MILITARY FACES VIRUS OUTBREAK Amid rising attacks, Colman Domingo’s Fans banned from rockets land near US recent high profile Olympics as Japan Embassy in Baghdad was hard-earned declares emergency Page 5 Page 14 Page 21

Losses fueled Lightning’s Stanley Cup repeat ›› Page 24

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Volume 80 Edition 60 ©SS 2021 CONTINGENCY EDITION FRIDAY,JULY 9, 2021 Free to Deployed Areas

MILITARY AFGHANISTAN Biden: US mission will Out of end Aug. 31

Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday said the U.S. military mission in Afghanis- control tan will conclude on Aug. 31, saying “speed is safety” as the United States seeks to end the nearly 20- year war. “We did not go to Afghanistan to nation-build,” Biden said in a speech to update his administra- tion’s ongoing efforts to wind down the U.S. war in Afghanistan. “Af- ghan leaders have to come together and drive toward a future.” Biden also amplified the justifi- cation of his decision to end U.S. military operations even as the Ta- liban make rapid advances in sig- nificant swaths of the country. The effort to further explain his thinking on Afghanistan comes as the administration in recent days has sought to frame ending the con- flict as a decision that Biden made after concluding it’s an “unwinna- ble war” and one that “does not have a military solution.” “How many more, how many more thousands of American daughters and sons are you willing KIP SUMNER/U.S. Air Force to risk?” Biden said to those calling U.S. Air Force Capt. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe flies an F-35A Lightning II near Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in 2020. The Pentagon plans to procure for the U.S. to extend the military nearly 2,500 F-35s, but the Government Accountability Office said that plan is not financially sustainable. operation. He added, “I will not send another generation of Amer- icans to war in Afghanistan, with no GAO says cost overruns should force Pentagon to scale back F-35 program reasonable expectation of achiev- ing a different outcome.” BY JOHN VANDIVER costs for years. And while the military has tried the F-35 program,” the GAO said. Biden said he didn’t trust the Ta- Stars and Stripes to reduce expenses, those efforts “have pro- About 400 F-35s are already in service, mak- liban but trusted the capacity of the The failure to control F-35 aircraft cost over- duced limited results,” the Government Ac- ing the aircraft a growing portion of the Penta- Afghan military to defend the gov- runs should force the Pentagon to scale back its countability Office report released Wednesday gon’s tactical fleet. ernment. fleet of advanced warplanes unless it can find said. The Pentagon plans to procure nearly 2,500 Before his speech, White House new savings, a government watchdog agency “DOD’s inability to arrest the increases in F-35s with an estimated life cycle cost exceed- press secretary Jen Psaki said ad- report said. F-35 sustainment costs and make progress to- ing $1.7 trillion, the GAO said. About $1.3 tril- ministration officials always antici- The development of the advanced F-35 fight- wards the services’ established affordability lion of those costs are related to operating and pated an “uptick” in violence and er, the most costly weapon system in Defense constraints is due in part to the department’s greater turmoil as the U.S. with- Department history, has faced steadily rising not having a clear, strategic approach across SEE CONTROL ON PAGE 5 drawal moved forward. PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER EU fines car makers $1B over emission collusion EXCHANGE RATES

Military rates South Korea (Won) 1,150.09 Associated Press Daimler wasn’t fined after it “Manufacturers deliberately Switzerland (Franc) .9153 Euro costs (July 9) $1.16 Thailand (Baht) 32.49 BRUSSELS — The Europe- revealed the cartel to the Eu- avoided to compete on clean- Dollar buys (July 9) 0.8221 Turkey (New Lira) 8.6855 British pound (July 9) $1.34 an Union on Thursday handed ropean Commission. ing better than what was re- Japanese yen (July 9) 108.00 (Military exchange rates are those available down $1 billion in fines to four EU antitrust chief Mar- quired by EU emission stan- South Korean won (July 9) 1,113.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ major German car manufac- grethe Vestager said that even dards. And they did so despite many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain (Dinar) .3766 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ turers, saying they colluded to though the companies had the the relevant technology being Britain (Pound) 1.3787 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2538 your local military banking facility. Commercial limit the development and rol- technology to cut cut harmful available.” It made their prac- China (Yuan) 6.4878 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.2712 lout of car emission control emissions beyond legal limits, tice illegal, Vestager said. Egypt (Pound) 15.6692 when buying currency. All figures are foreign systems. they avoided to compete and It was the first time the Eu- Euro .8432 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7682 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ Daimler, BMW, VW, Audi denied consumers the chance ropean Commission imposed Hungary (Forint) 302.02 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2805 and Porsche avoided compet- to buy less polluting cars. collusion fines on holding Japan (Yen) 109.67 INTEREST RATES ing on technology to restrict “Factories compete with one back the use of technical de- Kuwait (Dinar) .3011 Norway (Krone) 8.7552 Prime rate 3.25 pollution from gasoline and another also when it comes to velopments, not a more tradi- Philippines (Peso) 50.32 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.84 Federal funds market rate 0.09 diesel passenger cars, the Eu- reducing carbon emissions tional practice like price fix- Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7507 3­month bill 0.05 ropean Commission said. from the cars,” Vestager said. ing. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3521 30­year bond 1.94 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 67/64

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

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

TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 14 Opinion ...... 15 Sports ...... 18-24 Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Thomas returns to Yokosuka to lead 7th Fleet

