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Volume 80 Edition 90A ©SS 2021 CONTINGENCY EDITION SATURDAY,AUGUST 21, 2021 Free to Deployed Areas Reported Taliban killings fuel Afghans’ fears

BY AHMAD SEIR, TAMEEM AKHGAR AND DAIVD RISING Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan — Re- ports of targeted killings in areas overrun by the Taliban mounted Friday, fueling fears that they will return Afghanistan to the repres- sive rule they imposed when they were last in power, even as they urged imams to push a message of unity at Friday’s prayers. Terrified that the new de facto rulers would commit such abuses and despairing for their country’s future, thousands have raced to Kabul’s airport and border cross- ings following the Taliban’s stun- ning blitz through Afghanistan. In one dramatic image, a U.S. Ma- rine providing airport security re- ached over razor wire atop a bar- rier and plucked a baby by the arm from a crowd of people and pulled it up over the wall. Others have taken to the streets to protest the takeover — acts of defiance that Taliban fighters have violently suppressed. The Taliban say they have be- come more moderate since they last ruled Afghanistan in the late 1990s and have pledged to restore security and forgive those who fought them in the 20 years since a U.S.-led invasion. Ahead of Friday prayers, leaders urged imams to use sermons to appeal for unity ISAIAH CAMPBELL/U.S. Marine Corps Marines with the 24th Expeditionary Unit guide an evacuee during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, SEE FEARS ON PAGE 4 Wednesday. U.S. soldiers and Marines are assisting the Department of State with a drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. ‘Chaos continues’ for thousands of Afghans at Kabul airport

BY ZUBAIR BABAKARKHAIL the gates of Hamid Karzai Inter- the post. first two days after the Taliban Stars and Stripes national Airport, where women Things appeared calmer else- took power,” the driver said. “Still KABUL, Afghanistan — Thou- and children covered their faces where in the city of more than 4 we are worried about the future. sands of Afghans waited in the Ka- to avoid the sting of the gas. million, though fear of the new Ta- We don’t know what’s going to bul heat outside the capital’s inter- At least five people were recent- liban regime continues to keep happen next, but it’s not as scary national airport Friday with hopes ly injured by gunfire and were tak- daily life on hold for many. as it was before.” of crossing Taliban checkpoints en from the airport to the capital’s Banks and larger stores re- However, the closed banks have and boarding an evacuation flight, surgical center run by the Italian mained closed, though some some who spoke with Stars and despite enduring tear gas attacks nonprofit Emergency, the organi- smaller shops were slowly reo- Stripes worried that other resi- Stars and Stripes and crackling warning shots the zation said Friday on Twitter. pening, said a taxi driver who dents could run out of money to Crowds of men, women and night before. “The chaos continues in that ar- asked not to be named for safety pay for food. children wait outside Kabul’s Tracer rounds arced in the dark ea,” said the facility’s medical co- reasons. international airport Thursday. sky above a large crowd outside ordinator Alberto Zanin, quoted in “It was very scary during the SEE CHAOS ON PAGE 4 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER FTC revises antitrust complaint against Facebook EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1181.33 Associated Press attorneys general that were among WhatsApp in 2014. Switzerlnad (Franc) 0.9174 Euro costs (Aug. 23) $1.14 Thailand (Baht) 33.35 WASHINGTON — Federal regu- multiplying efforts by federal and Facebook said the FTC was at- Dollar buys (Aug. 23) 0.8348 Turkey (NewLira) 8.5070 British pound (Aug. 23) $1.33 lators have sharpened their anti- state regulators to rein in tech titans’ tempting to revive a meritless law- Japanese yen (Aug. 23) 107.00 (Military exchange rates are those available trust attack against Facebook, alleg- market power. The FTC again is suit and said it will vigorously de- South Korean won (Aug. 23) 1147.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ ing in a revised complaint Thursday seeking remedies that could include fend itself against what it said is an many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) 0.3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ that the social network giant pur- a forced spinoff of Facebook’s pop- effort to rewrite antitrust laws. Britain (Pound) 1.3628 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2860 your local military banking facility. Commercial sued a laser-focused strategy to ular Instagram and WhatsApp “There was no valid claim that China(Yuan) 6.5002 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.3682 “buy or bury” rivals to suppress messaging services, or a restructur- Facebook was a monopolist — and Egypt (Pound) 15.7004 when buying currency. All figures are foreign competition. ing of the company. that has not changed,” the company Euro 0.8564 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7903 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ It is the Federal Trade Commis- The agency’s lawsuit last Decem- based in Menlo Park, Calif., said in a Hungary (Forint) 299.85 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2409 sion’s second antitrust run at the ber alleged Facebook engaged in a prepared statement. “Our acquisi- Japan (Yen) 109.84 INTEREST RATES company. A federal judge in June “systematic strategy” to eliminate tions of Instagram and WhatsApp Kuwait(Dinar) 0.3011 Norway (Krone) 9.0455 Prime rate 3.25 dismissed antitrust lawsuits its competition, including by pur- were reviewed and cleared many Philippines (Peso) 50.31 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.93 Federal funds market rate 0.09 brought against Facebook by the chasing smaller up-and-coming ri- years ago, and our platform policies Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7501 3­month bill 0.06 agency and a broad coalition of state vals like Instagram in 2012 and were lawful.” Singapore (Dollar) 1.3625 30­year bond 1.88 WEATHER OUTLOOK SATURDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST SATURDAY IN EUROPE SUNDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 70/67

Kabul Seoul 79/71 Baghdad 109/76 Osan Tokyo Drawsko 81/74 Kandahar Mildenhall/ Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 66/56 79/76 66/59 Iwakuni Kuwait City 80/77 Bahrain Brussels Zagan Sasebo 101/85 96/91 Ramstein 70/57 81/78 Guam 77/59 77/55 83/80 Riyadh Lajes, Azores Stuttgart 105/81 Doha Pápa 104/87 74/71 79/58 Aviano/ 80/61 Vicenza 83/62

Naples 87/72 Okinawa Morón 83/80 96/67 Sigonella Djibouti Rota 90/71 The weather is provided by the 80/70 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 103/85 80/74 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Health & Fitness ...... 13 Comics/Crossword ...... 17 Movies ...... 14 Opinion ...... 16 Sports ...... 19-24 Video Games ...... 12 Saturday, August 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY No charges in Fort Sill sexual assault probe BY ROSE L. THAYER my Criminal Investigation Com- issued Thursday. “On those through the investigative process, “The CID team included the Ar- Stars and Stripes mand, known as CID, led an inves- grounds, military prosecutors de- Kamper said. my’s most experienced sexual as- Army prosecutors have deter- tigation into the incidents. During termined that this case should not “We conducted a full and thor- sault investigators,” officials said mined no charges should be filed the investigation, two more sol- come to me because they had no ough investigation into the recent in a statement. against multiple instructors at Fort diers in training came forward probable cause to believe the alle- sexual assault reports and dedicat- They conducted more than 700 Sill, Okla., who were accused of with allegations of incidents of sex- gations occurred.” ed significant investigative re- interviews, reviewed more than sexually assaulting a solider in ual assault that were incorporated Those implicated in the allega- sources to ensure we uncovered 5,000 pages of documents, per- training, base officials announced into the investigation, according to tions were informed they will re- the facts and evidence,” he said. formed the digital forensic analysis Thursday. the base. turn to their Army careers, officials “We encourage reporting and take of more than 100,000 text messag- The female trainee on March 27 All three soldiers were training said. Prosecutors reviewed possi- all reports of sexual harassment or es, and viewed thousands of hours reported that she was the victim of at the Fires Center of Excellence, ble charges in the Uniform Code of assault seriously with an absolute of security camera footage of times multiple incidents of sexual assault which conducts training and edu- Military Justice, but determined commitment to fully investigate and locations of the allegations. at various times and locations cation for enlisted soldiers and offi- there was no evidence to substan- every report to determine the facts CID consulted with other law en- while attending training at Fort Sill cers working in the fields of air de- tiate any of the allegations, accord- and evidence in order to take ap- forcement agencies, including the earlier in the year. Base officials fense artillery and field artillery. ing to base officials. propriate actions.” FBI, according to Fort Sill. have only said “numerous” in- “In order to bring this case to me The trainees who reported the More than 30 CID agents from “I am confident that this investi- structors were implicated in her al- for court-martial, they needed to allegations are no longer in the Ar- across the country were involved gation was full and thorough. I have legations. establish probable cause that the my, but for unrelated reasons, base in the case and they documented confidence in the independent mil- Following the soldier’s report, an allegations in question occurred,” officials said. They did not elabo- 3,000 hours of investigative work, itary prosecutors’ determination,” unknown number of personnel Maj. Gen. Ken Kamper, command- rate further. according to the base. The majority Kamper said. were suspended, including those er of the base and the Fires Center All those involved had access to had advanced sexual assault inves- named in the allegations, and Ar- of Excellence, said in a statement all support and services necessary tigation training. [email protected] Navy pilot program uses smart watches, rings to track sleep

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS determine when and for how long Stars and Stripes the person sleeps, similar to an Ap- SAN DIEGO — The Navy is ask- ple Watch. ing some sailors to wear devices “(Wearables) are going to get such as smart watches and smart closer to the truth,” he said. “In our rings to monitor their sleep after other sleep studies that we've con- exhausted ship crews was found to ducted at NHRC, we see this reoc- be a leading cause behind two col- curring theme where people tend lisions involving destroyers that to overestimate the time that they left 17 sailors dead, according to slept or the time in bed that they the Naval Health Research Cen- had.” ter. So far, the NHRC has conducted The new devices, called “weara- trials twice with the crew of the bles,” are part of a new push to de- USS Essex, a landing helicopter velop a “digital real-time fatigue dock ship, Markwald said. They al- monitoring and management ca- so plan to use the smart devices on pability for the fleet” that can be the guided-missile destroyers USS used to optimize watch-bill sched- Fitzgerald and USS Higgins and PHOTOS BY CAITLIN BOORNBOS/Stars and Stripes uling and staffing decisions based littoral combat ship USS Manches- Rachel Markwald, a sleep and human performance research physiologist for the Naval Health Research on sailors’ fatigue risk, said Rachel ter. All of the ships are homeported Center in San Diego wears a smart ring used to assess sailor fatigue on Tuesday. Markwald, a sleep and human per- in San Diego. formance research physiologist at If the pilot program goes well, Naval Surface Force Pacific and NHRC, which studies medical and Markwald said she could foresee a Naval Surface Force Atlantic then psychological factors that affect time when all sailors will wear the updated that policy in December, sailors’ performance and readin- devices so ship commanders and ordering “sailors must be given ess. schedule-makers could use the the opportunity to obtain a mini- “You can't manage what you're daily sleep data to determine who mum of 7.5 hours of sleep per 24- not monitoring,” Markwald said. might not be rested enough to safe- hour day.” “So, if you imagine a department ly drive the ship. However, Markwald co-author- head who's looking at a dashboard The Navy has been doubling ed a report in June using self-re- with their crew and you can see down on its efforts to address sail- ported data and sleep deficiency who's well rested versus who's not, or exhaustion after a comprehen- that found sailors report getting an then you can basically pull out sive review published in Novem- average of 5.5 hours of sleep per from that if someone has a high fa- ber 2017 found fatigue played a A cell phone app displays data pulled from smart devices that analyze day, primarily due to their work- tigue level because of sleep depri- role in two fatal collisions that sleep patterns. loads. vation.” year. The June report found the policy The use of smart devices in the On June 17, 2017, the USS Fitz- new study is more than just a think about it like sleep depriva- changes represented “important program will help record more ac- gerald collided with a Philippine- health study on sleep, but “it’s an tion is the hazard, which it is, progress towards improving sleep curate data than the self-reported flagged container ship off Japan’s operational risk management what's that level of risk?” while underway,” but said “opti- surveys used in previous sleep southern coast, killing 7 sailors. tool.” Following the review on the mizing workload scheduling may studies done by the center at Naval Two months later, 10 sailors died “One of the things you want to do deadly crashes, the Navy issued an further help to enhance sleep in Base Point Loma in San Diego, when the USS John S. McCain col- in an operational risk manage- instruction directing leaders to en- this environment,” which the new Markwald said. lided with a Liberian tanker near ment approach is identify hazards sure sailors get a minimum of 7 pilot program aims to accomplish. The devices are worn as a watch the Strait of Malacca between Ma- or threats, and then you assess the hours of sleep per day that’s mostly or a ring and collect the user’s laysia and Singapore. level of risk associated with that uninterrupted to support better [email protected] movement and heart rate data to Markwald said that’s why the hazard,” Markwald said. “So, if we sleep cycles for restfulness. Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 AFGHANISTAN Fears: Many not sure if abuse from top or rogue forces

FROM PAGE 1 dence that the Taliban have and urge people not to flee the rounded up Afghans on a blacklist country. of people they believe worked in But many Afghans are skepti- key roles with the previous Af- cal, fearing that the Taliban will ghan administration or with U.S.- erase the gains, especially for led forces. women, achieved in the past two In an email, the executive direc- decades. An Amnesty Internation- tor of the RHIPTO Norwegian al report provided more evidence Center for Global Analyses said Friday that undercut the Taliban’s the organization knew about sev- claims they have changed. eral threat letters sent to Afghans, The rights group said that its re- including a man who was taken searchers spoke to eyewitnesses from his Kabul apartment this in Ghazni province who recounted week by the Taliban. how the Taliban killed nine ethnic “We had access to hard copies Hazara men in the village of Mun- of concrete letters issued and darakht from July 4 to July 6. It stamped by the Taliban Military VICTOR MANCILLA, U.S. MARINE CORPS/AP said six of the men were shot, and Commission to this effect,” said Civilians prepare to board a plane during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, three were tortured to death. Haz- Christian Nellemann. A report Afghanistan, on Wednesday. aras are Shiite Muslims who were from the group that was obtained previously persecuted by the Tali- by The Associated Press included But Spanish Defense Minister ban and who made major gains in a copy of one of the letters. “[The recent killings are] a Margarita Robles said Friday that education and social status in re- The AP could not independently its military transport planes are cent years. verify the claims made by the reminder of the Taliban’s past leaving Kabul partly empty in the The brutality of the killings was group. tumult. “a reminder of the Taliban’s past Under the Taliban’s previous record and a horrifying indicator of “Nobody’s in control of the sit- record and a horrifying indicator rule, women were largely con- uation,” Robles told Spanish pub- of what Taliban rule may bring,” fined to their homes, television what Taliban rule may bring.” lic radio RNE. said Agnes Callamard, the head of and music were banned, and pub- Getting to the facility is also a Amnesty International. lic executions were held regular- Agnes Callamard major challenge. Germany was The group warned that many ly. But leaders of the movement head of Amnesty International sending two helicopters to Kabul more killings may have gone un- have pledged more moderation to help bring small numbers of reported because the Taliban cut this time. bul’s airport, where a chaotic crowd. A spokesman from the Ma- people from elsewhere in the city cellphone services in many areas It’s not clear whether the re- evacuation is underway. rine Corps, Maj. Jim Stenger, con- to the airport, officials said. they captured. ports of abuses indicate that Tali- Mohammad Naim, who said he firmed that the Marine was a As concerns mount about what Separately, Reporters without ban leaders are saying one thing used to be an interpreter for U.S. member of the 24th Marine Expe- a Taliban government will look Borders expressed alarm at the but doing another or whether they forces, has been in the airport ditionary Unit and said the baby like, the group’s leaders are meet- news that Taliban fighters killed a simply do not have full control crowd for four days trying to es- was “cared for by medical profes- ing with some officials from previ- family member of an Afghan jour- over their forces. cape. He said put his children on sionals.” ous Afghan administrations. nalist working for Germany’s The scale and speed of their the roof of a car on the first day to No additional information was An Afghan official familiar with Deutsche Welle on Wednesday. takeover seems to have chal- save them from being crushed by given about the baby or its family, those talks indicated nothing The broadcaster said fighters lenged the leadership’s ability to the mass of people. He saw other and it was not clear when the in- would come of them before the conducted house-to-house search- control their fighters. In Kabul, children killed who were unable to cident happened. last U.S. troops leave, currently es for their reporter, who had al- for instance, there have been re- get out of the way. The United States is struggling planned for Aug. 31. ready relocated to Germany. It ports of fighters promising securi- He urged others not to the come to pick up the pace of evacuations The Taliban’s lead negotiator, said the Taliban also raided the ty to major news outlets, but also to airport. it is running from Afghanistan, Anas Haqqani, has said the group homes of at least three of its jour- examples of them intimidating “It is a very, very crazy situation where thousands of Americans agreed with the U.S. to “do noth- nalists. business owners. right now,” he said. and their Afghan allies may be in ing” until after that date, accord- Meanwhile, a Norway-based Amid the uncertainty, thou- A widely seen video shared on need of escape. European coun- ing to the official, who spoke on private intelligence group that sands have tried to flee the coun- social media showed some of the tries are also working to bring condition of anonymity because provides information to the Unit- try, braving checkpoints manned chaos when a U.S. Marine at the their citizens and those who have he was not authorized to give in- ed Nations said it obtained evi- by Taliban fighters to rush to Ka- airport pulled a baby out of the worked with them out. formation to the media. Chaos: Afghan journalists, ex-government officials fear Taliban wrath FROM PAGE 1 is just waiting to see if they come ghan journalist. sions of Afghanistan’s elite were come to his house and restyle his There seem to be fewer Taliban to their door.” “I do not have any hope,” said located. hair and beard into something on the roads and fewer check- Many in Kabul are remaining in the reporter, who lives in southern “I’m worried because I drove more acceptable to the hard-line points, the taxi driver said. their homes for fear of the Tali- Afghanistan and communicated foreign customers into the Green Islamist group. “But let’s see,” he said. “Maybe ban’s patrols and checkpoints, via Facebook. Zone all the time,” the driver said. “This is what we have to do they are in the process of organiz- said one Afghan journalist via Even those who haven’t worked “Maybe if the Taliban find [secu- now,” he said. “The barber’s shop ing and soon we’ll see more of Facebook Messenger. for the government or foreign rity camera] footage, they’ll iden- has been closed since the Taliban them again.” “We are afraid of their beat- forces are scared that they might tify my car and think that I helped took over, but he says he’s getting Others worry about the mili- ings,” said the radio presenter, still be suspected of aiding the Ta- the U.S. forces somehow.” a lot of home calls because people tants making house calls, one Ka- who asked not to be named. liban’s enemies. Much of the taxi firm’s interna- need to change their style.” bul resident said. While the militants say they The militants now control the tional clientele has left the coun- “The Taliban have been going have no intention of harming international section of the city, try, and the driver said he doesn’t door-to-door searching for people media and people affiliated with known as the Green Zone, where know how long he’ll have a job. Stars and Stripes reporter Zubair Babakarkhail reported from Kabul. Chad Garland, J.P. Lawrence who used to work for the govern- the former government, no one many foreign embassies, interna- Hoping to adapt to the new Tali- and Phillip Walter Wellman reported from ment,” the person said. “Everyone believes them, said another Af- tional news agencies and the man- ban rule, he called a barber to Kaiserslautern, Germany. Saturday, August 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 AFGHANISTAN Ramstein Air Base readies for possible evacuees

