Waivers for the Willing Air Force Could Exempt Civilian- Trained Pilots, Use New ROTC Programs to Address Shortfall

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Volume 79 Edition 244 ©SS 2021 MONDAY,MARCH 29, 2021 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas Waivers for the willing Air Force could exempt civilian- trained pilots, use new ROTC programs to address shortfall

BY ROSE L. THAYER Stars and Stripes AUSTIN, Texas — The Air Force is devel- oping a program to exempt civilian pilots from some military training to become officers and fly aircraft for the service more quickly, said Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, the 19th Air Force commander. It’s an attempt by the Air Force to find ways to fill its pilot shortage and create a more diverse workforce, he said. “The most important thing on that program is you still have to be willing to fight

SEE EXEMPT ON PAGE 5

“You still have to be willing to fight and kill and potentially die for your country to serve as an Air Force officer.” Maj. Gen. Craig Wills Air Force Commander

A student flies a virtual-reality training sortie at the PTN facility in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2019. DAN HAWKINS/U.S. Air Force Army to authorize long ponytails with all uniforms BY DAVID L. EDGE tail was originally voted against. of women recommended last year have been allowed since February Stars and Stripes But after hearing from our Sol- that female soldiers be allowed to to wear their hair in two braids or Women in the Army will be al- diers, the panel asked if they could get buzz cuts, like their male coun- a single ponytail no longer than lowed to wear their hair in long po- reconsider their decision. terparts, and that those with medi- the “top of each sleeve inseam at nytails in all uniforms, the servic- “Working out the details, but 1-2 um-length hair that can’t be pulled the underarm through the shoul- e’s top enlisted leader has said. ponytails in all uniforms, down to into a bun be allowed to wear it in a der blades.” Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael the shoulder blade,” he wrote. ponytail. The new Air Force rule also al- Grinston announced the new rule Up to now, long ponytails have Many of the recommendations lows female airmen to have bangs Thursday, when he joined a con- only been authorized when wear- were incorporated into an updat- that touch their eyebrows, but do versation on Twitter where people ing the Army Combat Uniform or ed version of AR-670-1, the Ar- not cover their eyes. were speculating about another during physical fitness training. my’s all-encompassing regulation The changes are part of a trend U.S. Army grooming change being in the The rule change will also allow governing appearance and how to across the services to revamp pol- A soldier poses for a photo with works. braided ponytails, Grinston said wear uniforms, and took effect in icies that disproportionately af- medium-length hair secured into “How about I save you the trou- in a reply to a comment to his post. late February. fect women and Black service a ponytail, as authorized in Army ble?” he tweeted. “The long pony- An Army panel made up mainly Women serving in the Air Force members. grooming standards. PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER China sanctions US, Canada officials over Xinjiang EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1,131.22 Associated Press nese financial entities. eign government officials and Switzerland (Franc) 0.9391 Euro costs (March 29) $1.15 Thailand (Baht) 31.12 BEIJING — China announced The commission’s vice chair, activists whom it says are Dollar buys (March 29) 0.8270 Turkey (New Lira) 8.1099 British pound (March 29) $1.34 new sanctions against U.S. and Tony Perkins, was also included spreading false information Japanese yen (March 29) 106.00 (Military exchange rates are those available Canadian officials in a growing on the sanctions list, along with about its policies toward Uygh- South Korean won (March 29) 1,104.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger political and economic feud over Canadian Member of Parliament urs and members of other Mus- many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain (Dinar) 0.3766 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur its policies in the traditionally Michael Chong and the body’s lim minority groups in Xinjiang. Britain (Pound) 1.3785 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2594 your local military banking facility. Commercial Muslim region of Xinjiang. Subcommittee on International “They must stop political ma- China (Yuan) 6.5415 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.3075 A statement from the Foreign Human Rights. nipulation on Xinjiang-related Egypt (Pound) 15.7043 when buying currency. All figures are foreign Ministry on Saturday said the China has strongly rejected ac- issues, stop interfering in Chi- Euro 0.8482 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7688 pound, which is represented in dollarsto head of the U.S. Commission on cusations of human rights abuses na’s internal affairs in any form Hungary (Forint) 307.64 pound, and the euro, which is dollarstoeuro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.3317 International Religious Free- in Xinjiang and has launched and refrain from going further Japan (Yen) 109.69 INTEREST RATES dom, Gayle Manchin, will be calls for boycotts and other puni- down the wrong path. Otherwise, Kuwait (Dinar) 0.3022 Norway (Krone) 8.5878 Prime rate 3.25 barred from visiting mainland shments against foreign firms in- they will get their fingers burnt,” Philippines (Peso) 48.44 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.93 Federal funds market rate 0.09 China, Hong Kong or Macao, and cluding retailer H&M and Nike, the Foreign Ministry statement Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7502 3month bill 0.02 having any dealings with Chi- along with sanctions against for- said. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3458 30year bond 2.37 WEATHER OUTLOOK MONDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST MONDAY IN EUROPE TUESDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 54/45

Kabul Seoul 55/50 56/35 Baghdad 71/45 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 56/37 63/55 79/51 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 50/42 59/47 63/46 Iwakuni Kuwait City Bahrain 56/51 75/57 Brussels Zagan Sasebo 73/69 Ramstein 57/45 58/52 Guam 62/42 61/37 83/79 Riyadh Lajes, 78/54 Doha Azores Stuttgart 79/60 63/58 63/39 Pápa Aviano/ 58/40 Vicenza 59/43

Naples 61/49 Okinawa Morón 73/69 79/56 Sigonella Rota Djibouti 66/41 The weather is provided by the 70/59 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 90/67 59/53 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 14 Opinion ...... 15 Sports ...... 18-24 Monday, March 29, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY/MIDEAST US commanders in Japan quiet on extremism drill BY ERICA EARL against Asian-Americans in the said in a March 18 email to Stars Stars and Stripes United States. and Stripes. YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The sessions should include de- Spokespeople at Kadena Air U.S. military authorities at bases scriptions of impermissible be- Base on Okinawa confirmed that in Japan are mostly tight-lipped havior and how to report such be- extremism training has begun; about what the rank-and-file are havior, Pentagon press secretary however, they were unable to get saying, if anything, during manda- John Kirby told reporters last their responses to Stars and tory training sessions on extre- month. Austin also ordered that Stripes’ queries about the details mism that must be completed by service members review and re- of those discussions cleared from April 6. take their oaths of office and en- higher headquarters after several DAVID KRIGBAUM/U.S. Navy Secretary of Defense Lloyd couraged DOD civilians to do the weeks. Service members and civilians reaffirm their oaths of office and Austin on Feb. 5 ordered all mil- same. Bases that were willing to share enlistment during extremism training at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, on March 8. itary installations and Depart- “He understands that a one-day more about their training said ment of Defense offices to take stand-down across the force isn’t they are trying to determine how time away from regular duties — a going to solve everything,” Kirby identify results from the sessions those influences in this com- to make the stand-down as pro- stand-down — to address extre- said of Austin’s order. “But it because they are still ongoing. mand.” ductive as possible rather than mism in the ranks. The Pentagon might bring to light concerns and U.S. Army Japan, headquar- The Pentagon does not have da- just a “check the box” event. provided a 13-page “framework” experiences that we were other- tered at Camp Zama southwest of ta on service members’ involve- During sessions at the U.S. In- that covers topics to be addressed wise not aware of.” central Tokyo, started its trainings ments in extremist organizations, do-Pacific Command headquar- and a format for the discussions. It remains unclear if stand- unit-by-unit March 8, spokesman Kirby said at a Feb. 26 press con- The Pentagon defines extre- down discussions have brought up ters in Hawaii, some participants Maj. Elias Chelala wrote in an ference. He said the Pentagon mism as advocacy for a suprema- any specific concerns at military asked how banishing extremist email that day to Stars and Stripes. hopes to learn from the stand- cist doctrine or ideology that pro- installations in Japan. political views squares with ser- Commanders there are hoping to downs about the scope of extre- motes racism, discrimination or The 374th Airlift Wing at Yoko- vice members’ First Amendment improve already existing pro- mism in the military. depriving people of rights based ta Air Base in western Tokyo de- right of free expression. grams or inform the need for new “Will it lead to specific data? I on their race, creed, color, sex, re- clined to discuss the outcomes of “As Americans, we have the ones in the future, he said. doubt that,” he said. “I mean, it’s ligion, ethnicity or national origin. its sessions, or whether all units right to freedom of speech,” IN- “U.S. Army Japan has an exist- not about counting heads in the Austin’s order followed the Jan. have completed the training. DOPACOM spokeswoman Tiffani ing counter corrosive campaign process of the stand-down but, 6 riot and attack on the Capitol in “We want each of our units to be Walker told Stars and Stripes via that already combats racism, sex- clearly, it’s about trying to get a Washington, D.C., as Congress able to provide their personnel email March 3. “However, the ual harassment and assault, sui- better grasp of the degree to which met to certify the Electoral Col- with the ability to have open dis- DoD must balance First Amend- cide, and domestic violence,” he the problem exists.” lege results from the 2020 presi- cussion and provide feedback ment rights with good order and said. “This stand-down supple- dential election. The training also without fear of retribution,” wing discipline.” ments our ongoing commitment to [email protected] coincides with increased violence spokeswoman Kaori Matsukasa Other bases said it is too early to foster an environment free of Twitter: @ThisEarlGirl SHAPE schools go remote; Belgium locks down BY JENNIFER H. SVAN by the Belgium government, and in coordi- student body, including children of U.S. ser- Stars and Stripes nation with military commanders, all vice members and other NATO nations. Defense Department schools at Supreme SHAPE American Schools will transition to Elsewhere in Belgium, DODEA schools Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Bel- remote learning,” said a letter school offi- in Brussels and Kleine Brogel will continue gium will close Monday and conduct re- cials sent Friday to SHAPE families and with in-person instruction, Smith said. mote learning for three days before going staff members. “Like in Italy, these decisions are made in on spring break, school officials said Fri- There is no school for students April 2 coordination with local commanders and day. and spring break runs from April 5-16. Stu- public health experts — and based on the lo- Belgium announced Wednesday it dents are scheduled to return to in-person cal health dynamics,” Smith said in a state- planned to close schools and most nones- classes on April 19, the letter said. ment. sential businesses for four weeks after the During the three days of remote learning, Earlier this month, some DODEA schools country saw a 40% rise in confirmed new teachers will have the option to report to in Italy went to remote learning as cases coronavirus cases over the previous week. school or telework, said Stephen Smith, a there climbed, while others continued with TIM CLARK/DODEA-Europe The increase has been blamed on the more spokesman for the Department of Defense in-person classes. Visitors arrive at a SHAPE Elementary and contagious virus variant first identified in Education Activity Europe. Middle School open house in Mons, Britain. The three DODEA schools on the SHAPE [email protected] Belgium, in 2014. “Due to the recent restrictions imposed installation in Mons enroll an international Twitter: @stripesktown Kurdish-led Syria forces nab 9 in raid in ISIS-supporters camp Associated Press porters or families of ISIS. tion Col. Wayne Marotto said the ate that covered large parts of Iraq porters of ISIS who stayed in the BEIRUT — Hundreds of Kur- The forces, in a statement pub- Kurdish-led forces are also enroll- and Syria. The brutal war took last sliver of land the group held dish-led forces in northeast Syria lished on the Kurdish Hawar news ing residents in the camps using several years and left U.S.-allied were moved to camp or prisons. arrested nine people Sunday, in- agency, said they arrested nine biometric technology to help Kurdish authorities in control of The majority of the residents of cluding suspected members of Is- people, including an Iraqi ISIS “maintain security by identifying eastern and northeast Syria, with al-Hol, the largest group of held lamic State, during a security member who worked in recruit- (those residing in the camp) con- a small presence of several ISIS supporters, are Iraqis and sweep in a sprawling camp in ment. Violence has increased in nected to terrorist activities.” hundred American forces still de- Syrians. But they also include oth- northeastern Syria housing fam- the past months, where 47 people Marotto said the campaign is ployed there. er nationalities. The camp has ilies of militants. were killed by ISIS supporters in- aimed at improving safety and se- Since then, remaining ISIS mil- been chaotic, with the hardcore The campaign by nearly 5,000 side the camp since the start of the curity of those living in the camp. itants have gone underground in militants among its population en- of the U.S-backed Kurdish-led year, the statement said. It has been two years since the the Syrian-Iraqi border region, forcing their will on others and forces came on the heel of a spike The campaign will continue, the U.S.-led coalition captured the last continuing an insurgency. Thou- seeking to prevent them from in violence in al-Hol camp, home forces said. In a tweet Sunday, the sliver of territory held by ISIS, sands of wives, widows, children cooperating with Kurdish author- to over 60,000 people, many sup- spokesman for the U.S-led Coali- ending their self-declared caliph- and other family members or sup- ities guarding it. PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 PACIFIC Patriot Express’ Seattle-Guam route permanent

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE Stars and Stripes A government-chartered Patri- ot Express route that connects An- dersen Air Force Base, Guam, with Seattle-Tacoma Internation- al Airport will become permanent next fiscal year thanks to a suc- cessful pandemic-era test run. Bi-weekly flights on that route started last year on a six-month trial basis to accommodate military families with pets changing SHAWN NICKEL/U.S. Air Force their duty stations. The families Airmen push kennels holding the found a lack of commercial carri- pets of Patriot Express U.S. NAVY er options and burdensome re- passengers at Osan Air Base, The U.S. Navy Seahawk helicopter lies upside down on the deck of a salvage ship after being lifted 3.6 strictions added costs to their South Korea, in May 2015. miles from the ocean floor near Okinawa on March 18. moves to and from the U.S. territory. route would allow more airmen to The pilot program was extend- make it home for holidays and ed another six months as corona- special occasions. Navy breaks record with rescue virus travel restrictions cut into ri- During the trial period, approx- dership, according to a statement imately 4,300 passengers and 400 of Seahawk helo near Okinawa emailed to Stars and Stripes on pets utilized the flights, the com- Thursday from Air Force Air Mo- mand said. While larger pets often BY WYATT OLSON face of the water, the Navy said in to the Navy base at Yokosuka, Ja- bility Command at Scott Air Force traveled in the cargo hold, smaller Stars and Stripes a news release issued Tuesday. pan, from where it will be ship- Base, Ill. ones sometimes rode in the cabin The Navy has recovered a Sea- The Navy located and docu- ped back to the United States, the After further review, U.S. with their families. hawk helicopter lying 3.6 miles mented the wreckage last spring Navy said. Transportation Command and The coronavirus pandemic below waters off the coast of Oki- using side-scan sonar and photo- “As a whole, this operation was U.S. Indo-Pacific Command heavily impacted the pilot pro- nawa, breaking its depth record graphs of the helicopter, the Navy fast-paced and entirely success- signed off on the route for the fis- gram, according to the com- for recovery of sunken aircraft. said. ful,” Bryan Blake, deep ocean cal year 2022 Pentagon budget. mand’s statement Thursday. The twin-engine Sikorsky Earlier this month, personnel program manager for the Super- “The Patriot Express has been a Then-Defense Secretary Mark MH-60S had crashed into the from the Supervisor of Salvage visor of Salvage and Diving, said big win for morale and resilience Esper issued a stop movement or- Philippine Sea on Jan. 25, 2020, and Diving returned to the crash in the news release. “Our efforts for Guam [Defense Department] der April 20 that barred all PCS while operating from the am- site with a deep-water, remote- validated the Navy’s deep ocean personnel and their families,” Air travel. On May 22, he lifted re- phibious command ship USS controlled vehicle called CURV search and recovery require- Mobility Command’s statement strictions on travel to some loca- Blue Ridge. 21, which can dive to maximum ments. The capability to recover said. “We exceeded our break- tions that met specific criteria. The air crew escaped with only depths of 20,000 feet. the airframe and make it availa- even points despite COVID-19.” “As restrictions ease, we expect minor injuries. A salvage ship with a deep-lift ble to determine the cause of the A stop at Kadena Air Base on increased usage of the Patriot Ex- The Naval Sea Systems Com- reel contracted from Guam ar- accident is a huge plus helping to Okinawa is also being added next press, allowing for continued mand’s Supervisor of Salvage rived at the site March 17, and the ensure naval aviation safety.” month to “ensure mission require- availability to transport pets and and Diving was tasked with sal- helicopter was pulled to the sur- ments are met at both locations opportunities for Space Available vaging the submerged helicopter face the next day. [email protected] and the aircraft are utilized to the travel,” Air Mobility Command’s resting 19,075 feet below the sur- The chopper was transported Twitter: @WyattWOlson fullest extent possible,” according statement said. “This gives our to the command. Airmen a low-cost option to stay The Patriot Express — some- connected with friends and fam- times referred to as the Rotator or ilies off island.” Paratrooper, combat vet tapped to Cat B flight — ferries travelers on All Patriot Express routes are official duty to U.S. military instal- reevaluated annually for necessi- lations around the globe. Common ty and cost effectiveness, the com- lead 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii destinations include the continen- mand said. Routes are routinely tal United States, Hawaii, Alaska, altered for additional stops. BY WYATT OLSON staff for 18th Airborne Corps at He began his military career as an Japan and South Korea as well as After booking travel reserva- Stars and Stripes Fort Bragg, N.C. 82nd Airborne Division para- bases across Europe. tions for families and pets through FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii — The Pentagon trooper with the 505th Parachute The Patriot Express also allows the installation transportation of- Brig. Gen. Joseph Ryan, a para- had announced Infantry Regiment in 1992. space-available travel for eligible fice, service members and their trooper with deployments to Iraq on Feb. 23 that He graduated from the Com- passengers. families are encouraged to check and Afghanistan under his belt, Ryan would be- mand and General Staff College at Brig. Gen. Gentry Boswell, the Andersen Passenger Termi- has been picked to lead the 25th come deputy Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and the commander at Andersen at the nal Facebook page for flight Infantry Division in Hawaii, the chief of staff for Army War College. He has a mas- time, announced the route’s in- schedules and updates. Defense Department said in a operations for ter’s degree in business manage- ception, which followed several Families making PCS moves news release Thursday. NATO’s Reso- ment from Webster University, St. instances of service members are permitted to travel with two The division’s current com- lute Support Louis. Ryan raising money online to defer per- animals, restricted to dogs and mander, Maj. Gen. James Jarrard, Mission, but it Ryan commanded the 2nd Bri- manent change of station costs. In cats, and must meet all shipping will stay on the island of Oahu, be- appears that nomination was not gade Combat Team, 82nd Air- January 2019, a Navy family and country entry requirements, coming the chief of staff for U.S. confirmed by the U.S. Senate. borne Division, from 2014 to 2016. raised $11,592, the cost of shipping the 36th Wing said. Indo-Command at Camp H.M. Ryan is a native of Pearl River, He has extensive combat experi- their two German shepherds to Smith, the Pentagon said in the N.Y., and graduated from the ence, serving with the 101st Air-