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

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

BY SUSANNAH GEORGE districts began to surrender. The Washington Post “It was exactly Some fell without a single shot KABUL, Afghanistan — The fired, said Abdul Samigh Atiq, the Taliban’s mounting pressure like a dam former district chief from Ba- campaign on key cities across Af- dakhshan province, where Tali- ghanistan continued Wednesday breaking down.” ban fighters overran about 20 dis- as fighters battled government tricts in two days. On Monday, forces in the capital of Badghis Abdul Aziz Beg more than 1,000 Afghan soldiers province, the latest advance in a Badghis provincial council member fled into neighboring Tajikistan string of attacks on government- ahead of a Taliban advance there. controlled districts since foreign hold territory even in parts of the Takhar and Badghis provinces forces began to withdraw in May. country far from the Taliban’s tra- experienced a similar phenom- Clashes reached the city center ditional heartland in the south. enon, with Taliban fighters con- Wednesday, but Afghan govern- “It was exactly like a dam solidating their control of nearly ment officials said the city re- breaking down,” said Abdul Aziz every district aside from the cap- mains in government control. Vid- Beg, a member of the Badghis ital city in a matter of days. MIRWIS OMARI/AP eos circulated by Taliban spokes- provincial council who was in the Local officials say a combina- An Afghan civilian carries a wounded child to the hospital after he was men showed cheering civilians on city when the assault began. tion of poor logistical support for injured during fighting between Taliban and government forces in the outskirts of Qala-e Nau as doz- Beg said the breach was trig- government forces and officials Badghis province in northwest Afghanistan, Wednesday. ens of militants sped by on motor- gered by the deputy police chief willing to abandon checkpoints in cycles. In a video released by the deserting his post. After he fled, exchange for money or other only lead to more local resistance have acted independently and Afghan government, the prov- the Afghan police staffing key deals with the Taliban allowed for against them.” launched limited pushes into gov- ince’s governor — holding a rifle checkpoints protecting Qala-e the cascading losses. A senior Taliban commander ernment-held cities, that is not the and wearing an ammunition vest Nau abandoned their positions, he In Badghis, Beg, the provincial played down the criticism, saying larger plan top Taliban leadership — pledged to defend the city. said, allowing Taliban fighters to council member, said some local that in recent years the militants approved. “The Taliban suffered casual- easily enter the provincial capital. officials accepted bribes from the have expanded recruitment in the “Our first priority now is to hold ties and were defeated,” Hasa- Shinwari, the security forces Taliban to abandon outposts. north, attracting Afghan Turkmen the captured districts, then there muddin Shams, the provincial spokesman, said the command- “Without commandos or other and Uzbeks. The commander will be preparations to attack the governor, said in the video as ex- er’s departure was planned, de- reinforcements, the situation spoke on the condition of anonym- cities,” he said. But he said the ci- plosions rumbled in the back- scribing it as a “tactical retreat.” could get worse,” he said. “The ity because he was not authorized ties will only be taken by force if ground. Hours later, Ajmal Omar Like many of the other prov- Taliban might wait for the night- to speak to the media. the remaining government offi- Shinwari, a spokesman for Af- inces where Taliban fighters have fall and then attack again.” Local officials in the area did cials holed up in capitals such as ghanistan’s security forces, said rolled back government troops, Taliban fighters now control not describe significant Taliban Qala-e Nau in Badghis choose not the city’s perimeter had been se- parts of Badghis have long been large portions of territory along recruitment in Afghanistan’s to surrender. cured. under militant control, with front Afghanistan’s northern border north, but many cited deals made He described this point in the The assault on Badghis comes lines remaining static for years. with China, Tajikistan, Uzbekis- between local leadership and Ta- Taliban offensive as one of “wait- as the Taliban have besieged the But after U.S. and NATO forces tan and Turkmenistan. liban fighters in recent months ing.” capitals of several provinces began the last phase of their with- But some Afghan officials say that paved the way for the group’s “This is now a time to test our across the country by overrun- drawal from Afghanistan in May, the Taliban did not expect to take swift advances. patience. Let’s see whether the ning surrounding districts, ac- the Taliban have steadily expand- so much territory in the north so Ultimately, the senior Taliban government will surrender to us cording to interviews with local ed their reach. quickly and the moves have left commander said the northern or not,” he said. officials. The territory grab has The militants attacked several the group overstretched in an eth- push was designed to secure fi- Shinwari, the spokesman, ac- given the Taliban control of key provinces south of Kabul where nically diverse part of the country nancial gains for the militants. knowledged the severity of the roadways into and out of those ar- they had long held considerable that will prove more difficult to The aim of the operation was to country’s situation, but said that eas, in what one Taliban com- influence. After consolidating hold than more homogenous, “get hold of financial hubs, and Afghan security forces remain ca- mander said was the goal of the gains there, the group’s focus largely Pashtun central and the main commercial trade routes pable of retaking territory. He operation. shifted to the north in recent southern provinces. connecting Afghanistan with cen- said government troops have reta- Many of the Taliban’s advances weeks, where its influence is more “They are making a huge mis- tral Asian countries,” he said, cit- ken 14 districts in recent days, but have faced little to no resistance in recent. take,” Mohammad Radmanesh, a ing Afghanistan’s main port with did not specify which ones. the wake of the United States’ Initially, the Taliban advances retired Afghan general and for- Uzbekistan and crossing with “We are in a very difficult mo- withdrawal. Without close U.S. were met with government resist- mer Defense Ministry spokes- Turkmenistan. ment, but we assure you that the support, specifically airstrikes, ance, but after the militants se- man, said of the Taliban’s north- The senior commander said al- security forces are ready to fight,” Afghan forces have been unable to cured a handful of victories, more ern push. “These operations will though some ground commanders he said Johnson confirms most British troops have left Afghanistan Associated Press two decades or leaves Afghanistan cluding Afghanistan’s neighbors, with our friends and allies, partic- troops would be “complete within LONDON — Prime Minister vulnerable to the Taliban, which to help the Afghan people to build ularly our friends in Pakistan, to a few months.” Boris Johnson confirmed Thurs- have made rapid advances in their future,” Johnson said. “But work towards a settlement,” John- The U.S. military announced day that most British troops have many northern districts. the threat that brought us to Af- son said. Tuesday that 90% of American left Afghanistan, almost 20 years The prime minister declined to ghanistan in the first place has A total of 457 British service- troops and equipment had already after the U.K. and other Western give details about the troop with- been greatly diminished by the va- members died in Afghanistan dur- left the country, with the draw- countries sent troops into the drawal, citing security reasons. lor and by the sacrifice of the ing the U.K.’s deployment, a much down set to finish by late August. country to engage in what they de- But he said that “all British troops armed forces of Britain and many higher death rate compared to the Last week, U.S. officials vacated scribed as a “war on terror.” assigned to NATO’s mission in Af- other countries.” U.K. involvement in Iraq. Bri- the country’s biggest airfield, Ba- Johnson stressed that the threat ghanistan are now returning He stressed that Britain re- tain’s last combat troops left Af- gram Airfield, the epicenter of the posed by al-Qaida to the U.K. has home,” adding that “most of our mains committed to helping ghanistan in October 2014, though war to oust the Taliban and hunt substantially diminished, but he personnel have already left.” achieve a peace settlement in Af- about 700 remained in Afghanis- down the al-Qaida perpetrators of sidestepped questions about “We must be realistic about our ghanistan through diplomacy. tan as part of a NATO mission to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on Amer- whether the hasty military exodus ability alone to influence the “We are not walking away. We train Afghan forces. ica. by the country and its NATO allies course of events. It will take com- are keeping our embassy in Ka- Britain’s Defense Ministry has Most European troops have also risks undoing the work of nearly bined efforts of many nations, in- bul, and we will continue to work said the withdrawal of the last quietly pulled out in recent weeks. Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Rockets land near US Embassy in Baghdad Associated Press The attack, which came shortly drawal from Iraq. claimed responsibility for the stationed in northeastern Syria, BAGHDAD — Rockets landed before daybreak, followed two The U.S. has blamed Iran- Wednesday attack on Al-Assad working with the Kurdish-led in and around the heavily fortified separate attacks on bases housing backed militias for attacks — most Air Base, saying it was a message fighters in battling the Islamic Green Zone in the Iraqi capital U.S. troops in western Iraq and of them rocket strikes — that have to U.S troops in Iraq: “We will State group. Thousands of Iran- Baghdad, which houses the U.S. across the border in Syria, where targeted the American presence force you to leave our lands de- backed militiamen from around Embassy, causing material dam- U.S.-led coalition forces are in Baghdad and military bases feated.” the Middle East are deployed in age early Thursday, Iraqi security based. The drone attack Wednes- across Iraq. More recently, the at- A drone attack on Tuesday was different parts of Syria, many of forces said. day in eastern Syria was foiled tacks have become more sophisti- reported on Irbil airport in the them in areas along the border Two Katuysha rockets fell near while 14 rockets landed in Al-As- cated, with militants using drones. northern Kurdish-run region, with Iraq. the national security building and sad Air Base in western Iraq, Late last month, U.S. warplanes near where U.S. forces are based. A statement from the Security in an open courtyard inside the lightly wounding two personnel. hit facilities used by Iran-backed In Syria, the U.S.-backed and Kur- Media Cell, affiliated with Iraq’s Green Zone. A third rocket fell in a The attacks come as tension is militia groups which the Pentagon dish-led forces said they foiled the security forces, on Thursday said nearby residential area, damag- on the rise between U.S. troops said support drone strikes inside Wednesday attack that was using these attacks endanger the lives of ing a civilian vehicle, the state- and Iran-backed fighters as Bagh- Iraq. Four Iraqi fighters were drones on the al-Omar oil field in citizens and target diplomatic ment by the Iraqi security media dad and Washington negotiate a killed in the June 27 airstrikes. the eastern province of Deir el- missions, and will be faced force- cell said. timeline for foreign troop with- A previously unknown group Zour. Hundreds of U.S. troops are fully. Control: GAO wants yearly cost reports on F-35s from Pentagon contingent on progress reducing each plane by 47%, or the readin- main unable to carry out a full have recently improved, but still FROM PAGE 1 sustainment costs,” it said. ess of its squadrons could be “neg- range of missions, the report said. fall short of warfighter require- sustaining the aircraft. The pro- The GAO also recommended atively impacted,” the GAO said. Between 2019 and 2020, the U.S. ments,” the GAO said. jection reflects an increase of that Congress require the Penta- Even if the Air Force acquired F-35 fleet’s average annual mis- The Defense Department par- more than $150 billion over 2012 gon to report annually on progress all of its spare F-35 parts for free sion capable rate — the percent- tially concurred with the GAO estimates, the GAO said. It is also in meeting cost constraints and over the next few decades, it age of time during which the air- recommendations in a written re- billions more than the services develop an affordable plan to sus- would still fall considerably short craft can fly and perform one of its sponse included with the report. can afford, making current plans tain the future F-35 fleet. of that cost-cutting goal, the report tasked missions — improved from The Pentagon is updating an affor- unsustainable, the GAO said. The Air Force faces the greatest said. 59% to 69%. Its full mission capa- dability strategy document that “We recommended, among oth- challenge in cutting costs. It is The F-35 program has faced ble rate improved from 32% to would span the expected life cycle er things, that Congress consider purchasing about 70% of the F-35s problems and delays from the be- 39%. of the F-35 and review cost-cut- making future F-35 acquisitions and must slash what it spends on ginning. Many of the aircraft re- “F-35 mission capable rates ... ting constraints. PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK World deaths at 4M amid vaccine rush

