WAR ON TERRORISM FACES NFL PLAYOFFS Iraq’s Q-West eyed Oscars 2020: Season down to 4 teams: for US drawdown before ‘Joker’ leads with Some answers, lots of Iran conflict escalated 11 nominations questions for title games Page 6 Page 11 Back page

Navy board: Lieutenant in fatal USS Fitzgerald wreck can retire » Page 3

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Volume 78, No. 192 ©SS 2020 TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2020 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas

CLEANUP UNDERWAY US troops clear rubble from Iraq base days after Iran strike Page 5

U.S. soldiers stand before a pile of rubble at al Asad Air Base in Iraq on Monday. The base was struck by a barrage of Iranian missiles on Wednesday .

QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA/AP Materiel Command to offer airmen practice PT tests

BY BRIAN FERGUSON Programs branch chief Lt. Col. Rachel up to three of the mock tests, which the Stars and Stripes Marazita said Friday on the command’s AFMC calls diagnostic assessments, ‘ The practice tests aim website. starting as early as 45 days before their The Air Force Materiel Command will “Fear of failed physical training tests official assessment month and up to 15 to both motivate Airmen start offering no-risk “mock” fitness as- and the potential of career-ending disci- days before their PT test due date, offi- to maintain a year-round sessments to airmen this month to re- plinary action is a major stressor that we cials said. duce the stress of testing and to promote are looking to eliminate through a sound If an airman completes and passes the exercise and fitness program year-round fitness, it said in a statement. testing protocol coupled with an orga- practice test, they can elect to have the while reducing the stress “The practice tests aim to both moti- nizational culture of fitness,” Marazita assessment count as their official test. vate Airmen to maintain a year-round added. The fitness assessment includes push- many face during testing. ’ exercise and fitness program while Under the new rule, which takes ef- ups, situps, a body composition assess- Lt. Col. Rachel Marazita reducing the stress many face during fect Jan. 20, airmen who are current on ment and a 1.5-mile run. AFMC Military Personnel and Programs branch chief testing,” AFMC Military Personnel and their fitness assessments may attempt SEE RULES ON PAGE 3 PAGE 2 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, January 14, 2020 BUSINESS/WEATHER Government clarifies ‘joint employer’ standard EXCHANGE RATES Military rates Switzerland (Franc)...... 0.9711 Euro costs (Jan. 14) ...... $1.1409 Thailand (Baht) ...... 30.22 Dollar buys (Jan. 14) ...... €0.8765 Turkey (Lira) ...... 5.8719 Associated Press British pound (Jan. 14)...... $1.33 (Military exchange rates are those or contractors to pay overtime or model followed by a company Japanese yen (Jan. 14) ...... 107.00 available to customers at military banking minimum wages. determine whether it is an em- South Korean won (Jan. 14) ...... 1,126.00 facilities in the country of issuance WASHINGTON — The Labor Commercial rates The new rule, which will take for Japan, South Korea, Germany, the Department issued a final rule ployer, a senior official from the Bahrain (Dinar) ...... 0.3770 Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For effect March 16, provides a four- Labor Department said. British pound ...... $1.2994 nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., Sunday that clarifies when a part test to determine whether a Canada (Dollar) ...... 1.3051 purchasing British pounds in Germany), worker is employed by more than The Economic Policy Institute, China (Yuan) ...... 6.8953 check with your local military banking company is a “joint employer.“ a pro-labor group, has argued that Denmark (Krone) ...... 6.7179 facility. Commercial rates are interbank one company, an issue that af- The tests are: Whether or not Egypt (Pound) ...... 15.9101 rates provided for reference when buying the new rule “dramatically nar- Euro ...... $1.1124/0.8990 currency. All figures are foreign currencies fects franchise businesses such it can hire or fire the employee; Hong Kong (Dollar) ...... 7.7724 to one dollar, except for the British pound, rows” the likelihood that a com- which is represented in dollars-to-pound, as McDonald’s and firms that whether it supervises the employ- Hungary (Forint) ...... 300.93 pany can be considered liable for Israel (Shekel) ...... 3.4704 and the euro, which is dollars-to-euro.) have outsourced services such as ee’s work schedule; whether it Japan (Yen) ...... 109.89 cleaning and maintenance. sets their pay; and if it maintains overtime or minimum wage vio- Kuwait (Dinar) ...... 0.3035 INTEREST RATES lations. It provides an incentive Norway (Krone) ...... 8.9006 The rule replaces an Obama their employment records. Philippines (Peso)...... 50.49 Prime rate ...... 4.75 administration policy that po- Not all tests need to be met to for companies to outsource more Poland (Zloty) ...... 3.81 Discount rate ...... 2.25 Saudi Arabia (Riyal) ...... 3.7519 Federal funds market rate ...... 1.55 tentially made more businesses establish that a business is an jobs and avoid that responsibility, Singapore (Dollar) ...... 1.3472 3-month bill ...... 1.51 liable for failures by franchisees employer, nor does the business the EPI said. South Korea (Won) ...... 1,157.55 30-year bond ...... 2.28 WEATHER OUTLOOK TUESDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST TUESDAY IN EUROPE WEDNESDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 37/31 Kabul 30/18 Seoul 31/23 Baghdad 57/40 Kandahar 39/32 Osan Tokyo Mildenhall/ Drawsko 36/18 48/45 Lakenheath Pomorskie Busan 52/43 42/37 37/30 Iwakuni 47/42 Kuwait Bahrain Zagan Sasebo City 63/58 Brussels 43/36 Guam 59/49 48/45 Ramstein 47/43 80/77 Lajes, 47/40 Riyadh Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 62/43 63/48 58/55 46/33 37/30 Aviano/ Vicenza 40/30

Naples 54/43 Okinawa Morón 66/63 56/45 Sigonella Rota 59/39 The weather is provided by the Djibouti Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 79/72 62/39 56/53 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. T O D A Y IN STRIPES American Roundup ..... 10 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 11 Opinion ...... 14-15 Sports ...... 17-24 Tuesday, January 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 3 MILITARY Navy won’t force Fitzgerald lieutenant from service BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS Navy officials and Combs’ at- bukes that draw shame and ac- Stars and Stripes torney did not immediately re- knowledge wrongdoing, but do spond to requests for comment. not carry legal implications or YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, In 2018, Combs and her com- impact retirement benefits or pay Japan — A Navy lieutenant manding officer, Cmdr. Bryce for the reprimanded officers. faulted for her role in the USS Benson, faced criminal charges Post-collision reports identified Fitzgerald’s fatal collision will stemming from the collision, in- causal factors beyond the actions not be forced from the Navy but cluding negligent dereliction of of the Fitzgerald officers. Several allowed to exit with an honorable duty resulting in death and neg- reports pointed to institutional PETER BURGHART/U.S. Navy discharge instead, a board of in- ligent hazarding of a vessel. The failures. quiry has decided. charges were dropped last year. A Navy report in late 2017 The destroyer USS Fitzgerald returns to Yokosuka Naval Base, Lt. Natalie Combs, a tactical ac- Instead, the two received let- said the accident was “prevent- Japan, following a collision with a merchant vessel that killed seven tion officer aboard the destroyer, ters of censure from the secre- able,” and listed crew exhaus- sailors in June 2017. A board of inquiry decided not to force a Navy was censured in April for failure tary of the Navy. tion, skipped certifications, poor lieutenant out of service for her role in the collision. to perform her duties that day. The The letter to Benson stated that watch-standing and training and destroyer collided June 17, 2017, his “ineffective leadership and manning problems among the “not properly on the lookout” for John S. McCain collided with the with a container ship, the ACX poor judgment were causal fac- causes. ACX Crystal. That report also tanker Alnic MC near Singapore Crystal, about 60 nautical miles tors in the collision.” The service has since imple- listed other contributing factors, on Aug. 21, 2017. southwest of Yokosuka, where the Combs’ letter accused her of mented about 100 changes, including the ACX Crystal’s fail- Confusion among McCain warship was based. Seven sailors demonstrating “incompetent and including tightened surface war- ure to sound danger signals or watch-standers led to a loss of died in the collision. ineffective leadership” for “fail- fare officer qualifications, to ad- contact the Fitzgerald before the steering control, and the de- A Navy board of inquiry Thurs- ure to perform duties,” “ineffec- dress these issues. crash. stroyer crossed into the civilian day found no reason to force tive communication and failure An August post-collision report The Fitzgerald crash was the oil tanker’s path, according to a Combs from the Navy after 11 to make recommendations to the by the Japan Transport Safety first of two deadly collisions in Navy post-collision report. years of service, the Navy Times bridge watch team.” Board said it was “somewhat the 7th Fleet in 2017. [email protected] reported. Censure letters are public re- likely” that the Fitzgerald was Ten sailors died when the USS Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos Congress overrules Pentagon plan to limit benefits transfer

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS longest-serving service members from transfer- Stars and Stripes ring those GI Bill benefits falls far short of honor- ing their sacrifice,” he said. “Ending this plan once Service members with more than 16 years in the and for all is the right thing to do, and I am grate- military may continue to transfer their GI Bill edu- ful for the bipartisan support that has made this cation benefits to their dependents, according to a possible.” Navy Personnel Command directive issued Friday. The policy was controversial within the mili- Congress in the 2020 National Defense Authori- tary community. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of zation Act killed a plan by the Defense Department America had submitted a petition signed by 54,000 to do away with an upper limit for transferring supporters and veterans to the Pentagon after the those benefits. department announced the now-canceled policy. However, service members still must have a min- The veterans group called the policy “a complete- imum of six years in the military to transfer their ly unnecessary attack on this critical benefit,” in a college tuition assistance benefits to a family mem- statement after submitting the petition in Septem- U.S. Air Force ber. They also must commit to another four years ber 2018. “In a time of war, it remains critically important As the Air Force continues to review fitness assessment guidance for on active duty or in the Selected Reserve. airmen, Materiel Command has decided to allow airmen to take up to The Pentagon proposed the 16-year cap, which to recruit and retain qualified service members, three mock tests before their official PT test date, starting Jan. 20 . was scheduled to take effect Sunday, but Congress especially with an ever-decreasing pool of eligible specifically prohibited the measure in the authori- recruits,” the statement said. “And, it remains es- zation act, according to the Navy directive. The pol- sential that our government honor its promise to icy’s cancellation applies to all service branches. our veterans.” Rules: Currently, USAF has Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., who worked to in- When veterans’ advocates criticized the restric- clude that language in this year’s authorization act, tion, defense officials in July said the transfers were said the DOD policy “would have wronged those intended as a retention tool and not as a benefit to no rules for diagnostic testing vets who are willing and able to continue their ser- career service members. vice” in a statement last month. [email protected] policy allowing practice PT tests “The Defense Department’s plan to restrict our Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos FROM FRONT PAGE will remain in place until a new The idea of allowing airmen Air Force policy is published, the to take a no-fail, trial-run fit- statement said. ness assessment before the real All AFMC airmen will be eligi- Bible for new U.S. Space Force blessed thing was first floated in August ble to take the diagnostic test, re- gardless of where they are based, by Chief Master Sergeant of the BY KATHERINE SHAVER and Federal Ministries, said in chief of chaplains for the U.S. Air Air Force Kaleth Wright. The it added. AFMC is one of the service’s The Washington Post part, “May this Bible guard and Force. Air Force has not yet announced guide all those who purpose that The Space Force, the sixth changes to PT tests. major commands and includes Religious leaders blessed a the final frontier be a place where branch of the U.S. military, was “As the Air Force continues to 80,000 military and civilian work- King James Bible at the Washing- God will triumph over evil, where created in December as part of a review the overall current fitness ers, its website says. It manages ton National Cathedral on Sunday love will triumph over hate, and defense bill signed by President assessment guidance for Airmen, and maintains the service’s weap- to be used by the newly formed AFMC has elected to implement ons systems and its components United States Space Force, includ- where life will triumph over Donald Trump. The force is de- diagnostic testing as a potential include the Air Force Research ing for swearing-in ceremonies, a death.” signed to defend American assets part of the policy change,” the Laboratory, Nuclear Weapons cathedral spokeswoman said. The ceremony also was over- in space, such as satellites used AFMC statement said. Center, and the Installation and During the three-minute cere- seen by the Rev. Randolph for GPS, communications and There are currently no Air Mission Support Center. mony, the Right Rev. Carl Wright, Marshall Hollerith, dean of the missile defense. The Bible was Force regulations governing [email protected] the Episcopal Church’s bishop Washington National Cathedral, donated by the Museum of the diagnostic testing. The AFMC Twitter: @BrianFerg57 suffragan for the Armed Forces and Maj. Gen. Steven Schaick, Bible in Washington. PAGE 4 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, January 14, 2020 PACIFIC Automakers show off at car show in Japan

BY THERON GODBOLD Stars and Stripes CHIBA, Japan — With over 800 modified cars and more than 300,000 people attending, Tokyo Auto Salon 2020 offered some- thing for every branch of car en- thusiast: new, old and obscure. The 37th annual trade show, held over the weekend at Maku- hari Messe convention center in Chiba, allowed some of the world’s largest automakers — Honda, Nissan and Subaru among them — to provide a taste of what they will unveil in the marketplace in the coming year. It also served as a showcase for aftermarket companies like Greddy, HKS, Brembo and more to show off the parts and acces- sories they are introducing to modify stock vehicles. “I think it’s a great mix of new vehicles and the latest aftermar- ket parts,” said Phil Ziegler, a ci- vilian C-130 mechanic at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo. “It’s great seeing everyday cars still getting support from tuners and love from enthusiasts with many top tier manufacturers showing face and representing.” Nissan showed off the GT-R50, a reinterpretation of its high-end sports car, the GT-R Nismo, by Italian design and engineering company Italdesign Giugiaro. PHOTOS BY THERON GODBOLD/Stars and Stripes This one-of-a-kind model com- Auto enthusiasts check out the engine bay of a Mercedes sports car during Tokyo Auto Salon 2020 in Chiba, Japan, on Friday. memorates the 50th anniversa- ries of both the GT-R in 2019 and Left: A Italdesign in 2018. With a gold representative and silver paint scheme and a for Liberty rear end that resembled a space Walk LB ship, this car looked like it could performance star in a sci-fi TV show. leans on a Companies like Pandem Ferrari 458 showed off body kits for cars such sporting the as the Toyota Corolla, and Liberty company’s Walk displayed wide body kits on new wide Ferraris and Lamborghinis. body kit. HKS, a Japan-based manufac- turer of aftermarket parts and Right: Tokyo accessories, showed off kits for Auto Salon engine tuning and turbo addi- was held tions that could improve perfor- over three mance, reliability and even fuel days and is consumption. Japan’s largest automotive [email protected] Twitter: @GodboldTheron trade show. Hogs with swine fever given burial space on Okinawa

BY AYA ICHIHASHI cultural section of Okinawa prefecture, on human health, according to Japan’s Minis- statement. Stars and Stripes Monday. try of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. “The burial site for the pigs in Chibana Of the approximately 5,000 hogs af- “There has never been a reported case Area near Kadena Air Base will comply CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Officials fected, more than 3,000 have been culled where [classical swine fever] has been with Japanese regulations and U.S. recom- at Kadena Air Base agreed Sunday to pro- since Wednesday on Okinawa, where clas- transmitted to humans,” Kubota said. mendations to protect health and the envi- vide burial space for hogs culled on Oki- sical swine fever was discovered last week The 18th Wing scheduled a town hall ronment,” she said. nawa due to an outbreak of classical swine for the first time since 1986. The animals meeting for 5:30 p.m. Monday at Schilling The outbreak was confirmed Wednes- fever, or hog cholera. are killed to prevent the disease from Community Center to address questions day after an Uruma city farmer reported The area approved by the Air Force is spreading. or concerns from Kadena and Chibana pig deaths due to an unknown respiratory about a mile from Chibana Housing Area The Okinawa prefectural government residents. ailment, according to a statement from the and 3,500 feet from the nearest home at is first burying the culled animals on the The mayor of Okinawa City, Sachio Okinawa prefectural government. Since nearby Camp Shields, a Navy base, accord- affected farms to minimize the risk of Kuwae, approached Kadena officials for then, the disease has been discovered at ing to a statement Monday from Lt. Col. spreading the disease, Kubota said. help, according to the wing’s statement. two additional farms in Uruma and one in Christy Stravolo, chief of public affairs for “The 18th Wing is cooperating with “Okinawa is our home, too, and we want Okinawa city. the 18th Wing. the Government of Japan, leveraging our to do everything we can to help our neigh- Symptoms of the highly contagious viral None of the affected carcasses had been strong alliance to help Okinawa City of- bors,” wing commander Brig. Gen. Joel disease include fever, diarrhea and purple buried on the base as of Monday. ficials prevent the further spread of this Carey was quoted as saying. discoloration. The animals generally die “Kadena will be the alternative site if disease,” the wing said in a statement The government of Japan is taking within two weeks. we cannot bury all the infected pigs,” said Sunday. the lead on disposing of the animals and [email protected] Kazushi Kubota, a spokesman for the agri- Classical swine fever is not a risk to monitoring the site, Stravolo said in her Twitter: @AyaIchihashi Tuesday, January 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 5 MIDEAST US troops work to clean up base after Iran strike

BY QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA destroyed and burned by the mis- AND ALI ABDUL-HASSAN sile attack. Associated Press The air base in Anbar province is a sprawling complex about 110 AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq miles west of Baghdad shared — U.S. troops cleared rubble and with the Iraqi military and hous- debris from a military base hous- ing about 1,500 members of the ing American soldiers in western U.S. military and the U.S.-led ASSIM BDUL AHRA/AP Iraq on Monday, days after it was Q A -Z coalition fighting Islamic State struck by a barrage of Iranian militants. U.S. troops stand Monday near a crater caused by the Iranian bombing at al Asad Air Base in Iraq. ballistic missiles in a major esca- It was struck by Iranian mis- lation between the two longtime said Col. Myles Caggins, a spokes- were moved out of harm’s way. On Monday, most soldiers siles on Wednesday in Iran’s most foes. man for the U.S.-led coalition He described soldiers who lived walked around without any body direct assault on America since The Iranian attack was in re- fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria. through the attack as “warriors.” armor amid the base’s large tents taliation for the U.S. drone strike the 1979 seizing of the U.S. Em- and street signs written mostly in bassy in Tehran. The proxy at- He added that the explosions cre- The base was first used by near Baghdad airport that killed ated large craters, knocked over American forces after the 2003 English. a top Iranian commander, Gen. tack raised fears of a wider war U.S. Army Lt. Col. Antoinette in the Middle East although both concrete barriers and destroyed U.S.-led invasion that toppled dic- Qassem Soleimani, prompting facilities that house dozens of tator Saddam Hussein, and later Chase told reporters the night angry calls to avenge his slaying. sides have since then indicated of the attacks the troops were in soldiers. saw American troops stationed An Associated Press crew that neither side would seek fur- bunkers but could “feel every- Although no soldiers were there amid the fight against ISIS touring the al Asad Air Base on ther retaliation, at least in the thing shaking.” Monday saw large craters in the short term. killed, he said several were treat- in Iraq and Syria. “I had zero casualties and ev- ground and damaged military The U.S. said no American sol- ed for concussions from the blast President Donald Trump vis- erybody is alive to tell the tale. trailers as well as forklifts lift- diers were killed or wounded in and are being assessed by profes- ited the sprawling air base in So as far as I’m concerned, I ing rubble and loading it onto the Iranian attack. sionals. Caggins added that troops December 2018, making his first couldn’t be happier and I couldn’t trucks from a large area the size “There were more than 10 large received notification the missiles presidential visit to troops in be prouder of the actions that the of a football stadium. U.S. soldiers missiles fired and the impact hit were on their way thanks to early the region. Vice President Mike soldiers and the coalition forces inspected portable housing units several areas along the airfield,” warning systems, and troops Pence has also visited the base. took that night,” she added. Video shows Iranian police dispersing protests over jetliner