Guam from Virginia. [email protected] same release. United States Military Academy, borne Division and 75th Ranger Boswell also said he hoped the Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 Ryan was most recently chief of according to an Army biography. Regiment, the biography said. Monday, March 29, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Exempt: USAF wants to ensure barriers are removed to get top candidates FROM PAGE 1 and are willing to work with the are evaluated for pilot training. and kill and potentially die for service on specific syllabus mate- They are also looking at what can your country to serve as an Air rial. This could allow those stu- be done before prospective stu- Force officer. And that’s a pretty dents to graduate and then bypass dents arrive to provide them big lift,” Wills said Tuesday dur- a portion of Air Force pilot train- knowledge to help fill gaps in prior ing a call about efforts to overhaul ing using a similar methodology flight experience. the Air Force’s pilot training to in- used for assessing prospective ci- It’s not about lowering the stan- crease pools of candidates, speed vilian pilots. dard, but about removing bar- up training time and redesign cur- “Potentially, we could have an riers, Wills said. He also said he riculum to match the technology- opportunity where we have added worries the current system is leav- driven 21st century. to the number of pilots at a rela- ing behind exceptional candidates Air Education and Training tively low-cost point,” Wills said. because of a lack of opportunity. Command, known as AETC, is “Obviously, the number one thing “We want the best candidate. tasked with sending 1,500 pilots a is the quality of the training and We have no intention of getting year into the Air Force, said Wills, the standard of these officers. anything but the best candidates, who leads the command’s unit that That’s non-negotiable.” but we have to make sure we’re SEAN WORRELL/U.S. Air Force trains pilots, as well as aircrews, using the right measures,” Wills Second Lt. Austin Sneed, a Pilot Training Next student, trains on a air battle managers, weapons di- A diverse pilot pool said. “What I want is people who virtualreality flight simulator at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in rectors, survival and escape spe- While recruiting more pilots, are willing to work as a team, peo- Austin, Texas, on June 18, 2018. cialists and many others. the service also wants to attract a ple who have courage and grit and Last year, 19th Air Force pro- more diverse pool of candidates determination and resilience. I training device is in development class was “pretty special.” duced 1,263 pilots, which was that reflects the diversity of the can go out with a credit card, and if with a contractor to provide to all “I volunteered for this not down from 1,279 in 2019, in part Air Force and the country. As it I have a big enough credit card students, Wills said. It should re- knowing if it would work out or because of the coronavirus pan- stands, Air Force pilots are over- and I have a patient enough flight duce the maintenance that is not, but I just put my trust in the demic, which cost the service whelmingly white men. instructor, I can rack up a lot of needed on the devices used now. Air Force,” said Button, who is about 120 pilots, he said. As of March, the Air Force has hours and make myself look really At the end of this phase, which slated to fly the C-17 Globemaster To keep the standard the same 12,468 pilots and 87.3% are white, good on paper … But now you uses the T-6 Texan aircraft, grad- III, a fixed-wing cargo aircraft, at for civilian-trained pilots, Wills according to data self-reported by compare me to somebody who’s uates will become Air Force pilots Joint Base Charleston, S.C. and his team developed an assess- pilots to the service’s personnel working three jobs to get through and move on to further training When it comes to helicopter pi- ment methodology that includes center. The service has 860 female school, who’s an all-star on the meant for their selected aircraft. lots, the Air Force is testing two an oral exam, written exam and a pilots, who are also about 87% football team, who’s got heart and A separate concept to speed up options that do not require them to series of flight checks in a simula- white. Nearly 5% of pilots declined grit, and who’s tough.” training time called the Accelerat- first fly in fixed-wing training tor. Based on those scores, service to provide their race. About 71% of ed Path to Wings uses only the T-1 planes before going to the Army’s officials determine how much Air the nearly 330,000 Air Force Training the next wave Jayhawk aircraft to train pilots training program at Fort Rucker, Force training the pilots need. members are white and 21% are Other initiatives within AETC and allows students to graduate in Ala. One option sends students “Somebody who is exceptional women. and 19th Air Force are targeting seven months instead of 12 straight to Fort Rucker and the and extremely well-qualified Last year, the service began de- how to redesign pilot training so it months. other sends them first to a contrac- might be able to bypass under- veloping a deliberate approach “to better relates to a new generation The first eight students to un- tor, then to Fort Rucker. graduate pilot training altogether. attract, recruit and retain the most of pilots who were raised on tech- dergo this accelerated program “We’re very, very encouraged We would put those folks through qualified people from diverse nology. This includes incorporat- graduated this month at Randolph by the results thus far with both of an Air Force fundamentals course backgrounds,” said Maj. Gen. ing virtual reality, different types Air Force Base in Texas. those small group trials. We’re in … to bring them up to speed on Air Jeannie M. Leavitt, who is the of simulators, and remote learn- “What we found is that, in fact, the final stages of evaluating the Force differences, teach them AETC director of operations and ing and teaching platforms. you can train to the same stan- way ahead. We’re very, very opti- how we fly, teach them the things communications and team leader “They have different expecta- dard,” Wills said. “We certainly mistic about a helicopter-only that they need to know to make a of the Rated Diversity Improve- tions, and yet, our learning sys- had some lessons learned along path for our helicopter pilots and difference,” Wills said. ment Strategy. tems, generally speaking in our the way, but the students respon- very confident in the work that’s One challenge to launching the “A diverse force of unique training pipelines, have failed to ded magnificently. The instruc- being done,” Wills said. program is finding space in Offi- strengths, perspectives and expe- adapt thus far,” Wills said. tors have given us good feedback These plans could shave about cer Training School. riences strengthens our Air Force Many of the redesign concepts on that program. Although we’re six months off training time and “We’re really not hiring pilots, and helps maintain its competitive for undergraduate pilot training continuing to pore through the da- save the Air Force about $250,000 we’re hiring officers who are advantage,” she said in a state- build off lessons learned from Pi- ta and look at it right now, we’re per pilot, he said. trained as pilots. That’s really the ment on the efforts. lot Training Next, a new, technol- quite confident that we’ve just Through all these initiatives, difference,” he said. As it stands now, acceptance ogy-heavy form of pilot training sent high-quality graduates off to Wills sees a path toward meeting In a similar vein, the Air Force can lean toward wealthier candi- that began two years ago. Students their formal training units after the goal of 1,500 new Air Force pi- also is working on an initiative to dates who can afford some flight get about 100 extra hours on im- only flying the T-1.” lots each year by 2024. offer ROTC scholarships at col- training. Wills acknowledged this mersive training devices such as In a statement provided leges and universities that have and he said work is underway to virtual-reality simulators. A new, through AETC, 2nd Lt. Andrew [email protected] undergraduate aviation programs overhaul the way that candidates more reliable common immersive Button said graduating in this first Twitter: @Rose_Lori USAF separates airman found negligent in crash that killed German teen

BY JENNIFER H. SVAN offense” in violation of military law, troops. tween Mackenbach and appropriate if a member’s service Stars and Stripes Powell said. Roman Bahena was demoted Weilerbach, two villages a few min- “has been honest and faithful,” but KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany Brig. Gen. Josh Olson, the wing two ranks and ordered to perform utes’ drive from the east gate of negative aspects of his or her re- — The Ramstein airman who commander, approved the separa- three months of hard labor without Ramstein Air Base. cord or conduct outweigh the posi- avoided dismissal and jail time af- tion after a review process “consis- confinement. The offense allowed a Jurors acquitted Roman Bahena, tive, according to The Military ter his negligent homicide convic- tent with service instructions” and maximum prison sentence of three who was 21 at the time, of the more Command and the Law, an Air tion for the death of a German teen- one that considered Roman Bahe- years and a bad conduct discharge. serious charge of involuntary man- Force legal publication described ager in a 2019 car crash was admin- na’s “potential for future useful The Rhein-Pfalz, a local German slaughter and afforded him a sec- as a helpful reference guide on mil- istratively discharged from the ser- military service, which is a sepa- newspaper, first reported the air- ond chance in the Air Force. itary law for commanders. vice last month, Air Force officials rate and distinct question from man’s discharge. Noncommissioned officers who Under a general discharge, a ser- said. whether any particular puni- At his trial last year in July at trained Roman Bahena in the 86th vice member may still qualify for Airman Basic Tolman Roman shment is warranted at a court- Ramstein, Roman Bahena was Aircraft Maintenance Squadron most veterans benefits but usually Bahena was separated Feb. 4 and martial,” Powell said. found to be traveling at an exces- testified that he was “quick to won’t be allowed to reenlist or enter returned to the United States one Roman Bahena’s sentence an- sive speed in his Chevrolet Camaro learn” and called him “an extraor- a different branch of military ser- day later, said Lt. Col. Will Powell, gered some in the German commu- on the L367 when he slammed al- dinary airman and crew chief.” vice or qualify for GI Bill education 86th Airlift Wing spokesman, in a nity, who said it was too light, and most head on into a Piaggio Ape dri- Roman Bahena was given a gen- benefits. statement Thursday. prompted two German lawmakers ven by 17-year-old David Wirsch- eral discharge under honorable

He was involuntarily separated to call for greater legal control of ing of Weilerbach, who died in- conditions, Powell said. [email protected] “due to his commission of a serious criminal cases involving U.S. stantly. The crash occurred be- Such a discharge is considered Twitter: @stripesktown PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 NATION US waives checks on caregivers at migrant centers

BY NOMAAN MERCHANT thorities or provide the same ser- Associated Press vices as permanent HHS facili- HOUSTON — The Biden ad- ties. They also cost far more, an es- ministration is not requiring FBI timated $775 per child per day. fingerprint background checks of And to staff the sites quickly, the caregivers at its rapidly expand- Biden administration has waived ing network of emergency sites to vetting procedures intended to hold thousands of immigrant teen- protect minors from potential agers, alarming child welfare ex- harm. /AP perts who say the waiver compro- Staff and volunteers directly ELI HARTMAN, ODESSA (TEXAS) AMERICAN mises safety. caring for children at new emer- Migrant children and teenagers from the southern border of the United States wait to be processed March 14 after entering the site of a temporary holding facility south of Midland, Texas. In the rush to get children out of gency sites don’t have to undergo overcrowded and often unsuitable FBI fingerprint checks, which use ground checks. “In the Emergen- HHS’ inspector general warned gerprint checks, “we truly do not Border Patrol sites, President Joe criminal databases not accessible cy Intake Sites, HHS is imple- then that FBI fingerprint checks know who the individual is who is Biden’s team is turning to a mea- to the public and can overcome menting the standards of care “provide a unique safeguard” providing direct care.” sure used by previous administra- someone changing their name or used for children in an emergency over most commercial back- “That’s placing the children un- tions: tent camps, convention cen- using a false identity. response setting,” the agency said. ground checks that search a per- der care of HHS in the path, poten- ters and other huge facilities oper- HHS issued a statement Friday During former President Do- son’s name. tially, of a sex offender,” Nodolf ated by private contractors and saying that direct care staff and nald Trump’s administration, “While the various background said. “They are putting these chil- funded by U.S. Health and Human volunteers “must pass public re- HHS for months did not ensure checks could identify some past dren in a position of becoming po- Services. In March alone, the Bi- cord criminal background FBI fingerprint checks or child criminal convictions or sexual of- tential victims.” den administration announced it checks.” Public records checks welfare screenings were done for fenses, these checks were not as Child advocates say that rather will open eight new emergency generally take less time but are re- workers at a large camp in Tornil- extensive as the FBI fingerprint than opening more unlicensed sites across the Southwest adding liant on the subject providing cor- lo, Texas. An Associated Press in- background checks,” the inspec- emergency facilities, the adminis- 15,000 new beds, more than dou- rect information. vestigation in 2018 also found staff tor general found. tration must speed up placing chil- bling the size of its existing sys- The agency says those giving di- at another camp at Homestead, Laura Nodolf, the district attor- dren with sponsors, especially the tem. rect care are supervised by feder- Fla., were not given routine ney in Midland, Texas, where approximately 40% of youths in These emergency sites don’t al employees or others who have screenings to rule out allegations HHS opened an emergency site custody who have a parent in the have to be licensed by state au- passed fingerprint-based back- of child abuse or neglect. this month, said that without fin- country ready to take them. New York lawmakers legalize recreational weed

Associated Press would also impose an additional tax based Lawmakers reached an agreement late on the level of THC, the active ingredient in Saturday to legalize recreational marijuana marijuana, ranging from 0.5 cents per mil- sales in New York. ligram for flower to 3 cents per milligram At least 14 other states already allow resi- for edibles. dents to buy marijuana for recreational and New York would eliminate penalties for not just medical use, and New York’s past possession of fewer than three ounces of efforts to pass marijuana have failed in re- cannabis, and automatically expunge recent years. Democrats who now wield a ve- cords of people with past convictions for to-proof majority in the state Legislature marijuana-related offenses that would no have made passing it a priority this year, longer be criminalized. That’s a step be- and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s ad- yond a 2019 law that expunged many past ministration has estimated legalization convictions for marijuana possession and could eventually bring the state about $350 reduced the penalty for possessing small million annually. amounts. “My goal in carrying this legislation has And New York would provide loans, always been to end the racially disparate grants and incubator programs to encour- enforcement of marijuana prohibition that age participation in the cannabis industry has taken such a toll on communities of col- by people from minority communities, as or across our state, and to use the economic ROBERT F. BUKATY/AP well as small farmers, women and disabled windfall of legalization to help heal and re- James MacWilliams prunes a marijuana plant that he is growing indoors in Portland, veterans. pair those same communities,” Sen. Liz Maine, on Dec. 13, 2017. Lawmakers in New York on Saturday reached an agreement Proponents have said the move could cre- Krueger, Senate sponsor of the bill and to legalize recreational marijuana sales. ate thousands of jobs and begin to address chair of the Senate’s finance committee, the racial injustice of a decadeslong drug said. ately if passed, though sales wouldn’t start posed system would “ensure newcomers war that disproportionately targeted mi- The legislation would allow recreational immediately as New York sets up rules and have a crack at the marketplace” alongside nority and poor communities. marijuana sales to adults over the age of 21 a proposed cannabis board. Assembly Ma- the state’s existing medical marijuana pro- “Police, prosecutors, child services and and set up a licensing process for the deliv- jority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes esti- viders. ICE have used criminalization as a weapon ery of cannabis products to customers. Indi- mated Friday it could take 18 months to two “There’s a big pie in which a lot of differ- against them, and the impact this bill will vidual New Yorkers could grow up to three years for sales to start. ent folks are going to be able to be a part of have on the lives of our oversurveiled cli- mature and three immature plants for per- Adam Goers, a vice president of Colum- it,” Goers said. ents cannot be overstated,” Alice Fontier, sonal consumption, and local governments bia Care, a New York medical marijuana New York would set a 9% sales tax on can- managing director of Neighborhood De- could opt out of retail sales. provider that’s interested in getting into the nabis, plus an additional 4% tax split be- fender Service of Harlem, said in a state- The legislation would take effect immedi- recreational market, said New York’s pro- tween the county and local government. It ment Saturday. Monday, March 29, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 NATION Protesters call for end to anti-Asian hate

BY DAISY NGUYEN stress disorder. Associated Press In Seattle, according to court SAN FRANCISCO — Prosecu- documents, Hamner yelled pro- tors in Seattle and San Francisco fanities and threw things at a have charged men with hate woman stopped at a red light with crimes in separate incidents that her two children, ages 5 and 10, on authorities say targeted people of March 16. Three days later, au- Asian descent amid a wave of thorities say Hamner cut off an- high-profile and sometimes dead- other car driven by an Asian wom- ly violence against Asian Ameri- an, yelled profanity and the word cans since the pandemic began. “Asian” at her and then threw a Hundreds of protesters took to water bottle at her car after charg- the streets of Los Angeles and ing at her when she pulled into a throughout the San Francisco Bay parking spot. Area on Saturday, the latest in a In San Francisco, Ron Tuason, series of rallies in response to an Army veteran of Filipino, Chi- what many said has become a nese and Spanish descent, told the troubling surge of anti-Asian sen- Chronicle he was at a bus stop in timents. the city’s Ingleside neighborhood “We can no longer accept the on March 13 when Brown ap- normalization of being treated as proached him, yelling “Get out of perpetual foreigners in this country,” speaker Tammy Kim told a my country” before using a racial rally in LA’s Koreatown. slur meant to denigrate Asian peo- At a rally attended by more than ple. Tuason said Brown also said, 1,000 people in San Francisco’s “It’s because of you there’s a prob- Civic Center, the city’s police lem here.” chief, Bill Scott, drew loud ap- Tuason, 56, said he believes plause when he said, “Hate is the DAMIAN DOVARGANES/AP Brown was referring to the coro- virus, and love is the vaccination.” Protestors march at a rally against Asian hate crimes past the Los Angeles Federal Building in downtown navirus. Brown punched him mul- On Friday, prosecutors in King Los Angeles, on Saturday. tiple times, he said, knocking him County, Wash., charged Chris- to the ground. He suffered a black topher Hamner, 51, with three women and children of Asian heri- appearance after authorities say misdemeanor counts, but prose- eye and a swollen cheek as a result counts of malicious harassment tage, The Seattle Times reported he repeatedly punched an Asian cutors recently elevated the case of the attack and said he’s also ex- after police say he screamed pro- Saturday. American man at a bus stop while to a felony, the San Francisco periencing memory loss. fanities and threw things at cars in In San Francisco, Victor Hum- shouting an anti-Asian slur. Chronicle reported. He said in Police found Brown shortly af- two incidents last week targeting berto Brown, 53, made a first court Brown was initially booked on court that he has a post-traumatic ter Tuason called 911. Delay in census Police: 2 dead, 3 arrested in Virginia Beach attacks data scrambles Associated Press people being wounded,” the police VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — department statement said. Overnight shootings near the At- Officers patrolling the area redrawing plan lantic oceanfront in Virginia quickly responded, police said. BY DAVID A. LIEB Beach left two people dead and But more gunfire followed several Associated Press eight wounded in a scene de- minutes later. Stymied by delayed census data needed for redis- scribed by authorities on Saturday Police said they found a female tricting, some states are considering postponing their as “very chaotic.” bystander about a block away who 2022 primaries or turning to other population esti- Awoman who died was likely an died of her injuries from a second mates to start the once-a-decade task of redrawing innocent bystander, authorities shooting incident. Investigators voting districts used for U.S. House and state legisla- TED S. WARREN/AP said, while the other person, a believe the woman’s death was not tive elections. A man wearing a mask walks past posters Black man, was killed by a police related to the initial shooting. The U.S. Census Bureau was supposed to provide encouraging participation in the 2020 Census in officer. It was not clear if the man At around the same time, police redistricting data to the states by March 31, but after Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, April 1, 2020 . was armed and the officer’s body initially said that a uniformed offi- setbacks from the pandemic, it won’t be ready until camera was not activated at the cer in that area “encountered an mid- to late August and might not be available in an future elections — something Republicans did more time of the shooting. armed citizen” and fatally shot easy-to-use format until Sept. 30. That’s later than the effectively than Democrats after the 2010 census. Three men ranging in age from him. legal deadlines to complete redistricting in some Although the census is typically used for redistrict- 18 to 22 have been arrested and A firearm was found “in the vi- states and could mean less time for court challenges, ing, only about half the states have laws or constitu- face charges that include felo- cinity” of the shooting, Virginia candidate filing and ballot creation. tional provisions explicitly requiring them to use nious assault and reckless hand- Beach Police Chief Paul Neudi- The delay has sent states scrambling to adapt. census data, according to the NCSL. ling of a firearm, Virginia Beach gate said during a news confer- Some face the decision to sidestep their constitution- In Oregon, the state constitution requires lawmak- police said in a statement on Sat- ence Saturday night. The man was al deadlines or draw stopgap maps that might not ful- ers to draw legislative districts “according to popula- urday. later identified as Donovon W. ly reflect population shifts in the past decade. tion” by July 1. If they fail to do so, then the secretary The first shooting occurred Lynch, 25, of Virginia Beach. “States that have done the exact same thing for of state is to complete maps by Aug. 15. shortly after 11 p.m. Friday along Neudigate said the officer who decades in a row now have to look for alternatives,” Democratic legislative leaders cited “constitution- an outdoor strip of hotels, clubs killed Lynch was wearing a body said Wendy Underhill, director of elections and real turmoil” caused by late census data in asking the and restaurants that was densely camera but, “for unknown rea- districting at the National Conference of State Legis- state Supreme Court to extend redistricting dead- packed with people on one of the sons,” it was not activated. latures. lines until three months after the figures are re- first warm days of the year. Three men were charged in the In many states, redistricting is done by lawmakers ceived. But Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, a Dem- Investigators believe the first initial shooting incident, police subject to a gubernatorial veto. A growing number ocrat, contends that could trigger a chain reaction shooting stemmed from a fight in- said. They were identified as Ah- will use independent or bipartisan commissions, but that could delay the state’s May 2022 primaries. volving a group of people, police mon Jahree Adams, 22, of neigh- Republicans will have ultimate control over redis- “The resulting cost, confusion, and instability to said. boring Chesapeake, Va.; Nyquez tricting in more than twice as many states as Demo- Oregon’s electoral process could be staggering,” At- “Several individuals produced Tyyon Baker, 18, of Virginia crats. Political control allows officials to draw dis- torney General Ellen Rosenblum argued in a court firearms and began shooting at Beach; and Devon Maurice Dor- tricts that make it easier for their candidates to win filing on Fagan’s behalf. each other, resulting in numerous sey Jr., 20, of Virginia Beach. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 NATION NY, NJ again top infection rate list in US

