POP CULTURE NFL PLAYOFFS AP Entertainer of the Year QB Watson’s winning goes to Lizzo Page 21 attitude inspires Texans The best breakouts, Back page movies, albums and Eagles relying on songs of the past decade patchwork offense Pages 20, 22-23, 36-37 Page 62

stripes.com

Volume 78, No. 185 ©SS 2020 FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020 $1.00 Former SEAL rebrands after being acquitted of war crimes

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS Stars and Stripes Eddie Gallagher, the former Navy SEAL acquitted this sum- mer of murdering an Iraqi cap- tive, is cashing in on his newfound notoriety with an apparel line. Gallagher in September 2018 faced 10 charges including pre- meditated and attempted murder based on accusations that he shot at Iraqi civilians and stabbed a captured teenaged Islamic State fighter to death a year earlier. He was ultimately convicted of one charge, posing with the teen- ager’s corpse in a photo he sent to friends. Gallagher was reduced in rank after his conviction, a de- cision President Donald Trump reversed. Now, the square-jawed, tattooed former chief petty officer poses in photos of a different kind: ad- vertisements for his new clothing line through the veteran-owned Nine Line Apparel online store. Gallagher briefly met Nine Line’s CEO Tyler Merritt during a deployment. When the news of Gallagher’s prosecution broke, Nine Line reached out to sup- WINTER port him and later “came up with the idea of a brand and to create a partnership,” Gallagher said in a statement on the Nine Line Firewood seller website. Baba Pahlawan, 70, The collaboration created Gal- of their discontent is pictured on Dec. 25 lagher’s Salty Frog Gear brand in Kabul, Afghanistan. under Nine Line. Pahlawan says most Afghans feel chill of endless peace talk, political paralysis customers can afford SEE SEAL ON PAGE 7 to buy only a few sticks of firewood at a time as Former BY PAMELA CONSTABLE up and there is no work,” said Baba Pahlawan, 70, the winter cold begins. Navy SEAL The Washington Post who sells firewood for about 8 cents a pound. Most Eddie customers, he said, can afford only a few sticks at PAMELA CONSTABLE The Washington Post Gallagher KABUL a time. When they run out, they buy a few pieces of models cross the Afghan capital, carpentry coal. When that runs out, “people stay under their items from shops are turning out crude pine tables. blankets and wait for the morning.” his new Soon, thousands of families will spend As another harsh winter approaches, worry is apparel icy winter evenings huddled around sharpening the seasonal chill in this bustling but line, Salty them, with a few hot coals underneath bedraggled city of 4 million surrounded by white- Frog Gear, and blankets spread over the top. In capped mountains. It is being felt not only in com- in this A many areas, electricity cuts and high munities like Pahlawan’s — and not only because screenshot firewood costs have made these tradi- of the worsening daily struggle to survive. from the tional “sandalis” the only source of heat. brand’s “The cold is getting worse, the prices are going SEE WINTER ON PAGE 6 web site. PAGE 2 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 BUSINESS/WEATHER EUROPE GAS PRICES EXCHANGE RATES

Country Super E10 Super unleaded Super plus Diesel Military rates Switzerland (Franc)...... 0.9713 Germany $2.834 $3.321 $3.472 $3.332 Azores -- -- $3.463 -- Euro costs (Jan. 3) ...... $1.1481 Thailand (Baht) ...... 30.13 Change in price +.039 cents +.025 cents +.018 cents +.028 cents Change in price -- -- +.018 cents -- Dollar buys (Jan. 3) ...... €0.871 Turkey (Lira) ...... 5.9564 British pound (Jan. 3) ...... $1.36 (Military exchange rates are those Netherlands -- $3.912 $4.124 $4.171 Belgium -- $2.878 $3.196 $3.217 Japanese yen (Jan. 3)...... 107.00 Change in price -- +.038 cents +.04 cents +.074 cents Change in price -- -72 cents +33.6 cents +8.7 cents available to customers at military banking South Korean won (Jan. 3)...... 1,128.00 facilities in the country of issuance Commercial rates U.K. -- $3.141 $3.382 $3.242 Turkey -- -- $3.273 $3.113* for Japan, South Korea, Germany, the Bahrain (Dinar) ...... 0.3770 Change in price -- +.025 cents +.018 cents +.028 cents Change in price -- -- +.018 cents +.028 cents Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For British pound ...... $1.3149 nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., Canada (Dollar) ...... 1.2997 purchasing British pounds in Germany), China (Yuan) ...... 6.9632 check with your local military banking Denmark (Krone) ...... 6.6872 facility. Commercial rates are interbank PACIFIC GAS PRICES Egypt (Pound) ...... 16.0434 Euro ...... $1.1174/0.8949 rates provided for reference when buying Country Unleaded Super unleaded Super plus Diesel Hong Kong (Dollar) ...... 7.7906 currency. All figures are foreign currencies Japan -- $3.259 -- $3.119 South Korea $2.659 -- $3.289 $3.149 to one dollar, except for the British pound, Change in price -- No change -- No change Change in price No change -- No change No change Hungary (Forint) ...... 294.90 Israel (Shekel) ...... 3.4546 which is represented in dollars-to-pound, Okinawa $2.629 -- -- $3.979 Guam $2.639** $3.029 $3.269 -- Japan (Yen) ...... 108.68 and the euro, which is dollars-to-euro.) Change in price No change -- -- No change Change in price No change No change No change -- Kuwait (Dinar) ...... 0.3031 INTEREST RATES Norway (Krone) ...... 8.8037 Philippines (Peso)...... 50.74 Prime rate ...... 4.75 Poland (Zloty) ...... 3.80 Discount rate ...... 2.25 * Diesel EFD ** Midgrade Saudi Arabia (Riyal) ...... 3.7509 Federal funds market rate ...... 1.55 For the week of Jan. 3 - 9 Singapore (Dollar) ...... 1.3472 3-month bill ...... 1.54 South Korea (Won) ...... 1,159.06 30-year bond ...... 2.39 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 31/28 Kabul 31/26 Seoul 37/27 Baghdad 63/48 Kandahar 55/42 Osan Tokyo Mildenhall/ Drawsko 38/28 46/33 Lakenheath Pomorskie Busan 50/42 41/29 44/32 Iwakuni 52/45 Kuwait Bahrain Zagan Sasebo City 72/68 Brussels 41/31 Guam 68/60 48/45 Ramstein 52/44 80/77 Lajes, 44/28 Riyadh Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 83/59 81/60 63/60 44/31 35/27 Aviano/ Vicenza 44/32

Naples 52/41 Okinawa Morón 69/64 55/43 Sigonella Rota 55/37 The weather is provided by the Djibouti Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 83/74 57/50 53/50 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

T O D A Y IN STRIPES

American Roundup ...... 47 Classified ...... 49 Comics/Crossword . 42, 50-51 Faces ...... 43 Opinion ...... 44-45 Sports ...... 54-64 Weekend ...... 19-42 Wired World...... 12 Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 3 MILITARY Army next to ban TikTok on military devices

BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY statement. on government mobile devices, “Security experts have voiced al security risks posed by China- Stars and Stripes The Army’s ban only applies to including phones and tablets, cit- concerns that China’s vague owned technology companies government phones, according to ing “cybersecurity threat assess- patchwork of intelligence, na- before choosing to utilize certain WASHINGTON — The Army Lt. Col. Crystal Boring, an Army ments,” Cmdr. David Benham, a tional security, and cybersecurity platforms,” he wrote. has banned the use of TikTok, spokeswoman. spokesman for U.S. Fleet Cyber laws compel Chinese companies In response to congressio- a popular video app, on govern- The DOD guidance recom- Command and U.S. 10th Fleet, to support and cooperate with in- nal concerns, TikTok released ment phones, following a similar mends that TikTok be uninstalled said in a statement. telligence work controlled by the ban by the Navy amid growing so that personal information is not In the past several months, Chinese Communist Party,” the a statement Oct. 24 that its U.S. concerns about its potential secu- exposed to “unwanted actors,” Lt. Congress has raised concerns letter stated. user data is stored in the U.S. rity risks to users. Col. Uriah Orland, a Pentagon about the app’s potential risk to In November, Schumer also with a backup in Singapore, and The app, which allows users to spokesman, said in a statement. national security. sent a letter to Army Secretary it denied that its data is subject to share short videos, is owned by “The Department of Defense In a letter dated Oct. 24 to act- Ryan McCarthy about his con- Chinese law. ByteDance, a Chinese company. generally does not provide pol- ing Director of National Intel- cern regarding the use of TikTok Officials for the Marine Corps The Army is following guidance icy on individual social media ligence Joseph Maguire, Sens. and other content platforms by and the Air Force did not re- from a Defense Department cy- platforms, but routinely issues Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Tom Chinese companies to target and spond Tuesday to questions about bersecurity awareness message guidance to proactively address Cotton, R-Ark., requested that the reach young Army recruits. whether the services also are issued Dec. 16 that “identifies existing and emerging threats,” intelligence community conduct “While I recognize that the TikTok as having potential se- he said. an assessment on the risks posed Army must adapt its recruiting taking actions to stop the use of curity risks associated with its Two weeks ago, the Naval Net- by TikTok and other China-based techniques in order to attract TikTok. use,” Lt. Col. Robin Ochoa, an work Warfare Command direct- social media platforms that are young Americans to serve, I urge [email protected] Army spokeswoman, said in a ed sailors not to download TikTok used in the U.S. you to assess the potential nation- Twitter: @caitlinmkenney Navy vet takes a run at preventing suicide for those who served BY JOHN VANDIVER Stars and Stripes STUTTGART, Germany — Navy veteran Dustin Johnson was in despair. He was already struggling with his transition into civilian life, and a fire burned his Missouri home to the ground in January 2019. It was the final straw for Johnson, who said he attempted suicide in the aftermath of the blaze. “I lost everything that I owned, and that was like my rock bot- tom,” Johnson said. A year later on New Year’s Dustin Johnson is in the middle morning, the 25-year-old began of a quest to run more than PHOTOS BY JOHN VANDIVER/Stars and Stripes an attempt at setting a record for 16,000 miles, in an effort to the longest nonstop journey on raise awareness about veteran Navy veteran Dustin Johnson warms up at Killesberg Park in Stuttgart, Germany, where on Wednesday foot — a 420-mile sleepless trek suicide. he began a 420-mile run to Berlin. He wants to complete the journey without sleep or stopping for rest . from Stuttgart to Berlin that will take about six days to finish. The suicide awareness. having a hard time. will monitor Johnson’s steps. now I am 100% focused on help- endurance test is just one part of The suicide rate among vet- “I put a lot pressure on myself. The plan is to start off with a ing others.” a broader effort by Johnson to erans is about 1.5 times the rate People can see me doing this. If I 12-hour run and then transition There have been challenges raise awareness about prevent- of those who never served in the was looking at somebody when I to a walk. If he has the energy, along the way. He was sidelined ing veteran suicides by running military, according to Depart- was going through my hard time, he’ll alternate as he heads toward briefly after getting hit by a truck extraordinary distances. ment of Veterans Affairs data. and saw them give up, it would Berlin. Along the way, he hopes to in Chile. He was awakened in the Since April, Johnson also has “It was pretty inspirational make me feel even worse,” John- connect with a childhood friend been on a quest to become the in terms of someone who hit his son said. “If I quit, then they may based at the U.S. Army’s garri- night by three jaguars in Argen- first American to circumnavigate low and found a way to turn his quit.” son at Grafenwoehr who can keep tina and was lunged at by a 7-foot the globe on foot. So far, he’s run life around in a year. And then While the runs so far have been him company on foot for a short snake along a trail. more than 6,000 miles. When he to put all that toward bringing a battle against the elements and leg of the trip. The hardest part physically is finished, the trip will add up awareness to suicide, particu- endurance, the trip from Stutt- “I’ll be on my feet. I can’t stop was pushing his supply cart to 16,400 miles across four conti- larly veteran suicide, it is pretty gart to Berlin will be a different moving,” Johnson said. through the Andes in subzero nents. He estimates that his run, incredible,” said Stuttgart gar- kind of test. It’s staying awake The drive to run around the temperatures. It took seven days which will end in his home state rison commander Col. Jason that has him worried. world traces back to a childhood of up-and-down climbing to get of Missouri, will be completed by W. Condrey, who was part of a “The sleep deprivation is no dream when Johnson first heard through a section of the mountain late November. group of Americans gathered at joke,” he said. stories about a small group of range, Johnson said. He averages about 30 miles of Stuttgart’s Killesberg Park on The record for the longest non- runners who completed the world running per day and has already Wednesday morning to see John- stop journey on foot recorded in run. After his suicide attempt “Pushing a cart full of water completed a stretch across part of son off to Berlin. Guinness World Records belongs last year, a doctor suggested he and food that long in that environ- the U.S. and South America and is Many military members have to Georges Holtyzer, of Belgium, put his talent for running to use, ment was miserable,” he said. now crossing Europe. After that, connected with Johnson dur- who walked 418 miles in six days Johnson said. That’s when the The toughest on the mind was he will run across New Zealand ing his journey — the Facebook in 1986. Guinness no longer mon- idea of attempting the world run probably the lonesome runs and Australia before finishing in page Dustin Johnson’s World Re- itors this particular record, but came together in his mind. through Peru, where there was no the western part of the U.S. cord Run posts regular updates Johnson is gunning for it nonethe- In the beginning, the world run human contact for days on end. At In Germany, Johnson, a former on his journey. Johnson said he less and will submit his attempt to wasn’t just about raising aware- one point, Johnson said, he went Navy plane captain responsible often hears directly from veter- the World Runners Association. ness. It also was to be a means for 11 days without seeing a person. for making sure aircraft were ans who share stories about their Other than a two-minute bath- finding himself, something John- “That’s the hardest part. Going fit for flight, has been joined for struggles. room break every four hours, the son said finally happened after parts of his run by members of Johnson said that during his rules of the test require that a pushing to the top of a 16,000-foot those stretches without talking to the military community. In Kai- own physical struggles on the person’s feet can never stop mov- mountain in the Andes. people,” he said. serslautern and Stuttgart, he’s road, what keeps him going is the ing, Johnson said. An assortment “That was the moment where I [email protected] also met with troops to talk about idea of other veterans who are of data-collecting GPS devices say I found myself,” he said. “So Twitter: @john_vandiver PAGE 4 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 MILITARY Firm settles lawsuit over construction

BY ROSE L. THAYER and metal rebar. Stars and Stripes The Army also claimed in the suit that LaForge submitted three A construction company has agreed to pay $3 million to settle requests for progress payments a lawsuit, accusing it of submit- during construction on the dam’s ting false claims to the Army for embankment that falsely report- work completed to a dam at Fort ed the work was being done based Sill, Okla., according to the De- on their agreement. partment of Justice. In reaching a settlement, La- The federal government filed Forge, based in Parsons, Kan., a civil lawsuit in April against did not admit liability, and the LaForge & Budd Construction government did not make any Co., for work conducted in 2010 to raise the elevation of a dam concessions about the legitimacy on Lake George, on Fort Sill’s of the Army claims, according to east range, according to court the announcement of the settle- documents. ment made by Timothy J. Down- The company’s contract speci- ing, U.S. attorney for the Western fied it fill the embankment with District of Oklahoma. composite soils common in The agreement allows the par- engineering. However, the Army claimed ties to avoid litigating the case, he LaForge used “unsatisfactory” said. [email protected] DEREK MUSTARD/U.S. Army materials, including trash, back- fills from previous construction Twitter: @Rose_Lori Mass casualty practice

An Army medic draws blood from a volunteer during a mass casualty drill at al-Asad Air Base, Iraq, on Tuesday. The base was attacked by rockets last month. Navy chief pleads guilty to child sexual abuse

BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY 20, 2004, and he arrived at U.S. Offutt bans most personal Stars and Stripes Pacific Fleet on Oct. 3, 2016, ac- cording to his military record WASHINGTON — A Navy chief petty officer has been con- provided by the Navy. firearms in wake of attacks fined to the Pearl Harbor brig [email protected] after pleading guilty to charges of Tweiier: @caitlinmkenney BY COREY DICKSTEIN ly. The first shooting was com- The policy does allow for cer- child sexual abuse and possess- Stars and Stripes mitted by a sailor on guard duty tain exemptions. Individuals who ing child pornography, according to a Navy spokeswoman. in Hawaii who killed two civilian work in military or civilian law WASHINGTON — Most pri- Matthew Lee Richardson, a contractors before fatally shoot- enforcement with a federal Law vately owned firearms will no ing himself with his M9 service cryptologic technician (collec- Enforcement Officers Safety Act tion) at U.S. Pacific Fleet, pleaded longer be allowed on Offutt Air pistol. The second shooting was permit will be allowed to carry a guilty at a Dec. 10 court-martial Force Base beginning Thursday. committed by a member of the The change to the Nebraska personal firearm on post. to two counts of sexual abuse of a Saudi Arabian Air Force who was The policy announcement on child and one count for possessing installation’s gun policy was an- training to fly jets at Pensacola. Facebook was met largely with child pornography, according to nounced after a review conducted The shooting in Florida left three criticism from commenters on Lydia Robertson, a spokeswoman by the 55th Wing commander. It dead before police killed the at- prohibits almost all personal fire- Offutt’s official page. Some com- for Navy Region Hawaii. tacker. It is being investigated by A redacted charge sheet from arms from base, ending a regula- the FBI as a potential terrorist menters questioned whether tion that allowed individuals with Navy Region Hawaii states that act and has spawned a Defense the new policy would make the Defense Department identifica- between October 2018 and March Department review on its vetting base less safe if it was targeted tion and concealed carry permits 2019 in Oahu, Richardson en- process for foreign troops train- by a shooter. Others said they issued by Nebraska or certain couraged a child younger than 16 ing in the United States. felt they would be less safe driv- other states to access the post years old “to take her underwear In the wake of those shootings, ing between their off-post homes with guns that were locked in off and walk around the room.” and the base without a personal The charge sheet also states that their vehicles. some in the military have called firearm. in March he intentionally touched The base announced the deci- for expanded rights of troops “This is craziness. Are you the genitalia and buttocks of a sion by 55th Wing commander to carry personal firearms on child younger than 16 years old Air Force Col. Gavin Marks on bases. Troops are largely barred going to pat down and car search across U.S. installations from every person who comes on base?” “with an intent to gratify his sex- Monday in a Facebook post. ual desire.” “The commander’s intent for carrying guns outside of weap- one commenter asked. “[Because] ons issued for official duties, such the wrong person can bring a gun His possession of child pornog- this change is that firearms will raphy charge was from April 27, be effectively controlled and as law enforcement or guard re- anyway and now [only] a smaller sponsibilities. But the Pentagon 2018, according to the document. safely handled on Offutt AFB portion of the good guys can de- Richardson was sentenced to and is reflective of the full confi- in 2016 granted base command- fend themselves. Thanks a lot!” ers throughout the military great eight years of confinement, a re- dence in the 55th Security Forces He added Marks was aware of duction in rank to E-1, and a dis- leeway in deciding what troops Squadron’s ability to defend the the negative responses on Face- honorable discharge by military could be armed on U.S. posts installation and its personnel,” book and appreciative of the judge, Capt. Ann Minami, Rob- the Facebook post read. following a review of policies feedback. ertson said. launched after the 2015 shootings Marks implemented the review Marks “understood from the As part of a pre-trial agree- in Chattanooga, Tenn., at a Navy of firearms policies on the post beginning this change could be ment, Richardson’s confinement Reserve center and a Marine re- after taking command in June. viewed negatively and may in- was reduced to five years. Where The change comes less than cruiting office that left four Ma- convenience some,” Hansen said. Richardson will serve the bulk of one month after a pair of deadly rines and a sailor dead. his confinement has not been de- “However, he strongly believes in shootings on U.S. military bases Offutt officials said the base’s termined, Robertson said. in the United States. The shoot- new policy was the product of the policy change and feels it is Upon his release, Richardson ings occurred Dec. 4 and Dec. 6 a review of the installations de- in the best interest of Offutt Air will be required to register as a at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard fense and anti-terrorism plans Force Base.” sex offender. in Hawaii and Naval Air Station that Marks was required to con- [email protected] Richardson, a native of Virgin- Pensacola in Florida, respective- duct after taking command. Twitter: @CDicksteinDC ia, enlisted in the Navy on April Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 5 MILITARY Bolton: US should resume all exercises with S. Korea

BY KIM GAMEL the state.” promise to work toward the Stars and Stripes DPRK is the acronym for “complete denuclearization of the the North’s official name, the Korean Peninsula” in Singapore. SEOUL, South Korea — The Democratic People’s Republic of But negotiations have stalled United States should resume Korea. over the details, with the North full-scale military exercises with “How to respond to Kim Jong demanding the lifting of inter- South Korea in response to the Un’s threatening New Year’s national sanctions aimed at pun- North’s threat to unveil a “new remarks? The U.S. should fully ishing it for its nuclear weapons strategic weapon,” former nation- resume all canceled or down- program. al security adviser John Bolton sized military exercises in South “Look, he likes me; I like him. EVAN VUCCI/AP said in a tweet recently. Korea,” Bolton said Wednes- We get along,” Trump said as he Bolton, a hard-liner who left Former national security adviser John Bolton said in a tweet day in a tweet. “Hold Congres- walked into a New Year’s party Wednesday that the U.S. should resume full-scale military exercises President Donald Trump’s ad- sional hearings on whether US at his Florida resort Mar-a-Lago. ministration last year due to with South Korea in response to the North’s threat to unveil a new troops are truly ready to ‘fight “But he did sign a contract; he did strategic weapon. policy clashes over North Korea tonight.’ ” sign an agreement talking about and other issues, also raised con- Trump announced he was denuclearization,” he added. “I Bob Carlin, a North Korea ex- has continued to develop nuclear cern that the suspension of major “stopping the war games” after think he’s a man of his word so pert with the Washington, D.C.- technology and weapons that joint drills may have affected the his first summit with Kim in we’re going to find out.” based Stimson Center, said an could target U.S. bases in South readiness of American troops sta- June 2018 in Singapore. Seoul Kim didn’t elaborate on the ICBM launch was unlikely in the Korea and Japan. tioned on the divided peninsula. and Washington canceled key strategic weapon that may be short term since it would risk pro- The head of South Korea’s Expressing frustration over exercises held twice a year and unveiled, but his dismissal of the voking a military response from parliamentary intelligence com- stalled nuclear talks with the reduced the scope of other joint moratorium came amid fears that the United States. mittee, Rep. Lee Hye-hoon, said U.S., North Korean leader Kim drills. the North would test-fire an inter- “The North Koreans aren’t North Korea could already be Jong Un said recently his country The decision was a concession continental ballistic missile as it stupid, and they know that there considered a “de-facto nuclear is no longer bound by a self-im- to the North, which has long de- did several times in 2017 before are implications to doing that, weapons state.” posed moratorium on long-range manded the cancellation of the diplomatic efforts began in early but they do have an alternative “Given previous ICBM tests, it’s missile and nuclear tests. drills because it considers them 2018. and that is starting to deploy new believed North Korea has already He also warned of an unspeci- a rehearsal for an invasion. The U.N. Secretary-General Anto- acquired the technology to tar- fied “shocking” action and said allies insist the training was de- strategic weapons, to send them nio Guterres said he was “deeply get the mainland United States. the North would unveil a “new fensive in nature. into the field for everyone to see,” concerned” by North Korea’s What matters is accuracy,” Lee strategic weapon … in the near Trump also has complained he said Wednesday in a confer- message. said in an interview published future.” about the cost of the drills, which ence call with reporters. “The secretary-general very Wednesday in The Korea Times The comments were made dur- have in the past involved the de- The North launched short- much hopes that the tests will not newspaper. ing a four-day meeting of the rul- ployment of thousands of addi- range missiles and other solid- resume, in line with relevant Se- “It’s questionable whether the ing Workers’ Party and reported tional troops, warships and other fuel weapons last year but stopped curity Council resolutions,” the North has developed the technol- by the state-run Korean Central strategic assets to South Korea. short of firing an ICBM, which ogy for its ICBMs to carry small News Agency on New Year’s Day. Gen. Robert Abrams, who United Nations said Wednesday, Trump has suggested would be a nuclear warheads,” she added. Notably, Kim broke with tradition commands U.S. Forces Korea, referring to sanctions resolutions red line. and didn’t make a televised ad- and other officials have insisted banning the North from using However, observers have point- [email protected] dress on Wednesday. that the military has adjusted ballistic missile technology. ed out that the communist state Twitter: @kimgamel He also left open the door for and continues training at all lev- continued diplomacy, saying that els to remain prepared for battle “if the U.S. persists in its hostile while facilitating the diplomatic policy toward the DPRK, there efforts. will never be the denucleariza- Trump, meanwhile, offered a tion of the Korean Peninsula and lukewarm response to Kim’s re- the DPRK will steadily develop cent statements, urging the North necessary and prerequisite stra- Korean leader to denuclearize. tegic weapons for the security of The two leaders made a vague Navy’s 2nd Fleet command is now fully operational

