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Volume 80 Edition 63 ©SS 2021 WEDNESDAY,JULY 14, 2021 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas Families flee northern Afghanistan Thousands leave homes as Taliban surge continues

BY KATHY GANNON Associated Press CAMP ISTIQLAL, Afghanistan — Sakina, who is 11, maybe 12, walked with her family for 10 days after the Taliban seized her vil- lage in northern Afghanistan and burned down the local school. They are now among around 50 families living in a makeshift camp on a rocky patch of land on the edge of the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif. They roast in plastic tents under scorching heat that reaches 110 degrees Fahren- heit at midday. There are no trees, and the only bathroom for the en- tire camp is a tattered tent pitched over a foul-smelling hole. As the Taliban surge through northern Afghanistan — a tradi- tional stronghold of U.S.-allied warlords and an area dominated by the country’s ethnic minorities — thousands of families like Saki- na’s are fleeing their homes, fear- ful of living under the insurgents’ rule. In the past 15 days, Taliban ad- vances have driven more than 5,600 families from their homes, most of them in the northern reac- RAHMAT GUL/AP An internally displaced Afghan girl who fled her home due to fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security personnel, peers from her SEE FAMILIES ON PAGE 6 makeshift tent at a camp on the outskirts of Mazar-e-Sharif, northern Afghanistan, on July 8. Russia warns US against putting troops in Central Asian nations after withdrawal BY VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minis- equipment from Afghanistan is direct and straightforward way such steps, and we also have had a Associated Press ter Sergei Ryabkov said that Mos- complete. Biden said the U.S. mil- that it would change a lot of things frank talk on the subject with our MOSCOW — Russia has strong- cow conveyed the message to itary mission in Afghanistan will not only in our perceptions of Central Asian allies, neighbors ly warned the United States Washington during Russian Pres- conclude on Aug. 31. what’s going on in that important and friends and also other coun- against deploying its troops in the ident Vladimir Putin’s summit “I would emphasize that the re- region, but also in our relations tries in the region that would be di- former Soviet Central Asian na- with U.S. President Joe Biden in deployment of the American per- with the United States.” rectly affected,” Ryabkov said in tions following their withdrawal Geneva last month. manent military presence to the He added that Russia has also an interview published in the from Afghanistan, a senior diplo- The warning comes as the U.S. countries neighboring Afghanis- issued the warning to Central Mezhdunarodnaya Zhizn maga- mat said in remarks published military said last week that 90% of tan is unacceptable,” Ryabkov Asian nations. Tuesday. the withdrawal of U.S. troops and said. “We told the Americans in a “We cautioned them against SEE RUSSIA ON PAGE 6 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER Google fined $592M in dispute with French media EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1,147.45 Associated Press by the decision, and that the fine had issued temporary orders to Switzerland (Franc) 0.9168 Euro costs (July 14) $1.16 Thailand (Baht) 32.63 PARIS — France’s competition “doesn’t reflect the efforts put in Google last year to hold talks with- Dollar buys (July 14) 0.8232 Turkey (NewLira) 8.6032 British pound (July 14) $1.35 regulator said Tuesday it fined place or the reality of the use of in three months with news pub- Japanese yen (July 14) 107.00 (Military exchange rates are those available Google $592 million for failing to news content on our platform.” It lishers, and fined the company South Korean won (July 14) 1,116.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ negotiate in good faith with said it is negotiating in good faith Tuesday for breaching those or- many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain (Dinar) 0.3769 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ French publishers in a dispute toward a solution, and that it’s on ders. Britain (Pound) 1.3836 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2527 your local military banking facility. Commercial over payments for their news. the verge of reaching an agree- The company was forced to ne- China(Yuan) 6.4697 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.2918 The agency also threatened ment with some publishers. gotiate with French publishers af- Egypt (Pound) 15.6887 when buying currency. All figures are foreign fines of around $1 million per day The dispute is part of a larger ef- ter a court last year upheld an or- Euro 0.8459 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.766 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ if Google doesn’t come up with fort by authorities in the European der saying such agreements were Hungary (Forint) 301.75 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2826 proposals within two months on Union and around the world to required by a 2019 European Japan (Yen) 110.42 INTEREST RATES how it will compensate publishers force Google and other tech com- Union copyright directive, which Kuwait (Dinar) 0.3008 Norway (Krone) 8.7511 Prime rate 3.25 news agencies. panies to compensate publishers lays out a way for publishers and Philippines (Peso) 50.02 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.87 Federal funds market rate 0.09 Google France said in a state- for content. news companies to strike licens- Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7503 3­month bill 0.05 ment it was “very disappointed” The French antitrust agency ing deals with online platforms. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3539 30­year bond 1.99 WEATHER OUTLOOK WEDNESDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST WEDNESDAY IN EUROPE THURSDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 69/64

Kabul Seoul 86/55 88/75 Baghdad 110/84 Drawsko Osan Tokyo Kandahar Mildenhall/ 87/75 78/70 Pomorskie Busan 106/84 Lakenheath 84/68 69/57 78/75 Iwakuni Kuwait City 76/73 Bahrain Zagan Sasebo Guam 109/92 94/89 Brussels Ramstein 82/68 62/57 62/59 83/75 88/81 Riyadh Lajes, Stuttgart 109/84 Doha Azores Pápa 70/67 65/59 102/86 Aviano/ 88/73 Vicenza 71/63

Naples 81/73 Okinawa Morón 83/80 96/62 Sigonella Rota 95/68 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 81/66 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 101/90 82/75 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 18 Opinion ...... 14 Sports ...... 19-24 Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 PACIFIC Japan details ‘sense of crisis’ over Taiwan BY SETH ROBSON Force, established as a military AND HANA KUSUMOTO service branch in December 2019, Stars and Stripes stood up the four-member 16th TOKYO — Japanese military Expeditionary Space Flight-Al- planners are focused on Taiwan pha, 16th Space Control Squadron, “with a sense of crisis,” according at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, in Sep- to a Ministry of Defense report re- tember 2020. leased Tuesday. China is the primary challenge “Stabilizing the Taiwan situa- for U.S. forces preparing to fight tion is important for Japan’s na- and win in any future conflict in tional security and stability of the space, the chief of the U.S. Space international community,” states Command, Army Gen. James the annual white paper, which was Dickinson, said during a visit to adopted by the country’s cabinet Tokyo in May. that day. “We need to pay close at- tention with a sense of crisis more Boost to cyber warfare than ever before.” Japan’s military is also enhanc- The United States and Japan ing electronic warfare capability have been strengthening their alli- by strengthening its ability to neu- ance as China continues to expand tralize the radar and communica- its military with the stated goal of tions of adversaries who intend to occupying Taiwan, a U.S.-armed invade the country, the report democracy the communists re- states. gard as a rebellious province. Initiatives include researching The allies would have to defend a high-power microwave system Taiwan in the event of a major and high energy laser system, es- problem, Japan’s deputy prime tablishing a Japan Ground Self- minister, Taro Aso, said during a Defense Force electronic warfare political fundraising event July 5, unit and developing stand-off elec- according to Kyodo News. tronic warfare aircraft, according An invasion of the island by Chi- to the report. na could be seen as an existential PETER REFT/U.S. Air Force Japan’s military has taken com- threat, allowing Japan to exercise A member of the Japan Air Self­Defense Force inspects an F­15 Eagle during a past Red Flag drill out of prehensive measures to secure in- the right to collective self-defense, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. formation systems and deal with he said, according to the report. cyberattacks using specialized Asked about the comments at a paper. ance change, he said. vironment, Japan must strength- units, the white paper states. press conference the next day, “In recent years, however, Chi- “It goes without saying that we en its defense capability at speeds A recent competition was held Pentagon press secretary John na has been steadily improving its need to strengthen our defense ca- that are fundamentally different to identify personnel with cyber- Kirby told reporters that U.S. pol- landing and invasion capabilities pability and expand the role we from the past,” the report states. security expertise. The military is icy on Taiwan remains un- by building large amphibious can play ourselves,” he said. “It is Defense-related expenditures promoting the use of external hu- changed. ships,” the report states. necessary to coordinate closely for the 2021 fiscal year, which be- man resources through efforts to “We continue to observe the with countries that share the same gan April 1, have been increased to recruit a chief cybersecurity ad- One-China Policy,” he said, refer- Incursions by China basic values.” $46.5 billion, up 1.1% on the previ- viser with advanced knowledge, ring to one acknowledging that China has repeatedly entered Kishi stressed the importance of ous fiscal year’s budget, according according to the report. Beijing believes it has sovereignty Japanese territorial waters and its the Japan-U.S. alliance. to the report. In the next fiscal year, Japan over Taiwan. The sides split dur- ships have been spotted almost ev- “We will put our efforts into fur- Japan plans to set up a new unit, plans to buy a new military satel- ing a civil war in 1949. China con- ery day near the Senkaku Islands, ther strengthening deterrence tentatively named the Space Oper- lite, four conventional F-35A siders the island a breakaway Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi and countermeasures capability ations Group, to specialize in Lightning II stealth fighters, two province that should be brought said in a statement released with as an ally in order to continue to space missions. The country es- F-35Bs, which are capable of under its control by force if neces- the white paper. further strengthen the unwa- tablished its first space unit — the short-takeoffs and vertical land- sary. Japan and the U.S. have vowed vering bond between Japan and Space Operations Squadron — at ings, and three P-1 patrol aircraft, It is possible that China will at- to defend the chain, which is also the United States, as Japan-U.S. Fuchu Air Base, Tokyo, in May according to the report. tempt to invade Taiwan, the de- claimed by Taiwan and China. Alliance is the foundation of 2020. The country also plans to build fense white paper states. “The situation is becoming peace, security and prosperity of “[The Ministry of Defense] is two destroyers and a submarine, “In such situation, it has been in- more serious,” Kishi said. the region,” he said. working to deploy a radar and its refurbish its Izumo-class de- dicated that it will attempt to deter There are many security issues Japan is also looking to enhance operation system which will mon- stroyers, and buy missile defense or try to delay potential interven- in the Indo-Pacific region, such as its space, cyber and electronic itor threats to Japanese satellites systems and stand-off missiles, tion by the U.S.,” it says. China’s expansion of its naval ac- warfare capabilities amid compe- such as space debris,” the report the report states. While China possesses an over- tivities and missile development tition from China, according to the states. whelming number of troops, its ca- by North Korea. The importance white paper. Japan’s pursuit of military [email protected] Twitter: @SethRobson1 pability of landing and invading of the region is increasing as it is “In order to adapt to increasing- space capabilities parallels that of [email protected] Taiwan is limited, according to the going through a global power bal- ly rapid changes in the security en- its American ally. The U.S. Space Twitter: @HanaKusumoto National Guard rescues US service member left behind by hiking party

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE said by phone Monday. She said the hikers were all recent icopter and its seven-person crew commander Maj. Michael Chen, D Stars and Stripes First responders found nine lost arrivals on the island. shortly before 11 a.m., according to Company, 1st-224th Aviation Re- Aservice member left behind by hikers, all active-duty military “They were all fairly new to each Chargualaf and a guard news re- giment Medevac Unit, said in the his hiking party was rescued over from an unspecified service other,” Chargualaf said. “They we- lease on Sunday. The man, ex- guard’s statement. the weekend by a Guam National branch, just after 11 p.m. Those ren’t actually friends, more ac- hausted and dehydrated, was “We’re all just glad and relieved Guard helicopter crew near hikers left the trail on their own quaintances.” hoisted aboard and flown to U.S. the hiker is OK. Executing a quick Mount Lamlam in the island’s and returned to their barracks, Firefighters searched through Naval Hospital Guam where he response like this can make the dif- southern interior. Chargualaf said. the night, Chargualaf said. The Na- was admitted for observation. ference, and thanks to the profes- The Guam Fire Department re- The hikers called firefighters tional Guard aviation detachment Chargualaf called the incident sionalism of our civilian lead agen- sponded to a 911 call reporting sev- again around 1 a.m. Sunday, saying was called at about 10 a.m. Sunday “strange,” due to the hikers not cy, in this case GFD, that’s exactly en lost hikers in the area of the Cet- there had, in fact, been 10 of them to assist. knowing how many members of what happened.” ti Bay Overlook at approximately 8 and that one service member, a 38- The hiker was found several their own party there were. p.m. Saturday, department spo- year-old male, had been left be- miles away, near the Fena Valley “This is what we train for— this [email protected] keswoman Cherika Chargualaf hind in the woods, Chargualaf said. Reservoir, by a UH-72 Lakota hel- is why we’re here,” Detachment 2 Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 PACIFIC Army colonel who oversaw Area IV in S. Korea retiring BY DAVID CHOI COVID-19 infection among an Stars and Stripes American service member. The The garrison commander over- 23-year-old soldier, who was sta- seeing an area in the early epicen- tioned at Camp Carroll, recovered ter for coronavirus cases in South after 49 days in isolation. Korea bid farewell to his soldiers The city of Daegu, population during a change-of-command cer- 2.5 million people, experienced emony on Monday. the country’s initial coronavirus Col. Edward Ballanco wrapped outbreak in February 2020. up his final assignment as U.S. Ar- South Korea’s disease-control my Garrison Daegu’s commander center said at the time that many EDWIN PETZKE / U.S. Army at Camp Walker. He will be retir- of the country’s infections were Col. Edward Ballanco wrapped up his final assignment as U.S. Army Garrison Daegu’s commander at ing after 25 years of military ser- linked to a religious movement Camp Walker, South Korea, on Monday. vice to settle in Montana, where called the Shincheonji Church of he and his wife plan to launch a Jesus, the Temple of the Taber- Ballanco, a career armor offi- light in Daegu — we were being the fence line, he confidently told travel tour business. nacle of the Testimony, which has cer, perused scientific journals watched.” me to avoid knee-jerk reactions As the commander of Area IV a chapter about a mile from one of and observed local hospitals to Ballanco assessed that his pol- with reports of positive cases,” in South Korea, Ballanco oversaw Camp Walker’s gates in Daegu. come up with solutions to a still- icies, while not flawless, had paid Blue said. “We looked closely at four Army camps and supported A year later, the Daegu area nascent pandemic. One of his pol- off. Ballanco temporarily forbade the cases of soldiers who tested Navy and Marine Corps installa- had accounted for more than half icies included implementing a most visitors to Camp Walker and positive on the peninsula and the tions in the southern part of the of the coronavirus cases in South “smell test” at the front gates of banned non-essential travel off possibilities of the spread locally country. Roughly 10,000 U.S. ser- Korea. the garrison, which required vis- the post by service members and in Area IV.” vice members, their dependents Col. Michael Tremblay, the for- itors to smell apple cider vinegar their families. Schoellhorn, during Monday’s and civilian employees are sta- mer garrison commander of before coming onto the base. “We never had any spread on ceremony, said it was evident that tioned in Area IV. Camp Humphreys, described “I got all kinds of flak,” Ballan- our post,” he said. “Not one per- Ballanco made Daegu a “very The garrison’s new command- Daegu garrison as “ground zero” co told Stars and Stripes in an in- son gave it to another person in special place.” er, Col. Brian Schoellhorn, comes for the U.S. military’s coronavirus terview Friday, adding that a few any of our camps in Area IV, and “All I had to do was walk to the peninsula from Fort Stew- cases. military doctors had “criticized we never shut anything down. We around and talk to two or three art, Ga., where he served as the At the pandemic’s outset, U.S. and ridiculed” his plan. kept living, but we took precau- people to know the impact that the operations officer for the 3rd In- agencies were still studying the The U.S. Centers for Disease tions.” Ballancos have made,” Schoell- fantry Division. effects of COVID-19 and had yet Control and Prevention would lat- Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathon horn said. “You have made a posi- Ballanco’s two-year tenure was to issue conclusive health adviso- er report that a loss of smell was a Blue, in an email Friday, said Bal- tive and lasting impact that will unexpectedly hit by an interna- ries, leaving commanders like common symptom of COVID-19. lanco was “lauded … as the leader endure long after you’re gone.” tional crisis. Ballanco to come up with their “I was pretty surprised at how who kept the community togeth-

