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Volume 80 Edition 65 ©SS 2021 CONTINGENCY EDITION FRIDAY,JULY 16, 2021 Free to Deployed Areas

VIRUS OUTBREAK Alabama base is 1st in States to require proof of vaccination

BY MAX HAUPTMAN The Washington Post An Alabama military base is taking increased actions to com- bat the ongoing prevalence of cor- onavirus infections, authorizing leaders to ask for proof of vaccina- tion of service members not wear- ing a mask while on duty. It is the first military base in the continen- tal United States to allow leaders to check the vaccination status of those in uniform. The new guidance at Fort Ruck- er comes as the new delta variant of the virus continues to drive in- fection rates and now accounts for a majority of cases in the U.S. The base is among facilities, including Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, Fort Sill in Oklahoma and Fort Jackson in South Carolina, where less than half of the surrounding populations have been vaccinat- ed. RON BURKE/U.S. Army The order issued Tuesday by A Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle rests on its turret and hood after a rollover. The Government Accountability Office has made nine Maj. Gen. David Francis, com- recommendations to address the most common causes of tactical vehicle accidents. manding general of Fort Rucker, states that unmasked uniformed personnel “must be prepared to show proof of vaccination” when on the base. Report outlines safety shortfalls “Due to the rising rates in the counties around us and some on Fort Rucker, we’re now imple- Poor training, supervision among leading causes of tactical vehicle accidents, GAO finds menting G.O. number 12,” Francis said in a video posted July 12 on BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS services to create more clearly defined roles Fort Rucker’s official Facebook Stars and Stripes for supervisors, establish procedures and page, referring to the general or- WASHINGTON — Driver distraction, su- 123 mechanisms for risk management and ensure der issued to Fort Rucker person- pervision lapses and training shortfalls were driver-training programs have a well-defined Deaths in Army and Marine Corps noncombat nel. “The big difference is going to among the leading causes behind Army and tactical vehicle accidents between 2010 and 2019, process with specific performance criteria. be that if you are not wearing a Marine Corps tactical vehicle accidents in a according to a Government Accountability Office “The Army and Marine Corps had not clear- mask, the leadership will be able new report released Wednesday by the Gov- report. The GAO reviewed 3,753 accidents. ly defined the roles or put procedures and to ask you, ask soldiers, to prove ernment Accountability Office. mechanisms in place for first-line supervisors that they’ve been vaccinated by The study reviewed 3,753 Army and Marine more than 23 in 2010 and a low of about 7 in — such as vehicle commanders — to effective- showing their vaccination card.” Corps noncombat tactical vehicle accidents 2017, the causes remained largely the same, ly perform their role,” according to the report. The new rule applies only to between 2010 and 2019, which resulted in 123 according to the report. “As a result, implementation of risk manage- deaths. While the number of deadly accidents To address the issue, the GAO made nine SEE PROOF ON PAGE 5 fluctuated during the years with a high of recommendations in the report, calling for the SEE REPORT ON PAGE 5 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER Powell: Inflation, though high, will likely moderate EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1141.55 Associated Press over the past several months have economy is “still a ways off” from Switzerland (Franc) .9173 Euro costs (July 16) $1.15 Thailand (Baht) 32.68 WASHINGTON — Federal Re- been driven largely by temporary making the “substantial further Dollar buys (July 16) 0.8249 Turkey (NewLira) 8.5632 British pound (July 16) $1.35 serve Chair Jerome Powell sug- factors, notably supply shortages progress” that the central bank’s Japanese yen (July 16) 108.00 (Military exchange rates are those available gested Wednesday that inflation, and rising consumer demand as policymakers want to see before South Korean won (July 16) 1118.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ which has been surging as the re- pandemic-related business re- they will begin reducing their $120 many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) .3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ covery strengthens, “will likely strictions are lifted. billion in monthly bond purchas- Britain (Pound) 1.3850 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2549 your local military banking facility. Commercial remain elevated in coming Once such factors normalize, es. Those purchases are intended China(Yuan) 6.4611 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.2942 months” before “moderating.” Powell said, inflation should ease. to keep long-term borrowing rates Egypt (Pound) 15.6907 when buying currency. All figures are foreign At the same time, Powell sig- Yet the Fed chair did not repeat an low to encourage borrowing and Euro .8463 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7680 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ naled no imminent change in the assertion he made three weeks spending. Hungary (Forint) 304.00 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2683 Fed’s ultra-low-interest rate poli- ago before another House panel, Powell’s remarks coincided Japan (Yen) 109.91 INTEREST RATES cies in testimony to the House Fi- that inflation would “drop back” to with a government report Kuwait(Dinar) .3006 Norway (Krone) 8.7988 Prime rate 3.25 nancial Services Committee. the Fed’s target of 2%. Wednesday that showed whole- Philippines (Peso) 50.12 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.87 Federal funds market rate 0.10 Powell reiterated his long-held The Fed chair also suggested in sale prices jumped 7.3% in June Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7507 3­month bill 0.06 view that high inflation readings his testimony Wednesday that the from a year earlier. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3541 30­year bond 1.99 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 74/66

Kabul Seoul 90/62 85/74 Baghdad 110/78 Osan Tokyo Drawsko Kandahar Mildenhall/ 84/73 83/69 103/81 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 79/65 79/75 73/51 Iwakuni Kuwait City 78/75 Bahrain Zagan Sasebo Guam 108/89 97/91 Brussels Ramstein 78/61 81/75 68/58 70/59 86/83 Riyadh Lajes, 110/84 Doha Azores Stuttgart 98/87 71/68 71/59 Pápa Aviano/ 85/63 Vicenza 73/60

Naples 79/67 Okinawa Morón 85/82 102/67 Sigonella Rota 91/68 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 87/64 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 100/88 83/75 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

TODAY IN STRIPES Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 14 Opinion ...... 15 Sports ...... 18-24 Friday, July 16, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Milley reportedly feared Trump coup attempt BY REIS THEBAULT for comment. protesting the election, Milley ment, where Trump had already ful.” The Washington Post Portions of the book related to said he feared an American equiv- installed staunch allies. “They After the failed insurrection on WASHINGTON — In the wan- Milley — first reported Wednes- alent of “brownshirts in the may try, but they’re not going to Jan. 6, House Speaker Nancy Pe- ing weeks of Donald Trump’s day night by CNN ahead of the streets,” alluding to the paramili- f—-ing succeed,” he told some of losi, D-Calif., called Milley to ask term, the country’s top military book’s July 20 release — offer a tary forces that protected Nazi ral- his closest deputies, the book re- for his guarantee that Trump leader repeatedly worried about remarkable window into the lies and enabled Hitler’s ascent. ports. would not be able to launch a nu- what the president might do to thinking of America’s highest- Late that same evening, accord- In the weeks that followed, Mil- clear strike and start a war. maintain power after losing re- ranking military officer, who saw ing to the book, ley played reassuring soothsayer “This guy’s crazy,” Pelosi said election, comparing his rhetoric to himself as one of the last empo- an old friend to a string of concerned members of Trump in what the book report- Adolf Hitler’s during the rise of wered defenders of democracy called Milley to of Congress and administration ed was mostly a one-way phone Nazi Germany and asking confi- during some of the darkest days in express con- officials who shared his worries call. “He’s dangerous. He’s a ma- dants whether a coup was forth- the country’s recent history. cerns that those about Trump attempting to use niac.” coming, according to a new book The episodes in the book are close to Trump the military to stay in office. Once again, Milley sought to re- by two Washington Post report- based on interviews with more were attempting “Everything’s going to be OK,” assure: “Ma’am, I guarantee you ers. than 140 people, including senior to “overturn the he told them, according to the that we have checks and balances As Trump ceaselessly pushed Trump administration officials, government.” book. “We’re going to have a in the system,” he told Pelosi. Milley false claims about the 2020 presi- friends and advisers, Leonnig and “You are one peaceful transfer of power. We’re Less than a week later, as mil- dential election, Gen. Mark Mil- Rucker write in an author’s note. of the few guys who are standing going to land this plane safely. itary and law enforcement leaders ley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs Most agreed to speak candidly on- between us and some really bad This is America. It’s strong. The planned for President Joe Biden’s of Staff, grew more and more ly on the condition of anonymity stuff,” the friend told Milley, ac- institutions are bending, but it inauguration, Milley said he was nervous, telling aides he feared and the scenes reported were re- cording to an account relayed to won’t break.” determined to avoid a repeat of that the president and his acolytes constructed based on firsthand his aides. Milley was shaken, Le- In December, with rumors cir- the siege on the Capitol. may attempt to use the military to accounts and multiple other onnig and Rucker write, and he culating that the president was “Everyone in this room, wheth- stay in office, Carol Leonnig and sources whenever possible. called former national security preparing to fire then-CIA Direc- er you’re a cop, whether you’re a Philip Rucker report in “I Alone Milley — who was widely crit- adviser H.R. McMaster to ask tor Gina Haspel and replace her soldier, we’re going to stop these Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump’s Cat- icized last year for appearing whether a coup was actually im- with Trump loyalist Kash Patel, guys to make sure we have a astrophic Final Year.” alongside Trump in Lafayette minent. Milley sought to intervene, the peaceful transfer of power,” he Milley described “a stomach- Square after protesters were for- “What the f—- am I dealing book says. He confronted White told them. “We’re going to put a churning” feeling as he listened to cibly cleared from the area — had with?” Milley asked him. House Chief of Staff Mark Mead- ring of steel around this city and Trump’s untrue complaints of pledged to use his office to ensure The conversations put Milley on ows at the annual Army-Navy the Nazis aren’t getting in.” election fraud, drawing a compar- a free and fair election with no edge, and he began informally football game, which Trump and At Biden’s swearing-in on Jan. ison to the 1933 attack on Germa- military involvement. But he be- planning with other military lead- other high-profile guests attend- 20, Milley was seated behind for- ny’s parliament building that Hit- came increasingly concerned in ers, strategizing how they would ed. mer president Barack Obama and ler used as a pretext to establish a the days following the November block Trump’s order to use the “What the hell is going on former first lady Michelle Obama, Nazi dictatorship. contest, making multiple refer- military in a way they deemed here?” Milley asked Meadows, ac- who asked the general how he was “This is a Reichstag moment,” ences to the onset of 20th century dangerous or illegal. cording to the book’s account. feeling. Milley told aides, according to the fascism. If someone wanted to seize con- “What are you guys doing?” “No one has a bigger smile to- book. “The gospel of the Führer.” After attending a Nov. 10 securi- trol, Milley thought, they would When Meadows responded, day than I do,” Milley replied. A spokesman for Milley did not ty briefing about the “Million MA- need to gain sway over the FBI, “Don’t worry about it,” Milley “You can’t see it under my mask, immediately respond to a request GA March,” a pro-Trump rally the CIA and the Defense Depart- shot him a warning: “Just be care- but I do.” Hard landing strands 165 Patriot Express passengers in Japan BY JONATHAN SNYDER sengers. Stars and Stripes Marine Capt. Antonio Marrero, MARINE CORPS AIR STA- a passenger heading to Camp TION IWAKUNI, Japan — The Schwab on Okinawa, told Stars air station’s North Gym basketball and Stripes on Wednesday that he court was temporary home for 165 and the others arrived at the base passengers bound for Okinawa af- gym around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. ter a hard landing Tuesday sent “The Patriot Express flight had their Patriot Express flight back a rough landing and damaged to Yokota Air Base for repairs. something in the nose of the air- Most of the delayed passengers craft,” he said. slept on cots and dined on Burger The plane and its crew returned King, teriyaki chicken and sand- to Yokota for maintenance, Staff wiches. Forty-one passengers, Sgt. David Grigg, a terminal agent parents with infant children, were at Yokota, told Stars and Stripes afforded rooms at a hotel on the by phone Wednesday. air station, MCAS Iwakuni “Once the aircraft is fixed, it spokesman Maj. Joshua Diddams will complete the rest of its jour- JONATHAN SNYDER/Stars and Stripes told Stars and Stripes on Wednes- ney as normal,” he said. Many delayed Patriot Express passengers slept on cots inside a gym at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, day. He said the flight was expected Japan, after a hard landing on Tuesday forced their flight to return to Tokyo for repairs. The Patriot Express, commonly to depart Iwakuni at 10 p.m. called the Rotator, is a govern- Thursday. Mobility Command in Seattle told Antonio, traveling with his wife, yond to get us creature comforts ment-contracted flight that fer- The Patriot Express from Iwa- Stars and Stripes by phone three kids and two dogs, said they and taking care of the families." ries service members, their fam- kuni wasn’t the only one delayed Wednesday. The cause was a were well-provided for. “My kids are having a blast; ilies and other Defense Depart- Wednesday. Another flight from maintenance issue, said the agent, “The staff here has taken very they love it, and they think it’s ment personnel between the Unit- Seattle-Tacoma International Air- who declined to give his name. good care of us, they gotten us ev- awesome.” ed States and overseas bases. The port to Yokota turned back to Sea- At Iwakuni, the stranded pas- erything we’ve needed and even

Patriot Express also allows space- Tac after two or three hours, a sengers settled in for their over- things we’ve wanted,” Antonio [email protected] available travel for eligible pas- customer service agent for Air night stay. said. “They’ve went far and be- Twitter: @Jon_E_Snyder PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 PACIFIC Submariner takes helm of Navy in Japan