BY KARIN ZEITVOGEL The U.S.’s goal was to evacuate “as Stars and Stripes many as we can, as fast as we can,” Penta- KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — gon spokesman John Kirby told reporters Ramstein Air Base is preparing for the the same afternoon. possible arrival of Afghanistan evacuees Thousands of American citizens are on multiple flights, base officials said Fri- among those still waiting to be airlifted out day. of Afghanistan, but most seeking to be “This is still an evolving situation,” 86th evacuated are Afghans, including inter- Airlift Wing officials said in a brief state- preters and journalists who worked with ment to Stars and Stripes. It was unclear if Americans in the 20 years that they were or when anyone from Afghanistan would in the country. arrive, the statement said. Images of the airlift operation have The uncertainty didn’t stop airmen from shown a U.S. Air Force C-17 carrying 823 doing what they could to try to help people people — among the most ever carried in fleeing from Afghanistan after the Tali- the massive military cargo plane — and of ban’s swift takeover. Afghans falling to their deaths after cling- Orderly rows of military cots stood in a ing to the sides of another C-17 as it took off hangar near the flight line as airmen and from Kabul. spouses worked late into the night Thurs- But the mother of one airman flying a day in a nearby building, sorting through C-17 transporter in and out of Kabul said donations of toiletries, baby items, toys, one image embodied the Air Force’s mis- clothes and soccer balls. sion — a picture showing an Afghan child “We put ourselves in their shoes — if we sleeping on the floor of a C-17, cloaked in had to escape some terrible force and we KARIN ZEITVOGEL/Stars and Stripes an airman’s jacket for warmth. left all of our things behind, what would we Andrew Wilder, an Air Force first sergeant, front left, and volunteers sort through That image “pulls at our heartstrings” need when we got to a safe place?” Andrew donated goods at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Thursday. The donations were collected and underlines the “sense of duty, sense of Wilder, an Air Force first sergeant, said as for evacuees from Afghanistan, who were expected to arrive at the base. purpose that airmen feel, doing what we he and half a dozen volunteers organized can to help people who need help, no mat- carloads of goods donated by members of “women’s clothing.” those displaced by recent flooding in the ter who they are,” Wilder said. the Kaiserslautern military community In the few hours since the appeal for do- northern part of Rheinland-Pfalz state, “Helping the folks who have helped us, ahead of the anticipated arrivals. nations was launched on a Facebook page volunteer Megan O’Donnell said. in any way we can, regardless of whether “Our effort right now is focused on sup- used by thousands of members of the mil- Some 7,000 people have been evacuated we served in Afghanistan or not, means porting them when they get here, if they itary community, Ramstein airmen had on U.S. military flights out of Kabul’s Ha- something to all of us,” he said. get here, for as long as they're here, with collected a roomful of clothing and other mid Karzai International Airport since some of the things they might need,” he items for any evacuees who might arrive. Saturday, Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor, Stars and Stripes reporters Jennifer Svan and Marcus Kloeckner said as a volunteer dropped a blouse into a If no one showed up, the items would be the Joint Staff’s deputy director for region- contributed to this report. box marked in Sharpie with the words donated to needy German families, such as al operations, said Thursday. [email protected] Twitter: @StripesZeit Number ‘Top priority’ for NATO of Afghans is evacuating people Stars and Stripes Armin Laschet, the conserva- on flight NATO’s top official on Friday tive candidate to succeed Angela urged the Taliban to allow thou- Merkel as Germany’s chancellor, sands of foreigners and Afghans has described the deadly chaos in revised seeking to leave Afghanistan as “the biggest deba- Kabul to get to cle that NATO has suffered since Stars and Stripes the city’s interna- its founding.” And Slovenian An Air Force cargo jet did in- tional airport. Prime Minister Janez Jansa said it deed rescue more than 800 Af- “The alliance’s was the “greatest defeat for NATO ghans from Kabul earlier this top priority is to in history.” week, Air Mobility Command said get people out Other policymakers have said Friday, after accounting for 183 and continue our the European Union needs to ur- children omitted from the original operations at Ka- gently create a military force inde- Stoltenberg count of evacuees flown out bul airport,” Sec- pendent of the United States and aboard the aircraft. retary-General Jens Stoltenberg NATO. The U.S. began evacuating gov- said while addressing an emer- About 6,000 U.S. troops and ernment personnel, American ci- gency meeting of NATO foreign nearly 1,000 British soldiers, as tizens and vulnerable Afghans last ministers. well as French special forces, have weekend as the Taliban swiftly “The main challenge we face is taken control of the sprawling air- took over Afghanistan after 20 ensuring that people can reach and port on the outskirts of Kabul. years of war. enter Kabul airport,” Stoltenberg “The establishment of security The total number whisked away said in his opening remarks at the at the airport has been critical,” Sunday aboard the Air Force C-17 virtual meeting. “We expect the Stoltenberg said. Globemaster III was 823 passen- Taliban to allow for a safe passage Hundreds of NATO staffers and gers, “a record for this aircraft,” of all foreign nationals and Af- contractors are now playing a vital AMC said on Twitter. ghans seeking to depart the coun- role in keeping the evacuation “The initial count of 640 inad- U.S. Air Force try.” flights going, including air traffic vertently included only adults,” A U.S. Air Force C­17 Globemaster III transports over 820 Afghan In the past week, NATO has control, essential airport services the command said. citizens from Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport in been criticized by European poli- and communications, he said. The count was based on the Afghanistan on Sunday. The original count released by the Air Force ticians and analysts for what they During Friday’s meeting, the number of bus seats filled when didn’t include 183 children. consider its failures in Afghanis- foreign ministers of NATO’s 30 the passengers departed the air- tan. In particular, they blame NA- member nations would also con- craft, the command said, and A photo of the crowded cargo published Monday by Defense TO for not anticipating a lightning sider the medium- and longer- didn’t account for the children sit- bay of the 174-foot-long aircraft One and confirmed by AMC in a Taliban takeover and not having term challenges the alliance faces ting on others’ laps. and details of the flight were first tweet on Tuesday. proper evacuation plans. in Afghanistan, he said. PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 AFGHANISTAN US allies, once supporters, now criticize Biden

BY RAF CASERT tan remains today what it has al- Associated Press ways been: preventing a terrorist BRUSSELS — Well before attack on American homeland,” President Joe Biden took office could have come from a Trump early this year, the European speech. Union’s foreign policy chief sang EU Council President Charles his praises and hailed a new era in Michel underscored the different cooperation. So did almost all of stances when he said in a tweet Washington’s Western allies. Thursday that the “rights of Af- The EU’s Josep Borrell was ghanis, notably women & girls, glad to see the end of the Trump will remain our key concern: all era, with its America First, and EU instruments to support them sometimes America Only policy, should be used.” PHIL NOBLE, POOL/AP enthralled by Biden’s assertion French Parliamentarian Natha- French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, and U.S. President Joe Biden, second right, speaks as that he would “lead, not merely by lie Loiseau, a former Europe min- they walk on the boardwalk during arrivals for the G7 meeting at St. Ives, Cornwall, England, on June 11. the example of our power, but by ister for President Emmanuel Ma- the power of our example.” cron, put the unexpected EU-Bi- den’s decision to withdraw all U.S. in Afghanistan, was one of several Biden to stand shoulder-to- shoul- Sunday’s collapse of Kabul, den disconnect more bluntly: “We forces from Afghanistan by the British lawmakers taking offense. der in taking effective measures at triggered by Biden’s decision to lived a little bit the great illusion,” 20th anniversary of 9/11.” “To see their commander-in- the November COP26 global con- get out of Afghanistan and a U.S. she said. “We thought America “At a stroke, he has undermined chief call into question the cour- ference in Glasgow, Scotland, to military unable to contain the was back, while in fact, America the patient and painstaking work age of men I fought with, to claim speed up action to counter global chaos since, certainly put a stop to withdraws.” of the last five, 10, 15 years to build that they ran, is shameful,” Tu- warming. that. Even some of his biggest fans It was no better in Germany, up governance in Afghanistan, de- gendhat said. Europe and Washington also are now churning out criticism. where a leading member of Ger- velop its economy, transform its Chris Bryant, from the opposi- have enough trade disagreements Borrell was among them, this man Chancellor Angela Merkel’s civil society and build up its secu- tion Labour Party, called Biden’s to settle to realize that despite the time aghast at Biden’s contention center-right Union bloc, Bavaria rity forces,” Dannatt said remarks about Afghan soldiers, debacle of Afghanistan, there is that “our mission in Afghanistan Gov. Markus Soeder, called on Wednesday in Parliament. “some of the most shameful com- much more that unites than di- was never supposed to have been Washington to provide funding “The people had a glimpse of a ments ever from an American vides them. A need for American nation-building,” coming in the and shelter to those fleeing Af- better life — but that has been torn president.” power and help remains, even in wake of Western efforts over ghanistan, since “the United away.” In Prague this week, Czech Afghanistan. much of the past two decades to States of America bear the main Biden has pointed to the Trump president Milos Zeman said that, Before Friday’s meeting of NA- sow the seeds of the rule of law and responsibility for the current sit- administration deal negotiated “by withdrawing from Afghanis- TO foreign ministers, some Alli- assure protection for women and uation.” with the Taliban 18 months earlier tan, the Americans have lost their ance nations have acknowledged minorities. Even in the United Kingdom, in Doha, Qatar, which he says status of global leader.” they will be pleading to Washing- “State-building was not the pur- which has always prided itself on bound him to withdraw U.S. But despite all the criticism, ton to stay even longer in Afghan- pose? Well, this is arguable,” a de- its “special relationship” with troops, as setting the stage for the there is no doing without the Unit- istan than it will take to bring all jected Borrell said of Biden’s Washington and needs U.S. good- chaos now engulfing the country. ed States on the global stage. U.S. citizens home, wanting to stance, which has come under will to overcome the impact of Still, Biden putting much of the America remains vital to the make sure their people get out too. criticism in much of Europe. leaving the EU, barbs were com- blame on Afghan forces for not Western allies in a series of other “We and a number of other And for many Europeans steep- ing from all angles. protecting their nation has not issues, in particular taking action countries are going to the Ameri- ed in soft power diplomacy to ex- Former British Army chief Ri- gone down well with Western al- against global warming. cans to say: ‘Stay as long as possi- port Western democratic values, chard Dannatt said, “the manner lies, either. After climate change disasters ble, possibly longer than neces- Biden’s assertion that, “our only and timing of the Afghan collapse Conservative Parliament mem- across much of the globe this year, sary,’” Dutch Minister of Foreign vital national interest in Afghanis- is the direct result of President Bi- ber Tom Tugendhat, who fought the EU will be counting heavily on Affairs Sigrid Kaag said. Harris’ Asia trip carries new urgency after Afghan collapse BY ALEXANDRA JAFFE the future for women and girls in in Afghanistan, but also the chal- June when her first major trip Hsien Loong and deliver remarks Associated Press Afghanistan with the Taliban back lenge of China that looms partic- abroad took her to Guatemala and on a U.S. combat ship visiting Sin- WASHINGTON — The Taliban in power. ularly large in Vietnam,” said Mexico. Her unequivocal warning gapore. takeover of Afghanistan has given But there are also substantial Brett Bruin, who served as global to migrants not to come to the U.S. On Tuesday, she plans to deliv- new urgency to Vice President risks. A longtime district attorney engagement di- angered some progressive Demo- er a speech outlining the U.S. vi- Kamala Harris’ tour of southeast and former senator, Harris is rector during the crats while doing little to mollify sion for engagement in the region, Asia, where she will attempt to re- largely untested in international Obama adminis- Republican critics who said the and participate in an event with assure allies of American resolve diplomacy and foreign policy. Her tration and was a administration wasn’t doing business leaders focused on sup- following the chaotic end of a two- swing through Vietnam could longtime diplo- enough to address a growth of ply chain issues. decade war. draw unwanted comparisons be- mat. “On a good crossings at the southern border. Harris then heads to Vietnam, a The trip, which begins Friday tween the humiliating withdrawal day, it’s walking She’ll have a fresh chance to country that holds both strategic and includes stops in Singapore of U.S. troops there in 1975 and the a tightrope. On a make a global impression when and symbolic significance for the and Vietnam, will provide a forum tumultuous effort this week to not so good day, she arrives in Singapore, the an- U.S. Leaders there have echoed Harris for Harris to assert herself more evacuate Americans and allies it’s walking a chor of the U.S. naval presence in U.S. concerns about the rise of directly in foreign affairs. She will from Afghanistan. And it’s all hap- tightrope while leading an ele- southeast Asia. neighboring China and the poten- have opportunities to affirm what pening in the shadow of China, phant across. There’s just an enor- On Monday, Harris will speak tial threat that could pose to global she and President Joe Biden view whose growing influence worries mous set of issues that she will run with Singapore President Hali- security. But it’s also a nation as core American values, includ- some U.S. policymakers. into from the moment that Air mah Yacob over the phone, partic- etched into American history as ing human rights. That’s especial- “She’s walking into a hornet’s Force Two touches down.” ipate in a bilateral meeting with the site of another bloody, costly ly important given concerns about nest, both with what’s taking place Harris struggled at points in Singapore Prime Minister Lee war with an ignominious end. Saturday, August 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK Florida hot zone is ‘bracing for the worst’ Associated Press “Jacksonville is kind of the epi- wide. ity of care to its community, using closer to the Tuskegee incident are JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As center of this. They had one of the Nearly one-third of Jackson- the most advanced technologies. the ones who got the vaccine the quickly as one COVID patient is lowest vaccination rates going into ville’s population is African Amer- The system is working overtime quickest,” he said. discharged, another waits for a July and that has probably really ican, and racial tensions here date to get a pro-vaccine message out, While Duval’s vaccination rate bed in northeast Florida, the hot came back to bite them,” said Jus- back to the Civil Rights era, when but it’s competing against rumors of 56% is in the middle among Flor- zone of the state’s latest surge. But tin Senior, CEO of the Florida Safe- 40 young Black people sat down at that filter through social media ida counties, it has jumped 17% the patients at Baptist Health’s ty Net Hospital Alliance, which a whites-only department store feeds to local BBQs and church since early July, one of the largest five hospitals across Jacksonville represents some of the largest hos- lunch counter and were attacked congregations. Black leaders in increases in the state. are younger and getting sick from pitals in the state. with axes and baseball bats by 150 the community told The Associat- Vaccine skepticism also is high the virus faster than people did last Duval County, which consists white men. That 1960 conflict was ed Press they’ve heard everything, among the Hispanics who repre- summer. almost entirely of Jacksonville, is a a turning point for equal rights in including that the government is sent 10% of Duval’s population, Baptist has over 500 COVID pa- racially diverse Democratic bas- the city, but mistrust of govern- using the vaccine to implanttrack- said Dr. Leonardo Alfonso. He ro- tients, more than twice the num- tion, won by Joe Biden. The over- ment officials still lingers. ing devices. tates between emergency rooms at ber they had at the peak of Flor- whelmingly white rural counties The city is just a five hour drive “A whole lot of rumors,” said Dr. two other Jacksonville hospitals, ida’s July 2020 surge, and the on- that surround it went firmly for from the home of the infamous Rogers Cain, a Black primary care working on his days off because slaught isn’t letting up. Hospital Donald Trump. “Tuskegee syphilis study,” in doctor with a predominantly Black they are so desperate for staff. One officials are anxiously monitoring But all had lower than average which the government used un- practice, who said his elderly pa- typically has around 50 patients, 10 forecast models, converting vaccination rates before the highly suspecting Black men as guinea tients are easier to persuade to get but some days it treats 100 or more. empty spaces, adding over 100 contagious delta variant swept pigs in a study of a sexually trans- the vaccine than his younger ones. “The ICUs are brimming. beds and “bracing for the worst,” through this corner of Florida, mitted disease. Groover, who is “We’ve done a massive effort at They’re running out of ventila- said Dr. Timothy Groover, the hos- driving caseloads in a state that Black, understands why people educating. But it hasn’t really tors,” Alfonso said with frustra- pitals’ interim chief medical offi- now accounts for one in five CO- are wary, even though his hospital came through.” tion. “People are dying. It’s so pre- cer. VID patients hospitalized nation- system promises the highest qual- “The people that actually were ventable.” Record delta wave hits kids and raises fear as US schools open Associated Press lican governors have barred trol and Prevention. The day before he was supposed schools from making youngsters Dr. Francis Collins, head of the to start fourth grade, Francisco wear masks. National Institutes of Health, calls Rosales was admitted to a Dallas With millions of children re- the spike in cases among children hospital with COVID-19, strug- turning to classrooms this month, “very worrisome.” gling to breathe, with dangerously experts say the stakes are unques- He noted that over 400 U.S. chil- low oxygen levels and an uncer- tionably high. dren have died of COVID-19 since tain outcome. Very high infection rates in the the pandemic began. “And right It wasn’t supposed to be like community “are really causing now we have almost 2,000 kids in this, thought his frightened moth- our children’s hospitals to feel the the hospital, many of them in ICU, er, Yessica Gonzalez. Francisco squeeze,’’ said Dr. Buddy Creech, some of them under the age of 4,’’ was normally healthy and ram- a Vanderbilt University infectious Collins told Fox News on Sunday. bunctious. At 9, he was too young disease specialist who is a helping Health experts believe adults to get vaccinated, but most of the lead research on Moderna’s vac- who have not gotten their shots are family had their shots. She had cine for children under 12. Creech contributing to the surge among heard kids rarely got sick from the said those shots probably won’t be grownups and children alike. It coronavirus. available for several months. has been especially bad in places But with the highly contagious “I’m really worried,’’ said Dr. with lower vaccination rates, such delta variant spreading across the Sonja Rasmussen, a pediatrician as parts of the South. U.S., children are filling hospital and public health expert at the While it is clear the delta variant intensive care beds instead of University of Florida. “It’s just so is much more contagious than the classrooms in record numbers, disappointing to see those num- original version, scientists are not YESSICA GONZALEZ/AP more even than at the height of the bers back up again.” yet able to say with any certainty Francisco Rosales, 9, is seen in the intensive care unit at Children’s pandemic. Many are too young to While pediatric COVID-19 hos- whether it makes people more se- Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. get the vaccine, which is available pitalization rates are lower than verely ill or whether youngsters only to those 12 and over. those for adults, they have surged are especially vulnerable to it. That compares with 163 during Versalovic, interim pediatrician- The surging virus is spreading in recent weeks, reaching 0.41 per As experts work to answer those the previous peak, in December. in-chief. In recent weeks, the vast anxiety and causing turmoil and 100,000 children ages 0 to 17, com- questions, many hospitals are At Texas Children’s Hospital in majority have had delta infec- infighting among parents, admin- pared with 0.31 per 100,000, the reeling. Those in Texas are among Houston, the nation’s largest pedi- tions, and most patients 12 and up istrators and politicians around previous high set in mid-January, the hardest hit. On Tuesday, they atric hospital, the number of have not had shots, he said. the U.S., especially in states like according to an Aug. 13 report reported 196 children being treat- youngsters treated for COVID-19 “It is spreading like wildfire Florida and Texas, where Repub- from the Centers for Disease Con- ed with confirmed COVID-19. is at an all-time high, said Dr. Jim across our communities,’’ he said. Three senators announce positive COVID tests in breakthrough cases

