STANLEY CUP MILITARY FACES Lightning strike Top DOD cyber ‘No Sudden Move,’ for 5 goals in official probed over ‘The Tomorrow Game 1 rout disclosure concerns War’ new this week Page 24 Page 5 Page 18

USFK limits on-base wine purchases to deter ‘black marketing’ ›› Page 3

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Volume 80 Edition 53 ©SS 2021 WEDNESDAY,JUNE 30, 2021 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas

AFGHANISTAN US forces in Syria come under fire after airstrike

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS Stars and Stripes WASHINGTON — U.S. forces in eastern Syria were attacked by multiple rockets Monday and re- sponded with artillery fire, a day after President Joe Biden ordered airstrikes on facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups, ac- cording to a U.S. military spokes- man. “U.S. forces in Syria, while un- der multiple rocket attack[s], act- ed in self-defense and conducted counter-battery artillery fire at rocket-launching positions,” said Army Col. Wayne Marotto, a spokesman for Operation Inher- ent Resolve, the U.S.-led anti-Is- lamic State mission in Iraq and Sy- ria. No U.S. injuries were reported and officials are assessing damag- es from the attack, which hap- pened at about 7:44 p.m. local time, he said. Nearly 1,000 U.S. troops remain BENJAMIN BLOKER/U.S. Air Force in Syria to prevent a resurgence of An Afghan air force technician maintains a helicopter at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, in 2013. Afghan maintainers said they’ve been ISIS as the country’s civil war con- practicing remote assistance video calls in anticipation of most U.S.-funded maintenance contractors departing the country. tinues, The Associated Press has reported. The American troops are stationed at several small en- campments in eastern Syria Zoom new to mechanics’ toolbox alongside U.S.-backed anti-ISIS fighters known as Syrian Demo- cratic Forces. However, the Biden administration is reviewing that Afghan air force maintainers to depend on video calls to repair aircraft number as part of its ongoing glob- al military posture review. BY J.P. LAWRENCE leave the country, said Col. Abdul “We have had some problems,” RELATED Marotto did not say who is sus- Stars and Stripes Fatah Ishaqzai, head of the main- he said. “But we have to solve pected of launching the attack on KABUL, Afghanistan — Af- tenance for the Afghan air force. this.” Top US general the U.S. forces. But the attack fol- ghans who maintain the country’s The future of the country’s air When exactly the contractors lowed U.S. airstrikes Sunday that military aircraft have been learn- force, one of Kabul’s chief advan- will depart remains uncertain. says security in chief Pentagon spokesman John ing to fix damaged aircraft over tages over the Taliban, may de- While U.S. forces are likely to be Kirby said targeted facilities near the past two months via videocon- pend on calls via Zoom. mostly withdrawn from the coun- Afghanistan is the Iraq-Syria border that were ferences with U.S.-funded con- The arrangement is worse than try well before the White House’s deteriorating used by Iran-backed militia tractors just a few rooms away. face-to-face assistance, due to Sept. 11 deadline, an Afghan dele- groups to conduct drone attacks It’s practice for the day when spotty internet and other commu- Page 6 the American contractors will nication issues, Ishaqzai said. SEE SUPPORT ON PAGE 6 SEE SYRIA ON PAGE 6 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER Antitrust lawsuits against Facebook dismissed EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1,133.14 Associated Press complaint but not the case, mean- days in which to file a new com- Switzerland (Franc) 0.9217 Euro costs (June 30) $1.16 Thailand (Baht) 32.10 WASHINGTON — A federal ing the FTC could refile another plaint. Dollar buys (June 30) 0.8192 Turkey (NewLira) 8.7287 British pound (June 30) $1.35 judge Monday dismissed antitrust complaint. Boasberg closed that avenue for Japanese yen (June 30) 108.00 (Military exchange rates are those available lawsuits brought against Face- “These allegations — which do the states, however, in dismissing South Korean won (June 30) 1,102.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ book by the Federal Trade Com- not even provide an estimated ac- outright their separate complaint. many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) 0.3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ mission and a coalition of state at- tual figure or range for Face- The U.S. government and 48 Britain (Pound) 1.3833 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2374 your local military banking facility. Commercial torneys general, dealing a signif- book’s market share at any point states and districts sued Facebook China(Yuan) 6.4653 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.2531 icant blow to attempts by regula- over the past 10 years — ultimate- in December 2020, accusing the Egypt (Pound) 15.6903 when buying currency. All figures are foreign tors to rein in tech giants. ly fall short of plausibly establish- tech giant of abusing its market Euro 0.8409 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7645 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ U.S. District Judge James ing that Facebook holds market power in social networking to Hungary (Forint) 295.29 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2519 Boasberg ruled that the lawsuits power,” he said. crush smaller competitors and Japan (Yen) 110.60 INTEREST RATES were “legally insufficient” and The FTC said in a statement seeking remedies that could in- Kuwait(Dinar) 0.3011 Norway (Krone) 8.5694 Prime rate 3.25 didn’t provide enough evidence to that it is “closely reviewing the clude a forced spinoff of the social Philippines (Peso) 48.69 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.80 Federal funds market rate 0.10 prove that Facebook was a mo- opinion and assessing the best op- network’s Instagram and Whats- Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7504 3­month bill 0.05 nopoly. The ruling dismisses the tion forward.” The agency has 30 App messaging services. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3451 30­year bond 2.10 WEATHER OUTLOOK WEDNESDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST WEDNESDAY IN EUROPE THURSDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 69/60

Kabul Seoul 89/55 83/67 Baghdad 119/81 Drawsko Osan Tokyo Kandahar Mildenhall/ 83/66 68/65 Pomorskie Busan 100/60 Lakenheath 76/65 59/55 75/67 Iwakuni Kuwait City 75/72 Bahrain Zagan Sasebo Guam 109/87 91/87 Brussels Ramstein 69/64 58/55 64/55 82/71 83/80 Riyadh Lajes, Stuttgart 111/80 Doha Azores Pápa 70/67 63/58 112/86 Aviano/ 85/67 Vicenza 79/63

Naples 86/73 Okinawa Morón 81/78 95/61 Sigonella Rota 101/69 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 79/59 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 98/84 85/76 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 18 Opinion ...... 14 Sports ...... 19-24 Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Navy, partners proceed with Black Sea drills BY JOHN VANDIVER cow claimed it fired warning laws of the sea, including Russia, Stars and Stripes shots at HMS Defender as it he added. STUTTGART, Germany — sailed near the shore of Crimea. The Black Sea is bordered by U.S. forces will help clear a sunk- Russia said its actions forced six nations — Bulgaria, Romania, en Soviet vessel from a Ukrainian the British destroyer to leave the Turkey, Russia, Georgia and Uk- pier and conduct drills during an area, but the U.K. disputed that raine. The first three are mem- international exercise in the claim, saying the vessel never al- bers of NATO, and Ukraine and Black Sea, where Navy officials tered course. Georgia are seeking to join the say they are sending a message The tensions have put a spot- Western military pact. that the strategic waterway can’t light on U.S. operations in the Sea Breeze, which runs until be dominated by Russia. Black Sea and on Sea Breeze, July 10, involves forces rehears- “We are demonstrating to the which was planned well before ing a range of tactics, with oper- world that the Black Sea is an in- the latest incident. While Moscow ations taking place on land, at sea ternational sea,” Capt. Kyle has called on the U.S. to cancel and in the air. Gantt, deputy commander of Task this year’s iteration of Sea Breeze, The drill also will involve mak- Force 65 based in Rota, Spain, the Navy is moving forward. ing improvements at a Ukrainian said Tuesday “It is open and avail- Gantt declined to describe what naval pier in Odessa, where U.S. able for the free transport of com- kind of maneuvers they have seen and Ukrainian divers will clear merce, shipping, for all nations. It so far from the Russians, citing in- away the old Soviet vessel that is not owned by any one nation.” EXERCISE SEA BREEZE/Twitter telligence concerns. However, it sunk years ago from neglect. The The U.S. and Ukraine this week The destroyer USS Ross arrives in Odessa, Ukraine, to take part in is expected that the Russian mil- wreckage, which will be cut into kicked off Sea Breeze 21, which Exercise Sea Breeze on Sunday. The drills will include 32 nations itary will pay close attention, he pieces and hauled away, has cre- involves 32 countries, 5,000 training together in the Black Sea region. said. ated a blockage in the area, Navy troops, 32 ships, 40 aircraft, and “We see that Russia routinely officials said. 18 special operations and dive exercise series was launched with tense encounter between a British observes our operations and it is teams. Ukraine 27 years ago. It also warship and the Russian military their right to do so,” Gantt said. [email protected] The drill is the largest since the comes less than one week after a in the Black Sea, in which Mos- But all nations must abide by the Twitter: @john_vandiver  US, Indonesia begin construction on $3.5M maritime training center BY ERICA EARL U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia ple at the U.S. Embassy in Indone- Stars and Stripes Sung Kim. sia did not respond to queries on The United States and Indone- “As friends and partners of In- Tuesday. sia broke ground recently on a donesia, the United States re- The embassy has not an- $3.5 million maritime training mains committed to supporting nounced a completion date, but center on the edge of the conten- Indonesia’s leading role in ad- the center is a collaborative effort tious South China Sea, according vancing regional peace and secu- between Bakamla — the Indone- to the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia. rity by countering domestic and sia Maritime Security Agency — The center is being built in Ba- transnational crime,” said Kim, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. tam, Indonesia, near the mouth of who attended Friday’s ground- Coast Guard, U.S. Embassy Inter- the Malacca Strait, a prime global breaking virtually. national Narcotics and Law En- shipping channel linking the Indi- The center will include class- forcement Affairs Office and U.S. U.S. Embassy in Jakarta an and Pacific oceans. China is rooms, offices, barracks, a dining Naval Facilities Engineering Representatives from the U.S. and Indonesia break ground on a heavily reliant on the channel for galley and a vessel launch ramp, Command. maritime training center in Batam, Indonesia, on Friday. trade and has sought to build up its according to an embassy news re- It will be owned and operated by navy to prevent any hostile power lease. It will be able to accommo- Bakamla with the U.S. assisting, ary Assessments in Washington, na over the latter’s maritime in- from blocking it, according to a date up to 50 students and 12 in- the embassy said. D.C., told Stars and Stripes via trusions in Jakarta’s exclusive ec- Monday report in the Diplomat. structors. The region is a continuous point email on Tuesday. onomic zones, particularly near The training center will bolster It’s unclear exactly what kind of of tension between Beijing and the “This maritime center strength- the Natuna Islands,” he said. the ongoing partnership between training will take place at the cen- U.S. and its allies, defense strate- ens the U.S.-Indonesia bilateral the U.S. and Indonesia to keep the ter, but Kim said it will focus on gist researcher Josh Chang of the relationship amidst growing ten- [email protected] vital region secure, according to trade-route security. Spokespeo- Center for Strategic and Budget- sions between Indonesia and Chi- Twitter: @ThisEarlGirl US Forces Korea limits on-base wine purchases to deter ‘black marketing’

Stars and Stripes according to a memorandum not possess a military ID. Some sonnel. Some commissary shop- dividuals stayed well below their CAMP HUMPHREYS, South signed by Maj. Gen. Brad Sullivan, controlled items, such as alcohol, pers in South Korea, such as mil- monthly authorized commissary Korea — The U.S. military has en- Camp Humphreys’ chief of staff. are tracked and flagged by USFK itary dependents, were previously dollar purchase limit,” Camp acted restrictions to wine pur- Military retirees in South Korea when purchased in excess. required to present their military Humphreys said in a press release chases from commissaries in were previously caught abusing There will be some exceptions identification card and their ration last year. South Korea to discourage black their commissary privileges, in- to the policy update, the memo- card at the point of sale. market sales in the country. cluding one person who bought randum said, including special USFK sponsors are allowed to The policy update, which took meat for his off-post restaurant events hosted by unit command- access the commissary and its tax- effect Monday, limits the monthly and another individual spending ers and for dependents over age free products without having to Correction purchase of wine to 15 units of over $100,000 in a few months. 21. pay South Korean tariffs. Spon- The Air Force has approved 750ml, the standard size for a bot- Each of the retirees received a 10- In addition to the new wine cap, sors are normally allowed to its F-22 formal training unit tle of wine, for U.S. Forces Korea year ban from entering U.S. bases USFK announced in its memo that spend $800 per month at the com- move from Eglin Air Force sponsors. Wine was previously ex- in South Korea. ration cards are no longer re- missary and an extra $300 for each Base, Fla., to Joint Base cluded from purchase limits at the Commissary shoppers must quired for shoppers with a mili- dependent. Langley-Eustis, Va. The commissary, unlike beer and hard scan their military identification tary identification number who The $800 spending limit was im- name of the unit was incor- liquor. card when entering the building are sponsored by USFK, United plemented in September 2019 af- rect in a story in Sunday’s The policy update was estab- and when making their purchase, Nations Command, or Combined ter a review of purchasing data re- edition. lished “to deter black marketing,” or present a ration card if they do Forces Command-affiliated per- vealed “the preponderance of in- PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 PACIFIC Police to boost patrols at popular S. Korea beach USFK, local officers seek to prevent repeat of raucous Memorial Day

AKIFUMI ISHIKAWA/Stars and Stripes BY DAVID CHOI must observe social distancing,” Medical workers prepare for a mass vaccination clinic sponsored by the Japan Ground Self­Defense Force AND YOO KYONG CHANG the statement said. “No more earlier this month in Otemachi, Tokyo. Stars and Stripes than four people are allowed to CAMP HUMPHREYS — The gather at a time. Masks should U.S. military and local police be worn at all times.” Virus case numbers increase across plan to crack down on raucous More than 70 complaints parties and COVID-19 violations were filed following a Fourth of at a popular beach in Busan over July party at Haeundae Beach Japan; US military cases remain low Fourth of July weekend. last year. BY MATTHEW M. BURKE NHK, which cited metropolitan Facebook post on Tuesday after- The move comes less than a One soldier was fined after Stars and Stripes government data. There were four noon. month after U.S. Forces Korea firing a firecracker at local po- CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — deaths. One of the individuals, who is in said it was cooperating with a lice and then fleeing the scene, New coronavirus cases are start- Okinawa prefecture, home to Japan under the status of forces Korean National Police investi- and some others were accused ing to increase across Japan, more most U.S. troops in Japan, report- agreement that dictates the U.S. gation into service members’ of drunken driving. than a week after a state of emer- ed another 84 new infections presence in the country, was fully conduct during Memorial Day In a letter obtained by Stars gency was lifted in Tokyo and sev- Tuesday, 59 more than the previ- immunized but tested positive af- celebrations at Haeundae and Stripes, the Haeundae Dis- eral other prefectures. ous day but 14 less than the same ter developing symptoms. The Beach. trict office accused USFK ser- Meanwhile, U.S. military bases day last week, according to NHK. other is a base employee who had Police responded to more vice members of violating social in the country recorded four new Okinawa remains in a state of received a first dose of the vac- than 30 reports of a large party distancing and mask guidelines, COVID-19 infections as of 6 p.m. emergency until July 11. cine. involving 1,500 or more foreign- as well as setting off firecrack- Tuesday. Commands in South Ko- Kadena Air Base on the island Both will remain in quarantine ers. ers over Memorial Day week- rea announced none. reported two positive COVID-19 until they have recovered, the post Many were disregarding end. Japan had 1,323 new coronavi- cases since the numbers were last said. The SOFA member is being South Korea’s coronavirus rules “Local and military police- rus cases Tuesday, 365 more than reported on Saturday, according monitored by U.S. Naval Hospital for wearing masks in public ar- men were deployed as a result, the previous day and 312 more to an official Facebook post Tues- Yokosuka staff. eas, maintaining 6 feet of social but this did not stop the viola- than the same day last week, ac- day afternoon. One individual South Korea added 595 new distance and limiting groups to tions,” said the letter, which was cording to public broadcaster self-isolated after developing cases at midnight Monday and two five people, an officer who re- sent June 1 to U.S. Army Garri- NHK and the World Health Orga- symptoms and the other, a recent deaths, according to the Korea sponded to the complaints told son Daegu. nization. There were 25 deaths na- arrival to Japan, was identified Disease Control and Prevention Stars and Stripes. “Haeundae … is trying its best tionwide. through end-of-quarantine test- Agency’s Central Disease Control Additional complaints includ- to combat the spread of CO- The government has counted ing. Headquarters. ed drinking, smoking, setting off VID-19,” the letter said. “We are more than 795,000 cases during Contact tracing is ongoing and The government has counted fireworks, loud music, singing expressing our [disappoint- the pandemic and 14,500 deaths, any close contacts will be placed more than 155,000 COVID-19 in- and close-contact dancing. ment] that U.S. forces in [South the WHO said. in isolation, the post said. fections during the pandemic and For the upcoming holiday’s Korea] have committed these Tokyo on Tuesday reported an- Yokosuka Naval Base, 35 miles 2,000 deaths, the WHO said. patrols, more than 300 South violations and chose not to coop- other 476 infections, 159 more south of central Tokyo, has had

Korean officers will team up erate with local authorities dur- than the previous day and 41 more two base employees test positive [email protected] with about 16 USFK police be- ing this incident.” than a week ago, according to since Friday, officials wrote in a Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 tween Friday and Monday, a In response to a query about Haeundae tourist official re- the local warnings, USFK cently told Stars and Stripes on a spokesman Col. Lee Peters said customary condition of anonym- in a statement Friday that it “re- ‘Coach Bill,’ longtime educator, coach ity. mains committed to being good USFK troops and other per- neighbors with South Korea, sonnel will be expected to abide and as ambassadors for our na- for DODEA-Pacific schools, dies at 73 by COVID-19 safety measures tion and military.” BY DAVE ORNAUER Originally tion Subic Bay, Philippines, Mier- and local laws at the beach, “We do not condone any type Stars and Stripes from Plainville, zejewski moved back to Okinawa in which prohibit smoking, drink- of behavior that violate South CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A Conn., and a 1993 for his last teaching post at Ka- ing alcoholic beverages and eat- Korean laws, rules or directives former teacher and coach who graduate of dena High. ing between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m., a — especially [South Korean] or spent three decades working with Brigham Young He led Panthers basketball Haeundae District official said. USFK COVID-19 mitigation students at Defense Department University, Mier- teams to four DODEA-Pacific Far Violators will first be warned measures — and have imple- schools on Okinawa, in South Korea zejewski joined East Tournament finals, his girls of their behavior, the official mented good order and disci- and in the Philippines has died at Department of winning in 1994. Mierzejewski said, adding that those found in pline measures to ensure we be- age 73. Defense Educa- Mierzejewski became a full-time contempt will be fined and re- have appropriately during the William Mierzejewski, better tion Activity-Pacific on Okinawa DODEA administrator on Okinawa ported to USFK police. Fines upcoming holiday period,” Pe- known as “Coach Bill,” died Thurs- for the 1983-84 school year after in 2000. He retired in November have doubled to about $89. ters said. day at Wyoming Medical Center in serving in the Peace Corps in Af- 2011. “The reason why we adopted USFK personnel have been Casper after a three-month bout ghanistan during the 1960s and ‘70s. He is survived by his wife of 50 this administrative order is be- allowed to travel freely in South with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He taught physical education, years, Melene, their five children cause of USFK members,” the Korea since April 11. “He was passionate about every- science and health at Makiminato and 11 grandchildren. A memorial official said. They are still banned from thing,” said Lori Johnson, a 1992 Middle School and coached football service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Fri- USFK, in a statement issued bars, clubs, karaoke rooms and graduate of the now-shuttered Se- at Kubasaki High School until 1988, day at the Church of Jesus Christ of Tuesday, advised its personnel other adults-only businesses. oul American High School at Yong- when he moved to Seoul American. Latter-Day Saints in Thermopolis, to avoid travel to Busan over the san Garrison. “He had an impact on He taught and coached there until Wyo. holiday weekend. [email protected] so many. There was a life lesson to 1991. “If visiting Haeundae and Twitter: @choiboy be learned in everything he After a yearlong stint at George [email protected] [email protected] Songjung beaches, persons taught.” Dewey High School on Naval Sta- Twitter: @DaveOrnauer Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Top Pentagon cyber official probed over disclosure concerns