BY JON GAMBRELL olutionary Guard, carried videos during previous waves of pro- Associated Press showing demonstrators chanting: tests, including after an increase “We are children of war. Fight in gasoline prices in November, DUBAI, United Arab Emir- with us, we will fight back.” An- when more than 300 people were ates — Online videos appeared to other Fars video showed dem- reportedly killed in a crackdown. show Iranian security forces fir- onstrators in Tehran on Sunday Ebrahim Raisi, the head of ing live ammunition and tear gas night tearing down a poster of So- Iran’s judiciary, issued a warning to disperse protests as popular leimani, who had led the Guard’s to protesters, saying “the agents anger swelled Monday over the elite Quds Force. of America and agents of foreign accidental shootdown of a Ukrai- The uniformed police were countries” want to use anger over nian jetliner and Iran’s failed at- just one of several security forces the plane disaster to “compro- tempt to conceal its role in the deployed in large numbers after mise” Iran’s security. Iran often tragedy. The unrest comes amid soar- Iran belatedly admitted to shoot- blames anti-government protests ing tensions between Washington ing down the Ukrainian jetliner. on foreign conspiracies. and Tehran that have raised fears Riot police in black uniforms Iranians have expressed anger of a war between the two coun- and helmets gathered earlier over the downing of the plane and tries after a U.S. airstrike killed Sunday in Vali-e Asr Square, the misleading explanations from Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. AP at Tehran University and other senior officials about it. They are Iran responded with a ballistic landmarks. Revolutionary Guard also mourning the dead, which missile attack on two bases hous- Iranian police officers take position while protesters gather in front members patrolled the city on included many young people who ing U.S. troops in Iraq, without of Amir Kabir University in Tehran, Iran, to remember victims of a motorbikes, and plainclothes se- were studying abroad. hurting anyone. It accidentally Ukrainian airplane shot down by an Iranian missile, on Saturday. curity men were also out in force. The first protest erupted in shot down the plane hours later as Riot police and other security Tehran at what was initially billed it braced for a U.S. counterattack Farsi: “They fired tear gas at Photos and video after the in- forces could be seen on the streets as a candlelight vigil. “They are that never came. people! Azadi Square! Death to cident show pools of blood on the of Tehran on Monday as well. lying that our enemy is America! Videos sent to the New York- the dictator!” sidewalk. The Guard has been accused Our enemy is right here!” stu- based Center for Human Rights Another video shows a woman Tehran’s police chief, Gen. of opening fire on demonstrators dents shouted. in Iran and later verified by The being carried away in the after- Hossein Rahimi, later denied his Associated Press show a crowd math as a trail of blood can be officers opened fire. of demonstrators near Azadi, or seen on the ground. Those around “Police treated people who had Freedom, Square fleeing as a her cry out that she has been shot gathered with patience and tol- tear gas canister lands among in the leg. erance,” Iranian media quoted them. People cough and sputter “Oh my God, she’s bleeding Rahimi as saying. “Police did while trying to escape the fumes, nonstop!” one person shouts. An- not shoot in the gatherings since with one woman calling out in other shouts: “Bandage it!” broad-mindedness and restraint has been the agenda of the police forces of the capital.” However, the semi-official Protesters were heard shouting ‘They Fars news agency reported that are lying that our enemy is America! Our police had “shot tear gas in some areas.” enemy is right here!’ Fars, which is close to the Rev- PAGE 6 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, January 14, 2020 WAR ON TERRORISM Iraq’s Q-West eyed for US exit amid conflict

BY CHAD GARLAND Dec. 27 attack that killed a U.S. Stars and Stripes civilian contractor and wounded four American soldiers and two QAYARA AIRFIELD WEST, Iraqis in Kirkuk, setting off the Iraq — U.S. officials had been dis- events that escalated tensions in cussing pulling out of some Iraqi bases to consolidate the Ameri- the region. The U.S. blamed that can and allied troop presence attack on an Iran-backed para- in the country, but conflict with military group tied to Soleimani. Iran and calls from Baghdad for With the Middle East bracing foreign troops to withdraw have for a possible new conflict, in- left those plans in limbo. stead of paring down its numbers, The coalition part of this base the U.S. has sent thousands more in northern Iraq, known as Q- troops to the region. West, was a likely first candidate Despite a leaked military to be shuttered, officials here said memo last week suggesting that in late December, shortly before the coalition was preparing to the escalation of tensions be- pull out of Iraq, Pentagon leaders tween Washington and Tehran on quickly said the U.S. had no plans Iraqi soil. to do so. At Q-West, things are still “up And on Friday, the State De- in the air,” an unnamed defense official told Stars and Stripes last partment responded to the Iraq week. government’s request that the /Stars and Stripes Weeks ago, the U.S. command- CHAD GARLAND U.S. send a group to negotiate er at the base had been planning U.S. soldiers view their smartphones in a break area on Qayara Airfield West in Iraq on Dec. 26. U.S. withdrawal plans, saying any del- for a potential drawdown, though officials are looking at pulling troops out of Q-West before Iran tensions further escalate. egation sent to Iraq would focus no final decisions had yet been on recommitting to a strategic made. tack hit a coalition base about 100 Division, which was based here “They haven’t seen a lot of partnership and determining the On Christmas Day, Lt. Col. Ste- miles east of Q-West, escalating following the 2003 invasion. action,” Thibodeau said of his “right, appropriate force posture phen Thibodeau said he was op- tensions and triggering a chain The base was returned to the troops, who have been at Q-West in the Middle East.” timistic about Iraqi government of events including the U.S. drone Iraqi air force in 2010 before fall- since early September. Thibodeau summed up the un- forces’ improving ability to devel- strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qas- ing to ISIS four years later. But in November, a barrage of certainty facing U.S. forces at the op intelligence and rely on their sem Soleimani outside Baghdad As the insurgent group was more than 30 rockets disturbed base on Christmas when he told own systems for combat support International Airport. forced out of northern Iraq, it their relative peace. The projec- visiting colleagues that he’d pre- in the fight against Islamic State . That led to a hasty vote by destroyed much of Q-West. But tiles hit in an uninhabited part fer to use silverware to eat, rather “The conditions on the ground Iraq’s majority Shiite parliament, Army engineers rebuilt the base, of the base and no one was hurt. than plastic cutlery. have created a huge opportunity calling for foreign forces to leave which has been used as a logistics The base’s howitzers quickly “But that would just be one to get smaller while getting bet- the country. hub and fire base since 2016. fired back at the rocket launcher, ter,” said Thibodeau, who is also It’s unclear what the tensions Coalition troops at Q-West said operations officer Capt. Brad more thing for me to throw in a head of the 2nd Battalion, 8th will mean for Q-West, which has continue to play a critical part in Bynum. dumpster” when the time comes Field Artillery Regiment, out of been home to thousands of U.S. the anti-ISIS fight, largely from In several ways — timing, to leave, he said. Fort Wainwright, Alaska. troops over the years, including behind the base’s concrete blast launcher set-up, number of rock- [email protected] But then a deadly rocket at- elements of the 101st Airborne walls. ets — the strike resembled the Twitter: @chadgarland Al-Shabab extremists kill 3 teachers, abduct 1 in Kenya

BY TOM ODULA lice said in a report seen by The Associated Al-Shabab has vowed retribution on creased the frequency of its attacks in Associated Press Press. Kenya for sending troops to Somalia since five Kenyan counties that border Somalia Three non-Muslim teachers were killed 2011 to fight the militants. The group has and that the government has named as hot NAIROBI, Kenya — Al-Shabab extrem- and a Muslim one was abducted, the report carried out numerous attacks on Kenya, spots for extremism. ists killed three people in an assault early said. Another teacher was wounded. The killing hundreds. The extremist group, which is based in Monday in eastern Kenya, its fifth attack attackers spared the life of a female nurse Earlier this month, the al-Qaida-linked Somalia, has waged an increasingly effec- in 13 days, police said. due to her gender, it added. group attacked a military base used by Ke- tive eight-year violent campaign and the The militants from neighboring Somalia Al-Shabab is claiming responsibility for nyan and U.S. forces, killing three Ameri- Kenyan government has failed to treat this attacked Kamuthe town in Garissa county the attack in a terse statement within its cans and destroying aircraft and other threat with the seriousness it deserves, at 2 a.m., setting fire to a police post and “latest news” posted Monday on its official machinery. said former U.S. Marine Andrew Franklin, destroying a telecommunication mast, po- website, Shahada. Since December, al-Shabab has in- who is a longtime resident in Kenya. 2 soldiers killed in roadside blast in Afghanistan are ID’d

BY J.P. LAWRENCE “When our nation called for its mission. said. 2018 and is survived by his moth- Stars and Stripes best Airborne combat engineers The Taliban immediately His youngest child had been er and father, the statement said. to deploy into harm’s way, Staff claimed responsibility for Satur- born while he was deployed, his “They will be honored, mourn- KABUL, Afghanistan — The Sgt. McLaughlin and Pfc. Villalon day’s attack in a statement from cousin, Rachel Mathes, said in an ed, but never forgotten and we Pentagon identified two American answered spokesman Qari Yusouf Ahmadi, email. are committed to taking care of soldiers killed when their vehicle without The Associated Press reported. “He wanted to serve,” Mathes their families for life,” Maj. Gen. struck a roadside bomb Saturday hesitation,” Two other U.S. soldiers from said. “He died doing what he James Mingus, the 82nd Air- in southern Afghanistan. said the bri- the 82nd Airborne Division were wanted to do.” borne Division commander, said Staff Sgt. Ian Paul McLaugh- gade com- wounded in the attack, which oc- He was known as the life of the in the statement. lin, 29, of Newport News, Va., bat team’s curred in the southern province party and a good man, said Saul Flags will fly at half-staff at and Pfc. Miguel Angel Villalon, commander, of Kandahar, a spokesman for the Hernandez Jr., who served in the state facilities in North Carolina, 21, of Joliet, Ill., died after an im- Col. Art division said. same platoon as McLaughlin at where they had been based, ac- provised explosive device struck Sellers, in a Both slain soldiers were on their Fort Hood, Texas, from 2013 to their vehicle, said a news release statement. first combat deployment and each 2015. cording to a statement by Gov. from the 82nd Airborne Division. The attack was a recipient of a Purple Heart “He was funny and always had Roy Cooper . The soldiers were assigned to occurred as and the Bronze Star Medal, the a comeback for anything you said More than 2,400 American an element of the 3rd Brigade McLaughlin the soldiers military said. to him,” Hernandez said. “He was troops have died in Afghanistan Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Di- were participating in Opera- McLaughlin joined the Army a great soldier and he was proud since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion . vision out of Fort Bragg, N.C., the tion Freedom’s Sentinel, a U.S. in 2012 and leaves behind a wife to serve.” [email protected] statement said. training and counterterrorism and four children, the statement Villalon joined the Army in Twitter: @jplawrence3 Tuesday, January 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 7 NATION Trump suggests dismissing his impeachment charges

Associated Press credibility that it otherwise does stakes undertaking at the start of not have. I agree!” a presidential election year. WASHINGTON — President The idea of dismissing the A House vote to transmit the JEFF CHIU/AP Donald Trump says the Senate charges against Trump is as un- articles to the Senate will bring to should simply dismiss the im- Sen. Cory Booker, of New Jersey, waves before speaking during the usual as it is unlikely. Senate Ma- a close a standoff between Pelosi, 2019 California Democratic Party State Organizing Convention. peachment case against him, an jority Leader Mitch McConnell D-Calif., and McConnell, R-Ky., extraordinary suggestion as the signed on to an outlier proposal over the rules for the trial. The House prepares to transmit the circulating last week among con- House voted to impeach Trump charges to the chamber for the servative senators, but he does last month. Booker ends presidential bid historic trial. not have enough support in the One leading Republican, Sen. The Republican president is giv- Republican-held chamber to ac- Lindsey Graham, of South Caro- amid polling, money struggles ing mixed messages ahead of the tually do it. It would require a lina, has already predicted that House’s landmark vote that will rare rules change similar to the the trial would end “in a mat- BY ALEXANDRA JAFFE bate and exits the race polling in launch the Senate proceedings approach McConnell used for Su- ter of days.” Graham and Sen. Associated Press low single digits in the early pri- in a matter of days, only the third preme Court confirmations. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., are leading mary states and nationwide. presidential impeachment trial in Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned the effort to dismiss the charges DES MOINES, Iowa — Demo- In an email to supporters, American history. Trump faces Sunday that senators will “pay a against Trump. crat Cory Booker dropped out of Booker said that he “got into this charges that he abused power by the presidential race on Monday, price” if they block new witness While some Democrats have race to win” and that his failure to pushing Ukraine to investigate ending a campaign whose mes- testimony with a trial that Ameri- grumbled about the delay, Pelosi make the debates prevented him Democratic rival Joe Biden and sage of unity and love failed to cans perceive as a “cover-up” for and other party leaders defended from raising the money required then obstructed Congress. Trump’s actions. the strategy, saying it produced resonate in a political era marked for victory. First Trump was suggesting “It’s about a fair trial,” Pelosi new potential evidence and by chaos and anxiety. “Our campaign has reached his own ideas for trial witnesses, told ABC’s “This Week.” “The turned public attention to the up- His departure now leaves a then he said almost the opposite senators who are thinking now coming trial. field that was once the most di- the point where we need more Sunday by tweeting that the trial about voting for witnesses or not, “One of the things that holding verse in history with just one money to ... continue building a shouldn’t happen at all. they will have to be accountable. on to the articles has succeeded remaining African American campaign that can win – money “Many believe that by the Sen- Now the ball is in their court to in doing is fleshing out McCon- candidate – former Massachu- we don’t have, and money that is ate giving credence to a trial” either do that or pay a price.” nell and the president’s desire to setts Gov. Deval Patrick. harder to raise because I won’t be over charges he calls a hoax, Voters are divided over im- make this a cover-up,” House In- Booker had failed to meet the on the next debate stage and be- Trump tweeted, “rather than an peachment largely along the telligence Committee Chairman polling requirements needed to cause the urgent business of im- outright dismissal, it gives the nation’s deeply partisan lines, Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said on participate in Tuesday’s debate. peachment will rightly be keeping partisan Democrat Witch Hunt and the trial is becoming a high- CBS’ “Face the Nation.” He also missed last month’s de- me in Washington,” he said. PAGE 8 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, January 14, 2020 NATION Expert warns that Puerto Rico not set up for quakes

BY DANICA COTO homes and schools and cracked Associated Press bridges. Many living along the southern coastline were left with- SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — out water service and more than More than two years ago, Hurri- cane Maria revealed that Puerto 4,000 people sought refuge in Rico was utterly unprepared for government shelters. a powerful hurricane despite its Just days after the natural location in one of the world’s most disaster, emergency manage- storm-vulnerable regions. ment Director Carlos Acevedo Now, a flurry of earthquakes acknowledged to reporters that NAM Y. HUH/AP topped by a magnitude 6.4 tem- the government had yet to com- blor that killed one person and plete a plan that dictates protocol damaged hundreds of buildings for when an earthquake hits the Weather has many accusing the govern- island. ment of being caught unready While concerns remain about extremes again. Puerto Rico’s preparedness, fed- “It proved that Puerto Rico is Above: Branches are covered not prepared for a seismic move- eral authorities have praised the with ice in Evanston, Ill., on ment,” said Nazario Lugo, presi- local government’s response. Sunday. Severe weather over dent of the island’s Association Jeff Byard, with the U.S. Fed- the weekend that brought icy of Emergency Managers. “The eral Emergency Management roads, deadly tornadoes and government has to be proactive, Agency, said he is extremely punishing waves to the South and we saw that was not the case pleased with the post-quake and Midwest is being blamed until they were up to their neck in operation. for 11 deaths. Right: In Boston, water.” “I cannot commend the com- people sit on the docks Sunday in the Charles River Esplanade Lugo, a former emergency monwealth enough for the pro- management director for Puerto park during unseasonably warm active nature that they’ve taken Rico, told The Associated Press weather in the Northeast. Many providing the initial resources, that the government didn’t ac- areas saw temperatures in the tivate its emergency command the initial support,” he said. low 70s. center until the day after the More than 1,280 earthquakes STEVEN SENNE/AP largest quake hit, breaking with have hit Puerto Rico’s southern protocol. region since Dec. 28, more than This drew comparisons to two dozen of them magnitude 4.5 Hurricane Maria of 2017, which or greater, according to the U.S. Tortoise who helped save species retires devastated the island and caused Geological Survey. thousands of deaths. Critics said Given that activity, Juan Ali- it caught the local and federal The Washington Post necked, yellow-faced tortoise is thought to have been cea, president of Puerto Rico’s picked up in Espanola during a scientific expedition governments with limited sup- Society of Professional Engi- The Espanola Giant Tortoise was once considered plies on an island with poorly sometime between 1900 and 1959. At some point, neers, said it’s extremely worri- beyond saving. After decades in decline, just over a maintained infrastructure and he landed at the zoo. When scientists discovered some that some 200,000 homes dozen were left on the Galapagos island by the 1970s, led to a delayed response stem- most of them female. Their numbers were so sparse that Chelonoidis hoodensis was its own species, and across Puerto Rico are not built ming from a lack of communica- that some likely had gone decades without encounter- that Diego was one of the few still in existence, he tion and organization. to code, as evidenced by the dam- ing another tortoise. Extinction seemed inevitable. was brought back to the Galapagos for the breeding A flurry of hundreds of small age caused in recent days. Then Diego came along. Flown in from the San effort. quakes began hitting Puerto Rico “If we don’t take action, this is Diego Zoo in 1976, the extremely sexually active The Galapagos National Park said in its statement on Dec. 28, and a magnitude 5.8 going to cost us a lot of money and tortoise went on to father upward of 800 offspring. that researchers had decided to end the breeding jolt that toppled a famed rock for- a lot of lives,” he said. His considerable effort helped his species, known program and release the tortoises after using math- mation landmark struck on Jan. Also of concern is that some 500 scientifically as Chelonoidis hoodensis, rebound to a ematical models to predict population changes over 6, Three Kings’ Day, a major holi- public schools across Puerto Rico population of 2,000. It also turned him into a star, his the next hundred years. “The conclusion was that the island has sufficient day on the island. were built before 1987 and don’t sexual prowess the subject of articles in newspapers “The first day, when toys were conditions to maintain the tortoise population, which adhere to new construction codes, across the globe. being handed out, they should Now, the ancient tortoise is headed for retirement. will continue to grow normally — even without any placing students at risk, accord- have started a process to activate Officials with the Galapagos National Park service new repatriation of juveniles,” said Washington the emergency plan,” he said. ing to Alicea. He said the govern- announced Friday their breeding program has been Tapia, director of the Giant Tortoise Restoration That didn’t happen until Tues- ment has invested money to bring so successful that it is being terminated. Diego, who’s Initiative. day’s 6.4 earthquake hit before many other schools up to date, but believed to be over 100 years old, will be released Diego is set to be released within the next few dawn. It knocked out power to the the remaining ones are not built from captivity and returned to the wild. months, after being quarantined to avoid carrying entire island, collapsed several to withstand earthquakes. Little is known about Diego’s early life. The long seeds from plants that are not native to Espanola. 12 shot, five fatally, in a single day of shootings in Baltimore