Associated Press have tested positive for the virus. I would have without the vaccine,” contact recently has been notified.” emerged the day after U.S. health WASHINGTON — Three sen- Almost every member of the Sen- King said. Hickenlooper announced his officials announced plans to dis- ators said Thursday they have test- ate spent long hours together on the Wicker’s office said he tested positive test a few hours later. pense COVID-19 booster shots to ed positive for COVID-19 despite chamber's floor last week in an all- positive for the virus Thursday “I feel good but will isolate per Americans. They said the shots are being vaccinated, a high-profile night session of budget votes be- morning. docs instructions. I’m grateful for needed to shore up their protection collection of breakthrough cases fore leaving town for August re- “Senator Wicker is fully vacci- the vaccine (& the scientists behind against the delta variant amid signs that comes as the highly infectious cess. nated against COVID-19, is in good it!) for limiting my symptoms,” that the vaccines’ effectiveness is delta variant spreads rapidly King said he began feeling fever- health, and is being treated by his Hickenlooper tweeted. “If you waning over time. across the United States. ish Wednesday and took a COVID Tupelo-based physician,” a state- haven’t gotten your shot—get it to- Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, Rog- test at his doctor’s suggestion. ment from his staff read. “He is iso- day! And a booster when it’s avail- had announced Aug. 2 that he had er Wicker, R-Miss., and John Hick- “While I am not feeling great, I’m lating, and everyone with whom able too!” tested positive for COVID-19 de- enlooper, D-Colo., all said they definitely feeling much better than Senator Wicker has come in close The breakthrough cases spite being vaccinated. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 NATION Judge rules deportation law unconsitutional Associated Press on “racist, nativist roots” and public defender cases.” 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rack Obama and sworn in in LAS VEGAS — In a court rul- discriminates against Mexican Section 1326 of the Immigra- in San Francisco. 2012. ing with potentially broad impli- and Latinx people in violation of tion and Nationality Act makes it But Julian Castro, secretary of “I think it will have implica- cations for U.S. immigration the equal protection clause of the a crime for a person to enter the Housing and Urban Develop- tions because it’s going to be dif- cases, a federal judge in Nevada Fifth Amendment. U.S. if they have been denied ad- ment in the Obama administra- ficult to get around her reason- found that a criminal law that “Anybody who works in feder- mission, deported or removed. It tion, tweeted that he doubted the ing,” Forsman said of the court dates to 1929 and makes it a felo- al courts knows the statute,” was enacted in 1952 using lan- Justice Department would want order. “It’s a little hard to get ny for a person who has been de- Franny Forsman, retired long- guage from the Undesirable to defend a law with “an incred- around a statute that was called ported to return to the United time chief of the Federal Public Aliens Act passed by Congress in ibly racist history.” the ‘Wetback Act’ by the people States is unconstitutional. Defender’s Office in Nevada, 1929. Penalties were stiffened Forsman called Du’s order enacting it.” The derogatory U.S. District Judge Miranda said Thursday. “There really are five times between 1988 and 1996 groundbreaking for its thor- term often refers to Mexican mi- Du in Reno, in an order issued a large number of cases that have to increase its deterrent value. oughness. Du, a Vietnamese im- grants who have entered the Wednesday, found the law wide- been brought over the years un- Forsman said she expected the migrant, was nominated to the country illegally, but it’s also ly known as Section 1326 is based der that section. They’re mostly government will appeal to the federal bench by President Ba- used to disparage all Hispanics. Texas Dems end voting bill holdout Associated Press capital in July continue to stay AUSTIN, Texas — A standoff in away from the Texas Capitol. Still, Texas over new voting restric- Republican House Speaker Dade tions that gridlocked the state Phelan said enough were there to Capitol for 38 consecutive days achieve a quorum, which in the ended Thursday when some Dem- House is normally 100 present leg- ocrats who fled to Washington, islators. Growing impatience D.C., dropped their holdout, pav- among Republicans had led to es- ing the way for Republicans to re- calating threats that missing law- sume pushing an elections over- makers could face arrest, but offi- haul. cers never appeared to do more It abruptly and messily drew to than leave warrants at Democrats’ a close one of the few — and leng- homes. thiest — quorum breaks in mod- “It’s been a very long summer. ern Texas history. Instead of a uni- Been through a lot. I appreciate fied and celebratory return by you all being here,” Phelan said. Democrats, some members “It’s time to get back to the busi- ANGELA WILHELM, THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN­TIMES/AP lashed out at their colleagues over ness of the people of Texas.” A vehicle lays overturned in rising waters from Tropical Storm Fred, Wednesday, in Canberra, N.C. what they criticized as breaking Not all Democrats joined in the ranks. holdout, and the newest to come Many of the proposed changes back to the Texas House defended to Texas voting that Democrats their decision, saying they had Fred moves through North have railed against for months re- successfully pushed Congress on main in a bill that already passed voting rights legislation while the state Senate, and Republican pointing to the growing urgency of as NC searches for missing Gov. Greg Abbott could now sign surging COVID-19 caseloads in the legislation in a matter of Texas. One of them, Democrat Associated Press out bridges and swamped homes in the day. weeks, if not sooner. Garnet Coleman of Houston, did RALEIGH, N.C. — Authorities and businesses. Farther north, about 10 families Only three new Democrats not go to Washington because he combing areas of North Carolina Another Fred-related death was evacuated their homes in the rural showed up Thursday, and the vast was recovering from having a leg flooded by the remnants of Trop- reported earlier in the week in town of Western in central New majority of the more than 50 Dem- amputation brought on by an in- ical Storm Fred said Thursday Florida, where a driver hydro- York as waters rose. ocrats who bolted for the nation’s fection. that two people have been found planed and flipped his car into a “I’ve got three roads that are dead and about 20 were unac- flooded ditch. closed and 15 that have flooding,” counted for. More than 200 people searched said Western town Supervisor Meanwhile, Fred — now a post- flooded areas along the Pigeon Diane Butler, who noted the town Richards out as ‘Jeopardy!’ tropical cyclone — was pushing River. At least 10 bridges were is still recovering from a tornado through New York and New En- damaged or destroyed in the Cru- last month that downed trees and host after past scrutinized gland with drenching rains, and so community, where engineering damaged homes. Tropical Storm Henri was send- teams worked to construct tempo- Butler said there were no inju- Associated Press moved online after the report was ing dangerous waves onto East rary bridges to allow people in and ries. LOS ANGELES — Producer posted. Coast beaches. Forecasters said out of their homes. Officials from the Cayuga Coun- Mike Richards stepped down as “Over the last several days it Henri will likely strengthen into a “Our search crews are actively ty sheriff’s office in the Finger host of “Jeopardy!” after a report has become clear that moving for- hurricane as it approaches the working, searching for more vic- Lakes tourist region said they about past misogynistic com- ward as host would be too much of northeastern U.S. early next tims and more survivors,” Travis were barricading roads as they ments surfaced this week. a distraction for our fans and not week. Donaldson, emergency services warned on social media that flood- Richards was chosen last week the right move for the show,” Ri- In western North Carolina, director for Haywood County, ed roads may be washed out or as the successor to Alex Trebek, chards said in a note to the “Jeop- Haywood County Emergency Ser- said at a news conference. have heavy currents. but his selection was seen as divi- ardy!” staff on Friday. “As such, I vices announced Thursday that North Carolina Democratic Strong winds brought down sive from the beginning after the will be stepping down as host ef- two people were confirmed dead Gov. Roy Cooper surveyed flood trees, utility poles and power lines show embarked on a broad search fective immediately. As a result, after the flooding that prompted damage Thursday afternoon, in northeastern Connecticut. that included actors, sports fig- we will be canceling production dozens of water rescues. Their vowing afterward to help the area Thompson, Connecticut First Se- ures, journalists and celebrities. today.” identities were not immediately rebuild and noting: “Storms are lectman Amy St. Onge, the town’s Earlier this week, a report on Richards said a search for a new released. Around 20 people re- more ferocious than they were be- top elected official, said author- the website The Ringer revealed host will begin again. The show mained missing. The storm that fore. Climate change has contrib- ities were investigating reports of demeaning comments about will resume production with guest blew through the area Tuesday uted to that.” Republican U.S. Sen. a possible tornado in the area women that Richards had made hosts who will be announced later, made roads impassible, washed Thom Tillis toured the area earlier around 10 a.m. on a podcast. The clips were re- Richards said. Saturday, August 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Students with severe disabilities to get debt relief

BY COLLIN BINKLEY mands will be met. Starting in Associated Press September, the Education De- The Biden administration an- partment will start erasing stu- nounced Thursday it will auto- dent debt for 323,000 Americans matically erase student loan debt identified in Social Security re- for more than 300,000 Americans cords as being permanently dis- with severe disabilities that leave abled. them unable to earn significant Borrowers will be notified once incomes. they have been approved for re- ETHAN SWOPE/AP The move will wipe out more lief. All of the loans are expected Firefighter Paul Schlange, left, confers while fighting the Caldor Fire on Hazel Valley Road east of Riverton,than $5.8 billion in debt, accord- to be discharged by the end of the Calif., on Thursday. ing to the Education Department, year. and it marks the start of a broader The department also plans to overhaul of a program that has eliminate the program’s three- been criticized for having overly year monitoring period, which 9 national forests in California burdensome rules. was previously suspended during “We’ve heard loud and clear the pandemic. That change is ex- from borrowers with disabilities pected to be cemented during a to close because of wildfires and advocates about the need for federal rule-making process set this change and we are excited to to start in October, the agency Associated Press Thursday and it was pushing east sands of homes and the hottest follow through on it,” Education said. PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Mil- into less-populated forest areas. have forced evacuations of entire Secretary Miguel Cardona said in “This is going to be a smooth lions of acres of national forest in However, some 25,000 people re- small communities tucked into a statement. process for our borrowers,” Car- Northern California are being mained under evacuation orders. scenic forest areas. The federal government offers dona said in a call with reporters. closed because of dangerous fire Fire managers rushed re- More than 10,000 firefighters student debt relief for people who “They’re not going to have to be conditions that already have sent a sources to the fire growing on were on the lines. are “totally and permanently dis- applying for it or getting bogged score of blazes raging through the steep slopes in a forested region The Dixie Fire, burning since abled” and have limited incomes. down by paperwork.” area and destroyed hundreds of southwest of Lake Tahoe. More July 13 in the northern Sierra Ne- But the current rules require Advocates celebrated the homes. than 650 firefighters and 13 heli- vada and southern Cascades, bal- them to submit documentation of change as a victory. Aaron The U.S. Forest Service an- copters were assigned to the blaze, looned further to about 1,060 their disability and undergo a Ament, president of the National nounced Thursday that beginning and air tankers from throughout square miles and was only 35% three-year monitoring period to Student Legal Defense Network, on Aug. 22 it will close nine nation- the state were flying fire suppres- contained, authorities said. prove they’re earning little pay. called it a “life-changing” step. al forests from near Lake Tahoe at sion missions there as conditions It is the first fire in recorded Tens of thousands of people “This is a huge moment for the Nevada border on the east all allowed, authorities said. state history to stretch east and have been dropped from the pro- hundreds of thousands of borrow- the way west to Six Rivers National “The hope is with the additional west all the way across the Sierra gram and had their loans rein- ers with disabilities who can now Forest, which stretches north to resources and personnel on scene, Nevada range, authorities said. stated simply because they failed move on with their lives and the Oregon border and contains we can really start to build that box The fire, which gutted the town to submit proof of their earnings, won’t be trapped in a cycle of more than 1 million acres of land around this fire and start the con- of Greenville two weeks ago, has however, and critics say the com- debt,” he said. alone. tainment,” said Keith Wade of the destroyed more than 1,200 build- plex rules deter some from apply- The program has faced scruti- The Eldorado National Forest California Department of Forestry ings including 649 homes, accord- ing. ny since 2016, when a federal already had been closed because and Fire Protection. ing to ongoing damage assess- Advocates have pressed the watchdog agency found that the of the Caldor Fire, which gutted In Omo Ranch, close to where ments. Education Department to elimi- income reporting process posed the Sierra Nevada town of Grizzly the fire started, a bulldozer ripped There have been a handful of in- nate the monitoring period en- an obstacle for borrowers. In 98% Flats this week. The uncontained out trees to build a fire line and stop juries but no deaths, but it was only tirely and to provide automatic of cases in which loans were re- blaze had destroyed well over 100 the blaze from spreading south. three years ago that a fire not too debt relief to people who the So- stored, it was because borrowers square miles of land. Gusty weather has pushed a se- far southwest of a current blaze cial Security Administration al- did not submit paperwork, not be- After growing to 10 times its ries of disastrous blazes through killed 85 people and virtually ready identifies as permanently cause their earnings were too original size in just two days, the California trees, grass and brush. razed the town of Paradise in Butte disabled. high, the U.S. Government Ac- fire’s progress slowed a bit on A dozen fires threatened thou- County. Under the new action, both de- countability Office reported. Appeals court upholds Texas law banning abortion procedure Associated Press what is often the safest method of U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Jones, Jerry Smith, Catharina and considering all legal options, NEW ORLEANS — A Texas law abortion for women in the second blocked enforcement of the law Haynes, James Ho, Kurt Engel- said its president and CEO, Nancy outlawing an abortion method trimester of pregnancy. The pro- last year. But Texas was granted a hardt and Cory Wilson. Northup. commonly used to end second-tri- cedure is medically known as dila- re-hearing by the full court, and a Judge James Dennis wrote a ”Texas has been hellbent on mester pregnancies has been up- tion and evacuation. majority of the 14 appellate judges dissent, joined by judges Carl legislating abortion out of exist- held by a federal appeals court in They also argued that fetuses who heard arguments in January Stewart and James Graves. A sep- ence, and it is galling that a federal New Orleans. cannot feel pain during the gesta- (three of the court’s 17 active judg- arate dissent was written by court would uphold a law that so The 2017 law in question has tion period affected by the law. es were recused) sided with Texas Judge Stephen Higginson, joined clearly defies decades of Supreme never been enforced. It seeks to Texas legislators banned the on Wednesday. The opinion, by by Gregg Costa. Court precedent,” Northup said. prohibit the use of forceps to re- procedure with a law that de- judges Jennifer Walker Elrod and Dennis said the Texas law, “un- “At a time when the health care move a fetus from the womb with- scribes it as “dismemberment Don Willett, said “the record der the guise of regulation, makes needs of Texans are greater than out first using an injected drug or a abortion.” Abortion rights sup- shows that doctors can safely per- it a felony to perform the most ever, the state should be making suction procedure to ensure the porters argued in court that one al- form D&Es and comply with SB8 common and safe abortion proce- abortion more accessible, not less. fetus is dead. ternative provided in the law, us- using methods that are already in dure employed during the second There is no question that today’s Abortion rights advocates ar- ing suction to remove a fetus, also widespread use.” trimester.” decision will harm those who al- gued that the law, known as SB8 in results in dismemberment. Concurring in the result were The Center for Reproductive ready face the greatest barriers to court records, effectively outlaws A three-judge panel of the 5th judges Priscilla Owen, Edith Rights is analyzing the decision health care.” PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 WORLD Haitian quake causes damage to oxygen plant