BY ALEX WILSON homeport of the 7th Fleet. es over a 32-year military career the ballistic-missile submarine command climate and culture Stars and Stripes “I think it’s only fitting that over which has been nothing short of USS Nebraska, stationed at Naval where everyone can contribute to YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, [my wife and I’s] 32 years of ser- fantastic,” Schneider said at the Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washing- mission accomplishment.” Japan — Rear Adm. Brian Fort vice together we have called the ceremony. “He has been a tre- ton state, according to his Navy Lahti told reporters after the closed out 32 years in the Navy Pacific our home mendous sailor, he has been a biography. ceremony he plans to continue all this week by handing over his last for five tours of leader, he has been a trainer, and Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., coronavirus mitigation policies command to an experienced sub- duty,” Fort said he has a been a mentor who cre- Lahti holds a bachelor’s degree in that Fort put into place. mariner who recently arrived during the cere- ated an environment where his systems engineering from the U.S. “We’ll be partnering with our from Washington, D.C. mony. “And I subordinates could achieve their Naval Academy, a master’s in Japanese counterparts until such Fort transferred the dual-hat can’t think of a potential.” electrical engineering from the a time as we move beyond this responsibility for U.S. Naval better place to Schneider highlighted Fort’s Naval Postgraduate School and a pandemic,” Lahti said. Forces Japan and Navy Region Ja- conclude our role during the pandemic, saying master’s in national security and After the ceremony, Fort said pan to Rear Adm. Carl Lahti, most service than our that “the numbers speak for them- strategic studies from the Naval he expects the vaccination rate of Lahti recently the commandant of Na- current home- selves.” Better than 80% of U.S. War College. Japanese nationals to eventually val District Washington. The com- away-from-home: Japan.” Navy forces in Japan are fully vac- Lahti thanked Fort for his ser- match the percentage of U.S. per- mand exerts both operational and The commander of U.S. Forces cinated, Fort said later. vice and pledged to continue “to sonnel. administrative control over all Na- Japan, Air Force Lt. Gen. Kevin “Since February, we have aver- maintain and foster the strong re- “I think it says a lot about our re- vy personnel and installations in Schneider, congratulated Fort for aged single-digit cases of COVID lationships” that Fort created. lationship with Japan and the cul- the country. his many years of service and his on any given week,” Fort said. “For the U.S. Naval Forces Ja- ture of the organizations to be able The Wednesday ceremony at numerous accomplishments. Fort “Ninety-nine percent of those pan and Naval Region Japan to get the point where we’re work- the naval base’s Fleet Theater fea- received the Order of the Rising were [unvaccinated] at the time. teams, our missions are clear: en- ing with the U.S. [Food and Drug tured accolades on Fort’s behalf. Sun, gold and silver, from the Ja- Today, we are tracking three posi- able the 7th Fleet, enhance and Administration] and the govern- He presided over the Navy re- panese government July 1 in rec- tive cases — that is what real strengthen the U.S.-Japan alli- ment of Japan to be able to vacci- sponse to the coronavirus pan- ognition of his service. teamwork is all about, and I know ance and serve as the naval com- nate our master labor contract demic in Japan, which in spring “Brian’s achievements as com- the entire team is proud.” ponent to U.S. Forces Japan,” he workforce,” Fort said. 2020 meant a three-month lock- mander of U.S. Navy Forces Ja- Lahti, in addition to his tenure in said. “We will do this by working down at Yokosuka, the Navy’s pan/Navy Region Japan are just Washington, D.C., has served as a together as a team and putting [email protected] headquarters south of Tokyo and one example of his many success- submariner and also commanded people first, creating a positive Twitter: @AlexMNWilson Tokyo sees highest case count since January as Olympics draw closer BY JOSEPH DITZLER Kadena Air Base on Okinawa Stars and Stripes reported 11 new coronavirus pa- TOKYO — Japan’s capital city tients in a Facebook post Wednes- on Thursday reported another day evening. 1,308 people had contracted CO- Nine had fallen ill before testing VID-19, its highest one-day count positive; another came up positive of new patients since January, ac- while still in restricted movement cording to public broadcaster following travel outside Japan; the NHK and metro government data. 11th individual was already quar- A fourth wave of the coronavi- antined after contact with a previ- rus respiratory disease appears to ously infected person, according be reaching a peak just as Tokyo to the base. begins to welcome athletes from Kadena so far this month has re- around the globe for the Olympic ported 36 new coronavirus cases Games. The opening ceremony is among people affiliated with the scheduled July 23, a year late, in a base, including a Chili’s restau- stadium to be devoid of spectators, rant employee. further consequences of the 1 AKIFUMI ISHIKAWA/Stars and Stripes Like Tokyo, Okinawa prefec- ½-year-long pandemic. ture is under a state of emergency During its worst phase of the pandemic, Tokyo reported 1,485 new coronavirus cases on Jan. 21, The city during its worst phase according to metro government data. The number of cases is climbing again. until Aug. 22 aimed at combatting of the pandemic reported 1,485 the virus’ spread. Although the new cases on Jan. 21, according to a Defense Department employee day that 100 people aboard the fect on the strike group deploy- number of new cases in Japanese metro government data. Tokyo’s at the K-16 Army airfield; three United Kingdom’s new aircraft ment, the BBC quoted her as say- communities there is falling, the single busiest day for new CO- service members and two South carrier, the HMS Queen Eliza- ing. The broadcasting service said VID-19 patients came Jan. 7, when number of new U.S. military cases Korean contractors at Camp beth, now in the Indian Ocean, had other ships in the group were af- it reported 2,520 new cases. continues to rise, according to a Casey; one service member at contracted the coronavirus. fected. U.S. military installations in Ja- Facebook post Thursday by the Camp Carroll; and one service The warship, which exercised The BBC quoted U.K. Defence pan and South Korea reported 35 Joint Covid-19 Response Center at member at Kunsan Air Base, ac- with the Ronald Reagan Carrier Secretary Ben Wallace as saying new coronavirus cases as of 6 p.m. the Marine Corps’ Camp Foster. cording to USFK. Strike Group and Iwo Jima Am- all crew had received two doses of Thursday. U.S. Forces Korea, experienc- Contact tracing between Sun- phibious Ready Group on Mon- a COVID-19 vaccine and the out- In Japan, Naval Air Facility At- ing record-setting numbers of day and Tuesday discovered an- day, is expected to stop in Japan break was being managed. sugi, southeast of Tokyo, an- new coronavirus cases this month, other eight infected service mem- on its 28-week inaugural patrol. The Japan Ministry of Defense nounced on its Facebook page had another 21 people test positive bers: five at Camp Casey, two at The date for that port call has not had no comment Thursday. Ran- Thursday that two people tested for COVID-19 between July 8 and Kunsan and one at Suwon Air been announced. dall Baucom, spokesman for Yo- positive after developing CO- Tuesday, according to a Thursday Base. All had direct contact with The BBC did not cite a source in kosuka Naval Base, said the base VID-19 symptoms. news release. previously infected individuals, its report but quoted an unnamed “frequently supports visits from Sasebo Naval Base on Kyushu Thirteen individuals first devel- according to the release. Royal Navy spokeswoman who allied nations; however, it would Island reported one individual oped COVID-19 symptoms: two The 21 were quarantined at said “a small number of crew from not be prudent for us to speculate tested positive Wednesday after service members and one South Humphreys, Osan Air Base or a the Carrier Strike Group have on a hypothetical scenario.” developing symptoms, according Korean contractor at Camp Hum- South Korean facility, USFK said. tested positive for COVID-19.” to its Facebook page. phreys; two service members and The BBC reported late Wednes- Those cases would have no ef- [email protected] Friday, July 16, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Report: GAO says driver Leaders wary as training lags US seeks spot FROM PAGE 1 ment practices, such as following speed limits and using seat belts, was ad hoc among units.” While no single event inspired near Afghanistan the study, the GAO said it was ini- tiated because “the Army and BY ELLEN KNICKMEYER against the fundamentalist Tali- Marine Corps have experienced BRENT THACKER/U.S. Army Associated Press ban and in trying to strengthen a tactical vehicle accidents that re- A rollover simulator is used to train troops in Kuwait in 2018. American diplomats are esca- Kabul-based state. “Is that a mor- sulted in deaths of military per- lating a charm offensive with Cen- tal hit? Probably not. But it’s still a sonnel during noncombat scena- something that the GAO recom- workloads or resource levels,” tral Asian leaders this week as very powerful factor.” rios.” mended the services evaluate to according to the report. they work to secure a close-by spot The former Soviet republics of The report found the services ensure “responsibilities to identi- “The Army and Marine Corps to respond to any resurgence of Central Asia, which neighbor Af- lacked appropriate and contin- fy and communicate” dangers have practices to mitigate and outside militants in Afghanistan ghanistan, watched years of fer- uing driver training across “di- are upheld. prevent tactical vehicle acci- after the U.S. military withdraws. vent democracy-building calls verse driving conditions, such as “If the responsibilities are not dents, but units don’t always use But even as high-level U.S. dip- abroad by the United States, then driving at night or over varied being carried out, the [services] them,” the report found. lomats head to the region, they’re watched President Barack Obama terrain,” according to the report. should determine if existing The GAO also recommended meeting with more doubts from disengage to an extent, and then “Licensing classes were often workarounds are adequate or if the Army and Navy secretaries, Afghanistan’s neighbors about President Donald Trump almost condensed into shorter periods of additional resources should be along with the Army chief of staff any such security partnering with entirely, says Jennifer Brick Mur- time than planned with limited applied to fulfill these responsib- and Marine Corps commandant, the United States. That stands in tazashvili, a former U.S. Agency drive time and unit training fo- ilities,” the GAO said in its report. create “a formal collaboration fo- contrast to 2001, when Central for International Development of- cused on other priorities rather The GAO also suggested the rum” for the services to “share Asian countries made available ficial in Central Asia, now a re- than driving,” according to the Army and Navy secretaries eval- methods for identifying and com- their territory for U.S. bases, searcher on the region at the Uni- units that the GAO interviewed. uate the number of personnel re- municating hazards to units with troops and other access as Ameri- versity of Pittsburgh. In some cases, troops weren’t sponsible for tactical vehicle each other on a regular basis.” ca hit back for the 9/11 attacks plot- “I think it made the U.S. seem effectively communicating haz- safety “and determine if these ted by al-Qaida in Afghanistan. sort of aimless,” Murtazashvili ards found on training grounds units are appropriately staffed or [email protected] There’s distrust of the U.S. as a said. “The U.S. hasn’t had a very and ranges to units and drivers, if any adjustments are needed to Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos reliable long-term partner, after strong strategy, or a strong pres- an only partly successful war in ence, in Central Asia for a long Afghanistan and after years of time.” widely fluctuating U.S. engage- But relations with Central Asia Proof: Rule applies to only service members ment regionally and globally, for- are now a security issue for the Bi- mer American diplomats say. den administration as it seeks to FROM PAGE 1 Dale County, where Fort Rucker all affiliated personnel to wear There’s Russia, blasting out this make sure the fundamentalist Ta- uniformed personnel, of which is located, the daily average for masks while on U.S. installations, week that a permanent U.S. mili- liban doesn’t again allow foreign there are about 5,000 assigned to coronavirus infections is at 12 and placed bars and nightclubs off tary base in its Central Asia sphere Islamist extremists to use Afghan- the base. The base, which houses cases per day. Alabama is also limits. of influence would be “unaccept- istan as a base to mount attacks on the Army’s aviation branch, is also among states that have enacted “While we have achieved more able.” the United States or other outside home to thousands of civilian de- legislation banning vaccine pass- than 80% vaccination rate, we are Meanwhile, the Taliban leader- targets. pendents and civilian employees. ports or requiring immunization witnessing small clusters of the vi- ship, more internationally savvy State Department spokesperson Civilian employees on the base to receive government services. rus’ spread within select loca- than it had been in 2001, has been Ned Price said Wednesday that the “must be taken at their word un- “This measure is very impor- tions,” Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, the visiting regional capitals and Mos- Central Asian nations “will make less the supervisor has good rea- tant so that we can nip this in the U.S. commander, said in a state- cow this summer in a diplomatic sovereign decisions about their son not to,” reads the official or- bud,” Francis said in his state- ment. “To protect our communi- push of its own, offering broad level of the cooperation with the der, issued Wednesday. ment. ties and our mission, we are imple- pledges that it will pursue regional United States” after the Afghanis- On Tuesday, Pentagon spokes- While the Pentagon has issued menting an immediate, aggres- security, peace and trade whatev- tan withdrawal. man John Kirby said that about overall guidance for maintaining sive approach to preventing the vi- er comes of its fight with the Kabul “It’s not only in our interests 70% of military personnel have re- readiness and personnel safety rus’ spread any further.” government. and, in fact, it is much more and ceived at least one dose of a coro- since the start of the pandemic, South Korea reported 1,316 new “I mean, I personally can see the certainly in the immediate inter- navirus vaccine. which has included recommenda- cases of the coronavirus Friday, a value of an American base in Cen- ests of Afghanistan’s neighbors” “That’s encouraging, but tions for unvaccinated personnel sharp increase during the latest tral Asia, but I’m not sure the Cen- that Afghanistan be stable and se- there’s more work to do, and so we to continue wearing masks when wave of the virus in that country. tral Asian states see such value” cure, Price said. continue to be in the mode of en- required, there have been no or- As in other coronavirus hot currently, said John Herbst, who The administration has given couraging troops to get vaccinated ders issued to enforce checking spots around the U.S., the majority as U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan few details of what kind of security to the maximum degree,” he said. vaccination status. Individual of infections in Alabama are from helped arrange military access in access it is seeking in the region, or In Alabama, just 33% of the pop- commanders, however, have been the delta variant of the virus. Central Asia in 2001. from which countries. While the ulation is fully vaccinated and just allowed to issue their own guid- While Kirby stated on Tuesday “We’ve taken a hit through our U.S. can manage strike and coun- over 40% has received at least one ance. that the Pentagon is “watching failures in Afghanistan” in credi- terterror capability for Afghanis- dose, which is well below the na- In South Korea, the commander [the variant] with concern,” there bility, Herbst said, after the U.S. tan from Gulf nations or from U.S. tional average, according to data of U.S. forces on the peninsula is- have been no official policy chang- neutralized al-Qaida in Afghanis- aircraft carriers, closer is much from The Washington Post. In sued an order last week requiring es for military personnel. tan but struggled in fighting better. PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 MILITARY Milley: Europe win relies on new command

BY JOHN VANDIVER Stars and Stripes ‘In my view, the STUTTGART, Germany — The allied command formed to ensure world is entering U.S. forces and combat gear can cross a contested Atlantic Ocean a period of during a war in Europe is fully oper- ational, the top U.S. military officer potential PHOTOS BY ANDREEA ALEXANDRU/AP said Thursday. Service members walk by a U.S. military Black Hawk helicopter following an emergency landing on a busy “It is the mission of this command instability.’ boulevard in Bucharest, Romania, on Thursday. to fight the battle of the Atlantic,” said Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman livestreamed ceremony marking Black Hawk makes emergency NATO’s newest operations head- ny, which is focused on the move- quarters. ment of ground forces around Eu- The Norfolk, Va.,-based Joint rope. landing in Romania’s capital Forces Command, also known as NATO agreed to set up the two Stars and Stripes Atlantic Command, is the first allied headquarters in 2018 as part of the A U.S. Army Black Hawk heli- headquarters dedicated to protect- alliance’s push to adapt to a more copter made an emergency land- ing the Atlantic sea lanes since 2003. uncertain security environment in ing on a Bucharest street Thurs- In any potential large-scale conflict Europe. day after experiencing a mechani- in Europe, victory “will largely de- The Norfolk headquarters is led cal problem, Army officials in Eu- pend on the success or failure of this by Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis and is rope and local police said. command,” Milley said. co-located with his U.S. 2nd Fleet No injuries were reported in The headquarters was launched command. Like the new NATO connection with the incident, amid concerns about a more assert- command, 2nd Fleet was reconsti- which involved a Black Hawk be- ive Russia and Moscow’s ability to tuted in 2019 amid worries about longing to the 3rd Battalion, 1st potentially disrupt allied efforts to Russia’s naval modernization pro- Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat cross the Atlantic during a crisis. gram. Aviation Brigade. A U.S. service member inspects the blades of a Black Hawk “In my view, the world is entering NATO’s Atlantic Command is The precautionary landing took helicopter following an emergency landing Thursday on a busy a period of potential instability,” tasked with drawing up operational place at Charles de Gaulle Square boulevard in Bucharest, Romania. Milley said. He didn’t single out plans that cover an area stretching in Bucharest, where the aircraft Russia, but said “some nations” are from the U.S. East Coast, across the was conducting rehearsals for Ro- ficers on the ground, the helicop- vestigation is underway, the Army trying to undermine the interna- Greenland-Iceland-U.K. gap and manian Air Force Day, U.S. Army ter landed safely,” USAREUR-AF said. tional order established after World into the Arctic. The so-called GIUK Europe and Africa said in a state- said. The Black Hawk unit is forward War II. Gap passage in the North Atlantic is ment. The site has been secured by po- deployed from Illesheim, Germa- “The goal is to prevent another regarded by military planners as a The helicopter signaled it was lice and the aircraft moved to the ny, as part of the ongoing Atlantic great power war,” he said. possible chokepoint in the event of having technical difficulties, traf- side of the road. The U.S. is coor- Resolve campaign focused on de- The decision to restart the NATO conflict. fic police told the Reuters news dinating with the Romanian air terring possible Russian aggres- Atlantic-focused command coinci- agency. force and other authorities to re- sion along NATO’s eastern flank. des with the establishment of a sis- [email protected] “Due to the expertise of the move the helicopter. ter NATO mission in Ulm, Germa- Twitter: @john_vandiver crew, and the Romanian police of- A joint Romanian and U.S. in- [email protected] House lawmakers pan first Space Force budget

BY ANDREW CLEVENGER — akin to how the Marine Corps and current vice chairman of the And the committee does not concrete vision for its future sys- CQ-Roll Call operates within the Navy — goes Joint Chiefs, has spent years sound too impressed with Space tem architectures, based not on WASHINGTON — The Space about buying equipment. warning against, the report notes. Force’s progress thus far. philosophy but on rigorous tech- Force, created by Congress in “The Committee remains con- (For the Pentagon, a satellite in The service’s plans for creating nical analysis with executable 2019, is off to a rocky start in its cerned that the Air Force has not orbit is a “big juicy target” if it is a new space acquisition unit con- plans resourced by realistic bud- first full budgeting cycle as its taken more aggressive action in expensive, hard to replace, and sist primarily of renaming an ex- gets.” own branch of the military. addressing long-standing space knocking it out would shut down a isting organization and incorpo- This criticism notwithstanding, In the report accompanying the acquisition issues and has made vital capability. Having a network rating existing space launch the House Defense Appropri- fiscal 2022 defense appropri- little progress in defining what of smaller, cheaper satellites units, according to the report. ations Subcommittee would give ations bill, members of the House the Space Force will be doing that makes them harder to cripple and “The plan does not resolve the the Space Force almost every- Appropriations Committee ex- is fundamentally different than less tempting as a potential tar- fundamental issues of overlap thing it asked for in its budget re- pressed concern and frustration when it was a component of the get.) and duplication in roles, respon- quest. over the lack of a coordinated Air Force,” the report states. “The Space Force lacks a clear sibilities, and authorities among The committee envisions cut- strategy in the Pentagon’s budget The service’s budget request plan which defines its future the various other space acquisi- ting $68.5 million from the force’s request. The panel seems partic- includes funding for the same space architecture and lacks a tion units in the Department of operations and maintenance ac- ularly concerned about how the type of “big juicy targets” that strategy for how this architecture the Air Force,” the report states. count, down to $3.37 billion, with Space Force, which is now a sep- Gen. John Hyten, former com- will be acquired,” the report con- “The Committee believes the most of the cut ($51 million) com- arate service within the Air Force mander of U.S. Space Command tinues. Space Force needs a clear and ing from administrative costs. Friday, July 16, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 MILITARY ‘Stepchild’ notation on ID causes dispute BY CHAD GARLAND leaders or official accounts. ID needs to know why she quali- ient.” Stars and Stripes Some were concerned the new fies for my benefits.” The email added that ID cards Service members and spouses cards might reveal a child’s adop- The ID card photo belonged to a for adopted children list the rela- are calling for change to the mil- tion status, apparently based on user going by @kristenmary20, tionship as “child.” itary’s new dependent ID cards the fact that the Defense Enroll- that user said in response to Well- The reason for the difference this week over the way the rela- ment Eligibility Reporting Sys- man, explaining that she’d origi- appears to be a result of how the tionship field identifies spouses’ tem, or DEERS, requires different nally posted it to a spouse page be- child’s status is listed in DEERS. A children from previous marriag- documents, depending on a child’s fore it was shared to Twitter. stepchild’s eligibility for DOD af- es. legal relationship to their sponsor. But in another post that was filiation and benefits is based on The Defense Department be- “My daughter has never called shared less widely, @kristen- their biological parent’s marriage gan transitioning last summer herself a stepchild,” @justjsides mary20 said she had received a re- to the military sponsor and ends from its paper-based uniformed said in a follow-up tweet. “We’ve sponse from a Defense Depart- upon a divorce. But adopted chil- services ID card to a plastic “next never used that term really. I ment office explaining the inclu- dren maintain their benefits generation” card similar to the think if she saw this on her ID it sion of the term “stepchild” was through age 21, regardless of the Common Access Card used by would hurt her.” an oversight when the new ID relationship status of their par- DOD personnel. The new card is The word “never saw the light of card was rolled out, and that offi- ents, the email explained. meant to be more secure and har- the day in my blended military cials were looking into the possi- “The DoD is reviewing this is- der to counterfeit. family,” said Fred Wellman, in a bility of fixing it. But a photo posted on social sue to determine whether this is- media Wednesday drew contro- retweet of the photo. A retired Ar- The previous ID cards listed the sue can be resolved, i.e., continue versy over the card’s use of the TWITTER my officer and the executive di- relationship as “SC,” but the new to reflect the stepchild status in term “stepchild” in a field listing New Defense Department rector of political action commit- one allows the whole term to be DEERS while printing CHILD on the relationship between the de- identification cards for military tee The Lincoln Project, Wellman spelled out more prominently, the the face of the ID card, and if so, pendent and the military sponsor. dependents display relationships has more than 186,000 followers email said, according to a series of the associated timeline,” the email Biological offspring are listed only more prominently than past on Twitter. His tweet was shared @kristenmary20’s tweets. said, according to the tweets. as “child,” social media users said. versions. nearly two dozen times. “This is an error of omission The military did not immediate- “Why are we now specifying “This sucks, and it sucks more vice commission,” it said. “There ly confirm the authenticity of the *stepchild* on dependent IDs?” The tweet was shared nearly for ‘adopted child,’” wrote @Le- was not a conscious decision made email to Stars and Stripes or pro- wrote Twitter user @justjsides, 100 times as of Thursday morning, thalityJane, a soldier with some during the implementation of this vide additional comment early whose profile lists her as an Army including by several accounts 28,000 followers, in a retweet major change to DoD’s ID card Thursday. spouse, in the original post shar- with high numbers of followers shared more than 80 times. “No program to bring emotional dis- ing the photo of the new ID. and some who tagged top military one who is inspecting my stepkid’s tress to any DoD ID card recip- [email protected] VA ‘reimaging approach’ to costly electronic records BY NIKKI WENTLING Wednesday it would not go live in billion but increased to $16.1 bil- amount of taxpayer dollars being training and testing and be more Stars and Stripes Columbus until patient safety is- lion. spent on this program without any transparent with Congress as the WASHINGTON — The Depart- sues were addressed. The VA underestimated the cost demonstrated benefits to veterans new system rolls out. He commit- ment of Veterans Affairs prom- “As a result of the strategic re- of necessary upgrades to both its or VA medical staff,” said Sen. Jon ted to Cerner’s technology, saying ised a new approach Wednesday view, we’re reimaging our ap- physical infrastructure and its in- Tester, D-Mont., the committee that the issues were with the man- for the major project to overhaul proach to this system,” McDo- formation technology, the IG re- chairman. “This simply cannot agement of the project, rather its electronic health record sys- nough said. “We can and will get ported. It would likely need $2.5 continue.” than the software. tem, following concerns from fed- this effort back on track.” billion to $5.1 billion more for the McDonough described eral watchdogs and employees In 2017, the VA started to over- project, the report states. Wednesday the agency’s plans to [email protected] who used the program when it haul its electronic health record “I, for one, am fed up with the invest in infrastructure, improve Twitter: @nikkiwentling first went live in Spokane, Wash. system. It awarded a contract to VA Secretary Denis McDo- Cerner Corp., a technology com- nough testified Wednesday before pany in Kansas City, Mo. The new the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Com- system is supposed to be capable mittee about the challenges and of sharing patient data seamlessly the department’s plan moving for- with the Defense Department, ward. Shortly after becoming sec- which could limit problems when retary in February, McDonough a service member transitions out paused the project and ordered a of the military. 12-week internal review. The re- The new system went live at the view revealed patient safety prob- Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical lems, escalating costs, a lack of Center in Spokane in October. At productivity and ineffective train- the time, former VA Secretary ing on the new system for health Robert Wilkie described it as a care providers, among other is- “historic step toward creating a sues. seamless health care experience In some cases, veterans re- for veterans.” Health care work- ceived duplicate medications in ers in Spokane did not receive the mail when the new system did enough training on the new sys- not automatically cancel old pre- tem before it launched, the VA In- scriptions, McDonough said. spector General found. Some staff in Spokane complained One VA employee told the IG that they were not introduced to that there was a “high anxiety lev- the system until the day it went el” after training with Cerner. live and didn’t know how to use it. Nearly two-thirds of staff said they McDonough vowed there would had difficulty navigating the new be a “surge of activity” in the com- software, and only 5% felt fully ing weeks and months to correct prepared to use all functions of it. the problems. The department The IG also discovered that the was supposed to deploy the new VA underestimated the cost of the system at a second site in Colum- project. The department’s con- bus, Ohio, but the agency said tract with Cerner started at $10 PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 EUROPE Over 30 dead in heavy floods in Europe