Associated Press Neither state is experiencing ALBANY, N.Y. — A year after anything like what they saw last becoming a global epicenter of spring, when hospitals — and the coronavirus pandemic, New morgues — were overflowing. York and New Jersey are back And like the rest of the country, atop the list of U.S. states with both are in a much better place MARY ALTAFFER/AP the highest rates of infection. than in January, at the peak of People enjoy lunch hour Friday in Union Square in New York City. A year after becoming a global epicenter Even as the vaccination cam- the pandemic’s winter spike. of the pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of paign has ramped up, the num- But the lack of improvement or infection raising concerns that states are opening too quickly. ber of new infections in New Jer- even backsliding in recent weeks sey has crept up by 37% in a little has raised concerns that the mal capacity. New York City mo- have eliminated face covering York has plateaued around 4,600 more than a month, to about states are opening too quickly vie theaters have been allowed to requirements in recent weeks. since mid-March. New Jersey 23,600 every seven days. About and people are letting down their reopen. Restaurants can now op- Some states are allowing busi- hospitals are reporting about 50,000 people per week in New guard too much, just as potential- erate at 50% capacity in New nesses to operate at full capacity. 2,200 virus patients — up by York are testing positive for the ly more contagious variants of York City and 75% capacity else- But in Illinois, the state public roughly 300 in the past couple of virus, a number that hasn’t much the virus are circulating more where in the state. Indoor fitness health director on Friday em- weeks. changed since mid-February. widely. classes have resumed, too. phasized the need to keep wear- Experts cite several potential The two states now rank No. 1 “When we’re seeing leveling New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ing masks and socially distanc- factors, including the spread of and 2 in new infections per capita off of cases or increase, that’s has led a similar reopening, with ing amid an increase in cases and potentially more contagious var- among U.S. states. New Jersey when it’s a time to rethink poli- the state’s restaurants also al- hospitalizations. The single-day iants in the densely populated re- has been reporting about 647 cies,” said Roy Gulick, chief of lowed to operate at half capacity total of confirmed and probable gion. new cases for every 100,000 resi- the infectious diseases division and barbers, salons and other cases of the illness topped 3,000 “Is there something different dents over the past 14 days. New at Weill Cornell Medical College personal care businesses resum- Friday for the first time in seven that’s happening in this part of York has averaged 548. and New York-Presbyterian ing trade. weeks, and hospitalizations have the country compared to some The situation in New York and Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical That’s happened in other parts jumped 15% in the past five days. other parts of the country?” New Jersey mirrors a national Center. of the country, too. Murphy said in recent days asked Dr. Ed Lifshitz, the med- trend that has seen case numbers In February, New York Gov. Utah, Alabama, Arkansas and that he is hitting pause on further ical director of New Jersey’s inch up in recent days. The U.S. Andrew Cuomo allowed the Indiana will end mask mandates loosening of the rules because of communicable disease service is averaging nearly 62,000 cases state’s largest stadiums to host in early April, joining states in- New Jersey’s resurgence. within the state Health Depart- a day, up from 54,000 two weeks sporting events and concerts cluding Arizona, Texas, Missis- The number of people hospi- ment. “And the answer is prob- ago. again, albeit at only 10% of nor- sippi, Montana and Iowa that talized with the virus in New ably yes.” Record rains cause flash flooding in Tennessee; 4 dead Associated Press A portion of Interstate 40 was since 2010, according to the NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Heavy temporarily shut down due to weather service. A flooding event rains across Tennessee flooded high water that stranded a vehi- in May 2010 caused 21 deaths in homes and roads, prompting offi- cle and its driver. The driver was Tennessee and an estimated $1.5 cials to rescue dozens of people able to get out of the vehicle and billion in damage in Nashville. from houses, apartments and ve- to safety, the Tennessee High- Eight people and a dog were hicles. Authorities said four bod- way Patrol in Nashville tweeted. staying overnight at Brentwood ies were found Sunday in the Metropolitan Nashville Police City Hall after flooding from the flood’s aftermath. said on Twitter that the body of a Little Harpeth River forced resi- A flash flood emergency was man whose car was submerged dents from their homes, City declared overnight by the Na- in a creek was recovered Sunday. Manager Kirk Bednar said. Ho- tional Weather Service in Nash- In a separate incident, another tels in the area were booked up, ville for the city, as well as Brent- man’s body was found on a golf in part due to spring break, he wood, Franklin and Mt. Juliet. course, and police said it’s be- said. “Major flash flooding is occur- lieved he tried to get out of a car Fifteen people were rescued ring with numerous roads, inter- that ran off a road into a culvert and two were taken to the hospi- states, and homes flooded with before being swept away by high tal at the City View Apartments water rescues ongoing!” the water. in south Nashville, where the agency tweeted. “Please stay Police later said the bodies of a lower level of the building was home and do not travel!” male and female were found in a flooded in waist-deep water. The The Nashville Fire Depart- wooded area near a Nashville fire department responded to re- ment and Emergency Operations homeless camp. ports of a collapse at the building Center tweeted that it responded Nashville recorded 5.75 inches following a mudslide, news out- to people in need all over David- of rain on Saturday, the weather lets reported. The two hospital- son County. To the south in Wil- service said, setting a new record ized patients had injuries not liamson County, over 34 swift for the most rainfall in the city on considered to be life-threatening. water rescues were carried out, a March day. It was also the March historically is a turbu- said county EMA Director Todd fourth-wettest day in the city’s lent month for weather in Ten- Horton during a media briefing. history. Almost another inch of nessee. Last March, tornadoes MARK HUMPHREY/AP As many as 18 homes in one rain fell after midnight. killed more than 20 people and A car that was carried by floodwaters leans against a tree in a creek neighborhood had to be evacuat- Many rivers and creeks were destroyed more than 140 build- Sunday in Nashville, Tenn. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded ed. at or near their highest level ings in Middle Tennessee. homes and roads as a line of severe storms crossed the state. Monday, March 29, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 VIRUS OUTBREAK UK eases lockdown, eyes surge in Europe Associated Press aters, museums and sports stadi- LONDON — Britain is taking ums. Millions of workers have another small step out of lock- been furloughed, with the gov- down as it looks nervously at a ernment paying the bulk of their new virus surge inundating its wages. European neighbors. While many European nations With U.K. coronavirus vacci- are seeing a new surge in the nation rates outstripping those of pandemic, Britain is counting on European Union nations, Prime a rapid mass-vaccination pro- Minister Boris Johnson is easing gram to help it end lockdown. the stark “stay at home” mess- Nearly 30 million people, ac- age that has curtailed everyday counting for 56% of all adults, life — and kept the virus in check have received a first dose of vac- — for almost three months. cine so far. From Monday, it will be re- Britain aims to give everyone placed in England with a mess- over 18 a first jab by July, with age to stay local. People will be second shots delivered within 12 allowed to meet in groups of six weeks of the first. outdoors and can resume out- Under the government’s “road door sports such as basketball, map” to lifting lockdown, shops, tennis and golf. hairdressers and outdoor dining Stephen Powis, medical direc- in England are to reopen on tor of the National Health Ser- April 12, followed by indoor ven- vice in England, urged people to ues on May 17. Remaining re- STEVE PARSONS/AP continue to follow the rules and strictions are to end June 21, if People walk along the Long Walk in Windsor, leading to Windsor Castle Sunday in England. Britain is limit contact with others, saying the country isn’t facing a new vi- easing lockdown as it looks nervously at a new virus surge inundating its European neighbors. the easing “does not mean job rus surge. done.” Anthony Harnden, deputy “We’ve made enormous pro- chair of Britain’s Joint Commit- gress that we need to build on tee on Vaccination and Immuni- Paris hospitals could be overwhelmed by surge and not squander the gains we’ve zation, said it was vital that peo- made,” he wrote in the Sunday ple who had received a vaccine Associated Press du Dimanche newspaper, it tors have been stepping up the Telegraph newspaper. shot remained cautious. PARIS — Critical care doctors comes as French President Em- pressure for a full French lock- The stringent restrictions in “It’s really important that peo- in Paris say surging coronavirus manuel Macron has been vigor- down. business and social life imposed ple who are vaccinated can re- infections could soon overwhelm ously defending his decision not The doctors predicted that soft- during three lockdowns in the member that they aren’t com- their ability to care for the sick in to completely lockdown France er new restrictions imposed this past year have had broad public pletely protected,” he told the the French capital’s hospitals, again as he did last year. Macron’s month on Paris and some other support, though they have BBC. possibly forcing them to choose government has instead imposed regions won’t quickly bring the alarmed some lawmakers in “They’re protected against se- which patients they have the re- a nationwide overnight curfew resurgent epidemic under con- Johnson’s Conservative Party, vere disease, hospitalization and sources to treat. and followed that with other re- trol. They warned that hospital re- who argue that the economic, death, but they might not be pro- The sobering warning was de- strictions. sources won’t be able to keep pace democratic and human costs tected against infection after one livered Sunday in a newspaper But with infections soaring and with needs, forcing them to prac- outweigh the benefits. dose, it takes three or four weeks opinion signed by 41 Paris-region hospitals increasingly running tice “catastrophe medicine” in Most nonessential businesses for the vaccine effects to kick in, doctors. Published by Le Journal short of intensive care beds, doc- the coming weeks as cases peak. remain closed, along with pubs, and they could potentially still restaurants, gyms, cinemas, the- transmit.” Now vaccinated, older adults emerge from COVID hibernation Associated Press the baby’s birth. She contracted it Hughes, a 79-year-old Florida resi- PORTLAND, Maine — Bill Grif- at a nursing home. dent who is flying with his wife for a fin waited more than a year for this Isolated by the pandemic, older pandemic-delayed annual trip to moment: Newly vaccinated, he em- adults were hard hit by loneliness Arizona in April. braced his 3-year-old grand- caused by restrictions intended to Plenty of older adults are eager daughter for the first time since the keep people safe. Many of them sat to hop on a jet to travel. Others are pandemic began. out summer reunions, canceled va- looking forward to the simpler “She came running right over. I cation plans and missed family ho- things like eating at a restaurant, picked her up and gave her a hug. It liday gatherings in November and going to a movie theater or playing was amazing,” the 70-year-old said December. bingo. after the reunion last weekend. In states with older populations, Sally Adams, 74, was among sev- Spring has arrived with sunshine like Maine, Arizona and Florida, eral older people who showed up and warmer weather, and many ol- health officials worried about the for “parking lot bingo” in Glendale, der adults who have been vaccinat- emotional and physical toll of lone- Arizona. She felt safe because ed, like Griffin, are emerging from liness, posing an additional health she’d been vaccinated and because COVID-19-imposed hibernation. concern on top of the virus. she was in her car at the first bingo From shopping in person or go- GENE J. PUSKAR/AP But that’s changing, and more ol- event in more than year. ing to the gym to bigger milestones Elderly socially distanced baseball fans watch a spring training der people are reappearing in pub- Once she fulfills the time to re- like visiting family, the people who exhibition baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the lic after they were among the first ach peak immunity, she plans to in- were once most at risk from CO- Baltimore Orioles on March 22 in Bradenton, Fla. group to get vaccinated. dulge in little things like eating out. VID-19 are beginning to move for- Those who are fully vaccinated Both her and her husband, who is ward with getting their lives on born a month into the pandemic in “It’s very strange to not have her in are ready to get out of Dodge with- also vaccinated, have only done track. More than 47% of Americans Minneapolis. Now fully vaccinat- my life yet.” out worrying they were endanger- takeout. Now, they feel like it will who are 65 and older are now fully ed, Krug is making plans to travel The excitement she feels, how- ing themselves amid a pandemic be OK to even eat indoors — as long vaccinated. for her granddaughter’s first birth- ever, is tempered with sadness. that has claimed more than 540,000 as it’s not crowded. Visiting grandchildren is a top day in April. Her daughter-in-law’s mother, lives in the United States. “We’ll probably go in and take priority for many older adults. In “I can’t wait,” said Krug, whose who she had been looking forward “Now there’s an extra level of the farthest table from other people Arizona, Gailen Krug has yet to only interactions with the girl have to sharing grandma duties with, confidence. I am feeling good about just to be on the safe side,” she said. hold her first grandchild, who was been over Zoom and FaceTime. died of COVID-19 just hours after moving forward,” said Ken PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK Calif. gives vaccine to those age 50-64 prior to expansion Associated Press those who will soon become eligi- LOS ANGELES — Before Cali- ble. fornia throws open its coronavirus Nazarians said many people vaccine program to all adults on over 50 face issues with mobility, April 15, there will be a two-week language barriers and technology window when millions of people that may keep them from getting between the ages of 50 and 64 can an appointment and getting to a get their shot. vaccination clinic. He said he will The rollout for this age group, urge state officials to make sure who become eligible Thursday, they reach older adults, particu- has prompted an uptick in ap- larly people who aren’t online or pointment requests and has are homebound. raised concerns about whether two weeks is enough to get to ev- Alabama erybody when there is uncertain- MONTGOMERY — Alabama’s ty about supply levels as well as top health official said Friday that lingering questions about accessi- a study showed about 30% of bility. adults in the state are hesitant to The California Department of take the COVID-19 vaccine, a re- JEFF CHIU/AP Finance, which monitors popula- luctance that concerns medical Health care workers tend to people in cars at a driveup vaccination center at City College of San Francisco tion data, projects that there are officials as they try to keep state during the coronavirus pandemic in San Francisco. 7.2 million people in the state be- case numbers on the decline. tween the ages of 50 and 64. Cur- The Alabama Department of lutions will oversee the $2.9 mil- also had double-digit numbers of the state heath department’s rently, only about 23% of Califor- Public Health released the results lion outreach effort under an additional cases. change from daily to weekly re- nians in that age group have re- of the survey done to gauge vac- agreement with Gov. Ned La- porting of coronavirus informa- ceived at least one dose of a vaccine hesitancy as well as figure mont’s administration. Nevada tion. cine, according to the state, out how to craft messaging to re- The program will also promote CARSON CITY — Nevada on The daily reports did not pro- compared to 37% of people 18 to ach reluctant groups. mobile and pop-up clinics and Saturday reported 302 additional vide a true picture of the virus, 49, likely due to their occupation He said the hesitancy cuts “work to assist residents in host- confirmed COVID-19 case and 10 epidemiologist Jared Taylor said or because they have qualifying across racial lines. He said the ing virtual house parties with more deaths, increasing the Friday. health conditions. reasons vary from people who are their friends and neighbors to state’s pandemic totals increased “Just quite simply, that does not “The two-week period is con- staunchly against vaccinations to help ensure residents have the to 302,918 cases and 5,236 deaths. tell the true story of what’s hap- cerning given the challenges that people who just have questions. facts about the COVID-19 vaccine Meanwhile, seven-day rolling pening in a community, what’s remain with supply and access to Alabama on March 22 expand- and can share their experiences,” averages of daily new cases and happening in the state, how we technology,” Rafi Nazarians, as- ed eligibility for COVID-19 vacci- the governor’s office said. daily deaths both dropped over need to be perceiving things and sociate state director at AARP, nations to include more front-line The Connecticut Department of the past two weeks, according to how we need to be responding to told the Los Angeles Times. workers, those with intellectual Public Health also announced a Johns Hopkins University data. things,” Taylor said. “We’re going to continue to urge and developmental disabilities, $5.3 million plan to expand call The average of daily new cases Weekly reports that began the prioritization of those 50-plus people 55 and older and residents center services for the state’s Vac- dropped from 451.9 new cases on March 17 levels out one day Californians … just to ensure that age 16 to 64 with certain high-risk cine Appointment Assist Line. Ac- March 11 to 276.6 on Thursday changes, Taylor said. those who are highest risk are medical conditions. cess Health CT, a quasi-public while the rolling average of daily Public health officials have crit- able to obtain vaccines.” state agency, will amend a con- deaths dropped from 11 to 9.3 dur- icized the change, including Tulsa Dr. Paul Simon, chief science Arizona tract with Faneuil, Inc. to target ing the same period. Health Director Bruce Dart, who officer for the Los Angeles County WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo communities high on the social has said his agency used the daily Department of Public Health, es- Nation has extended and loosened vulnerability index or SVI. New York data in making virus response de- timated that somewhere between a health order intended to help NEW YORK — State officials cisions. 800,000 and 1 million additional curb spread of the coronavirus. New Mexico have launched a digital pass New people in the county would be- Under the latest “safer at SANTA FE — New Mexico on Yorkers can download to show Texas come eligible as of April 1. home” order issued Friday, the Saturday reported 185 additional proof of vaccination or a negative AUSTIN — More than 10 mil- “There will likely be a rush. I daily curfew hours are 10 p.m. to 5 confirmed COVID-19 cases with COVID-19 test. lion coronavirus vaccinations want to make sure the public rec- a.m. MDT and businesses can re- only two more deaths amid con- The Excelsior Pass will be ac- have been administered in Texas, ognizes that there may be chal- main open until 9 p.m. MDT daily, tinued slowing of the coronavirus cepted at major entertainment and more than 1 million more dos- lenges to getting an appointment tribal officials said Saturday. outbreak. venues like Madison Square Gar- es are expected in the state next immediately,” he said during a The order also includes provi- The state’s pandemic totals rose den and Albany’s Times Union week, the state’s health depart- briefing on Friday. “It just, again, sions allowing outdoor “drive-in” to 190,887 cases and 3,925 deaths Center. ment said Saturday. reflects the limited supply of vac- gatherings in which people re- as seven-day rolling averages of The app is similar to a mobile More than 3.5 million people in cine.” main in their vehicles, park at at daily new cases and daily deaths airline boarding pass and uses a the state are fully vaccinated ac- California, which was initially least six feet from other vehicles declined over the past two weeks. secure QR code that can be stored cording to the federal Centers for slow to roll out the vaccines but and wear masks, officials said. The rolling average of daily new in a smartphone or printed out. Disease Control. has ramped up inoculations in re- The tribe on Saturday reported cases dropped from 217.7 on Officials said the technology The Texas Department of State cent weeks, expects to receive 2.5 12 additional confirmed CO- March 11 to 191.7 on Thursday doesn’t store or track private Health Services said 818,410 dos- million doses a week in the first VID-19 cases and one more death, while the rolling average of daily health data within the app. es will be sent next week to 779 half of the month and more than 3 increasing its pandemic totals to deaths declined from 8.9 to 5.9 Gov. Andrew Cuomo an- state health providers, and more million a week in the second, a big 30,052 cases and 1,246 deaths. during the same period, accord- nounced Saturday that more than than 200,000 doses are expected jump from the roughly 1.8 million ing to Johns Hopkins University 8.5 million total vaccine doses to be made available to pharma- doses a week currently. Connecticut data. have been administered across cies and federally-qualified The surge of supply will help HARTFORD — Workers will Bernalillo and Sandoval coun- the state, including more than 1 health centers directly from the accommodate the huge swell of go door to door in 10 Connecticut ties each had one death from CO- million doses over the past week. federal government. people, but Simon said it will take cities starting this spring, urging VID-19 while Bernalillo account- On Monday, Texas will begin time for the county to work residents to get vaccinated ed for about a third of the addi- Oklahoma making the vaccine available to through its already lengthy vacci- against the coronavirus. tional cases. Dona Ana, Sandoval, OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklaho- everyone in the state aged 16 and nation queue and accommodate Hartford-based Grossman So- San Juan and Valencia counties ma’s epidemiologist is defending older. Monday, March 29, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Construction workers find 2 living in cave VALLEJO — Construc- CA tion workers rebuild- ing a bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area unexpectedly found two people living in a cave dug into an embankment, authorities said. Crews were excavating at the site of the old bridge in Vallejo when they heard voices and switched off their digging equip- ment, Tom Walker, the project manager for the city, told the San Francisco Chronicle. They discovered a cave about 20 feet long and 3 feet high in the side of the embankment. Vallejo resident Albert Wong said he saw sleeping bags, back- packs, clothing and other items being removed from the cave. Man stabs 8 people during hookah bar fight DETROIT — A man MA stabbed eight people during a fight at a Detroit hookah lounge, leaving three people in critical condition, authorities said. The fight started inside the Tia- ga Hookah Lounge before spilling DARYN SLOVER, SUN JOURNAL (LEWISTON, MAINE)/AP out into the parking lot, police Of- ficer Dan Donakowski said in a news release. A preliminary in- Navigating rough waters vestigation showed that gunshots Todd Papianou, left, of Rumford, Maine, his daughter Madison, 16, and Josh Hodsdon of Rumford, Maine, paddle a raft down the Swift River in were fired, but that no one was Mexico, Maine. Rain mixed with snow melt has brought river levels up to boatable levels for whitewater paddlers. struck by them, he said. A 34-year-old man who alleged- readied for takeoff in San Jose, THE CENSUS path of a vehicle, police said. ly stabbed the eight people was Calif. Rhonda Lobuono, 58, was taken into custody, police said. Southwest said it was handling The approximate amount a rare 1822 gold coin fetched at struck, Cranston chief Col. Mi- The eight people who were the matter internally. $8M an auction in Las Vegas. Douglas Mudd, curator and director chael Winquist said in a state- stabbed were taken to hospitals, The incident, previously report- of the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum in Colorado Springs, Colo., con- ment. where three were in critical condi- ed by onemileatatime.com and firmed the coin is one of three of its kind in existence and the auction price, at A partially obstructed doorbell tion and the other five were treat- SFGate.com, happened at Nor- $8.4 million, was the highest for a U.S. gold coin struck by the U.S. Mint. The video showed a pickup truck stop- ed for wounds that weren’t consid- man Y. Mineta San Jose Interna- 1822 half eagle $5 coin came from the D. Brent Pogue Collection and the buyer ping at a stop sign, then the wom- ered life-threatening, Donakow- tional Airport and was captured wanted to remain anonymous, said Jarrod Holland, spokesman for Stack’s an, whose large pitbull-type dog Bowers Galleries, host of the public auction in Las Vegas. ski said. by the Live ATC website. may have been tugging on the “F—- this place, Goddamn lib- leash, stepping into the truck’s 2 kids rescued after eral f——,” the unidentified pilot Highway Patrol and Jefferson path as it moved forward again, he swept mile off coast said on the recording. “F——— City fire department secured the Man leads officers on said. weirdos, probably driving around tank and determined it wasn’t chase through 4 counties The driver is cooperating with MELBOURNE — Two in f——— Hyundais ... go slow as leaking. investigators. FL children were rescued f—-.” Federal, state, Jefferson City CAMBRIDGE — A Des No one has been charged. off Florida’s Atlantic Coast after The pilot also worked in an ad- agencies and businesses, along IA Moines man allegedly The dog survived and was taken being swept more than a mile out miring reference to “coal rolling,” with the Missouri Farmers Asso- driving a stolen Maserati led offi- to an animal hospital. to sea, officials said. which is modifying a truck to spew ciation, worked together to corral cers on a two-hour chase through The swimmers were spotted out more exhaust. the tank and remove it from the four counties, with speeds some- Effort underway to clinging to a paddleboard about A few seconds later, he can be river, when the water level was times reaching 150 mph, the Iowa remove abandoned boats 1.2 miles from the coast of Brevard heard telling air traffic controll- safer, the EPA said. Highway Patrol said. County, according to a Florida ers, “Southwest 531 is ready to The pursuit began near Ankeny WILMINGTON — A Fish and Wildlife Conservation go.” The plane was cleared for Infamous mansion, built when a patrol trooper spotted the DE large-scale effort is un- Commission news release. Strong takeoff. with stolen money, sold car going 97 mph and tried to stop derway to remove abandoned and winds were pushing the kids fur- it, Lt. Nathan Ludwig said. derelict boats from North Caroli- ther out to sea as they fought Tank full of anhydrous BILLINGS — A Ludwig said the driver, John na’s coast. three-to-five-foot waves. ammonia found in river MT 26,000-square-foot Burgoyne, 43, of Des Moines, rent- The Wilmington Star-News re- A helicopter from nearby Ken- mansion built with stolen money ed the vehicle and failed to return ported that more than 75 vessels nedy Space Center responded to CLAYSVILLE — A on the west side of Billings was it, WHO-TV reported. along the coast will be pulled from the scene as an FWC boat crew MO 1,500-gallon tank full sold for $7.5 million to the former Officers from several agencies marshes and shorelines. pulled the young swimmers from of anhydrous ammonia was pulled owners of a mobile home park, a pursued Burgoyne through Polk, “There has been a removal here the water, officials said. The juve- from the Missouri River as it float- real estate company said. Marshall, Jasper, and Story coun- and there, but nothing like this,” niles, whose ages were not reported downstream near Jefferson The sale of the 10-bedroom, 19- ties but lost sight of the vehicle. said Ted Wilgis, a coastal scientist ed, were medically assessed and City, the Environmental Protec- bathroom residence to Jock and The car was spotted parked be- from the North Carolina Coastal returned safely to their family. tion Agency said. Cathy Clause closed, according to hind a building on an abandoned Federation. Observers reported the tank Engel & Voelkers Western Fron- farm northeast of Cambridge, The large-scale effort includes FAA investigating pilot’s and its wheeled chassis floating on tier, the real estate agency manag- Ludwig said. everything from skiffs to an 80- recorded cursing rant the river near Claysville, when the ing the sale. foot shrimp boat. river was at flood stage, the EPA The mansion was built six years Woman killed when dog It involves the federation, state DALLAS — Federal said in a news release. ago by Larry Price Jr., a former pulls her into vehicle’s path and federal agencies and the Vir- TX safety officials are in- Because anhydrous ammonia is Signal Peak mine executive who is ginia-based Moran Environmen- vestigating a Southwest Airlines a toxic and potentially deadly serving five years in prison after CRANSTON — A Rhode tal Recovery. pilot who was recorded making a chemical, the Missouri Depart- admitting to stealing $40 million RI Island woman out walk- cuss-filled rant about Northern ment of Natural Resources called through various schemes, including her dog was killed when the California liberals as his plane in the EPA. The Missouri State ing $20 million from the mine. dog apparently pulled her into the From The Associated Press PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 WORLD Myanmar protests continue after more than 100 killed Associated Press San Suu Kyi’s elected govern- and soldiers took place through- YANGON, Myanmar — Protes- ment, according to the online out the country as Myanmar’s mil- ters in Myanmar returned to the news service Myanmar Now. The itary celebrated the annual streets Sunday to press their de- reported fatalities included sever- Armed Forces Day holiday with a mands for a return to democracy, al children under 16 years old. parade in the country’s capital, just a day after security forces Similar tallies of the death toll Naypyitaw. killed more than 100 people on the were issued by other Myanmar The bloodshed quickly drew in- bloodiest day since last month’s media and researchers, far ex- ternational condemnation, both military coup. ceeding the previous highest from diplomatic missions within AP Protests were held in Yangon death toll on March 14. The num- Myanmar and from abroad. An anticoup protester prepares a Molotov cocktail in a protest and Mandalay, the country’s two ber of killings since the coup is U.N. Secretary-General Anto- against police crackdown in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday. biggest cities, as well as else- now more than 420, according to nio Guterres said he was shocked where. Some of the demonstra- multiple counts. by the killings of civilians, includ- The military chiefs of 12 nations tecting — not harming — the peo- tions were again met with police The coup reversed years of pro- ing children. issued a joint statement condemn- ple it serves,” it said. “We urge the force. gress toward democracy after five “The continuing military crack- ing the use of force against un- Myanmar Armed Forces to cease At least 114 people were killed decades of military rule and has down is unacceptable and de- armed people. violence and work to restore re- Saturday as security forces again made Myanmar the focus of mands a firm, unified & resolute “A professional military follows spect and credibility with the peo- cracked down on protests against international scrutiny. international response,” he wrote international standards for con- ple of Myanmar that it has lost the Feb. 1 coup that ousted Aung The Saturday killings by police on Twitter. duct and is responsible for pro- through its actions.” 2 tugboats speed to help free Suez Canal as shippers redirected Associated Press cargo between Asia and Europe, got stuck Red Sea near the city of Suez early Sunday, high tides, a top pilot with the canal author- SUEZ, Egypt — Two additional tugboats Tuesday in a single-lane stretch of the ca- satellite data from MarineTraffic.com ity said. sped Sunday to Egypt’s Suez Canal to aid ef- nal. In the time since, authorities have been showed. The tugboats will nudge the quar- “Sunday is very critical,” the pilot said. forts to free a skyscraper-sized container unable to remove the vessel and traffic ter-mile-long Ever Given as dredgers con- “It will determine the next step, which high- ship wedged for days across the crucial wa- through the canal — valued at over $9 bil- tinue to vacuum up sand from underneath ly likely involves at least the partial offload- terway, even as major shippers increasing- lion a day — has been halted, further dis- the vessel and mud caked to its port side, ing of the vessel.” ly divert their boats out of fear the vessel rupting a global shipping network. said Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, Taking containers off the ship likely may take even longer to free. The Dutch-flagged Alp Guard and the which manages the Ever Given. would add even more days to the canal’s clo- The massive Ever Given, a Panama- Italian-flagged Carlo Magno, called in to Workers planned to make two attempts sure, something authorities have been des- flagged, Japanese-owned ship that carries help tugboats already there, reached the Sunday to free the vessel coinciding with perately trying to avoid. Monday, March 29, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 WORLD