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Freshly out of prison, Cosby already planning a comeback

BY CHRISTIE D’ZURILLA sentenced to three to 10 years in Los Angeles Times prison, a term he was serving at a Bill Cosby is, in a word, “exu- maximum security state facility in berant.” And he wants to get back Pennsylvania. to performing — and more. They were the “In his physical appearance, only criminal he’s exuberant. In his mental charges brought state, he’s exuberant. In his feel- against Cosby, ings and humor, he’s exuberant,” who has been ac- publicist Andrew Wyatt told the cused of sexual Los Angeles Times on Wednes- misconduct by day. The comedian is “colorful dozens of wom- and powerful — more powerful Cosby en. than we’ve ever seen.” Cosby’s team Cosby, 83, is with his family at — including the legal staff — still the moment, Wyatt said, a week has to work out the details about after his conviction on three how audiences, promoters and counts of aggravated indecent as- “media insurrectionists ... who sault against Andrea Constand fuel the hate” will be screened, was overturned. But plans are in Wyatt said, but he says he’s not ve- the works to get “The Cosby ry concerned about hecklers and Show” star back onstage in the the like. U.S., Canada and London, Wyatt Also in the works, according to LIZ O. BAYLEN/TNS said. Wyatt: A book, written by Freder- Colman Domingo, who’s been in the entertainment business for 31 years, has multiple projects in 2021. Wyatt said Cosby’s next act will ick Williams, will feature Cosby weave the disgraced comic’s “vin- and Wyatt talking about the per- tage storytelling” in with observa- former’s experiences through tions from his life today and will be both of his trials (civil and crimi- “inclusive of human rights and nal) and while he was in prison. civil rights” as Cosby works for They also will discuss the strate- Domingo on the rise criminal justice reform and prison gies Cosby and his team used. reform based on his experiences. Additionally, production is al- Cosby “gives you a formula most done on a five-part docuser- Writer/actor/director’s star power ‘a long time coming’ without the preservatives,” his ies about Cosby, from “Venus and rep said. Serena” director Michelle Major, BY JAMI GANZ “I’m doing the thing, to be very honest, that I think The performer was convicted in which will include the comic’s re- New York Daily News that you seek out when you’re a younger actor, which April 2018 of drugging and sexual- cent experiences in the legal sys- “It’s been a long time coming.” is about having agency in this industry,” said Dom- ly assaulting Constand. He was tem. That’s how Colman Domingo sees his recent surge ingo. “I do things that I only care about, you know?” across screens big and small and people “finally” be- So what is it that attracts him to a role? “I think it’s ing “hip to exactly what I’m doing,” the “Fear the gotta scare me a little bit. It’s gotta make me feel like I Walking Dead” star and director, 51, said over Zoom. might fail,” said Domingo. “In a strange way, that’s Jodie Foster at home in Cannes The past year alone has seen the Tony-nominated when I thrive. Otherwise I feel like it doesn’t [mat- Associated Press “Scottsboro Boys” star dispensing timely knowledge ter]. It’s gotta matter. Maybe that’s it.” “I got one thing to say before I and warmth as a recovered drug addict in the Peabo- What Domingo most cares about, though, is “being sit down,” said Spike Lee during dy-nominated “Euphoria” special and playing the a creator,” his favorite version of himself. the Cannes Film Festival opening trombone while defending his religious convictions “I like creating worlds. And whether that’s as a ceremony. “I wish I could speak in the Oscar-winning adaptation of “Ma Rainey’s writer or director, or even like producing,” said Dom- French like Jodie Foster!” Black Bottom,” racking up awards nominations ingo. “I love being an actor, but I don’t necessarily In the first two days of Cannes, along the way, and entering the “Twilight Zone.” have to be on stage or in front of the camera all the one thing everyone can agree on is “I’ve been working for, what, 31 years in this indus- time. I love putting it together. ... I’m somebody who that Jodie Foster speaks terrific try? And I’ve been carving out a space for myself, ba- throws a good party, and I think that’s the key to any French. On Tuesday, Foster was sically,” said Domingo. “Nothing was given to me and good creator.” awarded an honorary Palme d’Or I had to really create work when there was a lack of Artistic integrity, he says, shouldn’t stop with a fan- for lifetime achievement. The BRYNN ANDERSON/AP work.” favorite project — even one with a “huge, rabid fan award was presented to her by Jodie Foster’s excellent French From the jump, the writer/actor/director — whose base.” Domingo pointed to “Euphoria” writer-cre- Lee and South Korean director was on display this week at the play “Dot” was just greenlit for a television adapta- ator Sam Levinson’s remarks at the season two table Bong Joon Ho. opening of the 74th international tion on AMC Networks’ streamer — has known there read. Levinson acknowledged the show’s “beautiful, “During this year of transition, Cannes film festival in France. would be times his career opportunities “would be successful” first season, and told everyone to “forget the cinema has been my lifeline,” lean and times when I would fully thrive. it” along with fans’ attachment, recalled Domingo. said Foster, who walked the red “Who would have thought that “There’s different versions of me and ... my audi- “That’s how it was created before, so you have to carpet with her wife, Alexandra the little Iris from ‘Taxi Driver’ ences know me from very different things,” said trust that formula,” said Domingo. Hedison. would have become the woman Domingo. “And now finally, people are understand- Even with such a wide range of projects under his If Foster, 58, has seemed at you have become?” said Pedro Al- ing the container that it’s all in and they’re not trying belt, the actor does have one he holds closest to his home in Cannes, it could be be- modovar during the ceremony. to, I don’t know, place it in a little box.” heart: Ava DuVernay’s “Selma.” cause her experience at the festiv- Among his eclectic highlights are two recent re- “I really feel like that was a film that really had its al spans 45 years. Foster first Other news leases: “Zola,” in which he plays a uniquely disarm- purest intentions,” said Domingo, acknowledging the came to Cannes with “Taxi Driv- ■ Robert Downey Sr., a direc- ing pimp, and “The God Committee,” which sees film’s central message continued timeliness. “It real- er” in 1976. She was just 13 at the tor and actor known for subver- Domingo as a priest bearing witness to life-and-death ly showed me what the power of what we do and how time, a sunny, freckled face in the sive comedies and roles in “To decisions. we do it can be when you put it all in there.” middle of a media storm over the Live and Die in L.A.” and “Boogie violence in Martin Scorsese’s film. Nights,” died Tuesday evening at Black-and-white photos from age 85. His son, “Iron Man” star “It’s gotta scare me a little bit. It’s gotta make me feel the time capture Foster smiling Robert Downey Jr., confirmed his next to Robert De Niro and Scor- death Wednesday with a heartfelt like I might fail. In a strange way, that’s when I thrive. sese. Even then, Foster waved off Instagram tribute to the “maver- translators and answered ques- ick filmmaker,” who helmed sev- Otherwise I feel like it doesn’t [matter].” tions at the film’s press confer- eral projects. Among them were ence in French. (Foster attended a his 1964 feature directorial debut, Colman Domingo French prep school in Los An- “Babo 73,” as well as “Putney on what attracts him to a role geles.) Swope” and “Too Much Sun.” Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 OPINION