Associated Press ent gunshot wounds in a car in a a 40-year-old man, walked into a man wounded. 37-year-old man fatally wounded. northeastern section of the city. hospital seeking treatment for a A 38-year-old man was found Saturday’s violence ended BALTIMORE — Authorities said 12 people were shot, five of One victim, 28 years old, died gunshot wound to his leg. with a gunshot wound around 7 shortly before 11 p.m., when of- them fatally, in eight separate shortly after arriving at a hospital. Shortly after 2:30 p.m. Satur- p.m. Saturday in northeast Bal- ficers found a 24-year-old man weekend shootings in Baltimore. A few hours later, police respond- day, police found a man fatally timore. A shooting in southwest fatally wounded in northwest The first of Saturday’s shoot- ing to a shooting in southeast Bal- shot in southeast Baltimore. That Baltimore about an hour later left Baltimore. ings was reported at about 2:30 timore found a 46-year-old man was followed less than half an one man wounded and another The city recorded 348 homi- a.m. and involved three female with a gunshot wound to the leg. hour later by a shooting in central dead. More gunfire a few minutes cides last year, its most violent victims, all found with appar- Then, a second shooting victim, Baltimore that left a 37-year-old later in northeast Baltimore left a year on a per-capita basis. Tuesday, January 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 9 NATION Dozens allege abuse at state youth facility

BY HOLLY RAMER told that the abuse had not occurred, the Associated Press lawsuit alleges. The Associated Press doesn’t generally PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — More than two identify victims of sexual assault, but David dozen men and women say they were phys- Meehan, who is now 38, said he wanted to ically, sexually and emotionally abused as come forward publicly after realizing that children at New Hampshire’s state-run he and others were harmed not just by in- youth detention center over the course of dividual staffers but by a system. three decades, according to attorneys who “They didn’t do anything they were sup- have filed a class-action lawsuit on their posed to do to protect me as a person or any behalf. of my rights as a human being,” said Mee- The lawsuit filed Saturday in Merrimack han, the lead plantiff in the lawsuit. “The County Superior Court comes six months juvenile justice system needs some type of after two former counselors were charged oversight. I understand the need for pri- with repeatedly raping a teenage boy at the vacy to protect the children, but they have Youth Development Center in Manchester, put such a canopy over everything that we N.H., in the late 1990s. The victim in that don’t know if the kids are safe.” case is now the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit filed by attorneys representing 35 others The lawsuit names a dozen defendants, who say they were abused between 1982 including the state, the detention center and and 2014. the agencies overseeing it. It also names “This lawsuit seeks to hold the state of the two former counselors facing criminal New Hampshire and others responsible charges — Jeffrey Buskey and Stephen Murphy — and four other men who worked for the lives they forever destroyed and to CHARLES KRUPA/AP bring about system change so that this can at the center, which houses children who never happen again to another child in New have been ordered to a secure institution David Meehan is the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit accusing the State of New Hampshire,” the lawsuit states. by the juvenile justice system. Hampshire of covering up decades of sexual, physical and emotional abuse at its youth The victims who have come forward The Department of Health and Human detention center. were between 11 and 17 at the time, and the Services does not comment on pending perpetrators were both men and women, litigation, and referred questions to the at- Meehan, who was at the detention center allegedly raping and beating him almost attorney Rus Rilee told The Associated torney general’s office, which in July an- from December 1995 to January 1999, de- daily. Press. Of the 36 victims, approximately nounced a broad criminal investigation clined to discuss his time there because of In a lengthy interview , Meehan said he is 30 allege they suffered sexual, physical into the youth center, including whether the ongoing criminal case. But the lawsuit determined to stand up for other victims. and emotional abuse, were deprived of additional children were subject to physi- describes years of alleged abuse, starting “It’s about holding people accountable an education and kept in solitary confine- cal or sexual violence. The spokeswoman about a year after his arrival. Buskey, 53, for their own actions,“ he said. “I person- ment, while the rest fall into one or more of for that office said Saturday that officials is accused of gaining Meehan’s trust by ally have to face judgment for things I’ve those categories, Rilee said. They were ter- will review the lawsuit as that investiga- giving him snacks and coveted work as- done wrong, which seem petty compared rorized into keeping quiet, and even those tion continues. Attorneys for Buskey and signments, and arranging for him to play to what these guys did. Why should any of who sought help while sporting black eyes, Murphy did not respond to requests for basketball with a local high school team. us survivors carry the burden of their dirty swollen faces and bleeding genitals were comment. But by early 1998, he and Murphy were secret anymore?” Study: No regrets from most women 5 years after abortion

BY ARIANA EUNJUNG CHA A week after their abortions, criticized the Turnaway Study The Washington Post about 51% of women expressed for using an unrepresentative mostly positive emotions, 17% sample. There’s been quite a lot of re- expressed negative emotions and In a 2018 paper in Linacre search about women’s emotions 20% said they had none or few. Quarterly, the ethics journal of immediately following an abor- As time went by, the number the Catholic Medical Associa- tion. Some experience sadness, who felt few or no emotions rose tion, antiabortion activist David guilt and anger; others feel relief. sharply. At the five-year mark, Reardon describes how more For many, it’s a mix of all of these 84% reported either primarily than two-thirds of the women ap- and more. But what about in the positive emotions or none at all, proached for the study refused to long term? while 6% had primarily negative participate. Researchers from the Univer- ALASKA STATE TROOPERS/AP feelings. There was “no evidence” Of those who agreed, half sity of California at San Fran- of new negative or positive emo- dropped out. Those who reported An image made from video shows an aerial helicopter view from cisco delved into this question tions, the authors said. the highest rates of relief and hap- Thursday of a man waving near the distress signal “S.O.S.” outside in an analysis of 667 women re- Immediately after their abor- piness were the ones most likely Susitna Valley, Alaska. cruited from 30 sites across the tions, 95% of those who agreed to to remain, he argued. country as part of the Turnaway interviews said they had made the Those who reported the least Study — a landmark body of re- right decision. At five years, that relief were most likely to drop search about how abortion affects percentage increased to 99 %. Alaska man found safe out, he said. women physically, socially, emo- Rocca was careful to point out Launched in 2008, the Turn- tionally and economically. that a woman’s feelings of regret away Study’s main goal is to ex- weeks after cabin burned Starting one week after their and her judgment that an abor- abortions and then twice yearly tion was the correct decision for amine two disparate groups of Associated Press with no means of communica- after that, the women were asked her under the circumstances are women — those who had abor- tion, Steele told troopers. After tions and those who sought to ANCHORAGE, Alaska — about their feelings. The authors different things: “You can feel the terminate their pregnancies but Weeks after an Alaska man’s re- his family members and friends said they wondered about stigma emotion of regret, yet feel you did were “turned away” because mote cabin burned down, he was hadn’t heard from him for sev- and how the women would reflect what was right for you.” rescued by Alaska State Troop- eral weeks, they requested a wel- on their decisions as time passed. “What this study is showing is they were past the gestational ers who found him by a make- fare check. What they found was a surprise: that there is a small minority who limits set by the clinics and ended shift shelter with an SOS signal The trooper helicopter crew Over time, all emotions, good and do regret their abortions,” Rocca up carrying to term. The average stamped in the snow. reached the homestead at about bad, faded. said. “I in no way want to reduce age of the women at the time of Tyson Steele, 30, was picked up 11 a.m. and saw Steele waving his “A really interesting finding is the struggles of those who regret abortion was 25. Thirty-five per- Thursday in what appeared to be arms near the makeshift shelter. how the intensity of all emotions their abortions, but it is misguid- cent were white, 32% black, 21% good health at his remote home- Skwentna, with a population is so low,” said Corinne Rocca, ed to take away the options for ev- Latina, and the rest were other stead 20 miles outside of Skwen- of 35, is 70 miles northwest of lead author of the study and a eryone based on this minority.” races and ethnicities. Sixty-two tna, troopers said in a dispatch. Anchorage. UCSF associate professor of ob- That conclusion is unlikely to percent were already mothers, A mid-December fire had The trooper helicopter took stetrics, gynecology and repro- be accepted, however, by oppo- and the mean gestational age was killed his dog and left Steele Steele to Anchorage. ductive sciences. nents of abortion rights, who have 15 weeks. PAGE 10 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, January 14, 2020 AMERICAN ROUNDUP Firefighters involved in selfie to be disciplined

DETROIT — Firefight- MI ers involved in the photo taken outside a burning building will be disciplined for the “mo- mentary lapse in judgment.” Detroit Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said in a news release the 18 firefighters involved in the photo taken outside the burning building on Dec. 31 “ will be held accountable” but because of the nature of the personnel incident, he cannot give specifics on the punishments. The photo was originally post- ed on the “Detroit Fire Incidents Page” on Facebook with the cap- tion “crews take a moment to get a selfie on New Years!” In the background is a house engulfed in flames. That post has since been taken down. Zoo seeks nominations to name its new giraffe

BATON ROUGE — The LA zoo in Louisiana’s capi- tal city is asking for the public’s help to name its newest male giraffe. The Baton Rouge Zoo is hold- ing a contest for people to nomi- nate their favorite names for the facility’s latest addition, born last month. Nominations will be accepted RUSS DILLINGHAM, SUN-JOURNAL/AP through Jan. 22. Zoo staff will take those public submissions and narrow them to Now this is sled racing three finalists, which will be up for a final vote from the public Students from Jaime Spencer’s kindergarten class cheer while other students react as the winning sled crosses the finish line during a heat after that. The zoo will announce race at Sabattus Primary School during their Winter Games, on Friday, in Sabattus, Maine. the finalists and more details about the voting at a later date. posted a message on Facebook THE CENSUS opened this weekend despite the shortly after the ring vanished warmer weather in the area. Historic tavern to stay asking for helping finding the The number of drivers in Seattle given refunds after The frozen attraction is located open after deal reached band, which is engraved on the being erroneously charged when traveling through tun- in six places across North Ameri- inside with, “Because I love you.” nel tolls. The state Department of Transportation con- Richmond resident Destry ca, including in North Woodstock. NEW YORK — A 190- 65K firmed technical issues caused tolling equipment in the The castles include LED-lit sculp- Glover had found the ring in the year-old New York City tunnel on State Route 99 to charge a 25-cent photo-en- NY self-checkout lanes of a Walmart tures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tavern where scenes from the forced fee on one or more trips, KOMO-TV reported. Drivers with a “Good to Go” store. Glover returned the ring to tunnels, slides and fountains. movie “Goodfellas” were filmed pass who traveled through the tunnel from Nov. 9 to Dec. 31 will be automatically Charles McNally. will stay open thanks to a deal credited 25 cents, officials said. Melissa Smuzynski, the mar- reached by the bar’s owner and keting director for Ice Castles, his landlord, city officials said. Elk dies after eating said they would open later if con- Mayor Bill de Blasio and the corn left by landowner young woman’s lower right leg . nance was to avoid unnecessary ditions are “precarious.” Rain Queens Chamber of Commerce Everglades National Park’s translation costs and to “encour- can cause slick conditions. announced “a handshake agree- MILWAUKEE — Au- spokeswoman Allyson Gantt age assimilation” in the county . Warming weather is always a ment” between Loycent Gordon, thorities said an elk was said the student suffered two WI threat for the Ice Castles. In years the owner of Neir’s Tavern, and found dead in northern Wisconsin small puncture wounds and de- Police: Man jumping property owners Ken and Henry after it ate corn put out by a land- scribed the injury as “low pain.” past, some locations occasion- Shi. owner in a misguided attempt to Gantt said the trail is a popular between rooftops dies ally have had to cut their seasons Gordon announced last week help wildlife. spot among hikers, and alliga- short due to warmer winters. that Sunday would be the last The Department of Natural tor attacks there are extremely PHILADELPHIA — call for the pub in the Woodhaven Resources said the animal found unusual. PA Police said a man jump- Diabetic man reunited neighborhood of Queens “unless dead on Jan. 2 died from rumen ing between rooftops of a north a miracle happens.” acidosis, a direct result from County looks to repeal Philadelphia apartment build- with missing service dog eating the corn. The condition ‘English-only’ ordinance ing plunged to his death over the Man reunited with late affects deer and elk when their weekend. OCEAN SPRINGS diet is changed too rapidly from A police spokesman said wit- MS — A Mississippi man wife’s lost wedding ring WESTMINSTER nesses told officers just before 2 natural, high-fiber browse to low- with type 1 diabetes has been re- MD — Commissioners in a.m. that they were jumping be- fiber, high-carbohydrate supple- united with his missing service RICHMOND — An east- mental feeds. a Maryland county are looking tween the rooftops of their apart- IN ern Indiana man who to repeal a 2013 ordinance that ment after consuming alcohol at dog that was scared off by fire- spent months heartbroken after College student on hike made English the official lan- an event earlier in the evening. works late last month. losing his late wife’s wedding ring guage of the community. They told officers that the 23- The black Labrador retriever while out shopping has been re- is bitten by alligator The Carroll County Board of year-old man failed to make a named Bella, outfitted with a mi- united with the gold band thanks Commissioners unanimously jump and fell two stories, hitting crochip and a red and black col- to a posting on social media. MIAMI — An alligator voted to hold a public hearing his head on the ground. Charles McNally was shopping FL bit an 18-year-old col- about undoing the law, The Car- lar that identifies her as the “Best in September when the wedding lege student who was hiking with roll County Times reported. Ice Castles open despite Dog Ever,” was finally spotted ring his wife of 56 years, Barbara, a group at the Everglades Nation- The ordinance requires all less than a mile from the Cokely had worn until her death in April al Park, officials said. county documents, publications, warmer temperatures family’s home. 2018 slipped off his finger. The Miami Herald reported hearing notices and public busi- Bella is able to sense when his NORTH WOOD- The Richmond man and his that a professor and about 15 ness to be written or conducted in blood sugar is too high or low and family searched repeatedly but students were wading through English only, according to county STOCK — Organizers NH he needs to take his medicine, to no avail, for the missing ring at the water on a wet trail near the attorney Tim Burke. of annual hand-crafted ice castle the stores he’d visited that day. Pahayokee Overlook southwest Burke told the commissioners sculptures in New Hampshire Jacob Cokely, 19, said. His daughter, Angela McNally, of Miami when the reptile bit the he believed the intent of the ordi- said the popular tourist attraction From wire reports Tuesday, January 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 11 FACES Academy Awards nominees

Best picture: “Ford v Ferrari,” “The Robert Richardson, “Once Upon a Not a joke Irishman,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Joker,” “Little Time ... in Hollywood” Women,” “Marriage Story,” “1917,” Costume design: “The Irishman,” “Jojo Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,” Rabbit,” “Joker,” “Little Women,” “Once “Parasite” Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” Best actor: Antonio Banderas, “Pain Animated short film: “Dcera Comic-book villain movie and Glory”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once (Daughter),” “Hair Love,” “Kitbull,” Upon a Time ... in Hollywood”; Adam “Memorable,” “Sister” Driver, “Marriage Story”; Joaquin leads nominations for Visual effects: “Avengers: Endgame,” Phoenix, “Joker”; Jonathan Pryce, “The “The Irishman,” “The Lion King,” Two Popes” “1917,” “Star Wars: The Rise of Academy Awards with 11 Best actress: Cynthia Erivo, “Harriet”; Skywalker” Scarlett Johansson, “Marriage Story”; Live action short film: “Brotherhood,” Saoirse Ronan, “Little Women”; “Nefta Football Club,” “The Neighbors’ BY JAKE COYLE Charlize Theron, “Bombshell”; Renee Window,” “Saria,” “A Sister” Associated Press Zellweger, “Judy” Documentary short subject: “In the Todd Phillips’ much-debated supervillain origin Best supporting actor: Tom Hanks, “A Absence,” “Learning to Skateboard story and R-rated box-office smash “Joker” topped Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”; in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl),” “Life all films with 11 Academy Awards nominations, Anthony Hopkins, “The Two Popes”; Overtakes Me,” “St. Louis Superman,” while Martin Scorsese’s elegiac crime epic “The Brad Pitt, “Once Upon a Time ... in “Walk Run Cha-Cha” Hollywood”; Joe Pesci, “The Irishman”; Irishman,” Quentin Tarantino’s 1960s Los Angeles Documentary feature: “American fairy tale “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” and Al Pacino, “The Irishman” Factory,” “The Cave,” “The Edge of Sam Mendes’ World War I tale “1917” all trailed Best supporting actress: Kathy Democracy,” “For Sama,” “Honeyland” close behind with 10 nods apiece. Bates, “Richard Jewell”; Laura Dern, Original song: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Those four were among the nine films nominated “Marriage Story”; Scarlett Johansson, Again,” “Rocketman”; “I’m Standing for best picture, in nominations announced Mon- “Jojo Rabbit”; Florence Pugh, “Little With You,” “Breakthrough”; “Into The day to the 92nd Academy Awards. The others were: Warner Bros. Women”; Margot Robbie, “Bombshell” Unknown,” “Frozen II”; “Stand Up,” “Parasite,” “Little Women,” “Marriage Story,” Joaquin Phoenix and the entire “Joker” crew have Best director: Bong Joon Ho, “Harriet”; “I Can’t Let You Throw “Jojo Rabbit” and “Ford v Ferrari.” 11 potential opportunities to celebrate at the “Parasite”; Sam Mendes, “1917”; Todd Yourself Away,” “Toy Story 4” While “Joker” was expected to do well Monday, Academy Awards ceremony Feb. 9. Phillips, “Joker”; Martin Scorsese, “The International film: “Corpus Christi,” the academy’s overwhelming support for a movie Irishman”; Quentin Tarantino, “Once that was far from a critical favorite was unexpect- Poland; “Honeyland,” North Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” Macedonia; “Les Miserables,” France; ed. The film’s nominations included best actor for poised to become just the second Asian American nominated for best actress (the first, 1936 nominee Adapted screenplay: “The Irishman,” “Pain and Glory,” Spain; “Parasite,” Joaquin Phoenix and best director for Phillips. South Korea The results for “The Irishman,” “Once Upon a Merle Oberon, hid her South Asian heritage), wasn’t Steven Zaillian; “Jojo Rabbit,” Taika Time ... in Hollywood” and “1917” were nearly as nominated for her acclaimed leading performance Waititi; “Joker,” Todd Phillips, Scott Film editing: “Ford v Ferrari,” “Jojo good. in “The Farewell.” Also overlooked was “Frozen 2,” Silver; “Just Mercy,” Destin Daniel Rabbit,” “The Irishman,” “Joker,” The 10 nominations for “The Irishman” tied the the highest grossing animated film ever; Beyonce, Cretton and Andrew Lanham; “Little “Parasite” most for a Netflix film, following “Roma” last year. for her “Lion King” song; and the hit documentary Women,” Greta Gerwig; “The Two Production design: “The Irishman,” Scorsese (a one-time winner) was nominated for “Apollo 11.” Popes,” Anthony McCarten “Jojo Rabbit,” “1917,” “Once Upon a best director for the ninth time. The film also won Most glaringly, Jennifer Lopez, long considered Original screenplay: “Knives Out,” Time ... in Hollywood,” “Parasite” nods for Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and its de-aging spe- a supporting actress front-runner for her perfor- Rian Johnson; “Marriage Story,” Noah Makeup and hairstyling: “Bombshell,” cial effects. mance in “Hustlers,” was also denied her first Baumbach; “1917,” Sam Mendes and “Joker,” “Judy,” “Maleficent: Mistress of “1917” followed its Golden Globes win and strong Oscar nomination. Krysty Wilson-Cairns; “Once Upon Evil,” “1917” opening weekend at the box office with nominations Those oversights left the Oscars with their least a Time ... in Hollywood,” Quentin Sound Editing: “Ford v Ferrari,” Don not just for its technical achievement (including diverse field since the fallout of #OscarsSoWhite Tarantino; “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho Sylvester; “Joker,” Alan Robert Murray; Mendes’ directing and Roger Deakins’ cinematog- pushed the film academy to diversify its member- and Jin Won Han ship. The only actor of color nominated was British “1917,” Oliver Tarney and Rachel Tate; raphy) but for best screenplay, too. Animated feature: “How to Train Your “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,” actress Cynthia Erivo for her portrayal of Harriet “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” was also Dragon: The Hidden World”; “Toy Story Wylie Stateman; “Star Wars: The Rise Tubman in “Harriet.” nominated in just about every category it was ex- 4”; “I Lost My Body”; “Klaus”; “Missing of Skywalker,” Matthew Wood and The other nominees for best actress are: Scarlett pected to, including Tarantino for directing and Link” David Acord screenplay, best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio and Johansson, “Marriage Story”; Saoirse Ronan, “Lit- best supporting actor for Brad Pitt. tle Women”; Charlize Theron, “Bombshell”; and Original score: Hildur Guonadottir, Sound mixing: “Ad Astra,” Gary For the 87th time, the academy selected all- Renee Zellweger, “Judy.” “Joker”; Alexandre Desplat, “Little Rydstrom, Tom Johnson and Mark Ulano; “Ford v Ferrari,” Paul Massey, male directing nominees despite a year in which The nominees for best actor are: Antonio Ban- Women”; Randy Newman, “Marriage David Giammarco and Steven Morrow; deras, “Pain and Glory”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once Story”; Thomas Newman, “1917”; women made historic gains behind the camera. “Joker,” Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic The most likely candidate was Greta Gerwig (“Lit- Upon a Time ... in Hollywood”; Adam Driver, “Mar- John Williams, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” and Tod Maitland; “1917,” Mark Taylor tle Women”), who was the last woman nominated, riage Story”; Jonathan Pryce, “The Two Popes”; and Stuart Wilson; “Once Upon a Time two years ago for “Lady Bird.” “Congratulations to and Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker.” Cinematography: Rodrigo Prieto, “The ... in Hollywood,” Michael Minkler, those men,” said Issa Rae, who presented the nomi- The Academy Awards will take place without a Irishman”; Lawrence Sher, “Joker”; Christian P. Minkler and Mark Ulano nees alongside John Cho. host for the second straight year on Feb. 9 in Los Jarin Blaschke, “The Lighthouse”; There were some surprises. Awkwafina, who was Angeles. Roger Deakins, “1917”; From The Associated Press Poehler, Fey to co-host Golden Globes for the fourth time in 2021

