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Volume 78, No. 224 ©SS 2020 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas

CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK US soldier is infected with virus

BY KIM GAMEL AND YOO KYONG CHANG Stars and Stripes SEOUL, South Korea — An American sol- dier tested positive for the new coronavirus, the military said Wednesday as it tightened restrictions aimed at keeping the pneumonia- like illness off-base. The 23-year-old soldier, stationed at Camp Carroll, is the first U.S. service member known to be infected with COVID-19, which has spread globally with alarming alacrity since it first appeared in China in December. The widow of a military retiree who had base access also was reported to be infected earlier this week in the nearby city of Daegu, which is at the epicenter of the recent outbreak. SEE VIRUS ON PAGE 8

A 2nd Infantry Division soldier checks for a temperature as dozens of vehicles line up to enter the Dongchang-ri gate at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, on Wednesday. Matthew Keeler/Stars and Stripes  More coverage on pages 8-9

Esper pitches $705B budget amid possible showdown with Congress over border wall

BY STEVE BEYNON U.S.-Mexico border wall could spark tional warfare,” Esper said testify- lion to construct more border wall, a Stars and Stripes a fight when it comes time to approve ing before the House Committee on key campaign promise from Trump. a federal budget. Armed Services. The move sparked a chorus of Dem- WASHINGTON — Defense Sec- “We are in the midst of rapid tech- However, Congress and President ocratic outrage and a rare rebuke retary Mark Esper said Wednes- nological change that has the potential Donald Trump’s administration from Republicans as the administra- day that the United States needs to to fundamentally alter the character could brawl over the military’s bud- tion attempts to circumvent congres- embrace “critical and emerging” of war. Our adversaries are system- get, which seeks to move billions of sional control of federal spending in technology completely as it aims to atically and strategically developing dollars to southern border security an election year. continue its edge over near-peer ad- and fielding advanced systems, erod- to curtail illegal immigration, drug “This is an enormous problem,” versaries China and Russia. How- ing the advantage the United States smuggling and human trafficking. said Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., ever, clashes with Congress over the Esper military has maintained in conven- The Pentagon plans to divert $3.8 bil- SEE BUDGET ON PAGE 3 PAGE 2 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, February 27, 2020 BUSINESS/WEATHER Disney CEO steps down in surprise announcement EXCHANGE RATES Military rates Switzerland (Franc)...... 0.9768 Euro costs (Feb. 27) ...... $1.1157 Thailand (Baht) ...... 31.87 Dollar buys (Feb. 27) ...... €0.8963 Turkey (Lira) ...... 6.1561 Associated Press British pound (Feb. 27) ...... $1.33 (Military exchange rates are those products business. day-to-day basis. Japanese yen (Feb. 27) ...... 108.00 available to customers at military banking “Did not see this coming South Korean won (Feb. 27) ...... 1,187.00 facilities in the country of issuance “It was not accelerated for any Commercial rates NEW YORK — Disney CEO — Wowza,” tweeted LightShed for Japan, South Korea, Germany, the Bob Iger, who steered the com- particular reason other than I felt Bahrain (Dinar) ...... 0.3766 Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For media analyst Rich Greenfield. the need was now to make this British pound ...... $1.2951 nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pany’s absorption of Star Wars, Canada (Dollar) ...... 1.3282 purchasing British pounds in Germany), Iger will remain executive change,” Iger said on a conference China (Yuan) ...... 7.0410 check with your local military banking Pixar, Marvel and Fox’s entertain- facility. Commercial rates are interbank chairman through the end of his call with reporters and analysts. Denmark (Krone) ...... 6.8790 ment businesses and the launch of contract Dec. 31, 2021. Besides Egypt (Pound) ...... 15.6003 rates provided for reference when buying Chapek, 60, is only the seventh Euro ...... $1.0860/0.9208 currency. All figures are foreign currencies a Netflix challenger, is stepping leading the board, Iger said he Hong Kong (Dollar) ...... 7.7933 to one dollar, except for the British pound, down immediately, the company CEO in Disney history. Chapek Hungary (Forint) ...... 312.79 which is represented in dollars-to-pound, will spend more time on Disney’s and the euro, which is dollars-to-euro.) said in a surprise announcement was head of the parks, experi- Israel (Shekel) ...... 3.4337 creative endeavors, including the Japan (Yen) ...... 110.60 Tuesday. ESPN sports network, the newly ences and products division since Kuwait (Dinar) ...... 0.3064 INTEREST RATES The Walt Disney Co. named it was created in 2018. He was Norway (Krone) ...... 9.3908 acquired Fox studios and the Philippines (Peso)...... 51.06 Prime rate ...... 4.75 as his replacement Bob Cha- Hulu and Disney Plus streaming previously head of parks and re- Poland (Zloty) ...... 3.97 Discount rate ...... 2.25 pek, most recently chairman of services. He said he could not do sorts and before that president of Saudi Arabia (Riyal) ...... 3.7521 Federal funds market rate ...... 1.58 Singapore (Dollar) ...... 1.3976 3-month bill ...... 1.51 Disney’s parks, experiences and that while running Disney on a consumer products. South Korea (Won) ...... 1,214.59 30-year bond ...... 1.81 WEATHER OUTLOOK THURSDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY IN EUROPE FRIDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 34/27 Kabul 64/41 Seoul 40/36 Baghdad 70/50 Kandahar 77/50 Osan Tokyo Mildenhall/ Drawsko 46/36 46/27 Lakenheath Pomorskie Busan 43/37 38/32 45/38 Iwakuni 45/40 Kuwait Bahrain Zagan Sasebo City 67/63 Brussels 39/34 Guam 67/53 38/34 Ramstein 50/40 82/78 Lajes, 39/34 Riyadh Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 73/50 70/59 63/59 41/33 45/35 Aviano/ Vicenza 46/31

Naples 54/43 Okinawa Morón 68/64 64/46 Sigonella Rota 57/39 The weather is provided by the Djibouti Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 84/71 62/46 60/54 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

T O D A Y IN STRIPES American Roundup ..... 14 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 17 Crossword ...... 17 Faces ...... 15 Opinion ...... 16 Sports ...... 18-24 Thursday, February 27, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 3 MILITARY Budget: Move to divert money to border wall blasted by committee

FROM FRONT PAGE budget for fiscal year 2021, which “More so than any other emerg- the chairman of the committee, begins Oct. 1. However, the re- ing technology, AI is transform- who argued the money is being quest is a 0.1% increase from this ing our society and affecting the diverted from other defense re- year’s budget and a far cry from ways in which we do business, in- sources. “The message it sends the Department of Veterans Af- teract socially, and conduct war,” is that the Pentagon has plenty of fairs’ 10.2% requested budget Esper said. “Our competitors have money. It undercuts the congres- increase for next year. The bud- also recognized the transforma- sional process. This basically says get plateau tive potential of AI and are invest- that Congress doesn’t spend the comes after ing heavily in it as they modernize money, the president does.” years of their military forces. Maintaining big bumps a competitive advantage in AI is Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, /Stars and Stripes by Presi- PHOTOS BY CARLOS BONGIOANNI the top Republican on the com- essential to our national security.” dent Don- Esper said the Pentagon re- mittee, also blasted the move, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, left, and Chairman of the Joint ald Trump mains committed to a serious saying it is “substituting the judg- Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley listen to a question during a House since he took boost in the Navy’s fleet, but the ment of the administration for the Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on office. future fleet will look much differ- judgment of Congress. I am deep- Wednesday. The Pen- ent than today, including “autono- ly concerned about where we’re tagon’s pro- mous” ships. saying the Navy should amass an you are to submit the shipbuild- headed with the constitutional posed budget “The future force will empha- even larger force — mostly with issue.” Thornberry ing plan, and for you to say you’re “does not size fewer large surface platforms, smaller attack craft. Thornberry, who is not run- going to give it to us on your own keep pace more and smaller surface combat- “I support the 355-ship Navy, good time when you’re ready … ning for reelection, warned in a with infla- ants, lightly/optionally manned frankly we need more than 355,” you are not in line with the law. statement two weeks ago, that the tion,” Esper ships and an ample submarine he said. “Fewer large platforms, You are heading for a major brawl Pentagon’s move to shift funds said. “Given force,” he said in his statement. more smaller platforms, more at- with this committee.” from equipment and weapons to this flat- “Just as the Air Force and Army tack submarines.” Esper continued to warn that border security “undermines the tened fund- are integrating more remotely The Defense Department didn’t principle of civilian control of the ing level, piloted aircraft and optionally send a mandated 30-year ship- China poses the biggest threat to military and is in violation of the we made manned ground vehicles, the Navy building plan to Congress with its U.S. military superiority in the separation of powers within the many tough must begin to integrate and deploy budget. Esper said he’s awaiting coming decades, noting Beijing’s Constitution.” decisions to lightly/optionally manned ships.” the plan. goal of becoming the preeminent Trump has increasingly relied ensure our Acting Navy Secretary Thom- “I know it’s beyond the due date global military power by 2049. on the Defense Department to Smith highest pri- as Modly in December directed … But I want to give you the right “What is most troubling is that deliver on his administration’s orities were the service to reach 355 or more plan, a good plan,” he said. China is pursuing these objectives promise of extending security on adequately funded.” ships — from aircraft carriers to Shipbuilding took a massive hit by any means necessary, includ- the southern border, with most ef- Defense money is slated to invest unmanned submersibles — within in the 2021 budget request, which ing forced technology transfer, forts to build up physical border in the creation of a Space Force, 10 years, an accelerated timeline asks for $19.9 billion for shipbuild- intellectual property theft, cyber barriers stalling in the Democrat- the military’s newest branch of that trims two decades off previ- ing, $4.1 billion less than approved espionage, and commercial ac- controlled House. service, as well as in artificial in- ous plans. for 2020. quisitions,” he said. “Once Beijing The Pentagon has defended the telligence, 5G communications, Yet it remains unclear how the Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., obtains and develops these tech- move. Esper said: “The president hypersonic weapons, autonomous Navy could reach that number. had harsh words for Esper’s fail- nologies, it leverages them to in- has decided there’s a national weaponry, and a 3% pay raise for Modly’s predecessor, Rich- ure to provide a blueprint for the timidate or coerce smaller states, emergency on the border,” liken- troops. It continues investments ard Spencer, asked Congress in future of the Navy’s fleet, warn- ing the military shifting priori- in modernizing America’s nuclear March 20 19 for $31 billion to build ing he is on a collision course with while simultaneously narrowing ties to the border to responding to arsenal, and includes the largest 355 ships by 2049, a goal set in Congress. the United States’ competitive wildfires and hurricanes. ever research, development and the law under the 2018 National “You are out of line, sir. The law advantage.” The Pentagon is asking Con- testing budget of $106.6 billion, Defense Authorization Act. Esper is quite clear,” Garamendi said. [email protected] gress to approve a $705.4 billion $2.1 billion more than 2020. went a step further Wednesday, “When you submit your budget, Twitter: @StevenBeynon Elections, and election years, can have big consequences

BY ANDREW CLEVENGER argue that a lot more funding is needed in This undercuts the Pentagon’s cred- and procurement — would be $243.5 bil- CQ-Roll Call the coming years to prepare for the great ibility with lawmakers when the military lion, $4.8 billion less than 2020. power competition envisioned by the Na- claims it still has unfunded priorities, says There’s an election-year political calcu- WASHINGTON — Ever since then- tional Defense Strategy. Dov Zakheim, Defense Department comp- lus to this, says Byron Callan, a defense Defense Secretary Jim Mattis unveiled Or, the Defense Department could set its troller under George W. Bush. analyst with Capital Alpha Partners. While his National Defense Strategy in January precious game plan aside and start making “It sends the worst kind of message,” 2018, Pentagon planners have been recit- the money being reprogrammed for the more onerous choices about what it needs he says. And the challenges that strain border wall was slated to be spent large- ing, mantra-like, the need to grow the de- the most. the Pentagon’s budget aren’t going away. ly on weapons being built in Republican fense budget by 3 to 5 percent annually. The president’s budget request does The department needs to replace all three strongholds such as Alabama and Texas, And that growth needs neither. legs of its aging nuclear triad, which com- ANALYSIS to be in real terms, above “The most responsible strategic choice mits a lot of its buying power to the new demonstrating progress on the wall might inflation. would be to adopt a strategy that’s actually Columbia-class nuclear submarines, the help motivate voters in swing states such Anything less would affordable,” says Kori Schake, director of B-21 stealth bomber and a new ground- as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida. put the U.S. at risk of los- defense policy studies at the American En- launched missile. “I think there’s been a calculation that ing a potential conflict with resurgent Rus- terprise Institute. “It’s long past time for In the meantime, the military’s opera- the wall is more important as a messaging sia and rapacious China. the Pentagon to do less with less.” tional tempo is unlikely to slow down in vehicle,” he says. But if you look at the future years’ pro- And others suggest that budget conster- pivotal areas. There’s an obvious disconnect between jections submitted along with the Penta- nation could lead to inspiration. If the U.S. pulls back in the Pacific, it the president’s rhetoric, which claims gon’s 2021 request, that kind of growth is “Budgetary discipline is actually a good cedes the region to Chinese influence, that his largesse has provided the Penta- nowhere to be found. Where did the Na- thing for the Pentagon, not budget gener- Zakheim says. Exiting the Middle East gon with more than a trillion dollars and tional Defense Strategy go? osity,” says Gordon Adams, who was the empowers Iran. And reducing American fielded the best military in the world, and To be fair, Congress set the Defense Clinton administration’s top budget official presence in Europe will only embolden Department’s 2021 topline at $705.4 bil- the Pentagon’s claim that the need for ad- for national security. “It’s good for budgets Russian President Vladimir Putin. ditional funding is significant and lasting. lion when it struck a two-year budget deal to be constrained in the Pentagon because “What exactly should we give up? That’s Ultimately, the Pentagon’s status quo last summer. On paper, that’s an increase the services make better choices when our dilemma,” Zakheim says. approach and its cheerful acquiescence to of only $800 million over 2020. But it’s an they are.” The Pentagon points to the $106.6 billion actual decrease once you factor in the $8 Then, just as the Pentagon was unveil- it wants for research, development, testing being Trump’s piggy bank for the border billion of emergency funding Congress ap- ing its budget, the White House announced and evaluation — its largest RDT&E re- wall have turned its budget request into an propriated for this year to repair damage plans to repurpose $3.8 billion of military quest ever — as evidence that it is commit- instrument for the president’s reelection to military installations from floods and funds to put toward building a wall on ted to winning a potential high-end fight. campaign. hurricanes. the southern border, a pet project — and But that’s only a $2.1 billion increase over From an organization that prides itself Given the circumstances, the Pentagon campaign promise — of President Donald what it received in 2020, and its total in- on staying out of politics, the country de- had two options. Request more money, and Trump. vestment spending — the sum of RDT&E serves better. PAGE 4 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, February 27, 2020 MILITARY Marine Corps cites Governor’s budget includes an end to holdout NJ’s tax on combat pay safety concerns in Burlington County (N.J.) Times New Jersey Legislature as part of advance in the lame-duck was a their budget review process. But disappointment, but that he was TRENTON, N.J. — This might the fact that it was incorporated able to bring the measure to the become the year that New Jersey in the governor’s plan is a signifi- Democratic governor’s atten- finally stops taxing active-duty cant endorsement. tion during conversations with service members’ combat pay. disbanding squadron The exemption is expected to his staff about unrelated ethics Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed fiscal year 2021 budget proposes cost about $1.2 million and benefit legislation. Associated Press The Marine Corps believes exempting the $225 per month about 3,600 New Jersey service “We differ philosophically on a that it is no longer able to ensure bonuses paid to service mem- members, according to Treasury lot of things but where there are YUMA, Ariz. — A Marine the safety of the Marines who fly bers and contractors deployed officials and past Office of Legis- things we can come together, let’s Corps search and rescue squad- the aircraft or anyone who would in combat zones, such as Iraq, lative Services estimates. do that,” Peters said. ron in southwest Arizona will potentially need to be rescued. Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Ara- Exempting the military com- Murphy’s staffers embraced disband amid safety concerns, Search and rescue operations bia, Syria, Yemen and Somalia, bat pay from New Jersey taxes is the idea of exempting the com- military officials said. have also been phased out and among others. not a new idea. Members of the bat pay and Peters said he was Capt. Gabriel Adibe confirmed are no longer a primary function The federal government al- Legislature have proposed legis- thrilled to learn it was incorpo- that the air station’s squadron of of the Marine Corps. ready excludes all compensation lation to exempt the bonuses each rated into the budget. “It’s really four twin-engine military heli- “This is a capability that the paid to personnel serving in such session for the past two decades. moving the ball forward and get- copters is officially being decom- Marine Corps does not intend designated war zones but New However, the legislation has never ting it on people’s radar,” he said. missioned next month, Yuma Sun to go forward with,” Adibe said. Jersey is believed to be the only reached the governor’s desk. In addition to providing tax re- reported. The squadron is the last “The Marine Corps does not plan state in the nation that still taxes A bill to exempt it was approved lief to active-duty service-mem- of its kind in the Marine Corps. to replace the aircraft.” the bonuses. by the Senate by a 37-0 vote dur- bers, the exemption might also The decision marks the end of Community leaders and resi- Murphy cited the exemption in ing the last legislative session but help efforts to protect and en- decadeslong military-aided res- dents have expressed concerns, his budget address Tuesday and failed to make it out of the Assem- hance Joint Base McGuire-Dix- cue operations in the Yuma area, because there is nothing set up his administration has described bly Appropriations Committee. Lakehurst and the state’s other including search and rescue for locally to replace the squadron’s it as a component of $1.26 billion One of the bill’s most vocal sup- military installations, since it missing hikers and boaters, au- services. in property tax relief he is propos- porters during the last session demonstrates the state is welcom- thorities said. The Arizona Department of ing in the spending plan, his third was Assemblyman Ryan Peters, ing to military service members The squadron was scheduled to Public Safety has offered its as- since he took office. Other tax a Navy SEAL commander from and their families. be decommissioned in June, but sistance with its own fleet of he- relief spending includes money Burlington County, who called The joint base is already the worsening conditions have ad- licopters capable of providing for the Senior Freeze and Home- for the Assembly to take the leg- state’s second-largest employer vanced the timeline. similar rescue services, Yuma stead programs and the state’s in- islation up during the lame-duck besides the state government it- The helicopters have become County sheriff’s Lt. Sam Pavlak come tax deduction on property when hundreds of measures are self. But earlier this month, the too difficult and costly for the said. The department has recent- tax bills up to $15,000. rushed to the governor before the installation was passed over for Marine Corps to maintain, Adibe ly assisted with local rescues, but Murphy’s budget is merely a session’s end. Fort Knox, Ky., to become the said, adding that some have been none of the helicopters used are proposal and the exemption will Peters, a Hainesport Repub- home for the Army’s new V Corps in operation since the 1970s. based in Yuma, he said. still have to be approved by the lican, said the bill’s failure to headquarters. Thursday, February 27, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 5 MILITARY Police: Man tr ied to set Pentagon: States need to help fire to car in military spouses transfer licenses

