Volume 78, No. 181B ©SS 2019 CONTINGENCY EDITION SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019 stripes.com Free to Deployed Areas Lawsuit: Contractors’ bribes financed Taliban Families of US service members, civilians hit by terror attacks say Western companies paid for protection

BY ERIK LARSON Embassy in Kabul called such payments Bloomberg ‘ Defendants were all large Western companies with lucrative “organized crime,” according to the suit. businesses in post-9/11 Afghanistan, and they all paid the The plaintiffs include family members of Families of almost 150 U.S. service U.S. Army Sergeant Andrew Looney, who members and civilians who were killed or Taliban to refrain from attacking their business interests. was killed when a suicide bomber attacked wounded in terror attacks in Afghanistan complaint in a lawsuit fi led on Friday in federal court in Washington’ the checkpoint he was manning in June sued a group of Western contractors in- 2010. A suicide bombing a few months volved in the nation’s reconstruction for al- later destroyed an armored bus transport- legedly bribing the Taliban for protection ing U.S. forces, killing more than a dozen “Defendants were all large Western gency that killed and injured thousands of for years. people, including Lieutenant Colonel The alleged payments ultimately helped companies with lucrative businesses in Americans.” David Cabrera and Staff Sergeant Chris- finance a Taliban-led insurgency that led post-9/11 Afghanistan, and they all paid The allegations are based on several topher Newman, whose family members to the attacks in Afghanistan between 2009 the Taliban to refrain from attacking their confidential witnesses, internal company also sued. The 288-page complaint con- and 2017, according to a lawsuit filed Fri- business interests,” according to the com- documents, declassified government-intel- tains numerous such examples of deaths day in federal court in Washington. The plaint. “Those protection payments aided ligence reporting and congressional tes- and injuries. suit seeks unspecified damages for the and abetted terrorism by directly fund- timony, among other sources, according families under the Anti-Terrorism Act. ing an al-Qaida-backed Taliban insur- to the complaint. An employee of the U.S. SEE BRIBED ON PAGE 4 Sound of freedom

BY J.P. LAWRENCE Stars and Stripes BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghani- stan — Every Sunday night for the past two years, Jawid Kaderi has organized Afghan music nights in a recreation center on this expansive base to showcase an essential aspect of Afghan life that had been sup- pressed before the U.S.-led invasion 18 years ago. American troops often dub the deafening roar of fighter jets taking off from the nearby flight line “the sound of freedom,” but in the small auditorium off the base’s Disney Drive where Kaderi and a rotating cast of three to four contract inter- preters gather each week, the strains of the stringed rabab and the rhyth- mic beat of the tabla drums make for a humbler celebration of the concept. Though sparsely attended, the events are open to American troops

SEE SOUND ON PAGE 4

Ustad Amruddin plays the dilruba, a traditional Afghan instrument, at his home in the musician’s quarter of Kabul, Afghanistan.

J.P. LAWRENCE/Stars and Stripes

MILITARY MILITARY MUSIC Navy considers US contractor Ranking the reducing size killed by rocket top 10 albums of the fleet on base in Iraq of the year Page 3 Page 5 Pages 12-13

Eagles at best with backs against the wall » Back page PAGE 2 •STARS AND STRIPES• Sunday, December 29, 2019 BUSINESS/WEATHER EXCHANGE RATES Military rates Switzerland (Franc)...... 0.9734 Euro costs (Dec. 30) ...... $1.1440 Thailand (Baht) ...... 30.15 € Dollar buys (Dec. 30) ...... 0.8741 Turkey (Lira) ...... 5.9581(Military exchange Trade hopes lift global markets British pound (Dec. 30) ...... $1.34 rates are those available to customers at Japanese yen (Dec. 30) ...... 107.00 South Korean won (Dec. 30) ...... 1,132.00 military banking facilities in the country of Associated Press and Chinese President Xi Jinping would hold a sign- Commercial rates issuance for Japan, South Korea, Germany, ing ceremony. Bahrain (Dinar) ...... 0.3770 the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. BEIJING — Global stock markets moved mostly British pound ...... $1.3093 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., higher on Friday amid optimism that U.S.-Chinese Traders still are waiting to see details of the Canada (Dollar) ...... 1.3070 purchasing British pounds in Germany), agreement aimed at helping to settle a 17-month-old China (Yuan) ...... 6.9958 check with your local military banking trade relations are improving and on early reports Denmark (Krone) ...... 6.6750 facility. Commercial rates are interbank that online Christmas shopping was up over last trade war between the two countries. Egypt (Pound) ...... 16.0397 rates provided for reference when buying Chinese customs data this week showed November Euro ...... $1.186/0.8940 currency. All figures are foreign currencies year in the U.S. Hong Kong (Dollar) ...... 7.7874 to one dollar, except for the British pound, soybean imports rose in a possible boost to Ameri- Hungary (Forint) ...... 295.46 European markets rose in midday trading and which is represented in dollars-to-pound, can farmers. Midwestern farm states were battered Israel (Shekel) ...... 3.4583 Wall Street was primed for more gains after reach- Japan (Yen) ...... 109.40 and the euro, which is dollars-to-euro.) ing new highs yet again on Thursday. Hong Kong by Beijing’s earlier suspension of purchases of U.S. Kuwait (Dinar) ...... 0.3031 INTEREST RATES finished with gains and Tokyo declined. soybeans, the biggest Chinese import from the Unit- Norway (Krone) ...... 8.8127 Philippines (Peso)...... 50.82 Prime rate ...... 4.75 Investors welcomed U.S. President Donald ed States, in response to Trump’s tariff hikes. Poland (Zloty) ...... 3.81 Discount rate ...... 2.25 Trump’s comment that an interim “Phase 1” trade “Broadly risk sentiment is positive,” Mizuho Bank Saudi Arabia (Riyal) ...... 3.7521 Federal funds market rate ...... 1.55 Singapore (Dollar) ...... 1.3518 3-month bill ...... 1.53 deal with China was “getting done.” Trump said he said in a report. South Korea (Won) ...... 1,160.77 30-year bond ...... 2.31 WEATHER OUTLOOK SUNDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY IN EUROPE MONDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 39/19 Kabul 53/21 Seoul 40/36 Baghdad 63/45 Kandahar 66/35 Osan Tokyo Mildenhall/ Drawsko 42/38 43/35 Lakenheath Pomorskie Busan 44/40 33/29 50/43 Iwakuni 55/49 Kuwait Bahrain Zagan Sasebo City 70/66 Brussels 32/28 Guam 67/55 37/31 Ramstein 59/49 84/80 Lajes, 31/26 Riyadh Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 74/52 72/59 63/59 32/27 34/28 Aviano/ Vicenza 38/28

Naples 46/39 Okinawa Morón 43/39 62/45 Sigonella Rota 48/35 The weather is provided by the Djibouti Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 83/69 60/46 52/48 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

T O D A Y IN STRIPES American Roundup ..... 15 Comics ...... 14 Crossword ...... 14 Opinion ...... 16 Music ...... 12-13 Sports ...... 17-24 Sunday, December 29, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 3 MILITARY Chinese man charged with photographing Fla. naval base Associated Press KEY WEST, Fla. — A Chinese man was arrested Thursday while taking photos at a U.S. Navy base in the Florida Keys, au- thorities said. Witnesses spotted Lyuyou Liao, 27, walk- ing around a perimeter fence of the Naval Air Station in Key West and entering the military facility from the rocks along the water, according to a federal complaint. The witnesses warned Liao he was trespassing in a restricted area, known as the Truman Annex, the Miami Herald reported. When security officials saw Liao snap- ping photos with his cellphone camera, they took the phone and called a federal agent, the complaint said. Liao was ar- rested and charged with entering Naval property for the purpose of photographing defense installations. Liao told a Naval Criminal Investigative Service agent in broken English that he was trying to take photographs of the sunrise, according to the complaint affidavit. But the agent reported finding photographs of RAWAD MADANAT/U.S. Navy the Truman Annex on the camera. Court records didn’t list an attorney for Sailors man the rails aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer upon completing a regularly Liao. scheduled deployment at Pearl Harbor. A Navy memo would trim its fleet — including destroyers — over the next five years. Liao’s arrest comes a little more than a year after another Chinese national was charged with taking photos at the Naval Air Station in Key West. In September 2018, Key West police caught Zhao Qianli, In reversal, Navy floats proposal 20, at the base. He told federal authorities that he was a music student and that he lost his way on the tourist trail, but investiga- tors found photos on Qianli’s cellphone and digital camera of government buildings that would trim fleet production and a Defense Department antenna, ac- cording to court records. Associated Press warships over the five-year period at a cost of By the numbers $111.8 billion, which would result in a reduction PORTLAND, Maine — The Navy is propos- of 12 battle-force ships and $9.4 billion in fund- ing construction cutbacks and accelerated ship Pentagon warns ing for shipbuilding compared with President retirements that would delay, or sink, the Na- Trump’s fiscal year 2020 budget. vy’s goal of a larger fleet — and potentially hurt Defense analyst Norman Friedman said the military about shipyards, according to an initial proposal . The proposal would shrink the size of the proposal would represent a major reduction in 293 home DNA kits fleet from today’s level of 293 ships to 287 ships, anti-aircraft capability that is provided by de- a far cry from the official goal of 355 ships es- stroyers and cruisers at a time when the Navy is facing more sophisticated threats from air- Number of ships in the Alabama Media Group (Birmingham) tablished in the 2018 National Defense Autho- Navy, according to Defense rization Act. craft and missiles. Military personnel shouldn’t use at-home According to a defense official familiar with “If you were serious about facing down the Department figures. DNA kits such as 23andme or Ancestry, the memo, budget negotiations are ongoing Chinese, you’d probably want more of that than the Pentagon warned in a recent memo. and no final decisions have been made. But the less,” said Friedman. The advisory, initially obtained by Yahoo Navy is looking at a number of ways to cut costs Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are produced News, said such kits could pose a security to fund other priorities, the official said. at two shipyards, Maine’s Bath Iron Works, a risk. It also warned military personnel are General Dynamics subsidiary, and Ingalls 287 One of the proposed cuts would reduce the being targeted by the companies with dis- number of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Shipbuilding in Mississippi . counts encouraging them to purchase the planned for construction from 12 to seven over Republican Sen. Susan Collins and indepen- Number of ships the Navy at-home kits. the next five years, trimming $9.4 billion, or dent Sen. Angus King, of Maine, called the pro- “Exposing sensitive genetic information about 8%, from the shipbuilding budget, the of- posal “an abrupt reversal of the Navy’s plan to would be reduced to to outside parties poses personal and op- ficial said. increase the size of the fleet.” over the next five years, erational risks to Services members,” the Another potential cut would decommission The senators noted that Congress will have according to a Defense memo noted. “These (direct-to-consumer) Ticonderoga-class cruisers more quickly over the final say, and they suggested that much of genetic tests are largely unregulated and the next five years, leaving nine in the fleet, the funding is already in the works. Just this Department memo that could expose personal and genetic infor- rather than 13. past week, Congress appropriated $5.1 bil- proposes various cuts to mation, and potentially create unintended The official spoke on condition of anonymity lion for three destroyers, and a $390 million fund other priorities. security consequences and increased risk to discuss preliminary budget planning discus- increase in advanced procurement for a down to the joint force and mission.” sions that have not been made public. payment on an additional ship next fiscal year, The memo did not go into detail about “Either option runs counter to the Navy’s they said. the nature of the sensitive information or stated requirement for a 355-ship fleet, and The proposed cost-cutting comes as the Navy how it could pose a risk. The Department would not be well received on Capitol Hill given works to modernize its ballistic missile subma- 355 of Defense stopped short of banning the there’s still consensus that the military and rine fleet, replacing aging current Ohio-class genetic testing but advised members to use strategic threat from Russia and China is only subs with new Columbia-class nuclear subs. The number of ships in licensed professionals and not mail-in kits. increasing,” said naval analyst Jay Korman of That program is putting pressure on the ship- The kits typically involve users collect- Avascent Group. building budget. the goal established by the ing a cheek swab or a saliva sample and The memo pertains to what’s known as the The memo reportedly provided some wiggle 2018 National Defense sending it in to one of the companies. Cus- Future Years Defense Program, which covers room in reaching the 355-fleet size by suggest- Authorization Act. tomers then receive information on ances- federal fiscal years 2021 through 2025, which ing a legislative proposal that would include the try, as well as medical history and other begin Oct. 1, 2020 and end Sept. 30, 2025. It battle force to include unmanned, as well as information. says the Navy has proposed buying a total of 42 manned, warships. SOURCE: Associated Press PAGE 4 •STARS AND STRIPES• Sunday, December 29, 2019 WAR ON TERRORISM Taliban target Afghan Sound: Forbade by Taliban, army killing at least 10 KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban staged a complex attack Afghan-American contractor that killed at least 10 Afghan sol- diers in the southern Helmand province, an Afghan official said uses music to share culture Saturday. A powerful explosion first hit FROM FRONT PAGE areas still under Taliban influ- an army checkpoint late Friday, and others who Kaderi hopes will ence, the militant group contin- followed by an hourslong gun- ues to bar it, locals have said, come to learn about his country’s battle, said Omar Zwak, a spokes- and musicians elsewhere in the traditions. man for the provincial governor. country still face strong family The nightlong jam sessions are The attack also wounded four sol- pressure and even threats from also helping to rebuild “a musical diers, he said. violent extremists. culture that was nearly complete- Taliban spokesman Qari Yu- In 2014, for example, a suicide ly destroyed” under the Taliban, souf Ahmadi claimed responsi- bomb attack targeted Ahmad and which faces continuing chal- bility for the attack, saying the Naser Sarmast, founder and lenges even now, said Capt. Philip insurgents also seized weapons musical director of the Afghani- D. Tappan, associate bandmaster and ammunition. The insur- of the United States Army Band. stan National Institute of Music. The Taliban claimed the attack, gents have a strong presence in The revival of musical tradi- Helmand province, especially in tions here is also something of a which took place at a high school, and said Sarmast was corrupting the Sangin district where the at- rebuke of the radicalism that has tack took place. mired Afghanistan in decades of Afghanistan’s youth. war, said Tappan, who studied Samast lost his hearing in both US: Soldier was seizing Afghan culture before deploy- ears, and ing to the country several years for three or weapons when he died ago with the 1st Cavalry Division ‘ You four months WASHINGTON — A U.S. Spe- band and played alongside Af- afterward it cannot cial Forces soldier who died in Af- ghan musicians at Bagram and in felt like there ghanistan this week was seizing a Kabul in 2017. take away was a “full Taliban weapons cache when he “If the work we did together symphony music was killed, the U.S. military said provided any legitimacy to their orchestra from Friday. programs and the musical arts in my head, in Afghanistan, then we have di- Afghan playing out of Sgt. 1st Class Michael Goble was with his unit when its mem- rectly combated the extremism people. tune,” he said J.P. LAWRENCE/Stars and Stripes that has terrorized this country recently. bers discovered an undisclosed Even Now Sar- Jawid Kaderi, an Afghan-American contractor who works at Bagram amount of Taliban weapons in and the world at large,” he said. Airfield, plays a traditional Afghan instrument, the harmonium, on The Taliban had denounced during mast is slowly Kunduz Province, said Eric regaining Sept. 19. Kaderi each week plays Afghan music to share his culture Pahon, a spokesman for the U.S. singing and dancing as a moral their and history with troops on base. perversion. When they emerged his hearing forces in Afghanistan. Pahon said as victors in the country’s frac- fighting and contin- Goble and others were clearing tious civil war in the 1990s, they with their ues teaching out the cache when an explosion burned instruments and ripped young people. happened. apart cassette tapes, outlawing enemies, However, an Pahon said the Taliban wrongly music and other forms of pop cul- they entire gen- claimed that the service members eration of were in a convoy and targeted by ture under their hardline inter- sing and pretation of Islamic law. other would- a roadside bomb during a raid. But just a few decades before dance. ’ be teachers Goble, 33, of Washington Town- the country was plunged into 40 or mentors ship in Bergen County, N . J. , was Jawid Kaderi was silenced killed Monday and an Afghan years of war, including street bat- Afghan-American by death, op- service member was wounded. tles that ravaged Kabul’s musi- contractor cians’ quarter, artists like Ahmad pression or Goble served with the 1st Battal- Zahir — the “Afghan Elvis” — had exile, said ion, 7th Special Forces Group. flourished amid a “golden age” of Kabul University music profes- music in the 1960s and 1970s, Ka- sor Mohsen Saify, and Afghan Afghan activist: Taliban deri said. women are still often discour- freed 27 of his group And after the militant regime aged from even studying music fell in late 2001, it wasn’t long by family members who hold that KABUL, Afghanistan — The before song returned to the coun- it’s immoral. Taliban released 27 peace activ- PHILIP D. TAPPAN/U.S. Army Band try’s capital, Kaderi said. At Bagram, however, Kaderi ists Thursday, a day after they “Right after the Taliban were believes that sharing a love of Afghan and American musicians assemble on Oct. 23, at Bagram were abducted in an ambush on ousted by U.S. forces, the first music is a deep part of the coun- Airfield. The two groups of musicians closed the show in a joint their convoy in western Afghani- thing that we saw on the streets of try’s culture and a reason to con- performance of two traditional Dari folk songs. stan, a leader of the activist orga- Kabul was the free people play- tinue to celebrate the Taliban’s nization said. ing music, singing and dancing,” ouster. didn’t understand all of the words, camaraderie. Phone lines were down in the he said. “You cannot take away music she enjoyed the music’s poetry. “I have not forgotten about Af- region, making communication The U.S. and NATO have fund- from Afghan people,” he said. “I can feel in the music that the ghan music, the experiences I’ve difficult and the reason for the ed music programs in the years “Even during their fighting with culture is alive and that the histo- had with Afghan musicians or the activists’ abduction was still un- since, but just as efforts to estab- their enemies, they sing and ry has a beautiful depth to offer,” study of Afghan music,” Tappan clear, said Bismillah Watandost lish lasting peace, security and dance.” she said. said. “It will continually color my of the People’s Peace Movement prosperity here still face numer- Capt. Eveleen Soroko has at- The Bagram events are also life.” of Afghanistan. ous challenges, so too does any tended some of the music nights a way for fellow musicians like [email protected] The insurgents ambushed the musical renaissance. In rural and said that even though she Kaderi and Tappan to build Twitter: @jplawrence3 group in the district of Bala Buluk in Farah province Tuesday. In- surgents forced the six-vehicle convoy to a halt, then got into the cars and drove them and the ac- Bribed: Contract companies paid the Taliban to deter attacks tivists to an unknown location. A provincial police operation FROM FRONT PAGE ing that period, according to the iban control or influence, and tion payments to the Taliban by was launched to locate and free complaint. contractors’ standard practice in saying the group’s members are the activists, whose convoy was Dow Jones reported earlier on going village to village to rally the suit. The plaintiffs accuse a prede- such circumstances was to pay “moderate” if they’re not disrupt- cessor entity of Bethesda, M d.- protection money to discourage ing his project and “They’re not for peace in the war-torn coun- Two of the defendants — close- based DAI of making protection the Taliban from attacking their all bad.” try. Also, tribal elders in the area ly-held DAI Global LLC and payments to the Taliban between projects,” according to the suit. Other companies named are began an effort to secure the safe Louis Berger Group — received 2006 and 2012, while the com- Louis Berger Group, now part Palm Beach Gardens, Fl a.-based release of the activists. However, about $1 billion in development pany worked on numerous con- of Montreal-based WSP Global Centerra Group LLC and Janus efforts were hampered by a lack aid from 2007 to 2009, making up tracts worth hundreds of millions Inc., is also accused of paying Global Operations LLC. of communications infrastruc- about half of the total contracts by of dollars. bribes. The suit alleges that, for None of the companies imme- ture in the area and it wasn’t clear the U.S. Agency for International “Each contract required work example, one of LBG’s project diately responded to phone calls who facilitated their release. Development in Afghanistan dur- in geographic areas under Tal- managers justified the protec- seeking comment. From The Associated Press Sunday, December 29, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 5 WAR/MILITARY US contractor killed in rocket attack on base

