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Volume 79 Edition 183B ©SS 2021 CONTINGENCY EDITION SUNDAY,JANUARY 3, 2021 Free to Deployed Areas GOP-led Senate says no to veto Congress overrides Trump, dismissing objections to $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act

BY MATTHEW DALY Big Tech companies. Pathetic!!!’’ Associated Press Trump also slammed lawmakers for rejecting his call WASHINGTON — Congress on Friday overrode to increase COVID-19 relief payments to $2,000: “Not President Donald Trump’s veto of a defense policy bill, a fair, or smart!’’ first by lawmakers since he took office nearly four years The 81-13 vote in the Senate on the widely popular ago, ensuring that the measure becomes law. defense bill followed an earlier 322-87 override vote in In an extraordinary New Year’s Day session, the Re- the House. The bill affirms a 3% pay raise for U.S. troops publican-controlled Senate easily turned aside the veto, and guides defense policy, cementing decisions about dismissing Trump’s objections to the $740 billion bill troop levels, new weapons systems and military read- and handing him a rebuke just weeks before he leaves iness, personnel policy and other military goals. the White House. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the Trump lashed out on Twitter, saying the Senate mis- “sweeping and overwhelmingly bipartisan votes” in the sed an opportunity to eliminate protections for social media platforms that he said give “unlimited power to SEE OVERRIDE ON PAGE 5

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Friday. PATRICK SEMANSKY/AP

Remembering US troops who died in Iraq and Syria in 2020

BY CHAD GARLAND tling ISIS since it began a little blamed on pro-Iran Shiite mili- ing route clear- said in a statement at the time. Stars and Stripes over six years ago. Twenty-one tias. ance operations, Moore, who was on his first de- Four U.S. service members were killed in combat and more The U.S. is expected to reduce the Pentagon ployment since enlisting in the were killed during hostilities and than 235 have been wounded in troop numbers in Iraq to around said. Moore was Army as a combat engineer in four others died in noncombat in- action. 2,500 by mid-January. Hundreds assigned to the May 2017, was survived by his cidents in Iraq and Syria in 2020 All four combat deaths hap- of troops are expected to remain Army’s 363rd En- mother, stepfather, three broth- as America wound down its role pened in March, two during an in eastern Syria. gineer Battalion, ers and one sister, the Vicksburg, in the fight against the Islamic operation against ISIS in northern 411th Engineer Miss.-based 412th Theater Engi- Moore State group. Iraq and two in a rocket attack on Antonio I. Moore Brigade, out of neer Command said in a state- The eight deaths last year bring Camp Taji, near Baghdad. A Brit- Spc. Antonio I. Moore, 22, of Knightdale, N.C. ment. to 99 the number of American ish soldier was also killed and 14 Wilmington, N.C., died in Deir al- “Antonio was one of the best in His awards and decorations in- troops who have died while taking troops were wounded in the rock- Zour province, Syria, on Jan. 24, our formation,” Lt. Col. Ian Doi- part in the U.S.-led coalition bat- et attack, which the Pentagon has when his vehicle rolled over dur- ron, the battalion’s commander, SEE REMEMBERING ON PAGE 4 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER Chewy sends paintings to stand out EXCHANGE RATES Military rates So. Korea (Won) 1089.92 Associated Press In the cutthroat world of online tree. Switzerland (Franc) .8897 Euro costs (Jan. 4) $1.20 Thailand (Baht) 29.97 NEW YORK — Danielle shopping, that personal touch and “I just want to buy everything Dollar buys (Jan. 4) 0.7924 Turkey (NewLira) 7.4392 British pound (Jan. 4) $1.33 Schwartz didn’t ask for an oil a bit of kitsch is how Chewy is from them,” she says. “They’re a Japanese yen (Jan. 4) 101.00 (Military exchange rates are those available painting of her cat. But she loves looking to stand out among the big company. I was shocked that South Korean won (Jan. 4) 1062.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ the portrait of Stinky that hangs competition, which has only got- they did something so personal.” many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) .3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ in her upstate New York home, a ten stiffer as more people shop The portraits have become a Britain (Pound) .7314 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2722 your local military banking facility. Commercial surprise gift from an unlikely online and add pandemic pets to hit on social media, where people China(Yuan) 6.5330 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.0929 place: an online pet store. their families. Pet ownership is share images of them or beg for Egypt (Pound) 15.7396 when buying currency. All figures are foreign It’s one of the more than 1,000 expected to grow 4% in 2020, the their pets to be turned into works Euro .8240 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7529 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ free paintings that Chewy sends first increase in several years, ac- of art. Hungary (Forint) 297.00 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2226 to select customers each week — cording to the Petco Foundation. “Customers were going ba- Japan (Yen) 103.25 INTEREST RATES even during the pandemic — tap- Chewy’s strategy seems to be nanas,” says co-founder Ryan Co- Kuwait(Dinar) .3041 Norway (Krone) 8.6305 Prime rate 3.25 ping into people’s obsession with working on Schwartz, whose hen, who helped come up with Philippines (Peso) 48.34 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.74 Federal funds market rate 0.09 their fur children and, it hopes, blue-eyed cat likes to rub up the idea in 2013 before leaving Saudi Arab (Riyal) 3.7514 3­month bill 0.09 winning customers for life. against the painting from his cat the company. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3221 30­year bond 1.64 WEATHER OUTLOOK SUNDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY IN EUROPE MONDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 30/25

Kabul Seoul 51/30 35/18 Baghdad 71/45 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 36/19 50/27 54/26 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 34/30 41/35 45/31 Iwakuni Kuwait City 50/30 Bahrain Brussels Zagan Sasebo Guam 72/55 72/62 Ramstein 37/33 52/37 37/33 35/30 86/77 Riyadh Lajes, 73/52 Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 62/58 34/28 76/61 Aviano/ 46/36 Vicenza 50/33

Naples 52/43 Okinawa Morón 72/64 51/29 Sigonella Rota 59/41 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 53/37 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 82/73 65/53 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Comics ...... 15 Crossword ...... 15 Music ...... 12-13 Opinion ...... 18 Television ...... 14 Sports ...... 19-24 Sunday, January 3, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 WAR ON TERRORISM Taliban using attacks to ‘leverage’ peace talks

BY PAMELA CONSTABLE AND SHARIF HASSAN The Washington Post KABUL, Afghanistan — In a video, five turbaned fighters stand in a row, wearing flak jackets and sneakers, assault rifles at the ready. One says in Pashto that God hates those who stray from reli- gion and “cling to a worldly life,” and obliges the faithful to wage ji- had, even if they must face prison or death, to establish the “law of the Koran” on earth. The video, published Monday on a Taliban spokesman’s Twitter account, came amid a rash of tar- geted shootings and bombings in the Afghan capital that have killed several dozen journalists, civic leaders, physicians, democracy advocates and government offi- cials. The mayhem has brought a new kind of personal terror to a city long accustomed to insurgent attacks against official buildings and military targets. Even though U.S. troops are leaving the country, the militia- man explained, “it is permissible to kill the (American) puppet re- gime of Kabul” and those who aid it. English subtitles accompanied his raised voice. “We are carrying weapons to avenge our values and MARIAM ZUHAIB/AP institutions,” he said. “We are Firefighters clean up the debris after a car bomb explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday. wholeheartedly obeying the su- preme command of Allah.” many explosions and attacks, he ing 5,000 troops, slated to be The video was posted days be- “The real worry is not these said, he had to change his location halved next month. By sowing ter- fore negotiations between Taliban from another, more vulnerable ror on city streets, he added, “the and Afghan delegates are set to re- individual assassinations. It is the market where he made more mon- Taliban are telling the new admin- sume Wednesday in Qatar, after a ey. “I blame the president, be- istration, ‘Don’t you dare reopen two-week break. Afghan security larger wars that could lie ahead.” cause he can’t provide security for the deal.’” officials have blamed the Taliban Hafiz Mansour the people.” Among Afghan delegates re- for several targeted killings, say- Many Afghans say U.S. officials turning to the Doha talks early ing the insurgents are using new conservative lawmaker, delegate gave too much away to the insur- next week, the intensifying target- scare tactics to “leverage” their gents in the deal they signed in ed violence has created a sense of position at the negotiating table nothing to do with the killings and doubled the number of police and February, failing to commit them dispirited gloom. Some have lost and undermine public confidence blamed them on Afghanistan’s in- other security forces patrolling the to specific conditions regarding vi- friends to recent attacks or started in the government of President telligence agency. capital, and vehicles are being olence and ties to other extremist wearing bulletproof vests. Others Ashraf Ghani. “We have not killed the doctors, stopped and searched on many groups, while agreeing to with- said the dismissive harshness of The killings have led prominent civil society activists, or people street corners. Officials said they draw most U.S. troops by spring. the Taliban’s attitude makes it civilians to take extra security who have not taken up arms have made a number of arrests, Since the pact was signed, the hard to stay optimistic about pro- measures or avoid going outdoors. against us,” he said in Dari. “They and Interior Minister Massoud Taliban have waged a relentless spects for peace — or even to re- The Taliban appear to be keeping are not among our military targets, Andarabi told Afghan lawmakers campaign of attacks across the main polite in meetings with ad- close tabs on a variety of activities; and killing them has no benefit for on Wednesday that detainees had country, killing thousands of peo- versaries bent on murdering peo- a recent fashion show at a local ho- us.” When peace comes, he added, described a special new “cell” ple. But in October, President Do- ple and creating chaos in their cap- tel was immediately denounced in the country will need “educated” based in nearby Logar province nald Trump announced that troop ital. a tweet from a Taliban leader, who Afghans. that plans attacks on high-profile drawdown would be speeded up, “The Taliban have not changed. charged that “Western intoxica- Mujahid said that the group’s individuals. adding to the insurgents’ sense of They are eager for power, but they tion and ideas” have entered Af- primary goal is to settle the issues “Unclaimed bombings & target- imminent victory. have no plans or policies, no ability ghan culture and warned that through talks, and that a “military ed assassination of civil society ac- “The Taliban are feeling trium- to run a country. They are a fight- “anything in conflict with Islam” solution” would only be used as a tivists are pillars of Talbn terror phal, and they want to be seen as ing army, not a governing group. will be destroyed. last resort. campaign linked to their negotia- tough. They are not interested in They know how to destroy but not “People in Kabul used to worry Despite such denials, Afghan tions strategy,” vice president winning hearts and minds,” said to build,” said Hafiz Mansour, a whether they would be caught by experts and officials said they Amrullah Saleh, a former national Davood Moradian, director of the conservative lawmaker and dele- chance in an attack on a govern- have little doubt that the Taliban is intelligence chief, tweeted this Afghan Institute for Strategic gate. “We have to keep talking be- ment building or international in- behind the surge of attacks. Most week. “They want to break the po- Studies. “They are using force to cause there is no other option, but stitution. Now they worry whether victims have been killed in their litical will of the Afg people & de- delegitimize the Afghan state by it is going to be difficult.” they will be next on the list,” said vehicles, either by gunmen who mand impossible concessions.” showing it can’t protect the public, Mansour warned that continued one security official, speaking on escaped on motorbikes or magnet- Kabul residents going about dai- and to remove a layer of resistance violence and stalemated talks the condition of anonymity be- ic bombs placed underneath the ly routines that expose them to to their victory by getting rid of could eventually lead to a govern- cause he was not authorized to carriages. They said the insur- danger, whether selling used win- those who represent the values of ment collapse, which has hap- comment publicly. gents are sending a veiled mess- ter clothing in outdoor markets or the Afghan republic.” pened several times in recent Af- But the chief Taliban spokes- age to several audiences, includ- delivering supplies in hand carts, With a new government soon to ghan history, including after the man, Zabiullah Mujahid, denied ing Afghan officials trying to re- have also been spooked. take over in Washington, Mora- withdrawal of Soviet troops in any involvement in the attacks, tain public confidence, delegates “If I didn’t have to feed my wife dian said, the insurgents want to 1989. calling the charges “propaganda.” returning to the peace talks and and children, I wouldn’t leave make sure President-elect Joe Bi- “The real worry is not these indi- In a voice mail response Friday to American officials in the incoming home at all now,” said Ali Agha, 26, den doesn’t change the terms of vidual assassinations,” he said. “It questions from The Washington administration. who sells fruit in a crowded West the February pact or set new con- is the larger wars that could lie Post, he said the insurgents had The Afghan government has Kabul neighborhood. With so ditions for pulling out the remain- ahead.” PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 MIDEAST Iran plans 20% uranium enrichment soon

Associated Press its nuclear facilities, tensions that ar deal. ready enriched to 4% to begin the declared nuclear weapons pro- DUBAI, United Arab Emirates only abated with the 2015 atomic The International Atomic Ener- process of going to 20%. gram, feared Tehran was building — Iran said Saturday it plans to deal. A resumption of 20% enrich- gy Agency acknowledged Iran “It should be done under IAEA a bomb. enrich uranium up to 20% at its ment could see that brinksman- had informed its inspectors of the supervision,” Salehi added. After the discovery of Fordo, underground Fordo nuclear facil- ship return. decision by a letter after news Since the deal’s collapse, Iran the U.S. worked on so-called “bun- ity “as soon as possible,” pushing Even Ali Akbar Salehi, the U.S.- leaked overnight Friday. has resumed enrichment at For- ker buster” bombs designed to its program a technical step away educated head of the civilian “Iran has informed the agency do, near the Shiite holy city of strike such facilities. from weapons-grade levels as it Atomic Energy Organization of that in order to comply with a legal Qom, some 55 miles southwest of As Israel threatened at one increases pressure on the West Iran, offered a military analogy to act recently passed by the coun- Tehran. point to bomb Iranian nuclear over the tattered atomic deal. describe his agency’s readiness to try’s parliament, the Atomic Ener- Shielded by the mountains, For- sites like Fordo, U.S. officials re- The move comes amid height- take the next step. gy Organization of Iran intends to do is ringed by anti-aircraft guns portedly showed them a video of a ened tensions between Iran and “We are like soldiers and our produce low-enriched uranium ... and other fortifications. It is about bunker-buster bomb destroying a the U.S. in the waning days of the fingers are on the triggers,” Salehi up to 20 percent at the Fordo Fuel the size of a football field, large mock-up of Fordo in America’s administration of President Do- told Iranian state television. “The Enrichment Plant,” the IAEA said enough to house 3,000 centrifuges, southwestern desert. nald Trump, who unilaterally commander should command and in a statement. but small and hardened enough to Israel, which under Prime Min- withdrew America from Tehran’s we shoot. We are ready for this The IAEA added Iran did not lead U.S. officials to suspect it had ister Benjamin Netanyahu has nuclear deal in 2018. and will produce (20% enriched say when it planned to boost en- a military purpose when they ex- continued to criticize Iran’s nucle- That set in motion an escalating uranium) as soon as possible.” richment, though the agency “has posed the site publicly in 2009. ar program, offered no immediate series of incidents capped by a Iran’s decision comes after its inspectors present in Iran on a The 2015 deal saw Iran agree to comment Saturday. U.S. drone strike that killed a top parliament passed a bill, later ap- 24/7 basis and they have regular limit its enrichment in exchange As of now, Iran is enriching ura- Iranian general in Baghdad a year proved by a constitutional watch- access to Fordo.” The parliamen- for sanctions relief. The accord al- nium up to 4.5%, in violation of the ago, an anniversary Sunday that dog, aimed at hiking enrichment tary bill also called on Iran to ex- so called for Fordo to be turned in- accord’s limit of 3.67%. Experts has American officials now wor- to pressure Europe into providing pel those inspectors, though it ap- to a research-and-development say Iran now has enough low-en- ried about possible retaliation by sanctions relief. pears Tehran still hasn’t decided facility. riched uranium stockpiled for at Iran. It also serves as pressure ahead to take that step. Under Iran’s former hard-line least two nuclear weapons, if it Iran’s decision to begin enrich- of the inauguration of U.S. Presi- Salehi said Iran would need to President Mahmoud Ahmadine- chose to pursue them. Iran long ing to 20% a decade ago nearly dent-elect Joe Biden, who has said switch out natural uranium in cen- jad, Tehran began 20% enrich- has maintained its nuclear pro- brought an Israeli strike targeting he is willing to re-enter the nucle- trifuges at Fordo for material al- ment. Israel, which has its own un- gram is peaceful. Remembering: Service members honored for their sacrifice

FROM PAGE 1 earned his commission through wife also served. The couple had 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air ily,” Michael Curry told Terre clude the National Defense Ser- an enlisted-to-officer program in an 8-year-old daughter. Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Di- Haute’s Fox 10 television news, vice medal and the Army Service 2010 and served as an infantry of- “We are devastated by the loss vision. days after his son’s death. “I never Ribbon. ficer before becoming a Raider in of Staff Sgt. Roberts who served “He was an thought it would hit home like it 2016. selflessly and with honor,” said exceptional has. I have two other sons that are Diego D. Pongo “They were dedicated leaders, Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson, leader who will still in the military. I thought they Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo, true professionals in their craft, Oklahoma’s adjutant general. be sorely missed would all come back home to me 34, of Simi Val- and willing to go above and be- throughout the safe and sound.” ley, Calif., was yond for the mission and their Juan Miquel Mendez Covarrubias entire forma- killed on March team,” said Lynch, their regimen- Spc. Juan Miquel Mendez Co- tion,” said 1- Bryan “Cooper” Mount 8 alongside an- tal commander. varrubias, 27, of Hanford, Calif., a 227th command- Sgt. Bryan “Cooper” Mount was other special op- He and Pongo were killed while member of the 1st Cavalry Divi- er Lt. Col. Adam killed when his all-terrain vehicle Hilty erations Marine accompanying Iraqi forces on a sion’s 1st Air Cavalry Brigade out Camarano. rolled over during a patrol in east- during a joint mission during which they discov- of Fort Hood, Texas, was promot- The father of a son who was ern Syria on July 21. U.S.-Iraq raid to ered a well-defended cave com- ed to specialist following his death born around the time of his third The 25-year-old cavalry scout destroy an ISIS plex in the mountains. About two on March 11 in deployment to Afghanistan in late from St. George, Utah, was serv- hideout in a Pongo dozen ISIS fighters were report- the rocket attack 2008, Hilty joined the Army as a ing with the 82nd Airborne Divi- mountainous ar- edly killed in the firefight. on Camp Taji. combat engineer in April 1999 and sion’s 2nd Brigade ea of northern Iraq. The signal deployed to Iraq in October 2019. Combat Team. “They were intelligent, coura- Marshal D. Roberts support systems He had previous- geous and loyal,” said Col. John Air Force Staff Sgt. Marshal D. specialist joined Christopher Wesley Curry ly deployed with Lynch, head of Marine Raider Re- Roberts, 28, of Owasso, Okla., the Army in 2018 Sgt. Christopher Wesley Curry, the brigade to giment, to which both men were died March 11 as the result of a and served with 23, of Terre Haute, Ind., died May Iraq in 2017 dur- assigned. “They were also family rocket attack on the brigade’s 1st 4 in a noncombat incident in Irbil, ing the nine- Covarrubias men.” Camp Taji, Iraq, Battalion, 227th in northern Iraq. month campaign Pongo, a member of 2nd Marine that also killed Aviation Regiment since March He was serving with the 3rd to oust ISIS from Raider Battalion out of Camp Le- Army Spc. Juan 2019. He deployed in support of Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, Mosul, the coun- Mount jeune, N.C., joined the service in Miquel Mendez Operation Inherent Resolve in 1st Stryker Bri- try’s second- 2004 and had served eight years Covarrubias and October 2019. gade Combat largest city. with the elite Raiders. He was an 26-year-old Brit- “The regiment and his fellow Team, 25th In- Mount joined the Army in Janu- advanced sniper, a foreign weap- ish combat med- Soldiers are grieving the loss of a fantry Division, ary 2016 and had earned many ons instructor and a combat ic Lance Cpl. true warrior,” his battalion com- out of Fort awards and decorations, includ- marksmanship leader. Brodie Gillon. Roberts mander Lt. Col. Adam S. Camara- Wainwright, ing an Army Commendation Med- Roberts joined no said in a statement expressing Alaska. al with Combat device, Army Moises A. Navas the service in May 2014 and was condolences to his friends. “His honesty, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Ac- Capt. Moises A. Navas, 34, of the senior personnel noncommis- light hearted- tion Badge and Army Parachutist Germantown, sioned officer on the deployment John David Hilty ness, and wit will Curry Badge. Md., was killed with the 219th Engineering Instal- Sgt. 1st Class John David Hilty, a always be re- Lt. Col. Val Moro, his com- along with Pongo lation Squadron of the Oklahoma 44-year-old soldier from Bowie, membered by his brothers in mander in 1st Squadron, 73rd Cav- on March 8. Air National Guard’s 138th Fight- Md., died in a noncombat incident arms,” said Lt. Col. Jimmy Ho- alry Regiment, said his “care-free Like Pongo, he er Wing, which is headquartered on March 30 in northern Iraq, a well, the battalion commander. and easygoing personality” made joined the Ma- in Tulsa. few months before he was expect- His father, Michael Curry, him approachable and well-loved rines in 2004 and Roberts was a “dedicated Air- ed to retire. served 22 years in the Army, and among his fellow soldiers. was with the 2nd man, mentor and leader,” said The petroleum supply special- his two brothers are in the service.

