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MILITARY AFGHANISTAN Biden: US mission will Out of end Aug. 31 President announces plan to evacuate control Afghan translators BY SARAH CAMMARATA Stars and Stripes WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday an- nounced the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan will end by Aug. 31 and his administration will start to move thousands of Afghan trans- lators to several other countries as they await visa approval to enter the United States. “Our message to those women and men is clear. There is a home for you in the United States… We will stand with you, just as you stood with us,” Biden said. He said the administration has already approved 2,500 Special Immigrant Visa applications that offer safe passage to the U.S. for these Afghan partners. A “point person” in the White House and a State Department-led task force are coordinating these efforts, Bi- den said. The administration has already KIP SUMNER/U.S. Air Force “dramatically accelerated” the U.S. Air Force Capt. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe flies an F-35A Lightning II near Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in 2020. The Pentagon plans to procure processing time for visa appli- nearly 2,500 F-35s, but the Government Accountability Office said that plan is not financially sustainable. cants to reach the U.S. safely, the president said. Biden committed in late June to GAO says cost overruns should force Pentagon to scale back F-35 program evacuate Afghans who assisted U.S personnel for nearly 20 years BY JOHN VANDIVER costs for years. And while the military has tried the F-35 program,” the GAO said. as interpreters, lawyers, teachers Stars and Stripes to reduce expenses, those efforts “have pro- About 400 F-35s are already in service, mak- and other contract jobs after The failure to control F-35 aircraft cost over- duced limited results,” the Government Ac- ing the aircraft a growing portion of the Penta- weeks of mounting pressure from runs should force the Pentagon to scale back its countability Office report released Wednesday gon’s tactical fleet. lawmakers and advocates to do so. fleet of advanced warplanes unless it can find said. The Pentagon plans to procure nearly 2,500 At the time, he did not offer details new savings, a government watchdog agency “DOD’s inability to arrest the increases in F-35s with an estimated life cycle cost exceed- on where they would be relocated report said. F-35 sustainment costs and make progress to- ing $1.7 trillion, the GAO said. About $1.3 tril- and in what time frame. The development of the advanced F-35 fight- wards the services’ established affordability lion of those costs are related to operating and White House Press Secretary er, the most costly weapon system in Defense constraints is due in part to the department’s Department history, has faced steadily rising not having a clear, strategic approach across SEE CONTROL ON PAGE 5 SEE AFGHAN ON PAGE 4 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER

EUROPE GAS PRICES EXCHANGE RATES

Prices unavailable at press time. Military rates South Korea (Won) 1,150.09 Switzerland (Franc) .9153 Euro costs (July 9) $1.16 Thailand (Baht) 32.49 Dollar buys (July 9) 0.8221 Turkey (New Lira) 8.6855 British pound (July 9) $1.34 Japanese yen (July 9) 108.00 (Military exchange rates are those available South Korean won (July 9) 1,113.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain (Dinar) .3766 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ Britain (Pound) 1.3787 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2538 your local military banking facility. Commercial China (Yuan) 6.4878 rates are interbank rates provided for reference PACIFIC GAS PRICES Denmark (Krone) 6.2712 Egypt (Pound) 15.6692 when buying currency. All figures are foreign Country Super E10 Super unleaded Super plus Diesel  Euro .8432 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Japan $3.189 ... $3.869 $3.399 South Korea 3.199 3.639 $3.899 3.409 Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7682 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Change in price +3 cents ... +3 cents +3 cents Change in price +3 cents +4 cents +3 cents +3 cents Hungary (Forint) 302.02 Israel (Shekel) 3.2805 Okinawa 3.189 $3.629  $3.869 $3.299 Guam 3.199 $3.639 $3.879 ... Japan (Yen) 109.67 INTEREST RATES Kuwait (Dinar) .3011 Change in price +3 cents +4 cents +3 cents +3 cents Change in price +3 cents +4 cents +3 cents ... Norway (Krone) 8.7552 Prime rate 3.25 Philippines (Peso) 50.32 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 *DieselEFD **Midgrade Poland (Zloty) 3.84 Federal funds market rate 0.09 Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7507 3­month bill 0.05 For the week of Nov. 13-19 Singapore (Dollar) 1.3521 30­year bond 1.94 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 67/64

Kabul Seoul 98/58 80/69 Baghdad 111/80 Osan Tokyo Drawsko Kandahar Mildenhall/ 81/69 83/70 109/68 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 74/63 77/74 69/55 Iwakuni Kuwait City 78/75 Bahrain Zagan Sasebo Guam 113/91 95/88 Brussels Ramstein 72/56 78/75 68/55 71/58 86/83 Riyadh Lajes, 111/78 Doha Azores Stuttgart 109/84 72/69 68/58 Pápa Aviano/ 76/73 Vicenza 77/65

Naples 86/74 Okinawa Morón 82/79 100/65 Sigonella Rota 99/71 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 85/64 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 102/85 79/76 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 14 Comics ...... 38, 40,41 Crossword ...... 38, 40,41 Faces ...... 16 Opinion ...... 42 Sports ...... 44-56 Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Thomas returns to Yokosuka to lead 7th Fleet

BY ALEX WILSON “Security issues important to both Stars and Stripes of our navies are increasing, such YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, as the growing activity of Chinese Japan — A familiar face has taken Coast Guard ships around the the helm of 7th Fleet, a command Senkaku islands and the militari- he described as a “supremely zation of the reefs of the South credible and integrated naval China Sea.” force” that gives the United States Yamamura also said peace and and its allies an upper hand over stability in the Taiwan Strait is its rivals in the Indo-Pacific re- “very critical” to Japan, the U.S. gion. and the region as whole. Vice Adm. Karl Thomas as- The odds of U.S. warships en- sumed command of 7th Fleet on countering Chinese vessels are set Thursday during a ceremony at to increase along with tension Yokosuka’s Fleet Theater. He re- across the strait and the frequen- lieved Vice Adm. William Merz, cy of U.S. freedom-of-navigation who had led the nation’s largest patrols in the South China Sea, Bo overseas fleet since September Kong, co-director of the Institute 2019. for US-China Issues at the Univer- Thomas most recently served sity of Oklahoma, told Stars and as assistant deputy chief of naval Stripes in an email this spring. operations for operations, plans ARON MONTANO/U.S. Navy Likewise, Jeff Kingston, direc- and strategy at the Pentagon, but Vice Adm. Karl Thomas salutes after taking command of the 7th Fleet at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, tor of Asian Studies at Temple previously served as the com- Thursday. University Japan, in an email to mander of 7th Fleet’s Task Force Stars and Stripes on Wednesday, 70 and Carrier Strike Group 5. to a new, no-port-at-all routine,” dom-of-navigation patrols and Korea, coupled with regional said Thomas “will face the ongo- “This is oddly, and pleasantly, he said. “Through that, we other operations designed to up- weather impacts, violent extre- ing escalation of tensions in the re- very familiar,” he said during the learned some things about what it hold international law or keep the mists, and, most recently, the CO- gion related to a rising and more ceremony. “Less than two years truly means to be a command peace. VID-19 pandemic,” he said. assertive China.” ago, my family and I left Yokosuka ship.” Another speaker, Vice Adm. Adm. Hiroshi Yamamura, chief Kingston said rising tension and wondered if we’d ever serve Merz, Thomas and several Phillip Sawyer, deputy chief of na- of staff for the Japan Maritime surrounding Taiwan, the Senkaku our Navy in this spectacular coun- guest speakers took a moment val operations for operations, Self-Defense Force, highlighted Islands and China’s expansion in try again — and I certainly hoped during the otherwise upbeat cere- plans and strategy, outlined the the importance of Japan’s rela- the South China Sea would keep that we would,” mony to reflect on the critical na- numerous forces at play in the re- tionship with the U.S. and 7th Thomas busy “and require a cool Merz noted the novel challeng- ture of 7th Fleet’s mission in the gion. Fleet. head.” es that arose during the last half of Pacific. “7th Fleet operates [in] the “As the security environment Merz is being reassigned as his tenure at 7th Fleet, primarily Operating with up to 70 ships world’s most consequential wa- becomes more severe on the Ko- deputy chief of naval operations those resulting from the coronavi- and submarines, 150 aircraft and ters — it poses a collection of secu- rean peninsula, in the East China for operations, plans and strategy rus pandemic. approximately 20,000 sailors, the rity challenges not seen anywhere Sea and the South China Sea, we at the Pentagon — replacing Saw- The pandemic’s onset was “fol- fleet routinely engages in bilateral else: strategic competition with believe that strengthening the Ja- yer, who plans to retire, according lowed shortly by our dramatic and multilateral exercises with China, an increasingly assertive pan-U.S. alliance is even more im- to 7th Fleet spokesman Lt. Mark shift from our port-to-port routine U.S. allies. It also conducts free- Russia, an unpredictable North portant than ever before,” he said. Langford. Air Force updates list of jobs eligible for retention bonuses BY WYATT OLSON gible for bonuses for the fiscal year nel. more than $55 million in bonuses guage analyst. Stars and Stripes that began Oct. 1, a significant drop Bonuses are aimed at improving this year, a drop from the $150 mil- Still in demand are Russian- and The Air Force’s list of career spe- from the 72 qualifying positions in retention of experienced airmen lion spent the previous year. Chinese-language cryptologic ana- cialties eligible for the Selective Re- the previous year. The service of- and space professionals in “stressed Among specialties now added are lyst; pararescue; special reconnais- tention Bonus program has edged fered bonuses in 115 specialties for career fields” or in those that have human intelligence specialist, tar- sance; security forces dog handler; up slightly to 39, but the number still fiscal year 2019. high training costs, the Air Force get analyst, dental hygienist and and explosive ordnance disposal. remains low by historical standards The updated mid-2021 list is ef- said in a January news release. tactical aircraft maintenance (5th A link to the complete list is post- due to the service’s record-high re- fective as of Wednesday, according Overall retention levels have generation) craftsman. ed at www.afpc.af.mil/retention/. tention levels. to information posted online by the been at record highs this year, ac- Among the jobs dropped from the

In January, the Air Force an- Air Force. The list applies to both cording to Air Force officials. January list are sensor operator and [email protected] nounced that 37 specialties were eli- Air Force and Space Force person- The service expects to pay out airborne cryptologic Korean lan- Twitter: @WyattWOlson Judge rules Air Force mostly at fault in 2017 Texas church attack Associated Press erland Springs, where Devin Kel- years in the Air Force before be- that Kelley would have been de- gunshot wound after losing con- AUSTIN, Texas — A federal ley opened fire during a Sunday ing discharged in 2014 for bad terred from carrying out the trol of his vehicle and crashing. judge has ruled that the U.S. Air service. Authorities put the offi- conduct, after he was convicted Church shooting.” Last month, the Texas Su- Force is mostly responsible for a cial death toll at 26 because one of assaulting a former wife and An Air Force spokeswoman did preme Court ruled that survivors former serviceman killing more of the 25 people killed was preg- stepson, cracking the child’s not immediately return a request and relatives can’t sue a sporting than two dozen people at a Texas nant. skull. The Air Force has publicly seeking comment. goods chain where Kelley pur- church in 2017 because it failed to The attack remains the worst acknowledged that the felony Authorities said Kelley fired at chased an AR-556 semi-automat- submit his criminal history into a mass shooting in Texas history. conviction for domestic violence, least 450 rounds at helpless wor- ic rifle used in the shooting. A- database, which should have pre- “The trial conclusively estab- had it been put into the FBI data- shippers who tried taking cover cademy Sports and Outdoors had vented him from purchasing fire- lished that no other individual — base, could have prevented Kel- in the pews. As he left the small appealed after two lower courts arms. not even Kelley’s own parents or ley from buying guns from licens- wood-frame church, Kelley was declined to dismiss lawsuits. U.S. District Judge Xavier Ro- partners — knew as much as the ed firearms dealers, and also confronted by an armed resident The lawsuit against the federal driguez in San Antonio wrote in a United States about the violence from possessing body armor. who had grabbed his own rifle government was brought by fam- ruling signed Wednesday that the that Devin Kelley had threatened Rodriguez said that had the and exchanged fire with him. ily members of the victims. Ro- Air Force was “60% responsible” to commit and was capable of government done its job and en- Kelley fled as two Sutherland driguez ordered a later trial to as- for the massacre at First Baptist committing,” Rodriguez wrote. tered Kelley’s history into the da- Springs residents gave chase, and sess damages owed to the fam- Church in the small town of Suth- Kelley had served nearly five tabase, “it is more likely than not died of an apparent self-inflicted ilies. PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WAR ON TERRORISM Taliban’s rapid advances put many cities at risk

BY SUSANNAH GEORGE ed their reach. The Washington Post “It was exactly The militants attacked several KABUL, Afghanistan — The provinces south of Kabul where Taliban’s mounting pressure like a dam they had long held considerable campaign on key cities across Af- influence. After consolidating ghanistan continued Wednesday breaking down.” gains there, the group’s focus as fighters battled government shifted to the north in recent forces in the capital of Badghis Abdul Aziz Beg weeks, where its influence is more province, the latest advance in a Badghis provincial council member recent. string of attacks on government- Initially, the Taliban advances controlled districts since foreign Many of the Taliban’s advances were met with government resist- forces began to withdraw in May. have faced little to no resistance in ance, but after the militants se- Clashes reached the city center the wake of the United States’ cured a handful of victories, more Wednesday, but Afghan govern- withdrawal. Without close U.S. districts began to surrender. ment officials said the city re- support, specifically airstrikes, Some fell without a single shot mains in government control. Vid- Afghan forces have been unable to fired, said Abdul Samigh Atiq, the MIRWIS OMARI/AP eos circulated by Taliban spokes- hold territory even in parts of the former district chief from Ba- An Afghan civilian carries a wounded child to the hospital after he was men showed cheering civilians on country far from the Taliban’s tra- dakhshan province, where Tali- injured during fighting between Taliban and government forces in the outskirts of Qala-e Nau as doz- ditional heartland in the south. ban fighters overran about 20 dis- Badghis province in northwest Afghanistan, Wednesday. ens of militants sped by on motor- “It was exactly like a dam tricts in two days. On Monday, cycles. In a video released by the breaking down,” said Abdul Aziz more than 1,000 Afghan soldiers large portions of territory along north, attracting Afghan Turkmen Afghan government, the prov- Beg, a member of the Badghis pro- fled into neighboring Tajikistan Afghanistan’s northern border and Uzbeks. ince’s governor — holding a rifle vincial council who was in the city ahead of a Taliban advance there. with China, Tajikistan, Uzbekis- The commander spoke on the and wearing an ammunition vest when the assault began. Takhar and Badghis provinces tan and Turkmenistan. condition of anonymity because — pledged to defend the city. Beg said the breach was trig- experienced a similar phenom- But some Afghan officials say he was not authorized to speak to “The Taliban suffered casual- gered by the deputy police chief enon, with Taliban fighters con- the Taliban did not expect to take the media. ties and were defeated,” Hasa- deserting his post. After he fled, solidating their control of nearly so much territory in the north so Local officials in the area did not muddin Shams, the provincial the Afghan police staffing key every district aside from the cap- quickly and the moves have left describe significant Taliban governor, said in the video as ex- checkpoints protecting Qala-e ital city in a matter of days. the group overstretched in an eth- recruitment in Afghanistan’s plosions rumbled in the back- Nau abandoned their positions, he Local officials say a combina- nically diverse part of the country north, but many cited deals made ground. Hours later, Ajmal Omar said, allowing Taliban fighters to tion of poor logistical support for that will prove more difficult to between local leadership and Tali- Shinwari, a spokesman for Af- easily enter the provincial capital. government forces and officials hold than more homogenous, ban fighters in recent months that ghanistan’s security forces, said Shinwari, the security forces willing to abandon checkpoints in largely Pashtun central and south- paved the way for the group’s the city’s perimeter had been se- spokesman, said the command- exchange for money or other deals ern provinces. swift advances. cured. er’s departure was planned, de- with the Taliban allowed for the “They are making a huge mis- Ultimately, the senior Taliban The assault on Badghis comes scribing it as a “tactical retreat.” cascading losses. take,” Mohammad Radmanesh, a commander said the northern as the Taliban have besieged the Like many of the other prov- In Badghis, Beg, the provincial retired Afghan general and for- push was designed to secure fi- capitals of several provinces inces where Taliban fighters have council member, said some local mer Defense Ministry spokes- nancial gains for the militants. across the country by overrunning rolled back government troops, officials accepted bribes from the man, said of the Taliban’s north- The aim of the operation was to surrounding districts, according parts of Badghis have long been Taliban to abandon outp osts. ern push. “These operations will “get hold of financial hubs, and the to interviews with local officials. under militant control, with front “Without commandos or other only lead to more local resistance main commercial trade routes The territory grab has given the lines remaining static for years. reinforcements, the situation against them.” connecting Afghanistan with cen- Taliban control of key roadways But after U.S. and NATO forces could get worse,” he said. “The A senior Taliban commander tral Asian countries,” he said, cit- into and out of those areas, in what began the last phase of their with- Taliban might wait for the night- played down the criticism, saying ing Afghanistan’s main port with one Taliban commander said was drawal from Afghanistan in May, fall and then attack again.” that in recent years the militants Uzbekistan and crossing with the goal of the operation. the Taliban have steadily expand- Taliban fighters now control have expanded recruitment in the Turkmenistan. Afghan: US to support Afghan military ‘over-the-horizon’ FROM PAGE 1 in recent weeks have reported the However, critics of the move Press Secretary John Kirby told is expected to be completed by the Jen Psaki told reporters earlier Taliban has taken control of a have warned that Afghanistan reporters Tuesday that the De- end of August. When Biden an- Thursday that for “security rea- growing number of districts could become a safe haven for ter- fense Department is working with nounced the departure from Af- sons,” the administration would throughout the country. rorists once U.S. forces leave, and the State Department on how to ghanistan in April, he said about not announce which countries and “As I said in April, the United the Taliban could eventually re- conduct counterterrorism efforts 650 troops will remain to protect possible U.S. territories will tem- States did what we went to do in turn to power in the country. from elsewhere in the region with- the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, while porarily host these U.S. allies as Afghanistan: to get to terrorists Gen. Scott Miller, the top U.S. out troops on the ground in Af- others might be deployed to pro- they await for their visa applica- who attacked us on 9/11 and deliv- commander in Afghanistan, re- ghanistan. tect the capital’s airport alongside tions to be approved. er justice to Osama bin Laden … cently said in an interview with Kirby said the U.S. will main- Turkish troops. However, Psaki confirmed the We achieved those objectives. ABC news that a civil war could tain an aircraft carrier strike Biden and Vice President Ka- U.S. will conduct flights for trans- That’s why we went. We did not go erupt following the U.S. depar- group in the region, along with mala Harris met with their nation- lators to these locations ahead of to Afghanistan to nation-build,” ture. He also voiced concern over other military facilities located al security team Thursday morn- the full withdrawal of U.S. troops. Biden said. reports of Taliban fighters taking throughout the Middle East. Con- ing to receive an update on the In Biden’s speech Thursday, the When Biden announced in April over dozens of Afghan districts tractors are also still providing progress of the drawdown from president announced the U.S. mil- that he would pull out all troops throughout the country. support to the Afghans and the Af- Afghanistan. itary mission in Afghanistan will from Afghanistan to end Ameri- The Pentagon has said it will ghan air force, he said. Biden’s remarks on Afghanis- conclude by Aug. 31. In April, Bi- ca’s longest war, he argued the continue to support the Afghan “We are actively working [on] tan come days after U.S. officials den set the withdrawal deadline United States had completed its military after U.S. troops leave the ways in which that contract sup- announced they had completely for Sept. 11. primary goal for entering Afghan- country from a distance by em- port can be done remotely or vir- left Bagram Airfield, its biggest The president also defended his istan in 2001 when Osama bin La- ploying “over-the-horizon” capa- tually or even physically outside airfield in the country and a focal decision to order all U.S. troops den was tracked down and killed bilities. It remains unclear what the country,” Kirby said. point for military operations in Af- leave Afghanistan, as news outlets in 2011. those capabilities are. Kirby said the U.S. withdrawal ghanistan for nearly two decades. Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Rockets land near US Embassy in Baghdad Associated Press The attack, which came shortly drawal from Iraq. claimed responsibility for the stationed in northeastern Syria, BAGHDAD — Rockets landed before daybreak, followed two The U.S. has blamed Iran- Wednesday attack on Al-Assad working with the Kurdish-led in and around the heavily fortified separate attacks on bases housing backed militias for attacks — most Air Base, saying it was a message fighters in battling the Islamic Green Zone in the Iraqi capital U.S. troops in western Iraq and of them rocket strikes — that have to U.S troops in Iraq: “We will State group. Thousands of Iran- Baghdad, which houses the U.S. across the border in Syria, where targeted the American presence force you to leave our lands de- backed militiamen from around Embassy, causing material dam- U.S.-led coalition forces are in Baghdad and military bases feated.” the Middle East are deployed in age early Thursday, Iraqi security based. The drone attack Wednes- across Iraq. More recently, the at- A drone attack on Tuesday was different parts of Syria, many of forces said. day in eastern Syria was foiled tacks have become more sophisti- reported on Irbil airport in the them in areas along the border Two Katuysha rockets fell near while 14 rockets landed in Al-As- cated, with militants using drones. northern Kurdish-run region, with Iraq. the national security building and sad Air Base in western Iraq, Late last month, U.S. warplanes near where U.S. forces are based. A statement from the Security in an open courtyard inside the lightly wounding two personnel. hit facilities used by Iran-backed In Syria, the U.S.-backed and Kur- Media Cell, affiliated with Iraq’s Green Zone. A third rocket fell in a The attacks come as tension is militia groups which the Pentagon dish-led forces said they foiled the security forces, on Thursday said nearby residential area, damag- on the rise between U.S. troops said support drone strikes inside Wednesday attack that was using these attacks endanger the lives of ing a civilian vehicle, the state- and Iran-backed fighters as Bagh- Iraq. Four Iraqi fighters were drones on the al-Omar oil field in citizens and target diplomatic ment by the Iraqi security media dad and Washington negotiate a killed in the June 27 airstrikes. the eastern province of Deir el- missions, and will be faced force- cell said. timeline for foreign troop with- A previously unknown group Zour. Hundreds of U.S. troops are fully. Control: GAO wants yearly cost reports on F-35s from Pentagon contingent on progress reducing each plane by 47%, or the readin- main unable to carry out a full have recently improved, but still FROM PAGE 1 sustainment costs,” it said. ess of its squadrons could be “neg- range of missions, the report said. fall short of warfighter require- sustaining the aircraft. The pro- The GAO also recommended atively impacted,” the GAO said. Between 2019 and 2020, the U.S. ments,” the GAO said. jection reflects an increase of that Congress require the Penta- Even if the Air Force acquired F-35 fleet’s average annual mis- The Defense Department par- more than $150 billion over 2012 gon to report annually on progress all of its spare F-35 parts for free sion capable rate — the percent- tially concurred with the GAO estimates, the GAO said. It is also in meeting cost constraints and over the next few decades, it age of time during which the air- recommendations in a written re- billions more than the services develop an affordable plan to sus- would still fall considerably short craft can fly and perform one of its sponse included with the report. can afford, making current plans tain the future F-35 fleet. of that cost-cutting goal, the report tasked missions — improved from The Pentagon is updating an affor- unsustainable, the GAO said. The Air Force faces the greatest said. 59% to 69%. Its full mission capa- dability strategy document that “We recommended, among oth- challenge in cutting costs. It is The F-35 program has faced ble rate improved from 32% to would span the expected life cycle er things, that Congress consider purchasing about 70% of the F-35s problems and delays from the be- 39%. of the F-35 and review cost-cut- making future F-35 acquisitions and must slash what it spends on ginning. Many of the aircraft re- “F-35 mission capable rates ... ting constraints. PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK World deaths at 4M amid vaccine rush

BY JOSHUA GOODMAN deaths per day have plummeted to Associated Press around 7,900, after topping out at The global death toll from CO- over 18,000 a day in January. VID-19 eclipsed 4 million Wednes- But in recent weeks, the mutant day as the crisis increasingly be- delta version of the virus first iden- comes a race between the vaccine tified in India has set off alarms and the highly contagious delta around the world, spreading rapid- variant. ly even in vaccination success sto- The tally of lives lost over the ries like the United States, Britain past year and a half, as compiled and Israel. from official sources by Johns Britain, in fact, recorded a one- Hopkins University, is about equal day total this week of more than to the number of people killed in 30,000 new infections for the first battle in all of the world’s wars time since January, even as the since 1982, according to estimates government prepares to lift all re- from the Peace Research Institute maining lockdown restrictions in Oslo. England later this month. The toll is three times the num- Other countries have reimposed ber of people killed in traffic acci- preventive measures, and author- GUADALUPE PARDO/AP dents around the globe every year. ities are rushing to step up the cam- A family member shovels dirt into the grave of Giro Quispe, who died from complications related to the It is about equal to the population of paign to dispense shots. coronavirus, at El Cebollar cemetery in Arequipa, Peru. Los Angeles or the nation of Geor- At the same time, the disaster gia. It is equivalent to more than has exposed the gap between the least 1 billion doses with struggling where President Jair Bolsonaro’s strand, a top immunization official half of Hong Kong or close to 50% haves and the have-nots, with vac- countries. far-right government has long at the World Health Organization. of New York City. cination drives barely getting start- The U.S. has the world’s highest downplayed the virus. Instead of treating the crisis as a Even then, it is widely believed ed in Africa and other desperately reported death toll, at over 600,000, The variants, uneven access to “me-and-myself-and-my-country” to be an undercount because of poor corners of the world because or nearly 1 in 7 deaths, followed by vaccines and the relaxation of pre- problem, she said, “we need to get overlooked cases or deliberate con- of extreme shortages of shots. Brazil at more than 520,000, cautions in wealthier countries are serious that this is a worldwide cealment. The U.S. and other wealthy though the real numbers are be- “a toxic combination that is very problem that needs worldwide so- With the advent of the vaccine, countries have agreed to share at lieved to be much higher in Brazil, dangerous,” warned Ann Lind- lutions.” As NY salutes health workers, Mo. fights surge

Associated Press rus in Missouri. it is almost like you are talking a New York held a ticker-tape pa- Epidemiologists say the country different language,” he lamented. rade Wednesday for the health should expect more COVID-19 “There is no way they are going to care workers and others who outbreaks in areas with low vacci- get a vaccine. Their personal free- helped the city pull through the nation rates over the next several dom is more important.” darkest days of COVID-19, while months. The Mercy system announced authorities in Missouri struggled “I’m afraid that that is very pre- Wednesday that it is requiring to beat back a surge blamed on the dictable,” said Dr. Chris Beyrer, vaccinations among staff at the fast-spreading delta variant and an infectious disease epidemiolo- hospital in Springfield, as well as deep resistance to getting vacci- gist at the Johns Hopkins Univer- at its hundreds of other hospitals nated. sity. “If politicians seize on this and clinics in Missouri and neigh- The split-screen images could and say, ‘Who could have predict- boring states. It said about 75% of be a glimpse of what public health ed this?,’ the answer is every li- its more than 40,000 employees experts say may lie ahead for the censed epidemiologist in the coun- are vaccinated. United States even as life gets back try.” Missouri also never had a state- to something close to normal: out- Republican Gov. Mike Parson wide mask mandate. The senti- breaks in corners of the country said Wednesday that his adminis- ment against government inter- with low vaccination rates. JOHN MINCHILLO/AP tration has done “everything pos- vention is so strong that Brian “We’ve got a lot to appreciate, Participants march up Broadway on Wednesday during a parade sible” to fend off outbreaks. Steele, mayor of the Springfield because we’re well underway in honoring essential workers for their efforts in getting New York City “Right now, the vaccine’s out suburb of Nixa, is facing a recall our recovery,” declared New York through the COVID­19 pandemic. there,” he said. “I mean, people vote after imposing a mask rule, Mayor Bill de Blasio, who rode on walk past it every day, whether even though it has long since ex- a parade float with hospital em- population, it is also averaging said every death recorded in June they’re in a pharmacy, whether pired. ployees down the Canyon of He- 1,000 cases per day — about the was in an unvaccinated person. they’re in a Walmart, whether At Springfield’s other hospital, roes, the skyscraper-lined stretch same number as the entire North- New York City, which was the le- they’re in a health center.” Cox South, several patients are in of Broadway where astronauts, re- east, including the big cities in thal epicenter of the U.S. outbreak Mercy Hospital Springfield re- their 20s and 30s, said Ashley turning soldiers and champion- New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl- in the spring of 2020, when the ported Tuesday that it had more Kimberling Casad, vice president ship teams are feted. vania and Massachusetts. number of dead peaked at over 800 than 120 patients hospitalized with of clinical services. She said she In Missouri, meanwhile, the California, with 40 million peo- a day, regularly goes entire days COVID-19 — the highest total had been hopeful when she eyed Springfield area has been hit so ple, is posting only slightly higher with no reported deaths. since the pandemic began. Seven- the COVID-19 numbers in May as hard that one hospital had to bor- case numbers than Missouri, The problem in Missouri, as teen people died in the latest two- she prepared to return from ma- row ventilators over the Fourth of which has a population of 6 mil- health experts see it: Just 45% of week reporting period in the coun- ternity leave. July weekend and begged on so- lion. the state’s residents have received ty that surrounds Springfield, the “I really thought when I came cial media for help from respirato- Northeastern states have seen at least one dose of the vaccine, most since January. None were back from maternity leave that, ry therapists, several of whom vol- cases, deaths and hospitalizations compared with 55% of the U.S. vaccinated, authorities said. not that COVID would be gone, but unteered from other states. Mem- plummet to almost nothing amid population. Some rural counties Erik Frederick, Mercy’s chief that it would just be so managea- bers of a new federal “surge re- widespread acceptance of the CO- near Springfield have vaccination administrative officer, said staff ble. Then all of a sudden it started sponse team” also began arriving VID-19 vaccine. rates in the teens and 20s. members are frustrated knowing spiking,” she said, adding that to help suppress the outbreak. Vermont has gone 26 days with At the same time, the delta vari- that “this is preventable this time” nearly all the virus samples that Missouri not only leads the na- new case numbers in single digits. ant is quickly becoming the pre- because of the vaccine. the hospital is sending for testing tion in new cases relative to the In Maryland, the governor’s office dominant version of the coronavi- “We try to convince people, but are proving to be the delta variant. Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK S. Korea breaks record: US jobless claims tick up 1,275 new cases in day

Stars and Stripes South Korea has confirmed South Korea announced 1,275 164,028 infections during the pan- 2K from a pandemic low new coronavirus cases on Thurs- demic, according to the KDCA. The day, its highest daily caseload since death toll stands at 2,034. BY PAUL WISEMAN 9.21 million jobs in May, the most or affording child care, lingering the nation confirmed its first CO- The surge has spurred health of- Associated Press since record-keeping began in fears of COVID-19, early retire- VID-19 patient on Jan. 20, 2020. ficials to step up efforts to mitigate WASHINGTON — The number 2000. ments by older workers, a slow- Thursday also marked the sec- the virus’ spread, including in- of Americans filing for unemploy- And in June, employers added a down in immigration and a deci- ond day in a row that infection num- specting businesses considered to ment benefits rose slightly last strong 850,000 jobs, and hourly sion by some people to seek new bers reached into the 1,200s, ac- be a high risk for transmissibility. week even while the economy and pay rose a solid 3.6% compared careers rather than return to their cording to the Korea Disease Con- Seoul, meanwhile, has walked back the job market appear to be re- with a year ago — faster than the old jobs. trol and Prevention Agency. There its plans to ease pandemic restric- bounding from the coronavirus re- pre-pandemic annual pace and a “We see weekly filings declining were 1,212 cases on Wednesday. tions on mask-wearing and social cession with sustained energy. sign that companies are being over coming weeks as job growth South Korea’s previous record distancing. Thursday’s report from the La- compelled to pay more to attract picks up, although at least some of was 1,240 new infections on Dec. The surge has also impacted U.S. bor Department showed that job- and keep workers. the improvement will be due to 25. military bases on the peninsula. less claims increased by 2,000 Still, the nation remains 6.8 mil- states suspending federal support Thursday’s count follows a U.S. Forces Korea announced from the previous week to 373,000. lion jobs short of the level it had in measures,’’ Rubeela Farooqi, weeklong period where the country Wednesday that 19 people had test- Weekly applications, which gener- February 2020, just before the cor- chief U.S. economist at High Fre- reported more than 700 new pa- ed positive for the coronavirus re- ally track the pace of layoffs, have onavirus pandemic tore through quency Economics, said in a re- tients each day, most of them in Se- spiratory disease between June 19 fallen steadily this year from more the economy and eliminated tens search note. oul. and July 2. than 900,000 at the start of the year. of millions of jobs. And weekly ap- The four-week average of applica- plications for unemployment ben- tions, which smooths out week-to- efits, though down sharply from week volatility, is now 394,500 — earlier peaks, are still compara- the lowest such level since the pan- tively high: Before the pandemic, demic erupted in March of last they were typically coming in at year. only around 220,000 a week. The rollout of vaccinations is The total number of Americans driving a potent economic recov- receiving jobless aid, including ery as businesses reopen, employ- supplemental federal checks that ers struggle to fill jobs and con- were intended to provide relief sumers emerge from months of during the pandemic recession, lockdown to travel, shop and spend amounted to 14.2 million people at restaurants, bars, retailers and during the week of June 19, down entertainment venues. from 33.2 million a year earlier. In the first three months of the Many states, though, have drop- year, the government has estimat- ped the federal aid, responding to ed that the economy expanded at a complaints that the generous ben- brisk 6.4% annual rate. In the efits were discouraging some of April-June quarter, the annual the unemployed from seeking rate is thought to have reached a work: A total of 26 states plan to end sizzling 10%. And for all of 2021, the the $300-a-week federal benefit Congressional Budget Office has before it ends nationally on Sept. 6. projected that growth will amount Most of those states will also cut off to 6.7%. That would be the fastest federal assistance to the self-em- calendar-year expansion since ployed, gig workers and people 1984. who have been out of work for The economy is recovering so more than six months. quickly that many companies can’t Still, many factors other than the find workers fast enough to meet enhanced federal jobless benefits their increased customer demand. are thought to have contributed to On Wednesday, the government the shortage of people seeking said that U.S. employers posted work again: Difficulty arranging

NAM Y. HUH/AP A hiring sign is displayed in Downers Grove, Ill., last month. On Wednesday, the government said that U.S. employers posted 9.21 million jobs in May, the most since record­keeping began in 2000. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 NATION Storm heads up coastline after 10 hurt at Navy base

Associated Press taken to hospitals by ambulance, SAVANNAH, Ga. — Tropical said base spokesman Scott Bas- Storm Elsa carved a destructive sett. The extent of their injuries and soaking path up the East was not immediately clear. He Coast after killing at least one per- said some buildings on the base son in Florida and spinning up a appeared to have been damaged tornado at a Georgia Navy base as well. that flipped recreational vehicles An EF-2 tornado flipped over upside-down and blew one of multiple RVs, blowing one of the them into a lake. overturned vehicles about 200 Elsa’s winds weakened to 40 feet into a lake, the National mph, but it was dropping torren- Weather Service said in a prelimi- tial rains over the Carolinas as it nary report early Thursday after made its way through South Car- its employees surveyed the dam- JOSE A. IGLESIAS/AP olina early Thursday, the National age. Debris from the RVs was Members of a search and rescue team stand in front of the rubble that once was Champlain Towers South Hurricane Center said in its latest strewn throughout the park, the during a prayer ceremony in Surfside, Fla., on Wednesday. update. Elsa was expected to agency said. move over North Carolina later in Sergio Rodriguez, who lives the day, pass near the eastern near the RV park, said he raced to mid-Atlantic states by Thursday the scene fearing friends staying Tears, prayer mark end to search night and move near or over the at the park might be hurt. The ar- northeastern United States on Fri- ea was under a tornado warning for Fla. collapsed condo survivors day. Wednesday evening. Some re-strengthening was “There were just RVs flipped Associated Press as relatives cried in the back- possible Thursday night and Fri- over on their sides, pickup trucks SURFSIDE, Fla. — A somber “They’ve used every ground. day while the system moves close flipped over, a couple of trailers moment of silence marked the end possible strategy, Later, during a news confer- to the northeastern U.S. had been shifted and a couple of of the two-week search for survi- ence, Jadallah said crews re- A tropical storm warning was in trailers were in the water” of a vors of a Florida condominium and every possible mained committed to doing what- effect north of Great Egg Inlet to pond on the site, Rodriguez said in collapse, as rescue workers stood ever it takes to finish the job. Sandy Hook, N.J., and for the a phone interview. at solemn attention and clergy technology “The resources are still there. coast of Long Island from East Cellphone video he filmed at the members hugged a line of local of- available to them to The men and women are still Rockaway Inlet to the eastern tip scene showed trees bent low ficials while many of them sobbed. there. The support is still there,” along the south shore and from among scattered debris. He said The painstaking search for sur- find people in the said Jadallah, who began crying Port Jefferson Harbor eastward ambulances arrived and began vivors shifted to a recovery effort silently after he spoke. on the north shore. A warning was treating dazed people trying to un- at midnight Wednesday after au- rubble.” Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief also in effect from New Haven, derstand what had happened. thorities said they had come to the Alan Cominsky said he expects Conn., to Merrimack River, Mass., “A bunch of folks had lacera- agonizing conclusion that there Miami-Dade Mayor the recovery effort will take sever- including Cape Cod, Block Island, tions and were just banged was “no chance of life” in the rub- Daniella Levine Cava al more weeks. Martha’s Vineyard and Nantuck- around,” Rodriguez said. “A ma- ble of the Champlain Towers Dennis Dirkmaat, an anthropol- et. jority of folks were in their trailers South condo building in Surfside. Hours before the formal transi- ogy professor who chairs the De- There was a chance Long Island when it happened.” “We have all asked God for a tion from rescue to recovery mis- partment of Applied and Forensic in New York would see sustained The hurricane center said there miracle, so the decision to transi- sion, those emergency workers Sciences at Mercyhurst Universi- tropical storm-force winds late was a risk of flooding in South Car- tion from rescue to recovery is an joined local officials, rabbis and ty, said he expects crews will use Thursday night and into Friday olina, which was predicted to get 3 extremely difficult one,” Miami- chaplains in a moment of silence. heavy equipment in a “top down morning, the National Weather to 5 inches of rainfall. Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Ca- An accordion player unseen on approach” to methodically lift ma- Service in New York warned. More than 7 inches of rain was va said at a news conference. a nearby tennis court played Aa- terial off the debris pile, place it in Elsa seemed to spare Florida recorded at a weather station near The death toll stood at 54 late ron Copland’s “Fanfare for the containers and evaluate it for evi- from significant damage, though Gainesville, Fla., the weather ser- Wednesday. Officials said 86 peo- Common Man,” which was fol- dence of human remains. He said it still threatened flooding down- vice reported. More than 5 inches ple were unaccounted for, al- lowed by a piccolo playing “The the process would likely be re- pours and caused several tornado of rain had fallen by early Thurs- though detectives were still work- Battle Hymn of the Republic.” peated as the crews move to sub- warnings. The coasts of Georgia day at Sapelo Island off the Geor- ing to verify that each of those list- Firefighters from Ohio, Pennsyl- sequent floors. and South Carolina were under a gia coast, and at a weather station ed as missing was actually in the vania, New Jersey, the federal “It’s still a process, slow, tedious tropical storm warning. Forecast- along the Savannah River in Jas- building when it collapsed. government and elsewhere were process of removing all of this de- ers predicted Elsa would remain a per County, S.C. Rescuers had spent two weeks also present. bris. And so it’s going to take a tropical storm into Friday, and is- Scattered power outages were digging through the rubble, On a tall nearby fence, families while,” he said. sued a tropical storm watch from being reported along Elsa’s path searching in vain for any sign of and well-wishers had posted pho- Hope of finding survivors was North Carolina to Massachusetts. Wednesday evening, with about life, Levine Cava said. tos of the victims, supportive briefly rekindled after workers Authorities in Jacksonville, 35,000 homes and businesses on “They’ve used every possible messages and flowers. Firefight- demolished the remainder of the Fla., said one person was killed either side of the Georgia-Florida strategy, and every possible tech- ers hung a banner atop the fence building, allowing rescuers access Wednesday when a tree fell and state line without electricity, ac- nology available to them to find that read “Miami-Dade Fire Res- to new areas of debris. struck two cars. The National cording to the website powerout- people in the rubble,” she said. cue Mourns With You.” Some of those voids did exist, Weather Service reported 50 mph ages.us. “They’ve removed over 7 million Officials vowed to continue the mostly in the basement and the wind gusts in the city. The tree fell The storm also temporarily pounds of concrete and debris recovery efforts until they find the parking garage, but no survivors during heavy rains and no one else halted demolition Wednesday on from the mound. They’ve used so- remains of every one of the mis- emerged. Instead, teams reco- was injured, according to Capt. the remainder of an overturned nar, cameras, dogs, heavy ma- sing. vered more than a dozen addition- Eric Prosswimmer of the Jack- cargo ship off the coast of Georgia. chinery. They’ve searched for Miami-Dade Assistant Fire al victims. Because the building sonville Fire Rescue Department. The South Korean freighter void spaces and they’ve searched Chief Raide Jadallah told families fell in the early morning hours, In nearby Camden County, Ga., Golden Ray capsized in Septem- for victims. They ran into a build- during a private briefing that many were found dead in their a possible tornado struck a park ber 2019 off St. Simons Island, ing they were told could collapse, crews would stop using rescue beds. for recreational vehicles at Kings about 70 miles south of Savannah. and they braved fire, smoke, tor- dogs and listening devices. No one has been pulled out alive Bay Naval Submarine Base. Crews have removed more than rential rain and strong winds in “Our sole responsibility at this since the first hours after the 12- About 10 people were injured and half the ship since November. the hopes of finding people alive.” point is to bring closure,” he said, story building fell on June 24. Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Latest hack tests Biden’s balancing act with Russia

