coach Stan for-20 shooting, and host Chicago phia beat New York for its sixth Miami at Memphis and made both his shots. With 4.2 Van Gundy said. “We talked beat Oklahoma City for its second straight win. L.A. Clippers at Dallas Thursday’s games Utah at Washington Oklahoma City at Atlanta Orlando at New York Raptors’ VanVleet details his COVID-19 ordeal Minnesota at Phoenix New Orleans at Portland BY TIM REYNOLDS “It’s been a rough stretch for everybody, not Charlotte at L.A. Lakers Associated Press “It’s been a rough Friday’s games just the guys that were locked up,” VanVleet Sacramento at Boston Fred VanVleet has been giving out a lot of said. “The rest of the guys that were trying to San Antonio at Cleveland Brooklyn at Orlando hugs lately, for the simple fact that he’s thrilled stretch for everybody, put the pieces together, I feel for them.” Detroit at Houston Golden State at Memphis to know the worst of his COVID-19 experience But the Raptors have had some mini-cele- Indiana at Miami is now over. not just the guys that brations in recent days, as players and coaches Utah at Toronto Chicago at Denver For the Toronto Raptors, that news couldn’t return to the mix. Dallas at Portland come quickly enough. were locked up.” “Actually almost had a whole roster out Minnesota at Phoenix Leaders VanVleet and three other Raptors — Pascal Fred VanVleet there tonight,” Nurse said after practice Tues- Siakam, Malachi Flynn and Patrick McCaw — day. “I was running some 5-on-0 and had to run Through Monday were back with the team for practice Tuesday, Raptors guard, on the team’s COVID-19 breakout three teams, believe it or not. Big jump for- Scoring after missing more than two weeks for virus- ward.” GFG FT PTS AVG related reasons. Siakam, Flynn and McCaw make it through COVID. So, my thoughts and VanVleet said he was dealing with body ach- Beal, WAS 35 395 260 1130 32.3 are questionable to play Wednesday in Detroit; my heart are with the families and people es, a fever and other issues. He also had to sep- Embiid, PHI 31 293 304 928 29.9 VanVleet and OG Anunoby are likely to remain that’s been affected by this thing that weren’t arate himself from his family and teammates Lillard, POR 37 344 260 1108 29.9 out until at least Friday’s home game in Tam- as fortunate as I was — as I am.” immediately after testing positive. Rebounds pa, Fla., against Utah. Siakam has missed six games, while VanV- The league has had about 100 players test GOFF DEF TOT AVG VanVleet revealed that he tested positive for leet and the other Raptors have missed five. positive this season — 48 of those in the week Capela, ATL 34 172 314 486 14.3 the virus, adding that the symptoms gave him Toronto was also without coach Nick Nurse before the start of training camp — and has had Gobert, UTA 38 130 383 513 13.5 some problems. and some assistants for some of that time; the to reschedule 31 games for virus-related rea- Assists “I wouldn’t wish it on anybody,” VanVleet Raptors won the first game without Nurse, but sons, such as positive tests and contact tracing GAST AVG said. “But I’m here, I’m alive, I’m breathing one game was postponed and the other five all keeping teams from having enough players to Harden, BKN 34 378 11.1 and I know there’s a lot of people that didn’t became losses since. take the floor. Westbrook, WAS 31 312 10.1 Thursday, March 18, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NFL/SPORTS BRIEFS

FREE AGENT ROUNDUP 49ers hand Williams richest OL deal Contract will pay him $138.1 million over the next six seasons Associated Press SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The MICHAEL CONROY / AP San Francisco 49ers locked up Men’s basketball coach Richard their biggest potential free agent Pitino was fired by Minnesota on for the long term by agreeing to Tuesday, then hired by New give star left tackle Trent Wil- Mexico just hours later. liams the richest contract ever for an offensive lineman. Williams’ agents at Elite Loyal- BRIEFLY ty Sports say the deal agreed to early Wednesday will pay Wil- Lobos hire Richard Pitino liams $138.1 million over the next hours after he’s fired six years, surpassing the $138 