BY CHAD GARLAND backed groups, some of which Stars and Stripes fought American forces after the 2003 invasion, U.S. troops have IRBIL, Iraq — A U.S. contrac- curtailed some operations in Iraq tor was killed and American and in recent months, officials have Iraqi federal service members said. were wounded Friday evening in ISIS, which remains active a rocket attack that struck a co- alition base in northern Iraq, the near Kirkuk, has also reportedly U.S. military said. targeted security forces in the The rocket strike on the K1 area in recent weeks. The group base in Kirkuk occurred about claimed responsibility for a road- 7:20 p.m., the U.S.-led coalition to side bomb blast in Kirkuk last defeat the Islamic State said in an month that wounded two Kurd- emailed statement that contained ish military members, known /U.S. Army DESMOND CASSELL few other details. as peshmerga, and five coalition Information about the service troops from Italy. members wounded in the attack The group has turned to in- Holiday tunes or the severity of their injuries surgent tactics since they were was not included. routed from their last stronghold Hundreds of American troops based in Syria received an early Christmas thanks to Operation Holiday Rockets apparently hit a muni- in Iraq in 2017, and often hides in Express. This year, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer came via CH-47 Chinook helicopter, with members of the tions storage facility on the base, the Hamrin mountains, a rugged Operation Inherent Resolve leadership bringing gifts, messages from home, and the 1st Infantry Division said one official who was not au- range that extends across part Band to deployed troops, on Tuesday. thorized to speak officially on the of Kirkuk province, said U.S. matter and declined to be named. military officials who assist Iraqi There were at least 10 blasts — anti-ISIS missions with intelli- some media reports say as many gence and other support. as 30 rockets — but some blasts While Iraqi forces routinely Coast Guard orders court-martial appeared to have come from the stored munitions, the official conduct small-scale operations said. against ISIS throughout the coun- in death of seaman in Alaska The rockets struck as a major try, they launch increasingly com- Iraqi mission was preparing to plex and larger operations as part BY RACHEL D’ORO expected to take place in 2020. Kelch when he failed to return get underway, the official said. of the “Will of Victory” campaign Associated Press Along with murder, the charges Jan. 26 from liberty. He was The Iraqi government’s securi- about monthly, U.S. officials told against Tucker include involun- found unresponsive the next day ty information cell, in a statement Stars and Stripes this week. The ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The tary manslaughter and making a along shore and pronounced dead posted to Facebook, confirmed “a strike at K1 appears have come U.S. Coast Guard said Friday a false official statement. at a clinic. number of missiles” fell inside the as forces prepared for the latest seaman will face a court-martial The decision on a court-martial During an October hearing, a base and said more details would phase of that campaign. on murder and other charges in came about a month after Tucker lawyer for Tucker said a bystand- be provided later. The base houses U.S. forces, the death of a fellow seaman dur- was released from a San Diego er took video that night showing The death and injuries appear as well as Iraqi Federal Police ing a night of drinking in Alaska. brig after an admiral overseeing Tucker’s efforts to get Kelch out to be the first U.S. casualties and Counter-Terrorism Service Ethan Tucker is charged with from the sporadic rocket strikes his prosecution ordered a new of the water. troops. the January death of Seaman on bases housing U.S. troops that Iraqi security forces are lead- Ethan Kelch, 19, of Virginia hearing that took place earlier Henderson has said the videos began earlier this year and which ing the investigation into Friday’s Beach, Va., Military prosecutors this month. also show Kelch had repeatedly U.S. officials have blamed on attack and the response, the U.S.- allege the Tucker, 21, of Luding- The Coast Guard said the court tried to go into the water. Iran-backed groups amid mount- led coalition said in a statement. ton, Mich., beat Kelch and left martial decision was made Dec. Soon after the October hear- ing tensions between Washington Attacks on Iraqi bases housing him in frigid water, where he 23 after a review of the hearing ing, a military official overseeing and Tehran. drowned. At the time, both were report. the case sent the charges back to The latest strike comes a little U.S. troops have reportedly in- serving on a cutter based in Ko- Tucker’s attorney, Navy Cmdr. prosecutors for amendments that more than a week after Defense creased since a Nov. 8 attack that diak, Alaska. Justin Henderson said he is confi- included the deleting of state- Secretary Mark Esper called on hit Qayara Airfield West, a base Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Stephen dent his client will be vindicated. ments that Tucker had placed Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul south of Mosul, with a barrage of Brickey said the court-martial is A search was launched for Kelch in the water. Mahdi to help stop rocket attacks more than 30 rockets. No one was targeting bases where U.S. troops wounded in that strike, but sev- are housed, amid an uptick in eral Iraqis were wounded in sub- such attacks. sequent incidents at other bases No group had publicly claimed where U.S. troops are housed. Greece inks deal to upgrade fighter jets responsibility for the latest attack, The rise in rocket attacks but it resembles a spate of similar comes amid escalating tensions Associated Press The defense minister, Nikos stability and economic progress rocket strikes that officials have over hard-hitting sanctions im- Greece says it has signed an Panagiotopoulos, told parliament in Europe.” blamed on Shiite militias linked posed by the Trump adminis- agreement with U.S. defense earlier this month that 84 F-16 Greece faced years of defense to Iran. Officials have repeatedly tration after it backed out of a contractor Lockheed Martin that jets would be upgraded by 2027 funding cuts during a financial warned that those groups are a nuclear deal with Iran negotiated will allow a major upgrade of to the advanced-tech Viper class crisis that required three interna- threat to U.S. forces. under President Barack Obama’s in a program estimated at $1.5 tional bailouts between 2010 and its F-16 fighter jet fleet over the Earlier this month, following tenure. billion. 2018 to save the euro zone mem- next seven years as the country two rocket attacks on an Iraqi As U.S. officials warned of in- He said the speed of the up- ber from bankruptcy. installation near the Baghdad emerges from a financial crisis creased threat indicators from grade would be determined by The country has expanded de- airport, Secretary of State Mike Iran in May, the U.S. drew down and faces renewed tension with how many aircraft are required fense ties with the United States Pompeo blamed Iran-backed neighbor and fellow NATO mem- to remain in active service. in recent years, wary of Turkey’s militias. much of its diplomatic staff in ber Turkey. The U.S. State Department ap- military expansion. Disputes be- Any attacks by Iran or their Baghdad, just days before a rock- The defense ministry procure- proved the potential deal in 2017, tween the neighbors over airspace proxies that harm American et impacted inside the diplomatic ment agency announced Friday saying it advanced U.S. objec- and maritime boundaries, as well troops, allies or interests “will be area of the city but left no one that the deal was signed Tuesday tives “by helping to improve the as drilling rights for oil and gas in answered with a decisive U.S. re- injured. finalizing details of Lockheed’s security of a NATO ally which is the East Mediterranean, remain sponse,” Pompeo warned. [email protected] use of a Greek subcontractor. an important partner for political unresolved. In light of the threat from Iran- Twitter: @chadgarland PAGE 6 •STARS AND STRIPES• Sunday, December 29, 2019 NATION Hawaii tour helo crash kills 6, with 1 person missing

BY CALEB JONES Associated Press ‘ If you lose the HONOLULU — The search engine, there’s just for the final person missing after a Hawaii tour helicopter crash really no place to killed six was expected to resume land on the tour Saturday depending on weather, officials said. route that they were There are no indications that flying. ETHAN HYMAN, THE (RALEIGH N.C.) NEWS & OBSERVER/AP anybody survived the crash, au- ’ thorities said Friday night after Ladd Sanger The Rev. T. Anthony Spearman, president of the North Carolina NAACP, crumples up a mailer that tells the remains of six of the people aviation attorney voters IDs are needed in the upcoming 2020 election during a press conference Friday . A federal judge on board were found. Authori- in North Carolina said Thursday she would block the state voter ID law, at least temporarily. ties have not named those on board and said families are being received. The locator devices are notified. designed to activate when an air- The helicopter was set to tour craft crashes, Federal Aviation Federal judge says she will block the rugged and remote Kauai’s Administration spokesman Ian Na Pali Coast, which is one of the Gregor said in an email. most dramatic and sought-after The FAA requires the locators North Carolina voter ID mandate destinations in Hawaii and was to be able to withstand impact. featured in the film “Jurassic However, it is possible for the BY GARY D. ROBERTSON cials were planning to expand ef- 6.8 million registered voters — is Park.“ The plane crashed at the device to stop working in an ex- Associated Press forts to educate voters about the critical in a closely divided presi- top of a mountain on the island of treme crash, Gregor said. ID law within days. Although the dential battleground state where Kauai, authorities said. He said the agency is looking RALEIGH, N.C. — Republican requirement would be carried statewide races are often compet- A search began for the helicop- at the company’s safety record attempts to require photo identi- out beginning with the March 3 itive between the major parties. ter carrying a pilot and six pas- but likely won’t have a full report fication to vote in North Caro- primary, the requirement would Voter ID was carried out in sengers from two families after until Monday. It’s looking into lina are being thwarted again by actually start in just a few weeks North Carolina’s 2016 primary it was reported overdue Thurs- the crash along with the National judges hearing arguments that with mail-in absentee ballot fil- elections as the result of a 2013 day evening. Two passengers are Transportation Safety Board, the mandate is tainted by bias ers, who also would have to pro- law. But a federal appeals court believed to be minors, the Coast which announced Friday that it that would deter black and Latino vide an ID copy. struck down several portions of Guard said. was sending three investigators residents. The state law identified several the law in July 2016, saying photo Steep terrain, low visibility, to Kauai. A federal court announced that types of qualifying photo IDs and ID and other voting restrictions choppy seas and rain had com- U.S. Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii next week U.S. District Judge Lo- allowed people lacking one to get were approved with intentional plicated the search, the agency cited fatal accidents over the retta Biggs will formally block a a free ID card or to fill out a form racial discrimination in mind. said. years, blaming the FAA for not photo ID requirement scheduled while voting explaining their Republicans strongly disagreed The helicopter company, iden- taking NTSB safety improvement to begin in 2020. Unless the up- “reasonable impediment“ to ob- with that decision and later put a tified as Safari Helicopters, con- efforts seriously and the industry coming preliminary injunction taining one. question on the November 2018 tacted the Coast Guard about 6 for not regulating itself. He said is successfully appealed, the re- GOP leaders in charge of the ballot enshrining voter ID in the p.m. Thursday to say the aircraft “innocent lives are paying the quirement will be halted until a legislature have been trying for state constitution — a strategy was about 30 minutes overdue, price.” lawsuit filed by the state NAACP most of the decade to advance designed to give the idea more authorities said. The FAA said it conducts ran- and others is resolved. voter ID, saying that more than 30 legal and popular standing. The According to a preliminary re- dom and regular surveillance on Thursday’s short written no- states require it and it builds con- amendment passed with 55% of port, the pilot said the tour was all Hawaii air tour operators and tice from the federal court in fidence in elections. Data show the vote. The legislature approved leaving the Waimea Canyon area, ensures companies address any Winston-Salem previewed Biggs’ voter impersonation is rare, how- a law in 2018 detailing how to im- known as the “Grand Canyon issues. Gregor said the agency order because state election offi- ever. The voting pool — currently plement that amendment. of the Pacific,“ about 4:40 p.m., does not have concerns about the which was the last contact with industry statewide. the helicopter, Kauai police said. The NTSB aviation accident The Eurocopter AS350 has database lists nine crashes of Ha- an emergency electronic locator waii helicopter sightseeing flights Judge won’t undo Georgia voter purge transmitter, but no signals were in the last 10 years. BY JEFF AMY to maintain clean voter rolls. Despite activists’ ef- Associated Press forts and lawsuits that only waste taxpayers’ dollars, Georgia is continuing to ensure every eligible voter Small plane crashes in La. ATLANTA — Georgia doesn’t have to put almost can vote and voter lists remain accurate,” Raffens- 100,000 voters back on its rolls, a federal judge ruled perger said in a statement. Friday. Associated Press “Our efforts to protect Geor- scene of a “crash of a small civil- U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones ruled that a gia voters have already re- ian airplane” in Lafayette and LAFAYETTE, La. — Five peo- voting rights advocacy group founded by Democrat sulted in approximately 26,500 transported two patients to a local ple are dead after a small plane Stacey Abrams is improperly asking him to interpret voters remaining on the rolls crashed near a post office in hospital. state law. Jones also said the group hasn’t proved who would have otherwise southern Louisiana on Saturday, Eyewitnesses told KLFY TV that people who have been removed had their con- been purged, and the State is authorities said. that lights went out at homes stitutional rights violated. now required to take additional Lafayette Fire Chief Robert and businesses near the crash However, Jones also ordered Georgia Secretary of steps to notify purged voters as Benoit told KLFY-TV that the and that they heard something State Brad Raffensperger to do more to warn people a result of our litigation,“ said aircraft was an eight-passenger that sounded like “a semi-truck.” that they had been removed. The judge is especially Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of plane. He said there was one Several residents said they were singling out a southwest Georgia state House dis- Fair Fight Action. survivor in addition to the five without power. trict where a Jan. 28 special election is scheduled. ABRAMS Voter purges in Georgia be- fatalities. Three people on the Photos of the area where the Voters there who have been removed have only until came a hot-button issue during ground were transported to the plane crashed showed a blackened Monday to re-register. last year’s race for governor between Abrams and hospital. The report said a nearby car as well as tree limbs scattered Raffensperger in October released a list of more Republican Brian Kemp, who won the race. Kemp Walmart store was evacuated as a in the parking lot of a post office. than 313,000 voters whose registrations were at risk served as secretary of state and oversaw aggres- precaution. The smoldering remains of the of being canceled. Fair Fight Action, a voting rights sive voter purges during his tenure. Over 1.4 mil- Acadian Ambulance said via plane were resting in a field near group, had asked for the purge to be halted. lion voter registrations were canceled in Georgia Twitter that it responded to the the post office. “Today Judge Jones upheld Georgia’s decision between 2012 and 2018. Sunday, December 29, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 7 NATION Mass killings in the US hit new high in 2019

BY LISA MARIE PANE in. Densley also said crime tends Associated Press to go in waves with the 1970s and 1980s seeing a number of The first one occurred 19 serial killers, the 1990s marked days into the new year when a by school shootings and child man used an ax to kill four fam- abductions and the early 2000s ily members including his infant dominated by concerns over daughter. Five months later, 12 terrorism. people were killed in a workplace “This seems to be the age of shooting in Virginia. Twenty-two mass shootings,” Densley said. more died at a Walmart in El Paso He and James Alan Fox, a in August. criminologist and professor at A database compiled by The Northeastern University, also Associated Press, USA Today expressed worries about the and Northeastern University “contagion effect,” the focus on shows that there were more mass mass killings fueling other mass killings in 2019 than any year killings. dating back to at least the 1970s, “These are still rare events. punctuated by a chilling succes- Clearly, the risk is low but the sion of deadly rampages during fear is high,” Fox said. “What the summer. fuels contagion is fear.” In all, there were 41 mass kill- The mass shootings this year in- ings, defined as when four or clude the three in August in Texas more people are killed excluding and Dayton that stirred fresh ur- the perpetrator. Of those, 33 were gency, especially among Demo- mass shootings. More than 210 cratic presidential candidates, to people were killed. restrict access to firearms. Most of the mass killings barely While the large death tolls at- became national news, failing to tracted much of the attention, the resonate among the general pub- killings inflicted a mental and lic because they didn’t spill into physical toll on dozens of oth- public places like massacres in El JOHN LOCHER/AP ers. The database does not have Paso and Odessa, Texas; Dayton, a complete count of victims who Ohio; Virginia Beach, Va.; and Greg Zanis prepares crosses on Aug. 5 to place at a memorial for victims of a mass shooting at a were wounded, but among the Jersey City, N. J . shopping complex in El Paso, Texas. This year was found to have the highest number of mass killings. three mass shootings in August The majority of the killings alone, more than 65 people were involved people who knew each  The 41 mass killings were injured. other — family disputes, drug or the most in a single year since the Daniel Munoz, 28, of Odessa, gang violence or people with beef AP/USA Today and Northeastern was caught in the crossfire of the that directed their anger at co- database began tracking such shooting that took place between a workers or relatives. events back to 2006, but other 10-mile stretch in West Texas. He In many cases, what set off the research going back to the 1970s was on his way to meet a friend at perpetrator remains a mystery. shows no other year with as many a bar when he saw a gunman and That’s the case with the very mass slayings. The second-most the barrel of a firearm. Instinc- first mass killing of 2019, when a killings in a year prior to 2019 tively, he got down just as his car 42-year-old man took an ax and was 38 in 2006. was sprayed with bullets. stabbed to death his mother, step-  The 211 people killed in this Munoz, who moved to Texas father, girlfriend and 9-month-old year’s cases are still eclipsed by about a year ago to work in the daughter in Clackamas County, the 224 victims in 2017 at a con- oil industry, said he had actually Ore . Two others, a roommate and cert in Las Vegas. been on edge since the Walmart an 8-year-old girl managed to es-  California, with some of the shooting, which took place just 28 cape; the rampage ended when most strict gun laws in the coun- days earlier and about 300 miles responding police fatally shot the try, had the most, with eight such away, worried that a shooting killer. mass slayings. But nearly half of could happen anywhere at any The perpetrator had had oc- U.S. states experienced a mass time. casional run-ins with police over slaying, from big cities like New He remembers calling his the years, but what drove him York to tiny towns like Elkmont, mother after the El Paso shooting JOHN MINCHILLO/AP to attack his family remains un- Ala., with a population of just to encourage her to have a fire- known. He had just gotten a job under 475 people. Shoes are piled outside the scene of a mass shooting on Aug. 4 in arm at home or with her in case training mechanics at an auto  Firearms were the weapon in Dayton, Ohio. she needed to defend herself. He dealership, and despite occasion- all but eight of the mass killings. would say the same to friends, al arguments with his relatives, Other weapons included knives, and professor at Metropolitan ings are going up at a time when telling them before they went to most said there was nothing out axes and at least twice when the State University in Minnesota, general homicides, overall homi- a Walmart to bring a firearm in of the ordinary that raised sig- perpetrator set a mobile home on said the AP/USA Today/North- cides, are going down,” Densley case they needed to protect them- nificant red flags. fire, killing those inside. eastern database confirms and said. “As a percentage of homi- selves or others during an attack. The incident in Oregon was one  Nine mass shootings oc- mirrors what his own research cides, these mass killings are also “You can’t just always assume of 18 mass killings where fam- curred in a public place. Other into exclusively mass shootings accounting for more deaths. ” you’re safe. In that moment, as ily members were slain, and one mass killings occurred in homes, has shown. He believes it’s partially a by- soon as the El Paso shooting hap- of six that didn’t involve a gun. in the workplace or at a bar. “What makes this even more product of an “angry and frus- pened, I was on edge,“ Munoz Among other trends in 2019: James Densley, a criminologist exceptional is that mass kill- trated time” that we are living said. NYC ups policing in Jewish areas after spate of attacks

Associated Press es of worship and some other places, the Around the city, police have gotten at Dec. 10 shooting rampage at a northern mayor tweeted. least six reports this week — and eight New Jersey kosher market. New Jersey At- NEW YORK — New York City is increas- ing its police presence in some Brooklyn “I feel pained that in this society, a place since Dec. 13 — of attacks possibly pro- torney General Gurbir Grewal said the at- neighborhoods with large Jewish popula- that is supposed to be of respect for every- pelled by anti-Jewish bias. tack was driven by hatred of Jews and law tions after a string of possibly anti-Semitic body, a season when we’re supposed to be “It’s something that’s very alarming, enforcement. attacks during the Hanukkah holiday, respecting everybody, we see hate rearing and we treat it very seriously,” police Chief “The persistent and violent anti-Semitic Mayor Bill de Blasio said after the latest its very ugly head. We will not accept it,” of Detectives Rodney Harrison said at a attacks on Jews in the New York area has episode happened Friday. the Democrat said during a visit later Fri- news conference Friday. reached a crisis level,” Eric Goldstein, the Besides making officers more visible in day to Crown Heights, where he met with The attacks have happened as Jewish CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, said Borough Park, Crown Heights and Wil- some representatives of the local Jewish communities in the New York City metro Friday. The organization is a large Jewish liamsburg, police will boost visits to hous- community. area were already on edge after a deadly charity. PAGE 8 •STARS AND STRIPES• Sunday, December 29, 2019 NATION Disney workers: Tourists act inappropriately