Associated Press Kremlin-connected cyber espion- about hardening cybersecurity WASHINGTON — President age. The administration is mind- defenses, worked to disrupt chan- Joe Biden said he would “deliv- ful that punitive actions against nels for ransomware payments er” a message to Russian Presi- Russia can escalate into tit-for-tat and scored a success last month dent Vladimir Putin about the lat- exchanges that heighten tensions with the recovery of most of a est ransomware attacks targeting between nuclear superpowers. multimillion-dollar payment American businesses, setting up The latest hack also comes af- made by a fuel pipeline company. a test of Biden’s ability to balance ter some Republicans accused But they’ve been cautious about SETH WENIG/AP his pledge to respond firmly to the Democratic president of carrying out retaliatory offensive Former President Donald Trump speaks at Trump National Golf Club cyber breaches with his goal of showing deference to Putin by cyber actions for fear it could in Bedminster, N.J., on Wednesday. developing a stable relationship meeting with him and making quickly spiral into a greater cri- with Russia. America weaker in the process. sis. There are also practical limits The administration faces few Biden has faced criticism of be- to what the U.S. can do to thwart easy options for a ransomware ing too soft on Putin even though Russian cyber gangs. Trump files suit threat that in recent months has former President Donald Trump Biden and top administration emerged as a major national se- declined to blame Russia for officials repeatedly said around curity challenge, with attacks hacks and interference in the last month’s meeting with Putin against Facebook, from Russia-based gangs that 2016 election despite U.S. intelli- that their goal was building a have targeted vital infrastructure gence community findings. “predictable,” stable relation- and extorted multimillion-dollar Biden met Wednesday with ship. An all-out cyberwar would payments from victims. Vice President Kamala Harris seem to work against this goal. Twitter, YouTube The White House says the and top national security aides to “It’s a very fine line that they damage from the latest attack — discuss the problem. As he de- have to walk as far as providing Associated Press But Trump and some other poli- affecting as many as 1,500 busi- parted the White House to travel some kind of consequence for WASHINGTON — Former ticians have long argued that nesses worldwide — appeared to Illinois, Biden was opaque that behavior without it escalat- President Donald Trump has filed Twitter, Facebook and other so- minimal, though cybersecurity when asked what exactly he ing to where cyberattacks are out suit against three of the country’s cial media platforms have abused experts said information re- would convey to Putin. of control, or increase it to a con- biggest tech companies, claiming that protection and should lose mained incomplete. The mali- “I will deliver it to him,” Biden flict that goes beyond the cyber- he and other conservatives have their immunity — or at least have cious intrusion exploited a pow- told reporters. space,” said Jonathan Trimble, a been wrongfully censored. But le- it curtailed. erful remote-management tool A White House National Secu- retired FBI agent and cyberse- gal experts say the suits are likely While conservatives often claim run by Miami-based software rity Council spokesperson said in curity executive. doomed to fail, given existing the sites are biased against them, company Kaseya. It occurred a statement Wednesday that com- White House press secretary precedent and legal protections. several recent studies have found weeks after Biden made clear to bating ransomware remained a Jen Psaki said Tuesday that Rus- Trump announced the action that isn’t the case. Indeed, posts by Putin that the U.S. was growing priority, but that the years-long sian and U.S. representatives against Facebook, Twitter and conservative commentators like impatient with cyberattacks ema- threat “won’t just turn off as easy were meeting next week and Google’s YouTube, along with the Ben Shapiro, Franklin Graham, nating from Russia. as pulling down a light switch.” would discuss the matter. She companies’ Mark Zuckerberg, Dan Bongino and Dinesh D’Souza But Biden finds himself in a “No one thing is going to work said administration officials used Jack Dorsey and Sundar Pichai, at are routinely among the most difficult position as he seeks to alone and only together will we Wednesday’s meeting to discuss a press conference Wednesday in widely shared on Facebook. press Putin to crack down on significantly impact the threat,” building resilience to attacks and New Jersey, where he demanded The suit against Facebook and Russian cyber gangs targeting the statement said. other efforts to combat the prob- that his accounts be reinstated. CEO Zuckerberg says Facebook U.S. and international business U.S. officials say they’ve lem, and also addressed policies Trump has been suspended acted unconstitutionally when it for financial gain and dial back preached to the private sector on payments to hackers. from the platforms since January, removed Trump from the plat- when his followers violently form. Suits against Twitter and stormed the Capitol building, try- YouTube make similar claims. All ing to block Congress from certi- three ask the court to award un- fying Joe Biden’s presidential win. specified damages, declare Sec- The companies cited concerns tion 230 unconstitutional and re- that Trump would incite further store Trump’s accounts, along violence and have kept him locked with those of several other plain- out. All three declined comment tiffs who joined the suits and have Wednesday. also had posts or accounts re- “We’re asking the U.S. District moved. Court for the Southern District of Trump’s lawsuits, however, are Florida to order an immediate halt likely doomed to fail, said Eric to social media companies’ illegal, Goldman, a law professor at Santa shameful censorship of the Amer- Clara University in California who ican people,” Trump said of the fil- has studied more than 60 similar, ings. “We’re going to hold big tech failed lawsuits that sought to take very accountable.” on internet companies for termi- Twitter, Facebook and Google nating or suspending users’ ac- are all private companies, and us- counts. ers must agree to their terms of “They’ve argued everything un- service to use their products. Un- der the sun, including First der Section 230 of the 1996 Com- Amendment, and they get no- munications Decency Act, social where,” Goldman said. “Maybe media platforms are allowed to he’s got a trick up his sleeve that moderate their services by re- will give him a leg up on the doz- moving posts that, for instance, ens of lawsuits before him. I doubt are obscene or violate the servic- it.” es’ own standards, so long as they “Trump’s suit is DOA,” echoed are acting in “good faith.” The law Paul Barrett, the deputy director also generally exempts internet of the Center for Business and Hu- companies from liability for the man Rights at New York Universi- material that users post. ty’s Stern School of Business. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 NATION In struggle to fill jobs, teens come to rescue

BY PAUL WISEMAN AND JOSEPH PISANI “We may not be Associated Press WASHINGTON — The owners open if they of restaurants, amusement parks and retail shops, many of them weren’t here.” desperate for workers, are sound- ing an unusual note of gratitude Akash Kapoor this summer: CEO of Curry Up Now Thank goodness for teenagers. As the U.S. economy bounds here,’’ says Akash Kapoor, CEO of back with unexpected speed from Curry Up Now. Fifty teenagers STEVEN SENNE / AP the pandemic recession and cus- are working this summer at his Pedestrians walk past a sign inviting people to apply for employment at a shop in Boston’s Newbury Street tomer demand intensifies, high five San Francisco-area Indian neighborhood Monday. As the U.S. economy bounces back, high school­age kids are filling jobs that older school-age kids are filling jobs street food restaurants, up from workers can’t — or won’t. that older workers can’t — or only about a dozen last year. “We won’t. may not be open if they weren’t Fogg, Paul Harrington and Ish- more. schools are transitioning from re- The result is that teens who are here. We need bodies.” war Khatiwada, researchers at Now, those businesses need mote to in-person learning. Other willing to bus restaurant tables or The proportion of Americans Drexel University’s Center for employees to handle the influx adults may have been discour- serve as water-park lifeguards ages 16-19 who are working is Labor Markets and Policy who is- and are scrambling to find aged from seeking work because are commanding $15, $17 or more higher than it’s been in years: In sue an annual forecast for the enough. The vaccine rollout was of generous federal unemploy- an hour, plus bonuses in some in- May, 33.2% of them had jobs, the teenage summer job market. This just starting in April and May, ment benefits, though many states stances or money to help pay for highest such percentage since year, they predict, will be the best when employers typically start have dropped these benefits, and school classes. The trend marks a 2008. Though the figure dipped to summer for teenage lifeguards, hiring for summer. Some of these they will end nationwide Sept. 6. shift from the period after the 31.9% in June, the Labor Depart- ice cream scoopers and sales businesses delayed their hiring So businesses are offering sign- 2007-2009 Great Recession, when ment reported Friday, that is still clerks since 2008; 31.5% of 16- to decisions, unsure whether or ing bonuses and whatever else older workers often took such jobs higher than it was before the pan- 19-year-olds will have jobs. when the economy would fully re- they can to hire teens in a hurry. and teens were sometimes demic devastated the economy After collapsing last spring, the open. All that said, the revival of teen squeezed out. last spring. economy has rebounded much Compounding the labor employment might not last. The This time, an acute labor short- “There’s never been a better faster than expected. Restau- squeeze, many older Americans pre-pandemic trend toward fewer age, especially at restaurants, tou- time to apply for a job if you’re a rants, bars, retail shops and have been slow to respond to a re- young workers at restaurants and rism and entertainment business- teen,” says Mathieu Stevenson, amusement parks have been cord number of job openings. entertainment venues could es, has made teenage workers CEO of Snagajob, an online job overwhelmed by pent-up demand Some have lingering health con- reassert itself if the economy’s la- highly popular again. site for hourly work. from consumers who had mostly cerns or trouble arranging or af- bor shortages are eventually re- “We’re very thankful they are Consider the findings of Neeta hunkered down for a year or fording child care at a time when solved. Have a seat: Shortage of patio furniture tells US economic tale BY JOSH BOAK omist for PNC Financial Services. “You’re Patio furniture makers interviewed by Associated Press much better off having too much demand The Associated Press say they expect the COCKEYSVILLE, Md. — People used to than too little, because too little demand is supply squeeze to end in 2022 or 2023 — go to Valley View Farms to buy five tomato the recipe for an extended recession.” meaning it could remain a political flash- plants and end up with $5,000 in patio furni- Republicans have held out the shortages point even if the broader risk of inflation ture. and price increases as a sign of economic fades as expected by many Federal Reserve This year is different. After a record burst weakness, while Biden can counter that officials and Wall Street analysts. The short- of sales in March, the showroom floor is al- wages are climbing at a speed that helps the ages reflect both the stranded shipping con- most empty of outdoor chairs, tables and middle and working classes. But the real tainers, a dearth of truckers and the com- chaises for people to buy. challenge goes far beyond the blunt talking pounded effect of a fatal explosion in April The garden supply store in suburban Bal- points of politicians to an economy being at the Yenkin-Majestic Paints and OPC po- timore has been waiting six months for a steered by a mix of market forces, tensions lymer plant in Columbus, Ohio that deplet- shipping container from Vietnam full of JULIO CORTEZ / AP with China, setbacks from natural disasters ed the domestic supply of furniture pieces. $100,000 worth of wicker and aluminum John Hessler is patio section manager at and the unique nature of restarting an econ- The Biden administration, well aware of furniture. Half of the container has already Valley View Farms in Cockeysville, Md. omy after a pandemic. the challenge, has made fixing supply been sold by showing customers photo- The store has been waiting for a shipping As America hurtles out of the July 4th chains a priority. It’s also trying to direct graphs. The container should have arrived container of furniture for six months. weekend into the heart of summer, the out- more money to making the U.S. power grid in February, but it reached U.S. waters on door furniture industry provides a snapshot and other infrastructure more resilient June 3 and has just docked in Long Beach, ture, autos and a wide mix of other goods. of the dilemmas confronting the economy. A against extreme weather events as part of a Calif. It’s almost the mirror opposite of the recov- series of shortages has left warehouses de- bipartisan deal. “Everyone is just so far behind,” said ery from the Great Recession of 2007-2009, pleted and prices rising at more than 11% The problem is one of market forces that John Hessler, 62, the patio section manager. which was marred by slow growth but also annually as Americans resume BBQs and are beyond any one individual’s authority, “I’ve never seen anything like it.” the near-instant delivery of almost every parties after more than a year of isolation. even the U.S. president’s. The Biden economy faces the unusual imaginable product. The industry cannot find workers, truckers “You have just this exorbitant amount of challenge of possibly being too strong for its What ultimately matters is that demand and raw materials — a consequence of not demand due to a unique situation that was own good. stay strong enough for companies to catch just government spending but crowded out of everyone’s control,” said Erik Muell- There is the paradox of the fastest growth up and shorten the long waits. ports, an explosion at an Ohio chemical er, CEO of the Cincinnati-based outdoor in generations at more than 6% yet also per- “This is a very good problem for the econ- plant and the devastating snowstorm that furniture and home recreation chain Wat- sistent delays for anyone trying to buy furni- omy to have,” said Gus Faucher, chief econ- hit Texas in February. son’s. Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 NATION Study: No heat wave without climate change BY SETH BORENSTEIN five to 10 years once the world change is killing people,” said Ebi, two scenarios is the climate in a lot of places?” Associated Press warms another 1.4 degrees Fah- who endured the blistering heat in change portion. The World Weather Attribution The deadly heat wave that renheit, said Wednesday’s study Seattle. She said it will be many “Without climate change this team does these quick analyses, roasted the Pacific Northwest and from World Weather Attribution. months before a death toll can be event would not have happened,” which later get published in peer- western Canada was virtually im- That much warming could be 40 calculated from June’s blast of said study senior author Friede- reviewed journals. In the past, possible without human-caused or 50 years away if carbon pollu- heat but it’s likely to be hundreds rike Otto, a climate scientist at the they have found similar large cli- climate change that added a few tion continues at its current pace, or thousands. “Heat is the No. 1 University of Oxford in England. mate change effects in many heat extra degrees to the record- one study author said. weather-related killer of Ameri- What made the Northwest heat waves, including ones in Europe smashing temperatures, a new This type of extreme heat cans.” wave so remarkable is how much and Siberia. But sometimes the quick scientific analysis found. “would go from essentially vir- In Oregon alone, the state med- hotter it was than old records and team finds climate change wasn’t An international team of 27 sci- tually impossible to relatively ical examiner on Wednesday re- what climate models had predict- a factor, as they did in a Brazilian entists calculated that climate commonplace,” said study co-au- ported 116 deaths related to the ed. Scientists say this hints that drought and a heat wave in India. change increased chances of the thor Gabriel Vecchi, a Princeton heat wave. some kind of larger climate shift The study hit home, in British extreme heat occurring by at least University climate scientist. The team of scientists used a could be in play — and in places Columbia, for University of Victo- 150 times, but likely much more. “That is a huge change.” well-established and credible that they didn’t expect. ria climate scientist Andrew The study, not yet peer re- The study also found that in the method to search for climate “Everybody is really worried Weaver, who wasn’t part of the re- viewed, said that before the indus- Pacific Northwest and Canada cli- change’s role in extreme weather, about the implications of this search team. trial era, the region’s late June tri- mate change was responsible for according to the National Acade- event,” said study co-author Geert “Victoria, which is known for its ple-digit heat was the type that about 3.6 degrees of the heat my of Sciences. They logged ob- Jan van Oldenborgh, a Dutch cli- mild climate, felt more like Death would not have happened in hu- shock. Those few degrees make a servations of what happened and mate scientist. “This is something Valley last week,” Weaver said. man civilization. And even in to- big difference in human health, fed them into 21 computer models that nobody saw coming, that no- “I’ve been in a lot of hot places in day’s warming world, it said, the said study co-author Kristie Ebi, a and ran numerous simulations. body thought possible. And we the world, and this was the worst heat was a once-in-a-millennium professor at the Center for Health They then simulated a world with- feel that we do not understand I’ve ever been in. event. and the Global Environment at the out greenhouse gases from the heat waves as well as we thought “But you ain’t seen nothing yet,” But that once-in-a-millennium University of Washington. burning of coal, oil and natural we did. The big question for many he added. “It’s going to get a lot event would likely occur every “This study is telling us climate gas. The difference between the people is: Could this also happen worse.” Adams’ NYC win latest in surge for moderate Dems Associated Press erate wings of the Democratic Par- pride in ignoring a lot of the dia- NEW YORK — The triumph of a ty exploded in the 2016’s presiden- logue on Twitter, often fueled by the moderate Democrat in the mayoral tial primaries when Sen. Bernie most inflexible partisans from both primary in deep blue New York Sanders, of Vermont, a self-de- parties, a sentiment Adams echoed City appears to accelerate a recent scribed democratic socialist, on Wednesday, the day after his vic- trend of some of the party’s most waged a surprisingly robust chal- tory was announced. fervent voters breaking away from lenge against establishment favor- “We have reached a point where its most progressive candidates. ite Hillary Clinton. Sanders’ move- we’re allowing the dialogue to get in Eric Adams, a former New York ment helped define an intraparty the way of moving us in the right di- Police Department captain, this divide. rection,” Adams said on CNN, “and week became his party’s nominee In its aftermath, liberals scored I’m hoping that what happened to lead the nation’s largest city after some big victories. But five months here in New York City, people are making a centerpiece of his cam- later, it was largely center-left going to see a cross section of every- paign his rejection of left-leaning Democrats whose wins helped flip day, working class New Yorkers activists’ calls to defund the police. the House of Representatives to came together.” His win comes on the heels of vic- their party in the general election. Typically, off-year special elec- tories by self-styled pragmatic can- The 2020 presidential primaries tions and primaries feature small didates in relatively low-turnout were largely perceived as a battle turnouts and, often, that is advanta- elections — which tend to draw the between liberals like Sanders and a geous for a candidate who fires up most loyal base voters — in races for JOHN MINCHILLO/AP group of moderates from which Bi- the most dedicated — and often ex- a U.S. House seat in New Mexico, a Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams became the Democratic den emerged after early missteps. treme — wings of the party. But in congressional primary in Louisiana nominee for New York mayor after making a key part of his campaign The battle lines drawn during that 2021: Terry McAuliffe, a moderate and a gubernatorial primary in Vir- his rejection of left­leaning activists’ calls to defund the police. campaign continue to shadow the Democrat and Clinton ally, won the ginia. Democratic Party in 2021. Virginia gubernatorial primary; And those successes come a year and make inroads in Republican- communications director for Presi- Trump tried vainly to paint Biden more moderate Democrats — and after President Joe Biden defeated dominated state legislatures. dent Barack Obama. “The same as a socialist and tie him to the effort even some Republicans in Louisia- more liberal opponents to capture “Because there was such an in- ideological shift on the right — Re- to defund the police. Biden, long a na’s open primary — backed cen- his party’s nomination on his way to tensity of a reaction on the left to publicans moving with Trump — friend of law enforcement, rejected trist candidate Troy Carter as he de- winning the White House. (former President Donald) Trump, did not happen on the left and voters the “defund the police” call even as feated fellow State Sen. Karen Car- It all raises questions as to the many in the political ecosystem are instead being more pragmatic he pushed for reforms, but the issue ter Peterson, a more liberal pick; best candidates and approaches for mistook that for ideological intensi- and less ideological.” became something of a litmus test and Democratic state Rep. Melanie Democrats trying to hold on to slim ty on the left,” said Jennifer Palmi- The long-simmering family feud for Democratic candidates. Stansbury easily won a special U.S. majorities in Congress next year eri, who served as White House between the progressive and mod- Biden and his staff have taken House election in New Mexico. More states agree to settlement plan for opioid-maker Purdue Pharma

Associated Press those who had most aggressively op- those for Massachusetts and New state and local governments and their cash contribution to the settle- More than a dozen states have posed Purdue’s original settlement York, had demanded as a way to other entities. They claimed the ment by $50 million. They also will dropped their longstanding objec- proposal, was disclosed late hold the company accountable. company’s continued marketing of allow $175 million held in Sackler tions to OxyContin maker Purdue Wednesday night in a filing in U.S. Attorneys general for both states its powerful prescription painkiller family charities to go toward abat- Pharma’s reorganization plan, edg- Bankruptcy Court in White Plains, were among the 15 who agreed to the contributed to a crisis that has been ing the crisis. ing the company closer to resolving N.Y. It followed weeks of intense new plan, joining about half the linked to nearly 500,000 deaths in Purdue’s plan also calls for mem- its bankruptcy case and transform- mediations that resulted in changes states that had previously approved the U.S. over the last two decades. bers of the Sackler family to give up ing itself into a new entity that helps to Purdue’s original exit plan. it. Nine states and the District of Co- The court filing came from a ownership of the company as part of combat the U.S. opioid epidemic The new settlement terms call for lumbia did not sign on. mediator appointed by the bank- a deal it says could be worth $10 bil- through its own profits. Purdue to make tens of millions of Purdue sought bankruptcy pro- ruptcy court and shows that mem- lion over time. That includes the val- The agreement from multiple internal documents public, a step tection in 2019 as a way to settle bers of the wealthy Sackler family ue of overdose-reversal drugs the state attorneys general, including several attorneys general, including about 3,000 lawsuits it faced from who own Purdue agreed to increase company is planning to produce. PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WORLD Police kill alleged assailants in Haiti president’s death BY RACHEL PANNETT The leadership vacuum is a po- The Washington Post tential powder keg in a nation Police killed four alleged assai- grappling with deepening eco- lants and arrested two others sus- nomic, political and social woes, pected of assassinating Haitian with gang violence spiking in the President Jovenel Moïse, in an capital Port-au-Prince, inflation attack that has escalated a spiral- spiraling, and food and fuel be- ing political and security crisis in coming scarcer in a country JEROME DELAY/AP the impoverished Caribbean na- where 60% of the population French soldiers who wrapped up a four­month tour in the Sahel leave their base in Gao, Mali, in June. tion. makes less than $2 a day. The gunmen have not been “The past 30 years have been identified, but Communications one calamity after another and Minister Pradel Henriquez de- now it is getting more serious,” As France plans to shrink Sahel scribed them “foreigners.” Fatton said. “We have two indi- The motivation for Wednes- viduals vying for the position of force, jihadi threat keeps growing day’s overnight attack is current- prime minister. The economy is ly unknown. Moïse, 53, dissolved in terrible shape, the COVID sit- BY SAM MEDNICK putating hands to punish suspect- navigated hostile terrain in the parliament in January 2020 and uation is deteriorating. No one is Associated Press ed thieves — a throwback to the pitch dark to retrieve troops after a ruled by decree as opponents and vaccinated. And then you have GAO, Mali — During a grueling, Shariah law imposed in northern long operation. protesters demanded that he step the security situation. The police weeks-long mission in northern Mali prior to the French military Some soldiers questioned if the down. Armed gangs with unclear are completely fragmented and Mali, French soldiers were con- intervention. fight was worth it. “What are we allegiances have seized control of some members of gangs are for- fronted by a familiar threat: Extre- There have been spikes, too, in doing here anyway?” asked one growing portions of the country, mer police officers.” mists trying to impose the same extremist attacks in Burkina Faso soldier after Macron’s announce- terrorizing the population with The Supreme Court’s chief jus- strict Islamic rule that preceded and Niger, sparking concern that ment. The AP is not using his name kidnappings, rapes and killings. tice, who might be expected to France’s military intervention the reduction of the French force because he was not authorized to “He had obviously many ene- help provide stability in a crisis, there more than eight years ago. will create a security void in the speak to the media. mies,” said Robert Fatton, a poli- died recently of COVID-19. Traumatized residents showed Sahel region that will be quickly Others acknowledged the jiha- tics professor and expert on Haiti Fatton said Haiti — which was scars on their shoulders and backs filled by the jihadis. dis are a long-term threat. “We are from the University of Virginia. subject to a controversial U.N. from whippings they endured af- “If an adequate plan is not final- facing something that is going to be “There might have been some de- stabilization mission between ter failing to submit to the jihadis’ ized and in place, the tempo of at- for years. For the next 10 years you gree of complicity on the part of 2004 and 2017 — could face an- authority. tacks on local forces could rise will have terrorists in the area,” those protecting the president.” other such intervention if the se- “We were witness to the pres- across the region over the coming Col. Yann Malard, airbase com- His death raises questions curity situation worsened after ence of the enemy trying to impose weeks, as jihadists attempt to ben- mander and Operation Barkhane’s around who is in charge of the the president’s murder. Shariah law, banning young chil- efit from a security vacuum,” said representative in Niger, told the country. Moïse had been due to The U.N. Security Council con- dren from playing soccer and im- Liam Morrissey, chief executive AP. install Ariel Henry, a neurologist, demned the assassination on posing a dress code,” said Col. Ste- officer for MS Risk Limited, a Brit- The French strategy has been to as prime minister on Wednesday Wednesday and called on all par- phane Gouvernet, battalion com- ish security consultancy operating weaken the jihadis and train local after dismissing his predecessor ties to “remain calm, exercise re- mander for the recent French mis- in the Sahel for 12 years. forces to secure their own coun- Claude Joseph — the latest in a straint and to avoid any act that sion dubbed Equinoxe. While France has spent billions tries. Since arriving, it has trained revolving door of prime minis- could contribute to further insta- France is preparing to reduce its on its anti-jihadi campaign, called some 18,000 soldiers, mostly Ma- ters. It was Joseph who an- bility.” military presence in West Africa’s Operation Barkhane, Sahel ex- lians, according to a Barkhane nounced Moïse’s killing on In a statement, the 15-member Sahel region — the vast area south perts say that it never dedicated spokesman, but progress is slow. Wednesday morning, and said he council “made an emphatic call of the Sahara Desert where extre- the necessary resources to defeat Most Sahelian states are still too was now the head of Haiti’s gov- on all political stakeholders in mist groups are fighting for con- the extremists, said Michael Shur- poor and understaffed to deliver ernment. Haiti to refrain from any acts of trol. In June, French President kin, director of global programs at the security and services that com- In a separate Associated Press violence and any incitement to vi- Emmanuel Macron announced 14 North Strategies, a consultancy munities desperately need, analy- interview, however, Henry ap- olence.” It also called for the per- the end of Operation Barkhane, based in Dakar, Senegal. sts and activists have said. peared to contradict Joseph. petrators to be brought to justice. France’s seven-year effort fighting “They have always been aware Soldiers agree that there are “It’s an exceptional situation. The council is due to be briefed extremists linked to al-Qaida and that their force in the Sahel is far limits to what can be achieved mil- There is a bit of confusion,” he on Moïse’s assassination in a the Islamic State in Africa’s Sahel too undersized to accomplish any- itarily and without political stabil- said. “I am the prime minister in closed-door meeting on Thurs- region. France’s more than 5,000 thing like a counterinsurgency ity in the Sahel, jihadis have the office.” day. troops will be reduced in the com- campaign,” he said. edge. ing months, although no time- France has several thousand “We don’t have an example of a frame has been given. troops covering more than 621 big win in counterinsurgency, and Instead, France will participate miles of terrain in the volatile re- it’s difficult to achieve that in the in a special forces unit with other gion where the borders of Niger, current environment because for European countries and African Mali and Burkina Faso meet. an insurgency to win they just need countries will be responsible for Alerts about attacks are often mis- to stay alive,” said Vjatseslav Se- patrolling the Sahel. sed or responded to hours later, es- nin, senior national representative The move comes after years of pecially in remote villages. Oper- for the 70 Estonian troops who are criticism that France’s military op- ations rely heavily on the French fighting alongside the French in eration is simply another reitera- air force, which conduct airstrikes, Barkhane. tion of colonial rule. But the shift transport troops and deliver Some of those living in the Sahel also takes place amid a worsening equipment. The desert is harsh fear what hard-fought gains have political and security crisis in the with temperatures reaching near been made will unravel all too region. In May, Mali had its second 122 degrees Fahrenheit, exhaust- quickly. coup in nine months. ing troops and requiring additional Ali Toure, a Malian working in Although officials of Mali’s gov- maintenance for equipment. the French military base in Gao JOSEPH ODELYN/AP ernment have been able to return The Associated Press spent the warned that “if the French army An investigator places an evidence marker next to a bullet casing to some towns once overrun by ji- days before Macron’s announce- leaves Mali, jihadis will enter with- outside the residence of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, in hadis, for the first time since 2012, ment accompanying the French in two weeks and destroy the coun- Port­au­Prince, Haiti, on Wednesday. there are reports of extremists am- military in the field, where pilots try.” Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Police: Stolen van gone, but 5 kids in it found safe GLEN BURNIE — A MD van was stolen from a Maryland grocery store parking lot with five children inside, but they were soon found nearby, po- lice said. Anne Arundel County police said in a news release that officers responded to a Giant Food Store in Glen Burnie around 11 p.m. Mon- day after a caller reported that someone stole their Honda Odys- sey with their five children inside. After a brief search, police said the children were found unattend- ed about a mile away. The stolen van has not been found, police said. Robbery suspect arrested after dye pack explodes NJNEWARK — Authorities say they have arrested a New Jersey bank robbery suspect seen on sur- veillance video as a red dye pack exploded during his escape. Newark public safety officials said a police detective spotted the 27-year-old man Monday on the street and arrested him. He faces robbery and weapons charges, au- thorities said. Authorities allege that the male suspect walked into a Capital One JACQUELINE DORMER, REPUBLICAN­HERALD/AP branch around 10 a.m. on Satur- day and passed a note to a teller saying he had a gun and demand- Diamond life ing money. Officials said the teller The sun casts a shadow of the chain link fence over the face of Kamryn Edwards, of Middleport, Pa., while watching the District 24 Little gave him money including a dye League 10­to­12­year­old semifinal between SPN and Tri­Valley in Saint Clair, Pa., on Monday. Edwards plays for SPN's 9­to­10­year­old team. pack. Officials released surveillance rels stacked in cages inside a mo- THE CENSUS Police said Johnson, 22, left his video showing the suspect walking bile home near Bishopville. truck on the shoulder of the high- east outside the bank wearing the The department said wildlife of- The length, in feet, of a python that escaped from its enclosure way after the crash and fled on backpack, but as he starts to cross ficers also found deer, armadillos 12 inside Louisiana’s largest shopping mall. Cara got loose Tues- foot. State troopers discovered a street beyond the bank property and potentially invasive nutria on day from her enclosure at the Blue Zoo in the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, that he contacted his grandmoth- the dye pack sends up a red cloud the property. news outlets reported. Cara was described by her handlers as “very sweet.” A er, Marie Sally Dufrene, to pick and he runs north out of camera Officers went to the property photo they provided to reporters shows that she’s a yellow and white Burmese him up, which they say “prevent- view. Tuesday to serve search warrants python, which aren’t venomous. The Blue Zoo was closed Tuesday while ed investigators from making an related to illegal possession of search efforts continued, but the Mall of Louisiana remained open. arrest at that time.” Crews responding to deer. The women are also charged The 73-year-old was booked in- house fire find explosives with inhumane treatment to ani- statement from Toyota and the to garages and used boats as to the Nelson Coleman Correction- mals and illegal possession of non- school system. The cars are 2018- scratching posts. al Center. Johnson was arrested NORTH TONAWAN- native wildlife species. All the 2021 models of the Camry, Avalon “I am an animal lover and it March 12. NY DA — Authorities re- crimes are misdemeanors. The and Lexus, including several hy- hurts me to see them limping or sponding to a house fire found women have been released from brid models. They will be used to with one eye.” Gillis said. “It’s ve- Zoo to begin vaccinating multiple explosive devices inside jail. teach students about changing ve- ry disturbing … having to see animals for COVID-19 an apartment and a man with “The question is, how did they hicle technology and to help pre- these cats not being taken care of, burns to his face and hands, police come to have these animals in pare them for entry-level jobs. and breeding and damaging prop- DENVER — The Den- said. South Carolina,” DNR spokesman erty.” CO ver Zoo will begin vac- The apartment’s occupant ini- David Lucas told The Post and Officials seek to solve cinating some of its animals for tially said he had burned food in Courier of Charleston. city’s feral cat problem Woman charged with COVID-19 as early as next week. the kitchen Sunday, but that didn’t The two women told others they helping grandson flee Zoologists say they have been explain the large amount of were rehabilitating wildlife, Lu- MOUNT PLEASANT working with the veterinary vac- smoke, police said, so detectives cas said. Some animals were in MI — Elected officials in PARADIS — The cine company Zoetis to receive were called. cages stacked in the mobile Mount Pleasant are hoping the LA grandmother of a Loui- doses for the animals, and pri- Police did not say what type of home’s living room, while others city and others in the community siana man charged in a fatal hit- mates and carnivores will be first explosives were found but said were roaming the home. Other can work together to reduce the and-run was arrested for obstruc- on the list. The veterinary vaccine, charges against the occupant, who animals were kept outside. numbers of feral cats roaming tion of justice Monday after au- which is formulated primarily for was taken to a hospital with burns, some neighborhoods. thorities determined she helped mammals, is being developed sep- were pending. Toyota donates 32 cars City commissioners this week her grandson flee the scene. arate from the ones for human use. The street in North Tonawanda, to 11 tech schools postponed a vote on changing the Hunter Mason Johnson is ac- Transmission is rare between north of Buffalo, was shut down current animal ordinance that cused of hitting multiple vehicles humans and other species, but for much of the day Sunday. VERSAILLES — Toyo- would allow the impoundment of and construction worker Brady there have been several docu- KY ta Motor Manufactur- abused or neglected animals and Ortego with a Ford pickup truck mented cases of COVID-19 in 2 charged as officers find ing of Kentucky is donating vehi- limit the number of dogs or cats to while driving along Interstate 310 large cats, monkeys and certain animals stacked in cages cles to the Kentucky Community three per household, the Mount early in the morning of Jan. 14, ac- rodent populations. and Technical College System for Pleasant Morning Sun reported cording to a news release from the Veterinary scientists do not BISHOPVILLE — Two its automotive technology pro- Wednesday. Louisiana State Police. Ortego, 44, think common house pets like cats SC women face criminal grams, officials said. Commissioner Lori Gillis said was thrown from the Hale Boggs or dogs are in significant danger of charges after South Carolina De- The company is giving 32 cars to during the meeting that she lives Bridge in St. Charles Parish into catching COVID-19. partment of Natural Resources of- 11 schools across the state, news in a neighborhood with feral cats the Mississippi River, police said. ficers found more than 200 squir- outlets reported, citing a joint and that last year 15 of them got in- His body has yet to be recovered. From wire reports Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 FACES

Freshly out of prison, Cosby already planning a comeback

BY CHRISTIE D’ZURILLA sentenced to three to 10 years in Los Angeles Times prison, a term he was serving at a Bill Cosby is, in a word, “exu- maximum security state facility in berant.” And he wants to get back Pennsylvania. to performing — and more. They were the “In his physical appearance, only criminal he’s exuberant. In his mental charges brought state, he’s exuberant. In his feel- against Cosby, ings and humor, he’s exuberant,” who has been ac- publicist Andrew Wyatt told the cused of sexual Los Angeles Times on Wednes- misconduct by day. The comedian is “colorful dozens of wom- and powerful — more powerful Cosby en. than we’ve ever seen.” Cosby’s team Cosby, 83, is with his family at — including the legal staff — still the moment, Wyatt said, a week has to work out the details about after his conviction on three how audiences, promoters and counts of aggravated indecent as- “media insurrectionists ... who sault against Andrea Constand fuel the hate” will be screened, was overturned. But plans are in Wyatt said, but he says he’s not ve- the works to get “The Cosby ry concerned about hecklers and Show” star back onstage in the the like. U.S., Canada and London, Wyatt Also in the works, according to LIZ O. BAYLEN/TNS said. Wyatt: A book, written by Freder- Colman Domingo, who’s been in the entertainment business for 31 years, has multiple projects in 2021. Wyatt said Cosby’s next act will ick Williams, will feature Cosby weave the disgraced comic’s “vin- and Wyatt talking about the per- tage storytelling” in with observa- former’s experiences through tions from his life today and will be both of his trials (civil and crimi- “inclusive of human rights and nal) and while he was in prison. civil rights” as Cosby works for They also will discuss the strate- Domingo on the rise criminal justice reform and prison gies Cosby and his team used. reform based on his experiences. Additionally, production is al- Cosby “gives you a formula most done on a five-part docuser- Writer/actor/director’s star power ‘a long time coming’ without the preservatives,” his ies about Cosby, from “Venus and rep said. Serena” director Michelle Major, BY JAMI GANZ “I’m doing the thing, to be very honest, that I think The performer was convicted in which will include the comic’s re- New York Daily News that you seek out when you’re a younger actor, which April 2018 of drugging and sexual- cent experiences in the legal sys- “It’s been a long time coming.” is about having agency in this industry,” said Dom- ly assaulting Constand. He was tem. That’s how Colman Domingo sees his recent surge ingo. “I do things that I only care about, you know?” across screens big and small and people “finally” be- So what is it that attracts him to a role? “I think it’s ing “hip to exactly what I’m doing,” the “Fear the gotta scare me a little bit. It’s gotta make me feel like I Walking Dead” star and director, 51, said over Zoom. might fail,” said Domingo. “In a strange way, that’s Jodie Foster at home in Cannes The past year alone has seen the Tony-nominated when I thrive. Otherwise I feel like it doesn’t [mat- Associated Press “Scottsboro Boys” star dispensing timely knowledge ter]. It’s gotta matter. Maybe that’s it.” “I got one thing to say before I and warmth as a recovered drug addict in the Peabo- What Domingo most cares about, though, is “being sit down,” said Spike Lee during dy-nominated “Euphoria” special and playing the a creator,” his favorite version of himself. the Cannes Film Festival opening trombone while defending his religious convictions “I like creating worlds. And whether that’s as a ceremony. “I wish I could speak in the Oscar-winning adaptation of “Ma Rainey’s writer or director, or even like producing,” said Dom- French like Jodie Foster!” Black Bottom,” racking up awards nominations ingo. “I love being an actor, but I don’t necessarily In the first two days of Cannes, along the way, and entering the “Twilight Zone.” have to be on stage or in front of the camera all the one thing everyone can agree on is “I’ve been working for, what, 31 years in this indus- time. I love putting it together. ... I’m somebody who that Jodie Foster speaks terrific try? And I’ve been carving out a space for myself, ba- throws a good party, and I think that’s the key to any French. On Tuesday, Foster was sically,” said Domingo. “Nothing was given to me and good creator.” awarded an honorary Palme d’Or I had to really create work when there was a lack of Artistic integrity, he says, shouldn’t stop with a fan- for lifetime achievement. The BRYNN ANDERSON/AP work.” favorite project — even one with a “huge, rabid fan award was presented to her by Jodie Foster’s excellent French From the jump, the writer/actor/director — whose base.” Domingo pointed to “Euphoria” writer-cre- Lee and South Korean director was on display this week at the play “Dot” was just greenlit for a television adapta- ator Sam Levinson’s remarks at the season two table Bong Joon Ho. opening of the 74th international tion on AMC Networks’ streamer — has known there read. Levinson acknowledged the show’s “beautiful, “During this year of transition, Cannes film festival in France. would be times his career opportunities “would be successful” first season, and told everyone to “forget the cinema has been my lifeline,” lean and times when I would fully thrive. it” along with fans’ attachment, recalled Domingo. said Foster, who walked the red “Who would have thought that “There’s different versions of me and ... my audi- “That’s how it was created before, so you have to carpet with her wife, Alexandra the little Iris from ‘Taxi Driver’ ences know me from very different things,” said trust that formula,” said Domingo. Hedison. would have become the woman Domingo. “And now finally, people are understand- Even with such a wide range of projects under his If Foster, 58, has seemed at you have become?” said Pedro Al- ing the container that it’s all in and they’re not trying belt, the actor does have one he holds closest to his home in Cannes, it could be be- modovar during the ceremony. to, I don’t know, place it in a little box.” heart: Ava DuVernay’s “Selma.” cause her experience at the festiv- Among his eclectic highlights are two recent re- “I really feel like that was a film that really had its al spans 45 years. Foster first Other news leases: “Zola,” in which he plays a uniquely disarm- purest intentions,” said Domingo, acknowledging the came to Cannes with “Taxi Driv- ■ Robert Downey Sr., a direc- ing pimp, and “The God Committee,” which sees film’s central message continued timeliness. “It real- er” in 1976. She was just 13 at the tor and actor known for subver- Domingo as a priest bearing witness to life-and-death ly showed me what the power of what we do and how time, a sunny, freckled face in the sive comedies and roles in “To decisions. we do it can be when you put it all in there.” middle of a media storm over the Live and Die in L.A.” and “Boogie violence in Martin Scorsese’s film. Nights,” died Tuesday evening at Black-and-white photos from age 85. His son, “Iron Man” star “It’s gotta scare me a little bit. It’s gotta make me feel the time capture Foster smiling Robert Downey Jr., confirmed his next to Robert De Niro and Scor- death Wednesday with a heartfelt like I might fail. In a strange way, that’s when I thrive. sese. Even then, Foster waved off Instagram tribute to the “maver- translators and answered ques- ick filmmaker,” who helmed sev- Otherwise I feel like it doesn’t [matter].” tions at the film’s press confer- eral projects. Among them were ence in French. (Foster attended a his 1964 feature directorial debut, Colman Domingo French prep school in Los An- “Babo 73,” as well as “Putney on what attracts him to a role geles.) Swope” and “Too Much Sun.” Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 Tyler, still WEEKEND creating Music, Page 32