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

Pacific BY BRENT D. SADLER fear doing so would risk ostracism and nega- since 2000 the Navy has made significant Mari Mori, [email protected] The Heritage Foundation tive career consequences. strides at increasing its racial, gender and eth- +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 he U.S. Navy has one paramount That’s what prompted two veterans, Sen. nic diversity. Its enlisted population today is CONTACT US mission: prepare to defend our na- Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Rep. Dan Crenshaw, 60% more racially diverse, 56% more gender tion and our national interests R-Texas, to establish a new whistleblower diverse, and over 300% more ethnically di- Washington Tthrough the application of violence hotline. Judging from the litany of troubling verse than 20 years ago. tel: (+1)202.886.0003 at sea. Getting and staying ready to do just that complaints flooding in, it was sorely needed. Separately, regarding discrimination, 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 is pretty much a full-time job, leaving little Gilday told lawmakers he included Kendi’s there is nothing among the recorded com- Reader letters time to dabble in politics. book and Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim plaints that suggests a major problem. Since [email protected] So why has the Navy’s senior-most officer, Crow” because he wanted his reading list to 2016, only between four to 10 cases of actual Additional contacts Adm. Michael Gilday, insisted on including present a diversity of thought. Yet the prem- discrimination have been reported annually stripes.com/contactus politically charged books on his officially en- ises of these books are not contested in any oth- in an organization of more than 600,000 uni- dorsed reading list for all naval personnel? It’s er book on the list. Nor has Gilday expressed formed and civilian members. Either the Na- OMBUDSMAN especially confounding when one considers any reservations about them. vy’s reporting system is flawed, or discrimina- Ernie Gates the lack of evidence suggesting that the Navy So what was Gilday thinking? Undoubtedly, tion is very rare. Determining which was true has a “diversity problem.” he was motivated by forces outside the Navy. should have been a job of Task Force One. The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow Gilday’s refusal to address congressional AJuly 1 memo cites the turmoil inflamed by a At the direction of the secretary of defense, of news and information, reporting any attempts by the military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s concerns about his list and his subsequent contentious presidential campaign and the the Navy conducted a single day anti-extre- independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fact-free assertions of racism are leading death of George Floyd. He responded first by mism stand-down earlier this year. Was this fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman Americans to question whether the Navy is forming a group called “Task Force One” to necessary? The Navy has been unable to pro- welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by email at [email protected], or by phone at being politicized. look into diversity and equity in the Navy. vide historical records regarding past mem- 202.886.0003. During a recent House Armed Services Task Force One’s final report sadly pro- bers separated from the Navy for extremism, Committee hearing, Gilday refused to ac- vides little raw data, only anecdotal or subjec- and the Department of Defense still struggles Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- knowledge feedback pouring in from sailors tive opinion surveys. Among its few factual with legally defining the term. days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and troubled by what they perceive as “woke” di- findings: Gilday and other Navy leaders should Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals ■ postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send versity training. When pressed on why he in- Minority junior officers enjoy higher re- course-correct to steer the service out of a po- address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, cluded Ibram X. Kendi’s problematic book tention rates than white officers. litical morass. A good first step would be to APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the ■ Department of Defense for members of the military services “How To Be An Antiracist” on his Profession- Retention rates for female officers are stop defending indefensible books like Ken- overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are al Reading Program, he offered little in the rising. di’s. unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- way of explanation. ■ There is no disparity in promotion rates Finally, and most importantly, focus on per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official His nebulous response — “I am the chief of up to midgrade level officers, while minorities facts before making future assertions of dis- channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. naval operations, not a theorist” — answered receive senior enlisted promotions at a higher crimination, systemic racism or extremism in The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or nothing. Rather, he merely doubled down on rate than whites. the ranks. Those in uniform have no business Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. the righteousness of his decision. The report did find a racial disparity favor- stoking politically charged rhetoric devoid of Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, Coming from the man who stands at the pin- ing whites in senior officer promotions and ju- facts. It serves no one well, nor does it serve religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical nacle of the Navy’s hierarchy, Gilday’s endor- nior enlisted promotions. It infers racism as our national interests. handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. sement carries enormous weight. Many sail- the reason but offers no analysis of promotion © Stars and Stripes 2021 ors who might wish to raise uncomfortable but boards to justify that conclusion. Brent Sadler is a senior fellow for naval warfare and advanced respectful questions about “woke” instruction The report acknowledges, however, that technology at The Heritage Foundation. stripes.com PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

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

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

Carpe Diem Manning 53 Electronics giant 54 Bearded beast 55 Deleted Beetle Bailey Bizarro Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 SCOREBOARD/SOCCER