Associated Press A total of 18.3 million viewers tuned of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” tie at $10 million with “Just Mercy.” in, a small drop over the 18.6 million who which brought in $15 million, according to “Underwater,” the deep-sea adventure Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will share watched the 2019 ceremony co-hosted by studio estimates Sunday. starring Kristen Stewart, brought in a host duties for the Golden Globes ceremo- Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg. “1917” went from just 11 screens in its tepid $7 million and finished below “Little ny in 2021. “There’s no denying that Tina and Amy’s first two weeks to more than 3,400 on the Women” ($7.7 million), which is in its third Poehler herself shared the announce- weekend after it won Golden Globes for ment at a TV critics meeting Saturday, comedic chemistry is infectious,” said week of release. It’s made $74 million. Lorenzo Soria, president of the Hollywood best director and best drama film, and just just a week after the ceremony aired with before Monday’s Academy Award nomina- Ricky Gervais as host. Foreign Press Association, which bestows Scorsese and ‘The Irishman’ the TV and movie awards. “We can’t wait tions, where it earned 10 nominations. “There are no two funnier people any- “1917” has now earned $39.2 million in honored by AARP where,” said Poehler, who introduced her- to see the dynamic duo return to the Gold- en Globes stage.” the U.S. and Canada and more than $60 self with the name of an NBC publicist who million globally. That’s of course dwarfed The Golden Globes may not have shown was to have opened the network’s daylong The date for next year’s Golden Globes much love to filmmaker Martin Scors- will be announced later, NBC said. by Disney’s total domestic take of $478.2 presentation about its programming. million for “Star Wars: The Rise of Sky- ese and his epic “The Irishman,” but the A tongue-in-cheek Poehler said the net- walker,” which is on the verge of reaching AARP has. The lengthy mobster’s tale was work was glad the pair found time in their ‘1917’ ends box-office reign $1 billion globally after four weeks. named best movie for grownups, in the busy schedules to take on the Globes. They of ‘Rise of Skywalker’ “Jumanji: The Next Level” was in third awards doled out by AARP The Magazine have hosted three times before. place in its fifth week of release with earn- on Jan. 11. Scorsese, its maker, was named At the Jan. 5 ceremony, Gervais’ snarky It took the Great War to finally take down ings of $14 million, and has totaled more best director. jokes in his fifth turn as host received “Star Wars.” than $257 million domestically. Adam Sandler won best actor for his se- mixed reviews and reactions from the ce- Director Sam Mendes’ World War I story The usual January box-office blahs were rious turn as a jeweler in “Uncut Gems.” lebrity audience. Gervais repeatedly said “1917” brought in $36.5 million in its first in effect for the week’s new releases. Renee Zellweger, who had the starring role during the ceremony that it was the last weekend of wide release, easily topping the “Like a Boss,” starring Tiffany Haddish in a biopic about Judy Garland, won best time he intended to emcee. box office and ending the three-week reign and Rose Byrne, finished in a fourth-place actress. PAGE 12 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, January 14, 2020 WORLD African force kills top militant near Lake Chad Queen agrees to Harry, Meghan move MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — A multinational African military force says it has killed a com- BY FRANK AUGSTEIN The summit at the queen’s San- intense news coverage, in which There were signs earlier in mander of the extremist group, AND DANICA KIRKA dringham estate in eastern Eng- supporters of the royal family’s the day that the House of Wind- Islamic State West African Prov- Associated Press land marked the first face-to-face feuding factions used the British sor had moved to unite. Princes ince, in an airstrike. talks with Harry since he and media to paint conflicting pic- William and Harry issued a joint Amir Khalifa Umar, an influen- SANDRINGHAM, England — Meghan unveiled the controver- tures of who was to blame for the statement criticizing a newspa- tial leader of the group was “elim- Queen Elizabeth II agreed Mon- sial plan to step back from their rift. per article on the severe strain inated” in an attack on one of the day to grant Prince Harry and royal roles. Buckingham Palace said “a in their relationship, calling the insurgents’ hideouts near Lake his wife, Meghan, their wish for “My family and I are en- range of possibilities” would be story offensive and potentially Chad known as Tunbums Sabon, a more independent life, allowing tirely supportive of Harry and discussed, but the queen was de- harmful as they embark on talks said Col. Timothy Antigha, chief them to move part-time to Cana- Meghan’s desire to create a new termined to resolve the situation regarding the future of the Brit- of public information for the Mul- da while remaining firmly in the life as a young family,’’ the queen within “days, not weeks.” Buck- ish monarchy. tinational Joint Task Force. House of Windsor. said in a statement. “Although we ingham Palace stressed, however, Though the statement didn’t Umar, the third-ranked leader The British monarch said in a would have preferred them to re- that “any decision will take time name the newspaper, the Times of the group, was killed in “ongo- statement that the summit of se- main full-time working members to be implemented.” of London had a front page story ing offensive operations against nior royals on Monday was “con- of the Royal Family, we respect One of the more fraught ques- about the crisis in which a source the Islamic State West Africa structive,” and that it had been and understand their wish to live tions that needs to be worked out alleged that Harry and Meghan Province and other purveyors “agreed that there will be a period a more independent life as a fam- is precisely what it means for a had been pushed away by the of violence and instability in the of transition’’ in which the Duke ily while remaining a valued part royal to be financially indepen- “bullying attitude from” William. Lake Chad Basin,” said Antigha. and Duchess of Sussex will spend of my family.’’ dent and what activities can be The joint statement insisted that time in Canada and the UK.” The meeting came after days of undertaken to make money. the story was “false.’’ American sentenced on drug charge in Indonesia DENPASAR, Indonesia — An Indonesian court sentenced an Sweden: American man to nine years and four months in prison on Monday after finding him guilty of selling Explosion cocaine and marijuana on the re- sort island of Bali. Police said Ian Andrew Her- not act of nandez of California was arrest- ed last May with 10 small plastic packs containing 6.6 grams of co- terrorism caine and a pack with 23.7 grams of marijuana at his rented house on the island. The raid on the Associated Press house followed a tip from a mem- ber of the community. STOCKHOLM — A predawn explosion rocked central Stock- holm Monday, causing damage Australian is 20th victim to buildings and parked cars but of New Zealand volcano no casualties. Swedish police said WELLINGTON, New Zealand explosives were used, but ruled — An Australian man who was out terrorism. injured in a volcanic eruption in The explosion occurred outside New Zealand more than a month the entrance to a building hous- ago has died, becoming the 20th ing a business and several apart- victim of the disaster, officials ments and led to the evacuation of said Monday. dozens of apartments. Paul Browitt and his two Stockholm police chief Erik daughters were caught in the Widstrand said it was “one of the Dec. 9 eruption on White Island. most powerful we have had in the The body of Krystal Browitt, 21, region.” was among six recovered from He added that no one has been the island in the days after the arrested. eruption. Sweden has in recent years seen Paul Browitt and his daughter ANDERS WIKLUND, TT NEWS AGENCY/AP explosions and shootings linked Stephanie Browitt, 23, survived the eruption and were taken to to feuding gangs, and Monday’s An explosion Monday morning in Stockholm damaged vehicles and the front of a building that includes a Alfred Hospital in their home- business and several apartments. episode could be linked to that. town of Melbourne three days after the disaster. A police statement confirmed Paul Browitt died on Sunday Accidental nuke alert sent to millions of Canadians night as a result of injuries from the eruption. A hospital statement BY ROB GILLIES ity officials sent another message more than 60 miles away in Niag- sips,” he said. “I got scared and said he had been critically ill. Associated Press saying the alert “was sent in error” ara Falls. He said he figured he went online but found no infor- and that there was “no danger to would go as far west as possible mation.” He later saw the follow- World War II bombs TORONTO — People through- the public or environment.” and then cross the border. up alert that indicated it was a defused in Germany out the Canadian province of On- “No further action is required,” “Having watched ‘Chernobyl’ false alarm. tario awoke Sunday to a cellphone said the message, which was also didn’t help,” he said, referring Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan BERLIN — Two World War II alert warning them of an “inci- sent to television screens. to the HBO show about the 1986 said he was “very troubled” by the bombs were successfully defused dent” at a nuclear plant just east in the western German city of The alert went out during a nuclear disaster in the Soviet message. He said on Twitter that of Toronto — only to later be told Dortmund on Sunday, hours after routine training exercise being Union. “The lack of communica- he spoke to provincial officials the message was a mistake. conducted by the Provincial tion following the alert didn’t help thousands of people were evacu- and demanded an investigation. The message, which was trans- Emergency Operations Centre, either,” he said. ated from the surrounding area, Terry Flynn, who teaches cri- mitted throughout the nation’s Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Many people slept through the officials said. most populous province, was Jones said in a statement that first alert and saw it was a false sis communications at McMaster The bombs were 330-pound accompanied by a shrill emer- apologized for the mistake. alarm by the time they woke up. University in Hamilton, Ontario, American and British bombs. gency broadcast noise. It said an She said the government had Jonathan Davies, also 44, was said the error runs the risk of Authorities initially thought they unspecified event had occurred started a full investigation and taken aback when he spotted the eroding public trust. had detected four bombs, but at the Pickering Nuclear Gener- would “take the appropriate steps alert while driving. But he wait- “When we have continuous later clarified that only two were ating Station. There was no ab- to ensure this doesn’t happen ed until after he picked up his problems in these systems, then found. normal release of radioactivity, it again.” Tim Hortons coffee to check the we have a lack of trust and people City officials had asked about added, and people did not need to Jim Vlahos, a 44-year-old To- news. begin to ignore them. So that’s 14,000 people to leave the areas take protective action. ronto man, awoke to the alert and “I can’t cope with much until the biggest fallout from this sce- where the bombs were buried. More than an hour later, util- quickly made a hotel reservation I have my coffee, at least a few nario,” he said. From The Associated Press Tuesday, January 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 13 WORLD Manila volcano eruption causes thousands to flee