On Feb. 26, 2020, U.S. Forces own solutions to mitigate its much leeway I was given,” he er.” [email protected] Korea confirmed the world’s first spread. said. “Especially with the spot- “As cases rose and fell outside Twitter: @choibboy USS Reagan, HMS Queen Elizabeth train together for first time BY ALEX WILSON in the Gulf of Aden, or anywhere else in Stars and Stripes the world.” The USS Ronald Reagan and the HMS The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group Queen Elizabeth strike groups conducted a trained in May with the Queen Elizabeth large-scale exercise in the Indian Ocean on and its strike group conducted off the coast Monday, marking the first time the two of Scotland. carriers have trained together. Monday’s exercise took place during the Along with the amphibious ready group Ronald Reagan’s deployment to the Mid- led by the amphibious assault ship USS dle East, where it has been assisting the Iwo Jima and the Dutch frigate HNLMS withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanis- Eversten, the strike groups worked tan. through a variety of training scenarios in The HMS Queen Elizabeth, on the other the Gulf of Aden, between Yemen, Somali- hand, is in the middle of its maiden oper- land and Somalia. ational tour. The carrier departed Port- “Our team was proud to operate along- smouth, England, in late May. It is expect- side the UK Carrier Strike Group during JASON TARLETON//U.S. Navy ed to visit 40 nations — including India, this unique opportunity to hone the full The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, foreground, the Royal Navy carrier HMS Queen Japan, South Korea and Singapore — in a scope of our mutual capabilities,” said Elizabeth, center, and the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima steam through the Gulf deployment spanning 26,000 nautical Rear Adm. Will Pennington, commander of Aden on Monday. miles in seven-and-a-half-months. of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group On Monday, the Queen Elizabeth’s offi- and Task Force 50, in a press release Tues- practiced precision maneuvering, hunted gether. cial Twitter page posted a picture of the day. “By operating together at sea, we dee- simulated enemy submarines, defended “The aircraft carrier is the ultimate ex- carrier sailing with the Japan Maritime pen our coalition partnerships and extend against simulated air and surface threats pression of global maritime power,” said Self-Defense Force. our global reach throughout the region’s and conducted long-range maritime Commodore Steve Moorhouse, command- “Good to sail with the Japanese de- critical waterways.” strikes against simulated enemy combat- er of the United Kingdom Carrier Strike stroyer Setogiri in the Gulf of Aden,” said The exercise focused on the “full spec- ants, the U.S. Navy said. Group, in a Royal Navy press release. the post. “We will see more of the Japan trum of maritime warfare operations” in- Lt. Cmdr. Joe Kelly, spokesman for Task “Queen Elizabeth, Ronald Reagan and Iwo Maritime Self Defence Force as we contin- cluding anti-air, anti-surface and anti-sub- Force 50, said in an email Tuesday that the Jima symbolize the might of the U.S. and ue to head East into the Indo-Pacific.” marine warfare tactics. exercise was the first time the Ronald Re- U.K. partnership, and the ease with which The ships’ crews in several scenarios agan and Queen Elizabeth had steamed to- our naval and air forces can combine here [email protected] Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Retired warrant officers’ path to Reserve eased BY JOHN VANDIVER In 2019, the Army reported that AKIFUMI ISHIKAWA/Stars and Stripes Stars and Stripes its pilot attrition rate grew to a re- A woman takes photos of the Tokyo skyline, including the Olympic Stadium, from a Shibuya observatory, The Army is removing obsta- cord 10% of its force because of ag- Tuesday. cles that prevent retired warrant ing aviators and competition from officers from serving in the Re- commercial airlines. serve and Guard, which could The new policy will allow the Tokyo copes with continuing virus help the service address shortages rank of returning warrant officers in areas requiring specific skills, to be based on their last promotion such as aviation. or appointment. They can also surge as Olympic Games approach Retired warrant officers “will compete for promotion, just as now be able to continue their Ar- they would on active duty, the Ar- BY JOSEPH DITZLER One consequence of the rising vaccinated, according to the Tues- my careers in the RC (Reserve my said. Stars and Stripes infection rate is that the Olympics, day post. Component), while also receiving Retirement pay would be recal- TOKYO — Japan’s capital city already a year late, will open in Three new cases were reported retirement pay,” the Army said in culated at the end of service to ac- reported another 830 people in- venues largely devoid of specta- Tuesday by Marine Corps Air Sta- a statement Tuesday. count for additional service fected with the coronavirus Tues- tors. tion Iwakuni, which is hosting the The decision comes as the Army gained. day, barely more than a week be- On Monday evening, Kadena U.S. Women’s Olympic softball grapples with personnel shortag- A retired warrant officer who fore the Olympic Games are set to Air Base on Okinawa reported an- team. es in job fields where it competes receives compensation for service open there, according to public other spate of new COVID-19 pa- The new patients, who were not with private employers offering is required to waive one day of re- broadcaster NHK. tients “over the last few days,” ac- in quarantine when they tested higher salaries. Army aviation in tired pay for each calendar day Elsewhere in Japan, two U.S. cording to a post on its Facebook positive, have no association with particular has been a long-stand- they perform Reserve duty, the military bases had reported 11 page. Eight people had contracted the Olympians, according to a ing concern for the service. Army said. But because of the pay new COVID-19 cases by 7 p.m. the virus, bringing the total new statement from the air station. Last year, the Army extended structure within the Reserve, the Tuesday. infections there to 22, so far, in Ju- Yokosuka Naval Base, the service requirements for active- compensation for performing one For 24 days, the number of new ly. homeport south of Tokyo of the duty soldiers who want to fly hel- duty day could be greater than one infections in Tokyo has exceeded The base reported that four peo- U.S. 7th Fleet, on Tuesday report- icopters and fixed-wing aircraft to day of retirement pay for most the number on the same day a ple had become ill before testing ed that its last known COVID-19 at least 10 years, in hopes of hold- warrant officers, it said. week earlier, reversing a trend positive for the coronavirus respi- patient had recovered, according ing on to its pilots longer. The deci- that had prevailed until early ratory disease, two turned up posi- to a news release from the naval sion did not apply to soldiers al- [email protected] June. The daily count of new cases tive while on restricted movement base. ready working as pilots. Twitter: @john_vandiver on June 23 exceeded 600 for the following travel outside Japan and South Korea has now gone a sol- first time in nearly a month, and the final two were close contacts of id week of reporting more than by Saturday had reached 950, ac- previously infected individuals. 1,000 daily coronavirus cases as cording to Tokyo Metropolitan The air base last reported four the country continues to grapple Government data. new COVID-19 cases on Friday, with a summer surge of infections. Meanwhile, the seven-day mov- one of them an employee of the Tuesday saw 1,150 cases, ac- ing average of new coronavirus Chili’s restaurant on base, which cording to the Korea Disease Con- cases went from 376 in mid-June closed temporarily. On Thursday, trol and Prevention Agency, with to 756 on Monday, according to the base reported that six people most coming from the capital city metro data. had tested positive since July 2. of Seoul. The city is under its fourth state Kadena announced 39 infections South Korea has added more of emergency, which took effect in June. than 13,000 cases so far this Monday in another effort to stem Vaccinations, however, have month, according to The Associat- the virus’s spread, this time ahead cut into the coronavirus infection ed Press, bringing its pandemic of the Olympics, which open July rate, the base stated in its Tuesday total to 170,296 infections and 23. Bars and restaurants are asked post. Kadena said 94% of its new 2,046 deaths. to stop serving alcohol and to close COVID-19 cases arose in service MATTHEW BEAN/U.S. Army early. Residents are asked to members, their families and civil- [email protected] avoid unnecessary travel. ian employees who have not been Twitter: @JosephDitzler A U.S. Army UH­60 Black Hawk helicopter flies over Iraq in 2020. DOD announces where Patriot Express travelers can get virus test

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE The DOD test sites at both air- From the Seattle-Tacoma air- vided Tuesday. hotels where people may quaran- Stars and Stripes ports opened last fall and are clos- port, the Patriot Express heads Free test sites in the Seattle area tine if they test positive within 10 The Defense Department has ing based on several factors, in- west for Japan and South Korea, include Tukwila Church, Bellevue days of traveling or have close announced where military travel- cluding increased availability of which require arriving travelers College, the University of Wash- contact within 14 days with an in- ers can be tested for COVID-19 — COVID-19 vaccines and other to have timely proof of a negative ington, Boeing in Auburn, the So- fected person. They are the Hilton for free in some cases — before testing centers, according to the test for COVID-19. Guam, a U.S. Do neighborhood in South Seattle, Seattle Airport & Conference Cen- flying out of Seattle-Tacoma In- Air Force. territory and a stop on the Patriot HealthPoint in Renton and the Aq- ter, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel ternational Airport in Washing- Travelers taking the Patriot Ex- Express, also requires proof of a uatics Center in Federal Way, ac- Seattle Airport and Fairfield Inn & ton. press are still required to obtain negative test unless the travelers cording to the Air Force. Suites Tacoma DuPont, which is Testing for Patriot Express pas- proof of a negative test for CO- are two weeks past their final vac- Two testing sites are available 40 miles south of the airport. sengers by Air Force medical per- VID-19, the coronavirus respira- cine dose. where passengers must pay, in- Defense travelers are eligible sonnel is scheduled to end Thurs- tory disease. Alternately, they Free tests are available for mil- cluding XpresCheck near carou- for certain reimbursements as day at Seattle-Tacoma and Balti- may need proof of coronavirus itary-related travelers at the Ma- sel 9 in the airport baggage claim well as scaled room rates at Fair- more/Washington International vaccination, recovery from a case digan Army Medical Center at area and at the DoubleTree Hotel field Inn & Suites Tacoma DuPont. Airport in Maryland, according to of COVID-19 or a waiver, depend- Joint Base Lewis-McChord, on Southcenter Parkway in Seat- aJuly 1 statement by Air Force Air ing upon the requirements at their southwest of Tacoma, according tle. [email protected] Mobility Command. destinations. to information the Air Force pro- The Air Force identified three Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 WAR ON TERRORISM Families: Despite public statements, Afghans still living in fear of Taliban FROM PAGE 1 often obstructing efforts. They hes of the country, according to spoke on condition of anonymity the government’s Refugee and to discuss the negotiations with re- Repatriations Ministry. porters. In Camp Istiqlal, family after Last week, President Joe Biden family, all from the Hazara ethnic urged Afghanistan’s leaders to minority, told of Taliban com- find unity and said it was up to Af- manders using heavy-handed tac- ghans to bring an end to decades of tics as they overran their towns war. With 90% of the final U.S. and and villages — raising doubts NATO withdrawal completed and among many over their persistent its top commander Gen. Scott promises amid negotiations that Miller having relinquished his they will not repeat their harsh command, Washington is nearing rule of the past. the end of its “forever war.” Sakina said it was the middle of Maradi, whose brother was re- the night when her parents fused permission to leave, said he packed up their belongings and doesn’t trust the Taliban prom- fled their village of Abdulgan in ises. Balkh province, but not before the Many are still haunted by me- invading Taliban set fire to her mories of the tit-for-tat massacres school. Sakina said she doesn’t un- that had characterized the Taliban derstand why her school was rule in areas dominated by Af- burned. ghanistan’s ethnic minorities in In Camp Istiqlal, there’s not a the late 1990s. single light, and sometimes she Mazar-e-Sharif was the scene of hears noises in the pitch blackness horrific bloodletting. In 1997, Uz- of night. “I think maybe it’s the Ta- bek and Hazara fighters killed liban and they have come here. I some 2,000 ethnic Pashtun Tali- am afraid,” said the girl, who ban, who were captured in the city hopes one day to be an engineer. after a truce fell through. In some Yaqub Maradi fled his village of case, they forced the captives to Sang Shanda, not far from Abdul- jump into pits on the plains north gan, when the Taliban arrived. He of the city, then threw in grenades said they tried to intimidate villag- and sprayed them with automatic ers into staying. Maradi’s brother RAHMAT GUL/AP weapons. The next year, the Tali- and several members of his family An internally displaced Afghan woman stands with her daughters in front a makeshift tent in a camp on a ban rampaged through Mazar-e- were arrested, “held hostage to rocky patch of land, after fleeing fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security personnel on the edge Sharif, killing thousands of Haza- stop them from leaving,” he said. of the city of Mazar­e­Sharif, northern Afghanistan, on Thursday. ras and driving tens of thousands “Maybe he is released today, more out fleeing to Kabul. but he cannot leave,” Maradi said zar-e-Sharif. That amounts to in the south and Badghis in the elevate discussions to include At Camp Istiqlal, life is brutal. from inside his small sweltering more than half of what he makes north — are under siege. In the leaders on both sides of the con- There’s little water to wash, most plastic tent pitched over a sun- on each haul. capital of Kabul, where many fear flict. meals are bread and tea brought to baked mud floor, with mattresses The Taliban are attending inter- an eventual Taliban assault, a Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s the camp by Rahimi, the leader. folded in one corner. national conferences, even send- rocket defense system has been political spokesman and a mem- Fatima, who cradled her sickly 2- A howling, brutally hot wind ing their ex-ministers on missions installed, the Ministry of Interior ber of its negotiation team, told the month-old daughter Kobra, said ripped through the tent as Mo- to Afghanistan from Qatar, where said over the weekend. The state- AP his side waited for a high-level she hadn’t had much food or drink hammad Rahimi, the self-appoint- they have a political office, to as- ment offered no detail about its delegation from Kabul to come to since arriving about one week ago ed camp leader, who also fled sure Afghans they have nothing to origin or cost. Doha for talks on three different and was unable to produce enough from Abdulgan, recalled how a fear from them, especially minor- The U.S., Russia, China and occasions. They never came, he milk to feed her infant. Another poorly equipped militia force in ities. The group still espouses Is- even Afghanistan’s neighbor Pa- said. mother showed blisters covering his Zari district tried to defend lamic rule, but says its methods kistan, where the Taliban leader- The Kabul delegation was to in- the arms and legs of her 2-year-old against a larger Taliban force. Ra- and tenets are less severe. ship council is headquartered, clude former President Hamid son, Mohammad Nabi. In the himi named a handful of militia But if it’s a gentler face they are have all warned the Taliban Karzai, as well as Abdullah Abdul- nighttime blackness, he knocked fighters he said died defending seeking to portray, fleeing resi- against trying for a military victo- lah, the head of the National Rec- over scalding water. They said their district. dents say it seems many Taliban ry, warning they will be interna- onciliation Council, and senior they have no money for a doctor. In areas they control, the Tali- commanders in the field either tional pariahs. Taliban leaders warlords like Ata Mohammad The camp residents say no one ban have imposed their own fees haven’t gotten the message or have vowed they are not doing so, Noor, one of the most powerful has come to help them. and taxes. Ashor Ali, a truck driv- aren’t listening. even as they boast of their gains in northern commanders. At the edge of the camp, Habi- er, told The Associated Press he A February 2020 agreement the recent meetings in Iran and in Afghan officials familiar with bullah Amanullah cried, his 7- pays the Taliban a $147 toll for ev- Taliban signed with the United Russia, the planned meetings confirmed year old daughter hiding behind ery load of coal he brings from a States reportedly prevents the in- The Taliban blame the Afghan their intent to travel to Doha and his arm. “She asks me for some- Taliban-controlled part of neigh- surgents from capturing provin- government for foiling efforts to participate, but said President thing to eat. What can I tell her? boring Samangan province to Ma- cial capitals. Yet two — Kandahar jump-start stalled talks that would Ashraf Ghani has been reluctant, We have nothing.” Russia: US reportedly mulls staging in bordering nations to monitor Afghanistan FROM PAGE 1 gyzstan, which hosted a U.S. mil- promote security in the region,” ister questioned what results claimed Friday that they control zine. itary base that supported oper- Lavrov said. would be achieved with a small 85% of Afghanistan’s territory. On Monday, Russian Foreign ations in Afghanistan, closed it in The Biden administration has U.S. presence outside Afghanistan Russian officials expressed Minister Sergey Lavrov empha- 2014. reportedly considered Uzbekistan when a 100,000-strong NATO concern that the Taliban surge sized that Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz- Uzbekistan, which also hosted a and Tajikistan, as well as Kazakh- force inside the country “failed to could destabilize Central Asia. Ta- stan and Tajikistan are all mem- U.S. base, ordered it shut in 2005 stan, as possible staging areas for do anything.” liban advances have forced hun- bers of the Collective Security amid tensions with Washington. monitoring and quickly respon- “Most probably, they simply dreds of Afghan soldiers to flee Treaty Organization, and any Uzbekistan’s Defense Ministry ding to possible security problems want to ensure their military pres- across the border into Tajikistan, presence of foreign troops on their reaffirmed in May that the coun- that may follow the U.S. military’s ence in Central Asia and be able to which called up 20,000 military territories must be endorsed by try’s constitution and its military withdrawal from Afghanistan. influence the situation in this re- reservists to strengthen its south- the security pact. doctrine rule out the presence of “I don’t think that anyone is in- gion.” ern border with Afghanistan. He added that none of those any foreign troops on its territory. terested in becoming a hostage to As the American and NATO Last week, a senior Taliban del- countries have raised the issue. “I don’t think that the emer- such U.S. policy and intentions, troops were swiftly pulling out, egation visited Moscow to offer as- Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan both gence of new American military and in inviting retaliation,” Lav- the Taliban have made quick surances that its advances in Af- host Russian military bases. Kyr- facilities in Central Asia would rov said. The Russian foreign min- gains across the country. They ghanistan do not threaten Russia. Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 MILITARY US calls in New Zealand for risky medevac BY CHAD GARLAND Program and the largest base on Stars and Stripes the continent. It’s located on Hut A C-130 Hercules landed on an Point Peninsula on Ross Island, icy Antarctic runway late Sunday the southernmost solid ground to rescue an American suffering accessible by ship. from a serious medical condition The air force crew had been at McMurdo Station, a risky me- trying to get to the southern conti- devac mission the New Zealand nent since July 3, but bad weath- military said was its first using er had hampered efforts all week, night vision technology. RNZAF Base Auckland Com- “This is one of those missions mand Group Capt. Andy Scott that will test the crew and the pi- said in the NZDF statement. lots’ skills,” said U.S. Army Col. “Flying to Antarctica is one of Ian Murray, defense attache at the highest risk missions we fly the U.S. Embassy in Wellington, due to the lack of divert airfields in a video about the operation. and inability to get down and “You’re landing a giant aircraft back without refueling,” Scott on ice. At night. Without lights. said. “Flying in winter presents Under (night vision) goggles.” even more challenges due to the It’s winter in the southern extreme cold, the rapidly chang- hemisphere, and flights to Ant- ing weather and little to no visual arctica are rare and difficult. But warnings of the changes you the evacuation ensured the pa- would ‘see’ in summer.” tient got medical care unavailable New Zealand defense force The crew on the ground at at the station, the National Sci- A New Zealand air force C­130 aircraft carried out a medical evacuation of an American patient from McMurdo’s Phoenix airfield en- ence Foundation said in a state- McMurdo Station, Antarctica, on Monday. sured the runway was lit and safe ment expressing gratitude for for landing, the NZDF said. The New Zealand’s help. parted the country's South Island RNZAF flight commander, in the was not life-threatening, Murray plane refueled and arrived back The two countries conduct sci- just before 10:30 p.m. Sunday, the video released by the U.S. Em- said, “but it’s one of those in- in Christchurch shortly after 2 entific research in Antarctica and New Zealand Defense Force said bassy. “We were ... delighted and stances where we needed to get p.m. Monday, the New Zealand have a longstanding partnership. in a statement. privileged to help out one of our the person back to safety quick- military said. The Royal New Zealand Air “Typically we do one of these Antarctic partners.” ly.”