Egypt building collapse Palm Sunday suicide death toll climbs to 18 CAIRO — The death toll from the collapse of a nine-story apart- ment building in Cairo has bomber attack in climbed to 18, Egyptian state media reported. The building collapsed early Saturday. State newspaper Al-Ah- Indonesia wounds 20 ram said that search and rescue workers recovered the bodies Associated Press He said security guards at the over the course of the day. MAKASSAR, Indonesia — Two church were suspicious of two Excavators could be seen dig- attackers blew themselves up out- men on a motorcycle who wanted ging through the debris in the el- side a packed Roman Catholic ca- to enter the building and when Salam neighborhood. Police cor- thedral during a Palm Sunday they went to confront them, one of doned off the area, keeping back Mass on Indonesia’s Sulawesi is- the men detonated his explosives. the curious and people apparently land, wounding at least 20 people, Police later said both attackers MASYUDI S. FIRMANSYAH/AP looking for relatives in the build- police said. were killed instantly and evidence Police officers inspect the area outside the church where an explosion A video obtained by The Associ- collected at the scene indicated went off Sunday in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. ing. ated Press showed body parts one of the two was a woman. The At least 24 others were injured scattered near a burning motor- wounded included four guards sort island of Bali in 2002 killed “I call on people to remain calm and taken to hospitals, according bike at the gates of the Sacred and several churchgoers, police 202 people, mostly foreign tour- while worshipping because the to a statement by Khalid Abdel-Al, Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Ma- said. ists. Attacks aimed at foreigners state guarantees you can worship the administrative head of Cairo kassar, the capital of South Sula- The attack a week before Easter have been largely replaced in re- without fear,” Widodo said in a tel- governorate. The death toll pro- wesi province. in the world’s most populous Mus- cent years by smaller, less deadly evised address. vided by his office stayed at nine Rev. Wilhelmus Tulak, a priest lim-majority nation came as the strikes targeting the government, At the end of Palm Sunday Mass as of Saturday evening. at the church, said he had just fin- country was on high alert follow- police and anti-terrorism forces in St. Peter’s Basilica, which It was not immediately clear ished celebrating Palm Sunday ing December’s arrest of the lead- and people militants consider as opened Holy Week ceremonies at what caused the building's col- Mass when a loud bang shocked er of the Southeast Asian militant infidels. the Vatican, Pope Francis invited lapse. An engineering committee his congregation. He said the blast group, Jemaah Islamiyah, which President Joko Widodo con- prayers for the victims of vio- was formed to examine the struc- went off at about 10:30 a.m. as a has been designated a terror demned Sunday’s attack and said lence. He cited in particular tural integrity of neighboring first batch of churchgoers was group by many nations. it has nothing to do with any reli- “those of the attack that took place buildings, Abdel-Al said. walking out of the church and an- Indonesia has been battling mil- gion as all religions would not tol- this morning in Indonesia, in front other group was coming in. itants since bombings on the re- erate any kind of terrorism. of the Cathedral of Makassar.” The Associated Press PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 FACES Underwood takes time to be ‘super intentional’ Country singer using slower schedule to make gospel music album