Associated Press work, and we encourage Cast they were contacted by the news- In a phone interview, Ober- Donald Duck, the incident report Members to come forward in any paper Thursday. moller denied the accusation and ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Dis- said. uncomfortable situation,” said Boone Scheer told the Sentinel told The Associated Press on Fri- ney World employees who portray Donald Duck agreed, but the Disney spokeswoman Andrea his mother-in-law patted Mickey day that the woman had misiden- situation escalated as the 18- Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse Finger in a statement. “We pro- to prove to her nearly 2-year- tified him. and Donald Duck each filed police year-old employee playing the vide multiple resources to protect old nervous grandson that he But it wasn’t the only time character said the woman began reports this month claiming they our Cast Members’ well-being, shouldn’t be scared of the giant Obermoller’s name was raised touching and grabbing the char- were inappropriately touched by including on-site law enforce- rodent. by Disney World employees dur- tourists. ment officers who respond, and “She barely touched him,” said ing his trip. He also had “an inap- acter’s arms, chest, belly, and The woman inside the Mickey are available to them, if needed.” Scheer, adding his mother-in- propriate interaction with a cast face. The employee moved toward Mouse costume went to the hos- A 36-year-old woman who law wouldn’t intentionally hurt member” Dec. 5 at the Magic another Disney employee for help, pital with neck injuries caused by plays Mickey Mouse at the Magic Mickey Mouse. “It was very Kingdom, according to an inci- but the woman followed her, hold- a grandmother patting the char- Kingdom told investigators a minimal.” dent report that didn’t provide ing on, and then “frantically” put acter’s head, while the employ- woman patted the head of her The same day, the 36-year-old any additional details. Disney her hands inside the character’s ees wearing the Minnie Mouse costume five times, causing it to Disney employee who portrays declined to elaborate and Ober- costume, touching her chest, the and Donald Duck costumes were slide down and strain her neck, Minnie Mouse posed for pictures moller said he did not know what incident report said. groped by tourists, according to the Orlando Sentinel reported. with a man and his wife from the alleged incident involved. The woman’s family shouted Orange County Sheriff’s Office The employee told investiga- Minnesota. Minnie Mouse gave Disney took some action to ban for her to stop and the attendant reports. tors she didn’t believe the woman the man a hug and he groped her the man, who is a Disney Vacation led the employee to the break The incidents come after a 51- intentionally hurt her, and the chest three times, according to Club member, from the theme year-old man was arrested in sheriff’s office ruled the Dec. 4 the sheriff’s incident report. parks. room. November after an employee por- incident a civil matter, not a crim- She alerted her supervisors On Dec. 3, deputies received a The employee later decided not traying a Disney Princess told in- inal one. and identified pictures of Gary call about a guest mistreating a to press charges, telling authori- vestigators he groped her breast The tourist’s family said they Obermoller, a 61-year-old man costumed character at an Animal ties she believed the woman, who while getting a photo taken. weren’t aware the employee had from Brewster, Minn. She decid- Kingdom restaurant. A woman wasn’t identified in the report, “Everyone should feel safe at been taken to the hospital until ed against pressing charges. in her 60s asked if she could kiss may have dementia. Va. school district OKs one day off for protests

Associated Press

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — One of the largest school districts in the United States has announced that it will allow students one ex- cused absence per school year to participate in civic activities such as protests. Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia plans to start allowing the absences Jan. 27, 2020, news outlets reported. The district is TRAVIS HEYING, THE WICHITA EAGLE/AP the largest school system in the Authorities respond after a partial building collapse at Beechcraft aircraft manufacturing facility in Wichita, Kan., on Friday. state. Students in seventh through 12th grades can use the day for “civic engagement activities” More than a dozen hurt in blast at Kan. plant such as attending marches or meeting with lawmakers, accord- Associated Press ing to district spokeswoman Lucy 8 a.m. at the facility . John Gal- the opposite side of the facility. than 5 miles to the northwest, Caldwell. lagher, the county’s emergency He told The Wichita Eagle that he The Eagle reported. WICHITA, Kan. — More than a The new policy was introduced dozen people were injured Friday medical services director, said saw the walls flex. Stephanie Harder, a spokes- by Fairfax School Board mem- when a nitrogen line ruptured at 11 people were taken to hospi- “There was dust and debris, woman for Beechcraft’s parent ber Ryan McElveen, according the Beechcraft aircraft manufac- tals and four were treated at the even from the other side,” said company, Textron Aviation, said to The Washington Post. He says turing facility in Wichita, Kan., scene. No one was killed, but one Baker, 36, who has worked at the that the company has accounted the rule may be the first of its causing part of the building to person has potentially serious in- plant for about a month. “Dirt in for all of the workers and visitors kind in the U.S. collapse, authorities said. juries, he said. the air permeating through the who were at the plant at the time “I think we’re setting the Daniel Wegner, deputy fire Worker Robert Baker said he walls coming down the hallways of the explosion. stage for the rest of the nation chief for Sedgwick County, said was inside the building when the and stuff like that.” Investigators are working to with this,” McElveen said. “It’s a the explosion happened at around explosion occurred but was on The explosion was felt more determine the cause . dawning of a new day in student activism, and school systems ev- erywhere are going to have to be responsive to it.” Court upholds creation of national monument in Atlantic Students must give at least two days notice before the absence, school officials said. A parent or Associated Press creation of Northeast Canyons of Appeals for the District of Co- ernment; that it is not compatible guardian has to give permission and Seamounts Marine National lumbia Circuit upheld the deci- with National Marine Sanctu- PORTLAND, Maine — A fed- and students must fill out a form eral appeals court on Friday up- Monument, a 5,000-square-mile sion Friday. aries Act; and that it is not the to explain the reason they’re held former President Barack area that contains fragile deep- The appeals panel brushed “smallest area compatible” with missing school, McElveen said. Obama’s designation of a feder- sea corals and vulnerable species aside arguments that federal management goals. To address worries about ac- ally protected conservation area of marine life. The monument law governing monuments ap- The Natural Resources De- creditation, the student must stop in the Atlantic Ocean, a move that was established in 2016. plies only to land, not oceans; fense Council and the Conserva- by their school campus at least commercial fishermen oppose. A federal judge dismissed the that the area of the ocean is not tion Law Foundation applauded once on the day of their excused Fishing groups sued over the lawsuit last year, and the Court “controlled” by the federal gov- the legal decision. absence, McElveen said Sunday, December 29, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 9 NATION Suspect in Iowa hate crimes got earlier breaks BY RYAN J. FOLEY charges of willful injury and do- Associated Press mestic abuse assault with a dan- gerous weapon, according to a IOWA CITY, Iowa — She was criminal complaint. Police called charged with stabbing one boy- the attack unprovoked. friend in the chest in 2017 and, A month earlier, her probation months later, with threatening officer recommended that she another with a butcher’s knife. face jail time for repeatedly test- She allegedly told her ex-husband ing positive for drugs and alcohol MARK LENNIHAN/AP that she was going to kill him dur- and skipping mandatory treat- ing a child custody dispute. ment sessions over the last seven Under a law enacted in December, anyone under 21 can no longer legally buy cigarettes, cigars or any Despite her violence and months. A hearing on the request other tobacco products in the U.S. It also applies to electronic cigarettes and vaping products. threats, chronic drug use and was set for days later. mental health problems over the Poole was last three years, Nicole Poole put on proba- caught several breaks from tion in 2016 Iowa’s criminal justice system, Age limit now 21 across US after fleeing court records show. The 42-year- from police old unemployed white woman and driving was allowed to stay out of prison with a blood for various tobacco products and treatment before she alleg- alcohol con- edly committed a shocking string tent of more BY LINDA A. JOHNSON products,” new FDA commissioner Dr. Stephen of racially motivated attacks this than twice month. the legal Associated Press Hahn tweeted last week. Police allege that on Dec. 9, limit. After Usually, new legislation doesn’t take effect right Poole intentionally drove her People younger than 21 can no longer legally buy away. The change simply increased the age limit in Poole the stabbing cigarettes, cigars or any other tobacco products in SUV onto a sidewalk to hit a 14- arrest, a pro- existing law, so it was able to go into effect immedi- the U.S. year-old girl outside a suburban bation agent ately, a spokesman for the Food and Drug Adminis- The law enacted last week by Congress also ap- Des Moines junior high school. cited Poole’s “continued sub- tration said Friday. She told police that she targeted plies to electronic cigarettes and vaping products stance abuse and escalated threat The agency has regulated tobacco products since the girl, who was hospitalized for to the public” in asking a judge to that heat a liquid containing nicotine. two days with injuries, because The provision raising the legal limit from 18 to 21 2009. It enforces the law partly through spot checks. impose the one-year jail sentence Stores can be fined or barred from selling tobacco she was Hispanic. that had been suspended. nationwide was in a massive spending bill passed by for repeat violations. That same day, Poole is charged But the prosecution collapsed Congress and signed by the president on Dec. 20. with driving over a curb to strike after Jones denied that he was About one-third of states already had their own laws Anti-smoking advocates said the higher age limit a 12-year-old black boy who was stabbed and told doctors his restricting tobacco sales to people 21 and older. should make it more difficult for young people to get walking home from school in Des wounds were cuts from glass, “This is a major step in protecting the next gener- tobacco, particularly high school students who had Moines. She allegedly fled after assistant Polk County attorney ation of children from becoming addicted to tobacco friends or classmates over 18 buy for them. both crashes. But she was arrest- Thomas Miller said Friday. ed later that day after going to a “I’m sure there’s more the sys- gas station where she called an tem could do in the thousands and employee and customers racial thousands of such cases if there epithets, threw items at a clerk were the resources to do it,” he Federal judge orders US government and left without paying. Police said. said that she admitted to using Under a plea deal, the stab- meth hours earlier and that she to make changes to terror watchlist was “extremely fidgety” and had bing charges were dismissed dilated pupils. and Poole pleaded guilty to mis- BY MATTHEW BARAKAT proposals to him for review. Poole is charged with two demeanor disorderly conduct for By the numbers Trenga ordered the govern- counts of attempted murder, as- “loud and raucous noise.” A judge Associated Press ment to provide him a status re- sault in violation of individual in November 2017 gave Poole credit for jail time served after FALLS CHURCH, Va. — A port on its proposed revisions by rights and second-offense oper- federal judge is ordering the gov- ating while intoxicated, among her arrest, 79 days, resolving the early February. probation violations as well. ernment to make changes to its Gadeir Abbas, a lawyer for the other offenses. watchlist of more than 1 million Poole has been jailed since her In January 2018, a judge noted 1.16M Council on American-Islamic people whose inclusion marks arrest and is being held on a $1 that Poole appeared unstable Relations, said he has little hope them as known or suspected ter- million cash-only bond. An assis- and gave rambling answers dur- that the government will on its rorists, but for now he’s giving the tant state public defender repre- ing a hearing on whether her Approximate number of own propose any meaningful government latitude to propose senting Poole declined to discuss ex-husband should get custody people in the Terrorist changes. the changes as it sees fit. the case. of their daughter. Poole was not Screening Database, as of “I don’t think there’s any doubt While she faces up to 25 years employed, would not cooperate The order issued last week the government is going to take a behind bars for each attempt- with child welfare investigators by U.S. District Judge Anthony June 2017 . cynical approach to any type of ed murder charge, Poole has and refused a drug test, the judge Trenga in Alexandria falls short watchlist revision,” he said in a avoided prison time for recent noted in awarding the ex-husband of what a Muslim civil rights phone interview. “We expect the transgressions. custody. group had hoped for when it won government will be focused on In July 2017, West Des Moines The next month, Poole alleg- a ruling earlier this year that the 680K maintaining its illegal program.” police officers responding to a do- edly bit her new boyfriend in the secret list violates the constitu- The watchlist, also known as mestic disturbance found Curtis arm, picked up a butcher’s knife tional rights of those placed on it. the Terrorist Screening Database, Jones, a 60-year-old black man, “and repeatedly said she would The Council on American-Is- Number of people in the is maintained by the FBI and bleeding from a severe laceration kill him,” a criminal complaint lamic Relations had asked Tren- database in 2013. shared with a variety of federal on his shoulder outside an apart- shows. The man fled the home ga to order specific, sweeping agencies. Customs officers have ment building, records show. and called police. Poole was changes to the way the govern- access to the list to check people He was taken to a hospital for charged with domestic abuse as- ment places names on the list and SOURCE: Associated Press coming into the country at border treatment. sault and harassment. providing a meaningful opportu- crossings, and aviation officials Poole admitted that she used a But like the stabbing case, that nity for those wrongly included to the government to craft its own use the database to help form the knife to stab Jones, her then-boy- prosecution ended after the vic- clear their names. remedies to bring the list into no-fly list, which is a smaller sub- friend, and she was arrested on tim refused to cooperate. Instead, Trenga simply told compliance and to submit those set of the broader watchlist. PAGE 10 •STARS AND STRIPES• Sunday, December 29, 2019 WORLD Truck bomb detonates in Somalia’s capital

said earlier this year. The group Attack is city’s had previously relied on military- grade explosives captured dur- worst in 2 years ing assaults on an African Union peacekeeping force. Al-Shabab was blamed for BY ABDI GULED the truck bombing in Mogadi- Associated Press shu in October 2017 that killed more than 500 people. The group MOGADISHU, Somalia — A never claimed responsibility for truck bomb exploded at a busy security checkpoint in Somalia’s the blast that led to widespread capital Saturday morning, killing public outrage. Some analysts at least 78 people including many said al-Shabab didn’t dare claim students, authorities said. credit as its strategy of trying to It was the worst attack in Mog- sway public opinion by exposing adishu in more than two years, government weakness had badly and witnesses said the force of backfired. the blast reminded them of the “This explosion is similar like city’s devastating 2017 bombing the one in 2017,” witness Abdur- that killed hundreds. rahman Yusuf said. “This one oc- The explosion ripped through curred just a few steps away from rush hour as Somalia returned to where I am and it knocked me on work after its weekend. At least the ground from its force. I have 125 people were wounded, Aamin Ambulance service director Ab- never seen such a explosion in my diqadir Abdulrahman said. entire life.” President Mohamed Abdullahi The attack again raises concern Mohamed condemned the attack about the readiness of Somali as a “heinous act of terror” and forces to take over responsibility FARAH ABDI WARSAME/AP blamed the local al-Shabab ex- for the Horn of Africa country’s tremist group, which is linked to A truck carries wreckage of a car used in a car bomb in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Saturday . A truck bomb security in the coming months al-Qaida and whose reach has ex- exploded at a busy security checkpoint in Somalia’s capital. from the AU force. tended to deadly attacks on luxur y Al-Shabab, the target of a malls and schools in neighboring friends picked through dozens of lis mourned the deaths of so many often carries out such attacks. growing number of U.S. air- Kenya. the dead, gingerly lifting sheets young people in a country trying The extremist group was pushed strikes since President Donald The bombing targeted a tax to peer at faces. Hundreds of to rebuild itself after decades of out of Mogadishu several years Trump took office, controls parts collection center, police Capt. Mogadishu residents began to do- conflict. Two Turkish brothers ago but continues to target high- Mohamed Hussein said, as a nate blood in response to desper- were among the dead, Somalia’s profile areas such as checkpoints of Somalia’s southern and cen- large plume of smoke rose above ate appeals. foreign minister said, and Turk- and hotels in the seaside city. tral regions. It funds itself with the capital. Most of those killed were uni- ish President Recep Tayyip Er- Al-Shabab is now able to make a “taxation” system that experts Bodies lay on the ground amid versity and other students re- dogan condemned the attack. its own explosives, its “weapon of describe as extortion of busi- the blackened skeletons of ve- turning to class, Mayor Omar There was no immediate claim choice,” United Nations experts nesses and travelers that brings hicles. At a hospital, families and Mohamud Mohamed said. Soma- of responsibility, but al-Shabab monitoring sanctions on Somalia in millions of dollars a year. Iran-backed groups protest Syrian opposition urges Iraqi president’s choice of PM aid for rebel-held Idlib Associated Press with accordingly,” said Hariri, who heads the High Negotiations BEIRUT — A Syrian opposi- BY QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA move “suspicious.“ leaving some blocs and joining Committee. He said work should tion leader called Friday on the Associated Press “We know that he is carrying others. be done to reach a permanent international community to help out an American will that aims to In a statement Friday, protest- cease-fire in Idlib, not a truce BAGHDAD — Iran-supported millions of civilians in the coun- pull the country toward chaos,“ ers called the Iran-backed groups that would crumble later. groups on Friday blasted Iraq’s the statement said. “blocs of corruption” that are try’s last rebel-held stronghold president for not naming their amid a crushing government Hariri said if the international Legislator Odai Awad, a mem- doing everything they can to en- community cannot protect those preferred prime minister candi- ber of the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl sure that sects and ethnic groups offensive, calling it a “disaster date, saying his decision was at area.” civilians, they should send them al-Haq, or League of the Righ- hold the country’s top posts. humanitarian assistance “so the behest of the United States, teous, called Salih a coward in an Also Friday, in a sign of the After weeks of intense bom- that they will be able to survive and warned him not to designate interview with a local TV station country’s deep divisions, a rep- bardment, last week Syrian gov- in this cold weather and difficult anyone who could be “an agent of and said “every Iraqi should spit resentative of Iraq’s most power- ernment forces launched a ground circumstances.” the Americans.” in the face of the president for ful religious authority, the Grand offensive on the southern and The U.N. Office for the Coordi- In refusing to appoint Fatah- what he did.“ Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, did not eastern parts of Idlib province . backed candidate Asaad al-Eidani The Iran-affiliated groups said deliver a political sermon Friday, It has forced tens of thousands of nation of Humanitarian Affairs on Thursday, President Barham the president had violated the instead restricting his comments people to flee their homes. said that as a result of hostilities Salih said he was responding to constitution “by refusing to carry to religion. Idlib, which is dominated by more than 235,000 people have broad opposition by anti-govern- out his duties” to name the candi- Iraq has been roiled by pro- al-Qaida-linked militants, is also been displaced between Dec. 12 ment protesters who have flood- date chosen by parliament’s larg- tests since Oct. 1 that have left home to 3 million civilians. The and Dec. 25. It said many of those ed the streets for nearly three est bloc. more than 450 people dead, the United Nations has warned of the who fled moved out of the town of months to demand the overthrow Since last year’s elections, how- vast majority of them demonstra- growing risk of a humanitarian Maaret al-Numan, toward which of Iraq’s entire political class. ever, politicians have disagreed tors killed by security forces fir- catastrophe along the Turkish Syrian troops have been advanc- The protesters accuse the gov- over which bloc is the largest, a ing tear gas and live ammunition. border. ing since Thursday. ernment of corruption and mis- dispute that has led them to twice The mass uprisings prompted Opposition leader Nasr Hariri Mercy Corps, a global humani- management and have demanded miss the deadline for naming a the resignation of former Prime said in Istanbul that the interna- tarian aid group, said aid workers an independent prime minister new premier. Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi late tional community “should turn on were rapidly scaling up opera- candidate. On Friday evening, There are two main blocs in the last month. the red lights because there is a tions to respond to the massive thousands of them poured into Iraqi Parliament: Sairoon, led by Salih said Thursday that he humanitarian catastrophe inside influx of newly displaced people. Baghdad’s Tahrir Square to ex- populist Shiite cleric Muqtada al- would not name al-Eidani, the Syria.” He added that large num- In just the past three days, Mercy press their support for Salih’s Sadr; and Fatah, headed by Hadi governor of southern Basra prov- bers of people are fleeing toward Corps has handed out new ar- decision. al-Amiri. But the numbers in the ince, as the country’s next prime the Turkish border in what could rival kits containing essentials But in a statement Friday, the blocs have continued to change minister “to avoid more blood- trigger a refugee crisis. for cooking and hygiene to more Hezbollah Brigades, or Kataeb since the elections, with an un- shed and in order to safeguard “We declare this area a disas- than 3,000 people and reached an Hezbollah, called the president’s known number of lawmakers civil peace.” ter area and it should be dealt additional 2,500 with fresh water. Sunday, December 29, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 11 WORLD Koala population affected by fires around Australia