Stars and Stripes Achieving full operational ca- pability means that 2nd Fleet can The Navy’s 2nd Fleet, reestab- sustain command and control lished to counter Russia in the over its assigned forces. They north Atlantic, has reached “full work with the forces and ships operational capability,” the Navy belonging to other fleets as they said. maneuver through 2nd Fleet’s The Norfolk, Va.-based unit, area of responsibility. which operated from 1950 until The fleet’s main focus is on 2011, was reestablished in 2018. forward operations and “the em- Second Fleet is now responsible ployment of combat ready naval for overseeing ships, aircraft and forces in the Atlantic and Arctic,” landing forces on the East Coast the Navy said. and the north Atlantic, reaching In a sign of how the High North up into the Arctic. has grown in strategic signifi- “Combined with the opening cance, 2nd Fleet in September of waterways in the Arctic, this established a Maritime Opera- competitive space will only grow, tions Center in Keflavik, Iceland, and 2nd Fleet’s devotion to the de- where 30 staff members now are velopment and employment of ca- based. pable forces will ensure that our As ice melts in the Arctic, there nation is both present and ready is the potential for new shipping to fight in the region if and when lanes in the region and greater called upon,” Vice Adm. Andrew competition for resources be- Lewis, 2nd Fleet commander, tween allies and Russia. said in a statement Tuesday. [email protected] PAGE 6 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WAR ON TERRORISM Winter: Peace talks, presidential selection stall as cold descends

FROM FRONT PAGE third in the race. He predicted Two larger, intertwined strug- that with up to 300,000 ballots gles to determine the country’s being challenged and a 12,000- future have dominated the na- vote margin announced between tional conversation for months: Ghani and his top contender, on-and-off peace talks with Tal- Abdullah Abdullah, a runoff is iban insurgents and a conten- likely. tious process to choose a new Others also warned that further president. Now, both efforts have delays could lead to political tur- slowed to a near-halt, and ana- moil. The insurgents have refused lysts say it could be spring before to recognize Ghani’s government, either bears fruit. and Nabil said a broad array of Negotiations between Taliban Afghans need to “sit down and and U.S. officials, which had ad- discuss the way forward. Either a vanced in fits and starts, were fraudulent government or a par- canceled by President Donald allel one would be dangerous for Trump in September. This month democracy.” the talks were revived, and vari- Ghani and his aides have put ous truce proposals are under an aggressive, upbeat face on the discussion. But the insurgents situation. The president promised seem in no hurry to make a deal, one gathering of supporters this while the White House appears week that he and his “state-build- likely to withdraw thousands of ing team” will consolidate a “true troops even as Taliban violence Islamic republic” — meaning a continues. Muslim democracy. Taliban lead- On Dec. 23, Army Sgt. Mi- ers seek to install a theocratic chael J. Goble, 33, of Washington emirate. Township, N.J., was killed during While U.S. and U.N. officials combat operations in northern have cautioned that the election Kunduz province, becoming the will not be over until all com- LORENZO TUGNOLI/Washington Post 20th American service member plaints have been investigated, Afghans shop at a market in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Dec. 8. Many Kabul residents say they are to die violently in Afghanistan in Indian Prime Minister Narendra disillusioned with the country’s current leaders. 2019. Taliban spokesmen claimed Modi, who shares Afghans’ wide- responsibility for his death in a spread antipathy toward their massive foreign aid, Afghanistan Abdul Rashid, 53, was once a subsided again. Even if a pro- roadside bombing. common neighbor, Pakistan, has remains one of the world’s poor- teacher, but he now sells fruit. He posed brief truce can be reached, Meanwhile, the troubled Af- already called to congratulate est countries. A recent survey said two of his sons had to leave analysts said, the likelihood of ghan governing transition has be- Ghani. by the Asia Foundation said that school to work washing cars, further U.S. troop cuts has left come bogged down in complaints For many Afghans, both the a quarter of Afghan households while he returns home exhaust- the insurgents feeling more pow- of fraud, leaving the country rud- election contretemps and the earn less than $64 a month. ed each night after 15-hour days erful, while the election dispute derless and tense. On Dec. 22, disappointing trajectory of the “There is no security, and there pushing a heavy cart. lessens the chance of creating a election officials released prelim- U.S.-Taliban talks exemplify are no jobs, because all the rich “I am very worried about the fu- unified, credible Afghan team to inary results showing that Presi- the distance between high-level people have fled,” said Maw- ture,” Rashid said. “If we did not negotiate the country’s political dent Ashraf Ghani narrowly won power struggles and everyday ladaad Wasi, 32, who carts wood see improvement for a majority of future. reelection in the Sept. 28 poll, concerns. and coal all day but does not earn people during the past 18 years, “The momentum has been with just over 50 percent of the “Peace and elections are the enough to keep his home warm. when there was a flood of foreign lost,” Moradian said. “Things are vote, but his opponents immedi- preoccupations of the elite, while He denounced politicians as cor- aid and troops, how can we be stuck, enthusiasm for the peace ately challenged the results. human circumstances are in rupt and said funds spent on the hopeful for a future that brings effort has dwindled, and the Tal- It will now probably take many crisis,” said Davood Moradian, elections “should have been do- peace and good governance?” iban look like they are aiming for weeks for an election panel to executive director of the Afghan nated to poor people.” Last year, the Asia Foundation victory.” The United States, he review thousands of fraud alle- Institute for Strategic Studies. Several others with profession- survey found that Afghans’ opti- said “used to own the peace pro- gations, including charges that “Facebook has created a virtual al backgrounds seemed equally mism had increased slightly, with cess. But no one in Kabul does.” numerous votes were cast before world for Afghan politics, but it despairing. Some said they had 36 percent of respondents say- Sitting next to a pyramid of or after election day. If enough is not the world in which most Af- lost good jobs after the drastic ing the country was “going in the firewood, Pahlawan put the prob- votes are invalidated, a runoff ghans live.” cutback in U.S. troops in 2014; right direction,” up from about lem another way. will be required in the spring. In interviews this week, a vari- others blamed the conflict for 32 percent in 2018. But much of “What we need are more fac- “We are at a deadlock of war ety of Kabul residents, especially blocking investment or said the that increase, it said, was based tories, so people can go to work and peace and politics,” said Rah- those living in poverty, said they Ghani government had failed to on hopes for a breakthrough in and stop being beggars,” he said. matullah Nabil, a former national were disillusioned with the na- create jobs while pursuing gran- peace talks. “Instead it looks like we are just intelligence director who placed tional leadership. After years of diose projects. Since September, that hope has going to have more war.” Afghans glimpse peace despite conflicting reports

BY PAMELA CONSTABLE have adamantly denied the re- tor, Zalmai Khalilzad, usually a is guaranteed and assured.” shows they are difficult to trust,” The Washington Post ports of a nationwide truce deal. fount of upbeat tweets, has fallen The momentum has also been said Haroun Mir, an analyst in But they have held open the silent since returning to Washing- slowed by the likelihood that Kabul who helped found Afghan- KABUL, Afghanistan — In possibility of accepting a nar- ton this week after meeting with Trump may soon reduce the istan’s Center for Research and the past week, rumors of a pos- rower, more vaguely defined pe- Taliban and Pakistani officials. 13,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan Policy Studies. If the insurgents sible truce have flooded the news, riod of lessened conflict, with the Afghan officials said they have to about 8,600. Previously, U.S. agree to a brief truce during a striking a rare spark of hope time frame and territory still in received no word from either side. officials insisted that the insur- cold winter, when fighting al- among Afghanistan’s war-weary dispute. The Taliban have refused to rec- gents had to sign a peace agree- ways slows, he said, “it will mean citizenry. “The Islamic Emirate has no ognize President Ashraf Ghani’s ment before any major troop cuts nothing.” International media outlets intention of declaring a cease- government, but he appears to would take place. On Tuesday, comments from have reported that a cease-fire is imminent, citing unnamed sourc- fire,” Zabihullah Mujahid, the have narrowly won re-election in Other points of contention in- Taliban and Afghan officials sug- es after Taliban leaders held sev- main Taliban spokesman, said a September poll and has asserted clude whether the fighting pause gested that mistrust and intran- eral meetings in Pakistan. in a statement, using the group’s that the final results will confirm would last one week or longer, sigence remain high on all sides. The prospect of a truce, seen as name for a religious government. that, giving him a mandate to lead whether it would be confined to One Taliban military command- the first step toward a U.S.-Tal- “The United States has asked for the peace effort. certain cities or include rural er insisted that as long as U.S. iban peace deal that would soon a reduction in the scale and inten- “We have not heard any- areas, and whether it would be troops remain in Afghanistan, be followed by negotiations be- sity of violence, and discussions thing that raises our hopes for a called a formal truce or a more there can be no truce. A mem- tween Taliban and Afghan lead- being held by the Islamic Emir- truce,” said Javid Faisal, an aide subjective reduction in violence. ber of the government’s High ers, has also sparked a flurry of ate are revolving solely around to Ghani. “We want it to happen, “The Taliban are under pres- Peace Council said both Ghani political activity and controversy this specific issue.” because it will be an important sure from Pakistan and the U.S. and the insurgents are being too over who would lead and partici- American officials have said step forward toward negotiations to sign a deal, and they may be stubborn; the president, in turn, pate in such talks. nothing about the conflicting re- among Afghans. But it has to be a putting on an appeasing face to announced plans to dissolve the Spokesmen for the insurgents ports; even the main U.S. negotia- real truce, a complete truce that buy time, but their past behavior entire council. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 7 MILITARY SEAL: Gallagher promotes his own Marine law enforcement brand of clothing

FROM FRONT PAGE The company describes the ap- gets leeway on weapons parel as “a coastal lifestyle brand with an edge.” “SFG provides functional, ver- BY IMMANUEL JOHNSON satile, and affordable apparel Stars and Stripes solutions for your next outdoor ad- venture with specialty garments Marine Corps law enforcement flexible enough for a fishing trip officers may now carry privately at sea or a weekend afternoon on owned concealed weapons on the range,” the company wrote on Marine bases, a change made in its website. the aftermath of tragic shootings On the website, Gallagher is on two military bases last month. Civilians and Marines creden- seen flexing in T-shirts reading Nine Line Apparel “Unleash the Tempest” and “Stay tialed under the Law Enforce- Salty.” Ex-Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher ment Officer Safety Act may In another photo, he models a models a shirt from his new carry their own firearms for hoodie with a logo featuring a tri- apparel line, Salty Frog Gear, in personal protection but cannot dent, a design similar to the trident a screenshot from the brand’s use them while on duty, a service pin that SEALs wear, juxtaposed website. memo issued Tuesday said. with a star and five stripes. On its On Dec. 4, a sailor fatally shot OSCAR R. CASTRO/U.S. Marine Corps right sleeve is a reversed Ameri- only product to which Gallagher two men and injured another be- can flag, how service members fore killing himself at Joint Base Civilians and Marines may now carry their own firearms for personal is lending his endorsement. His protection on Marine property, but cannot use them while on duty. wear their flag patches in uni- social media pages are also dot- Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. form. Its front pocket features Two days later, a Saudi air force ted with sponsorships from other unless authorized by a military vately owned weapons on Army a special compartment to hold a veteran-owned businesses, such officer in training shot and killed beer bottle. three sailors before he was killed judge, the memo said. bases unless authorized by the as Black Rifle Coffee Co. Also available is a $34.99 whis- by police officers at Naval Air A 2016 Pentagon directive titled installation senior commander. It In a Dec. 15 post, he posed with key glass and $54.99 decanter Station Pensacola, Fla. “Arming and the Use of Force” al- also requires the commander to an assortment of Redcon1 work- emblazoned with “SFG” and the “These tragic events prompted lows military arming authorities set policy for firearm registration trident symbol. out vitamins and supplements Headquarters Marine Corps to to grant personnel permission to and transport for people living on In a promotional video, Galla- with military jargon-inspired accelerate existing efforts to de- carry concealed firearms. base. gher wears Nine Line apparel in names such as Total War and velop concealed carry policies” The memo signed by Modly in The Air Force also grants in- a shooting range firing rifles and MRE Lite protein powder. aligned with a May memo on May states that Department of stallation commanders some pistols in slow motion. [email protected] the use of force signed by Navy the Navy personnel may request discretion to set firearm policy. The apparel company is not the Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos Under Secretary Thomas Modly, permission from authorities to For example, Maxwell Air Force the Marine Corps memo said. carry a privately owned firearm, Base, Ala., authorized current Off-duty law enforcement of- subject to further guidance from and former law enforcement of- ficers remain prohibited from the Marine and Navy service ficers credentialed to carry con- Air Force gives NCOs more carrying weapons in Defense chiefs. cealed firearms in 2018. Department schools under fed- An Army regulation updated in [email protected] flexibility with schooling eral law and in base courthouses January 2019 bars carrying pri- Twitter: Manny_Stripes

Stars and Stripes trol over their professional edu- cation,” said Chief Master Sgt. Air Force noncommissioned of- Dan Hoglund, AFPC’s command ficers can now schedule their own chief. professional development school- Airmen receiving their notifi- ing under a new self-registration cation email this month will see system. a scheduling window for April The new Air Force Personnel through September this year. Center platform allows NCOs, Those who receive a notification many of whom need to attend various schools for promotion, to in June will choose from a sched- prioritize the dates they wish to uling period between October attend, a service statement said and March 2021. Tuesday. Airmen should list their mili- Eligible service members will tary email addresses as their pri- receive an email and have “60 mary addresses for contact, the days to prioritize their preferred statement said. class dates for school attendance The new system also allows by first, second and third choice airmen a “not available” option in within a six-month window,” the cases of medical, personal hard- statement said. ship or other requirements, the The new system is aimed at statement said. giving “NCOs flexibility and con- [email protected]

Mountain Warfare School to get new facility

JERICHO, Vt. — The Army The $30 million appropriation Mountain Warfare School in Jeri- will support “a critically impor- cho will get $30 million in federal tant but previously unfunded funding for a new facility, the Ver- priority of the Army,” U.S. Sen. mont National Guard announced Patrick Leahy said. this week. The design of the 82,600- Members of the school pro- square-foot facility will start as vided mountain warfare and cold early as this month, said Michael weather training to U.S. and Af- Bleau, deputy construction and ghan conventional operations facilities management officer. forces on deployments in 20 05 and Construction is expected to be 2010, the Guard said. Instructors served as experts on mountain completed in early 2022, he said. warfare in Afghanistan. From The Associated Press PAGE 8 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 MILITARY Esper: More militia attacks expected in Iraq

BY COREY DICKSTEIN 60,000 troops Those soldiers could be used “What you saw … was a demon- tion it would ask American troops Stars and Stripes throughout to bolster defenses of American stration, so to speak, for the cam- to leave. the Middle positions throughout the Middle eras,” Milley said. “We are very Esper also said he had repeat- WASHINGTON — Defense Sec- East, includ- East, said Army Gen. Mark Mil- confident in the integrity of that edly spoken with his Iraqi coun- retary Mark Esper said Thursday ing some ley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs embassy. Anyone who intends to terparts about rocket attacks that the Pentagon expects more 5,200 in Iraq, of Staff. For now, the 82nd Air- overrun that will run into a buzz from Iran-backed groups — at attacks on American positions in as it has in- borne Division soldiers who de- saw .” least 11 attacks since November Iraq from the Iran-backed militia creased its ployed Tuesday remain in Kuwait Esper on Tuesday was critical — and asked them to investigate forces that attempted to overrun presence in ready to respond anywhere in the of the Iraqi government’s rela- those incidents and hold the per- the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. the region by region, he said. tionship with Iran, and urged the petrators accountable. “There are some indications some 14,000 Milley added they could be country to do more to protect the “We haven’t seen sufficient ac- out there that they may be plan- Esper troops in re- returned to their home at Fort U.S. Embassy after Iraqi secu- tion on that part,” he said. “They ning additional attacks,” Esper cent months following Iranian Bragg, N.C., if tensions die down rity forces guarding the heavily certainly need to help reinforce told reporters Thursday at the provocations. quickly. fortified Green Zone in Baghdad and defend the embassy, but they Pentagon. “If that happens, then need to [figure out] the problem we will act. And, by the way, if we On Tuesday, the militiamen Tuesday’s embassy assault was did little to stop militiamen from [of Iran-backed militias], and get word of attacks or some kind — many waving the yellow flags a response to five American air- reaching the compound. Bagh- of indication, we will take pre- of Iran-backed Shiite groups strikes Sunday on Kataeb Hezbol- dad’s Green Zone is the city’s stop these attacks from happen- emptive action to protect Ameri- known as Popular Mobilization lah locations in western Iraq and well-defended downtown dis- ing, and to get the Iranian influ- can forces — American lives. Forces — spent hours tossing Mo- eastern Syria. The strikes, which trict, which houses much of the ence out of their country.” “The game has changed. And, lotov cocktails and rocks at the killed at least 25 militiamen, country’s government build- Esper said any further actions we are prepared to do what is embassy’s outer walls and chant- came after a rocket attack on ings and dozens of international that threaten Americans in the necessary to defend out personnel ing anti-American slogans. Dur- the U.S.-Iraqi outpost in Kirkuk, embassies. Middle East from Iran or its proxy and our interests and partners.” ing the riot, Esper rushed 100 which killed a U.S. contractor and By Thursday, security had forces would be “regretted.” U.S. forces are well-positioned Marines to the Baghdad grounds injured four American troops and tightened, Esper said, adding “The United States of America in the region to respond to further from Kuwait. Later Tuesday, he several Iraqis. the United States maintained a has a very, very capable mili- provocations from the Kataeb ordered about 750 82nd Airborne Milley called Tuesday’s inci- good relationship with the Iraqi tary,” Milley said. “We have lots Hezbollah militia, Esper said, Division soldiers to Kuwait. dent at the embassy “a show.” The military. of depth, and we have sufficient blaming the Iran-tied group for On Thursday, thousands more main buildings of the more than Despite Iraq’s warning that it forces arrayed in depth to re- a deadly attack on an American American troops — including 100-acre compound were never would reconsider its relationship spond to anything that occurs in base in northern Iraq’s Kirkuk other 82nd soldiers — remained threatened, he said, and no evac- with the U.S. military after the the Middle East — or elsewhere, last week and the breach of the on alert to deploy, if necessary, a uation order was given for embas- Sunday airstrikes, of which it did for that matter.” embassy grounds Tuesday. The U.S. official said on the condition sy staff, which include some 50 to not approve, Esper said the Iraqi [email protected] United States has more than of anonymity. 100 U.S. troops. government had given no indica- Twitter: @CDicksteinDC USS Abraham Lincoln closer to reaching new home port of San Diego