Force flight with 13 crew mem- missions maybe once every five Details of the American’s McMurdo Station is the logis- [email protected] bers and medical personnel de- to 10 years,” said Robert Attrill, health issue were not released. It tics hub for the U.S. Antarctic Twitter: @chadgarland Court decides millions of vets eligible for more GI Bill benefits BY NIKKI WENTLING has limited veterans to benefits from one impactful decision for those who have newer Post-9/11 GI Bill. Stars and Stripes program, not both. bravely served.” Rudisill wanted to use his education bene- WASHINGTON — A new court decision, Under the ruling, veterans who qualify for The court upheld the ruling from the fits in 2015 to attend Yale Divinity School if it holds, would require the Department of both programs would be eligible to use one Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, which and become an Army chaplain. The VA re- Veterans Affairs to provide billions of dol- year of benefits from the Montgomery GI also ruled against the VA’s interpretation of stricted Rudisill to three years total of edu- lars in education benefits to more than 1 mil- Bill program on top of the three years of tui- the law. It was uncertain Monday whether cational benefits, and he was not permitted lion post-9/11 veterans. tion and housing assistance available the department would continue to appeal. to use the extra year he could get from using The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. If the VA doesn’t appeal, the new ruling both GI Bill programs. Circuit decided Thursday that veterans who “We are extremely pleased with the out- could go into effect in time for the fall semes- Rudisill was unable to attend divinity qualify for both the Montgomery GI Bill and come of this case and what it means for our ter. school and has since aged out of the Army. the Post-9/11 GI Bill for multiple periods of country’s veterans,” said Timothy L. The case, Rudisill v. McDonough, focused He’s now a special agent with the FBI. military service should be allowed to draw McHugh, the attorney on the case. “An esti- on Jim Rudisill, an Army combat veteran. benefits from each. Since the newer Post-9/ mated 1.7 million post-9/11 era veterans Rudisill served in Iraq and Afghanistan and [email protected]  11 GI Bill became effective in 2009, the VA could benefit from this ruling, so it is truly an qualified for the Montgomery GI Bill and the Twitter: @nikkiwentling  PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 NATION Consumer prices surge in June by most since 2008 Associated Press ruptions as the economy quickly WASHINGTON — Prices for bounces back. U.S. consumers jumped in June by The jump in prices stems in many the most in 13 years, extending a run cases from a shortage of compo- of higher inflation and fueling con- nents and goods throughout the DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD, TAMPA BAY TIMES/AP cerns that the rapidly rebounding economy, from semiconductors to Students enter Gulf Middle School during the first day of school for Pasco County Schools in New Port economy is making goods and ser- used cars, as well as surging de- Richey, Fla., in August 2020. vices increasingly expensive. mand from consumers who are in- Tuesday’s report from the Labor creasingly traveling, shopping and Department showed that consumer eating out — and too few workers to prices in June rose 0.9% from May serve them. Wages have increased Summer camps hit with COVID-19 and 5.4% over the past year — the sharply as a result, along with res- sharpest 12-month inflation spike taurant meals, airline fares and ho- outbreaks; schools could be next since August 2008. Excluding vola- tel rates. tile oil and gas prices, so-called core Last month alone, average used Associated Press ty. “It was very nerve-wracking. It inflation rose 4.5% in the past year, car prices soared 10.5% — the large- The United States has seen a The rise in many places has been kind of seems like we finally felt the largest increase since Novem- st such monthly increase since re- string of COVID-19 outbreaks tied blamed on too many unvaccinated comfortable and it happened,” ber 1991. cord-keeping began in January to summer camps in recent weeks people and the highly contagious Ford said, adding that her daughter The pickup in inflation, which has 1953. That spike accounted for in places such as Texas, Illinois, delta variant. ultimately tested negative. coincided with the economy’s rapid about one-third of the monthly in- Florida, Missouri and Kansas, in Gwen Ford, a 43-year-old sci- Ford said she definitely plans to recovery from the pandemic reces- crease for the third straight month. what some fear could be a preview ence teacher from Adrian, Mo., get her daughter vaccinated, but sion, has heightened concerns that Hotel room prices soared 7% in of the upcoming school year. was cautiously optimistic when she hadn’t done so because there the Federal Reserve might feel June. And the cost of new cars In some cases, the outbreaks eyed the dropping case numbers in wasn’t much time between the compelled to begin withdrawing its leaped 2%, the biggest monthly in- have spread from the camp to the the spring and signed up her 12- start of camp and the government’s low-interest rate policies earlier crease since May 1981. Auto prices broader community. year-old daughter for the West authorization of the Pfizer vaccine than expected. have soared because the shortage of The clusters have come as the Central Christian Service Camp. for 12- to 15-year-olds in May. If so, that would risk weakening semiconductors has forced car number of newly confirmed cases But one day after the girl got A note posted on the camp’s the economy and potentially derail- makers to scale back production. of the coronavirus in the U.S. has home from a week of playing in the Facebook page showed that the ing the recovery. Fed officials have Restaurant prices rose 0.7% in reversed course, surging more pool, worshiping with friends and camp nurse and several other staff repeatedly said, though, that they June and 4.2% in the past year, a than 60% over the past two weeks bunking in a dormitory, Ford got an members and volunteers were regard the surge in inflation as a sign that many companies are rais- from an average of about 12,000 a email about an outbreak and then among those infected. Staff mem- temporary response to supply ing prices to offset higher labor day to around 19,500, according to learned that her daughter’s camp bers at the camp did not return a shortages and other short-term dis- costs. data from Johns Hopkins Universi- buddy was infected. call for comment. Weighing how to honor dead at ‘holy site’ of collapsed condo BY BOBBY CAINA CALVAN who are gathering clues as to what and others call hallowed ground. Associated Press made 12 stories plunge to the “The earth is soaked with the SURFSIDE — As crews keep ground on June 24. blood and tissue and other parts of searching for the last missing re- In time, all of it will be cleared the body of our loved ones, and to mains of the souls who perished in away. What then? think that this area will just be their collapsing beachfront con- Memorials are not unusual after looked at as a commercial devel- dos nearly three weeks ago, the a tragedy, of course. Monuments opment opportunity is quite frank- question is swirling across the ru- were erected at the site of the ly sickening,” she said. “It is a sa- ins of the Champlain Towers World Trade Center after its twin cred cemetery for Jewish and South: What will become of the towers were felled by terrorists, as non-Jewish people alike, because ground that bears so much pain? was a memorial in Oklahoma City. they died there together in a hor- “There’s a lot of emotion. Peo- After 1989’s Loma Prieta Earth- rible way.” ple talk about it as a holy site,” said quake in Northern California, me- Owners of the demolished com- Miami-Dade Police Director Alf- morials popped up across the San plex and its board of directors redo Ramirez. “People want some Francisco Bay Area. have yet to formally weigh in on sort of connection with their fam- It’s a human act to want to re- the discussion. Survivors and fam- ily member.” REBECCA BLACKWELL/AP member, said Dovy Ainsworth, ily members are already suing for Surfside Mayor Charles Bur- Visitors take a picture in front of the makeshift memorial to victims of whose parents, Tzvi and Itty Ains- civil damages. The beachfront kett suggested Monday that with the Champlain Towers South collapse on Monday in Surfside, Fla. worth, died in the Surfside trage- property sits atop valued real es- scores of families still processing dy. tate, which could complicate how their losses, it’s too soon to come ing through right now,” Burkett and candles line the street, and “It provides comfort for the things proceed. up with anything specific. But he said. stars of David are interspersed families and community while al- “It seems indelicate and insen- said the tragedy — now with 94 “It’s obvious that this has be- throughout the scene. There are so serving as a reminder ensuring sitive to talk about the use of the people confirmed dead and 22 oth- come much more than a collapsed teddy bears, toys, shoes — all in it never happens again,” Ains- property other than a memorial,” ers still missing — compels that building site,” the mayor said. “It tribute to the scores of victims. worth said, suggesting that it said state Sen. Jason Pizzo, a Dem- something be placed on the site to has become a holy site.” Within the rubble, personal might be inappropriate to rebuild ocrat whose district includes Surf- remember them. An impromptu memorial items are being collected and will because “so many lost their lives.” side. “It’s an incredibly complicat- “I think the first thing we need sprung up along a nearby tennis eventually be returned to their Soraya Cohen, the wife of Brad ed balance to be respectful and to do is get the families situated, so court soon after the collapse. Its owners or next of kin. The twisted Cohen, who is unaccounted for, honor the memory of those we’ve they have a semblance of their life fence is now festooned with dry- steel rebar and shards of concrete wants the government to step in to lost, while also being diligent to back — get them to the point ing bouquets and fading photo- that have been hauled away, un- buy the property so it can be pre- ensure that we help people rebuild where they aren’t burdened by the graphs of those confirmed dead der the escort of police, are being served as a memorial. She said his their lives (and) to get the greatest grief and emotion that they’re go- and those yet to be found. Crosses kept in storage for investigators remains are now part of what she value for their homes.” Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Wildfires threaten homes, land in 10 states Associated Press National Park exploded over 14 LOS ANGELES — Wildfires square miles and was just 10% that torched homes and forced contained. A highway that leads thousands to evacuate burned to Yosemite’s southern entrance across 10 parched Western states remained open. Tuesday, and the largest, in Ore- The largest fire in the United gon, threatened California’s pow- States lay across the California er supply. border in southwestern Oregon. Nearly 60 wildfires tore The Bootleg Fire — which dou- through bone-dry timber and bled and doubled again over the brush from Alaska to Wyoming, weekend — threatened some according to the National Inter- 2,000 homes, state fire officials agency Fire Center. Arizona, Ida- said. It had burned at least seven ho and Montana accounted for homes and more than 40 other more than half of the large active buildings. fires. Over the weekend, the Klamath The fires erupted as the West County Sheriff’s Office warned was in the grip of the second bout that it would cite or even arrest of dangerously high temper- people who ignored orders to “go atures in just a few weeks. A cli- now” in certain areas immediate- mate change-fueled megadrought ly threatened by the blaze. also is contributing to conditions Elsewhere, a forest fire started that make fires even more dan- OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY/AP during lightning storms in south- gerous, scientists say. This photo provided by the Oregon Department of Forestry shows a firefighting tanker making a retardant east Washington grew to 86 The National Weather Service drop over the Grandview Fire near Sisters, Ore., on Sunday. square miles. It was 20% con- says the heat wave appeared to tained Monday. have peaked in many areas, and in the 80s and 90s. weather and low humidity that homes, but damage was still be- In Idaho, Gov. Brad Little mo- excessive-heat warnings were In Northern California, a com- sapped the moisture from vegeta- ing tallied. The blaze had con- bilized the National Guard to help largely expected to expire by bined pair of lightning-ignited tion. Evacuation orders were in sumed 140 square miles of land, fight twin lightning-sparked fires Tuesday. However, they contin- blazes dubbed the Beckwourth place for more than 3,000 resi- including in Plumas National that have together charred nearly ued into Tuesday night in some Complex was less than 25% sur- dents of remote northern areas Forest. 24 square miles of dry timber in California deserts, and many ar- rounded after days of battling and neighboring Nevada. A fire that began Sunday in the the remote, drought-stricken re- eas were still expected to see high flames fueled by winds, hot There were reports of burned Sierra Nevada south of Yosemite gion. Biden trying to balance fighting rising crime, reforming police Associated Press ed community members and en- clear that he is opposed to the “de- WASHINGTON — Facing ris- courage more community polic- fund the police” movement, which ing fears of summer violence, ing, we can intervene before the has been effectively used against President Joe Biden is embarking violence erupts,” the president some Democrats to paint them as on a political high-wire act, trying said. anti-law enforcement. to balance his strong backing for The meeting was the second in The president promoted the law enforcement with the police just three weeks, underscoring money for policing in his CO- reform movement championed by the political concern crime has be- VID-19 relief bill and, reflecting many of his supporters. come for Democrats as they look on his nearly four decades in the His focus Monday was on to protect their thin margins in Senate, declared that “Most of my crime. Congress. Big city mayors and career has been on this issue.” Biden met at the White House lawmakers have sounded the At the same time, Biden has also STEFANI REYNOLDS / For The Washington Post with urban leaders — including alarm on the rise in crime, be- tried to boost progressives’ efforts President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with Attorney General Eric Adams, the heavy favorite to lieved partly fueled by destabiliz- to reform policing and has backed Merrick Garland and local leaders on the administration’s strategy to be the next mayor of New York ing forces of the pandemic, and a bill that, after initial promise, reduce gun crimes. City — about increased shootings, polls suggest it is an increasing has stalled in the Senate. as Democrats warily watch a matter of concern for many Amer- While combating crime and re- election voters until November, ited in what it can do to help local- surge across the nation. Though icans. forming the police don’t inherent- was symbolic of the administra- ities reduce the spike. His plan fo- limited to what can be done at the White House aides believe that ly have to be at odds, the two ef- tion’s effort to find a middle cuses on providing funding to ci- federal level, Biden promised to Biden, with his long legislative re- forts have been increasingly ground. ties that need more police, offer- support efforts on the ground to cord on crime as a former senator, billed that way. And the presence Biden recently announced new ing community support and combat crime. is not easy to paint as soft on the in the White House meeting of efforts to stem the tide of violence, cracking down on gun violence “We know when we utilize trust- issue. And the president has been Adams, who doesn’t face general but the federal government is lim- and illegal firearms. Sanders, Biden meet as infrastructure bill swells past $3.5T Associated Press so huddled privately at the Capitol for two “He knows and I know that we’re seeing pedoing the other. WASHINGTON — Emerging from a pri- hours late Monday with Senate Majority an economy where the very, very rich are A bipartisan group of 10 senators un- vate meeting at the White House, Sen. Ber- Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and key getting richer while working families are veiled a nearly $1 trillion package of tradi- nie Sanders said Monday that he and Presi- White House advisers during a consequen- struggling,” Sanders told reporters. tional infrastructure for roads, bridges, dent Joe Biden are on the same page as tial time for Biden’s top priority. Congress After Democrats’ evening meeting at the broadband and some climate change in- Democrats draft a “transformative” infras- is racing to put together a sweeping propos- Capitol, Sanders said lawmakers were still vestments in electric vehicles and resilien- tructure package unleashing more than al financing infrastructure, family assist- discussing overall spending and other fig- cy for extreme weather conditions. $3.5 trillion in domestic investments on par ance and other programs for initial votes ures. Senators in the bipartisan group are with the New Deal of the 1930s. later this month. Biden’s big infrastructure proposals are struggling to draft their proposal into legis- Sanders, chairman of the Senate Budget Sanders, I-Vt., said he had a “very good moving through Congress on various tracks lation but hope to have a bill ready as soon Committee, and Democrats on his panel al- discussion” with Biden. — each potentially complementing or tor- as this week. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 NATION Gold medal eyed for Black female WWII battalion