WEAVING AN ORIGIN STORY Marvel’s Black Widow finally gets her due as a movie headliner Profile, Page 19 Review, Page 20

Marvel Studios

Video games — 23 Travel & Food — 24-29 TV — 34-35 Health — 36 Crossword — 38 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WEEKEND: GADGETS & TECHNOLOGY

GADGETS Customizable wireless keyboard stands out

BY GREGG ELLMAN more: “It’s time to be done with Tribune News Service bulky, heavy, slow silicon char- The new Vissles V84 wireless gers and upgrade to a faster keyboard took me a few days to charging and smaller GaNFast get customized and used to. But charger.” now I’m hooked. Recently I’ve been putting the Taking the white keyboard, Aukey Omnia 100 watt 2A+2C surrounded by a black plastic with GaNFast technology to task bottom frame, out of the box and at home, work, play and some pairing it with a computer is travel. There’s not a situation I easy, but there’s a lot of custom- can find where the charger ization and comfort to make it doesn’t shine. stand out. The pocket-sized high-quality Measuring 12.4-by-4.9-by-1.5 charging hub is one of smallest inches, with 84 keys it’s built (2.75-by-2.73-by-1.29 inches, 7.87 with a 75% layout, compared to a ounces), if not the smallest, most full-sized keyboard. It is essen- capable charging hub for your tially a standard keyboard with- home or travels to charge mul- out the numerical keys on the tiple devices at once. It’s built HEINEKEN/The Washington Post right. It’s compatible with Win- with four ports, two USB-C ports Heineken’s cooler innovation, powered by robotics and artificial intelligence, follows users around. dows, Mac OS, Android and iOS. and two USB-A ports, and it gets Some keys are hot-swappable. its power from foldout AC prongs V84 is compatible with almost all for attaching to any standard AC the MX style 3-pin and 5-pin outlet. Having just one charger mechanical switches. This brings with multiple ports reduces the different ways to show off the bulk and weight needed to carry ‘Are you thirsty?’ backlights. Included are 19 dy- around with some of the giant namic backlit types and nine charging bricks still in use. monochrome backlit types. Soft- What’s inside the Omnia 100 Heineken’s AI-enabled robot cooler keeps chilled beverages ware is included to create per- GaNFast charger makes it stand sonalized RGB lighting effects, out. Gallium Nitride chips in on hand, as long as customers stick to flat environments shortcuts and macros. GaNFast chargers are stated to The RGB effects have five be more efficient than silicon, BY DALVIN BROWN eras and sensors to help it avoid obstacles. At the levels of brightness and five with the ability to charge devices The Washington Post rear, there’s a cooler backpack, branded with Hei- levels of speed. Patterns include three times faster. All this with a argo-carrying robots have yet to go main- neken’s logo. The company won’t reveal how many waves, static, rainbows and small-profile charger containing stream, but they certainly make for ap- it’s making, only that it worked with a series of more. Each effect can have eight all the horsepower needed to pealing internet videos. third parties over the past several months to get it colors. The lights illuminate fully charge a 16-inch MacBook C They tote groceries around the super- built. Winners were announced this week, and the under the keys and shine through Pro in just 1.8 hours, while also market and hold your luggage at the airport. In one product will ship from Los Angeles soon. It hasn’t the spaces between each, en- being 20% physically smaller wild display, someone retrofitted a tank of beer, a mentioned plans to sell the robot beyond that. abling them to light but not be a compared to the 16-inch Mac- nozzle and a camera onto a robotic dog, which then The new beer robot serves a similar purpose to distraction shining directly at Book Pro charger. And unlike the showed a unique “peeing” functionality. one already on the market, and another that took you. Apple charger, the Aukey Omnia Now, there’s a stuff-toting machine that doubles the internet by storm. Gita, a two-wheel robotic Vissles includes some great has three additional ports. as an autonomous cooler designed to follow you vehicle by Piaggio Fast Forward, carries up to 40 accessories you don’t normally With four ports and all capable around the pool or backyard with a dozen cans of pounds of cargo around big cities today. It’s expen- see included with a keyboard. of fast charging, it works simulta- beer. sive, costing $3,250, but it’s the first consumer robot Included are a leather wrist rest, neously with endless combina- The Dutch brewing company Heineken recently in the U.S. with such functionality. In April, a You- magnetic rubberized feet, a tions of gadgets needing a boost unveiled the “Beer Outdoor Transporter” — a Tuber gave Boston Dynamics’ robotic dog Spot the cleaning cloth, a key puller and a of power, including a pair of branding concept cooler that uses motion sensors to ability to pee beer into a red cup. A video of the USB-C charging cable. The mag- laptops, true wireless earbuds trail behind its owner. The company launched an project went viral, reaching more than 100 million netic rubber feet go on or off in and smartphones. When all four online raffle July 1 for people who want to own one. views. seconds to raise the keyboard to ports are used, it will deliver 45 While it can’t apply your sunscreen, blow off the Heineken’s robot can’t do that. But it seems to be six degrees, and the metal pos- watts for each USB-C port and sand from the beach or cook your hot dogs, it seem- capable of rolling through grass, over boardwalks iting plate keeps the keyboard will split 12 watts between ingly solves one issue. and on concrete with ease. It doesn’t have legs, so it sturdy. USB-A ports. “Nobody loves lugging around a giant cooler and can’t travel smoothly up staircases. That means, Online: vissles.com; $99 The charger automatically sweating in the 100-degree heat,” said Joshua Egan, depending on where you’re going, you may still optimizes the power supply for brand director at Heineken USA. It was built need to pick it up. And it’s kind of heavy, weighing Aukey stated it perfectly when safe charging. According to the around a “charming” AI personality and was shown 70 pounds before you add the ice or drinks. It can touting the Omnia 100 GaNFast Aukey site, “This UL-certified this summer to mark the nation’s return to semi- travel 15 miles between charges, the company says. charger, and I couldn’t agree charger with built-in safeguards normalcy after gatherings last summer were dis- The robot features two modes. One allows the ma- protects your devices against couraged due to the coronavirus. It was also un- chine to follow you. The other allows operators to excessive current, overheating veiled to draw attention to the brand’s new beer can control where it goes via an app. and overcharging.” design, as the beverage category faces increasing In a promotional video, the machine is shown Online: aukey.com; competition from hard seltzers. trailing about five feet behind its owner, traversing $44.99 It doesn’t have to house Heineken products. The a swimming pool. “Are you thirsty?” it asks. robot is constructed to tote around ice, so you could Heineken is supplying raffle winners with a com- seemingly use any beverage you’d want to keep panion app-enabled smartphone to pair with the cold. robot. The robot looks like a mix between WALL-E, the It’s the latest branding stunt pulled by Heineken, animated waste-collecting droid from Pixar films, a $60 billion brewing company recovering from a and a traditional green garbage truck. It’s about pandemic-spurred drop in restaurant sales. Last knee-high, sits on six wheels and can talk to its year, the brand’s division in Brazil created a bill- VISSLES/TNS owner. “Down here! I’m the cooler with wheels,” board that doubled as a grab-and-go outdoor bar at Vissles’ V84 wireless keyboard the droid can say. a time when food establishments globally suffered is a standard keyboard without In the front is a touch screen and a series of cam- from coronavirus-related lockdowns. the numerical keys on the right. Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 WEEKEND: MOVIES

Marvel Studios Scarlett Johansson is pictured in a scene from Marvel’s “Black Widow.” Johansson also produced the film now showing in theaters and streaming on Disney+ premium. An introduction a decade in the making

“It was just so impressive to see so many departments After 7 Marvel movie appearances, doing so many things. And you were completely involved into the process and the creating of it. And I just really Johansson’s ‘Black Widow’ finally appreciated how much you were expected to be there for the whole journey,” Pugh said. “It only made then waiting gets her moment in the spotlight and watching the film a year later just even more exciting BY LINDSEY BAHR because you’re like, ‘Oh, my God, that took so many days Associated Press to shoot and there we are flying through the air on a carlett Johansson has had quite a bit of time to bike.’” think about a “Black Widow ” movie. After all, “Black Widow” has the distinction of being the first she’s played the character in seven movies span- Marvel movie debuting day-and-date on a streaming Sning 10 years. platform, after being delayed for more than a year due to Yet unlike many of her fellow Avengers who got grand the pandemic. It’s now available in theaters globally and introductions in movies and sequels bearing their names to rent on Disney+ for $30, the same release pattern as a on the marquee, she built the enigmatic Natasha Roma- handful of other Disney projects over the past year. noff as a sideline scene stealer beginning with her in- Marvel Studios The film isn’t just a tribute and a goodbye to a beloved troduction in 2010’s “Iron Man 2” through her exit in Florence Pugh, left, and Scarlett Johansson star as character, though. It also kicks off “Phase Four” of the “Avengers: Endgame.” long­lost sister­like characters in “Black Widow.” Marvel Cinematic Universe after an unplanned two-year By the time her name was called for a coveted standa- gap in Marvel theatrical releases following “Avengers: lone, she knew that, above all, she wanted Black Widow’s sacrifice at the end of ‘Endgame.’” Endgame” (and, technically, “Spider-Man: Far from film to be unexpected. And as the first lead actor to serve Part of that involved introducing a sort-of sister charac- Home.”) as a producer on a Marvel film, she actually had a say. ter in Yelena Belova, played as an adult by Florence The stakes for big-budget Marvel movies are always The character, introduced in the comics in 1964, is Pugh, who also had the traumatic experience of being high, but “Black Widow” will also be a litmus test not just inextricably tied to a Soviet-era spy aesthetic fitting of trained in the “Red Room” as a child. because of the unconventional release strategy, but also James Bond. But that seemed like the easy route. “Florence is so vibrant and interesting to watch that as a gauge for audience interest in the cinematic jug- “I didn’t want it to be an espionage film,” Johansson you think, ‘OK ... there’s going to be life here,’” Johansson gernaut going forward. said. “I think we avoided that.” said. After the 23-film build to “Endgame,” which currently Instead, “Black Widow” helps peel back the layers on a Despite not really knowing one another beforehand, holds the title of second-highest grossing film of all time hard-to-grasp character, with a little bit of an origin story, they quickly connected on set, partly due to a natural after a re-release of “Avatar” during the pandemic, Mar- a little bit of a coda and the introduction of people outside chemistry between the two and partly due to the extreme vel is going into uncharted territory with new characters of the Avengers who mean something to her. Johansson nature of filming a big-budget action thriller. in films like “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten also personally recruited Australian indie director Cate “Our Day One was me throwing her against a cabinet Rings,” set for September, and “Eternals” in November. Shortland, another unexpected and inspired choice, to and we both had our hands in each other’s armpits. And it But Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige isn’t stressing helm. was in that moment that I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I have a much about that. This new phase, he said, is one of “new Marvel veteran Eric Pearson had the task of writing the sweaty armpit. And Scarlett Johansson is touching me,’” beginnings.” script and took advantage of the fact that the character Pugh said. “Once that ice is broken, you know, best “Within our movies, there’s this big shared experience seemed to change and become more emotionally vul- mates. Weird first day, though, to start with.” that all the characters had with this, what we call the blip. nerable between “Civil War” and “Infinity War”/“End- It was a fittingly epic endeavor, shooting over 87 days Now, in real life, we all, as human beings on earth, have game,” which is when “Black Widow” is set. in London, Norway, Budapest, Morocco and Atlanta, with had the shared experience of this pandemic, of this lock- “We’re looking at what happened there,” Pearson said. showstopping fights, motorcycle stunts, car chases and down. So there is an interesting parallel that we were “What happened when she went back and confronted her even a skydiving sequence. For Pugh, who is more known playing on in our stories,” he said. “It’s been two years past that unlocked her heart and kind of opened her up to for slightly less spectacle-driven films like “Midsommar” since we’ve had a film in theaters, and we are ready. I the world and eventually led her to make that all-time and “Little Women,” it was an eye-opening experience. hope the fans are ready.” PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WEEKEND: MOVIE REVIEWS 7 movies to watch before ‘Black Widow’

BY DAVID BETANCOURT sin trying to clean the old blood The Washington Post off her hands through heroic When the Marvel Cinematic deeds. Universe began to dream of ‘Captain America: growing into something bigger than Hollywood could ever imag- The Winter Soldier’ ine, the cameras zoomed in on Black Widow and Captain Black Widow, the superspy America are working side by played by Scarlett Johansson in side. The organization they’ve multiple MCU films over the past fought for together for years decade. begins to crumble from within Johansson’s first appearance due to an infiltration that neither in 2010’s “Iron Man 2” repre- could see, led by a foe from Cap- sented the MCU’s first true signs tain America’s past that Black of expansion. At that point, Rob- Widow has fought before. “The ert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man/Tony Winter Soldier” is considered the Stark was the only sure thing. MCU’s best movie by many, and Marvel Studios Back then, the brand that would a big part of its reputation is Scarlett Johansson (Natasha) and Florence Pugh (Yelena) are elite assassins in “Black Widow.” become Marvel Studios was Johansson matching Evans’ known more for recasting than screen presence in both action- for a never-ending superhero filled and humorous moments. narrative. The heroine would eventually ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ A satisfying detour become the queen on the Marvel In her first meetup with “Wan- Studios chessboard, able to move daVision’s” Wanda Maximoff anywhere, starring in every (Elizabeth Olsen), who is not yet Latest Marvel release ‘Black Widow’ is almost a standalone Avengers movie and becoming a an Avenger, Black Widow falls vital part of the Captain America under the spell of the future film, designed to give a proper sendoff after a decade of service franchise alongside Chris Evans’ Scarlet Witch’s powers and re- Steve Rogers. veals key memories of being BY JAKE COYLE ballgame under the lights. It’s an early sign that After being delayed last sum- trained in the sinister Red Room Associated Press “Black Widow” will be about an American Dream mer due to the pandemic, Black to become the ultimate spy. “Age ow fleeting world domination can be. It denied — or at least delayed — and a kind of anti- Widow is finally ready for her of Ultron” also takes a deeper can disappear in a snap. It’s been two “Captain America.” Only when the dad flips a car solo movie debut. look at a budding romance be- years since the last Marvel film, an to clear the runway do we have any sense that these If you’re looking to dive into tween Black Widow and the Hunfathomable chasm for an ever- aren’t your average Americans. And once they land her key moments before watch- Hulk, featuring romantic scenes churning movie machine. In between, Marvel has in Cuba, we realize they aren’t citizens at all, nor ing the new film, now in theaters with Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffa- made its most ambitious forays onto television, with are they a family. and on Disney+ (for an extra fee, lo) and moments where she helps the streaming series “WandaVision,” “The Falcon Harbour’s character in fact is Alexei Shostakov/ here are seven movies to watch, cage the big green monster with- and the Winter Soldier” and “Loki.” Marvel, of Red Guardian, a Soviet-built super soldier made to all of them available to stream on in him. course, isn’t going anywhere. compete with Captain America. Their family was a Disney+. ‘Captain America: But it’s also possible that the pandemic hasn’t cobbled-together Ohio sleeper cell. The four of just been a blip in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. them are quickly split apart, and over a melancholy ‘Iron Man 2’ Civil War’ Even before COVID-19 delayed the release of cover of “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the opening In her first appearance, Black An all-out brawl where the “Black Widow” and subsequent installments a year credits roll with a montage of U.S.-Russian rela- Widow uses her stealthy spy superheroes are constantly or more, “Avengers: Endgame” felt very much like tions over time, mixed with images of Soviet mas- skills to fool the biggest brain in punching each other in the face, the conclusion of something. Can the most all-pow- termind Dreykov (Winstone) and his Red Room the MCU, Tony Stark/Iron Man, this movie leads Black Widow to erful juggernaut in movie history just pick up program of elite assassins — dubbed “Widows” — under the guise of the world’s fight her two biggest MCU allies where it left off? all of them plucked from the streets as young girls. best executive assistant who just — Captain America and Hawk- “Black Widow,” thankfully, isn’t exactly designed Twenty years later, the long-freed and reformed so happens to know martial arts. eye (Jeremy Renner) — over that way. It’s as close to a one-off as Marvel gets. Natasha — now an Avenger — is well beyond her Carefully plucking Stark’s play- differences about how the gov- Set in between 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War” painful beginnings. But not as much as she thought. boy strings and playing on his ernment should regulate super- (when the superheroes fell out) and 2018’s “Aven- Her belief that she killed Dreykov is spoiled when billionaire “there is nothing I heroes after the events of “Age of gers: Infinity War” (when they made up), it doesn’t she reunites in Budapest with her faux-sister from can’t have” attitude, she eventu- Ultron.” have any grander purpose to the franchise’s over- childhood, Yelena (Pugh), who informs her that not ally reveals her true self to Iron arching aims than giving Scarlett Johansson’s Na- only is the Red Room very operational, but Drey- Man, becoming an ally and a ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ tasha Romanoff/ Black Widow (who perished in kov has created a new, frightful method of control bridge between Stark and her In the battle against Thanos — “Endgame”) a proper sendoff after a decade of of his Widows. From afar, he can operate their boss, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jack- the biggest supervillain the MCU service stretching back to 2010’s “Iron Man 2.” movements and terminate their lives with a few son), a new alliance that is the has ever seen — Black Widow And I think partly because “Black Widow” needs computer buttons. first step in the formation of the helps lead a fight against his to exist purely by itself, it works. It’s absorbing in Natasha and Yelena resolve to topple Dreykov Avengers. forces on the Wakandan lands of its own right. Less occupied with driving a universe and the Red Room, a mission that requires them to the Black Panther. of movies forward, the almost-standalone film in- reconnect with their once parents. As a unit, they ‘The Avengers’ stead digs into slightly darker, deeper realms of the are an emotionally damaged bunch, making their In the first mega MCU team- ‘Avengers: Endgame’ typically bright and shiny Marvel world. And while task throb with not just vengeance but their own up featuring all of the original After Thanos wipes out half the it marks a farewell to Johansson, “Black Widow” is psychological healing. Avengers, Black Widow gets a universe with the powerful Infin- given a boost by a number of new faces — Florence They all also owe their powers to the crippling, close-up moment against the ity Gauntlet, Black Widow helps Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Ray Winstone cruel system that made them. For Natasha, this is a movie’s big bad guy, Loki (Tom the surviving heroes go on a — who supply some new verve in a movie world discomforting truth always just below the surface. Hiddleston) — who is now star- time-traveling mission to restore that’s recently been dependent on many of its long- “Black Widow” becomes, kind of stirringly, a movie ring in his own Disney+ series. all of humanity. Her mission, est-running stars. not about franchise extension but sisterhood, im- Thor’s sneaky brother is being alongside Hawkeye, is a fatal The movie begins with familiar suburban scenes provised families and traumatic pasts. held captive by the Avengers one, as she is forced to sacrifice of two young girls and their apparent mother Marvel movies, like the moon, are categorized in after plotting to take over Earth. her life to retrieve the Infinity (Weisz) readying for dinner. When the father (Har- phases. “Black Widow” is meant to kick off “phase This is Black Widow’s deep back- Stone needed to save the uni- bour) arrives, he’s distraught. They have an hour to four,” but it’s not clear if the empire is waxing or ground scene, where she reveals verse. “The Black Widow” is a flee, he whispers. They grab little before driving waning. But if “Black Widow” is a sign of things to to Loki that she, too, was once the prequel of sorts, taking place straight for a small airport. Out the window, while come, it’s a promising new direction. bad guy, so much so she was on before one of the most impactful

“American Pie” plays on the car stereo, are all- “Black Widow” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence/action, some the radar of the good guys she deaths (right alongside Iron American scenes of families playing on the lawn, a language and thematic material. Running time: 134 minutes. now works with. She’s an assas- Man’s) in the MCU. Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 WEEKEND: MOVIE REVIEWS A road trip gone horribly wrong ‘Zola’ was captivating in 148 tweets, but loses the fun personality and strange vibe on the big screen

BY LINDSEY BAHR Director Janicza Bravo paints this world A24 Films photos Associated Press with a garish palette. Everything is neon, Riley Keough, at left above and below, as Stefani and Taylour Paige as Zola in “Zola.” here are some admirable things cheap and lit with fluorescent lights that in “Zola,” the movie based on a exacerbate the cheapness and neon-ness. thinks. X, who she has now deduced is a viral Twitter thread about an This is intentional, of course, but it does pimp, has other plans for the girls and it Tunwitting dancer who gets not seem to have been done with love. involves more than a pole. Zola is unin- caught in an ever-escalating nightmare in And yet there is a delicacy to Bravo’s terested in sex work. Stefani is. Against Florida. composition, too, thanks in part to Mica her will, she finds herself trapped with her Taylour Paige is phenomenal, for one. Levi’s whimsical score that plays on the helpless new friend and decides to take The movie, though, is a bold and admi- seemingly harmless dings and rings of a pity on and help her get paid fairly for rable experiment that doesn’t totally work. smartphone. Ari Wegner’s trash-fairytale what her services are worth after noticing Paige plays A’Ziah “Zola” King, the cinematography also mimics a kind of that she charges only $100 for sex. This, author of said thread who in 2015 recount- amateur music video, and the ugliness is unfortunately, also makes Zola even more ed, in 148 tweets, the time she decided to at least captivating for a time. Though valuable to X, and her journey with this take a road trip to Florida with a sex work- there is quite a bit of nudity, it is more deranged bunch continues. er Stefani (Riley Keough), her boyfriend matter of fact than erotic. Bravo cele- The Twitter thread itself was a wild and Derrek (Nicholas Braun, who has made brates the form of her two female leads, well-told story that fit its medium perfect- “Zola” the film as a commentary on ex- awkward humiliation his go-to mode), and but the men, for the most part, are pre- ly — it was funny and strange, a little ploitation. But it never seems to decide if her “roommate,” X (Colman Domingo), an sented with disgust. scary and full of personality. “Zola” the we are making fun of the characters or inscrutable and dangerous character, Keough, who is white, plays Stefani like movie is not that. The film leans into the not. Are we being asked to find this world whose mood shifts as violently as his ac- a vulgar child appropriating and affecting attitude and the language that so captivat- entertaining? Braun’s performance seems cent. The names have been ever so slight- an accent that she thinks sounds Black. It ed bored scrollers for a few days six years to suggest yes. Paige’s doesn’t. It also can’t ly changed from the ones in the thread is its own kind of nightmare. And while ago, but here we are forced to experience seem to reconcile its own tone as the vio- (Jessica, Jarrett, Z). Zola, who is Black, never gets any dia- these truly horrifying events with Zola, lence and stakes escalate. The odyssey begins, as most positive logue to comment on this and some other who it becomes achingly clear is just try- In the end, it feels like we’re just sup- odysseys don’t, at a seedy restaurant in downright racist things, Paige’s eyes and ing to survive. And it is neither fun, funny, posed to gawk in disbelief at the mess and Detroit. Zola is waiting on Stefani and it is, performance tell the audience most of exciting or even particularly illuminating. hope that we, and Zola, can emerge from if not love, heart emoji-filled infatuation at what they need to know: This is not OK. It just feels tragic and traumatic. It seems the experience relatively unscathed. In first sight. They talk about their side gigs This is not funny. This is something she is telling too that while Bravo co-wrote the other words, the exact opposite feeling of as dancers, begin a text flirtation and soon merely getting through so that she can script with Tony-winning playwright Jere- reading that incredible thread. enough, Stefani is inviting Zola to join her make some money in the Sunshine State my O. Harris, Zola’s writing is the dia- “Zola” is rated R for strong sexual content and language on a road trip to Tampa, Fla., to hit the and go home. logue that pops. throughout, graphic nudity, and violence including a sexual clubs and see how much they can make. But going home is not as simple as she Someone more generous might see assault. Running time: 90 minutes. Now playing in theaters. Chris Pratt, aliens, comic relief make ‘The Tomorrow War’ worth fighting

BY ADAM GRAHAM notice and is teleported to 2051. The Detroit News Thrown into battle alongside Forester are Charlie (Sam Aliens are here — well, they’re coming, in about 30 Richardson), Norah (Mary Lynn Rajskub), Cowan (Mike years — but it’s up to today’s soldiers to fight them in the Mitchell), Dorian (Edwin Hodge) and others, many of action-packed, time-traveling, good-time popcorn thriller whom plummet to their death upon their arrival from the “The Tomorrow War.” sky. (Those scientists really need to work on that entry Dan Forester (Chris Pratt) leads a gang of soldiers who process.) From there, it’s immediate action as the humans are sent into the future to win the fight against a deadly take on the monsters in a nonstop hail of bullets in a alien species that makes those noise-hating buggers from burned-out, apocalyptic Miami, where there’s still time to “A Quiet Place” look like family pets. These suckers — make jokes about whether the Dolphins ever make it to they’re called White Spikes, which sounds a little too the Super Bowl. close to White Stripes whenever they’re referenced — are Director Chris McKay (“The Lego Batman Movie”) screaming, menacing hellbeasts, SUV-sized and outfitted layers on the action and firepower in heavy doses, while with tentacles they whip around to rip apart anything in screenwriter Zach Dean gives the story a core of human- sight. They’re not the kinds of creatures you want to be Amazon Prime Video ity that grounds Pratt’s character and roots the story in sent into the future to beam down from the sky (scientists Chris Pratt, Edwin Hodge and Sam Richardson star in family. (Hey, it worked for the “Fast” franchise.) are clearly still working out the time travel kinks) and be “The Tomorrow War,” streaming now on Amazon Prime. Richardson, even though he’s parodied movies like this forced to fight. on “I Think You Should Leave,” makes a nimble action But that’s what they’re up against. It’s a call to arms as in the space-time continuum. (The particulars are ex- hero, and is given plenty of moments of comic relief, a group of future fighters interrupt a televised soccer plained, but it’s still best to not ask too many questions.) while Simmons is a welcome presence as Forester’s hard- match (was this the best place to make the announce- Pratt’s Forester has a wife (Betty Gilpin) and a young ass dad. ment? Not the Super Bowl?) in the present day to inform daughter (Ryan Kiera) at home, and a father (J.K. Sim- “The Tomorrow War” moves and feels like a throwback the human race that its time on this planet is limited mons, all buffed up) from whom he’s estranged. In the to the action films of the ’90s — and “Independence Day” thanks to the impending White Spike invasion. “We are present, Forester is a science teacher, trying to convince in particular — when sci-fi violence and jokes met with food, and they are hungry,” it is later explained, a wel- his students that formulas and chemical compounds mat- wild set pieces and combined for a rollicking good time. come bit of simplicity that sums up the conflict. ter when the kids are well aware the world is coming to Hungry for action? This is food. A draft is initiated and it’s up to everyone to do their an end. Science is the key to possibly saving the world, he “The Tomorrow War” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, part which, yeah, involves a little time travel, but their says, even though it’s mostly firepower that he uses to language and some suggestive references. Running time: 140 minutes. Available on stints are limited to seven days due to some sort of glitch take on the baddies when he eventually gets his draft Amazon Prime Video. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WEEKEND: MOVIE REVIEWS ‘Purge’ franchise heads for the southern border Action/horror series’ latest chapter takes on immigration debate

BY KATIE WALSH house, Adela and Juan in a graffiti-scarred shelter. Tribune News Service But when the shutters roll up at 7 a.m., the purg- In 2013, budget horror production studio Blum- ing continues, as butcher-knife-wielding bunnies house produced “The Purge,” a nasty, clever ac- attack Adela at work and black-masked cowboys go tion/horror flick written and directed by James after the Tuckers at home. Racist hate groups de- DeMonaco that posited the question: what if all claring a “Forever Purge” have launched a coor- crime was legal for one night? Centering on a dinated attack with the intent of a “Purge Puri- wealthy family who attempt to wait out the Purge in fication.” Though organized across the country, their heavily secured home, the film made $89 their aims seem disjointed, with Forever Purgers million on a $3 million budget. Of course there waging a class war, perpetuating racist ethnic would be more, and the sequels keep making more cleansing, or simply just looking to go berserk. With and more money at the box office. America on fire and the heavily armed populace Now the dystopian concept of the Purge has be- turning on each other, millions of U.S. citizens in- come a cultural idiom and a vehicle for reckoning cluding the Tuckers, with Adela and Juan in tow, with the uglier parts of American life. It was “The make a break for the Mexican border. Viewed with Purge: Election Year” in 2016 that struck a bit too the lens of real-life political and humanitarian is- close to home, and now the loose confines of the sues at the Mexican border, the irony is palpable. “Purge” formula have become a vessel for film- The “Purge” films have become a simultaneously Universal Pictures photos makers to work out their issues. Mexican film- disturbing and cathartic viewing experience. Some Josh Lucas, above foreground and lower left, in “The Forever Purge,” maker Everardo Gout runs with the opportunity in of the lines of dialogue and story beats are ripped also starring Ana de la Reguera and Tenoch Huerta, lower right. “The Forever Purge,” in collaboration with DeMon- directly from the headlines of America’s charged aco, who wrote the screenplay. political atmosphere. While watching events unfold In “The Forever Purge,” the filmmakers take on it feels just a bit too plausible, but DeMonaco and the timely topic of immigration at the southern Gout cook up such delicious comeuppance that you border. Ana de la Reguera and Tenoch Huerta star can’t help but indulge in the pleasure of revenge. as Adela and Juan, a Mexican couple who flee Tucker patriarch Caleb (Will Patton) struggles across the border to Texas. Juan finds work for a with what it means to be a proud American. Adela wealthy white ranching family, the Tuckers, though wants America to live up to her ideals. The Forever tensions have erupted with son Dylan (Josh Lucas), Purgers have a warped notion, but they’ll fight to who feels emasculated by Juan’s horse-handling the death for this country anyway. But then there’s skills. Chiago (Zahn McClarnon), a tribal leader on whose Juan and Adela are committed to their new ancient lands the first and final battles for America American lives, which includes the annual “blood are fought. As the blood spills and citizens flee, holiday” the Purge, instituted by the New Founding Chiago’s tenacity reminds us that if America be- Fathers government. The families roll down the longs to anyone, it’s him.

shutters and tuck in for a quiet evening protected “The Forever Purge” is rated R for strong/bloody violence, and language from the violence: the Tuckers at their posh ranch throughout. Running time: 103 minutes. ‘Fear Street’ film series 3 well-connected blocks long

BY MICHAEL ORDOÑA sequels; each “Fear Street” is a different Los Angeles Times animal, yet still pieces of the same puzzle. When is a miniseries not a miniseries? The first two pay homage to the horror When it’s “Fear Street”: three full-length films of the eras in which they’re set. The movies dropping on Netflix on consecutive third is its own thing. The three together Fridays to collectively tell a gruesome tale end up expressing themes. For instance, based on books by R.L. Stine. Parents the oafish class struggle in “1994” will beware: This is not aimed at a “Goose- evolve into a kind of sly social commen- bumps” audience. tary later on. The first movie, “Fear Street Part 1: There are some meta echoes banging 1994,” finds teens in Shadyside, Ohio, about: There are sideways references to dealing with the usual angsty teen stuff: Jason Voorhees and those nutty kids from breakups; the class divide between Shad- “Scream” (director and co-writer of all yside and more-prosperous Sunnyvale; three films, Leigh Janiak, helmed some pining for a pretty drug-dealer friend; the episodes of the short-lived “Scream” TV usual. The teens come to realize that re- Netflix series), and there’s a re-created sequence cent murders may be part of a larger pat- Maya Hawke is in on the mayhem of the first “Fear Street” chapter, “Part 1: 1994.” Thefrom “The Shining.” The cast is appealing tern of mass killings that have cursed their first two of three chapters are now streaming on Netflix. enough and does fine with what it has. town every few years for, oh, a few centu- Flores is endearing and Hechinger is ries. No wonder property values are lower friends (Julia Rehwald, Fred Hechinger) movie opening and a handful of ’90s-ish funny. in Shadyside. Do real estate agents list it — ends up under the knife. Or knives. Or horror cliches. The dialogue can be clunky It’s hard to imagine that older teens will as a premium if no one has been mur- hatchet, whatever. The mystery sets up an and easy to guess in advance, and there’s find “1994” scary exactly, but horror fans dered in a house, as far as they know? arching horror tale told over the three an unfortunate reliance on jump scares. of that age might get a charge out of some Anyway, scrappy, outsidery Deena films, set in eras indicated by their subti- The thing to remember is that this is all of the more brutal dispatchings. The real (Kiana Madeira) has to put aside her tles: “1994,” “1978” and “1666.” Rest as- part of a larger story, and without spoiling enjoyment of “1994” is reaching the end heartbreak to stop the killer(s?) before sured, the three will add up to more than anything, that story does get significantly and knowing it’s still headed somewhere. someone close to her — her cheerleader the sum of their parts. more interesting. “Fear Street Part 1: 1994” is rated R for strong bloody violence, ex (Olivia Scott Welch), her nerdy brother To get to where “1994” is going, howev- That’s the virtue of this not being just drug content, language and some sexual content. Running time: (Benjamin Flores Jr.) or her dealer er, one must overcome a lifeless slasher- another slasher film and its two recycled 105 minutes. Now streaming on Netflix. Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 WEEKEND: VIDEO GAMES

Final Fantasy VII Remake directors say Intermission points directly to the sequel BY GENE PARK characters that, I too, do not The Washington Post know, but that is the same with Elements of Intermission, the Cloud and company as well.” additional chapter in the Play- Toriyama said that any time a Station 5 version of Final Fantasy new character from outside the VII Remake, will likely be used original 1997 release is intro- in the highly anticipated, and duced into the new story, the likely far-off, sequel, according to writers will always frame it as a the game’s makers. first encounter with Cloud, the More specifically, the team-up protagonist and audience surro- moves that Intermission stars gate. Yuffie and Sonon can do will “For unfamiliar enemies like likely return in Part 2 of Final Weiss or Nero, I think being able Fantasy VII Remake, or whatev- to convey that they have a kind of er the sequel to the remake may deep darkness about them is be called. In a recent interview plenty,” Toriyama said. “At the with The Washington Post, Naoki same time, those who are famil- GameTomo Hamaguchi, co-director of Re- iar with them can make a stron- Sumire is a kid­friendly indie title that features a one­day journey through a picturesque Japanese village. make, said that last year’s battle ger connection to the overarch- system was an evolution of the ing Final Fantasy VII world by “Active Time Battle” from the having them appear in the narra- original 1997 release. tive as they are in their respec- “From that perspective, I am tive source material.” Deceptively simple rather satisfied with this final Yuffie was a perfect star for form, in which the strategic ele- the additional chapter Intermis- ment of the command-based sion because she was also an Sumire seems childlike, but the narrative adventure has more to say battle from the original co-exists optional character in the original with the real-time, action-ori- game, but her backstory wasn’t BY CHRISTOPHER BYRD But the flower is persistent. “Please. Don’t just ented battle,” said Hamaguchi, as solidified as Vincent. Toriya- Special to The Washington Post leave me here to die inside,” it says before suggesti- who as a young man wanted to ma said reintroducing the gem hen I first fired up Sumire, a game ng that by acceding to its request it might be pos- work for the Final Fantasy series thief as an integral part of the about a lonely little girl living in a sible for Sumire to see her grandmother again. ever since the sixth installment. story wouldn’t be as jarring. small Japanese town who promises to Banking on that hope, Sumire snips off the head of “Additionally, with Intermission, “If this were Vincent, another Wshow a talking flower a beautiful day, the flower, which then floats in the air. The floating there’s another element intro- optional character, he would I was less than enthused to see where their adven- flower head will accompany her throughout her duced: combo movies where have been sleeping in a coffin in ture might lead. The setup seemed so childishly journey. Sumire then goes to fetch her backpack Yuffie and Sonon team up ... the Shinra mansion, so we unpromising that I was unwilling to spend more and notebook and sets out to try to have a “perfect which makes for a different feel wouldn’t be able to move him than 20 minutes with the game. However, when I day.” in battle strategy. I would like to around,” Toriyama said. “But returned to it a few days later, I Over the length of the day, Sumire will have the leverage these, including other Yuffie was traveling the world as found that I’d misjudged it. occasion to assist people and critters, e.g., a letter elements we tried out in ‘In- a materia hunter in the original. Sumire is undoubtedly a kid- carrier who hasn’t spoken with his daughter for 20 termission,’ in our next story.” By having Yuffie infiltrate Mid- friendly game, but it is not chil- years, a lovelorn snake, etc. She’ll also be forced to Final Fantasy VII Remake was gar as part of her travels, she can dish. The feelings it touches on confront her former best friend, who dropped her released last year April to critical experience the same incidents suggest the sort of wisdom an to hang out with more popular girls, and to spend acclaim and became one of the Cloud and company were experi- adult might look to pass on to a time in a house shunned by most of the townspeo- year’s most celebrated games. encing, depicting the same in- child to prepare her for a world ple on account of a grisly murder that took place Moreover, the twists and story cidents from a different perspec- that is vertiginously beautiful as there. changes excited fans for the tive.” well as disappointing. Sumire is a simple game that mostly involves inevitable sequel, particularly Toriyama is referencing a The game opens with a gentle walking to different places, speaking to various since the first story ends right pivotal, tragic moment in the paradox: a dream that hints at individuals and delivering items from one to anoth- when the party finally leaves the original 1997 story that was given fulfillment and longing. Lying asleep, Sumire, the er. The game is punctuated with a few minigames: crowded, polluted first city of more dramatic weight in the little girl at the center of the story, envisions shel- a fantasy card game, a board game and another one Midgar and begins to travel the Remake. The emphasis on the tering in her grandmother’s arms beneath a wiste- which I won’t go into detail about since it turns open world. horror of the incident is only ria tree. In the dream, she watches the happy scene around one of the major plot points of the story — it Longtime, attentive players magnified through Yuffie’s eyes. as if she were an observer. Reaching out a hand as involves Sumire being given the chance to heal or may have noticed callbacks to “Yuffie is a cheerful and ener- if to physically grab the moment in front of her, she poison the hearts of her rivals. These basic ga- several other pieces of Final getic young lady and she will wakes up and is unsettled by the thought that her meplay mechanics are enlivened by a soft-colored, Fantasy VII media, including the make an appearance after getting recently deceased grandmother was trying to com- storybook aesthetic whose standout feature is the film “Advent Children” and the over the tragic experience in municate something important to her that she was curvature of the ground that Sumire walks on, giv- spinoff titles. Intermission leans Intermission,” Toriyama said. unable to understand. ing the impression that she is traversing a sphere into this further, introducing the “So I believe her encounter with Walking through her one-story house, she stops where all points lead back to each other. characters Weiss and Nero, who Cloud and his allies will be that by the portrait of her grandmother that hangs in a The idea of eternal return wends through the only appeared in the PlayStation much more appealing. Also, cabinet near the front door. Addressing her grand- story. On different occasions Sumire is reminded of 2 shooter Dirge of Cerberus. Wutai [Yuffie’s home nation] was mother’s spirit, Sumire speaks of her mother’s patterns of life that snare people, young and old, That game focused on an optional placed in a more important posi- depression over her father’s absence from their and prevent them from being able to communicate character from the original tion ... as the opposing force lives and asks for help. Seconds later, she hears the with each other. She comes to realize that everyone, game, Vincent. This was no acci- against Shinra. By having groups crashing sound of breaking glass, and when she including herself and her fondly remembered dent, said Motomu Toriyama, that oppose Shinra, not just Ava- returns to her room she discovers a broken window grandmother, has a shadow side that causes prob- another co-director of Remake lanche, take a more prominent pane and a seed on the floor. Picking up the seed, lems for those nearest to them. Themes of broken and a scenario director for the role, I believe we can create an she takes it into the living room and plants it in a communication, missed opportunities and unreal- original 1997 game. even more suspenseful story.” pot on a table, then falls asleep. ized wishes are planted throughout her “special “The world of Final Fantasy The directors say they are not Upon awakening, she is startled to discover that day.” VII was vastly expanded through losing sight of respecting the the seed has grown into a talking flower. The flower Parents with children on the cusp of adolescence multiple works that followed original game. They both say asks her to show it a beautiful day since it will only may wish to consider Sumire. Yes, it’s fairly senti- after the original game,” Toriya- they are heartened by the love live until sunset. At first, Sumire is reluctant to do it mental insofar as it dwells on how feelings color the ma said. “We do want to make it showered upon Remake, and any favors. Lost in her melancholy, she tells the world, but it’s not insensible to the gaps that feel- a culmination of all the Final were very satisfied with player flower that all she wants to do is go back to sleep ings alone can’t fill. Fantasy VII-related works cre- response to the many changes in and stay inside the house because her mother needs Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch ated up to this point. There are the gameplay and the story. her. Online: gametomo.co.jp/sumire PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WEEKEND: TRAVEL Istanbul: History striving into the future