BY ANDREW DYER heightened tensions with Iran The San Diego Union-Tribune and a subsequent boost of mili- tary resources in the region. SAN DIEGO — More than nine Exacerbating the stress of the months after embarking on what deployment was the relative in- was supposed to be a seven-month experience of the crew, accord- round-the-world deployment, the ing to Gina Swaim, a command aircraft carrier Abraham Lin- ombudsman for the Lincoln. coln is finally on course for its Ombudsmen serve as liaisons be- new home port of San Diego. tween the ship’s commanders and The ship, which has been op- family members. erating in and around the Middle For many Lincoln families, this East since May, left the region in deployment is their first. Begin- mid-December and is bound for ning in 2013, the ship spent four home. years in the Newport News ship- When the carrier left Norfolk, yards for midlife reactor refuel- JEREMIAH BARTELT /U.S. Navy Va., on April 1, its crew knew it ing and maintenance. Almost two A sailor dressed as Santa Claus directs the launch of an F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to Strike was in for a deployment that was years of sea trials and qualifica- Fighter Squadron 143 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln on Christmas Eve. outside the norm. Not only was tions followed, so by the time it The Abraham Lincoln will likely arrive at its new home port, San Diego, this month. it deploying to the Middle East, left Virginia in April, many on but it also was switching home board had never deployed. school sweetheart, she said — nga said. “We remain incredibly forward … our crews and their ports from the East Coast to the “It’s a hard lifestyle,” Swaim just before the ship left Virginia. grateful for the outpouring of sup- families should, prior to deploy- West, originally due in San Diego said. “It’s not easy having your She moved to Chula Vista, Calif., port we have seen from so many ment, discuss the possibility of around Halloween. Many Lincoln loved one be gone, and it’s not easy at the end of the summer. across the country, including our something like this.” family members moved across the going through the extensions.” country over the summer — with- Swaim has plenty of experi- “I didn’t start the process until new home of San Diego.” Uranga said the ship and its out the help of their sailors — in ence — she was in the Navy from August,” Chase said. “House Cmdr. Ron Flanders, a spokes- ombudsman team do what they order for children to start school 2012-17, most of the time assigned searching by myself, it was kind of man for Naval Air Forces in San can to keep sailors in touch with in time for the new school year. to the Lincoln. It’s where she met stressful — you want to make sure Diego, said a new Navy deploy- their families. World events — and mainte- her husband, she said. He’s cur- you make the right decision.” ment model — Dynamic Force “We are fortunate that today’s nance issues on another carrier rently stationed on the ship as an Chase, who found a job locally Employment — means that less technology allows us the ability — led to the ship’s mission being aviation boatswain’s mate. as a publicist, ended up settling predictable deployments will be- to communicate with our fami- extended well beyond its original Swaim said she relocated to San on an apartment in Chula Vista — come more routine. lies and friends more freely,” return date. Diego in March, but that many one her husband hasn’t yet seen. “The length of this deployment Uranga said. “We pass along as In August, the aircraft car- families made the move during When the ship was extended in is not ideal or something that’s much information as we can to rier Harry S. Truman, which was the summer. October, people in the commu- going to become a regular thing, our command ombudsmen, and slated to replace the Lincoln in Command ombudsmen, Swaim nity rallied to send care packages (but) they are not going to be as thanks to their tireless work, we the Middle East, experienced an said, helped families connect with to the crew, said Lt. Cmdr. Jesus predictable as they were in the are able to provide updates and electrical failure that resulted in Navy resources to help them with Uranga, the public affairs officer past,” Flanders said. “In the case information.” an extra three months of repairs. relocation, including housing and on board the Lincoln. of the Abraham Lincoln, it was Navy officials would not com- The Lincoln would need to re- job searches. “It is always difficult to be extended due to circumstanc- ment on when the Lincoln will main on station until relieved. Jaiden Chase married a Lin- away from our loved ones, espe- es related to maintenance and arrive in San Diego but it is ex- The delay came at a time of coln sailor in March — her high cially during the holidays,” Ura- availability, but as a rule, going pected sometime this month. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 9 NATION Sanders: 2019 ends with $34.5M boost

BY WILL WEISSERT his campaign manager, Faiz Sha- Associated Press kir, said in a statement. Sanders’ polling and fundrais- WASHINGTON — Bernie ing have remained strong since Sanders says he raised more than he suffered a heart attack while $34.5 million in the final three campaigning in Las Vegas on months of last year, showing that a Oct. 1. The 78-year-old this week recent heart attack hasn’t slowed released three letters from doc- the Vermont senator’s fundrais- tors saying that he had suffered ing prowess with the start of the “modest heart muscle damage“ Democratic presidential prima- but has since recovered well and ries looming. is fit enough for the rigors of the Sanders’ campaign said Thurs- presidential campaign and the day that the haul came from White House should he win. more than 1.8 million donations, Sanders’ campaign said its including from 40,000 new do- best fundraising month came in nors on the final day of the year December, when it took in more alone. Sanders’ total exceeds the than $18 million from 900,000- $24.7 million that Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, plus donations. It said that the Ind ., announced a day earlier most common occupation listed that he’d raised during the fourth by its donors was teacher and quarter of last year. that the five most common em- Strong totals from a nationally ployers were Amazon, Starbucks, known candidate and one virtual- Walmart, the U.S. Postal Service ly unknown when he jumped into and Target. the race suggest that their party’s In an email to supporters on CHERYL SENTER/AP primary could feature a protract- Thursday, Sanders said there will ed fight among well-funded ri- Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks at a Town Hall Breakfast on be more where that came from. vals. The lead-off Iowa caucuses Sunday at the Newport Opera House in New Hampshire. Sanders says he raised more than $34.5 “Against Trump, I believe we are Feb. 3, and Sanders and But- million in the final three months of 2019. will have 50 million individual tigieg are considered among the contributions, at least. And at $27 front-runners in a crowded and campaign raised $24.6 million in Sanders’ 2020 bid has now again. That total does not include a piece, that would be more than unsettled field, along with former the third quarter but said in a re- raised more than $96 million built $12.7 million Sanders transferred $1 billion,” Sanders wrote. “It’s Vice President Joe Biden and cent fundraising email that it had on 5 million-plus individual dona- from other campaign accounts as absolutely obscene and outra- Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth collected around only $17 million tions worth an average of about part of his presidential run. geous that an election would cost Warren. with a few days to go — hoping to $18. Sanders’ campaign says that “Bernie Sanders is closing the that much money, but our cam- Like Sanders, Warren has re- persuade supporters to open their more than 99% of his donors have year with the most donations of paign has proven we will be able lied heavily on small donations wallets and improve the final not reached federal donation lim- any candidate in history at this to raise more than enough money coming primarily online. Her totals. its, meaning they can contribute point in a presidential campaign,” to win.” Border medical plan Castro ends presidential campaign

Associated Press online video. To all who have been inspired “But with by our campaign, especially our is set for immigrants AUSTIN, Texas — Former only a month young people, keep reaching for Obama housing secretary Julian until the your dreams — and keep fighting BY COLLEEN LONG conditions. A flu outbreak in May Castro on Thursday ended his Iowa caucus- Associated Press sickened more than 30 migrants. run for president that pushed the for what you believe in. ¡Ganare- A 16-year-old boy died from the 2020 field on immigration and es, and given mos un dia!” — which translates the circum- to “we will win one day.” WASHINGTON — U.S. Cus- illness, and video later obtained swung hard at rivals on the de- stances of Castro dropped out after fail- toms and Border Protection on by ProPublica showed the teen bate stage but never found a foot- Tuesday formalized a medical this cam- ing to garner enough support in collapsed on the floor for hours, hold to climb from the back of the plan formed in the wake of a mas- paign sea- the polls or donations to make re- alone, before he died. The video pack. sive surge of migrant families son, I have cent Democratic debates. threw into question Border Pa- “I’m so proud of the campaign Castro to the U.S.-Mexico border and a determined A former San Antonio mayor trol’s version of the teen’s death. we’ve run together. We’ve shaped series of deaths in immigration that it simply isn’t our time.” who was the only Latino in the An investigation is ongoing. the conversation on so many im- custody. The video concludes, “So today race, Castro had stalled for most Over the budget year that ended portant issues in this race, stood The goal was to increase medi- up for the most vulnerable people, it’s with a heavy heart and with of his campaign around 1% in Sept. 30, there were 859,510 ap- cal care and efficiency. Accord- and given a voice to those who are profound gratitude, that I will sus- polls and entered October low on prehensions by Border Patrol, ing to the directive, the codified often forgotten,” Castro said in an pend my campaign for president. money. plan includes a sustainable pro- plus a n addit iona l 110,0 0 0 encoun- posal for triage, plus screenings ters of people who tried to enter for respiratory systems, instruc- legally but were deemed inadmis- tions to isolate sick migrants to sible. There were nearly 1 million prevent the spread of disease, crossings from the early 2000s, Politician charged with DWI a week after vaccines for staff and a supply of but those were mostly single men face masks and hand sanitizer. from Mexico who were easily re- writing column warning citizens against it More than 500 medical profes- turned, not families from Central America who require much more sionals are on contract to help ad- Associated Press judg ment.” driving from. care. minister care. Authori- Kolb said there was no excuse. Immigration officials were in- The outcry over medical care VICTOR, N.Y. — The top Re- ties respond- “This was a terrible lapse in began when two children died in volved in more than 20,000 hospi- publican in the New York State ed to a crash judgment, one I have urged oth- Border Patrol custody in Decem- tal visits this year. Assembly was charged New in Victor just ers not to make, and I take full ber 2018, followed by the deaths Homeland Security worked Year’s Eve with driving while before 10:30 responsibility for it,” the assem- of others this year. A year later, with the Centers for Disease Con- intoxicated in his state-issued ve- p.m. after a blyman said in a brief written Homeland Security’s watchdog trol and Prevention on creating hicle, just a week after he wrote a vehicle ran statement. “I made the wrong found no misconduct or wrongdo- and implementing recommenda- newspaper column warning citi- into a ditch. decision, and it is one I deeply re- ing in the deaths of the two Gua- tions. The department set a goal zens against getting behind the Kolb was gret,” he said. temalan children, a 7-year-old of formalizing the policies by the wheel drunk. found to be Kolb On Christmas Eve, Kolb wrote girl and an 8-year-old boy. end of the year. Brian M. Kolb, a Republican the driver a column in the upstate Daily At the height of the crisis, tens “We continue to look at new from Canandaigua who repre- of the 2018 GMC Acadia that Messenger newspaper that of thousands of migrant families ways to improve care for those in sents a district just outside Roch- crashed in front of his home. warned against people driving crossed into the U.S. and were our temporary custody,” a CBP ester, was arrested near his home No one else was injured. Offi- while under the influence of alco- held in cramped, overcrowded spokesman said. after what he called a “lapse in cials did not say where Kolb was hol during the holidays. PAGE 10 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 NATION Trump suggests temporary ban on vape flavors

Associated Press on the market. On Tuesday, Trump suggested PALM BEACH, Fla. — Presi- a ban of flavored e-cigarettes dent Donald Trump said Tuesday might be temporary. “Hopefully, that the federal government will if everything’s safe, they’re going PAUL BEATY/AP soon announce a new strategy to to be going very quickly back onto tackle underage vaping, promis- the market,” he told reporters at Elise Swopes becomes the second person in Illinois to purchase recreational marijuana as she purchases ing, “We’re going to protect our his Mar-a-Lago resort in Flori- marijuana products from employee Brea Mooney, left, at Sunnyside dispensary on Wednesday, in Chicago. families, we’re going to protect da, where he was hosting a New our children, and we’re going to Year’s Eve party. protect the industry.” “People have died from this, Trump was vague about what they died Recreational pot now legal in Ill. the plan would entail, but sug- from vaping,” gested “certain flavors” in car- ‘ the president Associated Press tridge-based e-cigarettes would We’re Press that she spent much of a home. I worked for a bank as a said. “We Wednesday morning in Chicago fraud investigator for 20 years. be taken off the market “for a pe- going to CHICAGO — The sale of mari- think we un- and the city’s northwestern sub- I rescue dogs. I volunteer. I take riod of time.” protect derstand why. juana for recreational purposes The Wall Street Journal re- urbs. She said wait times of up to care of my 93-year-old mother. But we’re became legal Wednesday in Illi- three hours were getting shorter ported Tuesday that the Food and our It’s not like we’re all a bunch of doing a very nois to the delight of pot fans — as the day progressed. Drug Administration would ban hippies.” families, exhaustive many who began lining up hours “It has been joyous and well- the sale of most flavored e-ciga- Cannabis sales could generate we’re examination early at dispensaries. run,” she said. “People are ex- rettes, such as those sold by Juul $250 million for Illinois by 2022, and hopeful- About 500 people were outside traordinarily courteous and and NJOY. E-cigarette pods for- going to according to estimates by state ly, everything Dispensary 33 in Chicago. Renzo civil.” mulated to taste like tobacco or protect will be back Mejia made the first legal pur- officials. Police were on-hand at most Neighboring Michigan made menthol would still be allowed. our on the mar- chase in the shop shortly after shops mostly to control traffic. The Journal also reported that ket very, very 6 a.m., the earliest that Illinois’ recreational marijuana legal children, Althoff cautioned that recre- starting Dec. 1. Missouri voters tank-based vaping systems, which shortly.” new law allowed such sales. ational marijuana may not be are less popular among teenag- and we’re But the “To be able to have (recre- made medical marijuana legal in consumed in public and added 2018, but the state is still work- ers, would still allow users to FDA had ational marijuana) here is just that like all new products, it may going to ing on licensing businesses. The custom-mix flavors. The Journal already an- mind-boggling,” Mejia told the be a little expensive. sale and use of weed for any rea- report cited anonymous “people protect the nounced that Chicago Sun-Times after buy- “We hope that down the line it son are still illegal in Indiana and familiar with the matter.” industry. starting in ing an eighth of an ounce called will become less expensive,” she ’ Wisconsin. In September, Trump and President May, all e- “Motorbreath.” said. “The message from the in- his top health officials said they Donald Trump cigarettes Illinois already allowed medi- dustry is not promoting or oppos- In Illinois, nearly three dozen would soon sweep virtually all will need to cal marijuana, but it is now the ing, it’s the state of Illinois made dispensaries have been issued flavored e-cigarettes from the undergo a 11th state to allow its use and sale it legal and we’re here to provide licenses to sell recreational market because of their appeal review. And only those that can for recreational purposes. The a safe and a quality product for marijuana. to young children and teens. But demonstrate a benefit for U.S. law approved by the Democratic- those who wish to consume. We A key part of Illinois’ law is the that effort stalled after vaping public health will be permitted to controlled Legislature and signed encourage our customers to be expungement of some low-level lobbyists pushed back and White stay on the market. by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker responsible.” marijuana convictions. On Tues- House advisers told Trump the In Florida, Trump added: allows people 21 or older to pos- Mary Yazel-Muska, 65, told the day, Pritzker granted more than ban could cost him votes with “Look, vaping can be good from sess up to 1.06 ounces of cannabis Chicago Tribune that she planned 11,000 such pardons. adults who vape. the standpoint — you look at the flower and up to 0.17 ounces of to celebrate her purchase from a Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Strat- Beginning in May, all e-ciga- e-cigarettes, you stop smoking. cannabis concentrate. dispensary in suburban Munde- ton bought pot edible gummies rettes will need to undergo FDA If you can stop smoking, that’s a Pamela Althoff, executive di- lein with champagne and edibles Wednesday from a Chicago dis- review. Only those that can dem- big advantage. So, we think we’re rector of the Springfield-based at home with her boyfriend. pensary, WBBM-TV reported. onstrate a benefit for U.S. public going to get it back on the market Cannabis Business Association “I’m a responsible human “I’m here to celebrate a big day health will be permitted to stay very, very quickly.” of Illinois, told The Associated being,” Yazel-Muska said. “I own in Illinois,” Stratton said. ‘Phase One’ of US-China trade deal to be signed at White House

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE of “Phase Two” before the presi- That includes increased purchas- costs of the administration’s 17- tariffs, including those on steel AND CHRISTOPHER RUGABER dential election in 2020. es of soybeans and other farm month trade war against China. and aluminum as well as on Chi- Associated Press And the two sides have yet to goods that would reach $40 bil- U.S. farm exports to China fell nese imports, have cost manufac- release detailed documentation lion a year. in 2018 to about one-third of the turers jobs and raised their costs. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. of the pact, making it difficult to China has also agreed to stop peak reached six years earlier, That’s mostly because of retalia- — The first phase of a U.S.-China evaluate. forcing U.S. companies to hand though they have since started to tory tariffs imposed by China and trade agreement will be inked at Trump said high-level Chinese over technology and trade secrets recover. other trading partners. the White House in mid-Janu- government officials will attend as a condition for gaining access Import taxes remain on about Many experts in both the U.S. ary, President Donald Trump the signing on Jan. 15 of “our very to China’s vast market, demands half of what the U.S. buys from and China are skeptical that U.S. announced Tuesday, adding that large and comprehensive Phase that had frustrated many U.S. China or about $250 billion of im- farm exports can reach $40 bil- he will visit Beijing at a later date One Trade Deal with China.” businesses. ports. Those tariffs have raised lion. The most the U.S. has ever to open another round of talks “At a later date I will be going In return, the Trump adminis- the cost of chemicals, electrical aimed at resolving other sticking to Beijing where talks will begin tration dropped plans to impose components and other inputs for exported to China before has points in the relationship. on Phase Two!” Trump said in tariffs on $160 billion of Chinese U.S. companies. American firms been $26 billion. China has not The so-called “Phase One” his tweet. He did not announce a goods, including many consumer have cut back on investment in confirmed the $40 billion figure. agreement is smaller than the date for the visit. items such as smartphones, toys machinery and other equipment, Still, the agreement has helped comprehensive deal Trump had China has agreed to boost its and clothes. The U.S. also cut tar- slowing the economy’s growth calm concerns in financial mar- hoped for and leaves many of the U.S. goods imports by $200 bil- iffs on another $112 billion of Chi- this year. kets and among many U.S. busi- thorniest issues between the two lion over two years, the U.S. nese goods from 15% to 7.5%. A study last week by economists nesses that the trade war with countries for future talks. Few Trade Representative said Dec. Many analysts argue that the at the Federal Reserve found that China would escalate and poten- economists expect any resolution 13 when the deal was announced. results are fairly limited given the all of the Trump administration’s tially lead to a recession. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 11 NATION Kennel club accepts 2 additional breeds

BY JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press ‘ They are affection- NEW YORK — A powerful ate and loyal, but Argentine big-game hunter and owners do need a sociable French water dog have made the American Kennel to have caution Club’s list of recognized breeds. The club announced Tuesday to make sure a that the barbet and the dogo Ar- dogo fits with their gentino are now part of the 195- breed pack. lifestyle. ’ That means they can compete Brandi Hunter starting Wednesday in many tra- American Kennel Club ditional, breed-judging dog shows (many agility trials and other ca- nine events are open to all dogs, purebred or not). The newcomers thusiasts say. can’t vie for best in show at the The dogo Argentino, developed famous Westminster Kennel Club by an Argentine doctor in the last show until 2021, however. century, is a large, strong and te- The newcomers are “offering nacious dog designed to hunt ani- dog lovers very different choic- mals as large as mountain lions es,” AKC spokeswoman Gina Di- and wild boars. Aficionados prize Nardo said in a statement. the breed’s loyalty and athleti- PHOTOS BY AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB/AP The curly-coated, bearded bar- cism, but dogos also are among bet (pronounced “bar-BAY’) has breeds that have been banned in Dogo Argentino, the powerful a long history as a hunter’s helper some places. Even the AKC cau- Argentinian big-game hunter, in France, where accounts of it tions that only experienced dog has made the American Kennel go back centuries. Traditionally owners should get them. Club’s list of recognized breeds. finders and retrievers of water- “They are affectionate and fowl, barbets — like some other loyal, but owners do need to have to take care to protect them — Barbet, the sociable French water dog, also has made the AKC’s list breeds around the globe — dwin- caution to make sure a dogo fits from sunburn, which can strike of recognized breeds. dled during the world wars, but with their lifestyle” and any local under their short, white coats. fanciers eventually built their regulations, said club spokes- Fans of particular breeds often least 300 dogs of the breed spread circuits pet adoptions. Defenders numbers back up. woman Brandi Hunter. The AKC spend years building up to rec- around at least 20 states. argue there’s a place in dogdom The medium-size dogs have a opposes any breed-specific laws. ognition by the AKC, the nation’s Dog breeding is the subject of for conscientious breeders and cheery, friendly reputation and While dogos can be protective oldest purebred dog registry. The considerable debate. Critics say for canines bred for certain traits often take to agility contests, en- of their people, owners also need designation requires having at it leads to puppy mills and short- or purposes. US had slowest growth rate Reveler killed by in a century, Census reports stray bullet on New Year’s Day BY MIKE SCHNEIDER For the first time this decade, Puerto Associated Press Associated Press Rico had a population increase. The is- land, battered by economic stagnation and HOUSTON — Authorities say a woman ORLANDO, Fla. — The past year’s pop- Hurricane Maria in the past several years, ringing in the new year was fatally shot by ulation growth rate in the United States increased by 340 people between 2018 and was the slowest in a century due to de- a stray bullet outside her Houston home. 2019, with people moving to the island off- The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said clining births, increasing deaths and the setting natural decrease. slowdown of international migration, ac- Philippa Ashford, 61, died after being shot International migration to the U.S. de- at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The sheriff’s cording to figures released Monday by the creased to 595,000 people from 2018 to department said it appears she may have U.S. Census Bureau. 2019, dropping from as many as 1 million FRANK FRANKLIN II/AP been struck by celebratory gunfire from The U.S. grew from 2018 to 2019 by al- international migrants in 2016, according According to figures released Monday by outside her immediate neighborhood. most a half percent, or about 1.5 million to the population estimates. Immigration the U.S. Census Bureau, the past year’s The woman’s family and their neighbors people, with the population standing at 328 restrictions by the Trump administration population growth rate in the United were discharging fireworks in their cul-de- million this year, according to population combined with a perception that the U.S. States was the slowest in a century. sac when she called out that she had been estimates. has fewer economic opportunities than it That’s the slowest growth rate in the U.S. did before the recession a decade ago con- shot, according to the department. She was ing away. pronounced dead at the scene. since 1917 to 1918, when the nation was in- tributed to the decline, Frey said. Monday’s population estimates also volved in World War I, said William Frey, a “Immigration is a wildcard in that it is “We have no indication that any family offer a preview of which states may gain or member or anybody in the cul-de-sac was senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. something we can do something about,” lose congressional seats from next year’s discharging a firearm and we’ve walked For the first time in decades, natural in- Frey said. “Immigrants tend to be younger apportionment process using figures from the streets and canvassed up and down crease — the number of births minus the and have children, and they can make a the 2020 Census. The process divvies up to see if we can find any shell casings in number of deaths — was less than 1 mil- population younger.” the 435 U.S. House seats among the 50 the neighborhood and are not finding any- lion in the U.S. due to an aging population Ten states had population declines in the states based on population. of Baby Boomers, whose oldest members past year. They included New York, which Several forecasts predict California, thing,” Sgt. Ben Beall, a spokesman for the entered their 70s within the past several lost almost 77,000 people; Illinois, which the nation’s most populous state with 39.5 Harris County Sheriff’s Office, told the years. As the large Boomer population lost almost 51,000 residents; West Virginia, million residents, losing a seat for the first Houston Chronicle. continues to age, this trend is going to which lost more than 12,000 people; Loui- time. Texas, the nation’s second most-pop- The Menninger Clinic, a Houston fa- continue. siana, which lost almost 11,000 residents; ulous state with 28.9 million residents, is cility that treats mental illness, said in a “Some of these things are locked into and Connecticut, which lost 6,200 people. expected to gain as many as three seats, statement that Ashford was a nurse man- place. With the aging of the population, as Mississippi, Hawaii, New Jersey, Alaska the most of any state. ager there, serving as a leader and mentor the Baby Boomers move into their 70s and and Vermont each lost less than 5,000 According to Frey’s projections on Mon- to their nursing and clinical team. 80s, there are going to be higher numbers residents. day, Florida stands to gain two seats, while Her body has been sent for an autopsy of deaths,” Frey said. “That means propor- Regionally, the South saw the great- Arizona, Colorado, Montana, North Caro- and the sheriff’s department is asking any- tionately fewer women of childbearing age, est population growth from 2018 to 2019, lina and Oregon each stand to gain a seat. one with information regarding her death so even if they have children, it’s still going increasing 0.8% due to natural increase Besides, California, other states that will to call it. to be less.” and people moving from other parts of the likely lose a seat are Alabama, Illinois, The Menninger Clinic said it will hold a Four states had a natural decrease, where country. The Northeast had a population Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, memorial service for Ashford and will pro- deaths outnumbered births: West Virginia, decrease for the first time this decade, de- Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West vide grief counseling to those impacted by Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. clining 0.1% due primarily to people mov- Virginia. her death. PAGE 12 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WIRED WORLD Warehouse robots transform workplace