Marine Raider Col. Michael Meason, command- ist was serving with the Fort “Being in the military, I have [email protected] Battalion. He Navas er of the wing, where Roberts’ Hood, Texas-based 1st Battalion, lost friends who I consider fam- Twitter: @chadgarland Sunday, January 3, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY DOD keeps F-35’s full-rate production on hold

BY TONY CAPACCIO Bloomberg The Pentagon has put a decision on approving full-rate production of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 on indefinite hold, as officials re- main unable to say when the fight- er jet will be ready for combat testing that’s been delayed repeat- edly since 2017. The most recent of many mile- stones for a full production deci- sion on the $398 billion program — “no later than March” of next year — has been scrapped by El- len Lord, the Defense Depart- ment’s undersecretary for acqui- sition and sustainment. “Technical challenges and the impact of covid-19” have delayed preparation of the simulation fa- cility where the sophisticated test- ing of the costliest U.S. weapons system will be conducted, Jessica Maxwell, Lord’s spokeswoman, said in a statement when asked about a previously undisclosed Dec. 18 memo by Lord. She said a new date would “based on an in- dependent technical review.” SEONGJOON CHO/Bloomberg That means it will be months in- A South Korean airman inspects a F­35A stealth fighter jet manufactured by Lockheed Martin on display during a press day of the Seoul to President-elect Joe Biden’s ad- International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam in 2019. ministration before his new team at the Pentagon has all the infor- sion. Air Force and Marine Corps. But Maxwell, the spokeswoman for have revised dates for the simula- mation it will need to make a deci- A decision to allow full-rate pro- it still hasn’t demonstrated its ef- acquisition chief Lord, said it’s tion and for a potential full pro- sion on the F-35’s full-rate produc- duction will be a seal of approval fectiveness against the most chal- possible Biden’s team will be duction decision by Feb. 28, ac- tion, the most lucrative phase for from the Defense Department to lenging Russian and Chinese air briefed on the F-35 memo during cording to Laura Seal, a program Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed. American taxpayers and foreign defense systems and aircraft. an “acquisition-specific” meeting spokeswoman. The simulated combat testing customers that the warplane has That will be measured in a sophis- scheduled to take place next Robert Behler, the Defense De- was to have occurred this month, been fully tested, deemed effec- ticated on-ground simulator at Pa- week. Previously “we provided partment’s operational testing di- the latest date of an exercise once tive against the highest-level tuxent River Naval Air Station in information on the F-35 as part of rector, says in his latest annual re- scheduled for 2017. threats, can meet its maintenance Maryland. the initial transition books, and port, set for release in January, Whenever the testing occurs, it goals and can be produced effi- Biden and his aides have com- have since provided additional that the roughly one month of will take an additional two to three ciently. plained that Acting Defense Sec- F-35 program information as part combat testing is now expected to months to transfer and analyze More than 600 of the F-35 pro- retary Christopher Miller and the of broader Requests for Informa- occur in mid- to late-2021. the data and then draft a final re- gram’s potential 3,200 aircraft al- Trump loyalists around him have tion on acquisition,” she said. Maxwell said in spite of the de- port for delivery to Pentagon lead- ready have been delivered, and failed to provide his transition The Defense Department’s layed decision the program “will ers and Congress. The report is the fighter is in use by the military team with adequate briefings, F-35 program office is analyzing continue low-rate initial produc- mandated by law before a deci- in nine nations, including the U.S. criticism that Miller has rebuffed. test preparations and expects to tion at the planned rate.” Overrides: Bipartisan NDAA agreement shows limits of Trump influence reflect the resolve of the Ameri- limit Twitter and other social san overrides on the defense bill cial media and military base FROM PAGE 1 can people and the evolving media companies he claimed showed the limits of Trump’s in- names, Trump also complained House and Senate “delivered a re- threats to their safety, at home were biased against him during fluence in the final weeks of his that the bill restricted his ability to sounding rebuke to President and abroad. It’s our chance to en- his failed reelection campaign. term. withdraw thousands of troops Trump’s reckless assault on sure we keep pace with competi- Trump also opposed language Earlier this week, 130 House from Afghanistan and Germany. America’s military and national tors like Russia and China.’’ that allows for the renaming of Republicans voted against the The measure requires the Penta- security.’’ The Senate override was de- military bases that honor Confed- Trump-backed COVID relief gon to submit reports certifying Trump’s veto of the National layed after Sen. Bernie Sanders, I- erate leaders. checks, with many arguing they that the proposed withdrawals Defense Authorization Act, or Vt., objected to moving ahead un- Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., chair- were unnecessary and would in- would not jeopardize U.S. national NDAA, “would have hurt the til McConnell allowed a vote on man of the Senate Armed Services crease the federal budget deficit. security. health, financial security and the Trump-backed plan to boost Committee and a close Trump al- The Democratic-controlled Trump has vetoed eight other safety of our service members, COVID relief payments to $2,000. ly, hailed the override vote. House approved the larger pay- bills, but those were all sustained their families, our veterans and McConnell did not allow that vote; “Today, the Senate sent a strong ments, but the plan fizzled in the because supporters did not gain our allies and partners world- instead he used his parliamentary message of support to our troops,’’ Senate amid opposition from the two-thirds vote needed in each wide,’’ Pelosi said. “Instead of power to set a vote limiting debate Inhofe said. “Not only does this McConnell and other Republi- chamber for the bills to become keeping Americans safe, the pres- on the defense measure, overcom- bill give our service members and cans, another sign of Trump’s fad- law without Trump’s signature. ident continues to use his final ing a filibuster threat by Sanders their families the resources they ing hold over Congress. Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, moments in office to sow chaos and Senate Democratic leader need, but it also makes our nation Only seven GOP senators voted the top Democrat on the Senate and undermine our security.’’ Chuck Schumer of New York. more secure — pushing back with Trump to oppose the defense Armed Services Committee, The defense bill, which now has Without a bipartisan agree- against China and Russia (and) bill override. Forty Republicans called Trump’s Dec. 23 veto a the force of law, “looks after our ment, a vote on the bill could have strengthening our cyber defens- — including the entire GOP lead- “parting gift” to Russian Presi- brave men and women who volun- been delayed until Saturday night. es.’’ ership — voted for the override, dent Vladimir Putin “and a lump teer to wear the uniform,’’ said Lawmakers, however, agreed to Trump has succeeded through- along with 41 Democrats. Sanders of coal for our troops. Donald Senate Majority Leader Mitch an immediate roll call Friday once out his four-year term in enforc- and five other liberals who op- Trump is showing more devotion McConnell, R-Ky. “But it’s also a the filibuster threat was stopped. ing party discipline in Congress, posed the defense bill also voted to Confederate base names than to tremendous opportunity: to direct Trump vetoed the defense mea- with few Republicans willing to against the override. the men and women who defend our national security priorities to sure last week, saying it failed to publicly oppose him. The biparti- Besides his concerns about so- our nation.” PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK US tops 20M cases, most of any country

BY NANCY DILLON and France has logged 2.7 million, as the distribution over the last ing behind, far behind,” Biden his power under the Defense Pro- New York Daily News the university’s tracking dash- three weeks hit logistical chal- said during his remarks from Wil- duction Act to order private in- The total number of confirmed board said. lenges. mington, Del. dustry to accelerate production of COVID-19 cases in the United COVID-19 deaths also are up in Much of the responsibility has “As I long feared and warned, the materials needed for the vac- States topped 20 million on Fri- the U.S., totaling 346,687 as of Fri- fallen on the shoulders of already the effort to distribute and admin- cines. day, the most of any country ac- day, or 19% of the world’s cumu- overstretched state health depart- ister the vaccine is not progress- “This is going to be the greatest cording to Johns Hopkins Univer- lative coronavirus death toll. ments, overcrowded hospitals and ing as it should,” he said. operational challenge we’ve ever sity. The new data comes as health understaffed nursing homes, ex- “If (the pace) continues to move faced as a nation,” he said. That’s 24% of the planet’s offi- officials around the globe race to perts have said. as it is now, it’s going to take years, “We need to be honest — the cial cases, a sobering figure con- get newly approved vaccines into President-elect Joe Biden crit- not months, to vaccinate the next few weeks and months are sidering the U.S. is home to less the arms of front-line medical per- icized the Trump administration American people,” he said, saying going to be very tough, very tough than 5% of the world’s population. sonnel, nursing home residents, Tuesday for the vaccine rollout his administration will push to ad- for our nation. Maybe the toughest India has the second-largest vulnerable patients, first respon- and vowed to accelerate the cur- minister 100 million shots in its during this entire pandemic,” Bi- number of confirmed cases with ders and other essential workers. rent speed once he’s sworn in this first 100 days. den warned. 10.3 million, Johns Hopkins said. In the U.S., the federal govern- month. He said Congress would have to He said it’s likely “things are Brazil has reported 7.7 million, ment missed its goal of vaccinat- “The Trump administration’s fund the plan to ramp up the cur- going to get worse before they get Russia has reported 3.2 million ing 20 million people by year’s end plan to distribute vaccines is fall- rent pace, but he also plans to use better.” Once a model, Calif. struggles to get hold of latest virus surge

Associated Press most certain to continue growing, LOS ANGELES — Ambulances and yet another surge is expected waited hours for openings to of- in the weeks after Christmas and fload coronavirus patients. Over- New Year’s. flow patients were moved to hos- On Friday, the number of con- pital hallways and gift shops, even firmed U.S. coronavirus cases a cafeteria. Refrigerated trucks surpassed 20 million, nearly twice were on standby, ready to store as many as the No. 2 country, In- the dead. dia, and nearly one-quarter of the For months, California did more than 83 million cases glob- many of the right things to avoid a ally, according to data from Johns catastrophic surge from the pan- Hopkins University. demic. But by the time Gov. Ga- In California, the southern half vin Newsom said on Dec. 15 that of the state has seen the worst ef- 5,000 body bags were being dis- fects, from the agricultural San JAE C. HONG / AP tributed, it was clear that the na- Joaquin Valley to the Mexico bor- Ventilator tubes are attached a COVID­19 patient at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission tion’s most populous state had en- der. Hospitals are swamped with Hills section of Los Angeles, on Nov. 19. tered a new phase of the CO- patients, and intensive care units VID-19 crisis. have no more beds for COVID-19 flatten the curve of rising cases, it Now infections have been rac- patients. Makeshift wards are be- “This pandemic is an never effectively bent the curve ing out of control for weeks, and ing set up in tents, arenas, class- downward to the point infections California remains at or near the rooms and conference rooms. ultra-marathon. In our culture, we would die out. top of the list of states with the Some hospitals are having diffi- When cases rose in June and most new cases per capita. It has culty keeping up with the demand are used to sprints.” July, California was never able to routinely set new marks for infec- for oxygen. Corinne McDaniels-Davidson do enough contact tracing to iso- tions and deaths, and began the Hospitalizations statewide have late infected people and those new year reporting a record 585 gone up more than eightfold in director of the Institute for Public Health at San Diego State University they may have exposed before deaths in a single day. two months and nearly tenfold in they spread the disease — often Experts say a variety of factors Los Angeles County. On Thurs- income areas where residents tain in other areas. unwittingly — to others, he said. combined to wipe out the past ef- day, the total number of Califor- work essential jobs that can ex- In March, during the early days And public health directives were forts, which for much of the year nia deaths surpassed 25,000, join- pose them to the virus at work or of the pandemic, Newsom was never adequately enforced. held the virus to manageable lev- ing only New York and Texas at while commuting. hailed for issuing the nation’s first Across California, local officials els. Cramped housing, travel and that milestone. The socioeconomic situation in state stay-home order. have reminded people that the Thanksgiving gatherings contrib- “Most heartbreaking is that if LA County is “like the kindling,” The Democrat eased business fate of the virus lies in their be- uted to the spread, along with the we had done a better job of reduc- said Paula Cannon, a professor of restrictions in May, and when a havior and asked for one more public’s fatigue amid regulations ing transmission of the virus, microbiology and immunology at broader restart led to another round of shared sacrifice. They that closed many schools and many of these deaths would not the University of Southern Cali- surge, imposed more rules. reminded people that activities businesses and encouraged — or have happened,” said Barbara fornia. “And now we got to the In early December, with cases that were safe earlier this year required — an isolated lifestyle. Ferrer, the county’s public health stage where there was enough out of control, he issued a looser are now risky as the virus be- Another factor could be a more director, who has pleaded with COVID out in the community that stay-home order. He also closed comes more widespread. contagious variant of the virus de- people not to get together and it lit the fire.” businesses such as barbershops “You can practice safety and tected in Southern California, al- worsen the spread. Home to a quarter of the state’s and salons, halted restaurant din- low-risk behavior from March to though it’s not clear yet how wide- Crowded houses and apart- 40 million residents, LA County ing and limited capacity in retail October. But all that is erased. spread that may be. ments are often cited as a source has had 40% of the state’s deaths stores. Nothing matters except what you California’s woes have helped of spread, particularly in Los An- and a third of its 2.3 million cases. The latest restrictions apply ev- are doing to fight the virus right fuel the year-end U.S. infection geles, which has some of the den- The virus has hit Latino and Black erywhere except in rural North- now,” said Corinne McDaniels- spike and added urgency to the at- sest neighborhoods in the U.S. communities harder. ern California. Davidson, director of the Institute tempts to beat back the scourge Households in and around LA of- Cannon said there’s a moral im- But Dr. Lee Riley, an infectious for Public Health at San Diego that has killed more than 340,000 ten have several generations — or perative for people who can fol- diseases professor at the Univer- State University. “This pandemic Americans. Even with vaccines multiple families — living under low stay-home orders to help pre- sity of California at Berkeley, said is an ultra-marathon. In our cul- becoming available, cases are al- one roof. Those tend to be lower- vent spread that is harder to con- that while the state managed to ture, we are used to sprints.” Sunday, January 3, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK ROUNDUP Kansas City area sees worst month for virus deaths

Associated Press up the process, health department KANSAS CITY — December spokesperson Tom Hudachko said was the deadliest month of the cor- Thursday. onavirus pandemic in the Kansas More than 6,000 doses were re- City area, where an average of 11 portedly administered in Utah on people died each day from CO- Thursday, double the daily in- VID-19. creases earlier in the week. What’s The Kansas City metropolitan making the difference, Hudachko area recorded 342 COVID-19 said, is that local health depart- deaths through Dec. 30, the Kan- ments, including tribal clinics, and sas City Star reported. All told, long-term care facilities are able to 1,353 area residents have died give doses much faster than hospi- from the virus since the onset of tals. the pandemic. The metro area in- cludes Kansas City and Jackson, New York Clay and Platte counties in Mis- NEW YORK — The New York STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL/AP souri and Johnson and Wyandotte City Sheriff’s Department shut Health care professionals administer the COVID­19 vaccine at Lake­Sumter State College in Leesburg, counties in Kansas. down a series of illegal New Year’s Fla., on Friday. Long lines of cars were at the site as the Lake County vaccines are currently being given to In Missouri, the virus has Eve parties for violating coronavi- people who are 65 years and older and front­line workers. claimed 5,519 lives, including 28 rus restrictions, operating without new deaths reported Thursday by a liquor license and other infrac- Florida and New Jersey had more More than 1,000 Tyson workers soon have to make tough decisions the state Department of Health tions, authorities announced Fri- deaths. And, the paper reported tested positive for the virus in May about the treatment of COVID-19 and Senior Services. The state also day. that the state’s total mean there and at least six died. The families patients amid surging cases that cited 3,714 new confirmed cases, More than 300 people gathered has been one coronavirus-related of Fernandez and at least three are crowding intensive care units. bringing the total to 392,570 since Thursday night for karaoke and death for every 711 Illinois resi- other employees who died claim in The state’s largest hospital the pandemic began. dancing at an illegal bottle club on dents. lawsuits that the company was chain, Phoenix-based Banner Hospitalization numbers have 58th Street in Queens, the depart- negligent in how it reacted to the Health, suspended elective sur- improved over the past couple of ment said on Twitter. Louisiana pandemic. geries starting Friday to free up weeks, but experts worry another Five people were charged with BATON ROUGE — With the an- Tyson fired seven managers in room for treating COVID-19 pa- surge could follow holiday gather- offenses including violating emer- nouncement that Louisiana soon December after an investigation tients as new records for infections ings. The health department said gency orders that ban indoor gath- will allow people aged 70 and older found that supervisors held a be- and hospitalizations are being set in-patient bed capacity statewide erings, providing alcohol without a to get the coronavirus vaccine, res- tting pool on how many employees regularly. was at 29%, and intensive care unit liquor license and obstructed idents clamoring for the immuni- would test positive for COVID-19. Some of its hospitals are among bed capacity was at 25%. egress. zations have hurried to pharma- those sending away ambulance The situation was even more Deputies also raided an illegal cies trying to receive a shot, even Vermont transports or halting transfers concerning in the St. Louis area. gathering on Prince Street in Soho, though those vaccinations don’t STAMFORD — The Vermont from other hospitals, while still ac- Dr. Alex Garza, head of the St. where more than 145 people were begin until Monday and will re- town of Stamford has voted to cepting walk-in patients needing Louis Metropolitan Pandemic partying in a space with no liquor quire a scheduled appointment. overturn in its community Gov. emergency care. Task Force, said hospitals were at license, the department said. Four The Louisiana Department of Phil Scott’s emergency orders is- Now, hospitals may have to pri- 84% capacity and ICUs were at people were charged with multi- Health said Friday it has received sued with the intention of protect- oritize care among patients, decid- 90% capacity. ple offenses. The patrons were not multiple reports of people who ing the state during the COVID-19 ing who first gets access to limited “As we enter this new year our wearing masks in the venue’s meet the new, expanded criteria pandemic. resources. ICUs are still operating at near- overcrowded sixth floor. showing up at pharmacies, over- The select board of the town of full capacity and there is little Deputy sheriffs also found near- whelming pharmacies’ phone about 800 people along the Massa- Florida room left if we were to have a surge ly 80 people dancing and smoking lines and even calling some hospi- chusetts border voted 3-2 Tuesday KEY WEST— A local curfew in patients,” Garza said at a news hookah at Stars Hall in the Sunset tals trying to get vaccinated days to “terminate” the governor’s re- muted the New Year’s celebration conference Wednesday. Park section of Brooklyn. The or- before doses are available. strictions. in Key West, forcing the festivities Garza said the recent decline in ganizer of the event was ticketed Health department spokeswo- The three board members in fa- to end well before midnight. recorded COVID-19 cases in the for violating an executive order. man Aly Neel stressed that only a vor of the idea cite a section of Ver- The New Year’s Eve Shoe Drop region may have simply reflected limited supply of 10,000 Moderna mont law that they believe allows took place a little early in the back that fewer people were taking the Illinois vaccine doses will be available them to reject the governor’s or- courtyard at Bourbon Street Pub. time to get tested around the holi- CHICAGO — The one-day next week for those newly eligible, der. At 9 p.m. sharp, partygoers days. death toll from the coronavirus only certain pharmacies will be Select board member Daniel watched the 23rd annual “drop” of pandemic climbed by 157 in Illi- administering those doses and ap- Potvin said during the meeting a female impersonator in a large Utah nois and another 7,201 confirmed pointments are required to receive that quarantine requirements, re- replica of a woman’s red high heel SALT LAKE CITY — Less than and probable COVID-19 cases the shot or the person will be turn- strictions on large family or public shoe as organizers decreed it was a quarter of the 127,375 doses of have been reported, the state’s ed away. gatherings, and face mask re- midnight somewhere in the world. the COVID-19 vaccines reportedly health department announced quirements “violate the constitu- “Sushi,” portrayed by Key West received in Utah have been used to Friday. Iowa tion” in part because they were im- resident Gary Marion, was in the vaccinate health care providers In a news release the Illinois De- DES MOINES — A federal posed without normal due process shoe, wearing a lavish gown de- and long-term care facility resi- partment of Public Health said the judge has rejected an argument by of law. signed and sewn by the drag dents and staff as of the end of the latest one day totals bring the num- Tyson Foods that is is not liable in He asserted it was important to queen. year, Deseret News reported. ber of deaths since the pandemic the death of a worker in Iowa be- stand up against such measures The complex sold tickets to the “The initial rollout of the vac- began in 2020 to 16,647 and the cause it was following federal because it could lead to more loss private event to limit revelers, who cine has been slow, slower than an- number of cases climbing to guidance when it kept meatpack- of personal freedoms later on. were seated to maintain social dis- ticipated, slower than we wanted,” 970,590. ing plants open during the corona- Scott hasn’t enforced the orders tancing, the organizers said. said Rich Lakin, immunization With the last totals of 2020 virus pandemic. heavy handedly, he said, “but that New Year’s Eve typically fea- program director with the Utah counted, Illinois had for the year Tyson was sued in August by the could change.” tures multiple “drops” across Key Department of Health. “We hope more COVID-19-related deaths family of Isidro Fernandez, who West, including the drop of a conch to be at a much faster pace in the than all but five states in the nation. worked at the company’s plant in Arizona shell and a pirate wench. But this next 15 days.” According to the Chicago Tribune, Waterloo, after he died April 26 PHOENIX — Arizona health year’s celebrations were canceled Utah is already starting to speed only Texas, New York, California, from complications of COVID-19. care leaders say hospitals may to avoid drawing large crowds. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 NATION Judge dismisses suit to overturn election