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

Scoreboard ROUNDUP

American League

East Division WLPct GB Boston 54 34 .614 _ Ohtani homers in Angels’ victory Tampa Bay 51 36 .586 2½ Toronto 44 40 .524 8 New York 44 41 .518 8½ Associated Press Baltimore 28 58 .326 25 ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Central Division Ohtani hit his major league­lead­ WLPct GB ing 32nd homer, a season high by Chicago 51 35 .593 _ a Japanese player in the major Cleveland 42 42 .500 8 leagues, helping the Los Angeles Detroit 40 47 .460 11½ Angels beat the Boston Red Sox Kansas City 36 50 .419 15 5­4 on Wednesday. Minnesota 35 50 .412 15½ Fellow All­Star Jared Walsh West Division homered twice for the Angels, WLPct GB who won for the sixth time in sev­ Houston 54 33 .621 _ en games and took two of three Oakland 49 39 .557 5½ from the AL­leading Red Sox. Seattle 45 42 .517 9 Ohtani topped Hideki Matsui’s Los Angeles 44 42 .512 9½ Texas 34 53 .391 20 total with the 2004 Yankees by National League hitting a 433­foot shot to right off Eduardo Rodríguez (6­5), putting East Division the Angels ahead to stay in the WLPct GB fifth inning. The two­way star has New York 45 38 .542 _ 15 homers in his past 20 games. Washington 42 43 .494 4 Andrew Heaney (5­6) pitched Atlanta 42 44 .488 4½ six­hit ball into the sixth, and Rai­ Philadelphia 41 43 .488 4½ Miami 38 47 .447 8 sel Iglesias struck out the side in the ninth for his 18th save. Central Division Rays 4­8, Indians 0­1: Five WLPct GB pitchers combined for seven hit­ Milwaukee 52 36 .591 _ less innings to help host Tampa Cincinnati 45 41 .523 6 MARK J. TERRILL/AP Chicago 43 44 .494 8½ Bay finish a doubleheader sweep St. Louis 43 45 .489 9 of Cleveland. The Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, right, heads to first after hitting a solo home run as Boston Red Pittsburgh 32 54 .372 19 Collin McHugh (two perfect in­ Sox catcher Christian Vazquez, center, and home plate umpire Adam Beck watch during the fifth inning of West Division nings), Josh Fleming (7­4 after al­ Wednesday’s game in Anaheim, Calif. It was Ohtani’s 32nd homer of the season. 2 WLPct GB lowing one walk in 2 ⁄3 innings), San Francisco 54 32 .628 _ Diego Castillo (one out), Matt go­ahead, two­run single off Kyle seventh inning, overcoming two ished 3­for­4. Bichette drove in Los Angeles 53 34 .609 1½ Wisler (one inning) and Pete Crick (1­1) in a five­run sixth in­ homers by Joey Gallo off Casey three runs and had three hits, in­ San Diego 51 38 .573 4½ Fairbanks (one inning) combined ning and added a two­run home Mize to lead visiting Detroit past cluding a two­run drive into the Colorado 37 50 .425 17½ in a game that will not go into the run as visiting Atlanta avoided a Texas. left­field seats. Arizona 25 63 .284 30 official list of no­hitters because series sweep. Kyle Funkhouser (3­0) worked Marlins 9, Dodgers 6: Jesús Wednesday’s games it was shortened to seven innings Drew Smyly (7­3) overcame two scoreless innings. Gregory Aguilar hit a tie­breaking three­ Tampa Bay 8, Cleveland 1, 7 innings, 1st game under pandemic rules. giving up a three­run home run to Soto, Detroit’s only All­Star pick, run homer in the ninth inning and Tampa Bay 4, Cleveland 0, 7 innings, 2nd game Kevin Kiermaier homered and Jacob Stallings in the first inning got six outs for his seventh save. host Miami beat Los Angeles for Chicago White Sox 6, Minnesota 1 drove in a career­high five runs, to win his fifth straight start. White Sox 6, Twins 1: Lance the third straight game. Detroit 5, Texas 3 L.A. Angels 5, Boston 4 Vidal Bruján had an RBI single in Smyly labored through five in­ Lynn (9­3) allowed one run over Aguilar drove the sinker from Toronto 10, Baltimore 2 Houston 4, Oakland 3 his major league debut, and the nings, allowing nine hits and six innings in his first start since Dodgers reliever Edwin Uceta N.Y. Yankees 5, Seattle 4 Rays won the opener. Cleveland three walks while striking out earning a spot on the AL All­Star (0­3) over the wall in left for his Atlanta 14, Pittsburgh 3 N.Y. Mets 4, Milwaukee 3, 8 innings, 1st has lost nine in a row. four. team and took over the AL ERA 14th homer of the season and first game Milwaukee 5, N.Y. Mets 0, 7 innings, 2nd Mets 4­0, Brewers 3­5:Jacob Yankees 5, Mariners 4:Aaron lead at 1.99 in leading visiting at home. game deGrom allowed home runs to Judge capped his team’s early of­ Chicago past Minnesota. Astros 4, Athletics 3:Jose Al­ Cincinnati 5, Kansas City 2 Miami 9, L.A. Dodgers 6 Luis Urías on his fourth pitch and fensive outburst against Seattle Before the game, the White Sox tuve hit a three­run homer and Chicago Cubs 8, Philadelphia 3 Arizona 6, Colorado 4 another to Jace Peterson in the All­Star Yusei Kikuchi with his cut outfielder Adam Eaton. Kyle Tucker’s tiebreaking solo San Francisco 5, St. Louis 2 fifth on his way to a no decision in 20th home run of the season, and Chicago is 10­2 against Minne­ shot in the seventh inning lifted Washington 15, San Diego 5 the opener of host New York’s visiting New York held on for the sota this season, outscoring the host Houston over Oakland. Thursday’s games Oakland at Houston doubleheader split with Milwau­ win. Twins 91­47. The victory was the Astros’ N.Y. Yankees at Seattle kee. For the second straight game, Reds 5, Royals 2:Sonny Gray sixth straight. Toronto at Baltimore Kansas City at Cleveland His ERA up to 1.08, deGrom the Yankees scored a flurry of (2­4) gave up two runs and seven Matt Olson and Elvis Andrus Detroit at Minnesota L.A. Dodgers at Miami said he will skip the All­Star runs in the first two innings. This hits over seven innings, and Jo­ had solo homers for the Athletics, Colorado at Arizona Game. time they had to withstand Seat­ nathan India hit a go­ahead, two­ who lost for the fifth time in six Pittsburgh at N.Y. Mets Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs DeGrom allowed two runs and tle’s late rally. run double in the seventh off games. Cincinnati at Milwaukee Washington at San Diego four hits in seven innings with 10 Nationals 15, Padres 5: All­ Scott Barlow (2­3) as visiting Cin­ Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 4: Friday’s games strikeouts and no walks — his Star Juan Soto warmed up for the cinnati beat Kansas City. Eduardo Escobar had a three­run Chicago White Sox (Keuchel 6-3) at Balti- seventh start with double­digit Home Run Derby by hitting a Art Warren stranded the bases homer among his three hits and more (López 2-11) Kansas City (Keller 6-9) at Cleveland strikeouts this season. three­run shot in the first inning loaded in the eighth by retiring host Arizona beat Colorado. (TBD) Milwaukee won the second and visiting Washington pounded Hunter Dozier on an inning­end­ The Diamondbacks, owners of Toronto (Stripling 3-4) at Tampa Bay (McClanahan 3-3) game behind two­run homers by Chris Paddack and San Diego. ing flyout, and Heath Hembree the worst record in the majors at Oakland (Irvin 6-7) at Texas (Lyles 4-5) Detroit (Manning 1-2) at Minnesota Manny Pina and Urías along with Paddack (4­6) allowed nine pitched a perfect ninth for his 25­63, won consecutive games for (Maeda 4-3) Willy Adames’ solo shot. runs, eight earned, and nine hits fourth save. the first time since May 10­11, N.Y. Yankees (Cole 8-4) at Houston (Odorizzi 3-3) Cubs 8, Phillies 3: Anthony on 75 pitches in two­plus innings. Blue Jays 10, Orioles 2:Vladi­ when they beat the Miami Mar­ L.A. Angels (Cobb 6-3) at Seattle (Gon- zales 1-5) Rizzo, Joc Pederson and Nico He struck out two and walked mir Guerrero Jr. had three hits lins in back­to­back games. St. Louis (LeBlanc 0-1) at Chicago Cubs (Hendricks 10-4) Hoerner each had two hits and an one. and drove in two runs to increase Giants 5, Cardinals 2: Alex Atlanta (Morton 7-3) at Miami (Thomp- RBI to help host Chicago snap an Corbin (6­7) held the Padres to his major league­leading RBI to­ Wood pitched seven strong in­ son 2-2) Philadelphia (Velasquez 3-3) at Boston 11­game losing streak with a win two runs and seven hits in six in­ tal to 73, Bo Bichette homered nings of three­hit ball, and host (Richards 4-5) Pittsburgh (TBD) at N.Y. Mets (Stroman over Philadelphia. nings, with three strikeouts and and visiting Toronto breezed past San Francisco defeated St. Louis. 6-6) The Cubs raced to an early five­ two walks. Baltimore. Darin Ruf homered for San Cincinnati (Miley 6-4) at Milwaukee (Lauer 3-3) run lead off Wheeler and then Tigers 5, Rangers 3: Pinch­ Guerrero hit RBI singles in the Francisco. Mike Yastrzemski and Washington (Espino 2-2) at San Francis- co (Webb 4-3) added on to halt their skid. hitter Miguel Cabrera hit a go­ first and fourth innings to help Donovan Solano doubled in runs Arizona (TBD) at L.A. Dodgers (TBD) Braves 14, Pirates 3: Pinch­ ahead infield single off the glove Toronto build a 6­0 lead. He also as the Giants avoided a three­ Colorado (Freeland 1-2) at San Diego (Snell 3-3) hitter Abraham Almonte had a of reliever Joely Rodriguez in the singled in third inning and fin­ game sweep. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 NBA FINALS