BY FRANK JORDANS victims of the devastating floods in Associated Press Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg BERLIN — More than 30 people and the Netherlands and those who have died and dozens were missing have lost their homes.” Thursday in Germany and Belgium The full extent of the damage was as heavy flooding turned streams still unclear, with many villages cut and streets into raging torrents that off by floods and landslides that swept away cars and caused houses made roads impassable. Videos on to collapse. social media showed cars floating Recent storms across parts of down streets and houses partially western Europe made rivers and collapsed. reservoirs burst their banks, trig- Many of the dead were only dis- gering flash floods overnight after covered after floodwaters receded. the saturated soil couldn’t absorb Police said four people died in sep- any more water. arate incidents after their base- “I grieve for those who have lost ments were flooded in Cologne, Ka- their lives in this disaster,” German men and Wuppertal. Chancellor Angela Merkel said Authorities in the Rhine-Sieg during a visit to Washington, ex- county south of Cologne ordered pressing shock at the scope of the the evacuation of several villages flooding. below the Steinbachtal reservoir She pledged that everything amid fears a dam could break. would be done to find those still mis- Two firefighters died in rescue sing, adding: “ ‘Heavy rain and operations in North-Rhine West- flooding’ doesn’t capture what hap- phalia, Germany’s most populous pened.” state. Authorities in the western Ger- HARALD TITTEL, DPA/AP Gov. Armin Laschet paid tribute man region of Euskirchen reported People look at the destruction caused by the flooding of the Ahr River in the Eifel village of Schuld, to them and pledged swift help for eight deaths from the floods. Res- western Germany, on Thursday. those affected. cue operations were hampered by Rainfall eased later Thursday phone and internet outages in parts houses couldn’t withstand the sud- who are still in danger,” the gover- network. across Germany, although water of the county, southwest of Cologne. den rush of water, often carrying nor of Rhineland-Palatinate state, Belgian media reported four levels on the Mosel and Rhine riv- Police said 18 people died in Ahr- trees and other debris as it gushed Malu Dreyer, told the regional par- deaths in eastern Verviers. Major ers were expected to continue ris- weiler county, south of Euskirchen. through narrow streets. liament. “We have never seen such highways were inundated in south- ing. Up to 70 people were reported mis- Dozens of people had to be res- a disaster. It’s really devastating.” ern and eastern parts of the coun- Authorities in the southern sing after several homes collapsed cued from the roofs of their houses In Belgium, the Vesdre River try, and the railway said all trains Dutch town of Valkenburg, near the in the village of Schuld in the Eifel, a with inflatable boats and helicop- overflowed its banks and sent water were halted. German and Belgian borders, evac- volcanic region of rolling hills and ters. Germany deployed hundreds churning through the streets of Pe- European Union Commission uated a care home and a hospice small valleys. of soldiers to assist. pinster, near Liege. President Ursula von der Leyen overnight amid flooding that turn- Many villages were reduced to “There are people dead, there “Several homes have collapsed,” pledged to help, tweeting: “My ed the tourist town’s main street in- rubble as old brick and timber are people missing, there are many Mayor Philippe Godin told RTBF thoughts are with the families of the to a river, Dutch media reported. Spangdahlem base helps village deal with flooding before command change BY MIKE ABRAMS cludes Spangdahlem. Although the perfect fit, not just for the Sab- AND SLOBODAN LEKIC the base is not located in the har- er Nation, but for the Eifel com- Stars and Stripes dest-hit area, several nearby vil- munity here.” KAISERSLAUTERN, Germa- lages were inundated and roads Air Force officials said the base ny — Col. David Epperson spent were closed due to rising waters. sustained no significant damage the night before he relinquished The base authorized a four-hour from the heavy rainfall. But some command of the 52nd Fighter delay Wednesday night for per- access roads were cut off by the Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base in sonnel coming to work the next water and landslides, local offi- neighboring villages, filling sand- day, after rainfall over 12 hours cials said. bags to help stem widespread equaled the average for the entire Hauck assumed command of an flooding after days of heavy rain- month of July. Commenters on the F-16 wing dubbed “Saber Nation,” fall. air base’s Facebook page posted a which is headquartered in rural It was when Epperson saw his few images of streets and back- MELODY HOWLEY/U.S. Air Force Spangdahlem. The wing includes relief, Col. Leslie Hauck, doing the yards full of brown water. about 5,000 military and civilian Col. David Epperson, left, the 52nd Fighter Wing’s outgoing same thing that he knew the wing Base officials said about 50 commander, and Col. Leslie Hauck, the incoming commander, filled personnel, spread across nine was in good hands, Epperson said members of the 52nd Civil Engi- sandbags in a nearby town Wednesday, then took part in a change of sites in five countries. at a change-of-command ceremo- neering squadron and others from command ceremony Thursday on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Hauck, a pilot with over 2,400 ny Thursday. the wing filled and delivered over hours flying in F-16s, including More than 30 people have died 1,800 sandbags to the surrounding quarters. navirus before deploying to Africa and dozens were missing Thurs- communities. 285 combat hours in Operation Epperson praised the wing, and the U.S. Central Command ar- day in western Germany’s Eifel Epperson said service mem- Enduring Freedom, is a 1998 grad- “who look out for each other in the ea of operation. region and in neighboring Belgi- bers delivered about 500 bags of uate of the Air Force Academy. He highest of highs and the lowest of After assuming command, um after flooding turned streets sand at the nearby village of Nie- comes to Spangdahlem from Avia- lows. And that’s why we achieved Hauck told his airmen: “I know we into raging torrents, sweeping derkeil and continued filling them no Air Base, Italy, where he com- the things we achieved despite the are going to face trial and tribula- away cars and causing buildings until the local fire chief said it was manded the 31st Operations pandemic and every other thing tions, but we will continue to con- to collapse, The Associated Press enough to stop the flooding. Group. thrown our way these past years.” quer them and be 100% mission reported. “That’s what teamwork is, that’s Epperson, also an F-16 pilot, as- Maj. Gen. Randall Reed, the 3rd ready.” “We have never seen such a di- what Saber Nation is,” Epperson sumed command of the wing in Air Force commander, lauded Ep- saster. It’s really devastating,” said during the ceremony. “That’s September 2019. He is headed to person for his work, especially his the Pentagon to lead the Check- Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Kloeckner said Malu Dreyer, governor of why I knew Col. Hauck and the efforts setting up a site to make contributed to this report. Rhineland-Pfalz state, which in- Hauck family are a perfect match, mate Division at Air Force head- sure airmen were free of the coro- [email protected] Friday, July 16, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Overdose deaths in US hit record 93,000 last year

Associated Press has increasingly been sold illicitly NEW YORK — Overdose deaths and mixed with other drugs. soared to a record 93,000 last year “What’s really driving the surge in the midst of the COVID-19 pan- in overdoses is this increasingly demic, the U.S. government re- poisoned drug supply,” said Shan- ported Wednesday. non Monnat, an associate profes- That estimate far eclipses the sor of sociology at Syracuse Uni- high of about 72,000 drug overdose versity who researches geograph- deaths reached the previous year ic patterns in overdoses. “Nearly and amounts to a 29% increase. all of this increase is fentanyl con- “This is a staggering loss of hu- tamination in some way. Heroin is NATHAN HOWARD/AP man life,” said Brandon Marshall, contaminated. Cocaine is contam- Firefighter Garrett Suza, with the Chiloquin Forest Service, mops up a hot spot on the North East side of a Brown University public health inated. Methamphetamine is con- the Bootleg Fire on Wednesday near Sprague River, Ore. researcher who tracks overdose taminated.” trends. Fentanyl was involved in more The nation was already strug- than 60% of the overdose deaths California blaze erupts near gling with its worst overdose epi- last year, CDC data suggests. demic but clearly “COVID has There’s no current evidence greatly exacerbated the crisis,” he that more Americans started using location of deadliest US wildfire added. drugs last year, Monnat said. Rath- Lockdowns and other pandemic er, the increased deaths most like- Associated Press Larry Peterson, whose home in Ironically, the blackened scar of restrictions isolated those with ly were people who had already PULGA, Calif. — A blaze that neighboring Magalia survived the the previous blaze was standing drug addictions and made treat- been struggling with addiction. erupted near the flashpoint of the previous blaze, said some of his between the fire and homes. ment harder to get, experts said. Some have told her research team deadliest wildfire in recent U.S. neighbors were getting their be- “Everything’s pretty much Jordan McGlashen died of a that suspensions of evictions and history was heading away from longings together in case they had burned between them and the drug overdose in his Ypsilanti, extended unemployment benefits homes on Thursday but survivors to flee. fire,” Butte County Supervisor Mich., apartment last year. He was left them with more money than of the 2018 blaze in the town of “Anytime you’ve got a fire after Bill Connelly told the Sacramento pronounced dead on May 6, the usual. And they said “when I have Paradise worried that history what we went through, and anoth- Bee. “Some bushes and grass have day before his 39th birthday. money, I stock up on my (drug) could repeat itself. er one is coming up, you’ve got to grown back, but it’s probably not a “It was really difficult for me to supply,” she said. The Dixie Fire had burned a be concerned,” he told KHSL-TV. direct threat at this time.” think about the way in which Jor- Overdose deaths are just one couple of square miles of brush Other locals stocked up on wa- The blaze is just one of nearly 70 dan died. He was alone, and suffer- facet of what was overall the dead- and timber near the Feather River ter and other items. active wildfires that have de- ing emotionally and felt like he had liest year in U.S. history. With Canyon area of Butte County and “We pretty much left with our stroyed homes and burned to use again,” said his younger about 378,000 deaths attributed to moved into national forest land in clothes on our backs” during the through about 1,562 square miles brother, Collin McGlashen, who COVID-19, the nation saw more neighboring Plumas County. previous fire, said Jennifer You- — a combined area larger than wrote openly about his brother’s than 3.3 million deaths. There was zero containment nie of Paradise. “So this time we Rhode Island — in a dozen mostly addiction in an obituary. The Centers for Disease Control and officials said people in the ti- are looking to be more prepared Western states, according to the Jordan McGlashen’s death was and Prevention reviewed death ny, remote communities of Pulga and more vigilant.” National Interagency Fire Center. attributed to heroin and fentanyl. certificates to come up with the es- and east Concow should prepare Joyce Mclean’s home burned In southern Oregon the Bootleg While prescription painkillers timate for 2020 drug overdose to leave at a moment’s notice. last time but she has rebuilt it and Fire, the largest wildfire currently once drove the nation’s overdose deaths. The estimate of over Flames raced along steep and will again if necessary, she told the burning in the U.S., had torched epidemic, they were supplanted 93,000 translates to an average of hard-to-reach terrain about 10 station. an area larger than New York City first by heroin and then by fenta- more than 250 deaths each day, or miles from Paradise, the foothill “We just take each day as it and destroyed 20 houses. It threat- nyl, a dangerously powerful roughly 11 every hour. town that was virtually incinerat- comes and if it happens, it hap- ened 2,000 structures in an area opioid, in recent years. Fentanyl The 21,000 increase is the big- ed by the Camp Fire that killed 85 pens,” Mclean said. “There’s not just north of California that’s been was developed to treat intense gest year-to-year jump since the people. much that we can do about it.” gripped by a historic drought. pain from ailments like cancer but count rose by 11,000 in 2016. $10 million rewards bolster White House anti-ransomware effort Associated Press ience into networks, a senior ad- recouping most of the $4.4 mil- gang responsible for a July 2 sup- tually heeded President Joe Bi- BOSTON — The State Depart- ministration official told report- lion ransom paid by Colonial ply chain ransomware attack that den’s warning of repercussions if ment will offer rewards up to $10 ers. Pipeline in May. crippled well over 1,000 organiza- he didn’t rein in ransomware million for information leading to Another measure announced The rewards are being offered tions globally by targeting Flor- criminals, who enjoy safe harbor the identification of anyone en- Thursday to combat the ransom- under the State Department’s Re- ida-based software provider Ka- in Russia and allied states. gaged in foreign state-sanctioned ware onslaught is from the Finan- wards for Justice program. It will seya. Ransomware scrambles en- That seemed improbable, how- malicious cyber activity against cial Crimes Enforcement Net- offer a tips-reporting mechanism tire networks of data, which ever, given Kremlin spokesman critical U.S. infrastructure — in- work at the Treasury Depart- on the dark web to protect sourc- criminals unlock when they get Dmitry Peskov’s statement to re- cluding ransomware attacks — ment. It will engage banks, tech- es who might identify cyber at- paid. porters Wednesday that he was and the White House has nology firms and others on better tackers and/or their locations, Cybersecurity experts say RE- unaware of REvil sites disappear- launched a task force to coordi- anti-money-laundering efforts for and reward payments may in- vil may have decided to drop out ing. nate efforts to stem the ransom- cryptocurrency and more rapid clude cryptocurrency, the agency of sight and rebrand under a new “I don’t know which group dis- ware scourge. tracing of ransomware proceeds, said in a statement. name, as it and several other ran- appeared where,” he said. He The Biden administration is al- which are paid in virtual curren- The administration official somware gangs have done in the said the Kremlin deems cyber- so launching the website stopran- cy. would not comment on whether past to try to throw off law en- crimes “unacceptable” and mer- somware.gov to offer the public Officials are hoping to seize the U.S. government had a hand forcement. iting of punishment, but analysts resources for countering the more extortion payments in ran- in Tuesday’s online disappear- Another possibility is that Rus- say they have seen no evidence of threat and building more resil- somware cases, as the FBI did in ance of REvil, the Russian-linked sian President Vladimir Putin ac- a crackdown by Putin. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 Friday, July 16, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 NATION Massacre Child tax credit dollars suspect seen attacking are heading to parents jail guard Associated Press help provide a security deposit on WASHINGTON — The child a new apartment. Associated Press tax credit had always been an “It’s actually coming right on FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — empty gesture to millions of par- time,” she said. “We have a lot go- Accused Florida school shooter Ni- ents like Tamika Daniel. ing on. This definitely helps to take kolas Cruz rushed at a jail guard and That changed Thursday when a load off.” was briefly able to wrestle him to the the first payment of $1,000 hit Da- Biden has held out the new ground during a 2018 altercation be- niel’s bank account — and dollars monthly payments, which will av- fore he was subdued, according to a AMY BETH BENNETT / AP started flowing to the pockets of erage $423 per family, as the key video shown in court. Nikolas Cruz is seen in an altercation with jail guard Sgt. Ray Beltran more than 35 million families to halving child poverty rates. But Cruz, making his first in-person during Cruz’s pre­trial hearing Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. around the country. Daniel, a 35- he is also setting up a broader phil- court appearance since before the year-old mother of four, didn’t osophical battle about the role of pandemic, sat quietly in an orange neys have indicated their defense Cruz not to drag his feet and damage even know the tax credit existed government and the responsibili- jump suit and shackles during the will be that Sgt. Raymond Beltran his sandals. Cruz flips both middle until President Joe Biden expand- ties of parents. 30-minute hearing over battery and mistreated Cruz previously and fingers at Beltran and then charges ed it for one year as part of the $1.9 Democrats see this as a land- assault charges stemming from the provoked the attack. the guard, who stands up to defend trillion coronavirus relief package mark program along the same Broward County Jail altercation. It In the video shown in court himself. Cruz, who weighs about 130 that passed in March. lines as Social Security, saying it happened nine months after the Wednesday, which doesn’t have pounds, is able to throw the larger Previously, only people who will lead to better outcomes in Feb. 14, 2018, shooting at Marjory sound, Cruz is seen walking alone in Beltran to the ground briefly, before earned enough money to owe in- adulthood that will help economic Stoneman Douglas High School in circles with his head down around the guard is able to flip him over and come taxes could qualify for the growth. But many Republicans Parkland that left 17 dead and 17 some benches in a small indoor rec- briefly pin him. credit. Daniel went nearly a dec- warn that the payments will dis- wounded. reation area at the jail. He is dressed Cruz escapes Beltran’s grasp and ade without a job because her ol- courage parents from working The Nov. 13, 2018, jail altercation in an orange jail jumpsuit, a white the two get into boxing stances. Cruz dest son is autistic and needed her. and ultimately feed into long-term is being tried separately from the long-sleeve undershirt and sandals. hit Beltran in the shoulder before So she got by on Social Security poverty. first-degree murder case, and Beltran is sitting at a table in the cor- the guard hits Cruz in the face, stag- payments. Some 15 million households will Wednesday’s hearing was to deter- ner. gering him. But the extra $1,000 a month for now receive the full credit. The mine whether prosecutors should After several minutes, Cruz stops Beltran then arms his stun gun the next year could be a life- monthly payments amount to $300 have access to Cruz’s medical re- about 10 feet from Beltran and the and points it at Cruz, who gets on the changer for Daniel, who now for each child who is 5 and young- cords. Prosecutors say they need to two appear to exchange words — ground and is handcuffed. The fight works as a community organizer er and $250 for those between 5 review the records as Cruz’s attor- Beltran told investigators he asked lasted almost exactly a minute. for a Richmond nonprofit. It will and 17. PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 NATION Pentagon: US once trained men involved in Haiti attack BY ALEX HORTON Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., It is common for Colombian The Washington Post whose legislation provides over- troops and other security person- Some of the former Colombian sight to foreign defense aid used in nel across Latin America to re- servicemen arrested after last human rights abuses, said the epi- ceive U.S. training and education. week’s assassination of Haiti’s sode was a grim reminder that Colombia, in particular, has been president previously received U.S. assistance to other countries a significant U.S. military partner U.S. military training, according can take unexpected turns. for decades, receiving billions of DEFENSE DEPARTMENT to the Pentagon, raising fresh “This illustrates that while we U.S. dollars since 2000 in its effort A U.S. Special Forces soldier observes elite Colombian troops during questions about the United States’ want our training of foreign ar- to battle drug trafficking organi- training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida in 2015. ties to Jovenel Moïse’s death. mies to build professionalism and zations, leftist guerrillas and far- “A review of our training data- respect for human rights, the right paramilitary groups. tiple protesters during demon- that has existed for a long time, be- bases indicates that a small num- training is only as good as the in- That effort has included CIA- strations against government tax cause there is no law that prohibits ber of the Colombian individuals stitution itself,” he said. backed missions and a close rela- proposals. A related analysis by it,” the commander of Colombia’s detained as part of this investiga- “The Colombian army, which tionship between Colombia mili- The Post, published in May, found Armed Forces, Gen. Luis Fernan- tion had participated in past U.S. we have supported for 20 years, tary personnel and the Green Be- that Colombian authorities over- do Navarro, told reporters last military training and education has a long history of targeting ci- rets, who help train their elite stepped their own rules of engage- week. programs, while serving as active vilians, violating the laws of war counterparts in guerrilla warfare. ment in some of the deadly en- Foreign military training pro- members of the Colombian Mili- and not being accountable. There A Colombian commando school is counters. vided by the United States is in- tary Forces,” Lt. Col. Ken Hoff- has been a cultural problem with- modeled on the Army’s grueling Fighting in Colombia’s decades- tended to promote “respect for hu- man, a Pentagon spokesman, said in that institution.” Ranger School, and the two mili- long war has been a springboard man rights, compliance with the in a statement to The Washington Colombian officials have said 13 taries’ partnership dates at least to for military veterans to trade their rule of law, and militaries subordi- Post. of the 15 Colombian suspects in the 1950s. U.S.-funded experience for hire in nate to democratically elected ci- The Pentagon’s review is ongo- the July 7 assassination plot once Colombian military and police other global conflicts, such as in vilian leadership,” Hoffman, the ing, Hoffman said. He did not say served in that country’s military, also use U.S.-provided weapons Yemen. Pentagon spokesman, said in his how many of the men received including the two killed by Haitian and equipment, an agreement that “The recruitment of Colombian statement. He did not immediate- training or precisely what it en- authorities after Moïse was fatally came under scrutiny earlier this soldiers to go to other parts of the ly respond to questions seeking tailed. shot inside his home. year after police there killed mul- world as mercenaries is an issue additional information. Friday, July 16, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 NATION Biden seeks to unite Dems behind agenda