BY TONY CAPACCIO tion as a matter of course. This is Bloomberg how the system works. Accepting The Pentagon official who has an investigation, however, doesn’t been overseeing its new cyberse- prejudge the merits.” curity initiative for defense con- Arrington is on administrative tractors has been placed on leave in leave during the “preliminary in- connection with a suspected unau- vestigation,” the “specific details of thorized disclosure of classified in- which have not been made known formation from a military intelli- to us,” Zaid said. gence agency, according to an offi- “She has neither been fired nor U.S. Navy cial document. had her security clearance re- The CH­53K is designed to carry 27,000 pounds of payload, or three times the weight borne by the previ­ Katie Arrington, chief informa- voked,” he said. “We look forward ous helicopter, for up to 110 nautical miles, climbing from sea level to 3,000 feet above mean sea level, tion security officer for the Penta- to an opportunity to completely according to the Navy. gon’s acquisition and sustainment clear her name and her return to office, was informed May 11 that work.” “her security clearance for access Arrington is a former two-term to classified information is being Republican state representative Sikorsky lands $879M Navy suspended” as “a result of a report- from South Carolina who ran an un- ed Unauthorized Disclosure of successful campaign for Congress Classified Information and subse- in 2018 that emphasized her pri- heavy-lift helicopter contract quent removal of access by the Na- vate-sector cyber experience. She tional Security Agency,” according was brought into the Pentagon in BY STEPHEN SINGER The Navy said in a 2020 report The CH-53K is intended to to a memo made available to 2019 under the category of “Highly Hartford (Conn.) Courant that it is making corrections to sev- transport armored vehicles, Bloomberg News. Qualified Expert” and later com- Sikorsky Aircraft has been eral design deficiencies discov- equipment and personnel from The National Security Agency, peted for and attained the nonparti- awarded a U.S. Navy contract of ered during developmental test- ships to inland locations. Sikorsky which is part of the Defense De- san Senior Executive Service sta- $878.7 million to build nine heavy- ing. The problems include hot gas touts it for its speed, capacity and partment, gathers some of the na- tus, Zaid said. lift helicopters that were at the ingestion by an engine, low relia- maneuverability. tion’s most sensitive signals and ea- Her official Pentagon biography center of a 2016 deal with Connec- bility of main rotor gearbox, hot A Government Accountability vesdropping intelligence from for- says she has more than 15 years of ticut and have faced government gas affecting aircraft structures, Office report in March said the eign adversaries, mostly via satel- cyber experience “through posi- criticism over production delays tail boom and tail rotor structural CH-53K schedule doesn’t “fully lite. tions at Booz Allen Hamilton, Cen- and cost. problems, overheating of main ro- meet best practices for developing “If this preliminary decision be- turia Corporation, and Dispersive The contract, which will cost tor dampers and other problems. and keeping reliable project comes final, you will not be eligible Networks. These positions have $97.6 million for each of the next- A Sikorsky spokesperson said schedules.” And it said overlap be- for access to classified informa- given her a unique experience of generation helicopters, will deliv- the manufacturer and the Navy tween testing and buying larger tion” or “assignments to duties that supporting and work with the gov- er the aircraft in 2024 as part of a “continue to operate an integrated numbers of helicopters “means have been designated national se- ernment at large, small, and non- 200-aircraft program into the next test plan and are committed to en- problems revealed during testing curity sensitive,” the memo from traditional contracting firms.” decade for the U.S. Marine Corps. ter (initial testing and evaluation) would have to be fixed on more hel- the Office of the Under Secretary of A U.S. official familiar with the The next lot reduces the cost to as planned this summer, support icopters already built.” Defense for Acquisition and Sus- case said Arrington’s politics — as a $94.7 million. operational deployment and ex- “Such retrofits are costly,” it tainment said. Republican under a Democratic “As the long-range logistic sup- pand production of this all-new said. The memo to Arrington provided president — aren’t a factor in the in- port backbone for the U.S. Marine heavy lift helicopter.” A $220 million state aid package no details about the possible disclo- vestigation, and it’s not an attempt Corps, it is essential that we get this Sikorsky said it is addressing for Sikorsky Aircraft was negotiat- sure of information. Pentagon ac- to force her from the Pentagon. The critical capability to the fleet as technical issues cited in the report, ed by the administration of then- quisition spokesperson Jessica official, who discussed the case on quickly and as affordably as possi- with most having been resolved Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and ap- Maxwell said the department can’t condition of anonymity because of ble,” said Col. Jack Perrin, heavy- “and are confident we have solu- proved by the General Assembly comment on any questions about its sensitivity, also said the disclo- lift helicopter program manager. tions to address the few outstand- to keep Sikorsky in Connecticut. Arrington’s status. sure investigation isn’t connected The recent award brings the ing issues.” In the agreement between the “Absolutely no decisions have to Arrington’s management of the program’s total aircraft, either de- The CH-53K is designed to carry state and Lockheed Martin Corp., been reached regarding any as- Pentagon’s ambitious Cybersecur- livered or on contract, to 33. 27,000 pounds of payload, or three the parent company of Sikorsky, pect,” Arrington’s attorney, Mark ity Maturity Model Certification The program, which is grap- times the weight borne by the pre- the helicopter maker will increase Zaid, said in an email. He con- system, or CMMC, which is being pling with design problems identi- vious helicopter, for up to 110 nau- its full-time employment in Con- firmed the content of the memo, slowly implemented as Deputy De- fied in a Department of Defense tical miles, climbing from sea level necticut and nearly double its saying that “when faced with such fense Secretary Kathleen Hicks re- report, will start initial tests and to 3,000 feet above mean sea level, spending of $350 million a year programmatic allegations, DoD views the program inherited from evaluations next month. according to the Navy. with Connecticut suppliers. would routinely open an investiga- the Trump administration.

Case dropped against recruiters charged with hiring unqualified linguists

BY PHILLIP WALTER WELLMAN The alleged offenses happened in 2011 and proficiency in Dari or Pashto, the two main at the time. Stars and Stripes 2012. languages spoken in Afghanistan, in order to Prosecutors last week argued the case KABUL, Afghanistan — Charges have The defendants argued the decadelong de- get bonuses worth thousands of dollars. should proceed, citing the Wartime Suspen- been dropped against six former employees lay would prevent them from defending The six were charged with conspiracy to sion of Limitations Act, which extends the of a U.S. government contractor, who were ac- themselves at trial, pointing out that one wit- commit wire fraud and between two and six statute of limitations for crimes in war zones cused of endangering U.S. troops and military ness had died, another had gone missing and counts of fraud each, and could have been sen- until five years after the conflict ends. operations in Afghanistan by hiring unquali- others would have a foggy recollection of tenced to up to 20 years in prison for each But U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema fied linguists to work alongside them. events that occurred so far in the past. count if convicted. ruled on behalf of the defendants, dropping all Afederal judge in Alexandria, Va., ruled on Government prosecutors obtained a grand The crimes they were accused of “threat- charges against them. June 23 that the government waited too long to jury indictment against the defendants in ened to put American troops at greater risk in bring the case to court, denying the group due April, alleging they knowingly recruited lin- acombat zone,” Special Inspector General for [email protected] process. guists who lacked even minimum language Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko said Twitter: @pwwellman PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 WAR ON TERRORISM US general: Afghanistan security deteriorating BY KATHY GANNON ists that can attack the United 1989. That conflict was followed Several of the districts have Associated Press States. The details of those com- by a brutal civil war fought by been on key roads and one on the KABUL, Afghanistan — The mitments have never been made some of the same Afghan leaders border with northern Tajikistan. U.S.’s top general in Afghanistan public. deploying militias against the Ta- The Taliban have issued state- on Tuesday gave a sobering as- The Taliban have accused liban. The civil war gave rise to ments saying hundreds of Afghan sessment of the country’s deterio- Washington of breaking the the Taliban who took power in security forces have surrendered, rating security situation as Amer- agreement, which called for all 1996. most of them going to their homes ica winds down its so-called “for- troops to be out by May 1, the date American officials have said the after being recorded on video re- ever war.” the final withdrawal began. U.S. entire pullout of U.S. troops will ceiving transportation money Gen. Austin S. Miller said the officials have said the Taliban most likely be completely finished from the Taliban. rapid loss of districts around the have made some progress, but it’s by July 4. But Miller refused to Miller said there are multiple country to the Taliban — several not clear whether the insurgent give any date or time frame, refer- reasons for the collapse of these with significant strategic value — group has kept its end of the deal. ring only to the Sept. 11 timeline districts, including troop fatigue is worrisome. He also cautioned The insurgent group issued or- given by President Joe Biden in and surrender, psychological de- that the militias deployed to help ders against allowing foreign April when he announced the final feat and military defeat. But he the beleaguered national security fighters among their ranks, but withdrawal of the remaining said the escalating violence puts forces could lead the country into evidence continues to surface that 2,500-3,500 American troops. the country at risk of falling into a civil war. non-Afghans are on the battle- Meanwhile, the Taliban have deadly civil war. Miller told a small group of re- field. been over-running districts in “As we start talking about how porters in the Afghan capital that AHMAD SEIR / AP Still, Miller was insistent that rapid succession, many of them in does this all end, the way it must for now he has the weapons and U.S. Army Gen. Austin S. Miller only a political solution will bring the north of the country, which is end for the Afghan people is some- the capability to aid Afghanistan’s spoke to journalists at the peace to the war-tortured nation. dominated by Afghanistan’s mi- thing that revolves around a politi- National Defense and Security Resolute Support headquarters in “It is a political settlement that norities. The north is also the tra- cal solution,” he said. “I’ve also Forces. Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday. brings peace to Afghanistan. And ditional stronghold of many for- said that if you don’t reduce the vi- “What I don’t want to do is spec- it’s not just the last 20 years. It’s mer mujahedeen leaders who olence, that political solution be- ulate what that (support) looks 2020. It laid out the promise of a really the last 42 years,” he said. have been a dominant force in Af- comes more and more difficult.” like in the future,” he said. U.S. withdrawal and commit- Miller was referring to not only ghanistan since driving the Tali- Miller refused to say where the Washington signed a peace deal ments by the Taliban to ensure Af- the U.S. war but that of Russia’s ban from power in 2001 together U.S. and its NATO allies were in with the Taliban in February ghanistan does not harbor terror- 10-year occupation that ended in with the U.S.-led coalition. the withdrawal process. Support: When Syria: Strikes contractors will hit weapons leave is unknown storage facilities FROM PAGE 1 gation that visited the U.S. last week was re- FROM PAGE 1 portedly told that hundreds of contractors on U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq. supporting the Afghan air force would re- “Specifically, the U.S. strikes targeted main in the country at least until Septem- operational and weapons storage facilities ber. at two locations in Syria and one location in Without contractor support, “no airframe Iraq,” Kirby said Sunday. “Several Iran- can be sustained as combat effective for backed militia groups, including Kata’ib more than a few months,” the Lead Inspec- Hezbollah and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, tor General for Operation Freedom’s Senti- used these facilities.” nel said in a February report to Congress. Four militiamen were killed in one of the The Afghan air force has lost almost a U.S. airstrikes that hit a weapons storage fa- quarter of the operational aircraft in its in- cility inside Syrian territory, The Associat- ventory over the past year, February’s re- ed Press reported, citing two unnamed Ira- port said. Three or four aircraft have been RYAN HALLGARTH/U.S. Army qi militia officials. shot down in the four months since that re- An Afghan army air corps soldier cleans the rear rotor of an Mi­17 helicopter in In response, the Iran-backed Iraqi mili- port, Ishaqzai told reporters at Kabul’s air- Afghanistan in 2012. Afghan maintainers said they’ve been practicing remote assistance tias pledged to “avenge the blood of our port Tuesday. via video calls, as U.S­funded maintenance contractors prepare to leave the country. righteous martyrs against the perpetrators The aircraft are seen as essential for of this heinous crime,” the AP reported. holding back the Taliban, which have over- in Washington last week, the U.S. reassured Congress that Afghanistan’s conventional “With God’s help we will make the enemy run numerous districts in recent weeks. A Afghanistan that it will continue to finan- air force and the Special Mission Wing that taste the bitterness of revenge.” fleet of over 160 helicopters and fixed-wing cially support government security forces supports its commandos are unlikely to be Kirby said the U.S. airstrikes demon- aircraft provide air support, logistics and after the withdrawal, said Ajmal Omar weaned off contractor support anytime strated Biden will act to protect U.S. per- medical evacuation. Shinwari, spokesman for the country’s de- soon. sonnel and American troops are in Iraq at Asadullah Wafa, a member of the coun- fense forces. The A-29 and MD-530 attack aircraft rely the request of the Iraqi government “for the try’s special security forces who has been The U.S. will provide 45 UH-60 Black on contractors to maintain their combat ca- sole purpose of assisting the Iraqi Security fighting near Kabul, recalled missions in Hawk helicopters and seven A-29 attack pabilities, it said. Forces in their efforts to defeat the [Islamic which air power helped them prevail in pro- aircraft soon, Shinwari said Tuesday. He al- While an aircraft maintenance develop- State].” Taliban villages and where local insurgents so believes contractors will continue to op- ment center in the country “is training suffi- “Given the ongoing series of attacks by knew the terrain better than government erate out of Kabul in some way even after cient numbers of maintainers to create a Iran-backed groups targeting U.S. interests forces did. the deadline, he said. more organic maintenance cadre,” the re- in Iraq, the president directed further mil- “If we have proper air support, we can be Earlier this week, citing unnamed sourc- port said, the air force and SMW “will real- itary action to disrupt and deter such at- successful,” Wafa said Tuesday. es, the country’s Tolo News reported that istically not be able to fully manage their tacks,” Kirby said. In recent weeks, when aircraft return the U.S. had pledged it would keep 200 con- fleets organically, just as the U.S. military “The United States took necessary, appro- from mission damaged, Afghan maintain- tractors in the country at least until some- relies on (contractor logistics support) to priate and deliberate action designed to limit ers have been sending details about their is- time near the withdrawal deadline. sustain its aviation fleet.” the risk of escalation — but also to send a sues to contractors and receiving technical A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition clear and unambiguous deterrent message.” assistance over video calls, Ishaqzai said. was not immediately available to comment Zubair Babakarkhail contributed to this report. During a visit by Afghan President Ash- on the report Tuesday. [email protected] [email protected] raf Ghani to meet with President Joe Biden The Pentagon said in an April report to Twitter: @jplawrence3 Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 NATION Fla. collapse search carefully continues

BY RUSS BYNUM just attach a couple of cords to a con- Associated Press crete boulder and lift it and call it a SURFSIDE, Fla. — The slow day.” Some of the concrete pieces work of sifting through the rem- are smaller, the size of basketballs nants of a collapsed Florida condo or baseballs. building stretched into a sixth day From outside a neighboring Tuesday, as families desperate for building on Monday, more than two progress endured a wrenching wait dozen family members watched for answers. teams of searchers excavate the “We have people waiting and building site. Some held onto each waiting and waiting for news,” Mia- other for support. Others hugged mi-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine and prayed. Some people took pho- Cava told reporters. “We have them tos. coping with the news that they Authorities insisted they are not might not have their loved ones losing hope. come out alive and still hope against Deciding to transition from hope that they will. They’re learning search-and-rescue work to a recov- that some of their loved ones will ery operation is agonizing, said Dr. come out as body parts. This is the Joseph A. Barbera, a professor at kind of information that is just ex- George Washington University. cruciating for everyone.” That decision is fraught with con- The work has been deliberate and siderations, he said, that only those treacherous. Thunderstorms rolled on the ground can make. through the area Tuesday morning, LYNNE SLADKY/AP Barbera coauthored a study ex- and debris fell onto the search area Workers search the rubble at a condo building in Surfside, Fla., on Monday. Thunderstorms rolled throughamining disasters where some peo- overnight from the shattered edge Tuesday morning, and debris fell onto the search area from the part of the building that still stands. ple survived under rubble for pro- of the part of the building that still longed periods of time. He has also stands. That forced rescuers to the community just outside Miami. not have definitive answers. We vices. advised teams on where to look for mark a “don’t go beyond here” line Authorities meet frequently with give them the facts. We take them to Authorities said it’s still a search- potential survivors and when to con- and focus their efforts on parts of the families to explain what they’re do- the site,” she said. “They have seen and-rescue operation, but no one clude “that the probability of contin- debris pile that are farther from the ing and to answer questions. They the operation. They understand has been found alive since hours af- ued survival is very, very small.” structure, Surfside Mayor Charles have discussed how DNA matches now how it works, and they are pre- ter the collapse on Thursday. “It’s an incredibly difficult deci- Burkett told Miami television sta- are made to help identify the dead, paring themselves for news, one The pancake collapse of the sion, and I’ve never had to make that tion WSVN. how next-of-kin will be contacted way or the other.” building left layer upon layer of in- decision,” Barbera said. Also Tuesday, the White House and explained in “extreme detail” Rescuers are using bucket bri- tertwined debris, frustrating efforts The building collapsed just days announced that President Joe Bi- how they are searching the mound, gades and heavy machinery as they to reach anyone who may have sur- before a deadline for condo owners den and first lady Jill Biden would Cava said. work atop a precarious mound of vived in a pocket of space. to start making steep payments to- travel to Surfside on Thursday. With that knowledge, she said, pulverized concrete, twisted steel “Every time there’s an action, ward more than $9 million in re- Just two additional bodies were families are coming to their own and the remnants of dozens of there’s a reaction,” Miami-Dade pairs that had been recommended found Monday, raising the count of conclusions. households. The efforts include Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah nearly three years earlier, in a re- confirmed dead to 11. That leaves “Some are feeling more hopeful, firefighters, sniffer dogs and search said Monday during a news confer- port that warned of “major structur- 150 people still unaccounted for in some less hopeful, because we do experts using radar and sonar de- ence. “It’s not an issue of we could al damage.” Rolling blackouts in Northwest amid heat wave