Associated Press missing, said Serge Chery, head LES CAYES, Haiti — As if Hai- of civil defense for the Southern ti’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake, a Province, which includes the tropical storm and the coronavi- small port city of Les Cayes. rus pandemic weren’t enough, the More than 100,000 homes were temblor damaged the only med- damaged or destroyed, leaving ical oxygen plant in the southern about 30,000 families homeless, part of the country. according to official estimates. The building that housed the Hospitals, schools, offices and oxygen concentrator machines churches also were demolished BORNO STATE HOUSE/AP that the region depended on par- or badly damaged. Recently freed Chibok School girl and her daughter, left, is welcomed by Borno State Governor, Babagana tially collapsed, and the machines Private relief supplies and Zulum, centre, in Maiduguri Nigeria. were upended. The Etheuss com- shipments from the U.S. govern- pany is run by a family famous for ment and others began flowing their vetiver perfume oils plant in more quickly into Haiti on Thurs- the city of Les Cayes, one of the day, but the Caribbean nation’s Nigerian parents given hope by areas hardest hit by Saturday’s entrenched poverty, insecurity earthquake. and lack of basic infrastructure “We are trying to get the ox- still presented huge challenges to return of 2 abducted schoolgirls ygen production started again. getting food and urgent medical BY CHINEDU ASADU children she had given birth to including several where stress That is our responsibility, be- care to all those who need it. Associated Press during her years of captivity. and anxiety caused by the kidnap- cause many people depend on it,” Adding to the problems, a ma- LAGOS, Nigeria — The news Borno state Governor Babaga- pings was a factor, said Chibok, an said Kurtch Jeune, one of the jor hospital in the capital of Port- this month that two Nigerian na Zulum welcomed the young elder in their community who was brothers who run the plant, as he au-Prince, where many of the in- schoolgirls had made it to free- women in two separate events and one of the strongest voices cham- showed reporters through the jured were being sent, closed for dom, more than seven years after posed for pictures before they pioning for the girls’ release in the damaged, rubble-strewn plants two days beginning Thursday to they were kidnapped by Boko Ha- were reunited with their parents. months following their kidnap. on Thursday. protest the kidnapping of two doc- ram extremist rebels, has kindled Yana Galang, 65, said she is de- The girls’ return was, however, The powerful earthquake that tors, including one of the coun- new hope among parents whose lighted to hear of the return of two received with mixed feelings by struck Haiti’s southwestern pen- try’s few orthopedic surgeons. daughters are still missing. of the Chibok girls. Galang has not some, including Saleh Bala, a re- insula killed at least 2,189 and in- The abductions dealt a blow to Of the 276 schoolgirls kid- seen her daughter Rifkatu since tired senior officer of the Nigerian jured 12,268 people, according to attempts to control criminal vio- napped from their school in Chi- she was abducted from the school army, who said the girls are vic- official figures. More than 300 lence that has threatened disaster bok in northeast Nigeria in April at the age of 18. tims of the Stockholm syndrome. people are estimated to still be response efforts in the capital. 2014, many of the girls have re- “We are very happy,” said Ga- The young women will need gained their freedom — 57 escap- lang, saying she is hopeful her own counseling and work to integrate ed in the hours following their ab- daughter will soon be back. them back to their communities, duction, 21 were released after ne- Galang said she draws strength said Bala. gotiations brokered by the Red from the hope that her daughter “How they are handled and Cross and the Swiss Government and the others still held by Boko treated will be important to at- in October 2016 and another 82 Haram will return home. tracting those others (kidnapped were freed in exchange for some “People are so excited because students) who are alive with simi- Boko Haram suspects in May some have already given up” that lar forced partners,” he said. 2017. However, more than 100 are the community will see the girls Another factor that may have still missing. The reappearance of again, Hassan Chibok, a commu- contributed to the return of the two of those kidnapped girls nity leader, told The Associated girls could be disarray within Bo- shows that much has changed. Press of the return of the two girls. ko Haram caused by the reported Ruth Nglari Apagu turned her- “A lot of them (the parents in Chi- death of its leader, Abubakar She- self over to the Nigerian military bok) had lost hope … but with this kau, and attempts by a group of ri- in Borno with her husband — who present development, we have val extremists, the Islamic State was one of the Islamic extremist hope that those that are still alive West Africa Province, to integrate kidnappers — and their two chil- will definitely come back home.” his fighters to their ranks,” said MATIAS DELACROIX/AP dren. Sadly, some of the parents have Confidence MacHarry, a security A worker rides his motorbike at the Etheuss vetiver oil factory after it Hassan Adamu also presented not lived to see the return of the analyst with the SBM Intelligence, was made inoperable by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Les Cayes, herself to security forces in Borno, daughters. At least 10 of the par- a Lagos-based geopolitical intelli- Haiti, on Thursday. and she also returned with two ents have died since the kidnap, gence firm. Grace heads for second hurricane hit on Mexican coast Associated Press across the Yucatan Peninsula, but it was heading west at 16 mph. inches of rain, with more in a few isolated TULUM, Mexico — Hurricane Grace emerged late Thursday over the relative- The forecast track would take it toward areas — bringing the threat of flash — temporarily knocked back to tropical ly warm Gulf of Mexico and was gaining a coastal region of small fishing towns floods, mudslide and urban flooding. storm force — headed Friday for a sec- energy. and beach resorts between Tuxpan and Quintana Roo Gov. Carlos Joaquín said ond landfall in Mexico, this time taking The U.S. National Hurricane Center Veracruz, likely Friday night or early the storm had knocked out power to some aim at the mainland’s Gulf coast after said Grace’s winds were back up to 70 Saturday, then over a mountain range to- 84,000 customers in Cancun and 65,000 crashing through the country’s main mph early Friday and were expected to ward the heart of the country and the in Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Puerto tourist strip. soon regain hurricane force. It was cen- greater Mexico City region. Aventura and Tulum. But he said there The storm lost punch as it zipped tered about 265 miles east of Tuxpan and Forecasters said it could drop 6 to 12 were no reported deaths. Saturday, August 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Police probe photos of officers who seem asleep DOVER — Dover po- DE lice are investigating after photos of two officers who appear to be sleeping in their pa- trol vehicles were posted on social media. Police said in a Facebook post Tuesday that the department was looking into the matter and that such “behavior is unacceptable to our agency, unfair to our citizens, and certainly outside of depart- ment policy.” One photo shows an officer leaned back in his driver’s seat with his eyes shut and his mouth partially open, The News Journal reported. The other shows an offi- cer leaned back in a police SUV driver’s seat facing away from the car window and toward a comput- er screen. Man charged with 47 counts of animal cruelty LEONARDTOWN — MD Maryland prosecu- tors have charged a northern Vir- ginia man with animal cruelty af- ter the discovery of a suspected dog fighting arena earlier this year. MATT HAMILTON, CHATTANOOGA (TENN.) TIMES FREE PRESS/AP The St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Da- mien Terrell Wilson, 48, of Wood- Namaste, Dolly bridge, Va., with 47 counts of ani- Claire Grandlienard, right, and Kathryn LaMattina perform a yoga workout as a goat named Dolly stands on LaMattina’s back during a goat yoga mal cruelty last week, WTOP-FM class Wednesday as part of Welcome Week at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Tenn. reported. St. Mary’s County sheriff’s dep- Boy, 14, killed when THE CENSUS uties got a tip about a suspected vehicle strikes go-kart dog fighting arena on a power line The amount (in pounds) of invasive carp Tennessee officials cut-through in February and MIDFIELD — An Ala- 10M say commercial anglers have removed under a state incentive found evidence of dog fighting at AL bama teenager has been program. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says its Asian Carp Har- the location. Investigators found killed in a go-kart crash, author- vest Incentive Program that began in 2018 reached the milestone in July in paraphernalia tied to dog fighting ities said. Kentucky and Barkley reservoirs. Officials say four Asian carp species were first found in and remain in the Mississippi River. and 11 dogs, but officials said three The 14-year-old boy died dogs were euthanized when be- Wednesday evening, as he rode havioral evaluations determined the go-kart on a street in Midfield by sleuthing done by a group of 13- formance and MDX Corp., three KENN TOMPKINS/AP that rehabilitation would be too and was struck by a vehicle, and 14-year-olds at North Andov- companies that are not based in A giant rubber ducky floats in dangerous. Al.com reported. er Middle School. Civics teacher San Francisco but are responsible Belfast Harbor on Tuesday. The driver stayed at the crash Carrie LaPierre’s students pains- for producing a large share of the State troopers’ blood run site and was cooperating with po- takingly researched Johnson and firearms found in the city and Rubber bird is a mystery, saves life of new mother lice, Midfield Police Chief Jesse the steps that would need to be elsewhere in the state, Boudin but town thinks it’s ducky Bell said. taken to make sure she was for- said. MINNEAPOLIS — The boy was taken to Children’s mally pardoned. “Guns are flooding our streets. BELFAST — The sud- MN Five Minnesota state of Alabama, where he was pro- If lawmakers approve the mea- Enough is enough,” Boudin said. ME den appearance of a troopers helped save the life of a nounced dead. sure, Johnson will be the last ac- giant rubber duck in a Maine har- hemorrhaging new mom last School officials identified the cused witch to be cleared, accord- Water restrictions bor is a whimsical whodunit that’s month. On Tuesday, Jenapher teen as Josiah Scott, an eighth- ing to Witches of Massachusetts imposed amid drought defied sleuths so far. Blair got to personally thank them. grader at Rutledge Middle School. Bay, a group devoted to the history The yellow waterfowl embla- The Star Tribune reported that Grief counselors were to be at the and lore of the 17th-century witch MINNEAPOLIS — zoned with the word “joy” ap- Blair had just given birth to her school Thursday, they said. hunts. MN The drought in Min- peared in Belfast Harbor over the third child on July 21. She started nesota continues to get worse, ex- weekend, and it’s a mystery who hemorrhaging and her only Kids lead effort to pardon Suit against 3 ‘ghost gun’ posing rocks, riverbeds and is- put it there. chance to survive was to have a wrongly convicted ‘witch’ makers is announced lands in the St. Croix and Minne- Harbor Master Katherine Giv- blood transfusion. sota rivers drying up entire chan- en told the Bangor Daily News But the hospital didn’t have BOSTON — More SAN FRANCISCO — nels in the mighty Mississippi. that the 25-foot-tall duck doesn’t enough blood on hand and the MA than three centuries CA San Francisco’s district The Minnesota Department of pose a navigational hazard, so nearest supply was 80 miles away. after a Massachusetts woman was attorney said Wednesday he is su- Natural Resources has imposed there’s no rush to shoo it away. Five state troopers jumped in to wrongly convicted of witchcraft ing three California companies water restrictions for much of the “Everybody loves it,” Given save the day. The first trooper re- and sentenced to death, she’s fi- that make and distribute “ghost state. Utilities are to limit water said. “I have no idea who owns it, layed four units of blood from the nally on the verge of being exoner- guns,” the untraceable, build-it- use to no more than 25% above Ja- but it kind of fits Belfast. A lot of American Red Cross in St. Paul to ated — thanks to a curious eighth- yourself weaponry that accounted nuary levels. people want to keep it here.” a nearby airport, then two others grade civics class. for nearly half the firearms reco- The restrictions apply to about Judy Herman, of Bala Cynwyd, flew it by helicopter to the Hutch- State Sen. Diana DiZoglio, a vered in gun killings in the city last 300 communities within three ma- Pa., stopped to snap photos on inson Municipal Airport and Democrat from Methuen, has in- year. jor watersheds which include the Tuesday. handed the blood off to two troop- troduced legislation to clear the District Attorney Chesa Boudin Mississippi River Headwaters “It’s wonderful,” she told New ers on the ground who sped to the name of Elizabeth Johnson Jr., announced the lawsuit at a news and the Rainy River and Red Riv- England Cable News. “Who would hospital. It all happened in just who was condemned in 1693 at the conference, alongside advocates er. expect to see a duck in the middle over an hour. On Tuesday, a Blair height of the Salem Witch Trials of tougher gun laws. That covers the Twin Cities, of the water here?” met the troopers responsible for but never executed. The suit names Blackhawk nearly all of central Minnesota saving her life. DiZoglio said she was inspired Manufacturing Group, GS Per- and much of northern Minnesota. From The Associated Press PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 VIDEO GAMES

Asobo Studio photos Pilot program Microsoft Flight Simulator soars for certain crowd

BY GIESON CACHO look at the Mount Everest Base Camp. It’s The Mercury News best to start with the Flight Training and icrosoft Flight Simulator has learn the basics. Unlike games such as always bewildered me. It’s Ace Combat, Microsoft Flight Simulator not a traditional video game won’t expect players to do Immelmann Mby any means. Players will turns or topsy-turvy acrobatics. Players find no story here, nor is there any real pilot aircrafts like Cessnas or enormous Trips. The Discovery Flights are detailed and the theme park is rendered decently. structure. At its heart, the title is a hard- passenger jets such as the Airbus A320. environments featuring plenty of land- Players can see Space Mountain gleaming core re-creation of the flight process that’s Whatever they choose, these planes aren’t marks. It’s best for virtual sightseeing. in the sun and a blocky rendition of the accurate down to the tiniest details. built for loop-de-loops. Meanwhile, Landing Challenges offer Incredicoaster. It’s the type of game that demands a The goal is to get from Point A to Point players difficult scenarios where they San Francisco is notable because the room dedicated to it. Fans build their own B. That involves taking off the parking must touch down on unusual runways or data is old, and the game hasn’t rendered cockpits, outfit them with flight sticks and brakes, speeding up the plane to take off in trying conditions. destinations such as the Salesforce Tower pedals, all in an effort to increase the level and flying at the right altitude and speed. Bush Trips require VFR knowledge and or the Transbay Terminal. of realism. They Because of the realism of the Microsoft test how well players can follow a flight The more time I spent in the cockpit, the want to feel as if Flight Simulator, players will notice how plan based on environmental descriptions more I could understand the appeal of they’re a captain pilots have to balance speed with soaring and headings. Each is a time commitment flight sims. It’s a form of exploration with flying the friend- higher. with trips lasting more than a half-hour. an addictive sense of discovery. When ly skies. That The more I played, the more I appre- These are good tests of skill, but the buzzing over old haunts, I saw familiar devotion to a ciated the finer elements of aviation. I meat of Microsoft Flight Simulator lies in places from different perspectives and job-like hobby is couldn’t figure out what all the dials did, its World Map mode where players create found new sites that piqued real-world perplexing. It’s but I nailed down the basics. Microsoft their own flight plans and freely travel interests. When traveling unfamiliar ter- an unusual gam- Flight Simulator will teach players how to around the globe. Asobo Studio uses cut- rain, I always wanted to venture farther to ing niche with take off, fly and land. The tutorials will ting-edge machine learning and cloud that mountain or beach over the horizon. the same energy educate players on Visual Flight Rules, computing to map every meter of the It also helps that the game is dazzlingly as toy fanatics which help them reach their destination planet. If players wanted to do a cross- beautiful, and it’s worth snapping screen- obsessed with based on ground landmarks. It’s a real-life continental flight over Asia and Europe, shots to share on social media. model trains. They, too, build rooms for concept that helps track flights, and it’s they can do that though the trip would It’s a more organic way of globe trotting their diversions. key to obtaining pilot certifications. take hours as it would in real life. that’s distinct compared to just seeing What is the draw of piloting a virtual Although Flight Training programs are Microsoft Flight Simulator renders the locales on Google Maps. Players uncover a hunk of metal in the air? Curious about it, I a great resource, they aren’t the best terrain and weather to match real-world living world where they can see cars move dived into the recently released Xbox teachers. Sometimes they can be confus- conditions. It’s not a one-to-one facsimile, on roadways and animals roaming the Series X version of Microsoft Flight Sim- ing, or they expect players to know more but it’s good enough that players can take earth. The world in Microsoft Flight Sim- ulator hoping to find an answer. Devel- about the plane despite the overwhelming off from a nearby airport and fly over ulator is more alive, and at the same time, oped by Asobo Studio, the game throws dials and screens. If players don’t hit the their house. If they wanted to do some- the trips players take feel like journeys. players headfirst into the world of avia- right objectives, the Flight Training pro- thing more daring like fly around a hurri- With that said, the game isn’t for every- tion. The game nudges newcomers to gram falls apart. It doesn’t even tell play- cane in the Caribbean, they can venture one. Many will find it dull, and it is in tackle Discover Flights, which is a bad ers they failed, and in the process, it will into the storm. places. move. That’s like asking toddlers to ride a waste players’ precious time. The tutorials are frustratingly obtuse, tricycle without learning how to crawl. Cruising around the world but Microsoft Flight Simulator has its Other flight activities With the whole world as a playground, appeal to those who have their heads in Where to start Once the skill foundation is set, players Microsoft Flight Simulator sets up excit- the clouds. I discovered that the hard way after can tackle Activities that include Discov- ing possibilities for discovery. One of the Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC crashing while trying to catch a closer ery Flights, Landing Challenges and Bush first things I did was fly over Disneyland, Online: microsoftflightsimulator.com Saturday, August 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 HEALTH & FITNESS