BY MATT O’BRIEN Associated Press NORTH HAVEN, Conn. — Guess who’s getting used to working with robots in their everyday lives? The very same warehouse workers once predicted to be losing their jobs to mechanical replacements. But doing your job side-by-side with robots isn’t easy. According to their mak- ers, the machines should take on the most mundane and physically strenuous tasks. PHOTOS BY ROSS D. FRANKLIN /AP In reality, they’re also creating new forms of stress and strain in the form of injuries Joseph Salinas places packages onto Amazon robots, which then take the packages to chutes that are organized by ZIP code, at an and the unease of working in close quar- Amazon warehouse facility in Goodyear, Ariz., last month. ters with mobile half-ton devices that di- rect themselves. “They weigh a lot,” Amazon worker Amanda Taillon said during the pre- Christmas rush at a company warehouse in Connecticut. Nearby, a fleet of 6-foot-tall roving robot shelves zipped around behind a chain-link fence. Taillon’s job is to enter a cage and tame Amazon’s wheeled warehouse robots for long enough to pick up a fallen toy or re- lieve a traffic jam. She straps on a light-up utility belt that works like a superhero’s force field, commanding the nearest ro- bots to abruptly halt and the others to slow down or adjust their routes. “When you’re out there, and you can hear them moving around, but you can’t see them, it’s like, ‘Where are they going to come from?’ ” she said. “It’s a little nerve- racking at first.” Amazon and its rivals are increasingly requiring warehouse employees to get used to working with robots. The company Amazon is using new models descended from the Kiva line, now has more than 200,000 robotic vehi- Jocelyn Nieto stows packages delivered by Amazon robots into including the Pegasus, a squarish vehicle with a conveyor belt cles it calls “drives” that are moving goods special containers. on top. through its delivery-fulfillment centers around the U.S. That’s double the number chase of Massachusetts startup Kiva Sys- cles, which have to follow bar codes and pre- what it feels like,” she said. it had last year and up from 15,000 units tems in 2012. The tech giant re-branded viously mapped routes within warehouses. Gutelius co-authored a report published in 2014. it as Amazon Robotics and transformed it The tech giant is also still rolling out in the fall that found new warehouse tech- Its rivals have taken notice, and many are into an in-house laboratory that for seven new models descended from the Kiva line, nology could contribute to wage stagna- adding their own robots in a race to speed years has been designing and building including the Pegasus, a squarish vehicle tion, higher turnover and poorer quality up productivity and bring down costs. Amazon’s robot armada. with a conveyor belt on top that can be work experiences because of the way AI Without these fast-moving pods, robotic Amazon’s Kiva purchase “set the tone found working the early-morning shift at a software can monitor and micromanage arms and other forms of warehouse auto- for all the other retailers to stand up and warehouse in the Phoenix suburb of Good- workers’ behaviors. mation, retailers say they wouldn’t be able pay attention,” said Jim Liefer, CEO of year, Ariz . A crisscrossing fleet of robots A recent journalistic investigation of to fulfill consumer demand for packages San Francisco startup Kindred AI, which carries packaged items across the floor injury rates at Amazon warehouses from that can land on doorsteps the day after makes an artificially intelligent robotic and drops them into chutes based on the The Center for Investigative Reporting’s you order them online. arm that grasps and sorts items for retail- ZIP code of their final destination. Reveal found that robotic warehouses re- But while fears that robots will replace ers such as The Gap. All of this is transforming warehouse ported more injuries than those without. human workers haven’t come to fruition, A rush of venture capital and private work in a way that the head of Amazon Ro- Reveal looked at records from 28 Ama- there are growing concerns that keeping up sector investment in warehouse robotics botics says can “extend human capability” zon warehouses in 16 states and found with the pace of the latest artificial intelli- spiked to $1.5 billion a year in 2015 and has by shifting people to what they are best at: that the overall rate of serious injuries gence technology is taking a toll on human remained high ever since, said Rian Whit- problem-solving, common sense and think- was more than double the warehousing workers’ health, safety and morale. ton, a robotics analyst at ABI Research. ing on their feet. industry average. Amazon has countered Warehouses powered by robotics and AI Canadian e-commerce company Shopi- “The efficiencies we gain from our asso- it’s misleading to compare its rate with ri- software are leading to human burnout by fy spent $450 million this fall to buy Mas- ciates and robotics working together har- vals because of the company’s “aggressive adding more work and upping the pressure sachusetts-based startup 6 River Systems, moniously — what I like to call a symphony stance on recording injuries no matter how on workers to speed up their performance, which makes an autonomous cart nick- of humans and machines working together big or small.” said Beth Gutelius, who studies urban named Chuck that can follow workers — allows us to pass along a lower cost to The Reveal report also found a correla- economic development at the University around a warehouse. Other mobile robot our customer,” said Tye Brady, Amazon tion between robots and safety problems, of Illinois at Chicago and has interviewed startups are partnering with delivery gi- Robotics’ chief technologist. such as in Tracy, Calif., where the serious warehouse operators around the U.S. ants such as FedEx and DHL or retailers Brady said worker safety remains the injury rate nearly quadrupled in the four It’s not that workers aren’t getting such as Walmart. top priority and ergonomic design is engi- years after robots were introduced. trained on how to work with robots safely. Amazon this year bought another ware- neered into the systems at the beginning of Amazon hasn’t disclosed how its “The problem is it becomes very difficult house robotics startup, Colorado-based the design stage. Gutelius said the aspira- safety record at robot-powered ware- to do so when the productivity standards Canvas Technology, which builds wheeled tion for symphonic human-machine opera- houses compares to those without. But are set so high,” she said. robots guided by computer vision. Such ro- tions is not always working out in practice. company officials remain optimistic that Much of the boom in warehouse robotics bots would be more fully autonomous than “It sounds quite lovely, but I rarely hear Amazon workers are adapting to the new has its roots in Amazon’s $775 million pur- Amazon’s current fleet of caged-off vehi- from a worker’s perspective that that’s technology. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 13 NATION Flood spurs tiny town to consider moving

BY MARGERY A. BECK Associated Press WINSLOW, Neb. — It took only minutes for the icy Elkhorn River to surge over a levee and engulf tiny Winslow, but months after the floodwaters receded, the vil- lage finds itself struggling to decide its future — or if it has a future. Will it be reborn atop a nearby hill, or will the town stay put, liv- ing under a dark cloud? “It’s never flooded like that be- fore,” said Bill Whitley, 72, who owns a house where his daughter lives in town. “But it will some- day again.” This town of about 100 residents is one of a growing number that may face the choice of moving or dying as climate change wors- ens flood risks, leaving people who have lived for years through nature’s extremes to accept that their hometowns may no longer be habitable where they are. Since the creation of a buyout program in 1989, federal and local governments have poured more than $5 billion into buying tens of thousands of properties threatened by persistent flood- ing to avoid the need for frequent rebuilding. Many residents have agreed to move to other places, but still rare is the relocation of entire towns. But that’s the choice Winslow now has before it, and more may PHOTOS BY NATI HARNIK/AP follow. While 30 years of buyouts would seemingly have addressed Bill Whitney, rear, listens at a town hall meeting at the fire hall, on Oct. 24 in Winslow, Neb., where relocating the village was discussed. all the most threatened places, climate change is now putting Winslow residents must raise of Winslow — have signed on ever more towns into danger from their homes, leave or restart the so far. Those who don’t move to rising tides and heavier storms. town at a site a few miles away the new town can take a buyout, Meanwhile, state and federal and 100 feet higher with govern- which covers 75% of a structure’s authorities have imposed restric- ment financial help. pre-flood market value and move tions on disaster aid that make it “We are going to flood again,” elsewhere. harder for them to rebuild after said Winslow village trustee Or they can stay, although they and volunteer fire chief Zachary flooding. would have to elevate their prop- Klein, who is leading a relocation “I would say our current weath- erty at considerable cost to get er pattern is making it difficult effort. flood insurance. if you’re living in a flood plain Winslow was incorporated 110 area,” said Bryan Tuma, assistant years ago about 40 miles from At a recent meeting, more than director of the Nebraska Emer- Omaha, a half-mile south of the 50 people gathered to ask ques- gency Management Agency. Elkhorn River; most residents are tions. Final decisions must be It’s unclear how many com- farmers or blue-collar workers. made by spring. munities in recent years have They’ve occasionally had to Ken Rice, who is repairing been reclassified by the Federal deal with rising water. But noth- his nearly 85-year-old home and Emergency Management Agency ing like the last decade, when hopes to move it to the new site, into higher-risk flood zones, but a nine of the 10 highest crests ever Buildings are seen in Winslow, where a swift-moving flood ravaged said it’s hard to imagine the vil- the tiny town this spring. 2013 FEMA-funded study found have been recorded, including lage dissolving. the amount of land vulnerable the worst of all in March. “This is home to me,” Rice, 57, to extreme river flooding would Torrential rains falling on stream surging into the town and about 3 miles away on a hilltop inundating thousands of acres of and negotiated a price. Klein said. “I’ve lived here all my life.” likely increase by 45% by the end frozen ground poured into the Nilene Parker has lived in Win- of the century. river and sent the normally lazy farmland. hopes to have the purchase final- Other towns along Midwest ized by February so crews can slow only two years but said she’s rivers also flooded, but as spring begin putting in infrastructure, ready to rebuild “up top,” as resi- stretched into summer, most at initially along a single street. dents call the new site. least started to recover. Houses would be built or moved “I can’t afford to do anything Winslow, though, looks like a in, starting as soon as late next else,” she said. ghost town, with its gravel streets year. But at least three households empty and its 48 homes and busi- Then would come the commu- have decided to stay in the old nesses posted with official warn- nity structures “that make a town Winslow, even if that means pay- ings against entering. a town,” Klein said — including ing a hefty price. With many towns pleading a community center, post office, Fran Geisler and her husband for higher levees, the U.S. Army fire station and even Smiley’s, the will have to raise their house more Corps of Engineers has no plans town’s only bar. than four feet and get an above- to invest millions to upgrade A handful of other towns have ground septic tank. Some of the Winslow’s. been transplanted over the years, “Even the Corps can’t afford including Soldiers Grove, Wis., in outbuildings and farm equipment to build up levees everywhere,” 1983 and Valmeyer, Ill., in 1993. will remain at risk of flooding. said Rob Moore, an analyst with The big question is whether Nevertheless, “this is home,” the Chicago-based environmen- enough Winslow residents will she said. “I’ve lived here 33 years. tal group the Natural Resources commit to moving to make it My husband has lived here all Volunteer fire department chief and village trustee Zachary Klein, Defense Council. worthwhile. his life. We just couldn’t live any left, briefs residents during a town hall meeting. So local leaders found land About 25 households — or half other place.” PAGE 14 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 FAITH At Episcopal church for the deaf, A silent revival faith flourishes without sound

BY LUIS ANDRES HENAO Associated Press NEW YORK — The Lord’s Prayer ended with the bang of dozens of fists that landed on open palms after a circular motion and a thumbs up in a joint “Amen!” Not a voice could be heard inside the cavernous sanctuary of Holy- rood Episcopal Church-Iglesia Santa Cruz in Manhattan. There was no need for words: From the altar, the deaf congregants led the hearing ones, who from the wooden pews repeated the silent movement of their hands. Music, sermons, prayers, even confessions make up much of the experience of a typical religious service. So, for the deaf, how does faith flourish in an environment that so revolves around sound? During a recent Sunday service, deaf and hearing worshippers sung and signed hymns, offered the sign of peace bringing palms together with a twisting motion — and joyfully waved their hands high in the air in a sign-language equivalent of applause. “When I sign the music and the hymns to God, I actually feel the Holy spirit with me. I give my all to him,” said Lidia Martinez, 54, who spoke to the Associated Press through her daughter, who is a sign language interpreter. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Martinez felt alienated /AP from her faith because she was EMILY LESHNER deaf. When she moved to the U.S. in 1993, she continued to feel like During the service, the Rev. an outsider in a hearing church. Luis Barrios asked the deaf and “I remember going to other hearing worshippers to form a churches and sitting in the bench- prayer chain around a congre- es and not knowing what they gant who fears that she’s also los- were saying because there were ing her sight. no interpreters available,” she The Sunday service for the deaf said. “It was really hard to follow and a weekday American Sign the Mass with just the readings.” Language classes have helped After visiting multiple church- once-dwindling attendance to es, she walked into Holyrood last rise at the Gothic Revival-style year. That’s when she saw the church. Rev. Maria Santiviago signing “God can also be found in the from the pulpit. silence,” Santiviago said. “We’re “It was heartwarming to have empowering their language.” her interpret the Mass,” she said Holyrood, which is located about Santiviago, a 77-year-old in the mostly Latino neighbor- Paraguayan who came out of re- hood of Washington Heights, also tirement to help lead the ministry takes pride in being a sanctuary for the deaf. “Before I wasn’t un- church for immigrants and fully derstanding anything. This was trilingual in English, Spanish and like a Eureka moment.” ASL. Now, her whole family is part “We have revived this church. of the Holyrood community. We wanted the church to support They recently walked into the the people,” Barrios, who is from Puerto Rico, said. “We need to church past the Nativity scene From top: Diely and a brightly lit Christmas tree find ways to make changes so the church remains relevant.” He said Martinez, 30, prays and sat in the front pews, illu- inside the Holyrood that they still hope to reach out to minated by sunlight from color- Episcopal Church- more children and teenagers. ful stained-glass windows. Her Iglesia Santa Cruz in Technological advances, in- husband, Carlos Tirado, 54, who the Washington Heights cluding apps for texting and talk- is also deaf, signed. Her daugh- neighborhood in New ing, continue to help the deaf and ter Leisha Martinez, 11, and her York City last month. The hard of hearing worldwide. But, granddaughters, Arly Gordon, 8, Rev. Maria Santiviago, and Lyann Gordon, 4, who can Diely Martinez said, a church for left, signs the sermon hear, sang along. the deaf and hearing — like Holy- for deaf worshippers Facing them — and all the deaf rood — is vital. at the church. Deaf worshippers — stood her eldest “Every Sunday, we come here worshippers Carlos daughter, Diely Martinez, an and we’re a family. It can be deaf Tirado, left, and Lidia American Sign Language/Span- friends; it can be my immediate Martinez, second from ish medical interpreter, who now family. But not only that,” she left, sign in response to volunteers at the Sunday Mass. said. “I can see how the hearing a sermon. “I want (God) to touch their people are more accepting of the /AP lives, she said. “So, it’s more than deaf, and that’s very touching. PHOTOS BY JESSIE WARDARKSI interpreting. It’s a calling.” They come together.” Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 15 NATION Fishery rebounds in conservation ‘home run’

essential to fish reproduction, in- Bottom trawler cluding a large area off Southern California. fishermen making “A fair number of fishermen thought it was a good deal and if it comeback in waters was going to happen, it was better for them to participate than not,” off the West Coast said Tom Libby, a fish processor who was instrumental in crafting BY GILLIAN FLACCUS the agreement. “It’s right up there Associated Press with the best and most rewarding things in my career — and I’ve WARRENTON, Ore. — A rare been at it 50 years.” environmental success story is Some groups, like Oceana, unfolding in waters off the West wanted even more protections Coast. from bottom trawling, which it After years of fear and un- calls the “most damaging fishing certainty, bottom trawler fish- method to seafloor habitats off the ermen — those who use nets to West Coast.” In a news release, catch rockfish, bocaccio, sole, the group emphasized that the Pacific Ocean perch and other agreement it did get safeguards deep-dwelling fish — are mak- 90% of the seafloor in U.S. waters ing a comeback here, reinventing off the West Coast. themselves as a sustainable in- Even so, with fragile species re- dustry less than two decades after bounding, trawlers could harvest authorities closed huge stretches as much as 120 million pounds of the Pacific Ocean because of a year, but there’s only demand the species’ depletion. for about half that much. That’s The ban devastated fisher- because groundfish have been men, but as of Jan. 1, regulators replaced in stores by farmed, for- reopened an area roughly three eign species like tilapia. times the size of Rhode Island off A trade association called Posi- Oregon and California to ground- tively Groundfish is trying to fish bottom trawling — all with change that by touring food fes- the approval of environmental tivals and culinary trade shows, PHOTOS BY GILLIAN FLACCUS/AP groups that were once the indus- evangelizing to chefs and seafood try’s biggest foes. A worker sorts fish being unloaded from a bottom trawler containing rockfish and other groundfish buyers about the industry’s re- The rapid turnaround is made species in Warrenton, Ore., last month. bound and newfound sustainabil- even more unique by the col- ity. They give out samples, too. laboration between the fisher- went over, they had to buy quota “We are treating this almost men and environmentalists who from other fishermen in a system like a new product for which you spent years refining a long-term reminiscent of a carbon cap-and- have to build awareness — but we fishing plan that will continue to trade model. do have a great story,” said Jana resuscitate the groundfish indus- Mandatory independent ob- Hennig, the association’s execu- try while permanently protect- servers, paid by the trawlers, tive director. “People are so sur- ing thousands of square miles of accompanied the vessels and prised to hear that not everything reefs and coral beds that benefit hand-counted their haul. is lost, that not everything is doom the overfished species. Fishermen quickly learned to and gloom, but that it’s possible Now, the fishermen who see avoid areas heavy in off-limits that you can manage a fishery so their livelihood returning must species and began innovating to well that it actually bounces back solve another piece of the puzzle: net fewer banned fish. to abundance.” drumming up consumer demand Surveys soon showed ground- for fish that haven’t been in gro- fish rebounding — in some cases, cery stores or on menus for a 50 years faster than predicted generation. — and accidental trawling of “It’s really a conservation home overfished species fell by 80%. run,” said Shems Jud, regional The Marine Stewardship Council director for the Environmental certified 13 species in the fishery Defense Fund’s ocean program. as sustainable in 2014, and five “The recovery is decades ahead Kevin Dunn, who fishes off the coasts of Oregon and Washington, more followed last year. of schedule. It’s the biggest en- holds an aurora rockfish at a processing facility in Warrenton, Ore . As the quota system’s success vironmental story that no one became apparent, environmen- knows about.” nets to scoop up as many fish as trouble, but because of the way talists and trawlers began to talk. The process also netted a win possible, but that can also dam- bottom trawlers fished — indis- Regulators would soon revisit the for conservationists concerned age critical rocky underwater criminately hauling up millions trawling rules, and the two sides about the future of extreme habitat. of pounds of whatever their nets wanted a voice. deepwater habitats where bot- The groundfish fishery hasn’t encountered — regulators began They met more than 30 times, tom trawlers currently don’t go. always struggled. Starting in to halt all bottom trawling. Mul- slowly building trust as they craft- A tract of ocean the size of New 1976, the federal government tiple species of rockfish, slow- ed a proposal. Trawlers brought Mexico with waters up to 2.1 subsidized the construction of growing creatures with spiny fins maps developed over generations, miles deep will be off-limits to domestic fishing vessels to lock and colorful names like canary, alerted environmentalists to reefs bottom-trawling to protect deep- down U.S. interests in West darksplotched and yellow eye, they didn’t know about, and even sea corals and sponges just now Coast waters, and by the 1980s, were the hardest hit. shared proprietary tow paths. being discovered. that investment paid off. Bot- By 2005, trawlers brought in “All we could do on our end is “Not all fishermen are rapers tom trawling was booming, with just one-quarter of the haul of make a good-faith offer, and I re- of the environment. When you 500 vessels in California, Oregon the 1980s. The fleet is now down ally credit the guys in the indus- hear the word ‘trawler,’ very often and Washington hauling in 200 to 75 boats, said Brad Pettinger, try for taking that up,” said Seth that’s associated with destruction million pounds of non-whiting former director of the Oregon Atkinson, an attorney with the of the sea and pillaging,” said groundfish a year. Unlike Dunge- Trawl Commission who was key nonprofit Natural Resources De- Kevin Dunn, whose trawler Iron ness crab and salmon, groundfish in developing the plan to reopen fense Council. “These were tough Lady was featured in a Whole could be harvested year-round, fishing grounds. compromises.” Foods television commercial providing an economic backbone “We really wiped out the indus- Last year, regulators approved about sustainable fishing. for ports. try for a number of years,” Pet- a plan to reopen the 17-year-old Groundfish is a catch-all term But in the late 1990s, scientists tinger said. “To get those things Rockfish Conservation Area off that refers to dozens of species began to sound the alarm about up and going again is not easy.” Oregon and California, while that live on, or near, the bottom dwindling fish stocks. In 2011, trawlers were assigned banning future trawling in ex- of the Pacific off the West Coast. Just nine of the more than quotas for how many of each spe- treme-depth waters and making Trawling vessels drag weighted 90 groundfish species were in cies they could catch. If they off-limits some habitat dubbed PAGE 16 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 NATION Traditional parenting won’t work here Adoption requires special care due to kids’ challenging backgrounds