mil- lion deal David Bakhtiari got from Richard Pitino was hired on Green Bay during last season. Tuesday as New Mexico’s head Williams also will get the biggest coach, hours after Minnesota fi- signing bonus ever for an offen- nalized his firing following eight sive lineman at $30.1 million, as seasons with the Gophers. well as $55.1 million guaranteed. Lobos athletic director Eddie The Niners finalized the deal Nuñez picked the 38-year-old Piti- just hours before Williams could no to be the 22nd head coach in the have left to sign with another team history of their program. He’s re- at the start of the new league year. RICK SCUTERI / AP placing Paul Weir, who went 58- The contract is a staggering re- The San Francisco 49ers locked up their biggest potential free agent for the long term by agreeing to give63 in four seasons. ward for Williams, who sat out the star left tackle Trent Williams the richest contract ever for an offensive lineman. Williams’ agents at Elite In other college basketball entire 2019 season in Washington Loyalty Sports say the deal will pay Williams $138.1 million over the next six years. news: over a dispute with the front office ■ George Mason fired men’s before reviving his career in San ver Broncos. The 28-year-old last season. He has 28 career free agent in 2018 and has become basketball coach Dave Paulsen on Francisco. Jackson joins Washington after sacks in nine seasons as a starter a dependable change-of-pace Tuesday, ending his tenure after He showed a few signs of rust four seasons with the Cincinnati for the Rams while specializing in back. six seasons that did not include an early but quickly got back to his Bengals, during which he record- the dirty work and run-stopping His value to the Chiefs was evi- NCAA Tournament or NIT ap- usual form and earned his eighth ed three interceptions in 59 assignments on the line. dent when they decided to release pearance. The team had four win- Pro Bowl selection. Williams was games, including 48 starts. Damien Williams, their leading ning seasons under Paulsen and graded as the top left tackle by Pro Washington also re-signed re- Source: Chiefs signing rusher during their 2019 cham- went 95-91 with a 47-57 record in Football Focus and is now being serve running back Lamar Miller Charlton, Williams pionship season. He was expected Atlantic 10 Conference play. The paid that way as well. to a one-year contract, agent Drew to return to the team after opting Patriots were 13-9 this past season The 49ers had a disappointing Rosenhaus confirmed in an email The Kansas City Chiefs are out of last season due to CO- and lost in the quarterfinals of the 2020, winning just six games fol- to the AP. planning to sign defensive line- VID-19. A10 tournament. lowing a trip to the Super Bowl the man Taco Charlton and running Source: Raiders replace previous season. But they pinned Source: Rams trading back Darrel Williams to one-year LeBron, partner are now many of the troubles to injuries deals as the start of free agency Agholor with WR Brown that sidelined quarterback Jimmy DT Brockers to Lions approaches Wednesday, a person The Las Vegas Raiders have part-owners of Red Sox Garoppolo and other key players A person familiar with the deci- familiar with the situation told agreed to a one-year contract with Los Angeles Lakers superstar like tight end George Kittle and sion tells The Associated Press The Associated Press. free agent receiver John Brown to LeBron James confirmed Tues- edge rusher Nick Bosa for large that the Los Angeles Rams are fi- The Chiefs also have tendered replace the departing Nelson Agh- day night that he and his longtime portions of the season. nalizing a trade sending veteran wide receiver Byron Pringle and olor. business partner, Maverick Car- Coach Kyle Shanahan and gen- defensive tackle Michael Brock- offensive lineman Andrew Wylie, A person familiar with the deal ter, are taking an ownership stake eral manager John Lynch already ers to the Detroit Lions. according to the person who spoke says the sides agreed on the deal in the Fenway Sports Group. have kept several potential free The person spoke Tuesday to the AP on