Pentagon lot BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY the new licenses can add up. The sooner while the state receives Stars and Stripes 2020 National Defense Authoriza- the remaining documentation for BY NIKKI WENTLING tion Act has a provision that dou- a full license. Stars and Stripes WASHINGTON — States still bled the reimbursement for state Each of the 50 states establish- need to do more to make it easier licenses from $500 to $1,000. es how people apply for profes- WASHINGTON — An Arkan- Matthew Dmitri Richardson for spouses of service members to The Defense Department in its sional licenses and the Defense sas man was arrested Monday obtain the credentials they need report outlined what states can do Department has been working after he attempted to blow up a Justice Department said. to work, according to a new Pen- immediately, what new policies with states since 2011 to imple- vehicle in a Pentagon parking lot When the Pentagon officer ap- tagon report. they might need and how they ment laws that make the process and led police on a manhunt that proached Richardson, he ran The military spouse unemploy- need to accept more occupational easier for military spouses. ended at Arlington National Cem- onto a road and jumped over a ment rate is 24%, according to the licenses from other states, Beau- After several years of the De- etery, according to the Justice fence into Arlington National Defense Department, and fre- regard said. fense Department working close- Department. Cemetery. quent military moves can make it The Pentagon has come up ly with states on military spouse Police arrested Matthew Dmi- He was captured at about 1 more difficult for spouses to hold with a best practices “continuum” occupational license laws, a 2017 tri Richardson, 19, of Fayetteville, p.m. near Arlington House, the down a career, even more so for that shows the milestones states study by the University of Minne- Ark., on charges of maliciously former home of Robert E. Lee on spouses who need state-issued should aim to reach so they can sota examined what real change attempting to damage and de- cemetery grounds. A cemetery professional licenses to work. progress toward accepting more had occurred from their efforts. stroy by means of fire. He was set spokesman said Monday that no The report released Monday occupational licenses from other “And we found that there were to make his initial appearance in staff or visitors were injured. and submitted to Congress ex- states. These milestones include significantly mixed results,” Be- federal court Tuesday afternoon. Police found Richardson plains how the Pentagon will updating language in laws so that auregard said. “There were lots Richardson was spotted by a with a cigarette lighter and determine reciprocity — the they do not impede approval for of circumstances where boards Pentagon police officer at about gloves, according to the Justice state-to-state exchange of oc- licenses and implementing exist- may have interpreted the broad 10:45 a.m. in the north parking Department. cupational licenses for military ing spouse license laws and expe- law differently than we had antic- lot, where he was striking a ciga- Richardson was previously ar- spouses. dited licensing. ipated and really did not make it rette lighter to a piece of fabric rested in Arlington County on About 34% of military spouses As a baseline for states to de- much easier for military spouses. that was inserted into a vehicle’s Feb. 22 on two counts of felony need some type of license or cer- termine whether they are on the And we also found that the imple- gas tank, according to the Jus- assault on a law enforcement of- tification in order to work in their right track, the Pentagon deter- mentation of those laws was not tice Department. Richardson told ficer. He also has an outstanding career field, Marcus Beauregard, mined that a state should be able consistent throughout the states.” the officer that he was going to warrant in West Fork, Ark. The director of the Defense-State Li- to issue a license within 30 days Military spouses are finding it “blow this vehicle up,” as well as West Fork Police Department put aison Office, told reporters Mon- to a spouse who has submitted difficult to obtain all the informa- himself. out a call for his arrest on Feb. day at the Pentagon. the minimum documentation re- tion and forms they need to com- The vehicle’s owner is an ac- 13. The application process in a quired, Beauregard said. The li- plete their applications, he said. tive-duty service member who [email protected] new state can delay how soon censes could also be temporary [email protected] does not know Richardson, the Twitter: @nikkiwentling spouses can work, and costs for and would allow spouses to work Twitter: @caitlinmkenney PAGE 6 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, February 27, 2020 MIDEAST/MILITARY US-Taliban pact could ease Afghanistan political drama

BY PHILLIP WALTER WELLMAN istan, said in a video distributed confrontation between Ghani and Stars and Stripes by the military Tuesday evening. Abdullah less likely. If the “reduction in violence” “ T here’s just as good of a cha nce KABUL, Afghanistan — Peace agreement proves successful, the that the peace process winds up talks between the Taliban and U.S. plans to sign a deal with the serving as an exit ramp to de-es- the Kabul government could ease Taliban on Saturday that opens calate tensions over the election tensions over a drawn-out elec- the way for intra-Afghan talks. results,” said Andrew Watkins, a SCREEN SHOT/U.S. Forces-Afghanistan tion drama in Af- Until now, the Taliban has re- senior Afghanistan analyst at In- Gen. Scott Miller, the top American commander in Afghanistan, ANALYSIS ghanistan, where fused to negotiate with the Kabul ternational Crisis Group. right, and Afghan Defense Minister Asadullah Khalid visit a military after nearly two government. A unified government that in- base in southern Kandahar province on Tuesday , where they said a decades of U.S.- Those negotiations could defuse cludes Ghani and Abdullah, who weeklong period of reduced violence has been successful so far. led war and reconstruction ef- the tensions that have followed has served in the country’s No. forts, a stable democracy has yet a presidential election process 2 executive position following an A peace deal between the U.S. integrating the Taliban into the to take shape. marred by technical problems agreement after the 2014 election, and the Taliban would likely government and military. The talks are expected to be and allegations of fraud. Incum- would mean a better bargaining mean a gradual drawdown of A timeline for the U.S. with- part of a broader deal after the bent President Ashraf Ghani was position with the Taliban, said American forces from Afghani- drawal hasn’t been announced. end of a weeklong partial cease- declared the winner earlier this Johnny Walsh, a senior expert on stan in exchange for assurances However, during a visit to India fire meant to test the Taliban’s month, five months after the vot- Afghanistan at the U.S. Institute by the Taliban to prevent terror- this week, President Donald ability to curtail violence in the ing took place. The result led his of Peace. ists from using the country to Trump said the roughly 13,000 country, which U.S. officials said main rival, Abdullah Abdullah, “At the same time, if that kind stage attacks against the U.S. and was on track as it reached its mid- to say he would form a parallel of unity is not possible, it doesn’t its allies. U.S. troops deployed to Afghani- point Tuesday. government. mean that negotiations are Once the deal is signed, the stan would initially be reduced to “We’re seeing what we would Negotiations between Kabul doomed, it just means that nego- Taliban would then begin talks 8,600 before decisions on further call a downward trend in vio- and the insurgents mean the gov- tiations will be different,” Walsh with the Afghan government and reductions are made. lence,” Gen. Scott Miller, the top ernment could change anyway, said, adding that it would mean other stakeholders to establish a [email protected] American commander in Afghan- which analysts say makes a major more sides at the table. cease-fire and tackle issues like Twitter: @pwwellman Wis. governor picks Air Force reservist to lead National Guard Associated Press MADISON, Wis. — A brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force Reserves who has more than 25 years of military experience will take over as commander of the Wisconsin National Guard following a sexual assault scandal that led to the former leader resigning in Decem- ber, Gov. Tony Evers announced Monday. Brig. Gen. Paul Knapp, who has not served in the Wisconsin National Guard but is from Antigo and lives in Whitefish Bay, will take GHAITH ALSAYED/AP over the position as commander, Evers said in a statement. With the five-year appointment, Turkish-backed Syrian fighters take a break Monday near the village of Neirab, in Idlib province, Syria. Knapp’s rank will increase to major general. Evers said an expert panel of current and retired military officers, including the ad- jutant generals of Georgia and Maine, in- Syrian troops capture more rebel areas terviewed applicants and recommended finalists. Associated Press homes in nearly three months. Dar al-Kabira. Knapp will replace Maj. Gen. Donald Turkey and Russia back rival groups The announcement came a day after Dunbar, who resigned at the end of Decem- BEIRUT — Shelling and airstrikes by in the Syrian conflict and over the past shelling and airstrikes in Idlib province ber after a report from the National Guard Syrian government forces killed at least weeks Ankara sent thousands of Turkish left at least 16 civilians dead, including Bureau found that under his leadership the three people on Wednesday in northwest- troops to Idlib. Clashes between Turkish students and teachers in a school in the Wisconsin National Guard defied federal law, ern Syria, where dozens of villages, in- and Syrian troops so far this month have provincial capital, also called Idlib. regulations and policies for years over the cluding major rebel strongholds in the last left 16 Turkish soldiers dead. An airstrike on the rebel-held village of handling of soldiers’ sexual assault and ha- opposition-held area, have been captured Syrian opposition activists said govern- Arnabeh on Wednesday morning killed rassment complaints. over the past few days. ment forces shelled a Turkish military three people, according to the Britain- Allegations that Wisconsin Guard officers The new push by Russian-backed Syr- convoy on a road near the northwestern based Syrian Observatory for Human had been brushing aside sexual assault com- ian troops could worsen the humanitarian village of Bara on Wednesday. There was Rights, an opposition war monitoring plaints and retaliating against victims first crisis that has displaced nearly a million no immediate word on casualties. group, and Idlib-based activist Hadi became public in November 2018. people and left more than 300 civilians On Tuesday, Syrian troops shot down Abdullah. Knapp graduated in 1992 from the U.S. Air dead since the beginning of December. a Turkish drone over Idlib, saying it was A doctor in Idlib said in a video released Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., The violence came as a Russian delega- carrying out a reconnaissance mission late Tuesday that the medical conditions and previously served as a special agent for tion was scheduled to arrive in Turkey over a town recently captured by govern- are deteriorating in Idlib. the Air Force Office of Special Investiga- later Wednesday to resume talks aimed ment forces. “The medical situation is getting worse tions before attending navigator training. at easing tensions in the northwestern A Syrian army statement said govern- and worse,“ said the doctor who identified He served two operational tours as an F-15E Idlib region. The area is the country’s ment forces captured, in addition to doz- himself as Ihsan Eidi. The video was re- weapon systems officer and one as an air liai- last rebel-controlled stronghold and the ens of villages, some strategic hills deep leased by a charity organization known as son officer to the U.S. Army in South Korea. Syrian government’s military campaign inside the heavily fortified areas once Islamic Relief Worldwide. The doctor said Knapp left active duty in 2003. He served the there, backed by Russia, has created a held by insurgents. It said the villages more than 50 hospitals and health centers past year as backup to the commander at the humanitarian catastrophe with more captured include former strongholds such have gone out of service over the past nine Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirt- than 900,000 people displaced from their as Kafranbel, Has, Kfar Sajneh and al- months as conditions worsened. land Air Force Base in New Mexico. Thursday, February 27, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 7 MILITARY Testimony: ‘Yes, I had the intent to kill’

BY SETH ROBSON AND HANA KUSUMOTO Saito, who said she had been dating knife with her eyes closed and didn’t aim der-suicide” twice. Stars and Stripes Vollweiler and helped him find his home it. However, in response to a question from “I thought that it meant kill myself,” near Yokota, admit- Presiding Judge Yu Takeshita, she admit- Saito said, adding that she intended to TACHIKAWA, Japan — A Japanese ted under questioning ted to targeting Vollweiler’s neck. commit suicide with the kitchen knives at woman who admitted to fatally stabbing an that she stabbed her Chief Master Sgt. Paul Rodgers, the se- Vollweiler’s home. American airman in his off-base home said boyfriend with one of nior enlisted adviser for Yokota’s security She said she stabbed Vollweiler after she aimed for his neck when questioned by two kitchen knives she forces, on Tuesday told the court about Rodgers gave her one minute to leave as he a judge Wednesday during the third day of brought to his home rushing into his friend’s home moments and two other airmen waited outside. her jury trial in western Tokyo. and that she intended after the stabbing and seeing Saito with “a On Friday, defense attorneys argued Aria Saito, 28, of Tokyo, is charged with to kill him. knife in her hand” and Vollweiler clutching events that day exceeded Saito’s ability to murder in the Nov. 9, 2018, death of Air Saito told the court his neck. cope with them, and that her Attention Def- Force Master Sgt. Nicholas Vollweiler, 35, she was upset after “I ran directly at her and grabbed her,” icit Hyperactive Disorder prevented her who served as the security forces squad- finding out that Voll- Saito he said. “I rotated her wrist and the knife from controlling her actions and emotions. ron’s chief of standards and evaluation at weiler was married. fell.” Saito was “emotionally unstable” and Yokota Air Base. She is also charged with Asked by a prosecutor if she intended to Prosecutors on Wednesday said Saito “fragile more than others,” the defense violation of Japan’s Swords and Firearms kill Vollweiler, Saito replied: “My answer had posted unflattering comments about attorney said, adding that she had low Control Law. is yes. Yes, I had the intent to kill.” Vollweiler on social media days before self-worth. Led into court in handcuffs and wear- She told the court she stabbed Vollweiler his death. Printouts of her internet search The trial is scheduled to continue ing a black skirt and jacket, she apologized because she was not calm and she wanted history presented to the court on Friday Thursday. through an interpreter to Vollweiler’s for him to understand that she was sad. showed that, on Nov. 7, she searched terms “I wanted him to know that I was hurt [email protected] parents and shed tears at times when an- such as “broad-bladed kitchen knife,” Twitter: @SethRobson1 swering questions from her lawyers and since he lied,” she said. “sashimi kitchen knife,” “stabbed to death” [email protected] prosecutors for several hours. Saito initially said she had thrust the and “arrest.” She also searched for “mur- Twitter: @HanaKusumoto Army budget includes $37M to renovate flag officers’ homes in Washington area

BY JOHN VANDIVER force protection requirements for said. Stars and Stripes historical homes that are between The upgrades are expected to 90 to 130 years old,” said Michael provide savings over the long- The Army wants major renova- L. Howard, a Joint Base Myer- term operation costs of the his- tions at the homes of top military Henderson Hall spokesman. toric homes, which the Army says brass in the Washington area, Worldwide, the Army’s 2021 re- have inefficient heating and cool- where scores of multimillion dol- quest for general and flag officer ing systems. lar projects are planned to restore housing is $47 million for costs They also need landscaping and aging historic properties, the ser- connected to operations, mainte- drainage work after two years of vice said. nance and leases. The inventory record rainfalls that raised con- U.S. Army The military is obligated to no- includes 151 Army-owned and cerns about moisture damaging The Army chief of staff home on Fort Myer, Va., is seen in 2008. tify Congress when maintenance leased units and 191 private units, the older homes, Howard said. and repair costs for the homes of Army documents state. At Fort Myer in Arlington, At U.S. European Command About seven years ago, the generals and flag officers exceeds Most of the money is focused on many homes were built between in Stuttgart, the Army will spend Army spent millions fixing up $35,000. There are 33 properties repairs at Washington’s Fort Mc- 1892 and 1935. Ten homes are $1.2 million to fix two homes other homes along Florida Stras- in the capital area that exceed the Nair, a part of Joint Base Myer- slated for improvements, includ- along Patch Barracks’ Florida se, but the newly budgeted proj- threshold at a total cost of $37.7 Henderson Hall situated along the ing small projects for the homes Strasse, where generals reside. ects weren’t part of that effort, million, the Army’s 2021 budget Potomac and Anacostia rivers. reserved for the Army and Air Both homes are vacant due to Johnson said. request shows. The Army’s vice chief and Force chiefs of staff. Most of them are connected to other top leaders reside at the A $1.4 million project at Fort structural and foundation issues [email protected] Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, post, which has been in use since Myer is slated for quarters that that make them uninhabitable, which includes sites in Washing- 1791. There are seven homes Colin Powell called home during said Ray Johnson, spokesman ton and Arlington, Va., according along the base’s 2nd Avenue that the early 1980s while working for for Installation Management to budget documents. have been tapped to receive $3.6 then-Defense Secretary Caspar Command-Europe. “These houses are in a failed million each in renovations, the Weinberger. It’s unclear who the “Neither of the 63-year-old and failing state requiring Army said. home is meant for now. houses has had significant up- major building components to Work is slated to begin in the However, not all of the big grades over the last 25 years, be replaced to include electrical, 2020- 21 time frame and would spending elsewhere is meant for except for piecemeal repairs,” plumbing, structural, fire and take six years to finish, Howard historic homes. Johnson said.

Helo crew ditches missile-replica system off Okinawa coast

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE said in a statement Tuesday eve- The target, which can be used cause we host the U.S. base and AND AYA ICHIHASHI ning and in subsequent emails to in both aerial and ground live- I am livid imagining if this had Stars and Stripes Stars and Stripes. fire training, was manufactured happened on the land and how The crew from Marine Corps by the Indiana-based Patriot bad the disaster would have CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Air Station Futenma had picked Products LLC, Kunze said. It is been,” Yomitan Mayor Denjitsu Marine officials are investigating up the target at Torii Station and made from one-inch thick A-36 Ishimine said shortly after the what caused a 1st Marine Air- was carrying it slung beneath mild steel, according to the com- incident, according to his spokes- craft Wing CH-53E Super Stal- the aircraft to a military training pany website. man. Yomitan is home to Torii lion crew to ditch a steel target range on the island. The targets are billed as envi- Station and the headquarters for into the ocean off Okinawa after No injuries or damage were re- ronmentally friendly and recy- U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa. experiencing trouble in-flight. ported and Marine officials said clable; they contain no hazardous “We are waiting for the further The incident occurred at ap- the target had to be ditched to or dangerous chemicals or mate- details from the military; how- proximately 1:10 p.m. Tuesday “ensure the safety of the crew.” rials, according to Kunze and Pa- ever, this … should not have ever about a mile west of the Army’s “1st MAW takes all aviation triot Products LLC’s website. happened,” he said. Torii Station, when the crew from related events seriously and will The target ditched Tuesday The Okinawa Defense Bureau, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squad- conduct a thorough review to belonged to the U.S. Air Force, which represents Japan’s Minis- ron 466 intentionally released a determine the cause of the inci- Kunze said. It is unclear how much try of Defense on the island, de- full-scale replica of a surface- dent,” Kunze wrote. it cost or if it will be salvaged. clined to comment Wednesday. to-air missile system with three “Pending the outcome of that Okinawa officials were quick [email protected] dummy missiles attached after review, any further external to denounce the incident as “ex- Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 the object became “unstable,” transport of these structures has tremely dangerous.” [email protected] wing spokesman Maj. Ken Kunze been suspended.” “This incident happened be- Twitter: @AyaIchihashi PAGE 8 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, February 27, 2020 VIRUS OUTBREAK USFJ recommends limiting large gatherings

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS service member to test positive exposure to the coronavirus. It clined to host this year’s Tomoda- tined in Yokohama. So far, 691 Stars and Stripes with the virus on Wednesday. was unclear Wednesday whether chi Bowl football game between passengers who had been on the USFJ also directed units to bases in Japan would adopt such American and Japanese high ship have tested positive for the YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, monitor conditions near U.S. in- measures. school players for health con- virus. Japan — The U.S. military has stallations, coordinate with local Cancellations due to coronavi- cerns. The base commander is Across Japan, 157 people have told commanders in Japan to con- health officials and encourage rus concerns have already begun. “weighing his options daily” on contracted the coronavirus in sider limiting or canceling public “strict hygiene measures,” in- Camp Zama, home to U.S. Army implementing additional precau- addition to the cruise ship pas- gatherings such as meetings, for- cluding frequent handwashing Japan in Kanagawa prefecture, tions, NAF Atsugi spokesman mations and large social events as and wiping down common sur- on Tuesday canceled its 2020 Sam Samuelson said Wednesday. sengers, according to a Tuesday a precaution against the spread of face areas on a regular basis, Cherry Blossom Festival open- At Misawa Air Base, officials update from the World Health the new coronavirus. according to a USFJ statement base event scheduled for March have reviewed a disease contain- Organization. At least one person Base commanders have also Wednesday. 29. ment plan, evaluated the personal has died. been authorized to initiate health The 7th Fleet is screening all “While we regret not being protective equipment supply and There have been no reports of screenings for anyone entering personnel accessing its warships able to host the event and share in are staying in daily contact with active-duty U.S. service members their installations, Maj. Genieve and aircraft for coronavirus this wonderful part of Japanese local Japanese public health of- in Japan contracting the virus. White, spokeswoman for U.S. exposure and symptoms. The culture this year, we are focused fices and the Japan Air Self-De- “The overall risk to individual Forces Japan, told Stars and checks include questionnaires on the health and safety of both fense Force, according to a post USFJ members in Japan remains Stripes on Wednesday. and other medical screening, 7th our on-post and local neighbor- Wednesday on its Facebook page. low,” USFJ said in a statement. Additionally, all nonessential Fleet spokesman Lt. Joe Keiley ing communities,” U.S. Army Seven U.S. Army Japan per- “However, the command encour- travel to South Korea is prohibited said Monday. Garrison Japan commander Col. sonnel are undergoing a 14-day due to the outbreak of the virus, U.S. Forces Korea is screen- Thomas Matelski said in a state- quarantine after spending weeks ages strict hygiene measures to also known as COVID-19, in that ing base entrants with tem- ment on the base’s official Face- potentially exposed to the new reduce the risk of transmission.” country. A U.S. soldier in South perature checks and a health book page. coronavirus on the Diamond [email protected] Korea became the first American questionnaire about possible Naval Air Facility Atsugi de- Princess, a cruise ship quaran- Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos Virus: ‘We have the means to fight back against this,’ commander says