NOTEBOOK Sweating with the oldies: 30-somethings abound in the Finals BY DAVID BRANDT team and they have very good play- Associated Press ers. I think the physicality and the PHOENIX — Chris Paul and his way the game was played was high- 36-year-old legs climbed onto the level; you respect that.” podium at the NBA Finals on Wednesday. He was asked to remi- Mind games nisce about things that have It was absurdly loud from the mo- changed in his game during the past ment Bucks forward Giannis Ante- 16 years. tokounmpo stepped to the line for “I’m not as athletic as I was then,” his first free-throw attempt in Game Paul said grinning. 1 on Tuesday night. But what he lacks in athleticism, It sounded like every one of the he’s made up for in other ways. He 17,000 strong at Phoenix Suns Are- was fantastic in Game 1 on Tuesday na started counting — screaming night, finishing with 32 points and out the seconds as Antetokounmpo CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/AP nine assists to lead the Phoenix Suns went through his lengthy routine. The Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton, left, attempts a shot ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks’ Brook Lopez to a 118-105 victory over the Milwau- By the end of the game, it was deaf- during Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday in Phoenix. Ayton had 22 points and 19 rebounds. kee Bucks. ening and the crowd roared each He is one of several 30-some- time he missed. things in these playoffs proving that It’s hard to say if it had much of a older legs and a little savvy can still direct effect; Antetokounmpo was carry teams a long way. 7-for-12 from the line. He’s strug- With Suns’ stars rolling, Three of the Bucks’ starting five gled shooting free throws the past — Jrue Holiday, P.J. Tucker and two playoff series, making just 44 of Brook Lopez — are at least 30 and a 88 (50%) against the Nets and the fourth, Khris Middleton, will turn Hawks. He’s made 72% from the 30 this summer. Backup point free-throw line in his career. Bucks need to step it up guard Jeff Teague recently turned “Of course, 20,000 people yelling, 33. ‘one, two, three, four,’ you notice BY BRIAN MAHONEY lenge of getting three players going Paul is the oldest player on the that,” Antetokounmpo said. “But as Associated Press Scoreboard at once. Suns, but rotation players Jae I said, like I’ve learned to embrace PHOENIX — At their best, the NBA Finals “So it’s harder than people real- Crowder and Torrey Craig are also it. Like I know it’s not going to stop.” Phoenix Suns have three players (Best-of-seven) ize,” he said. x-if necessary in their 30s. who can take over a game. Phoenix 1, Milwaukee 0 It wasn’t any problem for Phoe- Paul was the unquestioned star, Olympics got next There’s Chris Paul and Devin Phoenix 118, Milwaukee 105 nix. Paul had 32 points and nine as- Thursday: at Phoenix, AFN­Sports, shooting 12-for-19 from the field, in- Suns guard Devin Booker has a Booker, breaking down defenses 3.a.m. Friday CET; 10 a.m. Friday JKT sists, Booker added 27 points and Sunday: at Milwaukee, AFN­Sports, 2 cluding 4-for-7 from three-point message for the USA basketball from the backcourt. Deandre Ayton a.m. Monday CET; 9 a.m. Monday JKT six assists, and Ayton finished with range. Lopez was solid for Milwau- team: “I’ll be there.” has been a beast on the backboards Wednesday, July 14: at Milwaukee, AFN­ 22 points and 19 rebounds. Sports, 3 a.m. Thursday CET; 10 a.m. Thurs­ kee, scoring 17 points and making “I’ve reached out to Coach Pop,” and almost automatic as a shooter. day JKT Paul in particular wore the Bucks x-Saturday, July 17: at Phoenix, AFN­ three three-pointers. Booker said of national team coach When all three are rolling the way Sports, 3 a.m. Sunday CET; 10 a.m. Sunday out in the third quarter by exploiting Others struggled: Crowder Gregg Popovich. “I reached out to they were in Game 1 of the NBA Fi- JKT their coverage of the pick-and-roll x-Tuesday, July 20: at Milwaukee scored just one point on a free throw (Jerry) Colangelo just recently and nals, it’s easy to see why this could x-Thursday, July 22: at Phoenix whenever it ended up with a big and was 0-for-8 from the field and then I told them I saw all the guys finally be the Suns’ championship man such as Brook Lopez or Bobby missed all five of his three-point at- reported to Vegas, and the only oth- chance. pect better from Holiday, who mis- Portis switching out to defend him. tempts. Holiday hit just 4 of 14 shots. er place I would rather be is the Fi- “We have a real team,” Paul said sed 10 of his 14 shots and finished The crafty and creative All-Star Tucker was his usual self, provid- nals. But I would love to be there Wednesday, “like a team where you with just 10 points in the Suns’ 118- guard could either blow by those ing valuable defense and toughness with the guys and I’ll be there soon.” can’t just key on one guy or two 105 victory. And though he’s long players off the dribble, or step back for the Bucks. He added seven The logistics of getting from the guys.” been regarded as one of the NBA’s away from them to launch deep points. NBA Finals to Tokyo could be tight The Milwaukee Bucks are sup- top defensive guards, he wasn’t able jumpers. And with so much experience on if the series goes all seven games. posed to have the same formula. to limit either Paul or Booker — Milwaukee has faced that prob- that court, no one expects the up- Game 7 is scheduled for July 22 and Yet just when Giannis Anteto- though in fairness, maybe nobody lem before. The Bucks never got a coming games to be easy. the first game for USA Basketball at kounmpo came back, Jrue Holi- could have Tuesday. handle on the Brooklyn Nets until “It’s going to be a very hard se- the Olympics is July 25. Holiday day’s game went away. And if the Holiday said he knows what he first James Harden and then Kyrie ries,” Crowder said. “These guys and Middleton could be in the same Bucks are going to compete they needs to do offensively. Irving were injured, or Atlanta’s played very hard. They are a good situation for the Bucks. can’t afford bad nights from those “Pick my spots to be aggressive, Trae Young until he hurt his foot in two or Khris Middleton. and I think sometimes it’s gotten me the East finals. “I think in that perfect, ideal in trouble,” Holiday said. “I think Antetokounmpo said he was hav- world, all three guys are hitting and I’ve got to be aggressive from the ing no problems with his hyperex- clicking and everything is perfect,” beginning of the game. Sometimes tended left knee. He wasn’t at his Milwaukee coach Mike Budenhol- it gets just a bit difficult, or it’s just a best in Game 1 — and certainly was zer said. “But I’m guessing if you bit different, again, because we not as effective as Ayton, who hiked look at any team that has three great have another ball handler and his field-goal percentage in the post- players or three really significant somebody that’s great in transition season to an absurd 71.1% — but is players, I bet a lot of nights it’s two and makes plays for others.” looking forward to the challenge of out of three that they’re going and Holiday averaged 26 points and Game 2 before the NBA Finals re- playing well.” 11 assists in the two victories that turn to Milwaukee this weekend for Antetokounmpo had 20 points Antetokounmpo missed to end the the first time since 1974. and 17 rebounds in his return to the Eastern Conference finals. He took “Hopefully I can feel more com- lineup, and it might be hard for the at least 20 shots in both games, play- fortable, more confident to go down- Bucks to ask for much more so soon ing with an aggression without the hill, to make more plays,” Anteto- after a left knee injury that looked two-time MVP that he hasn’t always kounmpo said. “We’ll see. We’ll see. MATT YORK /AP like it could have knocked him out provided with him in the postsea- I don’t know how tomorrow is going Veteran Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, age 33, rebounds as far longer. son. to be, but hopefully I can be in a po- 36­year­old Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, looks on. But Milwaukee certainly can ex- Budenholzer said that’s the chal- sition that I can make more plays.” Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 OLYMPICS Tokyo’s state of emergency means no fans at Games