BY TAYLOR TIAMOYO HARRIS St. Louis Post-Dispatch CLAYTON, Mo. — As Geri Brotherton enters the St. Louis County Courthouse on a Wednesday morning in November, her hands are full and her mind is busy. Her husband, a lawyer and a social worker add to at least seven of her children walking beside her. Two little girls in matching white skirts and denim shirts, their hair in braids and barrettes, can’t contain their excitement as they race up and down the hallway outside a courtroom. They’re the reason the Brothertons are at the courthouse. After they’re adopted in the next few minutes, the two girls, siblings ages 5 and 7, will be Brothertons themselves. Courthouses are so often the scene of sor- row and despair. But for the Brothertons, the room is filled with giggles, laughter PHOTOS BY ROBERT COHEN, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH/AP and joy as the judge hands the newest and Kimora Brotherton, 7, visits with her mother Geri as her family has a celebratory lunch at a Bridgeton Chick-fil-A after officially youngest Brotherton girls teddy bears. adopting Kimora and her sister Marissa on Nov. 6. “Do you have the ability to maintain properly, care for and educate these ador- Left: Ashley able little girls?” asks Karen Siegel, the Brotherton, Brothertons’ attorney. left, talks with “Yes!” says Brotherton, along with her her new sister husband and both girls, who made sure Marissa, 5, as they weren’t left out of any moment in the Brotherton court. family gathers The adoption is now final; the children to have their she’s taken care of since they were babies photo taken with are legally hers. Commissioner “The real work starts now,” says Broth- Heather R. erton, who has adopted nine children and Cunningham fostered more than 200 since the 1970s. following the Her wealth of experience at age 70 has official adoption. taught her that the legal proceeding is a beginning, not a conclusion. Right: Marissa, And whether or not it applies to her left, and Kimora newest daughters, she knows that most Brotherton enjoy children who are adopted or enter foster candy and stuffed care, no matter how young, have traumatic animals given to histories. them as they sit In addition to being a foster parent and with their father adoptive parent, Brotherton teaches a Bill Brotherton class with Family Forward, a nonprofit group that helps parents understand their dren had endured sexual assault, domestic After having children, one St. Louis veterans coming home with post-traumatic children’s trauma and how it affects them violence and more. County couple decided to become foster stress disorder. and the child. “They are survivors first and foremost,” parents to provide families under stress Despite training, the couple said they A new session of Brotherton’s class Knipshild said. “The thrust of this class is with a “break and breathing room.” were not fully prepared to handle the situa- started last month, and about 10 parents (that) we’re looking at you changing, not Although they didn’t anticipate adopt- tion. So they switched things up. Instead of them. Traditional parenting is not going to ing, the 6-and-7-year-olds fit perfectly in settled into a classroom one Tuesday eve- timeouts, there was “time in” because they work.” their family of four. The couple’s plans ning to discuss “parenting kids in difficult realized the children needed to be with situations.” Adoptions have been on the rise in the changed. them more, not less. They also enlisted the They may have been strangers, but it St. Louis area. About 160 adoptions were “With any child in the foster care sys- wasn’t long before they shared a common finalized in St. Louis and St. Louis County tem, they have not come out of consistent help of therapists who gave them tools such denominator: the challenges of being a fos- in 2018, the highest number since 2014. parenting, structured parenting,” the chil- as breathing exercises that helped the chil- ter or adoptive parent. And more than 700 children were ad- dren’s adoptive mother said. “They’ve ex- dren with anxiety. The couple continued “They come to your house and you tell mitted to foster homes in 2018, according perienced trauma. So to come into a healthy taking classes with Family Forward. The them to trust you, and things will be dif- to the latest annual report from Missouri’s home for them, it’s a bit of a shock all the experience has been richly rewarding. ferent now, but think about it. What do they Children’s Division. The average age of the way around because that wasn’t their nor- “They’re kids from really hard places, have to base that on?” said Gail Knipshild, new foster children was 8. mal.” The mother did not want to be identi- so it doesn’t always come with a pretty one of the instructors. A 10-year analysis from the Adoption fied by name to protect her children. package and a bow, but man, they’re some and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting The adjustment took patience and em- Some of those in the class had just taken of the toughest fighters and biggest sur- in a grandchild or family member’s child, System shows that after a child’s second pathy, not only from both parents but from vivors and overcomers,” the mother said. temporarily or permanently. While they birthday, the chance of being adopted be- their biological children as well. Such ran- could cite plenty of positives about these gins to decrease. But the need for caring dom things as a fork, peach pie, scissors “Whether you adopt kids or have them in children, they acknowledged that many of adults remains, and foster parents fill a and glue were among items that triggered your home for 72 hours or three weeks them were being disruptive and disobedi- vital role. Siegel knows of one foster parent outbursts in their new children or sent or three months with no expectations of ent at home, cursing, acting out in school, who only takes in teenagers and welcomes them hiding behind chairs. appreciation or thanks, you’re planting stealing and being manipulative. The chil- the challenge. The couple compared the children to war seeds.” Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 17 WORLD French rail strikes reach milestone 29th day

Associated Press services spotty or non-existent A woman across the rest of the network. pushes her bike PARIS — With 29 straight days Unions are gearing up for fur- at Gare Saint of walkouts, French rail strikes ther walkouts next week, when Lazar train against government plans to re- French schools reopen and nego- station during form France’s retirement system tiations are set to resume with the the 29th day marked a new milestone Thurs- government. of transport day, surpassing even the lengths In a televised New Year address strikes in Paris, of strikes in the 1980s. on Tuesday, French President Thursday. The nationwide walkouts Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed The start of against the government’s pension his commitment to the pension 2020 was the plans started Dec. 5. On Thurs- overhaul but urged his govern- second New day, they surpassed a 1986-1987 ment to “find the path of a quick Year celebration rail strike in longevity, a walkout compromise” with unions. in a row that lasted 28 days at the SNCF Macron stayed firm on the where French national rail company. principles of the reform, includ- President The current strikes have crip- ing its most decried measure: Emmanuel pled train and metro services raising the eligibility age for full Macron has in Paris and across the country pensions from 62 to 64. He insist- faced social over the Christmas-New Year pe- ed the new system will be fairer upheaval. riod and continue to cause severe to all French workers and will be MICHEL EULER/AP disruptions. financially sustainable. The plan The SNCF said half of its vaunt- aims to unite dozens of separate ed high-speed trains weren’t pension systems into one and running on Thursday. Only two eliminate special deals that let automated lines were running some French transit workers re- normally in the Paris Metro, with tire in their 50s.

MARCEL KUSCH, DPA/AP A women lights a candle at the main entrance of the zoo in Krefeld, Germany, on Thursday. 3 women investigated for deadly German zoo blaze

Associated Press The fire started in a corner of the ape house’s roof and spread Three women are under in- rapidly. The zoo near the Dutch vestigation for launching paper border says the ape house burned sky lanterns for New Year’s that down and more than 30 animals apparently ignited a devastat- — including five orangutans, two ing fire at a German zoo, killing gorillas, a chimpanzee and sever- more than 30 animals, officials al monkeys — were killed, as well said Thursday. as fruit bats and birds. The three local women — a Firefighters were only able to mother and her two daughters, rescue two chimpanzees. The ages 30 to 60 — went to police zoo said Thursday it was satisfied in the western city of Krefeld on with their condition. New Year’s Day after authorities Hoppmann said the women had held a news conference about the ordered five sky lanterns on the blaze, criminal police chief Gerd internet and told authorities that Hoppmann said. they hadn’t known they were il- The women are being investi- legal in Germany. He added that gated on suspicion of negligent there was nothing in the product arson, prosecutor Jens Frobel description showing that they said. The offense can carry a pris- were banned. on sentence of up to five years. Hoppmann described the Many Germans welcome in the women as “completely normal new year legally with fireworks people who seemed very sensible, at midnight. Sky lanterns, how- very responsible” and said it was ever, are both illegal and unusual “very courageous” of them to in Germany. The mini hot-air come forward, saving authorities balloons made of paper have been a tricky investigation. He added used in Asia for centuries. that they fear reprisals. PAGE 18 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WORLD Many flee, prep before Australian fires can worsen

BY TRISTAN LAVALETTE Thursday morning ordered tour- Associated Press ists to leave a 155-mile zone along the picturesque south coast. PERTH, Australia — Thou- State Transport Minister An- sands of tourists fled Australia’s drew Constance said it is the wildfire-ravaged eastern coast “largest mass relocation of peo- Thursday ahead of worsening ple out of the region that we’ve conditions as the military started ever seen.” to evacuate people trapped on the New South Wales premier shore further south. Gladys Berejiklian declared a Cooler weather since Tuesday has aided firefighting and al- seven-day state of emergency lowed people to replenish sup- starting Friday, which grants the plies. Vehicles formed long lines New South Wales Rural Fire Ser- at gas stations and supermar- vice commissioner more control kets, and traffic was gridlocked and power. as highways reopened. But fire It’s the third state of emergency conditions were expected to de- for New South Wales in the past teriorate Saturday as high tem- two months, after previously not peratures and strong winds are being implemented since 2013. forecast to return. “We don’t take these decisions “There is every potential that lightly but we also want to make the conditions on Saturday will sure we’re taking every single be as bad or worse than we saw” precaution to be prepared for on Tuesday, New South Wales what could be a horrible day on Rural Fire Service Deputy Com- Saturday,” Berejiklian said. missioner Rob Rogers said. A statewide total fire ban will be Authorities said 381 homes had in place on Friday and Saturday. been destroyed on the New South In Victoria, where 83 homes FRANK AUGSTEIN/AP Wales southern coast this week have burned this week, the mili- and at least eight people have tary was helping thousands of died this week in the state and people who fled to the shore as a London Zoo Census neighboring Victoria, Australia’s wildfire threatened their homes two most-populous states, where Tuesday in the coastal town of A zookeeper counts the squirrel-monkeys during the annual stocktake at ZSL London Zoo in London, more than 200 fires are currently Mallacoota. on Thursday . Caring for more than 500 different species, the zoo’s keepers face the challenging task of burning. Food, water, fuel and medical tallying up every every mammal, bird, reptile, fish and invertebrate at the Zoo. Fires have also been burning in expertise were being delivered Western Australia, South Austra- and about 500 people were going lia and Tasmania. to be evacuated from the town by The early and devastating start a naval ship. to Australia’s summer wildfires Crash kills Taiwan’s military chief “We think around 3,000 tourists has led authorities to rate this and 1,000 locals are there. Not all season the worst on record. About of those will want to leave, not all BY RALPH JENNINGS military force if necessary to down in the mountainous, heavily 12.35 million acres of land have Associated Press annex what it considers part of its forested Wulai area southeast of burned, at least 17 people have can get on the vessel at one time,” Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews territory. the capital. been killed and more than 1,400 TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s The helicopter was flying from “He was very calm and very homes have been destroyed. told the Australian Broadcasting top military official was among Taipei to the nearby city of Yilan stable and unlike other army guys Prime Minister Scott Morrison Corporation. eight people killed in an air force for a New Year’s activity when he was always smiling, ” Alexan- said the crisis was likely to last A contingent of 39 firefighters helicopter crash in mountainous it crashed. The victims included der Huang, a strategic studies for months. from the United States and Cana- terrain outside Taipei on Thurs- other senior military officials and professor at Tamkang University “It will continue to go on until da landed in Melbourne on Thurs- day, the defense ministry said. the two pilots. we can get some decent rain that day to help with the catastrophe. Five others survived. The UH-60M Black Hawk with in Taiwan who had known Shen can deal with some of the fires Smoke from the wildfires made As chief of the general staff, 13 people on board dropped from for a decade said. that have been burning for many, the air quality in the national cap- Gen. Shen Yi-ming was respon- the radar screen 10 minutes after A special government commit- many months,” Morrison told re- ital, Canberra, the world’s worst sible for overseeing the self-gov- takeoff from Songshan air force tee will look into the cause of the porters on Thursday. in a ranking index Thursday and erning island’s defense against base around 7:50 a.m., Taiwan’s crash, a defense ministry state- New South Wales authorities on was blowing into New Zealand. China, which threatens to use defense ministry said. It went ment said. Japanese prosecutors raid Nissan ex-chair Ghosn’s Tokyo home

BY YURI KAGEYAMA was Ghosn’s third residence in persecution.” the airport with a French pass- ish authorities had detained seven Associated Press Tokyo since he was first arrested He said he would talk to report- port and Lebanese ID. people as part of an investigation a year ago. Authorities have now ers next week. Ghosn’s lawyers in Japan said into how Ghosn fled to Lebanon TOKYO — Japanese pros- searched each one. Japan does not have an extradi- they had no knowledge of the via Istanbul. ecutors on Thursday raided the It is unclear how Ghosn avoid- tion treaty with Lebanon. escape and they had all his pass- Ghosn, who was charged in Tokyo home of former Nissan ed the tight surveillance he was Lebanon has said Ghosn en- ports. Ghosn has French, Leba- Japan with under-reporting his Chairman Carlos Ghosn after he skipped bail and fled to Lebanon under in Japan and showed up in tered the country legally, and nese and Brazilian citizenship. future compensation and breach before his trial on financial mis- Lebanon. there was no reason to take action Japanese public broadcaster of trust, has repeatedly asserted conduct charges. Ghosn said Tuesday in a state- against him. NHK TV, without identifying his innocence, saying authorities Tokyo prosecutors and police ment that he left for Lebanon be- The Lebanese minister for sources, reported Thursday that trumped up charges to prevent a did not immediately comment. cause he thought the Japanese presidential affairs, Selim Jreis- Ghosn had two French passports. possible fuller merger between Japanese media showed investi- judicial system was unjust, and sati, told the An-Nahar newspa- Turkish state-run Anadolu Nissan Motor Co. and alliance gators entering the home, which he wanted to avoid “political per that Ghosn entered legally at Agency said Thursday that Turk- partner Renault SA. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 19

Breakout star Lizzo voted Entertainer of the Year by The Associated Press

PLUS, A LOOK BACK AT THE BEST OF THE 2010s

Top pop culture debuts Page 20 Top 10 movies Page 22 Top 15 albums Page 36 Top 25 songs Page 37

HOPING FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hot cruise destinations Page 30 Recommended reads Page 38 ‘Biggest Loser’ resolves to improve Page 39 Avoiding winter weight gain Page 40 Be better to yourself Page 41

TNS PAGE 20 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WEEKEND: POP CULTURE OF THE DECADE Lasting impact From ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Hamilton’; the pop-culture debuts of the decade THE PUBLIC THEATER/AP HELEN SLOAN/HBO “Hamilton” made the show’s creator, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in Lin-Manuel Miranda, a household name. the last season of “Game of Thrones” BY TRAVIS M. ANDREWS The Washington Post rom the rise of the #MeToo movement to the dominance of streaming services to the power of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the biggest pop culture stories from the 2010s Fwill probably affect the cultural landscape for many years. So, rather than look at the most singular moments from the past 10 years, we picked the most impactful debuts of the decade. ‘Game of Thrones’ big trade-off, of course, is that the service wants you to watch these movies at home, By 1956, most Americans owned a tele- which only adds fuel to the fl ames dancing vision and watched the same programs on whatever’s left of movie theaters. at the same time. Many of them would discuss an episode the next day at work, The ‘new’ Beyonce while loitering around the water cooler. If Beyonce didn’t need to change a thing. WILL HEATH/NBC it were any other decade, GoT probably GARETH CATTERMOLE/Getty Images for Disney The pop star had already won the game would have been just another of those by 2013, so she decided to change the Beyonce already was a hitmaker, but she Alec Baldwin landed a notable role as shows. rules and create a new one. She surprise became a cultural force in the 2010s. Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live.” But the rise of the internet/streaming released her self-titled album that year, changed everything forever, and now an and did the same three years later with two have felt more like a married couple existing stories and style of these uni- overwhelming majority of people have “Lemonade,” which included an album- as pop stars were formed on social media verses is a singular accomplishment, and some sort of easy access to every televi- platforms. Case in point: Shawn Mendes, length music video. only adds to our anticipation of Coogler’s sion show ever created (if not an actual the Grammy-nominated, Billboard chart- No longer was she hiding behind the upcoming “Wrong Answer,” written by television). So for a series to capture up to topping singer, fi rst garnered attention on mask of fame. Suddenly she put every- Ta-Nehisi Coates. 20 million viewers per episode in today’s Vine, the now-defunct platform for six- thing on display, from her then-embattled media landscape seems nearly impossible. second video clips. marriage with Jay-Z to her fury at the sys- ‘Hamilton’ Sure, the fi nale left many of those viewers But the story that truly shows the tematic racism crippling the country as If it’s that diffi cult to convince masses of disappointed, but they watched, and that’s Internet’s hold on “traditional” culture is evidenced by the deaths of black men such people to watch the same TV show or pack what counts. the story of “Old Town Road.” The jokey as Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and into the same movie theater at the same country-trap song by Lil Nas X began on Eric Garner. While other pop stars, such time, imagine the barrier to entry when it The ‘living album’ the video site TikTok before ending up as Taylor Swift, became almost self-pa- comes to the stage. Now imagine that the When iTunes debuted in 2001, crit- as the longest-running Billboard chart rodic by trying to appease every possible play is a hip-hop-inspired musical about ics argued the very fabric of the music topper of all time. The times, they are a- audience, Beyonce rafted her pop music the life of founding father Alexander industry was forever changed. And while changin’, indeed. that might have been correct, a much with the power of punk, following her own Hamilton. more seismic shift in the way we listen to muse at all costs. She risked losing the Kylie Jenner as a billionaire “Hamilton” debuted in summer 2015 culture entirely; instead, she ended up our tunes was en route. Streaming existed Kylie Jenner became a billionaire in and almost immediately made its creator dominating it. before this decade — Spotify debuted in 2019 at just 21 years old. Her debut in the Lin-Manuel Miranda a household name. 2008, Pandora in 2005 — but one moment The first ‘Avengers’ movie three-comma club might not seem worthy The show so enraptured the country that showed how deeply it affected what we of inclusion on such a short list, but this its tickets became the most expensive in actually listen to: the debut of the “living The fi rst inkling that superhero movies simple (if unbelievable) fact points to theater history, going for an average of album.” would dominate the box offi ce along with the overwhelming infl uence the Jenners $1,200 (with at least one going for close That’s a cute phrase given to the idea our collective consciousness appeared in and the Kardashians have on American to $10,000) and earning multiple millions that, with streaming services, an artist 2008, the year of “Iron Man” and “The culture. each week. The soundtrack broke records, can change an album even after it’s avail- Dark Knight.” Both hits, they proved Just for starters, there was Caitlyn hitting 150 weeks in the Billboard Top 40 able to the public. The concept entered the superheroes could be big business. But Jenner’s public transition and widely dis- last year and peaking on the rap charts. mainstream when Kanye West premiered 2012’s “The Avengers,” which brought cussed Vanity Fair cover, sparking a na- The show even earned the admiration of “The Life of Pablo” in 2016, only to several characters together in one movie, tionwide conversation about trans rights, President Barack Obama, who invited the release a slightly different version a few arguably altered the industry by taking and Kim Kardashian championing the cast to the White House. days later. major cues from television. Marvel made case of Alice Marie Johnson, whose life movies episodic and intertwined in a way sentence President Donald Trump com- Alec Baldwin’s Trump N etflix creating that never before existed. Each install- muted. Forget reality TV. This family’s impersonation original content ment in the MCU isn’t merely a sequel infl uence stretches into reality. or a prequel but part of a larger jigsaw Donald Trump has long been a pop In 2013, Netfl ix released every episode puzzle, the piecing together of which The debut of the culture fi gure, both a celebrity in his own of “House of Cards,” “Orange Is the New requires a fan to watch every single movie Ryan Coogler blockbuster right and the constant butt of the joke. But Black” and “Hemlock Grove,” three origi- — and even stick around for the credits. he was mostly harmless, just someone nal productions, all at once. These shows As the manner in which we consume It’s no secret that, these days, Holly- with funny hair and a bunch of towers hit the industry like an atomic bomb, per- fi lm and TV continue to merge, it’s a strat- wood is basically propped up by intellec- bearing his name like some comic book manently changing the way we consume egy that feels natural in the streaming tual property. Comic book adaptations and villain. television. Suddenly, waiting for a new era. At the same time, it’s smart business. reboots of beloved franchises ruled the Things, of course, have changed. Love episode each week seemed antiquated. TV decade, making it diffi cult for a new direc- Once a fan has invested dozens of hours him or loathe him, ever since he rode was now meant to be consumed in eight- tor to showcase a truly original vision. But watching movies that feature individual down that escalator in 2015, he became or 10-hour blocks, and the way shows were Ryan Coogler accomplished something heroes, they’re more likely to plunk down the center of American discourse and, structured was altered to refl ect that. astonishing. a few bucks to see them all team up. Case as a result, the center of American art. Then, with the ashes of traditional TV in point: 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” be- The young director burst onto the in its wake, Netfl ix turned its attentions to scene with his gut-wrenching 2013 debut Particularly comedy. Which is why after came the highest-grossing movie ever at four decades in Hollywood, Alec Bald- disrupting the movie industry. The result? the global box offi ce, earning $2.8 billion. “Fruitvale Station,” which tells the true The resurgence of the rom-com with story of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old win might now be better known for his movies such as “Set It Up” and “To All Internet culture black man who was fatally shot by police (arguably bad) Trump impression that he the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” along with a on New Year’s Day 2009. He rebooted the pulls out most weeks as a guest star on streaming service entering awards con- becomes pop culture “Rocky” franchise with 2015’s “Creed” “SNL” than for “Glengarry Glen Ross.” versation for the fi rst time after funding For the early part of the millennium, and tackled the MCU’s “Black Panther” in Baldwin’s take represented one in a fl ood famed directors’ passion projects — such popular culture and Internet culture 2018, imbuing these enormous franchises of impressions from essentially every as “Roma” by Alfonso Cuaron and “The coexisted like two cousins who interacted with personal, deeply felt stories about comedian with a television show, but his Irishman” by Martin Scorsese — that stu- a good bit but clearly came from different racial strife and inequality in America. became the most totemic (and earned the dios wouldn’t take a fi nancial risk on. The families. In the last 10 years, though, the To do so while also remaining true to the ire of the president himself). Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 21 WEEKEND: ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Breakthrough singer-rapper Lizzo The Associated Press bestows top honor on singer-rapper Lizzo has been named Entertainer of the Year by The Associated Press. Voted by entertainment staff- ers of the news cooperative, Lizzo Lizzo performs on Sept. 25 in Washington. dominated the pop, R&B and rap The singer-rapper dropped her major-label charts in 2019 with songs like debut, “Cuz I Love You,” featuring songs like “Truth Hurts“ and “Good As Hell.“ “Good as Hell” and the empowerment anthem Though she released her first album “Truth Hurts” in 2019. She also became the in 2013, Lizzo dropped her major- leading nominee for the Grammys with eight. label debut, “Cuz I Love You,” this Brent N. Cl arke, Invision/AP year and the success has made her the leading nominee at the 2020 Grammy Awards, where she is up for eight honors. “I’m doing the same things — hard work, dedication, touring constantly — but now everybody is looking,” Lizzo told the Los Angeles Times last month. “Everyone’s just now paying attention.” Outside of music, Lizzo has won over fans for promoting body posi- tivity and denouncing fat shaming. “When you’re in the room with her, she makes you feel good. She radiates,” songwriter-producer Ricky Reed, who signed Lizzo to his Atlantic Records imprint, Nice Life, in 2015, told the Los Angeles Times last month. “The reason she has connected is that her music is so infused with her message. It’s a real-time, blow-by-blow of her life.” Her live performances have been revered, and the 31-year-old classi- cally trained flutist grinded as an independent and touring artist for years. She performed with Prince on his 2014 “Plectrumelectrum” album, released two years before his death. Lizzo also had a role in the film “Hustlers,” opposite Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu and Cardi B, and she voiced a character in the animated picture “UglyDolls.” Previous AP Entertainer of the Year winners have included Lin- Manuel Miranda, Adele, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lawrence, Lady Gaga, Tina Fey and Betty White. Streaming giant Netflix was cho- sen for the award in 2018. Lizzo also was named Entertainer of the Year by Time magazine. — The Associated Press PAGE 22 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WEEKEND: POP CULTURE OF THE DECADE – MOVIES TOP he last 10 years will probably go down as the decade of Marvel’s domination and Netfl ix’s ascension. FILMS But despite all the tumult and the perpetual rumors of cinema’s supposed demise, good stuff — no, great stuff — kept getting made. OF THE It can be harder to fi nd. Mega-blockbusters suck up most of the big screens and the small ones are 2010s increasingly crowded with infi nite choice. Yet the medium is as vibrant as ever, thanks to the infl ux ofT new voices (though still not enough of them) and the undying need of fi lmmakers to tell stories with light and BY LINDSEY BAHR sound. The movies abide. AND The impossibility of an exercise like this is only a reminder of just how very alive cinema is. The next 50 JAKE COYLE Associated Press movies on our list, or yours, might be just as good.