Associated Press Seattle and Portland shattered all- located from Arizona three weeks “In a world without climate SPOKANE, Wash. — The un- time heat records. ago, to search for somewhere else change, this still would have been precedented Northwest U.S. heat Seattle hit 108 degrees by Mon- to cool off. She doesn’t have AC at a really extreme heat wave,” wave that slammed Seattle and day evening — well above Sun- her condo, she said. Hausfather said. “This is worse Portland, Ore., moved inland day’s all-time high of 104 F. Por- “Part of the reason I moved here than the same event would have Tuesday — prompting a electrical tland reached 116 F after hitting was not only to be near my daugh- been 50 years ago, and notably utility in Spokane, Wash., to warn records of 108 F on Saturday and ter, but also to come in the sum- so.” that people will face more rolling 112 F on Sunday. mer to have relief from Arizona The blistering heat exposed a blackouts amid heavy power de- The temperatures have been heat,” James said. “And I seem to region with infrastructure not de- mand. unheard of in a region better have brought it with me. So I’m not signed for it, hinting at the greater The intense weather that gave known for rain, and where June real thrilled.” costs of climate change to come. Seattle and Portland consecutive has historically been referred to The heat wave was caused by “We are not meant for this,” days of record high temperatures as “Juneuary” for its cool drizzle. what meteorologists described as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said far exceeding 100 degrees Fah- Seattle’s average high temper- a dome of high pressure over the in an interview on MSNBC. renheit was expected to ease in ature in June is around 70 F, and Northwest and worsened by hu- He added that “we have to tack- those cities. But inland Spokane KEN LAMBERT, THE SEATTLE TIMES/AP fewer than half of the city’s resi- man-caused climate change, le the source of this problem, was likely to surpass Monday’s U.S. Postal Service letter carrier dents have air conditioning, ac- which is making such extreme which is climate change.” high temperature — a record-ty- Alexis Chumney, 28, takes a long cording to U.S. Census data. weather events more likely and In Portland, light rail and street ing 105 F. drink as temperatures pass 100 The heat forced schools and more intense. car service was suspended on About 8,200 utility customers in degrees Fahrenheit on Monday businesses on Monday to close to Zeke Hausfather, a scientist at Monday as power cables melted parts of Spokane lost power on in Seattle. protect workers and guests, in- the climate-data nonprofit Berke- and electricity demand spiked. Monday and Avista Utilities cluding some places like outdoor ley Earth, said that the Pacific Heat-related expansion caused warned that there will be more ed because of the intense heat, pools and ice cream shops where Northwest has warmed by about 3 road pavement to buckle or pop rolling blackouts on Tuesday in said Heather Rosentrater, the people seek relief from the heat. degrees F in the past half-century. loose in many areas, including a the city of about 220,000 people company’s senior vice president COVID-19 testing sites and mobile That means a heat wave now is Seattle highway. Workers in tank- with the high temperature pre- for energy delivery, said Monday vaccination units were out of ser- about 3 degrees warmer than it er trucks hosed down draw- dicted at 110 degrees, which would night. vice as well. would have been before — and the bridges with water twice daily be an all-time record. Temperatures in other eastern The Seattle Parks Department difference between 111 degrees prevent the steel from expanding Avista had planned for much Washington and Oregon commu- closed one indoor community pool and 114 is significant, especially in the heat and interfering with higher than normal demand but nities could reach about 115 de- after the air inside became too hot for vulnerable populations, he their opening and closing mecha- hit its limit quicker than anticipat- grees on Tuesday, a day after — leaving Stanlie James, who re- noted. nisms. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 NATION House to vote on launching probe of Capitol riot BY MARY CLARE JALONICK was short of the 10 Senate Republi- Associated Press cans who would be necessary to WASHINGTON — A new com- pass it. mittee to investigate the Jan. 6 in- As laid out in Pelosi’s legislation, surrection at the U.S. Capitol would the new select committee would have 13 members and the power to have subpoena power and no specif- subpoena witnesses, according to ic end date. The panel can issue in- legislation released by House terim reports as it conducts the Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The House is probe. expected to vote on the bill this Trump is not explicitly refer- week. enced in the legislation, which di- The effort comes after Senate Re- rects the select committee to inves- SUSAN WALSH/AP publicans blocked the formation of tigate “facts, circumstances and President Joe Biden told Democratic donors Monday that the bipartisan infrastructure deal was a way for an independent, bipartisan com- causes relating to the January 6, the United States to assert the principles of democracy and the economic might that can come from mission to probe the attack, in which 2021, domestic terrorist attack upon dramatic investments in the country’s economic future. hundreds of former President Do- the United States Capitol Complex nald Trump’s supporters violently and relating to the interference with broke into the Capitol and interrupt- the peaceful transfer of power.” The ed the certification of President Joe panel would also study “influencing Biden pushes infrastructure bill Biden’s victory. factors that fomented such an attack The new, partisan House panel on American representative de- would have eight members appoint- mocracy while engaged in a consti- that ‘signals … we can function’ ed by Pelosi and five appointed “af- tutional process.” BY JOSH BOAK tation, water systems and services Approval of both bills by Con- ter consultation with” Republican The House passed the bill to form Associated Press in nearly a century would boost gress remains a long haul with this Leader Kevin McCarthy. A Pelosi an independent commission last WASHINGTON — President Joe growth. The memo emphasizes an summer’s initial votes expected in aide said the speaker is considering month, and Pelosi, D-Calif., said it Biden will look to sell voters on the analysis suggesting that 90% of the July. Senate Republican leader including a Republican among her was her preference to have an inde- economic benefits of the $973 billion jobs generated by the spending Mitch McConnell questioned the appointments, which would bring pendent panel lead the inquiry. But infrastructure package while in could go to workers without college legislative process ahead and the likely partisan split to 7-6. The she said last week that Congress Wisconsin on Tuesday, hoping to degrees, a key shift as a majority of mounted fresh obstacles while aide was granted anonymity to dis- could not wait any longer to begin a boost the bipartisan agreement that net job gains before the pandemic speaking Monday in Kentucky. cuss her thinking. deeper look at the insurrection so is held together in large part by the went to college graduates. McConnell said he has not yet de- Pelosi said in a statement Mon- she would form the select panel. promise of millions of new jobs. “This is a blue-collar blueprint to cided whether he will support the bi- day that Jan. 6 was “one of the dar- Still, Pelosi said that the select Biden planned to travel to La rebuild America,” the memo says. partisan package, but he wants Bi- kest days in our nation’s history” committee could be complemen- Crosse, population 52,000, and tour Potential economic gains were a den to pressure House Speaker and that the committee will seek the tary to an independent panel, its public transit center, followed by shared incentive for the group of Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democrat- truth about it. should one ever be formed, and that a speech about the infrastructure Democratic and Republican sen- ic leader Chuck Schumer to say they “The Select Committee will in- she is “hopeful there could be a package announced last week. ators who agreed to the deal Thurs- will allow the bipartisan arrange- vestigate and report upon the facts commission at some point.” The president presented his day. But the process briefly fell into ment to pass without mandating that and causes of the attack and report Two officers who battled the riot- message to Democratic donors on disarray late last week as Biden sug- the much larger and broader follow- recommendations for preventing ers, Metropolitan Police Officer Mi- Monday that the agreement was a gested the deal would be held up un- up bill be in place. any future assault,” she said. chael Fanone and Capitol Police Of- way for the United States to assert til he also received a separate pack- “I appreciate the president say- Many Republicans were con- ficer Harry Dunn, have been lobby- the principles of democracy and the age for infrastructure, jobs and edu- ing that he’s willing to deal with in- cerned about such a partisan probe, ing Republicans to support an inde- economic might that can come from cation that would be determined frastructure separately, But he since majority Democrats are likely pendent commission and met with dramatic investments in the coun- solely by Democrats through the doesn’t control the Congress,” to investigate Trump’s role in the McCarthy on Friday. In the absence try’s economic future. budget reconciliation process. McConnell said at a press confer- siege and the right wing groups that of an independent commission, Fa- “This infrastructure bill signals to Biden said Saturday that this was ence in Louisville. were present for it. Almost three none said he asked McCarthy for a the world that we can function, we not a veto threat, and by Sunday the The two bills had always been ex- dozen House Republicans voted to commitment not to put “the wrong can deliver,” Biden said. “We can do package appeared back on track. pected to move in tandem, and that create an independent panel, which people” on the new select panel and significant things, show that Amer- “The president intends to sign is likely to continue as Biden drops would have had an even partisan that McCarthy said he would take it ica is back.” both pieces of legislation into law,” his veto threat but reaches across split among members. Seven Re- seriously. McCarthy’s office did not White House officials issued an White House press secretary Jen the aisle for the nearly $1 trillion bi- publicans in the Senate supported respond to requests for comment on internal memo that highlights how Psaki said Monday at her daily partisan package as well as his own moving forward on that bill, but that either the meeting or the legislation. the largest investment in transpor- briefing. broader package. Supreme Court says no right to hearing for some immigrants Associated Press evaluates their claims. An immigration officer deter- president in January, pointed to dif- sult, face proceedings that may last WASHINGTON — The Supreme Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the mined that the immigrants had a ferent provisions of immigration for many months or years ...? I can Court ruled Tuesday that the gov- court that “those aliens are not entit- “reasonable fear” for their safety if law to make their respective cases. find no satisfactory answer to this ernment can indefinitely detain cer- led to a bond hearing.” returned to their countries, setting Alito, in his opinion for the court, question,” Breyer wrote. tain immigrants who say they will The case involves people who had in motion an evaluation process that wrote that the administration’s ar- The federal appeals court in Rich- face persecution or torture if they been previously deported and, can take months or years. gument that the relevant provision mond, Va., had ruled in the immi- are deported to their native coun- when detained after re-entering the The issue for the court was wheth- does not provide for a bond hearing grants’ favor, but other appellate tries. United States illegally, claimed that er the government could hold the was more persuasive. In dissent, courts had sided with the govern- Over the dissent of three liberal they would be persecuted or immigrants without having an im- Justice Stephen Breyer saw it dif- ment. Tuesday’s decision sets a na- justices, the court held 6-3 that the tortured if sent back. One man is a ci- migration judge weigh in. The im- ferently. “But why would Congress tionwide rule, but one that affects immigrants are not entitled to a tizen of El Salvador who said he was migrants and the Trump adminis- want to deny a bond hearing to indi- what lawyers for the immigrants hearing about whether they should immediately threatened by a gang tration, which briefed and argued viduals who reasonably fear perse- called a relatively small subset of be released while the government after being deported from the U.S. the case before Joe Biden became cution or torture, and who, as a re- noncitizens. Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Big drop in migrant kids at largest US emergency shelter Associated Press kept on at night and were avoiding SAN DIEGO — The number of meals because the food smelled migrant children housed at the Bi- foul. Several said they spent their den administration’s largest days sleeping and had been in the emergency shelter for those who facilities, like Fort Bliss, for more crossed the U.S.-Mexico border than a month. alone has dropped by more than Vice President Kamala Harris 40% since mid-June, a top U.S. offi- visited El Paso on Friday, and her cial said Monday, touting progress spokeswoman, Symone Sanders, at the facility that has been criti- told reporters that President Joe cized by child welfare advocates. Biden has instructed Becerra to CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/AP Health and Human Services “do a thorough investigation” and Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks during the Iowa Republican Party’s Lincoln Secretary Xavier Becerra told re- report back about the conditions in Dinner on Thursday in West Des Moines, Iowa. porters that 790 boys were housed the tent camp at Fort Bliss, which at Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, advocates have called particularly Texas, and the last girl left Mon- troubling. day. All the girls were reunited ei- “The administration is taking GOP’s long race to 2024 begins ther with relatives in the United this very seriously. Extremely se- Associated Press tors in Manhat- line speech at a Republican Na- States or a sponsor such as a family riously,” Sanders said. WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — tan may file tional Committee dinner. friend or sent to licensed facilities, AWhite House official said later In the past week alone, Nikki Ha- criminal charges After being booed and jeered which have a higher standard of Friday that conditions have im- ley regaled activists in Iowa, Mike against his com- the week before at a conservative care, according to the agency re- proved, adding that Biden did not Pence courted donors in Califor- pany as soon as conference in Florida, Pence ap- sponsible for caring for migrant order a formal investigation re- nia and Donald Trump returned to this week. peared to have a newfound sense children. quest and that the agency was al- the rally stage, teasing a third Trump is also of swagger as he delivered his In mid-June, the administration ready looking into the facility. campaign for the White House. under investiga- strongest rebuttal to date of reported about 2,000 boys and Shaw Drake, staff attorney and Cotton The midterms are more than a tion by a district Trump’s continued insistence that girls were at the Fort Bliss facility policy counsel for the American year away, and there are 1,225 attorney in Georgia for attempting he could have unilaterally over- amid child welfare advocates’ con- Civil Liberties Union of Texas, ap- days until the next presidential to pressure elections officials to turned the results of the last elec- cerns about inadequate condi- plauded the reduction in the num- election. But Republicans eyeing change results in his favor. tion. tions. A high of 4,800 children were ber of children housed at Fort Bliss a White House run are wasting no Still, Trump, who left office in Many of Trump’s supporters housed there in May. but questioned why it has taken time in jockeying for a strong posi- January under the cloud of im- continue to blame Pence for Becerra said his agency was this long to see real progress in re- tion in what could emerge as an peachment for inciting a riot at the Trump’s loss, even though he had evaluating whether it can close leasing kids from the govern- extremely crowded field of con- U.S. Capitol, is flirting with a polit- no power to overturn the results. some of the emergency shelters ment’s unlicensed shelters. tenders. ical future. Returning to the rally It’s been a similar tightrope act that the government opened in the Drake praised the Biden admin- The politicking will only inten- stage last weekend for the first for Haley, Trump’s former am- spring as record numbers of unac- istration for helping get children sify in the coming weeks, particu- time as a private citizen, Trump bassador to the United Nations companied children crossed the out of overcrowded holding facili- larly in Iowa, home to the nation’s looked every bit the candidate as and a former governor of South border. He declined to say wheth- ties for adult migrants by opening leadoff presidential caucuses and an enthusiastic crowd of thou- Carolina, who sharply criticized er Fort Bliss would be among more than dozen emergency shel- a state where conservative evan- sands in Ohio chanted, “Four Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot them. ters quickly. But he said “immedi- gelicals play a significant role in more years!” but has since largely avoided the “Because we’ve been successful ately after that, the focus should steering the direction of the GOP. “We won the election twice,” he subject. in managing the flow, we are pre- have been to reunify children with Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas is said. “And it’s possible we’ll have At a Thursday dinner during a pared to begin the demobilization sponsors, and it seemed like that slated to visit on Tuesday, and oth- to win it a third time.” three-day swing across Iowa, Ha- of several of our emergency intake languished and left kids in places ers, including Pence, South Dako- The specter of Trump has been ley presented herself to about 500 sites,” Becerra said. like Fort Bliss far too long.” ta Gov. Kristi Noem and former especially challenging for Repub- Republican activists as a next- He made his second visit to Fort A rise in the number of migrant Secretary of State Mike Pompeo licans like Pence. As a conserva- generation conservative figure. Bliss since it opened in March and children crossing the southwest are expected to appear in July. tive evangelical Christian who Like Pence, Haley spent much said more services and staffing border alone has challenged the The flurry of activity is a sign was Trump’s unflinchingly loyal of her speech praising Trump’s have been added, including case Biden administration. The De- that there is no clear frontrunner vice president, Pence would seem time in office and sharing anec- managers who have helped get partment of Health and Human to lead the GOP if Trump opts appealing to many of the party’s dotes of her work with him that lit children released to relatives in Services has more than 14,200 mi- against a 2024 campaign. activists. But his decision to follow chuckles throughout the hall, the U.S. or placed in licensed facil- grant children in its care, down “It definitely feels early, but it the constitutional process and cer- while ignoring the deadly siege at ities more quickly. from 22,000 two months ago. doesn’t feel like it’s a bad idea tify Biden’s win angered many in the Capitol as well as Trump’s In transcripts of interviews done Becerra said more children are based on the situation,” said Mike the GOP. monthslong campaign to cast by attorneys and filed in federal in licensed shelters now than unli- DuHaime, a longtime Republican Though he still heaps praise on doubt on the outcome of the 2020 court in Los Angeles last week, mi- censed facilities, a reversal from a strategist. “The party has Trump’s accomplishments, Pence election, even though there is no grant children described their government report in May. He changed, the voters are changing has worked more recently to forge evidence of the widespread fraud desperation to get out of Fort Bliss said officials are working to get and I think the process has his own identity, splitting with his he alleges. and the other large shelters set up more beds made available at li- changed. And I think many of the former boss in particular over the “I saw firsthand as ambassador by the Biden administration. censed facilities. candidates have realized that.” severity of the deadly Jan. 6 riot, to the United Nations that Donald The children were interviewed “We have continued to expand For now, a central question in which forced him into hiding but Trump put America first, some- from March to June by attorneys our capacity, and as a result, we’re Republican politics is whether which many Republicans have times in the most interesting of monitoring a long-standing settle- able to discharge more of these Trump, who continues to advance sought to minimize. ways,” she said. ment governing custody condi- children into the hands of a respon- lies about his loss last year to Joe That balancing act came into So far, polls and interviews sug- tions for migrant children. sible, vetted custodian, which then Biden, will run again. The former sharp relief Thursday as Pence gest voters are a long way from Some of the children said they frees up a bed for another child,” president has said he will make a delivered a speech at the Ronald picking favorites, though Florida did not know if anyone was work- he said. decision after next year’s mid- Reagan Presidential Library in Gov. Ron DeSantis is frequently ing to reunite them with their fam- Despite the improvements, Be- terms. front of a sold-out crowd of more mentioned as a possible Trump ilies, giving them anxiety. Others cerra said the shelters are not a so- In the meantime, he faces than 800 people during a swing successor. He is notably one of the did not have enough access to a lution and urged Congress to fix mounting legal vulnerabilities, in- through California that included few leading Republicans who has mental health counselor, had trou- what he called a broken immigra- cluding the potential that prosecu- meetings with donors and a head- yet to visit Iowa this year. ble sleeping because lights were tion system. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 NATION NASA studies La. delta system, eyes global forecasts Scientists aim to help countries determine which areas to shore up