BY KRISTIN M. HALL “It’s not about the bigger, better thing. It’s about Associated Press the smaller thing, the thing that’s inside of me.” Don’t get her wrong: Carrie Underwood loves to Among classic hymns like “How Great Thou Art” sing about getting revenge on the cheating ex and and “Amazing Grace,” Underwood also sought to belting out ballads on award show stages in dazzling bring a fresh sound, such as the acoustic rock-in- gowns. But Underwood’s spirituality has always spired “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus” that fea- been at her musical core. tures a duet from Bear Ri- The seven-time Grammy winner has always nehart from NEEDTO- made hits that speak directly to her faith, from “Je- BREATHE. Gospel icon sus Take the Wheel” to “Something in the Water.” CeCe Winans joins Under- Now she’s released her first album of gospel music wood on “Great Is Thy called “My Savior” on March 26, just in time for Faithfulness” with vocal Easter. runs that soar to the heav- “I’m lucky enough that I feel like I’ve been making ens. spiritual music along the way in my career,” said the Underwood also wanted three-time Academy of Country Music entertainer to record “Softly and Ten- of the year. derly,” a hymn that brought her and the crowd to “I love the sassy stuff and I love to get an attitude tears when she sang it at the Country Music Associ- and get dressed up and do all that stuff. But it’s so ation Awards show in 2017 during the in memoriam nice to be able to sing songs like this.” segment that also honored victims of the mass shoot- Recording the songs that she sang in church growing at the Route 91 Harvest festival. ing up in Oklahoma was always on the list of albums The performance was so emotional that even Un- she wanted to make. derwood struggled to finish singing. After years of touring in between releasing plati- “In that moment that I sang that song, I feel like it num-selling studio albums, the global pandemic fi- provided such a peace in the room and it allowed ev- nally gave her the opportunity. She didn’t squander erybody to be emotional and to be stirred inside the time at home and put out two albums in six themselves,” Underwood said. months, with “My Savior” following up on her Underwood will perform the new album during a Christmas album “My Gift.” livestream event from the Ryman Auditorium in “It’s such a great time to just really slow down and Nashville on Easter Sunday via her Facebook page. ANNE MARIE FOX/WARNERMEDIA be super intentional about what I’m doing,” Under- Donations raised during the event will benefit Save Carrie Underwood, shown in November filming a Christmas special, wood said. the Children. has released her first album of gospel music, called “My Savior.” Chrissy Teigen ‘Nomadland’ takes top prize leaves Twitter at Producers Guild Awards Los Angeles Times From wire reports Elton John offers gift to fans After a long, love-hate relationship with “Nomadland” won top prize at the Pro- Twitter, Chrissy Teigen has left the social ducers Guild of America Awards on March on his birthday media platform. 24, improving the film’s chances of taking Elton John celebrated his 74th birthday The model and cookbook author an- home major honors at next month’s Acade- March 25 — and he sent fans a very rare nounced March 24 to more than 13 million my Awards. present. followers that she was done tweeting, citing The drama, which stars Frances McDor- Six deep cuts have been made available a toxic environment that has taken a toll on mand as a woman who travels the American on streaming and digital formats for the her mental health. West in a van after losing her job in the first time, including the tune “Scarecrow,” Teigen, who has bailed on the app before Great Recession, took home the outstanding which began John’s legendary songwriting and then returned, had established herself producer nod in its latest awards show suc- partnership with Bernie Taupin in 1967. as a major Twitter celebrity through witty AP cess. The other songs are: “Holiday Inn,” musings about everyday life with husband Chrissy Teigen has deleted her popular McDormand and director Chloe Zhao “Keep It a Mystery,” “Smokestack Chil- John Legend, candid commentary on hot- Twitter account, saying the site no longer were among the five producers honored, dren,” “Two of a Kind” and “Conquer the button topics and the occasional snarky spat plays a positive role in her life. alongside Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey and Sun.” with powerful figures, such as former Presi- Peter Spears. “‘Scarecrow’ will always have a very spe- dent Donald Trump. While Teigen was praised for opening up “Nomadland” beat out “Mank,” “Mina- cial place in my heart, and I know that Ber- “For over 10 years, you guys have been on social media about intimate experiences, ri,” “Promising Young Woman,” “Judas nie feels the same way too. It’s the song that my world,” Teigen tweeted shortly before including her pregnancy loss in September, and the Black Messiah,” “Borat Subsequent started it all,” John said in a press release. deactivating her account. “I honestly owe so several others judged her harshly for how Moviefilm,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” The six songs will be added to the digital much to this world we have created here. I much she often revealed. “One Night in Miami,” “Sound of Metal” version of the collection “Elton: Jewel truly consider so many of you my actual “My life goal is to make people happy,” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” Box,” which was first released in Novem- friends. Teigen continued in her farewell message. Of the past 31 outstanding producer win- ber and contains more than 100 rare songs “But it’s time for me to say goodbye,” she “The pain I feel when I don’t is just too much ners, 21 have gone on to win the Academy spanning 1965 to 2019. added in a follow-up tweet. This no longer for me. I’ve always been portrayed as the Award for best picture. serves me as positively as it serves me nega- strong clap back girl but I’m just not. “Nomadland” also won top honors at the Other news tively, and I think that’s the right time to call “My desire to be liked and fear of pissing Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards ■ Jessica Walter, an actor whose career something.” people off has made me somebody you earlier this year. spanned six decades and included signa- Though Teigen’s humor and comeback didn’t sign up for, and a different human “The Crown” won outstanding producer ture roles on “Arrested Development” and game earned her millions of Twitter fans, than I started out here as! Live well, tweet- for episodic television in the drama genre, “Archer,” in her sleep March 24 at home in she also drew haters, who often mocked her ers. Please know all I ever cared about was while “Schitt’s Creek” topped the comedy New York City, her publicist has con- for her fame and lavish lifestyle. you!” category. firmed. She was 80. Monday, March 29, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander N. Korea, Taiwan: Twin dangers for Biden BY DAVID IGNATIUS Obama that North Korea was the most im- be to wait until America is even weaker. But Washington Post Writers Group portant foreign policy issue. The president’s if Xi instead fears a U.S. rebound, then he EDITORIAL WASHINGTON aides are debating how to frame a peace ini- might be tempted to act more quickly. Terry Leonard, Editor n North Korea and Taiwan, President tiative that would take up where the Trump “China seems to be believing its own nar- [email protected] Joe Biden faces two of the world’s administration’s showy diplomacy left off. rative about U.S. decline — thinking, ‘This is most dangerous problems. His chal- North Korea offers a rare example of China’s moment.’ If they believe that, it rais- Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor lenge is to convince potential adver- where President Donald Trump prepared es the risk of miscalculation,” Michèle Flour- [email protected] I saries that a politically divided United States carefully for a diplomatic pressure cam- noy, former undersecretary of defense in the Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content is stronger than it looks. paign. After just three months in office, Obama administration, warned last week. [email protected] Biden sounded a firm note on both fronts Trump hosted Xi at his Mar-a-Lago Club — She was speaking Wednesday at a China fo- Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation Thursday during his first formal news con- enlisting Xi as a diplomatic partner in rum hosted by the University of California at [email protected] ference. He warned North Korea that “there squeezing North Korean leader Kim Jong San Diego, which gathered many of the na- will be a response” if it continues its recent Un. In the end, Trump got little to show for tion’s top Asia experts. Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital missile tests, but he also offered “some form his leverage, except three meetings with But Bonnie Glaser, a China scholar at the [email protected] of diplomacy” with “the end result of denu- Kim. Center for Strategic and International Stud- clearization” of North Korea. Biden has taken the opposite opening ies, took a more sanguine view. “Xi’s priority BUREAU STAFF On China, Biden pledged “steep, steep move with Xi’s China. Instead of sunny Palm is to deter Taiwan’s independence, and Chi- competition,” by reinvesting in science at Beach, Fla., the initial venue was the deep na has achieved that objective, at least for the Europe/Mideast home and U.S. alliances abroad. But he also freeze of Anchorage, Alaska. During the en- time being,” Glaser argued. “Reunification Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] affirmed his personal relationship with Pres- counter this month between Secretary of is a clear goal, but it isn’t an urgent priority. +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 ident Xi Jinping, whom he called “a smart, State Antony Blinken, national security ad- Xi is not willing to risk all his other domestic Pacific smart guy.” viser Jake Sullivan and their Chinese coun- objectives to achieve it.” Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief Biden’s performance on Thursday under- terparts, both sides sought to demonstrate For all of China’s newfound confidence, its [email protected] lined that his priority, for now, is domestic resolve for what Chinese official media have leaders seem to want regular dialogue with +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 reconstruction rather than foreign interven- called a period of “protracted struggle.” the United States, rather than a sharp rup- Washington tion. On Afghanistan, for example, he came Taiwan is where Chinese overconfidence ture. As diplomats Yang Jiechi and Wang Yi Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief close to setting a year-end deadline for with- seems most likely to produce a dangerous left the meeting with Blinken and Sullivan, [email protected] drawing all U.S. troops, even though a politi- miscalculation. U.S. officials in Anchorage they proposed a reciprocal meeting in China. (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News cal framework for power sharing and a came away worried that Xi might be prepar- “Thank you,” said Blinken, and the Chinese [email protected] cease-fire aren’t yet in place. This position ing to abandon the ambiguous but relatively kept pressing (apparently without success) will disappoint some of Biden’s military ad- stable status quo in Taiwan — described in to find out whether that meant yes. CIRCULATION visers, who favor an open-ended, conditions- the nearly 50-year-old formula of “one Chi- Since Anchorage, Chinese think tanks based approach. na” but two governments — in favor of a have been using a phrase that means “hit, hit, Mideast North Korea had delivered a fiery calling risky push for reunification. talk, talk” to describe what’s ahead with the Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager [email protected] card over the past week by launching a series Taiwan poses an interesting test of wheth- United States, according to one top Sinolo- [email protected] of short-range missiles. Biden initially dis- er Chinese leaders really believe their rheto- gist. The “hit, hit” part of that formula carries DSN (314)583-9111 missed the tests as “business as usual,” but ric about American decline. If Xi thinks the significant risks — especially if China con- Europe he said yes when asked Thursday whether United States’ demise is permanent and irre- tinues to believe that a weakened America Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager he agreed with former President Barack versible, the wise course presumably would isn’t ready to fight back. [email protected] [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Pacific The bane of Asian Americans: ‘Where are you from?’ Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 BY KURT BARDELLA asked, “where are you from?,” their responses This is the same progression of questions all Special to the Los Angeles Times mirrored my own experience. of us who look Asian have dealt with for our en- CONTACT US f you are Asian in America, you have Suzanne Kim, an associate producer at tire lives. If you’re white in America and your Washington gone through life being asked the seem- CBS, replied half-jokingly, “Nine-hundred name is Joe, Kevin, Karen or Jennifer, when tel: (+1)202.886.0003 ingly harmless question, “Where are times (give or take another 100 or so)” and if you meet someone for the first time, you aren’t 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 Iyou from?” you’re Korean, you get the follow-up, “Are you asked, “Where are you from?” or “Where is Reader letters News flash, it’s not harmless. from North Korea?” As someone who was your family from?” When you’re Asian Amer- [email protected] I promise you, every member of the Asian born in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, I can ican, it’s routine. Why is it that within 60 sec- American community cringes inside when tell you firsthand that this is 100% accurate. onds of meeting me for the first time, some feel Additional contacts they are asked that question. Stacy Chen, a producer at ABC, shared with that they must know my life story and family stripes.com/contactus I’m sure people asking don’t think of it as an me, “I’ve been asked, ‘But where are you history? Why does it even matter? expression of racism or bias. They don’t mean from?’ more times than I can count. Every Many of you reading this might be thinking, OMBUDSMAN it to be. They’re just curious. They’ve undoubt- time someone asks me where I’m from, I’d say “I’ve done this” or “I was genuinely curious Ernie Gates edly repeated this thoughtless exercise nu- LA first and then they’d look at me and ask where you were from.” That might be true. The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow merous times. They’ve likely received a polite again, ‘OK, but where are you from?’ I don’t get But ask yourself if you’ve felt this way about of news and information, reporting any attempts by the and succinct answer that would not set off any personally offended, but it kind of just makes the countless white people whose paths you’ve military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns internal alarm bells. me feel perpetually foreign.” crossed. Have you had the same impulse to and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for Ican tell you firsthand that by now, I’ve got- The questions get even more awkward ask them those questions within 30 seconds of fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by ten my answer down to a succinct 30 seconds. when your first name is German (Kurt), your meeting them? email at [email protected], or by phone at It’s like an automatic reflex and frankly, it’s last name is Italian (Bardella), and you’re If you still don’t get it, think back to a mo- 202.886.0003. just easier than expending the energy re- adopted. ment in 2018 when a career intelligence ana- quired to explain why it’s a demonstration of My good friend Katie Phang, an MSNBC le- lyst briefed Trump in the Oval Office. After Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday passive racism to ask me in the first place. In gal analyst, told me in her trademark blunt the briefing, according to officials, he asked through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and choosing avoidance over confrontation, I real- candor: “ALL of the time and for us Koreans, her, “Where are you from?” and where “your Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send ize now that I have inadvertently contributed the follow-up question is always, ‘Are you people” are from. He referred to her as the address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, to the “model minority” stereotype. Communist?’ And how many times someone “pretty Korean lady” and wondered why she APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services For the first time in my life, a conversation said, ‘You look just like a China doll!’ ” That al- wasn’t negotiating with North Korea on his ad- overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views about racism against Asian Americans is tak- so reflects the objectification and sexualiza- ministration’s behalf. of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- ing shape at the national level. The #Stop- tion of Asian women that is at the heart of the Do you see how marginalizing and offen- per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to AsianHate movement has come in response to killings in Atlanta. sive this kind of interaction can be? When ig- remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. a surge of violence and hate crimes targeting CNN’s senior national correspondent Ky- norance and obliviousness converge, this is The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Asians, fueled by the racism and rhetoric of ung Lah added: “Try never telling them what happens. The next time you meet some- Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Donald Trump and his supporters. And in this where you’re from. It’s my conversation sport one who looks Asian and you feel compelled to Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, crisis, Asian Americans are coming forward with people because I’ve really been over it for ask the question, just don’t. religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical to share stories of bigotry and stereotypes that a while now. Where are you from? Chicago. handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. have shaped their lives. Where are you really from? The NW suburbs. Kurt Bardella, a Korean American, is a contributing writer to the Los Angeles Times. He was the spokesperson and senior adviser © Stars and Stripes 2021 When I asked a group of Asian American Where are your parents from? They live in Or- for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee journalists how many times they’ve been ange County.” from 2009 to 2013. stripes.com PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS DOWN 25 Rye holder 1 Garden intruder 1 Spider’s 26 “Va-va- —!” 5 Violin tuner creation 27 A Great Lake 8 Nepal’s 2 Compass dir. 29 Reedy continent 3 Silly Putty 31 “Treasure Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Etching container Island” specialist 4 Coat with flour monogram 14 Fed. accident 5 USMC ranks 33 Immune investigator 6 Slithery fish response 15 “Take it easy!” 7 1968 Winter orchestrators 16 Barbie, e.g. Olympics city 34 Finalized 17 Uno + uno 8 NBC journalist 36 Heath 18 Neighbor of Mitchell 37 Fine Sweden 9 Pack cargo 38 Notoriety 20 Set straight 10 Actress Fisher 39 Actress

Non Sequitur 23 “Uh-uh” 11 With skill Drescher 24 Ordered 13 Soon, poetically 40 “— Gotta 25 “Have 19 Grand Ole — Have It” (Spike courage!” 20 “Shark Tank” Lee film) 28 950, in old Rome 29 Lionel Richie network 43 Wife of Adam hit of 1982 21 Mary’s follower 44 Language suffix 30 Bobby of hockey 22 Between jobs 45 Moment 32 “Don’t miss it!” 23 Prefix with 46 Gridiron scores 34 Earth surgeon (Abbr.) 35 “Arrivederci!” Answer to Previous Puzzle Candorville 36 Viral web sensations 37 Insult 40 Plant seeds 41 Marx or Malden 42 “Tell me the truth!” 47 Human rights lawyer Clooney 48 Trite Carpe Diem 49 Desires 50 Ballot marks 51 Chest muscles, briefly Beetle Bailey Bizarro Monday, March 29, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 SCOREBOARD