BY TRISTAN LAVALETTE told the Australian Broadcasting Associated Press Corporation. “We’ll know more when the fires are calmed down PERTH, Australia — Thou- and a proper assessment can be sands of koalas are feared to have made.” died in a wildfire-ravaged area Images shared of koalas drink- north of Sydney, further dimin- ing water after being rescued ishing Australia’s iconic marsupi- from the wildfires have gone al, while the fire danger increased viral on social media in recent in the country’s east on Saturday days. “I get mail from all around as temperatures soared. the world from people absolutely OAKBANK BALHANNAH CFS/AP The mid-northern coast of New moved and amazed by our wild- South Wales was home to up to life volunteer response and also A koala drinks water from a bottle given by a firefighter, on Dec. 22, in Cudlee Creek, South Australia. 28,000 koalas, but wildfires have by the habits of these curious significantly reduced their popu- creatures,” Ley said. Saturday, as high temperatures level issued by fire services. of Prime Minister Scott Morri- lation in recent months. Koalas About 12.35 million acres of built up over the region. Sydney’s Canberra, Australia’s capital, son’s much-criticized family trip are native to Australia and are land have burned nationwide western suburbs reached 106 de- peaked at 100 F on Saturday, with to Hawaii. one of the country’s most beloved during the wildfire crisis, with grees Fahrenheit , while the inner oppressive temperatures forecast Morrison, who apologized for animals, but they’ve been under nine people killed and more than city is expected to hit 88 F on for the next seven days. going away, eventually cut short threat due to a loss of habitat. 1,000 homes destroyed. Sunday before reaching 95 F on Meanwhile, New South Wales his vacation and returned to Syd- “Up to 30% of their habitat has Fire danger in New South Wales Tuesday. Emergency Services Minister ney last weekend. been destroyed,” Australia’s en- and the Australian Capital Terri- Two wildfires in New South David Elliott has gone on an over- Elliott said he will be briefed vironment minister, Sussan Ley, tory was upgraded to “severe” on Wales are at the “watch and act” seas family vacation in the wake daily while overseas. Hong Kong protesters Group linked to ISIS kills demand mainland 11 in video Chinese traders leave in Nigeria Associated Press Some shoppers argued with police in olive fatigues and hel- BY SAM OLUKOYA HONG KONG — Police fought mets who blocked walkways in Associated Press with protesters who marched the mall. through a Hong Kong shopping Protests that began in June LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigeria’s mall Saturday demanding main- over a proposed extradition law government on Friday con- land Chinese traders leave the have spread to include demands territory in a fresh weekend of demned extremists linked to the for more democracy and other Islamic State after a video cir- anti-government tension. grievances. LEE JIN-MAN/AP culated of 11 hostages, most of The protest in Sheung Shui, The proposed law was with- near Hong Kong’s boundary with drawn but protesters want the Riot police gather at a shopping mall popular with traders from them Christians, being executed. the mainland, was part of efforts resignation of the territory’s mainland China near the Chinese border in Hong Kong, on Saturday. They were thought to be killed on to pressure the government by leader, Carrie Lam, and other Christmas Day. disrupting economic activity. changes. shops but most businesses went areas over the Christmas holiday. President Muhammadu Buhari About 100 protesters marched Protesters complain Beijing ahead normally. Some fought with police. said in a statement he was “pro- through the mall shouting, “Lib- and Lam’s government are erod- Hong Kong, which has no sales A total of 336 people, some as foundly saddened and shocked by erate Hong Kong!” and “Return ing the autonomy and Western- tax and a reputation for genuine young as 12, were arrested from the death of innocent hostages in to the mainland!” style civil liberties promised to products, is popular with Chinese Monday to Thursday, according the hands of remorseless, godless, Police in civilian clothes with Hong Kong when the former traders who buy merchandise to to police. That brought the total clubs tackled and handcuffed British colony returned to China resell on the mainland. number of people arrested over callous gangs of mass murderers some protesters. One officer fired in 1997. Sheung Shui was the site of six months of protests to nearly that have given Islam a bad name pepper spray at protesters and re- On Saturday, some merchants clashes between police and dem- 7,0 0 0. through their atrocities.” porters. Government broadcaster in the Sheung Shui mall wrapped onstrators in June. Protesters have damaged sub- The extremist group, which RTHK reported 14 people were orange tape around kiosks or Earlier this week, protesters way stations, banks and other calls itself the Islamic State West detained. partially closed security doors in smashed windows in shopping public facilities. Africa Province, said the captives were executed as revenge for the killing of ISIS leaders in Iraq and Syria in October. The video was Tortoise blamed for fire at family’s home in England circulated Thursday. Buhari urged Nigerians not to BY KAYLA EPSTEIN toise who may or may not have at the house to find it filled with fully continue to live a long and allow the killings to divide them The Washington Post been trying to burn his family’s smoke and a fire burning in one happy life, thanks to working along religious lines, saying house down. Local fire depart- of the rooms. They rescued the smoke alarms,’” said Gary Wain, “these agents of darkness are en- Sometime after 4 p.m. on ment raced to the scene. tortoise and ensured the house watch manager at the Great Dun- emies of our common humanity.” Christmas Day, the smoke alarm The minor conflagration start- was clear. mow Fire Station. “This incident The extremists who abducted started blaring at a house in Great ed after the tortoise knocked a “It’s his lucky day,” the Essex the victims in November are be- Dunmow, England. heat lamp onto its bedding, which fire department posted on Face- shows just how important it is to A small fire had sparked when then caught fire. Its owners book, along with a photo of the have smoke alarms on every level lieved to be part of a group that a heat lamp toppled over onto a weren’t home, so the neighbors tortoise serving rescuers a hefty of your home.” split from the Boko Haram in- blanket. alerted the authorities. of side-eye. Especially if you have a surgency in northeastern Nigeria The culprit: a middle-aged tor- A volunteer fire crew arrived The reptile “will now hope- tortoise. and pledged allegiance to ISIS. PAGE 12 •STARS AND STRIPES• Sunday, December 29, 2019 MUSIC

Ari Lennox, ‘Shea Butter Baby’ A message to the Grammy Awards, in the words of pop music philosopher Mariah Carey: “Them chickens is ash and I’m The top 10 albums of the year, lotion.” Them is the Grammys, and the lo- tion is Ari Lennox’s “Shea Butter Baby,” a as chosen by Associated Press product that’s clearly too expensive for the Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu: super-dry Recording Academy. A nomina- tion — or eight — isn’t necessary for any real music fan to realize how outstand- ing, soulful and poignant Lennox’s debut album is. Every song on the 12-track set is a winner, with Lennox’s voice and tone changing throughout the album, show- ing her skill, versatility and power. “Shea Butter Baby” feels as good as soaking in a warm bath, with the right candle — scent not too strong, but not too weak — illumi- nating in the background. It’s hard not to play “BMO,” which echoes Erykah Badu, fewer than 20 times a day; the title track with J. Cole is classic-sounding; and “Stat- ic” beautifully closes the album. Lennox’s “Shea Butter Baby” is the best album of the year, no matter if awards shows think differently.

Summer Walker, ‘Over It’ Summer Walker’s debut album is perfect, as she spits matter-of-fact lyr- ics over some beats that borrow from classic ’90s R&B hits including Usher, Destiny’s Child and 702. But even when she’s not sampling a song, Walker can hold her own, deliver- ing a flawless album that’s easy to obsess over.

Buku Abi, “Don’t Call Me” Buku Abi’s debut EP is an R&B mas- terpiece, as the singer explores life as a 21-year-old woman navigating in the Anitta, ‘Kisses’ world of love, dating, sexual freedom, situationships and more over beats This Brazilian singer’s first trilingual album — featuring songs in Portuguese, produced by her sister Jaah Kelly. Her Spanish and English — is adventurous, from its drop-it-like-it’s-hot opening number album echoes SZA and other women “Atencion” to the sweet sound of the closing track, “Voce Mentiu,” which would brilliantly leading the pack in alterna- make you want to slow dance with your lover. In between are tunes that range from tive R&B, and it’s proof that there’s reggaeton trap (“Banana”) to groovy R&B (“Poquito”) to addictive pop (“Get to more to come from the daughter of Know Me”). And while the album is jam-packed with all-star male guests, including embattled singer R. Kelly. Snoop Dogg, Caetano Veloso, Swae Lee, Alesso, Prince Royce, Chris Marshall and more — leading lady Anitta is the true star of the show. You Anitta more Anitta in your life. Sunday, December 29, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 13 MUSIC Yola, Rapsody, ‘Eve’ ‘Walking Through Fire’ 2019 was a great year for female Yola’s immense voice is so strong rap, as Megan Thee Stallion, City and soothing that it can’t do Girls, Kash Doll, Saweetie and more anything but put a smile on your reached new heights at a time that face. Paired with production from vets in the game like Missy Elliott, Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, this Lil Kim, Trina and Yo-Yo put out English singer is a powerhouse on new music. And then there’s Rap- her country-soul debut, “Walking sody. Her epic “Eve” album not only Through Fire.“ And that’s just it The top 10 songs of the year, as chosen by is the best female rap album of the — the album is pure fire. Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu. year, it’s simply the best rap album of the year. Her smart and skilled 1. Jhene Aiko, rhymes flow throughout the well- ‘Triggered (freestyle)’ produced album, as each song is Jhene Aiko brilliantly captures so many named after an iconic woman, from emotions in one song on “Triggered Nina Simone to Oprah Winfrey and Ariana Grande, (freestyle),” as she rapidly spits out lyrics in Michelle Obama. After this album, ‘Thank U, Next’ a raw way that range from “I HATE YOU SO someone needs to make a song called It’s probably not MUCH RIGHT NOW“ to “Sup, you up?“ She’s a ball of emotions, but she’s direct and honest, “Rapsody.” possible for Ariana and those lyrics are piercing and appealing, Grande to make a and make for a great song — rather, the bad album. All of her song of the year. She’s trying to move on, but records, including her she needs closure. She’s saying I hate what fifth release, “Thank you did, but I can’t still be with anyone else U, Next,” are a perfect intimately yet. She’s angry. And bitter. And blend of radio-ready hurt. And healing. Overall, she’s human. And pop and R&B, and the she’s a beast of a songwriter. songs are anchored 2. Sam Smith and Normani, by Grande’s booming ‘Dancing With a Stranger’ voice and relatable lyr- Sam Smith’s recent songs have been dance- ics. Thank you, Ariana, flavored bops, and we need more of it. but when’s that next album coming out? 3. H.E.R., ‘Make It Rain – Live at Austin City Limits’ H.E.R. is one of the best live performers of our time, and her rendition of Foy Vance’s “Make It Rain” is heavenly. Her magical guitar playing mixed with her powerful voice — and the voices of her groundbreaking background singers — make this track one of the best of the year. 4. Lewis Capaldi, ‘Someone You Loved’ The award for the song most likely to make you cry goes to breakthrough singer Lewis Capaldi, who bares it all on “Someone You Loved,” a song we loved all year long. 5. Daddy Yankee and Snow, ‘Con Calma’ Though the contemporary Latin music world has been dominated by young and emerging acts, Daddy Yankee has continued to shine brightly, and he’s even outshone most of his counterparts. Long after blazing the charts Khalid, ‘Free Spirit’ with “Gasolina,“ he’s still putting out hits, Select any song on Khalid’s and this year it was with the anthemic “Con sophomore album and you’ll Calma.“ And we’re talking about the original hear a hit. version featuring rapper Snow, not the gentrified one with Katy Perry. 6. Kehlani feat. Ty Dolla $ign, ‘Nights Like This’ Kehlani and Ty Dolla $ign are the prom king and queen of R&B thanks to this hella addictive track. 7. Chris Brown feat. Gunna, James Blake, ‘Assume Form’ ‘Heat’ After years of being the go-to guy for Chris Brown’s “Indigo“ album has 32 tracks, help on your album, with big-names but “Heat“ is the hottest. like Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar and 8. City Girls, ‘Act Up’ Travis Scott requesting his services, James Blake calls in the favor on “As- Wake up. Brush teeth. Wash face and body. Listen to “Act Up.“ Leave the house feeling sume Form,” and it was a smart move. untouchable. Blake was already an amazing musi- cian before this album, but opening his 9. Rosalia and Ozuna, studio door to hip-hop producer Metro ‘Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi’ Pink Sweat$, ‘Volume 2’ Boomin, co-producer Dominic Maker Rosalia. Can. Do. No. Wrong. and engineer Nathan Boddy only maxi- The Philadelphia-born musician, who mized his downbeat electronic sound, 10. Normani, ‘Motivation’ has crafted songs for country duo Florida with songs like “Mile High,” “Can’t I probably account for 70 million of the 72 Georgia Line and rapper-singer Tierra Believe the Way We Flow,” “Barefoot million views Normani’s fun, striking and eye- Whack, is delightful on “Volume 2,” a set of In the Park” with Rosalia and “Into the popping “Motivation” has on YouTube. The acoustic, guitar-friendly R&B tracks that Red” sounding both contemporary and song and video is just the beginning for this must be replayed over and over again. classic. future icon. PAGE 14 •STARS AND STRIPES• Sunday, December 29, 2019 CROSSWORD AND COMICS NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

GUNSTON STREET RESULTS FOR ABOVE PUZZLE

“Gunston Street” is drawn by Basil Zaviski. Email him at [email protected], and visit gunstonstreet.com. Sunday, December 29, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 15 AMERICAN ROUNDUP Driver crashes after distracted by a puppy

FRYEBURG — A ME teenage driver in Maine who went off the road and hit a tree told police she had be- come distracted by her puppy jumping into her lap while she was driving. The crash happened in Frye- burg. The 16-year-old girl was trapped in the vehicle until other drivers stopped to help her, police said. She had become temporarily distracted when her 8-week-old puppy jumped into her lap, caus- ing the vehicle to cross into the opposite lane, hit a tree and roll over, police said. Wife, 26, charged with exploiting husband, 77

TAMPA — A newly FL married 26-year-old woman was arrested on charges alleging she tried to cash almost $1 million in checks from her 77- year-old husband’s account. Lin Helena Halfon was arrest- ed earlier this month at Tampa International Airport. She faces charges of money laundering, or- ganized fraud and exploitation of an elderly person. The Tampa Bay Times report- ed that when her husband, Tampa businessman Richard Rappaport, was notified by investigators JOHN WALKER, THE FRESNO (CALIF.) BEE/AP about what his wife was doing, he said wanted to give his wife the benefit of the doubt, according to a warrant affidavit. Hmong New Year An Amscot Financial employ- ee in Tampa refused to cash the Kaitlyn Vang, 14, performs with her dance group during the parade kicking off the first day of the Hmong New Year celebration at the checks. Eventually, two checks Fresno Fairgrounds in Fresno, Calif.. worth about $666,000 were cashed by an Orlando business. It did not appear to suffer any THE CENSUS 850 are alive . fractures or internal injuries. The reward is for information Police arrest man for “He is up, he is eating and he is The approximate amount Delaware state about a crane released in Decem- still feisty,” Leeds said. being naked at bar twice workers spent on fast food during the ber 2016 and found with a broken Man gets married at most recent fiscal year. The state allows wing Nov. 2, 2018, in Acadia Par- PRESCOTT — Police $246K certain workers to use a specific JPMor- ish. It was taken to a veterinar- AZ in Prescott arrested a hospital before surgery gan Chase credit card for work-related ex- ian but had to be euthanized, and man after he twice showed up at penses, such as airfare and meals, Delaware State News reported. Between July a necropsy showed it had been a bar naked. SALT LAKE CITY 2018 and June 2019, state workers visited McDonald’s 776 times, racking up a shot. Prescott police said Leonard UT — An Idaho man bill worth about $8,900. Much higher bills were seen at less frequently visited “We haven’t received enough V. Hall, 69, entered the bar and scheduled to have heart surgery restaurants, such as Chick-fil-A, Capriotti’s and Taco Bell, which cost the state information that would lead to spoke to a female bartender be- decided to get married in his Utah about $25,100, $20,300 and $13,300, respectively. arrest at this time and are hop- fore leaving. hospital room Christmas Day. ing this re-release will help more Surveillance video showed the Murray, Utah-based Inter- people come forward,” he said. man undressing in the parking lot mountain Medical Center said in the night. lar spot for sipping Guinness and before he entered the bar again, a statement that Curt Harkins, They dashed to their closet and listening to live Irish folk music 455K petition Target to that time naked. He didn’t speak 56, and his fiance Renee Hall de- hid in fear, dialing 911 with a sen- since 1980. News outlets reported to the bartender but she called for cided to tie the knot ahead of his sitive ear. the pub on Savannah’s cobble- abandon plastic bags help from her boss and Hall left, procedure. Responding sheriff’s deputies stone riverfront will close out its according to police. The bartend- Harkins, from Castleford, searched the home and found a New Year’s celebration with a MINNEAPOLIS — A er said she’d never seen the man Idaho, was hospitalized since Oc- robot vacuum alone. The source final last call. MN frequent Target cus- before. tober with heart failure. of the scare had quickly been The pub’s owner, Vic Power, tomer is asking the Minneapolis- About 24 hours later, police said Hospital staff helped find a sorted, WGHP-TV reported. The decided to retire when his lease based retail giant to stop using they received a call that the man judge to perform the ceremony, robot had seemingly started and for the business expires a spokes- plastic bags. was back in the parking lot of the gathered the legal paperwork and gotten stuck, its beeping and man, Frank Emerson, said in a Protest organizer Theresa decorated the Harkins’ hospital bar and again naked. banging made the audible muck. post on Facebook. Carter and other Target shop- room with Christmas garlands Homeowner Thomas Milam pers planned to deliver pages and flowers. said the vacuum named Harry Sea lion pup ‘still feisty’ $6K for tips in shooting containing more than 455,000 Harkins and Hall, both wore was new. They’d had it for days, signatures to the corporation’s after fall onto highway hospital gowns when they said “I maybe just two. of endangered crane do.” He said it’s not better to be headquarters . LAGUNA BEACH sorry than safe, and he’d call 911 NEW ORLEANS — Re- The petition calls for Target CA — A sea lion pup was in again, even if making a mistake. LA wards totaling $6,000 to commit to eliminating plastic critical condition but “still feisty” Couple thought vaccum are being offered for information was intruder, called 911 bags that are “choking the earth,” after it fell more than 30 feet from Celebrated Irish pub set leading to the arrest and convic- Carter said in a statement. a footbridge onto a highway in tion of whoever shot an endan- Target spokeswoman Danielle California, officials said. HIGH POINT — ’Twas to close at year’s end gered whooping crane more than Schumann said the company has the night of Christmas The 33-pound pup, now named NC a year ago. taken several steps to help re- “Lords-a-Leaping,” was dehy- at a North Carolina house, no SAVANNAH — One of The Louisiana Department of duce its use of plastic, including drated and emaciated when it was creature should have been stir- GA Savannah’s most cel- Wildlife and Fisheries is re-offer- rescued in Laguna Beach by staff ring, not even a mouse. ebrated Irish pubs plans to close ing most of a $7,500 reward made sustainable packaging goals and from the Pacific Marine Mam- But a Forsyth County couple its doors after ringing in the new public earlier this year. Whoop- using plastic bags that are now mal Center, The Orange County awoke with a fright, as something year. ing cranes are among the world’s made with 40% recycled content. Register reported. was moving about their house in Kevin Barry’s Pub was a popu- most endangered birds. About From wire reports PAGE 16 •STARS AND STRIPES• Sunday, December 29, 2019 OPINION Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Sean Klimek, Europe commander How Americans can break our bitter impasse Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY DAVID IGNATIUS you on the right cheek, turn to them the out, but a fight to the death. Joshua M. Lashbrook, Pacific Chief of Staff Washington Post Writers Group other cheek also. ... You have heard that For these no-compromise folks, and it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate there are plenty on both left and right, it’s EDITORIAL t’s cheering this Christmas season to your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your ene- as if we are already in a civil war. America repeat the bromide, “love thy neigh- mies and pray for those who persecute you, is locked in a battle between justice and in- Terry Leonard, Editor bor.” But the unfortunate truth about that you may be children of your Father in justice that can be resolved only when the [email protected] IAmerica these days is that many of heaven.” good guys win. Reconciliation comes after Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor us seem to hate our neighbors. We don’t That can’t be right, we think. Can Jesus the bad guys have been crushed. [email protected] understand how other people can oppose really be telling us to love people who are Certainly, an uncompromising spirit the values we cherish most. Their be- Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content doing us harm? But that’s what it says. helped carry the United States through its havior is infuriating and, it often seems, [email protected] We know what loving our enemies feels noblest wars. President Franklin D. Roos- unforgivable. like in our personal lives. Sometimes we’ll evelt demanded “unconditional surrender” Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation How do we escape this bitter impasse? be locked in a feud with a friend or a rela- from Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. [email protected] I wrote many columns this year about the tive — deeply wounded by a wrong that we The Allies won a total victory in 1945 that political divide that has deepened during Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital feel has been done to us. If the feud con- allowed the winners to create an open, Donald Trump’s presidency and the dark [email protected] tinues, we’ll eventually back ourselves into generous, wealth-creating global system days that may lie ahead. We’ll take a big a corner, angry and embittered. We learn whose remnants sustain us to this day. step, forward or back, in the 2020 presiden- that in such situations, the only escape is Abraham Lincoln, our greatest presi- BUREAU STAFF tial election, now less than a year away. But to “love” our persecutor — not because dent, also hardened his heart to triumph whoever wins, a large chunk of the country our indignation was wrong, but because it Europe/Mideast against evil, even at horrific cost. As he Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief is likely to keep holding onto its rage. How doesn’t get us anywhere. said in his second inaugural address in [email protected] do we break that? If we’re lucky, we escape this blockage +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 Strategists sometimes advise that if you and reset the terms, not conceding our old 1865, if “every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn Pacific can’t solve a problem on its existing tem- grievances but putting them aside. What Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief plate, then enlarge it. So, in the spirit of the married couple hasn’t experienced a ver- with the sword, as was said three thousand [email protected] holiday season, perhaps readers will think sion of this? years ago, so still it must be said ‘the judg- +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 with me about how to expand the discus- OK, let’s agree that transcendence is ments of the Lord are true and righteous sion of our broken politics to include what possible in our personal lives. But does it altogether.’ ” Washington Thankfully, even amid our current dif- Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief we know from our personal and religious work in politics, when each side’s narrative [email protected] lives. becomes inflamed and reinforced by par- ficulties, America doesn’t feel to me like a (+1)(202)886-0033 For Christians, the center of faith is the tisan politicians and media commentators? country headed toward a second civil war. Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News set of admonitions that Jesus preached in And is reconciliation possible — or even Turn off the television, go to a ballgame, [email protected] his Sermon on the Mount. The language desirable — when fundamental matters of listen to some music, and the din from CIRCULATION may be familiar, but the transcendent mes- principle seem to be at stake? Washington fades. sage remains startling every time we read More and more, I hear people express- This season, I’d still bet that a version of Mideast it: ing doubt about compromise and recon- “love thy neighbor” is a political winner. Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye ciliation in the age of Trump. That’s part of As angry as people are, few like the state [email protected] [email protected] for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, what makes his politics so potent and dan- of our politics, and most Americans want DSN (314)583-9111 do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps gerous — it’s not the art of the deal, it turns a way out. Europe Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager [email protected] [email protected] The 235 days that rattled China and shook the world +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Pacific BY GEORGE F. WILL Nothing more momentous America’s president, who also said of Xi: Mari Mori, [email protected] “He’s a friend of mine.” Xi should recip- +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 Washington Post Writers Group happened in 2019 than rocate friendly feelings because Donald CONTACT US WASHINGTON Hong Kong’s heroic Trump’s biggest blunder, made three days hey were 235 days that shook after his inauguration, was jettisoning the Washington the world, rattled China’s regime insurrection. Trans-Pacific Partnership, thereby unrav- tel: (+1)202.886.0003 and refuted the most pernicious eling a 12-nation fabric of commercial co- 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 Twishful thinking since the ap- operation that excluded China. peasement of dictators collapsed eight Two other Trump chums are Russia’s Reader letters decades ago. Nothing more momentous tenet is that nothing shall challenge the [email protected] Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip happened in 2019 than Hong Kong’s heroic party’s supremacy. Erdogan. The former continued his incre- Additional contacts insurrection. With this year’s revelations about the mental dismemberment of Europe’s geo- stripes.com/contactus It began with the April 3 introduction million, or perhaps millions, swept into the graphically largest nation, Ukraine, and by Beijing’s Hong Kong satraps of an ex- gulag archipelago in northwestern China, the latter took Trump’s warning against OMBUDSMAN tradition bill that would have facilitated it is possible to hope that in 2020 we will attacking the Kurds as seriously as Trump the sweeping of inconvenient people into hear less from American businessmen Ernie Gates meant it. the mainland’s suppression machinery who are as obtuse as they are cocksure. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un does not that is both Kafkaesque and Orwellian. Just 51 days before The New York Times The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow have to settle for mere friendship — in The convulsions culminated in, but did not published more than 400 pages of docu- of news and information, reporting any attempts by the 2018 Trump said “we fell in love” — but in military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s end with, Nov. 24’s cymbal-crash elections ments on China’s concentration camps, independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns 2019 the romance seemed unreciprocated. in which the Chinese Communist Party , presidential aspirant Michael Bloomberg and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fair- Kim ended a 522-day self-imposed morato- ness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman which had counted on the island city’s ma- said the CCP’s leaders “listen to the pub- welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted jority to rebuke the demonstrators, learned lic,” and “Xi Jinping is not a dictator.” rium on ballistic missile tests, but Trump by email at [email protected], or by phone at minimized their importance because the 202.886.0003. the limits of its sterile program of purchas- Not content to just “listen to” the public, ing subservience by promising prosperity. the CCP, using ever-more-sophisticated missiles could not reach the continental