Associated Press by President Donald Trump’s tors from Arizona, Texas U.S. The department said, in effect, election officials and Republicans WASHINGTON — A federal campaign to challenge the results District Judge Jeremy Kernodle, that the suit objects to long-stand- has confirmed there was no fraud judge on Friday dismissed a last- have failed. a Trump appointee, wrote that ing procedures laid out in law, in the November contest that gasp lawsuit led by a House Re- The suit named Pence, who has the plaintiffs “allege an injury “not any actions that Vice Presi- would change the results of the publican that aimed to give Vice a largely ceremonial role in next that is not fairly traceable” to dent Pence has taken,” so he election. President Mike Pence the power week’s proceedings, as the de- Pence, “and is unlikely to be re- should not be the target of the That includes former Attorney to overturn the results of the fendant and asked the court to dressed by the requested relief.” suit. General William Barr, who said presidential election won by Joe throw out the 1887 law that spells The Justice Department repre- “A suit to establish that the he saw no reason to appoint a spe- Biden when Congress formally out how Congress handles the sented Pence in a case that aimed Vice President has discretion cial counsel to look into the presi- counts the Electoral College votes vote counting. to find a way to keep his boss, over the count, filed against the dent’s claims about the 2020 elec- next week. It asserted that the vice presi- President Donald Trump, in pow- Vice President, is a walking legal tion. He resigned from his post Pence, as president of the Sen- dent “may exercise the exclusive er. contradiction,” the department last week. ate, will oversee the session authority and sole discretion in In a court filing in Texas on argued. Trump and his allies have filed Wednesday and declare the win- determining which electoral Thursday, the department said Trump, the first president to about 50 lawsuits challenging ner of the White House race. votes to count for a given State.” the plaintiffs “have sued the lose a reelection bid in almost 30 election results, and nearly all The Electoral College this In dismissing the lawsuit filed wrong defendant” — if, in fact, years, has attributed his defeat to have been dismissed or dropped. month cemented Biden’s 306-232 by Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, any of those suing actually have widespread voter fraud. He also lost twice at the Su- victory, and multiple legal efforts and a group of Republican elec- “a judicially cognizable claim.” But a range of nonpartisan preme Court. Biden’s Treasury pick made over $7 million speaking to companies

Associated Press A Biden transition spokesper- REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. — son said Friday that, since leaving President-elect Joe Biden’s the Fed, Yellen has “spoken at ec- choice to be treasury secretary, onomic conferences, universities Janet Yellen, collected more than and to business groups and finan- $7 million in speaking fees over cial institutions about her experi- the past two years from major fi- ences and her views on what we nancial firms and tech giants in- can do as a country to build a cluding Citigroup, Goldman Sachs stronger economy and increase and Google, according to disclo- our competitiveness.” He added sure forms filed as part of her that “this is not someone who pulls nomination. punches when it comes to bad ac- BEN GRAY / AP Yellen’s was among three finan- tors or bad behavior.” U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R­Ga., talks to supporters during a campaign event Thursday, at McCray's Tavern cial disclosures turned in by Biden Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron in Marietta, Ga. transition officials that were made Wyden, ranking member of the public on Thursday by the Office chamber’s Finance Committee, of Government Ethics. In a sepa- said he expects Yellen’s nomina- Loeffler and Perdue run hard-line rate filing, Yellen listed firms and tion to “move forward quickly, banks where she had received with her hearing held before Inau- speaking fees and said she intend- guration Day” on Jan. 20. GOP pitch in swing state Georgia ed to “seek written authorization” “In the last few years, she has from ethics officials to “participa- shared her views in a range of fo- Associated Press cratic challengers may seem like a Trump may have complicated te personally and substantially” in rums — congressional testimony, ATLANTA — The merchandise risky approach in a state that nar- Perdue’s and Loeffler’s gamble matters involving them. media interviews, speaking en- featured in Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s rowly voted for Democrat Joe Bi- even more with how he’s handled Yellen was the Federal Reserve gagements, and opinion pieces,” online campaign store includes T- den for president in November af- his defeat to Biden. chair from 2014 to 2018. Her term Wyden said in a statement. “She’s shirts and bumper stickers bear- ter years of steady Democratic The president has spread un- was not renewed by President Do- been fully transparent.” ing Donald Trump’s name and the gains. founded assertions of voter fraud nald Trump. She took in the speak- Also released Thursday were message: “Still my president.” Yet the strategy reflects pre- and blasted Georgia Republican ing fees in 2019 and 2020. disclosure forms from Biden’s The Georgia Republican is run- vailing GOP wisdom in the Trump officials, including Gov. Brian Her selection by Biden to lead ning television ads ahead of Tues- era: Republicans’ clearest path to choice to be secretary of state, An- Kemp, who have defended the the Treasury Department has tony Blinken, who detailed his day’s Senate runoff elections that victory, even in swing states, is to elections process. When Trump lambastes her opponent, the Rev. drive up support among a GOP been cheered by progressive work at a consulting firm he co- allies, including Perdue and Loef- Democrats, who support Yellen’s founded, WestExec Advisors, Raphael Warnock, as “danger- base motivated by allegiance to fler, backed up the claims, some ous” and “radical.” the president and fear of Demo- work as a labor economist who has LLC. They show that Blinken was Republicans expressed concern it Loeffler’s colleague, Sen. David crats. Still, the approach comes at long prioritized combating eco- paid more than $1.1 million and could discourage some Trump Perdue, meanwhile, is warning the expense of a once-broader Re- nomic inequality. Since her nomi- has entered into an agreement, ne- loyalists from voting in the runoff. Georgians that Democrats will en- publican coalition that included nation was announced, Yellen has gotiated in October, to sell his eq- Now, other Republicans are wor- act a “socialist agenda” if his chal- more urban and suburban moder- pledged to work to fight systemic uity interest in the firm, where he lenger, Jon Ossoff, wins on Tues- ates and GOP-leaning independ- ried that GOP candidates have in- racism and climate change. advised clients including Bank of day. ents who have rejected the Repub- stead turned off the more moder- But receiving steep payments America and Facebook. In the final days of campaigns lican brand under Trump. ate voters repelled by Trump. from Wall Street bankers and oth- Biden’s transition team says it that will decide control of the U.S. “The president resonates with a Trump will visit Georgia for a fi- er powerful corporations could expects to announce more Cabinet Senate, the Republican incum- lot of people, and so do the buzz- nal rally with Loeffler on Monday become an issue as her nomina- picks next week. Among those po- bents are appealing to the most words, so you hear ‘Trump’ and evening, hours before polls open. tion works its way through a close- sitions yet to be filled are the pres- conservative part of the electo- ‘socialism’ a lot,” said Michael Early voting ended Thursday ly divided Senate. Hillary Clinton ident-elect’s selection for labor rate. Their steady embrace of the McNeely, a former vice-chair of with just more than 3 million Ge- faced criticism from the left-wing secretary and attorney general — hard-right, Trump wing of the the Georgia Republican Party. “I orgians casting absentee or in- of the Democratic Party while a choice that could be complicated GOP — even repeatedly refusing wish we lived in a society where person ballots. That trails the final running for president in 2016 for by federal prosecutors investigat- to acknowledge Trump’s defeat — people talked about ideas, but early vote count of 3.65 million having received lucrative speak- ing the finances of Biden’s son and their caricatures of the Demo- that’s just not where we are.” ahead of the general election. ing fees at Wall Street firms. Hunter. Sunday, January 3, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Fed employees get 1% raise in Trump order The Washington Post However, the outcome was un- Almost all federal employees certain because the administra- will receive a 1% raise under an or- tion in the meantime had advocat- der President Donald Trump is- ed for a freeze, citing “budgetary sued late Thursday that ends constraints and the recent, pan- months of back-and-forth over demic-related impacts on non- pay for the 2.1 million executive Federal labor markets.” branch workers. The raise will be the smallest of The executive order finalizes the four paid under the Trump ad- Trump’s original proposal early in ministration, following boosts av- RON TODT / AP 2020 for a 1% boost for employees eraging 1.9, 1.9 and 3.1%. Participants take to the streets of south Philadelphia for a New Year’s celebration of Mummers tradition under the General Schedule pay The order will increase to despite official cancellation of the annual event and a ban on large gatherings Friday. system, which applies to most $172,500 a salary cap that applies white-collar federal employees. to employees in the uppermost The increase, to take effect Sun- levels of the General Schedule in day with the start of the first bi- some areas, including the Wash- Some Mummers still strut despite weekly federal pay period of the ington-Baltimore area. For most year, will be paid across the board career executives and others at Philadelphia parade cancellation to General Schedule employees, senior career levels, a cap of in contrast with the previous rais- $199,300 will apply; most of them Associated Press sweatshirts. WPVI-TV reported was “very concerning given the es paid under the Trump adminis- are paid within a range and re- PHILADELPHIA — Scores of that other groups of Mummers seriousness of this current wave of tration, which varied somewhat ceive raises based on perform- costumed performers took to the marched through other sections of the pandemic.” by locality. ance ratings. streets of their south Philadelphia south Philadelphia. “Anyone who has been in or While a separate pay system, al- The raise will not apply to senior stomping grounds for a New Mayor Jim Kenney announced near large crowds today should so locality-based, applies to blue- political appointees nor to U.S. Year’s celebration of Mummers in July that the city would not get tested five to seven days after collar employees, for many years Postal Service employees, whose tradition, far from the customary grant permits to planned outdoor the activity, stay away from others their increases have been capped pay is determined in bargaining. parade route and despite official events with more than 50 people, for 10 days, and continue monitor- at the local General Schedule A separate cost-of-living adjust- cancellation of the annual event amount. The budget bill that ment of 1.3% will be paid to most effectively canceling the large an- ing for symptoms for 14 days,” she and a ban on large gatherings due Trump signed into law Sunday federal retirees effective this nual parade and other events as said. to the coronavirus pandemic. continued that policy for 2021. month, the same increase going to officials struggled to keep a lid on The Philadelphia Inquirer re- Participants in brightly colored That measure took no position Social Security beneficiaries and the spread of the virus. Some ported recently that two previous costumes, some with faces paint- regarding a raise, in effect back- military retirees. That increase ed, paraded Friday down 2nd Mummers leaders and organiza- attempts in the 119-year history of ing the 1% amount in Trump’s was determined in October based Street in South Philadelphia fol- tions also asked members to stay the parade to call it off — in 1919 budget proposal in February. Un- on an inflation measure. lowing trucks that blared string home. due to World War I and in 1934 due der the complex federal pay law, if The executive order also finaliz- band or popular music. Some City spokeswoman Lauren Cox to the Great Depression — hadn’t no number is enacted into law by es a 3% raise for active-duty mil- wore masks but many did not, and said there were no major issues gone well. In both cases, Mum- the end of a year, the White itary personnel contained in the others marched with them wear- Friday but said seeing pictures of mers still took to the streets to cel- House’s proposed raise takes ef- recently enacted budget bill, ef- ing “South Philly Still Struts” many participants without masks ebrate. fect automatically. fective Jan. 1. Order delaying woman’s Vandals damage federal execution nixed by court buildings in Philadelphia Associated Press Montgomery had been sched- Associated Press timated at about $3,000. Anti-po- WASHINGTON — A federal uled to be put to death at the Fed- PHILADELPHIA — A group of lice and anti-prison graffiti were appeals court has cleared the way eral Correctional Complex in people dressed in black vandal- scrawled on walls, a sheriff’s van for the only woman on federal Terre Haute, Ind., in December, ized at least two federal buildings was defaced and several windows death row to be executed before but Moss delayed the execution in downtown Philadelphia on New were broken. President-elect Joe Biden takes after her attorneys contracted Year’s Eve, and police said they Three other people were also office. coronavirus visiting their client Montgomery recovered Molotov cocktails and arrested in the area, a 25-year-old The ruling, handed down Fri- and asked him to extend the time other suspicious devices as they man and two women ages 22 and day by a three-judge panel on the to file a clemency petition. killing 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stin- arrested seven of them, author- 26. Police said the man was carry- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Dis- Moss concluded that under his nett in the northwest Missouri ities said Friday. ing a glass jar with a fuse that had trict of Columbia Circuit, conclud- order the Bureau of Prisons could town of Skidmore in December Officers spotted about 50 peo- “a strong flammable odor,” as well ed that a lower court judge erred not even reschedule Montgo- 2004. She used a rope to strangle ple, all in black, around 8:30 p.m. as a plastic container with white when he vacated Lisa Montgo- mery’s execution until at least Stinnett, who was eight months Thursday at the historic U.S. Cus- powder labeled “Fire Starter.” mery’s execution date in an order Jan. 1. But the appeals panel dis- pregnant, and then cut the baby toms House, police said. The younger woman had bottles last week. agreed. girl from the womb with a kitchen And a 25-year-old man was seen with liquids that had “a chemical U.S. District Court Judge Ran- Meaghan VerGow, an attorney knife, authorities said. Montgom- throwing a brick through the win- smell,” they said. dolph Moss had ruled the Justice for Montgomery, said her legal ery took the child with her and at- dows of a federal building and Chief Inspector Mike Cram ear- Department unlawfully resche- team would ask for the full appeals tempted to pass the girl off as her courthouse shortly before 9 p.m., lier told reporters that officers re- duled Montgomery’s execution court to review the case and said own, prosecutors said. police said. He fled with a 24-year- covered what he called “numer- and he vacated an order from the Montgomery should not be exe- Montgomery’s lawyers have ar- old man and two 23-year-old wom- ous Molotov cocktails and some director of the Bureau of Prisons cuted on Jan. 12. gued that their client suffers from en, all of whom were arrested. other devices which haven’t been scheduling her death for Jan. 12. Montgomery was convicted of serious mental illnesses. Damage to the building was es- identified.” PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 NATION Chicago ends the year with 769 homicides Associated Press cember 2019. CHICAGO — The number of None of these numbers come as homicides and shootings in Chica- a surprise, as the year unfolded go spiked dramatically in 2020, with news reports about violence ending with more bloodshed than that often included the word in all but one year in more than “deadliest,” such as after Memo- two decades, statistics released by rial Day weekend, the deadliest in police on Friday revealed. five years. Then a few days later, After three years of falling hom- May 31, ended with more homi- icide totals, 2020 ended with 769 cides — 18 — than in any single ARMANDO L. SANCHEZ, CHICAGO TRIBUNE/AP homicides — 274 more than the day in memory. A woman kneels Sept. 7 outside the University of Chicago Medicine's Comer Children’s Hospital where a previous year and the most since Chicago was not alone. During girl, 8, was taken after being killed in a shooting that wounded three others in Chicago. the 784 homicides in 2016. that weekend in particular, which The latest shooting victim fig- came after the death of George killings than the year before. The Law enforcement officials and contributing factors. ures told the same story, with the Floyd after being forcibly de- same held true in smaller cities, experts around the U.S. have According to the Chicago Police year ending with 4,033 shooting tained by Minneapolis police, ci- including Grand Rapids, Mich. , pointed to social and economic up- Department, 79 officers were shot victims compared with 2,598 the ties across the United States wit- and Rockford, Ill.. heaval caused by the COVID-19 at in 2020, compared with 22 who year before. And it never let up, as nessed spasms of violence. Chicago, the nation’s third- virus, public sentiment toward po- were fired upon the year before. is illustrated by the fact that in De- The year ended in Detroit, largest city, saw hundreds more lice following Floyd’s death and a The number of officers who were cember, there were 50 homicides Washington, D.C., New York, Mil- homicides than either New York historic shortage of jobs and re- struck by bullets doubled from — 19 more than occurred in De- waukee and other cities with more or Los Angeles. sources in poorer communities as five in 2019 to 10 in 2020. Killings in D.C. hit 16-year high Oklahomans recognizing Associated Press partly to blame, experts say, but across the country against police WASHINGTON — Homicides Contee and others also note that brutality, sparked by the killing of 100-year anniversary of in the District of Columbia rose for slayings in the District have been George Floyd in police custody in the third consecutive year in 2020, rising in recent years. Minneapolis. race massacre in Tulsa reaching nearly 200 for the first Troy Donte Prestwood, who Both Contee and Newsham said time since the previous decade chairs an Advisory Neighborhood the District’s homicide rate has Associated Press want to see in a greater way in the and further stressing a city rattled Commission in one of the Dis- been driven by an increase in gun TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma be- future.” by the pandemic and social and po- trict’s more troubled neighbor- violence. gan a centennial remembrance Violence erupted May 31 and litical unrest. hoods in Anacostia, said that back Police cite the rise in shootings Friday of a once-thriving African June 1 in 1921, when a white mob The number of killings stood at in the high-crime era of the ‘90s, and said the number of homicides American neighborhood in Tulsa killed an estimated 300 people and 198 Thursday evening, making the people were “leaving the city be- from guns increased each of the decimated by deadly white vio- wounded 800 while burning 30 past year the deadliest in the city cause they were scared for their past three years. In 2020, 87% of lence that has received growing blocks of Black-owned businesses since 2004. More than 920 people safety.” the killings were committed with a recognition during America’s and homes and neighborhood were shot in the District in 2020, a Now, he said, “I’m beginning to firearm. reckoning over police brutality churches in the Greenwood neigh- 64% increase from three years hear that conversation come up Violent crime overall dropped and racial violence. borhood, also known as “ Black ago. again in communities like mine.” 4% in the District in 2020, largely Emmy Award-winning actress Wall Street.” The victims of deadly violence Prestwood said the new police because the number of robberies and Tulsa native Alfre Woodard A renewed search for bodies in include a beloved school bus driv- chief “will be a great opportunity has decreased. and U.S. Sen. 2020 found at least 12 in an un- er, a construction worker killed for us to reset, to think differently The number of homicides in James Lank- marked mass grave in a Tulsa while renovating a home and a about public safety, and how pub- 2020 is far below the 482 recorded ford both deliv- cemetery. grandmother who survived CO- lic safety should look in communi- in the District in 1991, when the ered remarks A team led by Oklahoma’s state VID-19. A little boy was fatally ties of color.” city earned the dubious reputation via video to a archaeologist has not identified shot at a “stop the violence” coo- He said he supports police and as the nation’s murder capital, but small crowd the bodies or confirmed they are kout, and a toddler died of gunfire violence interrupters, who come far exceeds the half-century low of that gathered in victims of the massacre. But they as he was strapped in a car seat. into communities to help defuse 88 in 2012. There were 166 homi- chilly, snowy were found in an area adjacent to Woodard “It breaks my heart when I think conflicts, “but it’s not enough.” cides in the District in 2019. weather at the two gravestones of victims and of the promises not fulfilled as a re- Police and experts who study Most victims of deadly violence John Hope where old funeral home records sult of violence,” said the District’s crime patterns cite myriad possi- in 2020 were Black males. Twen- Franklin Reconciliation Park. show both identified and unidenti- newly named police chief, Robert ble reasons for the spike in killings ty-six were women, and nine were State Sen. Kevin Matthews, who fied victims were buried. Contee III, who was expected to and shootings in the District and homeless. represents the North Tulsa area Tulsa and the race massacre re- start Saturday. He must also be some other cities. The youngest was an 11-month- where the massacre happened 100 ceived new national interest over confirmed by the District Council. They point to the coronavirus old girl who was injured while liv- years ago said the park, named in the summer when President Do- He takes over from Peter News- crisis, which slowed arrests and ing at a homeless shelter; the ol- honor of Oklahoma native and nald Trump picked the city for the ham, who left to take over a police complicated efforts to mediate dest an 81-year-old man. noted American historian John first of his signature campaign ral- department in Virginia amid calls disputes on the streets before they In a few instances, the victim Hope Franklin, provided the per- lies of the coronavirus era. His ini- for quicker and broader changes turned violent. Many people was injured or killed in a prior year fect backdrop for a message of tial plan to hold the rally on June- to policing during this period of so- struggled with the stress of job loss and the case was declared a hom- reconciliation. teenth — the day the last enslaved cial reckoning. and, with schools and community icide in 2020. Some fatal shootings “We can be a beacon of reconcil- African Americans learned they The nation’s capital, like many programs shuttered or moved on- were ruled justified and not in- iation around the world,” Mat- had been freed in 1865 — also other cities across the country, has line, safety nets were limited for cluded in the police count. thews said. “And ultimately, we sparked interest in Tulsa’s turbu- experienced a spike in shootings young people. Detectives made arrests in can revive the spirit of Black Wall lent racial legacy, although and killings over the past year. The Added to that were months of more than half of the killings in Street and cooperative economics Trump later changed the date of disruption of the pandemic may be demonstrations in the District and 2020. that once lived here and that we his rally. Sunday, January 3, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Fake teen doctor arrested again for fraud WEST PALM BEACH FL — A 23-year-old Florida man who posed as a doctor and spent time in prison as a teenager, was arrested again on charges of fraud and grand theft, police said. According to police, Malachi Love-Robinson asked clients to send money to his personal bank account rather than to the shipping company he worked for. He is ac- cused of taking over $10,000 that belonged to the company. Patients told investigators Love-Robinson claimed he held several degrees, including a Ph.D. and an M.D. They didn’t realize he was only 18 years old at the time. Scientists find slope with tsunami potential ANCHORAGE — Alas- AK ka scientists have found a second slope that has the potential to create a landslide or a destructive tsunami to its sur- rounding area. The slope in the Prince William Sound area is next to a previously discovered slope that Alaska De- partment of Natural Resources Division of Geological and Geo- physical Surveys Geohydrologist Ronald Daanen said is much NICKI KOHL, TELEGRAPH HERALD (DUBUQUE, IOWA)/AP larger, KTUU-TV reported. But Daanen said the smaller slope could create a tsunami just Snow angels as big. Jeff Vogler (left) waits as Hudson Vogler (top), 7, and Colin Vogler, 9, all of Dubuque, make snow angels before heading out on a hike at Mines The state Department of Natu- of Spain State Recreation Area in Dubuque, Iowa, on Friday. The state called off its popular, guided First Day Hikes this year due to COVID­19 ral Resources had issued a state- concerns but launched a First Day Hike Challenge in its place. ment in May when the first slope was discovered saying it could set. THE CENSUS old woman, was hospitalized with “generate a wave with devastating The fire at White Lakes Mall major injuries following the crash effects on fishermen and recre- caused an estimated $100,000 in The approximate amount in gallons of blood and plasma a in Riverside County, California ationalists.” Scientists had esti- damage. 21 Kentucky man has given. Gary Justice said he's been donating Highway Patrol Officer Mike Las- mated that a collapse was likely The mall was built on the site of for 13 years. His parents, both dying from cancer, inspired him to help.“Some- sig said. within two decades, the New York the former White Lakes Country times they do have to do blood transfusions to help your body recover from the The Dodge Ram pickup was ini- Times reported. Club and opened in 1964. It once treatment that you’re receiving for the cancer," he said. “Without the donors, tially pursued by Hemet police was anchored by an 85,000- without the blood supply, those folks can’t receive the treatment they need.” when the driver turned off the Truck crashes into home; square-foot Sears store and a headlights, bounced over a dirt 1 killed, 4 injured 52,300-square-foot J.C. Penney Man rescues injured bald was asked to wear a mask, accord- shoulder and crashed through a store. ing to St. Louis County authorities. barb-wire fence and onto the free- MESA — A tractor- eagle during bird count Timothy Percy Taylor, 29, was way’s northbound lanes traveling AZ trailer rig getting off a Neighbors keep eye LOUISVILLE — A fired from Radiant Life in Christ south, Lassig said. Mesa freeway crashed through a out for fierce rodent KY Kentucky man partici- Church in Jennings after he be- wall and into a house, killing one pating in an annual bird-watching came upset when a co-worker Man jailed after using person and injuring four others, NEW YORK — Resi- hike helped rescue an injured bald asked him to wear a mask inside extinguisher to dry off authorities said. NY dents of a Queens eagle, The Courier Journal report- the building, KSDK-TV reported. Police said the person killed neighborhood are dealing with a ed. The co-worker told police Tay- TALLAHASSEE — A was among 10 people inside the squirrely threat. Eric Nally was participating in lor threatened to “pop” the em- FL Florida man who wasn’t home when the crash occurred Denizens of the New York City the Christmas Bird Count at the ployee and “shoot up the whole on fire was arrested after police and that the truck driver was borough’s Rego Park neighbor- Bernheim Arboretum and Re- church,” according to court docu- said he sprayed himself with a fire among those injured. hood said an aggressive squirrel search Forest, about a half hour ments. extinguisher in an attempt to dry Police spokesman Nik Rasheta has jumped on them and bitten south of Louisville, when he spot- When Taylor was arrested himself off. said impairment hadn’t been them in the past several weeks, ted the eagle in a creek, he said. across the street from the church, Florida State University police ruled out but that the preliminary WCBS-TV reported. Nally thought the bird was dead he had three loaded firearms in found David Mann, 54, on the top investigation indicated the truck’s Micheline Frederick pointed to and feared it had been shot, but his possession, according to the floor of a parking garage with an driver may have had a medical a bruise on her wrist where she when he climbed down to the charging documents. extinguisher and covered in emergency before the crash. said the squirrel landed on her and creek bed for a closer look, the powder, the Tallahassee Demo- The truck went fully into the then sank its teeth into her fingers bird turned its head to look at him. Driver abandoned rolling crat reported. home, pushing a car that was in and hand. The bald eagle was found to be truck on highway Mann told police he had been the garage outside. “We’re wrestling in the snow suffering from lead poisoning and drinking and fell asleep and then and there’s blood everywhere and had internal damage to its abdo- MENIFEE — Police fell in water when he woke up. He 3 youths arrested in my fingers getting chewed and it men. CA are searching for a man said he was using the extinguisher connection with mall fire won’t let go,” Frederick said. they said drove a stolen pickup to try to dry himself off, police “Eventually, it just stopped and Man threatens church through a fence and onto a South- said. TOPEKA — An 18- there I was a big bloody mess.” after mask request ern California highway in the He was charged with interfer- KS year-old and two juve- A photo Frederick said she took wrong direction, where he and a ing with firefighter equipment, a niles have been taken into custody after the attack shows a snowy JENNINGS — A for- passenger leaped from the mov- third-degree felony punishable by in connection with a fire at an pathway covered in blood. MO mer church employ- ing vehicle and allowed it to roll up to five years in prison. abandoned Topeka mall that au- “This was an MMA cage match! ee was charged with threatening until it struck an oncoming van. thorities believe was intentionally And I lost!” she added. to “shoot up” the church after he The driver of the van, a 55-year- From The Associated Press PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW — MUSIC