condition of anonym- Wednesday. The person spoke on “For me and my partner Maver- agents, agreeing to deals with ver- night on condition of anonymity ity because deals cannot be com- condition of anonymity because ick to be the first two Black men to satile fullback Kyle Juszczyk, as because the deal hadn’t been com- pleted until later in the day. That’s the contract hadn’t been signed. be a part of that ownership group, well as cornerbacks Jason Verrett pleted. when the Chiefs can also finalize a Brown will earn $3.75 million it’s pretty damn cool,” James said. and Emmanuel Moseley. Brockers has been a stalwart on five-year, $80 million contract with incentives that could raise it “It gives people who look like me the Rams’ defensive line for the with former Patriots offensive li- to $5.5 million, according to Siri- hope and inspiration that it can be Source: Washington signs past nine seasons after they chose neman Joe Thuney. usXM NFL Radio’s Adam Caplan, done.” him with general manager Les Charlton joined the Chiefs last Bengals CB Jackson who first reported the deal. Olympian, coach held Snead’s first draft pick in St. Louis season after the former first- Dolphins sign Lions CB Washington dipped into the free in 2012. Brockers teamed up with round pick spent two seasons in on $200,000 bond agent pool and spent significant All-Pro Aaron Donald in 2015 and Dallas and one in Miami. He start- Coleman to 1-year deal Conrad Mainwaring, who was a money to fill a void at cornerback. built a formidable tandem on the ed only 12 games during that span, Free agent cornerback Justin hurdler for Antigua and Barbuda The team is signing William Rams’ defensive line, and they but he appeared to be resurrecting Coleman agreed to terms Wednes- in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Jackson to a contract worth $42 were joined last year by Sebastian his career in Kansas City, where day on a one-year contract with Montreal, has pleaded not guilty million over three years with $26 Joseph-Day in a breakout season. he rotated with former Michigan the Miami Dolphins. and been ordered held on million guaranteed, according to a Now Brockers is headed to De- teammate Frank Clark before Coleman, a six-year veteran, $200,000 bail in Pittsfield, Mass., person with knowledge of the deal. troit to reunite with quarterback breaking his ankle in a game started five games for the Detroit on charges that he sexually mo- The person spoke to The Associat- Jared Goff, who will be formally against Carolina in Week 9. Lions last year. He has also played lested boys while working at a ed Press on condition of anonym- moved this week when the Rams’ Williams will get $930,000 guar- for Seattle and New England and sports camp in western Massa- ity Wednesday because the team trade for Matthew Stafford can be anteed and up to $2.13 million on has made 29 career starts. chusetts in the 1970s. does not release contract terms. completed. his contract, according to The Coleman is expected to compete Jackson replaces Ronald Dar- Brockers had 51 tackles and five Kansas City Star. The 25-year-old for playing time as a slot corner for by, who left to sign with the Den- sacks in 15 games for the Rams joined the Chiefs as an undrafted Miami. Associated Press PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 NCAA TOURNAMENT Spartans find familiarity in unusual place BY CHRIS SOLARI too. And the best thing of all is I got 15 Detroit Free Press guys here who get a chance to play in Michigan State walked into the the NCAA Tournament. You take Hall of Horror that is Mackey Arena that for granted at Michigan State, and looked up at the big screen but you really take it for granted un- above the basketball court to see the til you don’t play one last year.” Spartans’ logo. The Spartans (15-12) and Bruins Welcome to the 2021 NCAA Tour- (17-9), both 11-seeds, meet Thurs- MICHAEL CONROY / AP nament, where nothing is normal. day. The winner advances to a first- Michigan State played at Purdue on Feb. 16 and lost to the Boilermakers 75­65. The Spartans might find Fans at Purdue’s arena typically round game against No. 6-seed BYU Mackey Arena more hospitable in their First Four matchup on Thursday against UCLA. let Tom Izzo and his team know on Saturday at another historic ven- “whose house” it is with a call-and- ue, Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse in In- Izzo also is familiar with second- “The one thing that’s bad is a West response with “Our house!” when dianapolis. 