BY JOEAL CALUPITAN companions in southern Laguna Maralit appealed for troops AND JIM GOMEZ province in an accident police and more policemen to stop dis- Associated Press said may be linked to the slippery traught residents from sneaking road conditions. back to their high-risk villages. TAGAYTAY, Philippines — The government’s disaster re- After a cleanup and ash-laden Red-hot lava gushed out of a vol- sponse agency and other officials winds shifted away from Manila, THOMAS SJOERUP, RITZAU SCANPIX/AP cano near the Philippine capital reported that more than 30,000 officials partially reopened the Pro-Hong Kong graffiti is seen Monday on the Little Mermaid statue on Monday as tens of thousands villagers have fled their homes main airport and allowed strand- in Copenhagen, Denmark. of people fled the area through in the hard-hit province of Batan- ed planes to take off Monday. heavy ash and frightening trem- gas and nearby Cavite province, Large numbers of displaced vil- ors. Experts warned that the but officials expect the number to lagers worried about the homes, eruption could get worse and swell with hundreds of thousands farms and cattle they left behind Little Mermaid statue in plans were being made to evacu- more moving out of harm’s way. and the uncertain future they ate hundreds of thousands more. Some residents could not move face. Irene de Claro, a mother of Clouds of ash blew more than out of ash-blanketed villages im- four, worried about her father, Copenhagen is defaced 62 miles north of the Taal volca- mediately due to a lack of trans- who stayed in their village in Ag- no on Sunday, reaching Manila, port and poor visibility. Others oncillo town in Batangas while the Associated Press clues in the area with flashlights the bustling capital, and forcing refused to leave their homes and rest of the family fled in panic. and a dog after the pre-dawn van- COPENHAGEN, Denmark — the shutdown of the country’s farms. “My father is missing,” de dalism was reported. No one has main airport, with more than 500 “We have a problem — our peo- Claro told The Associated Press Copenhagen’s famed Little Mer- been apprehended. flights canceled. The airport was ple are panicking due to the volca- in a school in Lemery town in maid statue was found doused The Little Mermaid was creat- partially reopened Monday after no because they want to save their Batangas. “We don’t know too with pro-Hong Kong graffiti early ed in tribute to Danish storyteller the ashfall eased. livelihood, their pigs and herds of what happened to our house be- Monday. Hans Christian Andersen. Sitting There have been no reports of cows,” Mayor Wilson Maralit of cause the ash was up to our knees. Three lines in red, reading on a rock at the entrance of the casualties or major damage so Balete town told DZMM radio. It was very dark and the ground “Free Hong Kong” were painted Copenhagen harbor since 1913, far. A truck, however, skidded “We’re trying to stop them from was constantly shaking when we on the rock on which the bronze she has been a popular target out of control and fell on its side returning and warning that the left. Most likely there’s nothing sits, next to the same text written for vandals, who have blown her on an ash-blanketed road, kill- volcano can explode again any- for us to return to. We’re back to smaller in white. off her perch, beheaded her and ing the driver and injuring three time and hit them.” zero.” Police were seen searching for painted her. PAGE 14 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, January 14, 2020 OPINION Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Sean Klimek, Europe commander US, Iran are calmer, but crisis still felt Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations Joshua M. Lashbrook, Pacific Chief of Staff BY CHRISTOPHER CLARY and harass and destroy ports upon which An Iranian air defense operator, primed to AND CAITLIN TALMADGE the U.S. would rely to deploy and resupply expect incoming U.S. military aircraft and Special to The Washington Post troops. It is difficult, if not impossible, to unable to get timely confirmation of the EDITORIAL maintain a normal tempo of military op- target’s identity, fired at a civilian jet in- espite the tragic shooting down of erations in the face of incoming missiles. stead. When actors make decisions under Terry Leonard, Editor Ukrainian International Airlines [email protected] The U.S. could shift to aircraft based stressful conditions with incomplete infor- Flight 572 near Tehran, the U.S. on Navy aircraft carriers. However, these mation — conditions that a crisis or war Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor and Iran appear to have avoided ships are themselves vulnerable, and there meets virtually by definition — they may [email protected] D an all-out war in the aftermath of the high- aren’t that many of them. Alternatively, the become more rather than less likely to use Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content profile U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian U.S. could use aircraft from more distant force. The fog of war can induce not simply [email protected] Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Iran’s re- bases, out of range of Iranian missiles. confusion but a type of worst-case think- taliatory missile strikes into Iraq did not However, this would entail longer transit ing that promotes escalation rather than Managing Editor for Presentation Sean Moores, cause any casualties, and both sides are times to target and perhaps aerial refuel- restraint. That dynamic could reemerge in [email protected] clearly trying to find an off-ramp. ing. That would mean any future campaign future conflicts in the region, or beyond. Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital However, the U.S.-Iran relationship is will require more aircraft and be costlier Ultimately, the crisis isn’t over yet. [email protected] unlikely simply to go back to business as than if Iran had not developed more-pre- Some of Iran’s own citizens are accusing usual, and the crisis has important conse- cise missiles. This situation would be dra- their government of negligence in causing quences for longer-term regional stability. matically different from the campaigns of the deaths of those aboard the Ukrainian BUREAU STAFF Iran’s missiles are getting more ac- 1991 and 2003, when U.S. bases were vir- airlines flight — the vast majority of whom curate — which may constrain future U.S. Europe/Mideast tually invulnerable to missile attack. were Iranian. Angry Iranians are taking to Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief basing and operations. the streets. Such protests can have interna- Before the recent missile attacks, many The shooting down of a passenger jet [email protected] shows that the crisis had its costs. tional consequences, as evidenced by the +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 public assessments of Iran’s missiles as- brief detention Saturday of the British am- sumed they were fairly inaccurate. Sat- Sadly, this is far from the first crisis in Pacific which one side mistook a civilian airliner bassador in Iran over alleged incitement. ellite imagery of Iran’s recent barrage Even apart from Iran’s domestic turmoil, Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief indicates that those assessments may have for its opponent’s military aircraft. Similar [email protected] incidents resulted in the shoot-down of a plenty of potential flash points remain. +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 been wrong. Iran recorded a fairly high Iran’s regional proxies remain strong and rate of likely “hits” to “misses.” The lack of Malaysian passenger plane over Ukraine in 2014; an Iranian passenger airliner over have many ways to target the U.S. and its al- Washington casualties may have been the result of Iran lies, both overtly and covertly. The Trump Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief targeting areas of the bases with fewer the Persian Gulf in 1988; and a Korean [email protected] Airlines plane that strayed into Soviet air- administration’s decision to enact new eco- personnel and more equipment, and not nomic sanctions is unlikely to coerce Iran (+1)(202)886-0033 merely dumb luck and early warning. space in 1983. The common ingredient in Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News these episodes was a crisis or war that had and may instead drive it to lash out. Iran’s [email protected] This probably shows that Iran now de- decision to recalibrate its adherence to the ploys fairly accurate short-range ballis- at least one actor in a state of high alert. When that actor received ambiguous infor- 2015 nuclear deal with world powers also CIRCULATION tic missiles, part of a global trend toward puts the country back on a collision course more accurate missiles that the Pentagon mation — such as a warning of an uniden- Mideast tified incoming aircraft — it assumed the with hawks in the U.S. and Israel. has predicted for years. The missiles are As they say, things in the Middle East Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager conceivably at least 10 times as accurate as worst. Shooting first and asking questions [email protected] can always get worse — and they very well the Soviet-origin Scud missiles that Iran later can have terrible consequences. [email protected] may. DSN (314)583-9111 and Iraq deployed against each other dur- Iran has now admitted that it was re- ing their conflict in the 1980s. sponsible for the Flight 572 mistake and Christopher Clary is assistant professor of Europe In a future conflict, Iran could use pre- that it feared that the U.S. would launch re- political science at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Caitlin Talmadge is asso- Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager cise conventional ballistic missiles to dam- taliatory strikes on Iranian territory after [email protected] ciate professor of security studies in Georgetown [email protected] age and degrade bases used by U.S. aircraft Iran hit the Iraqi bases housing U.S. forces. University’s School of Foreign Service. +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 A week of almost-war led to – what, exactly? CONTACT US BY DOYLE MCMANUS State Mike Pompeo to send a delegation to ing condition for negotiations — an easing Washington Los Angeles Times start planning a U.S. withdrawal. of U.S. sanctions that have crippled Iran’s tel: (+1)202.886.0003 The State Department dismissed that re- economy. Indeed, Pompeo announced sev- 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 WASHINGTON quest, saying U.S. troops were staying and eral new sanctions Friday, adding to more Reader letters efore our national attention span arguing that most Iraqis don’t want them than 1,000 already in place. [email protected] flits heedlessly toward impeach- to leave. This story isn’t over. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali ment, the Iowa caucuses and “A U.S. withdrawal would be a major Khamenei, has called Trump “unstable,” Additional contacts BMegxit, it’s worth pausing to re- Iranian victory,” Douglas Ollivant, who “a bully” and an unreliable negotiator. stripes.com/contactus member that the United States was on the worked on Iraq strategy under Presidents Iran-watchers think Khamenei wants to brink of war with Iran last week. Barack Obama and George W. Bush, told see Trump lose reelection — not because OMBUDSMAN Two adversaries that barely speak to me. “What’s happening (in Iraq) is far be- the ayatollah likes the Democratic candi- Ernie Gates each other managed to avoid catastrophe yond Iranian expectations.” dates, but because he wants Trump to fail, — but there’s still plenty to worry about. Ironically, getting U.S. troops out of the especially after the death of Soleimani. President Donald Trump set a new red The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow Middle East is one of the few goals Trump “The Iranians may well have decided of news and information, reporting any attempts by the line: Iranian-sponsored acts that harm has in common with Iran’s Islamic lead- on a strategy of regime change,” John W. military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s U.S. citizens will draw retaliation. ers. But he probably doesn’t want to leave Limbert, who was one of 52 American dip- independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns Iran lost a top general but reaped an and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fair- this way — run out of Baghdad while Iran’s lomats and citizens held hostage for 444 unexpected dividend: Iraq’s parliament, ness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman influence grows. Indeed, he threatened to days in Iran in 1979, ’80 and ’81, told me. welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted angered by U.S. missile strikes on Iraqi impose sanctions on Iraq, a U.S. ally, if it Iran doesn’t want to give Trump the do- by email at [email protected], or by phone at territory, voted to order U.S. forces to leave. mestic political boost he might gain from a 202.886.0003. tries to force U.S. troops out. The vote was nonbinding, but the Trump summit meeting with one of its leaders. Second, leaders in both countries say administration faces a new problem. “It’s pretty hard to see bright prospects they support diplomacy, but their brush By week’s end, Washington and Teh- for negotiations right now,” Limbert said. Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- with war worsened the prospects for ne- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday ran returned to the shadow war they’ve “The Iranians are going to want an out- through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and conducted for 40 years: U.S. economic gotiations. Trump said he was “ready to come they can paint as a victory. They want Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals sanctions against Iran, and Iranian proxy embrace peace with all who seek it,” and to say that they brought the Americans to postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send Pompeo directed U.S. embassies to avoid address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, strikes against U.S. interests in the Middle their knees. That doesn’t sound like some- APO AP 96301-5002. East. But it’s not the same old stalemate. meeting with armed Iranian opposition thing the Trump administration would be This newspaper is authorized by the Department of groups because it could be “counterpro- Defense for members of the military services overseas. It’s worse, for two reasons. interested in.” However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, First, Iran has moved closer to a long- ductive to our policy goal of seeking a com- Iran’s leaders are in no mood to make and are not to be considered as the official views of, or held strategic goal: forcing the U.S. out prehensive deal with the Iranian regime.” concessions to Trump. Instead, they may endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, Iran tried to sound reasonable, too. Rou- Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official chan- of Iraq — and eventually the rest of the look for ways to make him a one-term pres- nels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote Middle East. Iranian President Hassan hani talked with French President Em- ident, just as they believe the hostage crisis locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. Rouhani said that “the real revenge” for manuel Macron, who has tried to play the doomed President Jimmy Carter’s reelec- The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense the U.S. killing of Maj. Gen. Qassem Solei- role of mediator in the past. And Iran asked tion bid in 1980, perhaps even by sparking or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. mani on Jan. 3 would be “when America is the prime minister of its Muslim neighbor a new crisis before November. Until then, Products or services advertised shall be made available for expelled from this region and its hand of Pakistan, Imran Khan, to intercede with purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, both sides will need careful diplomacy to religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical aggression is cut off forever.” Trump — an intriguing move, since the keep hostilities from escalating again. Our handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor Iran’s allies in Iraq are trying to help former cricket star seems to have a good week of almost-war ended not in peace — of the purchaser, user or patron. him get his wish. After Baghdad’s par- relationship with the president. only a tenuous, makeshift cease-fire. liament passed a resolution to expel U.S. But none of that appears likely to get © Stars and Stripes 2020 Doyle McManus is a Washington columnist for the troops, Iraq’s caretaker prime minister, very far. Trump and Pompeo have shown Los Angeles Times and director of the journalism stripes.com Adel Abdul-Mahdi, asked Secretary of no sign they would meet Iran’s long-stand- program at Georgetown University. Tuesday, January 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 15 Looking at the news A weekly sampling of U.S. editorial cartoons

JEFF DANZIGER/Washington Post News Service

WALT HANDELSMAN/Tribune Content Agency

JEFF DANZIGER/Washington Post News Service JACK OHMAN/Washington Post Writers Group

LISA BENSON/Washington Post Writers Group PAGE 16 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Tuesday, January 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 17 SCOREBOARD/COLLEGE FOOTBALL On football Sports College basketball on AFN Sunday’s men’s scores EAST Bates 81, Wesleyan (Conn.) 80 Bridgeport 67, Daemen 64 Canisius 72, St. Peter’s 68 Playoff expansion could Go to the American Forces Cazenovia 107, Penn St.-Berks 93 Cobleskill 87, Penn St.-Harrisburg 79 Network website for the most Fisher 56, Great Lakes Christian 54, OT up-to-date TV schedules. Keuka 85, Gallaudet 77 Lancaster Bible 73, Wells 59 myafn.net Manhattan 81, Siena 69 Morrisville St. 76, Penn College 71 NYU-Poly 60, Penn St.-Abington 59 balance talent distribution Niagara 70, Iona 69 Golf Queens (NY) 87, Roberts Wesleyan 84 Quinnipiac 84, Monmouth (NJ) 70 Rider 69, Marist 52 BY RALPH D. RUSSO Notre Dame, Nebraska and other Sony Open Wichita St. 89, UConn 86, 2OT By the numbers Associated Press programs that once routinely Sunday Yale 108, Johnson & Wales (RI) 58 At Waialae Country Club SOUTH contended for national titles. Honolulu Auburn-Montgomery 99, Shorter 90 NEW ORLEANS — College There are other obstacles, and Purse: $6.6 million Averett 71, Berea 65 Yardage: 7,044; Par 70 (35-35) Berry 72, Sewanee 57 football has never had real parity. all roads seem to lead back to Final Round Centre 81, Oglethorpe 63 The playoff format was created recruiting. x-Won on first playoff hole Greensboro 76, Maryville (Tenn.) 73 to give more teams a chance to x-C. Smith, $1,188,000 70-65-66-68—269 -11 Memphis 68, South Florida 64 10 Joe Klatt, a former quarterback B. Steele, $719,400 68-66-64-71—269 -11 Miami 68, Pittsburgh 58 win the national title, but in re- at the University of Colorado and W. Simpson, $455,400 71-66-66-67—270 -10 Rhodes 85, Birmingham-Southern 80 Kevin Kisner, $277,750 69-69-64-69—271 -9 Texas Lutheran 79, Centenary 75 ality, it has highlighted how few currently a Fox analyst, said col- G. McDowell. $277,750 71-69-67-64—271 -9 Tuskegee 85, Spring Hill 57 programs can even dream of The number of national lege football has structural issues Ryan Palmer. $277,750 67-68-68-68—271 -9 William Carey 85, Stillman 77 doing so. Lanto Griffin. $214,500 71-69-68-64—272 -8 MIDWEST championships claimed that work against competitive Ted Potter, Jr.. $214,500 67-69-70-66—272 -8 Augustana (Ill.) 83, Millikin 58 Playoff expansion is regularly balance. C. Davis. $179,850 68-66-71-68—273 -7 Minnesota 75, Michigan 67 brought up as a way to level the by teams in the SEC Bo Hoag. $179,850 70-65-69-69—273 -7 N. Kentucky 96, IUPUI 71 “We operate as college football H. Norlander. $179,850 71-66-68-68—273 -7 Purdue 71, Michigan St. 42 playing field. Even though four in the past 16 years. and we try to crown a champion K. Bradley. $116,050 69-66-69-70—274 -6 Trine 79, Alma 71 teams often seem like more than C. Conners. $116,050 68-71-69-66—274 -6 UIC 76, Wright St. 72 of college football. And yet we Joel Dahmen. $116,050 74-66-68-66—274 -6 SOUTHWEST enough, the current playoff struc- have leagues operating in very Tom Hoge. $116,050 71-68-67-68—274 -6 Hendrix 73, Millsaps 66 ture exacerbates the imbalance C. Howell III. $116,050 72-67-66-69—274 -6 St. Thomas (Texas) 83, Southwestern different ways,” Klatt said. “I’m Peter Malnati. $116,050 72-66-68-68—274 -6 (Texas) 69 that limit’s the sport’s growth. H. Matsuyama. $116,050 74-67-67-66—274 -6 not saying that one is wrong and B. Snedeker. $116,050 72-67-69-66—274 -6 FAR WEST The biggest impediment to par- another is right. ... I’m just saying V. Taylor. $116,050 75-66-66-67—274 -6 Colorado 91, Utah 52 ity in college football is talent dis- 17 Oregon St. 82, Arizona 65 that overarching I don’t think that M. Anderson. $64,350 72-68-64-71—275 -5 tribution. Demographics, culture Emiliano Grillo. $64,350 70-69-67-69—275 -5 is healthy for the sport.” Sungjae Im. $64,350 69-68-67-71—275 -5 Sunday’s women’s scores and population shifts have cre- Scheduling is the most obvious C. Morikawa. $64,350 65-70-68-72—275 -5 ated a massive disparity of that The number of spots in the R. Oppenheim. $64,350 70-65-72-68—275 -5 EAST difference between conferences, Rory Sabbatini. $64,350 68-67-70-70—275 -5 Bates 65, Wesleyan (Conn.) 56 heavily favors southern schools. College Football Playoff, out Boston U. 72, Army 66 but it’s not just that. Brendon Todd. $64,350 68-70-69-68—275 -5 When it comes to recruiting, each Zach Johnson. $46,200 69-68-70-69—276 -4 Butler 47, Georgetown 46 of 24, claimed by Clemson, Current recruiting rules help M. Leishman. $46,200 68-70-71-67—276 -4 Daemen 61, Bridgeport 59 year the rich just get richer. Drexel 74, Hofstra 54 Ohio State, Oklahoma Southern schools protect their Sam Ryder. $46,200 67-68-73-68—276 -4 Playoff expansion would allow D.J. Trahan. $46,200 69-68-71-68—276 -4 Fordham 53, George Washington 47 turf, Klatt said. Unlimited unof- Brian Harman. $36,850 68-68-74-67—277 -3 Gallaudet 72, Keuka 69 every team — though some more and Alabama. Lancaster Bible 58, Wells 40 ficial visits by recruits benefit Russell Knox. $36,850 70-65-70-72—277 -3 legitimately than others — to tell M. NeSmith. $36,850 71-69-69-68—277 -3 Morrisville St. 71, Penn College 63 schools with lots of talented play- Alex Noren. $36,850 69-69-71-68—277 -3 NYU-Poly 72, Penn St.-Abington 59 recruits: “Come here and you can ers close to their campuses. Nick Taylor. $36,850 70-69-67-71—277 -3 Northeastern 72, Delaware 62 play in the playoff.” Tim Wilkinson. $36,850 68-69-70-70—277 -3 Penn St.-Berks 70, Cazenovia 67 Restrictions on satellite camps A. Ancer. $27,390 69-71-69-69—278 -2 Penn St.-Harrisburg 79, Cobleskill 67 Chuck Neinas was once the 1 further limit the access coaches Daniel Berger. $27,390 70-70-69-69—278 -2 Roberts Wesleyan 75, Queens (NY) 65 commissioner of the Big Eight M. Gellerman. $27,390 69-67-73-69—278 -2 Rutgers 69, Nebraska 65 can have to players outside their Matt Jones. $27,390 67-71-70-70—278 -2 St. Bonaventure 62, George Mason 47 and was interim commissioner of P. Rodgers. $27,390 68-69-69-72—278 -2 school’s geographic footprint. Towson 76, James Madison 75 the Big 12 when the playoff was The number of CFP title Chase Seiffert. $27,390 71-69-71-67—278 -2 Villanova 66, Xavier 54 Tweaking those rules could M. Thompson. $27,390 70-69-69-70—278 -2 Virginia 69, Boston College 52 being developed by the leaders of games in which neither J. Bramlett. $18,497 73-67-72-67—279 -1 Washington Adventist 65, Fisher 58 the FBS conferences in 2011 and help balance the scales a bit. As Kramer Hickok. $18,497 72-68-71-68—279 -1 West Virginia 68, Texas 63 Clemson nor Alabama could the NCAA allowing players R. Hoshino, $18,497 73-67-71-68—279 -1 SOUTH ’12. He has been a proponent of Jerry Kelly. $18,497 70-70-71-68—279 -1 Alabama 75, Auburn 48 an eight-team playoff, with Power played. In the first, to earn money from their names, Ben Martin. $18,497 73-68-65-73—279 -1 Auburn-Montgomery 83, Shorter 76 images and likenesses, Klatt Pat Perez. $18,497 68-73-66-72—279 -1 Berea 80, Wesleyan (Ga.) 57 Five conference champions re- Ohio State beat Oregon. Scott Piercy. $18,497 70-69-71-69—279 -1 Berry 61, Sewanee 52 ceiving automatic bids along with suggested. Jimmy Walker. $18,497 70-71-67-71—279 -1 Davidson 79, Rhode Island 67 Nate Lashley. $15,609 70-69-69-72—280 E Being the best player at Penn Dayton 65, Richmond 51 at least one team from the other Carlos Ortiz. $15,609 72-69-71-68—280 E SOURCES: AP, ncaa.com State might be more lucrative Sepp Straka. $15,609 70-69-76-65—280 E Duke 72, Virginia Tech 67 five FBS leagues. Brian Stuard. $15,609 73-68-72-67—280 E Elon 77, UNC Wilmington 53 “I think that would help encour- than being the third or fourth Rhein Gibson. $14,916 70-69-73-69—281 +1 Florida St. 78, North Carolina 64 es of reaching the playoff, then best player at Alabama. And in S. Harrington. $14,916 69-71-71-70—281 +1 Georgia Tech 49, Clemson 47 age more popularity [of the play- Harry Higgs. $14,916 73-68-72-68—281 +1 Kentucky 65, Florida 45 off], because during the regular fewer elite players will play in turn, being the best player at J. Niemann. $14,916 71-70-71-69—281 +1 LSU 52, Mississippi 44 the Pac-12. And that will make it North Carolina might be more A. Putnam. $14,916 69-67-73-72—281 +1 Louisville 75, Wake Forest 61 season, the importance of being a H. Swafford. $14,916 69-67-75-70—281 +1 Mary Baldwin 66, Greensboro 52 conference champion is actually even less likely for Pac-12 teams lucrative than being third-best at Miami 77, Syracuse 62 to make the playoff. Penn State. NC Wesleyan 78, Pfeiffer 63 increased,” Neinas said. Oglethorpe 60, Centre 54 This year the list of elite teams Not everyone sees Southern The growing divide is not just Deals Rhodes 66, Birmingham-Southern 63 dominance as a potential problem between conferences — the gap is South Carolina 93, Vanderbilt 57 included LSU, Clemson and Spring Hill 72, Tuskegee 67 Ohio State. Oklahoma made the for college football. widening within leagues, too. The Sunday’s transactions Tennessee 73, Georgia 56 ESPN’s Rece Davis said the very best teams have separated Texas Lutheran 69, Centenary 58 final four, but was clearly not in BASEBALL Wichita St. 61, East Carolina 53 that class. The Tigers from the best teams in college football from the rest — whether its Clem- American League William & Mary 85, Coll. of Charleston now have a long reach when it son in the ACC, Ohio State in the NEW YORK YANKEES — Designated 60 Southeastern Conference and the LHP Stephen Tarpley for assignment. William Carey 67, Stillman 57 comes to recruiting the bluest of Big Ten or Oklahoma in the Big BASKETBALL Tigers from the Atlantic Coast William Peace 67, Averett 58 National Basketball Association Conference meet Monday night blue-chippers. 12. Throw in Alabama, and those WASHINGTON WIZARDS — Waived F MIDWEST “I think what’s happening is four schools have nabbed 17 of CJ Miles. Signed C Anzejs Pasecniks to a Cincinnati 81, UCF 64 at the Superdome in the sixth edi- multiyear contract and F Johnathan Wil- DePaul 74, St. John’s 69 tion of College Football Playoff that the sport is becoming more the 24 playoff bids over the first liams to a two-way contract. Drake 73, S. Illinois 65 national, but it’s doing so with six years of the system. FOOTBALL Illinois 74, Minnesota 71 championship game. National Football League Iowa 91, Indiana 85 Clemson is trying to make it brands that are regional only be- The more radical idea of de- DENVER BRONCOS — Fired offensive Loyola of Chicago 58, Indiana St. 51 cause they have state names at- creasing the scholarship limit in coordinator Rich Scangarello. Marquette 81, Seton Hall 60 three national titles in four sea- MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Signed RB Maryland 77, Michigan 49 sons. LSU is looking for its third tached to them,” Davis said. “But football from 85 to maybe 80 or 75 Tony Brooks-James, QB Jake Browning, Michigan St. 69, Wisconsin 52 WR Davion Davis, TE Brandon Dillon and Millikin 75, Augustana (Ill.) 71 in 17 years, and the SEC’s 11th in Alabama is a national brand. LSU has also been floated as an option CBs Mark Fields, Kemon Hall and Marcus Missouri St. 80, N. Iowa 66 the period. is going to become that. I think to keep teams from stockpiling Sayles to reserve/future contracts. NC State 90, Notre Dame 56 Clemson has become that.” talent. HOCKEY Northwestern 61, Purdue 56 This will be the fifth straight National Hockey League Ohio St. 80, Penn St. 70 season the title game will match Ohio State is in that class, the Playoff expansion seems in- NHL — Fined N.Y. Rangers D Jacob S. Dakota St. 100, Purdue Fort Wayne one school above the Mason- evitable, though unlikely until Trouba $5,000 for slashing. 69 two teams from the Southeast. CALGARY FLAMES — Recalled D Alex- Trine 56, Alma 38 Include the Bowl Champion- Dixon line consistently recruiting after the 2025 season, when the ander Yelesin from Stockton (AHL). UMKC 56, New Mexico St. 52 ship Series days and seven of the at that level. Georgia has moved media rights contract with ESPN DETROIT RED WINGS — Recalled G VCU 65, Saint Louis 52 Calvin Pickard from Grand Rapids (AHL) Valparaiso 88, Evansville 66 last nine national championship toward that class while not being expires. And change is likely under emergency conditions. W. Illinois 82, Denver 75 NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Mutually games have featured only teams able to get past SEC West powers coming to rules regarding com- SOUTHWEST agreed to part ways with general man- from the Deep South. Alabama and LSU. pensation for name, image and ager Ray Shero. Assigned G Evan Cormi- Arkansas 90, Missouri 73 er to Binghamton (AHL). Recalled G Cory Baylor 94, Oklahoma St. 48 Back in December, Pac-12 Media, both traditional and so- likeness, but, again, it will take a Schneider to Binghamton. Millsaps 62, Hendrix 54 Commissioner Larry Scott said cial, allows all schools to put their while. NEW YORK RANGERS — Assigned F Ste- South Florida 68, Tulsa 52 ven Fogarty to Hartford (AHL). Recalled F TCU 73, Kansas 59 the conference being left out of the brands in front of players who live For now, major college football Phillip Di Giuseppe from Hartford. FAR WEST playoff four times in six years was outside their traditional, regional will remain a sport where a small COLLEGE Arizona St. 55, Oregon St. 47 ILLINOIS — DE Oluwole Betikuu Jr. de- Oregon 71, Arizona 64 “harmful” to its image and brand. recruiting territory. upperclass competes for the na- clared for the NFL draft. Stanford 79, California 65 MIAMI — Graduate PK Jose Borregales UCLA 65, Colorado 62 If elite players believe playing in That should give some hope tional championship and the rest is transferring from FIU. Utah 67, Southern Cal 65 the Pac-12 decreases their chanc- to fans of Oklahoma, Michigan, relish the consolation prizes. PAGE 18 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, January 14, 2020 GOLF/COLLEGE BASKETBALL Hawaiian surprise: Smith wins playoff for Sony Open title