TOP 10 ALBUMS

Splendid isolation

BETH GARRABRANT/Universal Music Group Taylor Swift used the isolation of quarantine to record the quiet, introspective “folklore” with new collaborators such as Bon Iver and the National’s Aaron Dessner. No matter when they were recorded, 2020’s best were all heard in the context of COVID

BY MIKAEL WOOD Los Angeles Times ot every album released in 2020 was made during the pandemic. But every one of them was heard during it — con- text that couldn’t help but shape the way music sounded or what it seemed to say. Here are the 10 that stood out, along with 10 runners-up from a year with Nmore listening time than most. 1. Taylor Swift, “folklore”: Pop’s most closely scrutinized 2. Fiona Apple, “Fetch the Bolt 3. The Chicks, “Gaslighter”: diarist used a season of isola- Cutters”: It takes a master of President Donald Trump, a tion to dream beyond herself. texture to make a record that cheating ex-husband, spineless Yet for all its experimentation sounds like it’s falling apart — country-radio programmers — with point of view, “folklore” — and a person of extreme emo- the Chicks’ thrilling comeback recorded remotely in quaran- tional fortitude to make one that (minus the “Dixie” but with tine with fresh collaborators digs up so much trauma. After vocal harmonies intact) accom- including Bon Iver and the Na- an eight-year break during modated all comers in vivid, tional’s Aaron Dessner — re- which her legend only grew, funny songs about the varied tains the intimate air of intro- Apple returned right as the systems that enable men to spection, a songwriter’s trick as world was tipping into chaos; claim positions for which enchanting as Swift’s newly nothing about the music sug- they’re not cut out. gests she was surprised. complicated melodies. SEE ALBUMS ON PAGE 13 Sunday, January 3, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 YEAR IN REVIEW — MUSIC

TOP 10 SONGS ‘I Just Wanna Live’ helped to heal in 2020 BY MESFIN FEKADU family for their strength and bound to become a country mu- Charlie Puth, “I Hope”:Break- Associated Press positive message. The song not sic classic. through country singer Gabby 1. Keedron Bryant, “I Just only helped Keedron Bryant land 4. Kelly Rowland, “Coffee”: A Barrett already had a hit with the Wanna Live”: During times of a record deal, it helped to heal smooth, sexy number from an original version of “I Hope,” but turmoil and unrest, people re- the world at a time when music is R&B goddess. then Charlie Puth slid into her spond differently. Some protest. a language that unites us all. 5. Charlie Wilson featuring DMs and asked to add his vocals Some cry. And some sing. Fol- 2. Chloe x Halle, “Do It”: To the Smokey Robinson, “All of My to the song and update the beat. lowing the gruesome death of window, to the walls, ’till the Love”: Uncle Charlie plus Uncle The result is an undeniable pop George Floyd, Johnnetta Bryant sweat drops down my... Chloe x Smokey equals musical bliss. The smash. turned to God and asked for a Halle took us to the clubs — aka soul icons joined forces for one of 9. Pop Smoke featuring DaBaby prayer — and the lyrics to “I Just the living room — during a pan- the year’s best collaborations that and Lil Baby, “For the Night”: Wanna Live” were born. She demic year when we desperately will surely put a smile on your Late rapper Pop Smoke clearly asked her son, then 12-year-old needed an epic dance tune to face. had a knack for hip-hop melo- /AP Keedron Bryant, to sing the song help us get through the day. 6. Roddy Ricch, “The Box”: dies, which explains why most of JOHNNETTA BRYANT and the rest is for the history 3. Mickey Guyton, “Black Like Insert fire emoji here. his songs have exploded on Tik- Keedron Bryant, who was 12 books. Keedron Bryant’s power- Me”: Digging deep to write per- 7. Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now”: Tok. “For the Night” is a monster when he recorded “I Just Wanna Live,” earned widespread praise ful performance about being a sonal lyrics about her upbringing With this addictive pop gem and hit that also featured other acts and a record deal. young Black man in today’s — and being that rare Black updated dance moves, Dua Lipa leading the new class of rap. world went viral, with everyone singer on the country music is well on her way to world dom- 10. BLACKPINK featuring came out swinging with this from Barack Obama to LeBron scene — Mickey Guyton birthed ination. Selena Gomez, “Ice Cream”: trap-pop bop that was as sweet James praising the singer and his a beautiful, touching song that is 8. Gabby Barrett featuring K-pop all-stars BLACKPINK and irresistible as ice cream. Albums: 2020’s best had cat hair, comebacks and quarantine

FROM PAGE 12

4. Thundercat, “It Is What It Is”:“I may 5. Bob Dylan, “Rough and Rowdy Ways”: 6. Ariana Grande, “Positions”:No large 7. Moses Sumney, “Grae”:As kaleido- be covered in cat hair, but I still smell Split between bloodthirsty rockers and gatherings here: Grande sings almost scopic in style as Sumney’s view is of good,” this Los Angeles-based funkateer so-pretty-they-hurt ballads, Dylan’s 39th exclusively about a quar-pod of two on this identity — “I insist upon my right to be sings over the type of plasmatic bass line studio album showcases a lifelong tunes- tender yet raunchy meditation on the only multiple,” one interlude declares — this that’s made him a go-to collaborator for mith who’s only found more things to safe contact sport left in the age of COVID. sprawling double album moves between Kendrick Lamar and Michael McDonald. write about — from sex and violence to Limiting? Not with her voice (or imag- R&B, pop, indie rock and electronic music On his fourth solo record, which addresses history and botany (!) — as he’s aged. At ination). as Sumney thinks through what it means the 2018 death of his close friend Mac 79, he’s precisely the snowbird you want to be a person with his skin, his back- Miller, Thundercat keeps finding ways to telling you about the bougainvillea bloom- ground and his desires. personalize a trippy philosophy of healing. ing in Key West.

8. The Strokes, “The New Abnormal”: 9. Kali Uchis, “Sin Miedo (del Amor y 10. Megan Thee Stallion, “Good News”: Plus 10 more not to be missed: Nobody expected the beautiful princes of Otros Demonios)”: The Spanish-language Debate all you want about whether “Good Haim, “Women in Music Pt. III” (above) New York’s early-’00s retro-garage scene follow-up to Uchis’ English-language de- News,” which follows several mixtapes Phoebe Bridgers, “Punisher” to still be around two decades later. Yet but feels like a mixtape cataloging her and a mini-LP, represents Megan’s official Justin Bieber, “Changes” here they are, greeting middle age with an loves and influences, from the boleros she debut. What’s clear from this nonstop Childish Gambino, “3.15.20” album of gorgeous and empathetic sad- heard growing up to the reggaeton and barrage of hooks and boasts and punch- The Weeknd, “After Hours” dad jams about what happens when the hip-hop that keep Latin pop moving today. lines is that the 25-year-old rapper knows Chris Stapleton, “Starting Over” party ends. “Use me like an oar, and get Whatever the setting, her wonderful sing- the world’s eyes are finally on her. Beach Bunny, “Honeymoon” yourself to shore,” Julian Casablancas ing — airy, pleading, tinged with just the Tame Impala, “The Slow Rush” moans — a cautionary tale destined to be right amount of scorn — puts Uchis in the Dua Lipa and the Blessed Madonna, “Club ignored by some kid in a $2,000 leather center of the music. Future Nostalgia” jacket. The 1975, “Notes on a Conditional Form” PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW — TELEVISION

“I May Destroy You”

HBO/TNS

Netflix “The Queen’s Gambit” 4. ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ It’s not just that “The Queen’s Gambit” managed to make chess sexy that made it stand out, though that alone is impressive. But what gave it an edge is the way it cre- ated characters who were not altogether likable, but deserving of success nonethe- less. The limited Netflix series is carried by a magnetic performance by Anya Taylor-Joy as young prodigy Beth Harmon and floats on a dizzying array of death, devastation and addiction. For a girl whose life suffers one calamity after another, Beth is understandably dam- aged, but Joy plays her with such caution Reality check and care that you find yourself not just caring about chess, but rooting for her, along with her messy band of friends. This year’s best television shows rose above current events, 3. ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ FX’s Staten Island-set vampire mocku- mentary is at its best when it’s at its weir- giving viewers storylines that were new, different or better dest. That’s never more obvious than the second season’s Jackie Daytona episode, in New York Daily News 8. ‘Lovecraft Country’ which Laszlo (Matthew Berry) flees town and goes undercover as a human bartender, 10. ‘Normal People’ Misha Green’s terrifying HBO thriller with only a toothpick as a disguise. was at times confusing, but it was ambi- It’s the show’s best episode and maybe The beauty of the Irish characters’ teen- tious. “Lovecraft Country” experimented the best of any show this year, but it’s also age (then college, then post-grad) romance with every turn. It took on racism in the simply a heightened version of what the is in its messiness. Viewers know every- Jim Crow South, aliens and sexism. show does best: let its fully formed, brilliant thing would go smoothly if lovers Marianne Jurnee Smollett’s Leti bashed cars with characters create chaos. (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell (Paul a baseball bat in a scene that seemed out of Mescal) would just get over themselves. a musical. Jonathan Majors’ Tic dated a 2. ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ Hulu’s adaptation of Sally Rooney’s 2018 Korean nurse who was actually a nine- Where “Grand Army” portrayed today’s tailed fox spirit tasked with killing 100 novel of the same name is carried entirely Netflix youth as more damaged than most of us, by its two leads, comfortable in their un- men during sex. Aunjanue Ellis’ Hippoly- “The Baby-Sitters Club” aimed to show “The Baby­Sitters Club” easiness, relishing the quiet melancholy of ta traversed time and space. In an era of they’re also better than adults too. A mod- young love. “Normal People” may not be reboots, remakes and revivals, “Lovecraft ern version of Ann M. Martin’s beloved Shakespeare, but like “Romeo and Juliet,” it Country” was original, and for that, it 1980s-launched children’s books, the Net- understands the self-inflicted torment of deserves praise. 5. ‘Schitt’s Creek’ flix series paints a beautiful, rose-colored- feelings and the refreshing joy of a good cry. You can count on two hands the number glasses version of a world where people 7. ‘Little America’ of shows that have ended well, with a care. 9. ‘The Good Fight’ “Little America” premiered in January finale that honors its characters and story- The sitters care about labor issues and No show has handled the Trump presi- — which feels like a decade ago — but telling. trans rights. They deal with crushes and dency better than “The Good Fight” on CBS while it may have long ago slipped from Two did so this year — “Schitt’s Creek” Stacey’s diabetes, but they also want to All Access. It’s a silly show, with pee tapes the public conscience, the eight-episode and “The Good Place” — but the former make the world a better place and are more and hallucinogenic drugs, but it navigates Apple TV+ anthology series showed the was a transcendent ending to a show that suited to do it than the adults around them. this political climate with reckless abandon beauty of this country before it began to quietly built a fan base around what “The Baby-Sitters Club” was adorable and no interest in pretending that any of this crumble. Each immigration tale told a should go down as one of the best comedi- nostalgia, but it was also hope in the worst is normal. It’s also a brave show, with #Me- different story — some of acceptance, es in TV history. year of many people’s lives. Too alternate realities and Chinese censor- some of perseverance — but each was Across six seasons, “Schitt’s Creek,” ship. But above all, it was unafraid of telling hopeful and inspirational. “Little Amer- which streams on Netflix, proved that 1. ‘I May Destroy You’ the truth, no matter how bonkers it got. ica” believed not only in the American people can change, an underlying theme Through grief comes strength, but also dream, but that it still exists. of almost all character-driven art but one beauty. “I May Destroy You” wants viewers rarely handled so beautifully. to believe that. 6. ‘Grand Army’ The wealthy Rose family started as The HBO series explores the trauma, The Netflix drama about a group of high detestable, self-involved and self-indul- avoidance, anger and resistance of Arabel- school kids in Brooklyn handles teenagers gent, and ended not as good people, but as la, who suffers through a drug-induced better than almost any show before it. It’s better people. Theirs was a world in which rape, against a backdrop of the best friend- “Freaks and Geeks,” but bigger and dark- racism and homophobia did not exist ships on television. What creator and star er and more traumatizing. “Grand Army” simply because it didn’t need to. It was Michaela Coel does with rage and reconcil- doesn’t infantilize its characters or mock hilarious, sure, and the Halloween cos- iation is at once messy and beautiful, an them. It respects them. It’s an unflinching tumes and novelty gifts it spurred will experiment in the complexities of sexual look at a generation of teens, surviving on never get old. But above all, “Schitt’s trauma. As “I May Destroy You” quietly POP TV/TNS a diet of TikTok, 3 a.m. presidential tweets Creek” was a blessing because it believed whispers and shouts at full volume, surviv- “Schitt’s Creek” and protests, and how they deal with that. in the goodness of humanity. ing and living are not the same. Sunday, January 3, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 CROSSWORD AND COMICS NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

TOY STORY 1234 5678 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 BY RANDOLPH ROSS / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ 71 81 91 02 12 Randolph Ross is a retired high school principal and math teacher who lives in Manhattan. He has been making crosswords for The Times since 1991. The theme of this one arose out of some factoids about 111-Across and 33-Down that he gave a grandson. 22 32 42 52 ‘‘It occurred to me that for this Christmas and Hanukkah, with so many grandparents and family not able to see the children from their lives in person, a crossword about toys might bring a smile.” — W.S. 62 72 82