BY MICHAEL CASEY mings, who was not a member of Associated Press the 6888 but has been advocating BOSTON — Maj. Fannie Grif- to get them greater recognition. fin McClendon and her Army col- “They were representing oppor- leagues never dwelled on being tunity for their sisters at arms the only Black battalion of women back in the United States who to serve in Europe during World were having a hard time dealing War II. They had a job to do. with the racism and sexism with- The 6888th Central Directory in the ranks.” Postal Battalion was credited They were deployed to unheat- with solving a growing mail crisis ed, rat-infested airplane hangars during its stint in England and, in Birmingham, England, and giv- upon their return, serving as a en a daunting mission: Process role model to generations of Black the millions of pieces of undeliv- MATT YORK/AP women who joined the military. ered mail for troops, government World War II veteran Maj. Fannie Griffin McClendon — seen at her home in Tempe, Ariz., Thursday — But the exploits of the 855 workers and Red Cross workers. McClendon was a member of the 6888th Central Directory Postal Battalion battalion. members never got wider recog- The mountains of mail had piled nition — until now. up and troops were grumbling Still, Cummings said the time The Senate passed legislation about lost letters and delayed overseas with the Army left a last- that would award members of the care packages. Thus their motto, ing impression on the women, battalion, affectionately known as “No Mail, Low Morale.” many of whom dismantled bar- the Six Triple Eight, with the Con- “They kept hollering about riers in their professional lives. gressional Gold Medal. wanting us to go overseas so I Elizabeth Barker Johnson was The bill is awaiting action in the guess they found something for us the first female to attend Winston- House, but is already too late for to do overseas: Take care of the Salem State University in North most 6888 members. There are mail,” McClendon said. “And Carolina on the GI Bill. She took believed to be only seven surviv- there was an awful lot of mail. ... part in the school’s graduation ing, including McClendon. They expected we were gonna be ceremony at the age of 99 — 70 “Well, it would be nice but it there about two or three months years after getting her degree. never occurred to me that we trying to get it straightened out. The unit’s story has also started would even qualify for it,” Well I think in about a month, in a gaining wider recognition. A McClendon said from her home in month and a half, we had it all monument was erected in 2018 at Arizona. straightened out and going in the Fort Leavenworth, Kan., to honor “I just wish there were more right direction.” them, and the 6888 was given the people to, if it comes through, The 6888 toiled around the Meritorious Unit Commendation there were more people to cele- clock, processing about 65,000 U.S. ARMY WOMEN’S MUSEUM/AP in 2019. A documentary “The Six brate it,” said McClendon, who pieces of mail in each of the three Members of the 6888th battalion sort mail with French civilians in Triple Eight” was made about has met with her local congress- shifts. They created a system us- Rouen, France, in 1945. their exploits. There is talk of a man to press for passage of the ing locator cards with a service movie. bill. member’s name and unit number set up all their own operations. their exploits never got the atten- A bill would rename a Buffalo, The 6888 was sent overseas in to ensure mail was delivered. The unit commander, Maj. Char- tion afforded their white counter- N.Y., post office after the battal- 1945, a time when there was grow- Sometimes, they had to resort to ity Adams, was also criticized by a parts. ion’s Indiana Hunt-Martin, who ing pressure from African-Amer- detective work when a parcel only general who threatened to give “It is sad to say. They came died last year. ican organizations to include had a common name or a service her command to a white officer. back to Jim Crow America,” And there is the push for the Black women in what was called member’s nickname. She reportedly responded: “Over Cummings said. “Not only 6888 Congressional Gold Medal. the Women’s Army Corps and al- Despite their achievements, my dead body, sir.” but a lot of our minority soldiers “These women were trailblaz- low them to join their white coun- the unit endured questions and They cleared out a backlog of who returned from the war were ers, and it is past time that we offi- terparts overseas. criticism from those who didn’t about 17 million pieces of mail in not recognized or appreciated un- cially recognize them for their in- “I think the 6888, the command support Black women in the mil- three months — twice as fast as til years later. The Tuskegee Air- credible contribution to our inherently knew that their pres- itary. projected. The battalion would go men, Montford Point Marines. troops during World War II,” said ence overseas meant more than Housing, mess halls and recre- on to serve in France before re- There are so many stories of units U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, a New clearing that mail backlog,” said ation facilities were segregated turning home. And like so many of color who were not recognized Hampshire Democrat who co- Retired Army Col. Edna Cum- by race and sex, forcing them to Black units during World War II, until decades after the war.” sponsored the Senate bill. Chinese dissident who escaped house arrest in 2012 now a US citizen

Associated Press to celebrate. He An international symbol for hu- house arrest until escaping in 2012, perpower and its up-and-coming ri- Ablind Chinese dissident who es- became a U.S. ci- man dignity after running afoul of dodging a security cordon around val. caped to the United States in 2012 is tizen in Baltimore local government officials for ex- his home in east China’s Shandong Chen, 49, a visiting fellow at Ca- now an American citizen. on June 21. posing forced abortions carried out province and placing himself under tholic University of America, said Chen Guangcheng, speaking “It’s a long as part of China’s one-child policy, the protection of U.S. diplomats. he hopes America “will stand by the through a translator, said in an in- journey from be- Chen was subjected to years of per- Chen’s 2012 flight to the U.S. Em- Chinese people” against the Com- terview with The Associated Press ing under house secution and illegal detention for bassy in Beijing sparked a six-day munist Party. last week he was “very grateful that arrest in China to advising villagers on how to counter diplomatic tussle between the U.S. Chen also said the United States Chen America, this free country, has wel- being a U.S. citi- official abuses. and China, threatening to derail needed to take a harder line with the comed us.” zen. It took 15 years,” said George After serving four years in prison then-Secretary of State Hillary Communist Party, or the CPC, and Chen met with members of his le- Bruno, former U.S. ambassador to on what supporters called fabricat- Clinton’s strategic talks intended to “give up on the appeasement poli- gal team July 8 in Manchester, N.H., Belize and one of Chen’s lawyers. ed charges, Chen was kept under build trust between the world’s su- cy.” Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Woman reels in wallet from 1980s, seeks owner ELIZABETHTOWN NC — A woman in North Carolina said she’s searching for a man who lost his wallet in a lake in the mid-1980s. WRAL reported that Sarah Foor and her husband were fishing at Jones Lake State Park near Eliza- bethtown when she reeled in the wallet. Inside she found a faded driv- er’s license, a library card and an array of expired credit cards. It al- so held a senior photo that’s dated from the 1983-84 school year. “The library card is perfect. The license is perfect,” Foor said. “Issued May 25, 1982. Expired, March 17, 1986.” Man drives truck, fires gun into bar after removal HIRAM — Several GA people were injured af- ter a driver ran his truck into a Ge- orgia restaurant while firing a gun, police said. The Hiram Police Department said the incident occurred at 278 South Bar & Grill. Eduardo Mo- rales, 34, was arrested, police said. Hiram police said Morales had been asked to leave the bar earlier in the night because he was intox- JOHN CLANTON, TULSA (OKLA.) WORLD/AP icated. He left the restaurant but returned in his black Dodge Ram 2500 and began firing a weapon Getting a touch up into the club through the window Workers apply a fresh coat of paint to the Golden Driller statue outside the River Spirit Expo center on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds in Tulsa, of his truck. Okla., on Saturday. Bill Haynes, of Bill Haynes Co., said that it would take 40­50 gallons of a custom gold paint to cover the 75­foot­tall statue “When his weapon was empty, resembling an oilfield worker. The Tulsa landmark, in place since 1966, was last painted 10 years ago, Tulsa World reported. Morales then drove the vehicle in- to the bar through the front doors The Ann Arbor-based tree THE CENSUS dog and his owner, a 13-year-old striking numerous patrons,” po- planting and education nonprofit girl, were riding, the Florida lice said in a press release. One is hosting its 15th biennial Michi- The number of bowling balls a Michigan man found under his Highway Patrol said in a report. person was grazed by a bullet and gan Big Tree Hunt contest. 160 home when he went to demolish his back stairs. David Olson, The crash sent the SUV off the another person was struck twice The trees can be found in back- 33, said he found one ball buried in the sand behind cinder blocks and contin- road and into a tree. It overturned by the vehicle, and treated and re- yards, local parks and even along ued finding more over the following days. Olson believes there are even more and caught fire, troopers said. The leased for injuries. hiking trails. Certificates and buried under his Norton Shores home. He contacted Brunswick Bowling Prod- driver and the 13-year-old girl prizes are awarded for the largest ucts, which had a plant in the area and said they were made in the 1950s. He died in the crash. Everyone else in tree submitted from each county, said former employees contacted him and told him the workers used to take the SUV suffered minor injuries. Beef parfaits, vegan brats scrapped bowling balls to use as an alternative to gravel or sand. among State Fair foods for the overall largest tree found She said a couple of people re- by different age groups, and for ported seeing the dog after the INDIANAPOLIS — Beef the largest white pine. auction for $1.56 million. history. crash, walking along a roadway. IN parfaits, vegan brats and Heritage Auctions in Dallas The commission’s chairman, Fruity Pebbles funnel cakes are Sinkhole collapses said that the 1996 game sold Sen. Bill Diamond, said the Eagle State bans large balloon among the new culinary creations under 2 parked cars breaking its previous record price represents “a magnificent re- release to protect wildlife being offered at the Indiana State for the sale of a single video game. minder of the majesty of sail.” Fair this year. NEW YORK — A sink- A spokesman did not immedi- PROVIDENCE — Rhode Fair officials have announced NY hole on a Manhattan ately respond to an inquiry about Woman seeks dog that RI Island has banned the re- 23 new items on top of the typical street collapsed under two parked who purchased the game. ran away after car crash lease of large numbers of balloons fair food like corn dogs. cars, prompting renewed criti- In April, the auction house sold in a move to protect wildlife. The beef parfait is being offered cism of the city’s infrastructure an unopened copy of Nintendo’s DELAND — A central Under a new law signed by Gov. at the Indiana Beef Cattle Associ- several days after heavy rains Super Mario Bros. that was FL Florida woman is hop- Dan McKee, the state will prohibit ation tent and features layers of caused severe subway flooding. bought in 1986 and forgotten about ing that someone has found a 2- anyone from intentionally releas- smoked beef brisket, mashed po- There were no injuries reported in a desk drawer for $660,000. year-old dog that bolted from his ing 10 or more helium or other tatoes and barbecue sauce, while after the sinkhole on the Upper family’s car after a fatal crash. lighter-than-air balloons out- the funnel cake is a golden cake West Side left an SUV with its Tall ship Eagle to visit The Shih Tuz, named Alfred, doors. topped with powdered sugar, ic- back end stuck and the car behind bicentennial celebration ran from the family’s SUV after it Supporters said balloon releas- ing and a sprinkling of the cereal. it tilting forward. was rear-ended by a pickup truck, es are an environmental nuisance Other foods include deep-fried “But this is yet another remind- PORTLAND — The The Daytona Beach News-Jour- that poses a serious threat to birds, cheesecake, iced coffee floats and er: NYC simply must invest more ME Coast Guard tall ship nal reported. marine animals and other wildlife a Buttermilk Wafflewich, which is in upgrading our outdated infras- Eagle is going to be paying a visit Valerie Boldt, of DeLand, heard that ingest or become entangled in a grilled cheese sandwich made tructure,” New York City Council for Maine’s delayed bicentennial about the incident and is hoping balloon litter. with two buttermilk waffles. member Mark Levine said on celebration. that someone will return the dog. Violators face a fine of $100 Twitter. The 295-foot, three-masted bar- To help, she created a Facebook when the new rule takes effect in Submissions wanted for que will be docked at the Ocean profile under the name “Help- November. state’s biggest trees Unopened Super Mario Gateway in Portland from Aug. 6 Bring AlfredHome.” The new law won’t impact hot- 64 game sells for $1.56M through Aug. 9. The crash happened around air balloons, indoor balloon re- ANN ARBOR — Re- The Maine Bicentennial Com- 1:30 a.m. along State Road 472 leases, or scientific and weather MI Leaf Michigan again is DALLAS — An un- mission, the nonprofit sponsoring near Orange City. The truck failed research. seeking the largest trees in the TX opened copy of Ninten- organization, aims to honor the to slow down as it approached the state. do’s Super Mario 64 has sold at state’s shipbuilding and seafaring 2018 Toyota RAV4, in which the From The Associated Press PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 WORLD

Mystery grows over suspect Cuban leaders beef up police in killing of Haiti president Associated Press represent the U.S. State and Jus- PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A tice departments who wanted to patrols after rare protests physician. A church pastor. A install him as president. failed Florida businessman who He said the plan was only for Associated Press filed for bankruptcy. Moïse to be arrested, and Sanon HAVANA — Cuban police are New details that have emerged would not have participated if he out in force on the country’s about a man considered a key knew Moïse would be killed. streets as the president is accus- player in the killing of Haiti’s Haiti’s National Police chief, ing Cuban Americans of using so- president deepened the mystery Léon Charles, said Moïse’s killers cial media to spur a rare outpour- over the assassination that were protecting Sanon, whom he ing of weekend protests over high shocked this nation of more than accused of working with those prices and food shortages. 11 million people as it faces an un- who plotted the assassination. The demonstrations in several certain future. Charles said officers found a hat cities and towns were some of the Local authorities identified the with the logo of the U.S. Drug En- biggest displays of antigovern- suspect as Christian Emmanuel forcement Administration, 20 ment sentiment seen in years in Sanon, 62, a Haitian who once ex- boxes of bullets, gun parts, four li- tightly controlled Cuba, which is pressed a desire to lead his coun- cense plates from the Dominican facing a surge of coronavirus try in a YouTube video. However, Republic, two cars and corre- cases as it struggles with its worst ISMAEL FRANCISCO / AP he is unknown in Haitian political spondence, among other things, in economic crisis in decades as a Police stand guard near the National Capitol building in Havana, Cuba, circles, and associates suggested Sanon’s house in Haiti. consequence of U.S. sanctions im- on Monday, the day after rare protests against food shortages and he was duped by those really be- Twenty-six former Colombian posed by President Donald high prices. hind the slaying of President Jove- soldiers are suspected in the kill- Trump’s administration. nel Moïse in an attack last week ing, and 23 have been arrested, Many young people took part in police moved in and broke them ple and their clarion call for free- that critically wounded his wife, along with three Haitians. Charles Sunday’s demonstrations in Ha- up. dom and relief from the tragic grip Martine. said five suspects are still at large vana. Protests were also held else- Internet service was spotty, of the pandemic and from the dec- A Florida friend of Sanon told and at least three have been killed. where on the island, including in possibly indicating an effort to ades of repression and economic The Associated Press the suspect A U.S. Drug Enforcement Ad- the small town of San Antonio de prevent protesters from commu- suffering to which they have been is an evangelical Christian pastor ministration official told AP that los Baños, where people objected nicating with each other. subjected by Cuba’s authoritarian and also is a licensed physician in one of the suspects in Moïse’s as- to power outages and were visited In a statement Monday, U.S. regime,’’ Biden said. Haiti, but not in the U.S. The asso- sassination was at times a confi- by President Miguel Díaz-Canel. President Joe Biden said Cuban The U.S. urges the Cuban gov- ciate, who spoke on condition of dential source to the agency, and The demonstrators disrupted protesters were asserting their ba- ernment to serve their people anonymity out of safety concerns, that the suspect reached out to his traffic in the capital for several sic rights. ‘’rather than enriching them- said Sanon told him he was ap- contacts at the DEA after the kill- hours until some threw rocks and “We stand with the Cuban peo- selves,’’ Biden added. proached by people claiming to ing and was urged to surrender. Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 WORLD Rioting, looting continues over ex-leader’s jailing in S. Africa