BY DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press HONOLULU — Two weeks in Hawaii brought rain, unusu- ally strong wind, playoffs and two players who thought victory was out of reach until the winner’s lei was draped around their necks. Cameron Smith was the latest Sunday at the Sony Open. He might have been even more surprised than Justin Thomas, who got a second chance when he won a playoff at Kapalua. “Two or three holes left, I real- ly didn’t think there was much of a shot,” Smith said after his play- off victory over Brendan Steele MICHAEL CONROY/AP on rain-soaked Waialae Country Purdue forward Trevion Williams, left, drives against Michigan State forward Thomas Kithier during the Club. “I knew I had to play some MATT YORK/AP Boilermakers’ 71-42 rout Sunday of the No. 8 Spartans in West Lafayette, Ind. good golf. It just kind of all fell into place.” Cameron Smith, down two He twice pulled within shot of strokes with two holes to play, Top 25 roundup the lead at various points Sun- defeated Brendan Steele in a day, but it looked like a lost cause playoff Sunday at the Sony Open when Steele had a two-shot lead in Honolulu. with two holes to play. “I thought I had to birdie 17 and By the numbers Unranked Boilermakers then do something really good on 18,” Smith said. “You never know what can happen.“ Just about everything did in the final hour, which is about how long it took to play the last two 21 holes. It rained every day since clobber No. 8 Spartans Tuesday, and the rain was so steady on Sunday the PGA Tour Birdies Sony Open winner moved the hole location from its Cameron Smith made Associated Press traditional spot to higher ground, career-high 30 points and the lasted the host Huskies in double during the tournament, host Gophers went on a late 11-0 overtime. and the green still had to be rolled WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. run to beat the Wolverines. with sponges between groups. raising $10,500 for the — Trevion Williams scored 16 Jaime Echenique led four Wich- Marcus Carr had 21 points and Steele missed a 6-foot par putt Australian fires relief fund. points and Purdue held No. 8 ita State players in double figures 12 assists for Minnesota (9-7, 3- on the 17th, and his lead was Michigan State to its two lowest with 19 points before fouling out. 3 Big Ten), while Alihan Demir down to one shot. scoring halves of the season and Dexter Dennis and Erik Steven- In the group ahead, Webb lowest point total in nearly eight scored 13 points. son each scored 16 for the Shock- Simpson’s wedge into the par-5 years with a 71-42 upset. Zavier Simpson had 19 points ers (15-1, 3-0 American Athletic 15 and nine assists for Michigan (11- 18th skipped off a sheen of water The Boilermakers (10-7, 4-3 Conference), who have won nine and settled 15 feet behind the hole Big Ten) snapped a two-game 5, 2-3). straight games. for a birdie attempt he narrowly Strokes Smith made up to skid by picking up their second Eli Brooks hit a three-pointer Christian Vital scored 25 points with 3:20 to play to put the Wol- missed. He shot 67. win the tournament. He win this season over a Top 10 foe. for UConn (10-6, 1-3). Ryan Palmer never had that They also beat defending national verines ahead 65-64. But Oturu Oregon State 82, No. 24 opportunity. His fairway metal was 4-over after two holes champion Virginia on Dec. 4. answered on the other end with Arizona 65: Tres Tinkle scored from a bunker sailed so far right on Thursday yet finished at Cassius Winston finished with a basket in the low post to give 20 points and the host Beavers that he hit the metal railing atop 11-under par. 10 points to lead the Spartans (13- Minnesota the lead for good with pulled away to beat the Wildcats. a massive video screen, sailed 4, 5-1) but also had nine turnovers 3 minutes left. Ethan Thompson added 18 well to the right of the corporate as Michigan State’s eight-game No. 21 Memphis 68, South points and eight assists for Or- tents and was lost, presumably in SOURCE: Associated Press winning streak ended. The Spar- Florida 64: Precious Achiuwa egon State (12-4, 2-2 Pac-12). had 22 points and 11 rebounds a back yard. He had to go back to tans, who were 4½-point road fa- Zeke Nnaji led Arizona (11-5, and the Tigers rallied from a 14- the bunker and made bogey for a advantage with a great drive that vorites, hadn’t lost since Dec. 3. 1-2) with 18 points and nine re- point second-half deficit to beat 68. left him 88 yards away in the fair- They were held almost 40 points bounds. The Wildcats, who lost the host Bulls and stop a two- Steele was trying to figure way, with Smith over by the trees below their season scoring aver- at No. 9 Oregon in overtime on in the right rough. Smith chased game losing streak. out what happened to Palmer, age of 81.3. Thursday night, are winless on a shot low and onto the green to Tyler Harris finished with 17 and then he did the opposite. He “Probably the worst beating the road this season. 10 feet. points for Memphis (13-3, 2-1 pulled a 2-iron so wildly to the I’ve taken as a coach,” Michigan No. 25 Colorado 91, Utah left that it was near the ropes lin- Steele, so used to having a blast American Athletic Conference), State coach Tom Izzo said. “I 52: Tyler Bey and Evan Bat- ing the 10th fairway. After a free of wind in his face on that hole, think that was great pressure by which held USF (8-9, 1-3) score- tey recorded double-doubles drop, he hit wedge off the muddy tried to get a shot to the back tier Purdue. I thought (Purdue coach) less from the field for the final and McKinley Wright IV had 16 lie to 30 feet, taking a reasonable toward the pin, because anything Matt (Painter) did one hell of a 6:37. Lester Quinones scored 13 points, eight assists and seven birdie putt out of the equation. less would spin back to the lower job.” for the Tigers, who trailed 51-37 His par gave him a 71 and opened tier. Instead, it sailed over the The game was never really with 13 minutes left. rebounds as the Buffaloes routed the way for Smith. green, he chipped some 15 feet by close. Achiuwa’s three-point play the host Utes. The 26-year-old Australian de- the hole and missed his par putt. The Boilermakers scored the gave Memphis its first lead since Wearing 1960s throwback uni- livered with a long bunker over And there was Smith, who an first five points then seized con- midway through the first half, forms, Colorado (13-3, 12-1 Pac- the forming puddles to 8 feet, and hour or so earlier had stood on trol with a 12-0 run that gave and the 6-foot-9 freshman put 12) put an old-fashioned whooping Smith poured it in for a 68 to force the 17th tee wondering how he them a 19-4 lead. the Tigers ahead for good, 63-61, on its rivals. the second straight playoff in Ha- could win from two shots behind, “I just thought they never really with 1:40 remaining. Sophomore forward Timmy waii, and the third straight dating and now was two putts and 10 feet quite got into a rhythm,” Painter David Collins led the Bulls with Allen, who leads the Pac-12 in to end of last year. away from a PGA Tour victory. said. “I don’t want to put that on 24 points. scoring at 21.1 points per game, Equally hard was the playoff “My first individual win on the them or give us the credit. A lot of No. 23 Wichita State 89, had seven of Utah’s first nine hole, which was No. 10 because PGA Tour, it’s definitely going times it’s something in between.” UConn 86, 2 (OT): The Shock- points but didn’t score again. of the water on the 18th green. to be one I never forget,” Smith Minnesota 75, No. 19 Michi- ers blew a nine-point lead in the Riley Battin led the Utes (10-5, 1- Steele again looked to have the said. gan 67: Daniel Oturu scored a final minute of regulation but out- 2) with eight points. Tuesday, January 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 19 NBA Scoreboard