ACROSS 48 Rhodes of the Rhodes 91 Combined 6 Game with red and 92 03 13 23 33 43 53 1 Currency of Thailand scholarship 93 Most common day to yellow cards 49 Photo finishes call in sick: Abbr. 63 73 83 93 04 14 24 34 44 5 Kiss 7 1904 World’s Fair city: 51 U.S./U.K. divider: 94 Right away Abbr. 9 U.S. city just south of Abbr. 95 Toy with 18 spoken 8 Flint is a form of it 54 64 74 84 Timpanogos Cave 53 Loyally following phrases, including ‘‘I 9 Moonfish National Monument 94 05 15 25 35 45 55 55 Flag carrier with love you’’ and ‘‘May 10 Sacking site in A.D. I have a cookie?’’ 13 Minus an alphabetically 410 65 75 85 95 06 ordered name 97 Investment firm T. 11 Physical, e.g. 17 Something to shoot for ____ Price 56 Trim 12 ‘‘Holy cow!’’ 16 26 36 57 Game that got a 98 A halogen-containing 19 One who hasn’t salt 13 Appointment that turned pro? big boost when may be hard to 46 56 66 76 86 96 07 Johnny Carson 100 ____-Locka, Fla. change 20 Strong adhesive demonstrated it with 101 ‘‘My luck has to 14 Curve 17 27 37 47 57 Eva Gabor on ‘‘The change at some 21 Indiana governor 15 Dr. Fauci’s agcy. Holcomb Tonight Show’’ point’’ 67 77 87 97 08 18 59 Showy shrub 16 Poli ____ 22 She debuted on March 103 Politician parodied 18 Premiere arrival 28 38 48 58 68 9, 1959, in a black- 61 Schlepped by Dana Carvey on and-white striped 62 City in north-central 1990s ‘‘S.N.L.’’ 20 Classic comics swimsuit Florida 107 Performed a Latin teenager with good 78 88 98 09 19 29 39 63 Writer Arthur Conan ballroom dance manners 24 Virtual pet simulation 111 Puzzle toy solved 23 They can elevate art 49 59 69 79 game that won an Ig ____ 64 Umpteen in a record 3.47 25 Alley ____ Nobel Prize for its seconds in 2018 89 99 001 101 201 Japanese creators 65 Day to play with new 28 Org. with boosters toys 114 Toy that astronauts 301 601501401 701 011901801 26 [Grrr!] brought to space to 30 The beginning, in an 69 Food ____ idiom 27 Glenn Miller classic secure tools in zero (Thanksgiving gravity 33 By the end of 1996, 111 311211 611511411 feeling) 29 Purchases on 14 de 117 Goes off one million of this febrero 71 Like subway walls, toy was sold in a 711 811 911 021 118 Grannies 31 Major talent grp. often shopping frenzy 73 Final authority 119 Not on solid ground, 34 ‘‘South Pacific’’ hero 121 221 321 421 representing say athletes and 74 William ____, founder 35 2014 film directed by entertainers of Investor’s 120 Piece in the game go Ava DuVernay 121 Strong criticism 32 Outpourings Business Daily 36 Goes after 50 Promoting peace 70 Be less than 88 With some downside 108 Straddling 122 Chichi 76 ____ area, part of 37 Simian world 52 Actress Taylor of ambitious 90 Shot from a doc 109 Sight from the 36 Overplays, with ‘‘up’’ the brain linked to 123 Spring event 38 First toy to be ‘‘Mystic Pizza’’ 72 Subj. for some 92 Statement of Sicilian town of 39 Toy that was speech production 124 Rigging pole advertised on TV 54 ‘‘That was Zen, this aspiring bilinguals resistance Taormina originally called 78 Toy that was derived 40 Open hostilities is ____’’ (philosophy 75 Sierra ____ 95 Big name in small ‘‘L’Écran Magique’’ from a wallpaper pun) 110 Textile worker (‘‘The Magic DOWN 41 St. Patrick’s home 76 Operatic villains, planes cleaner 58 Smart 111 One whistling while Screen’’) 1 Longest-serving Israeli 42 See the sights often 96 Took care of a tabby, 81 ‘‘I’m here to help’’ 60 ‘‘The Tempest’’ king working in the prime minister, 43 Feed lines to 77 Totaled say 44 ‘‘Lost ____ is never 82 Contented sigh familiarly Garden? found again’’: 62 Cleanliness fixation, 78 Legal assistant, 97 Counters 83 Phillies div. 2 Driver around 46 Its box once read ‘‘A e.g., in brief Benjamin Franklin sweet little game for briefly 99 Tik____ (app) 112 Address with dots 85 ____ treatment Hollywood 63 Brit. military award sweet little folks’’ 79 Future J.D.’s hurdle 102 Ballpark figures 113 Swimsuit part 45 Natl. Humor Month 86 Harlem attraction, 3 ‘‘And, touching ____, 66 Little bits 48 Toy that sold more 80 Not just available 115 Suffix suggested by 46 Mild, light-colored with ‘‘the’’ make blessed my 67 Reason for glasses 104 Lasting impression rude hand’’: Romeo cars in America in online the wiggling of one’s cigar 87 Golf great Sam 1991 than the Honda 68 Singer with a self- 105 Give up (on) 47 Things found in 89 Place for torn-off 4 Small snare drums Accord or Ford titled No. 1 album 84 Biblical ending 106 Shopping site with a hand wandering souls? wrapping paper 5 Inaccurate information Taurus in 2002 86 Soon ‘‘Toys’’ section 116 Calf-eteria?

GUNSTON STREET RESULTS FOR ABOVE PUZZLE

R A P S W A H T Y T R A K A L F

E N O T S A E S A S A N A N S R R E

Y T T U P Y L L I S E B U C S K I B U R

D E A B M A S T O R E P S S O R

E U D M I A P O E T A D O I

E W O R Y H T A C Y T T A H C T A T S

N O M E N O N I H S A R T D A E N S

O L L O P A A P S T S A E L N H A A

E M E S U H O D Y A L P S A C O R B

L I E N O O S Y A S D E L I T

A M O C S A M T S I R H C Y N A M

E L Y O D A L A C O D E T O T

A E L A Z A R E T S I W T N R O D A

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L I C E C U O I E A O R A L C R P A

“Gunston Street” is drawn by Basil Zaviski. Email him at [email protected], and online at gunstonstreet.com. E M I T H C T E K S A H C T E S M A H

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C I R E Y X O P E I T N A L A E D I S N A S M E R O S S U B T H A B PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW Breakthrough Entertainers These 5 performers created buzz and art in a year like no other Associated Press the films “All Day and a Night” and Aaron aking a breakthrough in pop Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” His culture during any year is hard. year was highlighted with the Emmy for Doing it during a global pan- Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Mo- vie for his acclaimed performance as Dr. demic is entirely different. MATT LICARI, INVISION/AP M Manhattan in HBO’s lauded series “Watch- This year’s five Associated Press’ Break- men.” through Entertainers of the Year managed to Sarah Cooper: And while Billie Eilish is a sensation, it’s create buzz and art against a year like no time her brother, Finneas, is also celebrated. From TikTok other. They brightened a 2020 that badly She won five honors at the Grammy Awards needed light. to Netflix star earlier this year, including album of the year They are Anya Taylor-Joy, Yahya Abdul- The video was simple: A wom- for “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We an in her apartment, lip-syncing Mateen II, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sarah Cooper Go?” But since Finneas produced, co-wrote audio of President Donald and Finneas. These performers broke Trump as he expounded on pos- and engineered that album, he walked away sible coronavirus treatments. through into the mainstream and made a “We hit the body with a tre- with six Grammys, one more than his sister. mendous — whether it’s ultravio- mark on entertainment this year, despite In a year when many people’s output let or just very powerful light,” lockdowns — and, in the case of Edgar- Trump said at the time. “I see the slackened, Anya Taylor-Joy seemed to find disinfectant where it knocks it Jones, perhaps because of them, sending another gear: She played a meddling British out in a minute. One minute. And people desperate for connection to her series is there a way we can do some- brat in “Emma,” a Russian mutant with tele- thing like that by injection inside “Normal People.” portation powers in the latest “X-Men” film, or almost a cleaning?” The AP’s fourth annual list spotlights how Comedian Sarah Cooper dem- and an American orphan who turns out to be onstrated “injecting” herself with fast fame can come: It took a mere four a chess phenom who can checkmate grown a cleaning spray, posting the 49-second video, “How to Med- months from when Cooper started posting men by the time she’s 8 in “The Queen’s ical,” on TikTok in April. Four videos of herself on TikTok lip-syncing Pres- Gambit.” months later, Cooper was filming her own hourlong Netflix special ident Donald Trump to filming her own Taylor-Joy said when she was a kid, she alongside dream guest stars hourlong Netflix special alongside Helen dreamed of flying off to imaginary lands. Helen Mirren, Marisa Tomei, Ben Stiller, Jon Hamm, Winona Mirren. “Now as an adult, I’m like, ‘I live in Narnia.’ Ryder, Jane Lynch, Fred Armi- Abdul-Mateen’s career may have started This is amazing.” In a year like 2020, it was sen and Maya Rudolph. Rudolph said she first saw one later than most, but he was all over 2020, in appropriate that millions escaped with her. of Cooper’s videos after a friend sent it to her. “I was just so im- pressed with just the natural joy of it,” Rudolph said. “I felt like Finneas finds his lane in music industry she just clicked into this thing that was coming out of her so Onstage, Finneas and Billie Eilish come Bond film with Eilish, earned three nomi- effortlessly that it was making all across like a seasoned, veteran musical duo. nations for the 2021 Grammys and began of us laugh.” With her beautifully aching and raw tone lending his talents to folks he's not related to, Cooper’s Netflix special, “Sa- singing relatable and profound lyrics in the including Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, Hal- rah Cooper: Everything’s Fine,” starring role, Finneas brilliantly supports on sey, Kid Cudi, Ben Platt and Tove Lo. was the first project for Animal piano or guitar. Finneas is the white-hot producer on the Pictures, Rudolph’s new produc- That was how the pair spent last year on pop music scene, and he’s got a few collab- tion company. the road promoting Eilish’s debut album, orations cooking up, though he’s not spilling Cooper’s lip-syncing videos which helped make the then-17-year-old a all the tea: “It’s like when they interview renewed interest in her books, breakout star. ‘Avengers’ cast members — they can never “100 Tricks to Appear Smart in But as Eilish’s star power grew brighter, so say anything,” he said. Meetings” and “How to Be Suc- did Finneas’. He was recognized for produc- He’s fielding calls left and right from art- cessful Without Hurting Men’s ing and engineering his sister’s music. He ists about getting together to make magical Feelings.” The latter is being also co-wrote the hits that made her famous music, but Finneas said he’s careful about turned into a sitcom for CBS. — some of them he even wrote alone. who he works with. Now that Trump is on his way As people discovered Eilish, they also un- “The baseline is — if it’s something that I out of the Oval Office and her covered Finneas. like — I’m interested. I don’t play a game career is taking off, Cooper, 42, The 2020 Grammy Awards solidified this: with that. I’m not trying to do the thing that’s says the lip-syncing videos will In January, Eilish won five honors — making the best strategic career move,” he said. be something she does “just for her the night’s second big winner, only to be “Sometimes there’s a huge opportunity and fun every once in a while.” behind Finneas. He won six awards and be- I’m like, ‘I don’t like their music; I can’t do it.’ “Looking back in my career, I came of one of the youngest acts to be named The other criteria is that I do try to work with evolve. I want to do something non-classical producer of the year at 22. people who I know I’m going to be effective different. And the second any- It kicked off a productive year for the art- and helpful with. Some people don’t need thing gets stale, I don’t really ist: In 2020 he re-released his debut EP, drop- me.” want to do it anymore,” she said. ped the theme song for the upcoming James — Mesfin Fekadu REBECCA CABAGE, INVISION/AP — Amanda Lee Myers Sunday, January 3, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 YEAR IN REVIEW

Daisy Edgar-Jones connects

When 22-year-old Daisy Ed- gar-Jones ditched her British accent for the dulcet Irish tones of Marianne in “Normal People,” the actor’s stardom hit a new trajectory. Based on Sally Rooney’s be- stselling novel, “Normal People” became one of the biggest and most talked-about television shows of 2020, mesmerizing audiences with the haunting love affair of Edgar-Jones and new- comer Paul Mescal as Marianne and Connell. Launched during a global lockdown, the actor jokes in an interview they had a “captive audience” with a lot of spare time. “It caught fire maybe in a way that I don’t know if it would have had it not been for the cir- PETER MORRISON/AP cumstance,” she says. JOEL RYAN, INVISION/AP But more importantly, “being so much about a human connec- ‘Oh, I’ve been watching a show Anya Taylor-Joy living in a dreamworld tion and a relationship between and she looks like the person two people,” the show really from it,’” she says. In a span of seven months this year alone, Anya Netflix says “The Queen’s Gambit” was its big- struck a chord with audiences, Success was felt more immedi- Taylor-Joy played a meddling British brat in “Em- gest scripted limited series ever, and “Emma” “when we were all indoors not ately at home where her phone ma,” a Russian mutant with teleportation powers in received critical and box-office acclaim, as did her being able to see our friends or was constantly buzzing and she the latest “X-Men” film, and an American orphan big screen debut as a lead in Robert Eggers’ 2015 families or loved ones,” she says. was surprised to see some high- who turns out to be a chess phenom who can check- horror hit “The Witch,” which won Taylor-Joy a Despite a background in Bri- profile fans reaching out to say mate grown men by the time she’s 8 in “The Gotham Independent Film Award for breakthrough tain’s National Youth Theatre they were watching. Queen’s Gambit.” actor. She’s also drawn praise for her performances and U.K. television, “Normal This led to “a real pinch your- She’s just getting started. in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Split,” the dark comedy/ People” was Edgar-Jones’ first self kind of moment” when she The 24-year-old just wrapped shooting “The thriller “Thoroughbreds” and BBC One’s “Peaky big press campaign, and the fact discovered Kourtney Kardashian Northman” alongside Nicole Kidman, Alexander Blinders.” it was virtual made the experi- was one such fan. Skarsgard, Willem Dafoe and Ethan Hawke. In Taylor-Joy is so well-liked among those who’ve ence “quite disarming and a bit “There’s a scene actually in the October, Warner Bros. announced that Taylor-Joy directed her, they’ve formed what’s almost a club of strange.” final episode where we’re play- will play Furiosa in the highly anticipated prequel adoration, calling each other and talking about how “That’s a very kind of intimate ing the game where you have to “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Oh, and she’ll have she’s doing, said Autumn de Wilde, who directed way to meet somebody when Post-it notes with names on another movie coming out in April: Edgar Wright’s Taylor-Joy in “Emma.” you’re in your own bedroom,” them. And one of them is Kim psychological thriller “Last Night in Soho.” “We share a common bond in that we just 100% she says. Kardashian. So that was quite “When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was go to believe in her and we’re so excited to see how our And then there was the stress- funny that she had seen it.” Narnia and, you know, fly to Neverland and go to all ideas will flower with her,” de Wilde said. “She’s es of working solo. “I was trying As for Edgar-Jones, there are of these incredible places,” Taylor-Joy recently told not an empty vessel. She’s a never-ending box of to do my own hair and makeup already exciting things on the The Associated Press. “And now as an adult, I’m drawers and secret passageways.” and trying to look half decent horizon. She has just completed like, ‘I live in Narnia. Like, this is amazing.’” Though she says her skyrocketing fame “can be a half the time.” shooting the second series of Taylor-Joy is “the busiest person I’ve ever met,” bit intense,” the journey has been “a beautiful proc- Even getting recognized dur- “War of the Worlds” in Cardiff, said Marielle Heller, who plays Taylor Joy’s foster ess.” ing a pandemic was confusing for Wales, a modern-day reimagin- mother in “The Queen’s Gambit” and directed “A “I have a ton of energy, and I think this career the actor, who left the house for ing of H.G. Wells’ story, and is Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” and “Can You and the hours of this career requires, they make me daily walks. “really excited to get back at it” Ever Forgive Me?” “I don’t know how she’s doing tired enough to be sane, which I appreciate,” she “If that was because they just when she begins filming “Where so many projects at the same time. It’s really kind said. hadn’t seen another person in the Crawdads Sing” in January. of mind-blowing,” Heller said. — Amanda Lee Myers three weeks or if they were like, — Louise Dixon Yahya Abdul-Mateen II: ‘Making a strong statement’