Associated Press pline spending figure, while sig- WASHINGTON — President nificant, is merely an initial move Joe Biden made a quick foray to that leaves the toughest decisions the U.S. Capitol hunting support for later. They must translate their for his multitrillion-dollar agenda plan into legislation with specific of infrastructure, health care and spending and revenue figures, MARK HUMPHREY/AP other programs, a potential land- then line up the needed votes to en- A worker from a natural resource agency uses a net to drive Asian carp to a fish pump which removes themmark achievement that would re- act it, a process likely to grind right from Kentucky Lake near Golden Pond, Ky., on Feb. 17, 2020. quire near-unanimous backing through autumn. from fractious Democrats. With unanimous Republican op- His visit Wednesday came a day position likely, Democrats would after Senate Democratic leaders need support from all their law- Agencies move to reclassify capped weeks of bargaining by makers in the 50-50 Senate and agreeing to spend a mammoth $3.5 could lose no more than three trillion over the coming decade on votes in the House. fish species with racist name initiatives focusing on climate Sen. Lindsey Graham of South change, education, a Medicare ex- Carolina, top Republican on the BY JOHN FLESHER “I had more hate mail than you gae, weeds and parasites. They es- pansion and more. That’s on top of Budget Committee, belittled the Associated Press could shake a stick at,” Hoffman caped into the wild and have mi- a separate $1 trillion bipartisan emerging plan as a wasteful liber- TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — said. grated up the Mississippi and oth- compromise on roads, water sys- al wish list that would fuel inflation Minnesota state Sen. Foung Hawj Now some other government er major rivers. The Great Lakes tems and other infrastructure pro- and boost taxes. was never a fan of the “Asian agencies are taking the same step and their $7 billion sport fishery jects that senators from both par- “Count me in for real infrastruc- carp” label commonly applied to in the wake of anti-Asian hate are vulnerable. ties are negotiating, with Biden’s ture. Count me out for a tax and four imported fish species that are crimes that surged during the cor- It’s most accurate to refer to the support. spend plan from Hell,” he said in a wreaking havoc in the U.S. heart- onavirus pandemic. The U.S. Fish fish species individually, Song The president spent just under statement. land, infesting numerous rivers and Wildlife Service quietly Qian, a University of Toledo envi- an hour at a closed-door lunch with Senate Majority Leader Chuck and bearing down on the Great changed its designation to “inva- ronmental sciences professor Democratic senators in the build- Schumer said Republicans simply Lakes. sive carp” in April. said, acknowledging a collective ing where he served for 36 years as want to help the rich. “They don’t But the last straw came when an “We wanted to move away from name is sometimes convenient. a Delaware senator and where his want their taxes to rise. They don’t Asian business delegation arriv- any terms that cast Asian culture The challenge now is finding the party controls the House and Sen- want the government to help peo- ing at the Minneapolis airport en- and people in a negative light,” right one. ate, though just barely. Participa- ple,” he said. countered a sign reading “Kill said Charlie Wooley, director of its Regardless of which one even- nts said Biden paced the room with To reach their legislative goal, Asian Carp.” It was a well-inten- Great Lakes regional office. tually sticks, said Hawj, who im- a microphone taking questions Democrats want to approve a bud- tioned plea to prevent spread of The Asian Carp Regional Coor- migrated to the U.S. from Laos as a and received several standing ova- get resolution before Congress’ the invasive fish. But the message dinating Committee, representing child refugee after the Vietnam tions. August recess that would let them was off-putting to the visitors. agencies in the U.S. and Canada War, he’s glad “Asian carp” is on “It is great to be home,” Biden push a subsequent, sprawling Hawj and fellow Sen. John that are trying to contain the carp, its way out. He recalled the warm told reporters after his first work- spending bill actually financing Hoffman in 2014 won approval of a will do likewise Aug. 2, he said. applause he received at an Asian- ing meeting at the Capitol with their priorities through the Senate measure requiring that Minneso- The four species described col- American conference after an- lawmakers since becoming presi- by a simple majority vote. Without ta agencies refer to the fish as “in- lectively as Asian carp — bighead, nouncing his state had made the dent. “It is great to be with my col- that protection, Republicans could vasive carp,” despite backlash silver, grass and black carp — change. leagues, and I think we are going to kill the follow-on spending mea- from the late radio commentator were brought from China a half- “It’s a nuisance, a small thing, get a lot done.” sure with a filibuster that would Rush Limbaugh, who ridiculed it century ago to rid Southern sew- but it can resonate greatly,” he Democrats’ accord on their require an insurmountable 60 as political correctness. age and aquaculture ponds of al- said. overall $3.5 trillion figure was a votes to overcome. The budget res- major step for a party whose rival olution itself cannot be filibus- moderate and progressive fac- tered. tions have competing visions of Democrats said little about one how costly and bold the final pack- challenge they will face. The mea- Unemployment in US hits new age should be. But many of them sures Democrats contemplate to- say bolstering lower-earning and tal a bit less than the roughly $4.5 pandemic low with 360,000 claims middle-class families, and raising trillion for new spending that Bi- taxes on wealthy people and big den wants for infrastructure, fam- BY PAUL WISEMAN ly, a proxy for layoffs, has fallen ic lockdowns — dinners out, a corporations to help pay for it, ily services, climate change and Associated Press more or less steadily since top- round of drinks, sports and enter- would nurture long-term econom- other programs. To accommodate WASHINGTON — The num- ping 900,000 in early January. tainment events, vacation geta- ic growth and pay political divi- their lower figure, lawmakers will ber of Americans applying for The U.S. recovery from the re- ways and shopping trips. dends in next year’s elections for have to curtail or eliminate some of unemployment benefits has re- cession is proceeding so quickly In response, businesses have control of Congress. his proposals. ached its lowest level since the that many forecasters have pre- scrambled to meet the unexpect- Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecti- “I think we’re in good shape. pandemic struck last year, fur- dicted that the economy will ex- ed surge in customer demand: cut said the president urged them There may be some slight adjust- ther evidence that the U.S. econ- pand this year by roughly 7%. They are posting job openings — to consider whether their plan ments in the pay-fors,” meaning omy and job market are quickly That would be the most robust a record 9.2 million in May — fas- would help people in Biden’s blue- revenue increases, Biden told gov- rebounding from the pandemic calendar-year growth since 1984. ter than they can fill them. The collar hometown of Scranton, Pa. ernors and mayors visiting the recession. As the health crisis has reced- worker shortage in many indus- “His point was that we need to be White House. The proposed tax Thursday’s report from the La- ed, cooped-up Americans have tries is causing employers to thinking about folks who have giv- boosts loom as one of the plan’s bor Department showed that job- increasingly emerged from their raise wages and in some cases to en up on democracy,” Murphy most politically sensitive items, es- less claims fell by 26,000 last homes, eager to spend on things raise prices to offset their higher said. pecially for moderate Democrats week to 360,000. The weekly tal- they had missed during pandem- labor costs. Democrats’ agreement on a to- facing competitive reelections. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 FACES A life well documented The new documentary ‘Val’ is bursting with footage Val Kilmer shot himself

BY JAKE COYLE Prime will debut Aug. 6, made its Associated Press recent premiere at the Cannes al Kilmer was in movies Film Festival. In France to cele- he wasn’t in. brate the occasion were his chil- The new documen- dren, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer, Vtary “Val,” bursting and the directors Ting Poo and with footage Kilmer shot himself Leo Scott. Kilmer, who has diffi- over his 61 years, includes home culty speaking after throat cancer A24/AP videos and backstage glimpses, as and numerous trachea surgeries, Val Kilmer in a scene from “Val,” a documentary about the actor. The documentary bursts with footage you might expect. But the most re- wasn’t able to attend. shot by Kilmer himself, including home video, backstage footage and audition tapes. markable thing is seeing Kilmer’s But exchanging words over own audition tapes of himself. It’s email from Los Angeles, Kilmer camera in his hands. In “Val,” we downs of fame more dramatically first encountered Kilmer while not just a few scenes here and said he was feeling “blessed and see him shooting fresh-faced Sean than most. His break came in working with him on Harmony there. They capture Kilmer living grateful” as “Val” made its antici- Penn and Kevin Bacon backstage 1984’s “Top Secret!”, one of rela- Korine’s short, in which Kilmer in parts — including some he nev- pated arrival. For years, the hours on Broadway in “Slab Boys”; in his tively few movies that traded on played himself, for the 2012 VICE er got to (officially) play. of tapes had just sat in boxes. But trailer while shooting “Top Gun”; his talent for comedy. (Another, project “The Fourth Dimension.” There’s footage of him as Henry losing his voice has made Kilmer prodding Marlon Brando and war- decades later, was “Kiss Kiss Scott, captivated by Kilmer’s Hill in “Goodfellas.” Hamlet he only want to tell his story — a ring with director John Franken- Bang Bang.”) freewheeling energy to create (he privately tackled for years. He boundless life of full-hearted heimer on “The Island of Dr. Mo- Kilmer’s biggest breakthrough, remembers the actor sending vid- was so consumed with being in abandon — all the more. reau.” of course, was “Top Gun,” a movie eos of himself from Home Depot), Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Kilmer, himself, tends to view “My brother Wesley and my he recalls not initially wanting to kept working with him. Together Jacket” that Kilmer had a friend his life with mystical harmony and mother are both alive in the film,” do. “I thought the script was silly they mounted one of Kilmer’s shoot him, in combat gear, trudg- a sense of destiny. That the docu- Kilmer says. “Seeing that footage and I disliked the warmongering largest undertakings, the one-man ing through a California swamp. mentary happened — through a and the movies and art created by in the film,” he narrates in the doc- stage show “Citizen Twain,” in In another clip, he shoots live confluence of people and events — Wesley within the context of the umentary. On Tony Scott’s set, he which he played Mark Twain. rounds in the backyard. he says is “once in a lifetime.” rest of the story is extremely mea- was more energized by the film. Kilmer’s outlook is, as ever, en- “I’m a firm believer in magical And for much of Kilmer’s life, ningful. I lost my mother during For the rest of his life, he says, “I thusiastic. He continues to create realism ON and OFF the screen,” he was self-documenting it. It the shoot, so I’m more and more will be called Iceman by every pi- — collages, an upcoming book of said Kilmer in an interview over started with 16mm short films and emotional with each viewing. lot at every airport I ever go to.” poetry that A24 will publish. He email. “The transformation and/ movie parodies with his brother, There are laughs. There are But Kilmer’s resistance to being keeps a studio in Hollywood that or manifestation of each character Wesley, who died in childhood af- tears.” pigeonholed and typecast lasted he lends space to an inner-city the- is really just PRAYER.” ter an epileptic fit in a Jacuzzi. Kilmer, the youngest actor ever forever. “Willow,” “Batman For- ater program. And Hamlet? “Val,” which A24 will open in Forever after, like a habit solidi- accepted to Juilliard when he ever,” “The Doors,” “Tomb- “Don’t count me out,” he says. theaters July 23 and Amazon fied by grief, Kilmer often had a went, experienced the ups and stone,” “The Saint,” “Heat.” Scott “The best is yet to come.”