FROM FRONT PAGE The two cases underscore the growing threat that has forced Prayers in real-time the military to increasingly focus attention and resources on fight- ing the virus. for infected soldier “We are in this for the long haul, and it’s going to take every- BY KIM GAMEL lanco explained on Facebook. one’s patience and cooperation,” Stars and Stripes “It worked and we won.” Col. Michael Tremblay, the gar- “Our USAG Daegu chap- rison commander at Camp Hum- The Army garrison in the lains have written a similar phreys, said amid frustration over epicenter of South Korea’s prayer to help us destroy the long delays at access gates. coronavirus outbreak issued coronavirus. Feel free to use Several service members and a prayer “to crush and rip off others were quarantined at Hum- it,” he added in an introduction the head of this Coronavirus” to the two prayers posted on phreys and the garrison in Daegu on Wednesday after the first as a protective measure. the garrison’s Facebook page. American soldier tested posi- The chaplains for the Daegu South Korea has the larg- tive for infection. garrison are (Lt. Col.) Alfred est number of confirmed cases The confirmation came two Grondski and (Maj.) Carl outside China, with the number days after U.S. Forces Korea Brown. soaring past 1,200 and 12 deaths announced that the widow of The first prayer appealed reported as of Wednesday, ac- a military retiree who had ac- cording to the Korea Centers for cess to base facilities also had for a “healing touch” for the 23-year-old infected soldier . Disease Control and Prevention. KIM HYUN-TAE, YONHAP/AP contracted the pneumonia-like Twenty South Korean service illness COVID-19. The second prayer was aimed members also have been infected, A man wearing protective gear passes by Camp Walker, in Daegu, Both cases are in the south- at eradicating the virus . the defense ministry said. South Korea, on Tuesday. The U.S. military on Wednesday said one eastern city of Daegu and sur- “Oh God, we ask for your of its soldiers based in South Korea tested positive for coronavirus . Most of the infections have rounding areas, where about mercy and call for your ven- been in the southeastern part of 9,000 service members, civil- geance like the sword of Mi- the country as the outbreak is at the Camp Humphreys gates, stricted access and implemented ian employees and their fami- chael’s spear to crush and rip believed to have begun with an where soldiers wearing gloves health screening measures at the lies are stationed. off the head of this Coronavi- infected woman who attended and filtering face masks asked gates. Col. Edward Ballanco, U.S. rus,” the prayer said. “God, in services at a church run by a se- drivers about possible exposure to On Wednesday, base restau- Army Garrison Daegu com- your mercy — bring healing cretive religious movement. the virus and took temperatures. rants began serving food as mander, invoked Gen. George upon this land and free us of The KCDC said 24 novel coro- Some gates that had been take-out only, bowling alleys and Patton’s famous order for a this sickness.” navirus patients had fully recov- closed will be reopened on a lim- theaters were closed and the nine- prayer before the Battle of the The church began holding ered and been released. ited basis on Thursday to facili- hole golf course was shuttered to Bulge in World War II. online services on Sunday as The American soldier who was tate traffic, Tremblay said in an discourage unnecessary visitors, “Patton asked his chap- the military seeks to prevent infected was transferred in an update on Facebook. Ballanco said. lain to write a prayer for the the spread of the highly conta- ambulance to an isolation unit on Yongsan Garrison in Seoul also Service members also have weather to clear so he could gious virus by avoiding mass Camp Humphreys, the main U.S. limited access to installations in been ordered to avoid restaurants attack through the Nazi lines gathering. Ash Wednesday base on the divided peninsula. the capital and near the border and other nonessential travel off and relieve Bastogne,” Bal- services were not held. “We are doing a very thorough with North Korea to “mission-re- their installations peninsula- trace history on this service mem- quired visitors.” wide, while family members and ber,” said Col. Edward Ballanco, The infected soldier is stationed civilian employees were highly help control the spread of COVID- fense Secretary Mark Esper told the Army garrison commander at Camp Carroll, which is in the encouraged to do the same. 19 and remains at risk level ‘high’ reporters earlier this week in southeastern part of the country. Some 28,500 American troops for the affected area. “We’re for USFK peninsula-wide as a Washington. going to know everywhere this The infected soldier also visited are stationed in South Korea, prudent measure to protect the Officials stressed the best way service member and his family Camp Walker in Daegu. which remains technically at war force,” the command said in a to prevent the virus is to practice has been over the last week.” Ballanco urged the 9,000- with the North after their 1950-53 good hygiene, wash hands with Meanwhile, long lines formed at strong military community in conflict ended in an armistice in- press release. USFK commander Gen. Rob- soap and water thoroughly and access gates at other bases across Daegu and surrounding areas to stead of a peace treaty. frequently or use hand sanitizer ert Abrams and South Korean the nation after USFK raised the remain calm. North Korea has not reported and avoid shaking hands, large threat level to high, began health “There’s no reason to panic. any confirmed cases, but the Gen. Park Han-ki, chairman gatherings and other unneces- screening measures and reduced We have the means to fight back secretive nature of the regime of the joint chiefs of staff, may sary contact. the number of entry points. against this virus and we’re going makes that difficult to confirm. scale back command post exer- [email protected] Morning commuters waited to use those means,” he said. “USFK is implementing all cises scheduled next week, due Twitter: @kimgamel as long as five hours Wednesday The garrison already had re- appropriate control measures to to concerns over COVID-19, De- [email protected] Thursday, February 27, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 9 VIRUS OUTBREAK Globe braces for long battle as cases spread

BY KIM TONG-HYUNG slow down the spread so that our AND MATT SEDENSKY hospitals are not overwhelmed in Associated Press one big gulp, one big hit,” said Ian Mackay, who studies viruses at SEOUL, South Korea — Crews the University of Queensland in scrubbed everything from money Australia. to buses, military bases were on In South Korea, workers sani- high alert and quarantines were tized public buses, while in China, enforced Wednesday from a banks disinfected currency using beachfront resort in the Atlantic ultraviolet rays. In Germany, to a remote island in the Pacific. authorities stressed “sneezing All around the world, people have etiquette,” while in the United been working to halt the fast- States, doctors announced a clini- spreading new coronavirus that, cal trial of a possible coronavirus for the first time, counted more treatment. new infections outside China Around the world, as Chris- than inside the country where the tians marked the start of the holy epidemic originated. season of Lent with Ash Wednes- Worries over the ever-ex- day, worshippers found churches panding economic fallout of the closed and rituals changed by COVID-19 crisis multiplied, with virus fears. Even in St. Peter’s factories idled, trade routes fro- Square, many of those gathered zen and tourism crippled, while for Pope Francis’ weekly audi- a growing list of countries braced ence wore face masks and clergy for the illness to breach their appeared to refrain from embrac- borders. Even the Olympics, five ing the pontiff or kissing his ring. months away, wasn’t far enough Services in Singapore were off to keep people from wonder- broadcast online to keep people ing if it would go on as planned. from crowded sanctuaries where “We don’t expect a miracle in germs could spread, bishops in the short term,” said Kianoush South Korea shuttered churches Jahanpour of the health ministry for what they said was the first in Iran, where an official tally of time in the Catholic Church’s CHINATOPIX/AP infections of 139 was doubted by 236-year history there and in Ma- some who thought the problem A clerk disinfects currency in the headquarters of the Suining Bank in Suining city in southwest China’s laysia and the Philippines, ashes was far bigger. Sichuan province Wednesday. were sprinkled on the heads of The World Health Organiza- those marking the start of Lent tion, meanwhile, reported that Bowling alleys, movie theaters by guards using the same bus Grand Cayman, where it was due instead of using a damp thumb to the number of new cases reported and a golf course on four Ameri- station as a nearby pulmonary to arrive Wednesday, following a outside China exceeded the num- trace a cross of ashes. can bases in the country were hospital. In a twist, China is now decision by Jamaica to refuse it ber of new cases in China for the “We would like to be cau- closed. heavily regulating arrivals from entry. The cruise line expressed first time. tious so that the coronavirus Italy recorded 52 new infec- abroad, with authorities placing frustration with the moves, which “The sudden increases of cases will not spread,” said the Rev. tions on Wednesday and Greece South Koreans under monitoring, came after it reported one crew in Italy, the Islamic Republic of Victorino Cueto, rector of the became the newest country to see state broadcaster CCTV report- member from the Philippines was Iran and the Republic of Korea National Shrine of our Mother of a case of the virus. South Korea ed, after five people on a flight sick with common seasonal flu. are deeply concerning,” WHO di- Perpetual Help in Manila in the announced 284 new cases, large- showed signs of fever. rector-general Tedros Adhanom Philippines. ly in Daegu, bringing its total to Indonesia said that it evacu- Ghebreyesus said Wednesday. Major gatherings were eyed 1,261. China, still the epicenter ated 188 crew members from the About 81,000 people around warily, with organizers scram- of the crisis even as new outposts World Dream cruise ship and the globe were sickened by the bling to respond in the face of the caught the world’s attention, re- planned to take them to remote coronavirus that kept finding epidemic. ported 406 new cases and 52 Sebaru Island. The workers were new targets. Looming largest of all are the more deaths. The country has a released from quarantine in Hong With Brazil confirming the ar- Olympic games, whose opening total of 78,604 cases of the virus Kong after finding no infections, rival of Latin America’s first case, ceremonies are scheduled for and 2,715 fatalities. but authorities mandated an addi- the virus had a toehold on every July 24 in Tokyo. A member of China said Wednesday that tional observation period. continent but Antarctica. the International Olympic Com- those sickened by the virus in- And on the opposite side of In Europe, where Germany, mittee, Richard Pound, sounded cluded 555 prisoners, who offi- the world, the MSC Meraviglia France and Spain were among alarms a day earlier, saying that cials said likely became infected was denied permission to land in the places with a growing casel- the virus could force a cancella- oad, an expanding cluster of more tion of the games. The Japanese than 200 cases in northern Italy government, in turn, gave mixed was eyed as a source for trans- signals, insisting they would go missions. In the Middle East, forward yet urging that sports where cases increased in Bah- events now be curtailed. rain, Kuwait and Iraq, blame was Prime Minister Shinzo Abe directed toward Iran. In Asia, called for major sports and cul- where the crisis originated late tural events in the coming two last year in China, threats contin- weeks to be canceled or post- ued to emerge around the region, poned to stem further infections. with South Korea battling a mass Meanwhile, the top government outbreak centered in the 2.5 mil- spokesman said that Olympics lion-person city of Daegu. preparations would proceed The illness has now spread to and the games would go on as 37 countries, said world health planned. officials, who simultaneously Among the other crowded cautioned against the risks of un- places that had officials worried: necessary fears or stigma. Military bases. “We are in a fight that can be The South Korean military won if we do the right things,” announced additional infections WHO director general Ghebreye- among its troops, with 20 cases on sus said. its bases and some 9,570 people in Though the virus has pushed isolation. The U.S. military, which into countries both rich and poor, has 28,500 troops in South Korea, its arrival in places with little confirmed the first infection of an ability to detect, respond and American soldier, a 23-year-old contain it brought concern that man based at Camp Carroll near it could run rampant there and Daegu, a day after Americans spread easily elsewhere. said that a military spouse had “We’re going to be trying to also contracted the illness. PAGE 10 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, February 27, 2020 NATION Dem rivals take aim at Sanders during SC debate

BY STEVE PEOPLES, Democrats’ establishment wing MEG KINNARD is quickly running out of time to AND AAMER MADHANI stop Sanders’ rise. Even some Associated Press critics, Bloomberg among them, conceded that Sanders could CHARLESTON, S.C. — Dem- build an insurmountable delegate ocrats unleashed a roaring as- lead as soon as next week. sault against Bernie Sanders and The 10th debate of the 2020 pri- seized on Mike Bloomberg’s past mary season, sponsored by CBS with women in the workplace and the Congressional Black Cau- during a contentious debate that cus Institute, was just four days PHOTOS BY PATRICK SEMANSKY/AP tested the strength of the two men before South Carolina’s first-in- at the center of the party’s presi- the-South primary and one week Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, and former Vice President Joe dential nomination fight. before more than a dozen states Biden participate in a Democratic presidential primary debate Tuesday in Charleston, S.C. Front-runner Sanders faced the brunt of the attacks for much of the night. As the undeniable Democratic vote on Super Tuesday. The Dem- front-runner, Sanders faced the ocratic White House hopefuls will port from black voters. But head- brunt of the attacks for much of not stand side by side on the de- ing into Saturday’s primary after the night, and for one of the few bate stage again until the middle three consecutive underwhelm- times, fellow progressive Eliza- of March. That made Tuesday’s beth Warren was among the crit- debate likely the last chance for ing finishes, there were signs that ics. The Massachusetts senator some candidates to save them- the former vice president’s Af- pressed the case that she could selves and alter the trajectory of rican American support may be execute ideas that the Vermont the nomination fight. slipping. senator could only talk about. Though Sanders was at the One reason: Tom Steyer. The “Bernie and I agree on a lot of center of the attacks, the night billionaire activist has been pour- things,” she said. “But I think I was actually something of a high ing money into African American would make a better president point in his political career. After outreach, which threatens to peel than Bernie.” spending nearly three decades as away some of the support Biden A group of moderates, mean- an agitator who delighted in tear- badly needs. while, fought to emerge as the ing into his party’s establishment, Steyer noted Tuesday that he chief Sanders alternative. that very party establishment was the only candidate on stage Former Vice President Joe was suddenly fighting to take him who supported reparations for de- Biden, who is seeking a strong down, a clear sign of his rising scendants of slaves. win in South Carolina to keep status as the leading candidate for The attacks against Sanders did his campaign afloat, argued only the nomination. not slow as the night went on. he has the experience to lead in Democratic presidential candidates, from left, Sen. Elizabeth Bloomberg also faced sustained He was forced to defend his the world. Minnesota Sen. Amy Warren, D-Mass.; former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg; attacks that gave him an opportu- position on Israel, having con- Klobuchar repeatedly contended former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg; Sen. Bernie Sanders, nity to redeem himself after a bad demned the American ally for its that she alone could win the votes I-Vt.; Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and businessman Tom Steyer, debate debut one week earlier. speak at the end of Tuesday’s debate. treatment of Palestinians. of battleground state moderates. Warren cut hard at his record as a And former South Bend, Ind., “Sadly, tragically in Israel, businessman, bringing up reports best outcome for the Democrats. to explain why the nominee of the through Bibi Netanyahu, you Mayor Pete Buttigieg pointed to of one particular allegation that “Vladimir Putin thinks Donald Democratic Party is telling peo- have a reactionary racist, who is Sanders’ self-described demo- he told a pregnant employee “to Trump should be president of the ple to look at the bright side of the now running that country,” said cratic socialism and his recent kill it,” a reference to the woman’s comments expressing admiration United States and that’s why Rus- Castro regime,” Buttigieg said. Sanders, who would be the coun- unborn child. Bloomberg fiercely sia is helping you get elected so And Bloomberg said Sanders for Cuban dictator Fidel Castro’s denied the allegation, but acknowl- try’s first Jewish president. He you lose to him,” the former New wouldn’t be able to build a win- push for education. edged he sometimes made com- added: “What you cannot ignore York mayor said. ning coalition that includes Re- “I am not looking forward to a ments that were inappropriate. is the suffering of the Palestinian Last week, Sanders acknowl- publicans unhappy with Trump’s scenario where it comes down to Bloomberg “cannot earn the people.” edged that he’d been briefed by performance in the White House. Donald Trump with his nostalgia trust of the core of the Demo- And Biden slammed Sanders intelligence officials who said that for the social order of the 1950s cratic Party,” Warren said. “He is “Can anyone in this room imag- for his record on gun control, and Bernie Sanders with a nostal- the riskiest candidate standing on Russia is attempting to interfere ine a moderate Republican going seizing on the Vermont senator’s gia for the revolutionary politics this stage.” in the elections to benefit him. over and voting for him,” he said. support of the 2005 Protection of of the 1960s,” Buttigieg declared. But Bloomberg will likely re- He responded to Bloomberg on “You have to do that or you can’t Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, But the moderates did little to main a force in the contest even as Tuesday with a direct statement win.” legislation that protects gun man- draw separation among them- other candidates may quickly face for Putin: “Hey, Mr. Putin, if I’m Warren, who raised questions ufacturers and sellers from laws selves, a dynamic that has so far tough choices about the sustain- president of the United States, about Sanders’ electability earlier that attempt to hold them liable only benefited the Vermont sena- ability of their campaigns. Bloom- trust me you’re not going to in- in the night, intercepted that criti- for dealing firearms that end up tor. Sanders fought back through- berg has already spent more than terfere in any more American cism, arguing that a “progressive in the hands of criminals. out the night, pointing to polls that $500 million on a national adver- elections.’” agenda is popular.” Sanders proudly highlighted showed him beating the Republi- tising campaign, and his fortune But the skepticism for Sanders The South Carolina contest of- his “D minus” rating from the can president and noting all the ensures he will remain a factor at was a constant. fers the first real look at the in- pro-gun organization. And just recent attention he’s gotten: “I’m least through Super Tuesday. Buttigieg raised concerns that fluence African American voters last week, several gun control hearing my name mentioned a From the earliest moments of a Sanders nomination would cost play in the Democrats’ presiden- advocates who survived the little bit tonight. I wonder why.” the debate, Bloomberg sought Democrats the House and make it tial nomination process. Biden Trump, who returned to Wash- Parkland, Fla., school shooting to portray a clear contrast with harder to retake the Senate. is trying to make a big impres- endorsed him. ington early Wednesday after a “We’re not going to win these sion in the state, where he was Sanders. He said Trump and Rus- Moving forward from the fiery two-day trip to India, responded sian President Vladimir Putin critical, critical House and Senate long viewed as the unquestioned debate, there are questions about to a reporter’s shouted question agree that Sanders would be the races if people in those races have front-runner because of his sup- about whether he’d seen the de- the Democratic Party’s ability to bate: “I did,” he said while step- unify behind a nominee. ping into a car. “Not too good, not Klobuchar perhaps summed up too good.” her party’s challenge best: “If we The intensity of Tuesday’s ‘ If we spend the next 10 months tearing our party apart, Donald Trump spend the next 10 months tearing forum, with candidates repeat- is going to spend the next four years tearing this country apart . our party apart, Donald Trump is edly shouting over each other, ’ going to spend the next four years reflected the reality that the Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. tearing this country apart.” Thursday, February 27, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 11 NATION Court: ‘Sanctuary cities’ grants can be withheld

BY LARRY NEUMEISTER Island. Sessions said: “So-called ‘sanctuary’ poli- government by upholding lower-court in- Associated Press The states and city sued the U.S. gov- cies make all of us less safe because they junctions placed on the enforcement of ernment after the Justice Department intentionally undermine our laws and some or all of the challenged conditions. NEW YORK — The Trump administra- announced in 2017 that it would withhold protect illegal aliens who have committed The appeals rulings pertain to the issu- tion can withhold millions of dollars in law grant money from cities and states until crimes.” ance of the Edward Byrne Memorial Jus- enforcement grants to force states to coop- they gave federal immigration authorities The 2nd Circuit said the plain language tice Assistance Grant Program. erate with U.S. immigration enforcement, access to jails and provide advance notice of relevant laws make clear that the U.S. Created in 2006, it is the vehicle through a federal appeals court in New York ruled Wednesday in a decision that conflicted when someone in the country illegally is attorney general can impose conditions on which Congress annually dispenses over with three other federal appeals courts. about to be released. states and municipalities receiving money. $250 million in federal funding for state The decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Before the change, cities and states It noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has and local criminal justice efforts. Court of Appeals in Manhattan over- seeking grant money were required only repeatedly observed that the federal gov- The Byrne Program was named for New turned a lower court’s decision ordering to show they were not preventing local law ernment maintains broad power over states York City Police Officer Edward Byrne, the administration to release funding to enforcement from communicating with when it comes to immigration policies. who, at age 22, was shot to death while New York City and seven states — New federal authorities about the immigration In the past two years, federal appeals guarding the home of a Guyanese immi- York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washing- status of people who were detained. courts in Chicago, Philadelphia and San grant cooperating with authorities investi- ton, Massachusetts, Virginia and Rhode At the time, then-Attorney General Jeff Francisco have ruled against the federal gating drug trafficking. Hot Pockets heiress sentenced to 5 months in jail for college scam