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

Messi does now. Landon Donovan wore it for the U.S. derstand what you do,” Tatum said. “He said, ‘What I Saitama and Kanagawa prefec- Stars and Stripes reporter Joseph Ditzler contrib- men’s soccer team when he led that program; it has mean by that is, the ones that really want to be great tures until Aug. 22 but will lift uted to this report. since been passed to Christian Pulisic. For the U.S. and really want to be special really take that whatever- women’s soccer team, it belongs to Carli Lloyd. it-takes mentality.’ He told me it takes sacrifice, be- For USA Basketball, it was Bryant’s. When he de- cause the ultimate question is about how much are you cided not to play in the 2016 Olympics, the number willing to give up to be great.” ended up with Kyrie Irving — another player who U.S. coach Gregg Popovich still laments that Tatum idolizes Bryant, just as Tatum does. And now, as was got hurt at that World Cup in China. That team was the case when the U.S. went to the Basketball World built for Tatum to be, as Popovich put it, “the go-to Cup two years ago, the jersey is Tatum’s. guy” — just as Bryant had been for past U.S. teams. “For JT to have this moment, I’m happy for him, When Tatum was ruled out of the World Cup with an genuinely,” U.S. center Bam Adebayo said. “I’ve ankle injury, the Americans sputtered and wound up known JT since I was 12. He deserves everything he’s finishing only seventh. getting and he’s going to keep deserving more because Popovich said Tatum is even better now. he’s such a great player. I’m happy for him. That’s his “He’s become more of a two-way player,” Popovich idol, and he gets to represent that number. I know he’s said. “He’s way more confident. He’s developed more going to have that ‘Mamba Mentality’ when he puts skills. He’s, on top of that, more aggressive and knows that 10 on.” that he can dominate people.” Adebayo is another player who makes no secret of People would say the same things about Bryant as his affinity for Bryant, the five-time NBA champion well. and now Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinee who died “I remember that first team when I was hoping, in a helicopter crash along with one of his daughters wishing, that I got No. 10,” Tatum said. “Kobe, every- EUGENE HOSHIKO/AP and seven other people in January 2020 on their way to one knows that was my favorite player. I was 15 years International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach waves to abasketball tournament. He’s worn Bryant’s shoes for old and got to wear the number of my favorite player. media upon his arrival Thursday in Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister games, and said he’s devastated that he never got to It just felt like I had some level of connection with Yoshihide Suga announced a state of emergency in Tokyo through meet him. him.” Aug. 22, meaning there will be no fans at Olympic events. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 STANLEY CUP FINAL Lightning edge Habs in Game 5 BY STEPHEN WHYNO past Canadiens stalwart Carey Associated Press Price that fired up the crowd of TAMPA, Fla. — It only took over 17,000 fans at Amalie Are- scoring once for the Tampa Bay na. Lightning to strike twice and re- The scene couldn’t have been peat as Stanley Cup champions. any further from the mirthless, Backstopped by their star empty arena where the Light- goaltender and the only two ning won the Cup last September Tampa Bay players on the ice in a quarantined bubble across without their name on the Cup, the continent in Edmonton, Al- the Lightning won it all for the berta. Tampa Bay joined Pitts- second time in 10 months by burgh as the only back-to-back beating the Montreal Canadiens Cup winner in the salary-cap 1-0 in Game 5 on Wednesday era, but even more impressively night. did it amid virus protocols with the shortest span between cham- Andrei Vasilevskiy had a se- GERRY BROOME/AP ries-ending shutout for an NHL- pionships in the long history of Lightning left wing Ross Colton (79) reacts after scoring on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price the NHL. record fifth consecutive time during the second period of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday in Tampa, Fla. dating to the 2020 final. Finish- Never losing twice in a row ing with a handful in a frantic fi- thanks to a combination of Vasi- Scoreboard Price to keep them in a game. He other title for “Champa Bay,” nal minute, he made 22 saves to levskiy’s brilliance and one of finished with 29 saves — one too with this title coming on the the deepest rosters constructed remain undefeated in games af- Stanley Cup Final few to prevent a Cup celebration heels of Tom Brady leading the ter a loss over the past two play- since the cap was implemented for Tampa Bay. Buccaneers to a Super Bowl vic- (Best-of-seven) in 2005, the Lightning solidified offs, both contested during a Tampa Bay 4, Montreal 1 The sunbelt franchise in a non- tory in February. The Tampa deadly pandemic with the Light- their status as a modern-day dy- Tampa Bay 5, Montreal 1 traditional market that didn’t Bay Rays went to the World Se- ning coming out on top each nasty. Tampa Bay 3, Montreal 1 even exist until 1992-93 went ries last fall. Tampa Bay 6, Montreal 3 time. How deep? Nikita Kucherov Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 2, OT through the NHL’s most storied Tampa Bay’s mayor had sug- Ross Colton and David Savard had 32 points to join Mario Le- Wednesday: Tampa Bay 1, Montreal 0 franchise to do it. The Lightning gested the Lightning lose Game 4 weren’t around last year and mieux as the only players to lead won the Cup for the third time in on the road so they could win at made sure to put their stamp on the postseason in scoring two and defenseman Victor Hedman franchise history and denied home, and she got her wish as Tampa Bay’s latest title run. Sa- years in a row, and Brayden all played through injuries, too. Montreal a 25th league cham- coach Jon Cooper’s team became vard set up Coleman’s goal mid- Point scored 14 goals through It was just too much for the pionship banner. the first since Chicago in 2015 to way through the second period three rounds. Kucherov, Point Canadiens, who relied again on The Lightning also added an- hoist the Cup on home ice. Repeat: Tampa Bay never lost back-to-back playoff games in either Cup run FROM PAGE 24 win situation in 22 months, not since facing Backstopped by goaltender Andrei Vasi- elimination against the Blue Jackets in levskiy posting another shutout in a clinch- 2019. This time, with Montreal already ing game and going undefeated after losses, waiting, Yanni Gourde scored the only goal Tampa Bay showed the resolve of a cham- of the night, Vasilevskiy made 18 saves and pion. Tampa Bay found a way. “There’s always big losses,” said forward “It was all a culmination of two years of Patrick Maroon, who became the fourth work,” Cooper said. player in NHL history and first in 57 years Tampa Bay was the overwhelming favor- to win the Cup three years in a row on differ- ite against the Canadiens, who brought the ent teams. “We’ve had some tough ones underdog label and an exciting blend of during the playoffs this year. It’s the way young and old talent backstopped by stand- you respond.” out goalie Carey Price. Listen to captain Steven Stamkos or vet- The Lightning shrugged off the feel-good eran defenseman Ryan McDonagh, and it’s Habs, solved Price and relied on their depth clear Cooper’s vision of navigating playoff to win it all — after they were dealt one final hockey has filtered down to his players. blow to learn and grow from. The morning There was no riding the highs or wallowing after their only loss of the Final, players at in the lows. breakfast found renewed focus. The Lightning instead learned to react “At the end of the day, you hate to lose,” well to each twist and turn, and the front of- McDonagh said. “Sometimes you hate to fice learned to build a juggernaut of a team lose more than you like to win. That’s prob- in the salary cap era that has reached the GERRY BROOME/AP ably the identity of this group.” semifinals five times in seven years and the The Lightning’s Steven Stamkos, left, and Anthony Cirelli, right, crowd left wing Ross Tampa Bay never lost back-to-back play- final three times. Colton after he scored against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday in Tampa, Fla. off games in either Cup run. It’s impossible That’s no easy task, as the players who to lose a best-of-seven series that way, and have been with Tampa since the 2015 final lines to go all in. “We can draw on those ex- cherov would not be able to play during the Tampa Bay showed why it deserves to be in loss to Chicago and beyond know well. periences to prepare for our games. ... They condensed, 56-game regular season. Tam- the modern-day dynasty conversation. Those around in 2019 remember winning made us better.” pa Bay took advantage of salary cap rules to “That’s the mentality we’ve had: Some- the Presidents’ Trophy with the league’s Perhaps it’s so difficult to repeat because bring back their superstar in time for Game times it takes four games, sometimes sev- best record and then being swept right out it is so exhausting. It’s only been done once 1 of the first round, which the Lightning en,” Stamkos said. “This group is very ma- of the playoffs in the first round at the hands since the cap era began in 2005. started on the road after losing four of six. ture in terms of realizing the task at hand.” of a harder-working, less-talented team in What the Lightning did from the time Missing the benefits of home didn’t mat- Much like the tail end of the pandemic in Columbus. they hoisted the Cup as bubble hockey ter, not after almost every NHL team be- the U.S., the Lightning are likely at the end “There’s no doubt that today those expe- champions Sept. 29 in Edmonton, Alberta, came used to playing in empty or nearly of their reign as perennial Cup contenders riences are part of our baggage,” said gen- until Wednesday night was get better from empty arenas. with roster moves on the horizon. If this run eral manager Julien BriseBois, who wasn’t each individual setback. Losing to the Islanders in overtime in has shown anything, it’s that they can lose afraid to ante up at the past two trade dead- The first challenge was finding out Ku- Game 6 put the Lightning in their first must- and still find a way to win. Friday, July 9, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 WIMBLEDON/SPORTS BRIEFS