9-15 year UCLA coach Mick Cronin from Coast team is usually a little softer they visit West Lafayette, Ind. A sign But to get to Hinkle requires beat- his years at Cincinnati, first as an as- over the years. But Mick brings a near the rafters reminds them as ing UCLA in a building with many sistant to Bob Huggins and then as Midwest flavor to it,” Izzo said. “His Record for Michigan State coach Tom much in the absence of spectators. ghosts. Izzo at Purdue’s Mackey Arena, where head coach for 13 seasons. He went teams are tough. He’s done a great Yet that’s where the Spartans Izzo is 9-15 at Mackey, and Michi- the Spartans will open their NCAA 19-12 in his debut campaign, guiding job building that program again. practiced Tuesday and where they gan State has struggled there since tournament against UCLA. the Bruins to a second-place Pac-12 Last year, he had some problems will meet UCLA in the First Four. A its last win in 2014. The Spartans finish in the pandemic-shortened and kids didn’t want to buy in. Now SOURCE: Associated Press familiar place with a new postsea- have lost their last four at Purdue, season, and told reporters in Maui he’s got kids that have bought in. I son court to begin an abnormal including a 75-65 road loss Feb. 16. among four starters in double fig- he expressed his desire to model his have a lot of respect for Mick and the NCAA Tournament experience. UCLA has won both times it visit- ures. They won, 75-62, at last sea- program after Izzo’s tenets of defen- way he’s done it and doing it in an en- “I called (Purdue coach Matt) ed West Lafayette but hasn’t played son’s Maui Invitational with 12 sive toughness and tenacity when he vironment that’s not as easy to do it Painter on my way up and I said, there since 2000. points from Rocket Watts and eight took the job. in.” ‘Hey, the least you could do is tell “I’m sure there possibly could be from Malik Hall, both freshmen at “I told (UCLA athletic director) The same can be said for Mackey your wife we’re coming over for some advantages, because we’re the time. Dan Guerrero in my interview if I and the Spartans. brunch. You beat me twice this year, kind of familiar with that place,” “You see some some toughness can do half of what Tom Izzo has “That is unique,” Henry said. Ithink you owe me that.’ ” Izzo joked MSU senior Joshua Langford said traits, definitely, when they attack done at Michigan State that that’s “I’m sure everybody will feel a little during his news conference Tues- Tuesday. the glass from all positions ... with my goal at UCLA,” Cronin said in more comfortable just having day. “The people up there, at least There also will be familiarity for just how other they just seem hun- Maui. “To run a program, run it the played there before. But anything you’re in Big Ten country and they the Spartans with their opponent as gry with the ball,” Michigan State right way, win the right way, gradu- can happen in this tournament, in were all nice. They did a nice job well. junior Aaron Henry said Tuesday. ate players — everything.” these type of games, so you can’t try with the arena. Everything’s good. I Michigan State beat UCLA in “We have to be prepared for that All but two of the Bruins who to treat them like any other game. mean, it seems like there’s a million each of the past two seasons. The and match the intensity and maybe played in the loss to MSU in Maui “It’s an NCAA Tournament things you could complain about, Spartans won, 87-67, in the Las Ve- take it up a notch. They play hard, are back. However, Izzo cautioned game, and we play a lot of good because it’s just different. gas Invitational on Nov. 22, 2018, be- they play smart, and they really at- just how much difference a year can teams. We have to be ready to com- “But there’s a lot of great things, hind 14 points from Langford tack the glass.” make. pete.” 6 refs sent home, teams move ahead Scoreboard