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER mitted, prosecutors said. Associated Press Assistant U.S. Attorney Kris- ten Kearney asked for 21 months BOSTON — An heir to the Hot behind bars, telling the judge that Pockets fortune was sentenced Janavs showed a “flagrant disre- to five months in prison Tues- spect for right and wrong and an day for trying to cheat and bribe attitude that she is untouchable.“ her daughters’ way into school as “She believed she and her chil- part of a nationwide college ad- dren were deserving of an illicit missions scam. edge over other students and no Michelle Janavs, whose father one could stop her,” Kearney and uncle invented the micro- said. waveable Hot Pockets turnovers Janavs’ lawyers portrayed her before selling their company, in court doc- showed no emotion as the judge uments as JOHN MINCHILLO/AP delivered his sentence after she a dedicated apologized for abandoning her A sign bearing the likeness of Peter Nygard is displayed outside his Times Square headquarters in New mother and moral compass and hurting her York. Federal authorities Tuesday raided the Manhattan headquarters of the Canadian fashion mogul philanthro- amid sexual abuse claims. family and friends. pist who fell “I am so very sorry that I tried for Singer’s to create an unfair advantage for “manipula- my children,” she said. tive sales Fashion mogul’s NY headquarters The judge told Janavs that tactics” be- prison time was needed to deter cause of the others who might have the gall to love for her raided after sexual abuse claims use their wealth to break the law children and dismissed her argument that Janavs and stress BY JIM MUSTIAN investigation and expects his Nygard’s victims would have her actions were motivated by a of the hyper- competitive college admissions Associated Press name to be cleared,” the spokes- their passports taken from them love for her children. process. man, Ken Frydman, said in an when they were flown into the The “vast majority of parents They argued that the actions NEW YORK — Federal author- email. “He has not been charged, Bahamas, the lawsuit alleges, do not brazenly try to push their kids in the side door” of univer- were out of character for Janavs, ities raided the Manhattan head- is not in custody and is cooperat- adding the designer “expected a sities through bribery, U.S. Dis- who after working for her father’s quarters of Canadian fashion ing with the investigation.” sex act before he was willing to trict Judge Nathaniel Gorton company dedicated her life to vol- mogul Peter Nygard, a search that Frydman said Nygard was consider releasing any person” said. “They don’t love their chil- unteer work and charities to help came amid claims he trafficked stepping down as chairman of from his estate. dren any less than you do. They underprivileged children. and sexually assaulted dozens of Nygard companies and will di- Frydman said authorities also teenage girls and women. just play by the rules of common “She is a truly good human vest his ownership interest. He executed a “search and seizure” The FBI searched the design- decency and fair play.” being. She did an extremely added that Nygard doesn’t want on Nygard’s offices in California. er’s Times Square offices Tues- Janavs, of Newport Coast, wrong thing here,” Thomas H. his legal battles to distract em- He blamed the raids on a “con- day, less than two weeks after 10 Calif ., is among nearly two dozen Bienert, Jr. told the judge. ployees, who rely on the company spiracy” involving Louis Bacon, women filed a lawsuit accusing prominent parents who have Her family’s company, Chef for their livelihoods. the billionaire hedge fund man- Nygard of enticing young and im- Nygard International began in admitted to participating in the America, was sold to Nestle in ager who owns an estate next poverished women to his estate in Winnipeg as a sportswear manu- scheme by paying huge sums 2002 for more than $2 billion. door to Nygard’s in the Bahamas. the Bahamas with cash and prom- facturer. Its website says its retail to people willing to cheat on en- Other parents who have plead- A spokesman for Bacon de- ises of modeling opportunities. division has more than 170 stores trance exams for their children ed guilty in the case include “Des- Several plaintiffs in the suit in North America. clined to comment. or pretend their kids were star perate Housewives” star Felicity said they were 14 or 15 years old The class-action lawsuit says The New York Times reported athletes for sports they didn’t Huffman, who was sentenced to when Nygard gave them alcohol Nygard used his company, brib- Saturday that Bacon has been play. two weeks in prison for paying or drugs and then raped them. ery of Bahamian officials and involved in an epic battle with Janavs admitted to paying the $15,000 to have a proctor correct Nicholas Biase, a spokesman “considerable influence in the Nygard involving tens of millions consultant at the center of the her daughter’s SAT answers. for the U.S. attorney’s office in fashion industry” to recruit vic- of dollars and more than two scheme, Rick Singer, $100,000 Fifteen other parents — in- Manhattan, confirmed the raid tims in the Bahamas, United dozen lawsuits. The newspaper to have a proctor correct her two cluding “Full House” actress but declined to comment on the States and Canada. described Nygard’s home in the daughters’ ACT exam answers. Lori Loughlin and her fashion investigation. It alleges he plied the young Bahamas, where the women al- She also agreed to pay $200,000 designer husband, Mossimo Gi- Nygard denied the sex-traffick- women with drugs and alcohol legedly were assaulted, as “a lush to have one of her daughters la- annulli_ are fighting the charges. ing claims through a spokesman, during “pamper parties” and retreat with sculptures of roar- beled as a fake beach volleyball The couple, who are charged calling them “fabricated and kept a database on a corporate ing lions and a human aquarium recruit at the University of South- with paying $500,000 to get their manufactured.” server containing the names of where topless women undulated ern California but was arrested daughters into USC, could go on “Nygard welcomes the federal thousands of potential victims. in mermaid tails.” before the girl was formally ad- trial as early as October. PAGE 12 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, February 27, 2020 NATION 39 states plan to start inquiry into marketing by Juul

BY DAVE COLLINS vapor category in the U.S. and AND MATTHEW PERRONE seek to earn the trust of society Associated Press by working cooperatively with attorneys general, regulators, HARTFORD, Conn. — A co- public health officials and other alition of 39 states will look into stakeholders to combat underage the marketing and sales of vaping use and transition adult smokers KTVU-TV/AP products by Juul Labs, including from combustible cigarettes,” the whether the company targeted statement said. Emergency personnel work at the scene in March 2018 when a Tesla electric SUV crashed into a youths and made misleading Florida Attorney General Ash- barrier on U.S. Highway 101 in Mountain View, Calif. claims about nicotine content in ley Moody said that underage its devices, officials announced vaping has become an epidemic Tuesday. across the country. Attorneys general from Con- “I cannot sit on the sidelines necticut, Florida, Nevada, Oregon while this public health epidemic NTSB: Tesla Autopilot, and Texas said that they will lead grows, and our next generation the multistate investigation into becomes addicted to nicotine,” San Francisco-based Juul, which Moody said. also is facing lawsuits by teenag- driver caused fatal crash ers and others who say they be- Nevada Attorney General came addicted to the company’s Aaron Ford added, “Preying on BY TOM KRISHER don’t operate if they are within enforce the advice, and manufac- vaping products. children and those looking for Associated Press a driver’s reach, unless it’s an turers also can act on it. The state officials said that help to quit smoking is one of the emergency. But Sumwalt said if they don’t, they also will investigate the most despicable examples of risk- WASHINGTON — Tesla’s par- Chairman Robert Sumwalt said “then we are wasting our time. company’s claims about the risk, ing people’s lives for corporate tially automated driving system that the problem of drivers dis- Safety will not be improved. We safety and effectiveness of its profit.” steered an electric SUV into a tracted by smartphones will keep are counting on them to do their vaping products as smoking ces- Nine attorneys general previ- concrete barrier on a Silicon Val- spreading if nothing is done. job.” sation devices. ously announced lawsuits against ley freeway because it was oper- “If we don’t get on top of it, For Tesla, the board repeated “I will not prejudge where this the company, most alleging that ating under conditions it couldn’t it’s going to be a coronavirus,” previous recommendations that investigation will lead,” Connect- Juul adopted the playbook of Big handle and because the driver was he said in calling for govern- it install safeguards to stop its icut Attorney General William Tobacco by luring teens with likely distracted by his phone, the ment regulations and company Autopilot driving system from Tong said in a statement, “but youth-oriented marketing while National Transportation Safety policies prohibiting driver use of operating in conditions it wasn’t we will follow every fact and are failing to stop underage sales. Board has found. smartphones. designed to navigate. The board prepared to take strong action in A spokeswoman for Tong said The board made the determi- Much of the board’s frustra- also wants Tesla to design a more conjunction with states across the that officials could not provide a nation Tuesday in the fatal crash, tion was directed at the National effective system to make sure the nation to protect public health.” complete list of the 39 states, say- and provided nine new recom- Highway Traffic Safety Admin- driver is always paying attention. Juul released a statement say- ing some states are barred from mendations to prevent partially istration and to Tesla, which have If Tesla doesn’t add driver ing that it has halted television, disclosing investigations. automated vehicle crashes in not acted on recommendations monitoring safeguards, misuse print and digital advertising and Other states investigating in- the future. Among the recom- the NTSB passed two years ago. of Autopilot is expected “and the eliminated most flavors in re- clude Georgia, Kansas, Michi- mendations is for tech compa- The NTSB investigates crashes risk for future crashes will re- sponse to concerns by govern- gan, South Carolina, Tennessee nies to design smartphones and but only has the authority to make main,” the board wrote in one of ment officials and others. and Virginia, according to official other electronic devices so they recommendations. NHTSA can its findings. “We will continue to reset the announcements. Generic opioid sales grew with overdose deaths Associated Press pany between August 2008 and always produce enough to fill October 2010 rose from the level them all. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals of “peculiar” to “suspicious,” the Nationwide distribution data doled out lavish perks for top U.S. category that would have trig- released in a sprawling federal England-based drugmaker employees who hit or beat sales gered a report to authorities, ac- court case and analyzed by The goals for prescription opioids and cording to Harper’s deposition. Associated Press shows that reaches $1.6B settlement other drugs: six-figure bonuses The court documents reveal Mallinckrodt’s U.S. subsidiary, and a chance to snag a coveted a company culture that allowed SpecGX, and another generic Associated Press tion drug crisis, shipping 2.3 “President’s Club” award, which Mallinckrodt to become one of the drugmaker, Actavis Pharma, billion pills from 2006 to 2014, The generic drugmaker could mean vacations to Hawaii, giants of the prescription opioid produced the vast amount of according to federal data. Mallinckrodt has a tentative the Caribbean or Mexico. market at a time when overdoses prescription opioids distributed Documents gathered as the The company placed that same $1.6 billion deal to settle law- were claiming tens of thousands throughout the country. company prepared for trial staff in charge of reporting any suits over its role in the U.S. of American lives. The court records, made pub- showed that a Mallinckrodt sales of its painkillers that ap- opioid crisis, it announced Purdue Pharma has been the lic last year by the U.S. District sales manager told a distribu- peared to be suspicious, includ- Tuesday. poster child for the U.S. opioid Court in Cleveland, showed that tor in 2009 of the pills: “Just ing to distributors or pharmacies The company said that it crisis, mostly because of aggres- some Mallinckrodt employees like Doritos; keep eating, requesting extreme volumes of had an agreement with a key sive marketing of its signature were more focused on sales than we’ll make more.” A com- its most potent formulas. painkiller, OxyContin. public safety. At least one joked committee of lawyers repre- Asked during a federal court senting thousands of local gov- pany spokesman later called Lesser known is the role of ge- about the rising use of the drugs the statement “outrageously deposition last year whether she neric opioid manufacturers like with a customer. In January 2009, ernments suing various drug callous.” believed it was appropriate to put Mallinckrodt that produced the Victor Borelli, a Mallinckrodt industry players over opioids. Most of the money would incentive-motivated sales staff in majority of painkillers during the salesman, exchanged emails with The deal has the support of the go to a trust to pay for addic- charge of calling out questionable height of the overdose epidemic. Steve Cochrane, who worked at attorneys general of 47 states sales, Karen Harper, who oversaw While they may not have been drug distributor KeySource. and territories. tion treatment and other costs Mallinckrodt’s suspicious order sending sales representatives to “Keep them coming,” Cochrane The company, based in Eng- related to an opioid crisis that monitoring system, said yes. encourage prescribing like Pur- wrote. “Flying out of here. It’s land, was one of the biggest has been linked to more than In fact, as the nation’s opioid due, they were filling more and like people are addicted to these opioid producers in the U.S. 430,000 deaths in the U.S. overdose crisis began to explode, more orders for the drugs — so things or something. Oh, wait, at the height of the prescrip- since 2000. not a single order with the com- many that Mallinckrodt couldn’t people are.” Thursday, February 27, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 13 WORLD Ukraine won’t reclaim rebel area, ex-aide says Death toll rises from Delhi

Associated Press advantage of Zelenskiy’s inten- tion to move toward a settlement. MOSCOW — A former se- Asked Wednesday if the Rus- nior aide to Russian President riots during Trump visit sian policy on Ukraine has shifted, Vladimir Putin has warned that Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov Ukraine will never be able to re- shrugged off Surkov’s claim, say- Associated Press gain control over the separatist- ing that the Kremlin adheres to a NEW DELHI — At least 24 controlled east. 2015 peace agreement brokered Vladislav Surkov, who lost his people were killed and 189 in- by France and Germany as the jured in three days of clashes in job as Putin’s adviser on Ukraine basis for political settlement. earlier this month, said in re- New Delhi that coincided with The conflict in Ukraine’s most- President Donald Trump’s first marks published Wednesday that ly Russian-speaking industrial he stepped down because of a state visit to India, with the death east, called Donbass, erupted in toll expected to rise as hospitals shift in the Kremlin course on April 2014 — weeks after Russia’s the Ukrainian conflict. He didn’t continue to take in the wounded, annexation of the Crimean Penin- authorities said Wednesday. spell out specific reasons for his sula. More than 14,000 have been Violence between Hindu mobs departure, saying only that it was killed in fighting between Ukrai- and Muslims protesting a new due to a “change in context” on nian forces and Russia-backed citizenship law that fast-tracks Ukraine. separatists. naturalization for foreign-born Ukrainian President Volody- Surkov hailed leaders of sepa- religious minorities of all major myr Zelenskiy has made settling ratists in eastern Ukraine as “true faiths in South Asia except Islam the conflict in eastern Ukraine warriors” and “real heroes.” He left shops, Muslim shrines and his top priority. December’s sum- charged that Ukraine will never public vehicles smoldering. mit of Russia, Ukraine, France be able to restore its control over The dead included a police- AP and Germany failed to achieve a the rebel-controlled territories. man and an intelligence bureau breakthrough, but the four lead- Surkov’s harsh statement con- officer, and the government has A shop burns as a mob sets it on fire during violence between two ers made a deal on a prisoner trasted sharply with the usual banned public assembly in the af- groups in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday. exchange and agreed on further rhetoric from the Kremlin, which fected areas. moves toward settling the con- has urged Ukrainian authorities An uneasy calm prevailed in Doval toured the region and as- “peace and harmony are central flict in the east. to engage in dialogue with the the troubled areas Wednesday. sured fear-stricken residents that to (India’s) ethos. I appeal to my Observers in Moscow attrib- rebels and work out a political Officials reported no new vio- their lives will be protected. sisters and brothers of Delhi to uted Surkov’s dismissal to the settlement that would offer broad lence as large police reinforce- On Wednesday, Prime Minister Kremlin’s intention to take a less autonomy to the rebel regions in ments patrolled the area. Narendra Modi broke his silence maintain peace and brotherhood hawkish line on Ukraine, taking line with the 2015 peace deal. National security adviser Ajit on the clashes, tweeting that at all times.”

Transportation 944

Transportation 944 Transportation 944 PAGE 14 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, February 27, 2020 AMERICAN ROUNDUP W oman, 84, sinks putt to win new car

OXFORD — All that MS Mary Ann Wakfield, 84, needed to do to win a new car was sink a putt across the entire length of the court at the Univer- sity of Mississippi’s basketball stadium. Wakfield did just that during a promotional segment at a game between Ole Miss men’s basket- ball team and Alabama. The golf ball she struck rolled 94 feet from one end line to the other before dropping into a flag-marked hole. The crowed erupted into ap- plause as Wakfield flashed an as- tonished grin and clapped a hand over her head. Her prize for the long-distance putt: a 2020 Nissan Altima from a local auto dealer. Investigation begun after 7 swans found dead

BOZEMAN — An in- MT vestigation has started in southern Montana after seven trumpeter swans were found dead at a pond near Bozeman, wildlife officials said. Biologists and wardens col- lected the animals’ bodies, de- partment spokesman Morgan Jacobson said. “We still don’t have a cause of death,” Jacobson said . Trumpeter swans are on the state’s species of concern list, ac- cording to Montana Field Guides’ website. LM OTERO/AP Store worker charged with torching couch Faulty tower