BRIEFLY Osaka says Djokovic, Michelle Obama, others have offered support Associated Press of complaints of human rights NEW YORK — Naomi Osaka abuses in its northwest. says former first lady Michelle A boycott “will not succeed,” Obama and sports stars Novak Foreign Ministry spokesperson Djokovic, Michael Phelps and Ste- Wang Wenbin said. phen Curry were among those The British Parliament’s For- who reached out to offer support eign Affairs Committee called for after she withdrew from the the government to urge British French Open to take a mental companies to boycott the Beijing health break. Games, scheduled for February. In an essay in Time magazine’s The appeal adds to pressure on Olympic preview issue, on sale China’s ruling Communist Party Friday, Osaka — a four-time over reports of mass detentions Grand Slam champion and former and other abuses of mostly Mus- No. 1-ranked player — wrote that lim ethnic minorities in the north- KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AP she hopes “we can enact measures western region of Xinjiang. The Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova plays a return to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during Pliskova’s to protect athletes, especially the 5­7, 6­4, 6­4 semifinal win Thursday at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. fragile ones,” and suggests they be Astros’ Altuve, Correa allowed to sometimes skip media drop from All-Star Game obligations without punishment. HOUSTON — Houston Astros “There can be moments for any stars Jose Altuve and Carlos Cor- of us where we are dealing with is- rea will not play in next week’s sues behind the scenes,” the 23- Pliskova, Barty push on, All-Star Game. year-old Osaka said. “Each of us Both players were named re- as humans is going through some- serves for the game Tuesday night thing on some level.” in Denver. German rider Politt wins Altuve, a second baseman, on set up matchup in final Thursday cited needing the time Stage 12 in Nimes off to deal with unspecified “is- BY HOWARD FENDRICH ranked No. 1. She is the first woman NIMES, France — Nils Politt sues” with his left leg as his reason Associated Press Scoreboard from Australia to reach the title posted his first Tour de France for pulling out of the game. WIMBLEDON, England — It match at Wimbledon since Evonne stage win on Thursday after pull- might have been difficult for Ash Wimbledon Goolagong won the trophy 1980; ing away from a breakaway group. Hartford athletes sue to Barty to imagine that a trip to her Thursday Barty has been wearing an outfit in- The German rider from the Bo- first Wimbledon final was just At the All England Lawn Tennis and tended as a tribute to Goolagong ra-Hansgrohe team attacked from block move to Division III Croquet Club around the corner when she stop- London this fortnight. a reduced group of three riders HARTFORD, Conn. — A group ped playing at last month’s French Surface: Grass “Now to kind of give myself a with about 12 kilometers left and of athletes and student managers Women’s Singles Open with a hip injury. Semifinals chance to create some history, al- reached the finish in the southern at the University of Hartford has Ashleigh Barty (1), Australia, def. Ange- Or even when she was two points lique Kerber (25), Germany, 6-3, 7-6 (3). most in a way that’s a tribute to her, city of Nimes on his own. filed a federal lawsuit in attempt from being pushed to a third set by Karolina Pliskova (8), Czech Republic, is really exciting,” Barty said. Race leader Tadej Pogacar rode to block the school from down- def. Aryna Sabalenka (2), Belarus, 5-7, 6-4, Angelique Kerber in their semifinal 6-4. She arrived in England not hav- with all other main contenders grading its athletic programs at the All England Club. Men’s Doubles ing competed since June 3, when well behind the breakaway. The from Division I to Division III. Semifinals Barty does not let obstacles trou- Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic (1), Croa- she withdrew during her second- defending champion was expect- The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in tia, def. Rajeev Ram, United States, and Joe ble her for too long. She figures out a Salisbury (6), Britain, 7-6 (6), 6-3, 6-7 (2), 7-6 round match in Paris, in too much ed to keep the yellow jersey since U.S. District Court, argues the way. That’s why she’s ranked No. 1 (5). pain to continue. none of the breakaway riders school is breaking promises made Marcel Granollers, Spain, and Horacio and now stands one win from a sec- Zeballos (4), Argentina, def. Simone Bolel- “To be honest, it was going to be were threats in the general classi- to the athletes when they were li, Italy, and Maximo Gonzalez, Argentina, fication. ond Grand Slam title after beating 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3). touch-and-go. Everything had to be recruited to Hartford, including 2018 champion Kerber 6-3, 7-6 (3) Mixed Doubles spot on to give myself a chance to that “they would be able to partici- Third Round China slams Olympic on Thursday. Kveta Peschke, Czech Republic, and Ke- play pain-free and to play knowing pate in a Division I athletic pro- “I’ve had ups and downs and ev- vin Krawietz (9), Germany, def. Rajeev that I could trust my body,” Barty boycott discussion gram for up to five years.” Ram and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (5), Unit- erything in between and I wouldn’t ed States, walkover. said. “If you told me a month ago BEIJING — China on Thursday The university’s Board of Re- change one day or one moment or we’d be sitting in this position, I re- criticized what it called the “poli- gents voted in May to make the one, kind of, road that we’ve taken in she’s dropped in six matches, Plis- ally wouldn’t have thought that we ticization of sports” after British transition to Division III after a my path and my journey,” said Bar- kova “got a bit frustrated,” she ac- would even get close.” lawmakers urged a boycott of the consultant’s report concluded the ty, who was the 2011 junior cham- knowledged afterward. On Thursday, she faced a big test 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics un- move could save the school more pion at the All England Club and But she went 1-for-1 in that cate- in the second set, which Kerber was less China allows an investigation than $9 million a year. stepped away from tennis for al- gory in each of the last two sets. two points from owning when Barty most two years starting in 2014 be- “It was just super important to served at deuce while trailing 5-2. cause of burnout. “It’s been unique. stay in the game, stay focused,” said The full-capacity crowd was back- It’s been incredible. It’s been tough. Pliskova, whose coach, Sascha Ba- ing the comeback effort for the 33- There have been so many things jin, used to work with Naomi Osaka year-old German, too, with shouts of that led to this point.” and was Serena Williams’ hitting “Come on, Angie!” and “Go on, Ker- Her opponent in Saturday’s final partner. “That’s what I did.” ber!” will be No. 8 seed Karolina Pliskova, Neither she nor Barty had ever But Barty steeled herself to hold who emerged from a power-hitting been past the fourth round at the there, then broke to get within 5-4 and serving display to come back to grass-court Grand Slam tourna- with a cross-court forehand passing defeat No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka 5-7, ment. winner. 6-4, 6-4. Pliskova, a 29-year-old from the That was part of a 38-16 advan- Pliskova produced 14 aces, Saba- Czech Republic, was the runner-up tage in total winners for Barty, re- lenka 18. The difference: Pliskova at the 2016 U.S. Open to three-time sponsible more than anything else was broken just once, Sabalenka major champion Kerber and used for her triumph. And this was re- twice. to be ranked No. 1. markable: She compiled that many CHRISTOPHE ENA/AP After going 0-for-8 on break The 25-year-old Barty won the point-ending shots while making Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, points in the first set, the first set 2019 French Open and is currently only 16 unforced errors. speeds in a tuck in the twelfth stage of the Tour de France. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 9, 2021 Tatum taking up ‘10’ SPORTS Celtics star to wear Kobe’s number with Team USA ›› Olympics, Page 21

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

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

SEE REPEAT ON PAGE 22

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

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

Angels’ Ohtani hits home run No. 32 in win over Red Sox ›› Page 19