BY LIZZY LAWRENCE beef tastes rancid and peanut The Baltimore Sun butter is a “no-go.” ne day in kindergar- “You just never know from day ten, Alex Pieraccini to day what you can eat; you sat and watched her don’t ever get that real hunger Opeers pass around feeling,” Creed said. “I wouldn’t spices, sniffing them as a sensory wish this on my worst enemy.” exercise. While there are no life-threat- Pieraccini, now 30, couldn’t ening side effects to losing the smell anything. ability to smell, Dalton said “I was like, ‘Nothing is happen- “strong evidence” points to smell ing,’” said Pieraccini, a psycholo- loss causing depression, especial- gist living in Baltimore.“I re- ly among those who lost it sud- member telling adults and not denly. being believed for a long time.” There are also safety implica- Pieraccini has congenital anos- tions, as people can’t smell dan- mia, the chronic inability to gers like smoke, natural gas and smell. It is a rare condition — rotten food. It can also cause approximately 1 in 10,000 people weight loss. had it according to 2016 figures from the U.S. Department of Treatment options Health and Human Services’ Treatment depends on the Genetic and Rare Diseases In- cause of the loss of smell, said formation Center. Lane, of the Hopkins Sinus Cen- But now, millions more have ter. He’ll treat patients with sinus lost their smell as the preeminent problems with anti-inflammatory symptom of COVID-19, and steroids or, if the case is severe, many haven’t regained all of it. surgery. Unfortunately, there’s The increased attention afford- not much doctors can do for ed to smell loss as a chronic con- congenital, viral or trauma-relat- dition has prompted new studies, ed anosmia piquing the interest of olfactory KIM HAIRSTON, BALTIMORE SUN/TNS Younger people stand a better researchers bent on understand- Alex Pieraccini chops an onion July 8, as she prepares dinner in her home. Pieraccini has congenital chance of recovering their sense ing more about the coronavirus. anosmia, the chronic inability to smell. Approximately 1 in 10,000 people have the condition. of smell, Dalton said, though Meanwhile, scientists have not nothing is guaranteed. Recovery yet found conclusive treatments may be linked to the passage of for smell loss. time, she said, since the olfactory At a minimum, the pandemic tissue can regenerate. has highlighted the everyday Smell retraining therapy is one struggles of people living with method people use to try to reha- what some have termed an “in- Under our noses bilitate the sense. Dalton said visible disability,” one that people who enroll in olfactory makes life more difficult but training or smell retraining ses- might not be easily detected. It sions earlier tend to report more could also prompt breakthroughs COVID-19’s olfactory side effects have brought increased thorough recoveries. The treat- for scientists and researchers in ment doesn’t work, however, for the field. attention to the ‘invisible’ sufferings of those with anosmia people who could never smell. “I was made to feel invisible Creed has used a smell train- because people don’t understand, tion to the long-term effects of formation technology specialist by congestion, Dalton said, mak- ing kit with scents like orange, so a little part of me has had a lot anosmia. The center has been living in Alexandria, Va. “She ing it more unusual. tea tree oil and peppermint, of validating experiences” during busy fielding frantic calls for nearly dropped the bottle,” think- “The way it shuts down the though she hasn’t had much the pandemic, Pieraccini said. help, she said. ing he had COVID. system is like a light switch,” success. She can remember what “Another part of me is like, ‘Why The rush in attention has Dalton said. “People go to sleep each is supposed to smell like but did it take this long for it to be a caused some resentment among Varying types and causes or they have breakfast and all of the scents still emerge distorted. visible thing?’” people who have dealt with loss There are several different a sudden everything’s changed. Halstead has made some casu- A spike in recognition of smell in the long term, Dalton types of anosmia, or smell loss It’s really dramatic.” al attempts to find the cause of According to Google Trends, said. disorders, ranging from tempo- A study published in January his anosmia. Ultimately, though, Google searches for the term “Not surprisingly, people are rary and partial to chronic and looked at 2,581 patients from 18 he feels he doesn’t need treat- “loss of smell” in the United like, ‘I’ve had this for 20 years permanent. Some people grow up European hospitals and found ment. His anosmia isn’t as emo- States jumped from an interest and I’ve coped with it.’ They’re without the ability to smell, while that almost 86% of people with tionally distressing compared to value of 3 to 100, the maximum, resentful that there wasn’t more others acquire the condition mild COVID-19 develop anosmia. those who acquired it — he the week of March 22, 2020. attention paid to it before,” Dal- through traumatic brain injuries, Ninety-five percent of them re- hasn’t lost anything. Searches hit another high in the ton said. severe burns or viruses. Some gained their sense of smell after “To me, it’s not life-altering,” last week of December, as the Lane hopes the added attention people, especially those recover- six months. But for some, symp- Halstead said. “It’s just a quirk.” nation approached a peak in will lead to more treatment op- ing from COVID-19, experience toms that included anosmia per- The Monell Center has devel- average new cases per week. tions for all kinds of smell loss. parosmia, or smell distortion. sisted — an occurrence known as oped a smell test to screen for Dr. Andrew Lane, the director “This will potentially be a boon Some people lose some of their long-haul COVID. COVID-19, which tends to be a of the Johns Hopkins Sinus Cen- to people who’ve lost their sense ability to smell due to age. And Dalton said it’s not clear why better predictor for the virus ter, said the virus appears to of smell for other reasons, be- there are environmental and some people lost their sense of than taking temperatures or specifically target olfactory cell cause all this attention and re- occupational factors that can smell as a symptom of the dis- testing for respiratory symptoms. tissue, which is necessary for the search will potentially lead to erode the sense over time, Dalton ease while others didn’t, though More people are reaching out to development of odor-sensing some better understanding,” said, such as air pollution or toxic there may be an underlying bi- be included in research trials, cells. This is why smell loss is a Lane said. fumes. She has worked closely ological reason. Dalton said. common symptom of COVID-19. Ken Halstead, 38, says he is with firefighters who responded Christine Creed, 51, said it was In the meantime, with no effec- “People may not even know it, cautious now about disclosing his to the 9/11 attacks, for example. frustrating to see friends who’d tive treatment in sight, Canton’s because people aren’t that in long-term inability to smell be- COVID-19 attacks cells and contracted COVID-19 recover Pieraccini has found it helpful to tune to their sense of smell,” cause of its association with CO- causes inflammation, including their smell after only two weeks. ask friends or loved ones to help Lane said. “If you test people VID-19. Around Christmas, he in the areas around the receptors Creed, who lives in Dundalk, her fill in the gaps when she’s formally, you would probably was in a liquor store when a in a person’s nose. The inflam- Md., caught the virus in Novem- afraid of missing something. find even more of it.” woman recommended he check mation can last days or weeks, ber and couldn’t smell for about a “Having people you can trust Pamela Dalton, an olfactory out new peppermint Smirnoff even months. But unlike other month or so. — who will be there to help you researcher at the Monell Chem- bottles with scratch-and-sniff viruses that can affect a person’s Now, she’s still experiencing out and understand and believe ical Senses Center in Philadel- labels. ability to smell or taste, such as smell distortion. Some days, you when you say you’re having phia, said the pandemic may “I said, ‘Oh, I have no sense of the common cold, the coronavi- she’ll smell nonexistent cigarette this difficulty — is really impor- have caused people to pay atten- smell,” said Halstead, an in- rus is not typically accompanied smoke. Vegetables have no taste, tant,” she said. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 MOVIES Passing the torch Sean Penn directs ‘Flag Day,’ stars with daughter Dylan

BY JAKE COYLE aren’t “just razzle-dazzle, Cirque Associated Press du Soleil movies,” he says. On ean Penn is sort of done Marvel movies, he laments “how with movies. much it’s taken up the space and He’s still making them, claimed so much time in the Shere and there. But Penn careers of so many talented peo- is mostly seeing out commit- ple.” Arguing that today he ments he made years earlier. wouldn’t be allowed to play gay After those? He’s not so sure how icon Harvey Milk (2008’s much more he’s going to be act- “Milk”), Penn recently said that VIANNEY LE CAER/AP ing or directing. soon only Danish princes will be Sean Penn, left, and Dylan Penn pose for photographs to promote the film “Flag Day” July 10 at the 74th Penn, the 61-year-old maverick playing Hamlet. international film festival, Cannes, southern France. Sean Penn directed the film and both Penns star in it. actor and sometimes filmmaker, And Penn’s generally well- is in many ways happily out of regarded directing career (in- demic, Penn’s Community Orga- step with many of the prevailing cluding 1995’s “The Crossing nized Relief Effort non-profit, winds in Hollywood. Streaming Guard” and 2001’s “The Pledge,” which he started after the 2010 films? Franchise movies? So- both with Jack Nicholson; and earthquake to help Haitians, called “cancel culture?” All of 2007’s “Into the Wild”) has lately erected testing and vaccination these things draw his ire, to vari- been rockier. His last film, 2016’s sites, helping dispense millions of ous degrees. Penn is dedicating “The Last Face,” with Charlize shots. Perhaps those experiences more of his time to Haitian relief Theron, flopped, and was loudly have made Penn only further efforts and getting people vacci- booed at its Cannes Film Festival repelled by anything artificial. nated than he does to movies. debut. Yet Penn last month re- “My tolerance for the con- All of that makes “Flag Day,” a turned to Cannes to premiere trived is less and less,” says new film Penn directed and co- “Flag Day.” Penn. stars in, a rarity for a once vora- “I’ve been on such extreme But working with Dylan came cious actor who in the past dec- ends on that. It’s like: whatever,” naturally. Talking about her ade has been a co-lead in only a says Penn. “The thing is: I am attentive, even disarming pres- MGM/AP few movies (“The Professor and confident that I know as much — ence, he calls her “as uncon- Sean Penn, left, and Dylan Penn in a scene from “Flag Day.” the Madman,” “Gangster more — about acting than almost trived as it gets. Squad”). In the father-daughter any of these critics. And I’m very “I would be sort of taken about riety said the film “reveals Dylan cludes Josh Brolin and Regina drama, which MGM will release confident in the performance I’m by it sometimes, like: ‘Uh, oh. Penn to be a major actor.” King.) Friday in theaters, Penn plays a She’s really listening to this. Is most concerned about.” Just as Penn is withdrawing “I have always thought if she she seeing right through this?’” larger-than-life but often absent With that, Penn raises his hand from movies, his daughter is wanted to do it, I’d encourage it,” says Penn. and sometimes imprisoned fa- and points toward where Dylan stepping forward — even if she Penn says. Penn started out younger — he ther to daughter Jennifer (played is sitting across an otherwise didn’t immediately seek the spot- For Dylan, the father-daughter was starring in “Fast Times at by Penn’s daughter Dylan Penn). empty hotel bar off Cannes’ Croi- light. relationship of “Flag Day” — Ridgemont High” by the time he “I’m currently feeling with this sette. Dylan, 30, is the star of “Growing up, being surround- Jennifer tries to help and stabi- movie incredibly lucky to have a “Flag Day.” She has dabbled ed by actors and being on set, it lize her scamming father but also was 21. He felt confident from movie that’s going to be a movie, before in acting but it’s easily her was really something that didn’t inherits some of his destructive, the start in roles that were like that’s going to have a theatrical biggest role yet. In the film, interest me at all,” Dylan says. “I conman habits — is a half-reflec- him — “young and very shy,” as front,” Penn said in an interview adapted from Jennifer Vogel’s always thought, and still think, tion of their own bond together. he describes. Staying natural last month. “I, as an audience, 2005 memoir “Flim-Flam Man: my passion lies in working be- “She always strived to have while expanding away from can be very into some of the The True Story of My Father’s hind the camera. But as soon as I this really honest, transparent himself, Penn says, has been the things that are only streaming. Counterfeit Life,” she plays an expressed wanting to do that relationship with her father journey ever since. But as a practitioner, not at all. aspiring journalist with a seldom kind of thing, both of my parents which she never got it in return,” “How do you feel as natural, as To act in something, you take it truthful father. said separately: You won’t be a Dylan says. “I’ve tried to have free in something where you’re in a certain stride. But as a direc- Penn’s confidence isn’t mis- good director if you don’t know that with my dad and got it in going to the role as in something tor, the way I’ve always put it is: placed. In “Flag Day,” Dylan is what it’s like to be in the actor’s return.” where you’re bringing the role to It’s not the girl I fell in love natural, poised and captivating. shoes.” Penn has recently been shoot- you? To varying degrees of suc- with.” She looks a veteran, already, Dylan grants that her dad may ing Sam Esmail’s Watergate cess and failure, that’s what the And Penn increasingly sounds which might be expected of the be “passing the torch a little bit.” series for Starz, with Julia Ro- road has been — to find that like someone for whom the ro- child of Penn and Robin Wright. Hopper Jack Penn, her younger berts. He’s been vocal that vacci- original unquestioning,” says mance of movies has faded. He And those critics? Some have brother, also co-stars in “Flag nations ought to be required for Penn. “There’s stuff that I see in misses Hollywood films that been quite complimentary. Va- Day.” (The rest of the cast in- everyone on set. During the pan- Dylan that is so unquestioning.” “I always thought, and still think, my passion lies in working behind the camera. But as soon as I expressed wanting to do that kind of thing, both of my parents said separately: You won’t be a good director if you don’t know what it’s like to be in the actor’s shoes.” Dylan Penn Saturday, August 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 TELEVISION

Marvel Studios “What If … ?” flips the script on the Marvel Universe, re­imagining famous events from the films in unexpected ways. In one episode, Agent Carter becomes Captain Carter. Finding the ‘heart in the hero’ Disney+ show ‘What If … ?’ re-imagines familiar Marvel Studios storylines, characters in an animated alternate reality BY DAVID BETANCOURT is going to happen. in the 2018 movie that grossed a billion Watcher, who carries over from the origi- The Washington Post “The first question was never what if; dollars. Bosman died in 2020 from compli- nal comics. He’s voiced by Jeffrey Wright, hat if the Marvel Cinematic the first question is where is the heart in cations from colon cancer. who’s no stranger to superhero universes Universe had an animated the hero?” head writer A.C. Bradley said. Working with Boseman left a lasting on film. He recently finished filming Matt alternate reality? “Where’s the humanity in these iconic impression on “What If … ?” producers, Reeve’s “The Batman,” playing the new W That’s the premise behind characters that we’ve all spent so many none of whom knew that the actor was ill Commissioner Gordon. Filming one super- the new series “What If … ?,” which began years watching on-screen and growing up or that the vocals he was recording would hero movie role in the heart of a pandemic streaming the first of its nine episodes on reading comic books? How do we get be- represent his last MCU performance. was quite different from voicing one. Disney+ Aug. 11. It marks Marvel Studios’ yond the shield? So, with Peggy Carter it “He was excited about playing a slightly “We slogged to make [‘The Batman’] in first foray into the world of animation, was as simple as: She was a woman in the different riff on T’Challa because he cares really challenging conditions,” Wright while taking inspiration from the classic 1940s who says I’m staying in the room, for T’Challa and all that T’Challa repre- said. “I enjoy the specificity of voice work. “What If … ?” comics that began in 1977. and how is that going to change the sents so much,” Andrews said. “I think In this case I enjoy joining the MCU from Those comics — and the show — use the world?” since he knew what he was going through, my bedroom closet … with or without power of the hypothetical, remixing clas- When she and director Bryan Andrews he saw this as one more opportunity to pants. I like to have that optionality. I sic storylines and taking Marvel charac- brainstormed ideas, Bradley joked about bring a slightly different color, a different recorded some of these episodes during ters to places even the most well-read fans wanting to do an episode where Thor shade, to what we think of [T’Challa]. the pandemic, so we had to improvise.” wouldn’t see coming. love-interest Jane Foster becomes Thor — Here’s T’Challa with a little bit more of a The Watcher is an alien being who nev- The very first issue of “What If … ?” but she was told not to pursue it because light heart; he’s got more jokes in him. er involves himself in the alternate-reality imagined Spider-Man joining the Fantas- that’s actually the storyline of Taika Wait- We’re thankful that we have another per- scenarios that the show presents, only tic Four (although that did end up happen- iti’s next Thor movie. formance with him.” observing and verbally setting the stage ing in the mainstream comics). “What If Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, Bradley says Boseman understood the for the unexpected. He is an intergalactic … ?” the series will use similar storytelling the architect of its past decade of intercon- impact of T’Challa on younger generations cosmic fanboy. tactics but will apply them to the first nected storytelling, was a part of the deci- who saw the Black Panther stand shoulder Wright used his now 19-year-old son’s decade of Marvel Studios on film. sion-making process. According to Bra- to shoulder with MCU icons Iron Man and encyclopedic knowledge of Marvel — and One episode features Agent Peggy Car- dley, Feige’s uncanny ability to read the Captain America in the movies, and he memories of taking him to see Marvel ter, voiced by Hayley Atwell, the actress pulse of the MCU fandom was an invalu- knew such imagery was important to the movies in theaters — as his inspiration for who portrayed her in the Captain America able asset. future of Marvel Studios. the character. movies, when she was the love interest to In one episode, T’Challa, the prince of “When [Chadwick] came to record, he “He is his own being. He’s described [in Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers. In “What If Wakanda, doesn’t grow up to become king didn’t bring his A-game, he brought every comics] as the most dramatic being in the …?” she’s the soldier who takes the super- and take on the mantle of the Black Pan- damn sport with him. He was the best,” known universe,” Wright said. “He’s got serum and is handed a shield, becoming ther. Instead, he is whisked to space as a Bradley said. “We didn’t realize at the powers that are unique to him … but he’s Captain Carter. child and grows up to become Star-Lord, time that we were in the room with a leg- also omnipresent but in some ways quiet- The goal of each episode is to reel the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy. end that we were going to lose too quick- ly. So in a sense, he’s not being introduced viewer in with familiar MCU moments T’Challa is voiced by the late Chadwick ly.” now. He’s always been there. He’s always before they realize they have no idea what Boseman, who played the Black Panther The series’ narrator and overseer is the been there watching.” PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Michael Kerschbaum, Pacific commander Biden foreign policy team fractured going forward? Michael Ryan, Pacific chief of staff BY DAVID IGNATIUS confounded by an obdurate enemy from an- fast,” according to one friend of Miller’s. Bi- Washington Post Writers Group other century. The U.S. foreign policy estab- den was worried, but he didn’t budge. WASHINGTON lishment of the 1960s hit a wall with Vietnam Biden offered a tangled and somewhat EDITORIAL he Afghanistan disaster has and never fully recovered. We’ll see what misleading explanation for his decisions in Terry Leonard, Editor rocked the Biden administration’s happens with the Biden team. an interview Wednesday with ABC’s George [email protected] foreign policy team, which may The sudden collapse of the Afghan govern- Stephanopoulos. He claimed that his mili- need months to regain its sense of ment and the nightmare at Kabul airport tary advisers didn’t argue for keeping the Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor T balance and momentum. stunned senior officials. They knew that the 2,500 troops in Afghanistan. That’s not true; [email protected] Senior officials don’t have time or emotion- situation was fragile, and intelligence analy- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation al bandwidth now for broad questions about sts had predicted that the government of Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of [email protected] what’s next for U.S. foreign policy. In the President Ashraf Ghani would likely fall Staff, urged him to keep the force in place. sleepless days and nights of the past week, soon. But one sign that the CIA didn’t foresee But they warned him he might have to send BUREAU STAFF the White House has been focused — and an imminent collapse was that Director Wil- more troops if the Taliban decided to esca- sometimes shaken — by the chaos of the Tali- liam J. Burns was traveling in the Middle late. Europe/Mideast ban takeover in Kabul. East last week on a six-day trip and didn’t re- Failure can shatter the trust and consen- Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief The diplomatic calendar is fixed. The turn until Sunday, the day Kabul fell, just a sus of any team, and that’s a danger now for [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 United Nations General Assembly meets in day before he had planned. the Biden White House. This group has been New York in September; the Group of 20 White House officials thought they had extraordinarily close and congenial during Pacific meets in Rome on Oct. 30; the United Nations enough time to conduct an orderly withdraw- Biden’s first seven months. But you can al- Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief Climate Change Conference, known as al of American citizens and Afghans who had ready see the first cracks in Fortress Biden. [email protected] COP-26, will begin in Glasgow, Scotland, on worked with U.S. forces — and they wanted Liberal Democrats, especially activists for +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 Nov. 1; a “summit of democracies” is tenta- to avoid the panic that might be caused by a women’s rights, are genuinely angry that Bi- tively planned for December. But adminis- more rapid evacuation. Indeed, when Ghani den didn’t do more to protect Afghan women Washington tration officials expect that all these events visited the White House on June 25, his main and human rights. Those fissures will widen. Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief [email protected] will be shadowed by humanitarian, refugee request was that Biden slow the departure of The Pentagon was keen to move quickly (+1)(202)886-0033 and security issues caused by the ruinous Americans and Afghans who had served as when it became clear Biden could not be con- mess in Afghanistan. translators or contractors to avoid the desta- vinced to keep U.S. forces in place. “Speed is Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News [email protected] The reversals in Afghanistan are con- bilizing appearance of a rush for the exit. safety,” the generals advised, and the troops founding for a Biden national security team Biden’s problem on Afghanistan was part- rushed out two months ahead of schedule. CIRCULATION that has rarely known personal failure: Jake ly that it was too personal. He remained But on the evacuation of civilians, Biden tried Sullivan, the national security adviser, went peeved after 2009, when as vice president his to tiptoe home. On Aug. 12, just four days be- Mideast to Yale, Oxford and Yale Law School. Antony advice for a limited counterterrorism force fore the government collapsed, Pentagon Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager [email protected] Blinken, secretary of state, attended Har- there was rejected by Barack Obama. When spokesman John Kirby wouldn’t even call [email protected] vard and Columbia Law. Biden became president, he was determined the race to withdraw civilians via the Kabul DSN (314)583-9111 These are America’s best and brightest, to get the remaining 2,500 troops out of the airport a “noncombatant evacuation oper- who came to the messy endgame of the Af- country. As military leaders pressed him to ation.” That was a Pentagon in denial. Europe ghanistan War with spotless résumés. That’s keep that force, Biden only dug in his heels. Military planners say the most dangerous Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager one of the parallels to the Vietnam War, Gen. Austin “Scott” Miller, the last U.S. maneuver in warfare can be retreat. We’re [email protected] [email protected] where a similar group of brilliant policymak- commander in Afghanistan, warned Biden seeing that now in Afghanistan, and the casu- +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 ers who had rarely experienced failure was that “it’s going to be bad and it’s going to be alties are likely to be political, too.

Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 Next phase: Taliban 2.0 collides with Afghanistan 2.0

CONTACT US BY BOBBY GHOSH capture the dramatic change of the two dec- But it is also conceivable that some of the Bloomberg Opinion ades while they were in the wilderness. Taliban leadership realize the new realities Washington s there really a Taliban 2.0? At the tri- The adult literacy rate is 41%, and nearly as require new methods. The optimists among tel: (+1)202.886.0003 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 umphant insurgent group’s first press many Afghans are employed in the services Afghanistan-watchers believe that the Bara- conference in Kabul, a spokesman sector as in agriculture. They are no longer dar faction, coached by the government of Qa- Reader letters Ipromised something akin to sweet rea- isolated: Television is ubiquitous and cell- tar, will counsel a certain amount of modera- [email protected] sonableness, in turn prompting something phones are commonplace, giving people ac- tion, along the lines laid down by the spokes- akin to optimism that the militia’s mindset has cess to the wider world. Inevitably, there has man in Kabul. This vision of Taliban 2.0 imag- Additional contacts changed over the past 20 years. Listen! been an evolution in aspirations and attitudes ines a state in which authority is shared stripes.com/contactus They’re talking about allowing women to —and not only toward women. between an executive branch led by the Bara- work! The population, meanwhile, has more than dar faction and a security establishment led OMBUDSMAN But the reassurances of Zabiullah Mujahid doubled to 40 million, with much of the growth by the hardliners, both under the supreme Ernie Gates about the new, improved Islamic Emirate of taking place in urban areas. leadership of Akhundzada. In other words, the Afghanistan should be treated with caution. The question for the Taliban leadership Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan would look The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow There is every chance that the Taliban’s now is whether their traditional methods, very much like the Islamic Republic of Iran. of news and information, reporting any attempts by the military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s spokesman was merely playing to the interna- brute force and crude propaganda, can be ef- This is ironic given the history of rancor be- independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for tional gallery. And even if Mujahid is entirely fective on a larger, more urban and better-in- tween Tehran and the Taliban: The two sides fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman sincere, he represents only one faction of the formed population. It may not require much nearly went to war in 1998. More importantly, welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by email at [email protected], or by phone at group. Although nominally led by a shadowy coercion to impose the old restrictions — no it is implausible. Unlike the mullah-military 202.886.0003. supreme commander, Hibatullah Akhundza- music, limited education for girls, compulsory duopoly in Iran, the Taliban have no deep da, the Taliban is not a monolith. Their leader- burqas for women and beards for men — in bench of technocrats who can provide even a Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- ship includes both political figures like Mullah places like Arghistan, a district of Kandahar simulacrum of a modern state. Nor do they days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Abdul Ghani Baradar, who has been negotiat- province that has long been under Taliban have any experience of running a modern Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send ing with the U.S., and military commanders control. Imposing the group’s will across the economy. And the people they might have address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, like Sirajuddin Haqqani and Mohammad Ya- country will require repression of a much turned to for administrative expertise have lit- APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services coub, who are not quite as conciliatory. higher order. tle faith in visions of a kinder, gentler Taliban, overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are It may be weeks, even months, before we It is likely that hardliners in the Taliban will and are stampeding toward the exits. unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- know which faction calls the shots in Kabul. want to do just that. Many of the militants re- More than likely, then, the new Taliban-led per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official But long before we learn whether the Taliban main committed to the old way of using exem- government will be a messy, unstable affair, channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. have changed, their leaders will have discov- plary punishment on a few, such as public attended by bitter factional rivalries and un- The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or ered that the capital and much of the country floggings and executions, to subdue the wider predictable policies. Under the circumstanc- Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. have changed. They are dealing with an Af- population. And it is important to remember es, it is hard to hold out much hope for Afghan- Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, ghanistan 2.0. In 1996, the last time the Taliban that the Taliban have some new tools for im- istan 3.0. religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical took control in Kabul, Afghan society was posing order, including shiny new American- handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. overwhelmingly insular, impoverished, illit- made military gear, as well as an increasingly Bloomberg Opinion columnist Bobby Ghosh writes on foreign affairs, with a special focus on the Middle East and Africa. This © Stars and Stripes 2021 erate and rural. The country is still desperate- sophisticated understanding of the propagan- column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial ly poor, but other socio-economic indicators da potential in social media. board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. stripes.com Saturday, August 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 52 Chart toppers 25 “Alley —” 1 Poorly lit 53 Asian holiday 26 Inlet 4 Con job 27 Neither here 8 Try out DOWN — there

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 GI entertainers 1 Two-way 28 Obamacare 13 — Romeo 2 Madonna’s acronym 14 Sax range “La — Bonita” 29 Chum 15 100% 3 Aspic shaper 31 Biblical giant 16 Rich soil 4 Game fish 32 Coconut fiber 17 Fuzzy image 5 Wizard’s 34 Sheep call 18 Patti LaBelle garment 35 Containers #1 single 6 Miles away for oranges 21 Fine, to NASA 7 Bats and cats, 36 Huge success 22 Exist but not gnats 37 Wear Non Sequitur 23 Recognized 8 Eating area 38 Jet speed 26 Diner order 9 Jazzy Fitzgerald measure 27 Snooze 10 Poker variety 39 Jacob’s twin 30 Black, in verse 11 Ripped 40 Tears 41 552, in old Rome 31 Auto fuel 19 Show ennui 42 Border on 32 “Cola” lead-in 20 Illustrations 43 Take a siesta 33 Hiatus 23 Beer barrel 44 Way out 34 Lad 24 Cagers’ gp. Answer to Previous Puzzle 35 Pink hue Candorville 36 Bando of baseball 37 Hindu honorific 38 Annual Coney Island event 45 Pakistan’s continent 46 Oodles 47 Present location?

Carpe Diem 48 Beanies 49 Grow weary 50 Action flick gun 51 “Be quiet!” Beetle Bailey Bizarro PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 Saturday, August 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 SCOREBOARD/GOLF

PRO SOCCER PRO BASKETBALL PRO FOOTBALL MLS WNBA NFL preseason

EASTERN CONFERENCE EASTERN CONFERENCE Thursday’s games WLTPts GF GA WLPct GB New England 35, Philadelphia 0 Friday’s games New England 14 3 4 46 40 25 Connecticut 17 6 .739 — Chicago 11 11 .500 5½ Cincinnati at Washington Nashville 7 2 11 32 32 20 Kansas City at Arizona New York 11 12 .478 6 NYCFC 9 6 4 31 34 19 Saturday’s games Philadelphia 8 5 7 31 26 19 Washington 8 13 .381 8 Buffalo at Chicago Orlando City 8 4 7 31 29 24 Atlanta 6 16 .273 10½ N.Y. Jets at Green Bay D.C. United 8 9 3 27 31 29 Indiana 4 18 .182 12½ Atlanta at Miami Baltimore at Carolina CF Montréal 7 7 6 27 26 25 WESTERN CONFERENCE Detroit at Pittsburgh Columbus 6 8 6 24 21 25 Tennessee at Tampa Bay WLPct GB Atlanta 5 6 9 24 23 25 Houston at Dallas Indianapolis at Minnesota New York 6 9 4 22 23 24 Las Vegas 17 6 .739 — Denver at Seattle Chicago 5 10 5 20 23 32 Seattle 16 7 .696 1 Las Vegas at L.A. Rams Inter Miami CF 5 9 4 19 18 30 Minnesota 13 9 .591 3½ Sunday’s games Cincinnati 3 7 8 17 18 30 Phoenix 12 10 .545 4½ N.Y. Giants at Cleveland Toronto FC 3 11 6 15 24 41 Dallas 10 13 .435 7 San Francisco at L.A. Chargers Los Angeles 9 13 .409 7½ Monday’s games WESTERN CONFERENCE Thursday’s games Jacksonville at New Orleans WLTPts GF GA PHOTOS BY JOHN MINCHILLO/AP Connecticut 82, Minnesota 71 Friday, Aug. 27 Seattle 11 3 6 39 33 16 Phoenix 77, Washington 64 Indianapolis at Detroit Spain’s Jon Rahm watches his shot off the 10th tee Thursday during Los Angeles 66, Atlanta 64 Sporting KC 11 4 5 38 36 21 Philadelphia at N.Y. Jets Friday’s games Pittsburgh at Carolina the first round of the Northern Trust in Jersey City, N.J. LA Galaxy 11 7 2 35 31 30 Minnesota at Kansas City Seattle at New York Colorado 10 4 4 34 27 18 Indiana at Dallas Saturday, Aug. 28 Real Salt Lake 7 6 6 27 29 21 Saturday’s games Green Bay at Buffalo Minnesota 7 6 6 27 22 23 Phoenix at Atlanta Baltimore at Washington Portland 7 9 3 24 26 36 Minnesota at Chicago Chicago at Tennessee Arizona at New Orleans LAFC 6 8 5 23 24 26 Sunday’s games Tampa Bay at Houston Thomas, Rahm tied San Jose 5 7 8 23 22 28 Los Angeles at New York L.A. Rams at Denver FC Dallas 5 9 6 21 23 28 Seattle at Washington L.A. Chargers at Seattle Vancouver 4 7 8 20 21 29 GOLF Houston 3 8 9 18 21 30 Austin FC 4 11 4 16 14 23 The Northern Trust Women’s British Open atop Northern Trust Note: Three points for victory, one point for tie. PGA Tour Thursday Thursday At Carnoustie Golf Links Friday’s game At Liberty National Golf Club Carnoustie, Scotland BY DOUG FERGUSON San Jose at LA Galaxy Jersey City, N.J. Purse: $4.5 million Associated Press Yardage: 7,410; Par: 71 Yardage: 6,737; Par: 72 Saturday’s games Purse: $9.5 Million a-amateur JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Jon Sporting Kansas City at Minnesota First Round First Round Seattle at Columbus Justin Thomas 31-32—63 -8 Sei Young Kim 33-34—67 -5 Rahm returned from a month off Chicago at Orlando City Jon Rahm 32-31—63 -8 Madelene Sagstrom 33-34—67 -5 and played like he was never CF Montréal at Philadelphia Atlanta at D.C. United Harold Varner III 33-33—66 -5 Nelly Korda 33-34—67 -5 gone. Justin Thomas took the ad- Cincinnati at New England Adam Scott 33-34—67 -4 Yuka Saso 35-33—68 -4 New York City FC at New York Robert Streb 33-34—67 -4 a-Louise Duncan 35-33—68 -4 vice of a 15-year-old and had his Toronto FC at Miami Mackenzie Hughes 34-33—67 -4 Georgia Hall 35-33—68 -4 FC Dallas at Houston lowest score of the year. Portland at Austin FC DEALS Both opened with an 8-under Real Salt Lake at Colorado Los Angeles FC at Vancouver 63 on Thursday at The Northern Thursday’s transactions East). Sent OF Ka’ai Tom and INF John No- Trust as the PGA Tour's postsea- Justin Thomas is tied with Rahm NWSL gowski outright to Indianapolis. BASEBALL ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Sent LHP Kwang son began with no shortage of bi- for the lead at 8­under 63. WLTPts GF GA Major League Baseball Hyun Kim to Memphis (Triple-A East) on a American League rehab assignment. zarre developments. Portland 9 3 2 29 21 8 BOSTON RED SOX — Released RHP Matt SAN DIEGO PADRES — Agreed to terms Rahm, who missed his chance stress-free players in golf — at North Carolina 7 4 3 24 18 9 Andriese. with OF Justin Farmer on a minor league contract. Sent OF Jorge Ona to San Antonio Gotham FC 5 2 6 21 14 9 DETROIT TIGERS — Placed C Eric Haase at the Olympics because of what least he looks that way — who ut- on the 10-day IL, retroactive to August 16. (Double-A Central) on a rehab assign- Orlando 5 4 6 21 18 17 Reinstated OF Daz Cameron from the 10- ment. amounts to a false positive test re- tered words rarely heard: “Threw BASKETBALL Chicago 6 7 3 21 16 22 day IL. sult for COVID-19, expected a lit- me for a loop.” KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Sent RHP Ro- National Basketball Association Washington 5 5 4 19 17 17 nald Bolanos to Northwest Arkansas CHICAGO BULLS — Signed C Tony Bra- tle rust in his game. It just didn't He was hitting drivers on the Reign FC 6 7 1 19 17 15 (Double-A Central) on a rehab assign- dley. Re-signed F Javonte Green. Re- Houston 5 6 3 18 17 20 ment. signed G Devon Dotson to a two-way con- show on his card. He chipped in range, and hitting them well, HOUSTON ASTROS — Sent RHP Jose Ur- tract. Louisville 4 6 4 16 12 20 quidy to the Florida Complex League (FCL) DETROIT PISTONS — Re-signed G Hami- for birdie, saved par on the next right before teeing off when a few Kansas City 1 9 4 7 7 20 Astros on a rehab assignment. dou Diallo. two holes and was on his way. of them came off the club funny SAN ANTONIO SPURS — Signed C Jock Three points for victory, one point MINNESOTA TWINS — Placed LHP Lewis Note: Thorpe on the 10-day IL. Selected the con- Landale. Thomas had benched his putter and another one sounded funny. for tie. tracts of LHP Andrew Albers and RHP Kyle FOOTBALL Wednesday, Aug. 18 Barraclough from St. Paul (Triple-A East) National Football League for bad behavior after he spent His driver cracked, and Johnson Chicago 1, Louisville 1, tie and agreed to terms on major league con- BUFFALO BILLS — Activated LB Marquel tracts. Sent RHP Beau Burrows outright to Lee from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Re- too much of the year not seeing headed to the first tee with 13 Saturday’s games St. Paul. Optioned RHP Edgar Garcia to St. leased OL Steven Gonzalez. putts go in the hole. But during clubs and one head cover for his Kansas City at North Carolina Paul. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Signed OL Mar- Gotham FC at Reign FC SEATTLE MARINERS — Claimed INF Ke- quel Harrell. Waived WR Micah Simon. his junior event last week, a teen- 5-wood. vin Padlo off waivers from the Tampa Bay CLEVELAND BROWNS — Signed WR JoJo Sunday’s games Rays and optioned him to Tacoma (Tri- Ward. Released DT Damion Square. ager asked why he wasn't using He had a spare 3-wood in the Orlando at Washington ple-A West). Transferred RHP Justin Dunn Waived CB Kiondre Thomas from injured his old putter. car — but no driver — and got from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL. reserve. Wednesday, Aug. 25 TAMPA BAY RAYS — Placed CF Jordan DALLAS COWBOYS — Signed K Lirim Haj- “And I found myself defending that on the third hole. If that Louisville at Kansas City Luplow on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Au- rullahu. Waived P Hunter Niswander. Gotham FC at Portland gust 18. Recalled LHP Dietrich Enns from DENVER BRONCOS — Waived DT Deyon myself to this 15-year-old,” he wasn't enough, he decided on a Durham (Triple-A East). Sizer from the injured reserve list with an Saturday, Aug. 28 TEXAS RANGERS — Activated INF Davis injury settlement. said. “I was like, ‘Why am I not putter switch at the last minute. Kansas City at Chicago Wendzel from the 7-Day IL in Frisco (Dou- DETROIT LIONS — Activated DT Nick Wil- using this thing?' It's not like I’m He still managed a 70. ble-A Central). Transferred C Isaias Quiroz liams from the reserve/COVID-19 list. TENNIS from Hickory (High-A East) to Frisco. Waived TE Hunter Thedford. making a lot of putts with what I Otherwise, there was a range of Transferred C Efrenyer Narvaez from Ari- HOUSTON TEXANS — Waived RB Dontrell zona (ACL) to Frisco. Transferred LHP Juan Hilliard from the injured reserve list with have. If you’re putting well, any of good golf in surprisingly strong Chicago 125 Carlos Mejia from Frisco to Hickory. an injury settlement. us can go out and putt with any- wind off the Hudson River across Thursday TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Sent RHP A.J. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Activated S At XS Tennis Village Cole to Buffalo (Triple-A East) on a rehab Daniel Thomas from the Reserve/CO- thing.” from the Manhattan skyline. assignment. VID-19 list. Released CB Luq Barcoo. Chicago National League MIAMI DOLPHINS — Signed LB Josh Har- He didn't hole all of them, but Harold Varner III had a 66 in Purse: $115,000 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Optioned vey-Clemons. Surface: Hardcourt outdoor RHP Humberto Castellanos to Reno (Tri- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Placed DB Ado- enough to record nine birdies for the morning, boosting his post- Women’s Singles ple-A West). Activated RHP Noe Ramirez nis Alexander and G Michael Brown on the his lowest round since a 62 last season chances. He is No. 72 in Round of 16 from the 10-day IL. injured reserve list. Vitalia Diatchenko, Russia, def. Kat- COLORADO ROCKIES — Optioned RHP TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Placed DB November in Mexico. the FedEx Cup standings, and on- eryna Kozlova, Ukraine, 7-5, 1-6, 6-4. Ashton Goudeau to Albuquerque (Triple-A Raven Greene on the injured reserve list. Emma Raducanu, Britain, def. Clara Bu- West). TENNESSEE TITANS — Signed OL Paul Bryson DeChambeau also ly the top 70 after this week ad- rel, France, 6-2, 7-5. LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Agreed to Adams. Placed OL Brent Qvale on the in- made nine birdies. He was eight vance to the next tournament. Clara Tauson, Denmark, def. Hailey Bap- terms with RHP Jordan Leasure on a minor jured reserve list. tiste, United States, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. league contract. Reinstated LHP Victor HOCKEY shots behind. His round of 71 was With the points at quadruple val- Jule Niemeier, Germany, def. Amanda Gonzalez from the 10-day IL. Optioned RHP National Hockey League Anisimova (6), United States, 3-6, 6-3, 4-0, Mitch White to Oklahoma City (Triple-A DETROIT RED WINGS — Waived C Frans noteworthy because of the pars ue, some big movements are ex- ret. West). Nielsen. Named Pat Verbeek general man- Women’s Doubles MIAMI MARLINS — Designated RHP Luis ager of the American Hockey League’s he made on Nos. 4 and 10. Those pected. Quarterfinals Madero for assignment. Placed RHP Jorge Grand Rapids Griffins and he will also con- were the only pars he made all The six players at 67 included Mona Barthel, Germany, and Yu-Chieh Guzman on the 10-day IL. Recalled RHP tinue in his role as assistant general man- Hsieh, Taiwan, def. Ankita Raina, India, Nick Neidert from Jacksonville (Triple-A ager of the Red Wings. day. The nine birdies were offset Adam Scott (No. 82), Robert and Ekaterine Gorgodze, Georgia, 7-5, 6-2. East). Selected the contract of RHP Bryan SOCCER Peangtarn Plipuech, Thailand, and Eri Mitchel from Jacksonville and agreed to Major League Soccer by five bogeys and two double bo- Streb (No. 68) and Mackenzie Hozumi, Japan, def. Dalma Galfi, Hungary, terms on a major league contract. Rein- LOS ANGELES FC — Signed D Julian geys. Hughes (No. 67). and Kamilla Rakhimova, Russia, 5-7, 6-4, stated LHP Daniel Castano from the 60- Gaines, using the number one spot in the 11-9. day IL and optioned him to Jacksonville. MLS Waiver Order which they received It was the first time in 10 years British Open champion Collin Alison van Uytvanck and Greet Minnen, MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Placed RHP from Toronto FC in exchange for $50,000 in Belgium, def. Aldila Sutjiadi and Beatrice Freddy Peralta on the 10-day IL. Recalled General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2022 someone shot par or better with Morikawa, the No. 1 seed, strug- Gumulya, Indonesia, 6-2, 6-7 (6), 10-4. LHP Hoby Milner from Nashville (Triple-A and the No. 21 spot in the MLS Waiver Or- two pars or fewer. gled to keep the ball in play and Kristina Mladenovic and Clara Burel, East). Sent 1B Daniel Vogelbach to Nash- der. France, def. Ulrikke Eikeri, Norway, and ville on a rehab assignment. SPORTING KC — Signed MF Jake Davis to Not to be overlooked was Dust- opened with a 74. Jordan Spieth Catherine Harrison, United States, 7-5, 6-4. PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Optioned RHP a contract through 2023, with an option for Cody Ponce to Indianapolis (Triple-A the 2024 season. in Johnson, one of the most at No. 2 opened with a 72. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 BOXING/SPORTS BRIEFS Ugás grabs shot against Pacquiao Cuban boxer finally gets big chance