Until European travel becomes rus line of barkers shouting, fully open to Americans, here’s a “Yes, Mister!” reminder of the fun that awaits I pay my taksi driver and step us in Europe. out into the Sultanahmet neigh- borhood, stopping for a cup of tea hen I was in my to get my bearings. Istanbul, now 20s, I ended eight with a population European trips in a of more than 15 Wrow in Turkey. I million, is thriving. didn’t plan it that way — but it The city is poi- became the natural finale, the gnantly littered subconscious cherry on top of with both rem- each year’s travel adventures. nants of grand Realizing I hadn’t set foot in empires and liv- Istanbul for nearly a decade, I Rick ing, breathing decided to return to the city Steves reminders of the where East meets West. harsh reality of The moment I step off the life in the developing world. plane, I remember how much I And yet, this ancient city is enjoy this country. Marveling at striding into the future. Everyone the efficiency of Istanbul’s Ata- is buzzing about the new tunnel türk Airport, I pop onto the street under the Bosphorus, which Rick Steves and into a yellow taksi. Seeing gives a million commuters in the Istanbul, with the new Galata Bridge spanning the Golden Horn of the Bosphorus. the welcoming grin of the un- Asian suburbs of Istanbul an shaven driver, who greets me easy train link to their places of how societies morph with the are still rocking in the busy har- a bit more hygienic, no longer with “Merhaba,” I blurt out, “Çok work in Europe. This tunnel is push and pull of the times. While bor. They used to be 20-foot-long using newspaper for wrapping, güzel!” I’m surprised I remem- emblematic of modern Turkey’s the beloved old bridge is gone, open dinghies with open fires for but still slamming out fresh fish. ber the phrase. It just comes out commitment to connecting East the new one has been engulfed in grilling fish ... fish that’s literally Turkish society is confronting of me — like a baby shouts for and West, just as Istanbul the same vibrant street life — fresh off the boat. For a few powerful forces of change and joy. I am back in Turkey, and it is bridges Asia and Europe. boys casting their lines, old men coins, the fishermen would bury progress while also wanting to “very beautiful” indeed. Walking down to the Golden sucking on water pipes, and a big white fillet in a hunk of stay the same. And, as a traveler, As the taksi turns off the high- Horn inlet and Istanbul’s churn- steaming sesame-seed bread fluffy bread, wrap it in newsprint it’s great to witness this evolution way and into the tangled lanes of ing waterfront, I cross the new rings fogging up their glass- and send me on my way. In re- firsthand. the tourist zone — just below the Galata Bridge, which makes me windowed carts. It shows how cent years, the fish and bread Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes Europe­ Blue Mosque — all the tourist- wistful for the old bridge — now stubborn cultural inertia can be. boats were shut down because an guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. You can friendly businesses line up, pro- dismantled — which was crusty On the sloppy harborfront, the they had no license. After a pop- email Rick at [email protected] and follow his viding a backdrop for their cho- with life’s struggles. I think of venerable “fish and bread boats” ular uproar, they’ve returned — blog on Facebook. Take a scenic, cooling hike through a gorgeous gorge With the sun glaring down on exposed rock surfaces, a months, guided tours by torchlight are offered. The gorg- summertime hike to a mountaintop can easily turn into a e’s entrance can also be reached by means of a horse- brutally hot proposition. Keeping one’s cool is much eas- drawn wagon. Adult entry costs 6 euros. Online: tiny- ier when selecting a trail running through a canyon or url.com/rpsfr7av gorge. Throw in a waterfall or two, and the pause will The Wutachschlucht is a shady 20-mile stretch of nar- really refresh! Here are some beautiful hikes through row valley cutting through the Black Forest. A narrow, terrain that helps beat the heat. muddy and fairly challenging trail zigzags alongside steep Crete: The Samaria Gorge, a UNESCO Biosphere Re- cliffs as it mirrors the route of the Wutach River. Three serve in the southwest corner of the Greek island’s White gorges, each with their own unique geographical features, Mountains, is wildly popular with hikers, who highly rate are found along the route. Walkers here are well catered this 10-mile, one-way hike for its ever- to, with a convenient “Wanderbus” running on weekends changing terrain, colorful wildflowers, from April through October. The shuttle bus service links chances to swim and availability of drink- up the western trail entrance at Schattenmühle near ing water. They’re also impressed with the Löffingen with the easterly trailhead by the Wutachmühle final destination: a coastal village that can’t iStock near Döggingen. Online: wutachschlucht.de be reached by any road. Upon completion The Samaria Gorge in Crete is a 10­mile downhill trip. Spain: The famous El Caminito del Rey footpath is only of the downhill hike, walkers can enjoy about 15 miles north of Malaga city, but another world time on the beach before boarding a ferry. Germany’s Allgäu region. The deepest rock canyon in entirely. This cliffside path running high above the waters Karen As taking public transportation to the start- Central Europe beguiles visitors with its rumbling waters of the Guadalhorce River is not recommended for those Bradbury ing point near the village of Omalos is a and interplay of dark and light, warm and cool. Easily who suffer from vertigo. The original path built in 1905 complicated proposition, many elect to accessible, secured paths make the experience suitable had fallen into such disrepair that it was closed to the experience the hike as part of a guided tour. The hike can for almost all ability levels. Visits to the gorge are also public in the 1980s, but as of 2015, walkers can enjoy this be completed from May to October. Entry to the gorge possible during the winter months, when massive icicles scary but safe trail through the El Chorro Gorge. The costs 5 euros. Online: tinyurl.com/wmmadxc and frozen waterfalls create a fairy-tale ambiance. The mandatory ticket, purchasable online in advance for 10 France: The Verdon Gorge in the Provence-Alpes-Côte walk is generally accessible from either of its ends, which euros, helps authorities to control walker numbers. On- d’Azur region of southeastern France has a unique defin- are in Tiefenbach and Kleinwalsertal, but in keeping with line: tinyurl.com/2fvvjrnj ing feature: mineral-rich waters in a stunning shade of present coronavirus control measures, the walk must be Switzerland: The Aareschlucht is found in the Berner green. The 15-mile canyon between the towns of Castel- started in Tiefenbach, and online ticket booking in ad- Oberland, roughly in the middle of the country, between lane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie features limestone walls vance is essential. Adult tickets go for 6.50 euros. Online: the towns of Meiringen and Innertkirchen. The country’s rising some 2,300 feet above the riverbed. Most hikers breitachklamm.com most visited gorge is some 600 feet deep and 40 inches elect to pass along the Blanc-Martel trail, accessible from The Partnachklamm in Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers wide at its narrowest point. An easy, milelong trail runs the village of Rougon. Hiking season runs from April to sensory overload in the form of sheer rock faces, dark alongside the opaque waters of the Aare River. The at- mid-November. Rock climbing and kayaking are alterna- tunnels and the sound of water rushing by at a furious traction is open from April through October, and costs 10 tive ways in which to absorb the area’s stunning sur- pace. The trail is presently walkable only in one direction, Swiss Francs to enter. On Friday and Saturday evenings roundings. Online: tinyurl.com/nm4bhx4v and upon approaching its southern exit, one must hike in July and August, visitors can experience mystical illu- Germany: The Breitachklamm in Oberstdorf counts back by way of the Vordergraseck, a fairly challenging minations, an Alpine buffet and folk music in the Aa- among one of the most popular attractions in southern climb that passes by the Partnachalm. During the winter reschlucht restaurant. Online: aareschlucht.ch/en Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 25 WEEKEND: TRAVEL Nothing to see here As tourists return to Europe, some destinations are seeking ways to discourage inclusion on itineraries

BY RICK NOACK The Washington Post n one of Europe’s most picturesque national parks, officials have embraced a surprising goal: They want to make the site appear less stunning. I Standing next to wind-bent pine trees reflected in the turquoise water of the Mediterranean on a recent day, Calanques National Park ranger Alain Vincent did his best to talk the place down. There are too many people and no trash cans, he said, indicating the beach packed with swimmers and sunbathers taking selfies with their dogs. Every beautiful photo of this bay, Vincent said dis- PHOTOS BY SANDRA MEHL/The Washington Post approvingly, is one too many. People rest on a beach June 12 in the National Park of Calanques, France. As tourists return to Europe, the popular As tourism professionals around the world eagerly destination is trying to market itself in such a way as to make it look less appealing to try to limit the number of visitors. await the return of visitors, Calanques, in southern France, has a different message: Please, most of you, stay Jeroen Klijs, a professor at Breda University of Applied away. Sciences researching the social impacts of tourism. “It’s Except during lockdowns, the coronavirus pandemic almost like revenge tourism — people want to get their did not stop people from coming here; in fact, restrictions holidays back.” on foreign travel prompted a surge of domestic arrivals. Jan van der Borg, a tourism management and applied The park’s caretakers say the burgeoning crowds, on the economics researcher affiliated with multiple institutions, beaches and in the water, threaten the site’s sensitive said that major tourist draws such as Venice and Prague biological equilibrium. have largely failed to recognize the pandemic as an op- In response, they have forged ahead with an initiative portunity for more sustainable models. Cruise ships have that many other European destinations considered before returned to Venice, Prague’s notorious bar crawls are the pandemic but few acted on: a “de-marketing” cam- back, and budget airlines have resumed touting deals. paign aimed at reducing the number of visitors the park “I’m quite disappointed,” van der Borg said. attracts. Still, while many hotel and restaurant owners would be To that end, officials have begun asking Instagram pleased to see a surge in arrivals, tourists may meet more influencers to take down photos of Calanques’ pictur- local resistance than in the past. esque bays. The park’s website advises that the water is As Venice’s canals emptied of traffic, encouraging often cold and the beaches are “difficult to access, dolphins to return, and the streets of Amsterdam were A beach in the National Park of Calanques on June 12 cramped and invaded by crowds.” Upon arrival, visitors reclaimed by locals last year, many wondered what it is crowded with people soaking up the sun. Park rangers may soon face a ticketing system. would take for it to stay that way. say tourists are to blame for the erosion of soil and the The changes will likely please locals and some of the “Suddenly, residents meet again on the street, drink a loss of pine trees in the park. rangers, who have long wanted to see nature lovers rather cup of coffee together on the sidewalk,” Amsterdam resi- than swimmers and yachtsmen, more people who are dents wrote in a petition last summer for a ban on holiday visitors and allow them to have a better experience. Some mindful of biodiversity and fewer binge drinkers, more rentals and other measures. “It’s actually bizarre that may discover new areas, such as the hilltop offering a who are interested in the growth patterns of pine trees these normal neighborhood scenes feel strange.” panoramic — and peaceful — view of the white rocks, and fewer who want to jump off tree branches into the In Venice last week, authorities launched a competition steep cliffs and green trees below. sea. for ideas on how to keep cruise ships and other large The beach was “beautiful,” said Yasmine Bounguab, “It is, in some ways, a pioneering effort,” said Jürgen vessels away from the historical city center, after years of 24, while leaning against a rock with a friend. But the Schmude, a researcher at the University of Munich. “Oth- complaints that the ships are damaging the foundations of crowds were too much for them. er destinations have to get there, too.” buildings. UNESCO recently said Venice may be put on “We had to go somewhere else,” she said. As the world’s top international tourism destination, its list of endangered world heritage sites unless action is For Schmude, the University of Munich researcher, the France has in recent months prioritized such moves to taken. most promising trend in efforts to combat overtourism balance a recovery of the industry with strides toward In Calanques, Vincent, the ranger, can spot the impact may be a change in consumer behavior. “A part of the greater sustainability. In parts of southern France, for of overtourism from miles away. From a hilltop over- population will travel more consciously,” he said, pre- example, a popular GPS navigation software has been looking the national park, he pointed to a bay below that dicting fewer plane journeys and higher ticket prices as a programmed to suggest alternatives to overcrowded top was once encircled by dense stands of pines. result. destinations. “The pine trees gradually disappear. There are almost Klijs, the Dutch researcher, agreed that after an initial “The crisis has certainly accelerated the thought proc- none left,” he said, blaming erosion caused by visitors. period of what he called revenge tourism, questions ess,” France’s junior minister in charge of tourism, Jean- “The destruction of the natural habitats can be irre- raised during the pandemic could prompt a rethink. But Baptiste Lemoyne, said in an interview. The pandemic versible,” cautioned Zacharie Bruyas, who is responsible he warned that leaving the debate up to consumers and has caused “a lot of distress,” he said. “But this is also a for the park’s communications. the tourism industry will not be sufficient. moment of reinvention — we must not miss out on it.” Calanques has long attracted visitors, though historical- Government officials should embrace this moment to Experts worry, however, that despite the changes un- ly on a more manageable scale. But as the nearby city of “get people to reconsider,” he said. derway in southern France and other places, some of the Marseille became increasingly popular in recent years, Calanques National Park may serve as an example that European destinations most affected by overtourism are the park saw visitor numbers rise, too. Widely shared change is possible — but it won’t happen overnight. As lagging behind. They say that barring a major resurgence posts on social media drew more. Vincent and his colleagues move around the park by of the coronavirus, overcrowding could again become a Laurent Lhardit, Marseille’s deputy mayor for the speedboat or car, they encounter rule violators wherever problem on the continent as early as this summer, as economy, described the influx of tourists last year as they look, from parking offenders to fishermen threat- Europeans embark on annual vacations and vaccinated close to an “explosion,” overwhelming the city and the ening them with violence. Americans are welcomed. adjacent national park. “It takes time,” he said. “What’s needed is a change of “Many people can’t wait to get on a plane again,” said Officials hope that better crowd control will also benefit mind-set.” PAGE 26 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WEEKEND: FOOD & DINING

Herbaceous sauce redefines pesto

BY CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL Associated Press All pestos are not created equal. For many Amer- icans, the term brings to mind some version of pesto Genovese, with its copious basil, cheese and pine nuts traditionally mashed together with a mortar and pestle. But the word derives merely from the Italian for “to pound or crush,” which opens up possibilities for numerous flavor combinations. We were inspired by one version of pesto we saw in “Autentico” by Rolando Beramendi. This Tuscan cook combines bitter herbs and greens with garlic and marinated artichoke hearts into a vegan sauce that pairs beautifully with chunky pasta shapes such as fusilli. For this recipe from Milk Street’s book “COOK- ish,” which limits recipes to just six ingredients without sacrificing flavor, we rely on arugula for a backdrop of pepperiness, tempered by grassy par- sley. We preferred neutral oil blended into the sauce because its flavor doesn’t compete with the other ingredients, but we drizzle on extra-virgin olive oil just before serving. Either canned or mar- PHOTOS BY DAVID EDGE/Stars and Stripes inated artichoke hearts work well. The Plato La Habana appetizer platter at Havana Restaurant in Wiesbaden includes shrimp, calamari, chicken skewers, Be careful to start pulsing the ingredients slowly potato wedges, mozzarella sticks and more. Some items didn’t shout Latin America, but everything was good. in the food processor or blender. Otherwise you’ll overwork the herbs and the heat will diminish their flavor. Fusilli with fresh herbs and artichokes Ingredients A mixed experience 3 cups lightly packed baby arugula or baby wa- tercress 1½ cups lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley Appetizers, drinks make up for a disappointing dinner at 4 scallions, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons fresh marjoram or fresh oregano 2 marinated artichoke hearts, quartered, plus Wiesbaden’s Latin American-inspired Havana Restaurant chopped marinated artichoke hearts to serve 6 tablespoons neutral oil BY DAVID EDGE Havana Restaurant Kosher salt and ground black pepper Stars and Stripes AFTER 1 pound fusilli or cavatappi or gemelli pasta he various cuisines of Latin and Cocktail Bar Extra-virgin olive oil, to serve America hold a very special HOURS Address: Sonnenberger Strasse 32 65193 Directions place in my heart. GERMANY Wiesbaden In a blender or food processor, combine the arug- Cuban, Puerto Rican and Hours: Monday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to ula, parsley, scallions, marjoram, artichokes, neu- T 12:15 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to Mexican food all have their differ- tral oil, ¼ cup water, 1 teaspoon salt and ¾ teaspoon ences, even within their own coun- 1:15 a.m.; closed on Sundays; delivery pepper. Puree until smooth; transfer to a large tries. You’ll find food that is earthy, from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Times may bowl. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted change with pandemic restrictions. spicy and fruity — sometimes all at water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup cooking water, Prices: About 10 to 20 euros for most once — and when done right, it’s meals. then drain. Add the pasta and ¼ cup cooking water some of the best food there is. Menu: German and English. to the pesto; toss, adding more cooking water to Is that possible in Germany? I plan Information: Phone: 0611-599-0266; thin. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped to find out. A good mole, mofongo or Online: havana-restaurant.de with chopped artichokes and drizzled with olive oil. arroz con pollo is as comforting as a David Edge Optional garnishes: toasted sliced almonds or hug from my grandmother. So I was shaved pecorino Romano cheese or lemon wedges very excited to try Havana Restau- while the cream sauce was a little or toasted breadcrumbs. rant and Cocktail Bar. weird and off-putting. Serves 4 to 6. The restaurant is on the bottom The arroz con pollo came with rice, floor of an apartment building and Havana Restaurant’s arroz con pollo, chicken fillets, leeks, bell peppers, MILK STREET/AP located across the street from the left, and a rolla a la abuela, a fried broccoli, kidney beans, bean sprouts, Aukammtal park in Wiesbaden. burrito. The Wiesbaden restaurant sour cream and chili sauce. It con- The restaurant layout is L-shaped, serves food inspired by multiple Latin fused me when I saw it, because it with most of the seating toward the American countries. looked nothing like any arroz con back of the restaurant, and the bar at pollo that I have ever had. the front. The interior was a little cream. Some of those things don’t It smelled great, though. If they dark, but the seating at the front had exactly shout Cuba. But there was would have called it a Mexican stir huge bay windows. enough food on that plate to be a fry, I would have been okay with it. It The menu has more than 20 appe- main course for two, and it was all was tasty for the most part, but I just tizers and 40 main courses, and the good. couldn’t get past the broccoli and drinks come from all over Latin The main course is when things bean sprouts. America. started to go sideways. My friend Havana’s prices are decent and the To start, we ordered the Plato la ordered the rolla a la abuela, basical- English-speaking wait staff was Habana for two. The dish came with ly a fried burrito with ground beef, friendly. With that in mind, I’d come shrimp, calamari, chicken skewers, sweet corn, onions, potatoes, kidney back for drinks and appetizers, but potato wedges, fried mozzarella beans, tomatoes, chili sauce and a not for dinner. sticks, stuffed olives, pepperoncini, Cuban cream sauce. The ground beef [email protected]  feta cheese, guacamole and sour tasted like it had no seasoning on it, Twitter: @DavidEdge96798393 Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 27 WEEKEND: QUICK TRIPS Adventure on a Jurassic scale ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure near RAF Lakenheath offers tons of family-friendly fun

BY KYLE ALVAREZ Stars and Stripes fter more than a year of distance from others, it was nice to hear kids Alaughing on a recent trip to the ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure theme park, about an hour’s drive northeast of RAF Lakenheath. I could also see in my 3-year- old’s eyes a sense of wonder, as this was the first time she had seen so many children playing in one place. There was a skip in her step as she saw kids whizzing by in excitement to climb the many slides, swings and rope bridges in the Outdoor Adventure Play area. For me, it was the first time I’d seen this sense of normalcy in Britain since arriving in the midst of the pandemic. Our first stop was The Explor- ers, a steampunk-themed restau- rant based on the Jules Verne adventure story “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” with copper pipes and pulleys decorating its walls. It offers the usual park foods: sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips and cold sodas. It was good, quality food with- out the price gouging I normally expect from theme park dining. Pro tip: arrive early for the res- PHOTOS BY KYLE ALVAREZ/Stars and Stripes taurant because the line forms A dilophosaurus statue is on display at ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure theme park in Lenwade, England. quickly. The park features sever- al other eateries, but we noticed that many families brought picnic lunches. The weather was too chilly for the Splash Zone water park, and the fact that my daughter is a toddler and my wife is seven months pregnant ruled out any chance we’d get to enjoy the more adventuresome attractions, such as Predator! High Ropes. The ropes course is billed on the park’s website as East Anglia’s largest and the first in the world with parallel “sky rail” zip lines. With adrenaline-seeking out, ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure theme park, located about an hour from my daughter got a thrill from our RAF Lakenheath, allows visitors to bring their own food and eat in the visit to the Secret Animal Garden, designated picnic areas. The park also has a variety of restaurants. where she saw chickens, some adorable guinea pigs, a ridicu- In all, we walked a total of On the QT lously large turkey, bunnies, about 2 miles and took in the wallabies, large pigs, donkeys entire park. We also enjoyed the Address: Wenston Park, Lenwade, and ducks. She was giddy at the indoor play areas. NR9 5JW sight of each animal and called My daughter’s favorite parts Hours: Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. out the names of the ones she were the X-Tinction Fossil Dig — Costs: 16.95 pounds for a standard ticket. Children under 90 cm free, knew. essentially a large sandbox where registered disabled person or caregiver We then strolled through two of kids can unearth simulated fossils 8.48 pounds. the main hiking trails that show- — and the Jurassic Putt mini-golf. Food: Several restaurants, open from case different prehistoric eras, As with most theme parks, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with two exceptions. the aptly named Neanderthal visitors spend a lot of time on The Explorers is open weekends and Walk and the meandering Dino- their feet. Comfortable shoes, holidays 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and Nautilus saur Trail. They both featured some weather preparation and a Fish and Chips is open weekdays from large statues of the many ancient little planning — especially if you 12 p.m.-3 p.m. and weekends from 11 beasts. I learned a thing or 10 have young children — should a.m.-4 p.m. from the signs next to the tower- make this a fun day outing for Information: Online: roarrdinosaurad- venture.co.uk; Phone: +44 01603 ing creatures, since I haven’t families. Penelope Alvarez uses a brush to move sand in an attempt to find 876310. brushed up on dinosaur knowl- [email protected] more dinosaur bones in the X­Tinction Fossil Dig attraction. The park edge since middle school. Twitter: @Kal2931 Kyle Alvarez offers a variety of interactive educational attractions for children. PAGE 28 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WEEKEND: FOOD & DINING Coffee with local flavor Starbucks pays homage to each of Japan’s prefectures with 47 distinct Frappuccinos using local ingredients

BY ERICA EARL Stars and Stripes AFTER o celebrate its 25th anniversary in Japan, HOURS coffee giant Starbucks JAPAN Thas released 47 new “jimoto,” or local, Frappuccino flavors that pay homage to every Starbucks’ Jimoto one of the country’s prefectures. Each of these sweet, coffee- Frappuccinos based blended drinks will be Locations: Unique flavors can be available only in the prefecture found at Starbucks locations in all 47 JONATHAN SNYDER/Stars and Stripes they represent, so you’ll have to of Japan’s prefectures. To celebrate its 25th anniversary in Japan, coffee giant Starbucks has released 47 new Frappuccino travel around the country to try Hours: Most shops are open daily from flavors that pay homage to every one of the country’s prefectures. all 47. They cost 669 yen, or about 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. $6, for a 12-ounce portion, and will Prices: About $6 for a 12-ounce serving be available until Aug. 3. Dress: Casual The beverages feature ingre- Information: Online: www.star- dients special to their prefectures. bucks.co.jp/cafe/jimoto_frappuccino For example, Starbucks shops in Erica Earl Hokkaido are offering the Creamy Corn Frappuccino. People in the nation’s capital, blend the citrus drizzle into this including those stationed at Yoko- vanilla-flavored beverage, but the ta Air Base in the prefecture’s taste is rewarding once every- western suburbs, can try the thing is combined. It also contains Tokyo Coffee Jelly and Caramel a butterfly pea tea syrup that adds Frappuccino. Jelly or tapioca to the citrus flavor. pearls are popular additions to Yamaguchi prefecture, home to coffees and teas in Japan and Marine Corps Air Station Iwaku- other Asian countries. ni, is offering the Sesame Matcha The coffee jelly is the center of Frappuccino, and uses black MATTHEW M. BURKE/Stars and Stripes DANIEL BETANCOURT/Stars and Stripes this drink, with nearly every sip sesame and green tea to somehow The Okinawa Chinsuko Vanilla The Kanagawa Summer Blue containing some. I think it’s an represent the way the prefecture JONATHAN SNYDER/Stars and Stripes Caramel Frappuccino includes a Cream Frappuccino from enjoyable sensation, like eating connects Honshu and Kyushu The Setouchi Lemon and Citrus traditional shortbread­like Starbucks in Japan represents and drinking a treat simultane- islands. Frappuccino has a soft pink color cookie, called a chinsuko, that’s the Pacific Ocean and the ously, but it can be a bit of an The drink for nearby Hiroshi- that promotes peace and love. popular on the southern island. region’s many trading ports. acquired taste to people who are ma prefecture, dubbed the Set- not already a fan of jelly drinks or ouchi Lemon and Citrus Frappuc- freshing choice for the summer Frappuccino, which pays homage chinsuko. Reporter Matthew M. boba teas. cino, has a soft pink color that heat that boasts a pleasant bal- to the prefecture being the coun- Burke, based out of Camp Foster, The flavor for nearby Kanaga- promotes peace and love, accord- ance of sweet and tangy flavors. try’s No. 1 apple producer. said it has a nice cookie-dough wa prefecture — home to several ing to the Starbucks Japan web- Shops in Nagasaki prefecture, The Okinawa Chinsuko Vanilla taste and is very filling. U.S. military bases — is the photo- site, which suggests that people home to Sasebo Naval Base, are Caramel Frappuccino includes a Japan’s first Starbucks opened genic Kanagawa Summer Blue sip on it while visiting the Atomic offering the Castella Coffee and traditional shortbread-like coo- in Tokyo’s fashionable Ginza Cream Frappuccino. Its bright Bomb Dome or the Hiroshima Cream Frappuccino. Castella is a kie, called a chinsuko, that’s pop- district in 1996. Since then, it has blue colors represent the Pacific Peace Memorial. popular cake introduced by Por- ular in the southern island prefec- expanded to more than 1,000 Ocean and the region’s many Hiroshima is famous for lem- tuguese traders during the Edo ture. locations across the country, trading ports. ons, and other ingredients include period. This drink also uses white This sweet and salty treat uses including a reserve roastery in Stars and Stripes reporter Da- passion fruit tea and sweet chocolate, milk and honey. a vanilla base and caramel sauce, Tokyo and an Edo-style storefront niel Betancourt, who works out of whipped honey. Reporter Jo- People in Aomori prefecture, with chinsuko blended into the in the historic city of Kawagoe.

Yokosuka Naval Base, said it nathan Snyder, based at MCAS home to Misawa Air Base, can try beverage. It’s topped with [email protected] takes some vigorous mixing to Iwakuni, said the drink is a re- the Buzzing Apple Strawberry whipped cream and crumbled Twitter: @ThisEarlGirl Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 29 WEEKEND: TRAVEL The Instagram vs. reality of #vanlife One woman discovers the truth about traveling through Maui in a camper van

BY NATALIE B. COMPTON The Washington Post ou may have heard that the country is facing a rental car shortage. It’s driving travelers into desperation, with some people paying exorbitant rates for standard reservations or booking U-Hauls as a last resort. It drove me to sleep in a van. Y I’ll back up. A month out from a trip to Maui, I was combing through the dregs of Airbnb trying to find locally owned accommodations in my budget. My options weren’t great. With tourism surging in Hawaii, rental car prices and hotels rates were exorbitant. In between listings for camping equipment and dark studios near the airport, I spotted a big, white Chevrolet Astro from the 1990s, outfitted with a bed and some drawers. For $149 a night, plus an insurance day rate of $16, I could have a bed to sleep in and a car to drive, all in one. Con- vinced this was a great way to explore #vanlife with no real research, I booked the Astro for the last two nights of my trip. The expectation was to have an Instagram-worthy, remote-work experience meandering around Maui in my van — parking by the ocean for a swim, exploring off-the-beaten-path parts of the island. My reality was not that.

Expectation: #VanLife will be rejuvenating. Reality: #VanLife is only good with air conditioning. After nearly a week of staying in a brick-and-mortar accommodation, I was full of excitement and hope on my way to pick up my van. I pictured myself driving around Maui, all of my belongings in tow, working efficiently from my home/ride with the wind in my hair. I would have wind in my hair, all right. In the first mo- ments in the van, I discovered it did not have air condition- ing. (Not to mention the van died right away, but we will get to this later). The van was obviously built to have such a feature; I could see the knobs and vents in place, but they didn’t work. “Imagine watching the sunrise from the comfort of a queen-size memory foam bed, enveloped by sounds of the ocean and cooled by a warm Maui breeze,” I remember the Airbnb listing had described, not realizing that meant no air conditioning. A surprise to no one who has ever been in a hot car dur- ing the summer — let alone a summer in a tropical climate — the breeze was not enough to cool me down. By day, I felt like a wet dog sweating through my clothes. I would show up to places drenched, having just baked in the scorching sun on my drive over. I used what- ever I had on hand to wipe the torrential downpour from my face, i.e. one of my (clean) socks from my luggage. RYAN SIPHERS/For The Washington Post By night, with the windows and doors sealed for protec- Reporter Natalie B. Compton tests out the van life in Maui and learns a few things along the way. tion from people and bugs, the wet-dog feeling continued. The van came with a few small fans that I held centim- asleep in all of my clothes before I could muster up the our days. eters from my head until I remembered that I was a wom- energy to get back in the driver’s seat. The van was functional the rest of the trip, thankfully. an sleeping alone in a van. I worried the hum of the fans By the second day, I had done more homework on But my time in it was not smooth sailing. While the van would drown out the footsteps of the people who would where I could park to sleep and found a campsite for the drove easy and had plenty of space for all of your travel inevitably come to murder me, so the fans were out. I night. Camp Olowalu was near, but not on, the ocean, and gear, trying to sleep and work in it came with many tiny poured water on one of my shirts and put the wet cloth it had showers, bathrooms, a coffee shop and a gated pe- hassles that added up. over my head, which provided enough relief to fall asleep. rimeter, which felt safer than just being out in the woods. I For example, I had to crouch and creep around while Lesson learned: Know exactly what amenities you will was just happy it was legal. inside to get dressed, find my things and get ready for bed. have in your van. Does it have air conditioning? Flash- I parked my Astro and admired all of the surrounding To get my pants on, I had to lay flat on the bed or stand lights? Automatic transmission? Find out crucial essentials van campers and felt safer having them around. They outside (pending no one was around to watch). The van looked like they were doing it right, with tents on top of was a cavernous space without a ton of light, so even dur- beforehand. their vans and camping chairs and friends to share the ing the day I struggled to locate my belongings. Expectation: I can improvise a van trip. experience. They had planned for this and appeared to be Lesson learned: Be prepared to improvise. Traveling in Reality: You need to plan van camping in advance. having a better time accordingly. Like the night before, I a van — like any kind of travel — is unpredictable. Find Before my trip, my Airbnb host told me that it was fine was too tired to reflect much on my day, my shortcomings out if you have help like roadside assistance to save the to park along the ocean where I had seen plenty of other as a van camper or how hot I would be with just a few day in times of need. campers and van dwellers post up. But the more people I windows cracked. I fell into a hard sleep, once again fully Throughout my days in the van, I tried to appreciate the talked to on the island, the more I learned that such camp- clothed. palm trees, the sound of the ocean waves crashing in the ing is not legal — it’s just something people get away with Lesson learned: Before your trip, make sure you have a distance and the wild chickens roaming the campground. I regularly. legal, safe place to park your van, or at least a game plan in did, sometimes, but I mostly focused on trying not to waste I had to figure out where to park the van to sleep on the more time and energy. mind. fly. By the time I rolled into the parking lot to drop off the The first night, I parked on a friend’s jungle property, an Expectation: Camping in a van will make life easier. van, I was in worse shape than when I had picked it up. I incredibly lucky last-minute option. As previously men- Reality: Camping in a van will not make life easier. had slept poorly, and my body was heavy with stress. I tioned, it turned out to be scarier than expected (and I An hour into my van adventure, I went to start the car — didn’t feel like I’d gotten a taste of van camping; I felt like I slept at a haunted house alone last year). I kept peering it would not. The battery was dead, and I felt like a failure. had road-tested a reality where I was locked out of my out the window to see if anyone was coming. There wasn’t. I texted the Airbnb owner who happened to be nearby, house for a few days but still needed to work. The van was facing tall grass at the edge of the property, and he quickly came to rescue me and give the van a jump. The van trip wasn’t exactly a success, but it did remind and I wondered if I needed to turn it around and face the He didn’t know if he left a light on when he dropped the me of an important lesson in travel and in life: Don’t be- exit in case I had to spring into action to drive away. My van off or if I didn’t shut a door hard enough or what. Ei- lieve everything you see on social media. Not all #vanlife fear was not enough to overcome my exhaustion, and I fell ther way, the mechanical hiccup took time out of both of posts tell the whole story. PAGE 30 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WEEKEND: LIFESTYLE Swamped by save-the-dates A summer packed with weddings, some postponed from 2020, is taxing guests physically, mentally and financially

BY ASHLEY FETTERS Cincinnati and Bloomington, Ind. (where ding could turn into a superspreader them the following Monday: “Rent the The Washington Post he and a number of his friends went to event — and Regina Santos, who attend- Runway is the only thing getting me y the first of July, Matt Tress- college) to arrive in time for wedding ed her first of eight 2021 weddings in through this summer.” lar had already been to three festivities on Saturday. June, spent the next few days wondering Guests aren’t the only ones feeling bachelor-party weekends and Tresslar describes himself as a “pretty if her headache was from exhaustion or overwhelmed under the deluge of wed- Bthree weddings this summer, energetic” guy, “and I feel like that’s COVID-19. dings this year; vendors, too — many of and to ask him about it is like interview- why I get invited to a lot of these wed- Santos, a 29-year-old from Philadel- whom had to downsize their businesses ing a sweaty, winded NBA player at dings,” he says. phia, has been vaccinated since April, during the pandemic — are finding their halftime as he heads for the locker room. “I tell my friends, ‘I’m like a jack-in- but “I still have the fear of ‘OK, if I take resources and personnel stretched thin. He’s 29, lives in Louisville and has just a the-box. Everyone just winds me up and off my mask and I don’t know who’s Zoe Gallina, creative director of the few free weekends to catch his breath they expect me to explode.’ But it’s get- vaccinated in this group ...’” she says. Tampa, Fla.-based floral design compa- before going to seven more weddings ting tough,” he says. “The fear is still there, to be honest.” ny Botanica International, had to let go of between late July and October. With the physical exhaustion of trav- For many, the hardest part has been some freelance workers during the pan- After the last bachelor party, “I texted eling, showing up and sustaining the the expenses. demic, and lost much of her reliable my friends and I was like, ‘After last celebratory gusto comes an array of Santos, the founder of a beauty-tech seasonal help when local college kids year, where I was desperate for social constant mental reminders: Whose wed- company, is limiting herself to four new went home to their families. Not only are events, I said I would never complain ding is it this weekend? Who will be dresses that she’ll wear twice each. postponed and normally scheduled wed- about being too social,’” he says. “But I there? Which suit should he wear? Clark, who will travel to San Diego, dings causing a traffic jam of demand, was getting close.” “I’m trying to rotate South Dakota and Wis- but newly engaged couples who have Tresslar hasn’t seen the front of his them and make sure, consin for weddings waited to plan their weddings are start- fridge for months. It’s papered over in you know, my ... people “It kind of feels this year, says he and ing to call. save-the-dates and wedding invitations, won’t have all seen me his girlfriend “are just “We’re getting such an influx of new as well as change-the dates — a uniquely in the same one,” he like your whole racking up credit-card inquiries, we’ve started to have to raise pandemic-era artifact, born of necessity says with a laugh. debt to just book all our minimums because we’re trying to after nearly a year’s worth of weddings Cody Clark, a 28- summer is these flights and hotels manage ourselves,” Gallina says. Botan- were postponed from 2020 to 2021. Three year-old who lives in in advance so we can ica still isn’t back to 100% of its pre-2020 of Tresslar’s 10 invites (yes, 10) are to Chicago, also has 10 spoken for.” get the best price.” capability, “and we have to be more weddings he was supposed to have at- weddings on his calen- Clark donated several selective, because we don’t want to burn tended a year ago. dar for 2021, half of Cody Clark, 28 items from his profes- ourselves out.” As guests everywhere stare down a which were resche- Chicago sional wardrobe to Over the next few months, moderation summer that’s jam-packed with, essen- duled from last year. charity last year while will be key for the overly scheduled tially, two years’ worth of weddings, on For Clark, a management consultant he worked from home; after gaining wedding guest: Santos will be refraining one hand, they feel grateful: grateful to who’s been working from home during what he calls the “quarantine 15, or 20,” from buying new dresses; Star will dili- be traveling again, seeing friends, danc- the pandemic, the seemingly endless he also had to restock his nicer clothes gently wear flats to every occasion she ing, drinking with others instead of cycle of getting his dress clothes laun- when the invitations began rolling in. can, protecting her feet from long-term drinking alone, grateful to be out of the dered before he packs them into a suit- Tresslar, meanwhile, has stopped distress. Tresslar has adopted a border- house at all. On the other hand, they also case once again reminds him of being on looking at his credit card statements. line-religious regimen of getting an exer- describe a creeping sense of wedding the road for work. He’s thankful his job affords him free cise run in every day to keep his energy fatigue — they feel physically exhausted, “It’s not fun or ideal,” he says, but at gas for his car. But that didn’t help much levels from flagging. mentally taxed and financially strained. least he’s used to it. when, as best man for a wedding later Still, for the unmarried among them, For Tresslar, it’s a summer marathon Clark and his girlfriend, both from this summer, he had to foot the bill for an the 2021 wedding season has imparted its of trying to stay peppy and personable. Minnesota, sometimes get wistful about entire bachelor party and wait for the fair share of lessons. During the week, he works as an outside the cabin weekends and family visits other groomsmen to pay him back. Tresslar, for one, says when he gets salesman for a building-materials distri- they’re missing out on. Rachel Star is 28, and by the end of married, he’ll make sure to pick a loca- bution company — a high-energy job in “It kind of feels like your whole sum- October she will have attended eight tion that’s convenient for the majority of its own right, and on weeks when he’s mer is spoken for,” he said. (Clark spoke weddings, none of which are near her his guests. Star, meanwhile, may just opt working between weddings, he can’t just to The Post early on a Friday morning, home in San Francisco. A venture-cap- out of the vaunted tradition of a big, call in and say he’s recovering from still groggy from a delayed late-night ital investor and a former consultant, blown-out wedding day. having raged too hard. flight. He’d flown home to Minnesota for Star is grateful that her years of trav- Whenever it happens, she says, “I’m Plus, “I don’t have enough vacation — what else? — a friend’s Friday-eve- eling have resulted in enough airline like, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we just got days to take a day off before all of them,” ning nuptials.) points to get her to weddings on both some friends together in the backyard Tresslar says. So he’s been working on For some, of course, the mental bur- coasts and in the Midwest. But as for and called it a day?’” Fridays and den of frequent wedding attendance wardrobe, she says, she’ll be rely- driving on comes after the event. Though ing on clothing-rental Friday nights the pandemic has services, picking up ILLUSTRATION BY NOGA AMI­RAV to places like slowed in some parts dresses to wear on Stars and Stripes; iStock photos Indianapolis, of the country, a wed- Fridays and returning Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 31 WEEKEND: BOOKS Writing in plane sight Novel ‘Falling,’ written by flight attendant while on duty, provides air travel nightmare fuel just as post-pandemic tourism heats up