Eastern Conference Jokic, Nuggets hold off Clippers Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Boston 26 11 .703 — Toronto 25 14 .641 2 Philadelphia 25 15 .625 2½ LA’s 4th-quarter Brooklyn 18 20 .474 8½ New York 11 29 .275 16½ Southeast Division Miami 27 12 .692 — rally falls short Orlando 18 21 .462 9 Charlotte 15 27 .357 13½ Washington 13 26 .333 14 Atlanta 8 32 .200 19½ Central Division BY PAT GRAHAM Milwaukee 35 6 .854 — Associated Press Indiana 24 15 .615 10 Chicago 14 26 .350 20½ Detroit 14 26 .350 20½ DENVER — The Denver Nug- Cleveland 12 27 .308 22 gets put an ugly loss behind them Western Conference with a statement win over a top- Southwest Division tier team. W L Pct GB Nikola Jokic had 20 points and Houston 26 12 .684 — Dallas 24 15 .615 2½ 15 rebounds, and the Nuggets Memphis 18 22 .450 9 withstood a big rally to beat the San Antonio 17 21 .447 9 New Orleans 14 26 .350 13 Los Angeles Clippers 114-104 on Northwest Division Denver 27 12 .692 — Sunday night. Utah 27 12 .692 — This bounce-back perfor- Oklahoma City 22 17 .564 5 Portland 16 24 .400 11½ mance was just what they need- Minnesota 15 23 .395 11½ ed to soothe their psyche after a Pacific Division L.A. Lakers 32 7 .821 — clunker the night before against a L.A. Clippers 27 13 .675 5½ struggling Cleveland squad. Phoenix 16 23 .410 16 Sacramento 15 24 .385 17 “We looked like a totally differ- Golden State 9 32 .220 24 ent team less than 24 hours later,” Saturday’s games Houston 139, Minnesota 109 guard Monte Morris said. Chicago 108, Detroit 99 The moral was easy to deci- Boston 140, New Orleans 105 L.A. Lakers 125, Oklahoma City 110 pher: “We have to come to play Dallas 109, Philadelphia 91 against teams we’re supposed to Cleveland 111, Denver 103 Milwaukee 122, Portland 101 beat,” Morris said. “Because we Sunday’s games New York 124, Miami 121 always show up against teams we Utah 127, Washington 116 know that can beat us.” Brooklyn 108, Atlanta 86 Memphis 122, Golden State 102 Trailing by as many 20 points San Antonio 105, Toronto 104 in the second half, Los Angeles Phoenix 100, Charlotte 92 JACK DEMPSEY/AP Denver 114, L.A. Clippers 104 had pulled within six with 1:11 Monday’s games remaining when Patrick Bev- New Orleans at Detroit Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, front, drives his head into Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac during Philadelphia at Indiana erley was called for a foul on Sunday’s game in Denver. Jokic had 20 points and 15 rebounds in the Nuggets’ 114-104 win. Chicago at Boston Jokic. After the Nuggets big man Oklahoma City at Minnesota Charlotte at Portland made a pair of free throws, Clip- quarter when Montrezl Har- from there. season when George did not play. Orlando at Sacramento pers coach Doc Rivers argued Cleveland at L.A. Lakers rell got whistled for an offensive The defensive standout of the This contest marked the first of Tuesday’s games with official Nick Buchert. Riv- charge when he stepped in front game was Grant, who had two big three between two of the upper- Phoenix at Atlanta ers was given two technical fouls Utah at Brooklyn of Jerami Grant as Grant guard- blocks on Leonard. echelon teams in the Western Houston at Memphis and tossed from the game. Jamal ed Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers “A couple of great blocks at Conference. New York at Milwaukee Cleveland at L.A. Clippers Murray hit both free throws to re- were in the midst of a 10-0 run . the rim you don’t see very often Gary Harris showed signs of Dallas at Golden State store some much-needed breath- “The pick was solid,” Riv- against Kawhi,” Nuggets coach breaking out of a shooting slump Wednesday’s games Brooklyn at Philadelphia ing room. ers said. “The bottom line is I Michael Malone said. by scoring 15 points but didn’t Detroit at Boston “Listen, coaches can lose their shouldn’t get a tech. That’s No. 1. Leonard finished with 30 play late. He’s been diligently San Antonio at Miami Indiana at Minnesota composure, so can officials,” Riv- That’s on me.” points, while Lou Williams had working on his jumper after Toronto at Oklahoma City ers explained. “There’s no way I Washington at Chicago Murray finished with 19 points 26 and Harrell added 25. shooting 25.6% over his last four Charlotte at Denver should have been thrown out of and reserve Michael Porter Jr. The Clippers played without games. He was 5-for-9 against Portland at Houston the game.” Dallas at Sacramento provided a spark by scoring 13 for star forward Paul George, who the Clippers. Orlando at L.A. Lakers Rivers had reached his boil- the Nuggets, who made their last missed a second straight game “The focus was there. The en- Calendar ing point. He was still seething field goal with 6:12 remaining. with a strained left hamstring. ergy was there,” Jokic said. “It from a crucial call earlier in the They went 9 of 10 on free throws Los Angeles dropped to 8-6 this was a big victory for us.” Feb. 6 — Trade deadline (3 p.m. EST) Feb. 14-16 — All-Star weekend, Chicago. April 15 — Regular season ends. Roundup April 18 — Playoffs begin. May 19 — Draft lottery, Chicago. May 21-24 — Draft combine, Chicago. June 4 — NBA Finals begin. June 25 — NBA draft. Leaders Irving returns to help Nets rout Hawks Scoring G FG FT PTS AVG Harden, HOU 37 405 396 1395 37.7 Associated Press Jazz 127, Wizards 116: Bojan Bogdonovic er struggled from the floor, shooting 3 of 12. Antetokounmpo, MIL 38 417 236 1133 29.8 scored 31 points, Rudy Gobert added 21 points He had 12 points and nine assists. Doncic, DAL 35 330 257 1020 29.1 NEW YORK — Kyrie Irving scored 21 Young, ATL 36 335 248 1042 28.9 and 14 rebounds and Utah beat host Washing- Deandre Ayton added 18 points and nine re- Beal, WAS 32 304 200 887 27.7 points in 20 minutes of an easy return from ton for its ninth straight victory. bounds for Phoenix. Davis, LAL 35 330 250 948 27.1 a two-month absence with an injured right Lillard, POR 38 317 253 1016 26.7 Bradley Beal scored 25 points for the Wiz- Grizzlies 122, Warriors 102: Jonas Valan- Booker, PHX 36 324 213 928 25.8 shoulder, leading the Brooklyn Nets to a 108- Leonard, LAC 30 273 174 773 25.8 86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. ards after missing give games with right leg ciunas had 31 points and a season-high 19 re- James, LAL 37 359 141 939 25.4 soreness. bounds and Memphis handed visiting Golden Rebounds Irving shot 10-for-11 G OFF DEF TOT AVG Spurs 105, Raptors 104: DeMar DeRo- State its eighth straight loss. Drummond, DET 38 169 434 603 15.87 from the field after miss- Gobert, UTA 37 134 398 532 14.38 zan scored 25 points, Rudy Gay had 15 and Valanciunas was 13 of 17 from the field, in- Capela, HOU 31 129 316 445 14.35 ing 26 games with an Whiteside, POR 36 148 355 503 13.97 impingement. The shoul- visiting San Antonio overcame an 18-point cluding a three-pointer to help the Grizzlies Sabonis, IND 36 120 350 470 13.06 der looked fine and his deficit to beat Toronto. win their fifth straight. Jaren Jackson Jr. fin- Assists G AST AVG handle looked as good as The Spurs used a big fourth quarter to win ished with 21 points, and Ja Morant had 11 James, LAL 37 397 10.7 for the third time in four games. Derrick points and 10 assists. Rubio, PHX 33 306 9.3 ever while he dribbled Doncic, DAL 35 315 9.0 his way around a hope- White scored 13 points for San Antonio, and D’Angelo Russel led the Warriors with 34 Simmons, PHI 38 323 8.5 LaMarcus Aldridge had 11. DeRozan also had points in his return from a right shoulder Young, ATL 36 304 8.4 less Atlanta defense. Steals Energized by his re- eight rebounds and four assists against his injury. G STL AVG former team. Knicks 124, Heat 121: Julius Randle Simmons, PHI 38 83 2.18 turn that still seemed a Dunn, CHI 40 81 2.03 ways away just a week Serge Ibaka had 21 points and a season- scored 26 points, RJ Barrett chipped in 23 Drummond, DET 38 73 1.92 Irving Butler, MIA 34 65 1.91 ago, the Nets led by 39 high 15 rebounds for the Raptors. Kyle Lowry and New York rallied to beat Miami. Leonard, LAC 30 57 1.9 points and won their sec- had 16 points and a season-high 15 assists. Kevin Knox had 17 points off the bench and VanVleet, TOR 31 59 1.9 Blocks ond straight after dropping seven in a row. Suns 100, Hornets 92: Kelly Oubre Jr. Reggie Bullock added 16 to help the Knicks G BLK AVG Cam Reddish scored 20 points for the had 25 points and 15 rebounds in host Phoe- snap a five-game losing streak. Whiteside, POR 36 104 2.89 Davis, LAL 35 90 2.57 Hawks. They played without star guard Trae nix’s victory over Charlotte. Jimmy Butler had 25 points and 10 re- Lopez, MIL 39 96 2.46 Oubre scored 15 points in the second half bounds for the Heat. They blew a lead down Isaac, ORL 32 78 2.44 Young because of a left hamstring injury and Porzingis, DAL 31 66 2.13 lost their fourth straight. on a night when Suns star guard Devin Book- the stretch for the second time . PAGE 20 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, January 14, 2020 NHL Devils fire GM, end Lightning win streak Scoreboard Eastern Conference Atlantic Division BY TOM CANAVAN GP W L OT Pts GF GA Boston 46 27 8 11 65 154 119 Associated Press Tampa Bay 45 27 14 4 58 162 130 Toronto 46 24 16 6 54 166 153 Florida 45 24 16 5 53 166 152 NEWARK, N.J. — The New Buffalo 46 20 19 7 47 136 147 Jersey Devils are starting to play Montreal 46 19 20 7 45 143 148 Ottawa 45 16 22 7 39 121 154 their best hockey of the season Detroit 46 12 31 3 27 100 175 and it cost the Tampa Bay Light- Metropolitan Division Washington 46 30 11 5 65 164 138 ning their franchise-record tying Pittsburgh 45 28 12 5 61 154 122 10-game winning streak. N.Y. Islanders 43 27 12 4 58 122 111 Carolina 45 27 16 2 56 150 123 The improved play wasn’t Philadelphia 45 23 16 6 52 140 137 Columbus 46 22 16 8 52 121 124 enough to save the job of Devils N.Y. Rangers 44 21 19 4 46 146 149 general manager Ray Shero. New Jersey 45 17 21 7 41 120 156 Louis Domingue stopped 26 shots against his former team as Western Conference Central Division the Devils handed the Lightning GP W L OT Pts GF GA their first loss since Dec. 21 with St. Louis 46 29 10 7 65 148 124 Dallas 45 26 15 4 56 121 107 a 3-1 victory Sunday night. Colorado 45 25 15 5 55 162 134 The Devils’ second win in two Winnipeg 46 24 18 4 52 141 140 Nashville 44 21 16 7 49 150 145 days — they beat Washington on Minnesota 45 20 19 6 46 135 150 Saturday — came with a bizarre Chicago 46 20 20 6 46 134 150 Pacific Division twist. Shero was fired by owner Calgary 47 25 17 5 55 131 139 Josh Harris earlier in the af- Arizona 48 25 18 5 55 136 125 Vancouver 46 25 17 4 54 155 143 ternoon and most of the players Vegas 48 24 18 6 54 149 145 didn’t find out until 90 minutes Edmonton 47 24 18 5 53 144 148 San Jose 47 21 22 4 46 126 153 before the opening faceoff. Los Angeles 47 18 25 4 40 118 146 “You beat two of the best teams Anaheim 45 17 23 5 39 115 143 Note: Two points for a win, one point in the league back-to-back nights, for overtime loss. Top three teams in each division and two wild cards per prove to yourself you got what conference advance to playoffs. it takes in this locker room and Saturday’s games ADAM HUNGER/AP Vancouver 6, Buffalo 3 that’s a lot of fun,” forward Blake Carolina 2, Los Angeles 0 Coleman said. “On the other side The New Jersey Devils’ Jesper Boqvist lies on the ice while teammate Kevin Rooney battles with Tampa Boston 3, N.Y. Islanders 2, OT Montreal 2, Ottawa 1, OT of the coin, a great leader isn’t Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, left, and wing Nikita Kucherov during the first period of the Tampa Bay 1, Philadelphia 0 with us anymore and he’s the rea- Devils’ 3-1 win Sunday in Newark, N.J. The Lightning had won 10 straight. New Jersey 5, Washington 1 St. Louis 5, N.Y. Rangers 2 son we’re all in this room.” Chicago 4, Anaheim 2 Travis Zajac, Andy Greene and “We’ve been playing some “It’s such an important game close in the opening minute and Calgary 4, Edmonton 3 Columbus 3, Vegas 0 Miles Wood scored for the disap- pretty good hockey,” Johnson for me.” Domingue said. “Not only Greene tied the game at 3:10 with San Jose 2, Dallas 1 pointing Devils, who made the said. “The schedule hasn’t been am I playing against my old team, a shot from the left point for his Sunday’s games Nashville 1, Winnipeg 0 playoffs once in Shero’s four-plus too kind to us. It’s up to us to I am trying to stick in this league first goal of the season. Vancouver 4, Minnesota 1 year tenure. They fired coach Buffalo 5, Detroit 1 throw those together and play and show that I can play. It’s a It also was the first goal allowed Pittsburgh 4, Arizona 3, SO John Hynes in early December. complete team games. It says a daily thing. It’s not something by the Lightning in 169:05. They Florida 8, Toronto 4 Tyler Johnson scored for the New Jersey 3, Tampa Bay 1 lot about us. I think we’ve grown. you do over time. You have to do had shut out Arizona and Phila- Monday’s games Lightning, who tied their con- Tonight wasn’t our night. Now we it every single day. A lot at stake delphia in their last two games. Calgary at Montreal N.Y. Islanders at N.Y. Rangers secutive wins record on Saturday turn the page and hopefully start tonight. I can’t even describe the Wood scored into an empty net Boston at Philadelphia with a 1-0 win over Philadelphia. all over.” feeling I have right now. It’s like with a second to play. Carolina at Washington Anaheim at St. Louis Curtis McElhinney made 17 Domingue, who was 21-5-0 with winning my first game all over “I feel we have beaten a lot of Tuesday’s games saves in getting the start in place the Lightning last season before again.” good teams lately,” Zajac said. Vegas at Buffalo Boston at Columbus of Andrei Vasilevskiy, who had being shipped to New Jersey on After a scoreless first period, “Those games feel good when Detroit at N.Y. Islanders shutouts in the last two games. Nov. 1, started both games during the teams traded goals early in you do it. It just gives you con- Minnesota at Pittsburgh Los Angeles at Tampa Bay The winning streak was tied the weekend. He made a save on the second. fidence when you know you New Jersey at Toronto for the longest in the league this a Nikita Kucherov from the slot in Zajac got the game winner, de- can play against some of these Chicago at Ottawa Vancouver at Winnipeg season. The Islanders also won 10 the later half of the second period flecting a shot by Nikita Gusev. elite teams that are Stanley Cup San Jose at Arizona in a row. to preserve the lead. Johnson beat Domingue in contenders.” Dallas at Colorado Nashville at Edmonton Wednesday’s games Chicago at Montreal Roundup Philadelphia at St. Louis Scoring leaders Through Sunday GP G A PTS Saros, Turris lead Predators past Jets Connor McDavid, EDM 47 25 46 71 Leon Draisaitl, EDM 47 25 45 70 Nathan MacKinnon, COL 45 27 39 66 David Pastrnak, BOS 46 35 30 65 Brad Marchand, BOS 46 20 42 62 Associated Press I mean, we’ve got to right the ship and figure Mike Matheson and Josh Brown also scored Artemi Panarin, NYR 44 24 38 62 out what to do, but we’ve had success here for in Florida’s highest-scoring game of the sea- Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA 44 17 42 59 WINNIPEG, Manitoba — John Hynes is Jack Eichel, BUF 44 27 31 58 a long time. I don’t think it’s a long-term issue, son. Chris Driedger made 43 saves. Patrick Kane, CHI 46 24 33 57 getting quality play from his goaltenders but definitely something we got to worry about Mitch Marner scored twice for the Maple John Carlson, WSH 46 13 42 55 since taking over as head coach of the Nash- Auston Matthews, TOR 45 31 23 54 for next game.” Leafs, and Zach Hyman had a goal and two Mark Scheifele, WPG 45 22 29 51 ville Predators on Tuesday. Nashville captain Roman Josi had his points assists. John Tavares also scored. Toronto Nikita Kucherov, TB 43 17 32 49 Hynes was behind the bench Sunday for Elias Pettersson, VAN 45 20 27 47 streak end at 12 games. He had 20 points goaltender Frederik Andersen allowed four 3 tied with 46 pts. his third game and watched as backup Juuse (seven goals and 13 assists) during the career- goals on 12 shots before he was pulled 49 sec- Saros made 28 saves for his first shutout of high run and franchise record for defense- onds into the second period. Michael Hutchin- Goaltenders goals against the season in a 1-0 victory over the Winnipeg Through January 12 men. It was the NHL’s longest active streak. son stopped 13 shots. Name, Team GP MINS GA AVG Jets. Penguins 4, Coyotes 3 (SO): Teddy Canucks 4, Wild 1: Elias Pettersson scored Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh 22 1267 44 2.08 On Thursday night, veteran netminder Anton Khudobin, Dallas 19 1070 38 2.13 Blueger scored the deciding goal in the eighth his 21st goal and fellow All-Star Jacob Mark- Darcy Kuemper, Arizona 25 1517 55 2.17 Pekka Rinne scored his first career goal in a round of the shootout to lift Pittsburgh to a stom stopped 23 shots in Vancouver’s victory Ben Bishop, Dallas 29 1633 61 2.24 5-2 victory over Chicago. Ilya Samsonov, Wash. 16 935 35 2.25 win at Arizona. at Minnesota. Tuukka Rask, Boston 27 1636 62 2.27 “I thought the guys in front of (Saros) de- Jared McCann, Patric Hornqvist and Bran- Bo Horvat added two goals — the second fended really well, but any time a goaltender don Tanev scored in regulation to help the into an empty net with 5.7 seconds left — and Calendar gets a shutout he’s got to make some huge Penguins sweep a three-game Western trip. Troy Stecher also scored for the Canucks. Jan. 26 — All-Star Game, St. Louis. Feb. 15 — NHL Stadium Series: Los An- saves,” said Hynes, who’s 2-1-0 with a loss to Tristan Jarry had 25 saves. They’ve won nine of 11 and picked up their geles Kings at Colorado Avalanche, Air Boston on the day he took over from a fired Taylor Hall had a goal and an assist for the second win in two days. Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. Feb. 24 — Trade deadline (3 p.m. EST) Peter Laviolette. Coyotes. Conor Garland and Derek Stepan Sabres 5, Red Wings 1: Evan Rodrigues March 2-4 — General managers meet- The Predators are 3-1-1 in their past five also scored, and Adin Hill made 30 saves. scored twice in the first five minutes and Buf- ing, Boca Raton, Fla. April 4 — Regular season ends. games to improve to 21-16-7. Panthers 8, Maple Leafs 4: Jonathan Hu- falo cruised to a win at NHL-worst Detroit. April 8 — Stanley Cup playoffs begin. Connor Hellebuyck stopped 31 shots for the berdeau had a goal and an assist, surpassing Rodrigues entered with no goals in 25 May 8-24 — IIHF World Championship, Zurich/Lausanne, Switzerland. Jets. They have lost six straight at home. Olli Jokinen for Florida’s career points lead games this season. Zemgus Girgensons also June 1-6 — NHL scouting combine, “It’s not like we’ve been six in a row at home with 420, and the host Panthers beat Toronto. scored in the first period for the Sabres, Zach Buffalo, N.Y. June 13 — Last possible day of Stanley that have been terrible,” Winnipeg forward Mike Hoffman scored twice, and Alek- Bogosian and Rasmus Ristolainen added Cup Final. June 17 — NHL awards, Las Vegas. Andrew Copp said. “It’s kind of been inter- sander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck each goals, and Linus Ullmark made 21 saves. June 26-27 — NHL draft, Montreal. mixed with one-offs here and one-offs there. had a goal and two assists. Frank Vatrano, Madison Bowey scored for the Red Wings. July 1 — Free agency begins Tuesday, January 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 21 NFL PLAYOFFS Johnson elected to Hall of Fame Two-time Super Bowl winning coach with Cowboys joins Cowher in centennnial class

BY BARRY WILNER Hall of Fame President David Baker “To Jimmy I say, ‘The stars were aligned Associated Press made the presentation during halftime of and our dreams came true when we joined Fox’s telecast. the Dallas Cowboys.’ ” Jimmy Johnson, who coached the Dal- A successful college coach at Oklahoma Johnson later coached the Miami Dol- las Cowboys to two Super Bowl champion- State and Miami, where he won a national phins before becoming a Fox TV analyst. ships in the 1990s, has been elected to the championship in 1987, Johnson was hired “Think of all the great players I have Pro Football Hall of Fame. in 1989 by new Cowboys owner Jerry coached over the years,” Johnson said. The hall announced his selection Sunday Jones. His initial team went 1-15, but John- “From me to you: Thank you.” night as part of a centennial class that was son rebuilt the roster — including trading In his nine pro seasons (five in Dallas, chosen on Wednesday by a special com- star running back Herschel Walker to Min- four in Miami), he went 89-68. Johnson mittee. Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach nesota for a slew of draft picks and play- led the Cowboys to three playoff appear- Bill Cowher was revealed Saturday night ers who were converted into draft choices. ances and the two Super Bowl victories, as the other coach being inducted. That deal is considered among the most and took the Dolphins to three postseason “The only thing I can think of is all the one-sided in sports history, and it netted, appearances. assistant coaches who worked for me, all among others, the draft pick that brought The special panel met in Canton, Ohio, the great players who played for me are the Emmitt Smith to Dallas. on Wednesday to elect the centennial slate reason,” said a teary-eyed Johnson, 76. “I Johnson left the Cowboys after back-to- for this year’s class of inductees, marking can’t talk. back championships in the 1992 and ’93 the first time any members were elected “This is so special to me because when seasons in a dispute with Jones. But the ros- during a selection meeting held at the hall. you put in the work that we put in, it is nice ter he built, under his college rival Barry The centennial slate includes 10 “se- for those people to appreciate it.” Switzer, won the 1995 NFL crown, too. niors” (players who last played more than One of his best players, Hall of Fame Johnson’s selection for induction into the 25 seasons ago), three “contributors” (an DAVID SANTIAGO, MIAMI HERALD/AP quarterback Troy Aikman, could be seen Pro Football Hall of Fame: individual other than a player or coach) and Two time Super Bowl winning coach tearing up as he heard the announcement “We’re so happy that the Hall of Fame the two coaches (who last coached more Jimmy Johnson has been elected to the from Green Bay, where he was announcing has recognized Jimmy Johnson for what than five seasons ago) and were voted on Pro Football Hall of Fame. the Seahawks-Packers playoff game. he is,” Jones said. “A great coach.” from a list of 38 finalists. Questions: Sixth-seed Titans are giant killers Scoreboard Playoff glance FROM BACK PAGE Wild-card Playoffs Saturday, Jan. 4 championship game. It’s a classic rivalry that Houston 22, Buffalo 19, OT will resume next Sunday when the Niners (14- Tennessee 20, New England 13 Sunday, Jan. 5 3) host the Packers (14-3). Minnesota 26, New Orleans 20, OT “This is where it really gets fun. There’s Seattle 17, Philadelphia 9 Divisional Playoffs only four teams left, and we’re one of them, Saturday, Jan. 11 and we’ve got a legitimate chance,” Packers San Francisco 27, Minnesota 10 Tennessee 28, Baltimore 12 quarterback Aaron Rodgers says. Sunday, Jan. 12 It will be the eighth postseason meeting Kansas City 51, Houston 31 Green Bay 28, Seattle 23 since 1995 for the Packers and Niners. Conference Championships In the AFC, Tennessee has been the giant Sunday, Jan. 19 Tennessee at Kansas City killer. The Titans rode the relentless running Green Bay at San Francisco Pro Bowl of Henry past the defending champion Pa- Sunday, Jan. 26 triots last weekend. On Saturday, they did in At Orlando, Fla. AFC vs. NFC the league’s best during the regular season, Super Bowl turning two Ravens turnovers and two fourth- Sunday, Feb. 2 At Miami Gardens, Fla. and-1 stops into 28 points. That was more than NFC champion vs. AFC champion enough as the defense kept All-Pro quarter- back Lamar Jackson and the NFL’s most pro- MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP Calendar lific offense off-stride most of the night. Feb. 24-March 2 — NFL scouting com- San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman celebrates beating the Minnesota Vikings bine, Indianapolis. In the early game next Sunday, the Titans Feb. 25 — First day for clubs to desig- (11-7) visit the Chiefs (13-4) . 27-10 in their divisional playoff game on Saturday in Santa Clara, Calif. nate franchise or transition players. March 10 — Deadline for clubs to des- So here’s what we’re wondering: ignate franchise or transition players be- Super Bowl run. ful in more than one location — Marty Schot- fore 4 p.m. EDT Kansas City’s defense stepped up down the tenheimer and Dan Reeves come to mind A sixth seed? stretch, but it generally struggled against the — without owning a ring. Reid, 12-14 in the Can a team that sneaked into the postseason Texans. The offense can do anything, but the postseason, got to the 2005 Super Bowl, where on the final Sunday emulate the 2005 Steelers special teams are uncertain. his Eagles lost a close one to New England. and 2010 Packers? Tennessee has that look Tennessee certainly can run the ball. Yet right now. it’s won with quarterback Ryan Tannehill Pedigree? The Titans fear no one, as they showed first basically being pedestrian, if you will, in the in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and then in playoffs. And the pass rush must come alive. Yes, Mike Vrabel has the pedigree of three Baltimore. Their defense is versatile, physi- Green Bay has a Hall of Fame-caliber quar- Super Bowl wins from his linebacker days, but Tennessee Titans cal and well coached. When they dominate in terback, a spectacular receiver, do-it-all run- he’s now on the sideline overseeing matters. at Kansas City Chiefs the trenches, they win, and the Titans have ning back and steady enough line. It also has a So who has the background of achievement controlled the line of scrimmage in both road dangerous pass rush. What it lacks is enough in the crucible that is a conference champion- AFN-Sports playoff victories. reliability in the secondary and, despite its ship game? 9 p.m. Sunday CET And then there’s Henry, the first player with gaudy record, an inability to put away oppo- Some players to watch for next weekend: 5 a.m. Monday JKT two games of 175 rushing yards or more in the nents before things get uncomfortable.  Richard Sherman. The 49ers cornerback same postseason. He has set the postseason So that leaves the Niners, whose biggest was the anchor of Seattle’s Legion of Boom single-game rushing record for the Titans in question mark entering the playoffs was QB and has had an exemplary second season in consecutive weeks. Jimmy Garoppolo’s lack of experience. We can San Francisco. He also has the most yards rushing through scratch that worry. We also know this team  Rodgers. Can’t ignore an all-time great his first four postseason games at 561. can catch the ball, run it, pursue on defense, who probably should have gotten to more And, get this, he threw a 3-yard touchdown cover in the passing game and unnerve oppos- Super Bowls than the one he won for the 2010 jump pass at Baltimore — the first by a run- ing passers. Give the 49ers the nod here. season. ning back in the playoffs since 1987, when  Logan Ryan. Tennessee’s productive de- Allen Rice of Minnesota managed it. Can you do it Andy? fensive back, a champion with the Patriots, So yes, these Titans could bring Music City seems to be in the right spots at key times. Green Bay Packers its first NFL championship. Like Rodgers, Chiefs coach Andy Reid had  Travis Kelce. Second-team All-Pro in at San Francisco 49ers a Hall of Fame-worthy resume. Unlike Rod- 2019 only because San Francisco’s George Kit- AFN-Sports Most versatile? gers, Reid has no Lombardi Trophy on his tle had such a spectacular year, Kelce showed mantle. against the Texans how dangerous he is, espe- 12:30 a.m. Monday CET Doing nearly everything well often keys a Indeed, few coaches have been so success- cially on third downs or in the red zone. 3:30 a.m. Monday JKT PAGE 22 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, January 14, 2020 NFL PLAYOFFS Colossal comeback: Chiefs, down 24-0, blast past Texans