BY GREG BEACHAM fight Pacquiao in a pay-per-view Associated Press show Saturday night at T-Mobile LAS VEGAS — This is the life Arena, discovered he had a de- Yordenis Ugás imagined when he tached retina during a pre-fight decided to leave Cuba. physical. He wanted to be in a boxing Spence needed surgery, and ring with somebody like Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) quickly Pacquiao under the Vegas spot- needed a new opponent before he light, fighting for a championship got back to his day job, which belt in front of the whole world. probably includes an imminent Ugás wanted this future so bad- run for president of the Philip- ly that he attempted to defect six pines. times. He says he was sent to pris- Ugás (26-4, 12 KOs) was sched- on after the failed attempts, even uled to fight on the undercard, though he won an Olympic bronze and he already held a welter- JOHN LOCHER/AP medal in Beijing. weight belt that had been taken Manny Pacquiao, left, of the Philippines, and Yordenis Ugas, of Cuba, pose for photographers during a He finally got to Mexico in 2010 away from Pacquiao by the WBA. news conference Wednesday in Las Vegas. The two are scheduled to fight Saturday in Las Vegas. after two perilous days in a small He was finally in the perfect place boat. He eventually made it to at the ideal time to get a fight and a ined, he has been through enough ramen and struggling to figure out Champions, which has given him Miami, yet he still paid another payday with the potential to to appreciate an opportunity like what to do after failing at boxing. regular platforms — and thanks to price: He couldn’t see his family, change his life. this without allowing it to con- He found salvation from Arol- Spence’s unfortunate injury, he including his mother, for nine Too often in his life and career, sume him. dis Chapman, the baseball closer was in position to take the biggest years. Ugás had been in the wrong place. His pro career has moved on who loves boxing and informally stage of all. “This has been a long road for Now that he has the break he swells and troughs. He started sponsors defector fighters from There are plenty of reasons to me,” Ugás said through an inter- chased for so long, Ugás is deter- 11-0, but Top Rank unceremo- their mutual homeland. Ugás says believe Ugás has more than a preter. “Obviously it was short no- mined not to waste it. niously released him in 2012 after Chapman paid for him to move to puncher’s chance against the Fil- tice that I learned I was fighting “There are no excuses heading his first professional loss, a split- Vegas to resume his training, and ipino senator. Pacquiao is 42, and Pacquiao. But I’m thankful for the into this fight,” Ugás said. “I’ve decision defeat in which he didn’t he returned to the ring in August he is coming off the longest layoff opportunity, and I’m ready to take been in this position taking a look sharp enough for Bob Arum’s 2016 with the first of eight straight of his quarter-century in pro box- advantage of it.” short-notice fight before, although promotion. wins. ing. Indeed, the 35-year-old Ugás’ obviously never against a fighter Ugás then stepped away from A debatable split-decision loss “I have prepared for 12 hard two decades of hard work and sac- the caliber of Pacquiao. I have no competitive boxing for two years to Shawn Porter in 2019 prevent- rounds,” Ugás said. “If this is Pac- rifice finally paid off in a flash ear- concerns, though.” from 2014 to 2016 after back-to- ed him from winning the WBC quiao’s final fight, then he’s going lier this month. Although Ugás has found it back decision losses that he found welterweight title, but only im- to be up against a guy who Errol Spence Jr., the vaunted painful in the past when his life unfair. He says he was depressed proved his stock in the boxing brought his best and who is a welterweight champion slated to didn’t fit the future he had imag- and living in New Jersey, eating world. He is with Premier Boxing world-class fighter.”

BRIEFLY Nadal pulls out of US Open, citing injured foot

Associated Press calendar-year Grand Slam at the U.S. Open. has played most of his career, to safety. He ed person who has a close contact with some- MADRID — Rafael Nadal joined Roger Fe- Djokovic won the Australian Open in Feb- was having a solid transition with a good one who tests positive for COVID-19 must un- derer in sitting out the U.S. Open, citing a ruary, the French Open in June and Wimble- camp, intercepting three passes in team drills dergo a mandatory seven-day quarantine. chronic foot injury that will force him to miss don in July. during camp. They can return with no symptoms and a neg- the rest of the season. Lewis played at the Air Force Academy and ative test on Day 5. Nadal anounced his decision in a video on Jets lose Lawson, Lewis was the first Air Force senior to apply for — There is no mandatory quarantine for a social media Friday, saying GREEN BAY, Wis. — New York Jets de- and receive — deferred service time. He went vaccinated person but a close contact would the injury to his left foot will fensive end Carl Lawson will miss the season undrafted last year, but signed with Arizona require a negative test within three to five keep him from the year’s after rupturing his Achilles tendon in practice and spent last summer with the Cardinals be- days to clear a return to the track. last major tournament. Thursday, a devastating loss for a team seek- fore getting cut late in camp. The Jets claimed “I am very sorry to an- ing to turn the corner under new coach Robert him the next day. Goalie Lundqvist retires at 39 nounce that I won’t be able Saleh. WASHINGTON — Henrik Lundqvist, one to keep playing tennis dur- Backup safety Zane Lewis also suffered a Virus protocols sideline LaJoie of the greatest goaltenders of his generation, ing the 2021 season,” Nadal season-ending knee injury. Corey LaJoie will miss Sunday’s race at Mi- announced his retirement Friday less than said. “But, as you know, I Both players were carted off the field dur- chigan because of NASCAR’s COVID-19 pro- nine months after heart surgery. Nadal have been suffering too ing Thursday’s joint practice session with the tocols. The driver said Thursday he does not The 39-year-old Swede starred for years much with my foot for the last year now and I Green Bay Packers. have the virus. for the New York Rangers, where he piled up missed a lot of important events for me.” The Jets announced later in the day that LaJoie posted “Protocols” on Twitter when 459 wins along with a a 2.43 goals-against av- Federer, who needs knee surgery, said last Lawson had ruptured his Achilles tendon Spire Motorsports announced that Josh Berry erage and 64 shutouts in 15 seasons. weekend he would not play in New York. while Lewis had torn his patella tendon and will replace him in the No. 7 Chevrolet at Mi- He is sixth in NHL history in wins, seventh Also missing from the field at Flushing sprained his medial collateral ligament. chigan. in saves (23,509), eighth in games played Meadows will be reigning champion Dominic The loss of Lawson will force the Jets to re- In a later appearance on SiriusXM NAS- (887), ninth in starts (871), ninth in time on ice Thiem, who said this week he is ending his tool their defensive line under Saleh, who CAR Radio, LaJoie said he was in a mandato- (51,816:51) and 17th in shutouts, accorinding season after injuring his right wrist in June. spent the past four seasons as the San Francis- ry seven-day quarantine for contact tracing to the NHL. Nadal and Federer share the men’s record co 49ers’ defensive coordinator. after someone else tested positive who had He signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract of 20 Grand Slam singles titles with Novak The 23-year-old Lewis was entering his been in studio with LaJoie at the start of the with the Washington Capitals last October but Djokovic, who will be trying to not only to second season with the Jets and was making week to tape LaJoie’s podcast. never took the ice after announcing he had a move ahead of his rivals but also complete a the switch from cornerback, the position he The NASCAR policy states any unvaccinat- heart condition. Saturday, August 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 MLB