Associated Press South Africa’s other seven prov- couple of gunshots could be JOHANNESBURG — The inces, where police are on alert. heard. death toll from rioting in South “The criminal element has hi- Makhura appealed for leaders Africa rose to 45 on Tuesday as jacked this situation,” said Pre- of political, religious and commu- KHALID MOHAMMED/AP police and the military tried to mier David Makhura of Gauteng nity organizations to urge people Rescuers look for bodies after a blaze erupted Monday at a coro­ halt the unrest in poor areas of province, which includes Johan- to stop the looting. navirus ward at a hospital in Nasiriyah, Iraq, on Tuesday. two provinces that began last nesburg. At least 19 had been killed in week after the imprisonment of More than 400 people were ar- Gauteng, including the 10 at the former President Jacob Zuma. rested in Gauteng, but the situa- mall in the Meadowlands area of Blaze kills scores in Iraqi Many of the deaths in Gauteng tion was far from under control, Soweto, Makhura said. and KwaZulu-Natal provinces oc- he said. At least 26 people had been curred in chaotic stampedes as “We understand that those un- killed in KwaZulu-Natal prov- coronavirus hospital ward scores of people stole food, elec- employed have inadequate food. ince, many crushed in the shops, Associated Press what many have decried as wide- tric appliances, liquor and cloth- We understand that the situation premier Sihle Zikalala told the NASIRIYAH, Iraq — The death spread negligence and misman- ing from stores, officials said. has been made worse by the pan- press on Tuesday. toll from a fire at a hospital coro- agement in Iraq's hospitals after Sporadic violence broke out af- demic,” an emotional Makhura The deployment of 2,500 sol- navirus ward climbed to 92 on decades of war and sanctions. ter Zuma on Thursday began said on the state South African diers to support the South African Tuesday as anguished relatives Prime Minister Mustafa al- serving a 15-month sentence for Broadcasting Corp. “But this loot- police has not yet stopped the buried their loved ones and lashed Kadhimi convened an emergency contempt of court. He had re- ing is undermining our business- rampant looting, although arrests out at the government over the meeting and ordered the suspen- fused to comply with a court or- es here (in Soweto). It is under- are being made at some areas in country's second such disaster in sion and arrest of the health direc- der to testify at a state-backed in- mining our economy, our commu- Johannesburg, including Vosloo- less than three months. tor in Dhi Qar provice, the hospital quiry investigating allegations of nity. It is undermining every- rus in the eastern part of the city. Health officials said scores of director and the city's civil de- corruption while he was presi- thing.” Looting continued Tuesday in others were injured in the blaze fense chief. The government also dent from 2009 to 2018. As he spoke, the broadcast shopping malls in Johannesburg that erupted Monday at al-Hus- launched an investigation. The unrest then spiraled into a showed police trying to bring or- township areas, including Jabula- sein Teaching Hospital in Nasiri- The prime minister called the spree of looting in township areas der to the Ndofaya shopping mall, ni Mall and Dobsonville Mall in yah. catastrophe "a deep wound in the of the two provinces, witnesses where 10 people were crushed to Soweto. There also were reports The tragedy cast a spotlight on consciousness of all Iraqis." said, although it has not spread to death in a looting stampede. A of looting in KwaZulu-Natal. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Michael Kerschbaum, Pacific commander US lost war in Afghanistan 20 years ago Michael Ryan, Pacific chief of staff BY PANKAJ MISHRA comed as liberators in large parts of the The rare Afghan voices heard then almost Bloomberg country, especially the south where the all came from an elite striving to replace the he U.S. military is retreating from country’s Pashtun majority lives. Taliban. Afghan journalists, now frequently EDITORIAL Afghanistan as the Taliban make The Taliban had, in fact, emerged in the encountered, were unheard of. Terry Leonard, Editor rapid gains across the country. It mid-1990s to rid the country of warlords, There were some excellent reporters in [email protected] Trecently slipped away from the many of them opium traffickers, and almost Peshawar with long and deep knowledge of key Bagram airbase near Kabul in the dead all of them specialists in murder, torture Pashtun affairs. But their conviction, vindi- Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor of night, without informing its Afghan al- and rape. cated by later events, that the U.S. had no [email protected] lies. The strange thing about this grim end- By 2001, many Afghans had tired of the real choice but to negotiate with the Taliban Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content game to the forever war is that every aspect Taliban’s own arbitrary brutality, especial- on steadily worsening terms was barely [email protected] of it was predictable from the beginning. ly in Kabul, where Soviet-supported com- heard at the time. Yet false assumptions and a lack of munist rulers had expanded educational In my own writing for U.S. periodicals, I Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] awareness still fueled a ruinous undertak- opportunities and modern social freedoms. felt myself under pressure not to depart too ing that cost innumerable lives and hun- Women in the capital city and provinces much from the national consensus that the Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital dreds of billions of dollars, and arguably left dominated by ethnic minorities had come to invasion of Afghanistan was just, righteous [email protected] Afghanistan worse off than before. despise the Taliban’s merciless strictures and necessary, aimed at advancing democ- Understanding why and how this hap- on dress and deportment. racy and liberating Afghans, especially BUREAU STAFF pened is imperative for those who deal with Almost everyone whose opinion I re- women, from cruel oppressors. international affairs for a living. spected in Pakistan and Afghanistan back It is why the war in Afghanistan today Europe/Mideast The U.S. and its allies had to respond in the early 2000s was convinced that the seems, above all, a massive intellectual fail- Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] forcefully to a regime that had directly or U.S. was doomed to fail. To talk to Western ure: a failure even to acknowledge, let alone +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 indirectly enabled the terrorist atrocity of diplomats, military officials and journalists, to grapple with, complex reality; a failure Pacific 9/11. But a military-intelligence operation however, was to encounter a fantasy — that that seeded all other failures — diplomatic, Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief aimed at the perpetrators of 9/11 and their Western military and economic assistance military and political — in Iraq as well as in [email protected] conspirators would have served the de- would help remake Afghanistan into a mod- Afghanistan. +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 mands of both justice and vengeance, while ern democracy. It’s probably too optimistic to imagine Washington sending a message of deterrence to all polit- The Soviet Union and its proxies in Kabul that these appallingly costly fiascos could Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief ical players in Afghanistan, better than a had brutally tried to modernize and central- have been avoided by a less conformist cli- [email protected] full-scale invasion. ize a country of many linguistic and ethnic mate of opinion and an openness to contrary (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News Instead, the Bush administration opted communities living in remote areas on a viewpoints, including, most crucially, of Af- [email protected] for a colossal military and political reengi- subsistence economy and with some ex- ghans themselves. neering of an entire country. It was support- tremely poor physical and social infrastruc- Nevertheless, one lesson is clear from the CIRCULATION ed in this patently hopeless endeavor by a ture. long-expected U.S. defeat in Afghanistan: Mideast quick and eager consensus across the politi- Why should the U.S. have succeeded Intellectual diversity, lately presented as a Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager cal and media establishment. where the communists had failed? How moral imperative and a mode of racial jus- [email protected] For a few months, all seemed to go well. could its proxies and allies, which always tice, is also a practical necessity — especial- [email protected] Those clamoring to oust the Taliban regime included some of the most vicious and cor- ly if the U.S. seeks to avoid more destructive DSN (314)583-9111 felt vindicated when dancing and cheering rupt men in Afghanistan, help build democ- international entanglements in the future. Europe crowds in Kabul welcomed their Western racy and protect women’s rights? Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager liberators. What struck me back then was how few [email protected] Pankaj Mishra is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. His books [email protected] But those of us who had known Afghan- people were asking these basic questions of include “Age of Anger: A History of the Present,” “From the +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Ruins of Empire: The Intellectuals Who Remade Asia,” and istan outside Kabul, and before 9/11, knew Western nation-builders, democracy-pro- “Temptations of the West: How to Be Modern in India, Pakistan, Pacific that the Taliban themselves had been wel- moters and humanitarian interventionists. Tibet and Beyond.” Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 CONTACT US Holding Olympics amid COVID is about money, not athletes Washington BY MIKE WISE NBCUniversal paid $7.5 billion to extend Stadium, where the Japanese people wel- tel: (+1)202.886.0003 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 The Washington Post its U.S. Olympics media rights until 2032. comed the world. Reader letters s the Tokyo Olympics torch-light- NBCUniversal is the IOC’s golden goose, its Contrast that with the upcoming Games, ing ceremony gets closer, there is largest single source of income. The money which are to be held without spectators in a [email protected] apparently too much momentum, the network recoups in ratings and advertis- nod to the continued COVID threat. Additional contacts and too much money at stake, to ing dollars cannot be deferred further. Tokyo The athletes who make it to Tokyo deserve stripes.com/contactus A cancel. The state of emergency declared can’t lose another dime, rising infection rates an extra badge of courage. They rearranged amid a new COVID-19 outbreak? Minor set- from the delta variant be damned. their lives for two years; hurdled over medi- OMBUDSMAN back. Never mind, apparently, that the Tokyo cal clearances, canceled flights, shifting liv- Ernie Gates One of the most brazen, hubris-over-hu- Medical Practitioners Association pleaded in ing arrangements, and the maddening feel- The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow manity cash grabs in modern sports history is May for cancellation, warning that there is ing of never knowing if or when they will com- of news and information, reporting any attempts by the preparing to open in a country where only neither hospital capacity nor the medical pro- pete. And their reward? Not a single mother, military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns about 16 percent of the population is fully vac- fessionals necessary should an outbreak oc- father or sibling in sight to celebrate or com- and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for cinated, where 83 percent of citizens say they cur during a colossal multinational event. miserate with them in the most seminal mo- fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by want the Games canceled or again resche- Governments of towns hosting events out- ment of their athletic lives. email at [email protected], or by phone at duled, and where even the emperor has ex- side Tokyo have no hospital beds to spare and Canceling has never made sense, of course. 202.886.0003. pressed concerns about the Games spreading refuse to set aside facilities for athletes when The proper thing would have been to move Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- the coronavirus. they are needed for locals. A change.org pet- everything back an additional year and have days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday The International Olympic Committee gets ition titled “Cancel the Tokyo Olympics to one two-year Olympic cycle, leaving Paris through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals the gold for greed, NBC Universal earns sil- protect our lives” has more than 450,000 sig- 2024 and LA28 intact. This would reward ol- postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send ver and Japanese Olympic organizers win natures. der athletes who waited two years to compete address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the bronze. Their prioritization of financial wind- Yet in IOC/Japan bubble world, the peas- and ensure the wunderkinds of not missing Department of Defense for members of the military services fall over a public health crisis will be an en- ants don’t count; only the powerful do. out on their athletic primes between Rio 2016 overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views during storyline of these pandemic-scarred The Games will take place “at any cost,” and Paris 2024. of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official Games. Seiko Hashimoto, president of the Tokyo 2020 But the IOC, network heads and Japanese channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to Some say that carrying on with these Olympic Committee, has said, as if she were officials are focused on income. And when remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. The appearance of advertising in this publication does Games is about the athletes, who trained and Churchill and this were 1941. they weighed those billions against the possi- not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or sacrificed and waited to have their chance to It’s sadly ironic the last Games in Tokyo bility of residents and athletes contracting Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Products or services advertised shall be made available for compete. I mean no disrespect to the athletes held such political and global significance. In COVID and much of the host country wishing purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, when I say it’s not about them. It’s about the 1964, Japan was opening up to the world again they’d pick real-life ethics over professional religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of people in their hermetically sealed Olympic after its World War II defeat. Emperor Hiro- gain, humanity never stood a chance. the purchaser, user or patron. bubble who view coronavirus infection and hito, never prosecuted for war crimes, stood © Stars and Stripes 2021 death outside their venues as merely an in- and applauded the American Billy Mills’ Mike Wise is a former Washington Post sports columnist and stripes.com convenient part of corporate reality. stunning upset in the 10,000 meters at Tokyo host of “The Mike Wise Show.” Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 40 Calif. clock 14 Evening, in an ad 1 Upper limit setting 15 Purring pet 4 Deity 41 — kwon do 19 Insult, slangily 7 — Major 20 Bio stat Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 8 007 portrayer DOWN 21 Insurance Daniel 1 Espresso froth giant with a 10 Asparagus unit 2 Now, in a memo duck mascot 11 Girls 3 Sun blocker 22 Skilled in 13 Outing for 4 Jelly flavor 23 Casual shirt employees 5 Desert haven 24 Inflexible 16 Pig-poke link 6 Platter 25 Cartoon frame 17 Factions 7 “Once — a 26 PC shortcut Non Sequitur 18 Slangy suffix time ...” 28 Prophets 8 Bonnie’s partner 29 Top of a wave 19 Lavish affec- 9 Full chromo- 30 Purple shade tion (on) some set 31 “My treat” 20 Latin 101 word 10 High school subj. 32 Sounds of woe 21 Limber 12 George Eliot’s 34 Let fall 23 Leaves Marner 35 Entreaty 25 Fiscal execs Answer to Previous Puzzle 26 Style Candorville 27 “Evil Woman” gp. 28 Milan’s La — 30 Cattle call 33 Fire depart- ment unit 36 Life’s work 37 Reunion attendees Carpe Diem 38 Upper body 39 Actress Campbell Beetle Bailey Bizarro Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 FACES