Elsewhere on China’s periphery, Taiwan technology, surveils almost everything United States — just South Korea, Japan Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- has a presidential election in less than two done by almost everyone. Perhaps 2019 and the 80,000 U.S. forces in both places. days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday weeks. China’s President Xi Jinping began foreshadowed the day when today’s Bloom- However, North Korea has given Trump through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and until right now — the end of this calendar Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals 2019 with a Jan. 2 speech identifying Tai- bergs will be remembered as Charles postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send wan as the focus of his campaign to make Lindbergh and others are remembered be- year — to make additional U.S. conces- address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, sions, beyond the scaling back of joint U.S.- APO AP 96301-5002. China great again. If — when, probably cause they thought dictators in the 1930s This newspaper is authorized by the Department of — on Jan. 11, 2020, Taiwan reelects Presi- were “the wave of the future.” South Korean military exercises, to avoid Defense for members of the military services overseas. dent Tsai Ing-wen, the Taiwanese will Would that America’s serial grovelers “shocking punishment.” Fresh concessions However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or have joined Hong Kongers in disdaining had the gumption of the creators of “South are North Korea’s price for resumption of endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, the “one country, two systems” fudge as a Park.” When China, a supposedly great negotiations that will lead, if the future is Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official chan- like the last 25 years, to other concessions. nels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote formula for the incremental suffocation of power that was actually discombobulated locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. freedom. by this animated TV series, banned it, the However, because nuclear weapons are The appearance of advertising in this publication does Thirty autumns ago, as the Berlin Wall creators said: “We welcome the Chinese at issue, you must remember this: In 1945, not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. crumbled and the Soviet Union teetered, censors into our homes and into our hearts. having witnessed the New Mexico birth Products or services advertised shall be made available for approximately 1.5 billion people lived ... Xi doesn’t look just like Winnie the Pooh of something used on Japan three weeks purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, later, the Manhattan Project’s leaders religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical under communist regimes. Today, ap- at all. ... Long live the Great Communist handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor proximately 1.5 billion people still do. The Party of China! May this autumn’s sor- would have been have been pleasantly sur- of the purchaser, user or patron. 1989 figure was 29% of the world’s popula- ghum harvest be bountiful! We good now prised had they known that 2019 would be © Stars and Stripes 2019 tion compared with 20% in 2019, but 89% China?” the 73rd year without the use of what they of today’s 20% are caught in the tightening “We have to stand with Hong Kong, but had created. Sometimes what does not hap- stripes.com vise of China’s Leninism, whose inviolable I’m also standing with President Xi,” said pen is itself momentous. Sunday, December 29, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 17 SCOREBOARD