It’s been a strange and bittersweet year 2019 and starred in the “Striking Vipers” as a city planner, it wasn’t until he was for Yahya Abdul-Mateen, capped with an episode of “Black Mirror.” laid off that he decided to put all of his Emmy for his acclaimed performance as It’s an impressive array of roles for an eggs into the acting basket. He’d eventu- Dr. Manhattan in HBO’s lauded series actor whose first major credits were in ally earn an MFA from the Yale School of “Watchmen.” That role, along with per- Baz Luhrmann’s 2016 short-lived Netflix Drama. formances in the films “All Day and a hip-hop series “The Get Down.” He wants to use his example to help Night” and Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of “It goes back to my training, having the young people who come from back- the Chicago 7,” in which he portrays Black confidence to try on different roles,” said grounds and neighborhoods similar to his Panther Bobby Seale, has earned him Abdul-Mateen. “I think my calling card to recognize that working in entertainment praise and recognition from critics and right now is that when I show up on the doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. fans. screen, that you never know what to ex- “The thing that I want to do is let young “This year has been obviously, person- pect. I think people have come to expect a people know ... that this is a viable career ally, just a little bit strange, but there’s a strong performance, and I work really path; this is a viable profession. So wheth- lot of good things going on the professional hard to ensure that. But I also work with er that be acting, writing, designing, set side,” said Abdul-Mateen, 34. “This year spontaneity and I chase my appetite, design or any of the various parts of this of has really just been about a lot of the loose which changes from time to time.” this profession, that it’s a reality,” said ends of my career finally coming together Born in New Orleans with his family Abdul-Mateen. “... This all started with me and making a strong statement.” eventually moving to Oakland, Abdul- chasing my curiosity, but also making a Previously, Abdul-Mateen played oppo- Mateen graduated with a degree in archi- real strong commitment to saying, ‘OK, if site Jason Momoa as the villainous Black tecture from UC Berkeley. Although he this is something I’m interested in doing, Manta in the 2018 blockbuster “Aqua- took a theater class in college and contin- let’s put everything that I have into it.’” DREW GURIAN, INVISION/AP man,” shined in Jordan Peele’s “Us” in ued to take a weekly class while working — Gary Gerard Hamilton PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander US killing its top general didn’t deter Iran Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY GEOFF LAMEAR lutionary Guard Corps still operates in the despite a heavy sanctions campaign and Special to Stars and Stripes same theaters as before, and Soleimani’s military force. There’s no acceptable ave- here are decades when nothing successor boasts substantial experience co- nue the U.S. can pursue that hasn’t already EDITORIAL happens, and there are weeks ordinating Iranian proxies in Syria. In other been tried and failed. And there’s no strate- Terry Leonard, Editor when decades happen. At the words, the U.S. picked a flashy target, not gic reason to stay in Iraq that would justify [email protected] Tstart of the eventful year of 2020, one that would dampen Iran’s proxy activ- the overwhelming risks the U.S. incurs. it was the latter. The U.S. nearly inaugu- ities. Iraq is already in a political environment Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor rated the decade with a war against Iran af- Predictably, this strike had the opposite that’s likely to stave off Iranian domination [email protected] ter assassinating Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem effect than U.S. decision makers intended. of the country. Even the formerly anti- Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content Soleimani. Unfortunately, like the global Rather than reinforce deterrence to protect American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr de- [email protected] pandemic, the ramifications of this will lin- U.S. personnel, the Soleimani strike nounced the embassy attack because it un- ger into 2021 and beyond. Iranian proxies prompted Iran to conduct a retaliatory dermined the authority of the Iraqi state. Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] have declared the anniversary of Soleima- strike that injured over 100 U.S. troops in The Iraqi government has also ramped up ni’s killing on Jan. 3 will not go by without Iraq. Nor did Iran’s proxies dampen their pressure on these militias, and issued an ar- Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital retaliation. The threat of war is still real, efforts. In December, rocket strikes against rest warrant for the leader of one of Iran’s [email protected] and the U.S. needs to reevaluate its pres- the U.S. embassy in Baghdad prompted favored proxies. Iraqis are best suited to ence in the Middle East if it seeks to avoid a President Donald Trump to reiterate his handling security in their own country. The BUREAU STAFF new chapter of the forever wars. red line of no dead Americans. U.S. should stick to protecting its own peo- Soleimani was not a faceless bureaucrat. While the U.S. fears Iran may cross the ple. That means a military withdrawal from Europe/Mideast He was the foremost symbol of Iran’s “Axis point of no return, Iran is likewise anticipat- the country. Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] of Resistance” in the Middle East. As Hez- ing Washington could conduct another at- Such a move isn’t drastic; it’s long over- +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 bollah leader Hassan Nasrallah remarked, tack in Trump’s waning days in office. This due. The overwhelming majority of Amer- Pacific there is no American equivalent to Soleima- isn’t out of the question, as Trump reported- icans support such measures. Moreover, Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief ni. In former Gen. David Petraeus’ words, ly considered a military strike on Iran’s nu- the choice of military occupation or aban- [email protected] the closest equivalent would be a combina- clear facilities in November. Some of Iran’s donment is a false dichotomy. The U.S. can +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 tion of, “CIA director, CENTCOM com- proxies have called for restraint in response still be a diplomatic and economic player in Washington mander, JSOC commander, and presiden- to the embassy attack, recognizing that war the region. That’s not isolationism but rath- Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief tial envoy for the region.” Soleimani’s death would be disadvantageous to both sides. At er a recognition that the costs from stron- [email protected] (+1)(202)886-0033 prompted mass rallies in Iran that quickly the same time, however, Iran is reportedly garming Iran far outweigh the potential Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News gave way to promises of harsh revenge prepping its proxies to respond in the event benefits. Diplomacy is an underutilized tool [email protected] against the United States. of a U.S. attack. in American policymaking, and it would be- Given Soleimani’s symbolic importance, Both on the Iranian and the U.S. side, hoove President-elect Joe Biden to bring it CIRCULATION it’s easy to overstate the impact of his death. there is suspicion of an impending attack by back to prominence. The alternative is an- Mideast His death was immensely impactful in the other side. But if the United States fears other decade of American foreign policy Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager bringing Iran and the U.S. to the verge of American troops will die, and that’s a suffi- where nothing happens for the better. [email protected] war. But it wasn’t impactful in curtailing cient reason to go to war, then why not leave [email protected] Iran’s regional activities. The Islamic Revo- Iraq? Iran’s proxy activities have continued Geoff LaMear is a fellow at Defense Priorities. DSN (314)583-9111 Europe Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager [email protected] Stimulus money will still flow, even if not needed [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 BY GARY ABERNATHY randum to department heads urging them to forcement vehicles with computers to re- Pacific Special to The Washington Post consider cuts based on the shortfalls that duce personal contact, digitizing records to Mari Mori, [email protected] he biggest complaint about the would almost surely come. Then a funny reduce the number of people coming into an +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 $900 billion stimulus package that thing happened on the way to insolvency — office to peruse musty old books, and other CONTACT US President Donald Trump signed a our county auditor, Bill Fawley, informed us similar items, many of which had long been Tweek ago was that it is too small that sales tax revenue was actually increas- on department wish lists. Washington and contains no funding for state and local ing. In 2019, Highland County’s sales tax Was it great to be able to do those things? tel: (+1)202.886.0003 governments. But that misses the bigger pic- reaped about $6.8 million. For 2020, it’s an- Sure. Were they all necessary? No. But no lo- 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 ture. If the $2 trillion package enacted last ticipated to reach $7.5 million — a record by cal government is going to look a gift horse in Reader letters March hadn’t been so haphazardly distrib- at least $500,000, Fawley told me Monday. the mouth. Coronavirus or not, small coun- [email protected] uted, there wouldn’t be such a need for more Highland County wasn’t alone in not only ties are often just one calamity away from ru- Additional contacts stimulus spending now. weathering the shutdowns but also thriving. in — in our region, see the closure of a DHL stripes.com/contactus Under the CARES Act passed in March, According to a report by the National Associ- distribution hub and 7,000 lost jobs in 2008 — local governments that flourished despite ation of Counties, “Many rural counties so they’re going to use the funds for allowable OMBUDSMAN shutdowns and stay-at-home orders re- throughout the Midwest have experienced wish-list expenditures. Ernie Gates ceived millions anyway. Stimulus checks upward trends in sales tax collections” dur- Granted, at first, no one knew the impact went to Americans who never lost their jobs ing the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenosha Coun- the shutdowns would have everywhere. But The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow or suffered any other economic hardships. ty, Wis., “had all-time record collections for once that was clear, redirecting money away of news and information, reporting any attempts by the military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s Businesses that didn’t need them received sales tax revenue in the months of May, July from thriving local governments to the areas independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for millions in forgivable Paycheck Protection and August.” Hickory County, Mo., “is up in need would have made more sense — and fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman Program loans. over $100,000 in sales tax revenue for the perhaps reduced the need for subsequent welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by email at [email protected], or by phone at Now, we’re doing much of it again, consis- month of September compared to last year’s stimulus packages. 202.886.0003. tent with the philosophy adopted by Demo- numbers.” Congress’ new package doesn’t contain crats and Republicans alike that even though Since March, rather than travel to the money for states and localities, but there are Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- the national debt is already unconscionable, malls and outlets in nearby metropolitan ar- hundreds of millions for another round of days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Uncle Sam will shovel money at the pain and eas, rural residents have stayed home to stimulus checks and PPP loans. And Presi- Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send consequences from our disastrous decision shop, driving local sales tax revenue through dent-elect Joe Biden promises to push for address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, to crash the economy this year. the roof. But rather than set up a system even more spending in the months to come; APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services How do I know this? Until October, I based on need, state officials merely divvied state and local governments are sure to be a overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are served a two-year-plus stint as a member of up the federal money proportionally. So far, part of that. unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- the Highland County (Ohio) Board of Com- Highland County has been allocated more Will it be done more responsibly next per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official missioners. County commissioners are pri- than $4 million, the auditor told me — a wind- time? Probably not. There are voters to be channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. marily tasked with overseeing the county fall that dwarfs the sales tax windfall. The courted everywhere, not just in suffering The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or budget. When Republican Gov. Mike De- same thing happened in small counties communities. When it comes to spending Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Wine ordered business closures in March, across the nation. That doesn’t count the mil- money that doesn’t really exist in the first Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, local governments were naturally worried lions provided directly to schools, hospitals, place, being frugal about it seems silly, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical about the loss of sales taxes that, for many, health departments and other local entities. doesn’t it? handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. represent 50% or more of their annual reve- In Highland County, the biggest CARES © Stars and Stripes 2021 nue. Act expenditures were installing glass bar- Gary Abernathy, a contributing columnist for The Washington In Highland County, we issued a memo- riers at county offices, upgrading law en- Post, is a freelance writer based in southwestern Ohio. stripes.com Sunday, January 3, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 SCOREBOARD

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRO FOOTBALL DEALS

Bowl schedule NFL vidson (knee), LB Foyesade Oluokun (an­ DOLPHINS: QUESTIONABLE: WR Jakeem Friday's transactions Canceled kle), RB Ito Smith (rib), TE Luke Stocker (el­ Grant (ankle), G Solomon Kindley (knee, BASKETBALL Bahamas Bowl bow). FULL: C Matt Hennessy (knee), DE foot), DE Shaq Lawson (shoulder), WR De­ National Basketball Association AMERICAN CONFERENCE Steven Means (hand). BUCCANEERS: OUT: Vante Parker (hamstring). FULL: G Ereck Birmingham Bowl NBA — Fined F James Johnson, Dallas Celebration Bowl DT Jeremiah Ledbetter (calf). DOUBTFUL: Flowers (ankle), S Kavon Frazier (shoul­ East CB Carlton Davis (groin). QUESTIONABLE: der), TE Mike Gesicki (shoulder), CB Xa­ Mavericks, F's Cody Martin and Caleb Fenway Bowl Martin, Charlotte Hornets, for their roles in Frisco Bowl DT Steve McLendon (not injury related). vien Howard (shoulder), S Bobby McCain WLTPct PF PA DNP: LB Jason Pierre­Paul (knee), DT Nda­ (ankle), CB Jamal Perry (foot), LB Kyle Van an on­court altercation on Dec. 30. Fined G Gasparilla Bowl Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz, for making Guaranteed Rate Bowl mukong Suh (not injury related). LIMITED: Noy (hip). BILLS: OUT: WR Cole Beasley yx­Buffalo 12 3 0 .800 445 349 S Mike Edwards (hip), RB Leonard Four­ (knee), TE Reggie Gilliam (knee, hamstr­ contact with a game official on Dec. 31. Hawaii Bowl FOOTBALL Holiday Bowl Miami 10 5 0 .667 378 282 nette (abdomen), LB Jason Pierre­Paul ing). LIMITED: QB Jake Fromm (not injury (knee). FULL: QB Tom Brady (not injury re­ related). FULL: WR John Brown (not injury National Football League Independence Bowl New England 6 9 0 .400 298 339 LA Bowl lated), S Mike Edwards (hip), RB Leonard related), G Jon Feliciano (illness). BUFFALO BILLS — Activated WR Josh Las Vegas Bowl N.Y. Jets 2 13 0 .133 229 429 Fournette (abdomen), TE Rob Gronkowski MINNESOTA VIKINGS at DETROIT LIONS Brown from the reserve/COVID­19 list. Ac­ Military Bowl (not injury related), RB Ronald Jones (fin­ — VIKINGS: OUT: RB Dalvin Cook (not inju­ tivated S Josh Thomas and RB Christian Music City Bowl South ger). ry related), CB Cameron Dantzler (hamstr­ Wade from the reserve/COVID­19 list to Pinstripe Bowl BALTIMORE RAVENS at CINCINNATI BEN­ ing), DE Jalyn Holmes (groin), CB Chris the practice squad. Signed WR J.J. Nelson Quick Lane Bowl WLTPct PF PA GALS — RAVENS: QUESTIONABLE: DT Ca­ Jones (groin), LB Eric Kendricks (calf), DE and CB Duke Thomas to the practice Redbox Bowl lais Campbell (calf, not injury related), RB Ifeadi Odenigbo (chest). QUESTIONABLE: Indianapolis 10 5 0 .667 423 348 squad. Released OL Marguel Harrell, LB Sun Bowl Gus Edwards (back), T D.J. Fluker (knee), K Dan Bailey (back). FULL: LB Todd Davis Deon Lacey and CB Lafayette Pitts from CB Marlon Humphrey (knee, shoulder), RB (ribs), LB Troy Dye (concussion, hamstr­ Texas Bowl Tennessee 10 5 0 .667 450 401 the practice squad. Monday, Dec. 21 Mark Ingram (illness), C Patrick Mekari ing), RB C.J. Ham (quadricep), RB Alexan­ Houston 4 11 0 .267 346 423 (back), DE Yannick Ngakoue (thigh), CB der Mattison (concussion), DT Armon CINCINNATI BENGALS — Activated CB Myrtle Beach Bowl Brian Allen from the reserve/COVID­19 list Conway, S.C. Jacksonville 1 14 0 .067 292 464 Marcus Peters (calf), CB Jimmy Smith Watts (ankle). LIONS: OUT: T Tyrell Crosby (ribs, shoulder), WR Willie Snead (ankle). (ankle), G Joe Dahl (back), WR Kenny Gol­ to the practice squad. Signed TE Mitchell Appalachian St. 56, North Texas 28 North DNP: DE Derek Wolfe (not injury related). laday (hip). QUESTIONABLE: LB Jamie Col­ Wilcox from the practice squad to the ac­ Tuesday, Dec. 22 tive roster. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl BENGALS: OUT: C B.J. Finney (abdomen), lins (neck), C Frank Ragnow (throat), QB WLTPct PF PA CB William Jackson (concussion), LB Lo­ Matthew Stafford (right thumb, rib, an­ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Placed LT An­ Boise gan Wilson (ankle). FULL: WR Tyler Boyd kle). FULL: WR Danny Amendola (not injury thony Castonzo on injured reserve. Pro­ Nevada 38, Tulane 27 yx­Pittsburgh 12 3 0 .800 394 288 (concussion), DT Mike Daniels (not injury related). moted C Joey Hunt to active roster. Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl Baltimore 10 5 0 .667 430 300 related), LB Jordan Evans (hamstring), WR NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at CAROLINA NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Signed DB No. 13 BYU 49, UCF 23 A.J. Green (not injury related), WR Tee Hig­ PANTHERS — SAINTS: OUT: TE Josh Hill Dee Virgin. Wednesday, Dec. 23 Cleveland 10 5 0 .667 384 397 gins (hamstring), CB Darius Phillips (not (hand), S Marcus Williams (ankle). FULL: New Orleans Bowl SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Signed K Tris­ Cincinnati 4 10 1 .300 308 386 injury related). DT Malcom Brown (calf), G Nick Easton tan Viscaino to the practice squad. Pro­ Georgia Southern 38, Louisiana Tech 3 DALLAS COWBOYS at NEW YORK GIANTS (concussion), DE Trey Hendrickson Montgomery (Ala.) Bowl moted DL Alex Barrett to the active roster. West — COWBOYS: OUT: CB Rashard Robinson (neck), RB Latavius Murray (quadricep), Placed T Trent Williams and DL Jordan Wil­ Memphis 25, FAU 10 (knee), LB Leighton Vander Esch (ankle). DT David Onyemata (knee), G Andrus Peat Thursday, Dec. 24 WLTPct PF PA lis on injured reserve. QUESTIONABLE: S Darian Thompson (con­ (ankle). PANTHERS: DOUBTFUL: DE Brian — Placed OLB New Mexico Bowl cussion), S Xavier Woods (ribs). FULL: CB Burns (shoulder), RB Mike Davis (ankle), TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS Frisco, Texas *zyx-Kansas City 14 1 0 .933 452 324 Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring, groin), QB RB Christian McCaffrey (thigh), T Russell Shaquil Barrett and ILB Devin White on the reserve/COVID­19 list. Hawaii 28, Houston 14 Las Vegas 7 8 0 .467 402 447 Ben DiNucci (right wrist), S Donovan Wil­ Okung (calf), CB Troy Pride (hip). QUES­ Friday, Dec. 25 son (illness). GIANTS: OUT: RB Elijhaa Pen­ TIONABLE: DE Yetur Gross­Matos (shoul­ HOCKEY Camellia Bowl L.A. Chargers 6 9 0 .400 346 405 ny (illness). DOUBTFUL: WR Golden Tate der), DE Austin Larkin (shoulder), DE Efe National Hockey League Montgomery, Ala. Denver 5 10 0 .333 292 414 (calf). QUESTIONABLE: LB Cam Brown (ill­ Obada (shoulder, toe). LIMITED: CB Troy NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Recalled F's Buffalo 17, Marshall 10 ness). LIMITED: TE Evan Engram (calf), S Pride (hip). FULL: WR Robby Anderson Eeli Tolvanen and Yakov Trenin and G Con­ Saturday, Dec. 26 NATIONAL CONFERENCE Jabrill Peppers (ankle), WR Sterling She­ (groin), RB Alex Armah (thigh), DE Yetur nor Ingram from their European­based Cure Bowl pard (rib). FULL: CB Darnay Holmes (knee), Gross­Matos (shoulder), DE Marquis loans. Orlando, Fla. East QB Daniel Jones (hamstring). Haynes (shoulder), CB Natrell Jamerson No. 23 Liberty 37, No. 9 Coastal Carolina GREEN BAY PACKERS at CHICAGO BEARS (hip), DE Austin Larkin (shoulder), G John COLLEGE BASKETBALL 34, OT WLTPct PF PA — PACKERS: OUT: T David Bakhtiari (knee), Miller (shoulder), DE Efe Obada (shoulder, SERVPRO First Responder Bowl DE Kingsley Keke (concussion). QUESTON­ toe). Friday’s men’s scores Dallas Dallas 6 9 0 .400 376 450 ABLE: G Simon Stepaniak (knee). LIMITED: NEW YORK JETS at NEW ENGLAND PATRI­ CB Kevin King (groin), WR Allen Lazard — QUESTIONABLE: CB Blessuan No. 16 Louisiana 31, UTSA 24 Washington 6 9 0 .400 315 315 OTS JETS: Lendingtree Bowl (core, wrist), LB Za’Darius Smith (ankle, Austin (illness), CB Javelin Guidry (knee), EAST N.Y. Giants 5 10 0 .333 257 338 Mobile, Ala. thumb), WR Equanimeous St. Brown WR Jeff Smith (shoulder). FULL: G Pat Elf­ Canisius 70, St. Peter’s 58 (knee), G Rick Wagner (knee). FULL: S lein (ankle), RB Ty Johnson (hip), CB Arthur Georgia St. 39, W. Kentucky 21 Philadelphia 4 10 1 .300 320 398 Marist 63, Niagara 61 Tuesday, Dec. 29 Adrian Amos (ankle), TE Marcedes Lewis Maulet (ankle), DT Nathan Shepherd Rider 70, Fairfield 62 South (knee), S Will Redmond (concussion), S (calf). PATRIOTS: OUT: C David Andrews Robert Morris 67, Milwaukee 64 Cheez­It Bowl Darnell Savage (finger), G Simon Stepa­ (calf), RB Damien Harris (ankle), G Sha­ Orlando, Fla. WLTPct PF PA niak (knee), TE Jace Sternberger (concus­ quille Mason (calf). QUESTIONABLE: LB Ja­ SOUTH Oklahoma St. 37, No. 18 Miami 34 sion), RB Jamaal Williams (quadricep). ’Whaun Bentley (shoulder), CB Justin Be­ Alamo Bowl yx-New Orleans 11 4 0 .733 449 330 BEARS: OUT: CB Jaylon Johnson (shoul­ thel (neck), DT Adam Butler (shoulder), LB Coastal Carolina 81, Georgia St. 69 San Antonio der), CB Buster Skrine (concussion). Shilique Calhoun (knee), LS Joe Cardona FIU 82, Old Dominion 67 No. 20 Texas 55, Colorado 23 x­Tampa Bay 10 5 0 .667 448 328 QUESTIONABLE: S Deon Bush (foot), S (ankle), DT Byron Cowart (back), T Jer­ Jacksonville 62, Kennesaw St. 57 Wednesday, Dec. 30 Carolina 5 10 0 .333 343 369 Tashaun Gipson (neck), TE Demetrius Har­ maine Eluemunor (ankle), K Nick Folk Lipscomb 77, Liberty 70 Duke's Mayo Bowl Atlanta 4 11 0 .267 369 370 ris (foot), TE Cole Kmet (shoulder), WR (back), DT Lawrence Guy (shoulder), LB Louisiana Tech 75, Marshall 68 Charlotte, N.C. Cordarrelle Patterson (knee). LIMITED: LB Terez Hall (ankle), T Justin Herron (ankle), Louisiana­Lafayette 83, Texas St. 77, OT Louisiana­Monroe 84, Arkansas St. 72 Wisconsin 42, Wake Forest 28 North Khalil Mack (shoulder), WR Allen Robin­ CB J.C. Jackson (knee), LB Anfernee Jen­ Cotton Bowl Classic son (hamstring), CB Duke Shelley (knee). nings (shoulder), S Devin McCourty N. Kentucky 75, Fort Wayne 68 Arlington, Texas WLTPct PF PA FULL: WR DeAndre Carter (shoulder), TE (shoulder), WR Donte Moncrief (thigh), South Alabama 88, Georgia Southern 59 No. 8 Oklahoma 55, No. 10 Florida 20 Jimmy Graham (not injury related), DT WR Matt Slater (knee). Southern Miss. 74, UTEP 66, OT Thursday, Dec. 31 yx­Green Bay 12 3 0 .800 474 353 Akiem Hicks (illness), T Charles Leno PITTSBURGH STEELERS at CLEVELAND Troy 69, Appalachian St. 56 (toe), DT Bilal Nichols (finger), LB Roquan BROWNS — STEELERS: OUT: K Chris Bos­ W. Kentucky 67, Charlotte 63 Armed Forces Bowl Chicago 8 7 0 .533 356 335 Fort Worth, Texas Smith (eye, rib), LB Danny Trevathan (not well (groin), S Terrell Edmunds (shoulder), Mississippi St., 28, No. 22 Tulsa 26 Minnesota 6 9 0 .400 393 440 injury related). QB Ben Roethlisberger (not injury relat­ MIDWEST Arizona Bowl Detroit 5 10 0 .333 342 482 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at INDIANAPO­ ed). DNP: DT Cameron Heyward (not injury Akron 66, Kent St. 62 Tucson, Ariz. LIS COLTS — JAGUARS: OUT: WR D.J. Chark related), WR Diontae Johnson (illness), C Bellarmine 90, Transylvania 40 No. 19 San Jose St. 13, Ball State. 34 West (shin), WR Collin Johnson (hamstring), RB Maurkice Pouncey (not injury related), LB Cleveland St. 65, IUPUI 62 Liberty Bowl James Robinson (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: T.J. Watt (not injury related). FULL: LB Ola­ Wright St. 90, Oakland 51 Memphis, Tenn. WLTPct PF PA RB Nathan Cottrell (hip). LIMITED: LB Da­ sunkanmi Adeniyi (shoulder), S Marcus Youngstown St. 84, Green Bay 77 West Virginia 24 Army 21 kota Allen (ankle). FULL: TE James O’Sh­ Allen (neck), DE Tyson Alualu (ankle), G Texas Bowl yx­Seattle 11 4 0 .733 433 348 aughnessy (not injury related). COLTS: David DeCastro (not injury related), DE SOUTHWEST Houston OUT: T Will Holden (ankle), S Khari Willis Stephon Tuitt (back). BROWNS: OUT: C L.A. Rams 9 6 0 .600 354 289 (concussion), CB Rock Ya­Sin (concus­ Nick Harris (knee). QUESTIONABLE: LB Tae Incarnate Word 81, McMurry 54 TCU vs. Arkansas, canceled Arizona 8 7 0 .533 403 349 sion). QUESTIONABLE: WR Michael Pitt­ Davis (ankle), T Kendall Lamm (illness), LB Rice 95, UTSA 86 Friday, Jan. 1 UALR 102, Texas­Arlington 93 San Francisco 6 9 0 .400 353 364 man (concussion). DNP: TE Mo Alie­Cox Sione Takitaki (ankle), G Wyatt Teller (an­ Peach Bowl (not injury related), WR T.Y. Hilton (not in­ kle). LIMITED: T Jack Conklin (knee), DT Atlanta x­clinched playoff spot jury related), LB Darius Leonard (not injury Sheldon Richardson (neck), C J.C. Tretter FAR WEST No. 11 Georgia 24, No. 6 Cincinnati 21 y­clinched division related), G Quenton Nelson (not injury re­ (knee). FULL: Ronnie Harrison (shoulder), Long Beach St. 90, CS Bakersfield 89, OT Citrus Bowl z­clinched first round bye lated), DT Grover Stewart (toe), DE Kemo­ WR Jarvis Landry (hip), T Jedrick Wills (ill­ Montana St. 96, Montana 67 Orlando, Fla. *­clinched home­field advantage ko Turay (not injury related). LIMITED: S ness). UC Santa Barbara 81, Cal St.­Fullerton 63 No. 15 Northwestern 35, Auburn 19 Sunday’s games Julian Blackmon (knee, pelvis), DT DeFor­ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at SAN FRANCISCO Rose Bowl: CFP Semifinal Game 1 est Buckner (ankle). FULL: DT Denico Autry 49ERS — SEAHAWKS: OUT: RB DeeJay Dal­ Friday’s women’s scores Arlington, Texas Atlanta at Tampa Bay (hip), TE Trey Burton (not injury related), las (ankle), CB Jayson Stanley (hamstr­ No. 1 Alabama 31, No. 4 Notre Dame 14 Baltimore at Cincinnati TE Jack Doyle (quadricep), LB Jordan Glas­ ing). QUESTIONABLE: RB Carlos Hyde (ill­ EAST Sugar Bowl: CFP Semifinal Game 2 Dallas at N.Y. Giants gow (illness), DE Justin Houston (not inju­ ness), G Mike Iupati (neck), TE Greg Olsen New Orleans Miami at Buffalo ry related), C Joey Hunt (illness), WR Mar­ (foot), S Damarious Randall (foot). Fordham 62, George Mason 32 49ERS: IUPUI 71, Robert Morris 49 No. 3 Ohio St. 49, No. 2 Clemson 28 Minnesota at Detroit cus Johnson (quadricep), S George Odum OUT: WR Brandon Aiyuk (ankle), DT Kevin Saturday, Jan 2 N.Y. Jets at New England (knee), WR Michael Pittman (concussion), Givens (not injury related), LB Dre Green­ Iona 65, Niagara 47 Gator Bowl Pittsburgh at Cleveland LS Luke Rhodes (ankle), QB Philip Rivers law (calf), DT Javon Kinlaw (knee), WR Louisiana Tech 61, Marshall 51, OT Arizona at L.A. Rams (toe). Deebo Samuel (hamstring), CB Richard Manhattan 71, St. Peter’s 46 Jacksonville, Fla. Rhode Island 72, La Salle 69 No. 24 NC State vs. Kentucky Green Bay at Chicago LAS VEGAS RAIDERS at DENVER BRON­ Sherman (calf), CB K’Waun Williams Jacksonville at Indianapolis Outback Bowl COS — RAIDERS: OUT: T Trenton Brown (shin). QUESTIONABLE: S Tarvarius Moore SOUTH Tampa, Fla. L.A. Chargers at Kansas City (knee). QUESTIONABLE: G Denzelle Good (ankle), CB Emmanuel Moseley (hamstr­ No. 7 Indiana vs. Mississippi Las Vegas at Denver (ankle), DT Maurice Hurst (calf), CB La­ ing), LB Mark Nzeocha (illness). FULL: DE Appalachian St. 78, Troy 66 Fiesta Bowl New Orleans at Carolina marcus Joyner (thigh). LIMITED: C Rodney Dion Jordan (knee), T Justin Skule (knee), S Davidson 66, George Washington 62 Glendale, Ariz. Seattle at San Francisco Hudson (knee, back), G Gabe Jackson Jimmie Ward (concussion), TE Charlie FIU 92, Old Dominion 85 Tennessee at Houston Louisville 74, N. Kentucky 64 No. 12 Iowa State vs. No. 25 Oregon (knee), T Sam Young (knee). FULL: K Daniel Woerner (not injury related). Orange Bowl Washington at Philadelphia Carlson (left ankle), DT Johnathan Han­ TENNESSEE TITANS at HOUSTON TEX­ Middle Tennessee 84, FAU 65 Miami Gardens, Fla. NFL injury report kins (ribs), LB Nicholas Morrow (concus­ ANS — TITANS: OUT: LB Derick Roberson North Texas 74, UAB 70 sion), DE Carl Nassib (elbow, ankle), WR (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: LB Daren South Alabama 71, Georgia Southern 65 No. 5 Texas A&M vs. No. 14 North Caroli­ NEW YORK — The National Football Hunter Renfrow (ankle), DE Chris Smith Bates (hip), RB Khari Blasingame (ankle). na MIDWEST Monday, Jan. 11 League injury report, as provided by the (illness). BRONCOS: OUT: WR K.J. Hamler DNP: WR A.J. Brown (ankle). FULL: WR Co­ College Football Championship league (DNP: did not practice; LIMITED: (concussion). QUESTIONABLE: RB LeVante rey Davis (not injury related), RB Derrick Cleveland St. 85, Fort Wayne 51 limited participation; FULL: Full participa­ Bellamy (ankle), LB Anthony Chickillo Henry (not injury related), CB Adoree’ Dayton 56, St. Bonaventure 47 Miami Gardens, Fla. tion): (ribs), DE Bradley Chubb (ankle), G Gra­ Jackson (knee), C Ben Jones (ankle), T No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 3 Ohio St. Drake 71, Bradley 56 SUNDAY ham Glasgow (shoulder), S Trey Marshall Dennis Kelly (knee), G Rodger Saffold (an­ Green Bay 78, Oakland 76, OT ARIZONA CARDINALS at LOS ANGELES (quadricep). FULL: RB LeVante Bellamy kle), DT Jeffery Simmons (knee), CB Tye Indiana St. 63, Loyola of Chicago 48 AP SPORTLIGHT RAMS — CARDINALS: QUESTIONABLE: S (ankle), T Demar Dotson (hand), DT DeSh­ Smith (not injury related). TEXANS: OUT: T Milwaukee 64, Detroit 43 Budda Baker (neck), TE Darrell Daniels awn Williams (knee). Brent Qvale (concussion). DOUBTFUL: La­ N. Iowa 82, Illinois St. 71 Jan. 3 (hamstring), RB Chase Edmonds (hip), WR LOS ANGELES CHARGERS at KANSAS remy Tunsil (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: CB S. Illinois 59, Evansville 41 Larry Fitzgerald (groin), TE Maxx Williams CITY CHIEFS — CHARGERS: OUT: DE Joey Phillip Gaines (knee), RB Duke Johnson Wright St. 57, Youngstown St. 53 1920 — Boston Red Sox owner Harry Fra­ (ankle). LIMITED: TE Maxx Williams (an­ Bosa (shin, concussion), T Bryan Bulaga (neck). FULL: WR Keke Coutee (foot). zee sells pitcher­outfielder Babe Ruth to kle). FULL: E Dan Arnold (back), WR (foot), CB Casey Hayward (hamstring), LB WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM at PHI­ SOUTHWEST the New York Yankees for $125,000 plus a DeAndre Hopkins (hip), CB Dre Kirkpatrick Malik Jefferson (shoulder), S Rayshawn LADELPHIA EAGLES — WASHINGTON: OUT: $350,000 loan. (hamstring, calf), QB Kyler Murray (lower Jenkins (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: S Jahleel LB Thomas Davis (knee). QUESTIONABLE: Rice 78, UTSA 53 leg), DT Domata Peko (not injury related), Addae (calf), T Sam Tevi (knee). FULL: S RB Antonio Gibson (toe), WR Terry McLau­ Texas State 71, Louisiana­Lafayette 63 LB Haason Reddick (hip), S Jalen Thomp­ Nasir Adderley (ankle), WR Jalen Guyton rin (ankle), LB Kevin Pierre­Louis (ankle), UALR 57, Texas­Arlington 56 COLLEGE HOCKEY son (ankle), RB Jonathan Ward (ankle). (hamstring), CB Chris Harris (foot), TE Do­ QB Alex Smith (calf). FULL: DT Jonathan Al­ UTEP 83, Southern Miss. 65 RAMS: OUT: QB Jared Goff (right thumb), nald Parham (illness), LB Denzel Perryman len (not injury related), G Wes Schweitzer Friday’s scores LB Micah Kiser (knee). QUESTIONABLE: RB (back). CHIEFS: OUT: RB Clyde Edwards­ (hip), DT Tim Settle (shoulder). EAGLES: FAR WEST Helaire (ankle), WR Tyreek Hill (hamstr­ OUT: DE Derek Barnett (calf), LB Shaun EAST Cam Akers (ankle). Arizona St. 56, California 53 ATLANTA FALCONS at TAMPA BAY BUC­ ing), LB Ben Niemann (hamstring), T Mike Bradley (neck), DT Fletcher Cox (neck), TE Cal Poly 90, UC San Diego 68 UConn 2, New Hampshire 1 CANEERS — FALCONS: OUT: CB Darqueze Remmers (back), WR Sammy Watkins Dallas Goedert (calf), WR DeSean Jackson Colorado 60, Washington 50 Clarkson 4, Colgate 1 Dennard (quadricep), WR Julio Jones (calf). QUESTIONABLE: RB Le’Veon Bell (ankle), T Jordan Mailata (concussion), LB Long Beach St. 61, CS Bakersfield 57 UMass 4, Northeastern 3 (hamstring), WR Brandon Powell (foot). (knee), DT Derrick Nnadi (knee). LIMITED: Duke Riley (biceps), TE Richard Rodgers Montana 60, N. Colorado 56 Vermont 0, Providence 0, 2OT, Providen­ DNP: DE Charles Harris (not injury relat­ LB Damien Wilson (knee). FULL: DE Frank (ankle), RB Miles Sanders (knee). QUES­ Oregon 92, Southern Cal 69 ce wins shootout 2­1 ed), T Jake Matthews (not injury related. Clark (illness), DT Mike Pennel (back), CB TIONABLE: CB Michael Jacquet (calf). DNP: Stanford 81, Arizona 54 MIDWEST LIMITED: G James Carpenter (groin), DE Charvarius Ward (hamstring). WR Alshon Jeffery (not injury related). UC Santa Barbara 83, Cal St.­Fullerton 54 Colorado College 4, Denver 2 John Cominsky (shoulder), DT Marlon Da­ MIAMI DOLPHINS at BUFFALO BILLS — FULL: WR Quez Watkins (rib). Washington St. 79, Utah 74 PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 NBA/SPORTS BRIEFS