Scoreboard ROUNDUP

American League

East Division WLPct GB Tampa Bay 75 47 .615 _ Stassi, Angels rally past Tigers New York 70 52 .574 5 Boston 69 54 .561 6½ Toronto 63 56 .529 10½ Associated Press Baltimore 38 82 .317 36 DETROIT — Max Stassi hit a Central Division go-ahead, two-run homer in the WLPct GB eighth inning and the Los Angeles Chicago 71 51 .582 _ Angels overcame an eight-run Cleveland 58 61 .487 11½ deficit to beat the Detroit Tigers Detroit 58 65 .472 13½ 13-10 on Thursday. Minnesota 54 68 .443 17 Kansas City 52 68 .433 18 Miguel Cabrera drove in four West Division runs to help Detroit open a 10-2 WLPct GB lead after five innings. He had multiple hits for the first time Houston 71 50 .587 _ Oakland 69 53 .566 2½ since Aug. 11, when he hit homer Seattle 66 56 .541 5½ No. 499. He grounded out with a Los Angeles 62 61 .504 10 chance to reach the milestone Texas 42 79 .347 29 and pull the Tigers within a run in National League the eighth, finishing the day 2- East Division for-5. WLPct GB Shohei Ohtani went 2-for-3 Atlanta 65 56 .537 _ with two walks, two runs scored Philadelphia 61 60 .504 4 and a sacrifice fly for the Angels. New York 60 61 .496 5 Mike Mayers (4-4) pitched a Washington 52 68 .433 12½ perfect seventh and Austin War- Miami 51 71 .418 14½ ren earned his first save with two Central Division perfect innings. WLPct GB Michael Fulmer (5-5) took the PAUL SANCYA/AP Milwaukee 74 48 .607 _ loss, giving up three runs on three Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Austin Warren, left, and catcher Max Stassi shake hands after the final Cincinnati 66 57 .537 8½ St. Louis 62 58 .517 11 hits and a walk in the pivotal out of Thursday’s game against the Tigers in Detroit. The Angels won 13­10. Chicago 54 69 .439 20½ eighth inning. Pittsburgh 42 79 .347 31½ Mariners 9, Rangers 8 (11):Ty Dodgers 4, Mets 1:Trea Turn- his fourth straight start, and AL game sweep. West Division France hit a two-run homer in the er went 2-for-4 and drove in a run East-leading Tampa Bay handed Diamondbacks 6, Phillies 2: WLPct GB 11th inning and visiting Seattle to lead host Los Angeles past New visiting Baltimore its 15th consec- Madison Bumgarner held visiting San Francisco 78 43 .645 _ completed a three-game sweep York for its seventh straight win. utive loss. Philadelphia to one hit in the first Los Angeles 76 46 .623 2½ after Texas forced extra innings The Dodgers moved within 2½ The Orioles also dropped 14 in seven innings and Arizona com- San Diego 67 56 .545 12 with five runs in the ninth. games of the NL West-leading a row from May 18-31. The team pleted a three-game sweep. Colorado 55 66 .455 23 France went deep off Joe Bar- San Francisco Giants, who were record losing streak is 21 games, Bumgarner (7-7) went eight in- Arizona 41 81 .336 37½ low (0-1), who would have given idle. The defending World Series set at the beginning of the 1988 nings, giving up three hits and Thursday’s games Tampa Bay 7, Baltimore 2 up another homer if not for a champions haven’t been in first season. one run to help NL-worst Arizona Oakland 5, Chicago White Sox 4 spectacular inning-ending, leap- place since the end of April. Astros 6, Royals 3 (10): Aled- finish 6-1 on its homestand. He L.A. Angels 13, Detroit 10 Houston 6, Kansas City 3, 10 innings ing catch by Adolis Garcia. Athletics 5, White Sox 4:Matt mys Díaz singled in the go-ahead walked one, struck out five and Seattle 9, Texas 8, 11 innings N.Y. Yankees 7, Minnesota 5 Yankees 7, Twins 5:Luke Voit Olson slugged a go-ahead two-run run in the 10th inning and Hous- hit two batters, throwing 105 Arizona 6, Philadelphia 2 had a two-run double in his homer, Matt Chapman added a ton avoided a four-game sweep at pitches. Cincinnati 6, Miami 1 St. Louis 8, Milwaukee 4 team’s four-run third inning and solo shot and visiting Oakland ral- Kansas City. Reds 6, Marlins 1: Joey Votto L.A. Dodgers 4, N.Y. Mets 1 host New York beat Minnesota lied past Chicago. Díaz finished 3-for-4 with a hit a three-run homer, Luis Cas- Friday’s games Minnesota at N.Y. Yankees for its season-high seventh Sean Murphy also homered as double and two RBIs for the AL tillo pitched seven innings of one- Detroit at Toronto straight victory. the A’s avoided a sweep in their West leaders. run ball and host Cincinnati beat Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay L.A. Angels at Cleveland Voit gave the Yankees a 3-0 four-game series with AL Cen- Cardinals 8, Brewers 4: Tyler Miami. Texas at Boston Seattle at Houston lead with a double down the left- tral-leading Chicago. Oakland O’Neill and Lars Nootbaar hit Votto’s 428-foot shot into the Kansas City at Chicago Cubs field line off John Gant (0-1) and ended a four-game skid and back-to-back home runs in a five- seats in right-center — his team- Atlanta at Baltimore Miami at Cincinnati then scored on a sacrifice fly by maintained its grip on the second run fifth inning to help host St. leading 27th homer — highlight- Washington at Milwaukee Pittsburgh at St. Louis Anthony Rizzo. Voit’s clutch hit AL wild-card spot. Louis beat Milwaukee. ed the Reds’ four-run fourth after Arizona at Colorado came two nights after he drove in Rays 7, Orioles 2: Brandon Nolan Arenado also drove in a Miami right-hander Nick Neidert San Francisco at Oakland N.Y. Mets at L.A. Dodgers the decisive runs in a double- Lowe hit his career-high 29th pair of runs as St. Louis erased a (1-2) faced the minimum in the Philadelphia at San Diego header sweep of Boston. homer, Shane McClanahan won three-run deficit to avoid a three- first three innings. Saturday’s games Minnesota (Maeda 6-4) at N.Y. Yankees (Cole 11-6) Chicago White Sox (Keuchel 8-6) at Tam- pa Bay (Patiño 2-3) Detroit (Peralta 3-2) at Toronto (Ryu Restraining order against Bauer denied 11-6) L.A. Angels (Detmers 1-2) at Cleveland (McKenzie 2-5) Seattle (Gilbert 5-4) at Houston (Odoriz- BY ANDREW DALTON we do when she says yes?” closing arguments were completed. However, zi 5-6) Associated Press Texas (Lyles 5-10) at Boston (Rodríguez The woman’s attorney, Li- she added, in her communications with Bauer 9-6) LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles judge sid- sa Helfend Meyer, said in her the woman “was not ambiguous about wanting Kansas City (Bubic 3-6) at Chicago Cubs (TBD) ed with Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer on closing arguments that Bauer rough sex in the parties’ first encounter, and N.Y. Mets (Hill 6-4) at L.A. Dodgers (Scherzer 10-4) Thursday and denied a five-year restraining was a “monster” who far ex- wanting rougher sex in the second encounter.” Washington (Corbin 6-12) at Milwaukee (Lauer 4-4) order requested by a woman who said he ceeded what the woman con- Bauer had no visible reaction in court to the San Francisco (Gausman 12-5) at Oak- choked her into unconsciousness and punched sented to, especially in decision. land (Manaea 8-8) Miami (TBD) at Cincinnati (Miley 10-4) her repeatedly during two sexual encounters. punching her in the face and “We are grateful to the Los Angeles Superior Atlanta (Smyly 8-3) at Baltimore (Harvey Bauer 6-12) In denying the civil domestic violence re- vagina and leaving serious Court for denying this request,” his lawyer Pittsburgh (Peters 0-1) at St. Louis straining order after a four-day hearing, Judge bruising that was captured in photographs. Shawn Holley said outside the courthouse as (Happ 7-6) Arizona (Gallen 1-7) at Colorado (Free- Dianna Gould-Saltman said that according to Bauer also did things that the woman couldn’t he stood silently at her side. “We had expected land 4-6) Philadelphia (Nola 7-7) at San Diego the 27-year-old San Diego woman’s testimony, consent to because she had been choked un- this outcome since the petition was filed in (Musgrove 8-8) Bauer honored her boundaries when she set conscious, including, according to her testimo- June.” Calendar them. And she said Bauer couldn’t know the ny, having anal sex with her while she was out, It was a victory for Bauer in his public fight Aug. 22 — Los Angeles Angels vs. Cleve- boundaries she didn’t express to him. Meyer said. to clear his name, but serious hurdles remain, land at Williamsport, Pa. Dec. 1 — Collective bargaining agree- “We consider in a sexual encounter that “Let me be clear, the injuries as shown in the including a criminal investigation by police in ment expires, 11:59 p.m. EST. when a woman says no she should be be- photographs are terrible,” said the judge, who Pasadena, Calif., and a probe by Major League Dec. 6-9 — Winter meetings, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. lieved,” Gould-Saltman said, “so what should issued her decision about five minutes after Baseball. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 NFL Roethlisberger excited to run new Steelers offense BY DAN SCIFO consideration to Roethlisberger Associated Press sitting out the Steelers’ four-game PITTSBURGH — Quarterback preseason. He also believes it’s Ben Roethlisberger is excited to significant for the 18-year veteran run the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new to play a couple of series on Satur- offense. day. Roethlisberger, who was held “If he was in the same system of out of Pittsburgh’s first two pre- offense that he’d been in, he prob- season games, will have his initial ably wouldn’t play,” Tomlin said. opportunity to work with first- “We’ve taken that approach in the year offensive coordinator Matt past. But we think it’s good for him Canada during an in-game setting to get in the stadium, and commu- when the Steelers host Detroit on nicate with Matt, and do some of Saturday. the things that the quarterback “I would love to get as many has to do from a dry run perspec- reps as I can,” Roethlisberger said tive before we step into the regu- on Thursday. “It’s been how many lar season.” months since I stepped on a foot- The challenge of newer con- ball field to take a hit or play any cepts and verbiage within the of- meaningful type of reps. With the fense has Roethlisberger excited newness of it, I definitely want to to the point where he put in addi- get as much as I can.” tional work at home and took extra The Steelers promoted Canada snaps in practice this week. from quarterbacks coach to offen- Roethlisberger looked particu- sive coordinator after Randy larly nimble and athletic during Fichtner’s contract wasn’t renew- workouts this week, executing ed following a first-round playoff play action and bootleg rollout loss against Cleveland. passes. He said there will be more Canada is a believer of dictating mid-range and deep throws mixed and changing tempo in his offense. in with a short passing game, The Steelers already implement- which was a prominent feature in ed some jet sweeps and pre-snap last season’s offense. motions early last season, a staple “We’re still going to have plenty throughout Canada’s two-decade of plays where the ball is getting career as a college coach. out quick because that’s smart,” Canada believes the 39-year-old Roethlisberger said. Roethlisberger can run a similar KEITH SRAKOCIC/AP “We have guys that when you up-tempo offense, and he intends Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger passes during practice Wednesday in Pittsburgh. get the ball in their hands, amaz- to build the offense off the ing things can happen, so I need to strengths of the two-time Super much in-game time he’ll need with lo, which reached the AFC cham- cumstances,” Roethlisberger get the ball in their hands quick Bowl winner. Canada during his preseason de- pionship game in the 2020 season. said. and let it happen.” “I think Ben is right where he but on Saturday to feel comfort- Still, Roethlisberger believes Tomlin didn’t indicate how long Roethlisberger will have his wants to be,” Canada said. “Ben’s able with the new offense. it’s important to take preseason Roethlisberger would play on Sat- first chance to run the new offense worked very hard to get everyone Roethlisberger admitted to un- snaps, citing the new offensive urday. on Saturday. on the same page. The few chang- successfully lobbying Steelers scheme and player-to-coach com- “The emphasis for this outing, “If this were still the same stuff, es we’ve had in our offense, the coach Mike Tomlin in an effort to munication, as Canada works as it pertains to the quarterback I’d probably go home, watch the tweaks we’ve had in terminology play during last week’s preseason from the press box, unlike Fichtn- position is getting Ben his first in- film and be ready to move on,” ... he’s embraced those and win at Philadelphia. He wanted to er. stadium exposure of the presea- Roethlisberger said. “I just think learned them, as well as teaching simulate the new offense in a road “There’s a lot of newness and I son, and we’ll go from there,” because it’s different, I want to everybody else.” environment since Pittsburgh think it’s prudent to get as much Tomlin said. make sure that I’m not the reason Roethlisberger isn’t sure how opens the regular season at Buffa- time in as I can under those cir- Tomlin said that he never gave that we struggle.” Raiders, Rams end joint practice early after prolonged fight BY GREG BEACHAM the disruption to the prac- All-Pro Aaron Donald took a rest day for their guys and how they just let some things Associated Press tice plan for the Raiders the Rams, but he wasn’t surprised to see happen ... I mean, I like the fact our team got THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Los An- and the Rams, who will what happened from the sideline. the fighting spirit, and not only that, but geles Rams’ second joint practice with the meet again in a preseason “It’s football, man,” Donald said. “Hon- they had each other’s back.” Las Vegas Raiders ended early when the game Saturday night at estly, every joint practice I’ve ever been a Although the fight wasn’t caused by the teams had a prolonged brawl Thursday. SoFi Stadium. When the part of, there’s always a fight. The way historic rivalry between these two venera- The fight began during special teams fight finally calmed, Gru- things happened yesterday, how physical it ble franchises, it was somewhat of a reflec- work, and it started and stopped several den could be heard order- was, I was pretty sure it was going to come tion of that tension. The Rams and Raiders Gruden times before coaches Sean McVay and Jon ing his players off the back and be a lot of BS.” play in different divisions, but they have a Gruden decided to scrap the remaining pe- field: “To the bus!” The teams had a few minor scraps in joint history with Los Angeles that contin- riods of practice, which had been scheduled McVay, Gruden’s em- Wednesday’s first practice, but nothing that ues even today, 27 years after the Raiders to last for another 45 minutes. ployee in Tampa Bay 13 significantly interrupted the flow. The left town. “Everybody knows better,” Gruden said. seasons ago, called the Raiders’ defense was the biggest winner The Raiders are still probably the most “It wasn’t everybody fighting. It’ll be on TV. skirmish “unfortunate.” from the opening practice, putting together popular team in the metropolitan area be- You’ll see a bunch of guys screaming and The Rams finished up the a solid performance against the Rams’ re- cause of their Generation X and early mil- yelling, but it was two guys in a special practice against them- configured offense under quarterback Mat- lennial fans from the franchise’s mostly teams period, and then it was a lot of trash selves while the Raiders thew Stafford. successful 13-year run at the Coliseum talking that just escalated. Just sickening, McVay boarded buses back to One brouhaha Wednesday started after while the Rams were based in Anaheim. really, it’s just stupidity, but I’m done with their hotel. Raiders running back Josh Jacobs received The Rams are the most popular team lo- that. It’s just child’s play to me.” “I did think that there was a lot of good azealous hit from All-Pro Rams cornerback cated in the LA market since they returned The culprits weren’t easily identified in work that we were getting in,” McVay said. Jalen Ramsey. Jacobs later tweeted: “Love home five years ago, but overtaking the the mass of players working on punt block- “We only had a little bit left, and it felt like this team.” Raiders could require a generational shift. ing and punt coverage outside the Rams’ the best decision, just based on kind of the “(It was) definitely about how the whole The Rams and Raiders only have to wait training complex, but punches appeared to temperature of the situation, was (to) bag situation was handled,” Jacobs said when until Saturday for the next chapter of their be thrown by both teams. the last eight plays in the team period that asked what his tweet meant. “If you look at rivalry. Thousands of Raiders fans are ex- Gruden and McVay weren’t pleased by we had.” our guys and see how we reacted, and see pected at SoFi. Saturday, August 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 COLLEGE FOOTBALL Burglary charges for six Wildcats Associated Press LEXINGTON, Ky. — Six Uni- versity of Kentucky football play- ers have been charged with first- degree burglary, with one also ac- cused of first degree wanton en- dangerment, following the inves- tigation of an incident last March at a private party. The Lexington Police Depart- ment said in a release Thursday that offensive lineman Reuben Adams, running back Robert McClain, defensive back Andru Phillips, receiver Earnest Sand- ers IV, safety Devito Tisdale and defensive back Joel Williams were charged with first-degree burglary. Tisdale also was charged with wanton endanger- ment for allegedly pointing a gun at one of the victims. The players face arraignment AL DIAZ/AP Friday in Fayette County District In this Nov. 23, 2006 photo, Miami players, including Rashaun Jones, left, gather around a mural of teammate Bryan Pata after a game against Court. Boston College in Miami. Jones was arrested Thursday in connection with Pata’s fatal shooting on the night of Nov. 7, 2006. Wildcats coach Mark Stoops said in a statement that he was aware of the current situation and that the program had been aware of the matter since March. Arrest made 15 years after “We are evaluating the current situation as we receive more in- formation,” Stoops added. The release stated that on March 6 three individuals en- Miami player’s fatal shooting tered a private party uninvited at a residence and were asked to Associated Press feel endless, families should know that the played three seasons with the Hurricanes, leave. They became upset and MIAMI — A former University of Miami passion and determination of police and pros- had experienced confrontations before the threatened to return, the release football player was arrested Thursday in con- ecutors to resolve unsolved cases does not di- shooting. Pata previously beat his teammate added, and came back a short nection with the 2006 fatal shooting of his minish.” during a physical altercation, officials said. time later with additional individ- teammate Bryan Pata. Pata was expected to be an early pick in the And Pata’s brother told investigators that uals. Rashaun Jones, 35, of Lake City, was ar- 2007 NFL Draft following his fourth and final Jones had threatened to shoot Pata two They forced their way inside rested in Marion County on a first-degree season with the Hurricanes. The 22-year-old, months before his death. Despite the urging and one suspect was observed murder warrant by Miami-Dade police and 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive lineman was of his brother, Pata never reported the threat. pointing a firearm at a victim, the the U.S. Marshals Service, police spokesper- shot several times outside of his Kendall During two interviews with detectives, release stated. son Alvaro Zabaleta said. apartment the night of Nov. 7, 2006. Pata had Jones told investigators that he was at his own Kentucky’s athletic department “The Pata family has waited a long time to been returning from campus in his black In- home and never left on the night of Pata’s said in a statement that: “The in- see the individual they had believed involved finiti. Some witnesses claimed to hear argu- death. But records show that Jones’ cellphone stitution and athletics department in Brian’s death arrested and charged,” Mia- ing and then gunshots. Despite having hun- was using different cell towers around the take these matters very seriously. mi-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernan- dreds of dollars in his wallet, neither the car time of the shooting, authorities said. And an We are closely evaluating this is- dez Rundle said in a statement. “While the nor the cash were taken. eyewitness in the area at the time of the shoot- sue before determining next time needed to build sufficient evidence to Investigators said they learned through nu- ing identified Jones in a photo lineup, police steps.” ethically charge in a homicide can sometimes merous interviews that Pata and Jones, who said. All six players were part of the 2020 recruiting class with McClain, Tisdale and Williams Great: Sophomore QB replacing Heisman finalist Jones seeing action in many of Kentuck- y’s games last fall. FROM PAGE 24 Heisman Tro- tight end Cameron Latu. tions, but regardless of what hap- McClain rushed 16 times for 62 the main thing the main thing. phy finalist Mac The next game he suits up for pened in high school or any past yards in 11 contests. Tisdale had “We’ve talked a lot about that in- Jones at quar- will be real. Despite the Tide los- experiences I’ve had, coming to 20 tackles and nine assists in 10 house, and that’s something that terback when ing four other first-round NFL Bama is where you come for pres- games, while Williams had three we live by.” the Crimson Draft picks from the offense — sure and come for expectations,” stops in nine contests. Young spoke via Zoom in his Tide open Sept. Young will lead a team picked pre- Young said. “Everyone here when first interview with reporters 4 against Miami season No. 1 and favored to repeat they signed on the dotted line and since arriving in Tuscaloosa as the in Atlanta. as national champion. decided to come here, we knew it ROSTER ROBBERY? country’s top dual-threat quarter- Young Other than He’s OK with those expecta- was going to come with expecta- All six players charged were part of back prospect in the class of 2020. mop-up duties, Young hadn’t been tions after leading high school tions. the 2020 recruiting class with Saban said in July that Young seen all that much by Alabama powerhouse Mater Dei in Santa “Saban sets that standard for us Robert McClain, Devito Tisdale and already had received nearly sev- fans before the spring game. Ana, Calif., where he took over for immediately during recruiting Joel Williams seeing action in many en figures’ worth of name, image Then he showed off his athleti- current Georgia starter JT Da- and when we step into the build- of Kentucky’s games last fall. and likeness deals. The Califor- cism and arm, passing for 333 niels. ing, so it’s not something I was SOURCE: Associated Press nia sophomore is set to replace yards and a 59-yard touchdown to “There obviously are expecta- blindsided by.” PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, August 21, 2021 Thinning field SPORTS Nadal withdraws from US Open with injury ›› Sports briefs, Page 20

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Great expectations Alabama QB Young says preseason hype, off-field deals not distractions for top-ranked Crimson Tide BY JOHN ZENOR “Coach Saban sets that standard for Associated Press labama quarterback Bryce Young has us immediately during recruiting and made lucrative deals before starting his when we step into the building.” first college game, but he doesn’t think Athat or the preseason hype surrounding Bryce Young him will be a distraction. Alabama quarterback To Young, the “culture” that Nick Saban has cre- ated for the program won’t allow it. and it’s been going on for a while with there being “I think really it says a lot about Alabama, and it’s whatever distractions there may be — that’s some- honestly not too hard with the coaching that we thing we preach a lot about making sure we keep have,” Young said Thursday. “Coach Saban from Day 1 when all the external stuff started to pop up — SEE GREAT ON PAGE 23 Top: Alabama quarterback Bryce Young rolls out on a passing drill during practice on Aug. 12 in Tusca­ loosa, Ala. Right: Alabama head coach Nick Saban leaves the field after last season’s national cham­ pionship win over Ohio State on Jan. 12. The Tide are ranked No. 1 in The AP Top 25 preseason poll. PHOTOS BY VASHA HUNT, TOP, AND LUNNE SLADKY, RIGHT/AP

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