Sports College football Pro football Bowl schedule Redbox Bowl NFL injury report ankles), RB Kenneth Dixon (illness), DT on AFN Santa Clara, Calif. Steve McLendon (knee, hip), CB Brian Friday, Dec. 20 Illinois (6-6) vs. California (7-5) NEW YORK — The National Football Poole (ankle), WR Demaryius Thomas Bahamas Bowl Orange Bowl League injury report, as provided by the (hamstring, knee). BILLS: OUT: DE Shaq Nassau Miami Gardens, Fla. league (OUT - definitely will not play; Lawson (hamstring), WR Andre Roberts Buffalo 31, Charlotte 9 Florida (10-2) vs. Virginia (9-4) DNP - did not practice; LIMITED - limited (foot). QUESTIONABLE: T Ty Nsekhe (an- Go to the American Forces Frisco (Texas) Bowl Tuesday, Dec. 31 participation in practice; FULL - full par- kle). Kent State 51, Utah State 41 Belk Bowl ticipation in practice): OAKLAND RAIDERS at DENVER BRON- Network website for the most Charlotte, N.C. Sunday COS — RAIDERS: DOUBTFUL: G Richie Saturday, Dec. 21 ATLANTA FALCONS at TAMPA BAY up-to-date TV schedules. Celebration Bowl Kentucky (7-5) vs. Virginia Tech (8-4) Incognito (ankle), RB Josh Jacobs (shoul- Sun Bowl BUCCANEERS — FALCONS: OUT: G Jamon der, illness). BRONCOS: OUT: T Ja’Wuan At Atlanta Brown (illness), DE Adrian Clayborn myafn.net NC A&T 64, Alcorn State 44 El Paso, Texas James (knee), G Ronald Leary (concus- Florida State (6-6) vs. Arizona State (7-5) (knee), WR Brandon Powell (wrist). BUC- sion), T Elijah Wilkinson (ankle). New Mexico Bowl CANEERS: OUT: DT Beau Allen (ankle), WR Albuquerque Liberty Bowl PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at NEW YORK Memphis, Tenn. Chris Godwin (hamstring). QUESTION- GIANTS — EAGLES: OUT: WR Nelson Ag- San Diego State 48, Central Michigan 11 ABLE: T Donovan Smith (ankle, knee), QB holor (knee), TE Zach Ertz (ribs, back). College hockey Cure Bowl Kansas State (8-4) vs. Navy (9-2) Arizona Bowl Jameis Winston (right thumb, knee). QUESTIONABLE: T Lane Johnson (ankle), Orlando, Fla. CHICAGO BEARS at MINNESOTA VI- CB Jalen Mills (ankle). GIANTS: OUT: TE Liberty 23, Georgia Southern 16 Tucson, Ariz. Wyoming (7-5) vs. Georgia State (7-5) KINGS — BEARS: OUT: WR Taylor Ga- Rhett Ellison (concussion), T Mike Rem- Friday’s score Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl briel (concussion), DT Eddie Goldman mers (concussion), TE Scott Simonson FAU 52, SMU 28 Alamo Bowl San Antonio (concussion), DT Akiem Hicks (elbow). (concussion). QUESTIONABLE: CB Corey MIDWEST Camellia Bowl DOUBTFUL: T Rashaad Coward (knee), T Ohio St. 3, Colgate 2 Texas (7-5) vs. Utah (11-2) Ballentine (back), CB Sam Beal (shoul- Montgomery, Ala. Wednesday, Jan. 1 Bobby Massie (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: der), LB Alec Ogletree (back). Arkansas State 34, FIU 26 Citrus Bowl CB Prince Amukamara (hamstring). VI- PITTSBURGH STEELERS at BALTIMORE Las Vegas Bowl Orlando, Fla. KINGS: OUT: RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder), RAVENS — STEELERS: OUT: RB James Deals Washington 38, Boise State 7 Michigan (9-3) vs. Alabama (10-2) LB Eric Kendricks (quadricep). QUES- Conner (quadricep), C Maurkice Pounc- New Orleans Bowl Outback Bowl TIONABLE: CB Mackensie Alexander ey (knee). RAVENS: OUT: RB Mark Ingram Appalachian State 31, UAB 17 Tampa, Fla. (knee), S Jayron Kearse (foot), RB Alex- (calf). QUESTIONABLE: TE Mark Andrews Friday’s transactions Monday, Dec. 23 Minnesota (10-2) vs. Auburn (9-3) ander Mattison (ankle). (ankle), WR Marquise Brown (illness), CB Gasparilla Bowl Rose Bowl CLEVELAND BROWNS at CINCINNATI Marcus Peters (chest), CB Jimmy Smith BENGALS — BROWNS: QUESTIONABLE: BASEBALL At Tampa, Fla. Pasadena, Calif. (groin), S Earl Thomas (knee, hand). American League UCF 48, Marshall 25 WR Odell Beckham (groin, illness), TE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at JACKSON- Oregon (11-2) vs. Wisconsin (10-3) Pharaoh Brown (illness), T Kendall Lamm KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Signed 3B Tuesday, Dec. 24 Sugar Bowl VILLE JAGUARS — COLTS: OUT: RB Jor- Maikel Franco to a one-year contract. Hawaii Bowl (knee), DT Sheldon Richardson (back), TE dan Wilkins (ankle), CB Quincy Wilson New Orleans Ricky Seals-Jones (illness), C J.C. Tretter TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Agreed to Honolulu Georgia (11-2) vs. Baylor (11-2) (shoulder). DOUBTFUL: DT Denico Autry terms with LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu on a four- Hawaii 38, BYU 34 (knee), DE Olivier Vernon (knee). BEN- (concussion), S Khari Willis (shoulder). Thursday, Jan. 2 GALS: OUT: CB William Jackson (shoul- year contract. Thursday, Dec. 26 Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl QUESTIONABLE: CB Kenny Moore (an- FOOTBALL der). DOUBTFUL: WR Stanley Morgan kle), DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (groin), G Independence Bowl Cincinnati (10-3) vs. Boston College (6-6) (concussion). National Football League Shreveport, La. Gator Bowl Quenton Nelson (concussion). JAGUARS: CINCINNATI BENGALS — Signed TE Jor- GREEN BAY PACKERS at DETROIT LIONS OUT: WR Michael Walker (hamstring). Louisiana Tech 14, Miami 0 Jacksonville, Fla. — PACKERS: DOUBTFUL: S Will Redmond dan Franks and WR Trenton Irwin from Quick Lane Bowl Indiana (8-4) vs. Tennessee (7-5) QUESTIONABLE: LB Dakota Allen (ham- (hamstring), RB Dan Vitale (knee), RB string), CB A.J. Bouye (wrist), RB Leonard the practice squad. Placed CB William Detroit Friday, Jan. 3 Jackson III on IR. Jamaal Williams (shoulder). QUESTION- Fournette (neck), QB Gardner Minshew Pittsburgh 34, Eastern Michigan 30 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ABLE: WR Jake Kumerow (illness). LIONS: (right shoulder), TE Nick O’Leary (shoul- DETROIT LIONS — Signed LB Anthony Friday, Dec. 27 Boise Pittman from the practice squad. Signed OUT: DT A’Shawn Robinson (shoulder). der), WR Dede Westbrook (neck, shoul- Military Bowl Ohio (6-6) vs. Nevada (7-5) QUESTIONABLE: LB Devon Kennard der). G Casey Tucker to the practice squad. Annapolis, Md. Saturday, Jan. 4 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Waived TE (shoulder), LB Steve Longa (quadricep), ARIZONA CARDINALS at LOS ANGE- North Carolina 55, Temple 13 Armed Forces Bowl K Matt Prater (illness), T Rick Wagner LES RAMS — CARDINALS: OUT: TE Dar- Ross Travis. Fort Worth, Texas NEW YORK GIANTS — Placed TE Rhett Pinstripe Bowl (knee), S Tavon Wilson (hamstring). rell Daniels (biceps). QUESTIONABLE: New York Southern Miss (7-5) vs. Tulane (6-6) LOS ANGELES CHARGERS at KANSAS TE Charles Clay (calf), QB Kyler Murray Ellison on IR. Signed DT Chris Slayton Monday, Jan. 6 from the practice squad. Michigan State 27, Wake Forest 21 CITY CHIEFS — CHARGERS: OUT: T Rus- (hamstring). RAMS: OUT: RB Darrell Hen- Texas Bowl Lendingtree Bowl sell Okung (groin). CHIEFS: OUT: CB derson (ankle), CB Jalen Ramsey (knee). WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Placed CB Mobile, Ala. Fabian Moreau and S Montae Nicholson Houston Morris Claiborne (shoulder, not injury DOUBTFUL: CB Troy Hill (thumb). Texas A&M 24, Oklahoma State 21 Miami (Ohio) (8-5) vs. Louisiana-La- related). QUESTIONABLE: T Cameron Erv- TENNESSEE TITANS at HOUSTON on IR. Signed S Kenny Ladler. Signed WR fayette (10-3) Jester Weah from the practice squad. Holiday Bowl ing (illness), DT Xavier Williams (ankle), TEXANS — TITANS: OUT: WR Adam San Diego Monday, Jan. 13 G Andrew Wylie (ankle). Humphries (ankle), CB Adoree’ Jack- HOCKEY College Football Championship National Hockey League Iowa 49, Southern Cal 24 MIAMI DOLPHINS at NEW ENGLAND son (foot), WR Kalif Raymond (concus- Cheez-It Bowl New Orleans PATRIOTS — DOLPHINS: OUT: CB Jomal sion). QUESTIONABLE: WR Cody Hollister DALLAS STARS — Named Sergei Zubov Peach Bowl winner vs. Fiesta Bowl senior consultant to hockey operations. Phoenix Wiltz (shoulder). QUESTIONABLE: LB (ankle). TEXANS: OUT: WR Will Fuller Air Force 31, Washington State 21 winner Vince Biegel (elbow), DE Taco Charlton (groin). QUESTIONABLE: S Jahleel Addae DETROIT RED WINGS — Recalled RW Saturday, Jan. 18 Filip Zadina, D Brian Lashoff and G Calvin Saturday, Dec. 28 (ankle), WR Allen Hurns (ankle, neck), DT (achilles), WR DeAndre Hopkins (illness), Pickard from Grand Rapids (AHL). East-West Shrine Classic Zach Sieler (ankle, thumb), DE Christian LB Jacob Martin (knee), CB Bradley Roby Camping World Bowl At St. Petersburg, Fla. LOS ANGELES KINGS — Placed F Trevor Orlando, Fla. Wilkins (ankle). PATRIOTS: QUESTION- (hamstring), WR Kenny Stills (knee), T Lewis on injured reserve, retroactive to East vs. West ABLE: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee), S Ter- Laremy Tunsil (ankle), QB Deshaun Wat- Notre Dame (10-2) vs. Iowa State (7-5) NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Dec. 21. Signed F Aidan Dudas to a three- Cotton Bowl Classic rence Brooks (groin), LB Shilique Calhoun son (back). year entry-level contract. At Pasadena, Calif. (illness), T Marcus Cannon (ankle), LB WASHINGTON REDSKINS at DALLAS Arlington, Texas American vs. National NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Recalled Penn State (10-2) vs. Memphis (12-1) Jamie Collins (shoulder), WR Julian Edel- COWBOYS — REDSKINS: OUT: S Landon F Colin Blackwell and D Jarred Tinordi Saturday, Jan. 25 man (knee, shoulder), CB Jonathan Jones Collins (shoulder), QB Dwayne Haskins Peach Bowl Senior Bowl (groin), CB Jason McCourty (groin). from Milwaukee (AHL). Atlanta (ankle), WR Terry McLaurin (concus- At Mobile, Ala. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at CAROLINA sion). QUESTIONABLE: S Troy Apke ST. LOUIS BLUES — Recalled D Jake CFP Semifinal, LSU (13-0) vs. Oklaho- Walman from San Antonio (AHL). North vs. South PANTHERS — SAINTS: OUT: CB Eli Apple (knee), T Morgan Moses (knee), CB Josh ma (12-1) Sunday, Jan. 26 (ankle), S Vonn Bell (knee), S Marcus Wil- Norman (illness). COWBOYS: OUT: LB Joe WASHINGTON CAPITALS — Recalled D Fiesta Bowl Christian Djoos from Hershey (AHL). Hula Bowl liams (groin). QUESTIONABLE: RB Zach Thomas (knee) QUESTIONABLE: CB By- Glendale, Ariz. At Honolulu Line (knee). PANTHERS: OUT: WR D.J. ron Jones (ankle), T Tyron Smith (back), American Hockey League CFP Semifinal, Ohio State (13-0) vs. SAN DIEGO GULLS — Reassigned Olle East vs. West Moore (concussion), LB Shaq Thomp- DT Antwaun Woods (hip, ankle). Eriksson to the Tulsa Oilers(ECHL)2 Clemson (13-0) son (foot, shoulder). QUESTIONABLE: CB SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at SEATTLE SOCCER Monday, Dec. 30 NCAA FCS playoffs Corn Elder (illness), LB Marquis Haynes SEAHAWKS — 49ERS: OUT: DE Dee Ford Major League Soccer SERVPRO First Responder Bowl (knee). (quadricep, hamstring), DT Jullian Tay- PHILADELPHIA UNION — Agreed to Dallas Championship NEW YORK JETS at BUFFALO BILLS lor (elbow, knee). DOUBTFUL: S Jaquiski terms with D Aurelien Collin. Western Kentucky (8-4) vs. Western Saturday, Jan. 11 — JETS: OUT: G Tom Compton (calf), G Tartt (ribs). QUESTIONABLE: G Mike Per- U.S. Soccer Federation Michigan (7-5) At Toyota Stadium Alex Lewis (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: S son (neck). SEAHAWKS: OUT: T Duane USSF — Announced the resignation of Music City Bowl Frisco, Texas Jamal Adams (ankle), DE Henry Ander- Brown (knee, biceps), WR Malik Turner Raphael Wicky, coach of U.S. Under-17 Nashville, Tenn. North Dakota State (15-0) vs. James son (knee, shoulder), WR Robby An- (concussion). QUESTIONABLE: S Quandre Men’s National Team, to become coach Mississippi State (6-6) vs. Louisville (7-5) Madison (14-1) derson (calf), T Kelvin Beachum (back, Diggs (ankle), C Ethan Pocic (core). of Chicago (MLS). COLLEGE BARUCH — Named Nicole Bellini assis- tant softball coach. College basketball CHARLESTON SOUTHERN — Named Jose Gomez women’s soccer coach. EVANSVILLE — Placed men’s basket- Men’s schedule W. Michigan at Michigan St. Cleveland St. at IUPUI Howard at Tennessee ball coach Walter McCarty on admin- SOUTHWEST Milwaukee at Wright St. Davidson at Florida istrative leave. Named Bennie Seltzer Sunday’s games SE Louisiana at Oklahoma St. North Florida at Dayton Appalachian St. at UNC-Greensboro men’s interim basketball coach. EAST Sam Houston St. at Rice UMass at Akron Duke at Florida Gulf Coast MIAMI — Fired offensive coordinator Bryant at Maryland CS Bakersfield at Texas Tech Youngstown St. at Ill.-Chicago Virginia Tech at Florida St. and quarterbacks coach Dan Enos. Cornell at Penn St. FAR WEST Chicago St. at Missouri Syracuse at Louisville Norfolk St. at Stony Brook Iona at Colorado Loyola of Chicago at Valparaiso TCU at Middle Tennessee Connecticut College at CCSU Kansas at Stanford S. Illinois at Indiana St. Jacksonville at Mercer NJIT at UConn Alabama St. at Oregon Seton Hall at DePaul Virginia at Georgia Tech AP sportlight Hartwick at Binghamton UC Davis at New Mexico SOUTHWEST Brown at FIU Holy Cross at Siena Alcorn St. at Santa Clara Huston-Tillotson at Prairie View Arkansas St. at Louisiana Tech Lafayette at Sacred Heart Whittier at San Diego Jackson St. at Baylor Columbia at Vanderbilt Dec. 29 Duquesne vs. Marshall at Cleveland N. Dakota St. at Denver Rio Grande at Oklahoma SE Louisiana at Alabama 1926 — Merlyn Phillips of the Montreal Lehigh at Princeton Harvard at California High Point at Texas Tuskegee at UAB Maroons scores five seconds into the Boston U. at Merrimack North Dakota at Oregon St. Texas Southern at Texas A&M Illinois St. at Austin Peay game at Chicago for an NHL record for SOUTH Northern New Mexico at New Mexico St. George Mason at TCU MVSU at Louisiana-Monroe the fastest goal from the start of a game. Cumberland at Chattanooga Ark.-Pine Bluff at Washington St. FAR WEST UALR at Mississippi St. The Black Hawks win the game in over- Liberty at LSU Florida Gulf Coast at Southern Cal Detroit at Gonzaga Tennessee Wesleyan at Tennessee Tech time, 5-4. Kentucky Christian at Presbyterian Maine at Hawaii Harvard at San Francisco Ohio at Chattanooga 1934 — The first college basketball Mars Hill at ETSU Monday’s games Idaho at Weber St. Louisiana-Lafayette at Jackson St. doubleheader is played at New York’s VMI at SC-Upstate EAST N. Arizona at Montana St. MIDWEST Madison Square Garden. NYU beats Mount St. Joseph at UT Martin Canisius at Pittsburgh Sacramento St. at Montana St. John’s at Xavier Appalachian St. at NC State Penn State York at UMBC E. Washington at Idaho St. Canisius at Toledo Notre Dame 25-18 and Westminster de- S. Utah at Portland St. feats St. John’s 37-33. Central Penn College at Radford Dartmouth at New Hampshire Seton Hall at Butler — Tobin Rote passes for four Lipscomb at Auburn Hofstra at Towson Drake at N. Illinois 1957 Washington Adventist University at South Dakota at W. Illinois touchdowns and scores another to give Navy at Virginia Women’s schedule Tennessee Tech at Mississippi Delaware St. University of Science and Arts of Okla- the Detroit Lions a 59-14 victory over the Rhode Island at Middle Tennessee Xavier at Villanova homa at UMKC Cleveland Browns in the NFL champion- Sunday’s games Champion Christian College at North- Albany (NY) at Columbia EAST Harris-Stowe State at SE Missouri ship game. western St. Caldwell at Rutgers NC State at Boston College S. Dakota St. at Omaha 1963 — The Chicago Bears, who won FAU at South Florida Coll. of Charleston at Delaware Samford at Fordham Clemson at Notre Dame the Western Conference title by allowing Loyola (Md.) at VCU Coppin St. at Fordham Cornell at St. Bonaventure Marquette at DePaul only 10 points per game, play up to form Md.-Eastern Shore at Virginia Tech St. Bonaventure at Buffalo New Hampshire at Princeton SOUTHWEST in a 14-10 victory over the New York Gi- UC Santa Barbara at Louisiana-Lafayette UNC-Wilmington at Drexel Bryant at Army UTSA at Texas Tech ants for the NFL title at Wrigley Field. Richmond at Alabama SOUTH Lehigh at St. Peter’s Northwestern St. at Texas 1968 — The Baltimore Colts shut out MIDWEST Stetson at South Carolina George Mason at Delaware Our Lady of the Lake at Stephen F. Austin the Cleveland Browns 34-0 to win the NFL Alabama A&M at Notre Dame Austin Peay at Georgia William & Mary at George Washington Tulsa at UTEP championship at Cleveland Municipal West Virginia vs. Ohio St. at Cleveland Green Bay at N. Kentucky Northeastern at Boston U. Hofstra vs. Houston at Bronx, N.Y. Stadium. The Colts (15-1) avenge their Campbell at Ohio Mid-Atlantic Christian at NC Central Bucknell at Stony Brook UC Irvine at SMU only loss of the season, holding the Mass.-Lowell at Michigan Middle Georgia State at Georgia St. Dartmouth at Buffalo UT Martin at Arkansas Browns scoreless for only the second NC A&T at Illinois Northeastern at James Madison Creighton at Georgetown Texas A&M-Texarkana at North Texas time in their history. Texas A&M-CC at Nebraska Penn at Howard Fairleigh Dickinson at Mass.-Lowell Texas A&M-CC at Texas A&M 1979 — Safety Vernon Perry sets an Abilene Christian at Wichita St. SC State at Jacksonville UMBC at Lafayette FAR WEST NFL playoff record with four intercep- Lindenwood at SIU-Edwardsville William & Mary at Elon Quinnipiac at Hartford Arizona at Arizona St. tions to lead the Houston Oilers to a 17- Hartford at Northwestern Yale at North Carolina Vermont at Merrimack CS Bakersfield at Oregon St. 14 victory over the San Diego Chargers. Kennesaw St. at Iowa Davidson at Vanderbilt Providence at Villanova N. Dakota St. at Denver 1982 — Alabama’s Jeremiah Castille Missouri Baptist at SE Missouri Kent St. at Mississippi St. Monmouth (NJ) at Albany (NY) Portland at Gonzaga intercepts three passes to help beat Il- S. Dakota St. at Nebraska-Omaha Louisiana Tech at Southern Miss. SOUTH Colorado at Utah linois 21-15 in the Liberty Bowl and send South Dakota at W. Illinois Tulane at Memphis Wake Forest at Miami Southern Cal at UCLA coach Paul “Bear” Bryant out as a win- Arkansas at Indiana MIDWEST East Carolina at Georgia Seattle at Cal St.-Fullerton ner. Bryant finishes his coaching career Tulsa at Kansas St. Concordia (MI) at E. Michigan Robert Morris at James Madison Washington at Washington St. with 323-85-17 record. Bethune-Cookman at Saint Louis Wilberforce at Miami (Ohio) SC State at Coastal Carolina Grand Canyon at California PAGE 18 • S TARS AND STRIPES• Sunday, December 29, 2019 SPORTS BRIEFS/NBA Briefl y Delicate Shiffrin dominates GS for 63rd career win LIENZ, Austria — Mikaela Shiffrin wrapped up an event- BALANCE ful return from her 11-day break from World Cup racing on Satur- day, dominating a giant slalom for her 63rd career victory. Coaches must weigh push After nearly arriving too late for the opening run, Shiffrin, 24, for team progress against posted the fastest time in both legs to win by a big margin of 1.36 patience for development seconds. Marta Bassino of Italy, who won BY JANIE MCCAULEY the GS in Killington last month, Associated Press finished second, while Austria’s Katharina Liensberger finished illy Donovan challenges Oklahoma 1.82 back in third. City’s young players to slow down, The victory moved Shiffrin into consider their strengths, focus first on outright second place on the wom- B defense and always consider whether en’s winners list. Austrian great the best decision is to shoot or pass. Annemarie Moser-Proell won 62 Then, just be patient and teach the rest of times in the 1970s and ’80s. the game’s nuances over time. Lindsey Vonn holds the wom- It can be a painful process for NBA coaches en’s record of 82 wins. — and a costly one. In other skiing news: Many coaches are striking the delicate bal-  Dominik Paris continued his ance between pushing inexperienced players dominance on the Stelvio course enough for the players and team to succeed on Saturday, winning a men’s while realizing that the learning curve in the World Cup downhill in Bormio, league can be a long one. Italy, for the second straight day. The pace of the NBA In perfect, sunny conditions, can be daunting for the Italian sped down the 3.27-ki- ‘ I think a newcomers. There is lometer course in 1 minute, 55.37 typically little time for seconds for his 18th career vic- young player extensive practices, tory, and 14th in a downhill. needs to so players must make Paris has won five of the seven learn to be strides on the fly and Stelvio downhills he has compet- are thrown into the fire ed in, only failing to win the clas- reliable. to learn as they go. sic race in his first two attempts That’s the “The more you play, — in 2010 and 2011. the more the game His latest win came a day after fi rst thing.’ slows down and you Paris triumphed in a shortened Billy Donovan understand situations. DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/AP race on the same course, which Thunder coach Like I know what I’m replaced the downhill that was capable of but I also Like many coaches around the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Billy Donovan attempts to canceled in another Italian re- know paying attention to their coverage, what strike a balance between pushing inexperienced players enough for the organization to have sort, Val Gardena, last Saturday they’re going to do,” Thunder guard Chris success while realizing that the learning curve in the league is often a long one. due to heavy snowfall. Paul said. “I always say this, ‘At the end of the day, it’s a game.’ It’s a game, so you just figure hear, load management, but part of load man- relationship that they’ve been able to build Payton: Saints doing it out.” agement is what you do on off days, and that’s with our assistants, rather than necessarily And if they don’t, both might be out of a a big part of it.” having player development coaches, has been due diligence on Brown job. It has been far tougher for the Warriors (6- important both ways.” METAIRIE, La. — Saints When it comes to player development, there’s 24) this season. They have struggled while The Warriors’ greater commitment to play- coach Sean Payton says the club no simple, one-size-fits-all definition. Perhaps relying on so many inexperienced players be- er development stemmed from starting the has no immediate plans to sign it might be a player fine-tuning one element of cause of injuries to stars Stephen Curry and season with a roster featuring nine players Antonio Brown after including his game, maybe becoming a more consistent Klay Thompson, as well as Kevin Durant’s age 23 or younger. him in a workout with six free- three-point threat. Whatever it is, for coaches departure in free agency. “With so many players under 25, and all of agent receivers Friday morning. much of developing a player’s game comes “These guys have been great with it here at the roster movement and injuries, it just made Payton says the Saints are through constant communication. Golden State with as much as they’ve played sense to focus on developing our youth,” as- mainly doing their due diligence Donovan starts with a question: “Does he not only throughout the season but then in sistant coach and player development director “on all of those players” and look- know who he is as a player?” That helps Okla- the postseason, too,” Steven said. “Those long Chris DeMarco said. “It was a collaborative ing at how available players can homa City’s staff consider a player’s status in years can be really tough.” decision from ownership, management, the help the team as it prepares to the rotation. Hours before tipoff on any given game day, performance team and coach Kerr in priori- enter the playoffs. “I think a young player needs to learn to be fans arriving early might see a variety of tizing the growth of our young players.” Brown has not played since the reliable,” said Donovan, the Thunder’s fifth- Warriors coaching faces on the floor guiding New Golden State center Willie Cauley-Stein New England Patriots cut him year coach. “That’s the first thing. Generally the long list of young Golden State players. has appreciated a hands-on approach from Sept. 20 amid multiple sexual you’re talking about defense. Coach Steve Kerr has placed an even great- coaches, especially in his case after missing assault accusations which have “I think so many times with a lot of young er emphasis on development, noting, “given all of training camp and the preseason with spawned an ongoing league in- players they want to come for development the number of young players we’ve added po- a foot injury. vestigation of the receiver. and they just want to focus on their offense. sitions to the staff and we’ve really re-evalu- “I’m learning (at) the highest level, and They’re going to be on defense way, way more ated everything we’ve done.” that’s why I’m here, and that’s why I wanted Sabres forward Skinner than they’re going to be handling and shoot- In Portland, Terry Stotts has a different to come here,” Cauley-Stein said. “To elevate, ing. Sometimes understanding in your devel- approach, noting it’s a comfort thing for each you’ve got to be around people that’s elevated. out 3-4 weeks opment: ‘When do I shoot? When do I pass? individual coach. He prefers a smaller staff ... Each and every day that we’re in here I can BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Sa- When do I drive?’ ” — five coaches total — with everyone han- say that we get better. That’s really what you bres forward Jeff Skinner will In Boston, coach Brad Stevens relies heavily dling multiple roles that include player devel- want, especially as a young dude, to see your miss three to four weeks because on the team’s sports science statistics to deter- opment. The Trail Blazers also have two or progress and to have somebody show you your of an upper body injury. mine what a player’s body best needs on any three video staff members who assist on the progress each game and even each practice.” The team did not provide any given day during the grind of an NBA season. floor. It comes back to that necessary constant: other details in announcing the It is how the Celtics strive to keep players on “Every team’s going to do it their own way. Trust and communication between coaching update Saturday, a day after one of the youngest teams in the league fresh We have a good track record of developing staffs and players. Skinner was injured in a 3-0 loss while still finding ways to teach and develop young players,” Stotts said. “We have a rela- “It’s not trying to put a player in a box, it’s to Boston. Skinner did not return during the small pockets of time they have tively small staff. Personally, I like having not trying to put a player and tell him what following a collision in which he — home or on the road. all our assistants be involved with player de- he can and can’t do but there’s certain things led with his right shoulder while “We have what we call a Player Enhance- velopment. I don’t want to separate assistant that he has to be able to do to get on the floor,” attempting to check Bruins for- ment Program so our PEP program goes and coaches from developing the relationships Donovan said, “so you’re really talking about ward David Pastrnak in front of it’s based on how much you played the night with the players, the young players and as the things that they can do to be able to get on the Sabres bench about four min- before, what your needs are and how hard you they grow. When you look at some of the play- the floor.” utes into the third period. can go from a physical standpoint,” Stevens ers who have come through here and have And things everybody hopes will — at least — Associated Press said. “I guess the term that nobody wants to gone on to sign with other teams, I think the eventually — translate into wins. Sunday, December 29, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• PAGE 19 NBA Scoreboard Heat top Pacers, improve to 14-1 at home Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Boston 22 7 .759 — Dragic’s go-ahead basket with Philadelphia 23 11 .676 1A Toronto 21 10 .677 2 Brooklyn 16 14 .533 6A 6.8 seconds left caps wild end New York 8 24 .250 15A Southeast Division Miami 23 8 .742 — BY TIM REYNOLDS Orlando 14 17 .452 9 Charlotte 13 21 .382 11A Associated Press Washington 9 21 .300 13A Atlanta 6 26 .188 17A Central Division MIAMI — Erik Spoelstra warned his team Milwaukee 28 5 .848 — before the game that matchups between Indi- Indiana 21 11 .656 6A Chicago 12 20 .375 15A ana and Miami tend to get decided by a loose Detroit 12 20 .375 15A ball somewhere. Cleveland 9 22 .290 18 Sure enough, he was right. Western Conference Goran Dragic scored in the lane with 6.8 Southwest Division seconds remaining to cap a wild finish, and W L Pct GB the Heat improved the NBA’s best home re- Houston 21 10 .677 — Dallas 20 10 .667 A cord to 14-1 by defeating the Pacers 113-112 San Antonio 12 18 .400 8A on Friday night. Memphis 12 20 .375 9A New Orleans 9 23 .281 12A Dragic’s shot was the third by Miami on the Northwest Division go-ahead possession, after Jimmy Butler and Denver 21 9 .700 — Utah 19 12 .613 2A Kendrick Nunn both missed but the Heat were Oklahoma City 16 15 .516 5A able to grab offensive rebounds to keep hope Portland 14 18 .438 8 Minnesota 11 19 .367 10 alive. Those were Miami’s final two boards on Pacific Division a night where the Heat outrebounded the Pac- L.A. Lakers 24 7 .774 — L.A. Clippers 23 10 .697 2 ers 56-34. Sacramento 12 19 .387 12 “Those last two rebounds, those plays speak Phoenix 11 20 .355 13 Golden State 9 24 .273 16 for themselves,” Dragic said. “We’re never Thursday’s games going to give up.” Detroit 132, Washington 102 MICHAEL LAUGHLIN/TNS New York 94, Brooklyn 82 Aaron Holiday had a chance to win it for Memphis 110, Oklahoma City 97 Indiana, but his 10-footer — well defended by Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. finishes an alley-oop reverse dunk Friday against Indiana in Dallas 102, San Antonio 98 Minnesota 105, Sacramento 104 Derrick Jones Jr. — with about a second left Miami. The Heat defeated the Pacers 113-112. Utah 121, Portland 115 bounced away. The lead changed hands five Friday’s games Boston 129, Cleveland 117 times in the final 2:21. got 16 from TJ Warren and Jeremy Lamb, 14 on two occasions early in the fourth quarter Oklahoma City 104, Charlotte 102, OT Butler scored 20 points for Miami. Bam from Doug McDermott, 13 from Myles Turn- — first on a three-pointer by Dragic, the sec- Orlando 98, Philadelphia 97 Milwaukee 112, Atlanta 86 Adebayo had 18 points and 15 rebounds, in- er and 11 apiece from Justin Holiday and Ed- ond on a three by Herro. And both times, In- Miami 113, Indiana 112 cluding the offensive board that set up Drag- mund Sumner. diana answered with threes of its own to avoid Golden State 105, Phoenix 96 Saturday’s games ic’s shot. Nunn scored 17, Dragic had 14 and “It comes down to two plays we have to letting Miami pull away; Sumner hit the first, Memphis at Denver Tyler Herro scored 10. execute and we didn’t,” Pacers coach Nate McDermott hit the second and then connect- Indiana at New Orleans Toronto at Boston “We knew it would be a grind,” Spoelstra McMillan said. “That defensive possession ed again with 8:44 left to trim Miami’s lead to Atlanta at Chicago said. where if we get a stop and we get the rebound 96-93. Brooklyn at Houston Cleveland at Minnesota Duncan Robinson had 18 points, all on six and possibly win the game. I think they got That set up the down-to-the-wire finish, and New York at Washington three-pointers to reach 101 for the season. He three offensive rebounds on that possession the Pacers couldn’t get the bounce. Philadelphia at Miami Dallas at Golden State reached the century mark in 31 games, four and then we have the last possession of the “We’ll take that shot any day,” McDermott Detroit at San Antonio games faster than anyone else in Heat history. game and we don’t score. You have to make said. “Aaron, we have a lot of faith in him, he’s Orlando at Milwaukee Phoenix at Sacramento Damon Jones needed 35 games in 2004-05. those plays and we didn’t do that.” a great scorer, and that’s why we want the ball L.A. Lakers at Portland Aaron Holiday scored 17 for Indiana, which The Heat stretched their lead to nine points in his hands.” Utah at L.A. Clippers Sunday’s games Oklahoma City at Toronto Charlotte at Memphis Roundup Houston at New Orleans Sacramento at Denver Dallas at L.A. Lakers Monday’s games Atlanta at Orlando Miami at Washington Magic survive late free-throw woes, beat 76ers Brooklyn at Minnesota Milwaukee at Chicago Detroit at Utah Associated Press Phoenix at Portland Philadelphia’s last four field the NBA’s fourth-leading scorer, goals were three-pointers that to a right ankle sprain late in the Calendar ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlan- gave the visitors a chance at win- second quarter. Jan. 10 — All contracts guaranteed for do Magic could’ve had a smoother ning. Embiid hit the last of them Celtics 129, Cavaliers 117: rest of season. finish, though they couldn’t com- Feb. 6 — Trade deadline (3 p.m. EST) with 5.1 seconds to play that cut Jaylen Brown matched his career Feb. 14-16 — All-Star weekend, Chi- plain about their performance cago. the Sixers’ deficit to 98-97. high with 34 points and Boston April 15 — Regular season ends. the rest of the night. Ben Simmons then stole the beat visiting Cleveland for its April 18 — Playoffs begin. Evan Fournier scored 20 points May 19 — Draft lottery, Chicago. inbounds pass at the Magic end fifth straight victory. May 21-24 — Draft combine, Chicago. and the Magic survived a col- of the court and gave it to Em- Jayson Tatum had 24 of his 30 June 4 — NBA Finals begin. lapse from the free-throw line in biid, who launched his despera- points in the first half, Enes Kant- June 25 — NBA Draft. the final minute to squeeze out a Leaders tion shot as the buzzer sounded. er added 14 points, and Kemba 98-97 victory over the Philadel- It was short and left and Orlando Walker had 13 to help Boston im- Scoring phia 76ers on Friday. survived. prove to 13-1 at home. G FG FT PTS AVG Harden, HOU 31 343 337 1182 38.1 “The end wasn’t great, but we “If I’m open I’m going to shoot Kevin Love matched his season Antetokounmpo, MIL 31 352 191 947 30.5 can clean that up,” Magic coach Doncic, DAL 26 245 189 756 29.1 it,” Embiid said of his late-game high with 30 points and had seven Young, ATL 31 288 201 883 28.5 Steve Clifford said. “That’s a good offensive burst. “That’s the men- rebounds for Cleveland. Beal, WAS 30 285 188 835 27.8 win against a good team.” Thunder 104, Hornets 102 Assists tality you have to have. I didn’t G AST AVG Aaron Gordon had 19 points make the last one so it doesn’t (OT): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander James, LAL 30 318 10.6 and 11 rebounds, and Nikola Rubio, PHX 25 230 9.2 matter.” scored 27 points, Dennis Schro- Doncic, DAL 26 230 8.8 Vucevic had 16 points and 12 re- Bucks 112, Hawks 86: Khris der added 24 and Oklahoma City Simmons, PHI 32 276 8.6 bounds for Orlando, which won Middleton scored 23 points, Ersan beat host Charlotte in overtime Young, ATL 31 257 8.3 its second straight. Rebounds WILLIE J. ALLEN JR./AP Ilyasova had season highs of 18 for its fifth victory in six games. G OFF DEF TOT AVG “It felt like Magic basketball Drummond, DET 30 132 345 477 15.9 points and 17 rebounds and NBA- Chris Paul had 10 of his 16 Capela, HOU 27 108 280 388 14.37 tonight as far as the defense and Magic guard Evan Fournier, leading Milwaukee overcame Gi- points for the Thunder in the Gobert, UTA 29 106 308 414 14.28 preparation,” Fournier said. left, and forward Aaron Gordon Sabonis, IND 30 99 299 398 13.27 annis Antetokunmpo’s absence to fourth quarter and overtime. Whiteside, POR 29 106 278 384 13.24 “They are one of the top teams in celebrate after a basket against beat host Atlanta. Terry Rozier scored 26 points Steals the East and we were ready for the Philadelphia 76ers in G STL AVG Antetokunmpo, the league for Charlotte. Simmons, PHI 32 71 2.22 a fight. We need to be like that Orlando, Fla., on Friday. MVP last season and second- Warriors 106, Suns 95: Butler, MIA 27 56 2.07 every night.” Dunn, CHI 32 66 2.06 leading scorer this season, sat D’Angelo Russell had 31 points VanVleet, TOR 26 53 2.04 Joel Embiid and Tobias Har- Orlando led 93-83 after Gor- out because of back soreness. He and six assists, and Golden State Drummond, DET 30 57 1.9 ris each had 24 points and 11 don’s dunk with 1:49 left in the Harden, HOU 31 59 1.9 watched from the bench as his rallied from 10 down in the fourth Blocks rebounds for the 76ers, who had game, but it was far from over. teammates helped Milwaukee quarter to beat visiting Phoenix G STL AVG their three-game winning streak The Magic were 5-for-11 from the Whiteside, POR 29 78 2.69 improve to 28-5. for its fourth straight victory. Davis, LAL 29 77 2.66 snapped. Embiid missed a des- free-throw line in the final 1:30. The Hawks lost their ninth Devin Booker scored 34 points Isaac, ORL 29 75 2.59 Lopez, MIL 31 74 2.39 peration 30-footer at the buzzer That included four misses in the straight to drop to a league-worst for Phoenix. The Suns have lost Turner, IND 24 53 2.21 that could have won it. final 30 seconds. 6-26. They lost guard Trae Young, eight straight. PAGE 20 • S TARS AND STRIPES• Sunday, December 29, 2019 NHL Oshie lifts Caps in OT Washington halts Columbus’ win streak at five