Madonna documentary coming Vegas and will include five dates in New Amazon Prime seals deal for to Paramount+ this fall York City. It will end Nov. 11 after a three- night stand at The Forum in Los Angeles. Streaming service Paramount+ has land- Tickets go on sale July 23. Norman Lear sitcom catalog ed a documentary that offers a glimpse into the personal life of Madonna and her work Court orders shorter sentence New York Daily News on the road. The streaming arm of Via- for ‘Tiger King’ Joe Exotic Streaming viewers can finally let all of comCBS said Thursday that “Madame X” A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday the “good times” roll. will make its debut in the U.S., Latin Amer- that “Tiger King” Joe Exotic should get a Amazon Prime has sealed a deal with pro- ica, Australia, Nordic countries and Canada shorter prison sentence for his role in a lific television producer Norman Lear to beginning Oct. 8. murder-for-hire plot and violating federal stream his classic TV shows, including the Filmed in Lisbon, Portugal, the film “cap- wildlife laws. Emmy-winning sitcoms “All in the Family” tures the pop icon’s rare and rapturous tour Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph and “Maude,” as well as the groundbreak- performance,” according to a press release. Maldonado-Passage, was sentenced in Ja- ing “Diff’rent Strokes,” “One Day at a It features 48 on-stage performers includ- nuary 2020 to 22 years in federal prison af- Time” and “Good Times.” ing Madonna’s children, musicians and ter being convicted of trying to hire two men On Thursday, “All in the Family,” “Good dancers from around the globe. to kill animal rights activist Carole Baskin. Times,” “Maude” and “One Day at a Time” It will come 30 years after the pop star’s A three-judge panel found that the trial launched on Prime Video and IMDb TV, groundbreaking documentary “Truth or court wrongly treated those two convictions Amazon’s premium free streaming service, Dare,” chronicling her life during her separately in calculating his prison term marking the first time that episodes of Blond Ambition world tour. Her last album, under sentencing guidelines. “Maude” and all seasons of “All in the Fam- CBS PHOTO ARCHIVE/TNS also called “Madame X,” hit the top spot of ily” are available to stream. the Billboard 200 chart in 2019. Other news “Diff’rent Strokes” and the Marla Gibbs- From left, Esther Rolle, John Amos, ■ Longtime guitarist Jeff LaBar, whose headlined “227” (which Lear did not pro- Jimmie Walker and BernNadette Stanis starred in the ’70s television sitcom Harry Styles planning U.S. tour decades of performing included massive duce) also debuted that day on Prime Video. “Good Times.” success with the rock group Cinderella, Additional titles, including “The Jeffer- this fall for ‘Fine Line’ died Wednesday at age 58. No cause of sons,” “Sanford & Son” and the spinoff er Salke said. “We are so honored to bring Harry Styles will hit the road on a U.S. death was given. LaBar played guitar on “Sanford,” are expected to drop on Prime his classic television series to Prime Video tour this fall, with 40 concerts scheduled in each of Cinderella’s four studio albums, in- Video later in 2021. and IMDb TV so new audiences and a new such cities as New York City, Denver, Dal- cluding their debut release, 1986's “Night “Norman Lear is a national treasure and generation can laugh, enjoy and be in- las, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston and Songs.” his impact on television and popular culture spired, like so many of us have been Los Angeles. is immeasurable,” Amazon Studios Jennif- throughout the years.” “Love On Tour” kicks off on Sept. 4 in Las From wire reports Friday, July 16, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Michael Kerschbaum, Pacific commander Michael Ryan, Pacific chief of staff Prosecution of sex assaults needs to change BY ROBERT WEINER signed an order that called for safe and ef- have in the system’s ability to treat them AND RABRIA MOORE fective vaccines, antidotes and treatments fairly during an investigation. EDITORIAL Special to Stars and Stripes to negate or minimize the effects of chem- Out of the 30% of individuals who make an Terry Leonard, Editor ical, biological and radiological weapons. “unrestricted” report, 60% said they experi- [email protected] ears of delay, delay, delay has been Biden himself signed an executive order enced some form of retaliation for report- the story of doing anything about that allowed all qualified Americans to ing. Retaliation can include anything from Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor sexual assault in the military, but serve in the Armed Forces regardless of demotion, salary reduction and firing to os- [email protected] Y new developments show that real progress gender identity. Similarly, he has the power tracism and maltreatment of a victim. It can Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content may happen soon. However, there are no to defend victims and survivors of sexual as- serve as a way to intimidate sexual assault [email protected] guarantees. sault in the military through an executive victims out of reporting. The latest Defense Department’s fiscal order, at least until Congress can pass a bill Pentagon records also show that prosecu- Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] report found that over 20,000 service mem- that protects those members. Permanent tion and conviction rates are falling while bers experienced some form of sexual as- legislative action is the best solution. sexual assaults are not. Despite the service Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital sault annually, a 38% increase from 2016. Gillibrand has been working to eradicate leaders’ concerns, all statistics point to the [email protected] We’ve repeatedly heard defense of the this problem since 2013 with the Military fact that service members are not receiving current internal adjudication process from Justice Improvement and Increasing Pre- the help they need nor are they being treat- BUREAU STAFF the secretaries of the services and many vention Act. ed fairly with the current system. members of Congress. However, on June The bill removes the decision over wheth- Changing the way the military prosecutes Europe/Mideast 22, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, en- er to prosecute serious crimes, including sexual assault can be a game changer in fix- Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] dorsed changes to the way the military han- sexual assault, from the chain of command ing this persistent problem, potentially +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 dles sexual assault following recommenda- to “independent, trained, professional mil- building confidence within the system and Pacific tions from a Pentagon commission he as- itary prosecutors.” Crimes that are encouraging victims to come forward unre- Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief sembled. “uniquely military in nature” and ones that stricted. [email protected] “We will work with Congress to amend are punishable by less than one year of con- “We haven’t moved the needle,” said U.S. +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 the Uniform Code of Military Justice, re- finement will remain within the chain of Army Gen. Mark Milley, Chairman of the Washington moving the prosecution of sexual assaults command. Joint Chiefs of Staff. “That’s the bottom line. Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief and related crimes from the military chain The current system allows military lead- We haven’t resolved the issue.” Milley and [email protected] of command,” Austin said in a statement. ers to protect the individuals who do not Austin could cause the individual services (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News Austin also supports the inclusion of other need or deserve such protections. to come aboard needed changes. [email protected] special victims’ crimes, including domestic Research found that two common reasons A study by the Rand Corp. found that sex- violence, in the independent prosecution individuals do not report sexual assault are ual assault doubles the odds that a service CIRCULATION system. lack of confidence that something will be member will leave the military within 28 Mideast On June 23, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D- done and because the person that they had months. Assaults potentially contributed to Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager N.Y., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Sen- to report to was the perpetrator or a friend of 2,000 more members leaving the military [email protected] ate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer were the perpetrator. than expected, and sexual harassment con- [email protected] among lawmakers who announced intro- Military leaders inside the services are tributed to the departure of an additional DSN (314)583-9111 duction of the Vanessa Guillen Military Jus- skeptical about shifting prosecution deci- 8,000 service members according to the Europe tice Improvement and Increasing Preven- sions on sexual assault and other major American Homefront Project. Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager tion Act, which would allow an independent crimes to independent judge advocates, ac- The time for legislation for accountability [email protected] [email protected] military prosecutor to decide whether to cording to The Associated Press. They be- and punishment has more than come, as in +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 pursue trial in all serious cases, including lieve the shift could even decrease the num- the Vanessa Guillen Military Justice Im- Pacific rape and murder. The bill has bipartisan ber of prosecutions. Gillibrand is skeptical. provement Act, with bipartisan support. Pe- Mari Mori, [email protected] support from 66 senators and over 100 In 2016, 7 out 10 service members report- losi and Schumer have promised votes soon. +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 House sponsors of similar legislation. ed their assault in a “restricted” manner, They should be encouraged. Delay, delay, President Joe Biden has the ability to fix meaning they would confidentially disclose delay is no longer an option. CONTACT US this issue with an executive order. President the details of the assault and receive med- Washington Harry Truman signed an executive order ical and counseling services without start- Robert Weiner is a former spokesman for the Clinton and Bush that abolished discrimination on the basis of ing an official investigative process. The White Houses and the House Government Operations, Aging, tel: (+1)202.886.0003 and Narcotics Committees. Rabria Moore is a policy and 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 race, color, religion or natural origin in the number of victims who report in a restricted research analyst for Weiner Public News and the Solutions for Change Foundation. Reader letters U.S. Armed Forces. President Bill Clinton manner show the lack of confidence they [email protected] Additional contacts stripes.com/contactus As Germany’s Merkel exits, US needs to look forward

OMBUDSMAN BY KATJA HOYER in 2009, Merkel’s response was initially cool. How significant is Thursday’s meeting, as Ernie Gates Special to the Washington Post She had built a close relationship with Hillary Biden’s term dawns and Merkel’s sets? There The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow hen Angela Merkel first visited Clinton and found it hard to forgive Obama for are contentious issues galore, among them the of news and information, reporting any attempts by the Washington in her role as German beating her to the Democratic presidential pandemic, cybersecurity and climate change. military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns Wchancellor, she was warmly wel- nomination. But his charisma eventually Perhaps the prickliest issue is the Russo-Ger- and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for comed by President George W. Bush. They hit broke through her reserve. It was Obama who man gas pipeline Nord Stream 2, now nearing fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by it off immediately. He gushed that he “got a bestowed on Merkel the United States’ high- completion. The United States fears that the email at [email protected], or by phone at glimpse into her soul” as she told him about est civilian award, the Presidential Medal of pipeline will make Germany overdependent 202.886.0003. her youth in communist East Germany. That Freedom, in June 2011 — an honor that only on Russia and endanger the energy security of Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- was in 2006, and the two leaders were trying to one other German has ever received, former Eastern European states. days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday heal the rifts between their nations after the chancellor Helmut Kohl, her political mentor. The meeting is unlikely to do more than pa- through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals open criticism of the United States’ war in Iraq Transatlantic relations then took a severe per over the cracks in transatlantic relations. postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send by her predecessor as chancellor, Gerhard hit in 2013 when it emerged that the National There will be friendly words about the soon- address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the Schroeder. Security Agency had tapped the phones of to-exit German leader and plenty of rhetoric Department of Defense for members of the military services On Thursday, Merkel was visiting the more than 30 world leaders, including Mer- about closer cooperation between the two na- overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views White House for the last time before she re- kel’s. tions. of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official tires after the German federal elections in However, Merkel’s biggest diplomatic The difficult task to find a concrete way for- channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to September. challenge came in the shape of former Presi- ward for the two allies will fall to Merkel’s suc- remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. The appearance of advertising in this publication does Biden is the fourth U.S. president to wel- dent Donald Trump. The latter’s ego had al- cessor. The serious U.S.-German discussions not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or come Merkel in Washington, and much has ready been dented by the fact that Merkel had will be postponed to later in the year. This visit Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Products or services advertised shall be made available for changed throughout her 16-year tenure. In been chosen as Time magazine’s Person of the is mostly about saying “auf Wiedersehen” to purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, 2006, Bush and Merkel were widely regarded Year in 2015, to Trump’s great annoyance Chancellor Merkel. religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of as seeing eye to eye politically, and it was un- (“They picked [the] person who is ruining the purchaser, user or patron. derstood that she would have been more sym- Germany,” he tweeted). The two leaders © Stars and Stripes 2021 Katja Hoyer, an Anglo-German historian and journalist, is the pathetic than Schroeder to Bush’s Iraq policy. clashed over everything from climate change author of “Blood and Iron: The Rise and Fall of the German stripes.com When President Barack Obama took office to Germany’s NATO contributions. Empire 1871-1918.” PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 49 Fem. counterpart 21 Plane-related 1 Gratuity 50 Reddish horse 22 “The Waste 4 Actor Alan 51 Ecol. watchdog Land” author 8 Bivouac 23 Enthusiast

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Medit. nation DOWN 25 Family biz abbr. 13 — -do-well 1 Director Burton 26 Hardly a fussy 14 Taxi alternative 2 Equi- eater? 15 Outing for Neil 3 “The Tempest” 27 “Amores” poet Armstrong role 28 Little lice 17 Alpha follower 4 Egypt’s Sadat 30 Bongo, e.g. 18 Char 5 Jet type 33 Type of skiing 19 Choreographer 6 Singer Lana 34 Swindle Alvin — Rey 36 Kind of wrench 20 Become nar- 7 Noah’s craft 37 Bridge coup Non Sequitur rower 8 Picasso’s 38 Skater Lipinski 22 Recedes movement 39 Makes a choice 24 Oboe, for one 9 First victim 40 “Three Sisters” 25 Rodgers and 10 Apportion sister Hart song 11 Use a rosary 42 Tall tree 16 Must have 43 Half of dos 29 Schedule abbr. 19 Help a hood 44 “Alley —” 30 Snow formation 20 Streetcar 45 Cagers’ gp. 31 1006, to Nero Answer to Previous Puzzle 32 Sliding glass Candorville item on a car 34 Peevish fit 35 Expel 36 Lab liquids 37 Tempest 40 Norwegian saint 41 “Dragnet” org. 42 Spectacular lunar phase

Carpe Diem 46 Intro studio class 47 Playwright William 48 Steal from Beetle Bailey Bizarro Friday, July 16, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 SCOREBOARD/MLB