BY CHRISTOPHER BORRELLI no one. Even when book deal Chicago Tribune broke, a lot of reaction was ‘Con- T.J. Newman spent four years gratulations! Wait, you wrote a in Illinois going about her busi- book?” Nobody knew. I felt like ness in the most benign way such a failure the first time imaginable — studying musical around in New York, I thought I theater, surrounded by Central used up my personal quota of Illinois farmland. And now, risk. thanks to T.J. Newman, and the Was there an incident that led pandemic, and general anxiety, to the plot of the book? but mostly T.J. Newman: no There was a moment. I was thank you, I don’t feel like flying. working a red-eye, Los Angeles Pop culture offers no shortage of to New York, and I’m standing at reasons to avoid commercial the front of the aircraft and look- airlines. Snakes on a plane. ing out at the cabin of passen- Bombs on plane. Leslie Nielsen gers, who are all asleep. It’s dark, on a plane. Planes vanish. Planes it’s cold, it’s quiet. I had this crash into mountains and the thought that their lives, my life, survivors eat one another. the lives of my crew mates, we Flying, who needs it, right? were all in the hands of this pilot, The delirious thing about (whose initials stand for Torri but then the flip side: With that “Falling,” Newman’s debut nov- Jan) from her home in Arizona. much power and responsibility, el, out now, just in time for beach The following is a brief version of how vulnerable does that make a blankets, is how it brushes past a longer chat, edited for clarity pilot? I couldn’t shake that. Over those scenarios to come up with and length. the next few days it began to an entirely fresh hell. Just when Chicago Tribune: You were a solidify into a scenario. One day you thought it was safe to go back theater major? when I was working a different into an airplane, she writes a Newman: Musical theater, at trip I just threw out to the captain novel about a commercial pilot in Illinois Wesleyan University. I — “What would you do if your a completely unwinnable night- loved it, it made me happy, be- family was kidnapped and you mare situation: Soon after taking cause my imagination was going were told if you didn’t crash the off on another routine flight, full tilt all the time, and singing plane, they would be killed?” someone kidnaps the pilot’s wife and acting had been the way to You asked this out of the blue? and children and (unbeknown to express it when I was going up. Out of the blue. And the look passengers and crew) gives him But pursuing that professionally? on his face terrified me. I knew an option — crash the plane After graduation, I moved to New he didn’t have an answer. That’s Melissa Young before it arrives in New York, kill York and tried it as a career for a when I knew I had my first book, T.J. Newman’s “what ifs” while working as a flight attendant led to her everyone on board or we will few years, which was nothing but that spark. And so, I just got to idea for the plot of the novel “Falling.” murder your family. a total failure. A lot of closed work. If that sounds like a thriller doors and no’s. I had considered OK, but what an unnerving the coffee pot. Nothing to see But how do you waterproof a waiting to happen, well: Uni- going to Chicago first — after thing to hear, from a here! Again, that was mostly plot like that? Part of the fun of versal already bought the rights Wesleyan, you either went to passenger’s standpoint, that this driven by not wanting to put it, in a way, is trying to find the and Newman’s book agent is Chicago or New York. Most of is what the flight attendant is myself out there again. Now that fallacy or the hole in the Shane Salerno, himself a success- my friends went into Chicago actually thinking about. the book is public, I do wonder if dastardly scheme. Which is ful screenwriter (“Armageddon,” theater. I chose New York. And I hope it would be reassuring! the pilots I worked with, if pretty hard. the 2000 remake of “Shaft”) who when that didn’t work out, I But I understand. Flight attend- they’re like, “Oh, I see; I thought You go through a lot of revi- landed Newman a two-book, moved back home and lived with ants and pilots are trained to be she was really curious about how sions. When I started, all I had seven-figure deal. Even the my parents in Arizona, in my constantly thinking about what flying works.” I was constantly was the concept. I never plotted blurbs sound more cinematic mid-20s. “What do I do with my can go wrong and what they asking questions to get details it out before I began writing. I than literary: “This is ‘Jaws’ at life?” That kind of thing. Which is would do if it did go wrong. right. started with the scene where the 35,000 feet” (Don Winslow), so fun. That’s when I got a job That’s just good precautionary The book’s villain. Without pilot first learns about his predic- “Like the films ‘Die Hard’ and with a local bookstore in Phoenix thinking. We spent most of our giving much away, he’s ament. Then I kept writing until I ‘Speed’ on steroids” (Library named Changing Hands. It really time studying previous accidents harboring a grudge against the had all the characters and their Journal). felt like coming home. It felt like and incidents to see how it was United States, though in a twist, problems. Which made for a real Now for the scary part: I was returning to my own artis- handled and what went right and his family had been friends with uphill revision process. It wasn’t If “Falling” reads like it was tic center. I got so much rejection what went wrong. What-if scena- the United States. Which sounds waterproof for a while. It took written by someone who knows in New York, it hurt. And it was rios naturally come out of just like a pretty sensitive character like 30 drafts to get there. It’s so their way around an airline and embarrassing, to have friends doing the job. I’ve had people tell to write into a 2021 thriller. plot centered, it was a house of the day-to-day life of flight crews, and family watch you go off and me that (how the characters I can’t give away too much, but cards. You have to make sure that’s because Newman — until meet only failure. respond) helped with their fear these are emphatically not the everything is shored up tightly. the pandemic pushed her into a You had no connections in the of flying. stereotypical terrorists we have There are times I would write out furlough in March 2020 — was a book world. You were writing while flying? seen. I had that in mind while I the entire story beat by beat, then flight attendant herself for more None, no. I had been a reader I worked a lot of red-eyes in was writing. These are not Amer- print it off, cut up the beats and than a decade, with Virgin Atlan- and a writer, but the dream of first class, and I would have the ica’s enemies. These are friends move them around my coffee tic. She wrote the book while her being published became a goal forward galley to myself. So — friends we betrayed. I wrote table like a puzzle, until it made passengers were sleeping. Then only when I started at the store. I while passengers were asleep, I the characters and told the story sense. Which I did several times. she bought a copy of “The Essen- would begin and abandon every wrote. I wrote on the back of the best way I knew how and so I also had trusted pilot friends tial Guide to Getting Your Book story that I started. So I left to be catering bills with hotel pens. I far the book has been published who read drafts — I needed the Published,” and after a lot of a flight attendant. My mom had wrote on napkins and passenger in the UK and Australia, and perspectives from the other side rejection, bingo. Million-dollar been a flight attendant, my sister manifests. I would be standing there have been advance copies of a cabin door. deals later, she’s no longer a was a flight attendant. I knew the there writing longhand and a all over the United States for Any other horrifying flight attendant. benefits. But that’s also when the fellow attendant would walk over months, and the response has commercial flying scenarios I The Chicago Tribune caught pieces fell into place. When I and I would turn over the paper been all positive, because I think should be worried about? up recently with T.J. Newman started writing “Falling,” I told or slip it into a drawer or under people understood what I did. Well, it was a two-book deal. PAGE 32 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WEEKEND: MUSIC Tyler, the

Tyler, the Creator role model? Call Me If You Get Lost (Columbia) take Tyler’s words literally, even if you understood On sincere and ambitious new that they carried real pain. In contrast, here he is at age 30 on “Call Me If You album, rapper comes into his own Get Lost” telling sincere, relatively plainspoken sto- ries about the alienating effects of celebrity and BY MIKAEL WOOD about the pressure to form coherent political Los Angeles Times thoughts and, most vividly, about a furtive roman- little past the halfway mark of Tyler, the tic relationship with the lover of a close friend. Creator’s gripping new album, “Call Me If What’s more, after years of feinting, he’s You Get Lost,” the Los Angeles rapper’s finally taking a clear moral stance: “I’m a bad mom puts in a cameo that threatens to person — like, I’m in the wrong,” he admits in steal the show from her son and his other, “Wilshire,” the album’s stirring emotional cen- fAar more famous guests. terpiece, in which he spends eight minutes sift- Titled “Momma Talk,” the appearance takes the ing through the facts and the self-delusions of shape of a minutelong monologue in which Tyler’s that complicated affair. mother, Bonita Smith, recounts the lengths she Yet “Call Me If You Get Lost” — Tyler’s went to to protect Tyler (whose last name is Okon- seventh LP and the follow-up to 2019’s Gram- ma) when he was a kid growing up in Hawthorne: my-winning “Igor” — isn’t the somber, “I’d kill a motherf— over this one right here,” she stripped-back confessional you might expect; says, pride coursing through her words. “My son it’s not a millennial’s version of Jay-Z’s used to record me beating bitches’ ass.” She runs “4:44,” where hip-hop’s alpha braggart rad- down a partial list of the people she “bossed up” ically toned down his sound to ruminate on on — “teachers, principals, mamas, kids” — his reasons for cheating on his wife, then interrupts herself. Beyonce. “Am I lying?” she asks, to which Tyler re- Hosted, as Tyler puts it, by the ever- sponds in his low, gravelly voice: “You have spirited DJ Drama, “Call Me If You Get no reason to.” Lost” instead aspires to one of rap’s most It’s a striking endorsement of the cold, grandly theatrical traditions: hard truth from an artist who made his the quasi-legal gray-market name with willfully provocative hyper- mixtape — specifically bole. Drama’s beloved “Gangsta Now a well-connected Grillz” series, which in the member of a Black mid-2000s yielded boister- creative vanguard that ous, freewheeling docu- also includes the likes ments by Lil Wayne, Jeezy, of Solange, Donald Pharrell and others. Glover and Issa Rae, Drama threads his signa- Tyler emerged more ture exhortations through- than a decade ago as out the album, alternately the scowling face of hyping Tyler up (“On this Los Angeles’ punk- here stage tonight is some- inspired Odd Future thing legendary,” he bellows collective — a teenage to open “Corso”) and providing Eminem stan whose raw, comic-absurdist detail (“A young rowdy music showcased a rogues’ gal- lady just fed me French vanilla ice lery of unreliable narrators boasting cream,” he notes in “Hot Wind Blows,” about rape and murder. On early records like 2011’s “Goblin” SEE ROLE MODEL ON PAGE 33 and “Wolf,” from 2013, you knew not to

Tyler, the Creator arrives at the BET Awards on June 27 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

JORDAN STRAUSS, INVISION/AP Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 33 WEEKEND: MUSIC

Hiss Golden Modest Mouse Lukas Nelson SOUND ADVICE Messenger The Golden Casket & Promise of Quietly Blowing It (Epic) the Real Uh-oh. It’s not a (Merge) A Few Stars Apart The best way to stream good sign when any M.C. Taylor (Fantasy) band starts refer- music through a stereo sounds gorgeously “Despite all the encing death right despondent at the darkness, we’ll be Q: Apple and Amazon now offer from the jump. outset of his band’s all right,” Lukas lossless streaming, and Spotify will Modest Mouse have placed an open coffin new album, a follow-up to his brilliant Nelson sings on the first track of his new supposedly offer a similar service later on the cover of its latest album and have 2019 record, “Terms of Surrender.” But album. “We’ll Be Alright” sets the tone for this year. What is the best way to play called it “The Golden Casket.” before he’s done he has charted his way, an album that sounds deeply intimate but high­resolution streaming music using a Relax, fans. Inside the 12-track album is musically and lyrically, to a better place. also resonates broadly as a reaction to the traditional stereo system consisting of a a band true to its quirky alt-rock soul and The result is “Quietly Blowing It,” a pandemic’s isolation and upheaval. receiver and floorstanding speakers? For having kooky fun. It might be commercial poignant, often soaring set of anthems for Working for the first time with producer example, I have seen the “BlueSound enough to attract new listeners and yet our times. Dave Cobb, Nelson and the four members Node” highlighted in the media, and I still embrace enough of the bizarre to Hiss Golden Messenger’s previous al- of Promise of the Real lean more toward believe Cambridge Audio offers similar satisfy longtime admirers. If this is a eu- bum set a high standard, and the pandem- country than in the past. The vibe is also devices. I don’t know which devices logy, it’s a terrific one. ic hit while it was still on a victory lap. So more laid back, though the band shows it would be easiest to connect to our In fact, a resigned tranquility runs Taylor, the band’s lead singer and master- can still kick up a ruckus. system or which ones work best. through the band’s first album since 2015. mind, holed up in his house in Durham, That approach highlights more than Ideally, we would like to buy a In the song “Wooden Soldiers,” frontman N.C., and wrote songs. Really good songs. ever how much Lukas sounds like his component that receives its streaming Isaac Brock sings “just being here now is By the time he brought them to the band, father, Willie, from the dry-as-the-Texas- signal over Wi­Fi and then plays it through enough for me” and in “We’re Lucky,” he had the makings of a stunning, richly- plains tone and delivery to the hint of our stereo with great sound quality. We he’s happy to be between the stars and the textured follow-up about navigating vibrato. But “A Few Stars Apart” also currently have an inexpensive Bluetooth seas: “It takes a lifetime to ever figure out through dark times. reaffirms how much he has forged a sub- device that connects to our stereo, but it / That there ain’t no lifetime that is ever None of it comes off as wallowing be- stantial identity of his own. sounds very poor. figured out.” cause the music is simply gorgeous. The — Nick Cristiano — S.M., Oakland, Calif. Modest Mouse wouldn’t be Modest best songs blend piano and guitar-based The Philadelphia Inquirer A: The Bluesound Node is certainly an melody behind Taylor’s smoothly soulful Mouse without some weirdness, and option, but you asked for the best and I singing. Songs like “Hardlytown” and “If there’s plenty of that. still consider that to be the $1,099 Cam- It Comes in the Morning” are majestic in “Transmitting Receiving” is mostly a Bobby Gillespie bridge Audio CXN(V2) Network Streamer. different ways, with a sound that builds on list of things — “mustard seeds, turtles, & Jehnny Beth It features top-notch sound, comprehen- Taylor’s earlier work but tacks further weeds” — that goes into the trippy space Utopian Ashes sive features and an excellent display and into rhythm and blues in ways that sep- of The Flaming Lips. A cosmic under- interface. You can connect it to your ster- arate it from the Americana pack. standing also resides in the terrific, funky (Third Man) Scotland’s Bobby eo with a stereo RCA cable or a digital Lyrically, Taylor blends the personal “We Are Between,” which positions man- cable. Given the extremely high quality of and the political in an understated way. kind “somewhere between dust and the Gillespie has been a crucial figure in the digital circuitry in the CXN(V2), I The only misstep, a not-especially-original stars.” would use the stereo RCA connection song called “Mighty Dollar,” can be ex- The album was produced with Dave the U.K. post-punk story, mostly at the helm of Primal (cambridgeaudio.com). cused as something Taylor felt he had to Sardy and Jacknife Lee and the range of The CXN(V2) is Roon Ready, and com- include. instruments is astonishing, from shakers Scream. France’s Jehnny Beth fronted Savages, the intense second-generation (or bining it with Roon makes it even more By the time he gets to the closer, “Sanc- and marimbas to “paper bags filled with powerful. It would take more than an tuary,” Taylor has figured something out. wood.” On one track, Brock is credited third or fourth?) post-punk band that re- leased excellent albums in 2013 and 2016. entire column to thoroughly discuss Roon, “Feeling bad, feeling blue, can’t get out with “soft drink percussion,” “space- but to sum it up, Roon is a powerful plat- “Utopian Ashes” sounds like Jehnny of my own mind,” he sings as the song phone” and “vibraslap” — which is very form for organizing your streaming con- Beth went to a Primal Scream session and opens in a deeply groovy piano-and-bass Modest Mouse. tent and music files, making it easy to got the guys to up their game. If they can bop. “But I know how to sing about it.” Whatever he’s playing, it’s good to have locate, enjoy and learn more about music. maintain this quality standard, Jehnny The song feels celebratory, but not un- Brock’s droll, word-stretching, warping It’s a music geek’s dream come true and Beth and Bobby Gillespie could join the realistic. There’s acknowledgment that vocal delivery back, together with Modest can be used with your home computer and rarefied country-rock duet pantheon of this has been hard. But the safe place for Mouse’s fondness for odd and explicit the matching portable device apps, or with Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood, and Taylor, and for listeners with him on the song titles and a top-notch band always Roon’s own Nucleus Core device. If you Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons. journey, has always been the music. making interesting music. love music, I strongly suggest you check — Steve Klinge — Scott Stroud — Mark Kennedy out Roon at roonlabs.com The Philadelphia Inquirer Associated Press Associated Press — Don Lindich, Tribune News Service Role model: More mature Tyler covers much stylistic ground FROM PAGE 32 ful Dark Twisted Fantasy” by one of Tyl- might be why he seems so at home amid remaking hip-hop in his footsteps. about Tyler’s world travels). er’s heroes, Kanye West. DJ Drama’s big-tent trappings. (Looking With the psychedelic “Igor,” Tyler’s And though Tyler produced all the “Call Me If You Get Lost” also reframes back, Tyler’s flirty 2019 interview with innovation had to do with his formal slip- songs himself — a rarity among rappers — Tyler’s relationship with the hip-hop Funkmaster Flex — that stalwart guardian periness — here was a rap record, accord- the music covers a huge amount of mainstream. For years he saw himself as of centrist hip-hop values — seems like a ing to the Grammys, with basically no ground, moving from the creamy R&B of an outsider — “I never fully felt accepted crucial step in this album’s development.) rapping on it — and with lyrics widely “Wusyaname” to the trippy soul-jazz of in rap,” he said in his speech at the Gram- Indeed, he’s become sufficiently estab- perceived to be about queer romance. “Hot Wind Blows” to the grimy boom-bap mys — so he and the rest of Odd Future lished that on “Call Me If You Get Lost” He’s still tweaking the genre’s conven- of “Lumberjack,” which in classic mixtape built a parallel universe complete with he’s the one arranging guest spots from tions in those ways — in a song like the form more or less cribs the beat from an clothing lines, TV shows and LA’s annual quirky younger acts with devoted online nearly 10-minute “Sweet / I Thought You existing track, in this case the Gravedig- Camp Flog Gnaw music festival. followings: Teezo Touchdown, who adds Wanted to Dance,” which mashes together gaz’s mid-’90s “2 Cups of Blood.” That universe attracted fellow misfits: emo-rap squeaks to “Runitup”; 42 Dugg, sparkly R&B and throbbing reggae, and in Splashy cameos from Pharrell, Lil In 2019, when Drake made a surprise charmingly growly in “Lemonhead”; “Massa,” where he says, “Everyone I ever Wayne and Lil Uzi Vert further broaden appearance at Flog Gnaw in a slot many YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who yelps loved had to be loved in the shadows.” the disc’s stylistic scope even as Tyler thought was meant for Odd Future’s a wistful verse in “Wusyaname.” Yet the evolution on display on “Call Me invites the listener deep into the private Frank Ocean, the crowd infamously booed In a way that’s a very Drake move — If You Get Lost” is more elemental; he’s space of a song like “Manifesto,” in which the pop superstar. pulling close potential threats. But with rethinking what kinds of stories he wants he ponders his old antics (including a Yet social media and digital streaming, Tyler, the curating feels less opportunis- to use his music to tell and how much of bunch of creepy tweets he sent to Selena where Tyler flourishes, have shifted pow- tic; he seems to take real pleasure in serv- himself his success obliges him to reveal. Gomez) and frets over whether he’s “do- er away from the record labels and radio ing as a bridge figure between two gener- “This is my perspective / This is how I ing enough or not doing enough” to ad- stations that once controlled hip-hop; now ations. There’s a great series of backstage feel,” he insists toward the end of the epic vance the cause of racial justice. In its Tyler enjoys the type of industry prestige photos of Tyler and Lil Nas X at the recent yet painstaking “Wilshire,” “I ain’t fab- blend of the spectacular and the hyper- and commercial clout that earlier charis- BET Awards, and what comes across is ricate nothing / I kept it real.” personal, the result can recall “My Beauti- matic weirdos could only dream of, which Tyler’s genuine admiration for the artists He sounds as surprised as anyone else. PAGE 34 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WEEKEND: TELEVISION Old films, new fans Classic movie channel TCM knows it must adapt if it will survive in a streaming world

BY STEPHEN BATTAGLIO Los Angeles Times urner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz once walked the red carpet at an American Film TInstitute event in Hollywood and found himself standing next to director Steven Spielberg. Mankiewicz looked down, trying to avoid fanboy eye contact. But then Spiel- berg said to the host, “Oh my God, I love all your movies.” It’s become part of life for Mankiewicz, who joined TCM 17 years ago and has encountered stars and filmmakers of- fering similar sentiments ever since. METRO­GOLDWYN­MAYER STUDIOS, ENTERTAINMENT PICTURES, ZUMA PRESS/TNS Such are the perks of being on a cable Vivien Leigh, left, and Hattie McDaniel appear in a scene from “Gone with the Wind,” the film TCM screened for its launch in 1994. channel with one of the most devoted audiences in television. The Atlanta-based bounce off of, to rest in, to reinvigorate my “We hear plenty of people say, ‘Do I It’s why Stewart, Mankiewicz and fellow TCM has long been the sanctuary of clas- thinking — just glancing at some image or need all those other channels I don’t hosts Dave Karger, Alicia Malone and sic film on TV, presenting mostly pre-1980 combination of images at a certain mo- watch?’” she said. “But at the end of the Eddie Muller were part of TCM’s “Re- movies commercial-free with a deep re- ment,” he said. “It’s more like a presence day, they really want and desire TCM, so framed” series in March, which addressed spect for moviemaking history going back in the room, a reminder of film history as they are going to stay with cable as long as problematic issues related to race and to the silent film era. a living, ongoing entity.” we’re there.” gender in 18 titles that have long been TCM has managed to stick to its mission TCM launched on April 14, 1994, with a While TCM celebrates Hollywood’s staples on the channel, including “The through shifting ownership of its parent ceremonial screening of “Gone with the past, the channel is trying to connect with Jazz Singer,” “My Fair Lady,” “Breakfast company, WarnerMedia, which next year Wind” in New York’s Times Square. It a younger generation of classic film enthu- at Tiffany’s” and “Woman of the Year.” is expected to be spun off and merged became the preeminent brand for vintage siasts. “We feel it’s important as being part of a with Discovery Inc. While current owner classic film over the next 27 years. In 2019, the channel added Jacqueline brand in 2021 to recognize what’s going on AT&T made its influence felt across War- “We created a world that people wanted Stewart, a film professor at the University around us,” said Changnon, adding that nerMedia’s units, TCM has gone largely to come into all the time, and we didn’t of Chicago, to its lineup of hosts. Stewart, younger fans feel more comfortable untouched and its ad-free format has been watching with the historical context pro- maintained, a relief to fans. vided. “TCM amongst filmmakers is consid- “TCM amongst filmmakers is considered For Stewart, some of the “Reframed” ered holy ground,” said director Paul topics reflect the conversations Black Thomas Anderson. “Politically neutral, holy ground. Politically neutral, essential and viewers were having over years of watch- essential and unimpeachable in its dedi- ing movies presented to them without any cation to film history. There is nothing like unimpeachable in its dedication to film context. it, and it should be protected.” “I was in a household who had seen But surviving as a traditional TV outlet history. There is nothing like it, and it should those movies in the theater and had a real in the current media landscape won’t be love for them,” Stewart said. “At the same easy for TCM. Viewers who want classic be protected.” time, we could point out the problems that movies of all genres can access them on director Paul Thomas Anderson existed in these films when there was demand through a variety of streaming denigrating representations of people of services, or even find them on YouTube. assault them with commercials,” said who is TCM’s first Black host, demon- color.” TCM also faces the same pressure Brad Siegel, a former Turner executive strated her value when WarnerMedia’s While TCM has no plans for a direct-to- squeezing all cable channels — every who ran TCM when it launched. new streaming service HBO Max became consumer streaming product, Changnon month, thousands of U.S. homes are drop- Despite challenges, TCM does have an engulfed in controversy last year, pulling said the brand is building its presence on ping their pay TV services. For TCM, it advantage over other entertainment chan- “Gone with the Wind” from the site in WarnerMedia’s HBO Max as a way to has meant a loss of subscribers. The chan- nels. By depending on film libraries — response to screenwriter John Ridley’s reach younger consumers who are by- nel was available in 68.2 million homes at many of the 16,000 titles it can draw on are op-ed in the Los Angeles Times that said passing cable. the end of 2020, down from 73.3 million in owned by its parent company — TCM is the 1939 film glorified the antebellum TCM has its own hub on HBO Max, 2019, according to Nielsen. less vulnerable to rising programming South. giving its users an array of classic films on TCM’s commercial-free status is a key costs. WarnerMedia does not disclose When the film returned to HBO Max, it demand and the channel’s original pro- reason viewers embrace it. The downside financials for TCM but, according to Sie- came with an authoritative introduction gramming that aired during its classic is it cannot raise ad rates to offset the gel, the channel has delivered strong prof- from Stewart, who recognized the film’s film festival in May. revenue decline caused by cord-cutting. its since its launch. historical importance while citing its flaws But fans such as Scorsese are still happy S&P Global Intelligence data shows the TCM also appeals to an older audience and the discriminatory treatment of its to switch TCM on and take in whatever is network took in $286 million in subscriber that is more likely to hold onto its cable Black cast members, including Oscar showing with the knowledge that it was revenue in 2020, down from $313.6 million subscription than younger viewers who winner Hattie McDaniel. curated by a film lover and not an algo- the previous year. quickly adapted to streaming platforms. TCM has never aired a film altered for rithm. “I fear for the future of TCM,” director The channel also connects with fans time constraints or content. Explanations “We will definitely be losing something Martin Scorsese said. “So does everyone through live events, cruises, books, an of dated or inappropriate depictions have if we don’t have TCM to go to,” Scorsese else I know who loves movies.” annual film festival and even a wine club. always been cited in its host introductions. said. “I suppose it’s the equivalent of the Scorsese will keep TCM on one of the Pola Changnon, general manager for But the focus on social justice and gender disappearance of bookstores, where you screens in his editing suite while he’s TCM, said internal research shows the equality, especially among younger view- can actually walk in and browse, and may- working. channel is keeping some subscribers from ers, have brought those issues to the fore- be find something you hadn’t planned to “It gives me something to turn to, to cutting the cord. front. even look for.” Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 35 WEEKEND: TELEVISION

HBO Max Hannah Einbinder, left, and Jean Smart star in “Hacks,” an HBO Max show about an older comic (Smart) paired with a Gen Z joke writer (Einbinder). Watch ’em while they’re hot freely borrows executive producer Tina “It’s a Sin” a masterwork of tonal control, a rights attorney who was elected the head Catch up on the 10 greatest Fey’s breakneck comic pacing and lacerat- heartbreaking chronicle of institutional prosecutor of one of America’s most in- ing feminist critiques, especially when it homophobia and a well-rounded portrait of carcerated cities in 2017 on a campaign of TV programs of 2021 so far comes to the damage wrought on women in a lost generation. And yet it’s the characters racial equity, the docuseries is a nuanced BY INKOO KANG the spotlight. you’ll remember most: Neil Patrick Harris’ and sobering account of what it takes to The Washington Post altruistic harbinger, Callum Scott Howells’ create change — and the limitations of what ummer is officially here, which ‘Hacks’ (HBO Max) shy Savile Row apprentice and Olly Alex- one man can achieve, especially when he’s means strutting out of the house It’s hard to think of a more universally ander’s promising young actor, too jejune surrounded by people who share his out- after a grueling quarantine ... and acclaimed performance so far this year to grasp the urgency of a plague until it’s too rage and sense of urgency but may ulti- Sgetting sunburned, bitten by bugs than Jean Smart’s on “Hacks,” in which the late. mately enable his self-segregation from and struck with the realization that being 69-year-old TV veteran, who’s enjoyed a potential allies. Too many TV docs feel cooped up for more than a year didn’t do career renaissance of late, finally gets the ‘The Lady and the Dale’ (HBO) bloated, but “Philly D.A.” judiciously uses wonders for your cardiovascular health. starring role she deserves. Smart is nothing If you like your docuseries to keep you its wide canvas to tell as full and multifacet- If you’re happiest sitting on your couch short of beguiling as Deborah Vance, a guessing, you can’t get much twistier than ed a story as it can about an effort to find even after the past 15 months — or you just workaholic Vegas comic and onetime “The Lady and the Dale,” about Elizabeth justice within our ailing court system that’s want to know what’s the best new(ish) thing stand-up pioneer whose material could Carmichael, a con woman selling a three- too radical for some and not radical enough to watch — you’re in luck: There’s no short- now use an upgrade. Paired with a down- wheeled, fuel-sipping car made of a sup- for many. age of fantastic TV to catch up on. and-out Gen Z joke writer (Hannah Einbin- posed bulletproof plastic during the 1970s Here are, in alphabetical order, the 10 der) who’s no less spiky and opinionated, oil crisis, who also happened to be a trans ‘Physical’ (Apple TV+) greatest shows of the first half of 2021: Deborah is forced to contend with come- pioneer. Striking and inventive animation The Summer of Love is just a dream dy’s changing landscape. further enliven this four-part documentary some of us had in “Physical,” a 1981-set ‘Call My Agent’ (Netflix) that’s part-biography of a singular, family- twisted female liberation tale, which finds Showbiz satires seldom boast so much ‘High on the Hog’ (Netflix) oriented scammer; part-car history; part- self-loathing housewife Sheila (a sensation- heart. Affectionately crafted characters Food is history and history is food on this trans tale; part-media critique; and all al Rose Byrne) weary of her narcissistic distinguish this Paris-set dramedy with a incredibly informative, gorgeously shot riveting. professor husband (Rory Scovel), a former delectable premise: a look into the inner and wholly essential travelogue hosted by ‘Oprah With Harry and Meghan’ antiwar activist, and ready to cozy up to workings of a glamorous but perpetually writer Stephen Satterfield, who highlights The Man. In Sheila’s case, that means em- chaotic talent agency with clients such as African American contributions to the (CBS) bracing bootstrapping entrepreneurship, Juliette Binoche, Isabelle Huppert and culinary story of America. Based on the It was the special that launched a thou- but also the newfangled activity of aero- Jean Dujardin (who play themselves). book by Jessica B. Harris (who joins Satter- sand headlines. Few families are covered bics, in which Sheila can find a way to chan- Debuting in January on Netflix a few field in Benin to trace back a primary origin as exhaustively as the House of Windsor, nel her obsession with dieting and weight months after its run in its native France, the of African American cuisine in the four- but this trio of mononyms delivered a truly into something close to self-care. fourth season — the show’s last for a while, part docuseries’ first installment), the revelatory, once-in-a-generation interview though a fifth chapter as well as a movie are series follows its amiable host as he jour- whose repercussions we’ll likely feel for ‘We Are Lady Parts’ (Peacock) in the works — features guest turns by neys from South Carolina to Texas and years to come. Oprah Winfrey reminded us Easily the biggest crowd-pleaser on this Sigourney Weaver and Charlotte Gains- from Monticello to Los Angeles to learn of her journalistic talents with her unflinch- list, the belated-coming-of-age comedy bourg (also playing themselves) and is the how Black Americans found survival, com- ing questions and (instantly meme’d) ev- “We Are Lady Parts” is also a triumph of emotionally richest this wry, warm, wink- munity, resistance, innovation and some- erywoman reactions, while Harry and representation — and a compelling illustra- ing series has ever been. times literal freedom in and through food. Meghan, following Princess Diana’s foot- tion of how quickly online discourse about steps, gave an international audience more representation can get distorted. The Lon- ‘Girls5eva’ (Peacock) ‘It’s A Sin’ (HBO Max) than a peek behind the Buckingham Palace don-set British import tells a classic story: Midlife crises don’t get funnier than on Few shows are as ferociously tragic and gates with answers that blurred the line Girl meets boy; boy leads girl to an all- “Girls5eva,” about the now 40-something surprisingly joyful as Russell T. Davies’ between personal disclosure and mental female, all-Muslim punk band; girl realizes members (played by Sara Bareilles, Busy five-part miniseries about the AIDS epi- health advocacy. that the band is what she was searching for Philipps, Paula Pell and breakout star demic in 1980s London. Davies’ celebration her entire life and didn’t know it. Hopeful Renee Elise Goldsberry) of a one-hit-won- of the brief lives his characters managed to ‘Philly D.A.’ (PBS) and winsome, it’s a deceptively simple der girl group from the turn of the millenni- have — and the urban freedom they got to “Philly D.A.” has been compared end- show, but one that’s leading a conversation um getting back together for a second enjoy once they found their tribe after lessly to “The Wire,” and rightly so. An about how and under what conditions out- chance at fame. Creator Meredith Scardino teenage years trapped in closets — make eight-part portrait of Larry Krasner, a civil- siders are able to speak for themselves. PAGE 36 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WEEKEND: HEALTH & FITNESS ‘Feel like a kid again’ with this fitness trend experienced increased muscle mass in Add weight to a Hula-Hoop their trunk. Hooping also can increase your motiva- to lose weight from your tion to exercise. A 2016 pilot study exam- waist, strengthen your core ined women’s intentions for future work- outs after either Hula-Hooping or walking BY ANGELA HAUPT for 30 minutes. The study found that those Special to The Washington Post in the Hula group reported “significantly arlier this year, Angie Wang stronger intentions” to exercise again than wanted to switch up her exer- those in a walking group. cise routine, so she bought a Eweighted Hula-Hoop and posted The workout footage of herself trying it out on TikTok. First, Thompson said, warm up by doing The video collected more than 400,000 some side stretches and marching in place likes. to activate your core. Then, stand with Wang was smitten. Hooping was a great your feet about shoulder-width apart; if way to spice up her usual workouts, far you’re hooping clockwise, your left foot more entertaining than, say, jogging on a should be slightly forward. If you’re spin- treadmill. And it worked: She’s seen bene- ning counterclockwise, shift your right fits from months of frequently using her foot forward. Move your hips “in a straight 3.6-pound hoop, usually for about 15 to 30 line, front to back,” Thompson said. (The minutes at a time. idea that using a Hula-Hoop means mov- “It’s fun and different,” said Wang, 25, a ing your hips in a circular motion is a content creator who lives in Philadelphia. common misconception.) “I feel like it definitely strengthened my Hula-hooping in one direction will usu- abs, and my core section is just stronger in ally feel most natural. But, Horton said, general.” don’t spend all your time spinning in that Though they’ve existed for more than a direction; doing so will overdevelop the decade, weighted Hula-Hoops have muscles on a single side of your body. emerged as a social media favorite during During her classes, she blasts lively mu- the pandemic, enticing fitness enthusiasts sic, and participants switch directions looking for new, affordable and conve- midway through the songs: They start nient ways to work out at home with the hooping clockwise, then switch to counter- promise of childlike fun (some gyms and clockwise. studios are adding in-person classes as So what do you do with your arms dur- clients return). Videos tagged “weighted ing all this? At first, many students adopt hula hoop” have generated more than 176 the slightly awkward T-rex pose, Horton million views on TikTok, and some pop- said: They “hold their arms in towards ular hoops have reportedly been selling their trunk, and they’ve got the little drap- out online. ing hands in front,” just like the classic “I was stunned at the results,” said Angie Wang dinosaur stance. Once her students be- Lauren Constancio. The 26-year-old con- After Angie Wang started exercising with a weighted Hula­Hoop, she said her abs and come more advanced, she coaches them to tent creator who lives in Orange County, core section felt stronger. The Philadelphia resident described it as “fun and different.” hold their arms above their head or to do Calif., said she started seeing a trimmer aerobic-style movements. Some people waist and hips after a week of hooping for even do bicep curls while they’re spinning. 10 minutes daily — in addition to weight “I was stunned at the results. After the first In addition to starting with a light hoop, training and eating healthfully. “After the you should ease into hooping by starting first day of using it, I was like, ‘Wow.’ You day of using it, I was like, ‘Wow.’ You really with two minutes a day, and then 2.5, and really feel your whole body working. Car- working your way up to about 15; the grad- dio-wise, you don’t feel that on the ellipti- feel your whole body working. Cardio-wise, ual increase will help prevent bruising. It cal — and even when I did cycle classes, I will also acclimate you to the workout, never really felt that sore in my core.” you don’t feel that on the elliptical — and Horton said. Hooping isn’t natural for If you’re tempted to give weighted hoop- everyone, and some people report that it’s ing a go, here’s what you should know: even when I did cycle classes, I never really uncomfortable for the first few days. There’s also a learning curve: At first, Hoop selection and safety felt that sore in my core.” you might spend most of your time picking Weighted Hula-Hoops (which cost $20 the hoop off the floor. to $30) are heavier than the plastic ones Lauren Constancio, 26 “It’s a complex movement,” said Kyle you might have used as a kid. They typ- Hula-Hooper in Orange County, Calif. Gonzalez, a coach with Future, a personal ically weigh one to four pounds, and most training app. He suggests working with a are 37 to 45 inches in diameter, said Ni- depends on your own physical constitution Still, she cautions, not everyone will trainer to safely master optimal hooping cole Thompson, a San Diego-based per- and your propensity for bruising,” said drop inches off their waist, and especially form because it’s not always easy to learn sonal trainer and associate project manag- Karla Horton, a personal trainer who not in one week, as some TikTokers say from a video. er with the American Council on Exercise. owns Dragonfly Paddle and Fitness in they have experienced. While slimming Skyler Slunjski, a YouTuber who lives in When you place the hoop vertically on the Stevensville, Md., where she teaches the waist is feasible for some people, she Michigan and had used a hoop as a child, ground, it should reach your waist — “not hooping classes. If you have a history of said, it’s unlikely to happen without addi- found that picking it again wasn’t exactly any higher than mid-chest,” she said. back or hip problems, or recently suffered tional changes to diet or exercise. an easy muscle memory feat. To avoid excess soreness, Thompson an injury, she recommends checking with According to a small 2015 study of wom- “It was definitely harder than I suggests, start with a hoop that’s on the your doctor before trying Hula-Hooping. en in their 30s to 60s published in the thought,” said Slunjski, 28. “I could barely lighter side, like one pound, and work your Journal of Strength and Conditioning get it to spin around more than once — it way up as you become more advanced. Benefits Research, using a weighted Hula-Hoop for took me a couple days to get the hang of (Some hoops have adjustable weights.) Weighted Hula-Hoops offer a low-im- six weeks was associated with a reduced it.” Starting light also can help prevent one pact cardio workout. Using one several waistline and hip girth. On average, the Ideally, hooping should be incorporated of the main side effects of using weighted times a week can help you burn calories, participants lost 1.3 inches from their into a broader exercise program, but if it’s Hula-Hoops: bruising. As some TikTok lose fat, build core strength and improve waistlines and 0.6 inches from their hips. the only exercise you can squeeze in each hoopers’ videos indicate, it’s common to your balance and flexibility, according to Another study, published in 2019, com- day, it’s better than nothing, Thompson develop black and blue marks on the ab- Thompson, the San Diego-based trainer. pared weighted Hula-Hooping to walking. said. It does have one advantage over most domen, especially in the early days of “It’s a fun way to exercise, and it has Participants who hooped for 13 minutes a other fitness regimens, she added: “It hooping. kind of a relaxing, meditative effect due to day over six weeks reduced their waist brings you back to a time that was fun, and “You may bruise or you may not — it its rhythmic nature,” she said. circumference and body fat, and they it can make you feel like a kid again.” Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 37 WEEKEND: FAMILY

Family favors shore despite shark uproar

I feel fortunate to have been a Navy spouse, because our family had the pleasure of living near the beach for nearly two decades. Other than a stint in D.C. and two joint tours in Europe, our Navy family was always stationed in coastal areas where we could access the ocean, if not see it right out of our base kitchen window. My Navy wife friends and I felt so superior, with our in-your-face nautical-inspired clothing and home decor adorned with anchors and whales and signal flags and boats, as if we were married to Captain Ahab him- self. We pitied our poor Army and Air Force comrades, sta-