BY STEPHEN WHYNO Tom Wilson to help the Blue Jackets extend Associated Press their point streak to nine games. They’re 6-0-3 in that stretch despite missing more WASHINGTON — Hobbled by injuries than a half-dozen regulars. and illness, the Columbus Blue Jackets got The Capitals won without top-four defen- to overtime against the NHL’s best team, seman Michal Kempny, who was out sick. but didn’t have enough to keep their win- Bouncing back from a 7-3 defeat in Boston ning streak going. before the break, they remained the only The Washington Capitals got 27 saves team in the league not to lose back-to-back from rookie goaltender Ilya Samsonov games in regulation. and an overtime power-play goal from T.J. “We knew every time when we lost a Oshie to beat Columbus 2-1 Friday night game or something that happened, we have and snap the Blue Jackets’ win streak at to regroup and go back and bounce back,” five. Joonas Korpisalo stopped 34 of the 36 said captain Alex Ovechkin . shots he faced to keep the Blue Jackets in it Scoring 3:13 into overtime with Blue NICK WASS/AP before a late penalty proved costly. Jackets forward Nathan Gerbe in the pen- Rookie Jakob Lilja scored his first NHL alty box for hooking, Oshie ended Wash- Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie, right, and Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner goal and came back after a big hit from ington’s 0-for-19 power-play drought. battle for the puck during the third period of Friday’s game in Washington. Scoreboard Roundup

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Devils gift Leafs an overtime victory Boston 39 23 7 9 55 133 100 Toronto 39 21 14 4 46 138 126 Montreal 37 18 13 6 42 121 117 Associated Press Florida 36 18 13 5 41 127 121 Perron scored his 16th goal of Buffalo 39 17 15 7 41 115 122 the season and added an assist. Tampa Bay 35 18 13 4 40 124 111 NEWARK, N.J. — Damon Wild 6, Avalanche 4: Mats Zuc- Ottawa 38 16 18 4 36 106 123 Severson had never scored an Detroit 38 9 26 3 21 82 150 carello and Victor Rask scored in Metropolitan Division overtime goal in the NHL, and a 1:17 span in the third period and Washington 39 27 7 5 59 139 112 this wasn’t how he envisioned his N.Y. Islanders 36 23 10 3 49 107 96 visiting Minnesota rallied past Pittsburgh 37 22 11 4 48 125 98 first. Philadelphia 37 21 11 5 47 121 106 Colorado. Carolina 38 22 14 2 46 127 107 The Devils defenseman back- Devan Dubnyk made 14 of his Columbus 38 17 14 7 41 99 108 handed the puck into his own net N.Y. Rangers 37 18 15 4 40 119 121 40 saves in the third period for the New Jersey 37 12 19 6 30 95 133 with 2:22 left in overtime, gifting Wild, who have taken two of the the Toronto Maple Leafs a 5-4 Western Conference three games against Colorado. win over New Jersey on Friday Penguins 5, Predators 2: Alex Central Division night for their season-best sixth GP W L OT Pts GF GA Galchenyuk scored his third goal St. Louis 39 25 8 6 56 123 103 straight victory. of the season, Tristan Jarry made Colorado 38 23 12 3 49 138 109 Severson got the puck after Winnipeg 38 21 14 3 45 117 112 30 saves and visiting Pittsburgh Dallas 38 20 14 4 44 100 97 Toronto’s William Nylander lost Minnesota 39 19 15 5 43 124 130 beat banged up Nashville. Nashville 37 18 13 6 42 128 121 control of it driving toward New Dominik Simon, Teddy Blueger, Chicago 39 16 17 6 38 110 127 Jersey’s net. The 25-year-old Se- Pacific Division Bryan Rust and Juuso Riikola Arizona 39 21 14 4 46 112 99 verson inadvertently beat goal- also scored for the Penguins, who Vegas 41 20 15 6 46 125 122 tender Mackenzie Blackwood Calgary 40 20 15 5 45 109 117 have won five of six. Edmonton 41 20 17 4 44 118 129 while trying to clear the puck out Blackhawks 5, Islanders 2: Vancouver 38 19 15 4 42 124 115 of danger. Nylander was credited /AP Anaheim 38 16 18 4 36 100 117 BILL KOSTROUN Robin Lehner made 38 saves Los Angeles 40 16 20 4 36 102 126 with the goal. against his former team, Dennis San Jose 39 16 20 3 35 103 136 Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander, center, celebrates “I was just trying to protect the Gilbert scored his first career Note: Two points for a win, one point his winning goal in overtime with Kasperi Kapanen, left, and Cody for overtime loss. Top three teams in puck,” said Severson, who was goal and host Chicago beat New each division and two wild cards per Ceci during Friday’s game against the Devils in Newark, N.J. conference advance to playoffs. consoled by teammates while York. Friday’s games leaving the ice. “I was not trying Jonathan Toews, Alex DeBrin- Boston 3, Buffalo 0 care deeply about and was having it at 3. Palmieri jumped on a cen- N.Y. Rangers 5, Carolina 3 to do anything with it. Protect the cat and Dominik Kubalik also a great night and playing tremen- ter-ice turnover by Kapanen to Toronto 5, New Jersey 4, OT puck and then get it out of harm’s scored for banged-up Chicago. Washington 2, Columbus 1, OT dous for us, so thoughts are with set up the go-ahead goal by Bratt Minnesota 6, Colorado 4 way. I just hit it by accident into Flames 5, Oilers 1: Andrew him.” at 10:11. Pittsburgh 5, Nashville 2 our own net.” Mangiapane had a goal and two St. Louis 5, Winnipeg 4, OT Mikheyev was being held for Rangers 5, Hurricanes 3: Chicago 5, N.Y. Islanders 2 Nylander set up the play by tak- assists and visiting Calgary beat Calgary 5, Edmonton 1 ing the puck from Jack Hughes. observation at a hospital. Mika Zibanejad had two goals Edmonton. Anaheim 4, Vegas 3 Nico Hischier, Nitita Gusev, and an assist, Henrik Lundqvist Los Angeles 3, San Jose 2, OT It’s Toronto’s longest winning Matthew Tkachuk, Sean Mo- Saturday’s games streak since November of 2017. Kyle Palmieri and Jesper Bratt stopped 39 shots, and host New Washington at Carolina nahan, Elias Lindholm and Mi- Colorado at Dallas “It’s nice to get some puck luck scored for New Jersey, and Black- York beat Carolina. kael Backlund also scored for the Detroit at Florida wood made 32 saves. Artemi Panarin had a goal and Nashville at Pittsburgh and have bounces go your way,” Flames (20-15-5), who had lost Montreal at Tampa Bay Maple Leafs goaltender Michael “Obviously, it is a tough one two assists, Chris Kreider had four of five. N.Y. Rangers at Toronto to swallow, but it is what it is,” a goal and an assist, and Ryan Los Angeles at Vancouver Hutchinson said after making 24 Ducks 4, Golden Knights 3: Arizona at Vegas saves. “Start of the season, felt Palmieri said. “Mistakes. You are Strome also scored to help New Cam Fowler had a goal and an Philadelphia at San Jose Sunday’s games I was playing well and making going to be the hero some nights York get its second win in six assist while host Anaheim scored Winnipeg at St. Louis other teams have to make good and but it’s about coming in the games (2-3-1). Tony DeAngelo Chicago at Columbus three goals in 1:37 midway New Jersey at Ottawa plays to score goals but just as a next day and being ready.” and Jacob Trouba each had two through the second period of a N.Y. Islanders at Minnesota team we weren’t getting those Tavares tied it at 4 with 11:45 assists. Buffalo at Boston victory over Vegas. Montreal at Florida fortunate bounces to go our way, left in the third period with a tap- Bruins 3, Sabres 0: Patrice Adam Henrique and Max Com- Detroit at Tampa Bay in power-play goal from Black- Bergeron scored two goals for the Dallas at Arizona so it’s nice to get those bounces. tois also scored and Jakob Silfver- Philadelphia at Anaheim We need to create our own luck wood’s crease. Nylander made third consecutive game, and vis- berg had two assists during the Vancouver at Calgary the pass to set it up. iting Boston beat Buffalo. Monday’s games and bounces.” decisive barrage by the Ducks. Ottawa at Pittsburgh Zach Hyman, Ilya Mikheyev, The teams combined for seven Bergeron became the fifth Kings 3, Sharks 2 (OT): Martin Tuesday’s games Boston at New Jersey Kasperi Kapanen and John Ta- goals during a wide-open first player in Bruins history to score Frk scored two third-period goals N.Y. Islanders at Washington vares scored for Toronto, which 40 minutes. Palmieri and Bratt two goals in at least three games in his debut with visiting Los An- Anaheim at Vegas Toronto at Minnesota witnessed a scary moment in the got the last two a little more than and the first Bruin since Cam geles, and Jeff Carter scored the Tampa Bay at Buffalo third period when Mikheyev sus- three minutes apart to give the Neely in 1988-89 to accomplish winner in overtime. Montreal at Carolina Florida at Columbus tained a deep gash on his right Devils a 4-3 lead. the feat. Frk scored his first goal early San Jose at Detroit wrist from Hughes’ skate. Palmieri scored his 15th of Blues 5, Jets 4 (OT): David in the third and cut a two-goal Winnipeg at Colorado St. Louis at Arizona “It was obviously scary there, the season on a point-blank shot Perron scored 3:14 into overtime Sharks lead in half. He tied it Chicago at Calgary N.Y. Rangers at Edmonton seeing that much blood,” Tavares shortly after lifting Tyson Bar- and visiting St. Louis extended its with another score with 1:24 left Philadelphia at Los Angeles said. ”Obviously, a guy that we rie’s stick to take the puck and tie winning streak to seven games. in regulation. Sunday, December 29, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 21 COLLEGE FOOTBALL Air Force tops Washington State at Cheez-It Bowl ‘ Falcons dominate time of We just couldn’t get off the field. ’ possession, grind out win Mike Leach Washington State coach, on Air Force’s dominant triple-option rushing attack BY JOHN MARSHALL Associated Press He hit Brandon Arconado on a completions, only to get stuffed PHOENIX — Air Force clung 13-yard TD to pull Washington by an Air Force goal-line stand. to a three-point lead, the clock State (6-7) within 24-21 late in the The Falcons’ opening drive showing plenty of time left for fourth quarter, giving the Cou- was a yard-churning, clock-wind- one of the nation’s most prolific gars a shot at the comeback. ing grind, covering 98 yards in offenses. Air Force methodically worked 20 plays and 12:23. Hammond A field goal was not going to be the ball down to Washington capped it with a 1-yard TD run. good enough. The Falcons needed State’s 4-yard line, but failed to Air Force’s next two drives took a touchdown to leave Washington punch the ball into the end zone less time combined than the first, State no chance. on three tries. After a timeout, ending in Jake Koehnke’s 28-yard Going for it on fourth down was Hammond ran an option left and field goal and Taven Birdow’s 3- the only option — and it worked. Kadin Remsberg ran for 178 pitched the ball to Remsberg, yard run after Gordon lost a fum- yards and stretched to the pylon who got the edge and reached the ble at Washington State’s 23. for a 3-yard touchdown on a late ball to the pylon with a defender “We just couldn’t get off the fourth down, lifting No. 24 Air draping him. The touchdown was field,” Washington State coach Force to a 31-21 victory over upheld on review. Mike Leach said. Washington State in the Cheez-It “I knew I had to score and I was The Cougars had two more Bowl on Friday night. going to do everything I could to quick-hitting drives to pull within “A tad bit was a gut feeling, get into the end zone,” Rems- 17-14 at halftime on Gordon’s two but you’re also thinking situ- berg said. “I felt like I had the TD passes. ationally,” Air Force coach Troy touchdown.” Air Force went right back to Calhoun said. “You see it as was The 2018 game was dubbed the ground to open the second an opportunity to make it a two- the Cheez-INT Bowl after TCU half; 13 plays, 75 yards, capped score game and Kade made a big- and California combined for nine by Hammond’s 7-yard TD run. time play.” interceptions. Washington State had another The Falcons (11-2) had their A year later, Air Force and fourth-down failure, this one triple option working to near per- Washington State brought phil- at Air Force’s 5-yard line, but fection, grinding out 371 yards osophical differences to the bounced back quickly with Gor- rushing while setting a Cheez-It desert. don’s TD pass to Arconado. Bowl time of possession record of The Falcons like to stay ground- The Cougars just couldn’t stop 43:24. ed, running 57 times a game Air Force and Remsberg’s div- Donald Hammond III scored while finishing third in the FBS ing TD run capped another long two touchdowns and Air Force at 292.5 yards per game. scoring drive to seal it. carried a 10-point lead into the The Cougars love to fly, putting “Our whole goal for the de- fourth quarter, yet couldn’t shake RICK SCUTERI/AP it up 56 times a game to lead the fensive front was to collapse the the high-scoring Cougars. nation with nearly 450 yards a middle to make them bounce it Anthony Gordon, the FBS Air Force running back Nolan Eriksen runs for a first down against game. out,” Washington State defensive passing leader, kept Washington Washington State on Friday in Phoenix. The Falcons’ triple-option Washington State started the lineman Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei State within reach, throwing for rushing attack was out in full force, grinding out 371 yards rushing Cheez-It Bowl quickly, racing said. “We were unable to to keep 351 yards and three touchdowns. while setting a Cheez-It Bowl time of possession record of 43:24. down the field with a series of our pads low and make plays.” Roundup Smith-Marsette leads Iowa over USC in Holiday Bowl