PRO SOCCER PRO BASKETBALL DEALS CYCLING MLS WNBA Wednesday’s transactions Tour de France BASEBALL Wednesday Blue Jays’ EASTERN CONFERENCE EASTERN CONFERENCE Major League Baseball 17 Stage WLTPts GF GA WLPct GB American League A 178.4-km (110.8-mile) ride from Muret BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Placed RHP to Saint-Lary-Soulan Col Du Portet New England 7 3 3 24 22 18 Connecticut 14 6 .700 — Jorge Lopez on the bereavement list. 1. Tadej Pogacar, Slovenia, UAE Team Chicago 10 10 .500 4 HOUSTON ASTROS — Sent 2B Aledmys Emirates, 5h 03m 31s. Orlando City 6 3 3 21 20 12 2. Jonas Vingegaard, Denmark, Jumbo- return still Dias to Florida Complex League (FCL) As- Philadelphia 5 3 5 20 16 12 New York 10 11 .476 4½ tros on a rehab assignment. Visma, 03s behind. CF Montréal 5 3 4 19 14 11 Washington 8 10 .444 5 LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Signed RF 3. Richard Carapaz, Ecuador, Ineos Gre- nadiers, 04s behind. Nashville 4 1 7 19 16 13 Atlanta 6 13 .316 7½ Adam Eaton. Designated LHP Dillon Peters for assignment. 4. David Gaudu, France, Groupama-FDJ, NYCFC 5 4 2 17 19 13 Indiana 4 16 .200 10 MINNESOTA TWINS — Agreed to terms 1m 19s behind. New York 5 5 2 17 17 15 with RHP Mitchell Osnowitz on a minor 5. Ben O'Connor, Australia, AG2R Citroën undecided WESTERN CONFERENCE league contract. Team, 1m 26s behind. Columbus 4 3 5 17 13 11 6. Wilco Kelderman, Netherlands, Bora- BY ROB GILLIES WLPct GB TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Optioned RHP D.C. United 5 6 1 16 17 14 Anthony Castro to Buffalo (Triple-A East). Hansgrohe, 1m 40s behind. Associated Press National League 7. Pello Bilbao Lopez De Armentia, Spain, Atlanta 2 3 7 13 13 15 Seattle 16 5 .762 — Bahrain Victorious, 1m 44s behind. Cincinnati 3 5 3 12 12 20 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Sent CF TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Las Vegas 15 6 .714 1 Nick Heath outright to Reno (Triple-A 8. Sergio Higuita Garcia, Colombia, EF Chicago 3 7 2 11 13 18 Minnesota 12 7 .632 3 Education-Nippo, 1m 49s behind. Jays won’t find out by this weekend West). 9. Rigoberto Uran, Colombia, EF Educa- Inter Miami CF 2 7 2 8 9 17 Phoenix 9 10 .474 6 HOCKEY National Hockey League tion-Nippo, same time. whether they will get permission Toronto FC 2 8 2 8 16 29 Dallas 9 12 .429 7 10. Dylan Teuns, Belgium, Bahrain Victo- NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Re-signed D Col- rious, same time. from their federal government to Los Angeles 6 13 .316 9 ton White to a one-year, two-way con- Western Conference Also tract. play in Canada soon, a government Tuesday’s games 22. Sepp Kuss, United States, Jumbo-Vis- WLTPts GF GA SOCCER ma, 8m 08s behind. official familiar with the talks said No games scheduled Major League Soccer 58. Brandon McNulty, United States, UAE Seattle 8 0 5 29 23 8 Wednesday’s game ORLANDO CITY FC — Signed D Emmanuel Team Emirates, 24m 31s behind. on Wednesday. Mas for the remainder of the 2021 season Sporting KC 8 3 2 26 24 15 96. Neilson Powless, United States, EF All-Star Game: Team 93, USAB 85 pending the receipt of his P-1 visa and in- Education-Nippo, 28m 59s behind. A team spokeswoman said the LA Galaxy 8 4 0 24 20 18 Thursday’s games ternational transfer certificate. 118. Sean Bennett, United States, Qhube- club continues to work with the fed- Colorado 6 3 2 20 18 12 National Women’s Soccer League ka-NextHash, 30m 56s behind. No games scheduled NWSL — Rescinded red card issued to G Overall Standings eral government toward playing LAFC 5 4 3 18 15 12 Friday’s games Sarah Bouhaddi from OL Reign in a match 1. Tadej Pogacar, Slovenia, UAE Team games at Rogers Centre starting Ju- Real Salt Lake 4 3 4 16 18 12 No games scheduled against Kansas City on July 11. Emirates, 71h 26m 27s. Minnesota 4 5 3 15 12 16 COLLEGE 2. Jonas Vingegaard, Denmark, Jumbo- ly 30, and expected to receive a re- Saturday’s games Visma, 5m 39s behind. Houston 3 4 6 15 16 19 MINNESOTA — Named Josh Lunak wom- No games scheduled en’s tennis head coach. 3. Richard Carapaz, Ecuador, Ineos Gre- sponse by Friday. Portland 4 6 1 13 14 19 nadiers, 5m 43s behind. Austin FC 3 6 4 13 10 14 TENNIS 4. Rigoberto Uran, Colombia, EF Educa- But the government official fa- tion-Nippo, 7m 17s behind. San Jose 3 7 2 11 14 22 5. Ben O'Connor, Australia, AG2R Citroën miliar with the talks said the Blue FC Dallas 2 5 5 11 14 20 Hall of Fame Open Olga Danilovic, Serbia, def. Irina Bara, Team, 7m 34s behind. Jays will not learn whether they will Vancouver 2 7 3 9 12 22 Romania, 6-4, 6-3. 6. Wilco Kelderman, Netherlands, Bora- Wednesday Kateryna Kozlova, Ukraine, def. Ana Hansgrohe, 8m 06s behind. get to play in Toronto by the week- Note: Three points for victory, one point At International Tennis Hall of Fame Bogdan (5), Romania, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. 7. Enric Mas Nicolau, Spain, Movistar for tie. Newport, R.I. Yulia Putintseva (1), Kazakhstan, def. Team, 9m 48s behind. end. The official spoke on condition Purse: $466,870 Ana Konjuh, Croatia, 6-4, 6-3. 8. Alexey Lutsenko, Kazakhstan, Asta- Saturday’s games of anonymity because no one has Surface: Grass Women’s Doubles na-Premier Tech, 10m 04s behind. New England at Atlanta Men’s Singles Round of 16 9. Guillaume Martin, France, Cofidis, 11m been authorized to discuss the talks Miami at New York Round of 16 Dalma Galfi and Anna Bondar, Hungary, 51s behind. publicly. Cincinnati at CF Montréal Jordan Thompson (7), Australia, def. def. Renata Voracova, Czech Republic, 10. Pello Bilbao Lopez De Armentia, D.C. United at Philadelphia Yuichi Sugita, Japan, 6-0, 6-2. and Mayar Sherif (4), Egypt, 6-2, 7-5. Spain, Bahrain Victorious, 12m 53s behind. The U.S.-Canada border remains New York City FC at Columbus Kevin Anderson (8), South Africa, def. Ivana Jorovic and Olga Danilovic, Serbia, Also Orlando City at Toronto FC Sebastian Ofner, Austria, 7-5, 7-6 (3). def. Lidziya Marozava, Belarus, and Anna 38. Sepp Kuss, United States, Jumbo-Vis- closed to nonessential travel. Major Chicago at Nashville Jenson Brooksby, United States, def. De- Danilina (3), Kazakhstan, 6-3, 6-2. ma, 1h 46m 37s behind. San Jose at Colorado nis Kudla, United States, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Quarterfinals 49. Neilson Powless, United States, EF League Baseball will require an ex- LA Galaxy at Vancouver Alexander Bublik (1), Kazakhstan, def. Sara Errani, Italy, and Irina Bara, Roma- Education-Nippo, 2h 03m 06s behind. emption for nonvaccinated players FC Dallas at Portland Ivo Karlovic, Croatia, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1. nia, def. Yana Sizikova and Anna Kalin- 81. Brandon McNulty, United States, UAE Real Salt Lake at Los Angeles FC Jason Jung, Taiwan, def. Tennys Sand- skaya (1), Russia, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Team Emirates, 2h 41m 56s behind. and team staff to play games in Can- 127. Sean Bennett, United States, Qhube- Sunday’s game gren (5), United States, 6-2, 6-2. Jack Sock, United States, def. Yoshihito Swedish Open ka-NextHash, 3h 34m 10s behind. ada. As of last week, fully vaccinated Seattle at Minnesota Nishioka (3), Japan, 6-2, 6-3. Wednesday athletes in MLB who have valid Tuesday, July 20 Peter Gojowczyk, Germany, def. Vasek At Bastad Tennis Stadium AUTO RACING Pospisil (4), Canada, 6-3, 6-3. work permits are no longer re- Houston at Vancouver Bastad, Sweden Maxime Cressy, United States, def. Sam Purse: Euro 419,470 NASCAR Cup Series Wednesday, July 21 Querrey (2), United States, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. quired to submit to a 14-day quaran- Men’s Doubles Surface: Red clay points leaders Nashville at Columbus Men’s Singles tine upon entry into Canada, but Round of 16 Through July 13 New York at Toronto FC Harri Heliovaara, Finland, and John-Pa- Round of 16 teams have players that are not vac- CF Montréal at New York City FC trick Smith (3), Australia, def. Nathaniel Federico Coria, Argentina, def. Marco 1. Denny Hamlin 836 New England at Miami Lammons and Jackson Withrow, United Cecchinato, Italy, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. 2. Kyle Larson 826 cinated. A quarantine exemption Atlanta at Cincinnati Cristian Garin (2), Chile, def. Pedro Mar- States, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 10-7. 3. Kyle Busch 739 D.C. United at Chicago Joao Sousa, Portugal, and Jordan tinez, Spain, 6-3, 6-3. and the protocols around that need San Jose at Sporting Kansas City Thompson, Australia, def. Fabien Reboul Arthur Rinderknech, France, def. John 4. William Byron 733 to be worked out. FC Dallas at Colorado and Sadio Doumbia, France, 6-4, 6-2. Millman (4), Australia, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. 5. Chase Elliott 704 LA Galaxy at Real Salt Lake Yannick Hanfmann, Germany, def. Jiri Another official familiar with the Los Angeles FC at Portland Livesport Prague Open Vesely (7), Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-3. 6. Joey Logano 700 Men’s Doubles 7. Martin Truex Jr 671 Thursday, July 22 Wednesday talks reiterated the team is expect- Round of 16 8. Ryan Blaney 639 Philadelphia at Orlando City At TK Sparta Praha Frederik Nielsen, Denmark, and Andre ing an answer Friday based on con- Seattle at Austin FC Prague Goransson (2), Sweden, def. Facundo Bag- 9. Kevin Harvick 626 versations with the government and Purse: $235,238 nis and Federico Coria, Argentina, 6-4, 6-3. 10. Brad Keselowski 623 Saturday, July 24 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Quarterfinals 11. Alex Bowman 609 said that is the club’s deadline on the Columbus at Atlanta Women’s Singles Marco Cecchinato, Italy, and Roberto Portland at Minnesota Round of 16 Carballes Baena, Spain, def. Nicholas 12. Austin Dillon 571 decision.-wise. The official noted Toronto FC at Chicago Grace Min, United States, def. Nina Sto- Monroe, United States, and Andrei Vasi- 13. Tyler Reddick 563 Cincinnati at Nashville janovic (7), Serbia, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. levski (4), Belarus, 3-6, 7-5, 10-8. the team has a long homestand start- LA Galaxy at FC Dallas Tereza Martincova (8), Czech Republic, 14. Kurt Busch 530 ing July 30 that represents more Colorado at Real Salt Lake def. Asia Muhammad, United States, 6-3, Hamburg European Open 15. Christopher Bell 492 Houston at San Jose 6-4. Wednesday 16. Chris Buescher 467 than 25% of the remaining games at Vancouver at Los Angeles FC Viktoria Kuzmova, Slovakia, def. Rebec- At Am Rothenbaum Rot-Weiss Tennis ca Sramkova, Slovakia, 6-4, 7-5. 17. Michael McDowell 436 a crucial juncture competitively. Sunday, July 25 Club Women’s Doubles 18. Matt DiBenedetto 425 The Blue Jays are tied for third in CF Montréal at New England Round of 16 Hamburg, Germany Purse: Euro 1,030,900 19. Ross Chastain 418 Orlando City at New York City FC Conny Perrin, Switzerland, and Rosalie American League East standings. Philadelphia at Miami Van Der Hoek (4), Netherlands, def. Isabel- Surface: Red clay 20. Bubba Wallace 415 New York at D.C. United la Shinikova, Bulgaria, and Anastasia Ga- Men’s Singles 21. Ricky Stenhouse Jr 402 Athird official, who spoke anony- Sporting Kansas City at Seattle Round of 16 sanova, Russia, 6-4, 2-6, 10-8. 22. Daniel Suarez 384 mously as they were also not autho- Asia Muhammad, United States, and Nikoloz Basilashvili (3), Georgia, def. Se- NWSL Storm Sanders (2), Australia, def. Sam Sto- bastian Baez, Argentina, walkover. rized to speak publicly, said it would sur, Australia, and Jodie Anna Burrage, Filip Krajinovic (6), Serbia, def. Philipp IndyCar points leaders WLTPts GF GA Britain, 6-4, 6-4. Kohlschreiber, Germany, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. be preferable to have lead time in or- Quarterfinals Laslo Djere, Serbia, def. Thiago Seyboth Through July 11 1. Alex Palou 384 der to move what the club needs North Carolina 5 3 1 16 14 6 Lucie Hradecka and Marie Bouzkova (3), Wild, Brazil, 7-6 (1), 6-1. Stefanos Tsitsipas (1), Greece, def. Do- 2. Pato O’Ward 345 Orlando 4 2 4 16 13 11 Czech Republic, def. Ysaline Bonaventure, from Buffalo and prepare for Toron- Belgium, and Leonie Kung, Switzerland, minik Koepfer, Germany, 7-6 (2), 6-3. 3. Scott Dixon 328 Portland 5 3 1 16 14 6 6-1, 6-1. Men’s Doubles 4. Josef Newgarden 315 to operations, including ticket sales, Round of 16 Washington 4 2 3 15 10 8 5. Simon Pagenaud 271 Hungarian Grand Prix Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedo- although they’ve begun prepara- Chicago 4 4 2 14 8 14 6. Rinus Veekay 257 Wednesday vyesov, Kazakhstan, def. Nikola Cacic, Serbia, and Tomislav Brkic (4), Bosnia- 7. Colton Herta 260 tions at Rogers Centre in Toronto al- Gotham FC 3 1 4 13 7 3 At Europe Tennis Center Herzegovina, 6-3, 7-6 (5). 8. Marcus Ericsson 280 Houston 4 4 1 13 11 10 Budapest, Hungary ready. Jamie Cerretani, United States, and 9. Graham Rahal 256 Louisville 3 4 2 11 7 13 Purse: $235,238 Hans Hach Verdugo, Mexico, def. Matwe If the Blue Jays are not given an 10. Takuma Sato 226 Reign FC 3 5 1 10 7 10 Surface: Red clay Middelkoop, Netherlands, and Hugo Nys Women’s Singles (3), Monaco, 6-4, 3-6, 10-8. 11. Will Power 209 exemption for the 10 game home- Kansas City 0 7 3 3 5 15 Round of 16 Ivan Sabanov and Matej Sabanov, Croa- 12. Scott McLaughlin 198 stand that begins July 30 the next Note: Three points for victory, one point Paula Ormaechea, Argentina, def. Ivana tia, def. Divij Sharan, India, and Sander 13. Alexander Rossi 201 for tie. Jorovic, Serbia, 6-1, 7-6 (6). Gille, Belgium, 6-3, 6-4. 14. Jack Harvey 170 homestand begins August 20. Ap- Saturday’s game GOLF 15. Ryan Hunter-Reay 145 proval could come amid a federal Houston at North Carolina 16. Sebastien Bourdais 155 election that’s widely expected to be Sunday’s games 17. Conor Daly 142 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational Ciganda, C./Reid, M. 66-66 -4 18. Romain Grosjean 151 called next month. Providing ex- Gotham FC at Washington Meechai, W./Yoktuan, P. 66-66 -4 Reign FC at Chicago LPGA Tour 19. Ed Jones 125 emptions for travel into Canada is Ryu, S.Y./Park, I. 67-67 -3 20. James Hinchcliffe 131 Orlando at Portland Wednesday Jutanugarn, A./Jutanugarn, M. 67-67 -3 At Midland Country Club 21. Santino Ferrucci 127 politically sensitive. Nonessential Friday, July 23 Lee6, JE./Hur, M. J. 67-67 -3 Midland, Mich. 22. Helio Castroneves 103 fully vaccinated Americans and for- North Carolina at Kansas City Purse: $2.3 million Kang, D./Ko, L. 68-68 -2 Lincicome, B./Lang, B. 68-68 -2 23. Ed Carpenter 99 Saturday, July 24 Yardage: 6,256; Par: 70 24. Felix Rosenqvist 94 eigners remain barred from enter- Team Scoring Masson, C./Ernst, A. 68-68 -2 Portland at Houston First Round Herbin, C./Iturrioz, N. 68-68 -2 25. Dalton Kellett 95 ing Canada as the government Reign FC at Orlando Korda, N./Korda, J. 65-65 -5 Park, H.Y./Song, J. 69-69 -1 26. Tony Kanaan 79 works to get a high percentage of 27. Max Chilton 77 Sunday, July 25 Suwannapura, J./Clanton, C. 65-65 -5 Lewis, S./Fassi, M. 69-69 -1 Canadians fully vaccinated by the Washington at Louisville Anannarukarn,/Ashok, A. 65-65 -5 Lee, MJ./Saso, Y. 69-69 -1 28. Juan Pablo Montoya 53 Chicago at Gotham FC Stephenson, L./Hollis, J. 65-65 -5 Law, B./Sagstrom, M. 69-69 -1 29. Sage Karam 53 end of July. Friday, July 16, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 MLB

Scoreboard

American League On deck: Trades, races and trophies East Division WLPct GB Pitchers, others look to Boston 55 36 .604 _ Tampa Bay 53 37 .589 1½ continue excellence into New York 46 43 .517 8 Toronto 45 42 .517 8 second half of the season Baltimore 28 61 .315 26 BY JANIE MCCAULEY Central Division Associated Press WLPct GB SAN FRANCISCO Chicago 54 35 .607 _ cross the globe, everybo- Cleveland 45 42 .517 8 dy is watching Shohei Detroit 40 51 .440 15 Ohtani in awe and in- Minnesota 39 50 .438 15 Kansas City 36 53 .404 18 Atrigue. West Division Major League Baseball can only WLPct GB love the attention from around the world surrounding the Angels’ two- Houston 55 36 .604 _ Oakland 52 40 .565 3½ way star and the spotlight he’s Seattle 48 43 .527 7 brought to the sport. Los Angeles 45 44 .506 9 Can Ohtani keep this up? An en- Texas 35 55 .389 19½ core to a sensational first half? He National League leads the majors with 33 home runs East Division and has shown no signs of slowing WLPct GB down or slumping — and should New York 47 40 .540 _ soon have a healthy Mike Trout Philadelphia 44 44 .500 3½ back in the lineup with him. Atlanta 44 45 .494 4 Pitchers across the big leagues Washington 42 47 .472 6 are doing their part so far, too. Miami 39 50 .438 9 There have already been seven Central Division no-hitters in the majors this season, WLPct GB matching the mark for most in one FRANK FRANKLIN II/AP Milwaukee 53 39 .576 _ year during the modern era. The New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom has been dominant with a 1.08 ERA, but he hasn’t been a part of the Cincinnati 48 42 .533 4 Chicago 44 46 .489 8 record of eight was set in 1884, the seven no­hitters that have already been thrown this season. St. Louis 44 46 .489 8 first season overhand pitching was Pittsburgh 34 56 .378 18 allowed. trade deadline — moved up a day dominate, it’s second-year manag- West Division Will Jacob deGrom, Walker this year — rapidly approaches. er Gabe Kapler’s Giants with an WLPct GB Buehler and Gerrit Cole join the list Story becomes a free agent after unexpected place at the top. San Francisco 57 32 .640 _ soon? And will the uproar over this season and Colorado might try Los Angeles 56 35 .615 2 sticky substances tamp down? to get something for the star short- No-no stuff San Diego 53 40 .570 6 Manager Torey Lovullo and the stop. Rockies teammate C.J. Cron How many more no-hitters Colorado 40 51 .440 18 Arizona Diamondbacks are eager also will draw interest. might we see in the second half? Arizona 26 66 .283 32½ for a fresh start, determined to for- At 41, all Cruz does is continue to The no-hitters this year have Wednesday’s games No games scheduled get that record 24-game road losing hit home runs. He’s got 18 more this been thrown by San Diego’s Joe Thursday’s games streak in which they went more year and is batting .304. In a down Musgrove (April 9), Carlos Rodón Boston at N.Y. Yankees than two months without a win out year for the Twins, the big bopper of the Chicago White Sox (April 14), Friday’s games of Chase Field. at Target Field is sure to be a trade Baltimore’s John Means (May 5), Minnesota (TBD) at Detroit (Ureña 2-8) Minnesota (TBD) at Detroit (TBD) The rush to the playoffs — and target. Cincinnati’s Wade Miley (May 7), Boston (Pérez 7-5) at N.Y. Yankees (TBD) the judgments — for fans all over Gibson, enjoying his best season GREGORY BULL/AP Detroit’s Spencer Turnbull (May Texas (Lyles 5-5) at Toronto (TBD) Tampa Bay (Wacha 2-2) at Atlanta (Mor- began Thursday night when the ever on the mound, and slugger San Diego Padres shortstop 18), the New York Yankees’ Corey ton 8-3) Baltimore (TBD) at Kansas City (TBD) second half opened with one game: Joey Gallo could be on the move if Fernando Tatis Jr., with 28 Kluber (May 19) and a combined Houston (McCullers Jr. 6-2) at Chicago Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers Texas wants prospect packages for homers, 20 stolen bases and 60 no-hitter by the Chicago Cubs on White Sox (TBD) Seattle (TBD) at L.A. Angels (Heaney 5-6) and the AL East-leading Red Sox its All-Stars. RBIs, could be the NL’s MVP. June 24. Cleveland (Morgan 1-3) at Oakland (TBD) visiting Yankee Stadium to start an In addition, Arizona’s Madison Miami (Alcantara 5-8) at Philadelphia early stretch that could decide New Oh, yes, Ohtani Game MVP Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Bumgarner pitched a seven-inning (TBD), 2 Miami (TBD) at Philadelphia (TBD), 7:05 York’s fate. No matter which coast or divi- and Fernando Tatis Jr. for the big hitless game in a doubleheader on p.m. N.Y. Mets (Stroman 6-7) at Pittsburgh Here are some things to watch sion, all eyes are on Ohtani, espe- league lead. He’s also got 70 RBIs, April 25 that is not recognized as a (TBD) San Diego (Paddack 4-6) at Washington when play resumes: cially after he topped 500 feet in the just three behind Guerrero for no-hitter by Major League Base- (TBD) Home Run Derby and threw 100 most in the majors. ball. Milwaukee (TBD) at Cincinnati (TBD) San Francisco (Gausman 9-3) at St. Louis Trade story-lines mph heat as the winning pitcher in Want more? He’s tied for the AL (Wainwright 7-5) And the prize goes to ... L.A. Dodgers (Urías 11-3) at Colorado Trevor Story, Nelson Cruz and the All-Star Game. lead with four triples. No one has (Senzatela 2-8) Kyle Gibson are sure to attract The two-way Japanese phenom led the league in homers and triples Guerrero might add more hard- Chicago Cubs (Hendricks 11-4) at Arizo- na (TBD) plenty of attention as the July 30 is five homers ahead of All-Star since Jim Rice in 1978 (before that, ware at season’s end — if he can Saturday’s games Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays keep pace with Ohtani. The pair Texas at Toronto both did it in 1955). Plus, Ohtani look like front-runners for AL Cleveland at Oakland Minnesota at Detroit tops the Angels with 12 stolen MVP. The 22-year-old Blue Jays Baltimore at Kansas City Boston at N.Y. Yankees bases. slugger leads in average (.332) and Houston at Chicago White Sox Tampa Bay at Atlanta On the mound, he’s 4-1 with a 3.49 RBIs (73), putting him in conten- Seattle at L.A. Angels ERA in 13 starts. He’s struck out 87 tion for a Triple Crown chase. Chicago Cubs at Arizona Miami at Philadelphia in 67 innings, allowing just 46 hits. With Ronald Acuña Jr. out for the N.Y. Mets at Pittsburgh San Diego at Washington rest of the season with a torn ACL in Milwaukee at Cincinnati Surprise, surprise his right knee, the door is open for San Francisco at St. Louis L.A. Dodgers at Colorado At 57-32, reinvigorated Buster Tatis to run away with the NL MVP. Sunday’s games Posey, resurgent Kevin Gausman He has 28 homers, 20 stolen bases N.Y. Mets at Pittsburgh San Diego at Washington and the surprising San Francisco and 60 RBIs. Miami at Philadelphia Giants not only lead the talented DeGrom is on course to win his Texas at Toronto Minnesota at Detroit NL West, they own the best record third NL Cy Young Award. The Milwaukee at Cincinnati Tampa Bay at Atlanta in baseball — with two more wins Mets ace is more likely to be stop- Baltimore at Kansas City than the Red Sox and Houston As- ped by his own nagging health woes Houston at Chicago White Sox San Francisco at St. Louis ELISE AMENDOLA /AP tros both at 55-36. than another pitcher. Harder to Los Angeles at Colorado Cleveland at Oakland The Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez celebrates with Xander Bogaerts In a division the defending World pick a favorite in the AL — perhaps Seattle at L.A. Angels (2). The Red Sox lead the American League East and opened the Series champion Dodgers or San Cole or White Sox teammates Chicago Cubs at Arizona Boston at N.Y. Yankees second half of the season against the struggling New York Yankees. Diego Padres were expected to Lance Lynn and Rodón. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 OLYMPICS