JEENAH MOON/For The Washington Post tioned in olive-drab Timbuktu, staring out of their base David Bressler and his kids, Reed and Evie Romann, explore the world outdoors at Pier 26 in Manhattan. kitchen windows at grain silos. “Bless their hearts,” we claimed, while clinking mojitos in anchor-embellished Tervis tumblers and sunning ourselves from the comfort of our beach chairs. We never admitted to our landlubber counterparts that Swapping screens for sun living near the ocean had its drawbacks. Like hurricanes, one of which dropped an 80-foot loblolly pine into the master bedroom of our first house in Virginia Beach, thanks to a Parents are concerned for kids who spent the year in a tech-filled haze little storm named Isabel in 2003. And rip currents, which BY HEATHER KELLY While some parents just want their kids to be social cause more than 100 deaths per year in the U.S., always The Washington Post or active again, many have noticed personality and prevented me from relaxing while my kids were in the surf. he week after Rebecca Grant took away her behavioral changes in their children. They’re irritable, But there’s a coastal critter that strikes fear in the hearts kids’ video games for a month, after a year of argumentative and have poor focus. Some have be- of every salt-life-loving Navy wife, even the ones with L.L. relaxed pandemic rules, her 10-year-old son come anxious or depressed, or throw more tantrums Bean totes obnoxiously embroidered with lobsters. In fact, was livid. He gave her the silent treatment, and fly into rages. this deadly ocean dweller frightens civilian and military T Americans alike: Sharks. mostly ignoring her except to spit out a hurtful, “I Grant noticed moments when her kids weren’t act- don’t love you,” one night at bedtime. ing like themselves. Like when her youngest son, 7, The summer of 1975 was vividly imprinted on my brain. I was 9, and our family had traveled to visit my grandfather, The ban wasn’t an easy decision for Grant. The 46- would burst into tears anytime something small went aunt, uncle and cousins. Louisville, Ky., was the “big city” to year-old mom of two from Fremont, Calif., did hours of wrong. And when her 10-year-old faked attending my brother and me, so our cousins planned activities that research and read multiple books from parenting Zoom class so he could watch YouTube, or got hyper- weren’t yet offered in our small Pennsylvania town. Like experts. She joined Facebook groups for families in competitive and fought with a friend who was over cheeseburgers and Frostys at Wendy’s, and the new Steven similar situations and closely watched her children’s playing video games. Spielberg movie, “Jaws.” behavior, which had been worrisome for a while. Still, “Having all that screen time all day for a whole year, I shivered in the air-conditioned theater from the chill and she was caught off guard by the reaction. their nervous system is really disregulated, and those the creepy images on the big screen before me. Listening to “He was really not taking it well,” Grant said. “In a symptoms need to be reversed,” said Victoria Dunck- the rhythmic “dun-dun-dun-dun” of the now-iconic movie way, it reinforced my decision. He’s just so attached to ley, a child psychologist who studies the impact of score, we watched scuba-diving Richard Dreyfuss inspect a this [video games], he’s not rational.” screens on children, and the author of “Reset Your huge shark tooth he plucked from a hole in a sunken boat After 15 months of various levels of shutdowns, Child’s Brain.” “All this overstimulation is putting hull. Seconds later, the violin strings screeched when a se- families in the United States are trying to come out of a them into a state of stress.” vered human head floated out of the same hole — a classic tech-filled haze for summer. It’s a chance to swap out While some parents are recoiling from how much jump-scare, effective to this day. However, my flinch was Xbox time for bike rides with friends, or Zoom school screen time they’ve allowed, others have found a new superseded by my father nearly jumping out of his seat and for summer camp. But parents are discovering that appreciation for the way it can help kids socialize and emitting a childlike scream, popcorn flying from his bucket. subtracting screen time is much harder to do than learn. “Jaws” implanted irrational, yet permanent fear in the adding it. They are facing resistance from kids accus- The popular concept of screen time — the idea that a American psyche. As a Navy family, we’ve frolicked in the tomed to their freedom or just struggling to find al- kid’s exposure to technology should be tallied in hours waves near many coastal duty stations all summer long in ternatives to fill the time before a more normal fall — was never a big concern for David Bressler. The Virginia, California, Florida and Rhode Island. But we never school semester begins. software engineer quit his job early in the pandemic to let on that, under our nautical-inspired beachwear and sun- While businesses and child care centers are opening take over child care for his 6-year-old daughter and tanned faces, we were terrified of sharks lurking under the up as coronavirus infection rates slow down, early data 8-year-old son. waves, sniffing the sea for flesh and blood. shows that the amount of time consumers spend on “I really believe that I can bond with my kids over This semi-subconscious anxiety wasn’t enough to keep us their screens hasn’t fallen sharply. According to re- the tech. We can talk about it; I can talk about what off the beach, but it was enough to make us freak out — search firm Similarweb, there has been a 24-second they’re interested in,” says Bressler, 53, who lives with “Kids! Out of the water!” while flailing our arms wildly — drop in the average time spent per session on the top his family in New York City. “I’ve always been liberal when we felt something (always turned out to be a jellyfish) 100 websites. with tech use, but very involved with the way they use or saw a fin (always turned out to be a dolphin). Although During the pandemic, limits around screen time it because I believe it builds the bridge between us and unprovoked shark attacks are extremely rare (only 16 per were raised or put on hold altogether with the blessing the kids. It’s not a fear-driven approach where it’s a year in the US, almost none fatal), Americans can’t escape of many screen-time experts. Screens prevented mil- punishment or a reward.” sources of information and entertainment that stoke our lions of children from falling a year behind in school Still, he is frustrated with his son’s fondness for fears: The inevitable news reports about shark bites; web- and allowed many parents to continue working in and watching YouTube and understands that both kids based shark trackers that follow tagged beasts like the 12- out of the house. For kids unable to see friends, options need to have alternatives to screens. He works to make foot Great White “Ironbound”; Discovery Channel’s “Shark such as messaging apps and video games gave them an sure they are outside as often as possible now that the Week,” which begins July 11; a movie titled “Great White” essential tether to their old lives. city has opened up. He takes them to nearby parks to coming out July 16; and endless “Jaws” summer replays. For all the good technology has done for kids over run off energy and to skateboarding classes. Even a How is a beach-loving Navy spouse to cope with all this the past year, there were also unavoidable downsides. recent outing to a retail store was a thrilling field trip shark-fear mongering? Move to a landlocked base and stare A recent study in the journal Pediatrics of patients at for the family, he says. Instead of spending their sum- at grain silos? No way. I’ll stay at the beach and swallow my the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Care Network mer on devices, they’ll attend an outdoor camp, com- anxiety, along with an ice-cold mojito. found a nearly 2% increase in obesity among children plete with the classic camp fixings like pools, sports Read more at themeatandpotatoesoflife.com, and in Lisa’s book, The Meat and Potatoes of during the pandemic. and arts and crafts. Life: My True Lit Com. Email: [email protected]  PAGE 38 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 WEEKEND: CROSSWORD AND COMICS

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

GRAVITY’S RAINBOW 12345 678910 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 BY ROSS TRUDEAU AND LINDSEY HOBBS / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ 221202 Ross Trudeau, of Cambridge, Mass., works for a K-12 education nonprofit. Lindsey Hobbs, of Brooklyn, is the head of the Preservation and Conservation department at the New York City Municipal Archives. They met virtually through Facebook’s 524232 Crossword Puzzle Collaboration Directory. Ross suggested the theme for this puzzle, which relates to an annual June celebration. It was a joint effort thereafter. — W.S. 0392827262

ACROSS 50 Raised a false alarm 100 Harmful bits of 6 Olympic poker? 332313 1 Rackets 52 Tennis’s Nadal, sunlight 7 Military hospitals, informally 105 Remove calcium briefly 8373635343 6 Spruce or fir 56 Fruit with crimson- deposits from 8 Period of history 15 Japanese city that 6454443424140493 colored flesh 106 Sharp shooter, for 9 Back in shares its name with 59 Guest feature? short? a dog breed 10 Fresh, in a sense 554535251505948474 60 Popular folk-rock duo 108 Harder to grasp 11 A one and a two 20 Home to the Ho Chi 62 Place for a canal or a 109 Changes by degrees 160695857565 Minh Mausoleum 12 Bursts in on kernel 111 Whole bunch 13 And the rest, for short 86766656463626 21 Homemade headgear 63 1968 self-titled folk 112 You might cry if you for pretend pirates 14 Twin in Genesis album slice it 473727170796 15 Prizewinner 22 Conducted, as a 65 A.L. West team, on 115 Word rhymed with campaign scoreboards ‘‘ami’’ by Lafayette 16 Instrument often 87776757 played for comedic 66 Rubik with a cube in ‘‘Hamilton’’ 23 Undo, legally effect 58483828180897 68 Ice cream holder 116 Like Merriam- 24 Highly specialized Webster’s inclusion 17 Tennessee Williams’s 69 Cal’s game-winning 0998887868 knowledge of the word ‘‘The Night of the kickoff return ____’’ 25 Color whose name is ‘‘irregardless,’’ 49392919 against Stanford in 18 Babysitter’s handful derived from ‘‘lapis 1982, familiarly originally lazuli’’ 19 ‘‘____ Fideles’’ 4013012011010019989796959 71 World’s deepest river 119 College admissions 26 Frequent comics fig. 27 ____ Simmons, real 73 Little tasks that crop name of the late 801701601501 collaborator with up 120 Delta hub, on Jack Kirby luggage tags rapper DMX 75 Wood-shop item 411311211111011901 121 Birth-control option, 30 See 35-Across 28 Belief 77 Investigate, à la briefly 36 Affectionate attention, 911811711611511 Sherlock Holmes 29 Hubbubs 122 In the blink of ____ briefly 79 Wunderkinder 31 ‘‘See? I knew what I 123 Deli or bar order 37 One enforcing 421321221121021 was talking about!’’ 82 Implement for an traveling rules Amish driver 124 Stags or bucks 921821721621521 32 Gives an edge 125 Biblical possessive 39 Kind of jacket 86 Features of classic 40 ‘‘Ish’’ 33 Indignant denial cars 126 Alcoholic’s affliction, briefly 41 Xbox 360 competitor 87 It’s covered in paint 54 Bungle 70 High degrees, for 84 ‘‘It’s a possibility for 103 State flower of 34 Bozo 127 Complicated, as a 42 Chicken in the Sherwin- 55 Vipers with upturned short me’’ Illinois or New Williams logo relationship 43 Total domination, in 35 ‘‘I 30-Down the fool!’’ snouts 71 Setting for many a 85 Family members that Jersey speaker 89 Oscar-winning song 128 Retired flier, for gamer-speak Super Mario Bros. get talked down to? 104 ____ Faire (event 57 Part of a religious title from ‘‘Slumdog short 44 Whole bunch level with jousting, for 37 GPS suggestion: that means ‘‘ocean’’ 88 Kind of massage Abbr. Millionaire’’ 129 Explosive stuff 45 Racy 72 Temporarily out 89 Travels short) 90 ‘‘Likewise’’ 46 Polite form of address 58 Southern California 74 Pesach observers 107 Is mad about 38 What might follow county 96 ____ River, part of the you 91 Media watchdog agcy. DOWN similar to ‘‘Mr.’’ or 76 Most peaceful Texas/Oklahoma 109 Source of the milk 60 ‘‘Mood ____’’ (Duke 92 ‘‘Strange Magic’’ 1 California-based soft- ‘‘Ms.’’ 78 Groups of bees? border for chèvre cheese 39 1966 Donovan hit Ellington classic) band, for short drink company 47 Criminally aid 79 ‘‘You can’t expect me 97 Even-tempered 110 The ‘‘R’’ of R.B.G. 43 Sinatra, to fans 93 Medium for Kehinde 2 Divisions of long 48 Yawn-inducing 61 Quit drinking to believe that!’’ 98 Skedaddled 113 Ready for business Wiley’s ‘‘President poems 47 Band whose ‘‘Gold: 49 Make yawn 64 Golf’s ____ Ko, 80 Laughable 99 They might be made 114 Condé ____ Barack Obama’’ Greatest Hits’’ has 3 Historical records 51 Campus leader youngest golfer to be 81 Typical way to take a after a fight 117 What might make a sold over 30 million 94 Took a load off 4 Place for a pitcher 53 With the bow, ranked No. 1 multivitamin 101 Runs again ewe turn copies 95 Mars 5 ‘‘I’m such a dummy!’’ musically 67 In draft form 83 Is legally entitled 102 Without fail 118 Spanish monarch

GUNSTON STREET RESULTS FOR ABOVE PUZZLE

T N T T S S Y S S E M S T D Y H T

S E H E Y R E Y E N A D U I L T A

A P G L A I S R E V O R T N O C I U O

N O I N O W A R N O T S E T A D A R G

R E I L E E R L S E M I L E D

S Y A R V A R T L U T E N A L P R E H T

T A S L I O O L E C C F

E M A S O H I A J H T R A E S N I F

P I H W Y G G U B S E I G I D O R P

E R I U Q N E W A S D N A H

S B O J D D O O G N O C Y A L P E H T

P U C O N R E A A L O L R A R A E

S L R I G I U T N E L I S O D O O L B

A F A R F L O W D E I R C A B B A

S E Y E B L O Y W O L L E M

“Gunston Street” is drawn by Basil Zaviski. Email him at [email protected], and online at gunstonstreet.com. E R A E T R T R M S S A

T O N O D I S E N O H A Y D L O T

S R A O R P U D E E R C E E L N A T S

E R U Z A A C I R E T O S E L U N N A

D E G A W S T A H R E P A P I O N A H A T I K A E E R T G R E V E S M A C S Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 39 PAGE 40 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS DOWN 27 — time (never) 1 Mature 1 Band boosters 28 Tart flavor 4 Hit the runway 2 Avocado dip, 29 Singer Phair 8 Stink for short 32 One of a pair

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Wet dirt 3 — St. Vincent of jeans 13 Both (Pref.) Millay 33 North African 14 Mata — 4 Rio Grande city capital 15 Insulin producer 5 Make — of 35 Bit of wit 17 Domed tent (bungle) 36 Media mogul 18 Frightens 6 Cagers’ gp. Murdoch 19 Deli choice 7 Kitchen basin 38 Grating 21 Asner and Harris 8 Limerick feature 39 Director 22 Cardin of fashion 9 Water (Fr.) Coppola 26 “Midnight 10 Blunder 42 Pinnacle Non Sequitur Cowboy” role 11 DIY buy 43 Yarn 29 Young fellow 16 Salad green 44 Oklahoma city 30 Fine, at NASA 20 Succor 45 Six-pack 31 LAX guesses 23 Light beams muscles 32 Brooch 24 Lariat 46 Corp. boss 33 Ilk 25 Stretches (out) 47 Toe count 34 Hostel 26 Tara of 49 “As I see it,” 35 La —, Bolivia “Sharknado” to a texter 36 Ploys Answer to Previous Puzzle 37 Pooch’s play Candorville area in a park 39 Day light? 40 Crumb carrier 41 Narcotic 45 Deeds 48 Time on earth 50 Gridlock sound 51 Mideast ruler 52 Ex-quarterback

Carpe Diem Manning 53 Electronics giant 54 Bearded beast 55 Deleted Beetle Bailey Bizarro Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 41 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 52 Somewhat 18 Guess 1 Penned 54 “Truman” 21 “Gross!” 6 Los —, New actor Gary 23 Year in Madrid Mexico 55 Church toppers 24 Jungfrau, for one

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Like glee 56 Took a bite 25 Picnic dessert club music 57 Cafeteria stack 26 Intense feelings 13 Two-footed 28 Composition creatures DOWN writer 14 Lectern 1 “— on first?” 30 $ dispenser 15 Classic French 2 Scepters 31 Sashimi fish actress 3 Rubber gasket 33 Skier Tommy 16 Org. 4 Greek cross 34 Victory 17 Despot 5 Shade providers 39 The ones here 19 Online chats, 6 “Fernando” 41 Old photo tint Non Sequitur briefly group 42 “Hey, you!” 20 Mentor 7 Tale tellers 43 Lamb alias 22 — Paulo 8 Earth Day mo. 45 Secondhand 24 Smartphone 9 So-so 47 Crèche figure 48 Enrages download 10 “Hamilton” actor 49 ACLU issues 27 “Arbitrage” Leslie — Jr. 51 Trench star Richard 11 Bygone fliers 53 “Fresh Air” airer 29 March 12 IRS employee Answer to Previous Puzzle Madness gp. Candorville 32 “The Hunger Games” actor 35 Mexican money 36 Spanish ayes 37 Brit. record label 38 Fixed 40 Without 42 Architect I. M. 44 Donald Duck’s

Carpe Diem nephew 46 Mideast ruler 50 Skier’s destinations Beetle Bailey Bizarro PAGE 42 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Michael Kerschbaum, Pacific commander US troops in Iraq, Syria are sitting ducks Michael Ryan, Pacific chief of staff BY DANIEL R. DEPETRIS killed. moment hundreds of ISIS stragglers surren- Special to Stars and Stripes Thus far, the U.S. has been incredibly fortu- dered their last patch of territory more than ardly a week goes by when U.S. nate to escape fatalities. But one is left wonder- two years ago. Rather than admitting success EDITORIAL troops and contractors in Iraq ing if Washington is tempting fate. The rocket and removing the troops, however, U.S. offi- Terry Leonard, Editor and Syria are not taking defen- attacks won’t be ending anytime soon. The cials chose to hand the U.S. military an alto- [email protected] Hsive measures to protect them- Shiite militias, many of which have been in- gether different mission-set that is as discom- selves from rocket and drone attacks. cluded in the official Iraqi security forces, ap- bobulated as it is disconnected to direct U.S. Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor In what has become a troubling pattern in pear to be impervious to tough talk from U.S. national security interests: help create a per- [email protected] both countries, Shiite militia units stocked to officials. The kind of normal deterrence that fect Iraqi army; hold Syria’s eastern oil fields Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content the gills with a seemingly unending supply of works against the likes of North Korea’s Kim so the Syrian government can’t get hold of [email protected] lethal projectiles and explosive-laden drones Jong Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin doesn’t them; ensure every last Iranian boot leaves targeted U.S. military facilities yet again on seem to be effective with these nonstate Iraqi and Syrian soil; and help the Iraqis and Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] Wednesday. At 12:30 p.m., al Asad Air Base in armed groups. If they were, the rockets would the Syrian Kurds kill every last ISIS fighter on western Iraq, one of the critical Iraqi facilities have stopped after the Biden administration the planet. If these goals aren’t the definition of Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital hosting U.S. forces in the country, came under conducted its first military action in February. expansive and unattainable goals, I don’t [email protected] attack by 14 rockets. U.S. forces took defensive Logic would suggest that the longer U.S. know what is. precautions and retaliated, neutralizing the forces are deployed in Iraq and Syria, the It’s past time for U.S. officials to ask what BUREAU STAFF source of the rocket fire near the town of al- more likely one of these flying rockets or ha- many Americans have already asked: What Baghdadi. On the same day in next-door Syria, rassing drones will eventually claim the life of exactly is the purpose of the U.S. troop pres- Europe/Mideast U.S. soldiers stationed near the al-Omar oil an American. President Joe Biden would have ence in Iraq and Syria? What are U.S. troops Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] field also came under threat from a drone, to respond militarily in such a situation, which truly being asked to risk their lives for? What is +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 which was destroyed before it could cause any would in turn be highly likely to draw even the U.S. objective? Is this objective realistic, or Pacific damage. By the time the day was over, two more hostile fire from Shiite militias that (let’s is it meant to rationalize a de facto permanent Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief coalition troops in Iraq were nursing minor in- face it) are now an integral part of Iraq and Sy- U.S. force posture in two nations that will re- [email protected] juries. ria whether we like it or not. The probability of main unstable and violent for a long time to +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 Fortunately, nobody died in this episode. afull-scale confrontation is not a scenario U.S. come? Do the risks outweigh the rewards? And Washington The trend line, however, is increasingly worri- officials can casually dismiss. Nor can they as- are there any rewards to begin with? Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief some. Despite the Biden administration’s lat- sume more airstrikes on yet more militia stor- Right now, U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria are, [email protected] est series of airstrikes against Shiite militia fa- age facilities and weapons depots produce the in practical terms, sitting ducks. If the Biden (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News cilities in Iraq and Syria late last month calm the U.S. desperately wants. If precedent administration is deeply serious about ending [email protected] (strikes U.S. defense officials insisted would is any indication, a stronger U.S. military re- forever wars and extricating U.S. troops from reintroduce deterrence into the equation), the sponse would generate the very full-blown the Middle East, then it needs to go beyond an CIRCULATION rocket and drone attacks from these very confrontation the U.S. rightly hopes to avoid. unsustainable, downright dangerous status Mideast same militias have continued unabated. The U.S. policymakers back in Washington are quo that is becoming more unjustifiable with Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager Biden administration is drawing an even har- using the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq and each passing day. [email protected] der-line than the Trump administration did, Syria to justify continuing the mission when [email protected] promising swift retaliation regardless of the original mission itself — eliminating Is- DSN (314)583-9111 Daniel R. DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities and a foreign whether a U.S. soldier or contractor has been lamic State’s territorial caliphate — ended the affairs columnist at Newsweek. Europe Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager [email protected] [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Navy needs a course correction to avoid politicization

Pacific BY BRENT D. SADLER fear doing so would risk ostracism and nega- since 2000 the Navy has made significant Mari Mori, [email protected] The Heritage Foundation tive career consequences. strides at increasing its racial, gender and eth- +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 he U.S. Navy has one paramount That’s what prompted two veterans, Sen. nic diversity. Its enlisted population today is CONTACT US mission: prepare to defend our na- Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Rep. Dan Crenshaw, 60% more racially diverse, 56% more gender tion and our national interests R-Texas, to establish a new whistleblower diverse, and over 300% more ethnically di- Washington Tthrough the application of violence hotline. Judging from the litany of troubling verse than 20 years ago. tel: (+1)202.886.0003 at sea. Getting and staying ready to do just that complaints flooding in, it was sorely needed. Separately, regarding discrimination, 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 is pretty much a full-time job, leaving little Gilday told lawmakers he included Kendi’s there is nothing among the recorded com- Reader letters time to dabble in politics. book and Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim plaints that suggests a major problem. Since [email protected] So why has the Navy’s senior-most officer, Crow” because he wanted his reading list to 2016, only between four to 10 cases of actual Additional contacts Adm. Michael Gilday, insisted on including present a diversity of thought. Yet the prem- discrimination have been reported annually stripes.com/contactus politically charged books on his officially en- ises of these books are not contested in any oth- in an organization of more than 600,000 uni- dorsed reading list for all naval personnel? It’s er book on the list. Nor has Gilday expressed formed and civilian members. Either the Na- OMBUDSMAN especially confounding when one considers any reservations about them. vy’s reporting system is flawed, or discrimina- Ernie Gates the lack of evidence suggesting that the Navy So what was Gilday thinking? Undoubtedly, tion is very rare. Determining which was true has a “diversity problem.” he was motivated by forces outside the Navy. should have been a job of Task Force One. The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow Gilday’s refusal to address congressional AJuly 1 memo cites the turmoil inflamed by a At the direction of the secretary of defense, of news and information, reporting any attempts by the military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s concerns about his list and his subsequent contentious presidential campaign and the the Navy conducted a single day anti-extre- independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fact-free assertions of racism are leading death of George Floyd. He responded first by mism stand-down earlier this year. Was this fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman Americans to question whether the Navy is forming a group called “Task Force One” to necessary? The Navy has been unable to pro- welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by email at [email protected], or by phone at being politicized. look into diversity and equity in the Navy. vide historical records regarding past mem- 202.886.0003. During a recent House Armed Services Task Force One’s final report sadly pro- bers separated from the Navy for extremism, Committee hearing, Gilday refused to ac- vides little raw data, only anecdotal or subjec- and the Department of Defense still struggles Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- knowledge feedback pouring in from sailors tive opinion surveys. Among its few factual with legally defining the term. days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and troubled by what they perceive as “woke” di- findings: Gilday and other Navy leaders should Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals ■ postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send versity training. When pressed on why he in- Minority junior officers enjoy higher re- course-correct to steer the service out of a po- address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, cluded Ibram X. Kendi’s problematic book tention rates than white officers. litical morass. A good first step would be to APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the ■ Department of Defense for members of the military services “How To Be An Antiracist” on his Profession- Retention rates for female officers are stop defending indefensible books like Ken- overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are al Reading Program, he offered little in the rising. di’s. unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- way of explanation. ■ There is no disparity in promotion rates Finally, and most importantly, focus on per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official His nebulous response — “I am the chief of up to midgrade level officers, while minorities facts before making future assertions of dis- channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. naval operations, not a theorist” — answered receive senior enlisted promotions at a higher crimination, systemic racism or extremism in The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or nothing. Rather, he merely doubled down on rate than whites. the ranks. Those in uniform have no business Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. the righteousness of his decision. The report did find a racial disparity favor- stoking politically charged rhetoric devoid of Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, Coming from the man who stands at the pin- ing whites in senior officer promotions and ju- facts. It serves no one well, nor does it serve religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical nacle of the Navy’s hierarchy, Gilday’s endor- nior enlisted promotions. It infers racism as our national interests. handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. sement carries enormous weight. Many sail- the reason but offers no analysis of promotion © Stars and Stripes 2021 ors who might wish to raise uncomfortable but boards to justify that conclusion. Brent Sadler is a senior fellow for naval warfare and advanced respectful questions about “woke” instruction The report acknowledges, however, that technology at The Heritage Foundation. stripes.com Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 43 PAGE 44 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 SCOREBOARD/SOCCER

PRO SOCCER PRO BASKETBALL DEALS MLS WNBA Wednesday’s transactions EASTERN CONFERENCE EASTERN CONFERENCE BASEBALL Major League Baseball WLTPts GF GA WLPct GB American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Placed INF Mai- New England 7 3 3 24 22 18 Connecticut 12 6 .667 — kel Franco on the 10-day IL. Recalled INF Orlando City 6 3 3 21 20 12 Chicago 10 9 .526 2½ Kelvin Gutierrez from Norfolk (Triple-A East). Philadelphia 5 3 4 19 15 11 New York 10 9 .526 2½ CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Reinstated OF CF Montréal 5 3 4 19 14 11 Washington 7 10 .412 4½ Adam Engel from the 10-day IL. Designat- Nashville 4 1 6 18 14 11 Atlanta 6 11 .353 5½ ed OF Adam Eaton for assignment. CLEVELAND INDIANS — Selected the NYCFC 5 4 2 17 19 13 Indiana 2 16 .111 10 contract of RHP DJ Johnson from Colum- D.C. United 5 6 1 16 17 14 bus (Triple-A East). Transferred RF Josh WESTERN CONFERENCE New York 5 5 1 16 16 14 Naylor from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL. Placed LF Eddie Rosario on the 10-day IL, Columbus 4 3 4 16 11 9 WLPct GB retroactive to July 6. Recalled 2B Owen Atlanta 2 3 6 12 11 13 Seattle 15 4 .789 — Miller and RF Daniel Johnson from Colum- bus. Chicago 3 7 2 11 13 18 Las Vegas 14 5 .737 1 DETROIT TIGERS — Optioned RHPs Bryan Cincinnati 3 5 2 11 10 18 Minnesota 10 7 .588 4 Garcia and Alex Lange to Toledo (Triple-A Inter Miami CF 2 7 2 8 9 17 East). Selected the contract of LHP Ian Krol Phoenix 8 9 .471 6 from Toledo. Placed OF Daz Cameron on Toronto FC 2 8 2 8 16 29 Dallas 9 11 .450 6½ the 10-day IL, retroactive to July 5. Rein- Los Angeles 6 12 .333 8½ stated INF/OF Niko Goodrum from the 10- WESTERN CONFERENCE day IL. Transferred RHP Spencer Turnbull WLTPts GF GA Tuesday’s games from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL. HOUSTON ASTROS — Reinstated RHP FRANK AUGSTEIN/AP No games scheduled Seattle 8 0 5 29 23 8 Joe Smith from the 10-day IL. Optioned IF Wednesday’s games Taylor Jones Sugar Land (Triple-A West) England manager Gareth Southgate celebrates after winning the Euro Sporting KC 8 3 2 26 24 15 Minnesota 85, Dallas 79 after last night’s game. 2020 semifinal match between England and Denmark on Wednesday LA Galaxy 8 4 0 24 20 18 Seattle 71, Los Angeles 62 MINNESOTA TWINS — Recalled RHP Mi- at Wembley Stadium in London. England won 2­1 in extra time. Colorado 6 3 2 20 18 12 Phoenix 99, Las Vegas 90, OT chael Pineda from rehab his assignment and reinstated him from the 10-day IL. Op- LAFC 5 4 3 18 15 12 Thursday’s games tioned RHP Griffin Jax to St. Paul (Triple-A Real Salt Lake 4 3 4 16 18 12 No games scheduled East). Acquired RHP Joe Kuzia from Texas in exchange for cash considerations. EURO 2020 Minnesota 4 5 3 15 12 16 Friday’s games SEATTLE MARINERS — Reinstated RHP Houston 3 4 6 15 16 19 Atlanta at Connecticut Erik Swanson from the 10-day IL. Placed Portland 4 6 1 13 14 19 New York at Indiana LHP Justus Sheffield on the 10-day IL. Seattle at Phoenix TAMPA BAY RAYS — Recalled CF Vidal Austin FC 3 6 4 13 10 14 Minnesota at Las Vegas Brujan and LHP Ryan Sherriff from Durham San Jose 3 7 2 11 14 22 Saturday’s game (Triple-A East). Placed RF Manuel Margot FC Dallas 2 5 5 11 14 20 on the 10-day IL, he is expected to be out Washington at Chicago two to three weeks. Vancouver 2 7 3 9 12 22 England on verge Sunday’s games TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Optioned RHP Note: Three points for victory, one point Las Vegas at Dallas Trent Thornton to Buffalo (Triple-A East). for tie. Connecticut at New York Assigned RHP Trevor Richards to the ac- tive roster for tonight’s game. Sent LHP Saturday, July 3 Indiana at Atlanta Phoenix at Seattle Ryan Borucki on a rehab assignment to New England 2, Columbus 2, tie Buffalo. D.C. United 7, Toronto FC 1 Minnesota at Los Angeles National League CF Montréal 1, Miami 0 TENNIS ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Sent LHP New York 2, Orlando City 1 Ryan Bucheter outright to Reno (Triple-A of ending misery Chicago 3, Atlanta 0 West). San Jose 2, Minnesota 2, tie Nordea Open ATLANTA BRAVES — Optioned C William BY ROB HARRIS Nashville 1, Philadelphia 0 Contreras to Gwinnett (Triple-A East). the acclaim of a crowd waiting for Cincinnati 1, Houston 1, tie Wednesday Associated Press At Bastad Tennis Stadium Transferred LHP Grant Dayton from the 10- this healing moment, not only to re- Los Angeles FC 1, Real Salt Lake 0 day IL to the 60-day IL. Selected the con- Bastad, Sweden Sunday, July 4 tract of C Jonathan Lucroy from Gwinnett. LONDON — All the years of hurt, ach a final again but to gather in such Purse: $125,000 CHICAGO CUBS — Placed RHP Jake Arrie- Vancouver 2, FC Dallas 2, tie Surface: Red clay ta on the 10-day IL. Recalled RHP Cory Ab- England fans sing about it. All that big numbers again as the pandemic- Seattle 1, Colorado 1, tie Women’s Singles bott from Iowa (Triple-A East). sense of entitlement, rival fans are restricted capacity swelled to Sporting Kansas City 2, LA Galaxy 0 Round of 16 LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Recalled RHP Wednesday’s games Anna Bondar, Hungary, def. Anna Kalin- Mitch White from Oklahoma City (Triple-A irritated by it. 66,000. skaya (2), Russia, 6-4, 3-0, ret. West). Placed LHP Clayton Kershaw on the Toronto FC 3, New England 2 Mihaela Buzarnescu, Romania, def. An- After decades of embarrassment “It’s too late,” Southgate quipped CF Montréal 2, New York City FC 1 10-day IL, retroactive to July 4. na-Karolina Schmiedlova (5), Slovakia, MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Recalled 1B Chicago 3, Orlando City 1 6-2, 6-2. and moaning at tournaments, the discussing any attempt to curtail the Seattle 2, Houston 0 Rowdy Tellez and added him to the active Nuria Parrizas-Diaz, Spain, def. Maddi- roster. Designated INF/OF Daniel Robert- English have a chance to finally exuberance. “We all let ourselves Los Angeles FC 2, Austin FC 0 son Inglis (8), Australia, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. Colorado 2, Minnesota 0 son for assignment. Selected the contract Rebecca Peterson (1), Sweden, def. Lara of RHP Jandel Gustave from Nashville (Tri- back up the bravado — just listen to down on the pitch.” Real Salt Lake 4, Vancouver 0 Arruabarrena, Spain, 6-1, 6-1. LA Galaxy 3, FC Dallas 1 ple-A East) and agreed to terms to a major the team anthem, “Football’s Com- The celebrations were a reflec- Mayar Sherif (3), Egypt, def. Kateryna league contract. Thursday’s games Kozlova, Ukraine, 7-6 (9), 6-0. NEW YORK METS — Recalled RHP Nick ing Home” — with a trophy. tion of the bond the coach has forged Philadelphia at New York Aliona Bolsova Zadoinov, Spain, def. Ka- Tropeano from Syracuse (Triple-A East) Atlanta at Nashville tie Volynets, United States, 6-4, 6-1. and will serve as the 27th man for today’s The nation that lays claim to being between the national team and an Claire Liu (4), United States, def. Caijsa second game. Sent CF Johneshwy Fargas Friday’s game Wilda Hennemann, Sweden, 6-0, 6-1. to St. Lucie (Low-A Southeast) on a rehab the inventor of soccer, but is more English public that seemed disillu- Columbus at Cincinnati Olga Govortsova (7), Belarus, def. Leonie assignment. Kung, Switzerland, 7-5, 6-1. fittingly one of the sport’s great un- sioned with the hubris and dreary Saturday, July 17 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Signed RHP Women’s Doubles Cam Bedrosian to a minor league con- derachievers, is back in a final — performances before Southgate’s New England at Atlanta Round of 16 tract. Miami at New York Tereza Mihalikova, Slovakia, and Kamil- ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Recalled RF Lars against Italy in the European Cham- overhaul began in 2016. Cincinnati at CF Montréal la Rakhimova (3), Russia, def. Anna-Karoli- Nootbaar from Memphis (Triple-A East). pionships. Leading England to a final is prov- D.C. United at Philadelphia na Schmiedlova, Slovakia, and Anna Kalin- Placed RHP Carlos Martinez on the 10-day New York City FC at Columbus skaya, Russia, walkover. IL, retroactive to July 5. The teams will meet Sunday night ing cathartic for the coach who as a Orlando City at Toronto FC Rebecca Peterson, Sweden, and Mayar SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Announced Chicago at Nashville Sherif, Egypt, def. Kateryna Kozlova, Uk- that Pablo Peguero, Director of Dominican at Wembley Stadium in London, player missed the decisive penalty San Jose at Colorado raine, and Katie Volynets, United States, Republic Operations, passed away unex- where England will be going for its kick in the Euro ’96 semifinal shoo- LA Galaxy at Vancouver 7-6 (5), 6-4. pectedly this morning at his home in Santo FC Dallas at Portland Domingo. first major title since winning the tout against Germany. It was that Real Salt Lake at Los Angeles FC Hamburg European Open WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Optioned Sunday, July 18 Wednesday RHP Andres Machado to Rochester (Tri- 1966 World Cup on its home field. tournament that saw the introduc- Seattle at Minnesota At Am Rothenbaum Rot-Weiss Tennis ple-A East). Reinstated RHP Daniel Hudson The Italians are unbeaten in 33 tion of the England “Three Lions” Club from the 10-day IL. NWSL Hamburg, Germany HOCKEY games. song talking of “30 years of hurt.” Purse: $235,238 National Hockey League It’s been 55 agonizing years for It’s never easy for England. Even WLTPts GF GA Surface: Red clay ARIZONA COYOTES — Signed Jay Varady Women’s Singles to a three-year contract as head coach of England through 26 World Cups when the path to the Euro 2020 North Carolina 5 2 1 16 14 4 Round of 32 the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL). SOCCER and European Championship tour- semifinals seemed smooth — even Orlando 4 2 3 15 12 10 Kristina Kucova, Slovakia, def. Mona Barthel, Germany, 6-3, 7-6 (4). Major League Soccer naments, seven of which it didn’t the 2-0 win over archrival Germany Portland 5 3 0 15 14 6 Magdalena Frech, Poland, def. Marina ATLANTA UNITED — Announced Dimi- Houston 4 3 1 13 10 8 Melnikova, Russia, 6-4, 6-4. trios Efstathiou will join the front office as even qualify for. —Southgate was prepared for diffi- vice president of soccer operations & Gotham FC 3 1 3 12 7 3 Elena-Gabriela Ruse, Romania, def. Jil Teichmann (6), Switzerland, 7-5, 7-6 (1). strategy, effective August 6. Even less illustrious national culties against Denmark, especially Washington 3 2 3 12 8 8 Tamara Korpatsch, Germany, def. Man- LA GALAXY — Signed MF Daniel Aguirre teams like Denmark and Greece after losing the 2018 World Cup Chicago 3 4 2 11 6 13 dy Minella, Luxembourg, 7-5, 6-3. to a one-year contract with three club op- tion years. Acquired D Josh Drack on a Louisville 3 4 1 10 6 12 Kristyna Pliskova, Czech Republic, def. have won trophies since then. But semifinal to Croatia and being bea- Irina Bara, Romania, 6-2, 7-6 (5). short-term loan from USL Championship Reign FC 2 5 1 7 5 10 Anna Zaja, Germany, def. Viktoriya To- affiliate LA Galaxy II under extreme hard- England became all about falling ten in the 2019 Nations League last Kansas City 0 6 3 3 5 13 mova, Bulgaria, 0-6, 6-3, 7-5. ship, making him available for tonight’s Jule Niemeier, Germany, def. Caroline match. short on a world stage it felt it should four by the Netherlands. Note: Three points for victory, one point Garcia (8), France, 6-4, 6-2. NASHVILLE SC — Acquired F Ake Loba dominate. “I knew it might be a tortuous for tie. Andrea Petkovic, Germany, def. Anna- via a trasfer from C.F. Monterrey of Liga Saturday, July 3 Lena Friedsam, Germany, 6-4, 7-5. MX (Mexico). Beating Denmark on Wednesday path,” Southgate said. “In the end Portland 2, Louisville 0 Sara Errani, Italy, def. Fiona Ferro (5), PORTLAND TIMBERS — Acquired a 2021 France, 7-5, 6-3. international roster slot from FC Cincinna- broke through the semifinal obsta- it’s a wonderful evening for our fans, Sunday, July 4 Women’s Doubles ti in exchange for $100,000 in General Allo- cle at least in the Euros, prevailing for our public and for our country.” North Carolina 2, Orlando 0 Round of 16 cation Money (GAM). Acquired $230,000 in General Allocation Money from Nashville Friday’s games Alexandra Panova, Russia, and Julia Wa- 2-1 in extra time and avoiding the Southgate stayed calm as En- chaczyk, Germany, def. Marina Melnikova SC in exchange for a 2021 international Louisville at Orlando and Alena Fomina, Russia, 6-3, 6-4. roster slot. penalty shootouts that have proved gland held on, only making a substi- Saturday’s games Alicja Rosolska, Poland, and Vivian Hei- SEATTLE SOUNDERS — Acquired Taco- to be the team’s nemesis through all tution when five were available to sen (3), Germany, def. Katharina Gerlach ma Defiance MF Juan Alvarez on a short- North Carolina at Washington and Katharina Hobgarski, Germany, 4-6, term loan from USL Championship affil- those near-misses. him in the 90 minutes before extra Sunday’s games 6-3, 10-7. iate Rave Green under extreme hardship, Jasmine Paolini, Italy, and Jil Teich- making him available for the club’s match. “What a brilliant moment for us,” time. Gotham FC at Portland COLLEGE Houston at Chicago mann, Switzerland, def. Natela Dzala- England coach Gareth Southgate “It’s one of the proudest moments Kansas City at Reign FC midze, Russia, and Isabella Shinikova, Bul- EAST CAROLINA — Named Austin Knight garia, 6-0, 6-3. men’s baseball pitching coach. said on the field with fans still sing- in my life,” said captain Harry Saturday, July 17 Astra Sharma, Australia, and Rosalie HOFSTRA — Named Frank Catalanotto Houston at North Carolina Van Der Hoek, Netherlands, def. Lisa Mat- head baseball coach. ing into the night at Wembley. Let’s Kane, who netted the winner from a viyenko and Sina Herrmann, Germany, 6-4, MICHIGAN ST. — Named Thomas Wilch- Sunday, July 18 6-3. er the football director of community and savor this.” rebound after his penalty was saved. Gotham FC at Washington Anna Zaja and Tamara Korpatsch, Ger- high school relations. No way were the England players “But we haven’t won it yet, we’ve got Reign FC at Chicago many, def. Katarzyna Piter, Poland, and PACIFIC — Named Leonard Perry head Orlando at Portland Miyu Kato (4), Japan, 6-3, 6-2. coach of the men’s basketball program. missing out on the chance to lap up one more to go.” Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 45 WIMBLEDON/SPORTS BRIEFS