BY EDDIE PELLS another illustration of how things change had been OK'd by the FIRST FOUR AFN­Sports, 5 p.m. Friday CET; 1 a.m. Satur­ Thursday, March 18 day JKT. AND STEVE MEGARGEE can go wrong. NCAA medical advisory group and Mount Saint Mary's (12-10) vs. Texas Ohio St. (21-9) vs. Oral Roberts (16-10). Associated Press “It's not ever going to be perfect the local health department. Southern (16-8). AFN­Sports, 10 p.m. AFN­Sports, 7:30 p.m. Friday CET; 3:30 a.m. Thursday CET; 6 a.m. Friday JKT. Saturday JKT. INDIANAPOLIS — Parts of the in a pandemic,” NCAA vice presi- Pitino said he was given the Norfolk State (16-7) vs. Appalachian State (17-11). AFN­Sports2, 11:20 p.m. MIDWEST REGIONAL NCAA's finely honed plan for play- dent Dan Gavitt said. “It’s an unfor- green light for the Sunday night Thursday CET; 7:20 a.m. Friday JKT. First Round ing March Madness amid the pan- tunate and disappointing circum- workou. Wichita State (16-5) vs. Drake (25-4). Friday, March 19 AFN­Sports, 1:30 a.m. Friday CET; 9:30 a.m. Illinois (23-6) vs. Drexel (12-7). AFN­Pa­ demic came into question Tuesday stance for all involved. But I don't “I gave four guys the night off," Friday JKT. cific, 6 p.m. Friday CET; 2 a.m. Saturday Michigan State (15-12) vs. UCLA (17-9). JKT. just as teams began gearing up for think there’s something that can be Pitino said. "We practiced a lot of AFN­Sports2, 2:50 a.m. Friday CET; 10:50 Loyola Chicago (24-4) vs. Georgia Tech practices to tune up for the games pinpointed as a kind of failure here. the other guys who didn’t get a lot of a.m. Friday JKT. (17-8). AFN­Pacific, 8:50 p.m. Friday CET; 4:50 a.m. Saturday JKT. later this week. Just an unfortunate set of circum- minutes” in Iona’s league cham- EAST REGIONAL Tennessee (18-8) vs. Oregon State (17- First Round 12) One referee tested positive for stances.” pionship game Saturday. Saturday, March 20 Oklahoma State (20-8) vs. Liberty (23-5). COVID-19, forcing him and five Earlier, questions arose after On another front, Georgia Tech Michigan (20-4) vs. Mount St. Mary's- AFN­Pacific, 11:45 p.m. Friday CET; 7:45 Texas Southern winner. a.m. Saturday JKT. others who went out to dinner with coach Rick Pitino ran a late-night coach Josh Pastner announced a LSU (18-9) vs. St. Bonaventure (16-4) San Diego State (23-4) vs. Syracuse Colorado (22-8) vs. Georgetown (13-12) (16-9). AFN­Sports, 2:30 a.m. Saturday him, out of the tournament. practice with his Iona team as part member of his school's traveling Florida State (16-6) vs. UNC-Greensboro CET; 10:30 a.m. Saturday JKT. Their excursion ran counter to a of the NCAA's late and unan- party tested positive. He did not dis- (21-8) West Virginia (18-9) vs. Morehead State BYU (20-6) vs. Michigan State-UCLA win- (23-7). AFN­Sports2, 3 a.m. Saturday protocol that called on all players nounced change in testing protocol, close whether it was a player, but ner CET; 11 a.m. Saturday JKT. Texas (19-7) vs. Abilene Christian (23-4) Clemson (16-7) vs. Rutgers (15-11) AFN­ and staff to eat at their NCAA ho- first reported by The New York noted the person will not be back UConn (15-7) vs. Maryland (16-13) Pacific, 2:15 a.m. Saturday CET; 10:15 a.m. Alabama (24-6) vs. Iona (12-5) Saturday JKT. tels, but because the refs' rooms we- Times. unless the Yellow Jackets advance Houston (24-3) vs. Cleveland State ren't ready and there was no food Gavitt portrayed that as a “prac- to the Sweet 16. SOUTH REGIONAL (19-7). AFN­Sports2, 12:15 a.m. Saturday First Round CET; 8:15 a.m. Saturday JKT. available, they were given a pass. tical adjustment," and not a major “It's a gut punch,” Pastner said. Friday, March 19 It resulted in a big shake-up of the change. “It stinks.” Baylor (22-2) vs. Hartford (15-8). AFN­ WEST REGIONAL Sports2, 8 p.m. Friday CET; 4 a.m. Saturday First Round officiating corps for the games, 52 He said players were initially go- Gavitt said there were five posi- JKT. Saturday, March 20 North Carolina (18-10) vs. Wisconsin (17- Gonzaga (26-0) vs. Norfolk State-Appa- of which take place Thursday ing to be required to pass two CO- tive