WEIGHTLIFTING FENCING

Highlights from Rio: China led the way Highlights from Rio: Russia’s Yana Ego- with five gold medals and world records were rian won the women’s sabre, denying long- broken in five different events. Sarah Robles time rivals Sofya Velikaya and Olha Kharlan won bronze for the United States’ first Olym- an individual Olympic gold medal to add to pic weightlifting medal since 2000. As usual their numerous world titles. Ibtihaj Muham- for weightlifting, the medal records have mad became the first U.S. athlete to wear a been changed by doping cases since. Two lif- hijab — a Muslim head scarf — while com- ters have both been stripped of bronze med- peting in the Olympics. She won bronze in als and gold medalist Nijat Rahimov of Ka- team sabre. zakhstan is suspended. What’s new: There are team events for What’s new: There are seven men’s and men and women in all three disciplines for seven women’s weight categories, meaning the first time. Until now, only two men’s and one fewer men’s event than in Rio, and the two women’s disciplines had team events at weight limits have been tweaked across the each Olympics on a rotation system. board. Tokyo expectations: Hungary’s Aron Szi- Tokyo expectations: As usual, China is the lagyi is considered one of the all-time best af- team to beat. This time it’s helped by a spate of doping-related bans and restrictions on ter winning back-to-back men’s sabre gold other teams. Romania, Thailand, Egypt and medals in 2012 and 2016. He can become Malaysia are all suspended entirely, and 15 the first to win that event three times. Epee more countries including Russia and Turkey world champion Nathalie Moellhausen can only send smaller squads. North Korea could win Brazil’s first Olympic fencing med- won two events at the last world champion- al. She used to compete for Italy. ships but isn’t competing at the Olympics be- Athletes to watch: The South Korean cause of the pandemic. Expect infighting be- team’s emphasis on athleticism and speed hind the scenes at the International Weight- has helped transform several fencing events, lifting Federation after ex-president Tamas especially men’s sabre and foil ... Ukraine’s Ajan and two board members were charged Kharlan and Russia’s Velikaya are longtime with various anti-doping offenses in June. rivals in women’s sabre, both still chasing Athletes to watch: All eyes will be on New that individual Olympic gold ... On the U.S. Zealand’s history-making transgender ath- team, the men’s foil fencers could chase indi- lete Laurel Hubbard when she competes in vidual and team gold medals, while Eli the women’s over-87 kilogram category on Dershwitz in men’s sabre and Lee Kiefer in Aug. 2. Hubbard was popular with the crowd women’s foil are also contenders ... U.S. when she competed at the Commonwealth sabre fencer Mariel Zagunis won gold in Games in Australia in 2018 but missed the 2004 and 2008 and she’s back for her fifth gold after injuring her arm while she was Olympic Games. Hungarian Aida Mohamed leading. ... Michigan native Katherine Nye will be competing in her seventh Olympics. made her international debut in 2018, won a Gold medal moment(s): Medals awarded world title in 2019 and now heads to her first every day from July 24 through Aug. 1. Olympics, but has to step up to the 76kg cat- egory from the 71kg where she’s had her greatest success to date. ... Lasha Talak- hadze of Georgia is the men’s Olympic and SHOOTING world super-heavyweight champion and holds the world record. MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/AP Highlights from Rio: South Korea’s Jon- Gold medal moment(s): Various catego- goh Jin overcame shooting’s version of a ries each day from July 24 through August 4, New Zealand’s Laurel Hubbard lifts in the snatch of the women’s +90kg weightlifting final at the 2018 except for July 29 and 30. Commonwealth Games. Hubbard will be the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics. shank to rally in men’s 50-meter pistol to be- come the first shooter in Olympic history to earn gold in the same discipline three straight Britain — will likely be at the top of the medal standings again across Olympics. American Kim Rhode became the EQUESTRIAN all three disciplines. Dressage veteran Isabell Werth of Germany is the MODERN PENTATHLON first summer Olympian to win an individual most successful rider in Olympic history with 10 medals — six gold medal in six straight Games with bronze in and four silver — at five Olympics. The 51-year-old Werth is expected skeet. Ginny Thrasher won the first gold of Highlights from Rio: The individual defending champions from to duel with defending champion Dujardin for gold in Tokyo. Highlights from Rio: First off, an explana- tion of the event. The modern pentathlon the Rio Games in women’s 10-meter air rifle. London 2012 all won gold again — Germany’s Michael Jung in event- Athlete/horse combinations to watch: Jung is back, aiming for a consists of fencing, freestyle swimming (200 What’s new: In an effort to add gender ing, Charlotte Dujardin in dressage and fellow British rider Nick Skel- third consecutive gold medal in eventing but with a new horse, Chip- meters), equestrian show jumping and a final equality, the International Olympic Commit- ton in show jumping on Big Star, the same horse he won gold with four munk. Jung won both his previous golds riding Sam. The extra year years earlier. In the team medal events there were all new champions. combined event of laser shooting and cross- tee made a few changes for the Tokyo competing with his new horse because of the 2020 postponement country running. In the final event, athletes Germany won team dressage and France took both the eventing and should work in his favor. After making his Olympic debut in Los An- Games. The men’s prone rifle, free pistol and jumping team golds. Germany, France and Britain took two golds complete four circuits shooting five targets double trap event has been removed from the geles in 1984, three-time Olympic gold medalist Andrew Hoy’s selec- from a distance of 10m within 50 seconds each but Germany won the medal count by also claiming two silver program. It will be replaced by mixed team tion for Australia’s eventing team extends his own national record of using a laser pistol, and running 800 meters. and two bronze medals. most Olympic appearances, becoming the 13th athlete in Olympic events in air rifle, air pistol and trap. Women ... It was first held at the 1912 Stockholm also will get the same number of shots as the What’s new: Due to competitor restrictions encouraged by the IOC, history to make eight Games. Dressage rider Mary Hanna, who is 66, Games, with the women’s event added at the men in all events. team jumping will feature only three riders, not four, for the first time at extends the record she set in Rio as the oldest Australian Olympic 2000 Sydney Olympics. ... Aleksander Le- an Olympics. That puts extra pressure on each country’s trio of riders competitor. Hanna will contest her sixth Games aboard her mare Ca- sun of Russia won the gold medal. The wom- Tokyo expectations: History will be made because there won’t be a fourth, or worst, score to throw out when lanta. en’s gold went to Chloe Esposito of Australia. when Georgian Nino Salukvadze competes computing placings. It will also be easier for the public and television Gold medal moment(s): July 27: team dressage; July 28: individu- Rio was the first Olympics since the women’s in her ninth Olympics. She’s a three-time viewers to understand the current standings as the event transpires. al dressage; Aug. 2: team eventing and individual eventing; Aug. 4: event was added in which a British female medalist, including gold in 10-meter air pistol Tokyo expectations: The usual big three — Germany, France and individual jumping; Aug. 7: team jumping. did not appear on the medal stand. at the 2008 Beijing Games. Keep an eye on What’s new: A big change will be that all young Indian shooter Manu Bhaker. The 19- five final disciplines take place at Tokyo Sta- year-old had a stellar junior career and ARCHERY dium. It includes the swimming portion in a should be in the mix to medal, both as an temporary pool and riding competition on the individual and in mixed team events. same field where soccer will be held. Athletes to watch: Jongoh Jin is a four- Highlights from Rio: The winner of the men’s individual competi- Tokyo expectations: Lesun and Esposito time Olympic champion and has a chance to tion was Ku Bonchan of South Korea. Jean-Charles Valladont of won’t be defending their Olympic titles. Le- make four straight Games with a gold medal. France earned silver and American Brady Ellison the bronze. In the sun missed some key qualifying competi- He will be competing in 10-meter air pistol women’s competition, Chang Hyejin of South Korea was the gold- tions. Esposito had a son last July. It sets the after 50-meter pistol was removed from the stage for a wide-open competition. medal winner, while Lisa Unruh of Germany took silver and Ki Bobae Olympic program in Tokyo. German Chris- Athletes to watch: British athlete Kate of South Korea bronze. The U.S. placed second in the men’s team tian Reitz is the reigning gold medalist in the French figures to be in the mix. She was fifth competition with the trio of Zach Garrett, Ellison and Jake Kaminski. at the Rio Games. Michelle Gulyas of Hun- rapid fire event. American Vincent Hancock, What’s new: The mixed team event will make its Olympic debut in gary is the top-ranked competitor. On the a four-time world champion, is seeking his Tokyo, featuring one male and female competing together. men’s side, Valentin Belaud of France is a third gold medal in skeet. Mary Tucker, an Tokyo expectations: South Korea’s recurve women are 8-for-8 in two-time individual world champion (’16 and equine science major at the University of gold medals since the event was introduced in 1988. A good bet to ’19). His French teammate, Valentin Prades, Kentucky, is the world No. 1 in air rifle and lead the charge for a ninth straight is Kang Chae Young, who was the chases after gold after finishing fourth in Rio. also will compete in smallbore. Ukrainian runner-up at the last world championships. South Korea, China and Adam Marosi of Hungary captured his sec- Olena Kostevych is the world No. 1 in air pis- Chinese Taipei elected to sit out international competitions ahead of ond world title last month — 12 years after tol and has won three medals, including gold the Olympics. That begs the question: Could those nations be rusty or winning his first. Keep a close watch on Jun at the 2004 Athens Games. One American could they wind up on the podium? Woongtae of South Korea and Britain’s Joe shooter will be missing: Rhode will miss the Athletes to watch: On the men’s side, Kim Woojin, South Korea, a Choong, who earned silver at worlds in Olympics for the first time since 1996 after two-time world champion; teenager Kim Je Deok, South Korea; and ROSS D. FRANKLIN/AP 2019. Sgt. Samantha Schultz, 29, and Sgt. failing to qualify for Tokyo. Ellison, a three-time Olympic medalist. On the women’s side, world Brady Ellison pulls arrows from a target as he Amro Elgeziry are among the US hopefuls. Gold medal moment(s): The 15 medal champion Lei Chien-Ying, Chinese Taipei; Deepika Kumari, India; Elgeziry competed for Egypt at the 2008, practices on his range at his farm in Miami, Ariz., in events are from July 25-Aug. 2, including Ana Vazquez, Mexico; and Casey Kaufhold, United States. 2012 and 2016 Olympics before coming to April 2020. Ellison won individual bronze and men’s and women’s skeet finals on July 26. Gold medal moment(s): Mixed team (July 24), women’s team (Ju- America and joining the Army in 2017 ly 25), men’s team (July 26), women’s individual (July 30), men’s helped the US team win silver in Rio and is a Gold medal moment(s): Women’s final on individual (July 31). three­time medalist. Aug. 6; men’s final on Aug. 7. Capsules by Associated Press Friday, July 16, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 OLYMPICS