COLLEGE BASKETBALL TENNIS DEALS Men’s NIT Miami Open Petra Kvitova (9), Czech Republic, def. Saturday’s transactions BASKETBALL Semifinals Johanna Konta (17), Britain, 6-1, 6-2. National Basketball Association Saturday, March 27 Saturday Men’s Doubles BASEBALL ORLANDO MAGIC — Waived G Jeff Memphis 90, Colorado St. 67 At Tennis Center at Crandon Park Round of 32 Major League Baseball Teague. Mississippi St. 84, Louisiana Tech 62 Miami Oliver Marach, Austria, and Luke Saville, American League FOOTBALL Championship Purse: $3,343,785 Australia, def. Kevin Krawietz and Jan- BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Acquired RHP National Football League Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Lennard Struff, Germany, 6-3, 3-6, 11-9. Sunday, March 28 Adam Plutko from Cleveland in exchange BALTIMORE RAVENS — Agreed to terms Men’s Singles Robert Farah and Juan Sebastian Cabal for cash considerations. Designated INF Memphis vs. Mississippi St. Round of 64 (1), Colombia, def. Dusan Lajovic and Niko- with WR Sammy Watkins on a one-year Third place Yolmer Sanchez for assignment. contract. squad. Milos Raonic (12), Canada, def. Jordan la Cacic, Serbia, 6-3, 6-4. Released INF Greg Colorado St. vs. Louisiana Tech DETROIT TIGERS — Signed WR Mo- Thompson, Australia, 6-2, 6-1. Bruno Soares, Brazil, and Jamie Murray Garcia from a minor league contract. Op- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Lorenzo Sonego (24), Italy, def. Bjorn (5), Britain, def. Philipp Oswald, Austria, tioned RHP Joe Jimenez to Toledo (Tri- hamed Sanu and LB Nathan Gerry to one- NCAA Men’s Division II Fratangelo, United States, 6-4, 7-6 (5). and Marcus Daniell, New Zealand, 6-4, 6-4. year contracts. Stefanos Tsitsipas (2), Greece, def. Da- ple-A East). HOCKEY Tournament Daniel Evans and Neal Skupski, Britain, MINNESOTA TWINS — Reassigned C To- mir Dzumhur, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 6-1, def. Nicholas Monroe and Frances Tiafoe, National Hockey League Championship 6-4. más Telis, INFs Tzu-Wei Lin and JT Riddle, United States, 7-6 (4), 6-2. and OFs Keon Broxton and Rob Refsnyder NHL — Fined Arizona’s F Nick Schmaltz At Evansville, Ind. Hubert Hurkacz (26), Poland, def. Denis Santiago Gonzalez, Mexico, and Marce- for boarding San Jose D Radim Simek dur- Kudla, United States, 7-6 (5), 6-4. to the minor league camp. Saturday, March 27 lo Demoliner, Brazil, def. Raven Klaasen, NEW YORK YANKEES — Released C Rob- ing a March 26 game. NW Missouri St. 80, West Texas A&M 54 Kei Nishikori (28), Japan, def. Aljaz Be- South Africa, and Ben Mclachlan, Japan, BOSTON BRUINS — Recalled D Steven dene, Slovenia, 7-6 (6), 5-7, 6-4. inson Chirinos and INF Derek Dietrich from 6-3, 6-4. minor league contracts. Selected the con- Kampfer, G Dan Vladar, RW Steven Fogarty Lorenzo Musetti, Italy, def. Benoit Paire Rajeev Ram, United States, and Joe Sa- Women’s NIT (23), France, 6-3, 6-3. tract of 1B/OF Jay Bruce from Wilkes- and C Jack Studnicka from the minor lisbury (7), Britain, def. Franko Skugor, Barre/Scranton (Triple-A East). Placed league taxi squad. At Collierville, Tenn. Aslan Karatsev (17), Russia, def. Mikhail Croatia, and Austin Krajicek, United Kukushkin, Kazakhstan, 6-4, 6-3. RHP Clarke Schmidt on the 60-day injured BUFFALO SABRES —Activated F Kyle Ok- Championship States, 6-2, 7-6 (5). list. poso and G Linus Ullmark from injured re- Daniel Elahi Galan, Colombia, def. Alex Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herb- Sunday, March 28 de Minaur (15), Australia, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. OAKLAND ATHLETICS —Reassigned LHP serve. Recalled F Jean-Sebastien Dea and ert (8), France, def. Rohan Bopanna, India, Reymin Guduan, RHP Deolis Guerra, Cs RW Steven Fogarty from the minor league Rice vs. Mississippi Marin Cilic, Croatia, def. Cristian Garin and Benoit Paire, France, 6-3, 6-2. (13), Chile, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5). Horia Tecau, Romania, and Marcelo Are- Francisco Pena and Carlos Perez, INF Pete taxi squad. Ugo Humbert (20), France, def. Joao Sou- valo-Gonzalez, El Salvador, def. Edouard Kozma and OF Cody Thomas to the minor CAROLINA HURRICANES — Recalled D sa, Portugal, 6-1, 6-4. league camp. Jake Bean from the minor league taxi Adrian Mannarino (25), France, def. Mio- Roger-Vasselin, France, and Henri Konti- COLLEGE FOOTBALL nen, Finland, 6-4, 6-3. SEATTLE MARINERS — Optioned RHPs squad. mir Kecmanovic, Serbia, 6-3, 6-4. Joey Gerber and Erik Swanson to the alter- CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS — Recalled C Denis Shapovalov (6), Canada, def. Ilya Women’s Doubles Saturday’s scores Round of 32 nate training site. Mikael Hakkarainen and D Nick Beaudin Ivashka, Belarus, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4. TEXAS RANGERS — Optioned INF Ander- from the minor league taxi squad. As- Andrey Rublev (4), Russia, def. Tennys Asia Muhammad and Jessica Pegula, EAST United States, def. Nicole Melichar, United son Tejeda to Round Rock (Triple-A West). signed D Lucas Carlsson, RWs MacKenzie Sandgren, United States, 6-1, 6-2. Assigned INF Andy Ibanez to the alternate Bucknell 38, Lafayette 13 Marton Fucsovics (29), Hungary, def. States, and Demi Schuurs (3), Nether- Entwistle and Reese Johnson and D Wyatt lands, 6-2, 6-2. training site. Re-signed C Drew Butera to a Kalynuk to Rockford (AHL). Delaware 35, Rhode Island 21 Thanasi Kokkinakis, Australia, 7-6 (3), 6-7 minor league contract. Released RHP Nick Holy Cross 34, Fordham 24 (4), 6-4. Storm Sanders, Australia, and Anna-Le- COLORADO AVALANCHE — Recalled RW na Friedsam, Germany, def. Vania King, Vincent from his minor league contract. Logan O’Connor and D Dan Renouf from Monmouth (NJ) 35, Charleston Southern Sebastian Korda, United States, def. Fa- TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Optioned 2B 17 bio Fognini (10), Italy, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. United States, and Yaroslava Shvedova, the minor league taxi squad. Kazakhstan, 7-5, 6-2. Santiago Espinal, CF Josh Palacios and COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS — Recalled G Stony Brook 21, Albany (NY) 7 Diego Schwartzman (5), Argentina, def. RHP Joel Payamps to Buffalo (Triple-A Yasutaka Uchiyama, Japan, 6-3, 6-3. Darija Jurak, Croatia, and Nina Stojanov- Cameron Johnson from the minor league SOUTH ic, Serbia, def. Alla Kudryavtseva, Russia, East). Women’s Singles National League taxi squad. Assigned G Daniil Tarasov to Davidson 24, Morehead St. 21 Round of 32 and Kaitlyn Christian, United States, 6-2, Cleveland (AHL). ATLANTA BRAVES — Selected the con- ETSU 24, W. Carolina 17 Anastasija Sevastova, Latvia, def. Simo- 6-3. DALLAS STARS — Recalled LW Tanner James Madison 38, William & Mary 10 na Halep (3), Romania, walkover. Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Sinia- tract of INF Pablo Sandoval from Gwinnett (Triple-A East). Designated OF Phillip Ervin Kero and C Justin Dowling from the minor Mercer 35, Chattanooga 28 Ashleigh Barty (1), Australia, def. Jelena kova (2), Czech Republic, def. Arantxa Rus league taxi squad. and Kiki Bertens, Netherlands, 6-1, 6-4. for assignment. Released INFs Jason Kip- Nicholls 75, Incarnate Word 45 Ostapenko, Latvia, 6-3, 6-2. EDMONTON OILERS —Assigned D Phillip Richmond 31, Elon 17 Ana Konjuh, Croatia, def. Iga Swiatek Petra Martic, Croatia, and Shelby Rog- nis and Jake Lamb from minor league con- ers, United States, def. Hailey Baptiste and tracts. Selected the contracts of INF Ehire Kemp and C Raphael Lavoie to Bakersfield Samford 55, The Citadel 7 (15), Poland, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. (AHL). San Diego 24, Presbyterian 21 Elina Svitolina (5), Ukraine, def. Ekateri- Robin Montgomery, United States, 6-2, 6-2. Adrianza and RHP Nate Jones. Optioned VMI 36, Wofford 31 na Alexandrova (30), Russia, 7-6 (1), 6-4. Caroline Garcia, France, and Nadia Po- RHP Bryse Wilson to the alternate training FLORIDA PANTHERS — Recalled D Riley Stillman and RW Brett Connolly from the MIDWEST Victoria Azarenka (14), Belarus, def. An- doroska, Argentina, def. Lucie Hradecka site. Placed RHP Touki Toussaint on the 60- gelique Kerber (24), Germany, 7-5, 6-2. and Kristyna Pliskova, Czech Republic, 7-6 day injured list. Reassigned OF Abraham minor league taxi squad. Missouri St. 30, S. Illinois 27 Aryna Sabalenka (7), Belarus, def. Vero- (3), 6-2. Almonte outright to the alternate training LOS ANGELES KINGS — Recalled G Troy N. Iowa 34, W. Illinois 20 nika Kudermetova (32), Russia, 7-6 (4), 6-4. Zhaoxuan Yang, China, and Ekaterina site. Grosenick from the minor league taxi Valparaiso 28, Butler 25 Marketa Vondrousova (19), Czech Re- Alexandrova, Russia, def. Ajla Tomljanov- CHICAGO CUBS — Optioned INF Nico squad. Assigned G Matthew Villalta to On- SOUTHWEST public, def. Belinda Bencic (11), Switzer- ic, Australia, and Heather Watson, Britain, Hoerner and LHP Brad Wieck to Iowa (Tri- tario (AHL). land, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. 6-4, 6-1. ple-A East). Assigned RHPs Shelby Miller, MONTREAL CANADIENS — Placed C Eric Lamar 31, Northwestern St. 23 Trevor Megill and Pedro Strop, OF Rafael Staal on injured reserve Covid-19 protocol. Tarleton St. 38, Northeastern St. 0 Ortega to the minor league camp. Re- NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Recalled Jer- FAR WEST AP SPORTLIGHT leased OF Cameron Maybin from a minor emy Davis from the minor league taxi Dixie St. 60, Fort Lewis 0 league contract. squad. E. Washington 62, Cal Poly 10 CINCINNATI REDS — Released RHP Noe NEW YORK ISLANDERS — Recalled LE Idaho 33, S. Utah 32 March 29 ing, headed for Indianapolis. Ramirez. Kieffer Bellows from minor league taxi UC Davis 31, Idaho St. 27 1987 — Tennessee routs Louisiana Tech COLORADO ROCKIES — Selected the squad. Weber St. 28, N. Arizona 23 1929 — The Boston Bruins win the Stan- 67-44 to win the NCAA women’s basketball contract of RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez. Place NEW YORK RANGERS — Acquired a ley Cup with a 2-1 victory over the New championship. RHP Scot Oberg on the 60-day injured list. fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft from York Rangers to complete a two-game 1990 — Houston’s Akeem Olajuwon is Optioned LHP Lucas Gilbreath and INF Col- the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for F sweep. the third player in NBA history to achieve a ton Welker to Albuquerque (Triple-A Brendan Lemieux. Recalled RW Kaapo PRO BASEBALL 1940 —Joe Louis knocks out Johnny Pay- quadruple- double during a 120-94 victory West). Reassigned Cs Jose Briceno, Chris Kakko from the minor league taxi squad. chek in the second round at Madison over the Milwaukee Bucks. He scores 18 Rabago and Brian Serven, INFs Greg Bird, OTTAWA SENATORS — Recalled D Erik Spring Training Square Garden in New York to retain the points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocked shots and Eric Stamets and Alan Trejo and OF Ryan Brannstrom and LW Jack Kopacka from world heavyweight title. 10 assists. Vilade to the minor league camp. the minor league taxi squad. Assigned LW MILWAUKEE BREWERS —Re-signed RHP Saturday’s games 1952 —George Mikan of the Minneapolis 1992 — Olympic champion Kristi Yama- Alex Formenton and loaned D Christian Lakers scores an NBA playoff record 47 guchi becomes the first American woman Jordan Zimmermann to a minor league Wolanin to Belleville (AHL). Tampa Bay 2, Minnesota 0 contract. points in an 88-78 loss in Game 1 of the to win consecutive world figure skating PHILADELPHIA FLYERS — Recalled LW N.Y. Yankees 5, Toronto 1 Western Division Finals against Roches- championships since Peggy Fleming in PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Optioned RHP Boston 7, Pittsburgh 4 Tyler Bashlor to Indianapolis (Triple-A Samuel Morin from the minor league taxi ter. 1968. squad. Detroit 9, Philadelphia 8 1960 — Boston’s Bill Russell pulls down 1996 — The Vancouver Grizzlies break East). N.Y. Mets 8, Houston 3 WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Optioned PITTSBURGH PENGUINS — Recalled RW an NBA Finals record 40 rebounds, as the the NBA record for consecutive losses in a Anthony Angello, LW Drew O’Conner, Cs Cleveland 9, L.A. Dodgers 2 Celtics lose to St. Louis, 113-103. season with their 21st in a 105-91 loss to LHP Sam Clay, RHP Kyle McGowin, INFs San Diego 2, L.A. Angels 0 1962 — Elgin Baylor (45) and Jerry West the Utah Jazz. The 1972-73 Philadelphia Luis Garcia and Carter Kieboom and OF Radim Zohorna and Frederick Gaiudreau Milwaukee 6, Kansas City 6 (41) of the Los Angeles Lakers become the 76ers and the 1993-94 Dallas Mavericks Yadiel Hernandez to Rochester (Triple-A from the minor league taxi (AHL). Oakland 5, Texas 1 first teammates to both score 40 or more lost 20 straight. East). Selected the contracts of INF Jordy TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Recalled F Chicago White Sox 8, Colorado 2 points in an NBA Playoff game. It isn’t 1999 —New York Rangers center Wayne Mercer and INF/OF Hernan Perez from Taylor Raddysh from Syracuse (AHL) and Atlanta 8, Baltimore 5 enough as the Lakers lose to Detroit, 118- Gretzky surpasses Gordie Howe as the Rochester (Triple-A East). Designated INF place on the taxi squad. Miami 6, St. Louis 4 117, in a Western Division Finals game. leading goal scorer in pro hockey history Jake Noll for assignment. Reassigned TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS — Recalled D Chicago Cubs 6, Cincinnati 3 1982 — Michael Jordan’s jump shot with in a 3-1 victory over the Islanders. Gretz- RHPs Aaron Barrett, Paolo Espino, Javy Timothy Leljegren from the minor league Seattle 5, San Francisco 0 16 seconds remaining gives North Caroli- ky’s goal was the 1,072nd of his career — Guerra and Todd Peterson, Cs Welington taxi squad. Assigned D Kristians Rubins to Sunday’s games na a 63-62 victory over Georgetown for the 20 NHL seasons and one in the WHA. Castillo, Brandon Snyder and Blake Swi- Toronto (AHL). NCAA men’s basketball championship. 2003 —Michelle Kwan becomes the third hart, INF Adrían Sanchez and OFs Gerardo VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS — Recalled D Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, 1984 — The NFL Colts leave the city of American to win five World Figure Skating Parra and Carlos Tocci to the minor league Dylan Coghlan from the minor league taxi Fla. Baltimore in the early hours of the morn- Championships. camp. squad. Minnesota vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla. Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay at Port Charlotte, Fla. N.Y. Yankees vs. Philadelphia at Clear- GOLF water, Fla. St. Louis vs. Washington at West Palm Beach, Fla. Corales Puntacana Resort Thomas Detry 70-70-72—212 -4 Tommy Fleetwood (21), England, 19 holes. Mel Reid 68-70-71—209 -7 N.Y. Mets vs. Miami at Jupiter, Fla. Tyler Duncan 69-69-74—212 -4 Victor Perez (31), France, def. Sergio Madelene Sagstrom 72-74-64—210 -6 Detroit vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla. Championship Patrick Rodgers 71-71-71—213 -3 Garcia (39), Spain, 4 and 3. Lexi Thompson 72-72-66—210 -6 Scottie Scheffler (30), United States, def. Chicago Cubs vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz. PGA Tour Brice Garnett 70-72-71—213 -3 Jin Young Ko 71-71-68—210 -6 Cincinnati vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix Jon Rahm (3), Spain, 3 and 1. San Diego vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, Saturday Bronson Burgoon 70-72-71—213 -3 Matt Kuchar (52), United States, def. Amy Olson 75-69-67—211 -5 Ariz. At Corales Golf Course Peter Uihlein 70-70-73—213 -3 Brian Harman (54), United States, 2 and 1. Brooke M. Henderson 73-70-68—211 -5 Oakland vs. San Francisco at Scottsdale, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Chesson Hadley 70-70-73—213 -3 Fourth round Hyo Joo Kim 67-72-72—211 -5 Ariz. Purse: $3 million Mark Anderson 68-72-73—213 -3 Tommy Fleetwood (21), England, def. Annie Park 72-74-66—212 -4 Dylan Frittelli (64), South Africa, 4 and 3. Arizona vs. Chicago White Sox at Glen- Yardage:7,670; Par:72 Joseph Bramlett 69-73-72—214 -2 Nicole Broch Larsen 70-71-71—212 -4 dale, Ariz. Third Round Billy Horschel (32), United States, def. Tyler McCumber 72-69-73—214 -2 Wei-Ling Hsu 71-69-72—212 -4 Kansas City vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Joel Dahmen 67-71-68—206 -10 Kevin Streelman (53), United States, 3 and Charles Howell III 70-71-73—214 -2 1. Sophia Popov 68-68-76—212 -4 Ariz. Rafael Campos 68-69-69—206 -10 L.A. Dodgers vs. L.A. Angels at Anaheim, Aaron Baddeley 70-70-74—214 -2 Sergio Garcia (39), Spain, def. Macken- Ariya Jutanugarn 73-74-66—213 -3 Danny Willett 70-70-67—207 -9 CA Stephan Jaeger 66-73-75—214 -2 zie Hughes (48), Canada, 2 and 1. Jenny Shin 71-74-68—213 -3 Michael Gligic 73-66-68—207 -9 Victor Perez (31), France, def. Robert Andrew Yun 67-72-75—214 -2 Cristie Kerr 76-68-69—213 -3 Monday’s games Emiliano Grillo 70-73-65—208 -8 MacIntyre (41), Scotland, 5 and 4. Justin Suh 68-69-77—214 -2 Danielle Kang 70-74-69—213 -3 N.Y. Mets vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla. Thomas Pieters 69-70-69—208 -8 Scottie Scheffler (30), United States, def. Vincent Whaley 71-74-70—215 -1 Ian Poulter (60), England, 5 and 4. Bronte Law 71-72-70—213 -3 Houston vs. Washington at West Palm Hudson Swafford 70-71-68—209 -7 Beach, Fla. Chase Seiffert 73-71-71—215 -1 Jon Rahm (3), Spain, def. Erik van Rooyen Marina Alex 73-69-71—213 -3 Charley Hoffman 69-72-68—209 -7 Tampa Bay vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Nate Lashley 68-75-72—215 -1 (62), South Africa, 3 and 2. Jing Yan 73-69-71—213 -3 Fla. Sepp Straka 72-68-69—209 -7 Brian Harman (54), United States, def. Jhonattan Vegas 73-70-72—215 -1 Ryann O'Toole 76-71-67—214 -2 Detroit vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla. Roberto Castro 70-69-70—209 -7 Bubba Watson (55), United States, 2 and 1. Richard S. Johnson 72-69-74—215 -1 Cydney Clanton 73-72-69—214 -2 Minnesota vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Graeme McDowell 70-69-70—209 -7 Matt Kuchar (52), United States, def. Jor- Adam Schenk 68-73-74—215 -1 dan Spieth (49), United States, 1 up. Ayako Uehara 72-73-69—214 -2 Fla. Fabrizio Zanotti 69-68-72—209 -7 Toronto vs. Philadelphia at Clearwater, Retief Goosen 71-74-71—216 E Nelly Korda 75-69-70—214 -2 Tim Wilkinson 71-69-70—210 -6 Fla. Taylor Pendrith 71-73-72—216 E Kia Classic Cheyenne Knight 72-72-70—214 -2 Boston vs. Atlanta at North Port, Fla. Sam Ryder 68-72-70—210 -6 Ben Taylor 71-73-72—216 E Anna Nordqvist 71-73-70—214 -2 Cleveland vs. Kansas City at Surprise, Will Gordon 72-71-68—211 -5 LPGA Tour David Hearn 72-72-72—216 E Ssu-Chia Cheng 73-74-68—215 -1 Ariz. Pat Perez 72-70-69—211 -5 Saturday Arizona vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz. Martin Trainer 71-70-75—216 E Ally Ewing 72-75-68—215 -1 Alex Smalley 73-69-69—211 -5 At Aviara Golf Club Seattle vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, Ariz. Charley Hull 76-70-69—215 -1 Eric Cole 72-70-69—211 -5 Match Play Results Carlsbad, Calif. San Francisco vs. Oakland at Mesa, Ariz. Purse: $1.8 million Lydia Ko 74-71-70—215 -1 Colorado vs. San Diego at Peoria, Ariz. Roger Sloan 71-70-70—211 -5 At Austin Country Club Yardage: 6,558; Par: 72 Amy Yang 69-76-70—215 -1 Kansas City vs. Northwest Arkansas at Troy Merritt 72-69-70—211 -5 Austin, Texas Third Round Lizette Salas 75-68-72—215 -1 Springdale, AR Wes Roach 70-73-69—212 -4 Seeds in parentheses Milwaukee vs. Texas at Arlington, TX Inbee Park 66-69-69—204 -12 Mina Harigae 69-74-72—215 -1 Greyson Sigg 72-70-70—212 -4 Saturday L.A. Angels vs. L.A. Dodgers at Los An- Mi Jung Hur 71-71-67—209 -7 Azahara Munoz 70-72-73—215 -1 Sebastian Cappelen 69-73-70—212 -4 Quarterfinals geles, CA Minjee Lee 72-69-68—209 -7 Kristen Gillman 70-71-74—215 -1 Ben Martin 71-70-71—212 -4 Billy Horschel (32), United States, def. Monday, March 29, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 NHL

Scoreboard East Division Necas leads Canes over Lightning GP WLOT Pts GF GA BY BOB SUTTON from Day One, always tried to make plays.” Washington 33 22 7 4 48 114 95 Associated Press N.Y. Islanders 35 22 9 4 48 105 82 With injuries to Carolina forwards Vincent Tro- Pittsburgh 35 22 11 2 46 115 93 RALEIGH, N.C. — Martin Necas scored his check and Teuvo Teravainen, the contributions Boston 30 17 8 5 39 83 72 second goal of the game to break a tie with 3:53 from Necas have been critical. He has the most Philadelphia 33 16 13 4 36 102 120 remaining, and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the points on the team this month. N.Y. Rangers 33 15 14 4 34 103 87 New Jersey 32 12 16 4 28 78 101 Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 on Saturday night in a “I’m just trying to step in,” Necas said. “I got on Buffalo 33 6 23 4 16 68 118 matchup between the top two teams in the Cen- the first (power-play unit). That gives you a little Central Division tral Division. more confidence, a little bit more time on the ice.” GP WLOT Pts GF GA Necas, who also had two assists, put the Hurri- Blake Coleman and Pat Maroon scored in the canes ahead on a power play, with Dougie Hamil- first period and Mathieu Joseph tied the game 22 Tampa Bay 34 24 8 2 50 123 82 Carolina 33 23 7 3 49 112 84 ton getting an assist to extend his franchise-re- seconds into the third for Tampa Bay. Florida 34 21 9 4 46 111 97 cord point streak for a defenseman to 14 games. Hurricanes goalie James Reimer made 19 Chicago 35 16 14 5 37 102 111 That’s the longest active streak in the NHL for any saves. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 36 shots for the Nashville 35 17 17 1 35 89 105 player. first-place Lightning. Columbus 35 13 14 8 34 90 113 Dallas 31 11 11 9 31 88 84 Goals by Cedric Paquette and Sebastian Aho in The defending Stanley Cup champions, who Detroit 35 11 20 4 26 75 114 a 62-second span early in the second knotted the have a one-point lead on Carolina, have lost con- West Division score. Necas put Carolina ahead with his first goal secutive games for the first time since Feb. 15 and GERRY BROOME / AP GP WLOT Pts GF GA later in the period. 20. The Hurricanes also delivered the second de- Carolina Hurricanes center Martin Necas, Necas has 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in feat in that set. Vegas 32 23 8 1 47 104 74 Colorado 33 21 8 4 46 113 75 left, of the Czech Republic, and defenseman 13 games this month. The season-high four-point “We didn’t win tonight because we got out- Minnesota 32 21 10 1 43 94 78 Dougie Hamilton celebrate a goal by Necas in outing matched his career best. worked,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. St. Louis 34 16 13 5 37 98 110 the Hurricanes’ 43 defeat of the Tampa Bay “He has never lacked for confidence,” Hurri- Coleman converted for the first goal after . Arizona 35 16 14 5 37 92 103 Lightning Saturday in Raleigh, N.C canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “He has, Reimer failed to cover the puck. Los Angeles 32 13 13 6 32 91 90 San Jose 33 13 16 4 30 91 115 Anaheim 35 10 19 6 26 78 116 ROUNDUP North Division GP WLOT Pts GF GA Toronto 34 22 10 2 46 114 88 Winnipeg 35 21 12 2 44 114 98 Knights squeak past Avs in West showdown Edmonton 35 21 13 1 43 119 101 Montreal 31 14 8 9 37 100 87 Associated Press Calgary 36 16 17 3 35 95 107 Vancouver 37 16 18 3 35 100 120 DENVER — Max Pacioretty Ottawa 36 12 20 4 28 94 135 scored at 1:56 of overtime to give Friday’s games Washington 4, New Jersey 0 the Vegas Golden Knights a 3-2 Anaheim 4, St. Louis 1 victory over the Colorado Ava- Arizona 5, San Jose 2 Winnipeg 3, Calgary 2 lanche on Saturday. Edmonton at Montreal, ppd Vegas rebounded from a 5-1 loss Saturday’s games in the series opener Thursday Philadelphia 2, N.Y. Rangers 1 Boston 3, Buffalo 2 night to move a point ahead of Col- Detroit 3, Columbus 1 Vegas 3, Colorado 2, OT orado atop the West Division. Pittsburgh 6, N.Y. Islanders 3 Pacioretty also had an assist, Carolina 4, Tampa Bay 3 Toronto 4, Edmonton 3, OT Alex Martinez and William Carri- Nashville 3, Chicago 1 Florida 4, Dallas 3, OT er scored, and Marc-Andre Fluery Calgary 4, Winnipeg 2 made 22 saves. Arizona 4, San Jose 0 Sunday’s games Joonas Donskoi and Devon N.Y. Rangers at Washington Toews scored for the Avalanche Columbus at Detroit and Philipp Grubauer made 31 Anaheim at St. Louis New Jersey at Boston saves. Colorado had won eight Florida at Dallas Ottawa at Montreal, ppd straight at home. Nashville at Chicago The Golden Knights had a 34-24 Monday’s games shots advantage, the first time the Edmonton at Toronto N.Y. Islanders at Pittsburgh Avs have been outshot in 20 Philadelphia at Buffalo Anaheim at Colorado games. The last time an opponent Los Angeles at Vegas outshot them was Vegas on Feb. Winnipeg at Calgary Minnesota at San Jose 16. Tuesday’s games Penguins 6, Islanders 3:Bryan JOE MAHONEY / AP Columbus at Tampa Bay Rust had his fourth career hat Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) and defenseman Dylan Coghlan (52) hug Golden Knights Detroit at Florida Montreal at Ottawa trick, Sidney Crosby added a goal left wing Max Pacioretty as right wing Mark Stone (61) skates in for a highfive after Pacioretty scored the New Jersey at Boston Washington at N.Y. Rangers and an assist and short-handed winning goal in overtime against the Colorado Avalanche Sunday in Denver. Carolina at Chicago Pittsburgh beat visiting New Dallas at Nashville Wednesday's games York. Feb. 23, tying the 18th longest Flyers 2, Rangers 1: Sam Mo- fourth consecutive win. Toronto at Winnipeg Philadelphia at Buffalo Evan Rodrigues and Frederick NHL losing streak. rin scored his first NHL goal with Panthers 4, Stars 3 (OT): Aa- Arizona at Colorado Gaudreau also scored, and Tristan Matt Grzelcyk and Nick Ritchie 4:27 left to help host Philadelphia ron Ekblad scored with 9.3 sec- Los Angeles at Vegas Calgary at Vancouver Jarry stopped 29 shots to help the each had a goal and an assist, and beat New York. Nolan Patrick also onds left in overtime after his ap- Minnesota at San Jose Scoring leaders Penguins pull within two points of third-stringer Daniel Vladar stop- scored for the Flyers, who badly parent winner moments earlier the Islanders and Washington for ped 25 shots for the Bruins. Sam needed to win a close one against was wiped out by a replay review, Through Saturday GP GAPTS the East Division lead. Reinhart and Kyle Okposo scored the Rangers. New York beat Phi- and Florida won at Dallas. Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beau- for Buffalo. ladelphia 9-0 last week and again Red Wings 3, Blue Jackets 1: Connor McDavid, EDM 34 21 39 60 Leon Draisaitl, EDM 34 18 32 50 villier and Jordan Eberle scored Coyotes 4, Sharks 0:Phil Kes- 8-3 on Thursday night, scoring 15 Adam Erne and Robby Fabbri Patrick Kane, CHI 34 13 33 46 for New York, but Pittsburgh beat sel had his seventh career hat straight goals over the two games. scored 29 seconds apart in the first Mitchell Marner, TOR 33 12 29 41 the Islanders for the fifth time in trick, Adin Hill made 34 saves and Maple Leafs 4, Oilers 3 (OT): period and Calvin Pickard made Mark Scheifele, WPG 34 13 27 40 seven meetings by chasing Ilya host Arizona beat San Jose for its Auston Matthews scored 54 sec- 21 saves in his first start of the sea- Mark Stone, LV 30 12 27 39 Mikko Rantanen, COL 32 19 20 39 Sorokin. third straight victory. onds into overtime to give lift host son, helping host Detroit beat Co- Anze Kopitar, LA 32 8 29 37 Bruins 3, Sabres 2: Buffalo lost Clayton Keller had a goal and Toronto past Edmonton for its lumbus. Sidney Crosby, PIT 33 13 24 37 its 17th consecutive game, twice two assists for the Coyotes. They third straight victory. Flames 4, Jets 2:Johnny Gau- Aleksander Barkov, FLA 31 13 24 37 blowing one-goal leads before tied St. Louis for fourth place in Predators 3, Blackhawks 1: dreau responded to a barb from Auston Matthews, TOR 30 21 16 37 Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA 33 11 25 36 Craig Smith scored with 3:50 left the West Division with 37 points. Mikael Grunland, Rocco Grimaldi his coach with a pair of assists in Nathan MacKinnon, COL 28 10 25 35 to give Boston a home win. Hill made 20 saves Friday night and Ryan Johansen scored and Calgary’s victory over visiting Nicklas Backstrom, WSH 33 13 22 35 The Sabres have not won since in a 5-2 win over the Sharks. Nashville won at Chicago for its Winnipeg. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 NBA