tests out of 2,300 that had been 12). AFN­Sports2, Mid Friday CET; 8 a.m. lachian State winner through next Monday at different VID-19 tests no less than 12 hours analyzed so far in Indianapolis, but Saturday JKT. Oklahoma (15-10) vs. Missouri (16-9) Villanova (16-6) vs. Winthrop (23-1) Creighton vs. UC Santa Barbara (22-4) arenas in Indianapolis, Blooming- apart on different calendar days to that those five did not necessarily Purdue (18-9) vs. North Texas (17-9) Virginia (18-6) vs. Ohio (16-7) Texas Tech (17-10) vs. Utah State (20-8) Southern Cal vs. Wichita State-Drake ton and Purdue. Though the NCAA be eligible to practice after they ar- involve team personnel, and could Arkansas (22-6) vs. Colgate (14-1). AFN­ winner brought plenty of backup referees, rived. Iona took its two tests in the also have included staff with access Sports2, 5:30 p.m. Friday CET; 1:30 a.m. Sat­ Kansas (20-8 vs. E. Washington (16-7) urday JKT. Oregon (20-6) vs. VCU (19-7) the mass departure served up yet same day, and Gavitt said the to arenas. Florida (14-9) vs. Virginia Tech (15-6). Iowa (21-8) vs. Grand Canyon (17-6) Thursday, March 18, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 COLLEGE BASKETBALL Look: Goals different for smaller programs

FROM PAGE 24 Tournament appearance. Oral Roberts is part of March So when the Dragons clinched a Madness for the first time since berth in the face of the pandemic, 2008, Cleveland State returned for the school partied like it was 2019. the first time since 2009, and Mo- The Dragons returned to campus rehead State snapped a drought with a police escort and students that dates to 2011. UC Santa Bar- lined sidewalks cheering them on. bara made consecutive NCAA Drexel put up a big screen out- tournaments as a No. 15 seed in doors and threw a watch party 2010 and 2011 and is back as a 12 with music, giveaways, and fire seed. Georgia Tech is back for the pits for the selection show. first time since 2010. “Even though it’s a pandemic, Those are drops in the three- we want our guys to have an expe- point basket compared to Rutgers rience, and have a moment,” making the field for the first time Spiker said. “By doing little things in 30 years. like that, we’re able to do that.” One piece of advice seems uni- Most of these teams weren’t in versal: Enjoy the moment, and the NCAA mix last season when that applies as well to the two tour- the tournament was canceled be- ney newcomers (Grand Canyon cause of the pandemic. Rutgers, SUE OGROCKI / AP and Hartford). though, went 20-11 and seemed a Guard Jared Butler, left, made history Tuesday when he became Baylor’s first first­team All­American. “At the high-major level, guys safe bet to make the 2020 field be- just want to get to the NBA. At our fore it was waved off the court mo- level, guys just want to play in the ments before its Big Ten Tourna- NCAA Tournament,” Appala- ment opener. The Scarlet Knights, chian State coach Dustin Kerns who received a No. 10 seed, said. “And there is an element now pushed forward this season with Gonzaga, Baylor gobble of, ‘Hey, how can I get to the NBA?’ Ron Harper Jr., Geo Baker and But we told them when we got Jacob Young to go 15-11 and end here, ‘Hey listen, App State has the drought. been to the NCAA Tournament. “None of us were alive,” guard This program has been twice. So if Paul Mulcahy said. “But there’s up AP All-America slots we can go before, we can do it also been a lot of people who have again.’ ” supported the program for 30 BY DAVE SKRETTA For every mid-major dreaming years through the ups and downs. Associated Press Scoreboard of blossoming into the next Gonza- I’m just really happy for those Gonzaga and Baylor spent al- ga — or pulling off a UMBC — the people, that they finally get to ex- most the entire season holding AP All-America Team Quentin Grimes, Houston, 6­5, 205, ju­ nior, The Woodlands, Texas, 18.0 ppg, 6.0 reality is most of these one-brack- perience this as well.” down the top two spots in the Top The Associated Press All­America men’s rpg, 1.9 apg (68) basketball team with statistics through Herb Jones, Alabama, 6­8, 210, senior, et wonder programs fall back into Rutgers had a taste of March 25. regular­season and conference tourna­ Greensboro, Ala., 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.4 apg obscurity and won’t pop up on Se- success in the 1970s under coach Makes sense they’d hold down a ments: (66) Cameron Krutwig, Loyola Chicago, 6­9, lection Sunday for years or dec- Tom Young when it played in four bunch of spots on The Associated First Team 255, senior, Algonquin, Ill., 15.