BY JANET MCCONNAUGHEY Associated Press “If you have to MIKE ISLAND, La. — Erosion, choose between sinking land and sea rise from cli- mate change have killed the Loui- saving an area and siana woods where a 41-year-old Native American chief played as a losing another child. Not far away in the Missis- sippi River delta system, middle- instead of losing school students can stand on is- lands that emerged the year they everything, you were born. want to know NASA is using high-tech air- PHOTOS BY GERALD HERBERT / AP borne systems along with boats where to put your Andre Rabay, research scientist for the LSU Department of Oceanography and Coastal Science, uses a and mud-slogging work on is- real time kinetic GPS to take measurements on Mike Island, part of the Wax Lake Delta in the Atchafalaya lands for a $15 million, five-year resources to work.” Basin, in St. Mary Parish, La., in April. study of these adjacent areas of Louisiana. One is hitched to a riv- Marc Simard er and growing; the other is dis- NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory connected and dying. Scientists from NASA and a density of plants. Some measure- half-dozen universities from Bos- ments are as precise as a couple of ton to California aim to create centimeters. computer models that can be used On boats and islands, scientists with satellite data to let countries and students from across the around the world learn which country take samples and mea- parts of their dwindling deltas can sure everything from currents to be shored up and which are past diameters of trees. Their findings hope. will be used to calibrate the air- “If you have to choose between borne instruments. saving an area and losing another “I’ve been working here 15 instead of losing everything, you years, and one of the toughest want to know where to put your parts about working in a delta is Cedric Fichot, Boston University assistant resources to work to save the live- you can only touch one little piece Mike Lamb, co­investigator, of the California Institute professor, Department of Earth and Environment, lihood of all the people who live of it at any one time and under- of Technology, prepares to take water samples to drops a compact optical profiling system which there,” said lead scientist Marc stand one little piece of it at one measure the amount of sediment in the water. measures light and particle density. Simard of NASA’s Jet Propulsion time,” said Robert Twilley, a pro- Laboratory. fessor of oceanography and coast- then began creating islands in the “Ghost forests” are common in “Thus the wetlands basically While oceans rise because of al sciences at Louisiana State Uni- Gulf. degrading deltas where salt water drown,” Twilley said. climate change, the world’s river versity. “Now we have the capa- Older wetlands in areas sur- intrudes as land sinks and erodes, Planes and boats went out in deltas — home to seafood nurser- bility of working with NASA to veyed by Delta-X aircraft are LSU’s Twilley said. March and April and will go out ies and more than 300 million peo- understand the entire delta.” more diverse, their soil rich with Louisiana is considering two again in fall for a second set of ple — are sinking and shrinking. The Mississippi River drains humus from generations of projects that would divert Atcha- measurements. To figure out where to shore up 41% of the continental United plants. Along nearby Hog Bayou, falaya River sediment to build To gauge how plants affect wa- dying deltas, NASA is studying States, collecting 150 million tons blue buntings and scarlet tanag- land in the Terrebonne Basin, but ter movement, long-wavelengths water flowing in and out of Loui- of sediment per year. But, largely ers dart through magnolia a decision is more than a year of L-band radar can measure wa- siana’s Atchafalaya and Terre- because of flood-prevention lev- branches and skinks skitter up away, according to the state ter level changes in open and veg- bonne basins, sediment carried ees, most sediment shoots into the trees. In swamps, ospreys nest Coastal Restoration and Preser- etated channels, NASA’s Simard by it, and plants that can slow the Gulf of Mexico rather than set- atop bald cypresses and alligators vation Authority. said. flow, trap sediment and pull car- tling in wetlands. float in the water below. One way LSU researchers mea- And high-frequency Ka-band bon from the air. “Deltas are the babies of the ge- In contrast, the adjacent Terre- sure how much land has been radar can measure surface height Louisiana holds 40% of the na- ological timescale. They are very bonne Basin is shrinking so rap- formed by sediment involves of open water, showing how it tion’s wetlands, but they’re disap- young and fragile, in a delicate idly that the government is paying sprinkling white feldspar dust on slopes — and where it’s moving. pearing fast — about 2,000 square balance of sinking and growing,” to move the Isle de Jean Charles the ground. “All of the tools they’re bring- miles of the state have been lost NASA states on the Delta-X pro- band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choc- They return to see how deeply ing to bear is really impressive,” since the 1930s. That’s about 80% ject website. taw Indians from a vanishing is- it’s buried by new sediment. They said Indiana University sedimen- of the nation’s wetland losses, ac- In geological time, young land to higher ground. do that by injecting liquid nitro- tary geologist Douglas Edmonds, cording to the U.S. Geological means thousands of years. On that That band isn’t the only Native gen into hollow tubes to freeze the who is not part of the project but Survey. scale, Louisiana’s Wax Lake Del- American group losing ground. dirt and muck around them. has worked with many of the re- Using two kinds of radar and a ta is taking its first breaths. It “The wooded areas we used to When the tubes are pulled up, the searchers. spectrometer that measures more dates to 1942, when the Army run through as children — they’re frozen “popsicles” show a white “The project itself is putting a colors than the human eye can Corps of Engineers dug an outlet dead,” said Chief Shirell Parfait- ring. They measure from there to finger on a really essential ques- distinguish, high-altitude NASA from the lake to reduce flood Dardar of the Grand Caillou/Du- the top. tion for a lot of deltas around the airplanes have been collecting in- threats to Morgan City, about 20 lac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha In- In the Terrebonne Basin, such world — how this deltaic land is formation such as water height, miles away. Sediment from the dians, based less than 50 miles sedimentation can’t keep up with formed and what processes take it slope, sediment, and the types and Atchafalaya River filled the lake, from the Wax Lake Delta. subsidence and sea level rise. away,” he said. Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Resort tries to set record for longest plastic slide DAVIS — A West Vir- WV ginia resort is offering one heck of a long plastic water slide. Canaan Valley Resort will be the host site where 100 people in attendance will be given the op- portunity to ride the 2,021-foot slip-and-slide. The ride is being built by Natural Light Beer. Resort General Manager Sam England said in a news release that the hope is the slide breaks the mark in the Guinness World Records of 2,007 feet set by a group in Jordan in 2015. Great white shark bites swimmer’s leg at beach PACIFICA — A great CA white shark bit a man in the leg as he swam off a Northern California beach, authorities said. The 35-year-old man’s injury was not life threatening and he was able to swim to shore at Grey Whale Cove State Beach, about 18 miles south of San Francisco, where he received medical aid, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Lt. Ea- monn Allen said. The man said he believed he was bitten by a 6- to 8-foot-long great white shark, Allen said. BRITTAINY NEWMAN/AP State park officials prohibited water activities off the beach, as well as off nearby Montara State Pride on display Beach, for 48 hours afterward, Ronaldo Pinto attends the Queer Liberation March in the West Village on Sunday, in New York. said California State Parks spokesman Gabe McKenna. injured after it either crashed or THE CENSUS prolonged response times in an made an emergency landing in emergency. Lawyer suspended for Assawoman Bay near an Ocean The number of rare plant species in Georgia that a federal In addition, the parking area ac- his posts on Facebook City airport, according to Ocean 14 grant will help save. The $780,000 grant will support work by commodates 109 vehicles and City Fire Department spokesman a partnership led by the state Department of Natural Resources, the agency parking outside of the area is un- COLUMBIA — South Ryan Whittington. said in a news release. It will also increase the capacity to preserve plants at the safe due to the 200 vertical feet SC Carolina’s highest Civilians in nearby boats pulled State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Chatta- elevation change to access the court suspended the law license of the people from the water before hoochee Nature Center and to spread expertise and support to others in the beach area, officials said. an attorney for six months for emergency personnel arrived, Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, the release said. Facebook posts the justices said Whittington said. Man kills alligator he used foul language and could in- changes that caused local officials apply to workplace cafes, public trapped, stores in freezer cite racial conflict. Lawsuit over ‘eye-sore’ to declare it a public nuisance. and private schools, hospital cafe- The state Supreme Court also Flintstones house settled According to records, the settle- terias and other locations. The LUSBY — A man ordered lawyer David Paul ment stipulates that the town will agency said businesses that use MD killed an alligator he Traywick to take a diversity class HILLSBOROUGH — review and approve a survey of the polystyrene foam should ac- trapped on a beach in southern and have an anger management CA Fred Flintstone fought the landscaping improvements. In quire alternatives for use in the fu- Maryland and is storing the dead assessment with a licensed ther- the law — and he won. turn, Fang will apply for building ture. reptile in his freezer. apist before he gets his license Technically, the owner of the permits. The town will also pay William Adams said he was kay- back. fanciful Flintstones house in a Fang $125,000, and she will drop Beach access limited at aking near Lusby in Calvert Coun- One post mentioned in the state posh San Francisco suburb settled the lawsuit — which was dismis- park due to overcrowding ty recently when he saw an alliga- Supreme Court opinion came days a lawsuit with the town of sed in state court on April 27. tor close to his boat, WJLA-TV after a police officer killed George Hillsborough. But the agreement No news on Barney Rubble’s DAWSON SPRINGS — reported. Floyd by kneeling on his neck in will allow Fred and his friends to role in the matter. KY Kentucky officials plan He set up trap lines with hooks Minnesota. remain. to begin restricting beach access to catch the alligator. Along with Traywick posted: “Here’s how In a yabba dabba dispute that State ban of polystyrene at a state park in western Ken- his 13-year-old son and their much that (expletive) life actually pitted property rights against gov- foam takes effect July 1 tucky next month due to over- friend, Adams found the nearly 8- mattered: Stock futures up. Mar- ernment rules that played out in crowding. foot-long animal. He shot it with a kets moved higher Monday and international media, retired pub- AUGUSTA — Maine Beach access will be limited to crossbow. Tuesday. (Expletive) you. Un- lishing mogul Florence Fang de- ME environmental offi- registered campground and lodg- “People were saying how I friend me,” according to the opin- fended her colorful, bulbous- cials said the state’s ban on polys- ing guests at Pennyrile Forest shouldn’t have done it because it’s ion. shaped house and its elaborate tyrene foam disposable food con- State Resort Park on weekends tame,” Adams told the station. “A homage to “The Flintstones” fam- tainers will take effect on July 1. and holidays effective July 1, the tame alligator? In a foreign habitat 5 rescued after plane ily, featuring Stone Age sculp- The ban had been scheduled to Kentucky Department of Tourism without its usual food source, I’d lands in bay near airport tures inspired by the 1960s car- go into effect on Jan. 1, but was de- said in a statement. Non-regis- hate to see it go after someone’s toon, along with aliens and other layed because of disruption in tered park guests will continue to pet, or even a child on the beach. OCEAN CITY — Five oddities.. packaging supplies due to the cor- have beach access on weekdays, There are kids running around all MD people were rescued The town, however, called the onavirus pandemic, the Maine officials said. the time near there.” from the water after an airplane towering dinosaurs and life-size Department of Environmental The decision was made based Adams took the alligator home plunged into a bay near an airport sculptures “a highly visible eye- Protection said. The new rules ap- on safety concerns due to over- and said he “had some for dinner on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, a sore” and sued Fang, alleging she ply to restaurants, stores and nu- crowding. last night.” fire official said. violated local codes when she put merous other eating establish- Beach crowds have exceeded None of the five people aboard dinosaur sculptures in the back- ments. the park’s capacity by more than the “commuter-style” plane was yard and made other landscaping Maine DEP said the rules also 10 times, creating the potential for From The Associated Press PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK Amish put faith in God’s will, herd immunity BY JOHN SEEWER cepting God’s will in times of illness Associated Press or death. When health care leaders in the Many think they don’t need the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch coun- COVID-19 vaccine now because try began laying out a strategy to dis- they’ve already gotten sick and be- tribute COVID-19 vaccines, they lieve their communities have reac- knew it would be a tough sell with hed herd immunity, according to the Amish, who tend to be wary of health care providers in Ohio, Penn- preventive shots and government sylvania and Indiana, home to near- intervention. ly two-thirds of the estimated Early on, they posted flyers at 345,000 Amish in the U.S. farm supply stores and at auctions “That’s the No. 1 reason we hear,” where the Amish sell handmade said Alice Yoder, executive director furniture and quilts. They sought of community health at Penn Med- advice from members of the deeply icine Lancaster General Health, a religious and conservative sect, who network of hospitals and clinics. told them not to be pushy. And they Experts say the low vaccination asked three newspapers widely rates are a reflection of both the na- read by the Amish to publish ads ture of the Amish and the general promoting the vaccine. Two re- vaccine hesitancy found in many ru- fused. ral parts of the country. By May, two rural vaccination Because many Amish work and clinics had opened at a fire station shop alongside their neighbors and KEITH SRAKOCIC/AP and a social services center, both fa- hire them as drivers, they hear the People in Amish country prepare a horse team to work last week on a farm in Pulaski, Pa. The vaccination miliar places to the Amish in Lan- skepticism, the worries about side drive is lagging far behind in many Amish communities across the U.S. following a wave of coronavirus caster County. During the first six effects and the misinformation sur- outbreaks that swept through their churches and homes during the past year. weeks, 400 people showed up. Only rounding the vaccine from the “En- 12 were Amish. glish,” or non-Amish, world around sent letters to bishops and offered to Amish and Mennonites in Pennsyl- ped gathering for church and funer- The vaccination drive is lagging them even though they shun most take the vaccines into their homes vania’s Lancaster County, encour- als, said Steven Nolt, a scholar at the far behind in many Amish commu- modern conveniences. and workplaces, all without much age patients to get the vaccine, but Young Center for Anabaptist and nities across the U.S. following a “They’re not getting that from the success. many have little fear of the virus, Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown wave of virus outbreaks that swept media. They’re not watching TV or “It’s not due to lack of effort,” said said Allen Hoover, the clinic’s ad- College in Pennsylvania. through their churches and homes reading it on the internet. They’re Michael Derr, the health commis- ministrator. But when non-Amish neighbors during the past year. In Ohio’s getting it from their English neigh- sioner in Holmes County. “But this “Most of them listen and are re- and local elected officials began Holmes County, home to the na- bors,” said Donald Kraybill, a lead- thing is so politically charged.” spectful, but you can tell before pushing back against state and fed- tion’s largest concentration of Am- ing expert on the Amish. “In many Some health clinics that serve the you’re finished that they’ve already eral mandates, they resumed the ish, just 14% of the county’s overall ways, they are simply reflecting ru- Amish are hesitant to push the issue made up their mind,” he said. gatherings, he said. What followed population is fully vaccinated. ral America and the same atti- for fear of driving them away from The clinic, he said, hardly sees was a surge of outbreaks last sum- While their religious beliefs don’t tudes.” getting blood pressure checks and any virus cases now after dealing mer, Nolt said. forbid them to get vaccines, the Am- In one case, an anti-vaccine group routine exams. with as many as five a day last fall. “I Most now say they have already ish are generally less likely to be took out a full-page newspaper ad One local business and the orga- would suspect we’ve gained some had the virus and don’t see a need to vaccinated for preventable diseases showing a smashed buggy with the nizers of a community event told the kind of immunity. I know that’s up get vaccinated, said Mark Raber, such as measles and whooping words “Vaccines can have unin- health department in Holmes Coun- for debate, but I think that’s why who is Amish and a member of a set- cough. Though vaccine acceptance tended consequences.” ty that it would no longer be wel- we’re seeing only a spattering right tlement in Daviess County, Ind., varies by church district, the Amish Public health officials trying to come if it brought the vaccine to now,” Hoover said. which has one of the state’s lowest often rely on family tradition and ad- combat the confusion and hesitancy them, Derr said. During the first months of the vaccination rates. vice from church leaders, and a core have put up billboards where the Staff members at the Parochial pandemic, the Amish followed so- “As long as everything stays the part of their Christian faith is ac- Amish travel by horse and buggy, Medical Center, which serves the cial distancing guidelines and stop- same, I don’t think I’ll get it,” he said. Make-A-Wish clarifies policy after confusion on vaccinations Associated Press over the weekend caused a stir by minute, 22-second video about would resume being granted again Sept. 15, when we can expand the The Make-A-Wish Foundation seeming to suggest that only vacci- which children would be eligible. in September and that planning to types of life-changing wishes we is disputing what it calls a “misin- nated children would be eligible to The outbreak of COVID-19 led fulfill them could begin. But cer- can grant.” formation” campaign about have wishes granted. Stars like ac- Make-A-Wish to postpone grant- tain wishes for unvaccinated chil- To clarify the “misinformation whether children who aren’t vac- tor Rob Schneider and numerous ing some wishes — for all children, dren that are currently deemed to and falsehoods on social media and cinated against COVID-19 will be donors declared that if the founda- whether vaccinated for not — that be risky will continue to be on hold in some media outlets,” the foun- eligible to have their wishes grant- tion had decided not to grant wish- might put them at risk. until medical guidance changes. dation issued a simpler statement: ed. es to unvaccinated children, they The video, emailed on June 9, “We respect everyone’s free- “Make-A-Wish has not, does not The foundation says these chil- would no longer support it. was meant to inform families of dom of choice,” Davis says in the and will not deny wishes to chil- dren are in fact still eligible. The confusion arose from the Make-A-Wish children and foun- full video, in which he also ac- dren who are not vaccinated. … An edited video of Make-A-Wish fact that the video clip that went vi- dation volunteers that certain knowledges that some children Make-A-Wish will continue to Foundation CEO Richard Davis ral cuts off before Davis had fin- types of wishes, including those in- may be too young or too ill to be grant wishes to children who are that went viral on social media ished his explanation in the two- volving air travel or large crowds, vaccinated. “We can’t wait until not vaccinated.” Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 WORLD Eritrean forces withdraw from key towns in Ethiopia’s Tigray