Scoreboard BRIEFLY

Eastern Conference Texas fires Herman Atlantic Division after four seasons WLPct GB AUSTIN, Texas — Texas fired Philadelphia 4 1 .800 — football coach Tom Herman on Brooklyn 3 3 .500 1½ Saturday after four seasons of fail- Boston 3 3 .500 1½ ing to win a Big 12 championship New York 2 3 .400 2 Toronto 1 3 .250 2½ and only one league title game ap- pearance. Southeast Division Herman still had three seasons WLPct GB left on a guaranteed contract that Orlando 4 1 .800 — was due to pay him more than $6 Atlanta 4 1 .800 — Charlotte 2 3 .400 2 million per year, and the move Miami 2 3 .400 2 means Texas will soon be on its Washington 1 5 .167 3½ fourth head coach since its last Big Central Division 12 title in 2009 under Mack Brown. WLPct GB Herman was supposed to end Indiana 4 1 .800 — that drought. He was college foot- Cleveland 3 2 .600 1 ball’s hottest young coach when Milwaukee 3 3 .500 1½ Texas brought him from Houston Chicago 2 4 .333 2½ Detroit 1 4 .200 3 to replace Charlie Strong in 2016. Western Conference But Herman’s results never matched his swagger: He never Southwest Division had a losing season and won four WLPct GB bowl games at Texas, including New Orleans 3 2 .600 — last week's Alamo Bowl. But he DARREN ABATE/AP San Antonio 2 3 .400 1 couldn’t return the Longhorns to Dallas 2 3 .400 1 The San Antonio Spurs’ Dejounte Murray, left, looks to pass the ball as he is defended by the Los Angeles consistent league or national title Lakers’ Talen Horton­Tucker (5), Montrezl Harrell (15), and Markieff Morris during the second half of Memphis 2 3 .400 1 contenders. He was just 1-4 Friday’s game in San Antonio. Houston 1 2 .333 1 Northwest Division against archrival Oklahoma and WLPct GB leaves Texas 32-18 overall. In other college football news: Utah 3 2 .600 —
Portland 3 2 .600 — Mississippi says it has reac- Minnesota 2 3 .400 1 hed agreement in principle with Lakers rally to second win Oklahoma City 1 3 .250 1½ coach Lane Kiffin on a new con- Denver 1 4 .200 2 tract. Pacific Division The school made the announce- WLPct GB ment Saturday, hours before the Phoenix 5 1 .833 — Rebels (4-5) — in their first season over Spurs in three days L.A. Clippers 4 2 .667 1 with Kiffin as coach — faced Indi- L.A. Lakers 4 2 .667 1 ana in the Outback Bowl. It is their Associated Press point shooting to blast short-hand- Sacramento 3 2 .600 1½ first bowl appearance in five sea- SAN ANTONIO — Anthony Da- ed Chicago. Golden State 2 3 .400 2½ sons. vis had 35 points and 11 rebounds, Chicago played its second Friday’s games Detroit 96, Boston 93
Kentucky offensive line- and LeBron James added 26 straight game without forwards Memphis 108, Charlotte 93 man Kenneth Horsey is one of points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists Lauri Markkanen and Chandler Dallas 93, Miami 83 Atlanta 114, Brooklyn 96 three winners announced Satur- and the Los Angeles Lakers ral- Hutchison as well as guards Ryan Washington 130, Minnesota 109 Milwaukee 126, Chicago 96 day of the Mayo Clinic Comeback lied to beat the San Antonio Spurs Arcidiacono and Tomas Satoran- L.A. Lakers 109, San Antonio 103 Player of the Year Award, along 109-103 on Friday night. sky as part of the NBA’s health and Utah 106, L.A. Clippers 100 Phoenix 106, Denver 103 with Colorado running back Jarek The Lakers closed with a 9-0 safety protocols related to CO- Portland 123, Golden State 98 Broussard and Coastal Carolina li- run for their second victory over VID-19. Markkanen is the Bulls’ Saturday’s games Sacramento at Houston nebacker Silas Kelly. the Spurs in three days. second-leading scorer (17.3) and Charlotte at Philadelphia Keldon Johnson had a career- top rebounder (6.8). New York at Indiana Oklahoma City at Orlando Browns close facility high 26 points and added 10 re- Wizards 130, Timberwolves Cleveland at Atlanta Toronto at New Orleans again on eve of finale bounds, and DeMar DeRozan had 109: Bradley Beal had 31 points Sunday’s games 23 points, nine rebounds and sev- and seven assists and visiting Boston at Detroit The NFL is about to reach the fi- en assists for San Antonio. Washington beat Minnesota with- L.A. Lakers at Memphis nal Sunday of its regular season Washington at Brooklyn Johnson blocked James’ layup out Russell Westbrook for its first Denver at Minnesota after a week filled with coronavi- Utah at San Antonio attempt, but Kyle Kuzma tipped in victory in six games this season. Dallas at Chicago rus-related issues, from the ongo- ANDY CLAYTON­KING/AP L.A. Clippers at Phoenix the follow to give the Lakers a 105- Westbrook sat out for rest on the Portland at Golden State ing disruptions of the Cleveland 103 lead with 53.9 seconds re- second game of a back-to-back,, Washington Wizards guard Bra­ Monday’s games Browns’ preparations for their maining. James followed with a but the Wizards (1-5) didn’t look dley Beal flexes while guard Charlotte at Philadelphia key game to the positive test re- Cleveland at Orlando layup, and Davis closed the scor- like the same team that lost the Russell Westbrook encourages Boston at Toronto sults for prominent players such ing with two free throws. night before at home to Chicago. teammates during the fourth New York at Atlanta as New Orleans Saints running Oklahoma City at Miami Suns 106, Nuggets 103:Chris Malik Beasley scored 21 points quarter against the Timberwolves Dallas at Houston back Alvin Kamara and Miami Friday in Minneapolis. Detroit at Milwaukee Paul hit a clutch jumper with 7.3 for Minnesota. The Timberwolves Indiana at New Orleans Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitz- seconds remaining after a suc- who have lost three in a row with Sacramento at Golden State patrick. cessful coach’s challenge on the star center Karl-Anthony Towns season, beating Boston. Tuesday’s games It was the third time in four days Utah at Brooklyn other end and Phoenix beat host missing all three games because Grizzlies 108, Hornets 93:Dil- L.A. Lakers at Memphis that the Browns had closed their Minnesota at Denver Denver to improve to 5-1 for the of a dislocated left wrist. lon Brooks scored 21 points and San Antonio at L.A. Clippers facility because of a new positive first time since 2009-10. Mavericks 93, Heat 83: Luka undermanned Memphis beat host Chicago at Portland test result or results in the daily Deandre Ayton had 22 points Doncic had season highs of 27 Charlotte. Leaders leaguewide coronavirus testing. and 11 rebounds, Devin Booker points and 14 rebounds for his first Hawks 114, Nets 96:De’Andre Through Jan. 1 In other NFL news: added 22, and Paul 21 for Phoenix, double-double of the season to Hunter scored 23 points help At- Scoring
Green Bay Packers offen- which won the night before in lead host Dallas past Miami. lanta beat host Brooklyn. GFG FT PTSAVG sive tackle David Bakhtiari will Utah. The red-hot Suns have won Jazz 106, Clippers 100: Mike Trail Blazers 123, Warriors 98: miss the rest of the season after Harden, HOU 3 32 32 111 37.0 13 of their last 14 dating to their Conley made seven three-pointers Damian Lillard joined Hall of Beal, WAS 6 64 50 187 31.2 the three-time Pro Bowl selection perfect stint inside the NBA bub- and scored a season-high 33 points Famer Clyde Drexler as the only Young, ATL 5 41 60 153 30.6 injured his knee in practice ble. to lead Utah past visiting Los An- Portland players to score 15,000 Durant, BKN 5 46 36 141 28.2 Thursday. Bucks 128, Bills 96: Giannis geles. points for the franchise, finishing McCollum, POR 5 50 14 140 28.0 Packers coach Matt LaFleur Brown, BOS 6 66 21 165 27.5 Antetokounmpo had 29 points, 12 Pistons 96, Celtics 93:Jeremi with 34 as the Trail Blazers Embiid, PHI 4 34 33 106 26.5 confirmed the severity of the inju- rebounds and eight assists and Grant scored 24 points and host spoiled Golden State’s home open- Curry, GS 5 42 30 132 26.4 ry Friday. host Milwaukee used torrid three- Detroit won for the first time this er. Irving, BKN 5 49 14 131 26.2 — Associated Press Sunday, January 3, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NFL Washington gets 2nd chance at NFC East crown In season gone awry, Eagles can still play spoiler