BRIEFLY Osaka says Djokovic, Michelle Obama, others have offered support Associated Press of complaints of human rights NEW YORK — Naomi Osaka abuses in its northwest. says former first lady Michelle A boycott “will not succeed,” Obama and sports stars Novak Foreign Ministry spokesperson Djokovic, Michael Phelps and Ste- Wang Wenbin said. phen Curry were among those The British Parliament’s For- who reached out to offer support eign Affairs Committee called for after she withdrew from the the government to urge British French Open to take a mental companies to boycott the Beijing health break. Games, scheduled for February. In an essay in Time magazine’s The appeal adds to pressure on Olympic preview issue, on sale China’s ruling Communist Party Friday, Osaka — a four-time over reports of mass detentions Grand Slam champion and former and other abuses of mostly Mus- No. 1-ranked player — wrote that lim ethnic minorities in the north- KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AP she hopes “we can enact measures western region of Xinjiang. The Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova plays a return to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during Pliskova’s to protect athletes, especially the 5­7, 6­4, 6­4 semifinal win Thursday at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. fragile ones,” and suggests they be Astros’ Altuve, Correa allowed to sometimes skip media drop from All-Star Game obligations without punishment. HOUSTON — Houston Astros “There can be moments for any stars Jose Altuve and Carlos Cor- of us where we are dealing with is- rea will not play in next week’s sues behind the scenes,” the 23- Pliskova, Barty push on, All-Star Game. year-old Osaka said. “Each of us Both players were named re- as humans is going through some- serves for the game Tuesday night thing on some level.” in Denver. German rider Politt wins Altuve, a second baseman, on set up matchup in final Thursday cited needing the time Stage 12 in Nimes off to deal with unspecified “is- BY HOWARD FENDRICH ranked No. 1. She is the first woman NIMES, France — Nils Politt sues” with his left leg as his reason Associated Press Scoreboard from Australia to reach the title posted his first Tour de France for pulling out of the game. WIMBLEDON, England — It match at Wimbledon since Evonne stage win on Thursday after pull- might have been difficult for Ash Wimbledon Goolagong won the trophy 1980; ing away from a breakaway group. Hartford athletes sue to Barty to imagine that a trip to her Thursday Barty has been wearing an outfit in- The German rider from the Bo- first Wimbledon final was just At the All England Lawn Tennis and tended as a tribute to Goolagong ra-Hansgrohe team attacked from block move to Division III Croquet Club around the corner when she stop- London this fortnight. a reduced group of three riders HARTFORD, Conn. — A group ped playing at last month’s French Surface: Grass “Now to kind of give myself a with about 12 kilometers left and of athletes and student managers Women’s Singles Open with a hip injury. Semifinals chance to create some history, al- reached the finish in the southern at the University of Hartford has Ashleigh Barty (1), Australia, def. Ange- Or even when she was two points lique Kerber (25), Germany, 6-3, 7-6 (3). most in a way that’s a tribute to her, city of Nimes on his own. filed a federal lawsuit in attempt from being pushed to a third set by Karolina Pliskova (8), Czech Republic, is really exciting,” Barty said. Race leader Tadej Pogacar rode to block the school from down- def. Aryna Sabalenka (2), Belarus, 5-7, 6-4, Angelique Kerber in their semifinal 6-4. She arrived in England not hav- with all other main contenders grading its athletic programs at the All England Club. Men’s Doubles ing competed since June 3, when well behind the breakaway. The from Division I to Division III. Semifinals Barty does not let obstacles trou- Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic (1), Croa- she withdrew during her second- defending champion was expect- The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in tia, def. Rajeev Ram, United States, and Joe ble her for too long. She figures out a Salisbury (6), Britain, 7-6 (6), 6-3, 6-7 (2), 7-6 round match in Paris, in too much ed to keep the yellow jersey since U.S. District Court, argues the way. That’s why she’s ranked No. 1 (5). pain to continue. none of the breakaway riders school is breaking promises made Marcel Granollers, Spain, and Horacio and now stands one win from a sec- Zeballos (4), Argentina, def. Simone Bolel- “To be honest, it was going to be were threats in the general classi- to the athletes when they were li, Italy, and Maximo Gonzalez, Argentina, fication. ond Grand Slam title after beating 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). touch-and-go. Everything had to be recruited to Hartford, including 2018 champion Kerber 6-3, 7-6 (3) Mixed Doubles spot on to give myself a chance to that “they would be able to partici- Third Round China slams Olympic on Thursday. Kveta Peschke, Czech Republic, and Ke- play pain-free and to play knowing pate in a Division I athletic pro- “I’ve had ups and downs and ev- vin Krawietz (9), Germany, def. Rajeev that I could trust my body,” Barty boycott discussion gram for up to five years.” Ram and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (5), Unit- erything in between and I wouldn’t ed States, walkover. said. “If you told me a month ago BEIJING — China on Thursday The university’s Board of Re- change one day or one moment or we’d be sitting in this position, I re- criticized what it called the “poli- gents voted in May to make the one, kind of, road that we’ve taken in she’s dropped in six matches, Plis- ally wouldn’t have thought that we ticization of sports” after British transition to Division III after a my path and my journey,” said Bar- kova “got a bit frustrated,” she ac- would even get close.” lawmakers urged a boycott of the consultant’s report concluded the ty, who was the 2011 junior cham- knowledged afterward. On Thursday, she faced a big test 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics un- move could save the school more pion at the All England Club and But she went 1-for-1 in that cate- in the second set, which Kerber was less China allows an investigation than $9 million a year. stepped away from tennis for al- gory in each of the last two sets. two points from owning when Barty most two years starting in 2014 be- “It was just super important to served at deuce while trailing 5-2. cause of burnout. “It’s been unique. stay in the game, stay focused,” said The full-capacity crowd was back- It’s been incredible. It’s been tough. Pliskova, whose coach, Sascha Ba- ing the comeback effort for the 33- There have been so many things jin, used to work with Naomi Osaka year-old German, too, with shouts of that led to this point.” and was Serena Williams’ hitting “Come on, Angie!” and “Go on, Ker- Her opponent in Saturday’s final partner. “That’s what I did.” ber!” will be No. 8 seed Karolina Pliskova, Neither she nor Barty had ever But Barty steeled herself to hold who emerged from a power-hitting been past the fourth round at the there, then broke to get within 5-4 and serving display to come back to grass-court Grand Slam tourna- with a cross-court forehand passing defeat No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka 5-7, ment. winner. 6-4, 6-4. Pliskova, a 29-year-old from the That was part of a 38-16 advan- Pliskova produced 14 aces, Saba- Czech Republic, was the runner-up tage in total winners for Barty, re- lenka 18. The difference: Pliskova at the 2016 U.S. Open to three-time sponsible more than anything else was broken just once, Sabalenka major champion Kerber and used for her triumph. And this was re- twice. to be ranked No. 1. markable: She compiled that many CHRISTOPHE ENA/AP After going 0-for-8 on break The 25-year-old Barty won the point-ending shots while making Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, points in the first set, the first set 2019 French Open and is currently only 16 unforced errors. speeds in a tuck in the twelfth stage of the Tour de France. PAGE 46 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 MLB

Scoreboard

American League

East Division Back to the ballpark WLPct GB Boston 54 34 .614 _ Tampa Bay 51 36 .586 2½ Toronto 44 40 .524 8 New York 44 41 .518 8½ Concession Baltimore 28 58 .326 25 Central Division workers get WLPct GB Chicago 51 35 .593 _ Cleveland 42 42 .500 8 Detroit 40 47 .460 11½ to ply wares Kansas City 36 50 .419 15 Minnesota 35 50 .412 15½

BY NOAH TRISTER West Division Associated Press WLPct GB suite attendant at the Houston 54 33 .621 _ Miami Marlins’ home Oakland 49 39 .557 5½ ballpark, Lisa Eckstein Seattle 45 42 .517 9 Los Angeles 44 42 .512 9½ Ahad a chance to recon- Texas 34 53 .391 20 nect with a familiar face when she National League returned to work this season. “I have a guest I’ve taken care of East Division for 18 years,” she said. “Their ini- WLPct GB tial reaction was to come and hug New York 45 38 .542 _ me because we’re like family — Washington 42 43 .494 4 and then we’re doing the elbow Atlanta 42 44 .488 4½ Philadelphia 41 43 .488 4½ thing.” Miami 38 47 .447 8 It would be premature to say the Central Division scene at major league ballparks WLPct GB has completely returned to nor- mal, but there’s no question this Milwaukee 52 36 .591 _ Cincinnati 45 41 .523 6 season has been a step in that di- Chicago 43 44 .494 8½ rection — perhaps most crucially CHARLES REX ARBOGAST ABOVE, AND GENE J. PUSKAR, BELOW/AP St. Louis 43 45 .489 9 for the people who work there. Above: A concessions worker walks the aisle near home plate as the Chicago Cubs’ Willson Contreras Pittsburgh 32 54 .372 19 With fans back in the stands and waits for a pitch during the second inning Monday in Chicago. Below: Tom Congdon, a vendor at West Division concessions being sold, ballpark Pittsburgh sports venues for 38 years, mans his beer and water cart in the concourse at PNC Park before WLPct GB a game between the Pirates and the Atlanta Braves on Monday. employees had a chance to return San Francisco 54 32 .628 _ after the pandemic hit many of Los Angeles 53 34 .609 1½ them hard. sure if that was true in more San Diego 51 38 .573 4½ “For some of my coworkers it cramped areas like concession Colorado 37 50 .425 17½ Arizona 25 63 .284 30 was pretty tough, because that stands. was their only job,” said Eugenia Mays said some employees Wednesday’s games Tampa Bay 8, Cleveland 1, 7 innings, 1st Mays, who has worked at Coors have had extra work because oth- game Tampa Bay 4, Cleveland 0, 7 innings, 2nd Field in Denver for about two dec- ers didn’t return. game ades. “So unemployment was “I would prep for Infield Greens Chicago White Sox 6, Minnesota 1 Detroit 5, Texas 3 kicked in, food stamp was kicked — that’s the salad bar,” she said. L.A. Angels 5, Boston 4 Toronto 10, Baltimore 2 in, and you just have to learn how “Now, instead of prepping for just Houston 4, Oakland 3 to budget and how to do things off one place, I prep for two places. … N.Y. Yankees 5, Seattle 4 Atlanta 14, Pittsburgh 3 of that point. Some got other jobs, I ping-pong back and forth to N.Y. Mets 4, Milwaukee 3, 8 innings, 1st game some had to buddy up with others make sure they’re OK.” Milwaukee 5, N.Y. Mets 0, 7 innings, 2nd to live together.” White said Delaware North is game Cincinnati 5, Kansas City 2 After a significantly shortened having challenges recruiting for Miami 9, L.A. Dodgers 6 Chicago Cubs 8, Philadelphia 3 2020 season, baseball returned openings, especially cooks and Arizona 6, Colorado 4 this year with at least some fans at- other culinary positions. The com- San Francisco 5, St. Louis 2 Washington 15, San Diego 5 tending in person. All teams have pany has held job fairs at ball- Thursday’s games now opened their parks to full ca- parks in places like Atlanta, De- Oakland at Houston pacity. troit, St. Louis, Cleveland and Tex- N.Y. Yankees at Seattle Toronto at Baltimore Delaware North, a concessio- as. It has also looked to nonprofit Kansas City at Cleveland Detroit at Minnesota naire that operates at 11 big league organizations for help. L.A. Dodgers at Miami ballparks, says it has recalled “It’s an easy way for groups Colorado at Arizona Pittsburgh at N.Y. Mets around 8,000 employees and hired such as civic organizations, high Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs Cincinnati at Milwaukee around 3,000 new ones since Jan. 1 said. union,” she said. “It’s been very school boosters, churches and oth- Washington at San Diego at those parks. She described the unemploy- good as far as all that goes.” er nonprofit groups to operate Friday’s games “We are continuing to recruit ment system as a “nightmare” but Marlene Patrick-Cooper is concessions at the stadium to raise Chicago White Sox (Keuchel 6-3) at Balti- more (López 2-11) additional associates who have said her union — Unite Here — president of Unite Here Local 23, funds for their respective organi- Kansas City (Keller 6-9) at Cleveland worked for Delaware North to was crucial in helping people nav- which has members in the Wash- zations,” White said. (TBD) Toronto (Stripling 3-4) at Tampa Bay come back and are seeing more do igate it. ington, D.C., area, home of Nation- With the season now about half (McClanahan 3-3) Oakland (Irvin 6-7) at Texas (Lyles 4-5) so now that they see our safe and Eckstein said she was appre- als Park. She said workers would over, ballparks have slowly start- Detroit (Manning 1-2) at Minnesota exciting operations are back in ac- hensive about going back to work have to wait in line to clock in to ed buzzing again. This year is still (Maeda 4-3) N.Y. Yankees (Cole 8-4) at Houston tion,” company spokesman Glen this season. She hadn’t been going start their shifts — but an app on different, but for many employ- (Odorizzi 3-3) L.A. Angels (Cobb 6-3) at Seattle (Gon- White said. out much, except for groceries, employees' phones helped alle- ees, the past couple of months zales 1-5) St. Louis (LeBlanc 0-1) at Chicago Cubs Eckstein recalled when the cor- but she knew there would be safe- viate that social distancing con- have been a welcome respite after (Hendricks 10-4) onavirus crisis brought basketball ty precautions. cern. a tumultuous year. Atlanta (Morton 7-3) at Miami (Thomp- son 2-2) and hockey to a standstill last year “We had discussions that we “They could use that as opposed “Employees, they seem to be Philadelphia (Velasquez 3-3) at Boston (Richards 4-5) — and the start of the baseball sea- would be afforded the PPP that we to standing in line," she said. pretty mellow, they’re excited to Pittsburgh (TBD) at N.Y. Mets (Stroman son was postponed. needed … that social distancing Eckstein said she was vaccinat- be back,” Mays said. “They just 6-6) Cincinnati (Miley 6-4) at Milwaukee “We got an email that said go would occur, and if we had any dif- ed by the second homestand, want to know, ‘Hey, how you do- (Lauer 3-3) Washington (Espino 2-2) at San Francis- ahead and start your unemploy- ficulty, of course we always have which was a relief. She said most ing? How’s your dog, how’s your co (Webb 4-3) ment benefits because nobody someone to go back to besides the people in her department came cat?’ Everybody’s all excited to be Arizona (TBD) at L.A. Dodgers (TBD) Colorado (Freeland 1-2) at San Diego knows what’s happening,” she company, which would be the back to work, although she wasn’t back — to see everybody.” (Snell 3-3) Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 47 STANLEY CUP FINAL Lightning edge Habs in Game 5 BY STEPHEN WHYNO past Canadiens stalwart Carey Associated Press Price that fired up the crowd of TAMPA, Fla. — It only took over 17,000 fans at Amalie Are- scoring once for the Tampa Bay na. Lightning to strike twice and re- The scene couldn’t have been peat as Stanley Cup champions. any further from the mirthless, Backstopped by their star empty arena where the Light- goaltender and the only two ning won the Cup last September Tampa Bay players on the ice in a quarantined bubble across without their name on the Cup, the continent in Edmonton, Al- the Lightning won it all for the berta. Tampa Bay joined Pitts- second time in 10 months by burgh as the only back-to-back beating the Montreal Canadiens Cup winner in the salary-cap 1-0 in Game 5 on Wednesday era, but even more impressively night. did it amid virus protocols with the shortest span between cham- Andrei Vasilevskiy had a se- GERRY BROOME/AP ries-ending shutout for an NHL- pionships in the long history of Lightning left wing Ross Colton (79) reacts after scoring on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price the NHL. record fifth consecutive time during the second period of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday in Tampa, Fla. dating to the 2020 final. Finish- Never losing twice in a row ing with a handful in a frantic fi- thanks to a combination of Vasi- Scoreboard Price to keep them in a game. He other title for “Champa Bay,” nal minute, he made 22 saves to levskiy’s brilliance and one of finished with 29 saves — one too with this title coming on the the deepest rosters constructed remain undefeated in games af- Stanley Cup Final few to prevent a Cup celebration heels of Tom Brady leading the ter a loss over the past two play- since the cap was implemented for Tampa Bay. Buccaneers to a Super Bowl vic- (Best-of-seven) in 2005, the Lightning solidified offs, both contested during a Tampa Bay 4, Montreal 1 The sunbelt franchise in a non- tory in February. The Tampa deadly pandemic with the Light- their status as a modern-day dy- Tampa Bay 5, Montreal 1 traditional market that didn’t Bay Rays went to the World Se- ning coming out on top each nasty. Tampa Bay 3, Montreal 1 even exist until 1992-93 went ries last fall. Tampa Bay 6, Montreal 3 time. How deep? Nikita Kucherov Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 2, OT through the NHL’s most storied Tampa Bay’s mayor had sug- Ross Colton and David Savard had 32 points to join Mario Le- Wednesday: Tampa Bay 1, Montreal 0 franchise to do it. The Lightning gested the Lightning lose Game 4 weren’t around last year and mieux as the only players to lead won the Cup for the third time in on the road so they could win at made sure to put their stamp on the postseason in scoring two and defenseman Victor Hedman franchise history and denied home, and she got her wish as Tampa Bay’s latest title run. Sa- years in a row, and Brayden all played through injuries, too. Montreal a 25th league cham- coach Jon Cooper’s team became vard set up Coleman’s goal mid- Point scored 14 goals through It was just too much for the pionship banner. the first since Chicago in 2015 to way through the second period three rounds. Kucherov, Point Canadiens, who relied again on The Lightning also added an- hoist the Cup on home ice. Repeat: Tampa Bay never lost back-to-back playoff games in either Cup run FROM PAGE 56 win situation in 22 months, not since facing Backstopped by goaltender Andrei Vasi- elimination against the Blue Jackets in levskiy posting another shutout in a clinch- 2019. This time, with Montreal already ing game and going undefeated after losses, waiting, Yanni Gourde scored the only goal Tampa Bay showed the resolve of a cham- of the night, Vasilevskiy made 18 saves and pion. Tampa Bay found a way. “There’s always big losses,” said forward “It was all a culmination of two years of Patrick Maroon, who became the fourth work,” Cooper said. player in NHL history and first in 57 years Tampa Bay was the overwhelming favor- to win the Cup three years in a row on differ- ite against the Canadiens, who brought the ent teams. “We’ve had some tough ones underdog label and an exciting blend of during the playoffs this year. It’s the way young and old talent backstopped by stand- you respond.” out goalie Carey Price. Listen to captain Steven Stamkos or vet- The Lightning shrugged off the feel-good eran defenseman Ryan McDonagh, and it’s Habs, solved Price and relied on their depth clear Cooper’s vision of navigating playoff to win it all — after they were dealt one final hockey has filtered down to his players. blow to learn and grow from. The morning There was no riding the highs or wallowing after their only loss of the Final, players at in the lows. breakfast found renewed focus. The Lightning instead learned to react “At the end of the day, you hate to lose,” well to each twist and turn, and the front of- McDonagh said. “Sometimes you hate to fice learned to build a juggernaut of a team lose more than you like to win. That’s prob- in the salary cap era that has reached the GERRY BROOME/AP ably the identity of this group.” semifinals five times in seven years and the The Lightning’s Steven Stamkos, left, and Anthony Cirelli, right, crowd left wing Ross Tampa Bay never lost back-to-back play- final three times. Colton after he scored against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday in Tampa, Fla. off games in either Cup run. It’s impossible That’s no easy task, as the players who to lose a best-of-seven series that way, and have been with Tampa since the 2015 final lines to go all in. “We can draw on those ex- cherov would not be able to play during the Tampa Bay showed why it deserves to be in loss to Chicago and beyond know well. periences to prepare for our games. ... They condensed, 56-game regular season. Tam- the modern-day dynasty conversation. Those around in 2019 remember winning made us better.” pa Bay took advantage of salary cap rules to “That’s the mentality we’ve had: Some- the Presidents’ Trophy with the league’s Perhaps it’s so difficult to repeat because bring back their superstar in time for Game times it takes four games, sometimes sev- best record and then being swept right out it is so exhausting. It’s only been done once 1 of the first round, which the Lightning en,” Stamkos said. “This group is very ma- of the playoffs in the first round at the hands since the cap era began in 2005. started on the road after losing four of six. ture in terms of realizing the task at hand.” of a harder-working, less-talented team in What the Lightning did from the time Missing the benefits of home didn’t mat- Much like the tail end of the pandemic in Columbus. they hoisted the Cup as bubble hockey ter, not after almost every NHL team be- the U.S., the Lightning are likely at the end “There’s no doubt that today those expe- champions Sept. 29 in Edmonton, Alberta, came used to playing in empty or nearly of their reign as perennial Cup contenders riences are part of our baggage,” said gen- until Wednesday night was get better from empty arenas. with roster moves on the horizon. If this run eral manager Julien BriseBois, who wasn’t each individual setback. Losing to the Islanders in overtime in has shown anything, it’s that they can lose afraid to ante up at the past two trade dead- The first challenge was finding out Ku- Game 6 put the Lightning in their first must- and still find a way to win. PAGE 48 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 NBA FINALS

NOTEBOOK Sweating with the oldies: 30-somethings abound in the Finals BY DAVID BRANDT team and they have very good play- Associated Press ers. I think the physicality and the PHOENIX — Chris Paul and his way the game was played was high- 36-year-old legs climbed onto the level; you respect that.” podium at the NBA Finals on Wednesday. He was asked to remi- Mind games nisce about things that have It was absurdly loud from the mo- changed in his game during the past ment Bucks forward Giannis Ante- 16 years. tokounmpo stepped to the line for “I’m not as athletic as I was then,” his first free-throw attempt in Game Paul said grinning. 1 on Tuesday night. But what he lacks in athleticism, It sounded like every one of the he’s made up for in other ways. He 17,000 strong at Phoenix Suns Are- was fantastic in Game 1 on Tuesday na started counting — screaming night, finishing with 32 points and out the seconds as Antetokounmpo CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/AP nine assists to lead the Phoenix Suns went through his lengthy routine. The Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton, left, attempts a shot ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks’ Brook Lopez to a 118-105 victory over the Milwau- By the end of the game, it was deaf- during Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday in Phoenix. Ayton had 22 points and 19 rebounds. kee Bucks. ening and the crowd roared each He is one of several 30-some- time he missed. things in these playoffs proving that It’s hard to say if it had much of a older legs and a little savvy can still direct effect; Antetokounmpo was carry teams a long way. 7-for-12 from the line. He’s strug- With Suns’ stars rolling, Three of the Bucks’ starting five gled shooting free throws the past — Jrue Holiday, P.J. Tucker and two playoff series, making just 44 of Brook Lopez — are at least 30 and a 88 (50%) against the Nets and the fourth, Khris Middleton, will turn Hawks. He’s made 72% from the 30 this summer. Backup point free-throw line in his career. Bucks need to step it up guard Jeff Teague recently turned “Of course, 20,000 people yelling, 33. ‘one, two, three, four,’ you notice BY BRIAN MAHONEY lenge of getting three players going Paul is the oldest player on the that,” Antetokounmpo said. “But as Associated Press Scoreboard at once. Suns, but rotation players Jae I said, like I’ve learned to embrace PHOENIX — At their best, the NBA Finals “So it’s harder than people real- Crowder and Torrey Craig are also it. Like I know it’s not going to stop.” Phoenix Suns have three players (Best-of-seven) ize,” he said. x-if necessary in their 30s. who can take over a game. Phoenix 1, Milwaukee 0 It wasn’t any problem for Phoe- Paul was the unquestioned star, Olympics got next There’s Chris Paul and Devin Phoenix 118, Milwaukee 105 nix. Paul had 32 points and nine as- Thursday: at Phoenix, AFN­Sports, shooting 12-for-19 from the field, in- Suns guard Devin Booker has a Booker, breaking down defenses 3.a.m. Friday CET; 10 a.m. Friday JKT sists, Booker added 27 points and Sunday: at Milwaukee, AFN­Sports, 2 cluding 4-for-7 from three-point message for the USA basketball from the backcourt. Deandre Ayton a.m. Monday CET; 9 a.m. Monday JKT six assists, and Ayton finished with range. Lopez was solid for Milwau- team: “I’ll be there.” has been a beast on the backboards Wednesday, July 14: at Milwaukee, AFN­ 22 points and 19 rebounds. Sports, 3 a.m. Thursday CET; 10 a.m. Thurs­ kee, scoring 17 points and making “I’ve reached out to Coach Pop,” and almost automatic as a shooter. day JKT Paul in particular wore the Bucks x-Saturday, July 17: at Phoenix, AFN­ three three-pointers. Booker said of national team coach When all three are rolling the way Sports, 3 a.m. Sunday CET; 10 a.m. Sunday out in the third quarter by exploiting Others struggled: Crowder Gregg Popovich. “I reached out to they were in Game 1 of the NBA Fi- JKT their coverage of the pick-and-roll x-Tuesday, July 20: at Milwaukee scored just one point on a free throw (Jerry) Colangelo just recently and nals, it’s easy to see why this could x-Thursday, July 22: at Phoenix whenever it ended up with a big and was 0-for-8 from the field and then I told them I saw all the guys finally be the Suns’ championship man such as Brook Lopez or Bobby missed all five of his three-point at- reported to Vegas, and the only oth- chance. pect better from Holiday, who mis- Portis switching out to defend him. tempts. Holiday hit just 4 of 14 shots. er place I would rather be is the Fi- “We have a real team,” Paul said sed 10 of his 14 shots and finished The crafty and creative All-Star Tucker was his usual self, provid- nals. But I would love to be there Wednesday, “like a team where you with just 10 points in the Suns’ 118- guard could either blow by those ing valuable defense and toughness with the guys and I’ll be there soon.” can’t just key on one guy or two 105 victory. And though he’s long players off the dribble, or step back for the Bucks. He added seven The logistics of getting from the guys.” been regarded as one of the NBA’s away from them to launch deep points. NBA Finals to Tokyo could be tight The Milwaukee Bucks are sup- top defensive guards, he wasn’t able jumpers. And with so much experience on if the series goes all seven games. posed to have the same formula. to limit either Paul or Booker — Milwaukee has faced that prob- that court, no one expects the up- Game 7 is scheduled for July 22 and Yet just when Giannis Anteto- though in fairness, maybe nobody lem before. The Bucks never got a coming games to be easy. the first game for USA Basketball at kounmpo came back, Jrue Holi- could have Tuesday. handle on the Brooklyn Nets until “It’s going to be a very hard se- the Olympics is July 25. Holiday day’s game went away. And if the Holiday said he knows what he first James Harden and then Kyrie ries,” Crowder said. “These guys and Middleton could be in the same Bucks are going to compete they needs to do offensively. Irving were injured, or Atlanta’s played very hard. They are a good situation for the Bucks. can’t afford bad nights from those “Pick my spots to be aggressive, Trae Young until he hurt his foot in two or Khris Middleton. and I think sometimes it’s gotten me the East finals. “I think in that perfect, ideal in trouble,” Holiday said. “I think Antetokounmpo said he was hav- world, all three guys are hitting and I’ve got to be aggressive from the ing no problems with his hyperex- clicking and everything is perfect,” beginning of the game. Sometimes tended left knee. He wasn’t at his Milwaukee coach Mike Budenhol- it gets just a bit difficult, or it’s just a best in Game 1 — and certainly was zer said. “But I’m guessing if you bit different, again, because we not as effective as Ayton, who hiked look at any team that has three great have another ball handler and his field-goal percentage in the post- players or three really significant somebody that’s great in transition season to an absurd 71.1% — but is players, I bet a lot of nights it’s two and makes plays for others.” looking forward to the challenge of out of three that they’re going and Holiday averaged 26 points and Game 2 before the NBA Finals re- playing well.” 11 assists in the two victories that turn to Milwaukee this weekend for Antetokounmpo had 20 points Antetokounmpo missed to end the the first time since 1974. and 17 rebounds in his return to the Eastern Conference finals. He took “Hopefully I can feel more com- lineup, and it might be hard for the at least 20 shots in both games, play- fortable, more confident to go down- Bucks to ask for much more so soon ing with an aggression without the hill, to make more plays,” Anteto- after a left knee injury that looked two-time MVP that he hasn’t always kounmpo said. “We’ll see. We’ll see. MATT YORK /AP like it could have knocked him out provided with him in the postsea- I don’t know how tomorrow is going Veteran Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, age 33, rebounds as far longer. son. to be, but hopefully I can be in a po- 36­year­old Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, looks on. But Milwaukee certainly can ex- Budenholzer said that’s the chal- sition that I can make more plays.” Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 49 OLYMPICS Tokyo’s state of emergency means no fans at Games

BY HANA KUSUMOTO those restrictions in Hokkaido, Stars and Stripes Aichi, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka TOKYO — Olympic events in prefectures on Sunday as origi- and around Japan’s capital will nally planned. take place without fans in the Kanagawa is home to several stands, after the prime minister U.S. military installations, includ- announced a state of emergency ing Yokosuka Naval Base and the in Tokyo on Thursday to combat Army’s Camp Zama. the surging number of coronavi- Alcohol will be banned at areas rus cases. under the state of emergency, Su- The local organizing commit- ga said, and in those areas under NG HAN GUAN/AP tee met with the International the focused anti-infection mea- Team USA player Jayson Tatum reacts after scoring against Turkey in a FIBA Basketball World Cup game Olympic Committee and made sures, depending on the situation. in 2019. Tatum has worn No. 10 as part of U.S. teams several times and will wear it at Tokyo. the no-spectators decision for Tokyo had implemented short- venues in Tokyo and the nearby ened hours for bars and restau- prefectures of Chiba, Saitama rants that failed to slow the virus’ and Kanagawa, according to the spread, according to AP. A ban on The Power of 10: Tatum eager Reuters news agency. alcohol sales would dampen fes- Hours earlier, Prime Minister tivities associated with the games Yoshihide Suga announced the in Tokyo’s central wards, long- to don Kobe’s Olympic number fourth emergency during a Novel time pandemic hotspots. BY TIM REYNOLDS Coronavirus Response Head- The capital reported 896 new Associated Press quarters meeting. It takes effect cases on Thursday. That figure is LAS VEGAS — Jayson Tatum was 15 when he made Monday and lasts until Aug. 22, in line with experts’ earlier esti- his first USA Basketball national team. It was 2013, he said. The Olympics open July mate that daily cases in Tokyo when he got picked to play in the FIBA Americas U-16 23 and conclude Aug. 8. could hit 1,000 before the games, championships in Uruguay. And one of the biggest “Although the number of new AP reported. Also Thursday, two thrills from that experience was getting his jersey. cases is declining in many areas U.S. military bases in Japan had It bore No. 10. in Japan, the number of infected reported new coronavirus pa- Kobe Bryant’s number. Tatum’s favorite player’s cases is on the rise in metropoli- tients as of 6 p.m. number. tan areas centering around Tokyo One person at Marine Corps Bryant wore No. 24 and No. 8 with the Los Angeles since the end of last month,” he Air Station Iwakuni contracted Lakers, but he donned No. 10 for USA Basketball when said. the virus sometimes since he helped the Americans capture gold medals at the “There is a need to strengthen Wednesday, according to a post 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Tatum has worn that number ERIC GAY/AP measures in order to prevent the on the base Facebook page. as part of U.S. teams several times since — and will Kobe Bryant reacts after a dunk during the men’s infection from spreading nation- Kadena Air Base on Okinawa wear it at the Tokyo Olympics, where the Americans gold medal game against Spain at the 2012 ally again while considering the had six people test positive since will aim to capture a fourth consecutive gold medal. Summer Olympics in London. Bryant wore No. 24 effects of the variant strain, al- July 2, according to its Facebook “With this being the first Olympics since we lost and No. 8 with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he though the number of those in se- page. One person tested positive him, it holds that much more value,” Tatum said. “It’s donned No. 10 for USA Basketball. rious condition and occupancy after falling ill; two more tested not something I take lightly.” rate of beds in hospitals are low,” positive during their 14-day re- There is a significance to the No. 10 jersey across Tatum knew Bryant well. They worked out together Suga added. striction after travel outside Ja- sports, particularly soccer, where it always seems to and Bryant offered him advice many times. The Japanese government will pan; and three quarantined as be adorning the best players. Pele wore 10 for Brazil. “I remember one talk, it might have been after a also extend focused, anti-infec- close contacts also contracted the Diego Maradona wore it for Argentina, and Lionel game, and he was saying that a lot of people won’t un- tion measures for Osaka, Chiba, virus, according to Kadena.

Messi does now. Landon Donovan wore it for the U.S. derstand what you do,” Tatum said. “He said, ‘What I Saitama and Kanagawa prefec- Stars and Stripes reporter Joseph Ditzler contrib- men’s soccer team when he led that program; it has mean by that is, the ones that really want to be great tures until Aug. 22 but will lift uted to this report. since been passed to Christian Pulisic. For the U.S. and really want to be special really take that whatever- women’s soccer team, it belongs to Carli Lloyd. it-takes mentality.’ He told me it takes sacrifice, be- For USA Basketball, it was Bryant’s. When he de- cause the ultimate question is about how much are you cided not to play in the 2016 Olympics, the number willing to give up to be great.” ended up with Kyrie Irving — another player who U.S. coach Gregg Popovich still laments that Tatum idolizes Bryant, just as Tatum does. And now, as was got hurt at that World Cup in China. That team was the case when the U.S. went to the Basketball World built for Tatum to be, as Popovich put it, “the go-to Cup two years ago, the jersey is Tatum’s. guy” — just as Bryant had been for past U.S. teams. “For JT to have this moment, I’m happy for him, When Tatum was ruled out of the World Cup with an genuinely,” U.S. center Bam Adebayo said. “I’ve ankle injury, the Americans sputtered and wound up known JT since I was 12. He deserves everything he’s finishing only seventh. getting and he’s going to keep deserving more because Popovich said Tatum is even better now. he’s such a great player. I’m happy for him. That’s his “He’s become more of a two-way player,” Popovich idol, and he gets to represent that number. I know he’s said. “He’s way more confident. He’s developed more going to have that ‘Mamba Mentality’ when he puts skills. He’s, on top of that, more aggressive and knows that 10 on.” that he can dominate people.” Adebayo is another player who makes no secret of People would say the same things about Bryant as his affinity for Bryant, the five-time NBA champion well. and now Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinee who died “I remember that first team when I was hoping, in a helicopter crash along with one of his daughters wishing, that I got No. 10,” Tatum said. “Kobe, every- EUGENE HOSHIKO/AP and seven other people in January 2020 on their way to one knows that was my favorite player. I was 15 years International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach waves to abasketball tournament. He’s worn Bryant’s shoes for old and got to wear the number of my favorite player. media upon his arrival Thursday in Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister games, and said he’s devastated that he never got to It just felt like I had some level of connection with Yoshihide Suga announced a state of emergency in Tokyo through meet him. him.” Aug. 22, meaning there will be no fans at Olympic events. PAGE 50 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 OLYMPICS Tools of the trade Hands the key to keeping a grip in climbing

BY JOHN MARSHALL Those pullups most of us strug- Associated Press gle to do more than a couple? Clim- SALT LAKE CITY— The skin bers do it from their fingertips, stretches taught, veins pouring in sometimes one handed — over and tributaries over the linear lines of over again. the carpals and metacarpals. They practice on hang boards The phalanges fall into line like a bolted to walls, dangling by noth- picket fence with boards of var- ing but their fingers. Rest during a ying lengths, the knuckles unknob- climb constitutes clinging to holds by. They’re long, yet not spindly, with hands and feet. even muscular — if fingers can be Climbing’s Olympic debut in muscular. Tokyo this month will include The palms are proportional, three disciplines: lead, bouldering powerful like mini car compac- and speed. tors. The fingernails are closely All three will take walnut-crack- cropped, tips arching in unblem- ing hand strength. ished partial ellipses. “Almost more important than PHOTOS BY RICK BOWMER/AP The cue is in the cuticles, chalky anything else is your hands being American Olympic climber halos announcing these are the able to have good finger strength, Nathaniel Coleman looks at his hands of a climber. healthy fingers so you don’t pop a hands before a practice climb in Flip over Kyra Condie’s append- tendon or anything like that,” May. Climbing is an Olympic ages and find more proof: calluses American Olympic climber Collin sport for the first time, and the not quite on the fingertips, not Duffy said. “Every single time spotlight will introduce a massive audience to an oft lonely pursuit. quite centered on the final pad of you’re on the wall, you’re using each digit. your hands in some fashion.” you’ll likely be the only person “Honestly, my hands are less The minutes and hours between whose hands are in the water. ugly than people would think they those times on the wall are spent Files, razors and sandpaper also are,” said Condie, one of four making sure their hands aren’t too are essential. American climbers headed to the battered to do it again Not for the nails. For the callous- Tokyo Olympics. “People picture —a skin breakdown could mean es. like torn apart, bloodied every- the end of a competition, a finger An imperfection on a callous can where. That does happen, but it’s pulley injury up to a year on the catch on a crystal in the rock or a not like a daily occurrence.” shelf. sharp edge, so those have to be Baseball players need bats and Sweat is every climber’s enemy, sanded down or trimmed off. Files gloves, tennis players racquets, so they coat their hands in chalk and sandpaper can prevent cuts golfers their clubs. before every climb to prevent slip- from opening up. Razors are good Climbers’ instruments are their page. Some take it a step further, for trimming because fresh skin hands. bringing battery-operated fans to heals faster than callouses. Hands are the main contact dry their hands before attacking Some climbers walk around point to the only obstacle in the the wall. with rocks in their pocket to try sport, a sheer wall freckled with The problem: All the drying can making their skin hard. One clim- holds set at an array of angles, lead to cracking. ber supposedly burned his finger- some no wider than a fingertip. Lotions, balms and salves are es- tips on a hot tea kettle to make his Strength, in muscle and skin, is sential to most climbers’ hand- skin harder. paramount. A breakdown in either care toolkits, but there is a fine line. There are even reports of clim- is disastrous. Too soft and the callouses break bers immersing their hands in wa- “The hands are our main tool,” down, maybe even break off. ter and running an electrical cur- U.S. Olympian Nathaniel Coleman Soaking in water has the same rent to cut down on excessive said. “Every little muscle in our effect, so climbers do dishes wear- sweating. forearms, in our hands are essen- ing rubber gloves or, better yet, “People try to control it as much tial for using our entire body to leave it to someone else. Climbers as possible,” Condie said. “There climb.” have been known to wear rubber are some interesting methods out Serious climbing is a constant gloves in the shower before climb- there, but whatever it takes.” full-body workout hinged at the ing. Find yourself soaking in a hot Those hands are a precious com- fingers. tub with a group of climbers and modity in the climbing world. Gymnast Malone has taken unusual path to Tokyo BY WILL GRAVES yeah, he knows he might be the on- utes northwest of Atlanta. Malone where mere tenths often separate Associated Press ly person in the history of the Stan- instead opted for the one 2,300 success and failure — that men’s Brody Malone insists there is ford men’s program to ask coach miles away geographically and, high-performance director Brett nothing special about his origin Thom Gliemi for a good place to well, maybe far more than that McClure proclaimed “What a story. His parents signed him up hunt in the northern California culturally. stud!” in the aftermath. for gymnastics when he was 3 be- woods. Gliemi describes Malone as a If he’s being honest, Malone still cause he couldn’t — or more to the “I don’t think he gave me “lunch-pail” athlete whose team- isn’t comfortable with the atten- point, wouldn’t — sit still. much,” Malone said with a laugh. mates voted him as the squad’s tion he’s receiving. If he had his “Typical,” Malone said in the Hard to blame Gliemi, though hardest worker this season while way, he’d just go to the gym and soft southern twang that betrays he is quick to point out what looks winning his second NCAA all- put in the work. Yet the landscape his Tennessee and Georgia roots. like an unusual marriage between around title and leading the Cardi- around him is shifting. That may be the only typical school and athlete on the surface nal to a national championship in “In rodeo, no matter what, you thing about the 21-year-old newly is more of a testament to the April. have to be ready to go,” he said. minted national champion who lengths Malone will go to chal- It marked the start of a run “You have to be in the right mind- will head to Tokyo later this month lenge himself. that’s thrust Malone into the spot- set. There’s a lot of moving parts. as the standard-bearer for the U.S. JEFF ROBERSON/AP Sure, there were programs that light, whether he likes it or not. He ... It’s the same in gymnastics. men’s team. Brody Malone blows chalk off his might have seemed like a better fit was so dominant at the U.S. Olym- You’ve just got to have that com- Malone is a rodeo-riding, frog- arm during the men’s Olympic for someone who grew up in tiny pic Trials — an event he won by a petitor’s mindset and be able to gigging son of the South. And Gymnastics Trials on June 26. Summerville, Ga., about 90 min- staggering three points in a sport perform when you have to.” Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 51 OLYMPICS