BY DAVE SKRETTA Chiefs 51, Texans 31 Associated Press Houston 21 3 7 0—31 Kansas City 0 28 13 10—51 First Quarter KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Hou—Stills 54 pass from Watson (Fair- Mahomes stalked up and down bairn kick), 11:59. Hou—L.Johnson 10 blocked punt re- the sideline like a field marshal turn (Fairbairn kick), 10:06. rallying his troops, the brilliant Hou—Fells 4 pass from Watson (Fair- bairn kick), 1:21. young quarterback imploring the Second Quarter Hou—FG Fairbairn 31, 10:54. Kansas City Chiefs to stay togeth- KC—D.Williams 17 pass from Ma- er even as the Houston Texans homes (Butker kick), 9:55. KC—Kelce 5 pass from Mahomes (But- were on the verge of taking them ker kick), 8:05. apart. KC—Kelce 6 pass from Mahomes (But- ker kick), 6:31. The Chiefs already faced a 24- KC—Kelce 5 pass from Mahomes (But- ker kick), :44. 0 hole, bigger than any deficit Third Quarter they had overcome in franchise KC—D.Williams 1 run (kick failed), history. 11:24. KC—D.Williams 5 run (Butker kick), “The biggest thing I was 4:39. Hou—Watson 5 run (Fairbairn kick), preaching,“ Mahomes said later, :24. “was, ‘Let’s go do something spe- Fourth Quarter KC—Bell 8 pass from Mahomes (But- cial. Everybody is counting us ker kick), 13:52. out. Let’s go out there and play KC—FG Butker 24, 8:06. A—73,503. by play put it out there.’ And play Hou KC JEFF ROBERSON/AP by play, we did what we were sup- First downs 23 29 Total Net Yards 442 434 posed to do.” Rushes-yards 21-94 21-118 Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams (26) ran for two touchdowns and caught a touchdown Passing 348 316 pass in his team’s 51-31 defeat of the Houston Texans on Sunday in an AFC divisional playoff game. Beginning with the first of his Punt Returns 1-11 2-1 five touchdown passes, Mahomes Kickoff Returns 3-51 6-142 Interceptions Ret. 0-0 0-0 50 more yards. the end. They’re a team that’s variety of different teams and sit- and the Chiefs slowly chipped Comp-Att-Int 31-52-0 23-35-0 away at Houston’s seemingly Sacked-Yards Lost 5-40 1-5 “You saw him going up and really hot, playing really good uations,” said the Texans’ Justin Punts 3-45.7 4-30.8 insurmountable lead. They con- Fumbles-Lost 2-1 2-1 down the bench, he was talk- football right now, so we know it’s Reid, who took the snap and was tinued to pick up momentum, Penalties-Yards 7-87 4-37 ing to everybody, — ‘Just settle going to take our best effor t.” stopped short of the first down. Time of Possession 34:35 25:25 outscoring the Texans 28-0 dur- INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS down,’ ” Chiefs coach Andy Reid Deshaun Watson, meanwhile, “Credit to them, they made the RUSHING—Houston, Hyde 13-44, Wat- said. “As a head coach, you can’t threw for 388 yards and two touch- play.” ing the second quarter alone, and son 6-37, D.Johnson 1-11, Reid 1-2. Kan- eventually reeled off 41 consecu- sas City, Mahomes 7-53, D.Williams 12- ask for more than that. When he’s downs while running for another, On the ensuing kickoff, Hous- 47, Watkins 1-14, Hill 1-4. the leader of your team and he’s but not even his heroics could ton return man DeAndre Carter tive points before cruising the PASSING—Houston, Watson 31-52-0- rest of the way to a 51-31 victory 388. Kansas City, Mahomes 23-35-0-321. going, ‘Hey, we’re going to be fine. bail out the Texans (11-7) after had the ball pop loose and into RECEIVING—Houston, Hopkins 9-118, Sunday that propelled Kansas Fuller 5-89, D.Johnson 5-23, Stills 3-80, Let’s not wait for the fourth quar- their calamitous second quarter the arms of Darwin Thompson, City back to the AFC champion- Fells 3-22, Hyde 3-18, Carter 1-17, Jones ter. Let’s go!’ And he did that.” and dismal third. The result: The whose recovery set up a second 1-14, Thomas 1-7. Kansas City, Kelce 10- ship game for the second consec- 134, Hill 3-41, Watkins 2-76, D.Williams 2- Now, after losing to the Patriots reborn Houston franchise is 0-4 Mahomes-to-Kelce touchdown utive season. 21, Hardman 2-19, Bell 2-15, Yelder 1-11, in overtime in last year’s confer- in the divisional round and has in a matter of seconds. And Robinson 1-4. In doing so, the Chiefs (13-4) MISSED FIELD GOALS—Houston, Fair- ence title game, the Chiefs are never won a road playoff game. their third came after the Chiefs became the first team in NFL bairn 51. back on the brink of their first After the Texans stretched forced a punt — a successful one, history to win a playoff game Super Bowl appearance in 50 the lead to 24-0 early in the sec- for a change — and they drove by at least 20 points after trail- as the only teammates to score years. They will host Tennessee ond quarter, the Chiefs began to 90 yards to take a stunning 28-24 ing by at least 20. They matched that many times in a postseason next Sunday in a rematch from nip into their deficit with a quick halftime lead. the fourth-biggest comeback in game. earlier this season after the Ti- touchdown drive. And the come- “I mean, it was an amazing playoff history while winning a Meanwhile, Mahomes led by tans upset Lamar Jackson and back really gained momentum thing. Everything was working,” postseason game in back-to-back example as much as by voice. the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens when O’Brien called for a fake Mahomes said. “The play calls seasons for the first time. Tra- He finished with 321 yards pass- on Saturday night. punt at the Houston 31-yard line were open, everybody was get- vis Kelce and Damien Williams ing, becoming the first player in “We’ve already played them and the Chiefs stuffed it, giving ting open against man-coverage scored three touchdowns apiece, postseason history with at least and we know they’re a tough them a short field and setting up which we’ve been preaching all joining the 49ers’ Jerry Rice and 300 yards passing and five touch- team,” Mahomes said. “They’re a another easy touchdown. season long, and guys were mak- Ricky Waters in Super Bowl 29 downs while running for at least team that battles all the way until “We had that play ready for a ing plays.” Playoff meltdown haunts Houston

Associated Press going for the first down and potentially a 28-0 lead. KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Bill O’Brien figured it “When you’re playing a team that is that explosive would take more than 24 points to beat the Kansas on offense,”he added, “you’ve got to try and keep City Chiefs on Sunday. scoring.” Even when they spotted his Houston Texans a 24- Except the Texans didn’t do that again until it was 0 lead. too late. So after the Chiefs had finally reached the end After the failed fake punt, the Texans fumbled the zone in their divisional playoff game, and the Tex- ball away. They missed a field goal just before half- ans were on the verge of going three-and-out, their time. They punted on their first possession of the coach sent his punt unit onto the field. But rather second half before quarterback Deshaun Watson than kick the ball away, they snapped directly to finally found the end zone again. Justin Reid, who took off around the right side of the Then they turned it over on downs three straight line and was stopped short of a first down. times as the celebration began in Kansas City. Given the short field, the Chiefs quickly scored “It was a really good lead. No doubt about it,” again. And again. And they kept on scoring, eventu- O’Brien said, “but I do not think any lead is safe ally reeling off 41 consecutive points in the biggest versus these guys, and that is why we felt like we /AP JEFF ROBERSON comeback in franchise history . needed 50 points. We weren’t able to do that.” Houston Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills, right, is tripped up by “We felt like we had to manufacture some points, They became the first team in NFL history to lead Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton (27) during a reverse. manufacture some yards and it just didn’t work out,” a playoff game by at least 20 points and then lose by Houston, after taking a 24-0 lead, gave up 41 consecutive points in said O’Brien, who will also take heat for kicking a at least 20, and the 24-point lead they squandered its 51-31 loss to the Chiefs. short field goal on fourth-and-inches rather than tied for the fourth-biggest in playoff history. Tuesday, January 14, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 23 NFL PLAYOFFS Packers, Rodgers thwart Seahawks’ rally

at the Seattle 22, but Wilson ran Green Bay reaches out of tricks. “He tested our cardio and heart NFC title game for and endurance today,” Smith said. Lynch, who has 12 rushing 3rd time in 6 years touchdowns in 13 career postsea- son games to tie for fourth in NFL BY DAVE CAMPBELL history, had only 26 yards on 12 Associated Press carries. “We made it exciting,” Wilson GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron said. “We just wish we would Rodgers and the Green Bay Pack- have left here with a win.” ers have relied more on character The Seahawks brought their and resilience than offense or de- fense this season, lagging well be- pass rush to life with seven sacks hind past editions in aesthetics. while grinding out a 17-9 win at This divisional round win over Philadelphia last week in the Seattle, though, was a vintage wild card round, with Jadeveon Rodgers performance. He helped Clowney making his presence felt the Packers pull within a game including a hit that knocked Ea- of the Super Bowl with an array gles quarterback Carson Wentz of clutch completions at the most out of the game with a concussion. critical of moments. The Packers mostly kept Rodgers Rodgers connected with Da- much better protected, though, vante Adams eight times for 160 and a Seahawks defense that yards and two touchdowns, Green forced 32 turnovers in the first Bay’s spruced-up defense fended 14 games played a fourth straight off a spirited Seahawks rally, and time without a takeaway. the Packers held on for a 28-23 MATT LUDTKE/AP Packers 28, Seahawks 23 victory Sunday night to reach the Seattle 3 0 14 6—23 NFC championship game for the Green Bay Packers linebacker Preston Smith reacts after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Green Bay 7 14 7 0—28 third time in six years. First Quarter Wilson during the Packers’ 28-23 win in a divisional playoff game Sunday in Green Bay, Wis. GB—D.Adams 20 pass from Rodgers “It’s one of those feelings that (Crosby kick), 10:37. Sea—FG Myers 45, :28. starts to creep up in warmups, ond sack of the game by Preston ers blew a 16-0 halftime lead in on track despite a steady stream Second Quarter when you really feel like you’re Smith. That was Green Bay’s fifth the NFC championship game at of injuries, including the late GB—A.Jones 1 run (Crosby kick), 9:49. GB—A.Jones 1 run (Crosby kick), 1:30. locked in,” Rodgers said, “and of the game. Seattle and were beaten 28-22 setbacks in the backfield that Third Quarter I was glad it translated to the “Five minutes left, we’re get- in overtime. The Seahawks lost prompted the emergency call for Sea—Lynch 1 run (Myers kick), 9:44. field.” GB—D.Adams 40 pass from Rodgers ting the ball back, the thing’s their next game to New England Marshawn Lynch. (Crosby kick), 7:09. Aaron Jones rushed for 62 going to be over. We’re going to when Wilson was infamously in- Racking up 64 yards rushing on Sea—Lockett 7 pass from Wilson (My- ers kick), :39. yards and two first-half scores for win it,” Wilson said. “I think ev- tercepted late at the goal line and seven scrambles and completing Fourth Quarter the Packers (14-3), who will trav- erybody in the stadium, and I haven’t been back to the confer- 21 of 31 passes for 277 yards, Wil- Sea—Lynch 1 run (pass failed), 9:33. A—78,998. el next weekend to take on top- think everybody watching felt ence title game since then. son directed touchdown drives Sea GB seeded San Francisco. Rodgers, like that, too.” Rodgers is running out of time of 69, 84, 79 right out of the gate First downs 23 22 Total Net Yards 375 344 who went 16-for-27 for 243 yards The Seahawks never got the faster than Wilson, though, nine after halftime. Lynch finished two Rushes-yards 24-110 30-109 in his 17th career postseason ball again. years after his only champion- of them with scores, and Wilson Passing 265 235 Punt Returns 1-10 1-6 start, Rodgers has 38 touchdown Rodgers sealed the win with ship. Though many of Green threw on the run to Tyler Lockett, Kickoff Returns 5-97 2-22 passes in the playoffs. That’s good two third-down throws: a 32-yard Bay’s performances haven’t been who had 136 yards on nine recep- Interceptions Ret. 0-0 0-0 Comp-Att-Int 21-31-0 16-27-0 for fifth in league history. strike to Adams on third-and-8 pretty, with so many hold-on-at- tions, for the other one. Sacked-Yards Lost 5-12 2-8 “He’s definitely hungry for an- with 2:19 left and then for 9 yards the-end wins, Rodgers and Matt “Every time I looked up, he Punts 3-53.7 4-43.3 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0 other Super Bowl. He deserves it, to Jimmy Graham on third-and-9 LaFleur have sure meshed well was making somebody miss in Penalties-Yards 6-47 4-30 so we’re doing everything in our right after the two-minute warn- in the coach’s rookie season. the pocket, creating and extend- Time of Possession 30:31 29:29 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS power to put him in that position,” ing to take down a Seahawks “Let’s be honest, I don’t know ing plays,” LaFleur said. “That’s RUSHING—Seattle, Wilson 7-64, Lynch said Adams, who set Green Bay’s team that was 8-1 on the road this that even our fans felt supremely what he’s done his whole career.” 12-26, Homer 3-13, Moore 1-6, Willson 1-1. Green Bay, Jones 21-62, Ervin 2-25, Rodg- postseason record for receiving season entering the game. confident in us,” Rodgers said. Lynch’s second touchdown with ers 5-14, Lazard 1-5, J.Williams 1-3. yards. “I’m just going to enjoy a nice The Seahawks had just a plus- 9:33 left cut the lead to 28-23, but PASSING—Seattle, Wilson 21-31-0-277. Green Bay, Rodgers 16-27-0-243. Russell Wilson carried the glass of scotch tonight,” Rodgers seven scoring margin during the Jaire Alexander blew up the 2- RECEIVING—Seattle, Lockett 9-136, Seahawks (12-6) on yet another said, “and get on to the film of San regular season, making quite point conversion attempt with a Hollister 5-47, Metcalf 4-59, Homer 2-27, Willson 1-8. Green Bay, D.Adams 8-160, comeback, this time from a 21-3 Fran and get ready for a tough the habit of second-half rallies. sack on an unblocked blitz. The Graham 3-49, Allison 1-11, J.Williams 1-9, halftime deficit, but the Packers opponent.” Wilson did some of the finest Packers gave the ball back to the Valdes-Scantling 1-8, Jones 1-4, Stern- berger 1-2. forced a punt shortly before the Rodgers exacted some payback work of his eight-year career in Seahawks with a second consecu- MISSED FIELD GOALS—Seattle, Myers two-minute warning on the sec- for five years ago, when the Pack- 2019, helping the Seahawks stay tive punt, this time with 4:54 left 50. Seahawks’ Lynch ‘not sure’ on future

BY DAVE CAMPBELL used the word ‘bread.’ Associated Press “I’ll tell y’all now while ya’ll re in it, take care of y’all bread, so when y’all done you go ahead and take GREEN BAY, Wis. — Marshawn Lynch muscled care of yourself,” said Lynch, who had four touch- his way into the end zone for two more postseason downs in three games for the Seahawks after inju- touchdowns for the Seattle Seahawks, capping an ries to running backs Chris Carson and Rashaad unexpected bonus chapter at what could have, this Penny prompted their emergency call to the long- time, been the end of his NFL career. time fan and team favorite known as “Beast Mode“ In Lynch’s typical do-it-his-own-way fashion, who played a major part in back-to-back Super Bowl after Seattle was ousted in the divisional round by appearances after the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Green Bay in a 28-23 defeat on Sunday night, the 33- Lynch was out of football for 14 months when he year-old running back offered little insight during a rejoined the Seahawks, coming two wins short of brief postgame interview into his interest in again another trip to the big game. deferring retirement. “It was solid,“ said Lynch, who had 26 yards on 12 Instead, he used his cameo at the podium deep in- carries on Sunday. “Pretty solid.” side Lambeau Field to encourage the young players As for his future? in the league to be as smart as they can in a league “I’m not sure,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.” MIKE ROEMER/AP where careers are often short-lived. “He’s a champion. He’s a warrior. He’s a guy that The Packers’ Jaire Alexander, left, and others try to stop Seahawks “Take care y’all bodies, take care y’all chicken, I’ve always loved playing with,” Seahawks quarter- running back Marshawn Lynch. Lynch had two touchdowns in and take care y’all mentals,” Lynch said. back Russell Wilson said, adding: “For Marshawn to Seattle’s 28-23 divisional playoff loss Sunday to in Green Bay. By chicken, he assumedly meant money. Later, he come back, it meant a lot to us.” S TARS AND STRIPES Tuesday, January 14, 2020 F3HIJKLM Lose GM, win game Devils top red-hot Lightning SPORTS following Shero fi ring » Page 20

NFL PLAYOFFS

CRUNCH TIME Lots of questions ahead of conference championships

BY BARRY WILNER Associated Press Inside: fter a wild weekend of historic offensive performances by Derrick Henry and nearly every Kansas City Chiefs player, spiced by some Chiefs make timely defense from all the winners, we have the answers to the history, rally makeup of the NFL’s Final Four. past Texans, Which brings along a whole lot of questions. The NFC, following a wild-card weekend in which both wild cards won, Page 22 settled down to top-seeded San Francisco and No. 2 Green Bay reaching the Rodgers, SEE QUESTIONS ON PAGE 21 Packers Top: Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard celebrates his interception against the advance, Ravens during the first half of Saturday’s divisional playoff game in Baltimore. Right: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Page 23 AP photos

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