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, Luka Garza, Iowa, 6­11, 265, senior, 3.0 apg (44) ades to come. tournaments from 1975-1983 and Press All-America teams. Washington, D.C., 23.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.7 bpg Chris Duarte, Oregon, 6­6, 190, sopho­ That won’t stop the fun this reached the 1976 Final Four. The Bulldogs’ Corey Kispert (63 of 63 first­place votes, 315 points) more, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Jared Butler, Baylor, 6­3, 195, junior, Re­ 16.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.3 apg (35) weekend. For all the expectations that a and the Bears’ Jared Butler led the serve, La., 17.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.8 apg (60, 309) Look at Drexel. The Dragons tournament berth and a week of way with first-team nods Tuesday Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois, 6­5, 200, junior, Honorable Mention (alphabetical order) Chicago, 20.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.3 apg (59, 307) Max Abmas, Oral Roberts; Joel Ayayi, aren’t part of Philadelphia’s exposure will do wonders for a from the national panel of 63 Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State, 6­8, Gonzaga; Alex Barcello, BYU; Scottie 220, freshman, Arlington, Texas, 20.3 ppg, Barnes, Florida State; Charles Bassey, famed Big 5 — Villanova, Penn, La program, the reality is most never media members that vote each 6.3 rpg, 3.6 apg (55, 299) Western Kentucky; James Bouknight, Salle, Temple and Saint Joseph’s sustain that success. week in the AP Top 25 poll. They Corey Kispert, Gonzaga, 6­7, 220, senior, Connecticut; Justin Champagnie, Pitts­ Edmonds, Wash., 19.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.8 apg burgh; Derek Culver, West Virginia; An­ comprise the city’s 65-year-old ri- The recruits the schools did find were joined by unanimous pick (50, 284) toine Davis, Detroit; Kendrick Davis, SMU; Second Team David Duke, Providence; Collin Gillespie, valry series — and let former were talented enough this year to Luka Garza of Iowa, a two-time se- Villanova; Raiquan Gray, Florida State; coach Bruiser Flint stick around get unheralded teams to March. lection, along with Ayo Dosunmu Drew Timme, Gonzaga, 6­10, 235, sopho­ Sam Hauser, Virginia; Jay Huff, Virginia; more, Richardson, Texas, 18.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, Nah’Shon Hyland, Virginia Common­ for a 15-year run without an NCAA The trick is doing it again. of Illinois and Cade Cunningham 2.0 apg (9, 188) wealth; Trayce Jackson­Davis, Indiana; Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga, 6­4, 205, fresh­ Andrew Jones, Texas; Carlik Jones, Louis­ of Oklahoma State. man, West St. Paul, Minn., 14.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, ville; EJ Liddell, Ohio State; Isaiah Livers, 4.5 apg (8, 169) Michigan; Sandro Mamukelashvili, Seton Kispert and Butler had plenty of Evan Mobley, Southern California, 7­0, Hall; Jaquori McLaughlin, UC Santa Barba­ company, though. 210, freshman, Murrieta, Calif., 16.8 ppg, ra; Tre Mann, Florida; Remy Martin, Arizo­ 8.6 rpg, 3.0 bpg (4, 161) na State; Miles McBride, West Virginia; The Bulldogs also landed big Hunter Dickinson, Michigan, 7­1, 255, Mac McClung, Texas Tech; Matt Mitchell, freshman, Alexandria, Va., 14.2 ppg, 7.6 San Diego State; Moses Moody, Arkansas; man Drew Timme and freshman rpg, 1.4 bpg (2, 116) Scotty Pippen Jr., Vanderbilt; Neemias sensation Jalen Suggs on the sec- Kofi Cockburn, Illinois, 7­0, 285, sopho­ Queta, Utah State; Austin Reaves, Oklaho­ more, Kingston, Jamaica, 17.