Bell gets probation on endangerment charges Drake Bell, the former star of Emmys salute the popular Nickelodeon show “Drake & Josh,” was sentenced in Cleveland on Monday to two years’ probation on child endan- germent charges top streamers relating to a girl who met him on- line and accused Netflix’s ‘The Crown,’ Disney+ series Bell him of sexual contact after she ‘Mandalorian’ top noms with 24 apiece attended his concert when she was 15. BY LYNN ELBER the first nominees were an- Jared “Drake” Bell, 35, of West Associated Press nounced. “While many of us in our Hollywood, Calif., pleaded guilty “The Crown” tied with “The medium worked remotely through- last month via Zoom to felony at- Mandalorian” for the most Emmy out the last 18 months, I have to say tempted child endangerment and nominations Tuesday with 24 it feels so good to be getting back on a misdemeanor charge of dissemi- apiece, but the Marvel universe al- a set.” nating matter harmful to juve- so got bragging rights with runner- The nominees for best drama se- niles. up “WandaVision.” ries are: “The Boys”; “Bridgerton”; Cuyahoga County Judge Tim- The nominations reinforced the “The Crown”; “The Handmaid’s othy McCormick is allowing Bell rapid rise of streaming, with the Tale”; “Lovecraft Country”; “The to serve probation and 200 hours top-nominated scripted shows on Mandalorian”; “Pose”; “This Is of community service in Califor- services that largely emerged in the Us.” nia. past two years. In the top three cat- The nominees for best comedy NETFLIX/AP Bell, via Zoom, spoke briefly be- egories — drama, comedy and lim- series are: “black-ish”; “Cobra Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II in a scene from “The Crown.” fore sentencing. ited series — only the NBC show Kai”; “Emily in Paris”; “The Flight “I accept this plea because my “This Is Us” snagged a nomination. Attendant”; “Hacks”; “The Komin- “The Kominsky Method”; William Jean Page, “Bridgerton”; Billy Por- conduct was wrong,” Bell said. Netflix’s “The Crown” received sky Method”; “PEN15”; “Ted Las- H. Macy, “Shameless”; Jason Su- ter, “Pose”; Matthew Rhys, “Perry “I’m sorry the victim was harmed. its fourth nomination for best se- so.” deikis, “Ted Lasso”; Kenan Mason.” It was not my intention.” ries, and is likely the streaming ser- The nominees for best miniseries Thompson, “Kenan.” The nominees for outstanding The victim, who is 19, spoke at vice’s best chance to win its first top are: “The Queen’s Gambit”; “I May The nominees for best actress in variety talk series are: “Conan”; length about the damage Bell has series trophy. The British royal Destroy You”; “Mare of Easttown”; a drama series are: Emma Corrin, “The Daily Show with Trevor done to her life, saying he began drama moved closer to contempo- “The Underground Railroad”; “The Crown”; Elisabeth Moss, Noah”; “Jimmy Kimmel Live”; grooming her when she was 12. rary events with its version of the “WandaVision.” “The Handmaid’s Tale”; Uzo Adu- “Last Week Tonight with John Ol- courtship and rocky marriage of The nominees for best actress in ba, “In Treatment”; Olivia Colman, iver”; “The Late Show with Ste- Other news Prince Charles and Diana Spencer, a comedy series are: Aidy Bryant, “The Crown”; Mj Rodriguez, phen Colbert.” ■ Byron Berline, a renowned played by Josh O’Connor and Em- “Shrill”; Jean Smart, “Hacks”; Ka- “Pose”; Jurnee Smollett, “Love- The Sept. 10 ceremony, which fiddler who played with super- ma Corrin. ley Cuoco, “The Flight Attendant”; craft Country.” last year was held virtually because stars like Elton John and the Roll- “These nominations represent Tracee Ellis Ross, “black-ish”; Alli- The nominees for best actor in a of the COVID-19 pandemic, will air ing Stones and owned a popular the work done in television through son Janney, “Mom.” drama series are: Sterling K. live on CBS from a theater and in- Oklahoma instrument shop, has the most challenging year I can The nominees for best actor in a Brown, “This Is Us”; Jonathan Ma- clude a limited in-person audience died. He was 77. think of,” TV academy chief exec- comedy series are: Anthony Ander- jors, “Lovecraft Country”; Josh of nominees and guests. Cedric the utive Frank Scherma said before son, “black-ish”; Michael Douglas, O’Connor, “The Crown”; Regé- Entertainer is the host. From The Associated Press New this week: ‘Space Jam’ sequel and new John Mayer tunes Associated Press ax like Eric Clapton. The cover has Mayer played by Marta Dusseldorp; racetrack Here’s a collection curated by The Asso- in a very ’80s pose, a little “Miami Vice” buff Harry (Roy Billing) and old-school de- ciated Press’ entertainment journalists of mixed with Richard Marx. tective Barry Tregear (Shane Jacobson). what’s arriving on TV, streaming services ■ The “Space Jam” sequel isn’t only for ■ How to mark World Chimpanzee Day and music platforms this week. your eyes. The 16-track soundtrack is on Thursday? Tune in to “Rescued Chim- packed with new music, like 24kGoldn’s panzees of the Congo with Jane Goodall” on Movies “Control the World” featuring Lil Wayne, CuriosityStream, available on TV, desktop ■ LeBron James leads the Tunes against the Jonas Brothers’ “Mercy,” and Chance and mobile devices. The five-part docuser- the Goons in “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” a the Rapper’s “See Me Fly” featuring John ies delves into Goodall’s extraordinary ef- sequel to the 1996 movie that had Michael HBO MAX, COUMBIA RECORDS/AP Legend and Symba. There’s also Lil Uzi forts to rehabilitate chimps saved from ille- Jordan headlining with Bugs Bunny. Direc- From left: Promotional art for the film Vert’s take on “Pump Up the Jam,” Leg- gal wildlife trafficking through the Jane tor Malcolm D. Lee didn’t necessarily feel “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” premiering end’s “Crowd Go Crazy,” BROCKHAMP- Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga Chimpan- beholden to that first film. “I didn’t feel like, Friday on HBO Max and in theaters, and TON’s “MVP,” Big Freedia’s “Goin’ Loo- zee Rehabilitation Centre in the Republic of ‘Oh, I have to pay homage to that movie.’ It “Sob Rock,” the latest album by John ney,” Leon Bridges’ “My Guy” and Anthony the Congo. The series promises rare footage was more about the long legacy of the Loo- Mayer, also coming out Friday. Ramos’ “The Best.” of decades of work by the institute and ney Tunes more so than that particular — AP Entertainment Writer Goodall, who in a statement invited viewers film,” he told the AP. It’ll be available on ed over the past two weeks. Janiak told the Mark Kennedy to discover that each chimpanzee has value HBO Max free for subscribers for 31 days AP that the series doesn’t necessarily need and “deserves a good, full life.” starting Friday, as well as in theaters. Lee to be “binged,” but that re-watches will re- Television ■ For wrestling fans, the start of normal said it was the “epitome of a popcorn mo- veal some fun Easter eggs. ■ The always top-notch Guy Pearce is life after lockdowns arrives this week with vie” and even got the stamp of approval — AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr back for the big finish of “Jack Irish,” the WWE’s return to live events with in-person from what he says is the toughest audience Australian crime thriller in which he plays audiences. A 25-city summer tour starts in of all: His 12-year-old son. Music a former criminal lawyer now dabbling in Texas with Houston’s “SmackDown,” air- ■ Netflix is closing out its ambitious ■ John Mayer returns with his first al- debt collection and trouble. In the four-epi- ing on Fox at 8 p.m. EDT Friday. Next up is “Fear Street” trilogy this Friday with the bum since 2017’s “The Search For Every- sode final season debuting Monday on the “Money in the Bank” in Fort Worth (8 p.m. premiere of “Fear Street: 1666,” which trac- thing.” The new one is cheekily titled “Sob Acorn TV streaming service, Jack con- EDT Sunday on the Peacock streaming ser- es the curse of Shadyside, Ohio, back to Rock” and the singer-songwriter-guitarist fronts his past — including the violent death vice), and “Raw” in Dallas (8 p.m. EDT, witch trials. If you’re just hearing about the explores the often maligned genre of soft of his wife by a former client. Along for the USA). One big match announced for Sun- series, don’t worry; you’re not far behind. rock. “Last Train Home,” the superb first difficult ride are characters from earlier day: Bobby Lashley facing Kofi Kingston The first two, set around supernatural single, features Maren Morris on back- “Jack Irish” seasons and TV movies, among for the WWE Championship. events in Shadyside in 1994 and 1978, debut- ground vocals and has Mayer wielding his them journalist and ex-girlfriend Linda, — AP Television Writer Lynn Elber Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 SCOREBOARD/BRITISH OPEN

PRO SOCCER PRO BASKETBALL DEALS MLS WNBA Monday’s transactions EASTERN CONFERENCE EASTERN CONFERENCE BASEBALL Major League Baseball WLTPts GF GA WLPct GB American League CLEVELAND INDIANS — Sent OF Jordan New England 7 3 3 24 22 18 Connecticut 14 6 .700 — Luplow to the Arizona Complex League on Orlando City 6 3 3 21 20 12 Chicago 10 10 .500 4 a rehab assignment. HOUSTON ASTROS — Optioned RHP Philadelphia 5 3 5 20 16 12 New York 10 11 .476 4½ Ralph Garza Jr. to Sugar Land (Triple-A CF Montréal 5 3 4 19 14 11 Washington 8 10 .444 5 East). Nashville 4 1 7 19 16 13 Atlanta 6 13 .316 7½ OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Optioned 1B/DH Frank Schwindel to Las Vegas (Triple-A NYCFC 5 4 2 17 19 13 Indiana 4 16 .200 10 West). New York 5 5 2 17 17 15 SEATTLE MARINERS — Reinstated LHP WESTERN CONFERENCE Yusei Kikuchi from the 10-day IL. Optioned Columbus 4 3 5 17 13 11 2B Donovan Walton to Tacoma (Triple-A D.C. United 5 6 1 16 17 14 WLPct GB West). Designated RHP Will Vest for as- Atlanta 2 3 7 13 13 15 signment. Seattle 16 5 .762 — TAMPA BAY RAYS — Sent RHP Chris Cincinnati 3 5 3 12 12 20 Las Vegas 15 6 .714 1 Archer to the Florida Complex League on a Chicago 3 7 2 11 13 18 Minnesota 12 7 .632 3 rehab assignment. Inter Miami CF 2 7 2 8 9 17 National League Phoenix 9 10 .474 6 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Optioned Toronto FC 2 8 2 8 16 29 Dallas 9 12 .429 7 RHP Jordan Weems to Reno (Triple-A Los Angeles 6 13 .316 9 West). WESTERN CONFERENCE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Optioned C Monday’s games Joey Bart to Sacramento (Triple-A West). WLTPts GF GA SOCCER PETER MORRISON/AP No games scheduled Major League Soccer Seattle 8 0 5 29 23 8 Tuesday’s games PHILADELPHIA UNION — Signed sporting Defending champion Shane Lowry was able to keep the claret jug for Sporting KC 8 3 2 26 24 15 director Ernst Tanner to a multi-year con- No games scheduled two years because the British Open was canceled last year by the LA Galaxy 8 4 0 24 20 18 tract extension. Wednesday’s games National Women’s Soccer League pandemic. He was forced to part with the trophy on Monday. Colorado 6 3 2 20 18 12 All-Star Game: Team WNBA vs USAB SAN DIEGO — Named Molly Downtain LAFC 5 4 3 18 15 12 Women’s National Team general manager. COLLEGE Real Salt Lake 4 3 4 16 18 12 Thursday’s games Minnesota 4 5 3 15 12 16 RICE — Named Daniel Jansen assistant No games scheduled golf coach. Houston 3 4 6 15 16 19 Portland 4 6 1 13 14 19 TENNIS Lowry begins quest Austin FC 3 6 4 13 10 14 San Jose 3 7 2 11 14 22 Hall of Fame Open Maddison Inglis, Australia, 6-2, 6-2. Women’s Doubles FC Dallas 2 5 5 11 14 20 Monday Round of 16 Vancouver 2 7 3 9 12 22 At International Tennis Hall of Fame Samantha Murray Sharan and Naiktha Note: Three points for victory, one point Newport, R.I. Bains, Britain, def. Miriam Kolodziejova for tie. Purse: $466,870 and Lucie Havlickova, Czech Republic, 6-4, to retain claret jug Surface: Grass 6-3. Friday, July 9 Men’s Singles Lucie Hradecka and Marie Bouzkova (3), Columbus 2, Cincinnati 2, tie Qualification Czech Republic, def. Grace Min, United Associated Press the opening round on Thursday, it Saturday’s games Sebastian Ofner (2), Austria, def. Ruben States, and En Shuo Liang, Taiwan, 6-2, 6-2. Bemelmans (7), Belgium, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Tara Moore, Britain, and Emina Bektas, SANDWICH, England — Shane will be anything but that off the New England at Atlanta Alex Bolt (1), Australia, def. Ryan Harri- United States, def. Giulia Gatto-Monti- Miami at New York son, United States, 6-0, 6-7 (2), 7-5. cone, Italy, and Nuria Parrizas-Diaz, Spain, Lowry kept the silver claret jug for course. Cincinnati at CF Montréal Mitchell Krueger (4), United States, def. 6-3, 6-2. D.C. United at Philadelphia Ramkumar Ramanathan (6), India, 6-4, 5-7, Vitalia Diatchenko, Russia, and Tereza 722 days, the most by any British Strict protocols from the R&A New York City FC at Columbus 6-4. Martincova, Czech Republic, def. Linda Kli- Open champion in some 75 years. forbid players (or caddies) from Orlando City at Toronto FC Brayden Schnur, Canada, def. Ulises movicova and Barbora Palicova, Czech Chicago at Nashville Blanch, United States, 6-2, 7-6 (6). Republic, 3-6, 6-4, 10-6. He returned it on Monday to the staying with one another. Each San Jose at Colorado Round of 32 LA Galaxy at Vancouver Jenson Brooksby, United States, def. Ev- Swedish Open R&A at Royal St. George’s with player can have a core group of FC Dallas at Portland geny Donskoy, Russia, 7-5, 6-3. Real Salt Lake at Los Angeles FC Monday mixed emotions. three additional people, which in- Denis Kudla, United States, def. Steve At Bastad Tennis Stadium Sunday’s game Johnson (6), United States, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4. Bastad, Sweden Sure, he was sad to part with it. cludes a caddie, coach, manager, Seattle at Minnesota Yuichi Sugita, Japan, def. Jurij Rodionov, Purse: Euro 419,470 Austria, 7-5, 6-3. But that meant it was time to play family member or a trainer. Tuesday, July 20 Kevin Anderson (8), South Africa, def. Il- Surface: Red clay golf’s oldest championship, and They are not to go to grocery lya Marchenko, Ukraine, 7-5, 6-3. Men’s Singles Houston at Vancouver Qualification Wednesday, July 21 Jordan Thompson (7), Australia, def. Ce- that was plenty enticing to Lowry stores or restaurants or otherwise drik-Marcel Stebe, Germany, 5-4, ret. Dennis Novak (4), Austria, def. Marc-An- Nashville at Columbus Men’s Doubles drea Huesler (6), Switzerland, 6-2, 6-2. and the rest of the field. mix with the general public. New York at Toronto FC Round of 16 Arthur Rinderknech (1), France, def. “Coming back here and having It’s different, to be sure. Lowry, CF Montréal at New York City FC Hunter Reese, United States, and Sem Thomas Fabbiano (8), Italy, 6-3, 6-2. New England at Miami Verbeek, Netherlands, def. Peter Gojowc- Henri Laaksonen (5), Switzerland, def. the big grandstands and having however, doesn’t see it as a bur- Atlanta at Cincinnati zyk, Germany, and Bernabe Zapata Mi- Andrej Martin (2), Slovakia, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. D.C. United at Chicago ralles, Spain, 6-1, 7-5. Francisco Cerundolo (3), Argentina, def. the crowds out there and all that den. After all, this is a major cham- San Jose at Sporting Kansas City Jack Sock and William Blumberg, United Blaz Rola (7), Slovenia, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2). type of stuff, and everything that pionship and he’s the defending FC Dallas at Colorado States, def. Denis Kudla and Tennys Sand- Round of 32 LA Galaxy at Real Salt Lake gren, United States, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 10-6. Yannick Hanfmann, Germany, def. Thia- comes along with the Open Cham- champion. Even as an Irishman, Los Angeles FC at Portland go Monteiro, Brazil, 6-2, 7-5. Marco Cecchinato, Italy, def. Richard pionship, I think that’s going to be he’s not one to hit the town at night Thursday, July 22 Hamburg European Open Gasquet (5), France, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. pretty cool this week,” Lowry said. looking for some diversion. Philadelphia at Orlando City Monday Men’s Doubles Seattle at Austin FC At Am Rothenbaum Rot-Weiss Tennis Round of 16 “I’m really looking forward to “It’s a bubble, but I don’t think Saturday, July 24 Club Pablo Cuevas, Uruguay, and Fabrice Hamburg, Germany Martin (3), France, def. Roman Jebavy and the week ahead,” he said after re- I’ll be doing anything different Columbus at Atlanta Jiri Vesely, Czech Republic, 3-6, 6-1, 10-5. Portland at Minnesota Purse: Euro 1,030,900 turning golf’s oldest trophy. “Not than I normally do,” Lowry said. Toronto FC at Chicago Surface: Red clay Cincinnati at Nashville Men’s Singles Hungarian Grand Prix that I’m ready to give the claret “I come to the golf course, I play, LA Galaxy at FC Dallas Round of 32 Monday jug back. I’m happy it’s here and and I go home and we have dinner Colorado at Real Salt Lake Thiago Seyboth Wild, Brazil, def. Nicola At Europe Tennis Center Houston at San Jose Kuhn, Spain, 1-6, 6-1, 6-2. Budapest, Hungary I’m happy I’m here defending, and in the house, and that’s it. ... Watch Vancouver at Los Angeles FC Men’s Doubles Purse: $235,238 Round of 16 Surface: Red clay I’m really looking forward to the a bit of TV and have some food in NWSL Gonzalo Escobar, Ecuador, and Ariel Be- Women’s Singles week.” the evenings. har, Uruguay, def. Gianluca Mager, Italy, Round of 32 WLTPts GF GA and Laslo Djere, Serbia, 6-3, 4-6, 10-3. Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova, Slovakia, The British Open was the only “You don’t do anything else the Filip Krajinovic and Dusan Lajovic, Ser- North Carolina 5 3 1 16 14 6 def. Irina-Camelia Begu (4), Romania, 6-3, week of big tournaments. You’re bia, def. Luca Margaroli, Switzerland, and 6-4. major canceled last year by the Orlando 4 2 4 16 13 11 N. Sriram Balaji, India, 6-3, 6-2. Paula Ormaechea, Argentina, def. Vikto- COVID-19 pandemic as the others kind of resting up as much as you riya Tomova, Bulgaria, 6-2, 6-3. Portland 5 3 1 16 14 6 were moved around to different can, and you’re obviously here Washington 4 2 3 15 10 8 Livesport Prague Open Kateryna Kozlova, Ukraine, def. Barbara Haas, Austria, 7-6 (9), 6-3. Chicago 4 4 2 14 8 14 Monday Irina Bara, Romania, def. Sara Errani (8), spots on the calendar. Now it’s the playing and practicing all day ev- Gotham FC 3 1 4 13 7 3 At TK Sparta Praha Italy, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. last major of the year that has ery day when you’re here.” Prague Yulia Putintseva (1), Kazakhstan, def. Houston 4 4 1 13 11 10 Purse: $235,238 Ekaterine Gorgodze, Georgia, 6-2, 6-4. brought reminders the pandemic Practice was limited for Lowry Louisville 3 4 2 11 7 13 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Ana Konjuh, Croatia, def. Tereza Mrde- has not entirely gone away. on Monday with a gray sky and Reign FC 3 5 1 10 7 10 Women’s Singles za, Croatia, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Round of 32 Women’s Doubles Zach Johnson, the 2015 cham- rain over the southeastern English Kansas City 0 7 3 3 5 15 Greet Minnen (9), Belgium, def. Giulia Round of 16 Note: Three points for victory, one point Gatto-Monticone, Italy, 6-0, 4-6, 6-1. Yana Sizikova and Anna Kalinskaya (1), pion at St. Andrews, saw his streak links course. He walked the front for tie. Grace Min, United States, def. Sam Sto- Russia, def. Varvara Lepchenko, United of 69 consecutive majors end nine until seeing what appeared to Friday, July 9 sur, Australia, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. States, and Miyu Kato, Japan, 6-3, 6-4. Asia Muhammad, United States, def. Li- Tamara Korpatsch, Germany, and Alio- when he tested positive for the be a break in the weather, and Louisville 1, Orlando 1, tie zette Cabrera, Australia, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. na Bolsova Zadoinov, Spain, def. Oksana Saturday, July 10 Nina Stojanovic (7), Serbia, def. Vitalia Kalashnikova, Georgia, and Jaqueline Adi- coronavirus before boarding a then played 12 holes. Washington 2, North Carolina 0 Diatchenko, Russia, 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3. na Cristian, Romania, 6-4, 5-7, 10-5. Rebecca Sramkova, Slovakia, def. Petra Mihaela Buzarnescu, Romania, and Fan- charter flight from the John Deere The rain has left Royal St. Ge- Sunday, July 11 Kvitova (1), Czech Republic, 7-6 (5), 3-6, ny Stollar, Hungary, def. Jamie Loeb, Unit- Classic in Illinois. orge’s slightly softer, which could Gotham FC 0, Portland 0, tie 6-4. ed States, and Panna Udvardy, Hungary, Chicago 2, Houston 1 Tereza Smitkova, Czech Republic, def. 6-4, 6-3. Johnson is the fifth player to be eliminate some of the wild bounc- Reign FC 2, Kansas City 0 withdrawn from a major cham- es for which these rolling fairways Saturday’s game AP SPORTLIGHT Houston at North Carolina pionship since the pandemic, but are famous. It has been described Sunday’s games July 14 1967 — Eddie Mathews of the Astros hits the first since Sergio Garcia and in some quarters as playing golf on 1951 — Citation is the first horse to win his 500th home run off San Francisco’s Gotham FC at Washington $1 million in a career by taking the Holly- Juan Marichal at Candlestick Park. Hous- Joaquin Niemann had positive the surface of the moon. Reign FC at Chicago wood Gold Cup by four lengths in Ingle- ton beats the Giants 8-6. tests ahead of the 2020 Masters in The last player to win back-to- Orlando at Portland wood, Calif. Citation retires after the race 1968 — Hank Aaron hits his 500th home Friday, July 23 with total earnings of $1,085,760. In 45 run off Mike McCormick as the Atlanta November. back at the British Open was an- North Carolina at Kansas City starts, Citation ran out of the money only Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 4-2. once. 1991 — Meg Mallon shoots a 4-under 67 And while the British Open other Irishman — Padraig Har- Saturday, July 24 1964 — Jacques Anquetil wins his fifth for a two-stroke victory over Pat Bradley might look normal, especially rington at Carnoustie in 2007 and Portland at Houston Tour de France. It’s his fourth straight title in the 46th U.S. Women’s Open. Mallon fin- Reign FC at Orlando of the cycling event. ishes with a 1-under 283. when 32,000 fans start arriving for Royal Birkdale in 2008. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 NBA FINALS/OLYMPICS/SPORTS BRIEFS Team USA falls again, this time to Australia BY TIM REYNOLDS Joe Ingles scored 17 points, Ma- Associated Press tisse Thybulle scored 12 and Chris LAS VEGAS — These games Goulding had 11 for Australia. don’t count. Right now, that is the “We walked into this game ex- only saving grace for USA Basket- pecting to win,” Ingles said. ball. With good reason. Starting with And for quite probably the first the World Cup quarterfinals in Chi- time in 29 years of NBA players na two years ago and then their two suiting up for the national team, exhibitions in Vegas, the U.S. is 1-4 there was a smattering of boos in its last five games with NBA play- when a game ended — on home soil, ers against international competi- no less. tion. Patty Mills scored 22 points and In the most recent 105 games that Australia held the U.S. without a preceded those, the U.S. went 101-4. field goal for the final 4:34 on the Damian Lillard led the U.S. with way to beating the Americans 91-83 22 points, while Kevin Durant on Monday night, dropping the scored 17 and Bradley Beal finished three-time defending Olympic gold with 12. But the Americans wasted medalists to 0-2 in their five-game a 10-point second-half lead, and slate of exhibitions leading up to the have dropped back-to-back games Tokyo Games. for just the third time since NBA “I thought we got better tonight,” players began wearing the red, PAUL SANCYA AP said U.S. coach Gregg Popovich, white and blue in 1992. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, drives on Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder whose team lost to Nigeria on Sat- The other instances: two straight during Sunday’s game in Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo has had two straight games of 40 or more points. urday. “After a short time together, in the 2002 FIBA World Champion- there’s a lot of things that have to be ship and two straight in the 2019 covered, but the first half and the Basketball World Cup. The U.S. fin- second half were two different ished sixth in the first tournament, beasts. seventh in the other. And while Giannis the great: Bucks’ “In the first half, we defended the these are glorified scrimmages, this way we wanted to defend. ... We re- much is already certain — a medal bounded better. We moved the ball seems far from a lock for the U.S. better at the offensive end and had “It’s not the first time that I’ve star makes mark in Finals more pace. In the second half, we seen Team USA be tested,” Lillard tired out.” said.