3X3 BASKETBALL Playing to 21: Sport is Olympic version of a pickup game

BY EDDIE PELLS At a glance Associated Press What’s new: Everything. The Olympics The latest stop on the perennial website calls this version of hoops “excit- search for the younger, attention- ing, urban and innovative.” It was added to the program for Tokyo to lure a younger au- span-challenged audience for the dience and get more countries involved in Olympics might look familiar — the one of the core sports of the games. In one blacktop, and 3-on-3 basketball. way, that has worked. Mongolia will field a Not a pickup game, mind you. women’s team. The United States did not Once the Olympics gets hold of this qualify for the men’s tournament. Tokyo expectations: Fast-paced fun for version of street hoops, it will only those who don’t have the stamina to watch share a faint resemblance to any- an entire, full-court game. Held on an out- thing happening on an urban play- door half-court under a dome-like cover- ground. ing, teams will play to 21, or for 10 min- For one, there will be no Ameri- utes, whichever comes first. Buckets are worth one point inside and two from out- cans — at least none playing in the side the line. Let’s hoop! men’s tournament. Another differ- Athletes to watch: The international ANDRE PENNER/AP ence is that these games will have basketball federation, FIBA, ranks 3x3 Kokona Hiraki of Japan competes during the 2019 Skate Park World Championship in Sao Paulo. Skating refs, a scoreboard and each team players. Top on the men’s list is 35-year- is one of four debut Olympic sports, along with karate, surfing and sport climbing. gets one sub. old Dušan Domociv-Bulut of Serbia. Laet- itia Guapo of France is the top-ranked But some of it might look familiar. woman. Games are first to 21 (Or whoever is Gold Medal moment(s): Gold and SKATEBOARDING winning after 10 minutes.) Teams bronze medal games are July 28. have to clear the ball back to around the three-point line after rebounds. ing. This will be the first time the Inside buckets are worth one, and country has entered a team sport in- “threes” are worth two. The teams to the Summer Games. On shaky footing: Olympics, have coaches but they are for be- hind-the-scenes stuff, not allowed Who’s not on the court. It seemed a foregone conclusion “For me, the best thing is, it’s al- that the U.S. would field a team in skateboarders must adjust ways been fun to play,” said Dusan the sport it invented. Not to be on the Bulut, widely considered the best in men’s side. BY JOHN LEICESTER with that, possibly better prospects of At a glance the world, who will lead Serbia into Unlike the 5-on-5 version, a win at Associated Press earning a living from riding and What’s new: Absolutely everything. the tournament as a favorite. “When the World Cup for the U.S. in 2019 CHELLES, France — For skate- sponsorships. Skaters also hope the Skateboarding is one of four sports mak- you play 3-x-3, you have all the free- did not secure an Olympic spot. And boarding, a sport where the No. 1 rule Olympic seal of approval will gener- ing their Olympic debuts at the Tokyo dom in the world and it was so much the Americans, led by former Pur- Games, along with karate, surfing and is that there are no rules, the straight ate more funding for skate parks and sport climbing. As was the case when its fun for me because I can show ev- due star Robbie Hummel, suffered jacket of the Olympic Games, with its bowls to train, land and invent their winter sports cousin, snowboarding, erything I am.” a stunning upset to the Netherlands dense thickets of tradition and regu- tricks. joined the Olympic program in 1998, in May that knocked them out of the lation, may not be a natural or imme- Some skaters fret that Olympic some skateboarders fear the sport is Who’s there race for one of the last Olympics selling out. diate fit. codification will come at a cost for the But the Olympic spotlight will intro- In addition to trying to capture spots. It means the world’s second- So at the Tokyo Games, freewhee- freedom, spontaneity and soul of duce skating to a huge global audience more young eyes, one of the IOC’s ranked team, behind Serbia, will be lin’ skaters and Olympic officials are their sport born on the streets. They and, as proved true in snowboarding, stated missions in bringing 3-on-3 watching the Olympic debut of 3x3 going to learn a lot about each other. argue that skating is a whole lifestyle, likely attract more kids to skating and basketball to the big stage was to ex- from home. encourage them to push the sport and Could be quite a ride. Both have plen- and worry it will be crimped and their daredevil tricks forward. pose more of the world to the sport. ty to gain from making a splash with compromised by being co-opted. Tokyo expectations: For their inaugu- In at least one respect, this mission Schedule stuff their brand-new partnership. Skat- There were similar misgivings with- ral Olympic competition, the 40 men has been accomplished. Mongolia Teams will play round robin, ing is one of four debut Olympic in snowboarding — before it went on and 40 women have a custom-built will bring one of the eight teams in sometimes two games a day, from skate park on the shores of Tokyo Bay to sports, along with karate, surfing and to become one of the most riotous and play with. They’ll be chasing medals in the women’s field. July 24-27. The semifinals and fi- sport climbing. popular shows at the Winter Olym- two events: park, where they skate in a Mongolia is not a newcomer to nals all take place July 28. All the ac- The spectacle of skaters turning pics, and three gold medals turned bowl, and street, where they navigate the Olympics, but it has always tion is at Aomi Urban Sports Park, their boards into flying machines, Shaun White into a household name. stairs, rails, curbs and other urban furni- fielded competitors in individual an outdoor venue with a covered ture. Skateboarding will have one of the soaring over obstacles, will deliver a largest age spectrums of the games, sports, such as wrestling and box- half court. rejuvenating injection of youthful en- See that fakey five-o? with competitors ranging from pre-teens ergy to the dowdy sporting extrava- With high-adrenaline acrobatics to middle age. ganza. The youngest, Japan’s Kokona akin to those seen on Olympic snow Athletes to watch: Host Japan will be Hiraki and Britain’s Sky Brown, are — so much so that White toyed with looking for medals in the women’s park competition from the top-ranked Mis- just 12. the idea of trying to also qualify in ugu Okamoto and Sakura Yosozumi, as With its street fashions and “all- skating for Tokyo — skateboarding well as 12-year-old Kokona Hiraki. Brit- are-welcome” inclusive culture of all promises to wow and hook both exist- ish phenom Sky Brown, who’ll just have genders, ages and abilities having ing and untapped Olympic audienc- turned 13, will be trying to stop them. With no-fear stunts and polished mess- four-wheeled fun together, skating es. aging that age is irrelevant, Brown al- officials anticipate that the sport will “The people who watch us in Tokyo ready has a rich portfolio of sponsors help snag future generations of are going to say to themselves, ‘This and social media accounts. She is back Olympic fans and viewers that the In- is pretty,’ ” predicts Madeleine Lar- from a terrifying fall last year — video of which was posted on an Instagram ac- ternational Olympic Committee cheron, a 15-year-old who’ll compete count managed by her parents. needs to keep making megabucks for France. Gold medal moments: The street con- from the Games. “I’m often asked, ‘What’s the scari- tests are in the first week, with the men est trick?’ There isn’t one. In skating, competing on July 25, followed the next MARTIN MEJIA/AP Freedom or fame day by the women. The park events everything is scary,” she said. “You round out week two, with the women’s Olivia Nelson, right, of the United States, drives past Evelyn Mariano, For skaters, the powerful Olympic go upside down, you speed along, competition on Aug. 4, with the men of Brazil, during the 3x3 semifinal at the Pan American Games in spotlight means global visibility and, there is always a slice of danger.” dropping into the bowl the next day. Lima, Peru, in 2019. PAGE 52 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 OLYMPICS

At a glance WOMEN’S SOCCER Highlights from Rio: Germany won its first gold medal with a 2-1 victory over Sweden. It was quite a swan song for Germany coach Silvia Neid, a two-time FIFA Women’s Coach of the Year. She stepped down after the game. But the big story was that the United States wasn’t in the final for the first time US is team to since women’s soccer became part of the Olympics in 1996. That’s because the Amer- icans were memorably eliminated by Swe- den — and former coach Pia Sundhage — in the quarterfinals. Afterward, U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo called the Swedes cowards for beat, of course bunkering in on defense. Canada won its sec- ond straight bronze by defeating Brazil. Tokyo expectations: The United States BY ANNE M. PETERSON Cup squad. has four Olympic gold medals, most of any Associated Press “There’s so many boxes that the nation, and they’re the favorites in the field of The United States women’s na- players need to check in order to 12 teams. The Americans are trying to be- come the first team to double, winning Olym- tional soccer team has something make the roster, starting from pic gold after winning the World Cup. The to prove at the Tokyo Olympics. health and fitness, and very im- U.S. team is deep, with stars like Alex Mor- It’s not so much about revenge portant, performance. They’ve gan, Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe. Cana- after a surprising loss to Sweden got to perform. It doesn’t matter if da is back, too, hoping to improve on back- to-back bronzes. Among the other teams at the 2016 Rio Games but, rather, they’re versatile if they don’t per- looking to medal are the Netherlands, run- a new goal: The U.S. can become form well. So there’s a certain lev- ners up to the United States at the World the first team to win an Olympics el of performance that they need Cup, and host Japan. Dutch coach Sarina following a World Cup victory. to to have, or a certain way they Wiegman will step down following the Olym- pics to take over as England’s head coach In Tokyo the Americans will need to execute the task,” Ando- heading into the 2023 World Cup. play for their first world cham- novski said. “And then obviously JESSICA HILL/AP Athletes to watch: Brazil’s Marta is back pionship under coach Vlatko An- the experience that they have, United States’ Megan Rapinoe controls the ball as Mexico’s Bianca for her fifth Olympics. The six-time FIFA donovski. His immensely deep they’ve already been on this team Sierra defends during the first half of an international friendly soccer World Player of the Year helped Brazil win match, Thursday, July 1, 2021, in East Hartford, Conn. silver medals in 2004 and 2008, but the and talented squad includes the in big tournaments.” gold has eluded her. ... Canada’s Christine sport’s biggest names: Alex Mor- The United States, in Group G, Sinclair is the game’s top international goal gan, Megan Rapinoe, Christen will open with nemesis Sweden in Germany, the winner in 2016, is Player of the Year Marta, as well scorer, among men and women. She’s head- Press and Carli Lloyd. Tokyo on July 21. In Brazil, Swe- not among the teams in the field. as Debinha and forward Ludmila. ing to her fourth Olympics. ... Australia’s Sam Kerr is known to do backflips after she scores The U.S. team, winner of the den knocked the Americans out in UEFA qualifying for the Games Also included is Formiga, who is a — which she does a lot. ... On the American 2019 World Cup in France, is the quarterfinals on penalties, af- was the Women’s World Cup, seemingly forever-young 43 and side, Carli Lloyd has worked to show she’s ranked No. 1 in the World. It is un- ter which goalkeeper Hope Solo meaning France, Great Britain has played in a women’s record still got it at 38, and will be 39 when the tour- defeated in 42 straight matches famously called the Swedes “cow- and runner-up Netherlands won six Olympics. nament opens. And of course Megan Rapi- and shows no sign of slowing ards” for bunkering in on defense. the berths. In announcing her squad, Sund- noe usually stands out at these big events. Gold medal moments: The gold medal down heading into the 2023 World One of Sweden’s advantages in Women’s soccer joined the hage sang: “I’m so excited, I just match is set for Aug. 6 at Tokyo’s National Cup. 2016 was coach Pia Sundhage, Olympics in 1996. The United can’t hide it.” Stadium. The biggest hurdle along that who was the former U.S. coach States has four gold medals over- “I’ve learned a lot from the Bra- path will be the Olympics, where a and knew her former team — and all, and has advanced to the final zilian players and I hope we’ve al- all-time top international scorer small roster, a condensed sched- it’s weaknesses — well. She’s now match in all but the 2016 edition. so taught them a couple of things among men and women. ule and the hot and humid condi- head coach at Brazil, while Swe- about cohesion and about being As captain of the Canadian tions will all be challenges — den is led by Peter Gerhardsson. Pia’s Move on the same page and doing our team, Sinclair, 38, is making her along with the competition. Sundhage was named Brazil’s best,” Sundhage said. fourth Olympic appearance. She Andonovski emphasized versa- The basics coach after the 2019 World Cup. has appeared in 15 overall Olym- tility in choosing his squad for To- There are 12 teams competing, She was coach of the United Canada’s quest pic matches, scoring 11 goals. kyo. Experience counted, too, separated into three groups. The States from 2008-12, then coach of The Canadians qualified along At the 2016 Brazil Games, Sin- with the average age of the team tournament starts on July 21 and her native Sweden from 2012-17. with the United States in the CON- clair scored the game winner in a at 30.8 years old — the oldest U.S. will be played across six cities in Like Andonovski, Sundhage CACAF region. Led by new coach 2-1 victory over Brazil for Cana- Olympic roster ever. Seventeen of Japan with the finals set for Aug. 6 has a talented, deep Olympic ros- Bev Priestman, Canada’s roster da’s second consecutive Olympic the 18 players were on the World at Japan National Stadium. ter with five-time FIFA World includes Christine Sinclair, the bronze medal.

MEN’S SOCCER Clash with European season creates a headache BY ROB HARRIS Moriyasu, who has been in charge of the se- time when he looks to resolve his club future At a glance Associated Press nior team since 2018, will coach at the Olym- and has been involved in the Copa America in Highlights from Rio: Brazil winning gold lifted the foot- Often the event that connects an Olympic pics as well. this offseason. balling mood of the nation two years after a humiliating, host city with the rest of the nation, soccer Moriyasu has opted for versality with play- 7-1 loss to Germany at the last major sporting event to be could be a source of trepidation rather than ex- ers who can adapt to different roles, including World Cup winner held in the country -- the World Cup. Neymar’s status as a national hero was also cemented when he scored from citement in Japan. Kou Itakura, who plays for Dutch club Gron- France will be looking to become dual a free kick and added the winning kick of the Olympic Players spreading across the country is far ingen at either center back or midfield. Olympic and world champions. While Florian final penalty shootout against Germany. The boisterous from desired as Japan is trying to stage a “We prioritized players who can create op- Thauvin has a World Cup winner’s medal celebrations spread far from the Maracana Stadium. Games that limits the risks of COVID-19 infec- portunities single-handedly, play solid de- from 2018, the winger will be hoping to appear Tokyo expectations: Brazil starting the group stage in tions spreading. fense at the individual level,” Moriyasu said, in Japan for more than the one minute he Rio five years ago with two draws shows how difficult it can be to advance even as one of the top-placed teams in Of the seven stadiums, five are away from “and make runs for the team.” played in Russia. He only came on at the a group. This time, the reigning champion has not only the Tokyo area, with Sapporo about a 100-min- World Cup in one game as a late substitute for Germany to overcome but also Saudi Arabia and the Ivo- ute flight north of the capital. Olympics clash Kylian Mbappé. Even though the Paris Saint- ry Coast. France is hotly tipped for glory but has a group With crowd sizes restricted, too, Japan’s The clash of the Olympics with the start of Germain star failed to score in June as France with host Japan, Mexico, which won the CONCACAF qualifying tournament, and South Africa. men won’t get to experience the joy that the the European season makes it hard for teams exited the European Championship in the Athletes to watch: Neymar won’t be able to win a sec- packed Maracanã provided when Neymar’s to often take their best players. So, Japan will round of 16, he won’t get a chance to quickly ond gold because, unlike in 2016, he’s playing at the penalty clinched gold for Brazil. be without its biggest star. Forward Takumi make amends given his absence from the Copa America. Maybe it’s time for a star of this year’s Japan has little pedigree in Olympic men’s Minamino is with Liverpool trying to regain Olympic squad. host nation to shine such as Takefusa Kubo, who flaunt- soccer, winning its only medal — a bronze — the Premier League title. ed his skills by nutmegging four opponents when Japan Mandatory release played an Olympic warmup against Jamaica in June. at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Egypt also won’t to be able to call on Mina- The winger is a Real Madrid player who has spent his The country’s most recent brush with glory mino’s Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah. The one country where clubs have to re- time in Spain on loan at Mallorca, Villarreal and Getafe. came at the 2019 Asian Cup before a surprise The Olympics is the only major title Lionel lease players for the Olympics is Spain. That At the other end of the age spectrum, Brazil is taking the loss to Qatar in the final. Even though men’s Messi has won with Argentina, at the 2008 means six men from its Euro 2020 team will 38-year-old Dani Alves, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona defender now back in his homeland with soccer squads at this Olympics are mostly Beijing Games. But the out-of-contract Barce- get a chance to deliver Spain’s first soccer gold Sao Paulo. players under the age of 24, Japan isn’t using a lona forward is not one of the three permitted since 1992, including senior national team Gold medal moments: The gold medal match is set for youth team coach for the Olympics. Hajime overage players in the Argentina squad at a starting goalkeeper Unai Simón. Aug. 7 in Yokohama. Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 53 OLYMPICS

SOFTBALL Americans dot rosters for several nations

BY RONALD BLUM At a glance Associated Press Highlights from Rio: Softball was drop- Ken Eriksen predicts tight com- ped for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. It petition in softball as the sport re- has been dropped again for the 2024 Paris turns to the Olympics. Games but is expected to return for 2028 in Los Angeles. “Over the last probably 16 years What’s new: What had been an eight- you’ve seen the world catch up in nation tournament in Beijing has been re- softball because of the opportuni- duced to six: the United States, Australia, ties that USA Softball provided in Canada, Italy, Japan and Mexico. Under the teaching and the clinics over- the new format, each nation will play a sin- gle round-robin for a total of 15 games. seas, but also the colleges started to Third and fourth place will play for the recruit some really good athletes bronze medal and first and second place overseas and develop them,” the for the gold. Games on July 21-22 will be U.S. coach said. “And then the played in Fukushima, the rest of the tour- rules have been relaxed in respect nament in Yokohama. Tokyo expectations: The United States of do you have to be a 100% citizen, won the first three softball gold medals in whatever that means, in quota- 1996, 2000 and 2004 and has been wait- TORU TAKAHASHI/AP tions, of a country that’s playing. ing for this moment since it was upset by Right­hander Tomoyuki Sugano, the reigning Central League MVP, heads an Olympic pitching staff for And so we are going to be playing Japan 3-1 in the 2008 gold medal game. Japan that includes current Rookies of the Year Masato Morishita and Kaima Taira. against a lot of citizens of the Unit- Australia’s team was among the first ath- letes to travel to the Olympics, arriving in ed States that happen to be on Italy, Japan on June 1. that happen to be of Mexico, that Athletes to watch: LHP Cat Osterman, BASEBALL happen to be of Canada.” the losing pitcher, and LHP Monica Ab- Seventeen of the 19 players cur- bott, who relieved, are the two holdovers on the 15-woman U.S. roster, which was rently on Mexico’s roster are listed announced on Oct. 6, 2019. on the team’s website as living in Gold medal moment: The medal games the United States. are July 27. Japan favored in tourney Italy’s roster includes second baseman Emily Carosone, born in been coach since 1996, and the U.S. Host nation, unlike the U.S., will close down its top leagues for Olympics Orlando, Fla. Infielder Kelsey Harshman, Holdovers BY RONALD BLUM Ohtani, San Diego right-hander At a glance who was born in Tucson, Ariz., is The 15-woman U.S. roster in- Associated Press Yu Darvish and Minnesota right- Highlights from Rio: Baseball was part of a Canada team filled with cludes 38-year-old left-hander Cat While most Olympic events are hander Kenta Maeda, it has far dropped for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. U.S. college veterans that include Osterman, the last holdover from a competition among the best, the more top-level players than the It has been dropped again for the 2024 Pa- Joey Lye, who quit as Bucknell’s the 2004 gold medal-winning team, better you are in baseball, the less other five nations. ris Games and is expected to return for coach to compete for the Olympic and 35-year-old left-hander Moni- of a chance you have of playing for Masahiro Tanaka, back in Ja- 2028 in Los Angeles. team. ca Abbott, who joined Osterman on What’s new: The eight-nation tourna- gold. pan with the Tohoku Rakuten ment in Beijing in 2012 was cut to six for “And so that’s where those coun- the 2008 team. Major League Baseball refused Golden Eagles after seven seasons Tokyo. A complicated format has two tries have caught up quite a bit,” Osterman started and Abbott re- to allow players on 40-man rosters with the New York Yankees, is the groups of three: Group A — Dominican Re- said Eriksen, the head coach since lieved her in the sixth inning of the to participate in the six-nation only holdover from the 2008 Japan public, Japan, Mexico. Group B — United 2011 after nine years as an assist- 2008 gold medal game, a 3-1 loss to States, Israel, South Korea. The first round Olympic tournament, and many team that lost to the U.S. 8-4 in the determines only seedings for the double- ant. “Australia has a great develop- Japan that ended the Americans’ top prospects who technically are bronze medal game. elimination, 10-game knockout stage. The mental program and Japan, a very 22-game, eight-year Olympic win- eligible are discouraged by their Right-hander Tomoyuki Suga- Japan-Dominican Republic opener on July disciplined and structured organi- ning streak. clubs, who don’t want to risk inju- no, the reigning Central League 28 will be played in Fukushima, the rest of zation. So this will be an Olympics Eriksen said part of their jobs are ry and prefer they remain availa- MVP, heads a pitching staff that the tournament in Yokohama. unlike any other. I think everybody to steady the rest of the team, to tell Tokyo expectations: Major League ble if needed by big league teams. includes current Rookies of the Baseball refused to give national teams ac- right now is not that separated as them: “Try not to get stars in your Rosters for the Olympics re- Year Masato Morishita and Kai- cess to 40-man roster players, while Nip- they used to be.” eyes of what’s going on around you, main in flux. Israel lost catcher ma Taira. pon Professional Baseball is stopping the The technological revolution and at the same time, understand Ryan Lavarnway when the Indi- Central and Pacific League seasons for the that has altered Major League that it’s just another tournament, U.S. roster Olympics, giving the hosts an All-Star team ans brought him up from Triple-A that is the favorite. Baseball also has impacted Olym- just happens to have five rings on it, Columbus in late June after Aus- Joe Ryan, a 25-year-old Tri- Athletes to watch: RHP Masahiro Tana- pic softball. Eriksen sees that both but it’s still another tournament tin Hedges went on the concussion ple-A right-handed pitcher in the ka, back with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden with South Florida, where he has and you’re going to play softball.” injured list. Israel manager Eric Tampa Bay Rays organization, Eagles after seven seasons with the New Holtz, already without Baltimore was a holdover from qualifying York Yankees, is the lone holdover from the 2008 Japan team that lost to the U.S. 8-4 pitcher Dean Kremer, was hoping and 22-year-old Double-A righty in the bronze medal game. RHP Tomoyuki to get Lavarnway back because Shane Baz was added to the 24- Sugano, the reigning Central League MVP, his team’s opener is against the man roster by manager Mike would attract interest from major league United States on July 30. Scioscia. They’ll be joined in the teams if he becomes available. The U.S. “Our guys are playing all over team is expected to include INF Todd Fra- rotation by Toronto right-hander zier, released by Pittsburgh in May. the place. But it’s not like a 162- Simeon Woods Richardson and Gold medal moment: The medal games game season where we have time former Texas right-hander Nick are Aug. 7. to work on stuff,” Holtz said. Martinez, now with Fukuoka in “We’ve got to put stuff together Japan. and basically treat this like a 12- Scioscia also included 37-year- Old-school ball year old travel tournament, right, old left-hander Scott Kazmir, who While teams do scouting that where it’s win or go home.” could be his fifth starter, and out- leads to defensive shifts, these Host Japan is favored to win. fielder Bubba Starling among 10 games don’t have Statcast, the The Central and Pacific leagues additions. modern metrics system that has are stopping their seasons be- They joined a group from qual- changed how Major League Base- tween July 14 and Aug. 13 for the ifying led by third baseman Todd ball is played. That means no spin Olympic tournament, which runs Frazier, relievers Edwin Jackson rates, exit velocities and launch from July 28 to Aug. 7. and David Robertson, and Miami angles. While Japan is missing major infielder Eddy Alvarez, a 2014 sil- “It goes to show you you really SUE OGROCKI/AP leaguers, including Los Angeles ver medalist in short-track speed- don’t need most of that stuff,” Fra- Auburn's Emily Carosone, left, will play for Italy in the Olympics, one Angels two-way sensation Shohei skating. zier said. of several U.S.­born players who are on the rosters of other nations. PAGE 54 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 OLYMPICS

At a glance BEACH VOLLEYBALL Highlights from Rio: When Germans Lau- ra Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst took gold in 2016, they had to ask the bronze medal win- ner what to do on the victory stand. It was the first women’s beach volleyball medal for Ger- many, and it ended American Kerri Walsh Jennings’ run of three straight titles. The Ger- New generation mans beat hometown favorites Ágatha Bed- narczuk and Bárbara Seixas in the final, while Walsh Jennings and April Ross beat the other Brazilian team, Talita Antunes and Larissa França, for third. A day after the hosts’ two losses in the hits the beach women’s medal round, Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt gave Brazil reason to celebrate on Copacabana beach. Their victo- ry over Italians Daniele Lupo and Paolo Nico- US no longer has Walsh Jennings lai set off a rain-soaked samba at the sport’s spiritual home. The Netherlands beat Russia for bronze. The lone U.S. medal was its worst BY JIMMY GOLEN longest time, I just assumed Kerri haul since 2000. Associated Press was going to be there.” Tokyo expectations: Ross, who won a sil- ondon Olympics orga- Claes, 25, and Sponcil, 24, are ver medal in London with Jen Kessy, is back nizers erected a 25-foot the youngest U.S. beach volleyball in the Olympics with a third partner, Alix Kli- neman. They are the No. 2 seed, with world statue of two-time de- team ever to qualify for the Olym- champions Sarah Pavan and Melissa Huma- Lfending champion Kerri pics and the first NCAA beach vol- na-Paredes of Canada earning the top spot Walsh Jennings in St. James’ Park, leyball products to reach the Sum- by tiebreaker. The other U.S. women’s team, just a short stroll from the venue mer Games. (Tina Graudina, who Sarah Sponcil and Kelly Claes, won the last two world tour events to pass Walsh Jen- where she wound up winning her will compete for Latvia in Tokyo, nings and Brooke Sweat in the points race third beach volleyball title. also played at USC.) and foil the 42-year-old, three-time gold Four years later in Rio de Janei- The older generation isn’t ready medalist’s bid for a sixth Olympics. ro, Walsh Jennings again climbed to give up just yet. Christian Sorum and Anders Mol of Nor- way are the top-seeded team in a men’s MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP onto the podium to claim her Ross, who won silver in London bracket that has neither Brazilians nor Amer- fourth Olympic medal — this one and bronze in Rio, is 39 and head- The United States’ April Ross digs a ball while playing against Brazil icans among the favorites. Russians Viaches- bronze. ing to her third Olympics. The U.S. during the women’s beach volleyball bronze medal match at the 2016 lav Krasilnikov and Oleg Stoyanovskiy are the For two decades, no one loomed men’s teams feature 45-year-old Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Ross will be at the Tokyo world champions and the No. 2 seed. Olympics, paired with Alix Klineman. The Americans are sending a couple of larger in the sport than the five- Jake Gibb, the oldest volleyball veterans. Jake Gibb, 45, returns for a fourth time Olympian known as “Six Feet player in Olympic history — beach time, this time as the oldest volleyball player of Sunshine.” But when the Sum- or indoor — and Beijing gold med- those are the fans we’re going to led to a reshuffling of partnerships — beach or indoor — in Olympic history; mer Games begin in Tokyo this alist Phil Dalhausser, 41. have, I think it’s going to be a great that is common — though not usu- he’ll be with Taylor Crabb for the first time. month, the 42-year-old Califor- atmosphere.” ally so extensive. Germany’s Lau- 2008 gold medalist Phil Dalhausser is also back for his fourth Olympics, with Rio partner nian won’t be there. Beach party ra Ludwig, who paired with Kira Nick Lucena. “This is the first Olympics she Five years after the beach vol- Partner swaps Walkenhorst to win gold in Brazil, Athletes to watch: Qatar’s Cherif You- hasn’t been to in the 21st Century, leyball venue bounced to a samba Only two women’s teams return is paired with Margareta Kozuch. nousse and Ahmed Tijan head to Tokyo with which is just crazy to think about,” beat at Copacabana Beach, it’s from Rio intact, with Spain’s Elsa Silver medalist Ágatha Bednarc- a No. 3 seed in their attempt to earn the first Middle Eastern medal in Olympic beach vol- said Sarah Sponcil, who with her spiritual home, the event moves to Baquerizo and Liliana Fernández zuk is with Duda Santos Lisboa in- leyball history. ... Italian skyball server Adrian partner Kelly Claes won the final Shiokaze Park in Tokyo Bay. the only pair to make the Round of stead of Bárbara Seixas. Bronze Carambula returns with a new partner, Enri- two qualifying events to snatch the There’s no Olympic sport that 16 in 2016 and qualify for Tokyo. winner Ross is back with Kline- co Rossi. ... Reigning gold medalist Bruno last U.S. spot in Tokyo from Walsh relies more on a party atmosphere On the men’s side, six partner- man instead of Walsh Jennings. spent two weeks in the hospital with CO- VID-19 in February; he also has a new part- Jennings and Brooke Sweat. than beach volleyball, and there’s ships survived, including silver Reigning men’s champions ner, Evandro Goncalves. ... Sanne Keizer and “It’s crazy the end of the race for some doubt about what the sport medalists Daniele Lupo and Paolo Bruno Oscar Schmidt and Alison Madelein Meppelink of the Netherlands -- the Olympic spot. No one, I think, will lose without a full house and a Nicolai of Italy, and bronze win- Cerutti are both back — but with both around six feet tall -- could pose prob- saw it coming,” said April Ross, disc jockey to keep them dancing. ners Alexander Brouwer and Rob- new partners. Schmidt is teamed lems on the women’s side. ... Ludwig took 18 months off after having a baby. She will team who was Walsh Jennings’ partner “It’s the Olympics, and you want ert Meeuwsen of the Netherlands. with Evandro Oliveira and Cerutti with Margareta Kozuch. in Rio but will return to the Olym- that party atmosphere,” Ross said. Instead, retirement, injury, will try to repeat with Álvaro Fil- Gold medal moments: Women: Aug. pics with Alix Klineman. “For the “Japanese fans are awesome, so if childbirth and just plain strategy ho. 6; Men: Aug. 7.

VOLLEYBALL Early losses haven’t hurt teams in past tournaments BY JOSH DUBOW said. “I don’t know that anybody will get the Brazilian men after winning silver in At a glance Associated Press through unscathed. That’s all a part of 2008 and ’12 and gold at home in Rio five Highlights from Rio: The Chinese women beat Serbia If the past two Olympics have proven that process. I don’t know anybody who’s years ago. He’s joined by Olympic new- to win gold for the third time in their history behind coach anything when it comes to indoor volley- won that event in quite a number of Olym- comer Alan Souza, who was the MVP of Lang Ping, who became the first person to win gold in ball it’s the fact that slow starts are far pics who didn’t face down some serious the 2019 World Cup. Brazil is seeking its volleyball as both a player and coach having won as a player in 1984. Host Brazil beat Italy in the men’s tourna- from detrimental. adversity.” fourth gold medal to match the combined ment for its third gold medal. Both U.S. teams medaled Both gold medal teams from the 2016 total for the Soviet Union and Russia. with each earning the bronze. Olympics in Rio de Janeiro finished Top-heavy pools The Chinese women are also seeking Tokyo expectations: Volleyball returns to its Olympic fourth in pool play before winning three The draw has presented an extremely their fourth gold to match the record held home having been first held at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. straight matches in the knockout round to challenging Group B on the men’s side by the Soviets with 2016 MVP Zhu Ting The reigning gold medalists are in contention to win again five years later with Brazil’s Bruno Rezende seeking his claim gold. with four of the top five ranked teams in back again on the squad coached by Lang fourth medal having won silver in 2008 and ’12 before The Brazilian men needed to beat the world all together with defending Ping, who is the first person to win gold in getting gold in Rio. China has won back-to-back women’s France in their final pool play match just champion Brazil, Russia, the United volleyball as both a player (1984) and World Cups to go along with the 2016 gold. Poland is a to advance, while the Chinese women lost States and France all grouped together, coach (2016). top contender on the men’s side, while the United States has a shot at its first gold medal ever on the women’s side. three of their first five matches before with Poland facing an easier path in Athletes to watch: Brazil’s Alan Souza was the MVP of rolling through the medal round. Group A. Carry over the 2019 World Cup and one of the top players headed That was a pattern that was similar to On the women’s side, the No. 1-ranked Both the men’s and women’s teams into his first Olympics. Cuban-born Wilfredo Leon, who the 2012 Games in London when eventual U.S. women are in the same group as de- from the United States overcame crush- competes as an outside hitter for Poland, is known as the Cristiano Ronaldo of volleyball for his skill as an outside champions Russia (men) and Brazil fending champion China, which is ranked ing losses in the semifinals in Rio to spiker. Among the top players on the women’s side are (women) won gold after finishing third second in the world. bounce back and win bronze medals two American Foluke Gunderson, who is back for a third and fourth, respectively, in pool play. days later. They hope that experience will Olympics after giving birth to her first child in 2019, and “The teams that do win have figured out Defending champs carry over into these games when the 2016 women’s MVP Zhu Ting of China. Gold medal moments: a way to overcome massive adversity, lose Both defending champions are in good women are seeking their first gold medal The men’s medals will be awarded on Aug. 7 with matches for the bronze and gold a critical match, lose more than one position to contend for a repeat with Bru- ever and the men are looking to get back medal. The women’s medals will be contested for the fol- match,” U.S. women’s coach Karch Kiraly no Rezende back for a fourth Olympics for on top for the first time since 2008. lowing day, just before the closing ceremonies. Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 55 OLYMPICS Stunning rise: Harrison aiming for gold

BY JIM VERTUNO “The first time she won the Associated Press world championship, no one was Sometime before she races noticing her. The announcer was across Tokyo Bay, American teen- essentially asking where did she ager Nevin Harrison will likely come from during the race,” Mark paddle her canoe to a quiet spot Harrison said. and have a good cry. Nevin bolted to an early lead Harrison’s pre-race tears are a and never let up. At the finish line, pressure-valve release, meant to she looked at the results in disbe- settle and refocus the 19-year-old lief and covered her mouth to sti- before the start of a furious sprint fle a gasp. The medal ceremony of pain and muscle across 200 me- was briefly delayed because event ters of water. officials couldn’t find an Ameri- She knows it’s a bit odd. But who can flag. They’d never needed one can argue with a routine that before. helped crown her world champion That was two years ago. The at age 17 and has her as a favorite competition won’t overlook her at to win the first women’s Olympic the Olympics, when everyone is gold medal in the debut event of chasing the same dream to win the women’s sprint canoe? first gold medal in the women’s “I get really stressed, I get real- canoe sprint 200. Harrison’s race ly worked up and bottle it up, and and the women’s canoe 500 double right before the race, it just kind of will debut as Olympic events in comes out,” Harrison said. “And BRYNN ANDERSON / AP Tokyo. then ... everything is a little bit Nevin Harrison, 19, of Seattle, picked up the sport of canoe sprint on a lark at summer camp and became a Women’s canoe sprint is still a more calm.” world champion just five years later as a 17­year­old in 2019. An extra year of maturing, physical growth young sport at the international At least until the race start, and enhanced training before her first Olympics has solidified her status as the favorite for the gold medal level. It wasn’t a world champion- when Harrison attacks the water in the women’s sprint canoe 200 meters, a new event in a bid for gender equity. ship event until 2010. And to bal- — “like a horserace” — with a ance gender equity among events powerful thrust that won her a ago,” Harrison said. “In 2019, win- “She was falling out of the boat in Tokyo, Olympic officials drop- stunning world title in 2019, and ning worlds was a shock to me. for a year before she really ped the men’s canoe 200 and the upended the pecking order in a Even going into 2020, I didn’t real- learned how to balance it out,” men’s kayak double 200, moves sport she’d picked up barely five ly know what I was doing. Every- said her mother, Laura Worthen. that didn’t sit well with some male years earlier on a lark at the end of thing was coming really fast and I “By 13 and 14 she was starting to athletes who complained events summer camp. had no idea how I got to where I pull away from the pack.” were being sacrificed. She followed that championship was and had not enough time to She started climbing the junior At the Rio Games in 2016, sever- with world cup victories in 2020 get to where I needed to be ... It ranks and won an Olympic hope- al male athletes mocked the idea and 2021 and heads to the Tokyo was stressful and scary.” fuls event in 2017. of women in canoe sprint. Games carrying a mountain of ex- And it was a long way from that “That’s when I knew,” said her Harrison said she’s sympathet- pectations on her broad shoul- summer camp outside Seattle father Mark Harrison, “that I was ic to anyone who lost an Olympic ders. when she first tried the sport at the going to enjoy this ride.” spot, but is determined that the “I’m so scared,” Harrison said urging of a counselor. She needed Still, she was an outlier interna- women have earned their shot in with a laugh. “I’m really nervous.” a sport. Track and field, her love, tionally in a sport long dominated Tokyo. Spoken like a teenager who was was going to be painfully impossi- by the Europeans. Then came her “It’s exciting to be leading that perhaps surprised by her meteor- ble with a diagnosis of hip dyspla- lighting strike win in Hungary in charge showing we are equal and ic success, and who is now both sia that promised constant pain. 2019. we can do the same things,” she awed by, and prepared for, the Sprints on the track turned into Nevin went to the champion- said. “Once an event becomes an Olympic stage. sprints across water and learning ships hoping to finish top six with Olympic sport, the depth and the But an extra year of maturing, how to not fall out of the boat. an outside shot at a medal. That’s athlete pool become so much big- physical growth and enhanced Her parents quickly sensed big when a teammate shook his head ger because it becomes something training forced by the Olympic things could be on the horizon as at a naive 17-year-old who didn’t people want to invest their time in. pandemic delay, allowed Harri- they watched her first learn how realize what was really in front of “Everyone wants to be an Olym- son to shed the shock of the world to stay dry, then develop skill, her. BRYNN ANDERSON / AP pian,” Harrison said. “I think it’s title and embrace the role of favor- rhythm and raw muscle in the pre- “You don’t get it,” he laughed. Harrison trains near Lake Lanier more important to have every ite. dawn chill of practice in the win- “You realize you can win this Olympic Park on July 1 in group represented rather than “I was nowhere near ready to be ter mornings in the Pacific North- thing?’” Gainesville, Ga. She is a favorite having a lot in just one gender or competing in an Olympics a year west. Few did. in the canoe sprint 200 meters. discipline.”

ROWING CANOE SPRINT CANOE SLALOM

Highlights from Rio: New Zealand’s Mahé Drysdale defended his single Highlights from Rio: Hungary’s Danuta Kozák was the star, winning gold Highlights from Rio: France’s Denis Gargaud Chanu won an unexpected sculls gold medal in a photo-finish duel with Croatia’s Damir Martin. Great in three of the four women’s competitions in the kayak single, pairs and four gold in the men’s canoe slalom in his first Olympics. Slovakia’s Matej Benus Britain topped the medal count with five, including three gold. 500 meters. earned silver to keep his country’s medal streak alive at six consecutive What’s new: In a move for gender equity, the women’s coxless four replac- What’s new: The women’s single and double canoe sprint are new events, Games. Bronze medalist Takuya Haneda of Japan was the first paddler from es the men’s lightweight coxless four. added after the 2016 Rio Games to provide gender equity. Men and women an Asian country to win an Olympic medal in canoe/kayak. Tokyo expectations: Some dominant names return in new disciplines, and will compete in four kayak events and two canoe events. What’s new: Women’s canoe single debuts, taking the place of the men’s some have even come out of retirement. New Zealand is the likely favorite in Tokyo expectations: While historically dominated by Europe, the gap is double canoe. the women’s eight, an event long dominated by the U.S. China hired former closing with the emergence of China, Brazil and New Zealand in recent years, Tokyo expectations: New gold medalists in men’s canoe and kayak as British rowing champion Sir Steve Redgrave as performance director with the with those countries winning gold at the 2019 world championships. 2016 winners Chanu and Great Britain’s Joseph Clarke didn’t qualify for To- goal of winning its second rowing gold medal. Athletes to watch: Great Britain’s Liam Heath is the defending gold med- kyo. Spain’s Maialen Chourrauta returns to defend her women’s kayak gold, Athletes to watch: Germany’s Oliver Zeidler is the reigning world and Eu- alist in the men’s kayak 200 ... Germany’s Sebastian Brendel is a two-time competing in her fourth Olympics ... Australia’s Jessica Fox is a favorite in the ropean champion in single sculls ... Croatian brothers Martin and Valent Sink- gold medalist in the men’s canoe 1,000 ... New Zealand’s Lisa Carrington is women’s kayak. A previous silver (2012) and bronze (2016) kayak medalist, ovic won gold in double sculls in 2016, then switched to the men’s pair and unbeaten in the World Championships since 2011 in the kayak 200. She will Fox crushed the field at the World Cup in June, winning by nearly five seconds. won the 2019 world championship ... Great Britain’s Helen Glover, a two- compete in all four kayak events ... American teenager Nevin Harrison is a Athletes to watch: Great Britain’s Mallory Franklin is a close second to Fox. time gold medalist in the women’s pair, had all but retired after Rio and had gold medal favorite in the women’s canoe sprint 200 ... Moldova’s Serghei Tall and rangy, she uses her length for superior balance and will be a top medal three children, only to announce a comeback at age 34. She won the Europe- Tarnovschi returns after a four-year suspension for a positive doping test that contender. ... Evy Leibfarth, 17, will represent the U.S. in both the women’s an championship with teammate Polly Swann in May ... The U.S. women’s stripped him of his 2016 bronze in the men’s canoe 1,000. canoe and kayak ... Lukas Rohan of the Czech Republic won gold at the World eight is the three-time defending champion, but has just one rower with Olym- Gold medal moment(s): Aug. 3: men’s canoe double 1,000 and kayak Cup in June. pic experience in the current boat. single 1,000, women’s kayak single 200 and kayak double 500; Aug. 5: Gold medal moment(s): July 26 men’s canoe; July 27 women’s kayak; July Gold medal moment(s): July 27, quadruple sculls; July 28 double sculls men’s kayak single 200 and kayak double 1,000, women’s canoe single 200 29 women’s canoe; July 30 men’s kayak. and sweep four; July 29, lightweight double sculls and sweep pair; July 30, and kayak single 500; Aug. 7: men’s canoe single 1,000 and kayak four single sculls and sweep eight. 500; women’s canoe double 500 and kayak four 500. Capsules by Associated Press PAGE 56 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 Tatum taking up ‘10’ SPORTS Celtics star to wear Kobe’s number with Team USA ›› Olympics, Page 49

ANALYSIS Resolved to repeat Fueled by losses, Lightning wouldn’t be denied second straight Stanley Cup title

BY STEPHEN WHYNO Associated Press hen the Tampa Bay Lightning had their first chance to clinch the Stanley Cup championship in the 2020 playoff bub- Wble, Jon Cooper recalls how he let his mind drift to what the celebration would be like. “You’re thinking about raising the Stanley Cup, what’s it going to be like after, lifelong dreams, who’s going to get the drink out of it,” he said. “That’s called channeling your energy in the wrong direction.” After missing their chance to sweep the Canadiens in Mon- treal, Cooper and the Lightning were only steeled further by another dispiriting loss. In a familiar way, too: Motivated by just the latest aggravating defeat throughout the past two play- offs, the Lightning came back two nights later and won the Stanley Cup with a gritty, 1-0 win on Wednesday in Tampa, Fla. It put an exclamation point on a second consecutive cham- pionship and third overall that was made possible by stumbles along the way. This extraordinary repeat, with each title com- ing in the midst of a pandemic, was filled with lessons learned. Cooper said “it’s a journey” to win, and the mile markers along the way were losses: Game 5 of the Final to Dallas 10 months ago before winning the Cup in six. Superstar Nikita Ku- cherov sitting out for the entire regular season after hip sur- gery. An overtime heartbreaker in the potential semifinal clincher against the New York Islanders. And then that OT loss in Montreal with the Cup in the building.

SEE REPEAT ON PAGE 47

“At the end of the day, you hate to lose. Sometimes you hate to lose more than you like to win. That’s probably the identity of this group.” Ryan McDonagh Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman

Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, also this year’s Conn Smythe winner, holds the Stanley Cup while celebrating the Lightning’s 1­0 victory over the Canadiens in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday. DIRK SHADD/TNS

Japan won’t permit fans at Tokyo Games ›› Olympics, Page 49