AUBURN — A store Megan Dority poses for a photo with the so called “Leaning Tower of Dallas” as a crew works to topple the structure north of downtown ME employee in Maine Dallas on Monday. The still-standing structure is part of an 11-story building that found a second life online after surviving a first demolition was charged with setting fire to attempt. The former Affiliated Computer Services building inspired jokes and comparisons to Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa when a Feb. 16 a couch in a storage area while implosion failed to bring down its core. The company that engineered the blast said some explosives did not go off. the store was open, the state fire marshal’s office said. Store owner admits THE CENSUS Troopers on Feb. 6 received Ryan Graffam, 22, was charged stealing in coupon scam a report of a burglary in which with arson. Police accused him of The approximate value of cocaine and meth- $126,000 in Canadian 1.5-ounce setting fire to a couch in the back silver coins were stolen along PITTSBURGH — The amphetamine seized during a traffic stop in of a Big Lots store in Auburn and with other collector coins, gold owner of four Pitts- northwestern Arizona. Bullhead City police said then putting the fire out. Employ- PA $12M detectives with the department’s narcotics en- jewelry and two handguns. burgh area grocery stores has ees evacuated the store. No one The coins taken from the home admitted pocketing hundreds of forcement team pulled over a tractor-trailer. With was hurt. began showing up at pawn shops thousands of dollars by claim- assistance from drug-sniffing dogs with the Arizona Department of Public Safety The couch was destroyed and ing customers used coupons he and Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, detectives reported finding 370 pounds of in Kodiak, Anchorage and Fair- two others stored nearby were had employees take out of unsold cocaine and 220 pounds of meth in the big rig with a combined street value of banks, troopers said. damaged. newspapers. about $12.7 million. Bullhead City police say two men have been arrested. Michael Mihelic, 60, of Frank- Injured hiker crawls J udge pauses removal lin Park pleaded guilty to theft 8 hours for cell service by deception and was sentenced ment of Transportation, was get- returned to the Louisville Mu- of slave auction block ting ready to shut down a lane on hammad Ali International Air- to four years of probation. Au- PORT ANGELES thorities said he made roughly I-20 near Brandon. port for a third time, news outlets FREDERICKSBURG That’s when a car pulled up reported. WA — An injured hiker VA — A judge in Virginia $300,000 through the scam but in Washington state was airlifted has already paid $275,895 in with its emergency lights flash- Police said Welch was caught has hit the pause button on a city’s to safety after crawling through restitution. ing, and two women got out of the on surveillance video taking lug- plans to remove a 175-year-old the forest for eight hours to get Mihelic directed staff at his car. When Evans approached the gage Feb. 2 and Feb. 14. slave auction block from a city’s car, he found a third woman in The items taken in the first in- cellphone service, a TV station downtown street corner. four Shop ’n Save supermarkets to cut out the coupons, which labor in the backseat. cident were valued at more than reported , The Free Lance-Star reported Evans got a first aid kit from $12,000, and the items taken in The hiker was rescued near that Circuit Court Judge Sarah were then submitted for credit. A former employee told investi- his truck, put on a pair of gloves the second theft were valued at Olympic National Park after he Deneke has agreed to a 15-day and helped deliver the baby boy. nearly $10,000. fractured his ankle while hik- stay of her order to remove the gators the practice began under Mihelic’s late father and contin- Evans said he believes his Ma- ing on a trail near Hood Canal, block in Fredericksburg. rine Corps training kicked in. KOIN-TV reported. Her order allows a business ued after Mihelic took over. Suspect charged in A team from Jefferson County owner who is challenging the theft of silver coins search and rescue reached the removal to ask the Virginia Su- Highway worker delivers Police: Woman stole 26-year-old man on foot and then preme Court to take on the case. baggage from airport KODIAK — Alaska baby on interstate the U.S. Coast Guard was able to E.D. Cole Building LLC owns State Troopers made an AK hoist him from the trail with a a commercial building across BRANDON — A rou- LOUISVILLE — A arrest in the theft of silver coins helicopter that took off from Port the street from the auction block. tine road closure for a Kentucky woman was valued at more than $100,000 MS KY Angeles . The firm and the owner of a near- transportation worker in Missis- accused of stealing luggage from from a Kodiak home. by restaurant have argued that sippi turned into the quick deliv- passengers at an airport on two Christopher Peters, 34, of Ko- Authorities didn’t say how the they’ll lose business from tour- ery of a baby on the interstate. occasions. diak was charged with burglary man broke his ankle or have any ist traffic if the auction block is Wayne Evans, Superintendent Carrie Welch, 33, was charged and theft in the case, troopers other details about his ordeal. removed. II with the Mississippi Depart- with theft after police said she said. From wire reports Thursday, February 27, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 15 FACES Original art from Justice finds ‘All the Bright Places’ ‘Flash Gordon’ headed to auction BY JOSEPH V AMODIO before we started shooting. I went from run- ning. And sometimes before the take I’d sing The original artwork for the Newsday ning zero miles to running five miles a day. it at the top of my lungs, with the crew look- My body was like, you can’t do that. So I re- ing at me with weird eyes. For some reason “Flash Gordon” comic strip is sking for a hug in a job interview duced to like three miles, then slowly worked it just ... it just got me. I highly suggest you headed for a new realm — the isn’t exactly standard protocol, but my way back up to five. listen to it. It feels like Finch. It is Finch. That auction block. that’s what Justice Smith did in his Smarter approach. song is Finch. The auction house Profiles in Aaudition for the new Netflix film You really feel it in your legs. Like, your How’d you find it? History said Wednesday that it “All the Bright Places.” And it worked. calves burn soooo much. But It was a song I loved in high school, during will sell the drawing on March Amazingly, it doesn’t sound nearly so I wanted to make sure I ... my developmental years. Well, I guess I’m 31. The pencil-and-ink draw- creepy or weird when you hear him explain understood what it felt still going through my developmental years. ing by artist Alex Raymond was it. like to run, and what that (He chuckles.) first published in January 1934, The up-and-comer — previously seen does to the body, and how What about all those Post-it Notes? and the series quickly grew in in “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” and Finch externalizes his Finch keeps scores of Post-its on his bed- influence, spawning movies and the Pokemon film “Detective Pikachu” pain through running. room wall with handwritten inspirational inspiring later science fiction sto- — co-stars with Elle Fanning in this It’s metaphorical for phrases, like “Plan” and “Breathe deeply.” ries like “Star Wars.” new romantic drama, premiering Fri- how he pushes through I paused the movie to read them. Did you The first story, drawn on a large day. The film is based on the bestselling his obstacles, the way write those? illustration board, within a few young-adult novel of the same name, he pushes through his I wanted to ... but I couldn’t do it within the panels takes Flash Gordon from though director Brett Haley was deter- pain, and how he does that schedule. There was no time. So they got a being a passenger on a plane to mined to craft a film that’s more than alone — no one can do that sample of my handwriting and wrote them being a hostage on a rocket head- just an angsty teen tearjerker, Smith for him. I got all of that from that way. So, yeah, that is my handwriting. ed toward a planet on a collision says. It follows the unlikely running. And funny enough, they used it for the movie course with Earth. poster, and they just re-released the book friendship (and romance) In many of the The “Flash Gordon” strip was with the movie poster on the cover, so that’s of popular high-school running scenes, commissioned as a competitor to my handwriting on the poster and the book, student Violet (Fan- you’re wearing the Buck Rogers series. Raymond, ning), grief-stricken headphones. too. Tell me about Elle Fanning. You two have who died in 1956, was praised for after losing her Were you play- the artistry of his strips. sister in a fatal car ing any tunes? great chemistry. accident, and class Yup. I had this I met her at my screen test. We were play- Duffy opens up about “freak” Theodore playlist I cre- ing this intimate relationship and we’d never Finch (Smith), ated for Finch. met each other. I was like ... (He pauses, her retreat from public who’s gripped by What’s funny is chuckling.) “Can we hug before we do this demons of his that every char- scene? I just feel like I don’t know you at Grammy-winning singer Duffy own. The film acter I’ve played all and I have to say these words to you, so says she’s been out of the public explores tough has a “thing.” I feel like we should just break some sort of limelight for years to focus on issues — from Sometimes it’s a stranger boundary.” She was up for it, so we recovering from being “drugged just hugged for a couple of seconds, then did mental illness word, or a con- and raped and held captive over the scene. It really helped. I credit her for my to lame (or so cept, a song, or some days.” being cast in the film. She made me feel so they think, at a book — there’s The Welsh comfortable. first) social this one thing performer said What’s up next for you? studies as- and if I do it or in a revealing I just finished a movie called “The Voy- signments Instagram post think about it, I eurs.” It’s an erotic thriller — something I’ve — while Tuesday that it always feel like never done before, and I’m all about doing showcasing has taken time that character. things I’ve never done before. I’m about to Smith’s laid- For Finch, that to recover and start shooting “Generation” (a new Lena asked her fans back charm. thing was a song, Dunham-produced dramedy) for HBO Max, to support her. Duffy, in 2011 A Los Ange- called “I Want which explores teen sexuality in Orange Duffy’s 2008 les native with to Be Well,” by County. eight siblings, Sufjan Stevens. I Then there’s “Jurassic World 3.” debut album, “Rockferry,” won Smith, 24, spoke would just listen Yeah! the best pop vocal album Gram- by phone with to the song on re- Think you’ll survive till the final credits? my. The song “Mercy” from the Newsday con- peat, especially Iiiiiiiii can neither confirm nor denyyyy album topped the U.K. singles tributor Joseph V. while I was run- that. Heh heh heh. chart. She released her sopho- Amodio. more album, “Endlessly,” in 2010 Newsday: Your char- but hasn’t recorded much since. acter, Finch, is a runner. “Detective Pikachu” actor Justice Smith, pictured Jan. 5, next She did not reveal more details stars in the Netflix film “All the Bright Places,” which is based on What about you? and asked for respect during her a young-adult novel and costars Elle Fanning. Smith: No. (He laughs.) “gentle move” toward doing so. But I did start running right AMY SUSSMAN, GETTY IMAGES/TNS Lerner, Smith on list for Rathbones Folio Prize Works of fiction by Ben Le- Douglas, Zeta-Jones to co-host Jerusalem ceremony rner and Zadie Smith and an ex- ploration of why women join the BY JOSEF FEDERMAN cacy for disarmament as a U.N. Islamic State group are among Associated Press Messenger of Peace. eight books contending for Brit- “Catherine and I look forward ain’s Rathbones Folio Prize for Hollywood power couple Mi- to returning to Israel, a country literature. chael Douglas and Catherine our entire family loves so much,” Lerner’s 1990s-set novel “The Zeta-Jones are set to return to Douglas said in a statement. “We Topeka School” and Smith’s Israel as cohosts of this year’s are particularly honored to have eclectic book of short stories Genesis Prize ceremony. the opportunity to host the cer- “Grand Union” are on the short- The Genesis Prize Foundation emony honoring a true Jewish list for the multi-genre 30,000 announced on Wednesday that hero, Natan Sharansky.” pound ($39,000) prize, which was the pair would co-host the June Douglas said the visit will also announced Tuesday. 18 event, where former Soviet be a way for his family to honor American-Iranian writer Aza- dissident and Israeli politician the memory of his father, Kirk deh Moaveni’s book about women Natan Sharansky is to be hon- Douglas, who died on Feb. 6 at the drawn to ISIS, “Guest House for ored as the 2020 laureate. age of 103. Kirk Douglas, born Young Widows,” is also in the Douglas, 75, was the 2015 win- Issur Danielovitch and raised in MATT SAYLES, INVISION/AP running, as is U.K. writer Laura ner of the prestigious $1 million a religious home, reconnected Cumming’s family-secrets mem- prize, granted each year in rec- with his Jewish roots in his later Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones return to Israel oir “On Chapel Sands.” ognition of professional achieve- years and had a strong connec- as co-hosts of this year’s prestigious Genesis Prize ceremony. ment, contribution to humanity tion to Israel. The winner, chosen by a jury and commitment to Jewish val- The Genesis Prize was inau- vate Genesis Prize Foundation works closely with the Israeli of three other writers, will be an- ues and Israel. He is recognized gurated in 2014 and is run in a and the chairman’s office of the government to serve Jewish nounced March 23. for his cinematic work and advo- partnership between the pri- Jewish Agency, a nonprofit that communities worldwide. From wire services PAGE 16 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, February 27, 2020 OPINION Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Sean Klimek, Europe commander Supreme problems for Iran’s Khamenei Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations Joshua M. Lashbrook, Pacific Chief of Staff BY BOBBY GHOSH with little faith in their leaders. The au- a weeks-long holiday for schools and uni- Bloomberg Opinion thorities have gone from underplaying the versities, and restrictions on public assem- threat to grudging acknowledgment and blies, including all religious gatherings. EDITORIAL ot quite two months in, 2020 blame-shifting. (In Qom, the director of But the virus crisis, by shutting busi- is already proving to be Ali , Editor the medical university who had said there nesses and keeping shoppers at home, will Terry Leonard Khamenei’s annus horribilis. In [email protected] was nothing to worry about was found to have a much more immediate impact than word, deed and vote, Iranians are have tested positive for the virus.) By then, the FATF designation on an economy al- , Senior Managing Editor N Robert H. Reid demonstrating a profound loss of faith in the death toll was swiftly climbing toward [email protected] ready hobbled by sanctions, feeding the the Islamic Republic, and a deep contempt the three-figure mark. widespread anger at the regime that has Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content for its Supreme Leader. Trust in Iran is Iranians could hardly have missed the sporadically bubbled over into the streets. [email protected] also dwindling in its neighborhood, and in parallels with the response to the downing For Khamenei, the only silver lining the international community. of a Ukrainian airliner shortly after take- Managing Editor for Presentation here is that Iranians too frightened to leave Sean Moores, If he were capable of self-reflection, off from Tehran in January: After denying [email protected] home for fear of the virus are unlikely, at Khamenei would recognize that he bears responsibility, the government belatedly least for now, to resume the anti-regime Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital most of the blame. Instead, the ageing theo- admitted that the plane was struck by Ira- street protests. But pretty soon, he will [email protected] crat continues to rail against the U.S., and nian missiles — and then blamed the U.S. need to find a new way to distract his sub- more generally the West, for all that ails for creating the atmosphere of heightened jects. He can’t rely on the Trump admin- BUREAU STAFF Iran. This bodes ill for Iranians: A regime tension that led to the error. istration to provide one, as it did with the in denial is unlikely to respond construc- If Iranians are outraged by the regime’s killing of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani at Europe/Mideast tively to the crises that have characterized handling of the virus crisis, the country’s the start of the year. The regime had count- Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief the year. And since denial is usually ac- neighbors are taking no chances. Most ed on the death of its most famous military [email protected] companied by deflection and disruption, it Middle Eastern states have closed their commander to rally Iranians behind the +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 could also be bad news for the Middle East, borders with Iran and halted flights. flag and leadership — but the outpouring Pacific the stage for Iranian mischief. Almost lost in the panic was Friday’s of grief at his funeral was swiftly replaced Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief But, as Khamenei learned this past news of a different kind of isolation: the de- by rage after the downing of the Ukrainian [email protected] weekend, distracting his people is becom- cision by the Financial Action Task Force Airlines flight. +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 ing harder. The parliamentary election he to keep Iran on its blacklist for the regime’s Soleimani ran Iran’s complex network of Washington fixed for his favored hard-liners turned failure to comply with rules preventing the proxy militias across the Arab world, and Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief into a vote of no-confidence in him: The financing of terrorism. The FATF also his death has limited Khamenei’s ability [email protected] hard-liners won, but it was the smallest called on member states to impose fresh to stage distractions far from home. This (+1)(202)886-0033 turnout in the country’s modern history, sanctions on the Islamic Republic. was demonstrated over the weekend, when Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News despite calls from Khamenei and the Is- The FATF designation is a blow to Iran’s the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen [email protected] lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for a hopes, already reduced by American sanc- launched attacks on Saudi Arabia, as fi- CIRCULATION massive mandate. Per usual, the Supreme tions, for a resumption of trade with Eu- nance ministers and central bankers of Leader tried to pass this off as the result rope. Tehran responded in the only way the G-20 nations gathered in Riyadh. Mis- Mideast of “negative propaganda” about the spread it knows how, by fingering the U.S. and a siles fired from Houthi-held territory were Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager of the coronavirus. In turn, leaders in the Western conspiracy. But ordinary Iranians intercepted, and an explosives-laden boat [email protected] holy city of Qom, where the virus has hit know who to blame: Although parliament heading for the shipping channel of the Red [email protected] hardest, conjured up an American plot to passed legislation to bring the country into DSN (314)583-9111 Sea was destroyed. Other Iranian proxies, undermine the religious institutions. compliance, it was overruled by a clerical like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Shiite mi- Europe Ironically, an honest appraisal of the body led by Khamenei. litias in Iraq, are preoccupied with local Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager threat might have worked to Khamenei’s The regime is already shrugging off the political struggles and popular movements [email protected] advantage. He could have used it to post- FATF designation as inconsequential. It against Tehran’s influence. [email protected] pone the elections and avoided, at least for can count on ordinary Iranians not pay- +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 And the Supreme Leader’s terrible, hor- a while, the loss of face — and of legitimacy ing much attention, but only because the rible, no good, very bad year has only just Pacific — that the low turnout represents. virus scare has given them more imme- begun. Mari Mori, [email protected] The crisis brought on by the virus diate anxieties. Social media platforms +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 — Iran already accounts for the most fa- buzz with rumors of a run on face masks Bobby Ghosh is a columnist and member of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board. This column talities outside China — is a microcosm of and hand sanitizer. To contain contagion, does not necessarily reflect the opinion of CONTACT US the regime failures that have left Iranians doctors and health officials are calling for Bloomberg LP and its owners. Washington tel: (+1)202.886.0003 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 End threat to Land and Water Conservation Fund Reader letters [email protected] BY SUSAN CONLEY ing spirit of freedom as they sacrificed; and public lands. I have hiked and biked on Additional contacts Special to Stars and Stripes and Gettysburg National Military Park, my favorite trails, kayaked on lakes early stripes.com/contactus commemorating the Battle of Gettysburg, in the morning to watch the sunrise creep or 20 years my family has rel- a turning point in the Civil War. These over the horizon or mid-afternoon to let OMBUDSMAN ished our nation’s public spaces, places are endangered when our president the sun warm my soul. I spend time check- Ernie Gates with vacations to Yosemite and proposed a 105% cut to LWCF funding for ing in with myself, letting the serenity of FYellowstone, Rocky Mountain and fiscal year 2020, and just recently for his nature fill me with a calming joy. Like so Glacier national parks, and many more. On fiscal 2021 budget he proposed to slash many other veterans, public spaces, parks, The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow of news and information, reporting any attempts by the these trips I’ve watched my children fall in LWCF to 3% of the $900 million originally and in particular water, have helped me military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s love with the outdoors, inspired by nature authorized by Congress. heal and find peace. independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns to explore and cherish the land and water That’s right, if it were up to President It’s why I recently made a trip to Wash- and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fair- ness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman of our great nation. Unfortunately, this na- Donald Trump virtually none of LWCF’s ington to talk to lawmakers about my con- welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted tion’s mainstays of wonder and exploration, intended funding would go to protect the cerns over the vulnerability of the LWCF by email at [email protected], or by phone at along with countless other public lands natural treasures we all enjoy. 202.886.0003. program. I understand that legislators are projects, are at risk. Why? Congress has Thankfully, Congress thwarted White faced with tough decisions every day, but continually failed to fully and permanently House intentions for 2020, LWCF was this should not be one of them. In the spirit Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- fund the Land and Water Conservation funded for $495 million, and it’s likely of a bipartisan Congress, fully funding the days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday Fund , a long-standing champion of public lawmakers will step in again this year. LWCF should be as simple as the concept through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and lands. But similar congressional fixes each year under which it was founded. I was happy Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send The LWCF is a bipartisan effort founded mean that LWCF continues to be short- to hear that Rep. Betty McCollum, a long- address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, in the 1960s under a simple idea — take the changed, typically with 50% of the money time supporter of the LWCF and my mem- APO AP 96301-5002. royalties from oil and gas companies drill- diverted elsewhere. There is, however, leg- ber of Congress, felt the same way. Her This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services overseas. ing offshore and reinvest them into con- islation currently under consideration in office assured me that LWCF full funding However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, serving our nation’s most precious lands the House and Senate to permanently fund was a priority. and are not to be considered as the official views of, or and waters. This means that the conserva- LWCF at the full amount, and these bills But to truly safeguard the program and endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official chan- tion and recreation benefits provided for are where we must now place our focus the public lands that depend on LWCF nels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote all of us by LWCF funding costs taxpay- to ensure that LWCF funds will finally be funding, we’ll need the support of more locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. ers absolutely nothing. Over the past five used entirely for their intended purpose. elected officials. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense decades the LWCF has funded and pro- America’s great outdoors constitute our I’m confident Congress will fully and or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. tected thousands of public parks, historic common heritage and protecting this na- permanently fund the LWCF, the only Products or services advertised shall be made available for battlefields and urban community projects tion’s special places means everything to purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, question is how soon. Every day without religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical in all 50 states. Important chapters in our me. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, I have guaranteed funding puts our cherished handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor nation’s military history are preserved in depended on a deep connection to the out- public lands in limbo . Our public lands are of the purchaser, user or patron. part by LWCF contributions — places like doors for my physical and mental healing. a lifeline that can’t wait. Valley Forge National Historical Park, Navigating through the complications and © Stars and Stripes 2020 Susan Conley served in the U.S. Marine Corps where Gen. George Washington’s troops struggles of injuries, I have found myself from 1969-1972. She resides and practices law in stripes.com wintered in 1777-78 displaying an endur- seeking out the beauty and peace of nature the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., area. Thursday, February 27, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 17 PAGE 18 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, February 27, 2020 SCOREBOARD