Associated Press Texas Bowl SAN DIEGO — Ihmir Smith-Marsette Texas A&M 24, Oklahoma State 21: scored on a 6-yard run, a 98-yard kickoff At Houston, Kellen Mond ran for a career- return and a 12-yard reception — all in the high 117 yards and threw a touchdown pass second quarter — in No. 19 Iowa’s 49-24 as the Aggies scored 24 straight points to victory over No. 22 Southern California in overcome an early deficit and beat the the Holiday Bowl on Friday night. Cowboys. Senior Nate Stanley threw two touch- Chuba Hubbard, who finished the regu- down passes and the Hawkeyes (10-3) won lar season as the nation’s leading rusher, their fourth straight game for their sixth ran for 158 yards, and Johnson had 124 10-win season in coach Kirk Ferentz’s 21 yards receiving and two touchdowns for years. the Oklahoma State. USC freshman quarterback Kedon Slo- Hubbard finished the season with 2,094 BRYON HOULGRAVE/AP vis, who threw two touchdown passes, was yards rushing to become the second player knocked out of the game with an apparent in school history to reach 2,000, joining Iowa’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette scores one of his three touchdowns against No. 22 USC arm injury early in the third quarter. The Barry Sanders, who did it in 1988 when he during the Holiday Bowl on Friday in San Diego. The No. 19 Hawkeyes won 49-24. Trojans (8-5) had their three-game win- won the Heisman Trophy. ning streak snapped. They fell apart after Pinstripe Bowl win nine games for just the third time in of them. Slovis left. program history. Howell threw two first-half touchdown Smith-Marsette helped the Hawkeyes to Michigan State 27, Wake Forest 21: Military Bowl passes to stake the Tar Heels to a 20-6 a 28-17 halftime lead. Brian Lewerke threw for 320 yards and a lead. They pulled away during the third touchdown and ran for a score in the Spar- North Carolina 55, Temple 13: At An- quarter, scoring two touchdowns in a 12- Smith-Marsette scored on a 6-yard sweep napolis, Md., Freshman Sam Howell threw for a 14-7 lead. After USC tied it on Slovis’ tans’ victory over the Demon Deacons at second span, the last on Storm Duck’s 20- Yankee Stadium in New York. for 294 yards and three touchdowns and yard interception return. 16-yard pass to Vavae Malepeai, Smith- caught a scoring pass in the Tar Heels’ vic- Marsette returned the kickoff 98 yards to Lewerke threw a 10-yard pass to wide Howell completed the third-quarter receiver Cody White in the third quarter tory over the Owls. blitz by catching a 2-yard TD pass from give the Hawkeyes the lead for good. Howell completed 25 of 34 passes and Smith-Marsette, a junior wide receiver, to put Michigan State (7-6) ahead 27-21 wide receiver Rontavius Groves at the end and it survived down the stretch to give ran for 53 yards on three carries to help of a razzle-dazzle reverse to make it 41-6. also had a 95-yard kickoff return for a North Carolina (7-6) to its first bowl vic- score in the regular-season finale, a 27-24 embattled coach Mark Dantonio his sixth Howell threw 38 touchdown passes this bowl victory. tory since 2013. Temple (8-5) has gone to victory over Nebraska. season, the most by a true freshman in Wake Forest (8-5) missed a chance to a bowl five years in a row — and lost four FBS history. PAGE 22 • S TARS AND STRIPES• Sunday, December 29, 2019 NFL Best: Eagles’ streak started against Giants

FROM BACK PAGE three playoff games to capture Did you know the first Super Bowl in franchise history. Last year, they had to win their final three games after a 6-7 start The Eagles and also needed help in Week 17 are 10-1 in — a Vikings loss to the Bears — to must-win earn a wild-card spot. It worked out and then they beat Chicago on games over the road in the first round before the past three losing at New Orleans in a divi- seasons, including sional playoff. The Eagles were 5-7 this sea- the playoffs. son following a loss at Miami on Dec. 1 but still controlled their SOURCE: Associated Press playoff hopes because Dallas was 6-6. They had to win out to win to Greg Ward with 32 seconds the division. The first three wins remaining. are now in the books. Now, the division is on the line ADAM HUNGER/AP The winning streak started against the Giants. The Eagles New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning leaves the field after defeating the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 15 when Wentz rallied the team will face Daniel Jones for the first in East Rutherford, N.J. Manning’s 16-year Giants’ career that has included two Super Bowl titles likely against the Giants, tossing a time. Eli Manning started when will come to an end Sunday, when New York tries to spoil Philadelphia’s bid to win the NFC East. touchdown pass to Zach Ertz to the teams met this month. tie it with 1:56 left and another “He’s a rookie quarterback but one to Ertz in OT to win it. he can make plays so we’ll treat “We started playing together, him like an experienced quar- executing better in the second terback,” defensive end Brandon half and found a rhythm and we Graham said. “We can’t afford a One last hurrah? feel good and have confidence setback or the season would be going into this game,” Wentz said. over so we have our mind on that “We have to win this one just like and everybody is showing that by the last few weeks. Everyone the way we’re practicing. They’re knows that. We’ve had a couple trying to kill our season.” It’s likely Manning’s final game with Giants emotional wins. As leaders and It’s a familiar feeling for Philly. coaches, we’ve done a good job The Eagles need to do it again to BY TOM CANAVAN a toll on his tenure and his prospects for selection to making sure guys are still bought advance into January. Associated Press the Pro Football Hall of Fame. into the here and now and not Notes: Ertz (ribs, back) and That’s just the stuff on the surface. To his team- dwelling on the past or looking WR Nelson Agholor (knee) were EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. mates, friends and coaches, Manning will always ahead. We have our work cut out ruled out for Sunday. RT Lane he man who has been the face of the New be the player’s player, a classy, giving guy, a fam- for us. If we win, we’re in so we Johnson (ankle) and CB Jalen York Giants since 2004 is probably going ily man and a football intellect who wanted nothing know what’s at stake.” Mills (ankle) are questionable. to make his final appearance for them this more than to help his teammates win games. Wentz led the Eagles to another RB Jordan Howard is set to re- Tweekend. What’s little known is Manning the prankster, the comeback victory at Washington turn after missing six games with Eli Manning’s 16-year career with New York, in quiet imp who found a way to get his teammates to two weeks ago, tossing a TD pass a stinger. which he helped restore the Giants as a title force in laugh. the NFL and led them to two Super Bowl victories, The pranks are legendary. The No. 1 overall draft likely will come to an end Sunday. The Giants will pick in 2004 — by San Diego before a quick trade to try to spoil the Philadelphia Eagles’ bid to win the the Giants — would borrow a teammate’s cell phone NFC East. and change the language. He would put dye in the If it is the end, Manning will leave with almost socks of his offensive linemen that would turn their every Giants passing record; two NFL champion- toes blue for weeks. ships; two Super Bowl MVPs; a streak of 210 con- Former center Shaun O’Hara made the mistake secutive starts between 2004-17; a Walter Payton of getting into a disagreement with his quarterback NFL Man of the Year Award; and the respect of his and found his car coated with petroleum jelly and teammates. baby powder. Try to get that off. No doubt the last eight years have been tough. New Make no mistake, Manning isn’t going out the way York has made the playoffs once since winning the he would like. First-round pick Daniel Jones will be championship for the 2011 season, and that’s taken the starting quarterback Sunday in a game that may decide the division title. Manning will be standing on the sideline watch- ing, like he has most of the season. He lost his start- ing role after the second game, although he did write a heart-warming final chapter at home in leading the Giants to a 36-20 win over the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago. Though disappointed, Manning never hesitated to help Jones, the No. 6 overall choice in the draft. “To have a guy like that to work with every day and to learn football, learn how the NFL works, has been... I’ve been fortunate to be in that position,” Jones said. “He’s a fun guy to hang out with, he’s a fun guy to come to work with; you learn a lot just hanging around him. I’ve been lucky to be around him.” Veteran receiver Golden Tate III has been amazed by how Manning went out of his way to help the 22- year-old who took away his job. “With everything that has gone on with him and D.J. he stayed consistent to who he is, still the witty, funny guy, jokester,” Tate said. “He has remained upbeat and we all noticed that and appreciated it. I CHARLIE RIEDEL/AP CHRIS SZAGOLA/AP can’t say I would’ve handled the situation the way he Manning, shown with former coach Tom Coughlin, did, with the New York media and being that guy for The Eagles’ Vinny Curry, bottom, pulls down Dallas Cowboys led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories. so long until all of a sudden it’s not.” quarterback Dak Prescott last week in Philadelphia. Sunday, December 29, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES•PAGE 23 NFL WEEK 17 TELEVISED GAMES MARQUEE MATCHUP San Francisco 49ers (12-3)

Chicago Bears (7-8) at Seattle Seahawks (11-4) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Minnesota Vikings (10-5) AFN-Sports, 2:20 a.m. Monday Central European Time at Baltimore Ravens (13-2) AFN-Sports2 AFN-Sports 7 p.m. Sunday CET 10:25 p.m. Sunday CET SERIES RECORD: Seahawks lead 25-16. passing yards to become third franchise quarterback Series: Vikings lead 60-54-2. LAST MEETING: Seahawks beat 49ers 21-16 in with 4,000 passing yards in a single season. ... Tight Series: Steelers lead 28-23. Last meeting: Bears beat Vikings 16-6, overtime, Nov. 11, 2019. end George Kittle had five catches for 79 yards and a Last meeting: Ravens beat Steelers 26- Sept. 29, 2019. 23, OT, Oct. 6, 2019. 49ERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (6), RUSH (2), PASS TD last week in 34-31 victory over Rams. ... Defensive Notes: Bears have won past three meet- Notes: Ravens have clinched No. 1 seed ings, and head coach Matt Nagy is 3-0 (14). lineman Nick Bosa leads rookies with 16 tackles for in AFC, will rest several starters, including against the Vikings. ... Vikings are plus-13 49ERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (2), RUSH (17), PASS loss and ranks second with three sacks. ... Linebacker QB Lamar Jackson, RB Mark Ingram, G in takeaways-giveaways category. Bears (1) Fred Warner had 11 tackles and returned an intercep- Marshal Yanda and DT Brandon Williams. are minus-2. Minnesota has already SEAHAWKS OFFENSE: OVERALL (7), RUSH (3), tion 46 yards for a TD in Week 16. ... Seahawks are ... Baltimore has won 11 straight, longest clinched a playoff berth. ... Bears quarter- run in franchise history. ... Steelers have back Mitchell Trubisky has won his past PASS (11). plus-12 in takeaways/giveaways categeory this season. dropped two in row following 7-1 stretch three starts against the Vikings. ... Rookie SEAHAWKS DEFENSE: OVERALL (26), RUSH ... Rookie running back Travis Homer had that vaulted them into playoff position. running back David Montgomery had 57 (24), PASS (27). a career-high six catches last week in They can still reach postseason but need rushing yards last week in 26-3 loss to the STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES: This one 27-13 loss to Cardinals. ... Line- help. Easiest combination is win over Chiefs. ... Wide receiver Allen Robinson Ravens coupled with Tennessee loss to led team with six catches and 53 receiving decides the NFC West title. Both teams have backer Bobby Wagner had 13 Houston. Pittsburgh trying to become 15th yards in Week 16. ... Vikings wide receiver already made the playoffs, but playoff seed- tackles and a sack last week. team since 1970 to make playoffs after Stefon Diggs had seven catches for 108 ings and byes are still undetermined. ... Se- ... Defensive end Jadeveon 1-4 start. ... Steelers have won 11 straight yards in Week 4 meeting. ... Tight end Kyle ahawks have won 10 of past 11 meetings. Clowney had a sack, a forced regular-season finales. Their last Week 17 Rudolph is tied for second among NFC loss came in 2007 vs. Ravens. ... Ravens tight ends with six TD catches this season. ... Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is 14-6 fumble and a 10-yard fum- lead NFL in points per game (33.5), yards ... Defensive end Danielle Hunter is the against 49ers while 49ers coach Kyle Sha- ble return for a touchdown rushing (204.9 average) and No. 2 in only player with 14 or more sacks in each nahan is just 1-4 against Seahawks. ... 49ers in last meeting. yards per game (414.5). ... Ravens can set of the past two seasons. quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo needs 307 franchise mark for regular-season wins.

Tennessee Titans (8-7) Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) at Houston Texans (10-5) at New York Giants (4-11) AFN-Atlantic AFN-Sports2 10:25 p.m. Sunday CET 10:25 p.m. Sunday CET Series: Titans lead 18-17. Series: Eagles lead 86-85-2. Last meeting: Texans beat Titans 24-21, Last meeting: Eagles beat Giants 23-17, Dec. 15, 2019. OT, Dec. 9, 2019. Notes: Titans trying to earn second playoff Notes: Eagles won three straight and berth in three seasons and first in coach can clinch NFC East with win. ... They Mike Vrabel’s second year. ... Titans have have beaten Giants six straight and 10 of one playoff berth since 2008 season. 11 meetings. ... QB Carson Wentz has ... Third straight season Titans have thrown TD in 18 consecutive regular-sea- had chance at playoff berth by winning son games, longest active NFL streak. ... regular-season finale. They beat Jaguars San Francisco 49ers Rookie RB Miles Sanders has 150-plus in 2017 but lost to Indianapolis in 2018. wide receiver yards from scrimmage and TD in last ... Victory would ensure fourth straight Deebo Samuel two. ... Banged-up TE Zach Ertz has five winning season for Titans, longest streak straight games of six-plus catches and TD since 1987-1993 when franchise was in TONY AVELAR/AP against Giants. ... TE Dallas Goedert had Houston. ... A victory would give Texans career-high nine catches and TD against consecutive 11-win seasons for first time in Cowboys. ... DT Fletcher Cox has 6 ½ franchise history. ... Texans are AFC South sacks and two forced fumbles in last five champions for fourth time in five seasons. NFC East road games. ... Defense limited ... QB Deshaun Watson has 12 touch- Giants to 29 yards in second half earlier Game capsules compiled downs and four interceptions in four career from NFLcommunications.com this month. ... After tying franchise record games against Titans. and the Associated Press with nine straight losses, New York has won two in a row. ....Offense had 552 EXPANDED STANDINGS yards last weekend, franchise road best. ALSO ON AFN American Conference National Conference East East New York Jets (6-9) at Buffalo Bills (10-5), W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div y-New England 12 3 0 .800 396 198 6-1-0 6-2-0 8-3-0 4-0-0 5-0-0 Philadelphia 8 7 0 .533 351 337 5-3-0 3-4-0 2-2-0 6-5-0 4-1-0 AFN-Atlantic, 7 p.m. Sunday CET x-Buffalo 10 5 0 .667 308 246 4-3-0 6-2-0 7-4-0 3-1-0 3-2-0 Dallas 7 8 0 .467 387 305 4-3-0 3-5-0 1-3-0 6-5-0 4-1-0 Green Bay Packers (12-3) at Detroit Lions N.Y. Jets 6 9 0 .400 263 353 5-3-0 1-6-0 3-8-0 3-1-0 1-4-0 N.Y. Giants 4 11 0 .267 324 417 2-5-0 2-6-0 1-3-0 3-8-0 2-3-0 (3-11-1), AFN-Sports, 7 p.m. Sunday CET Miami 4 11 0 .267 279 470 3-5-0 1-6-0 3-8-0 1-3-0 1-4-0 Washington 3 12 0 .200 250 388 1-7-0 2-5-0 1-3-0 2-9-0 0-5-0 South South y-Houston 10 5 0 .667 364 350 5-2-0 5-3-0 8-3-0 2-2-0 4-1-0 y-New Orleans 12 3 0 .800 416 331 6-2-0 6-1-0 4-0-0 8-3-0 4-1-0 Check myafn.net for the Tennessee 8 7 0 .533 367 317 4-4-0 4-3-0 6-5-0 2-2-0 2-3-0 Tampa Bay 7 8 0 .467 436 421 2-5-0 5-3-0 2-2-0 5-6-0 2-3-0 Indianapolis 7 8 0 .467 341 335 5-3-0 2-5-0 5-6-0 2-2-0 3-2-0 Atlanta 6 9 0 .400 353 377 3-5-0 3-4-0 1-3-0 5-6-0 3-2-0 most up-to-date TV listings. Jacksonville 5 10 0 .333 262 377 2-5-0 3-5-0 5-6-0 0-4-0 1-4-0 Carolina 5 10 0 .333 330 428 2-5-0 3-5-0 3-1-0 2-9-0 1-4-0 North North y-Baltimore 13 2 0 .867 503 272 6-1-0 7-1-0 9-2-0 4-0-0 4-1-0 y-Green Bay 12 3 0 .800 353 293 7-1-0 5-2-0 3-1-0 9-2-0 5-0-0 REST OF THE SCHEDULE Pittsburgh 8 7 0 .533 279 275 5-3-0 3-4-0 6-5-0 2-2-0 3-2-0 x-Minnesota 10 5 0 .667 388 282 6-1-0 4-4-0 3-1-0 7-4-0 2-3-0 Cleveland 6 9 0 .400 312 360 4-4-0 2-5-0 6-5-0 0-4-0 3-2-0 Chicago 7 8 0 .467 259 279 4-4-0 3-4-0 1-3-0 6-5-0 3-2-0 Atlanta (6-9) at Tampa Bay (7-8) Cincinnati 1 14 0 .067 246 397 1-6-0 0-8-0 1-10-0 0-4-0 0-5-0 Detroit 3 11 1 .233 321 400 2-5-0 1-6-1 1-3-0 2-8-1 0-5-0 West West Miami (4-11) at New England (12-3) Cleveland (6-9) at Cincinnati (1-14) y-Kansas City 11 4 0 .733 420 287 4-3-0 7-1-0 8-3-0 3-1-0 5-0-0 x-San Francisco 12 3 0 .800 453 289 6-2-0 6-1-0 3-1-0 9-2-0 4-1-0 L.A. Chargers (5-10) at Kansas City (11-4) Oakland 7 8 0 .467 298 403 5-3-0 2-5-0 5-6-0 2-2-0 3-2-0 x-Seattle 11 4 0 .733 384 372 4-3-0 7-1-0 3-1-0 8-3-0 3-2-0 New Orleans (12-3) at Carolina (5-10) Denver 6 9 0 .400 266 301 4-3-0 2-6-0 5-6-0 1-3-0 2-3-0 L.A. Rams 8 7 0 .533 363 340 4-3-0 4-4-0 2-2-0 6-5-0 2-3-0 Oakland (7-8) at Denver (6-9) Washington (3-12) at Dallas (7-8) L.A. Chargers 5 10 0 .333 316 314 2-6-0 3-4-0 3-8-0 2-2-0 0-5-0 Arizona 5 9 1 .367 337 411 2-5-1 3-4-0 2-2-0 3-7-1 1-4-0 Indianapolis (7-8) at Jacksonville (5-10) x-clinched playoff spot; y-clinched division Arizona (5-9-1) at L.A. Rams (8-7) S TARS AND STRIPES Sunday, December 29, 2019 Grinding out a victory Falcons keep ball out of Cougars’ SPORTS hands in Cheez-It Bowl » Page 21

Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert, left, NFL celebrates a touchdown with Carson Wentz, center, and Boston Scott during the first half of last week’s 17-9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Philadelphia. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL PEREZ / AP Pressure

Eagles wide receiver Greg Ward Eagles best when feeling it BY ROB MAADDI could still win the division if they Associated Press ‘ We have lose to the Giants but would need to win this the Cowboys (7-8) to lose at home PHILADELPHIA to the Redskins (3-12). he Philadelphia Eagles have been at their one just “We poured a lot into that win best facing elimination. like the on Sunday, and that’s the thing They’ve won three in a row to improve last few that I think coming into the next to 8-7 and enter Sunday’s game at the week, is having that mental and New York Giants (4-11) needing another weeks. emotional letdown,” Pederson victoryT to secure the NFC East title. Everyone said. “This is a bigger game ob- But New York is no pushover. The Giants have knows viously than last week. I know scored 77 points in two straight wins. They also had our guys are going to be ready. a 17-3 halftime lead in Philadelphia on Dec. 9 before that. ’ They’ve prepared this week that Carson Wentz rallied the Eagles to a 23-17 overtime way. But for me as the coach, just victory. Carson Wentz Eagles QB keep reminding them the impor- “That’s a real thing,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson tance of this week and the impor- said Friday about fear of a letdown. “For me, it’s just tance of this game and staying focused and all that.” about communication and just bringing it to kind of The Eagles are 10-1 in must-win games over the the forefront of my messaging to the team.” past three seasons, including the playoffs. The Eagles moved into sole possession of first place In 2017, they cruised to the NFC’s No. 1 seed and won with a 17-9 win over Dallas that came down to an in- complete pass on fourth down in the end zone. They SEE BEST ON PAGE 22

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