BY CARA ANNA the retreat was temporary. Neigh- al Crisis Group analyst William Da- Associated Press boring Eritrea’s information minis- vison said in a statement. NAIROBI, Kenya — Soldiers try did not immediately respond to Preventing growing famine con- from Eritrea have withdrawn from questions. ditions in the region “has to be the three key towns in Ethiopia’s Ti- Tigray’s former leaders say they priority of the TDF’s leadership, LEO CORREA /AP gray region a day after Tigray fight- are now in control of the regional given their forces are now in a posi- A fragment of Amazon rainforest stands next to soy fields in Belterra, ers took control of the regional cap- capital, Mekele. The Tigray lead- tion to facilitate access to many pre- Para state, Brazil, in 2019. ital, Ethiopian forces retreated and ers, who have waged a guerrilla viously hard to reach areas,” Davi- Ethiopia’s government declared an war since November after a politi- son said, urging Ethiopia’s govern- immediate, unilateral cease-fire. cal falling-out with the government ment not to sabotage the urgent hu- Brazil will redeploy troops to The swift turn in the nearly eight- of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in a manitarian efforts. month war has left people scram- statement issued overnight called Major questions remained about Amazon to fight deforestation bling to understand what exactly is on supporters to “intensify their the fate of the more than 1 million going on in the region of 6 million struggle until our enemies com- civilians that the United Nations Associated Press end of August. The order, which people as communications links pletely leave Tigray.” has said remain in parts of Tigray BRASILIA — Brazil’s president was published Monday in Brazil’s are largely down. The people in The arrival of Tigray forces in that have been hard, if not impossi- is sending troops back to the Ama- official gazette, didn’t provide de- close contact with witnesses who Mekele was met with cheers after ble, to reach with aid. The United zon to bolster policing against log- tails about the number of troops to confirmed the withdrawal spoke on the interim regional administra- States has said up to 900,000 people ging and other illegal land clear- be deployed nor the cost of the oper- condition of anonymity for their tion, appointed by Ethiopia’s gov- now face famine conditions in the ance, acting amid international ation. safety. ernment, fled. world’s worst hunger crisis in a criticism of a surge in deforestation Vice President Hamilton Mou- Eritrean soldiers, accused by Tigray fighters were reportedly decade. and just two months after with- rao told reporters earlier this witnesses of some of the war’s moving into Shire on Tuesday, their It was not clear whether other drawing a similar military mission. month that the deployment could worst atrocities, left the towns of latest gain after some of the most in- combatants, notably the Eritreans President Jair Bolsonaro’s de- be extended beyond two months Shire, Axum and Adwa, but it was tense fighting of the war. They were as well as fighters from the neigh- cree calls for soldiers to go to the with the arrival of the dry season, not immediately clear whether now in control of much of the region boring Amhara region who have states of Para, Amazonas, Mato when people burn forest to clear they had left other communities, after a major counteroffensive with occupied much of western Tigray, Grosso and Rondonia through the land for farming and ranching. where they were going or whether mass popular support, Internation- would adhere to the cease-fire. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Michael Kerschbaum, Pacific commander A male star wouldn’t be treated as Spears has Michael Ryan, Pacific chief of staff BY HELAINE OLEN home, undressed and fell asleep in a child’s — cursing once in front of her sons. (If this The Washington Post bed. When they called 911, you could hear were a real parenting standard, I would have et’s just say it outright: What has him snoring in the background. lost the ability to spend time with my children EDITORIAL happened to Britney Spears never Then there’s Spears’ father, Jamie — a unsupervised within months of their birth.) Terry Leonard, Editor would have happened to the male man so ragingly inappropriate, Spears’ ex- Spears, meanwhile, receives a $2,000-a- [email protected] Lversion of Britney Spears. husband sought and received a restraining week allowance, even as her estate has In 24 minutes of devastating courtroom order to keep him away from his and Brit- grown to $60 million, and as she’s released Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor testimony this month, Spears described in ney’s two sons. multiple best-selling albums and performed [email protected] graphic detail a rigidly circumscribed exist- Management theory has shown that men in public hundreds if not thousands of times. Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content ence, the result of a conservatorship that’s are often presumed competent and capable, We don’t know the actual details of Spears’ [email protected] been in place since 2008, after her infamous no matter their past. We women, on the other mental health. But it seems highly unlikely breakdown. The conservatorship, led by her hand, must prove ourselves over and over the control exerted by her conservatorship is Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] father — and which Spears has for years been again: our competence, our financial acu- necessary or right. seeking to end, according to a report in The men, our sanity. And conservatorships and The typical Hollywood or celebrity entour- Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital New York Times — has since then controlled involuntary commitments have throughout age prospers by catering to the star’s every [email protected] nearly every aspect of her life — a life in history been used to control women and seize whim, no matter how outlandish. In Spears’ which she, at least at times, couldn’t carry her control of their finances. case, the opposite is true. This supposed mad- BUREAU STAFF own credit card, phone or passport without Spears — reasonably — would like to end woman in the attic is supporting a cast of permission, even as she was forced to per- what she considers the inappropriate control thousands as they make a mint by keeping Europe/Mideast form in lucrative Las Vegas entertainment of her life and money. So far, no luck. “It’s their benefactor prisoner. Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] residencies, sometimes against her will. been 13 years,” she told the court. “It makes It’s the stuff of a horror movie. +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 In court, Spears described a life with no no sense whatsoever for the state of Califor- It was easy for many to dismiss the ob- Pacific privacy. She was told she couldn’t take a va- nia to sit back and literally watch me … make sessed fans behind the #FreeBritney move- Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief cation on Maui unless she agreed to see a a living for so many people, and pay so many ment. In an age of semi-mass acceptance of [email protected] therapist in person twice a week. She couldn’t people … and be told, I’m not good enough.” conspiracy theories, this one felt like another +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 drive in her boyfriend’s car without permis- We can’t know that everything Spears told — the gothic tale of a singer all but imprison- Washington sion. In a particularly chilling moment, she the court is accurate. But there’s plenty of ed by a legal conservatorship ostensibly Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief informed the judge that she would like to evidence to suggest she’s not exaggerating. meant to protect her. Now, it seems, the story [email protected] marry and have another child — she already Spears pays her father’s legal expenses and was worse than anyone imagined. (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News has two — but that the conservatorship would bills. Her father gets a management fee on Spears is 39 years old. She’s spent most of [email protected] not agree to let her remove her IUD. deals he commissions for her. His lawyers re- her adulthood captive to this arrangement. “I This is no mere paternalism. It’s a violation cently billed her $890,000 for four months of deserve to have a life,” she told the court. In- CIRCULATION of human rights. And it’s downright creepy. work. Spears’ lawyer, whom she did not se- deed she does — even if that means she dates Mideast Now think of the countless male stars lect, has earned more than $3 million since he inappropriate men or trashes her fortune. It’s Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager who’ve engaged in public instances of began representing Spears in 2008. She says her life and ought to be her choice. [email protected] crazed, drug-addicted or emotionally dis- he never informed her she had the right to I’m with the fans. It’s long past time to [email protected] turbed behavior. Within seconds, I can name challenge the legal setup. We can only take #FreeBritney. DSN (314)583-9111 Michael Jackson, Kanye West and Robert her word for it, but it’s worth noting that the Europe Downey Jr., who once got taken away by the Times flagged Spears’ attorney for reporting Post Opinions contributor Helaine Olen is the author of “Pound Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager police after he walked into a neighbor’s Spears to her father’s lawyers for — wait for it Foolish: Exposing the Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry.” [email protected] [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Pacific Wokeism calls out injustice, but is short on solutions Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 BY TYLER COWEN pregnancy, or extra research funds might be have announced that they are sending back CONTACT US Bloomberg Opinion available for women (and men on paternity their highly valuable West African bronze hy is “wokeism” such a wide- leave), or some researchers will be given pre- sculptures to their countries of origin. Many of Washington spread and growing ideology? ferred teaching assignments. those sculptures were stolen by British coloni- tel: (+1)202.886.0003 I’ve read many criticisms of it These changes are better than nothing. But al occupiers, and their restoration would re- 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 Wover the last two years, and I by now it should be obvious that they are not unite those countries with a significant part of Reader letters agree with most of them. Yet they don’t go ve- going to overturn the fundamental inequities their cultural heritage. This justified change [email protected] ry far in explaining why the numerous excess- and inflexibilities of the system. would probably not have occurred without Additional contacts es of the woke movement persist. The male-female imbalance in academic pressure from wokeism. stripes.com/contactus The end result is depressing: The proposed life should be treated as a kind of emergency. There are genuine questions about how antidote to America’s institutional sclerosis is But the institutions that address it are slow well Nigeria and Benin can care for such re- OMBUDSMAN an ideology that is at least as stupid and inflex- and bureaucratic. turned sculptures. But these kinds of skeptical Ernie Gates ible as the institutions themselves. Now enter the philosophy of wokeism. One standards are generally not applied to other Consider the problems that talented wom- way to think of the woke is as a bunch of people acts of cultural restitution, such as when The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow of news and information, reporting any attempts by the en have in academia and science. “Compared who scream about various injustices. But paintings taken by the Nazis during World military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s with men,” a recent study found, “female sci- sometimes they don’t have a good plan to ad- War II are returned to their owners. independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for entists are more educated, half as likely to dress a particular imbalance — and along the The thing is, there are still numerous stolen fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman marry, one third as likely to have children, and way they can inflict a good deal of unjustified West African (and other) works held in West- welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by email at [email protected], or by phone at half as likely to survive in science.” The rea- damage. These and other criticisms of the ern museums, including some of the highest 202.886.0003. sons are no mystery. The academic tenure woke may well be correct. Still, at the end of quality Benin sculptures. It is all too easy to system, which was designed well before wom- the day it has to be recognized that an unre- imagine those institutions, on their own, con- Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday en were so numerous in academia, does not fit sponsive society will generate a lot of unpro- tinuing to talk a good game but never over- through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and well with women’s biological clocks. ductive (and unresponsive) screamers. So coming their inertia and sending the works Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send I have suggested that current tenure sys- simply dissecting the weaknesses of woke tac- back on any specific date. address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, tems be scrapped in favor of a more flexible tics and arguments misses the point. When So you can expect pressure from the woke APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services and diverse system of labor contracts for re- practical solutions do not seem to exist, many to continue — and, having won some number overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are searchers. I concede it is a radical proposal, people will resort to screaming. of victories, it may even intensify. The correct unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- and academia has many entrenched stake- This leads to the conclusion that wokeness way to respond to this kind of screaming is to per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to holders who oppose such significant changes, won’t be defeated as an ideology until there is a advocate for a positive program for change. remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. for reasons of both ideology and self-interest. more convincing and practical vision of how to The institutional defects of not-so-woke so- The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Inertia and status quo bias are extremely undo institutional sclerosis. When that vision ciety are all too real. Alas, so are the deficien- Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. strong in U.S. nonprofit institutions, most of all comes, it may not be so closely allied with cies of the movement that so loudly points Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, universities. wokeness, which is not excessively concerned them out. religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical That makes most problems difficult to with effective administration and incentive handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. solve. So America has set down the path of compatibility. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Tyler Cowen is a professor of © Stars and Stripes 2021 making marginal changes. Tenure clocks can Sometimes it even seems that woke forces economics at George Mason University. His books include “Big be stopped for an additional year following are effective. Recently some major museums Business: A Love Letter to an American Anti-Hero.” stripes.com Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 58 Actress 25 Label 1 Uses a trowel Courteney 26 Slangy suffix 5 Drench 59 Aug. follower 27 White-maned 8 Skewer horse 12 Buffalo’s county DOWN 29 Zilch Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 13 “Yoo- —!” 1 Actor Johnny 31 Apr. check 14 London gallery 2 401(k) relatives casher 15 Breakup 3 Arizona river 32 Aachen article payment 4 Japanese 34 Pairs 17 Radius neighbor timepieces 38 NFL great 18 White House 5 One of the Johnny press secretary five W’s 40 Province of Jen 6 Very long time China 19 “Awesome!” 7 Playpen pile 42 Writer Tarbell 21 Yoked team 8 In a jam 43 German city 24 “King Kong” 9 Inexperienced 44 Actress Falco Non Sequitur studio boxers 45 Grand tale 25 First-rate 10 “Pay — mind” 47 Unspoken feeling 28 Plane part 11 Pond duck 48 Lawman Wyatt 30 Josh 16 Blend 49 Venetian- 33 Carte lead-in 20 PTA and blind part 34 Painter of NEA, e.g. 52 Commotion ballerinas 22 Flock females 53 Bagel 35 “Where — you?” 23 Chad neighbor topper 36 Guy’s date Answer to Previous Puzzle 37 Secondhand

Candorville 38 Cold War initials 39 Discoverer’s call 41 April forecast 43 Perplex 46 Seedy bars 50 Valhalla VIP 51 Spacious and grand 54 1492 vessel Carpe Diem 55 Altar vow 56 “East of Eden” girl 57 Inert gas Beetle Bailey Bizarro Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 FACES New this week: Macho movies

Soderbergh’s ‘No Sudden Move,’ ‘The Tomorrow War’ starring Pratt among options Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE/TNS Here’s a collection curated by The Associat- Brian Setzer will release a new ed Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s album Aug. 27 called “Gotta arriving on TV, streaming services and music Have the Rumble.” platforms this week. Movies Setzer to drop ■ Questlove’s “Summer of Soul (...or When the Revolution Could not Be Televised)” would new solo album certainly sound and look best on the big screen From wire reports with a thumping sound system. (It’s playing With the 16th annual Brian Setz- nationwide in theaters this Friday.) But if er Orchestra’s Christmas Rocks you’d rather have a house party, you can also Tour called off because of the pan- stream it on Hulu. The film mines a landmark demic last year, the guitar hero 1969 Harlem concert series known as “Black found time to complete his first so- Woodstock” that included performances by lo album in seven years. Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Fam- “Gotta Have the Rumble” will WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT/AP ily Stone and many others. Far from as renown be released Aug. 27 on Surf Dog Don Cheadle, left, and Benicio Del Toro star in “No Sudden Move.” as another music festival that summer, the Records. The album features 11 Harlem Cultural Festival is given new, glori- tunes, written or cowritten by ous life in “Summer of Soul.” Music Television Setzer, recorded in Minneapolis ■ Don Cheadle leads an expansive ensem- ■ Lana Del Rey has a new album coming ■ Wolfgang Puck says in the Disney+ docu- and Nashville. ble of Benicio del Toro, Kieran Culkin, David out Friday. The pop singer just released mentary “Wolfgang” (now streaming) that he The album title is “a reference Harbour, Jon Hamm, Amy Seimetz, Brendan “Chemtrails over the Country Club” in March, was belittled by a stepfather who said he’d nev- to my motorcycles and hot rods, Fraser, Noah Jupe, Julia Fox, Ray Liotta, Bill and four months later she is dropping “Blue er be a success or a “real man” unless he stayed something that hasn’t changed Duke and Matt Damon in Steven Soderbergh’s Banisters.” The new project is Del Rey’s eighth out of the kitchen — the only place he felt com- since I was 15 years old,” Setzer 1950s Detroit crime drama “No Sudden Move.” album and includes the singles “Text Book,” fortable. Unbowed, he went on to dazzle celeb- said in a statement. “I still have the The film, which debuts Thursday on HBO “Wildflower Wildfire” and the title track. Del rities and fellow chefs with his inventive fare. same passion for going fast and Max, is a series of double crosses that tease out Rey teased the new album with a 30-second ■ A hit-and-run accident claims a child’s adrenaline. some of the foundational injustices of Detroit video on Twitter, writing: “I’m writing my own life, and his mother (Cush Jumbo) is driven to “But it’s also about my hearing history. It’s one of the most ambitious movies to story. And no one can tell it but me.” punish the man she believes responsible in the problem with tinnitus — the ring- be shot and released during the pandemic, and ■ “Pose” has wrapped, but you’ll get a six-part series “The Beast Must Die,” adapted ing of the ear. It was pretty bad, one that returns Soderbergh and Cheadle to chance to experience the greatness of Billy from the eponymous Nicholas Blake novel. and I realized that I couldn’t play Detroit, 23 years after another caper that land- Porter — on the new album “Red Hot + Free” The series debuts Monday, July 5, on stream- the way I wanted to. As I reco- ed in the Motor City, “Out of Sight.” by the HIV/AIDS-fighting nonprofit Red Hot. ing service AMC+. vered, standing in front of a small ■ On Friday, Amazon launches the kind of The double album of dance music will be re- ■ “A Capitol Fourth” will air early Monday amplifier just didn’t cut it. The summer sci-fi spectacle usually only playing leased Friday and features Porter covering Ju- on AFN-Prime, with host Vanessa Williams, sound from my big amp makes the theaters in “The Tomorrow War.” Amazon ac- liet Roberts’ club classic “Caught In the Mid- and will include pre-recorded performances guitar rumble. Which is a big part quired the film earlier this year for a reported dle.” The album also features songs by Gloria by Jimmy Buffett, Gladys Knight, Alan Jack- of my sound. I was really despond- $200 million from Paramount Pictures. Chris Gaynor, Tituss Burgess, SOFI TUKKER, son, Cynthia Erivo, Renee Fleming and the ent for a while because I thought I Pratt stars as a soldier sent into the future to Amadou & Mariam, Sam Sparro, Allie X, Joint Armed Forces Concert. Live pyrotech- wouldn’t be able to do that again. the year 2052 to fight off an alien invasion. Bright Light Bright Light and Ultra Naté. nics over Washington will cap the program. So, ‘Gotta Have the Rumble’ re- — AP Film Writer Jake Coyle — AP Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu — AP Television Writer Lynn Elber fers to both of those things.” The album was produced by Ju- lian Raymond, who has worked with Cheap Trick, Glen Campbell Ruffin a budding star among comedic TV hosts and Sugarland. The first single, “Checkered BY NEAL JUSTIN Show,” a weekly program on Peacock with spoonfuls of sugar, or what she Flag,” is out, with an animated vid- Star Tribune that’s as smart and thought-provoking calls “silly stuff.” eo by Juan Pinto. Seth Meyers delivers TV’s sharpest as anything her male counterparts are Her small staff seems to have spent monologue, does sidesplitting impres- doing on network TV. at least half of the budget on wigs. Other news sions and books guests that wouldn’t The show, which premiered last Prepare to groan at corny puns. ■ Ousted Grammys CEO Deb- even be allowed on loading docks at September, tapes from Meyers’ set And then there’s the musical orah Dugan and the Recording A- most talk-show studios. But his great- without any interviews, although each numbers, sometimes as many cademy have reached a confiden- est contribution may be discovering episode features celebrities like Ava as three per episode. tial settlement over why the for- Amber Ruffin. DuVernay and Busy Philipps hand- So far, there’s been a mer leader was let go from the or- The 42-year-old Omaha, Neb., na- ling sign-off duties. Instead, Ruffin “Ghostbusters” parody song ganization. Dugan was fired days tive has been a “Late Night with Seth fills each half-hour interacting with on gun laws, a ballet celebrat- before the 2020 Grammys. Meyers” staff writer since the show fellow writers and offering up view- ing vaccine shots and an ad- ■ John Langley, the creator of premiered on NBC in 2014. But she’s points — and emotions — that you aptation of Etta James’ “At the TV series “Cops,” died June 26 become so much more. won’t see in many other places. Last” in honor of Derek in Mexico of a heart attack during Regular viewers are already famil- Her voice may sound like she’s a Chauvin’s incarceration. aroad race, a family spokesperson iar with recurring bits like “Amber cousin of the Smurfs, but this is grown- Most episodes end with said. He was 78. “Cops” was Says What?” and “Jokes Seth Can’t up commentary on voting rights, eco- Ruffin sitting on her desk, among the first reality series Tell.” In both, Ruffin tackles contro- nomic anxiety and police brutality. swinging her legs and sip- when it debuted in 1989. versial issues with a singsong delivery One of her most powerful monologues ping a salted margarita as ■ Johnny Solinger, a longtime and contagious smile. dealt with how the term “uppity” she shares a lullaby. singer for the rock band Skid Row, Part Mary Poppins, part Howard seems only to apply to women of color. died June 26 after battling liver Beale, she’s mad as heck and not going In a segment on hate crimes against failure. He was 55. Solinger had to take it anymore. Asian Americans, she had a hard time Amber Ruffin the longest stint of any singer with