Sports College basketball College baseball Tennis SMU 58, Memphis 53 USA Today Men’s Top 25 Tulsa 62, Tulane 57 Baseball America Top 25 Mexican Open on AFN The top 25 teams in the USA Today FAR WEST DURHAM, N.C. — The top 25 teams in Tuesday men’s college basketball poll, with Heidelberg 75, Baldwin Wallace 69 the Baseball America poll, with records At Fairmont Acapulco Princess first-place votes in parentheses, re- Nevada 73, Wyoming 68 through Feb. 23 and previous ranking Acapulco, Mexico cords through Feb. 23, points based on San Diego St. 66, Colorado St. 60 (selected by the staff of Baseball Amer- Purse: $1,845,265 Go to the American Forces 25 points for a first-place vote through Utah St. 94, San Jose St. 56 ica): Surface: Hardcourt outdoor one point for a 25th-place vote and last W. Washington 69, Simon Fraser 60 Record Prv Men’s Singles Network website for the most week’s ranking: 1. Florida 8-0 2 Round of 32 Record Pts Pvs 2. Texas Tech 6-1 4 Kyle Edmund, Britain, def. Feliciano up-to-date TV schedules. 1. Kansas (30) 24-3 798 3 AP Men’s Top 25 schedule 3. Vanderbilt 6-2 5 Lopez, Spain, 6-4, 6-1. myafn.net 2. Baylor (2) 24-2 760 1 Thursday’s games 4. Mississippi State 5-1 9 Grigor Dimitrov (7), Bulgaria, def. 3. Dayton 25-2 723 5 No. 19 Michigan vs. Wisconsin 5. Michigan 4-3 1 Damir Dzumhur, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 6- 4. Gonzaga 27-2 704 2 No. 3 Gonzaga vs. San Diego 6. Miami 4-3 3 3, 6-3. 5. San Diego State 26-1 631 4 No. 21 Colorado at California 7. Louisville 4-3 6 Pedro Martinez, Spain, def. Radu Al- 6. Florida State 23-4 597 8 No. 23 Ohio State at Nebraska 8. Arizona State 5-3 8 bot, Moldova, 6-3, 6-2. Pro football 7. Duke 23-4 579 6 No. 14 Oregon vs. Oregon State 9. Arkansas 7-0 11 Kwon Soon Woo, South Korea, def. 8. Maryland 22-5 553 7 Friday’s games 10. Georgia 7-1 7 Taro Daniel, Japan, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. 9. Kentucky 22-5 543 10 No. 4 Dayton vs. Davidson 11. UCLA 7-0 10 Felix Auger-Aliassime (4), Canada, XFL 10. Louisville 23-5 531 11 Saturday’s games 12. Florida State 6-1 14 def. Alex Bolt, Australia, 6-3, 7-6 (5). 11. Creighton 22-6 462 15 No. 12 Villanova vs. Providence at the 13. Mississippi 6-1 15 Alexander Zverev (2), Germany, def. EASTERN CONFERENCE 12. Villanova 21-6 449 13 14. Louisiana State 5-3 13 Jason Jung, Taiwan, 7-6 (6), 6-1. Wells Fargo Center 15. Oklahoma 7-2 16 W L Pct PF PA 13. Seton Hall 20-7 423 14 No. 16 Penn State at No. 18 Iowa Dusan Lajovic (8), Serbia, def. Steve St. Louis 2 1 .667 68 46 14. Penn State 20-7 318 9 16. Duke 6-1 17 Johnson, United States, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3. No. 22 Texas Tech vs. Texas 17. NC State 7-0 18 DC 2 1 .667 67 58 15. Auburn 23-4 316 12 No. 1 Kansas at Kansas State Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, def. Pablo An- New York 1 2 .333 32 59 16. Oregon 21-7 276 16 18. Dallas Baptist 6-1 23 dujar, Spain, 6-3, 6-2. No. 2 Baylor at TCU 19. Georgia Tech 6-1 21 Tampa Bay 0 3 .000 39 74 17. Iowa 19-8 264 20 No. 6 Florida State at Clemson John Isner (5), United States, def. Mis- WESTERN CONFERENCE 18. Brigham Young 23-7 240 — 20. East Carolina 6-1 25 cha Zverev, Germany, 6-3, 7-6 (4). No. 13 Seton Hall at No. Marquette 21. Central Florida 7-1 — W L Pct PF PA 19. West Virginia 19-8 194 18 No. 15 Auburn at No. 8 Kentucky Taylor Fritz, United States, def. John Houston 3 0 1.000 99 68 20. Colorado 21-7 155 17 22. North Carolina 6-2 19 Millman, Australia, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1. Dallas 2 1 .667 58 45 No. 20 West Virginia vs. Oklahoma 23. Oklahoma State 5-2 24 21. Texas Tech 18-9 153 — No. 7 Duke at Virginia Ugo Humbert, France, def. Nick Kyr- Los Angeles 1 2 .333 74 71 22. Michigan 18-9 139 — 24. Auburn 5-3 12 gios (6), Australia, 6-3, ret. Seattle 1 2 .333 48 64 No. 17 BYU at Pepperdine 25. Arizona 5-2 22 23. Ohio State 18-9 132 24 No. 5 San Diego State at Nevad Women’s Singles Saturday’s games 24. Michigan State 18-9 118 25 Round of 32 Los Angeles at New York No. 9 Maryland vs. No. 24 Michigan State Zhu Lin (6), China, def. Katarina Za- (tie) Arizona 19-8 118 21 No. 3 Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary’s Seattle at St. Louis Others receiving votes: Houston 58; Collegiate Baseball poll vatska, Ukraine, 7-6 (2), 6-2. Sunday’s games Butler 48; Arizona State 27; Illinois 25; TUCSON, Ariz. — The 2020 Collegiate Katie Boulter, Britain, def. Francesca Houston at Dallas Marquette 19; Virginia 13; Louisiana USA Today Women’s Top 25 Baseball poll, with records through Feb. Di Lorenzo, United States, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. DC at Tampa Bay State 12; St. Mary’s 7; East Tennessee 23, total points and last week’s ranking. Kaja Juvan, Slovenia, def. Venus Wil- Saturday, March 7 St. 6; Wisconsin 3; Stephen F. Austin 3; The top 25 teams in the USA Today Voting is done by coaches, sports writ- liams (5), United States, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2. Seattle at Houston Northern Iowa 3. women’s college basketball poll, with ers and sports information directors: Leylah Annie Fernandez, Canada, def. New York at Dallas first-place votes in parentheses, re- Record Pts Prv Nina Stojanovic, Serbia, 6-4, 6-1. cords through Feb. 24, points based on 1. UCLA 7-0 495 10 Sara Errani, Italy, def. Sara Sorribes Tuesday’s men’s scores 25 points for a first-place vote through 2. Florida 8-0 494 14 Tormo, Spain, 7-5, 6-4. EAST one point for a 25th-place vote and last 3. Arkansas 7-0 492 9 Renata Zarazua, Mexico, def. Sloane Deals Albertus Magnus 82, Suffolk 79 week’s ranking: 4. Texas Tech 6-1 490 1 Stephens (1), United States, 6-4, 6-2. Anna Maria 82, St. Joseph’s (Maine) 66 Record Pts Pvs 5. Vanderbilt 6-2 486 5 Katie Volynets, United States, def. Assumption 84, Franklin Pierce 73 1. South Carolina (20) 27-1 761 1 6. Mississippi St. 5-1 483 6 Shelby Rogers, United States, 6-2, 7-6 Tuesday’s transactions Baruch 70, Lehman 57 2. Baylor (8) 26-1 743 2 7. Louisville 4-3 480 4 (5). Brooklyn 57, John Jay 55, OT 3. Oregon (3) 26-2 727 3 8. Georgia 7-1 478 7 Caroline Dolehide, United States, def. HOCKEY Chatham 72, Waynesburg 64 4. UConn 23-3 660 5 9. Michigan 4-3 475 3 Usue Maitane Arconada, United States, National Hockey League Dean 89, Elms 77 5. Louisville 25-3 638 6 10. N.C. State 7-0 472 16 6-2, 6-2. ANAHEIM DUCKS — Reassigned RW Eastern Nazarene 74, Becker 70, OT 6. Stanford 24-4 632 4 11. Florida St. 6-1 470 15 Christina McHale, United States, def. Troy Terry and D Brendan Guhle to San Geneva 79, Washington & Jefferson 77 7. Maryland 23-4 592 8 12. Arizona St. 5-3 468 11 Lauren Davis (4), United States, 6-2, 1-6, Diegeo (AHL). Gordon 95, W. New England 83 8. UCLA 23-4 512 7 13. Miami, Fla. 4-3 465 2 6-4. DALLAS STARS — Returned F Justin Grove City 76, Thiel 62 9. Mississippi State 23-5 453 9 14. Mississippi 6-1 462 19 Women’s Doubles Dowling to Texas (AHL). Ithaca 64, St. Lawrence 54 10. Gonzaga 27-2 451 13 15. Texas A&M 8-0 460 21 Round of 16 NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Recalled G Lancaster Bible 77, Penn College 73 11. N.C. State 23-4 434 10 16. Texas 8-0 459 22 Heather Watson, Britain, and Nao Connor Ingram from the Milwaukee Ad- Lasell 98, Emmanuel 77 12. South Dakota 26-2 368 15 17. Central Florida 7-1 454 — Hibino, Japan, def. Danka Kovinic, Mon- mirals (AHL). Mass. College 80, Fitchburg St. 78 13. Arizona 22-5 367 11 18. Auburn 5-3 452 8 tenegro, and Dalila Jakupovic, Slovenia, Mass.-Boston 89, Rhode Island Coll. 82 14. Texas A&M 22-5 349 17 19. Louisiana St. 5-3 450 12 6-4, 6-1. SOCCER 20. North Carolina 6-2 448 13 Major League Soccer Molloy 74, New Haven 67 15. DePaul 25-4 336 12 Kateryna Bondarenko, Ukraine, and 16. Kentucky 20-6 300 16 21. Texas Christian 5-1 446 20 Sharon Fichman, Canada, def. Renata LOS ANGELES GALAXY — Signed F Gor- Morrisville St. 100, Cazenovia 88 22. Pepperdine 7-0 444 — don Wild. Muhlenberg 84, Washington (Md.) 72 17. Missouri State 23-3 289 18 Voracova and Marie Bouzkova, Czech 18. Oregon State 20-8 286 14 23. Tennessee 7-0 441 — Republic, 4-6, 6-2, 12-10. MINNESOTA UNITED — Signed D Noah Nichols 80, Roger Williams 78 24. East Carolina 6-1 439 23 Billingsley. Oneonta 81, Geneseo 54 19. Northwestern 24-3 280 20 Desirae Krawczyk, United States, and 20. Iowa 22-5 210 21 25. Long Beach 5-2 436 — Giuliana Olmos (2), Mexico, def. Anna Ka- NASHVILLE — Signed D Tanner Diet- Oswego St. 74, Cortland 67 26. Clemson 7-0 434 — erichs, M Luke Hakkenson and Alistair Pace 85, Le Moyne 73 21. Princeton 21-1 175 23 linskaya and Anastasia Potapova, Rus- 22. Florida State 21-6 165 18 27. Central Michigan 5-2 432 24 sia, 7-5, 6-4. Johnston and G Elliot Panicco. Penn St. Behrend 65, Mount Aloysius 52 28. Oklahoma State 5-2 431 28 PORTLAND TIMBERS — Signed D Chris Penn St.-Altoona 81, Hilbert 73 23. Florida Gulf Coast 27-2 160 22 24. Indiana 21-7 53 26 29. Tulane 6-1 428 — Duvall. Plymouth St. 72, Keene St. 70, OT 30. Georgia Tech 6-1 426 29 Chile Open VACOUVER WHITECAPS — Signed F S. Connecticut 94, Adelphi 78 25. TCU 20-5 39 27 Tosaint Ricketts to a contract extension. S. New Hampshire 70, St. Michael’s 54 Others receiving votes: Arizona State Tuesday Salem St. 89, Bridgewater (Mass.) 78 30, Arkansas 29, Central Michigan 25, Old Tuesday’s scores At Club Deportivo Universidad Catolica St. Anselm 94, Bentley 55 Dominion 3, Troy 2, Stony Brook 2, Ohio Santiago, Chile St. Augustines 66, Lincoln (Pa.) 61 State 2, Duke 1, Drexel 1, Coastal Caro- EAST Purse: $604,010 Pro baseball St. Joseph (Conn.) 97, Regis 75 lina 1. Lafayette at Rider, ppd. Surface: Red clay St. Rose 75, American International 73 Rutgers 15, Wagner 3 Men’s Singles St. Vincent 88, Westminster (Pa.) 78 Sacred Heart at Fordham, ppd. Round of 32 Union (NY) 72, Vassar 62 Tuesday’s women’s scores UMBC at George Washington, ppd. Renzo Olivo, Argentina, def. Pedro SOUTH Spring Training Wentworth 89, Salve Regina 64 EAST Sousa, Portugal, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. SOUTH Alabama 10, UT Martin 5 Thiago Monteiro (8), Brazil, def. Leon- Monday’s games Duquesne 74, Fordham 63 Arkansas St. 6, Mississippi Valley St. 1 N.Y. Mets 2, Washington 1 Auburn 67, Mississippi 58 George Washington 73, Rhode Island 56 ardo Mayer, Argentina, 6-7 (0), 6-3, 6-4. Averett 75, NC Wesleyan 65 Auburn 10, Alabama A&M 0 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Spain, Miami 6, St. Louis 3 Maryland 88, Purdue 45 Coppin St. 11, Richmond 1 Belmont Abbey 110, Mount Olive 95 Princeton 80, Penn 44 def. Andrej Martin, Slovakia, 2-6, 7-6 (5), Philadelphia 8, Baltimore 7 East Carolina 7, Elon 2 6-3. Boston (ss) 2, Tampa Bay 2 Benedict 93, Paine 75 SOUTH ETSU 5, Clemson 3 CLAF 70, Elizabeth City St. 60, OT Campbell 43, Charleston Southern 42 Salvatore Caruso, Italy, def. Jozef Minnesota 3, Boston (ss) 2 Florida A&M at Florida, ppd. Kovalik, Slovakia, 6-2, 6-3. Central St. (Ohio) 89, Lane 64 Gardner-Webb 85, UNC-Asheville 55 Florida Gulf Coast 3, E. Michigan 2 Houston 11, Detroit 1 Chowan 82, Limestone 75 Federico Delbonis (7), Argentina, def. Toronto 4, Atlanta 3 High Point 79, Presbyterian 71 Florida St. at Jacksonville, ppd. Covenant 83, Maryville (Tenn.) 81, OT Radford 78, SC-Upstate 57 Martin Klizan, Slovakia, 6-1, 7-6 (5). San Francisco 11, Arizona 9 Furman at Presbyterian, ccd. Juan Pablo Varillas, Peru, def. Filip Davidson 74, La Salle 49 South Florida 81, East Carolina 52 Georgia 15, Kennesaw St. 1 Chicago White Sox 2, L.A. Dodgers 2 Dayton 62, George Mason 55 Horansky, Slovakia, 6-4, 6-2. Milwaukee (ss) 14, Oakland 4 Winthrop 63, Longwood 60 Georgia Tech 14, Gardner-Webb 1 Emmanuel 95, Lees-Mcrae 84 MIDWEST Juan Ignacio Londero (5), Argentina, Cincinnati 9, Texas 6 Grambling 7-9, Texas College 1-4 def. Federico Coria, Argentina, 6-4, 6-2. Ferrum 87, Emory & Henry 84 Northwestern 69, Ohio St. 55 Jackson St. 21-8, LeMoyne Owen 4-2 Kansas City 8, San Diego 5 Fort Valley St. 82, Clark Atlanta 80, 2OT Alejandro Tabilo, Chile, def. Paolo Milwaukee (ss) 2, L.A. Angels 1 James Madison 4, VMI 2 Lorenzi, Italy, 6-3, 6-4. Georgia Tech 68, Clemson 59 Kentucky 13, Tennessee Tech 3 Chicago Cubs 16, Seattle 12 Hampden-Sydney 72, Bridgewater AP Women’s Top 25 schedule Men’s Doubles Colorado 12, Cleveland 8 Liberty 16, Longwood 6 Round of 16 (Va.) 59 Thursday’s games Louisiana-Monroe 8, SE Louisiana 4 Pittsburgh 3, N.Y. Yankees 3 Huntingdon 87, Piedmont 72 Matwe Middelkoop, Netherlands, and Tuesday’s games No. 1 South Carolina vs. Florida Louisville 8, Xavier 5 Marcelo Demoliner, Brazil, def. Hugo Del- King (Tenn.) 73, North Greenville 63 No. 5 Louisville vs. Boston College Maryland 13, George Mason 3 Miami 7, Houston 4 LeMoyne-Owen 65, Miles 62 Memphis 8, Central Arkansas 5 lien, Bolivia, and Andre Goransson, Swe- Boston 12, Baltimore (ss) 4 No. 22 Indiana vs. Nebraska den, 5-7, 6-3, 10-8. Methodist 90, William Peace 83 No. 12 Texas A&M vs. Alabama Mercer at Georgia Southern, ppd. Washington 9, St. Louis 6 Mississippi St. 80, Alabama 73 Mississippi 4, Southern Miss. 3 Roberto Carballes Baena and Alejan- Toronto (ss) 13, Philadelphia (ss) 6 Morehouse 59, Albany St. (Ga.) 50 No. 15 Kentucky vs. Georgia dro Davidovich Fokina, Spain, def. Gon- No. 19 Florida State vs. Clemson NC Central 11, High Point 5 Minnesota 4, Atlanta 4 North Carolina 85, NC State 79 NC State 11, UNC-Wilmington 0 zalo Lama, Chile, and Thiago Seyboth Philadelphia (ss) 6, Pittsburgh 2 Southern Wesleyan 83, Erskine 73 No. 18 Iowa vs. Minnesota Wild, Brazil, 6-4, 7-5. No. 8 N.C. State vs. Syracuse North Alabama 1, Belmont 0 Tampa Bay 15, Baltimore (ss) 2 Tuskegee 83, Spring Hill 79 North Carolina 8, North Carolina A&T 0 Artem Sitak, New Zealand, and Divij Detroit 9, N.Y. Mets 6 UOP 98, Bluefield St. 73 No. 10 Mississippi State vs. No. 22 Ar- Sharan, India, def. Fernando Romboli and kansas SC-Upstate 11, Wofford 6 N.Y. Yankees 4, Toronto (ss) 1 Wake Forest 113, Duke 101, 2OT South Alabama 5, New Orleans 0 Thiago Monteiro, Brazil, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2). MIDWEST No. 23 Missouri State at Illinois State Kansas City 5, Texas 4 No. 10 Mississippi State vs. Arkansas South Carolina 6, North Florida 5 Colorado 12, Chicago Cubs 6 Adrian 83, Hope 73 Southern Illinois 2, Murray St. 1 Ball St. 71, W. Michigan 61 Friday’s games Qatar Open Chicago White Sox (ss) 4, San Francisco 3 No. 23 Princeton vs. Brown Tennessee 15, Northern Kentucky 1 Cleveland 10, Chicago White Sox (ss) 2 Bowling Green 78, Akron 60 Texas Southern 8, Mississippi St. 4 Wednesday Chicago 64, Drake 60 No. 4 Stanford at No. 13 Arizona At Khalifa International Tennis and Seattle 2, Milwaukee 1 No. 17 Oregon State vs. Washington The Citadel 10, Charleston Southern 5 San Diego 9, Oakland 6 Concordia (Wis.) 68, Illinois Tech 63 Troy 5, Alabama St. 0 Squash Complex Denison 75, Wabash 69 No. 24 Arizona State vs. California Doha, Qatar L.A. Angels 7, Cincinnati 3 No. 3 Oregon vs. Washington State UCF 6, Bethune-Cookman 0 Arizona 7, L.A. Dodgers 3 Elmhurst 71, Wheaton (Ill.) 58 UNC-Greensboro 6, Charlotte 4 Purse: $2,939,695 Illinois Wesleyan 74, Carthage 67 No. 9 UCLA vs. Colorado Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Wednesday’s games Saturday’s games Vanderbilt 6, Evansville 0 St. Louis (ss) vs. Houston (ss) at West Iowa St. 65, TCU 59 Virginia 8, William & Mary 5 Women’s Singles John Carroll 84, Capital 54 No. 18 Northwestern vs. Illinois Round of 16 Palm Beach, Fla. No. 20 South Dakota vs. North Dakota Virginia Tech 3, Radford 2 Washington vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tam- Kent St. 74, Miami (Ohio) 61 W. Kentucky 10, Austin Peay 5 Svetlana Kuznetsova, Russia, def. Marietta 83, Wilmington (Ohio) 78 No. 6 UConn vs. Houston MIDWEST Amanda Anisimova, United States, walk- pa, Fla. No. 13 Gonzaga at Portland Miami vs. St. Louis (ss) at Jupiter, Fla. Michigan St. 78, Iowa 70 Ill.-Chicago at Roosevelt, ccd. over. Milwaukee Engineering 79, Lakeland 76 No. 25 Princeton vs. Yale Miami (Ohio) at Dayton, ccd. Petra Kvitova (8), Czech Republic, def. Minnesota (ss) vs. Tampa Bay at Port No. 2 Baylor vs. Kansas State Charlotte, Fla. Mount Union 75, Otterbein 57 Wichita St. 2, Ark.-Pine Bluff 1 Jelena Ostapenko, Latvia, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. N. Illinois 73, E. Michigan 71 Sunday’s games SOUTHWEST Aryna Sabalenka (9), Belarus, def. Ma- Boston vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla. NW Missouri St. 92, Missouri Western 69 No. 12 Texas A&M at No. 1 South Caro- ria Sakkari (15), Greece, 6-3, 6-0. Philadelphia vs. Minnesota (ss) at Missouri St. 6, Oral Roberts 3 Oberlin 75, DePauw 63 lina Oklahoma St. 9, Little Rock 1 Zheng Saisai, China, def. Kiki Bertens Fort Myers, Fla. Ohio 80, Buffalo 69 No. 5 Louisville vs. Virginia Tech (7), Netherlands, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Atlanta vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla. Texas 4, Sam Houston St. 1 Simpson 86, Buena Vista 70 No. 18 Iowa at Rutgers Texas A&M 4, Houston Baptist 0 Belinda Bencic (4), Switzerland, def. Detroit vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla. St. Mary’s (Minn.) 72, Bethel (Minn. ) 59 No. 22 Indiana at Michigan Texas A&M-CC 8, Prairie View A&M 4 Yulia Putintseva, Kazakhstan, 6-4, 6-3. Houston (ss) vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. St. Olaf 76, Augsburg 68 No. 25 TCU at Texas Tech Texas Tech 13, Southern 2 Women’s Doubles Lucie, Fla. Toledo 93, Cent. Michigan 81 No. 4 Stanford at No. 24 Arizona State Texas-Arlington 6, Dallas Baptist 3 Quarterfinals Milwaukee vs. San Francisco at Scott- Trine 82, Alma 79 No. 8 N.C. State at Virginia Texas-Rio Grande Valley 6, Houston 5 Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Sin- sdale, Ariz. Valparaiso 89, Missouri St. 74 No. 13 Arizona vs. California UTSA 4, Lamar 2 iakova (4), Czech Republic, def. Cagla Kansas City (ss) vs. Chicago Cubs at Wartburg 79, Loras 74 No. 15 Kentucky at Vanderbilt WEST Buyukakcay, Turkey, and Laura Siege- Mesa, Ariz. Wis.-Eau Claire 65, Wis.-Stevens Pt. 59 No. 19 Florida State vs. Notre Dame Arizona St. 6, New Mexico St. 5 mund, Germany, 6-1, 6-2. L.A. Angels vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glen- Wis.-La Crosse 80, Wis.-River Falls 58 No. 10 Mississippi State at Mississippi California 8, Stanford 4 Kristina Mladenovic, France, and dale, Ariz. Wittenberg 69, Ohio Wesleyan 55 No. 3 Oregon vs. Washington Fresno St. 13, Cal Poly 0 Timea Babos (2), Hungary, def. Xu Yifan, Arizona vs. Oakland at Mesa, Ariz. Wooster 92, Allegheny 66 No. 12 DePaul at Marquette Long Beach St. 10, San Diego 3 China, and Nicole Melichar (5), United Seattle vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, Ariz. Xavier 78, DePaul 67 No. 17 Oregon State vs. Washington San Jose St. 13, San Francisco 10 States, 6-3, 6-3. Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City SOUTHWEST State San Diego St. 2, UC Irvine 1 Gabriela Dabrowski, Canada, and (ss) at Surprise, Ariz. Baylor 85, Kansas St. 66 No. 21 Missouri State at Bradley UC Davis 9, Pacific 3 Jelena Ostapenko (6), Latvia, def. Elise Cleveland vs. San Diego at Peoria, Ariz. Kentucky 69, Texas A&M 60 No. 7 Maryland at Minnesota UC Riverside 3, UNLV 2, 11 innings Mertens, Belgium, and Aryna Sabalenka Texas vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Ariz. Oklahoma 65, Texas Tech 51 No. 9 UCLA vs. Utah UC Santa Barbara 7, Loyola Marymount 2 (3), Belarus, 4-6, 6-1, 10-4. Thursday, February 27, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 19 MLB Void: McCullers returns after missing last season