Scoreboard ROUNDUP Eastern Conference Burks, Barrett Atlantic Division WLPct GB lift Knicks past Philadelphia 32 14 .696 — Brooklyn 31 15 .674 1 New York 24 22 .522 8 depleted Bucks Boston 23 23 .500 9 Toronto 18 27 .400 13½ Associated Press Southeast Division WLPct GB MILWAUKEE — Alec Burks and RJ Barrett each scored 21 points and the New Charlotte 23 21 .523 — Atlanta 23 22 .511 ½ York Knicks beat the Milwaukee Bucks Miami 22 24 .478 2 102-96, with the Bucks playing without Washington 16 28 .364 7 Giannis Antetokounmpo and three other in- Orlando 15 30 .333 8½ jured starters. Central Division The victory was costly for the Knicks, WLPct GB who lost starting center Mitchell Robinson Milwaukee 29 16 .644 — to a broken right foot in the first quarter. Indiana 21 23 .477 7½ He will be re-evaluated when the Knicks Chicago 19 25 .432 9½ Cleveland 17 29 .370 12½ return to New York on Sunday. Detroit 12 33 .267 17 Antetokounmpo has a sprained left knee. Western Conference Brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo had 23 points and Jordan Nwora 21 for the Bucks. Southwest Division JEFF CHIU/AP They lost their second straight after eight WLPct GB Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, foreground middle, is congratulated by teammates consecutive victories. San Antonio 23 20 .535 — after shooting the gamewinning threepoint basket in the team’s 10098 win Saturday against Jazz 126, Grizzlies 110: Donovan Mitch- Dallas 23 21 .523 ½ the Cleveland Cavaliers in Sacramento, Calif. ell had 35 points and seven assists and Memphis 21 22 .488 2 NBA-leading Utah beat Memphis for its New Orleans 20 25 .444 4 19th straight home victory. Houston 13 32 .289 11 Jordan Clarkson added 28 points, and Northwest Division Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 14 rebounds WLPct GB Kings beat Cavs on to help the Jazz improve to 34-11 Utah 34 11 .756 — Jonas Valanciunas had 13 points and 11 Denver 27 18 .600 7 rebounds for Memphis. Kyle Anderson was Portland 27 18 .600 7 Oklahoma City 19 26 .422 15 the top scorer with 16 points. Dillon Brooks Minnesota 11 35 .239 23½ added 13 and Ja Morant chipped in 12. Pacific Division Barnes’ three-pointer Clippers 122, 76ers 112: Kawhi Leo- WLPct GB nard scored 28 points, Terance Mann added a season-high 23 and Los Angeles beat Phoenix 30 14 .682 — Sacramento’s Fox has 36 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter L.A. Clippers 31 16 .660 ½ visiting Philadelphia in its first game L.A. Lakers 29 17 .630 2 BY MICHAEL WAGAMAN Kings: Marvin Bagley (broken finger) mis- against former coach Doc Rivers. Golden State 22 24 .478 9 Associated Press sed his sixth consecutive game. Rivers led the Clippers for seven seasons Sacramento 21 25 .457 10 SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Harrison Barnes hit and directed them to six playoff appear- Saturday’s games a three-pointer at the buzzer after catching an in- Walton cries foul ances. He took the 76ers job less than a Washington 106, Detroit 92 Houston 129, Minnesota 107 bounds pass from the opposite end of the court Walton criticized the referees after the Kings week after being fired by Los Angeles. New York 102, Milwaukee 96 San Antonio 120, Chicago 104 and the Sacramento Kings beat the Cleveland took 14 free throws while the Cavs took 23. Sac- Paul George added 24 points for Los An- Boston 111, Oklahoma City 94 Cavaliers 100-98 on Saturday night. ramento’s coach was particularly upset over geles. They have won five straight and six Utah 126, Memphis 110 New Orleans 112, Dallas 103 Barnes finished with 16 points and 11 re- the lack of calls for Fox, who made all four of his of seven. Sacramento 100, Cleveland 98 L.A. Clippers 122, Philadelphia 112 bounds. De’Aaron Fox scored 20 of his 36 points free throws. Pelicans 112, Mavericks 103: Zion Wil- Sunday’s games in the fourth quarter to go with six assists, and “When the team and De’Aaron are playing liamson scored 38 points, including 10 dur- Phoenix at Charlotte Richaun Holmes added 10 points and 14 re- that aggressively, there has to be foul calls ing New Orleans’ 18-8 run in the final 3:42, Portland at Toronto Atlanta at Denver bounds. made,” Walton said. “To shoot four free throws and Nickiel Alexander-Walker added 20 to Orlando at L.A. Lakers “Big-time catch-and-shoot by Harrison,” on our home court, that is not right. He’s not lift the host Pelicans over short-handed Monday’s games Kings coach Luke Walton said. “He kept his com- getting the foul calls that should be made for Dallas. Indiana at Washington Miami at New York posure. He had enough time on the clock. He was him and that’s not right.” Williamson, who had 39 points in a close Minnesota at Brooklyn New Orleans at Boston nice, calm and relaxed and made the shot.” loss to Denver on Friday night, recorded Dallas at Oklahoma City Sacramento has won four straight, matching Cavs go small his 23rd consecutive game of at least 20 Memphis at Houston Toronto at Detroit its longest streak of the season. The Cavs were without a true center after points. Sacramento at San Antonio Cleveland at Utah Collin Sexton scored 26 points, including a lay- Jarrett Allen was held out for the first time Wizards 106, Pistons 92: Russell West- Chicago at Golden State up with 1.6 seconds remaining after Holmes was since being acquired from Brooklyn as part of a brook had 19 points, 19 rebounds and 10 Milwaukee at L.A. Clippers called for goaltending. multiteam trade in January. Allen suffered a assists and host Washington beat Detroit in Tuesday’s games Charlotte at Washington That made it 98-97. Fox then heaved the ball concussion after getting elbowed in the head All-Star guard Bradley Beal’s injury-short- Philadelphia at Denver from one baseline to Barnes, who caught the ball during Friday’s game against the Lakers. ened outing. Atlanta at Phoenix Orlando at L.A. Clippers near the Cavs bench and took a few steps before That left Cleveland in a bind and forced Lar- Beal had 17 points in 21 minutes before Wednesday’s games turning and launching a 26-footer over a pair of ry Nance Jr. to move from forward to center. the NBA scoring leader departed early in Miami at Indiana defenders as the buzzer sounded. On Friday, the Cavs agreed to a buyout with the third quarter, having started the game Portland at Detroit Dallas at Boston “I played quarterback growing up. I led him, Andre Drummond. JaVale McGee was traded with a sore right foot. Houston at Brooklyn New York at Minnesota he was open,” Fox said. “That’s a tough shot. You to Denver before the deadline. The Cavs got 7- Celtics 111, Thunder 94: Jayson Tatum Toronto at Oklahoma City Utah at Memphis can’t draw up that shot.” footer Isaiah Hartenstein in return but Harten- scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half Sacramento at San Antonio As soon as the ball went through the net, Kings stein was held out after arriving in Sacramento and Boston rallied in the fourth quarter to Chicago at Phoenix Milwaukee at L.A. Lakers players stormed the court and mobbed Barnes. by plane earlier in the day. win at Oklahoma City. Leaders “It was a great pass by Fox,” Barnes said. “He Jaylen Brown added 25 points to help the Through Saturday put the ball right in the spot where I was able to Kings newcomers play Celtics even their season record. Scoring turn and get a look. Luckily it dropped.” Two days after being acquired in a series of Rockets 129, Timberwolves 107:Kevin GFG FT PTS AVG The play was reviewed and upheld. trades, Kings newcomers Delon Wright, Te- Porter Jr. scored 25 points in his return to Beal, WAS 41 449 296 1284 31.3 Darius Garland had 18 points for Cleveland, rence Davis II and Moe Harkless were on the Houston’s lineup, John Wall had 13 points Lillard, POR 43 397 313 1288 30.0 which led for most of the fourth quarter. floor together as part of Sacramento’s second and 12 assists and Rockets rebounded to Rebounds unit late in the first quarter. Wright scored the win at Minnesota. GOFF DEF TOT AVG Tip-ins first points for the trio, spinning past Cleve- Spurs 120, Bulls 104: Jakob Poeltl Capela, ATL 39 196 360 556 14.3 Cavaliers: Sexton had missed the previous two land’s Dean Wade for a layup and foul. He fin- scored 20 points, DeMar DeRozan had 17 Gobert, UTA 45 155 443 598 13.3 games with a sore right hamstring. … Cleveland ished with four points, Davis had six and Hark- and host San Antonio spoiled Nikola Vucev- Valanciunas, MEM 38 152 322 474 12.5 is 4-25 when trailing at halftime. less added two assists and one rebound. ic’s Chicago debut. Monday, March 29, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NCAA WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT/SPORTS BRIEFS