But the budding star really gets her holding back tears. DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS, Skid Row, performing with the chance to shine in “The Amber Ruffin Most of these messages are served GETTY IMAGES/TNS band from 1999 to 2015. Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 SCOREBOARD/COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

PRO SOCCER PRO BASKETBALL COLLEGE BASEBALL CYCLING MLS WNBA World Series Tour de France Vanderbilt EASTERN CONFERENCE EASTERN CONFERENCE At Omaha, Neb. Monday (Double Elimination; x-if necessary) Third Stage WLTPts GF GA WLPct GB Saturday, June 19 A 182.9-kilometer (114-mile) ride Game 1: N.C. State 10, No. 9 Stanford 4 from Lorient to Pontivy New England 7 2 2 23 18 13 Connecticut 10 5 .667 — Game 2: No. 4 Vanderbilt 7, No. 5 Arizona 1. Tim Merlier, Belgium, Alpecin­Fenix, Orlando City 6 1 3 21 18 7 Chicago 9 8 .529 2 6, 12 innings 4h 1m 28s. closes in Sunday, June 20 2. Jasper Philipsen, Belgium, Alpecin­Fe­ Philadelphia 5 2 4 19 15 10 New York 8 8 .500 2½ Game 3: Virginia 6, No. 3 Tennessee 0 nix, same time. NYCFC 5 3 2 17 18 11 Washington 7 8 .467 3 Game 4: No. 7 Mississippi St. 2, No. 2 Tex­ 3. Nacer Bouhanni, France, Team Arkea­ Columbus 4 3 3 15 9 7 Atlanta 5 9 .357 4½ as 1 Samsic, same time. Monday, June 21 4. Davide Ballerini, Italy, Deceuninck­ Nashville 3 1 6 15 13 11 Indiana 1 15 .063 9½ Game 5: No. 9 Stanford 14, No. 5 Arizona 5 QuickStep, same time. New York 4 5 1 13 14 13 Game 6: N.C. State 1, No. 4 Vanderbilt 0 5. Sonny Colbrelli, Italy, Bahrain Victo­ on crown WESTERN CONFERENCE Tuesday, June 22 rious, same time. D.C. United 4 6 1 13 10 13 6. Julian Alaphilippe, France, Deceu­ WLPct GB Game 7: No. 2 Texas 8, No. 3 Tennessee 4 CF Montréal 3 3 4 13 11 10 Game 8: No. 7 Mississippi St. 6, Virginia 5 ninck­QuickStep, same time. Wednesday, June 23 7. Mathieu van der Poel, Netherlands, Al­ BY ERIC OLSON Atlanta 2 2 6 12 11 10 Seattle 12 4 .750 — Game 9: No. 4 Vanderbilt 6, Stanford 5 pecin­Fenix, same time. Associated Press Cincinnati 3 5 1 10 9 17 Las Vegas 11 4 .733 ½ Thursday, June 24 8. Cees Bol, Netherlands, Team DSM, Inter Miami CF 2 6 2 8 9 16 Dallas 8 8 .500 4 Game 10: No. 2 Texas 6, Virginia 2 same time. OMAHA, Neb. — Mississippi Toronto FC 1 7 2 5 12 20 Friday, June 25 9. Anthony Turgis, France, TotalEner­ Phoenix 7 7 .500 4 gies, same time. State had the crowd. Vanderbilt had Chicago 1 7 2 5 7 17 Game 11: No. 4 Vanderbilt 3, N.C. State 1 Minnesota 7 7 .500 4 Game 12: No. 2 Texas 8, No. 7 Mississippi 10. Maximilian Walscheid, Germany, Qhubeka­NextHash, same time. a big lead and Jack Leiter on the WESTERN CONFERENCE Los Angeles 6 8 .429 5 St. 5 Saturday, June 26 Also mound, and that was plenty Monday WLTPts GF GA Monday’s games Game 13: N.C. State vs. No. 4 Vanderbilt, 105. Neilson Powless, United States, EF Education­Nippo, 1m 56s behind. night. No games scheduled no­contest. Seattle 7 0 4 25 20 7 Game 14: No. 7 Mississippi St. 4, No. 2 132. Brandon McNulty, United States, Tuesday’s games Texas 3 UAE Team Emirates, 2m 15s behind. The Commodores rode a seven­ Sporting KC 7 3 2 23 22 15 Championship Series 162. Sean Bennett, United States, Qhube­ Connecticut at Washington ka­NextHash, 5m 1s behind. run first inning to an 8­2 victory in LA Galaxy 7 3 0 21 17 15 New York at Atlanta (Best-of-three) Monday: No. 4 Vanderbilt 8, No. 7 Missis­ 164. Sepp Kuss, United States, Jumbo­ Game 1 of the College World Series Colorado 5 3 1 16 15 11 Wednesday’s games Visma, 5m 1s behind. Minnesota 4 4 2 14 10 12 sippi St. 2 Overall Standings Chicago at Dallas Tuesday: No. 7 Mississippi St. vs. No. 4 finals to move within a win of a sec­ Houston 3 3 5 14 15 16 Minnesota at Phoenix Vanderbilt 1. Mathieu van der Poel, Netherlands, Al­ pecin­Fenix, 12h 58m 53s. ond straight national champion­ Portland 4 5 1 13 13 15 Las Vegas at Los Angeles x-Wednesday: No. 7 Mississippi St. vs. No. 4 Vanderbilt 2. Julian Alaphilippe, France, Deceu­ ship. Real Salt Lake 3 2 4 13 14 11 Thursday’s game ninck­Quickstep, 8s behind. LAFC 3 4 3 12 12 12 Connecticut at Indiana DEALS 3. Richard Carapaz, Ecuador, Ineos Gre­ Fans in Mississippi State maroon nadiers, 31s behind. San Jose 3 7 1 10 12 20 PRO TENNIS 4. Wout Van Aert, Belgium, Jumbo­Vis­ overwhelmingly outnumbered FC Dallas 2 4 4 10 11 15 Monday’s transactions ma, same time. Commodores supporters in the BASEBALL 5. Wilco Kelderman, Netherlands, Bora­ Austin FC 2 5 4 10 6 11 Wimbledon Hansgrohe, 38s behind. Major League Baseball crowd of 24,052, many showing up Vancouver 2 6 2 8 10 16 Monday 6. Tadej Pogacar, Slovenia, UAE Team American League Emirates, 39s behind. early for tailgating and ringing cow­ Note: Three points for victory, one point At All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Optioned RHP 7. Enric Mas Nicolau, Spain, Movistar for tie. Jimmy Lambert to Charlotte (Triple­A bells in the parking lots. London Team, 40s behind. Saturday, June 26 East). 8. Nairo Quintana, Colombia, Team Ar­ Surface: Grass CLEVELAND INDIANS — Recalled LHP Lo­ Inside TD Ameritrade Park, Sporting Kansas City 2, Los Angeles FC 1 Men’s Singles kea­Samsic, same time. Cincinnati 2, Toronto FC 0 gan Allen from Columbus (Triple­A East). 9. Pierre Latour, France, TotalEnergies, some of the MSU faithful taunted First Round Sent RHP Zach Plesac, RF Granmil Reyes 45s behind. Houston 1, Real Salt Lake 1, tie Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, def. Jack Philadelphia 3, Chicago 3, tie and C Roberto Perez to Akron (Double­A 10. Sergio Higuita Garcia, Colombia, EF the superfan known as the “Vandy Draper, Britain, 4­6, 6­1, 6­2, 6­2. Northeast) on rehab assignments. Re­ Education­Nippo, 52s behind. CF Montréal 1, Nashville 1, tie Frances Tiafoe, United States, def. Stefa­ Whistler” by chanting “Let’s Go Vancouver 2, Seattle 2, tie called LF Oscar Mercado from Columbus. Also nos Tsitsipas (3), Greece, 6­4, 6­4, 6­3. Placed RF Josh Naylor on the 10­day IL. Op­ 53. Neilson Powless, United States, EF LA Galaxy 3, San Jose 1 Jiri Vesely, Czech Republic, def. Yannick State” after each of his series of Minnesota 1, Portland 0 tioned LHP Kyle Nelson to Columbus. Education­Nippo, 6m 1s behind. Hanfmann, Germany, 6­1, 7­5, 7­6 (5). HOUSTON ASTROS — Recalled RHP three quick whistles between pitch­ Sunday, June 27 97. Brandon McNulty, United States, UAE Miomir Kecmanovic, Serbia, def. Facun­ Andre Scrubb from Sugar Land (Triple­A Team Emirates, 11m 48s behind. New York 0, Atlanta 0, tie do Bagnis, Argentina, 6­4, 3­6, 6­3, 7­6 (1). West). Optioned 1B Taylor Jones to Sugar 117. Sean Bennett, United States, Qhube­ es. New York City FC 2, D.C. United 1 Kevin Anderson, South Africa, def. Mar­ Land. ka­NextHash, 17m 2s behind. “I think we had an idea what the Columbus 0, Austin FC 0, tie celo Tomas Barrios Vera, Chile, 6­7 (4), 6­4, KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Designated 3B 159. Sepp Kuss, United States, Jumbo­ FC Dallas 2, New England 1 6­4, 7­6 (4). Kelvin Gutierrez for assignment. Selected Visma, 25m 28s behind. stadium environment was going to Thursday’s game Roberto Bautista Agut (8), Spain, def. the contract of 3B Emmanuel Rivera from John Millman, Australia, 6­2, 3­6, 6­3, 7­6 Omaha (Triple­A East). AUTO RACING be like,” Leiter said. “Our fans were Portland at Austin FC (4). LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Optioned 2B Saturday’s games Andreas Seppi, Italy, def. Joao Sousa, Kean Wong to Salt Lake (Triple­A West). amazing all night. Of course, the Portugal, 4­6, 6­4, 7­5, 6­2. NASCAR Cup schedule New England at Columbus Selected the contract of OF Scott Schebler Mississippi State fans, you’ve got to Marton Fucsovics, Hungary, def. Jannik from Salt Lake. Transferred OF Mike Trout and winners Toronto FC at D.C. United Sinner (19), Italy, 5­7, 6­3, 7­5, 6­3. Miami at CF Montréal from the 10­day IL to the 60­day IL. tip your cap to that fanbase because Andrey Rublev (5), Russia, def. Federico MINNESOTA TWINS — Sent LHP Devin Feb. 9 — Busch Clash at DAYTONA (Kyle New York at Orlando City Delbonis, Argentina, 4­6, 6­4, 6­1, 6­2. it’s pretty awesome the support they Atlanta at Chicago Smeltzer to Twins Florida Complex Busch) Denis Kudla, United States, def. Alejan­ League on a rehab assignment. Feb. 14 — DAYTONA 500 (Michael McDo­ San Jose at Minnesota dro Davidovich Fokina (30), Spain, 5­7, 4­6, give their team. Our offense came Philadelphia at Nashville OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Optioned 2B Vi­ well) 7­6 (4), 6­3, 6­3. mael Machin to Las Vegas (Triple­A West). Feb. 21 — O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 At DAY­ out of the chute really hot, so that Cincinnati at Houston Dominik Koepfer, Germany, def. Reilly Los Angeles FC at Real Salt Lake SEATTLE MARINERS — Agreed to terms TONA (Christopher Bell) Opelka (27), United States, 6­4, 7­6 (3), 6­2. with C Eric Jones on a minor league con­ Feb. 28 — Dixie Vodka 400 (William By­ quieted them down a little bit.” Sunday’s games Karen Khachanov (25), Russia, def. tract. ron) The Commodores (49­16) scored Vancouver at FC Dallas Mackenzie McDonald, United States, 3­6, TAMPA BAY RAYS — Optioned RHP Louis March 7 — Pennzoil 400 presented by Jif­ Seattle at Colorado 6­3, 6­4, 7­6 (3). Head to Durham (Triple­A East). fy Lube (Kyle Larson) their seven first­inning runs off Sporting Kansas City at LA Galaxy Vasek Pospisil, Canada, def. Roberto TEXAS RANGERS — Sent C Sam Huff to March 14 — Instacart 500 (Martin Truex Wednesday, July 7 Carballes Baena, Spain, 6­3, 6­3, 6­3. Diamondbacks Arizona Complex League Jr) Christian MacLeod and Chase Pa­ Liam Broady, Britain, def. Marco Cecchi­ on a rehab assignment March 21 — Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 trick after Mississippi State (48­18) Toronto FC at New England nato, Italy, 6­3, 6­4, 6­0. National League (Ryan Blaney) New York City FC at CF Montréal Pedro Martinez, Spain, def. Stefano Tra­ ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Sent RHP March 29 — Food City Dirt Race (Joey Lo­ had taken a 1­0 lead in the top half on Orlando City at Chicago vaglia, Italy, 6­3, 2­6, 6­4, 6­4. Taylor Widener to Diamondbacks Arizona Houston at Seattle gano) Andy Murray, Britain, def. Nikoloz Bas­ Complex League on a rehab assignment. April 10 — Blue­Emu Maximum Pain Re­ Kamren James’ homer into the left­ Los Angeles FC at Austin FC ilashvili (24), Georgia, 6­4, 6­3, 5­7, 6­3. Traded RF Matt Lipka to Milwaukee for Minnesota at Colorado Women’s Singles lief 500 (Martin Truex Jr) field bleachers. cash. Recalled RHP Humberto Castellanos April 18 — TOYOTA OWNERS 400 (Alex Real Salt Lake at Vancouver First Round from Reno (Triple­A West). Placed CF Ketel FC Dallas at LA Galaxy Bowman) McLeod struggled for a second Aryna Sabalenka (2), Belarus, def. Mon­ Marte on the 10­day IL, retroactive to June April 25 — GEICO 500 (Brad Keselowski) Thursday, July 8 ica Niculescu, Romania, 6­1, 6­4. 27. Sent OF Kole Calhoun to Renos on a re­ May 2 — Buschy McBusch Race 400 (Kyle straight CWS start and got only two Philadelphia at New York Garbine Muguruza (11), Spain, def. Fiona hab assignment. Busch) Ferro, France, 6­0, 6­1. outs. The redshirt freshman left­ Atlanta at Nashville CHICAGO CUBS — Recalled RHP Trevor May 9 — Goodyear 400 (Martin Truex Jr) Lauren Davis, United States, def. Jodie Megill from Iowa (Triple­A East). Optioned Friday, July 9 Anna Burrage, Britain, 6­2, 6­1. May 16 — Drydene 400 (Alex Bowman) hander walked two of the first three RHP Tommy Nance to Iowa. May 23 — EchoPark Texas Grand Prix Columbus at Cincinnati Madison Keys (23), United States, def. CINCINNATI REDS — Selected the con­ batters and hit two in a row to bring Katie Swan, Britain, 6­3, 6­4. (Chase Elliott) tract of 2B Alejo Lopez from Louisville (Tri­ May 30 — Coca­Cola 600 (Kyle Larson) NWSL Ekaterina Alexandrova (32), Russia, def. ple­A East). Designated RF Scott Heine­ in Vandy’s first run. CJ Rodriguez’s Laura Siegemund, Germany, 6­1, 6­3. June 6 — Toyota / Save Mart 350 (Kyle man for assignment. Larson) two­run single and Isaiah Thomas’ WLTPts GF GA Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove, Nether­ COLORADO ROCKIES — Recalled LHP lands, def. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Russia, June 13 — NASCAR All­Star Race (Kyle Ben Bowden from Albuquerque (Triple­A Larson) RBI double brought on Patrick. Jay­ Orlando 4 1 3 15 12 8 6­3, 6­3. West). Placed RHP Robert Stephenson on June 20 — Ally 400 (Kyle Larson) North Carolina 4 2 1 13 12 4 Maria Camila Osorio Serrano, Colombia, the 10­day IL. son Gonzalez greeted him with a def. Anna Kalinskaya, Russia, 1­6, 6­0, 6­4. June 26 — Pocono Organics CBD 325 Portland 4 3 0 12 12 6 MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Recalled 3B three­run homer. Sloane Stephens, United States, def. Pe­ Pablo Reyes from Nashville (Triple­A (Alex Bowman) Washington 3 1 3 12 8 7 tra Kvitova (10), Czech Republic, 6­3, 6­4. East). Sent RF Derek Fisher outright to June 27 — Explore the Pocono Mountains 1 350 (Kyle Busch) McLeod (6­6) lasted only 1 ⁄3 in­ Gotham FC 3 1 2 11 6 2 Danielle Collins, United States, def. Polo­ Nashville. Optioned RHP Ryan Weber to na Hercog, Slovenia, 4­6, 6­3, 6­2. Nashville. July 4 — Jockey Made in America 250 Pre­ nings against Virginia last Tuesday Louisville 3 3 1 10 6 10 Sofia Kenin (4), United States, def. Xinyu NEW YORK METS — Recalled RHP Sean sented by Kwik Trip, Elkhart Lake, Wis. Houston 3 3 1 10 8 8 Wang, China, 6­4, 6­2. Reid­Foley from Syracuse (Triple­A East). July 11 — Quaker State 400, Hampton, in what at the time was his shortest Ga. Chicago 2 4 2 8 5 13 Katie Boulter, Britain, def. Danielle Lao, Placed RHP Marcus Stroman on the be­ outing of the season. United States, 6­7 (6), 6­3, 6­4. reavement list. July 18 — Foxwoods Resort Casino 301, Reign FC 2 4 1 7 5 8 Viktorija Golubic, Switzerland, def. Ve­ PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Optioned RHP Loudon, N.H. Leiter (11­4), the national strike­ Kansas City 0 6 2 2 4 12 ronika Kudermetova (29), Russia, 3­6, 6­1, Max Kranick to Indianapolis (Triple­A Aug. 8 — Go Bowling at the Glen, Watkins 11­9. East). Recalled RHP Cody Ponce from Indi­ Glen, N.Y. outs leader and a projected top­five Note: Three points for victory, one point Iga Swiatek (7), Poland, def. Hsieh Su­ for tie. anapolis. Aug. 15 — Verizon 200 at the Brickyard, wei, Taiwan, 6­4, 6­4. Speedway, Ind. pick in the Major League Baseball Saturday, June 26 ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Selected the Irina­Camelia Begu, Romania, def. Katie contract of RHP Roel Ramirez and LHP Aug. 22 — FireKeepers Casino 400, draft next month, allowed two runs Gotham FC 3, Reign FC 0 Volynets, United States, 6­4, 7­5. Brandon Waddell from Memphis (Triple­A Brooklyn, Mich. Louisville 3, Chicago 0 Elena Rybakina (18), Kazakhstan, def. East). Optioned RHPs Seth Elledge and Aug. 28 — Coke Zero Sugar 400, Daytona and three hits and fanned eight in six North Carolina 2, Portland 0 Kristina Mladenovic, France, 6­4, 6­0. Jake Woodford to Memphis. Designated Beach, Fla. innings. Nick Maldonado pitched Houston 2, Orlando 1 Kristie Ahn, United States, def. Heather 1B John Nogowski for assignment. Sept. 5 — Cook Out Southern 500, Dar­ Washington 2, Kansas City 1 Watson, Britain, 2­6, 7­6 (3), 8­6. SAN DIEGO PADRES — Optioned RHPs lington, S.C. three innings of shutout relief for his Friday’s games Donna Vekic, Croatia, def. Anastasia Po­ Miguel Diaz and James Norwood to El Paso Sept. 11 — Federated Auto Parts 400, tapova, Russia, 6­1, 6­4. (Triple­A West). Richmond, Va. ninth save. Chicago at Washington BASKETBALL Sept. 18 — Bass Pro Shops Night Race, “Jack certainly set the tone to­ Kansas City at Gotham FC AP SPORTLIGHT Women’s National Basketball Bristol, Tenn. Reign FC at Houston Association Sept. 26 — South Point 400, Las Vegas night,” Vandy coach Tim Corbin Saturday’s game June 30 WASHINGTON MYSTICS — Waived F Oct. 3 — YellaWood 500, Talladega, Ala. Portland at Louisville 1929 — Bobby Jones beats Al Espinosa Megan Gustafson, Gs Stella Johnson and Oct. 10 — Bank of America ROVAL 400, said. “He pitched very well. It was Sunday’s game by 23 strokes in a 36­hole playoff to win the Kiara Leslie. Concord, N.C. tough pitching, too. That team does U.S. Open. SOCCER Oct. 17 — Autotrader EchoPark Automo­ North Carolina at Orlando 1965 — The NFL grants Atlanta a fran­ Major League Soccer tive 500, Fort Worth, Texas not give in. They fight you on every Friday, July 9 chise. Rankin Smith Sr., an Executive Vice NASHVILLE SC — Extended contract of F Oct. 24 — Hollywood Casino 400, Kansas pitch. They make it very difficult. Louisville at Orlando President of Life Insurance Company of Johnder Cadiz through 2021. City, Kan. Georgia, pays $8.5 million for the fran­ COLLEGE Oct. 31 — Xfinity 500, Ridgeway, Va. He was able to kill momentum at Saturday, July 10 chise. It’s the highest price paid in league BROWN — Named Taylor Virtue assist­ Nov. 7 — NASCAR Cup Series Champion­ North Carolina at Washington history at the time. ant women’s volleyball coach. ship, Avondale, Ariz. several points.” PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 MLB