FROM BACK PAGE to earn one of the spots in his return after missing last season Verlander to debut while recovering from Tommy John surgery. An All-Star in 2017, against Scherzer the 26-year-old went 10-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 25 games in 2018. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. Verlander thinks McCullers’ re- — Houston ace Justin Verlander turn will go a long way in helping is slated to make his 2020 to make up for the loss of Cole. spring training debut on Thurs- “Anytime you lose a pitcher day, when former teammate who was one of the best in base- Max Schezer is scheduled to be ball it’s not easy, but I think we on the mound for World Series have the talent,” Verlander said. champion Washington. “We’re getting Lance back and The pair were teammates on everybody kind of forgot Lance the Detroit Tigers from 2010-14 was an All-Star pitcher and one and have combined for five Cy of the best in baseball before he Young Awards. (was) injured.” “It wasn’t done intentionally. Also competing for a spot in the That is a pretty good matchup, rotation is veteran Brad Peacock, though,” new Astros manager FRANK FRANKLIN II /AP who has spent time as both a Dusty Baker said. “I’m sure you New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire season. starter and a reliever in his seven guys will hype it up.” seasons in Houston. Jose Urquidy Verlander won his second Cy also returns for the Astros after Young last season, going 21- going 2-1 with a 3.95 ERA in nine 6 with a 2.52 ERA. His 225 games as a rookie last season. wins are the most among active Another returning player who players. Zack Greinke, second could compete to start is hard- among active pitchers with 205 Yankees’ Severino needs throwing right-hander Josh wins, is to make his first spring James. He was 5-1 with a 4.70 ERA in 49 games with just one training appearances the follow- start last year in his first full sea- ing day. son in the majors. He was a can- Scherzer, a the three-time Cy didate to be in the rotation last Young winner, won the World surgery, lost for season spring but was slowed by an in- Series opener last October and jury and relegated to the bullpen. did not get a decision in Game 7. Verlander lost Games 2 and 6. BY MARK DIDTLER typically doesn’t exist.” He’s open to whatever role the Scherzer opened spring train- Associated Press Severino went 19-8 with a 3.39 team decides is best for him but ERA in 2018 and was given a would prefer to be in the rota- ing with two scoreless innings DUNEDIN, Fla. — Luis Sev- $40 million, four-year contract. tion after starting for most of his against Houston on Saturday. erino will miss the season with He was scratched from his first minor league career. Baker has — Associated Press an elbow injury that requires scheduled spring training ap- talked at length with James about Tommy John surgery, and the pearance on March 5 because his goal of being a starter and New York Yankees’ rotation no of rotator cuff inflammation in what he’ll have to do to crack the Verlander and Baker are also longer looks all that imposing. his right shoulder. The Yankees rotation this season. quick to point out that Cole wasn’t New York announced Tuesday said April 9 he had strained his “I’ve talked to him extensively the elite pitcher he is now when he that the 26-year-old right-hander latissimus dorsi muscle. He did about mind control and control- joined the Astros before the 2018 has a partially torn ulnar collat- not make a minor league injury ling your emotions but also being season. And they hope someone eral ligament, a development that rehabilitation appearance until competitive at the same time,” might make an unexpected jump means the two-time All-Star will Sept. 1 and did not make his first Baker said. “Because you just like Cole did in his time with the miss all of 2020 after being side- appearance for the Yankees until can’t get too high or too low as a Astros to bolster the rotation this starter because you’ll burn out as season. lined for nearly all of 2019. MATT SLOCUM/AP Sept. 17. Mets medical director Dr. Severino was 1-1 with a 1.50 far as energy is concerned. So, I “You can’t replace Gerrit but David Altchek will operate Thurs- Left-hander James Paxton is ERA over 12 innings in three know he wants it and we’re going you also, you can’t forecast any- day in New York. already projected to miss the regular-season starts for New to give them opportunity to get thing,” Verlander said. “You don’t “I am extremely disappointed first two months of the season York, then was 0-1 with a 2.16 it.” know what some of these young 1 Right-hander Austin Pruitt, guys can turn into or can be. I that I will not be able to put on after back surgery on Feb. 5. ERA over 8 ⁄3 innings in a pair of a Yankees uniform and compete postseason outings. who was traded from Tampa Bay mean nobody knew that Gerrit with my teammates this year,“ our expectations and what we’re Boone said Severino first felt in January, and top prospect For- was going to be as good as he was Severino said in a statement truly capable of,” manager Aaron the soreness in the days after his rest Whitley are also in the mix to when he got here. So we’ll see posted on Twitter. “but I promise Boone said. “So, no, nothing Game 3 start in the ALCS. be a part of the rotation. what happens.” that I will be working tirelessly changes.” Severino had an MRI in New during this process to come back Lefty Jordan Montgomery, who York in early December and was stronger than ever.” came back in September from cleared to start his throwing pro- Left-hander James Paxton Tommy John surgery, has been gram. He experienced discom- already was projected to miss throwing at up to 94 mph and is fort while throwing his changeup the first two months of the sea- the leading candidate for one slot. on flat ground during January son following back surgery on Jonathan Loaisiga and rookies in the Dominican Republic. Sev- Feb. 5. Domingo German must Deivi Garcia and Michael King erino returned to New York, and serve the final 63 games of an are possibilities, along with Luis another MRI and CT scan were 81-game suspension for violating Cessa. negative. Major League Baseball’s domes- “We’re always constantly look- “My gut is it’s something that tic violence policy. He is eligible ing for upgrades anyway,” gener- dates back to when he started feel- to return June 5, barring any al manager Brian Cashman said. ing something,” Cashman said. postponements. “But this time of year you always “In terms of the declaration of Severino’s injury leaves the look from within and see and give the injury, with the physical test- AL East favorites with a rotation opportunities for what you have ing upon the MRIs and where his of newly signed ace Gerrit Cole, and typically that’s how it shakes complaints were, it didn’t reveal Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ and out, especially until after the June itself. But now as of yesterday for two openings. The usual recovery draft regardless, so you keep rely- the first time, the physical test- time for Tommy John surgery is a ing on depth. So wouldn’t say ex- ing points to the area on the MRI year or more. pect any domino effect or cause arthogram that shows a problem. JEFF ROBERSON/AP “I don’t want to sugarcoat the and effect in terms of us being The prior MRIs had no problem fact that being without Sevy, able to go to marketplace where and the point of injury was not Brad Peacock will be competing for one of the three spots in the that’s a blow, but it doesn’t change a marketplace this time of year around the ligament.” Astros rotation behind Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke. PAGE 20 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, February 27, 2020 NBA Tatum’s 8 threes lift Celtics past Blazers

BY ANNE M. PETERSON Scoreboard Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. — Jayson Tatum’s three-point practice Eastern Conference showed against the Trail Blazers. Atlantic Division Tatum had 36 points, including W L Pct GB Toronto 42 16 .724 — a career-high eight three-pointers, Boston 40 17 .702 1½ and the Boston Celtics beat Port- Philadelphia 36 22 .621 6 Brooklyn 26 30 .464 15 land 118-106 on Tuesday night. New York 17 40 .298 24½ “That’s a shot I’ve been work- Southeast Division Miami 36 21 .632 — ing on a lot,“ Tatum said. “When Orlando 25 32 .439 11 those guys are coming at you at Washington 20 36 .357 15½ Charlotte 19 38 .333 17 7 feet, it makes it tougher. Some- Atlanta 17 42 .288 20 times it goes in, sometimes they Central Division x-Milwaukee 50 8 .862 — block it.” Indiana 34 24 .586 16 Jaylen Brown added 24 points Chicago 20 39 .339 30½ Detroit 19 41 .317 32 for the Celtics, who sit in third in Cleveland 16 41 .281 33½ the Eastern Conference behind the first-place Milwaukee Bucks Western Conference and the Toronto Raptors. Southwest Division W L Pct GB Tatum had 26 points in the sec- Houston 37 20 .649 — ond half alone as the Celtics built Dallas 35 23 .603 2½ Memphis 28 29 .491 9 a 19-point lead in the fourth quar- New Orleans 25 33 .431 12½ ter. The Blazers, playing without San Antonio 24 32 .429 12½ Northwest Division All-Star Damian Lillard, couldn’t Denver 40 18 .690 — keep up. Utah 36 21 .632 3½ Oklahoma City 36 22 .621 4 All of Tatum’s points came Portland 26 33 .441 14½ from the floor, as he did not go to Minnesota 16 40 .286 23 Pacific Division the line once in the game. L.A. Lakers 44 12 .786 — It was the third time in four L.A. Clippers 38 19 .667 6½ Sacramento 24 33 .421 20½ games that Tatum has scored Phoenix 24 34 .414 21 more than 35 points, and it was his Golden State 12 46 .207 33 Monday’s games 10th 30-point game this season. Philadelphia 129, Atlanta 112 “When really good players see Orlando 115, Brooklyn 113 Milwaukee 137, Washington 134, OT the ball go in a couple of times Cleveland 125, Miami 119, OT then the tough shots become a Houston 123, New York 112 Dallas 139, Minnesota 123 little easier,” Celtics coach Brad Phoenix 131, Utah 111 Stevens said. “He’s in a good L.A. Clippers 124, Memphis 97 Tuesday’s games rhythm, obviously.” Indiana 119, Charlotte 80 Brown was more emphatic Milwaukee 108, Toronto 97 Oklahoma City 124, Chicago 122 about his teammate: “Right now Denver 115, Detroit 98 Boston 118, Portland 106 he’s playing unreal. He’s playing L.A. Lakers 118, New Orleans 109 the best ball of his career.” Sacramento 112, Golden State 94 Wednesday’s games CJ McCollum had 28 points Brooklyn at Washington and 10 assists for the Trail Blaz- New York at Charlotte Philadelphia at Cleveland ers. Hassan Whiteside added 18 Minnesota at Miami points and 19 rebounds. Orlando at Atlanta Memphis at Houston “We have to be better than Dallas at San Antonio we were tonight against teams L.A. Clippers at Phoenix like the Celtics to win,” McCol- Boston at Utah CRAIG MITCHELLDYER/AP Thursday’s games lum said. “That was the differ- New York at Philadelphia Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, top, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard Gary Trent Jr. Tatum Portland at Indiana ence. They played better than us. Sacramento at Oklahoma City They’re a deep team.” had 36 points, including eight three-pointers, in a 118-106 win Tuesday in Portland, Ore. L.A. Lakers at Golden State Roundup Bucks get 50th win, beat Raptors in East finals rematch

Associated Press Pascal Siakam scored 22 points showdown with James and Davis, 41 points in the second half, and had a season-best four steals to and Fred VanVleet had 14 as the his predecessor as the Pelicans’ White had a career-high 35 in his help healthy Denver beat visiting TORONTO — Giannis Ante- defending NBA champion Rap- centerpiece. In his 13th NBA third consecutive game over 30 Detroit. tokounmpo had 19 points and tors lost for the second time in game, Williamson scored at least points. At 40-18, the Nuggets are tied 19 rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 22 points and the Milwau- 19 games. Toronto was beaten at 20 points for the ninth consecu- Chicago lost for the ninth time for their best start through 58 kee Bucks beat the Toronto Rap- home for the first time since Jan. tive time, but managed only one in 10 games. games in their NBA franchise tors 108-97 on Tuesday night in a 12 against San Antonio, ending a field goal in the fourth quarter. Pacers 119, Hornets 80: history. They had the same mark matchup between the top teams nine-game run. Thunder 124, Bulls 122: Domantas Sabonis had 21 points, a season ago on their way to wind- in the Eastern Conference. Lakers 118, Pelicans 109: Dennis Schroder scored 21 points 15 rebounds and nine assists to ing up with the No. 2 seed in the Eric Bledsoe scored 17 points LeBron James had 40 points and and made a huge defensive play in lead host Indiana over Charlotte. Western Conference. and Brook Lopez had 15 as the eight rebounds in his first career the fourth quarter, helping Okla- T.J. Warren scored 15 of his 19 Kings 112, Warriors 94: Har- NBA-leading Bucks won their meeting with Zion Williamson homa City win at Chicago for its points in the first half and Jus- rison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox fourth straight and 18th of 20. while leading host Los Angeles to fourth consecutive win. tin Holiday had 16 points for the each scored 21 points and visiting Milwaukee (50-8) was playing its sixth straight victory. The Thunder blew a 24-point short-handed Pacers (34-24), who Sacramento sent Golden State to the second game of a back-to- Anthony Davis had 21 points lead but recovered in time to earn bounced back from a blowout in its longest home losing streak in back after winning in overtime at and 14 rebounds to remain un- their ninth straight victory on the Toronto for a third win in four 19 years. Washington Monday. beaten in his three meetings with road, breaking a franchise re- games. The Warriors have lost seven Behind by 12 points late in his former team this season. cord. Danilo Gallinari scored 24 Miles Bridges scored 17 points straight overall and seven in a row the second quarter, Milwaukee James opened up a close con- points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Caleb Martin had 11 for the at home for the first time since rallied to beat the Raptors in its test with back-to-back buckets at had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Hornets (19-38), who have lost dropping the final seven home first game in Toronto since losing the rim with about three minutes and Chris Paul finished with 19 two in a row after a stretch of games in the 2000-01 season. Game 6 of the Eastern Confer- left. Danny Green sealed it for the points and nine assists. three straight wins — all on the Buddy Hield made five three- ence finals last May, completing a Lakers with his fifth three-point- The Bulls wasted a pair of road. pointers in the fourth quarter on disappointing collapse after win- er with 51 seconds to play. stellar performances from Zach Nuggets 115, Pistons 98: the way to a 19-point night and ning the first two games of that Williamson had 29 points and LaVine and rookie reserve Coby Jerami Grant scored a career- Bogdan Bogdanovic had 17 as the series at home. six rebounds in his first career White. LaVine scored 27 of his high 29 points and Nikola Jokic Kings won third straight. Thursday, February 27, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 21 NHL Surging Stars, Hintz skate past Hurricanes

Associated Press canes, who are 3-3-1 in their last seven games, including a pair RALEIGH, N.C. — Roope of losses to the Stars. Alex Ne- Hintz had a goal and two assists deljkovic, who was making just and the surging Dallas Stars rode a three-goal first period to a 4-1 his second career NHL start after win over the Carolina Hurricanes being recalled from Charlotte of on Tuesday night. the American Hockey League, Hintz posted a season-high made 12 saves for Carolina. three points and helped Dallas “We just had a few too many improve to 7-1-1 in its last nine Grade-A mistakes,” Carolina games. The Stars are 6-0-2 in coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “In their last eight road games. Dal- all, I was not disappointed with las is also 20-9-3 since Rick Bow- that game. I liked the way we ness took over as interim coach came and stuck with our game after Jim Montgomery was fired plan. We just couldn’t find a way on Dec. 10. to get one in.” Denis Gurianov added a goal The Hurricanes made big and an assist and Tyler Seguin moves at the trade deadline in an and Jason Dickinson also scored attempt to give themselves a boost for the Stars. Anton Khudobin in an extremely competitive East- stopped 40 shots for Dallas, which ern Conference playoff race. won despite being outshot 41-16. They acquired Brady Skjei, “When we win, it’s pretty much Vincent Trocheck and defense- what you saw tonight,” Bowness man Sami Vatanen (who didn’t said. “Regardless of what the shot play because of an injury) in an clock said, we had a lot of really attempt to fill holes in their roster. Brind’Amour seemed impressed good chances from playing good CHRIS SEWARD/AP defense in our zone.” with Skjei and Trocheck. Sebastian Aho scored his 36th “I thought they both were Dallas Stars left wing Roope Hintz, center, shoots for a goal between Carolina Hurricanes defensemen goal of the season for the Hurri- good,” he said. Haydn Fleury, left, and Joel Edmundson during the Stars’ 4-1 win Tuesday in Raleigh, N.C. Roundup Scoreboard

Ovechkin scores twice, including the shootout winner Eastern Conference Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Associated Press third consecutive game in regu- a wild win over Chicago and its Boston 64 39 13 12 90 210 164 Tampa Bay 63 40 18 5 85 224 175 lation and had an 11-game home fifth straight win. WASHINGTON — Alex Ovech- Toronto 64 33 23 8 74 224 213 winning streak ended. Sanford scored the tiebreaking Florida 63 33 24 6 72 219 213 kin scored his 701st goal and the Montreal 65 29 27 9 67 197 199 Andrei Vasilevskiy finished goal on a power play with at 13:35 Buffalo 62 29 25 8 66 182 193 shootout winner, and Braden with 19 saves. of the third period, rallying the Ottawa 64 21 31 12 54 169 219 Holtby made 30 saves in regu- Detroit 65 15 46 4 34 131 244 Flyers 4, Sharks 2: Kevin Blues from a 3-2 deficit after two Metropolitan Division lation and overtime to help the Hayes had two goals and Travis periods. Washington 63 39 18 6 84 222 193 Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh 61 37 18 6 80 201 168 Konecny and Nicolas Aube-Kubel Predators 3, Senators 2: Philadelphia 63 36 20 7 79 210 185 Winnipeg Jets 4-3 for the Capi- N.Y. Islanders 62 35 20 7 77 179 168 also scored to lift host Philadel- Ryan Ellis and Viktor Arvidsson Columbus 65 31 20 14 76 170 171 tals’ second straight win. phia to its fourth straight win. scored power-play goals in the Carolina 62 35 23 4 74 202 176 Ovechkin, Jakub Vrana and N.Y. Rangers 62 34 24 4 72 207 191 Carter Hart stopped 26 shots second period as host Nashville New Jersey 62 25 27 10 60 171 211 Garnet Hathaway scored to stake and improved to 13-1 at home rallied to beat Ottawa for its sec- Washington to a 3-0 lead. The over his last 14 starts for a Flyers ond straight win. Western Conference Capitals came away with two team suddenly looking for serious Colin Blackwell also scored Central Division points anyway after that lead was GP W L OT Pts GF GA seeding in the Eastern Confer- as the Predators split the season St. Louis 64 37 17 10 84 206 179 erased on goals by Nikolaj Ehlers, Dallas 63 37 20 6 80 171 160 ence. Philadelphia has won nine series with the Senators. Juuse Colorado 61 36 18 7 79 212 166 Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. of 12 games and is fifth in the Saros made 33 saves and now is 8- Nashville 62 31 23 8 70 198 198 Ovechkin scored his 43rd of the Winnipeg 65 32 27 6 70 196 195 Eastern Conference. 3-0 over his last 12 appearances. Minnesota 62 30 25 7 67 191 201 season two minutes in after a pre- First-year Flyers coach Alain Wild 5, Blue Jackets 4: Mikko Chicago 63 27 28 8 62 187 203 game ceremony to commemorate NICK WASS/AP Vigneault won his 684th game, Koivu scored twice to snap a 30- Pacific Division the Russian superstar becoming Vegas 64 34 22 8 76 208 196 Capitals goaltender Braden tying Pat Quinn for 10th on the game goalless drought, Eric Staal Vancouver 62 34 22 6 74 207 190 the eighth member of the NHL’s Edmonton 63 33 22 8 74 201 196 Holtby follows the puck during NHL career list. added his 18th goal and host Min- Calgary 64 33 25 6 72 192 198 700 club. overtime of his team’s 4-3 win Flames 5, Bruins 2: Sean Mo- nesota held on to beat short-hand- Arizona 66 31 27 8 70 182 176 Winnipeg dropped its third Anaheim 63 25 30 8 58 165 200 Tuesday against the Winnipeg nahan scored a pair of goals 1:12 ed Columbus. San Jose 63 26 33 4 56 161 207 straight game. apart in the second period and Alex Stalock made 24 saves and Los Angeles 63 22 35 6 50 156 203 Jets in Washington. Note: Two points for a win, one point Rangers 4, Islanders 3 (OT): Calgary won at Boston. Ryan Donato and Kevin Fiala also for overtime loss. Top three teams in Mika Zibanejad scored 28 sec- each division and two wild cards per Mathew Barzal had two assists as Matthew Tkachuk had a goal scored as the Wild won for the conference advance to playoffs. onds into overtime and the Rang- the Islanders lost for the fifth time and two assists for the Flames third time in five games under in- Tuesday’s games ers recovered after giving up a Philadelphia 4, San Jose 2 in seven games (2-4-1). Semyon and Erik Gustafsson picked up terim coach Dean Evason. Toronto 4, Tampa Bay 3 two-goal lead and beat the host an assist in his debut for Calgary, Panthers 2, Coyotes 1: Ser- Dallas 4, Carolina 1 Islanders. Varlamov made 24 saves. Vancouver 4, Montreal 3, OT Maple Leafs 4, Lightning 3: a day after coming over in a deal gei Bobrovsky stopped 36 shots, N.Y. Rangers 4, N.Y. Islanders 3, OT Artemi Panarin had a goal and with Chicago. Mike Hoffman scored for the Calgary 5, Boston 2 One game after losing to a 42- an assist, and Greg McKegg and Canucks 4, Canadiens 3 (OT): third straight game and Florida Washington 4, Winnipeg 3, SO year-old emergency goaltender New Jersey 4, Detroit 1 Brett Howden also scored to give Tyler Toffoli scored 1:35 into spoiled Darcy Kuemper’s return Minnesota 5, Columbus 4 on home ice, Toronto earned a Nashville 3, Ottawa 2 the Rangers their franchise-re- overtime and Vancouver won at with a win at Arizona. St. Louis 6, Chicago 5 cord eighth straight road win. bit of redemption with a win at Montreal. The Panthers allowed 10 total Florida 2, Arizona 1 Tampa Bay. Anaheim 4, Edmonton 3, OT They have also won eight of nine Bo Horvat, Alexander Edler, goals in back-to-back losses to the Wednesday’s games overall and 11 of 14 to close in on John Tavares scored twice, Buffalo at Colorado and Jake Virtanen also scored for Kings and Golden Knights before Edmonton at Vegas a playoff spot. William Nylander scored his 28th the Canucks. arriving in the desert, but played Pittsburgh at Los Angeles Alexandar Georgiev, starting and Fredrik Andersen stopped 26 Thursday’s games Devils 4, Red Wings 1: Cory a much tighter defensive game Chicago at Tampa Bay for the first time in nine days, shots for the Maple Leafs. Jake Schneider made 27 saves for his against the Coyotes. Dallas at Boston Muzzin also scored, though he N.Y. Rangers at Montreal stopped 42 shots to beat the Is- first victory of the season, leading Ducks 4, Oilers 3: Sonny Mi- Toronto at Florida landers for the third time in four missed the third period after tak- New Jersey to a win at Detroit. lano netted the game-winner in Minnesota at Detroit Vancouver at Ottawa starts this season. ing a puck off his right hand late Joey Anderson, Jesper Bratt, overtime and finished with two Calgary at Nashville Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored in the second period. Kyle Palmieri and Nikita Gusev goals, leading host Anaheim past N.Y. Islanders at St. Louis Washington at Winnipeg and got into a fight in his Island- Nikita Kucherov scored his scored for the Devils, who won Edmonton. New Jersey at San Jose ers debut one day after being 30th of the season, Pat Maroon for the seventh time in 10 games. Nicolas Deslauriers and Adam Friday’s games Minnesota at Columbus acquired in trade-deadline deal notched his eighth and Yanni Blues 6, Blackhawks 5: Zach Henrique also scored for the N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia Gourde picked up his ninth as the Colorado at Carolina with Ottawa. Jordan Eberle and Sanford had two goals and an Ducks, who snapped a five-game Buffalo at Vegas Brock Nelson also scored, and Lightning lost their season-long assist, leading host St. Louis to losing streak. Pittsburgh at Anaheim PAGE 22 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, February 27, 2020 NFL/TENNIS Players to vote on latest CBA Deal includes a 17-game schedule