1. ‘Tree of Life’ All the mystery and harmony of life, in the memory-tinged detail of a small-town 1950s Texas family but writ across time and the cosmos. Terrence Malick’s radiant 2011 fi lm maps individual existence against eternity, turning an intimate tale epic. It’s got Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain and dinosaurs and it’s one of the most sublime and soul- stirring movies ever made. — Jake Coyle

FOX SEARCHLIGHT/AP Brad Pitt is pictured in a scene from director Terrence Malick’s ambitious, experimental 2011 epic, “Tree of Life.”

2. ‘Phantom Thread’ 4. ‘Lady Bird’ Paul Thomas Anderson was al- A Sacramento teen navigating her senior year of high ready having an incredible decade school in the early aughts doesn’t necessarily sound with “The Master,” from 2012 like “important cinema,” but that’s exactly why Greta and “Inherent Vice,” from 2014. Gerwig’s semi-autobiographical solo directing debut Then, three years later, “Phantom is so great. The naivete and angry restlessness of Thread” came along and with young adulthood is given a crackling form in Chris- its lush haute couture, blushing tine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan), a per- heroine, ornery genius and poison fectly imperfect heroine who clashes with her mother mushrooms, he somehow blew all and desperately yearns for something — anything the others out of the water. Ander- — that takes her away from the familiar, whether son made a black romantic comedy that’s a boy on the nice side of town or a college on the for his eighth feature but imbued other side of the country. It is, ultimately, a loving look it with enough prestige dressings at a young woman who hasn’t yet become her fully re- A24/AP to elevate it above such a “pedes- alized self and the town that, despite her best efforts, trian” form. Saoirse Ronan, above, is a high school senior at odds with has shaped her to her core. — Lindsey Bahr her hometown in Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird.” — Bahr

3. ‘Margaret’ 5. ‘Moonlight’ Kenneth Lonergan’s other two, also exceptional, features Barry Jenkins’ coming-of-age tale is (“You Can Count on Me,” “Manchester by the Sea”) are separated into three sections — “Lit- better known partly because “Margaret” was tied up for tle,” “Chiron” and “Black” — but its years in a legal battle and an editing nightmare. But Loner- lyricism, beauty and ache is undi- gan’s longer cut (not what was briefl y released in theaters vided. There’s a haunting, even radical but what’s available on DVD) is a New York masterwork of intimacy to “Moonlight.” Years later, great depth and scope. A teenager (Anna Paquin) comes to Chiron feels like someone you once met question everything after witnessing a traffi c death. Culmi- and will know forever. The movie’s soft nating with an embrace in a theater (with an extraordinary blue light shines and shines and shines. A24/AP — Coyle J. Smith-Cameron), “Margaret” is about a self-centered young woman awakening to the dramas all around her. Mahershala Ali, left, and Alex Hibbert are two of — Coyle the reasons “Moonlight” shines so brightly. CONTINUED ON PAGE 23 Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 23 WEEKEND: MOVIES Female-led ‘Black Widow,’ ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ are among ’20’s most anticipated

BY NARDINE SAAD Los Angeles Times The future is female ... at least when it comes to the cineplex. For the fi rst time, four fi lms starring and direct- ed by women — “Wonder Woman 1984,” Marvel’s “Black Widow” and “Eternals” and Disney’s live- action “Mulan” — topped a Fandango audience survey of the most anticipated movies of the new year, the fi lm hub announced Dec. 27. The movies, helmed by Patty Jenkins, Cate Shortland, Chloe Zhao and Niki Caro, respec- tively, were selected in an online survey con- ducted in the last weeks

FOCUS FEATURES/AP of December. More than 2,000 millen- Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning, right, are shown in a scene from Sofi a Coppola’s “Somewhere.” nial fi lm fans cast their votes for the top movies 6. ‘Somewhere’ and performances they Writer-director Sofi a Coppola has always been able to see the dreamy banality in the sensational, whether it’s in the life of were most looking for- Marie Antoinette, the suicides of fi ve sisters, or, in the case of “Somewhere,” the life of a movie star (Stephen Dorff) living ward to seeing on the big screen in 2020. in the most tabloid-ridden hotel in Los Angeles: the Chateau Marmont. Quiet and restrained and with the roads and cars Rounding out the and excess of Los Angeles as the backdrop, “Somewhere” gazes in on a father coming to the realization that very soon top 10 are a bevy of his almost teenage daughter (Elle Fanning) won’t need him at all. It’s neither cold nor depressing, however, but a warm- sequels, spin-offs and hearted look at the isolation, the silliness and even the universality of this rarefi ed world. adaptations, including — Bahr Gal Gadot the next James Bond installment (“No Time to Die”), John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place II,” the 7. ‘Cold War’ female superhero team-up fl ick “Birds of Prey,” Pawel Pawlikowski made two stag- the musical “In the Heights,” Pixar’s animated gering masterpieces in the last fi lm “Soul” and the ninth chapter of the “Fast & decade, both expressively black-and- Furious” franchise. “Soul,” about a middle-school white, both devastatingly taut. First music teacher who dreams of playing at a New was “Ida,” then came “Cold War.” York jazz club, appears to be the only original fare. It’s a stunning back-to-back. The But it’s the “Wonder Woman” sequel that fans two fi lms, so austere yet so expres- seem particularly stoked about, topping the most sive, feel like they come from anoth- anticipated actress (Gal Gadot), actor (Chris Pine) er time. Choosing one isn’t fair, but and villain (Kristen Wiig) categories as well. I gravitate more to “Cold War” for Here’s how those four fi lms fared and the other the sensual performances of Joanna releases moviegoers can expect in the new year: Kulig and Tomasz Kot as lovers MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIE brought together and torn apart in postwar Poland. It’s a romantic and “Wonder Woman 1984” (directed by Patty Jenkins, June 5) bleak portrait of love and art under “Black Widow” (Cate Shortland, May 1) totalitarianism. Marvel’s “Eternals” (Chloe Zhao, Nov. 6) — Coyle “Mulan” (Niki Caro, March 27) CBS Films “No Time to Die” (Cary Joji Fukunaga, April 10) Oscar Isaac is the titular folk singer in “Inside Llewyn Davis.” “A Quiet Place Part II” (John Krasinski, March 20) 8. ‘Certified Copy’ “Birds of Prey” (Cathy Yan, Feb. 7) Can a fi ction be truth? That’s the 9. ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ “In the Heights” (Jon M. Chu, June 26) heady question behind the great Pixar’s “Soul” (Pete Docter and Kemp Powers, June 19) As they were in the two previous decades, the Coen brothers were as vital Abbas Kiarostami’s “Certifi ed “Fast & Furious 9” (Justin Lin, May 22) as any fi lmmaker over the past 10 years. Their output: “True Grit,” “Hail, Copy,” in which an antiques dealer Caesar!”, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” and, most of all, this melancholy gem (Juliette Binoche) and a writer (Wil- MOST ANTICIPATED MOST ANTICIPATED set in the Greenwich Village folk scene in the winter of 1961. The title charac- liam Shimell) debate the essence ACTRESS VILLAIN ter (Oscar Isaac) is a musician, recently made solo by the death of his singing of authenticity in art and what, Gal Gadot 1. Kristen Wiig as Cheetah partner, whose talent isn’t quite enough, whose luck is lacking and whose cat- (“Wonder Woman 1984”) (“Wonder Woman 1984”) exactly, constitutes a reproduction wrangling abilities are defi nitely insuffi cient. Llewyn never catches a break. Scarlett Johansson 2. Rami Malek as Safi n (perhaps everything). The fi lm has Thank God the Coens did. (“Black Widow”) (“No Time to Die”) its own metamorphosis of sorts too — Coyle as the nature of even their rela- Emily Blunt (“A Quiet Place 3. Ewan McGregor as Black tionship becomes amorphous and Part II,” “Jungle Cruise”) Mask (“Birds of Prey”) obscured when a farce about the two Margot Robbie 4. Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo being married ends up becoming 10. ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ (“Birds of Prey”) Robotnik very real. It was an audacious and Wes Anderson’s precise and beautiful aesthetics have a way of becoming the Zendaya (“Dune”) (“Sonic the Hedgehog”) provocative fi lm to kick off a decade only thing people talk about or seem to remember from his fi lms, which is MOST ANTICIPATED 5. Charlize Theron as of cinema and while the answers unfortunate because it’s also something ACTOR Cipher (“Fast & Furious 9”) remain elusive, the experience and that can be weaponized against him. Chris Pine MOST ANTICIPATED ideas are those that nine-plus years But “The Grand Budapest Hotel’s” (“Wonder Woman 1984”) HORROR FILM on have continued to provoke. Paul Rudd mastery is undeniable. Within this fun “A Quiet Place Part II” — Bahr and sumptuous caper confection about (“Ghostbusters: Afterlife”) “Halloween Kills” a dandy concierge, Gustave H. (Ralph Ryan Reynolds (“Free Guy”) “The Invisible Man” Fiennes), who presides over a splendid Daniel Craig “The Conjuring: The Devil Also: “Dawson City Frozen Time,” old-world hotel that is quickly becom- (“No Time to Die”) Made Me Do It” “Melancholia,” “The Florida ing as much of a relic as his aristocrat- Robert Downey Jr. “The Grudge” Project,” “The Social Network,” ic-servant values, is an unexpectedly (“Dolittle”) “Timbuktu,” “Cameraperson,” “The moving commentary on the last vestig- MOST ANTICIPATED MOST ANTICIPATED Immigrant,” “A Separation,” “I Am es of civilization in a time between two FAMILY FILM LIVE-ACTION COMEDY FOX SEARCHLIGHT/AP Love,” “Burning,” “Senna,” “Once dehumanizing world wars. It’s the kind “Mulan” “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,” From left: Paul Schlase, Tony of fi lm that has the audience yearning Pixar’s “Soul” “Bill & Ted Face the Music” “Phoenix,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” Revelori, Tilda Swinton and Ralph for and mourning something that never “Sonic the Hedgehog” “Bad Boys For Life” “Faces Places,” “At Berkeley,” “The Fiennes are pictured in a scene even really existed. “Dolittle” “Legally Blonde 3” Deep Blue Sea” from “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” — Bahr “Jungle Cruise” “The Lovebirds” PAGE 24 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WEEKEND: MOVIES No grudge against horror Diversity of cast, fl exibility of genre making ‘Grudge’ star John Cho rethink former bias

BY JAMI GANZ The family quickly learned that American cin- New York Daily News emas were very different. “I was traumatized to see a woman murdered ohn Cho is breathing new life into a deadly pretty gruesomely within the fi rst couple minutes story. of the movie. But because we had paid the four In the third version of “The Grudge,” the bucks for the air conditioning, we did not leave,” J“Harold & Kumar” star is trading in his Cho recalled, adding with a laugh that his parents comedy chops for a new kind of horror rooted in just covered his and his brother’s eyes “whenever “very real adult grief.” there was somebody getting killed. Or having sex. “It was a drama, a cast of characters that was There was a lot of both on this death ship.” pretty much over 40, and it’s just so unusual in In 2017, Cho inched back toward the genre, with movies today,” Cho, 47, told the Daily News re- a role on the second season of Fox’s anthology se- cently of his interest in the fi lm, out Friday. “And ries “The Exorcist,” a sequel to the 1973 fi lm of the I think that’s what attracts me to the horror genre same name starring Linda Blair. in general, late in life, is its ability to use the genre “One of the drivers (to be in that show) was the to do things that aren’t being done in cinema right fact that Asian American faces are unusually ab- now.” sent from the horror genre,” Cho explained. “The Grudge” follows the 2004 fi lm of the same But it was “Get Out,” which premiered earlier in name starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, and the 2017, that truly changed things for the “Star Trek” 2002 Japanese fi lm that inspired it, “Ju-On: The actor and in fact, altered his “thinking about horror Grudge.” completely.” To prepare for his role, Cho was advised to check “What they were doing made me think about out the “Ju-On” franchise, to which this incarna- color also in the genre, which I hadn’t thought tion is “defi nitely an homage” and “pretty much about, just because I was really disconnected from directly connect(s).” it,” Cho said of the fi lm, which mixes horror with Ironically, Cho says he made a point of avoiding social commentary on racial dynamics in 21st horror fi lms for much of his life. century America. “I never wanted to purposely scare myself,” he explained to The News. “That’s why I stayed away The diversity of “The Grudge” cast was certainly from (the horror genre) for a long time, just had no a factor in his taking on “The Grudge,” Cho said, desire to engage, even when my friends, you know adding that he does “like injecting a face that looks as teenagers, were watching ‘Friday the 13th’ and like mine into a genre that has been pretty white, ‘Halloween,’ I just was not into it.” for the most part.” The “Searching” star attributes his discomfort After “Get Out,” which tipped him off to the with the genre to his “very traumatic experience” “freaking interesting vehicle” that is the genre, of seeing “Death Ship 2” at just 6 years old, during Cho explained, “I really just started thinking about his fi rst trip to the movies. horror as it related to my career and thought, ‘I’d “We had just moved to the United States from love to do one of these, something like this.’ ” Korea,” he explained, noting that Korea wasn’t A review was not available at press time. Sony Pictures Entertainment showing R-rated movies during those days. “Ev- “The Grudge is rated R for disturbing violence and bloody im- erything was sort of for general audiences.” ages, terror and some language. Running time: 93 minutes. John Cho stars in “The Grudge,” now in theaters. Faith, conviction, sacrifice examined in ‘A Hidden Life’

BY ANN HORNADAY his beloved wife Fani (Valerie heavenly choir — a gratuitous The Washington Post Pachner) by his side. Living in gesture given James Newton an idyllic corner nestled amid Howard’s marvelous orchestral n “A Hidden Life,” Terrence mountains and verdant valleys, score — the effect is less numi- Malick tells the little-known the two work, play and love nous than overworked. story of Franz Jaegerstaet- together, eventually welcoming And yet, even at it teeters on Iter, a farmer living in Aus- three daughters and members of the edge of pretentiousness, “A tria during World War II, who their extended families. Viewers Hidden Life” exerts a cumulative was executed in 1943 after refus- familiar with Malick’s 2011 mas- power that cannot be ignored. ing to swear an oath of loyalty to terwork “The Tree of Life” will Diehl and Pachner are ide- Adolf Hitler. recognize similar moments of ally suited to their roles, their Malick took the title of his domestic intimacy, as they play expressive faces as simple and as fi lm from a George Eliot quote out amid family games, quick, weathered as the tools their char- about the myriad anonymous darting gestures and meaningful Twentieth Century Fox acters use in their aged barn. acts of moral courage that go glances. Over the course of the movie, August Diehl and Valerie Pachner star in the fi lm “A Hidden Life.” forgotten throughout history. When Franz is called for mili- their love story evolves from With this sweeping, spiritually tary training in 1940, he attends, one of sensuality and shared minded story, Malick continues thinking that the war will be cal newsreels of Nazi rallies and These stylistic tics have made purpose to a truly sacred bond. to explore the subjects that have over soon. When he is drafted a pageants, making his stance feel Malick’s most recent fi lms — “To As Franz’s personal passion play captivated him throughout his few years later, he has decided to even lonelier by comparison. the Wonder,” “Knight of Cups,” unfolds, the beauty and sadness career, exploring the human forswear allegiance to the Third Filming on location in St. Ra- “Song to Song” — little more of his story have burrowed into search for God and the lim- Reich, a choice he knows will degund, where the Jaegerstaet- than sincere but vague and self- the viewer’s consciousness on a inal space between earthbound result in hardship for Fani, shun- ters lived — and even using their indulgent cinematic ruminations. level beyond mere narrative. desires and more transcendent ning by their fellow villagers real-life farmhouse for some in- Here, in the service to a more “A Hidden Life” is indisput- aspirations. Here, that explora- and, most likely, his own death. terior scenes — Malick uses the linear, character-driven story, ably the fi nest work Malick has tion is embodied by an extraor- At nearly three hours, “A Hid- same visual language he’s been they can seem simultaneously produced in eight years, as an dinary fi gure made all the more den Life” takes its time estab- honing, with uneven success, blunt and maddeningly indirect. examination of faith, conviction heroic by the fact that he was lishing the bucolic rhythms of since “The New World”: a com- As Franz worries over what to and sacrifi ce, but also as proof of ordinary: Putting one ethical foot the Jaegerstaetters’ lives, their bination of loose, improvisatory do, Malick stages encounters concept for his own idiosyncratic in front of the other, he trudges relationships with their neigh- scenes, often fi lmed with a wide with Fani and fellow villagers style. It marks an exhilarating to a tragic but ultimately sublime bors and Franz’s ongoing conver- fi sh-eye lens; whispered voice- against arresting backdrops, as if return to form but also, more end. sations with Catholic priests who, overs of prayers lifted up to an he directed the actors simply to crucially, content. Portrayed in a thoroughly con- as Hitler’s rise progresses, are unhearing God; and lots of shots pace around each other and utter vincing performance by August either passive or complicit. The of nature (in this case waterfalls, gnomic pronouncements about “A Hidden Life” is rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including Diehl, Franz is introduced while wrenching fatalism of Franz’s wheat fi elds and magnifi cent good, evil and the nature of God. violent images. Running time: 173 plying his trade as a farmer, with story is underscored by histori- Alpine crags). When he drops in the occasional minutes. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 25 WEEKEND: QUICK TRIPS Europe ON THE QT DIRECTIONS The museum is at Senckenber- ganlage 25 in 60325 Frankfurt. Unfortunately, there is no park- ing at the museum. Closest park- ing garages are Adalbertstrasse, which is closed Sundays; Con- gresscenter Messe Frankfurt at the Maritim Hotel, Theodor- Heuss-Allee 3-5; Messeturm, Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 49; and WestendGate, Hamburger Allee 2. These are open 24 hours. If you take public transportation, subway lines U4, U6 and U7 halt at the nearby Bockenheimer Warte stop. On bus line 32, get off at the Senckenbergmuseum stop. TIMES 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. /Stars and Stripes PHOTOS BY MICHAEL ABRAMS COSTS A model of a Tyrannosaurus rex stands across from the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt. In front of the Senckenberg, which is Germany’s premiere natural history museum, is also a model of a Diplodocus longus. Admission for adults is 10 euros, 5 euros for children 6 to 15 years of age and free admission for kids under 6. A family ticket for two adults and up to three children between 6 and 15 years Earthly of age is 25 euros. Parking costs around 1.80 euros per hour, depending on the garage. FOOD There is a bistro on the top fl oor fascination of the museum and plenty of places to eat around the corner on Adalbertstrasse. Senckenberg Museum INFORMATION The museum website is museum- frankfurt.senckenberg.de/en. brings natural history to life An app is available for download Some of the skeletons in the dinosaur hall at the Senckenberg with plenty of information on the BY MICHAEL ABRAMS Museum are copies, while some, like the Diplodocus longus, museum and its exhibits. Stars and Stripes second from left, are originals. — Michael Abrams inosaurs have been extinct for millions of years but they still fascinate people, young and old. Even dino- saur bones fascinate — or at least that’s the impression you get when you visit the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt, Germany. DThe museum belongs to the Senckenberg Natural History Re- search Foundation, founded in 1817. Named for Frankfurt physician and philanthropist Johann Christian Senckenberg, the institution is one of Germany’s best-known and most popular natural history museums. There is a large model of a Tyrannosaurus rex across the street, facing the museum, and a model of a Diplodocus longus in front. Maybe the T. rex is staring at the Diplodocus, wondering how it would taste. Inside, the only original skeleton in the world of a Diplodocus longus is in the dinosaur hall. The diplodocus was unearthed in Wyoming and was a present from the American museum to the Senckenberg when it opened in 1907. In a display that seems to fascinate visitors, an anaconda tries to As interesting as the “terrible lizards” are, the most fascinating swallow a capybara, the largest living rodent in the world, whole. Visitors check out the skeletons of exhibit at the museum for me — and it’s been that way since I fi rst prehistoric animals, including that saw it as a child — is the one of an anaconda trying to swallow a found in Ethiopia in 1974, was the earliest evidence we had that of an American mastodon. capybara, the largest living rodent in the world, whole. If it had suc- hominids walked upright. What the Senckenberg has is a copy of ceeded, it wouldn’t have had to eat again for months. It is in a glass Lucy; the original is at the National Museum of Ethiopia. case on the left as you enter the large room beyond the dinosaurs On the top fl oor, the Senckenberg is constructing a new ocean- that features skeletons of whales and elephants, and their ancestors. themed exhibit, part of a plan to modernize the 200-year-old mu- The main attraction in that room is the 72-foot-long skeleton of seum. The project has closed an entire wing of the fl oor, but you can a fi n whale, the second-largest animal in the world. But don’t miss see “The Fascination of Diversity,” a temporary exhibit that shows the other things like the 10,000-year-old mastodon that once lived in the diversity of life on Earth in a 50-foot-by-13-foot glass case. what is now New York. On the next fl oor are exhibits of mammals, amphibians, reptiles Also on this fl oor is the insect exhibit. While I was looking at a and birds. There are hundreds of stuffed specimens, from the four giant model of a six-legged creature, three girls walked in and one corners of the globe, to look at. One room is dedicated to the evolu- screamed “I hate insects!” before rushing out of the room. tion of plants. But when you come up the stairs, fi rst take a gander at There are some creepy specimens here, but if you are interested the exhibit in a small room to the left. in natural history, be it long-extinct dinosaurs or the Earth’s diver- Here, the evolution of man is on display, with models and skulls of sity, the Senckenberg Museum is a place you will want to visit. Models and skulls of Homo Homo sapiens’ forefathers surrounding Lucy, the 3.2-million-year- [email protected] sapiens’ forefathers are on display old Australopithecus afarensis who, when her fossilized bones were Twitter: @stripes_photog in the evolution of man exhibit. PAGE 26 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WEEKEND: TRAVEL Europe Defend yourself against modern travel scams