BY BRIAN MAHONEY Ayton to the bench in foul trouble Associated Press NBA scoreboard after the center had Phoenix lead- MILWAUKEE — Giannis Ante- ing early in the second quarter. tokounmpo shook his head, unwill- NBA Finals And he created open shooting ing to place himself in the class of (Best-of-seven) space for Jrue Holiday and Khris x-if necessary the only player with a longer Phoenix 2, Milwaukee 1 Middleton to get some clean looks streak of 40-point games in an Phoenix 118, Milwaukee 105 after both struggled in Game 2. Phoenix 118, Milwaukee 108 NBA Finals. Milwaukee 120, Phoenix 100 Antetokounmpo largely kept Wednesday: at Milwaukee, AFN-Sports, “I’m not Michael Jordan,” Ante- 3 a.m. Thursday CET; 10 a.m. Thursday JKT that game from turning into a tokounmpo said. Saturday, July 17: at Phoenix, AFN- blowout by himself. With his team- Sports, 3 a.m. Sunday CET; 10 a.m. Sunday No, but he’s exactly the player JKT mates supporting him better at x-Tuesday, July 20: at Milwaukee the Milwaukee Bucks need if they x-Thursday, July 22: at Phoenix home, it was the Bucks who won are going to win their first title in big. 50 years. They can tie the series “When guys make shots, it just against the Phoenix Suns in Game bucket. makes it tough on the opposing 4 on Wednesday. Good numbers don’t mean it team because now he’s really just JOHN LOCHER/AP With 42 and 41 points in his last was a great game. playing 1-on-1, and good luck with Australia’s Matisse Thybulle knocks the ball from the United States’ two games, Antetokounmpo has Perhaps still uncertain of the that,” teammate Bobby Portis Damian Lillard during Australia’s 91­83 exhibition win Monday. joined LeBron James, Shaquille knee or just readjusting to team- said. O’Neal, Jerry West and Rick Bar- mates who had played well with- The Suns don’t have a lot of size ry as players to have two straight out him, Antetokounmpo didn’t outside of Ayton, but sometimes BRIEFLY 40-point outings in the NBA Fi- seize the moment the way Milwau- Antetokounmpo helps his oppo- nals. kee needs. He took only 11 shots — nents by settling for jumpers that That’s halfway to Jordan, who fewer than three teammates. remain a weaker part of his port- Konrad wins Tour’s stage did it four consecutive times in The last two games were the folio. 1993 against Phoenix. Greek Freak these NBA Finals de- From his very first basket of “I’m not Michael Jordan,” Ante- mand. Game 3, when he jumped over a 16, Pogacar keeps his lead tokounmpo repeated. “But you He had 42 points and 12 re- defender to grab a rebound that he Associated Press of his new contract with the Bos- know, all I care about right now, bounds in Game 2, then 41 points, put back while being fouled, he SAINT-GAUDENS, France — ton Red Sox covering 2022 and it’s getting one more, that’s all. 13 rebounds and six assists as the made it clear he was going to keep Austrian rider Patrick Konrad 2023. Barnes has a $4.5 million Just take care of business, doing Bucks finally got on the board in going to the rim. When Phoenix won the Tour de France’s hilly salary this season and would have our job.” Game 3 with a 120-100 victory. stopped him by fouling, he made 16th stage on an otherwise un- been eligible for free agency after When Antetokounmpo returned “He’s just doing whatever it them pay by making 13 of 17 free eventful day Tuesday as race lead- the World Series. from a knee injury with 20 points takes to help his team, to help us,” throws. er Tadej Pogacar remained on and 17 rebounds in Game 1 of the Milwaukee coach Mike Budenhol- “He’s physical. When he gets course for his second overall vic- Predators goaltender series, he delivered good num- zer said. “He’s in an aggressive downhill, gets to the basket, gets to tory. bers. mindset.” the free-throw line, it encourages Konrad made his decisive break Rinne retiring But the 6-foot-11, 250-pound An- The two-time MVP needs to stay him to keep going. And he was hit- with 22.5 miles to go. Pekka Rinne, the 2018 Vezina tetokounmpo will always collect in it. ting his free throws ... and that just Barnes guaranteed Trophy winner, announced his re- stats. With his long arms and long- Attacking the paint as he did in kind of opens up his whole game,” tirment Tuesday through a re- er strides, he can easily get him- Game 3 presents problems for Suns reserve Cam Johnson said. $18.75M by Red Sox lease by the Predators and a post self near enough to the basket to which the Suns may not have the “So it’s on us to stop him, give him All-Star closer Matt Barnes is on The Players’ Tribune. The 38- snatch a rebound or drop in a answers. He helped send Deandre more resistance.” guaranteed $18.75 million as part year-old played 15 seasons. Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 OLYMPICS

At a glance GYMNASTICS Highlights from Rio: American star Si- mone Biles turned the 2016 games into her own personal showcase, earning five medals (four gold, one bronze) and rede- fining what is possible along the way. The U.S. women won their second straight team gold and captured nine Biles bids for history in Tokyo medals in all during their final competi- tion under former national team coordi- nator Martha Karolyi. ... Japan’s Kohei Gymnast won 5 medals Uchimura edged Ukraine’s Oleg Ver- niaiev to win back-to-back Olympic titles in Rio Olympics, setting a in the men’s all-around. More important- high standard for herself ly, Uchimura also guided the Japanese BY WILL GRAVES men to victory in the team final while Associated Press longtime rival and defending Olympic champion China faded to third behind Simone Biles is aware of the Russia. pressure. She welcomes it. Practi- What’s new: The International Gym- cally invites it. Look no further nastics Federation (FIG) cut the official than the sequined goat she’s nick- team sizes from five athletes in Rio to four named “Goldie” that occasionally in Tokyo in an effort to level the playing finds its way onto her competition field a bit for countries whose talent pool leotard. doesn’t run as deep as superpowers like The symbol — a play on the acro- the U.S. and Russia. Countries could al- nym for greatest of all-time — is so earn a “plus-1” specialists spot by both a nod to her hard-earned sta- meeting certain qualifying standards, tus as the most talented gymnast though the “plus-1” athlete will only be eligible for individual awards and will not (and maybe athlete) on the planet be allowed to compete in the team com- and the outsized expectations she petition. The FIG also allowed athletes to faces, both internally and external- earn a nominative individual spot ly. through the organization’s World Cup cir- It’s a delicate dance, one that will cuit. American Jade Carey took advan- take center stage when the 24- tage of the change to lock up her own year-old American steps in front of JEFF ROBERSON/AP spot in Tokyo before the U.S. Olympic the world in Tokyo. No pressure. Simone Biles competes on the vault during the women’s U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials on June 27 in St. Trials. The trade-off is Carey will not be All she has to do is somehow one- Louis. She won five medals in Rio de Janeiro, including four gold medals. allowed to compete with the other Amer- up her staggering performance in icans and will have to wear a different le- Rio de Janeiro, when she won five which has only previously been a culture of abuse at the elite level think it’s going to come down to otard. Sound confusing? It is, which is medals (including four gold) and done in international competition all over the globe. The scandal sur- tenths of a point in Tokyo,” Forster why the FIG announced it will do away entered the rarified air of Olympic by men — will become the latest to rounding disgraced former U.S. said. with the nominative individual qualifying standard and restore team sizes to five royalty reserved for the likes of Mi- bear her name in the sport’s Code national team doctor Larry Nassar The men athletes in Paris 2024. chael Phelps, Usain Bolt and Nadia of Points if she’s able to land it in — who sexually abused athletes Tokyo expectations: Biles is attempt- Comaneci. Japan. (Biles included ) under the guise of It might, however, in the men’s ing to become the first woman to win Yes, it’s a lot. Then again, what- Yes, Biles is well aware of her in- medical treatment — started a competition, where Russia, China consecutive Olympic titles in more than ever bar is set for her by others fluence. She didn’t get into this try- reckoning of sorts. and potentially host Japan figure to 50 years. The 24-year-old has become a pales in comparison to the bar ing to become a point of inspira- Federations from the U.S. to be in a fight for the top of the podi- transcendent figure in the sports world Biles sets for herself. It’s why she tion. Yet she’s hardly running from Great Britain to Australia have um in the team event. Russian Nik- since her star-making performance in found herself in tears at the U.S. the responsibility. been grappling with how to create ita Nagornyy, the 2019 world all- Brazil. She’s also better than ever, add- Olympic Trials, when an off night “When somebody is striving for a healthier atmosphere for their around champion, leads the field in ing upgrades on floor exercise, beam and in the finals left her frustrated and perfection and doing her skills, it elite athletes. Whether any real the men’s all around. vault that will basically turn the sport’s angry. pushes other athletes to know that progress has been made won’t be There has been a changing of the Code of Points into her own personal Wi- “I feel like anything rather than it’s possible and that they can do it, known for years, though the top guard of sorts among the Ameri- kipedia entry. The American women are my best will tick me off,” Biles too,” Biles said. “So, I feel like I American women allow the vibe is can men, who are trying to get back heavily favored to earn a third straight team gold. Russia, China and host Japan said. would say we have reached a point more relaxed now than it was dur- to the podium for the first time have spent the last half-decade in a tight It’s that drive that led Biles to re- where gymnastics is getting more ing former national team coordina- since the 2014 world champion- battle for supremacy on the men’s side. turn to the gym after a year off fol- difficult and a little bit more dan- tor Martha Karolyi’s highly suc- ships. Brody Malone, a 20-year-old The Russians edged the Chinese at the lowing her remarkable success in gerous. So we’re kind of walking on cessful — and highly divisive — from northwest Georgia, supplant- 2019 world championships. Brazil. New coaches Laurent and eggshells here, but it’s exciting to tenure. ed six-time national champion and Athletes to watch: Biles isn’t the only Cecille Landi helped her put to- watch.” “I feel like it’s a lot more fun,” two-time Olympian Sam Mikulak American who figures to come home gether a plan that didn’t ask her to Other things to look for in Tokyo: said MyKayla Skinner, who will as the program’s standard-bearer with multiple medals. Sunisa Lee — the simply regain the skills that made compete as an individual qualifier. after winning both the U.S. cham- first Hmong-American to make an Olym- her the best in the world, but build Abuse scandals pionships and the Olympic Trials. pic team — is a revelation on the uneven upon them. The competition floor isn’t the Talent overload bars. Jordan Chiles, who trains with She’s unveiled a series of bound- only place the sport is treading At least for the Americans, who One more time Biles in Houston, is also a medal threat ary-pushing elements over the last carefully. are heavily favored to win their The Games will also serve as a following a stunning rise over the last two four years, and her latest — the Gymnastics has spent much of third straight Olympic title. Sure, goodbye for a couple of Olympic years. ... Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekis- tan will be appearing in her record eighth Yurchenko double-pike vault, the last five years trying to address having Biles helps. But the U.S. legends. Two-time Olympic cham- Olympics at age 46. ... Russia’s Nikita squad is as loaded as ever. Sunisa pion Kohei Uchimura of Japan — Nagornny, the 2019 world champion, Lee, who actually outscored Biles in many ways, the men’s equiva- figures to be the favorite in the men’s in the all-around during the second lent of Biles — will get a chance to competition. ... day at Olympic Trials, is a revela- say take a bow in front of his home- Gold medal moment(s): July 26: tion on uneven bars. Jordan Chiles’ land after qualifying as an individ- Men’s team final: July 27: Women’s steadiness in 2021 turned her from ual. And 46-year-old Oksana Chu- team final; July 28: Men’s all-around fi- a fringe Olympic candidate to a sovitina of Uzbekistan will com- nal; July 29: Women’s all-around final; gymnast who may come back to pete in her record eighth Olym- July 30: Women’s trampoline; July 31: the States with multiple medals. pics. Men’s trampoline; Aug 1: Men’s event fi- There’s so much wiggle room, Chusovitina has pledged she’s nals in floor exercise, pommel horse; national team coordinator Tom ready to retire several times Women’s event finals in vault, uneven Forster admitted he actually po- through the years. Yet this is likely bars; Aug 2: Men’s event finals in rings, vault; Women’s event finals in vault; tentially sacrificed a few tenths of a her last stand. It may be for Biles, Aug: 3: Men’s event finals in parallel point by choosing Grace McCal- too. Chusovitina’s coaches are bars, high bar; Women’s event finals on bal- lum to fill out the four-woman French, and she hasn’t ruled out a ance beam; Aug. 7: Rhythmic Gymnastics TONY GUTIERREZ/AP team instead of Skinner. third Games as a way of thanking all-around final; Aug. 8: Rhythmic Gymnas- Sunisa Lee outscored Simone Biles in the all­around during the “We’re so, so fortunate that our them for helping rekindle her love tics team final. second day of the Olympic Trials. athletes are so strong that I don’t for the sport. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 OLYMPICS US softball team wins twice in Iwakuni Exhibition games played despite heavy rain, flooding