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg, ma; Jeremiah Robinson­Earl, Villanova; ond team while Joel Ayayi was an 1.2 bpg (2, 111) Jaden Shackelford, Alabama; Terry Taylor, Austin Peay; MaCio Teague, Baylor; Cam­ honorable mention pick. The Third Team eron Thomas, LSU; Franz Wagner, Michi­ Bears had Davion Mitchell on the Davion Mitchell, Baylor, 6­2, 205, junior, gan; Trevion Williams, Purdue; McKinley Hinesville, Ga., 14.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 5.4 apg Wright IV, Colorado; Moses Wright, Geor­ third team and MaCio Teague as (84) gia Tech; Marcus Zegarowski, Creighton. an honorable mention. It is the first time Baylor, which earned a No. 1 seed for the NCAA of being a unanimous choice last niors Garza and Kispert, juniors Tournament, has had a first-team season. In fact, he’s been so dom- Butler and Dosunmu — is Cun- All-American. inant that the school’s career scor- ningham, the favorite to be chosen Kispert also withdrew from the ing leader will have his No. 55 jer- first overall in the NBA Draft. The draft and also led his team to a No. 1 sey retired at the end of the season. calm freshman forward helped en- overall seed, along with helping Like the Hawkeyes, the Fighting gineer an upset of Baylor in the Big the Bulldogs finish a perfect regu- Illini had never had a first-team 12 tourney and will lead the fourth- lar season. He joined Dan Dickau, pick until Dosunmu came along. seeded Cowboys into the NCAA GERRY BROOME / AP Adam Morrison and Kelly Olynyk The two-time All-Big Ten guard Tournament. Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner cuts down the net as he as first-team All-Americans from led them to the conference tourna- celebrates his team’s Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Gonzaga. ment title last weekend and a No. 1 championship. Georgia Tech is back in the NCAA Tournament for the AP basketball writer John Marshall and AP sports Garza, the brilliant big man seed in the NCAA tourney. writers Michael Marot and Stephen Hawkins first time since 2010. from Iowa, came up two votes shy Joining those veterans — se- contributed to this report. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 18, 2021 Woods goes home SPORTS Tiger returns to Florida to recover from car accident ›› Golf, Page 18

NCAA TOURNAMENT

Drexel celebrates after beating Elon in the Colonial Athletic Association championship to secure an NCAA Tournament berth.

DANIEL LIN / AP

Look who’s back Host of teams end tournament droughts BY DAN GELSTON ’94 to ’96. I mean, we beat Memphis in the Associated Press tournament, you know?” PHILADELPHIA 1991 Long the outsider in Philadelphia’s rich he last time Drexel basketball basketball scene, the Dragons snapped that The last time Rutgers appeared in the NCAA made more than local head- Tournament. The Scarlet Knights are 5-7 in 25-year streak with a Colonial Athletic As- lines, TMZ was on the scene be- NCAA Tournament games, with their deepest run sociation Tournament championship that cause Philadelphia 76ers star in 1976, when they advanced to the Final Four. earned them the No. 16 seed and a game Ben Simmons and model Ken- against No. 1 Illinois on Friday. SOURCE: ESPN.com Tdall Jenner were in the bleachers for a Drexel is back in the bracket — and some game on the West Philadelphia campus. Spiker, though, had to cut off a suggestion long-forgotten teams have tagged along. Maybe real basketball junkies remember that he took over a program in 2016 devoid Remember Appalachian State? The when Zach Spiker’s 2018 team rallied from of much hoops history, noting the Dragons Mountaineers have only two previous a 34-point, first-half deficit to stun Dela- did represent the North Atlantic Confer- NCAA appearances — under coaches Bob- ware in the biggest comeback in Division I ence in the NCAA Tournament three by Cremins (1979) and Buzz Peterson DARRON CUMMINGS / AP men’s basketball history. straight years. (2000) — and ended a 21-year skid. Geo Baker and Rutgers are in the NCAA The rest of Drexel’s tradition doesn’t “Timeout. Timeout,” Spiker said by Tournament for the first time in 30 years. have a whole lot of March Madness in it. phone. “We won three straight titles from SEE LOOK ON PAGE 23

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