urope is a surprisingly creative missing. When you frantically call your place when it comes to travel bank, you fi nd out that someone with your scams. Many of the most suc- PIN has already withdrawn hundreds of Ecessful gambits require a naively euros from a different ATM. It turns out trusting tourist, but seasoned travelers the “tourist” with the selfi e stick was actu- can be taken in, too. We should all be wary ally taking a video as of the numerous subtle scams — a cabbie you entered your PIN pads your fare, a hotel business-center on the ATM keypad. computer records your password, or a His accomplice then waiter offers a special with a “special” targeted you in the increased price. But if you’re cautious subway. and not overly trusting, you should have Best defense: Check no problem. Here are some of the latest your surroundings be- travel scams , and how to skirt them. fore withdrawing cash Money-wiring requests from an ATM. If there Rick Steves is someone suspicious You’re searching online for an apart- nearby, fi nd a different ment to rent in Paris, and contact the ATM. And always cover the keypad when owner Pierre through Airbnb. Suddenly you enter your PIN. you get a private email from Pierre saying he can give you a better deal on the side Fake tickets DOMINIC ARIZONA BONUCCELLI/Ricksteves.com — avoiding the website commission. The Fresh off a long fl ight into Schiphol If “tourist police” ask to check your wallet for counterfeit bills, it’s probably a scam. price is right, and the location is fantastic, Airport and eager to get to your hotel in but Pierre wants you to wire the money central Amsterdam, you approach the lets you “lock in” your conversion rate. badges, and ask to check your wallet for directly to his bank account. “I’ve got train-ticket machine with your credit card Later, when you’re in Edinburgh, an ATM counterfeit bills. After looking through others interested too, so you’d better do it in hand. But a friendly-looking passerby your wallet, they say everything is fi ne quick,” he writes. But once you wire the offers two options, “You can be charged and leave. You don’t even notice some bills money, Pierre disappears, along with the offers to sell you at a discount a legit-look- in dollars: Press YES for dollars, NO for are missing until later. listing . ing ticket, saying he accidentally pur- British pounds.” You think “dollars” is the Best defense: Never hand over your Best defense: When booking accom- chased two. Later when you feed the ticket logical choice and press YES. But when wallet to anyone. If the “police” insist, tell modations, never wire money directly into a turnstile, it doesn’t work — the you check your bank statements, you see them you’ll do it only at a police station. to a foreign bank account. Stick with a ticket was either a fake, or already had its a “fee” for converting transactions to There probably aren’t more thieves in reputable, secure reservation website and bar code scanned. dollars and a poor exchange rate. You’ve Best defense: Never hand over cash been a victim of what banks call “dynamic Europe than in the U.S. We travelers just use a credit card so you can dispute any notice them more because they target us. fraudulent transactions. (or a card) to someone who’s not behind a currency conversion,” which may be legal, counter. but is a rip-off. But remember, nearly all crimes suffered ATM scams Best defense: When a merchant or a by tourists are nonviolent and avoidable. ‘Dynamic’ currency conversion bank asks if you want to be charged in If you exercise adequate discretion, stay In the heart of Barcelona, you are aware of your belongings and avoid put- On your last day in London, you fi nd dollars, always choose the local currency. about to use an ATM when another tour- ting yourself into risky situations, your a Union Jack coaster set you know your Cancel the transaction if they say you ist stands on the sidewalk with a selfi e travels should be no more dangerous than sister will love. You push your credit card must pay in dollars. stick and starts taking pictures. You don’t hometown grocery shopping. think much about it as you withdraw your into the reader, and it defaults to run- money and head into the Metro. Five min- ning the transaction in “USD” unless you Fake officials Rick Steves (ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on pub- utes later, after being jostled in a crowded select “GBP.” The shopkeeper explains In Prague, two uniformed men stop lic television and public radio. Email him at rick@ subway car, you fi nd that your wallet is that the U.S. dollar option is a service that you on the street, fl ash “Tourist Police” ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook. TOP TRAVEL PICKS

Epiphany celebrations witch. All participants are from Magi sees a colorful procession many, where brave teams of four the city’s oldest rowing club . The make its way from the Piazza riders hop onto old-fashioned in Italy contenders, accompanied by del Duomo to the Basilica di horned sledges and careen along For many Europeans, there’s other boats, race from the start- Sant’Eustorgio, where a living a downhill track. The fastest one last hurrah to the holiday ing point in front of the Bank of nativity scene awaits. These achieve speeds in excess of 60 season before those decora- Italy to the Rialto bridge. Once commemorations take place mph, and harrowing crashes are tions get tucked away again for the race is over, a huge stocking 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. not uncommon. Join thousands of another year. is unfurled. The regatta begins cheering spectators on the Part- In Italy, children are getting at 11 a.m. and lasts about 15 Three Kings parades nachalm starting at 11:30 a.m. excited for the appearance of minutes. Spectators on the shore in Spain Jan. 6. The race will be canceled can stay warm with cups of hot if there’s not enough snow cover, Befana, a good witch who regrets Magic, wonder and thousands Karen Bradbury chocolate or mulled wine. On- so check the event’s website at a missed opportunity. Accord- of happy children will fi ll the line: tinyurl.com/qnyh955 noon on Jan. 5, when the fi nal ing to one version of an ancient streets of Madrid on the evening Rome’s celebration, known as decision is made. Online: horn- legend, the Three Wise Men, on Read more about things to do of Jan. 5, as a parade of fl oats Viva la Befana, takes place near schlitten.de their way to Bethlehem to honor in the Europe Traveler blog: and costumed marchers ac- the Vatican. A historical parade the newborn savior, stopped stripes.com/blogs/europe-traveler companies the central fi gures of made up of hundreds of partici- Star Singers make their to ask an old woman for direc- Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, pants in medieval costume and rounds in Germany tions. Although she was unable the famed Three Kings from the the land, it also draws people out decorated horses passes by spec- to point out the way, she treated East. The Cabalgata de Reyes Those located elsewhere in into the streets in a number of tators lining the Via della Con- the strangers with kindness, so gets underway from the Paseo de Germany might have a sign of they invited her to accompany communities. ciliazione. Among the marchers la Castellana from 6:30 p.m. and the Three Kings Holiday come them on their search for the Urbania, a town in Le Marche are the Three Kings, who carry concludes around 9 p.m. knocking at their doors. Each infant. She declined, excusing region some 40 miles south of their symbolic gifts to the Pope. It’s not only Spain’s capital year, as part of an initiative herself by saying her housework San Marino, holds its annual “La The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. that celebrates the day with a known as Sternsinger, or Star couldn’t wait. Later on, she had a Festa Nazionale della Befana” Florence also stages a histori- grandiose parade. In Barcelona, Singers, groups of children clad change of heart, and headed out Jan. 4-6. The old town spiffs cal parade. The Procession of the the Three Kings and their en- in costumes recalling the look on her own to fi nd baby Jesus. up with stockings hanging in Magi is a solemn cavalcade made tourage arrive by sea. In the city and feel of the Three Kings Even today, Befana continues the windows and other festive up of some 700 marchers and led of Alcoy, some 60 miles south of ring doorbells. If invited inside, her search for him, fl ying around touches, street artists entertain, by the Three Wise Men, riding Valencia, the Three Wise Men they’ll sing a song, leave a chalk on her broom and leaving treats and children can visit the witch on horseback in their sumptu- make their triumphant entry into mark (or, in more recent times, in homes where well-behaved in her home. Entry to the festival ous silk costumes. The parade the city on the backs of camels a sticker) indicating the year on children reside. Her gift-giving costs 5 euros for adults and is departs Piazza Pitti at 2 p.m. and employ stepladders to leave the doorway to the house as a spree takes place on the eve of free for ages 10 and under. On- and arrives at Piazza Duomo off gifts for the city’s residents blessing, and take up a collection. Epiphany, which always falls line: festadellabefana.com around 3:30 p.m. Once there, the who live on upper fl oors. Each year, the world’s largest on Jan. 6. This is the so-called In Venice, the Regata delle Magi place their gifts by a living children-to-children charity 12th day of Christmas, and the Befane is a rowing race along creche, and the city’s metropoli- Horned sledge races in drive raises millions of euros day the Wise Men arrived at the the Grand Canal in which the tan archbishop reads a passage and supports projects throughout manger bearing their gifts. competitors, exclusively male, from the gospel. Online: tinyurl. Garmisch-Partenkirchen the world, including those in this L’Epifania del Signore is cel- are clothed in the long black com/yxyfasvx Epiphany is also a big day in year’s country of focus, Lebanon. ebrated not only at home across dresses, shawls and bonnets of a In Milan, il Corteo dei Re Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Ger- Online: sternsinger.de Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 27 WEEKEND: FOOD & DINING Europe Air-fried bagel chips made fast and easy

BY ADDIE BROYLES Austin American-Statesman f you got an air fryer this holiday season, you’re in for a treat. I These $60 to $250 machines have been the next best way to get dinner on the table (after the Instant Pot, of course) for two years now, and its fans are more like devotees, spreading the good word of perfect french fries, crusted salmon, quick and easy kale Amazon chips, chicken wings that the The Philips air fryer is one of family can’t eat fast enough and many examples of the trendy the most succulent steak you’ve items currently on the market. ever tasted. Unlike electric pressure cookers or slow cookers, air you don’t have to add oil. The /Stars and Stripes PHOTOS BY NORMAN LLAMAS fryers specialize in using dry circulating hot air alone will cook and crisp the food. Any Doppio Malto’s bar serves craft beers and a full menu of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Doppio heat to cook foods, much like a additional oil, like the drizzle of Malto is a new restaurant and brewery near the Granfi ume Gran Shopping mall in Fiume Veneto, Italy. convection oven. Hot air swirls around the food, crisping the olive oil on the bagel slices, can outside edges or giving it a add more fl avor. roasted or broiled effect, with- I also toss them in garlic salt out an oven. before adding the pieces to the This means it can cook nonstick basket with a handle Award-winning brew everything from that nests into another broccoli to chicken nonstick pan. That’s tenders, bagels to what you slide into churros. I’ve even the machine. Doppio Malto’s craft beer worth the price seen cake recipes in The digital display some of the cook- has eight presets, in- books that have come cluding fries, chicken BY NORMAN LLAMAS through my offi ce. and fi sh, and you Stars and Stripes All year, I’d been can manually set the thinking about get- temperature any- or all you craft beer lov- ting an air fryer, where between 170 ers out there — and for AFTER and I fi nally got one and 400 degrees. The those who like gastropub HOURS on a Black Friday sale. It is a bagel chips cooked Ffare — there’s a new high-rated, 5.8-quart model at 400 degrees and were done Doppio Malto at the Granfi ume ITALY from GoWise USA that runs for in about six minutes, just a few Gran shopping mall, about half about $100. shy of the eight called for in the an hour from Aviano. The shiny black appliance is recipe. I also realized that the Don’t be put off by the restau- bigger than I thought it would device heats up so quickly, you rant’s location or the fact that it’s be, and it also heats up faster don’t really need to warm it up part of a chain with locations all DOPPIO over Italy. Their craft beers have Fermentation tanks inside and more intensely than I fi rst. won multiple awards, includ- MALTO Doppio Malto announce their thought it would. Rather than The bagel chips were incred- ing a gold medal for one called award-winning craft beers, test it with fries or chicken ibly crisp and satisfying, and Crash at the European Beer Star just one reason to stop by this wings, I decided to make bagel it took even less time than I Address: Via Maestri del restaurant and brewery. chips using a recipe from “The thought it would. 2019 competition in Nuremberg, Lavoro, 42, 33080 Fiume Germany. It was the second Essential Air Fryer Cookbook” A reader who has a convec- Veneto PN, Italy by Bruce Weinstein and Mark tion oven reported that she uses competition medal since 2015 for Hours: Monday – Thursday the bittersweet beer described Scarbrough. air fryer recipes in her convec- 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. Friday and I tossed the bagel chips in tion oven, without having to as containing fl avors of “chest- Saturday 12 p.m. – 2 a.m. nut honey, American hop and a little olive oil, but one of the change the method or ingredi- Food: Grilled meats, ham- fi rst big lessons I learned is that ents. caramel.” burgers, salads; late-night Inside the brightly colored, menu; no kids’ menu avail- hard-to-miss building that able. AIR FRYER BAGEL CHIPS houses Doppio Malto in the mall, Drinks: Craft beers, wine, you’ll fi nd a dining area that’s and a full bar with an ex- Doppio Malto’s mixed grill for just as colorful as the outside. These snackable crisps are bagel rounds. A bagel already tensive alcoholic beverage two is one of many delicious There’s lots of seating, a huge perfect for a cheese plate, a split into halves will yield bagel selection; fountain sodas, items on the menu. bar with all of their brews on tap, snack lunch or a road trip. Use straws. plenty of TVs to watch sporting juice, water, and coffee. as many bagels as you’d like, Serves 2 to 4 I suggest ordering the beer events on, two big play areas for Bottled craft beers are and season before and after Ingredients: kids, and those giant metal beer available to take home. sampler, which comes with four cooking for bagel chips with 1 or 2 bagels, sliced fermenting tanks. Prices: About 11 to 17 small glasses of various craft bite. Stir or toss the chips half- 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil or The servers are friendly, fast Euros ($13 to $19) for most beers. There are several IPAs in way through cooking to help melted butter and speak English. The menu meals both mellow session styles and them cook evenly. Heavy pinch of salt, garlic is extensive and everything we Menu: Italian and English. the hop-monster varieties, as Trader Joe’s sells an every- salt or other spice mix ordered was delicious. Most of the workers speak well as a chocolate stout, a Ger- thing bagel seasoning mixture Directions: My wife and I had the mixed English and are very help- man-style white, an English ale that is a perfect match for these In a large bowl, toss together grill, along with grilled vegeta- ful. and others. chips, but so are the spice rubs the ingredients. Place them bles and fried potato wedges. The — Norman Llamas The prices are, for the most and mixes already in your in the basket of an air fryer serving size was huge — more part, average, but if you order pantry. You could use cinna- and cook at 400 degrees for 6 than enough for the two of us. more than one craft beer and the mon and sugar to make a sweet to 8 minutes, tossing halfway Other menu choices included two servings of the onion rings. mixed grill for two, then eating bagel chip, but the cookbook through. Keep an eye on the American favorites like chicken Doppio Malto offers desserts, at Doppio Malto will generally authors don’t recommend using chips during their last few min- wings and onion rings, really but we had eaten so much by the cost you more than you’d prob- blueberry or raisin bagels to utes. You want them crisp and good salads, burgers, ribs, bar- time we got that far, we didn’t ably pay to dine at other local make the chips because small brown, but not burnt. Season becue chicken, sausages, even order any. restaurants. But the food, the pieces of the fruit might fall again, to taste, and serve. personal pizzas. If you’re not hungry, no wor- service and those craft beers are to the bottom of the fryer and My kids loved the fried potato ries. Many people come here worth the extra money. burn. Adapted from a recipe in “The Essential Air Fryer Cookbook ,” wedges and the fried onion rings for the craft beers, which don’t [email protected] You’ll have to use a whole, by Bruce Weinstein and Mark — so much so that we ordered disappoint. Twitter: @normanllamas unsplit bagel if you want full Scarbrough. PAGE 28 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WEEKEND: TRAVEL Aisle have more space Airplane’s end seats give occupants more freedom,

ILLUSTRATION BY NOGA AMI-RAV/Stars and Stripes fl exibility Other illustrations: iStock

BY NATALIE B. COMPTON Special to The Washington Post elcome to the end of our series on the unoffi cial rules Wfor every seat on a plane, where we break down the responsibilities that come with each to promote common courtesy in the skies. This installation focuses on the aisle seat. If seats on a plane were children in a family, the aisle Rule No. 1: Rule No. 2: Rule No. 3: Rule No. 4: seat would be the oldest kid. The aisle seat is the CEO, the The aisle seat has good The aisle is gatekeeper The aisle seat The aisle seat dictates team captain. Your placement Samaritan duties You are the only obstacle assumes middleman departure pace means you’re calling the shots. With the closest and easiest separating your row neighbors responsibilities Time for a multiple-choice This is a seat for the pragmatic access to the aisle, you’re in the from the aisle. That means you’ll quiz. Your plane lands, taxis to traveler, the one who’s focused prime position to help your fel- be letting them in and out during Thanks to your positioning, you’re stuck in between passen- the gate, and the “Fasten seat on getting in and getting out as low man (should you be willing the fl ight. You knew this when belt” sign dings off. Is it time to and able). When you see a parent you reserved your aisle seat, gers and the fl ight attendants. effi ciently as possible. The aisle By default, attendants may enlist (a) stand up immediately and seat isn’t staring out the win- clearly struggling to wrangle so be a good sport about aisle- move into the aisle, or (b) stay kids and lift a bag into the over- access requests. You may be your help to do their bidding. dow, dreaming; the aisle seat They may need a hand passing seated until the row before you head compartment, or an elderly capable of sitting for an entire leaves, and follow them? You are had the foresight to pick early passenger in the same position, fl ight, but others might not be things over to your neighbors, and avoid the middle. waking them up from deep slum- correct if you answered with do your part and ask whether as lucky. Give them a break and either option, because at the end The aisle seat also comes you can help. You’re packed in keep your feelings to yourself bers or waving them out of their headphone-created seclusion. of the day, you get to set the pace with a sense of freedom. You an aluminum tube with a bunch (i.e., no eye-rolling, heavy sighs of your deplaning. want to get up 15 times during of stressed-out travelers — doing or the like). Those who would like as few dis- ruptions as possible during their You can’t control how the other the fl ight? Stand whenever you something nice goes a long way passengers exit, but you can please. You’re not disrupting here. Although no one is going fl ight should book the window seat instead. choose to rush or relax yourself. anyone. (Unless you’re one to force you to be kind, consider Should a neighbor in your row of the abominable souls who it an investment in good travel ask nicely for you to move for grabs the headrest in front of karma for your future adven- them, feel free to oblige their tures. you with your full body weight request. If they’re pressuring every time you get out of your you non-verbally by hovering chair. Then you are absolutely over your chair, do not entertain any guilt: That passenger should disrupting someone. Please, have booked an aisle seat if they stop doing this.) Rule No. 5: felt so strongly about when to When you’re seated, you get The aisle seat acts in case deplane. the sweet, sweet feeling of re- However, just because you lief when you stretch your leg of emergency have the control here doesn’t out into the aisle — if only for We’ve already established that you’re the boss of the row. That’s mean you should abuse it. Unless a moment. Any longer will run particularly true if things should go wrong onboard. In the unlikely you have a good reason to wait the risk of getting your limb case of an emergency, the aisle seat needs to be ready to jump up and longer, you should be exiting into bashed by the service cart. But get going. This is not the seat for panicking or freezing under pres- the aisle no later than the row in what a thrill. sure. It’s your duty to keep it together and stay calm, following fl ight front of you. staff instructions on how to proceed. Lead your row with order and Watch your knees, and follow grace. the rest of these rules for tak- ing the aisle seat. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 29 WEEKEND: TRAVEL Ditch that extra baggage Your suitcase shouldn’t become a permanent fi xture after a vacation

BY HANNAH SAMPSON Dedicate a time for packing on the dining room table, eventually I’m going to have The Washington Post to get to it because I want to sit down.” Godding recommends building a “reentry day” Toss what you really don’t need (that sightseeing ou might be the kind of hyper-orga- into the schedule so travelers aren’t getting home the pamphlet, bar fl ier or museum guide) and put gifts nized traveler who gets home and im- night before they have to rush back to work: “Come and meaningful souvenirs in a dedicated place. Ide- mediately unpacks, does laundry and back on a Saturday instead of a Sunday so you at least ally, Godding says, that space would involve some puts away your luggage. have a down day where no one’s expecting you to be kind of creative visual display or a box with a lid. Or you might be like me — what I at a meeting or on a phone call,” she says. “If you can put it in a box or a bin, I think it’s a would consider completely normal Use that day for all the settling-back-in work, and best-case scenario because it gives it boundaries,” Y— and still have half-full bags sitting around the liv- make a calendar appointment to prioritize the task. If she says. “If the box is overfl owing or you can’t con- ing room two months after getting home, just waiting it’s not possible to unpack right away, try to get it done nect the lid any longer, all right, I need to reassess for the next trip. within a week at the maximum. Who is right in this scenario? OK, probably Group what’s in here and make sure that it’s all still making A. But procrastinators are legion, and who can blame Act fast on laundry me happy and all still meaningful.” Freebies such as hotel toiletries or shower caps us? We’re wiped out from traveling. We’re bummed Separate dirty clothes from clean ones in their should also get some scrutiny. Godding says unpack- the trip is over. We have other clothes, and probably a own bag or compartment and put them in the wash ing is the right time to assess any existing inventory spare toothbrush. Plus that suitcase looks fi ne in the as soon as you get home. Remember that anything at home and make sure the stockpile isn’t getting out corner, right? wet or soiled will not improve by sitting longer in a of control. “It’s kind of like one of those things where, once suitcase. you get used to seeing it there, you kind of forget Fold clean clothes by type when you’re returning “When the stock continues to grow and it never that it’s there,” says Brooke Schoenman, editor and from a trip so all the shirts, pants, socks and other gets depleted, that’s usually when you know you’ve founder of the travel gear and packing site Her Pack- items are grouped together. That way, they’ll be got an issue,” she says. “And it’s easiest to diagnose ing List. “It becomes the norm: That suitcase belongs easier to put away at the same time. that when you’re back from a trip.” there.” Organization and packing experts are not in favor Keep some things packed Insert a reward of this luggage-as-furniture approach. But they also If the idea of unpacking is a complete drag, give recognize that many of us — so, so many — need help Keep a bag of toiletries and essentials stocked and in your bag at all times, along with items you only use yourself some motivation. to break out of our old ways. Godding has several methods that she suggests to “We have many clients who will call our consul- when traveling, like a luggage scale or jewelry case. When you get home, clean anything that got dirty, clients: Put a TV show on and see how much you can tants in to help them on both the packing side and get done during a commercial. Blast some music and with unpacking,” says Mindy Godding, a certifi ed refi ll whatever is low and make a list of what needs put away as many things as possible before each song professional organizer and co-founder of Richmond, replacing to make sure you’re fully prepared for the ends. Invite a supportive friend over so you have com- Va.-based Abundance Organizing. “So we see this on next trip. If you travel frequently, Godding says, it a daily basis.” makes sense to keep spares of staples like allergy pany (but also an accountability partner). We asked experts and regular travelers who have medication and low-cost tools such as tweezers, nail Or, taking the spoonful of sugar approach, pack a it together to fi nd out the best tips for unpacking once clippers and combs in a designated bag. treat at the bottom of the suitcase or designate some you’re back home “Part of the unpacking process is evaluating what other reward for fi nishing. you have left for your next trip,” Schoenman says. Don’t pack too much to begin with Check for stowaways Do you need your entire makeup bag, or can you Take out the tchotchkes Once everything is fi nally unpacked, inspect your grab one of each item for the road? Streamline acces- Take souvenirs, papers or other knickknacks bags inside and out — especially along seams and in sories and toiletries, and avoid the pitfall of bringing you’ve collected on your trip out of the bag right various nooks and crannies — for bedbugs or other extra clothes “just in case.” Putting similar items in away. Put them somewhere you will see them. critters. their own packing cubes or bags to begin with can “I like to put it somewhere where I can’t avoid it,” “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you stay, also help with unloading everything at the end. Schoenman says. “If I take all that stuff out and put it they can get you,” Schoenman says.

iStock PAGE 30 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WEEKEND: TRAVEL

Tourist boats are common on Portugal’s Douro River.