BY BARRY WILNER against the contract on Friday. Associated Press The 32 player reps postponed any action while seeking a meeting The NFL moved closer to labor with the league, which occurred peace for another decade early in Indianapolis on Tuesday. Wednesday when player repre- The current collective bargain- sentatives voted to send a new deal ing agreement expires in March already approved by the owners 2021, but the owners are eager that includes a 17-game season to to get a new contract in place as MICHAEL CONROY/AP the full union membership. soon as possible. That would en- LSU quarterback Joe Burrow speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in A simple majority of 2,000 play- able them to begin looking toward Indianapolis on Tuesday. The combine is implementing 16 new drills this year. ers must accept the agreement for new, lucrative broadcast deals. it to go into effect this year. The diciest topic has been a 17- After nearly four hours of game schedule. Players have been meetings between player reps firm and loud in opposition for Know the drill: New combine and members of the NFL’s ne- years. Mainly, the players have gotiating committee Tuesday in been citing safety reasons for not Indianapolis, the 32 team reps extending the regular season. tests may benefit scouts, fans spent several more hours dis- Owners have offered, among cussing the deal. They then gave other things, two more roster the nod for all NFL Players As- spots, which some players believe sociation members to make the BY MICHAEL MAROT standbys eliminated. leadership why we should have it isn’t enough, and a reduction of Associated Press And organizers hope it will in Indy.” final decision. the preseason from four games to have another impact by ending There was no immediate word three. INDIANAPOLIS — National the trend of top prospects opting Big stage when that vote would occur. This agreement, which would Invitation Camp President Jeff out of some or all drills in Indy The new CBA calls for a 17- run through the 2030 season, also Foster spent the past couple in favor of working with college Almost all of the roughly 300 game regular season, which is includes a boost in payment of of months debating how to im- teammates in the familiar sur- players coming through town this expected to begin in 2021; more overall revenues to the players. prove the annual NFL scouting roundings of their own schools. week have something to prove. roster spots; a shortened pre- Other items in the deal the combine. “That’s our hope,” Foster said. And some from smaller schools season; a higher percentage of rev- owners approved include: His team settled on adding “We think the workouts at night want to show they can excel on enues for players; and upgraded  A cap on the number of in- more than a dozen new drills, in- create a better experience for the the big stage. pensions for former players. The ternational games. tended to help coaches and scouts players and one they’re more fa- Some of the less familiar names owners approved it last Thursday,  Training camp padded prac- evaluate draft prospects in an miliar with because it’s more like this year include tight end Adam though not unanimously. tices would be reduced from a ever-evolving game, make things a typical game day. If you have a Trautman, who hopes to become It seems certain the players total of 28 to 16. A five-day ac- more competitive for players and 4 o’clock workout, that’s kind of the first Dayton player drafted will accept the deal, or else their climation period would precede more entertaining for fans. like a 4 o’clock kickoff. We think since 1977, and tight end Charlie leadership would not likely have summer practices. Foster said he figures it’s a win the combination will increase Taumoepeau, who could become made this move.  Rosters would expand from for everyone. participation.” the highest draft choice out of The NFL Players Association’s 53 to 55, with 48 players able to “First, we want to make sure Portland State since the Denver executive committee voted 6-5 dress for games . the drills are reflective of today’s Moving out? Broncos took TE Julius Thomas game,” he said Monday as play- in the fourth round of the 2011 ers started arriving in Indianapo- The combine has been held in draft. lis for a week full of poking and Indianapolis every year since Safety Kyle Dugger can become prodding, testing, workouts and 1987 and it will be back again in the first draft pick out of Lenoir- Five-time major champ interviews. “We’ve been using the 2021. Rhyne, a Division II school in same drills for many, many years, But other cities have been North Carolina, since 2000. And Sharapova retires at 32 which is great to use as compara- angling to attract the league’s offensive lineman Ben Bartch is tive analysis. But we also wanted second-biggest offseason event, trying to be the first draft pick to make sure we were updating pointing to the success of the out of St. John’s, a Division III BY HOWARD FENDRICH Florida as a child, burst onto the the drills to reflect how the game league moving the draft around school in Minnesota, since the Associated Press tennis scene at 17 when she won has changed. The second piece the country. Vikings took Kurt Wachtler in the Wimbledon in 2004 by upset- was to add some elements to it Colts owner Jim Irsay isn’t going 15th round in 1974. Maria Sharapova quietly ting Serena Williams in the final. that would be more attractive to to let it go without a fight, though. One other note: Rhode Island walked away from tennis at the She went on to complete a career the players and the fans.” “If you talk to team executives, has never had more than two age of 32 on Wednesday, ending Grand Slam with two titles at the coaches, team doctors, and they’ll players drafted in a single year a career that featured five Grand French Open and one each at the What’s new? tell you nobody does it like we do but will have three players in Slam titles, time at No. 1 in the U.S. Open and Australian Open. it here. We want to keep that in Indy: receivers Isaiah Coulter WTA rankings and a 15-month At the 2016 Australian Open, Quarterbacks will be throwing place,” Irsay told local report- and Aaron Parker, and offensive doping ban. where Williams beat her in the end zone fade routes to receiv- ers Sunday. “I think particularly lineman Kyle Murphy. She has been dealing with prob- quarterfinals, Sharapova tested ers and tight ends and all three medically, we’re really able to get lems in her right shoulder for years positive for the newly banned player groups will participate in people MRIs or whatever they By the numbers and lost the last four matches she drug meldonium. a “timed smoke drill,” which ex- need, I think that’s a strength, played at major tournaments. After initially getting a two- amines how players adjust to pre- and the centralization of down- National champion LSU easily This season, Sharapova played year suspension, Sharapova ap- snap reads. town is a strength. It’s important has the largest contingent of play- only two matches and lost both. pealed to the Court of Arbitration Running backs will now be to us, it’s a big economic impact ers, 16, coming to Indy this week. In an essay written for Vanity for Sport, which reduced the tested on angle routes and drilled and we don’t take that lightly, so And some of the nation’s bitterest Fair and Vogue about her decision penalty. on using their eyes to navigate we look forward to having it here rivalries will be on display here, to retire, posted online Wednes- Since returning from that sus- physical obstacles. for years to come.“ too. day, Sharapova asks: “How do you pension in 2017, Sharapova man- Defensive linemen will go The contract with Indy runs Ohio State and Michigan each leave behind the only life you’ve aged to reach only one major through the run-and-club drill, through 2025. But, Foster con- sent 11 players. Alabama has 10, ever known?” quarterfinal. using their hands and spin moves firmed, the NFL can opt out of the while Auburn, Notre Dame and For a while, Sharapova was as Her final match came last against five stand-up tackling deal any of the final four years. Utah each have nine invitees. big a star as her sport had, with month at the Australian Open, bags — one of the most popular “Other owners would love to Clemson, the national runner- many more millions of dollars where she was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by position group drills in training host this event,” Foster said. up, had seven players make the in sponsorship deals than what- Donna Vekic. That sent Sharapo- camp. “We’ve talked about it before, so cut, and Oklahoma, this year’s ever prize money she earned on va’s ranking tumbling outside of In all, 16 new drills have been we understand that interest is fourth playoff team, is sending a court. the top 350 — she is 373rd this added, with a handful of old there. It’s up to us to explain to four. The Russian, who moved to week. Thursday, February 27, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 23 COLLEGE BASKETBALL/OLYMPICS Organizers dispute comments, plan for ‘safe Olympics’

BY STEPHEN WADE the Paralympics on Aug. 25 with Associated Press 4,400 athletes. Australian IOC member John TOKYO — Tokyo Olympic or- Coates, who heads the inspection ganizers and the Japanese gov- team for Tokyo, pointed out that ernment went on the offensive the IOC has an emergency fund Wednesday after a senior IOC of about $1 billion to operate if member said the 2020 Games any Olympics are called off. were being threatened by the “The Games aren’t being can- spread of a viral outbreak, with LYNN HEY/AP celed,“ Coates was quoted as their fate probably decided in the saying in the Sydney Morning next three months. Wake Forest’s Brandon Childress is all smiles in double overtime against Duke on Tuesday . Childress hit Herald newspaper. “But if the a tying three-pointer in regulation and finished with 17 points to help Wake Forest stun No. 7 Duke. Tokyo organizing commit- Games were canceled, then the tee CEO Toshiro Muto abruptly IOC is in the position to continue Top 25 roundup called a news conference late Wednesday afternoon to address to fund the member sports and comments from former Interna- NOCs (national Olympic commit- tional Olympic Committee vice tees). But there (are) no plans to president Dick Pound in an inter- cancel the Games.” Childress, Wake stun Duke He added: “We have canceled view with The Associated Press. “Our basic thoughts are that the Games in the past at war time we will go ahead with the Olym- ... It’s just a matter of monitoring Associated Press jumper in a quick start, and fin- No. 15 Auburn 67, Mississippi pic and Paralympic Games as how this plays out.” ished with 16 points. 58: Austin Wiley had 15 points WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — scheduled,” Muto said, speaking At a government task force Cartier Diarra had 19 points for and 11 rebounds and the Tigers Brandon Childress shook off an in Japanese. “For the time being, meeting Wednesday on the virus the Wildcats (9-19, 2-13), which is withstood the Rebels’ rally at- awful shooting start and hit a tying the situation of the coronavirus outbreak, Japanese Prime Minis- 0-8 in February. three-pointer late in regulation to tempts, and remained unbeaten infection is, admittedly, diffi- ter Shinzo Abe said he was asking No. 4 Dayton 62, George help Wake Forest stun seventh- at home. cult to predict, but we will take organizers to cancel or postpone Mason 55: Obi Toppin had 19 ranked Duke 113-101 in double Auburn (24-4, 11-4 Southeast- measures such that we’ll have major sports or cultural events points and seven rebounds as the overtime on Tuesday night. ern Conference) benefited from a safe Olympic and Paralympic for the next two weeks. Childress missed his first 10 visiting Flyers survived a sluggish the return of Isaac Okoro, who Games.” “The next one-to-two weeks shots before hitting the tying three performance to beat the Patriots missed the past three games with The viral outbreak that began (are) extremely important for the and clinch at least a share of the with 15.5 seconds left in regula- a hamstring injury. in China has infected more than prevention of the escalation of Atlantic 10 regular-season title tion. And once the game went into Okoro had 10 points in 27 min- 80,000 people and killed more the infection,” Abe said. “We ask with three games to play. a second extra period, Childress utes after the Tigers dropped two than 2,700 globally. China has organizers to cancel, postpone Toppin, a redshirt sophomore buried another on the first pos- games without him. reported 2,715 deaths among or scale down the size of such and one of the leading candidates session to put the Demon Deacons The SEC’s leading scorer, Bree- 78,064 cases on the mainland. for National Player of the Year, events.” (12-15, 5-12 Atlantic Coast Confer- in Tyree, had 16 points for Ole Five deaths in Japan have been scored 13 of his 19 points after He did not name specific events ence) ahead to stay, sending them Miss (13-15, 4-11) and KJ Buffen attributed to the virus. halftime for Dayton (26-2, 15-0 but said he was speaking about to their first win against the Blue had 16 points and eight rebounds. Pound has been a member of Atlantic 10), which has the coun- nationwide events that attract Devils since March 2014. No. 24 Michigan State 78, the IOC since 1978, serving two large crowds. He made six of his last 10 shots try’s longest winning streak at 17 No. 18 Iowa 70: Cassius Win- games. terms as vice president, and was Muto declined to speculate and scored 13 points in the two ston scored 19 of his 20 points in the founding president of the about the future condition of the overtimes and finished with 17 AJ Wilson led George Mason the second half and Rocket Watts World Anti-Doping Agency. He virus. points, five rebounds and five (15-13, 4-11) with 18 points. matched a career high with 21 has served 13 years longer than “I don’t think I can talk based assists. No. 5 San Diego State 66, points, helping the host Spartans IOC president Thomas Bach. He on presumptions over what might “I don’t care about percentag- Colorado State 60: Malachi rally past the Hawkeyes. also represented Canada as a happen months ahead,” Muto es,” Childress said of his 0-for-10 Flynn scored 10 of the host Az- Michigan State (19, 9, 11-6 Big tecs’ last 17 points and they ral- swimmer at the Olympics. said. “The Prime Minister has start. “I’m satisfied with the shots Ten) moved into sole possession lied from a seven-point deficit to “You could certainly go to two announced measures to be taken I take. I practice those. It might of second place in the conference, beat the Rams and rebound from months out if you had to,“ Pound over the next two weeks and so not have went as much as I’d like 1 ½ games behind Maryland, with their only loss. told the AP in a telephone inter- we, too, are taking that into con- to. But I just wanted to find the its third win in four games. view from his home in Montreal. right moment to take over the Flynn finished with 17 points sideration. The biggest problem Iowa (19-9, 10-7) started the “By and large you’re looking at a game, and I did that.” after scoring just two in the first would be if this novel coronavirus night tied for second in the Big cancellation.” When it was over, Wake Forest half. infections spreads far and wide, Ten and ended it slipping to sixth Pound was speaking as a rank- fans stormed the court to celebrate San Diego State (27-1, 16-1 so the most important thing to place, possibly making an impact and-file member and not part of and carried Childress around the Mountain West) trailed 56-49 do is to take measures to prevent with 8:22 left before going on a on their seeding for the confer- the IOC’s present leadership, but court on their shoulders. ence tournament in two weeks. that from happening.“ It marked the second time in a 13-0 run. Jordan Schakel hit a his opinions are often sought in Iowa’s Luka Garza scored 20 He also said the torch relay week Duke (23-5, 13-4) lost on the put-back and Flynn a three-point- IOC circles. points and Ryan Kriener had 18. would go ahead. It is to start in road to an unranked instate oppo- er before Schakel hit the go-ahead “That the end of May is the Oklahoma 65, No. 22 Texas time limit, we have never thought Japan on March 26 in Fukushi- nent. It lost by 22 points at North three-pointer with 4:50 left . ma prefecture, located 150 miles Nico Carvacho scored 17 for Tech 51: At Oklahoma City, Kris- of this or heard of such a com- Carolina State last week, end- northeast of Tokyo. CSU ((19-11, 10-7). tian Doolittle scored 19 points ment,” Muto said. “So when we ing with another court-storming “We absolutely do not think of No. 8 Kentucky 69, Texas and Brady Manek added 15 as the asked about this ,we received a celebration. canceling (the torch relay),” Muto A&M 60: Immanuel Quickley had Sooners snapped a three-game response saying that is not the Freshman Wendell Moore Jr. said. “We’d like to think about how had a season-high 25 points to a career-high 30 points and made skid. position of the IOC.” to implement it while preventing lead the Blue Devils. eight three-pointers, also a career- Oklahoma (17-11, 7-8 Big 12) The IOC has repeatedly said No. 2 Baylor 85, Kansas State best, to lead the visiting Wildcats provided a much-needed boost to the Tokyo Games will go ahead the spread of infection, including 66: Matt Mayer scored 19 points to their seventh straight win. its NCAA Tournament resume. and has said it is following the ad- scaling down, or other ways.” to lead five Bears in double fig- Quickley is the first Kentucky Doolittle, who wore a mask after vice of the World Health Organi- Olympics Minister Seiko Hashi- ures, and host Baylor quickly re- (23-5, 12-2 Southeastern Confer- suffering a broken nose Saturday zation, a United Nations agency. moto, speaking in parliament on covered from its first Big 12 loss ence) player with consecutive against Oklahoma State, made Japanese virologist Dr. Hitoshi Wednesday, said “we believe it is on Saturday to Kansas. games with at least 25 points since nine of 15 shots and had seven Oshitani, who formerly worked necessary to make a worst case The Bears (25-2, 14-1 Big 12) Malik Monk in 2017. rebounds. for the WHO, said last week he scenario in order to improve our jumped to an 11-2 lead in the first Wendell Mitchell had 18 points Red Raiders guard Jahmi’us could not forecast what the situa- operation to achieve success.” five minutes and never trailed. for the Aggies (14-13, 8-7), who Ramsey, who entered the game tion would be in five months. She added plans were being Jare Butler had a three-pointer, had a three-game winning streak averaging a team-leading 16.3 The Olympics open on July 24 made “so that we can safely hold two free throws and a fast-break snapped. points, was scoreless. with 11,000 athletes, followed by the Tokyo Olympics.” S TARS AND STRIPES Thursday, February 27, 2020 F3HIJKLM First to 50 victories Bucks beat Raptors in rematch SPORTS of Eastern fi nals » NBA, Page 20

MLB ‘ Anytime you lose a pitcher who was one of the best in baseball it’s not easy, but I think we have the talent. ’ Justin Verlander Astros ace on losing pitcher Gerrit Cole to free agency The void Cole’s departure leaves hole in Houston rotation

BY KRISTIE RIEKEN ton’s rotation last season to help Associated Press the Astros win the American League pennant. Cole led the AL WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. with a career-best 2.50 ERA and s the Houston Astros finished second in the majors to put together their ro- Verlander with 20 wins, also a tation for this season, career-best. they’re faced with a Cole was the runner up to Ver- Texas-sized hole after lander in Cy Young Award vot- AGerrit Cole left as a free agent to ing before leaving Houston to sign with the New York Yankees. sign a $324 million deal with the New manager Dusty Baker is Yankees. looking for somebody to step up Zack Greinke, acquired at last and help make up for the loss. But year’s trade deadline, will slide more than likely no one player into the second spot in the rota- will be able to replace Cole, and tion. The 36-year-old is working Baker will need multiple pitch- out on his own and hasn’t report- ers or “somebodies” to take a step ed to camp but is expected join forward. the team on Saturday. “It’s not easy to replace his Behind Verlander and Greinke quality of work, or his innings things are far less certain with six pitched,” Baker said. “So, we’re players vying for the remaining looking for somebody to replace three spots in the rotation. Lance him or somebodies as a group.” McCullers should lead the way Justin Verlander and Cole pro- vided a powerful 1-2 atop Hous- SEE VOID ON PAGE 19

Inside: Yanks lose Severino for season, Page 19

KEN LAMBERT, SEATTLE TIMES, ABOVE, AND KAREN WARREN, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, RIGHT/TNS, above, and AP, right Above: Gerrit Cole won 20 games and posted an ERA of 2.50 last season, helping the Astros claim the American League pennant. He signed a $324 million fdeal with the Yankees during the offseason. Right: Austin Pruitt is just one of the Astros pitchers vying to fill the hole in the rotation left by Cole.

Wake Forest stuns Duke in double OT Stars remain hot, roll past Hurricanes College basketball, Page 23 NHL, Page 21