BY JONATHAN SNYDER structor and softball coach at Mat- a Q&A event Saturday for Japa- Stars and Stripes thew C. Perry High School on the nese and American children. MARINE CORPS AIR STA- air station, said he is attending all “How can I pitch the fast ball TION IWAKUNI, Japan — Heavy the U.S. softball team’s exhibi- like you?” one Japanese youngster rainfall and flooding failed to keep tions and events at Iwakuni. asked pitcher Monica Abbott. the U.S. Olympic softball team “Since the Olympics is not going “My mom always told me to eat from its practice and exhibition to be open to the public, this is go- my vegetables,” she replied, and games throughout the week. ing to be as close as we are going to the surrounding crowd burst into The U.S. team’s first exhibition get to see it in person,” he said. laughter. Abbott followed by dem- game was a doubleheader at the “That’s part of the reason I came onstrating the stages of a fast Atago Sports Complex against Iyo out to the games.” pitch. Bank Vertz, a corporate team. The Early morning Thursday at 1:24 Perry High softball team cap- first pitch was scheduled for 10 a.m., Iwakuni experienced two tain Sera Shimakura asked: “As a a.m. Friday but was pushed to 5 minor earthquakes within an hour captain, what is the best way to get p.m. because of heavy rainfall of each other with a maximum in- your team members motivated throughout the day. Team USA tensity of a 3.0 on the Richter and confident enough to call out closed both games with shutout scale. plays?” victories, the first 1-0 and the sec- Heavy rainfall going into Friday Olympic outfielder Haylie ond 8-0. caused flooding and landslides in McCleney fielded the question. The squad is now 8-0 in exhibi- the area, causing road closures “Learn who it is you’re leading tions at Atago after winning 3-1 and train cancellations in and out and what is it that motivates them, JONATHAN SNYDER/Stars and Stripes against Toyotoa and defeating Hi- of Iwakuni, making it difficult for and you need to have the ability to Monica Abbott of the U.S. Women’s Olympic softball team, winds up tachi 4-1 on Tuesday. some spectators to attend. pull that out of them. And you need Monday during an exhibition game against the Toyota Red Terriers in “It’s a great opportunity to pack On Thursday, the International to be everyone’s biggest hype Iwakuni, Japan. The U.S. played two games in Iwakuni. up the kids and see a little bit of Olympic Committee announced man,” she said. America, because they haven’t that the Tokyo Games will be a Shimakura was satisfied. The U.S. Olympic softball team first and then Canada, according seen it in three years,” Marine non-spectator event, which was “The answer was very con- is scheduled to play in Fukushima to the official schedule online. spouse April Elliott said on Friday announced hours after Tokyo ex- structive and really good advice,” July 21 and 22 in the opening The games officially begin July while attending the games. tended its state of emergency. she said. “I want to be like them rounds of the Olympic Games. 23 with closing ceremonies on Brad Cramer, the ROTC in- The Olympic athletes also held when I grow up.” The U.S. is scheduled to face Italy Aug. 8. Precision: IOC’s Bach refers to Climbing making Japanese as ‘Chinese’ BY STEPHEN WADE quickly reported it and there Associated Press was backlash on social media. its Olympic debut TOKYO — IOC President He ended his speech with a Ja- Thomas Bach referred to his Ja- panese phrase: “Gambari mash- panese hosts as Chinese when he ou,” which translates as “Let’s FROM PAGE 24 appeared in public on Tuesday do our best.” but at the Tokyo Games in a fusion of strength, stami- for the first time since arriving The pandemic-postponed na and speed. in Tokyo last week. Olympics open in 10 days. None of the other 39 athletes climbing the walls at Giving a pep talk at the head- Bach spent his first three days Aomi Urban Sports Park have a story like the 24- quarters of the Tokyo Olympics in isolation at the International year-old Condie’s. organizing com- Olympic Committee’s five-star Like many future professional climbers, Kyra RICK BOWMER / AP mittee, Bach’s hotel in central Tokyo, and his spent her childhood scaling everything in her path. The United States’ Kyra Condie had surgery at 13 opening re- movements are limited — like She was moved from a crib as a baby because she to fix severe curvature in her spine due to scoliosis. marks were, almost everyone entering for the kept climbing out, and if her parents looked away for “You have man- Olympics — for the first 14 days. a second, they’d find her atop something — a cliff, the climbing wouldn’t be as important. aged to make Organizers and the IOC decid- cover of the playground equipment, door frames, the What they didn’t understand was the determina- Tokyo the best- ed last week to ban fans from all refrigerator. tion of the young girl in front of them. ever prepared but a handful of outlying venues, Tom and Cathy knew they weren’t going to stop “It didn’t sit well with me, even at that age,” Kyra city for the a move that came after the Japa- Bach their aggressively independent daughter from said. Olympic nese government instituted a climbing, so they taught her how to get back down. The Condies went to two more doctors, both of Games. This is even more re- state of emergency in Tokyo By 11, Kyra started taking climbing more seriously whom said she could be back climbing within four markable under the difficult cir- forced by rising coronavirus and joined a team at a local gym in St. Paul, Minn. She months. They went with the consensus and, not long cumstances we all have to face.” cases. The state of emergency didn’t win competitions right away, but had a work before her 14th birthday, Kyra underwent surgery to Bach tripped over his words, went into force on Monday and ethic unlike any of the other kids. correct a 72-degree curve in her spine. referring to the “Chinese peo- runs through Aug. 22. But the more she climbed, the more her back hurt. Because her spine was fused into place, Kyra was ple” rather than “Japanese peo- The state of emergency will be Kyra rarely complained, so her parents knew unable to arch her back and had trouble bending ple.” in effect throughout the entire something wasn’t right. Even so, they figured the sideways — important skills for high-level climbers. “Our common target is safe duration of the Olympics, which pain was from climbing too hard. Undeterred, she found new ways to work up the and secure games for everybo- open on July 23 and close on “I felt like an 80-year-old woman complaining wall, honing her technique and problem solving. Ky- dy; for the athletes, for all the Aug. 8. Its main impact is to push about my back all the time,” Kyra said. ra’s method isn’t always the easiest, but it works for delegations, and most impor- bars and restaurants to close Kyra, as she always does, took matters into her own her. tantly also for the Chinese peo- early and stop selling alcohol, a hands, first with a Google search, then by asking She willed herself into becoming one of the world’s ple — Japanese people,” Bach move aimed at cutting down cir- someone at her gym to check for scoliosis. That led to best sport climbers. said, catching his mistake quick- culation on crowded trains. a trip to the doctor and X-rays revealing an S-shaped “I was always kind of defiant and didn’t like being ly. Bach’s visit on Tuesday coin- curve in her spine, already arching well over 50 de- told I couldn’t do something,” she said. “Also, kind of Bach’s comments in the brief- cided with the official opening of grees — life-threatening if she didn’t get it fixed. the aspect of I was not naturally the best. I wasn’t ing were interpreted from En- the Olympic Village on Tokyo The first doctor told Kyra climbing may no longer used to winning but I really wanted to win. That cou- glish to Japanese, but the slip Bay. Organizers did not offer an be in her future. A nurse added it wouldn’t be a big pled with having something to overcome really was not included in the interpre- immediate count of how many deal, that she would have a family some day and stoked my training.” tations. Still, the Japanese media athletes were on hand. Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 MLB

Scoreboard American League Alonso drives to the bank again East Division WLPct GB Boston 55 36 .604 _ Met earns $1 million by Tampa Bay 53 37 .589 1½ New York 46 43 .517 8 topping Mancini, Ohtani Toronto 45 42 .517 8 Baltimore 28 61 .315 26 to repeat as Derby king Central Division BY RONALD BLUM WLPct GB Associated Press Chicago 54 35 .607 _ DENVER — Pete Alonso’s Cleveland 45 42 .517 8 words were as bold as his home Detroit 40 51 .440 15 runs. Minnesota 39 50 .438 15 Kansas City 36 53 .404 18 “I’m the best power hitter on the West Division planet,” the New York Mets first baseman proclaimed after win- WLPct GB ning his second straight Home Houston 55 36 .604 _ Run Derby. “Being able to show- Oakland 52 40 .565 3½ Seattle 48 43 .527 7 case that and put on a fun display Los Angeles 45 44 .506 9 on for the fans is truly a dream Texas 35 55 .389 19½ come true for me.” National League Alonso danced to the title, be- East Division sting Shohei Ohtani, Trey Mancini WLPct GB and Juan Soto on a night of record long balls in the thin Rocky Moun- New York 47 40 .540 _ Philadelphia 44 44 .500 3½ tain air of Coors Field. Atlanta 44 45 .494 4 He hit 74 total home runs and Washington 42 47 .472 6 beat Mancini 23-22 in the final Miami 39 50 .438 9 round Monday, joining Ken Grif- Central Division fey Jr. (1998-99) and Yoenis Cés- WLPct GB pedes (2013-14) in winning con- Milwaukee 53 39 .576 _ secutive titles. PHOTOS BY DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/AP Cincinnati 48 42 .533 4 Alonso earned $1 million — Above: National League hitter Pete Alonso of the New York Mets watches a drive during the MLB All­Star Chicago 44 46 .489 8 St. Louis 44 46 .489 8 more than his $676,775 salary. Home Run Derby on Monday in Denver. Below: Alonso holds the champion’s trophy. Pittsburgh 34 56 .378 18 He’s made $2 million in Home West Division Run Derby winnings compared to the eight sluggers as the longball Miami. Before Statcast, the Chica- WLPct GB about $1.47 million in career sala- competition returned after a one- go Cubs’ Sammy Sosa was said to ry from the Mets through the end year absence caused by the coro- have hit one 524 feet at Milwaukee San Francisco 57 32 .640 _ Los Angeles 56 35 .615 2 of this season. navirus pandemic. in 2002, clearing Bernie Brewer’s San Diego 53 40 .570 6 “My parents let me stay up past With custom bats in the Mets’ slide. Colorado 40 51 .440 18 my bedtime to watch this,” the 26- royal blue and orange, and match- Mark McGwire had the longest Arizona 26 66 .283 32½ year-old recalled. “That was one ing shoes and batting gloves, Alon- ball in the 1998 Derby at mile-high Monday’s games of the few nights of the year I got to so was a human bobblehead, nod- Coors, a 510-footer. No games scheduled stay up past of my bedtime and ding on beat in the batter’s box as Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday’s games AL (Ohtani 0-0) at NL (Scherzer 0-0) watch. Watch incredible feats you he stepped out and danced. He sensation set to start on the mound Wednesday’s games don’t see in a regular baseball motioned with his arms to whip up and hit leadoff as designated hitter No games scheduled game. To be able to do back to fans during a timeout. for the American League in Tues- back is really special to me.” Alonso hit a first-round record day night’s All-Star Game, started He has a chance to match Grif- 35 dingers, seven more than Josh slowly but forced two rounds of MLB commits fey, who also won in 1994, as the Hamilton in 2008 at the original tiebreakers with Soto before los- only three-time champions. Yankee Stadium, and topped Kan- ing 31-28 in the second round. $100M to Batting second, Alonso trailed sas City’s Salvador Pérez with 27. They were tied 22-all after regu- 22-17 after the first two minutes of Alonso, batting second, beat Soto lation and 28 apiece following the the final round, then hit six home- 16-15 in the second round. Alon- first tiebreaker. Soto homered on raise Black rs on six swings over the first 28 so’s longest drive of the night trav- Hopkins Hospital. The 29-year- all three swings of the next tie- seconds of his final minute. eled 514 feet. old Baltimore Orioles first base- break, and Ohtani grounded out participation Mancini, who returned this sea- Mancini missed the 2020 season man hit .256 with 16 homers and on his first swing. Associated Press son from cancer treatment, was while undergoing chemotherapy 55 RBIs going into the All-Star “It was fun, but it was exhaust- DENVER — Major League the sentimental favorite, while for stage 3 colon cancer, treatment break. His oncologist, Dr. Nilo ing,” Ohtani said through a trans- Baseball will give at least $100 Alonso was the most animated of he finished last Sept. 21 at Johns Azad, threw out the ceremonial lator. “The last 30 seconds of both million over 10 years to the Play- first pitch at Camden Yards be- the first round and the tiebreaking ers Alliance and help raise an ad- fore the Orioles’ hosted the Chica- round were really exhausting.” ditional $50 million aimed at in- go White Sox last Friday night. Ohtani will become the first creasing the number of Blacks “It was incredible, especially af- two-way All-Star. eventually making the big ter the last year-and-a-half,” Man- “I’m just going to get a lot of leagues. cini said. sleep, as much as I can,” he said. Baseball Commissioner Rob Mancini knocked out Colora- Mancini won the first round 24- Manfred announced the decision do’s Trevor Story 13-12 in the sec- 23 over Oakland’s Matt Olson, before Monday night’s All-Star ond round, hitting second and ad- who hit a deep foul on his final Home Run Derby, saying it would vancing with a drive to center. swing. be the sport’s largest charitable Mancini knew topping Alonso “He’s a good dude,” Olson said. commitment. would be difficult. “To be able to battle the way he “We want young people — peri- “He’s hitting balls over 500 feet battled and come back and per- od — playing the game, particu- with ease. It didn’t seem like he got form the way he has this year says larly young people of color,” too tired and I got pretty gassed in a lot about him, his grit and his Manfred said at a Coors Field that last bonus round,” Mancini toughness.” news conference. said. “He’s a beast out there.” Story defeated Texas’ Joey Gal- The Players Alliance was GABRIEL CHRISTUS/AP Soto thrilled the crowd of 49,048 lo 20-19 when Gallo popped out on launched last year, and MLB and Notre Dame University assistant baseball coach Chuck Ristano with a 520-foot homer, the longest his last swing. the Major League Players Associ- embraces American League hitter Trey Mancini of the Baltimore Derby drive in the Statcast era, “It is tiring, for sure, but it was a ation announced a $10 million Orioles during the Derby. Mancini, a former Notre Dame player who topping 513 feet by the New York lot of fun for the first time,” Gallo commitment last September. missed last season while battling colon cancer, finished second. Yankees’ Aaron Judge in 2017 at said. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 Home Run Derby SPORTS Mets’ Alonso wins for second straight time ›› MLB, Page 23

The United States’ Kyra Condie climbs during women’s boulder OLYMPICS qualifications at the climbing World Cup in Salt Lake City on May 21. Condie has willed herself into becoming one of the world’s elite climbers despite having 10 vertebrae fused together.

RICK BOWMER/AP

“I was always kind of defiant and didn’t like being told I couldn’t do something.” Kyra Condie Climber on US Olympic team Surgical precision Fused vertebrae haven’t kept climber from sport’s pinnacle

BY JOHN MARSHALL Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY yra Condie lay on the operating table as doctors broke her back and put it back together. They worked through an incision running Kfrom her neck nearly the length of her back, re- moving, rotating, realigning and resetting each of 10 verte- brae. Rods were inserted to stabilize the spine while the bones fused together. Blood, donated to herself two months earlier, flowed back into the 13-year-old’s veins. By the time the more than six hour surgery was done, she was three inches taller, no longer stunted by severe scoliosis. Cathy Condie had the typical worries of a mother: paralysis, nerve damage, infection. Kyra never blinked, viewing it as just another ob- stacle in her way — a tenacity that has allowed her to reach all the way to the Olympic rings. “She took it on like, ‘I’m going to get through this,’ ” Cathy Condie said. “ ‘Don’t tell me much about it, I’m just going to go,’ like she does with everything.” Sport climbing will make its Olympic de-

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Lowry begins quest to retain claret jug ›› British Open, Page 19