Scoreboard Castellanos, Reds slam Phillies American League East Division WLPct GB Cincinnati slugger has a Boston 48 31 .608 _ Tampa Bay 47 32 .595 1 career-high 7 RBIs in Toronto 40 36 .526 6½ New York 40 38 .513 7½ his team’s 12-4 victory Baltimore 25 54 .316 23 Central Division BY MITCH STACY WLPct GB Associated Press Chicago 45 32 .584 _ CINCINNATI — After crushing Cleveland 42 33 .560 2 a grand slam in the seventh inning Minnesota 33 43 .434 11½ Detroit 34 45 .430 12 Monday night, Nick Castellanos Kansas City 33 44 .429 12 thrust his fist in the air as the crowd West Division at Great American Ball Park chant­ WLPct GB ed “MVP! MVP!” Houston 48 31 .608 _ He is certainly making a case. Oakland 47 33 .588 1½ Castellanos had three hits and a Seattle 41 38 .519 7 career­high seven RBIs, helping Los Angeles 38 40 .487 9½ the Cincinnati Reds rally for a 12­4 Texas 30 48 .385 17½ victory over the Philadelphia Phil­ National League lies. East Division Castellanos, who leads the ma­ WLPct GB jors with a .347 batting average, New York 40 34 .541 _ heard more “MVP” chants when he Washington 38 38 .500 3 doubled home a run in the eighth. Atlanta 37 40 .481 4½ Philadelphia 36 40 .474 5 “I’m not going to lie — (it’s) in­ Miami 33 44 .429 8½ spiring,” Castellanos said of the Central Division “MVP” cheers. WLPct GB The Reds trailed 4­2 before Cas­ Milwaukee 46 33 .582 _ AARON DOSTER /AP tellanos connected for his sixth ca­ Chicago 42 37 .532 4 reer grand slam, driving a 1­1 fast­ The Cincinnati Reds’ Nick Castellanos, right, celebrates with Aristides Aquino after hitting a grand slam Cincinnati 39 38 .506 6 ball from Neftali Feliz (0­1) deep to during the seventh inning of the Reds’ 12­4 win Monday over the Philadelphia Phillies in Cincinnati. St. Louis 38 41 .481 8 center. Pittsburgh 29 48 .377 16 It was Feliz’s first big league ap­ group of guys, and it didn’t work nio Suárez and Tyler Stephenson Alec Bohm and Ronald Torreyes West Division pearance since 2017. He came on out,” Phillies manager Joe Girardi scored on a throwing error by re­ each drove in two runs for the Phil­ WLPct GB after Bailey Falter pitched four in­ said. liever Enyel De Los Santos. Castel­ lies, who have lost two straight and San Francisco 50 28 .641 _ nings of one­run ball in relief of Cincinnati added six more in the lanos drove in Jonathan India with six of eight. Los Angeles 48 31 .608 2½ San Diego 47 33 .588 4 Spencer Howard. eighth, blowing it open against Phi­ a two­out double, and Joey Votto Heath Hembree (2­3) pitched a Colorado 32 47 .405 18½ “We liked Neftali against that ladelpia’s sputtering bullpen. Euge­ added a solo drive. scoreless inning for the win. Arizona 22 58 .275 29 Sunday’s games Boston 9, N.Y. Yankees 2 Toronto 5, Baltimore 2 ROUNDUP L.A. Angels 6, Tampa Bay 4 Detroit 2, Houston 1, 10 innings Minnesota 8, Cleveland 2 Texas 4, Kansas City 1 Seattle 3, Chicago White Sox 2, 1st game Chicago White Sox 7, Seattle 5, 7 innings Schwarber mashes 2 more HRs, Nats top Mets Oakland 6, San Francisco 2 Washington 5, Miami 1 Associated Press Atlanta 4, Cincinnati 0 night. the Red Sox came back after fall­ Philadelphia 4, N.Y. Mets 2 WASHINGTON — Kyle Brewers 14, Cubs 4: Willy ing behind 5­1. Pittsburgh 7, St. Louis 2 Milwaukee 5, Colorado 0 Schwarber homered twice, be­ Adames and Keston Hiura each Rockies 2, Pirates 0: Kyle San Diego 5, Arizona 4 L.A. Dodgers 7, Chicago Cubs 1 coming the first player in major hit a three­run homer during a 10­ Freeland pitched five scoreless in­ Monday’s games league history to hit 15 home runs run outburst in the eighth inning nings before leaving with an ap­ Cleveland 13, Detroit 5 L.A. Angels 5, N.Y. Yankees 3 in a 17­day span, and the Washing­ that lifted host Milwaukee over parent leg injury suffered while Boston 6, Kansas City 5 ton Nationals beat the New York Chicago. running the bases, Elías Díaz Baltimore 9, Houston 7 Minnesota at Chicago White Sox, ppd. Mets 8­4 on Monday night. The Brewers earned their sixth homered and host Colorado beat Colorado 2, Pittsburgh 0 Cincinnati 12, Philadelphia 4 Schwarber socked a 1­0 fastball consecutive victory to extend their Pittsburgh. Washington 8, N.Y. Mets 4 from Jared Eickhoff an estimated NL Central lead over the Cubs to Yonathan Daza had an RBI tri­ St. Louis 7, Arizona 1 Milwaukee 14, Chicago Cubs 4 439 feet into the upper deck in four games. ple and an over­the­shoulder L.A. Dodgers 3, San Francisco 2 right field in the first inning. It was Indians 13, Tigers 5: José Ra­ catch of Erik Gonzalez’s deep fly­ Tuesday’s games L.A. Angels at N.Y. Yankees his sixth leadoff homer this season, mírez homered and drove in five ball to the center field warning Tampa Bay at Washington Seattle at Toronto and Trea Turner followed with a runs, Austin Hedges had a two­run track. Detroit at Cleveland 435­foot bomb to left to make it 2­0. shot and host Cleveland blasted Cardinals 7, Diamondbacks 1: Kansas City at Boston Baltimore at Houston Schwarber took Eickhoff (0­1) ALEX BRANDON /AP Detroit. Paul DeJong homered to cap a six­ Minnesota at Chicago White Sox Texas at Oakland deep again in the fifth inning, his The Washington Nationals’ Kyle Ramírez connected for a three­ run burst in the seventh inning and Miami at Philadelphia 24th of the year. Schwarber hit two homers in an run drive in the fourth inning off host St. Louis beat Arizona. San Diego at Cincinnati N.Y. Mets at Atlanta The Nationals have won 12 of 15 8­4 defeat of the New York Mets rookie Matt Manning (1­2) as the The Cardinals had lost six of sev­ Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee and has 15 homers in 17 days. Arizona at St. Louis to return to .500 and move within Indians opened a seven­game en before beating the team with Pittsburgh at Colorado three games of the first­place Mets homestand with season highs in baseball’s worst record. San Francisco at L.A. Dodgers Wednesday’s games in the NL East. home run of the season, José Sua­ runs and hits (19). Orioles 9, Astros 7: Austin L.A. Angels (Ohtani 3­1) at N.Y. Yankees 1 Dodgers 3, Giants 2: Mookie rez pitched 5 ⁄3 innings of one­run Red Sox 6, Royals 5: Hunter Hays hit a tiebreaking two­run (Germán 4­5) Seattle (Sheffield 5-7) at Toronto (Matz 5-3) Betts and Max Muncy hit back­to­ relief after Dylan Bundy threw up Renfroe homered twice, the sec­ homer during Baltimore’s five­ Detroit (Peralta 0-1) at Cleveland (Quantrill 0-2) Kansas City (Minor 6-5) at Boston (Pérez 5-4) back home runs to begin the first on the mound because of heat ex­ ond a 434­foot solo shot over the run ninth inning in a win at Hous­ Baltimore (Harvey 3­9) at Houston (Gar­ inning, leading Trevor Bauer and haustion and Los Angeles won at Green Monster to break a sixth­in­ ton. cia 6­4) Minnesota (Ober 0­0) at Chicago White host Los Angeles over San Fran­ New York. ning tie, and host Boston rallied Cedric Mullins opened the ninth Sox (Cease 6­3) Texas (Allard 2-3) at Oakland (Bassitt 8-2) cisco. Ohtani connected for a 117.2 from a four­run deficit to beat with his third single for the Tampa Bay (Wacha 1­2) at Washington (Lester 1­3) All of the runs at Dodger Stadi­ mph drive to right off Michael Kansas City. Orioles. Hays then connected for Arizona (Smith 1­3) at St. Louis (Kim 1­5) um came on solo shots. Will Smith King (0­4) in a two­run first that al­ Kiké Hernández led off the bot­ his seventh homer against Bran­ Chicago Cubs (Arrieta 5­8) at Milwaukee (TBD) also went deep for Los Angeles, so included Jared Walsh’s RBI tom of the first with a home run for don Bielak (2­3). Pedro Severino Pittsburgh (TBD) at Colorado (Gray 4­6) Miami (TBD) at Philadelphia (Nola 5­4) which has won four straight. double. The home run was the ma­ the second straight game, Bobby added a two­run double and San Diego (Musgrove 4­6) at Cincinnati Angels 5, Yankees 3: Shohei jor league­leading 26th for Ohtani, Dalbec also homered and Renfroe scored on Ramon Urias’ two­out (Gutierrez 3­2) N.Y. Mets (Peteson 2­5) at Atlanta (Fried Ohtani pounded his hardest­hit who is slated to pitch Wednesday had a two­run shot in the fourth as double. 4­4) Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 STANLEY CUP FINAL/WIMBLEDON Pucks bounce Tampa’s way early, often