TRACK AND FIELD ‘Mommy Rocket’ is sprinter to beat in Tokyo Jamaica’s Fraser-Pryce, At a glance Highlights from Rio: Usain Bolt. The 34, looks for third gold 34-year-old Bolt, retired since 2017, will watch the Tokyo Games from the comfort in the 100-meter run of his home in Jamaica as someone other than him captures the Olympic title in the Associated Press 100 and 200 for the first time since 2004. Also missing will be British distance runner Every time Shelly-Ann Fraser- Mo Farah, who won the 5,000 and Pryce steps on the track, some sort 10,000 in Rio. Farah missed the qualify- of record is in jeopardy. ing time in the 10,000 at the British athlet- At the top of that list, of course, is ics championships in Manchester and Florence Griffith Joyner’s 33- won’t defend. One of the most memorable year-old mark in the 100 meters. moments in Rio was the dive by Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas. She launched At the upcoming Olympics, herself across the 400-meter finish line to Fraser-Pryce, the 34-year-old beat Allyson Felix. There was also a feel- mother from Jamaica, also could good moment after American 5,000-me- become the oldest person to win an ter runner Abbey D’Agostino and New individual Olympic sprint. And, Zealand’s Nikki Hamblin collided. They she could become the first woman helped each other up and inspired each other to finish. D’Agostino hobbled her way to win three 100-meter gold medals to the end of the race on a knee that wound at the Games. up requiring surgery. Not bad for an athlete who What’s new: The 4x400 mixed relay feared her career was over four will be contested for the first time at the years ago when she became preg- Olympics. The event made its major medal nant, but who rebounded to win the debut at the 2019 world championships in Doha, with the American team of Wil Lon- world championship in 2019. don, Felix, Courtney Okolo and Michael “Commitment is everything — Cherry capturing gold. today’s failure prepares you for to- Tokyo expectations: There will be plen- morrow’s success,” Fraser-Pryce NARIMAN EL­MOFTY/AP ty of new gold medalists, especially on the tweeted recently. “There’s no fail- Jamaica’s Shelly­Ann Fraser­Pryce, center, hands off to Jonielle Smith, right, during a women’s 4x100 men’s side. Among those not in Tokyo to ure in progress, so keep going and meter relay semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, on June 25. defend a title are Kenyan David Rudisha (800), Americans Kerron Clement (400 push through.” hurdles), Jeff Henderson (long jump) and Where the world used to look to first women’s 100-200 sweep since Knighton is already breaking Christian Taylor (triple jump) and of course another Jamaican, Usain Bolt, to “Commitment is FloJo in 1988. She qualified for Bolt’s under-20 records in the 200. Bolt. Another defending champion missing rewrite history at the Olympics, both races this time, too. Knighton figures to give world is Caster Semenya of South Africa, who is Bolt’s retirement turns the spot- everything — Fraser-Pryce will also be a fac- champion Noah Lyles a run for his barred from running in the 800 meters by World Athletics’ testosterone rules and light over to Fraser-Pryce, who is tor in the 200, which she also won at money in the event. tried but failed to qualify in the 5,000 me- now the most-accomplished active today’s failure Jamaica’s recent Olympic quali- Knighton counts Bolt and Lyles ters, which doesn’t fall under those rules. 100-meter sprinter in the world. fier; she has a 2012 Olympic silver as his biggest on-track inspira- Athletes to watch: It was setting up to be The chances for the “Pocket Rock- prepares you for medal at that distance, as well. tions. sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson. But she et,” who now calls herself the That race is also expected to in- “Coming from my generation, I won’t compete in the 100 meters after a tomorrow’s positive test for marijuana. Harvard-edu- “Mommy Rocket,” to put her name clude Asher-Smith; Shaunae Mill- don’t know many,” Knighton said. cated sprinter Gabby Thomas could make in the history book start July 30 in er-Uibo of the Bahamas, who, be- headlines in the 200. She’s a threat to Ja- Tokyo. Those chances increased success.” cause of the Olympic schedule, has Hurdles to clear maican star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. One dramatically earlier this month to choose between the 200 and 400, For the moment, the women’s of the most entertaining races figures to be when the runner considered her Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and has indicated she wants the 400-meter hurdles world record the women’s 400 hurdles, where Sydney main threat, American Sha’Carri Two-time 100-meter gold medalist 200; and American Gabby Tho- stands at 51.90 seconds and be- McLaughlin set a new world record (51.90 seconds) by edging Dalilah Muhammad at Richardson, was banned for a posi- mas, who ran 21.61 at the Olympic longs to 21-year-old Sydney the U.S. track trials. Muhammad had the tive test for marijuana. Jackson of Jamaica, who is now on trials to become the second-fastest McLaughlin. world record. Three-time high jump world Even without Richardson in the the short list of women to run woman in history at the distance, Heavy emphasis on “for the mo- champion Mariya Lasitskene will be a fa- race, the sprints still have star sub-11 seconds in the 100, sub-22 in behind only Griffith Joyner. ment.” vorite after Russia named her to its 10-ath- power. Dina Asher-Smith, the Brit- the 200 and sub-50 in the 400. “Now I’m just going to have to McLaughlin set the mark at the lete team under rules limiting the size of its squad because of a long-running doping ish speedster who won 200-meter And then, there’s defending map out a different trajectory for U.S. trials when she edged Dalilah dispute. Noah Lyles, the 200-meter world gold and 100-meter silver at the Olympic champion Elaine Thomp- my life,” Thomas said. Muhammad to earn the victory. champion, will lead a strong contingent of 2019 world championships, will be son Herah, the 29-year-old from On June 5, it was Fraser-Pryce McLaughlin’s time was good American sprinters that includes teen- in the lineup, along with Shericka Jamaica who, in Rio, recorded the who became the second-fastest enough to better Muhammad’s old ager Erriyon Knighton. Trayvon Bromell is woman in history in the 100 — her world record by 0.26. the favorite in the 100. The heat could play time of 10.63 declared to the world “It’s fun to be part of history and a big factor and the race walks and the marathons were moved from Tokyo to that she was, indeed, ready for the to be part of changing the women’s cooler Sapporo. push to Tokyo. 400 hurdles,” Muhammad said. “I Gold medal moments: July 31, the “Honestly no… I never expected definitely think more is in store for 4x400 mixed relay event also makes I would run 10.6 and think it’s a me and definitely think Tokyo will its Olympic debut with round one. good thing because there was no be a good race.” Aug. 1, the 100 final where Bromell pressure,” Fraser-Pryce said In the men’s version, Karsten tries to earn the first U.S. Olympic gold when she posted the time. Warholm of Norway will be the one in the event since Justin Gatlin in to catch. The two-time world 2004. Aug. 4, the women’s 400 hur- In Bolt’s shadow champion broke the world record dles final where Muhammad will try to For the first time since 2004, last Thursday. He finished in 46.70 defend her title and take the world re- someone other than Bolt will be the seconds to eclipse the mark of cord away from McLaughlin. Aug. 5, the race walk in Sapporo Odori Park. Olympic champion in the men’s 46.78 set by American Kevin It’s the first of several distance events 100 and 200. Young in the 1992 Barcelona being held in Sapporo due to the ex- Bolt’s bet for the 100? Trayvon Olympics final. The world record treme heat. The women’s marathon is Bromell, who won the U.S. track could fall again in Tokyo with War- Aug. 7 and the men’s marathon Aug. trials after overcoming issues with holm, Abderrahman Samba, who 8 to close out the athletics program. ASHLEY LANDIS/AP his Achilles that nearly ended his represents Qatar, and Rai Benja- The last event on the track is Aug. 7, With Usain Bolt retired, US sprinter Trayvon Bromell, above, is one of career. min of the U.S. all pushing each featuring the women’s and then men’s the favorites in the men’s 100­meter run. A 17-year-old named Erriyon other. 4x400 relay finals. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 BRITISH OPEN/TOUR DE FRANCE Pogacar wins final mountain stage, cements overall lead Associated Press Victorious team had been raided LUZ ARDIDEN, France — Ta- by French police as part of a dop- dej Pogacar won the final moun- ing investigation. The team con- tain stage of the Tour de France on firmed that riders’ rooms were Thursday to cement his grip on searched by officers at the hotel it the race. stayed in on Thursday in the The short trek in the Pyrenees southwestern city of Pau. featured a daunting combination In a statement to The Associat- of the Col du Tourmalet and the fi- ed Press, the Marseille prosecutor nal sharp climb to the Luz-Ardi- in charge of the case said a prelim- den ski resort, two classics of the inary investigation targeting Tour. members of the team was opened Pogacar’s main rivals did not on July 3 “for acquisition, trans- take advantage of the brutal port, possession, import of a sub- course. The defending champion stance or method prohibited for surged away from a reduced use by an athlete without medical IAN WALTON / AP group of four riders in the last ki- justification.” The United States’ Jordan Spieth play his tee shot on the second tee during the first round of the British lometer. After Enric Mas at- The team’s seven remaining Open at Royal St George’s golf course Thursday in Sandwich, England. Spieth shot 5­under. tacked, Pogacar countered the riders were allowed to start the move and dropped Jonas Vinge- stage. A group of three competi- gaard and Richard Carapaz to tors formed early as Christopher claim a third stage win this year Juul-Jensen led over the first and win his second straight moun- climb of the day, with world cham- Oosthuizen, Spieth lead taintop finish. pion Julian Alaphilippe and “It’s unbelievable, it’s crazy,” Pierre-Luc Perichon chasing hard Pogacar said. “It’s been a game for behind. me since I started (my career) and The French duo joined the I’m enjoying playing it,” Pogacar breakaway before the 17-kilome- way as normalcy returns said. ter ascent of the iconic Tourmalet, Barring an accident, the 22- but the fugitives did not collabo- BY STEVE DOUGLAS Andrews in 2010. There have been that had him in a tie for 15th. year-old UAE Team Emirates rid- rate well as Juul-Jensen and Ma- Associated Press six runner-up finishes in the ma- Spieth had not won since Birk- er should be crowned Tour cham- tej Mohoric refused to take turns. SANDWICH, England — The jors since then. dale until he ended his slump at pion for the second straight year Juul-Jensen was the first to stop majors finally had a degree of nor- Patience already might be the Texas Open in April. He when the race ends in Paris on his efforts, with Sean Bennett and malcy Thursday at Royal St. Ge- wearing thin for U.S. Open cham- looked the happiest of anyone, Sunday. Pierre Rolland also waiting for the orge’s. Louis Oosthuizen and Jor- pion Jon Rahm, who slapped his saying he liked where his game Before Sunday’s processional peloton, leaving Alaphilippe and dan Spieth leading the way at the thigh in frustration after making a was at after matching his lowest ride leading to the Champs-Ely- Mohoric alone at the front at the British Open felt pretty familiar, double-bogey at No. 9 after taking score at an Open. He also had a 65 sees, there is just one difficult foot of the mountain. They were too. two shots to get out of a pot bunker on the first day at Birkdale. stage remaining — a time trial joined by counter-attackers six ki- Cheered on by the biggest golf in the fairway. He shot 71. Bryson And he made reference to that through the Bordelais vineyards lometers from the summit. crowd since the coronavirus out- DeChambeau had the same score victory while running off four scheduled Saturday. Pogacar ex- Alaphilippe was dropped in the break, Oosthuizen saved par from after spending much of his first straight birdies starting at No. 5, cels in the race against the clock last three kilometers as Pierre La- a fairway bunker on the final hole round up to his knees in deep telling former caddie John Wood and won the first time trial of this tour, David Gaudu and Ruben for a 6-under 64 to take the early grass and unable to use his power — part of the U.S. broadcast team year’s Tour, beating the pure spe- Guerreiro went away, with the pe- lead. Spieth was only one stroke to overwhelm Royal St. George’s. — that it was just like 2017 the way cialists. loton led by Carapaz’s teammates back by making putts like it was Shane Lowry, the defending he was making putts and Wood Pogacar has a huge lead of five on their heels, just 40 seconds be- 2017 all over again. champion from 2019, also shot 71 was watching him. Wood was cad- minutes, 45 seconds over Vinge- hind. “It feels inside the ropes, from in front of a crowd that has a daily dying in the final round at Birk- gaard in the general classification. Under a bright sun, Gaudu went the first tee forward, the most nor- capacity of 32,000 this week. Not dale for Matt Kuchar, who was Carapaz is in third place, 5:51 off solo in the downhill but his one- mal of any tournament we have since Royal Portrush, where Low- second. the pace. man show did not last long. The played thus far relative to that ry won, has a major seen so many “Here I feel for the first time “Still three days, but it looks Frenchman was swallowed up by same tournament in previous spectators through the gates. since then I’m at least coming in good,” Pogacar said. the yellow jersey pack in the final years, pre-COVID,” said Spieth, There was plenty of good scor- with a bit of form, a bit of confi- The stage start was overshad- climb to Luz-Ardiden, 9.5 kilome- whose run of four straight birdies ing on a course where soft fair- dence, and really my start lines off owed by the news that the Bahrain ters from the finish. in his round of 65 reminded him of ways and greens — because of re- the tee,” Spieth said. his play at Royal Birkdale when cent rain — negated the impact of The return of the spectators he lifted the claret jug four years its storied undulations. made it feel like a proper Open, ago. By halfway through the first especially on the hill overlooking Oosthuizen is coming off two round, 14 players had shot 67 or the par-3 6th hole that attracted straight runner-up finishes at ma- better. They included Justin Rose some of the biggest galleries. jors — the PGA Championship and three more of his countrymen Just before midday, the group and the U.S. Open — and is con- looking to become the first En- containing Cink, Lee Westwood tending again after tying the low- glish winner of golf’s oldest cham- and Martin Kaymer all hit tee est opening round at Royal St. Ge- pionship since Nick Faldo in 1992. shots inside 6 feet of the pin. As orge’s. Christy O’Connor Jr. had a Brian Harman was tied for sec- they walked onto the green to 64 in 1981. ond with Spieth after making five mark their balls, one spectator That didn’t look as though it birdies in his first eight holes and shouted: “You three should be would be the case after the South finishing with another for 65. professionals.” African opened with seven Stewart Cink, the 2009 cham- To which Kaymer’s caddie, straight pars. He followed with six pion at Turnberry, was in a three- Craig Connolly, replied back birdies in his next nine holes. way tie for fourth place with Dy- across the green: “You should be a “I’ve learned over the years lan Frittelli and MacKenzie comedian.” playing major championships that Hughes after 66s. “I feel like the fans here are ve- CHRISTOPHE ENA / AP patience is the key thing,” said Top-ranked Dustin Johnson hit ry knowledgeable about the Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar celebrates as he crosses the finish line Oosthuizen, who hasn’t won one of 14 greens in regulation and said he sport,” Spieth said, “and they’re Thursday to win the 18th stage of the Tour de France, which started them since the British Open at St. was pleased with his round of 68 also having a great time.” in Pau and finished in Luz Ardiden, France. Friday, July 16, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 NBA FINALS Even: Booker’s big night hampered by foul trouble

FROM PAGE 24 when it mattered. break. “When you have that kind of “That’s an NBA Finals special lead in the fourth, if we can just moment right there, and we’re go- hold on to the ball and get good ing to need more of them,” Mil- possessions, you feel like you can waukee coach Mike Budenholzer at least hold it there,” Phoenix said. coach Monty Williams said. Middleton missed a couple of Antetokounmpo had dominated jumpers but Paul lost the ball after the previous game with his of- the second one when he slipped fense, but the 2020 Defensive and fell down while dribbling. Player of the Year made his big- That sent Middleton off for a layup gest mark on this game on the oth- and he followed with four free er end of the floor. throws to make it 107-101. Perhaps sensing the pressure, “Nobody caved,” Middleton both teams fumbled the ball said. “We stayed with it.” around in the early going, diving Brook Lopez had 14 points for on the floor in desperate attempts the Bucks and Holiday added 13 to save it. Milwaukee turned what points, seven rebounds and seven looked like lost possessions into assists. He shot only 4-for-20, but baskets that way in the first quar- his defense helped knock Paul off ter, giving the team a boost while his game. Before Middleton’s run, its outside shooting was off. it appeared it was going to be The Bucks, who had a big sec- PAUL SANCYA/AP Booker’s night. He bounced back ond quarter in Game 3, had anoth- Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, center, fights for a rebound with Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, left, and in a big way from a 3-for-14 night er nice stretch midway through center Brook Lopez during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday in Milwaukee. in Game 3 with his third 40-point this one with an 8-0 run. That gave game of this postseason. them a four-point lead and the But he had to spend portions of margin stayed right around there, the third and fourth quarters on with the teams trading the lead, the bench after picking up fouls until Middleton’s three-pointer and his teammates couldn’t han- made it 52-all at the break. Turnover bug hits Paul dle things without him. With the leaders of its only title Tip-ins team in the arena, Milwaukee im- Suns: Booker has 542 points, proved to 9-1 at home in the play- most ever for a player in his first offs. It is trying to overcome a 2-0 postseason. Rick Barry scored 521 at wrong time for Suns deficit for the second time in this in 1967. ... Jae Crowder scored 15 postseason. points. BY DAVID BRANDT 10 points on 5-for-13 shooting and The Suns never got more than Bucks: Milwaukee shot just 7- Associated Press Scoreboard seven assists on Wednesday, but two wins in their two previous for-29 (24%) from three-point The ball was in Chris Paul’s the real problem was the give- trips to the NBA Finals but it range. ... Pat Connaughton had 11 hands with 35 seconds left and NBA Finals aways. The miscues have been seemed they were finally headed points and nine rebounds. his team needed a bucket to tie or (Best-of-seven) part of a troubling trend: Paul’s there Wednesday. Booker had a x-if necessary take the lead in Game 4 of the Phoenix 2, Milwaukee 2 had 15 turnovers over his past big finish to the third quarter to Best of the Bucks NBA Finals. Phoenix 118, Milwaukee 105 three games and that’s about send them to the fourth leading 82- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Os- Phoenix 118, Milwaukee 108 The Phoenix Suns — and the Milwaukee 120, Phoenix 100 twice as bad as his career rate of 76, but he picked up his fifth foul car Robertson sat next to each oth- Wednesday: Milwaukee 109, Phoenix 11-time All-Star — wouldn’t have 103 2.4 turnovers per game. barely a minute into the period er and were given a loud ovation wanted it any other way. Saturday: at Phoenix, AFN-Sports, 3 a.m. Even so, his coach isn’t con- and sat for about five minutes. when shown during the first half. Sunday CET; 10 a.m. Sunday JKT The point guard did one cross- Tuesday: at Milwaukee, AFN-Sports, 3 cerned and said there is nothing The Bucks trimmed only three Bob Dandridge and Jon McGlock- a.m. Wednesday CET; 10 a.m. Wednesday over dribble to shake Milwau- JKT physically wrong with Paul. points off the lead before he re- lin were the other members of the kee’s Jrue Holiday. Then he im- x-Thursday, July 22: at Phoenix, AFN- “He’s fine,” Williams said. turned in the fourth, but Middle- Bucks’ only NBA championship Sports, 3 a.m. Friday CET; 10 a.m. Friday mediately did another to try to JKT “Great players have games like ton made sure they surged ahead team who were at the game. lose Giannis Antetokounmpo. that.” What happened next was not Paul has given his coach rea- what the Suns or Paul expected. was bad decision making. At the son to believe in him, overcom- He just ... fell down. The ball time, we’re down two. I try to ing considerable adversity in bounced away and so did Phoe- crossover right there, slip, turn it these playoffs. A shoulder injury nix’s chances of taking a com- over. There were some bad pas- limited Paul in the first round manding lead in the series. ses in the first half. They got a against the Lakers. He missed Holiday scooped up the free significant amount of more shots the first two games of the West- possession and the Bucks con- than us, so for me, I’ve got to take ern Conference finals against the verted a 3-on-1 fastbreak when care of the ball.” Clippers in the league’s CO- Khris Middleton scored a layup. He wasn’t the only one cough- VID-19 health and safety proto- Just like that, Milwaukee had ing up the basketball as the Suns col. taken control of a come-from-be- finished with 17 turnovers. But Each time, he came back to hind 109-103 victory on Wednes- there’s little doubt the point push the Suns forward. He was day night that evened these Fi- guard’s five turnovers on brilliant in a four-game sweep of nals at 2-2. Wednesday night, including one the Denver Nuggets in the sec- “The turnovers,” Suns coach in the game’s most crucial mo- ond round. He had 41 points Monty Williams said, “just ment, were some of the team’s against the Clippers in Game 6 to crushed us.” most unexpected. propel Phoenix to its first NBA Game 5 is Saturday in Phoenix. They were part of the reason Finals since 1993. The 36-year-old Paul — who Phoenix blew a seven-point, Now he’s got to bounce back has waited 16 seasons to play in fourth-quarter lead and wasted against the Bucks. the NBA Finals — didn’t shy an impressive performance by “We know what we’ve got to PAUL SANCYA/AP away from taking the blame. Booker, who scored 42 points and do,” Paul said, seemingly talking Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker sits on the bench Wednesday after “It was me. I had five of them,” shot 17-for-28 from the field. about himself more than the rest picking up his fifth foul during the second half against the Bucks in Paul said of the turnovers. “It Paul finished with a series-low of the Suns. “Be better.” Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Milwaukee. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, July 16, 2021 One-stroke lead SPORTS South Africa’s Oosthuizen tops field after first round ›› British Open, Page 22

NBA FINALS Bucks pull even with Suns Middleton scores 40 points to help Milwaukee tie series BY BRIAN MAHONEY 14 rebounds and eight assists. His Associated Press streak of 40-point games ended at MILWAUKEE — Khris Mid- two but the only number that mat- dleton is an All-Star with unwa- ters for the Bucks is on the series vering confidence in his shot, al- scoreboard. ways believing that no matter how Devin Booker scored 42 points poorly he starts that he can turn for the Suns, but his foul trouble things around. cost them a chance to build a big “Khris has no fear and he never lead in the second half. Chris Paul has,” Milwaukee guard Jrue Holi- struggled through a 5-for-13 night, day said. finishing with 10 points and five Middleton’s big shots — and turnovers. throw in Giannis Antetokounm- Game 5 is Saturday night in po’s big block — may have turned Phoenix. around the course of these NBA “This is a tough one but we’ve Finals. got to bounce back,” Paul said. Middleton scored 40 points, in- “That’s why we fought all season cluding 10 straight for the Bucks to get home court.” down the stretch to send them past Phoenix led by two with 2½ the Phoenix Suns, 109-103 on minutes left before Middleton Wednesday night to tie the series made the next two baskets to give 2-2. Milwaukee a 101-99 edge with 1:28 “We wanted this bad and the to play. It appeared the Suns team showed it tonight,” Anteto- would tie it with a lob pass to cen- kounmpo said. ter Deandre Ayton but Anteto- Middleton’s hot hand and a big kounmpo swooped in to block it, block from Antetokounmpo gave flexing his muscles to the crowd the Bucks their second straight behind the basket as the Bucks victory in the first close game of broke the other way on the fast the series. Antetokounmpo had 26 points, SEE EVEN ON PAGE 23

PAUL SANCYA, ABOVE, AND AARON GASH, RIGHT/AP Above: Bucks forward Khris Middleton, front, drives to the basket past Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, left, during Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday in Milwaukee. Right: Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, blocks a shot by Suns center Deandre Ayton during the second half.

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