BY STEPHEN WHYNO loss to Carolina last week. Associated Press The challenge remains the The last time Washington faced same, only against an opponent Philadelphia, the quarterbacks motivated to play spoiler. were Dwayne Haskins and Car- “We’ve got to have a no hat rule son Wentz, and the Eagles were this week,” Eagles coach Doug the team with playoff expecta- Pederson said. “We can’t let op- tions. ponents put division win hats on “It feels like five years ago,” at the Linc.” Washington offensive coordina- Washington coach Ron Rivera tor Scott Turner said. has envisioned putting on NFC Week 1 was 3 ½ months ago, East champions garb since Octo- but everything has changed for ber when he benched Haskins — MARK TENALLY/AP the longtime division rivals going whom he has since released — to Members of the Washington Football Team huddle before the start of their game against the Carolina Pan­ into the regular-season finale. hand the No. 1 QB job to Kyle Al- thers in Landover, Md. Washington can win the NFC East by beating Philadelphia on Sunday. Haskins has been released; len. After Allen got hurt, the job Wentz was benched for Jalen fell to Smith, who hadn’t started railed his season. He missed two Hurts; Philadelphia is eliminated an NFL game since 2018 when he games before returning against from playoff contention; and broke his right leg. Carolina and is questionable Washington stands on the verge Smith is 4-1 since taking over, again. of winning the NFC East — if it and if he can play after missing “Hopefully we’ll get him roll- can beat the Eagles on the road the past two games with a ing and he’ll be good to go Sunday Sunday night. strained calf in that leg that has a and he’ll give us everything he’s “We understand the situation,” titanium rod in it, it’s a huge ad- got,” Turner said. running back J.D. McKissic said. vantage for Washington. Losing feeling: Eagles running “You can just tell guys are laser “We all depend on each other,” back Miles Sanders didn’t go focused out there (at practice). Smith said. “Obviously, the quar- through a losing season in high There’s not much talking and terback touching the ball every school in Pittsburgh or college at when there is, it’s about football. play carries a lot of responsibility. Penn State or his rookie year in Guys are just ready to play.” A lot of people depend on you to the NFL, so this “super disap- Who plays at quarterback is go out there and make good deci- pointed” feeling is a first for him. still unclear between 36-year-old sions and be accurate with the “I believe that we’re a great starter Alex Smith and December football. That’s not something football team,” said Sanders, one practice squad pickup Taylor that I take lightly at all. For me, MICHAEL AINSWORTH/AP of nine players the Eagles ruled Heinicke, who was taking online it’s a great responsibility and a Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs for a first down out with injury. “We just have to college classes when he got the great challenge.” against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, last Sunday. play smarter and that’s all call. Top receiver Terry McLau- Washington at 7-9 would be the around, pre-snap penalties, situa- rin is also questionable with an third division champion with a Giants, who play Sunday after- Gibson the key: Rookie run- tional penalties, everything. But I ankle injury that kept him out of losing record since realignment noon, with the winner only cap- ning back Antonio Gibson was a do believe this is a great team and Washington’s first chance to in 2002. The same goes for the 7-9 turing the NFC East if the Eagles revelation for Washington with 11 I do believe better days are com- clinch the division, a 20-13 home Dallas Cowboys or 6-10 New York ruin Washington’s night. touchdowns until a turf toe de- ing.” History between Garrett, Rudolph too big to ignore

BY WILL GRAVES the waning seconds of Cleve- getting clubbed with his own hel- Associated Press land’s 21-7 victory in November met. PITTSBURGH — The scene is 2019. There’s too much at stake. Asked if there has been any forever ingrained in whatever The Browns can end an 18-year contact between his camp and becomes of Myles Garrett and playoff drought with a victory. A Garrett’s during the interim, Ru- Mason Rudolph’s respective solid performance by Rudolph dolph said no. He added he has “a NFL careers. would quiet — at least momentar- lot of respect” for Garrett and Thirteen months removed ily — concerns about his long- would welcome any pregame in- from the ugly brawl in Cleveland term viability as Roethlisberg- teraction Garrett might initiate. that both players have painstak- er’s eventual successor. Cleveland will make Garrett a ingly tried to move past, their “This game is too big to worry captain for arguably the fran- paths will cross again on Sunday. about anything external that hap- chise’s biggest game since it re- Rudolph starts in place of Ben pened years ago,” Rudolph said turned in 1999. Browns coach Ke- Roethlisberger as the AFC North Friday. vin Stefanski stressed the oppo- champion Steelers (12-3) visit Rudolph threw four picks nent is a coincidence. Garrett and the Browns (10-5). while getting drilled repeatedly “I do not want that to be mis- Neither Garrett nor Rudolph on national television last time at construed,” he said. “It is a big have any intention of rubbing Cleveland — a place where the game so I am sending the big guy their fingers over the emotional DAVID RICHARD/AP lasting image of Rudolph’s still out there, but it is in no way a call scars of the fight that ended with Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, right, reacts after fledgling career is of him back to anything previously, so I Garrett ripping off Rudolph’s swinging a helmet at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph screaming at Garrett while being just want to make sure that is helmet, then hitting him with it in during a game in Cleveland on Nov. 14, 2019. restrained by teammates after clear.” PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 COLLEGE FOOTBALL

BOWLS ROUNDUP No. 6 Bearcats dealt first loss Podlesny's FG wins it for Georgia Associated Press downs. Jerome Ford added a ca- ATLANTA — Jack Podlesny reer-long 79-yard touchdown run told Georgia coaches before Fri- early in the second half but it day's Peach Bowl that he felt con- wasn’t enough for the Bearcats. fident attempting field goals from Cincinnati (9-1, No. 8 CFP) was as long as 55 yards — a full 4 yards motivated to use the Peach Bowl past his career best. to gain national respect. Coach Podlesny made good on his Luke Fickell said the game was a claim, kicking a 53-yard field goal measuring stick for his team. with three seconds remaining, “We’re not there yet,” Fickell and No. 11 Georgia handed No. 6 said. “That’s what keeps motiva- BRYNN ANDERSON/AP Cincinnati its only loss of the sea- ting you, and I think that, you Georgia wide receiver George Pickens celebrates his touchdown catch against Cincinnati during the first son with a dramatic 24-21 victory know, there’s a lot of things we’re half of the Peach Bowl on Friday in Atlanta. Georgia won on a 53­yard field goal with three seconds left. in the Peach Bowl. going to take from this that we Podlesny dropped to one knee know we can do.” game for a long time,” Ridder straight bowl game. Ramaud Auburn got within 14-13 when following the career-long kick as Georgia (8-2, No. 9 CFP) won said. “It’s just, you know, disap- Chiaokhiao-Brown, John Raine Nix hit Elijah Canion for a 57-yard his teammates surged onto the despite running for only 45 yards. pointing, obviously, the way it and Riley Lees had touchdown touchdown midway through the field. Asked what he was thinking “I would feel much better if we ended.” catches for the Wildcats, who third quarter. But Ramsey re- while he was kneeling, Podlesny just played our best game,” Geor- Daniels overcame an intercep- bounced back from an ugly loss to sponded with a 30-yard touch- said he wanted to “try to remem- gia coach Kirby Smart said. “I tion and a lost fumble to lead the Ohio State on Dec. 19 in the Big down run late in the quarter. ber why I'm here. ... God is good don’t think we played our best comeback. Ten championship game. Linebacker Paddy Fisher, the and it’s amazing to be here.” game. I want to give Cincinnati Georgia's defense helped fuel It was the final game for 73- nation’s active leader in tackles Georgia trailed 21-10 in the credit for that. They created some the rally. Ridder fumbled on a year-old Northwestern defensive coming into the game, drilled Nix fourth quarter, but its defense of that.” sack by Ojulari, and Adam Ander- coordinator Mike Hankwitz, who for no gain on fourth-and-1 on the clamped down on Desmond Rid- On Georgia's final play before son recovered at the Bearcats 25. is retiring after a 51-year coaching second play of the fourth quarter. der and Cincinnati and JT Daniels the decisive field goal, Daniels at- Zamir White's 9-yard TD run career that included 400 victories Cam Porter had seven carries on helped rally the Bulldogs with his tempted a deep pass that fell in- trimmed Cincinnati's lead to 21-16. at nine schools. He was the defen- the ensuing drive, including a 1- arm. Daniels, a Southern Califor- complete. Asked why he didn't try sive coordinator for Colorado’s yard plunge into the end zone that nia transfer, passed for 392 yards a shorter pass that might have Citrus Bowl 1990 national championship team put Northwestern ahead 28-13. while improving to a perfect 4-0 in made the kick more manageable, No. 15 Northwestern 35, Au­ and spent the last 13 seasons as Porter rushed for 98 yards on 33 four starts for Georgia. Smart said: “I felt comfortable burn 19: At Orlando, Fla., Peyton Northwestern’s coordinator. carries, and the Wildcats offense Podlesny’s winning kick tied a with where he was that he would Ramsey threw three touchdown Bo Nix threw for 292 yards for finished with 457 yards and 25 Peach Bowl record for longest have the leg strength to get there." passes and ran for a score, and the Auburn (6-5) but was often frus- first downs. field goal and gave Georgia a 22-21 He was right. 15th-ranked Wildcats clamped trated by Northwestern’s defense, The Tigers failed to convert 10 lead. Azeez Ojulari sacked Ridder Ridder threw a 14-yard touch- down defensively to beat the Ti- which came in allowing 15.5 points of their first 11 third downs, were for a safety on the final play. It was down pass to Alec Pierce in the gers. per game, ranked fifth in the na- unsuccessful on their first two Ojulari’s third sack. Georgia tied a first quarter and added an 11-yard Ramsey, a graduate transfer, to- tion. Auburn was led by interim fourth-down tries and mustered school record with eight sacks. scoring pass to Josh Wyle late in taled 291 yards passing and 50 coach Kevin Steele following the 361 yards and 18 first downs. For Ridder completed 24 of 37 pas- the first half. yards rushing for Northwestern Dec. 13 firing of Gus Malzahn and the game, the Tigers were 2-for-13 ses for 206 yards and two touch- “We’ve been ready to play this (7-2), which won its fourth was missing several key players. on third downs. Title: Ohio State has only played seven games this season

FROM PAGE 24 said. moved from Pasadena because of CO- “I don’t know how many games we had to The Heisman Trophy will be presented in VID-19 restrictions in California that would a virtual ceremony on Tuesday night. have kept family — or any fans — from at- play to get here. All we had to do is play and “Whatever happens, happens,” Smith tending the game. said. “I mean, I’m looking forward to the Ohio State’s overwhelming win in the we had to win once.” next game.” Sugar Bowl was only its seventh game this Smith has 105 catches for 1,641 yards and season. Ryan Day 20 touchdowns, matching the SEC single- “We’re a great program. We have a lot of Ohio State head coach season record and extending his Alabama pride. Ohio State Buckeyes means some- career mark to 43 TDs. Jones has complet- thing,” coach Ryan Day said. “I don’t know tween the Tide and Buckeyes, whose only there and play our butts off, play our har- ed 77% of his passes (275-for-357) for 4,036 how many games we had to play to get here. win in the series was that CFP semifinal six dest,” Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields yards and 36 TDs. All we had to do is play and we had to win seasons ago. Their first game was the Sugar said after throwing six for TDs in the Sugar In his seven games, Fields has completed once. That’s really what mattered.” Bowl on Jan. 2, 1978, a 35-6 Alabama win in Bowl. 73.4% of his passes (141-for-192) for 1,906 The Buckeyes had three regular-season a matchup of legendary coaches Bear DeVonta Smith caught three of fellow yards and 21 touchdowns. Chris Olave, who games canceled because of virus issues af- Bryant and Woody Hayes. Heisman Trophy finalist Mac Jones’ four had two TDs in the Sugar Bowl, has 42 ter the Big Ten didn’t start its season until Alabama will be going for its sixth nation- touchdown passes in Alabama’s win in the catches for 660 yards and seven TDs, and late October. The league altered its rules to al title in coach Nick Saban’s 14th seasons, Rose Bowl played at the home of the NFL’s Garrett Wilson 41 catches for 683 yards and let them represent the East Division in the and third in the CFP era. The early lines had Dallas Cowboys. Smith caught seven passes six TDs. conference championship game after only the Tide favored by a touchdown over Ohio for 130 yards, while Jones completed 25 of Trey Sermon followed up his 331 yards five regular-season games, instead of the State. 30 passes for 297 yards. rushing in the Big Ten title game with 193 six that had been initially mandated. “I don’t know how it’s going to end, but I “Smitty has done as much for our team as yards against Clemson. He has three con- This will be the fifth meeting overall be- do know one thing: we’re going to go out any player could do for any team,” Saban secutive 100-yard games. Sunday, January 3, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 COLLEGE FOOTBALL

ROSE BOWL No. 1 Alabama rolls into CFP title game

BY STEPHEN HAWKINS Associated Press 5-0 ARLINGTON, Texas — A truly untraditional Rose Bowl setting, a Alabama’s record at AT&T Stadium, very common result for Alabama home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. in the College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide advanced to their With Heisman Trophy finalists fifth championship game in six sea- DeVonta Smith and Mac Jones, sons with Friday’s 31-14 victory over the top-ranked Crimson Tide Notre Dame. rolled into their fifth CFP cham- SOURCE: Associated Press pionship game in six seasons. Smith caught three of Jones’ yard drive on which Harris leaped four touchdown passes and Najee over 6-foot cornerback Nick Harris ran for 125 yards with a McCloud just after crossing the high-hurdling highlight in a 31-14 line of scrimmage, landed on both victory over No. 4 Notre Dame in a feet and then sprinted for a 53- JOHN BAZEMORE / AP CFP semifinal Rose Bowl played yard gain before getting run out of Ohio State defensive tackle Haskell Garrett forces a fumble by Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence inside about 1,400 miles from Pa- bounds. during the second half of the Sugar Bowl on Friday in New Orleans. sadena, Calif. “I don’t know why I’m surprised “I don’t think there’s anything every time he does it. I’ve seen it SUGAR BOWL quite like the Rose Bowl, the tradi- for three years, but still, ‘Geez!,’ ” tion, the setting, the mountains. tight end Miller Forristall said. It’s just a phenomenal experi- “I actually try to teach him not ence,” coach Nick Saban said. to do it, and it didn’t work,” Saban “Wish our players had gotten that said, laughing. “Anyway, for a big opportunity.” guy, it’s pretty amazing that he Buckeyes win rematch But Saban and the Tide (12-0, can do that. He’s kind of got a great No. 1 CFP) will take yet another feel when a guy’s going to try to cut win in the home of the NFL’s Dal- him. ... When he sees that head go las Cowboys, which the coach down, he’ll go over the top of them called one of college football’s fin- in a heartbeat.” est venues, and advancing again in Jones, who completed 25 of 30 with Clemson in semis the playoff. passes for 297 yards, threw a 12- The Tide earned a spot in the yard TD to tight end Jahleel Bil- BY RALPH D. RUSSO nior’s final college game. Jan. 11 championship game in sub- lingsley on the next play. Associated Press 29-23 “We were confident and pre- urban Miami, against No. 3 Ohio That came between drives NEW ORLEANS — Numbers pared,” he said. ”This was just one State, which beat Clemson 49-28 when Smith, with 16 TD catches have fueled Ohio State all year. of those nights.” in the other CFP semifinal at the his last seven games, turned short Score of last year’s Clemson victory There was 29-23, the score of over Ohio State in the College Football Lawrence’s final pass was in- Sugar Bowl on Friday night. passes into scores of 26 and 34 last season’s painful playoff loss to Playoff semifinals. The Buckeyes used tercepted, but Clemson (10-2) fin- Alabama missed the CFP last yards. Smith finished with seven Clemson. the score, as well as Tigers coach ished 34-2 in his starts and won a year for the only time since the catches for 130 yards, later adding Six, the number of games the Dabo Swinney’s disparaging remarks national title when he was a fresh- four-time playoff debuted at the a nifty toe-tapping 7-yarder in the Buckeyes played in this pandem- about how few games Ohio State man. end of the 2014 season. The Buck- front corner of the end zone right ic-altered season, which a lot of played this season, as motivation for The third meeting between eyes were the initial CFP cham- on the pylon. people thought was too few for this year’s game. Clemson and Ohio State in the pions, after beating the top-seeded CFP officials moved the Rose them to deserve a return trip to SOURCE: Associated Press playoff, and fourth bowl matchup Tide 42-35 in a semifinal that year. Bowl because of COVID-19 re- the College Football Playoff. since the 2013 season — all Clem- Notre Dame (10-2, No. 4 CFP), strictions in California that would Then there was No. 11, where program. son wins — was a game the Buck- in football’s final four for only the have kept family — or any fans — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney “I think this performance, not eyes had been pointing toward ev- second time, has lost seven con- from attending the game at its nor- placed Ohio State on his ballot in only by Justin, but this team, er since that 29-23 loss in the Fies- secutive New Year’s Six games mal home. There was a limited ca- the final regular-season coaches’ hopefully will go down in Ohio ta Bowl last year. since 2000. pacity crowd of 18,373 at AT&T poll. State history as a landmark That score was everywhere the Alabama scored TDs on its first Stadium, the home of the Dallas In a rematch with Swinney’s Ti- game,” Day said. “Because we Buckeyes turned in the Woody three possessions, including a 97- Cowboys. gers in the Sugar Bowl, Justin want to go on to win the national Hayes Athletic Center in Colum- Fields and the Buckeyes had championship. But there was a lot bus the past year. Clemson’s number. of tough days, a lot of tough days A chance for revenge was near- Fields threw six touchdown over the last six months.” ly derailed when the Big Ten can- passes to outshine Trevor Law- In a matchup of quarterback celed fall football in August be- rence, and No. 3 Ohio State buried prodigies from Georgia, Fields cause of the pandemic. An abbre- the second-ranked Tigers 49-28 in might have given the Jacksonville viated Big Ten season caused the Sugar Bowl semifinal Friday Jaguars something to think about more headaches, with the Buck- night. with that first pick in the NFL eyes having three games canceled “Everybody doubting us just Draft. Lawrence is the presum- because of COVID-19 issues, in- pushed us a little more,” Fields ptive No. 1, but Fields outplayed cluding their own outbreak. said. him on this night, going 22-for- 28 The playoff committee still The Buckeyes (7-0) head to the for 385 yards. He set a Sugar Bowl liked Ohio State enough to put the CFP title game for the first time record for TD passes and did it Buckeyes in the final four, despite since the inaugural playoff to face playing more than half the game much griping from various parts No. 1 Alabama on Jan. 11 at Hard after taking a vicious shot to the of the country, including Clem- Rock Stadium in South Florida. side that forced him to miss a play son. Ohio State beat the Crimson Tide and spend time in the medical Clemson took a 14-7 lead in the in the semifinals on the way to the tent. first quarter with Lawrence and MICHAEL AINSWORTH / AP 2014 national championship. Lawrence was 33-for-48 for 400 Travis Etienne running for Alabama running back Najee Harris hurdles Notre Dame cornerback Buckeyes coach Ryan Day yards and three total touchdowns scores. Nick McCloud on his way to a 53­yard gain during the first half of the called it a statement game for the in what is expected to be the ju- From there it was all Buckeyes. Rose Bowl on Friday in Arlington, Texas. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Sunday, January 3, 2021 Second time in three days SPORTS Lakers make it back-to-back wins in San Antonio ›› NBA, Page 20

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / AP Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book, left, is sacked by Alabama defensive lineman Byron Young during the second half of the Rose Bowl on Friday in Arlington, Texas. Tide vs. Buckeyes Title game set with Alabama, Ohio State BY STEPHEN HAWKINS They haven’t met since the first year of Associated Press the CFP at the end of the 2014 regular sea- ARLINGTON, Texas son. Alabama was the top seed in that first op-ranked Alabama has two four-team playoff, but Ohio State beat the Heisman Trophy finalists and Tide 42-35 in the semifinal Sugar Bowl. The is in the College Football Play- Buckeyes went on to win the national title off championship game for a over Oregon that year, but had since lost record fifth time. Ohio State is twice to Clemson in the semifinals. Tback for the first time since winning the in- While this season’s CFP has provided a augural title in the CFP era. third consecutive title-game matchup of un- After the SEC champion Crimson Tide defeated teams, this one is a little different. rolled past Notre Dame 31-14 in a Rose Bowl Alabama has played 12 games, getting Saban Day played deep in the heart of Texas, the N o. 3 through a conference-only regular season GERALD HERBERT / AP Buckeyes of the Big Ten beat Clemson 49- four-team playoff. before holding off Florida 52-46 in the SEC Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields picks 28 in the other CFP semifinal at the Sugar So it’s a matchup of storied programs championship game and then winning the up yardage against Clemson during the Bowl on Friday night. The Tigers were try- playing Jan. 11 in suburban Miami to deter- relocated Rose Bowl. That semifinal was first half of the Sugar Bowl on Friday in ing, like Alabama, to get to the title game for mine the champion of this most unusual New Orleans. the fifth time in the seven seasons of the season played in the middle of a pandemic. SEE TITLE ON PAGE 22