BY MARK DIDTLER and gloves, due in part to all the traffic in Chiarot scored his first career playoff throw it at the net and see what happens Associated Press front of the goalies. goal, pulling Montreal within 2-1, on a shot there and fortunately a lucky bounce for us.” TAMPA, Fla. — Erik Cernak was one of Yanni Gourde was positioned in the low that deflected off Lightning defenseman Kucherov said. “But I think that’s something the most unlikely players to score the first crease when Blake Coleman’s shot went off Mikhail Sergachev, eventually making it we just need to do more, is throw the puck at goal of the Stanley Cup Final. him for a 2-0 lead at 5:47 of the second. through Andrei Vasilevskiy at 17:40 of the the net.” But that is what the Tampa Bay defense- “I mean, we know he’s a really good goa- period. Canadiens acting coach Luke Richardson man did in the Lightning’s 5-1 win Monday lie,” Cernak said. “One of the best in the “Once we settled into the second period, I sees better things ahead in Game 2 on night over the Montreal Canadiens in a NHL, so when he sees the puck from the dis- thought we got our game going a little bit bet- Wednesday night. game that featured unexpected and fluky tance, we know he can catch the puck, so we ter,” Chiarot said. “I thought we were going “The positive is we didn’t play our best goals as the defending champions moved always have to be in front of him and take his better and then a couple of bad bounces game,” Richardson said. “We know we can closer to another title. eyes away and try to make some traffic in maybe didn’t go our way tonight.” get better. I think they’re always a team that Cernak, playing in his 46th playoff game, front of him.” Kucherov, however, made it 3-1 early in plays well and definitely creates off mis- beat Carey Price from the slot off a pass from Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot, an- the third period with a goal that Chiarot tried takes that you make. So by us playing better, Ondrej Palat at 6:19 of the opening period. other unlikely goal scorer, played a role in a to bat down with his hand before it wound up and managing the puck better and maybe The second Tampa Bay goal started a pair of unique goals. One good, and the an- in the net limiting those mistakes and creating a little trend of pucks going into the net off bodies other ugly. “Not much I had to do there, just try to bit more ourselves.” Williams, 41, Strike: For first time, nets 90th win Bolts win Final opener FROM PAGE 24 Canadiens defenseman Ben Chia- NHL scoreboard in 90th major rot tried to bat down with his hand before it wound up in the net. Ku- Stanley Cup Final BY CHRIS LEHOURITES cherov scored again at 11:25 of the (Best-of-seven; x-if necessary) Associated Press Tampa Bay 1, Montreal 0 third, then assisted on Stamkos’ Monday: Tampa Bay 5, Montreal 1 WIMBLEDON, England — Venus Williams accu- power-play goal that made it 5-1 Wednesday: at Tampa Bay Friday: at Montreal mulated 10 aces Tuesday by smacking serves at up to with just over a minute to go. Monday, July 5: at Montreal 114 mph — not quite like the old days, but not too Montreal had not given up a x-Wednesday, July 7: at Tampa Bay x-Friday, July 9: at Montreal shabby, either. power-play goal in an NHL play- x-Sunday, July 11: at Tampa Bay She drove forehands to corners. She made her way off-record 13 consecutive games. to the net for crisp volleys. And when it was all over, It was a solid start for the Light- the 41-year-old American celebrated her first Wim- ning, who had never won the open- ed positive for the coronavirus. bledon match win since 2018 by raising her arms and er of a Stanley Cup Final before Chiarot hit the post early in the yelling “Come on!” before reprising her familiar Monday night. second period with his team trail- smile-and-twirl wave at No. 3 Court. Nevertheless, it was just one ing 1-0. He finally got Montreal on A five-time singles champion at the All England game. the scoreboard with a shot that de- Club who is making her 23rd appearance there, Wil- “We keep preaching to the guys flected off Lightning defenseman liams began her record-extending 90th Grand Slam you’re not going to win a series in Mikhail Sergachev before appear- tournament with her 90th career victory at Wimble- one night. It’s not how it goes,” ing to hit two more players before don, beating Mihaela Buzarnescu of Romania 7-5, Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper eventually getting past Vasilev- 4-6, 6-3. ALASTAIR GRANT / AP said. “There’s curveballs and slid- skiy at 17:40 of the period. Williams is a former No. 1-ranked player who came Venus Williams of the United States hits a return to ers, fastballs and they’re all Cernak also scored his first ca- into this week ranked 111th and having lost in the first Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu during their thrown at you at different times. reer postseason goal for Tampa or second round at the past eight majors. first­round match Tuesday at Wimbledon in London. But if you just keep consistent Bay. The defenseman playing in “You can’t win them all. Life is about how you han- with your game, we trust that good his 46th playoff game beat Carey dle challenges. Each point is a challenge on the court. her break-point chances. things will happen.” Price from the slot off a pass from No one gives you anything,” said Williams, who was In men’s action, 20-year-old American Sebastian Game 2 is Wednesday night in Ondrej Palat at 6:19 of the opening diagnosed a decade ago with Sjogren’s syndrome, an Korda — whose father, Petr, won the 1998 Australian Tampa. period. autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint Open and whose sisters, No. 1-ranked Nelly and Jes- “I think we had chances when Yanni Gourde redirected Blake pain. “I like to think I handle my challenges well.” sica, are on the LPGA Tour — made a successful the game was tighter,” Canadiens Coleman’s shot for a 2-0 lead at The schedule on Day 2 of the tournament, like on Wimbledon debut, eliminating No. 15 Alex de Minaur defenseman Jeff Petry said. “If we 5:47 of the second against Price, Day 1, was jumbled by showers. At least 18 matches 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5). bury those chances, it’s a different the first goaltender in league his- were postponed until Wednesday and a dozen were No. 4 Alexander Zverev, No. 9 Diego Schwartzman game. They got the third, fourth tory to win more than 400 regular- suspended in progress shortly after Williams fin- and No. 26 Fabio Fognini also advanced. goal and we started trying to force season and playoff games com- ished off a victory that lasted more than 2 ½ hours. Buzarnescu is a 33-year-old left-hander who has things and push things.” bined before making his Stanley Her sister Serena, a seven-time Wimbledon dealt with a series of injuries and has gone from the Vasilevskiy, a favorite to win the Cup Final debut. champ, played later Tuesday on Center Court, which top 20 to outside the top 150. Vezina Trophy for the second time The Lightning are in the Stanley has a retractable roof. Her match was scheduled to “Both of us, we are not young anymore. She’s got a in three years, lost a bid for a fifth Cup Final for the third time since follow eight-time winner Roger Federer, who sur- few years in front of me,” Buzarnescu said about Wil- shutout this postseason when 2015. The Canadiens have won an vived a tough test at Wimbledon with an asterisk. liams. “Really a lot of respect for her to be still play- Chiarot scored his first career NHL-record 24 championships, Adrian Mannarino, playing on his 33rd birthday, ing at this age. And I’m really happy that as long as playoff goal for Montreal late in though none since 1993 — Tampa won the second and third sets before retiring with a she can compete at this level, that she will continue, the second period. Bay’s first season in the league leg injury before the fifth set. because she’s an example for (all) tennis players.” The Russian goaltender and the last time Montreal played Women’s winners included 2018 champion Ange- Williams, who is entered in the mixed doubles blanked the New York Islanders in hockey’s biggest showcase. lique Kerber, No. 1 seed Ash Barty, No. 8 Karolina competition with Nick Kyrgios, made her debut at twice in the semifinals, including Pliskova, No. 15 Maria Sakkari, and two-time Slam Wimbledon in 1997. She won it for the first time in 1-0 in Game 7. Chiarot ended Vasi- Better fate finalist Vera Zvonareva. 2000 and most recently in 2008, the year she set the levskiy’s streak of not yielding a The Lightning won Game 1 of a Barty overcame a wobbly stretch to reach the sec- tournament record for fastest women’s serve, 129 goal at 97 minutes, 40 seconds. Stanley Cup Final for the first time ond round. Playing on grass for the first time in two mph. “The positive is we didn’t play in four tries. They lost their previ- years, she beat Carla Suárez Navarro 6-1, 6-7 (1), 6-1. On this day, with strips of black tape around her left our best game. We know we can ous three to Calgary in 2004, Chi- Barty let the second set get away when she was two knee, serving helped Williams save 13 of 15 break get better,” said Canadiens inter- cago in 2015 and Dallas in 2020. A points from victory but regained command by win- points, including a trio in the final game. im coach Luke Richardson, who’s year ago, they rebounded to win ning the first 13 points and five games of the third set. running the team in the absence of the championship in six games The Australian hit 13 aces and converted all five of AP tennis writer Howard Fendrich contributed to this report. Dominique Ducharme, who test- over the Stars. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 NBA Experience matters: USA Basketball names veteran Olympic roster BY TIM REYNOLDS Associated Press Experience mattered to USA Basketball when putting together a roster for the Tokyo Olympics. The Americans formally re- vealed their roster Monday, one that will be the third-oldest U.S. men’s team in Olympic history for the Tokyo Games. The 12-man list includes five players — Kevin Love, Kevin Durant, Jrue Holi- day, Damian Lillard and Dray- mond Green — already in their 30s. In addition to those five players, the U.S. also has gotten commit- ments from Bam Adebayo, Bra- MATT YORK/AP dley Beal, Devin Booker, Jerami Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) passes as Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) Grant, Zach LaVine, Khris Mid- looks on. George had 41 points to lead the Clippers to a 116­102 win Monday in Phoenix as Los Angeles dleton and Jayson Tatum to play won Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to avoid elimination. on the team. All those commit- JEFFREY PHELPS/AP ments became known in recent At 32, Brooklyn Nets forward weeks; USA Basketball, which is Kevin Durant, above, and Kevin seeking a fourth consecutive Love are the oldest players on a Olympic gold medal, merely veteran Team USA roster for the made it official Monday with the Tokyo Olympics, which has an Gritty Clippers dominate average age of 28.2 years. announcement. “USA Basketball selects play- ers to represent our country in in- both humbles and inspires me.” ternational competition with the Durant is on the Olympic team Suns, avoid elimination skills, character, experience, and for the third time, making him the desire to win,” said retired Gen. fourth U.S. player to have at least BY DAVID BRANDT added 22 points on 9-of-16 shoot- Martin Dempsey, the chairman of that many selections; Carmelo Associated Press Scoreboard ing. USA Basketball’s Board of Direc- Anthony was on each of the last PHOENIX — Paul George had Phoenix trailed by as many as 15 tors. “We build teams that are ver- four teams, while LeBron James just wrapped up his brilliant night, Playoffs points during the first half but took satile and resilient in the short, in- and David Robinson are the other scoring 41 points to keep the Los CONFERENCE FINALS its first advantage in the third tense competitions we face. We’re three-time selections. (Best-of-seven) Angeles Clippers’ season alive. He x-if necessary when Chris Paul knocked down a fortunate that this group of elite Durant was part of the gold shared some hugs and fist bumps Eastern Conference 16-foot jumper for a 62-61 lead. athletes has volunteered to repre- medal-winning squads in 2012 and Milwaukee 2, Atlanta 1 with teammates and assistant Atlanta 116, Milwaukee 113 Los Angeles responded with the sent us in Tokyo this summer.” 2016. Love was also on the 2012 Milwaukee 125, Atlanta 91 coaches before he finally got to Milwaukee 113, Atlanta 102 next 10 points and then started Love and Durant are the oldest, team, Green was on the 2016 team. head coach Tyronn Lue. Tuesday: at Atlanta sinking three-pointers. George hit at 32. Tatum and Adebayo, at 23, The other nine players on the U.S. Thursday: at Milwaukee There were some words of en- x-Saturday, July 3: at Atlanta back-to-back threes and Patrick are the youngest. The average age roster will be appearing in the x-Monday, July 5: at Milwaukee couragement. They were also ap- Western Conference Beverley added one to push LA — calculated by USA Basketball Olympics for the first time. parently too hot for TV. Phoenix 3, L.A. Clippers 2 ahead 82-70, gesturing to the Suns to be 28.2 at the end of the Tokyo “I’m happy for the selected Phoenix 120, L.A. Clippers 114 “I can’t share that,” George said Phoenix 104, L.A. Clippers 103 crowd as he jogged back down the Games if this roster doesn’t players and looking forward to L.A. Clippers 106, Phoenix 92 with a grin, recalling the conver- Phoenix 84, L.A. Clippers 80 court. change — ranks behind only the having the opportunity to work sation. “Bleep this and bleep that.” Monday: L.A. Clippers 116, Phoenix 102 It was the common theme of the 1996 team (29.4) and the Dream with this wonderful group when Wednesday: at L.A. Clippers George set his playoff career x-Friday, July 2: at Phoenix night: Every time Phoenix got Team in 1992 (29.0) as the oldest practice gets underway on July 6 high in scoring, Reggie Jackson some momentum, the Clippers groups that the U.S. has sent to an in Las Vegas,” U.S. coach Gregg added 23 and the feisty Clippers with an MCL sprain in his right were there to squash it in a hurry. Olympics. Popovich said. staved off elimination by beating knee. They’ve already fought Los Angeles took a 91-78 lead in- “USA Basketball is as strong as Popovich will be assisted by the Phoenix Suns 116-102 on Mon- through two grueling series wins to the fourth. The Suns pulled it’s ever been and I’m very happy Steve Kerr, Lloyd Pierce and Jay day night in Game 5 of the West- in these playoffs, coming back within 98-94 with 6:58 left but LA with that,” senior men’s national Wright. Colangelo is serving in his ern Conference finals. from 2-0 deficits to beat both the responded with a 10-2 run and team managing director Jerry Co- managing director role for the Los Angeles has been counted Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz. pulled away for the win. langelo said. “Having said that, fourth and final Olympics in his out multiple times in this postsea- Now they’re trying to claw back Devin Booker led Phoenix with there’s work to be done, and that is tenure; Grant Hill assumes that son. That continues to be a mis- against Phoenix. Game 5 was a 31 points. Paul — who is trying to one more go — the Olympic efforts job when these Olympics are com- take. good start. go to the NBA Finals for the first in Tokyo.” plete. “The group of guys we’ve got, I George was fantastic after a time in his 16-year career — added Putting together a roster was “Our roster features players love those guys. They compete ev- tough shooting night in Game 4, 22 points and eight assists. challenging for many reasons, Co- who are experienced in the inter- ery single night no matter who is pouring in 20 points in the third Deandre Ayton had 10 points and langelo said. Among them: a com- national game, and this team has on the floor,” Lue said. “The quarter. He finished 15-for-20 11 rebounds. pacted NBA season running later outstanding athleticism, versatili- work’s not done, but we came into from the field, including 3-for-6 “We’ve got to be better,” Paul into the summer than is ordinarily ty and balance,” Colangelo said. a hostile environment and got a from three-point range and added said. ”They came out and they the case, several potential Olym- “We also believe we have excel- gritty win. 13 rebounds and six assists. were the aggressors. They looked pians dealing with injuries, and of lent leadership which is a necessi- “We’ve got to do it again two “If they were going to finish this like us in Game 4. They hit us, they course, the ongoing effects of the ty in order to develop the needed more times.” series, they were going to have to were too comfortable and we’ve coronavirus pandemic. chemistry. We still have a lot of The series moves back to LA work for it,” George said. “That’s got to be better.” “To be selected to the United challenges in front of us, but I be- with the Suns holding a 3-2 advan- just the mentality we had. We we- The Clippers played inspired States Olympic team is an honor lieve these players will become a tage. Game 6 is Wednesday. ren’t going to back down. We we- basketball in the first half, jump- and a blessing,” said Beal, who team that all Americans will be The short-handed Clippers ren’t going to throw in the towel. ing out to an 20-5 lead by halfway celebrated his 28th birthday on proud of.” were playing without two-time The fact of the matter is they’ve through the first quarter. Jackson Monday. “Representing my coun- The team will be formally nomi- NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard got to beat us.” threw down a huge one-handed try on the world’s biggest stage nated to the Tokyo Games by the and center Ivica Zubac, who mis- Marcus Morris Sr., who played jam during the run and LA hit nine alongside so many of the league’s U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sed his first game of the season for the Suns earlier in his career, of its first 11 shots. best players is a privilege that Committee next month. Wednesday, June 30, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 TRACK AND FIELD/SPORTS BRIEFS

BRIEFLY Blue Jays acquire OF Dickerson, reliever Cimber from Marlins Associated Press MIAMI — The Toronto Blue Jays acquired injured outfielder Corey Dickerson and reliever Adam Cimber in a trade Tuesday with the Miami Marlins. Miami obtained infielder Joe Panik and minor league reliever Andrew McInvale. Dickerson is sidelined with a bruised left foot and is expected to be in a walking boot for at least two more weeks. He is batting .260 MATT SLOCUM/AP with two homers and 14 RBIs. Corey Dickerson was traded ASHLEY LANDIS/AP The sidewinding Cimber has a from the Miami Marlins to the Above: JuVaughn Harrison celebrates during the finals of the men’s high jump at the U.S. Olympic track 2.88 ERA in 33 games. Panik is Toronto Blue Jays, along with and field trials on Sunday. He also made the team in the long jump, the first U.S. athlete to do so since Jimbatting .246 with two homers and reliever Adam Climber, for Thorpe. Below: Erriyon Knighton, only 17, finished third in the 200 to make the team. His time of 11 RBIs. infielder Joe Panik and minor league reliever Andrew McInvale. 19.84 seconds was faster than Usain Bolt’s at the same age. McInvale has a 2.55 ERA in 15 games at Single A and Double A. for the relay from July 17 until the The deal could be the first of opening ceremony on July 23. several before the trade deadline The relay began in March in for the Marlins, who are last in the northeastern Japan. It has faced Young guns: Collegians, NL East. Toronto is third in the AL numerous detours, scaled back East. programs, and has been run at times only in public park spaces to Days returning to LSU for avoid spreading the virus. In other Olympic news: teens dot US track team senior basketball season ■ NHL Commissioner Gary BATON ROUGE, La. — For- Bettman cast doubt Monday on BY PAT GRAHAM 19.84 seconds. Bolt’s overall world ward Darius Days is returning to whether the league will send its AND EDDIE PELLS record stands at 19.19. LSU for his senior season after ini- players to the 2022 Winter Olym- Associated Press “It will probably sink in when I tially exploring his opportunity to pics in Beijing, citing safety and EUGENE, Ore. — Sprinter Al- get home,” Knighton said of his turn pro. logistical concerns as well as a lyson Felix earned her spot in a accomplishments. “It’s a really Days, who announced his deci- tightening time frame. fifth straight Olympics. Long big achievement.” sion during an online talk show ap- “We have real concerns about jumper Brittney Reese made her Just as happy for him was Lyles, pearance in Baton Rouge on Tues- whether or not it’s sensible to be fourth games. That sort of experi- who finished a spot short at the day, had previously declared his participating,” Bettman said in ence — any sort of experience — 2016 trials when he was a teenag- intention to enter this summer’s Tampa during his annual pre- appears more the exception than er. NBA Draft after last season. How- Stanley Cup Final session with the the rule on the track team the “To watch him PR in each ever, he did not hire an agent or media. United States is sending to Tokyo round, I was just hoping, ‘Don’t gas otherwise relinquish his college ■ Ben Simmons has withdrawn next month. out. Don’t gas out,’ ” Lyles said. eligibility. from Australia’s Olympic squad in The team is headlined by a 17- “When he went out and he (got a Days started 28 of LSU’s 29 order to spend time working on his year-old sprinter who broke personal record), I was so happy games last season, helping the Ti- individual skill development fol- Usain Bolt’s youth records (Erri- for him. I was like, ‘Bruh, you did gers advance to the SEC Tourna- lowing a disappointing NBA post- yon Knighton) and a long/high it. You did what I couldn’t do.’ He ment final for the first time since season for the Philadelphia 76ers. jumper from LSU (JuVaughn did it. I’m just so happy for him.” 1993 and win a first-round NCAA “It is a pretty rough time for him Harrison) accomplishing things tournament game. He averaged right now,” Australian head coach not seen since the days of Jim Jump for joy 11.6 points and a team-high 7.8 re- Brian Goorjian said. Going to the Thorpe. Far less crazy now that Bolt is Harrison went 2-for-2 on a stea- bounds a game. He made 51.9% of Olympics “is something that he There’s a Harvard-educated retired and watching on TV. my final day of trials, winning the his field-goal attempts and shot 40 wanted to do, but the timing just sprinter who wants to be an epide- “There’s no Jamaican dom- long jump in the evening after tak- percent from three-point range. hasn’t worked.” miologist (Gabby Thomas) and inance. There’s only U.S. dom- ing the high jump in the heat. The His eight double-doubles as a ■ Host Japan will open the another speedster with orange inance. We’re going to start break- LSU product became the first junior tied for the SEC lead last Olympic baseball tournament hair (Sha’Carri Richardson). ing records,” Lyles said. American to make it in both the season and gave him 16 for his ca- against the Dominican Republic New faces all waiting to make That has already begun. high and long jumps at one Olym- reer. at Fukushima on July 28, and their mark. Shot putter Ryan Crouser, 28, pics since Thorpe in 1912, accord- Mike Scioscia’s U.S. team will Maybe the most confident voice broke a 31-year-old world record ing to Olympic historian Bill Mal- Report: Stages of start two days later against Israel among this youthful bunch be- on the first day of trials. lon. at Yokohama. longs to 23-year-old Noah Lyles. On the last day, in record-set- This is what fueled him: A Olympic relay to be pulled The U.S., in Group B, also plays He, too, is heading to his first ting heat that led the trials to be McGriddles breakfast sandwich TOKYO — Some stages of the defending champion South Korea Olympics after winning the final moved to the night, Sydney from McDonald’s and later a Tokyo Olympic torch relay will be on July 31. The U.S. has not yet an- event of the 10-day trials — the McLaughlin provided a perfect sandwich from Firehouse Subs. pulled off the roads of the Japa- nounced its roster, Israel’s team is men’s 200 meters. Lyles fully be- bookend, finishing the 400 hur- “I have a tradition for practice nese capital because of fears expected to include former major lieves the team can top the 32 dles in 51.90 seconds. and tradition for competition,” about spreading the coronavirus, leaguers Ian Kinsler and Danny medals it won in the 2016 Games. Harrison explained. “For prac- Japan’s Kyodo news agency re- Valencia. “Shoot, I want all the sprints. Day & Knighton tice, I eat something hot and spicy. ported on Tuesday. ■ Russia named three world Plain and simple,” Lyles said. “I Not even Bolt was this fast at 17 For competition, I usually eat a Citing the Tokyo Metropolitan champions on its 10-strong athlet- don’t think I’m crazy for saying I years old. Knighton, who’s from sandwich.” Government, Kyodo said the relay ics team for the Tokyo Olympics think we can do it. Why not sweep Florida, broke an under-20 200 re- It’s working. would not appear on public streets on Tuesday under rules limiting them all? Why not go top three in cord that once belonged to the Ja- “A great day,” he said. “But I from July 9-16. Kyodo said orga- the size of its squad because of a each one? I don’t think it’s crazy.” maican sensation, finishing in am exhausted.” nizers would decide on the format long-running doping dispute. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, June 30, 2021 Hanging on for dear life SPORTS On brink of elimination, Clippers force Game 6 ›› NBA playoffs, Page 22

STANLEY CUP FINAL

Lightning center Yanni Gourde reacts after his goal during the second period of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday in Tampa, Fla.

GERRY BROOME/AP Lightning strike quickly Kucherov’s 2 goals, assist lead Tampa in Game 1 rout

BY FRED GOODALL His latest exploits come Associated Press on the heels of a gritty TAMPA, Fla. — Nothing Nikita Kucherov Game 7 performance in accomplishes on the ice seems to surprise the semifinals against the the Tampa Bay Lightning. New York Islanders. Three days after returning from an injury “It was tough mentally to help the defending champions get back to not being able to play, but hockey’s grandest stage, the playoff scoring it’s all in the past,” said Kucherov leader had two goals and an assist Monday Kucherov, who missed night to pace a 5-1 victory over the Montreal most of Game 6 against the Islanders after Canadiens in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Fi- taking a cross-check to the lower back. “I’m nal. really enjoying the moment. Happy to be “He’s playing like a beast right now,” with the boys. Just excited to play in the Fi- Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. nal.” Kucherov boosted his postseason-leading Kucherov put the Lightning up 3-1 early point total to 30 (seven goals, 23 assists) in in the third period with a fluky goal that GERRY BROOME/AP 18 games after missing the entire regular Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, left, blocks a shot by Canadiens right wing season while recovering from hip surgery. SEE STRIKE ON PAGE 21 Brendan Gallagher during the second period. Vasilevskiy stopped 18 shots.

Vanderbilt takes Game 1 of CWS finals ›› College baseball, Page 19