BRIEFLY

Kuchar 5-0 headed into Match Play semifinals Matt Kuchar made a short birdie putt on the 17th hole of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Saturday afternoon at Austin Country Club in Austin, Texas, to improve to 5-0 in the tournament. Kuchar, ranked 52nd in the world, defeated Brian Harman 2 and 1 in a back-and-forth tussle before a large gallery. He then heard strains of “Kooch!” after he lifted the winning ball from the cup. Kucher will be joined in the semifinals by three golfers who might need an introduction to ca- sual golf fans: Victor Perez, Billy Horschel and former University of Texas All-American Scottie Scheffler. A triumph on Sunday would give Kuchar, 42, his 10th PGA Tour victory. In other golf news: ERIC GAY/AP ■ Rafael Campos holed out for Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, right, passes the ball around UConn guard Paige Bueckers during UConn’s 9272 win Saturday in San Antonio. birdie with a putter from off the front of the 18th green for birdie ROUNDUP and a share of the lead Saturday with Joel Dahmen in the PGA Tour’s windy Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Campos, the 32-year-old Puerto Williams lifts UConn past Iowa, Clark Rican player whose family has a home in the Dominican, shot a 3- Associated Press Scoreboard bounds for UConn (27-1). Nel- the regional final for the first under 69 to match Dahmen at 10- son-Ododa added 11 rebounds time in school history. under 206 at Corales Golf Club. SAN ANTONIO — The game and seven assists along with four Indiana (21-5) had been in the Ranked 427th in the world, was billed as a marquee matchup Alamo Region points. Freshman Aaliyah Ed- Sweet 16 just once before, back in Campos is trying to break through of uber-talented freshmen Paige At Alamodome wards added 18 points. 1983 before the women’s NCAA in his 37th PGA Tour start. Bueckers and Caitlin Clark. Regional Semifinals “I kind of knew that they were Tournament became a 64-team ■ Sunday, March 28 Inbee Park opened a five- While those two didn’t disap- Stanford vs. Missouri St. going to be extra aggressive, es- field. stroke lead Saturday in a bid to fi- Louisville vs. Oregon point, it was Christyn Williams Regional Championship pecially on (Williams) and Paige, The No. 4 seed Hoosiers led 70- nally win the Kia Classic in Carls- and UConn’s other upperclass- Monday, March 29 so that kind of makes it easier on 60 with 2:51 left before the top- Semifinal winners, TBA bad, Calif.. men who stepped up and helped Hemisfair Region the rest of us with them being a seeded Wolfpack scored eight Second in the event in 2010, the Huskies advance. At Alamodome big focus,” Westbrook said. straight points to get within two 2016 and 2019, the Hall of Famer Williams scored 27 points and Regional Semifinals Clark, shadowed on defense by with 1:21 left. N.C. State (22-3) Sunday, March 28 shot a 3-under 69 to reach 12-un- Bueckers added 18 to lead the South Carolina vs. Georgia Tech Williams on almost every pos- had a chance to tie it, but Elissa der 204 at Aviara Golf Club — the Maryland vs. Texas No. 1 Huskies to a 92-72 win over Regional Championship session, finished with 21 points Cunane missed a contested lay- scenic course that was set up fifth-seeded Iowa on Saturday in Monday, March 29 — below her nearly 27-points- up with 30 seconds left. some 300 yards shorter for the Semifinal winners, TBA the Sweet 16 of the women’s River Walk Region per-game average. She was 7- Raina Perez made a jumper in third round. NCAA Tournament. At Alamodome for-21 from the field. the lane to get the Wolfpack back She is making her first LPGA “The fact there was so much Regional Semifinals Baylor 78, Michigan 75 (OT): within two with 13.5 seconds left. Saturday, March 27 Tour start of the seaso. hype on those two kids. Part of it UConn 92, Iowa 72 NaLyssa Smith scored 24 points Patberg then hit one of two free Baylor 78, Michigan 75, OT and Queen Egbo made two big throws to make it 73-70 and Cu- was unfair and comes with the Regional Championship Minnesota Duluth territory,” UConn coach Geno Monday, March 29 plays in the final seconds of over- nane missed badly on a three- UConn vs. Baylor Auriemma said. “Like I told the Mercado Region time, leading the second-seeded point attempt just before the reaches Frozen Four team before the game, in all At Alamodome Bears to the victory. buzzer. Luke Mylymok scored at 2:13 of these matchups, it comes (down) Regional Semifinals Egbo gave Baylor a 78-75 lead Arizona 74, Texas A&M 59: the fifth overtime to send Minne- Saturday, March 27 to somebody else. ... Our defense Indiana 73, NC State 70 with a foul shot with 19 seconds Aari McDonald scored 31 points sota Duluth into the Frozen Four Arizona 74, Texas A&M 59 as bad as it was at times, was re- Regional Championship left. After Leigha Brown scored to lead the Wildcats into the re- with a 3-2 victory over North Da- ally, really good when it had to Monday, March 29 for the Wolverines. Egbo picked gional final for the first time. kota on Saturday night in the long- be. Christyn Williams, Evina Arizona vs. Indiana up an assist on Moon Ursin’s Arizona (19-5) had only made est game in NCAA Tournament Westbrook and Olivia (Nelson- wide-open layup. one previous trip the regional history. Ododa), our three juniors were “I was super excited for this Akienreh Johnson missed a semifinals, when coach Adia The Bulldogs, who have won the amazing, played the way you game, just because of the spot- half-court try for sixth-seeded Barnes was a player in 1998. This last two national championships, wanted your upperclassmen to light on it,” said Bueckers, who Michigan, and the Big Ten team time it rode 13 three-pointers to became the first team to reach play. It was not going to be easy also had nine rebounds and eight was unable to get a last shot near the school’s biggest victory yet. four straight Frozen Fours since on either Caitlin or Paige to play assists. “And I know everybody the basket before time ran out. McDonald was 6-of-12 shoot- North Dakota accomplished the their normal game.” hyped it up to be Caitlin versus Smith was 11-for-11 from the ing from long range. She also feat from 2005-08. But Minnesota Bueckers and the Hawkeyes' Paige, but I was so excited for floor. Ursin had 20 points for the helped shut down Jordan Nixon, Duluth had to outlast the Fighting Clark had taken the women’s our team because I knew that Bears (28-2). whose late-game heroics had Hawks to get there again. basketball world by storm this people were going to come and Brown scored 23 for the Wol- pulled Texas A&M through the The game lasted 142 minutes, 13 season. Bueckers became the notice and watch our whole team verines (16-6). first two rounds. Nixon finished seconds — surpassing the previ- third freshman ever to earn All- play.” with three points after scoring 35 ous mark of 123:53 set in St. Law- America honors. Clark led the Westbrook just missed the 18th Mercado Region in the second round. rence’s four-overtime victory nation in scoring and came into triple-double in NCAA women’s Indiana 73, North Carolina Aaliyah Wilson scored 17 against Boston University in 2000. the regional semifinals averag- tournament history, with 17 State 70: Ali Patberg scored 17 points for No. 2 seed Texas A&M ing 29 points in the tournament. points, 10 assists and nine re- points to help the Hoosiers reach (25-3). Associated Press PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 MMA/NCAA TOURNAMENT Ngannou stops Miocic for belt Ferocious punches end UFC heavyweight title bout BY GREG BEACHAM through to her. Associated Press “I can’t talk to anybody in Cam- LAS VEGAS — Francis Ngan- eroon right now,” he said. “It’s a nou has been the next big thing in good craziness, for a good reason.” the UFC heavyweight division for The 34-year-old Ngannou is a several years. Just about every- former aspiring boxer who dis- one believed greatness was within covered mixed martial arts after the powerful Cameroonian chal- he left Cameroon for France in his lenger’s reach if he could ever put mid-20s. He rose rapidly through his prodigious talents together. his new sport with his fearsome All that potential was realized in power and growing all-around DARRON CUMMINGS / AP six sensational minutes Saturday skill, but Miocic interrupted his Arkansas guard Davonte Davis, left, shoots over Oral Roberts forward Kevin Obanor during the first half of night when Ngannou took the belt ascent by winning every round of their NCAA regional semifinal on Saturday. Davis hit the winning shot with 2.9 seconds left in the game. away from the most accomplished their first bout in Boston. fighter in the division’s history. The loss staggered the confi- Ngannou stopped Stipe Miocic dence of a once-dynamic fighter. with ferocious punches early in He barely threw a punch in his Davis’ late jumper sends the second round to claim the next bout, an embarrassing loss to heavyweight title at UFC 260. Derrick Lewis. Ngannou (11-2) avenged his Ngannou regained his confi- Arkansas past Oral Roberts blowout loss to Miocic in 2018 by dence later in 2018 and kicked off demonstrating everything he has a run of four consecutive knockout BY JOHN MARSHLL Eight, Oral Roberts stumbled with ones, stretching the lead to 46-34. learned in the ensuing three years. victories against veteran heavy- Associated Press a series of turnovers and missed “We weren’t playing hard,” Da- The first UFC heavyweight cham- weights, putting him back in line INDIANAPOLIS — The chants shots. vis said. “We were playing slow. pion from Africa flattened Miocic for Miocic. of Arkansas’ fans echoed from the Max Abmas did his best to put We were letting them slow us down (21-3) twice early in the second, fi- “He was a completely different concourse long after the players the Golden Eagles in the Elite and that’s not what we needed. nally buckling the champ’s knees fighter tonight,” UFC President had cleared the floor. Eight for the first time in 47 years, We’re a fast team.” and ending the bout 52 seconds in- Dana White said of Ngannou. “We “Wooooo, Pig! Sooie!” scoring 25 points. His three-point- Arkansas snapped out of it, play- to the round. saw things from him we never saw It’s not quite “40 Minutes of er at the buzzer bounced off the ing better defense and getting to “Man, it’s amazing,” Ngannou before. He took his time, and even Hell,” but the Razorbacks are front of the rim. the rim instead of throwing up con- ate that big right hand from Stipe. said. “The feeling of it is just great. back. “We gave him a pass option, we tested shots.. He looked perfect tonight.” Imagine something you’ve been Davonte Davis hit a short jump- gave him a dribble option,” Oral “The job wasn’t just to get to the In the Vegas cage, Ngannou was waiting for your entire life, and er with 2.9 seconds left, and Arkan- Roberts coach Paul Mills said. Sweet 16,” Abmas said. “The job far too much for Miocic, the fire- struggling to have it. Sometimes I sas advanced to the Elite Eight for “He’s super bright and picks up was to get to the national cham- fighter from Cleveland who has felt like I was drowning and I had the first time in 26 years with a 72- things really quickly and under- pionship and win it. We came up been on top of the division for four to struggle back, but now we’re 70 win over Oral Roberts in the stood and had great court aware- short, but all the stuff we accom- of the last five years. Miocic’s here.” South Region semifinals Saturday ness and had great selection on the plished this season is something heavyweight reign has been the Ngannou won a fairly quiet first night. shot. Unfortunately, it didn’t go in.” we’ll celebrate and remember the best in the history of a notoriously round with superior striking and “It’s amazing just being able to The Golden Eagles had history rest of our lives.” tumultuous UFC division, and he ground work, but there was noth- be in this position right now as an on their minds. Florida Gulf Coast most recently won the final two ing quiet about the finish. individual and as an Arkansas was the only other No. 15 seed to fights of his trilogy with Daniel Ngannou knocked down Miocic player,” said Davis, who had 16 get this far in 2013 and lost at the Cormier to cement his heavy- Scoreboard 22 seconds into the second round weight supremacy. points. regional semifinal round. with a crisp left hand to Miocic’s In the co-main event of this pay- The Muss Bus grinded its gears Oral Roberts knew it had a face, but the champion ate several per-view show at the UFC Apex through the first half into the sec- chance to top it against the Razor- East Regional punches to get up. Miocic back- gym on the promotion’s corporate ond, bad shots and even worse de- backs after playing them earlier in Regional Semifinals pedaled away and even landed a fense putting the team in a 12-point the season. The Golden Eagles led Sunday, March 28 campus, former welterweight Michigan vs. Florida St. right hand that stung Ngannou, champion Tyron Woodley lost his hole. by 10 at halftime in Fayetteville on Alabama vs. UCLA but the challenger loaded up a pic- fourth consecutive fight when Vi- Eric Musselman’s Razorbacks Dec. 20 before Arkansas bullied Regional Championship ture-perfect left hook that bent (25-6) got their Pig Sooie swagger Oral Roberts in the second half for Tuesday, March 30 cente Luque submitted him with a Semifinal winners Miocic’s legs at a gruesome angle back, turning defensive stops into an 87-76 win. D’Arce choke late in the first South Regional and put him on the canvas again, early offense opportunities and of- The Golden Eagles went chest- round. Regional Semifinals where Ngannou landed one finish- Earlier, bantamweight Sugar fensive rebounds into points. to-chest with the Razorbacks from Saturday, March 27 ing hammer fist. Sean O’Malley overcame an enor- It came down to one final shot the start of their first Sweet 16 Baylor 62, Villanova 51 “When the journey is longer, the and Davis made it, sending Arkan- game since 1974, contesting shots Arkansas 72, Oral Roberts 70 mous early mental mistake for a Regional Championship reward is always more appreciat- vicious third-round finish of Tho- sas to the Elite Eight for the first at the rim and chasing out to the Monday, March 29 ed,” Ngannou said. “I’m sure I mas Almeida. time since the Nolan Richardson arc to prevent open looks. Arkan- Baylor vs. Arkansas. AFNSports, 3:30 a.m. Tuesday CET; 11:30 a.m. Tuesday JKT. would have been happy three O’Malley, the thrilling fighter “40 Minutes of Hell” days. sas helped them out, going 1-for-7 years ago, but I think now, I have a with rainbow-dyed hair, floored Next up for the Razorbacks is from three in the first half. Midwest Regional different perspective about it, be- Almeida in the first round with a top-seeded Baylor in what should The Razorbacks tried to make it Regional Semifinals ing happy about my improve- head kick and a big punch — but be a fast-paced South Region final difficult on Abmas, trapping him in Saturday, March 27 Oregon St. 65, Loyola Chicago 58 ment.” instead of finishing his opponent on Monday. most pick-and-roll situations. The Houston 62 Syracuse 46 The violence was exactly what on the ground, O’Malley anticipat- “It’s an incredible feeling to be in nation’s leading scorer still found a Regional Championship Monday, March 29 Ngannou’s fans and coaches ex- ed a stoppage and walked away an Elite Eight in our second year,” way to get his points, with 12 in the Houston vs. Oregon St. AFNSports, 1 pected when the long-anticipated before realizing the fight hadn’t said Musselman, who took over the first half. Carlos Jurgens, who av- a.m. Tuesday CET; 9 a.m. Tuesday JKT. changing of the guard atop the been stopped. program in 2019. “I really can’t de- erages 5.7 points per game, took West Regional heavyweight division finally hap- When he floored Almeida again scribe it.” advantage of repeatedly being left Regional Semifinals pened in this rematch of two high- in the third, O’Malley briefly tried The let-it-fly Golden Eagles (18- open, scoring 11 to help Oral Ro- Sunday, March 28 ly likable fighters. to walk away again before pounc- 11) let history slip through their berts lead 35-28 at halftime. Gonzaga vs. Creighton Ngannou tried to call his mother ing and throwing a final punch grasp. The Golden Eagles continued Southern Cal vs. Oregon Regional Championship in Cameroon immediately after that bounced Almeida’s head off Within reach of becoming the making shots in the second half as Tuesday, March 30 the fight, but said he couldn’t get the canvas. first No. 15 seed to reach the Elite the Razorbacks kept taking bad Semifinal winners Monday, March 29, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 NCAA TOURNAMENT Houston Elite: No. 12 Beavers top locks down eighth-seeded Ramblers Syracuse FROM PAGE 24 Even when the shots wouldn’t was still just a schoolgirl. fall, Loyola continued to play de- And for most of Saturday, it fense, and that kept the game to advance looked as if 31 points would be close. And when Braden Norris plenty. knocked down a three and Aher BY AARON BEARD Oregon State turned it over Uguak tipped in an ally-oop with Associated Press twice before getting off a shot, 2:43 to go, the Ramblers had INDIANAPOLIS — Houston went nearly 6 ½ minutes before trimmed their deficit to 49-44 and contested every three-pointer, took making its first field goal and at had the partisan crowd sitting away clean looks and forced “Bud- one point was 1-for-8 with four mostly in the rafters of Bankers dy Buckets” to work for any sliver turnovers. Life Fieldhouse cheering. of space he could find. Then the Ramblers, who failed Kennedy hit a three-pointer to Defense has been the Cougars’ to take advantage of their defense, get the Ramblers within 51-47, strength all season. Now it has tak- proceeded to miss 11 consecutive then another shot to get within 53- en coach Kelvin Sampson’s team shots as Oregon State flip-flopped 49, but the Beavers kept finding somewhere new: the program’s between man-to-man and zone de- answers. Lucas provided one with deepest NCAA Tournament run fenses. a three, Alatishe provided another since the days of Olajuwon, Drex- “We kind of let them slow us from the foul line, and that was ler and the famed “Phi Slama Ja- down a little bit,” Krutwig said. enough to keep the Pac-12’s dream ma.” MICHAEL CONROY / AP “Honestly, we got a lot of good tournament going into the Elite Quentin Grimes scored 14 points Baylor’s Davion Mitchell blocks a shot by Villanova’s Justin Moore in looks.” Eight. and Houston’s defense locked the second half of the NCAA regional semifinals on Saturday. The Beavers wound up shutting “We’re not in charge of the down on surging Buddy Boeheim, out Loyola the last 5:48 to take a rankings,” Thompson said. “You helping the Cougars beat Syracuse 24-16 halftime lead, the lowest- know, the preseason, all of that — 62-46 on Saturday night in the scoring first half of the entire tour- all we can control is what we can Sweet 16 while holding the Orange nament. Krutwig was 3-for-5 from control. That’s going out every to their lowest point total in an Baylor grinds its the field; the rest of the Ramblers night, having fun, giving it our all NCAA Tournament game. were 1-for-18. and trying to win the game. That’s That sent the second-seeded You’d have sworn the Beavers it.” Cougars through to their first re- sported the nation’s No. 1 scoring Big picture gional final in 37 years, earning a way past Villanova defense, not the other way around. matchup with No. 12 seed Oregon Oregon State built on Warith Oregon State is making the most State for the Midwest Region title BY EDDIE PELLS “Coach said we’re not going to Alatishe’s buzzer-beating bucket of its second NCAA Tournament and a spot in the Final Four. Associated Press win if we keep shooting the off- to end the first half by getting appearance since 1990. The Bea- “Obviously, we know the excite- INDIANAPOLIS — That ice dribble three,” Mitchell said. “He some shots to go in the second. vers had beaten higher-seeded ment we’re bringing to the city of that seemed to be forming across told us to trust the defense and get Thompson did most of the dam- teams in Tennessee and Oklaho- Houston and to the university,” the three-point arc was hardly in the paint.” age, hitting an early jumper, beat- ma State before knocking off one said DeJon Jarreau, who flirted enough to throw Baylor off course. The game changed midway ing the shot clock with another fa- of the sentimental favorites. with a triple-double while leading Some rugged defense and a through the second half when the deaway, then catching a Hail Ma- Loyola Chicago was trying to the defensive effort on Boeheim. newly discovered love for points Bears took Drew’s words to heart ry heave to beat a full-court press become the first No. 8 seed since “We’re very happy for that, but we in the paint helped the top-seeded and started pounding inside. They and give the Beavers a 37-24 lead Kentucky in 2014 to reach the have a mission to accomplish.” Bears find the formula for a 62-51 took a six-point lead with a 14-2 with 12 minutes to go. Elite Eight. The Cougars hadn’t reached a victory over Villanova on Satur- run during which not a single Meanwhile, the Ramblers were But its slow start proved to be regional final since a run of three day and a trip to the Elite Eight. point came from outside the arc. hitting everything but the bottom too much to overcome. The Ram- straight Final Fours with their Adam Flagler was the surprise Baylor outscored ’Nova 40-32 in of the bucket. blers never led the final 35-plus high-flying style under coach Guy leading scorer, with 16 points, and the paint for the game. Williamson rimmed out three- minutes of the game. Lewis in the 1980s. Future NBA Baylor (25-2), which came in as Defense picked up, too. pointers on back-to-back trips greats Clyde Drexler and Hakeem the nation’s leading three-point Constantly harassing Villanova down the floor. Tate Hall clanked Up next Olajuwon were teammates on the shooting team at 41.5%, won de- shooters who’d carved out space a couple of free throws when that The Beavers play the Cougars 1983 team that reached the title spite making only three of 19 in the first half, Baylor held the was about the only place they for a spot in the Final Four. Ore- game before losing on a shocking against Wildcats’ ever-shifting Wildcats to 37.5% shooting in the were scoring. Krutwig even had a gon State beat Houston in the 1966 last-play dunk to North Carolina 2-3, man-to-man combo on D. second and 0-for-9 from three. baby hook go halfway down and West Region semifinal and again State’s “Cardiac Pack” coached by The Bears, who started the sea- The Bears had four of their five right back out. in the 2009 CBI Tournament. Jim Valvano. son 18-0 and won their first-ever blocked shots after halftime. Dur- The next year, Olajuwon led Big 12 regular-season title, are one ing one stretch in the decisive run, Houston back to the 1984 final be- win from the Final Four for the Baylor forced five straight turn- fore losing to Patrick Ewing and first time since 2012. They will overs. Villanova finished with 16 Georgetown. play Arkansas in the South region- turnovers, almost double its na- And now Sampson’s bunch has al final on Monday. tion-best season average (8.8). the once-proud program back Davion Mitchell, a 46% shooter Coach Jay Wright’s team scored within a win of the Final Four. from three this season, went 0- 10 points in the final 11 minutes. The Cougars (27-3) came in for-3 from long range on a 14-point “We were good enough to beat holding opponents to a national- day. The team’s other two high- them but they just played better low 37.3% shooting, and then ha- powered guards didn’t fare better. down the stretch,” Wright said. “I rassed Syracuse (18-10) into just Jared Butler scored nine points on think their defense got into us and 28% (14-for-50). That included a 5- 1-for-9 shooting from three, and wore us down and it made the dif- for-23 performance from three- MaCio Teague had five points ference in the game.” point rang. without a three. The Wildcats (18-7) came in “We just talked all week about “When we are 2-for-12 at half, with a middling defense at best, five people guarding the ball,” we figured we’ve got to get in- but looked to be turning things Sampson said. “It’s not one person side,” coach Scott Drew said of the around over the first weekend of or two people, it’s five — five people team’s three-point shooting. “We the tournament. There were mini- had to be in the right spot. I thought got good looks but not great looks. victories in this one, too, in part be- for the most part, we were.” The guards did a great job of not cause Wright’s deft mix of defens- “It’s the best defense that that settling and probing more.” es kept the Bears off the mark. DARRON CUMMINGS/AP we’ve seen this year and they de- Because of that, Baylor shot This marked only the second time Loyola Chicago head coach Porter Moser, right, consoles guard Mar served to win,” coach Jim Boeheim 53% in the second half, even this season anyone has held them quise Kennedy. The Ramblers fell 6558 Saturday to Oregon State in said. though it made only one three. under 65 points. Sweet 16 game played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 29, 2021 Central focus SPORTS Hurricanes top Lightning in showdown between division rivals ›› NHL, Page 19

NCAA TOURNAMENT Oregon State guard Ethan Thompson, right, shoots over Loyola Chicago guard Tate Hall during the Beavers’ 6558 Sweet 16 victory over the Ramblers on Saturday in Indianapolis. Oregon State JEFF ROBERSON/AP among Elite Beavers have gone from Pac-12 underdog to Final Four contender with victory over Loyola

BY DAVE SKRETTA Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS icked to finish dead last in the Pac-12, Oregon State instead might be the last one standing. Led by unflappable guard Ethan Thompson, Pwhose 20 points included a pair of clinching foul shots with 35 seconds left, the No. 12 seed Beavers and their brilliant defense shut down eighth-seeded Loyola Chicago in a 65-58 victory on Saturday that sent their long-suffering program into the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. It’s Oregon State’s first regional final since 1982 — one that was later vacated by the NCAA — and sets up a showdown with second-seeded Houston on Monday night for a spot in its first Final Four since 1963. “They just want to keep riding the wave,” said Beavers coach “They just Wayne Tinkle, whose hungry bunch of underdogs have matched want to Missouri in 2002 as the lowest- seeded teams to advance past the keep riding Sweet 16. “We did use the fact we were the wave.” picked 12th in the Pac-12 this year,” Tinkle added, “but we Wayne Tinkle haven’t made a big deal about the Beavers coach 12th seed. I don’t want to throw too much at them. They’ll see it. We just have to keep our feet on the ground.” That’s getting harder to do with each passing day. Not even the fervent prayers of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt could help Loyola deal with the Beavers (20-12) and the constantly changing defenses that Tinkle rolled out. The Ramblers (26-5), who played with such poise and per- fection in toppling top-seeded Illinois, wound up shooting 33% from the field and 5-for-23 from beyond the arc. All-America forward Cameron Krutwig led Loyola with 14 points. Lucas Williamson and Braden Norris added 10 apiece, though both of them missed three-pointers in the closing minutes as the Ramblers tried to mount a comeback. “Very hard scene in our locker room,” said Loyola coach Porter Moser, whose name has surfaced in connection with several major conference jobs. “Kids cared so much, invest- ed so much. Very tough when it comes to an end.” It was the second meeting between the teams and first since Dec. 31, 1927, when the Ramblers won 31-19 in Chicago —and Sister Jean, the team’s beloved 101-year-old chaplain,

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INSIDE Arkansas ends Oral Roberts’ Cinderella run on late jumper Page 22

Ngannou KOs Miocic for heavyweight title ›› MMA, Page 22