LUKE SHARRETT/Bloomberg Seals and penguins abound on the black sand beaches Cruises show no signs of losing popularity in 2020. Pictured: the Carnival Valor. of Macquarie Island, well southeast of Tasmania. 3. Kinsale, Ireland Cruise lines are jumping on the DNA tourism trend, and harbor towns in West Cork, including the historic fi shing town of Kinsale, are trying to get a piece of the pie. Promotional efforts have focused on attract- Embark on a new ing small expedition and boutique ships, and they’re paying off. Last year, French line Ponant sent one ship; this year it’s sending four. Nearby attractions include a 3.7-mile trail around the ocean cliffs of the Old Head of Kinsale, where the Lusitania was sunk just offshore by a German U-boat in 1915. There’s also a star-shaped fort built by Charles II. And if you fi nd through an an- cestry search that you’re related to the notorious 18th- adventure in 2020 century pirate Captain Anne Bonny, Kinsale is said to be where she’s from. The trip we’re most likely to book: A seven-night sail- ing from London to Portsmouth, from $3,830. 4. The Douro River, Portugal Start with one of these life-affi rming cruises Lisbon is a popular port, but attention has also shifted north to the quieter Portuguese city of Porto, famous for BY FRAN GOLDEN its sweet red fortifi ed wine. It’s also becoming a popular Bloomberg starting point for cruises on the Douro River. Hillsides covered in terraced vineyards and historic quintas he Caribbean still reigns supreme when it comes to cruising, but there’s a refl ect 2,000 years of winemaking in the valley, with whole new world to explore. Classic ports such as the Bahamas are recover- itineraries that include stops for tastings and time to cross the border toward the medieval city of Salamanca ing, new itineraries are opening up in Japan for the 2020 Summer Olympics, in northwestern Spain. Luxury tour operator Tauck Tand luxury options abound in the Seychelles. Inc. and luxury brand Uniworld River Cruises are each Here are eight places to prioritize in 2020. debuting ships in the spring: Uniworld’s 100-passenger S.S. Sao Gabriel has butler-serviced suites, Douro- infl uenced decor and locally sourced cuisine; Tauck’s 1. Japan 2. The Bahamas 84-passenger MS Andorinha features an infi nity-style Remember when Olympic organizers in Rio de Cruise lines typically rely heavily on the Bahamas. pool, outdoor dining and Balinese daybeds . Dinner at a Janeiro slept on cruise ships and called them “fl oat- Not only is Nassau, the capital, a frequent port of call, family-owned wine estate near the village of Pinhao is ing hotels”? Tokyo will do the same for its turn in the but several companies have organized sailings through- included. The trip we’re most likely to book: One-week spotlight. From July 24 to Aug. 9, the city is charter- out the commonwealth around islands that they own. Tauck Villages and Vintages itinerary, from $4,190. ing at least one large ship to serve as a fl oating hotel in In the last year, however, the roles have changed. After response to a shortage of rooms on dry land. But you’d Hurricane Dorian devastated Grand Bahama (also a 5. Raja Ampat Islands be better off going a more traditional route: Two of cruise port) and the less-visited Abaco islands, cruise Far from the fancy resorts in Bali — in miles, scenery Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s Shanghai-based ships, companies helped deliver recovery supplies and made and style — this Indonesian archipelago occupies an Spectrum of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, will offer major donations. enviable position in the center of the Coral Triangle. itineraries that overnight at Tokyo’s new terminal. Pas- Royal Caribbean is opening the second phase of its Cruises here lead to fascinating cultural encounters, but sengers with tickets can easily get to events and then $250 million Perfect Day at CocoCay island in Janu- the big attraction is the warm sea, home to about 75% sail on to other, less frenetic parts of the country. ary. The Coco Beach Club includes the fi rst overwater of known coral species and about half of all the world’s Windstar Cruises LLC is betting that the summer’s fl oating cabanas in the region. Norwegian Cruise Line marine tropical fi sh. Typically the best way to see it all television coverage will drum up tourism interest for Holdings Ltd. has boosted the offerings at its Great Stir- has been on small dive boats, but upscale expedition Japan in general, so it’s skipping the marquee games rup Cay, a chic, South Beach-style beach oasis where cruise ships from Ponant and Australian line Coral and sending its 312-passenger, all-suite Star Breeze to you can shell out as much as $1,100 a day for a private, Expeditions have recently moved in. Joining them is the country for a series of temple- and garden-centric air-conditioned villa . MSC Cruises’ 95-acre Ocean Cay Aqua Expeditions, best known for its top-notch Amazon sailings this fall. But the most peaceful way to sail offers a more tranquil experience that focues on spa River sailings. It transformed a naval vessel into its might be a three-night trip on Guntu, a 38-passenger treatments and underwater activities in its protected fi rst ocean ship, the 15-suite yacht Aqua Blu, on which design ship that’s like a fl oating ryokan on the Seto marine reserve. And when adults-only Virgin Voyages it offers a culinary program and sailings that stretch Inland Sea, complete with traditional open-air onsen debuts in March, every sailing will stop at a swanky through the winter. baths in some of its suites. private resort developed by Resorts World Bimini. The trip we’re most likely to book: One week on Aqua The trip we’re most likely to book: Star Breeze 10- The trip we’re most likely to book: A four-night itiner- Blu, from $7,525. night sailing, from $3,599 per person. ary on Virgin’s Scarlet Lady, from $2,750. CONTINUED ON PAGE 31 Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 31

FROM PAGE 30 6. Subantarctic Islands These islands in the Southern Ocean, which are on the way to Antarctica from Australia and New Zealand, are protected nature preserves, where only researchers live among birds and marine mammals. On Macquarie Island, beaches may be covered with royal penguins and fur seals. The island also has a weird geologic feature: Some of its shores are piled up with exposed green rocks from the Earth’s mantle that look eerily like they’re covered in snakeskin. And the Snares, one of several chains of New Zealand islands, feature crested penguins endemic to the islands. Cruise passengers visit on zodiacs that hug the shoreline or make a land- ing for guided walks, all in places where the number of visitors is tightly controlled. Get here on expedition ships from Silversea Cruise Holding Ltd. or Lindblad Expeditions-National Geograph- ic, which have new itineraries traversing the region. The trip we’re most likely to book: A two-week cruise round trip from Dunedin (on New Zealand’s South Island) on Silver Explorer, from $13,950. 7. The Seychelles Luxurious options abound in this Indian Ocean paradise off of East Africa. Crystal Cruises’ 62-passenger superyacht, Crystal Esprit, has suites with butler service and a private subma- rine. Ponant’s 184-passenger Le Bougainville has a snazzy, underwater Blue Eye Lounge, somewhat like a submarine with a panoramic view and where you can get a martini. But the real beauty of sailing here is tak- ing tiny zodiacs to islands with uninhabited beaches, where you may snorkel among coral reefs or wander past tortoises in lush forests. Keep an eye out for the Seychelles warbler and other native birds . The trip we’re most likely to book: A seven-night trip on Crys- tal Esprit, from $5,599. 8. Nile River In January, Uniworld Bou- tique River Cruises launches the new 84-passenger, all-suite S.S. Sphinx, and because it will only sail in Egypt, its look will have an authentic sense of place. (Think Egyptian fabrics and art- works.) Similarly, Viking River Cruises in September adds the 82-passenger Viking Osiris, done up in Scandinavian design de- spite her Nubian name. Standard 12-day sailings on both ships start and end in Aswan, usually after a hotel stay in Cairo and a fl ight to Luxor. For DIY types, there are also four-night sailings to Aswan on Sanctuary Retreats’ elegant, recently upgraded, 64-passenger Sanctuary Nile Adventurer. Its shorter sailings aren’t packaged with pre- and post-cruise land experiences and are a little more fl exible. A must-do is drinks on the terrace of Aswan’s Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote parts of her 1937 novel “Death on the Nile.” Kenneth Branagh’s fi lm based on the book will debut in theaters in the fall. The trip we’re most likely to book: Four nights on the Sanc- tuary Nile Adventurer, from $1,410. PAGE 32 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• JANUARY 3, 2020 F3HIJKLM PAGE 32 PAGE 32 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• JANUARY 3, 2020 F3HIJKLM PAGE 32 PAGE 34 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WEEKEND: TRAVEL

ANDREA SACHS/The Washington Post Before the protests in Hong Kong, visitors jockeyed for space on the Sky Terrace 428, a viewing platform on Victoria Peak. Six months later, the crowds have disappeared. Maintaining constant vigilance How to travel safely amid civil unrest in Hong Kong

BY ANDREA SACHS or place in the world that isn’t experienc- in the middle — neither safe nor dan- recently visited it and can provide a fi rst- The Washington Post ing them.” gerous — are more challenging. Chile, person narrative. I also emailed my hotel Brannen said the trend started about Zimbabwe, France and Ecuador are all and asked about the situation. A half-hour ong Kong, I changed for you. a decade ago, with the Arab Spring, and Level 2 countries. For these destinations, later, I received a reassuring reply from Instead of bolting out of the “has ticked up in intensity globally.” the agency urges travelers to “exercise the assistant reservation supervisor at hotel upon my arrival, leaving Protesters’ activities are rarely isolated increased caution.” Not the most helpful the Luxe Manor in Kowloon: “We believe Hthe day open to chance, I sat in and self-contained; they spill into every- advice if you don’t know why you are rais- Hong Kong is safe to travel at this stage. my guest room fi guring out how to avoid day life, affecting residents and travelers ing your cautionary bar. Our team will be very happy to assist you surprises. I checked the websites and apps alike. Strikes shut down transit systems , So fi ll in the blanks. Familiarize your- and to provide you with the most updated of the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong, the and marches consume neighborhoods and self with the issues that ignited the pro- information during your guest stay.” Mass Transit Railway, GovHK and Tele- popular thoroughfares . Offi cials barricade tests as well as the participants’ demands He was right. At check-in, the front desk gram, an encrypted messaging service. I streets, including those in front of hotels and the government’s response. Common attendant gave me intel about an upcom- read the most recent report from Inter- and tourist attractions, and businesses grievances include inequality (Chile), ing protest on Hong Kong Island. national SOS, a risk assessment fi rm. On alter their hours, forcing visitors to rejig- higher taxes (France, Ecuador), suppres- my way out, I consulted with the recep- ger their itineraries. During standoffs sion of freedoms (Hong Kong), corruption Fewer tourists, fewer lines tion desk about any security issues. And between protesters and law enforcement, (Malta, Russia), election fraud (Bolivia) “It’s the worst time to visit,” said Mi- on the street, surrounded by “Free Hong visitors have to lie low until the tension and unjust treatment of minority groups chael Tsang, founder of Hong Kong Free Kong” graffi ti and vandalized guardrails, subsides. But once calm returns, they can (India). Understanding the nature of the Tours, “and the best time to visit.” I kept my antenna up, listening for any pick up the sightseeing where they left off. protests is equally important: Are they The best and the worst occupy two rumblings of discontent. I am typically an To be sure, these disruptions are not localized or widespread, sporadic or con- sides of the same coin. The protests have observant traveler, but in Hong Kong, I pleasant, especially when you crave a sistent? In most cases, the protesters will caused a sharp drop in tourism: The Hong became vigilant. soothing vacation. But (safely) witnessing direct their ire at the government and law Kong Tourism Board reported a 43% For anyone visiting a city or country a defi ning moment in a country’s history enforcement, not tourists. But sometimes decrease in arrivals in October compared seized by protests, this is what you do. You can provide unparalleled insights into a visitors get scooped up in the net. with the same time last year. Airlines stay informed. You remain alert. You cast culture and a deeper understanding of its Bradley urges travelers to hold off on have reduced passenger capacity through a sideways glance at happenstance. You people and their passions. travel if the uprisings restrict movement early next year; in September, United can still explore with abandon, just not on “Culturally, it’s not insensitive to visit,” and cause a shortage of resources, such as indefi nitely suspended service from the protest route. said Bradley. “You can experience their food and fuel. Also take heed if either side Chicago. Hotels are scrambling for guests, “Planning your trip around protests can pursuit of democracy.” of the struggle resorts to violence. with even the most luxurious properties be more stressful than necessary, but if Thomas Carothers, an international offering discounts and perks. At Lan Kwai you can move around and avoid them, it’s Do your research democracy expert with the Carnegie Fong Hotel at Kau U Fong, a boutique not as dangerous,” said Matthew Bradley, As protests proliferate around the Endowment for International Peace, said hotel with a Michelin-starred Cantonese regional security director for the Ameri- world, more travelers will have to face this countries with politically closed systems restaurant, I paid less than $100 a night cas at International SOS. “You just need tough question: Should you visit a destina- and a low tolerance for opposing views, and received a free bottle of red wine, to be super fl exible and willing to go with such as Russia and Egypt, might more tion experiencing unrest? a fruit plate and a 2 p.m. checkout. The the fl ow.” quickly employ harsh tactics to silence For the answer, you need to dig a little. rate at the Luxe Manor was not much In terms of civil unrest, the world map protesters. He said innocent bystanders Start with the travel advisories issued by more. I felt like my hotel stays were more has become a game of whack-a-mole, with are more at risk when a brutal response is government agencies, such as the U.S. of a charitable donation than a business many of the moles popping up in concert. premeditated rather than a spontaneous State Department. For multiple perspec- transaction. This year, citizens have demonstrated tives, David Clapworthy, an Asia sales response to a volatile situation. In addi- I was last in Hong Kong three years in the United Kingdom, Ecuador, Chile, manager with Audley Travel, reads the tion, protests with a clear strategy and an ago, and my memory is of crowds, lines Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Haiti, Russia, warnings compiled by several countries, organized base usually adhere to a peace- and escalating frustration. At Victoria Zimbabwe, the Czech Republic, India, including the United States, the United ful course of action. Movements without a Peak, the ride to the mountaintop took Egypt, Tunisia and Indonesia, among Kingdom and Canada. He steers his central core can devolve into chaos, with hours because of long lines to buy a ticket, three dozen or so countries. customers away from high-risk places, groups splintering off and adopting more board the tram and reach the Sky Ter- “This is defi nitely the age of mass such as Bolivia, a Level 4 in the U.S. extreme behaviors. race 428. At the top, throngs of people protests,” said Samuel Brannen, a senior grading system. “Do not travel to Bolivia And fi nally, fi nd a local source — a rela- body-blocked the harbor view. Selfi e fellow at the Center for Strategic and In- due to civil unrest,” the agency states tive, an old college roommate, a Facebook ternational Studies. “There is not a region without ambiguity. The countries that fall friend — who lives in the destination or CONTINUED ON PAGE 35 Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 35 WEEKENDWEEKEND: TRAVEL & FOOD Pacific

FROM PAGE 34 were not protesting; we were on sticks chopped up the sunset- a tour in a protest, which is why glazed sky. I gazed at the skyline we could wear masks. (The law through the screen of a strang- has a few exceptions and loop- er’s smartphone. On this visit, I holes.) Even so, I declined one of walked right up to the ticket win- the medical masks a woman was dow and straight onto the tram. handing out. No obstacles impeded my vista. Michael played back the events Hong Kong law requires that sparked the June protests: organizers to obtain a permit to In February 2018, a Hong Kong protest, so I knew exactly where teenager killed his girlfriend and when the events would occur during a vacation in Taiwan. during my visit. Security experts A year later, the Hong Kong recommend that tourists steer government proposed a law that clear of protest sites and take would allow Taiwan and China fl ight if they notice a large group the right to extradite its citizens. of people amassing. But curiosity Hongkongers, suspicious of is a powerful drug. China’s judicial system, revolted. On my fi rst night, I headed Legislators withdrew the initia- down to the water’s edge to watch tive, but the protesters didn’t the Symphony of Lights, a laser disband. They added four more and sound show featuring more demands and forged onward. than 40 illuminated buildings on “Five demands, not one less,” both sides of Victoria Harbor. I Michael said, echoing a slogan. plotted a route that would skirt Before setting off, he reminded the Observation Wheel and cut us of protest etiquette: no photos through an anti-tear-gas rally. of law enforcement or protesters’ CHRISTIAN LOPEZ/Stars and Stripes Hundreds of attendees sat on the faces. (“Where’s Waldo?”-like ground and listened to speakers crowd shots were acceptable.) Eggcellent’s most popular dish is Half and Half Benedict. One half is a traditional eggs Benedict on an address the police’s use of tear Also, if someone raises their English muffi n, while the other is served with quinoa. gas and explain the effects of the umbrella, don’t poke your head toxins. The crowd was quiet and under it and investigate; the respectful. After the light spec- person might be attending to a tacle, I circled back to the rally. private matter, such as scribbling A girl in a school uniform knelt a message on a wall. on the sidewalk and spray-paint- We walked at a steady pace, with no cars or package-laden Eggcellent choice ed “Ideas are bulletproof” in English and Cantonese, a quote pedestrians blocking the route from the movie “V for Vendetta.” that offi cials had closed to traffi c. On another patch of sidewalk, Individuals with bullhorns or Enjoy an American-style breakfast all day she scrawled “12.8.” I knew that commanding voices led call- date well. and-response chants. We hit a logjam by the Sogo depart- BY CHRISTIAN LOPEZ Observing the unrest ment store. The crowd parted Stars and Stripes Hong Kong Free Tours started for a woman pushing a baby offering its Protest Tour in stroller. Umbrellas shot open like own on the fi rst basement fl oor of Mori October, soon after the govern- inverted primroses as several Tower in Roppongi, the familiar scent ment banned protesters from people noticed shifty activity on of a staple ingredient offers a hint of a AFTER HOURS wearing masks. The last tour, in a balcony above. Someone in the unique breakfast experience. front broke out in song. All of the D November, did not go well. The Eggcellent is an American-style breakfast TOKYO two participants, plus Michael, voices joined in “Glory to Hong restaurant that incorporates organic eggs from who was guiding, were exposed Kong,” the unoffi cial anthem of Egg Kurofuji farm in the Yamanashi prefecture to tear gas. Michael suspended the movement. just southwest of Tokyo, according to the eatery’s the excursion before tiptoeing The protest ended at Chater website. back onto the streets a few weeks Garden in the Central district, The inviting yellow-and-white interior accom- ago. The Dec. 8 march organized but Michael dismissed our group panied by the neon sunny-side-up sign above the by Civil Human Rights Front before the fi nishing line. The entrance exudes a warm aura perfect for a fi lling marked his offi cial return. event, which drew more than breakfast of pancakes or eggs. Seven of us from around the 800,000 supporters, had been The restaurant’s wooden furnishings have the world — Sweden, China, the peaceful, but violence could still capacity to seat a solo brunch or families that Netherlands, Israel, Singapore erupt. require an additional table. Menus are available and Wisconsin — met at the “Use this experience today to in English, which is also spoken by the wait staff. starting point in Victoria Park on tell people what Hong Kong is The menu offers an array of breakfast dishes, Causeway Bay. With our predom- really like,” he said in his parting mainly eggs done a variety of ways, such as eggs inantly Western faces and light- words. “Hopefully, one day this Benedict, either original or with quinoa, eggs colored clothes, we stood out will end.” sunny-side up or avocado toast laid over a bed of among the black-outfi tted Hong- After the tour, we grabbed a scrambled eggs. All dishes are served with a leaf CHRISTIAN LOPEZ/Stars and Stripes kongers pouring out of the metro drink at Landmark, a nearby salad. Eggcellent is an American-style breakfast station. Many of them gripped luxury mall. Young Hongkongers While pricey at 1,650 yen, about $15, the most umbrellas, but not for protection drank overpriced coffee, their restaurant that uses organic eggs from a farm in popular dish is the Half and Half Benedict. One Yamanashi prefecture just southwest of Tokyo. from inclement weather. Michael eyes locked on their gadgets. half is a regular eggs Benedict, an English muffi n introduced himself and half- They resembled typical youth topped with bacon, a poached organic egg and jokingly told us he didn’t want frittering away a Sunday, if not hollandaise sauce. It’s paired with a quinoa Bene- to know our names or personal for the umbrellas they were car- dict: an egg on top a bed of quinoa and topped details. He explained that we rying on a cloudless night. with rencon chips, avocado, raw tuna and an EGGCELLENT original mugi-miso sauce. Location: Mori Tower Hillside B1F, 6-10-1 An Eggcellent Plate for the indecisive has a Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo little bit of everything: eggs Benedict, a leaf salad, Hours: Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday pancakes, yogurt, quinoa and the fresh deli meat and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. of the day. Prices: Prices start at 1,000 yen for a plate of Coffee, tea, warm or iced milk from Senbon- pancakes, then 1,100 yen for eggs made your matsu — a dairy farm north of Tokyo in Tochigi way, 1,350 for eggs Benedict, 1,400 for the — ginger ale, Pepsi Cola and sparkling wine are Eggcellent Set Plate and then 1,650 yen for all options to add to your set meal if you choose the popular half and half benedict. the plate for an additional 350 yen (about $3.20). Dress: Casual Smoothies, juices, different kinds of coffee Directions: About a fi ve-minute walk from and even beer are options independent of the set Roppongi Station. drinks. Information: Online: eggcellent.co.jp While the egg-themed restaurant serves mostly — Christian Lopez eggs, you also have a choice of pancakes, coconut pancakes or granola yogurt pancakes. A stack of fl apjacks begins at 1,000 yen, or $9.15. ANDREA SACHS/Washington Post The front of the restaurant also has a bakery and order in advance for pickup. Graffi ti on a bridge near the Observation Wheel on Hong Kong Island that prepares egg tarts starting at 200 yen for one [email protected] reminds pedestrians of the protesters’ fi ve demands. or a box of six for 1,200 yen, or $11. You can call Twitter: @CLopez_Stripes PAGE 36 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WEEKEND: POP CULTURE OF THE DECADE – MUSIC TOP 2. Rihanna, ‘Anti’ 7. SZA, ‘Ctrl’ Something was in the water in 2016: SZA is masterful and introspective on ALBUMS Beyonce delivered “Lemonade” and her confessional debut album, which Rihanna gave us the best album of follows a young woman going through OF THE her career with “Anti.” Rihanna had life and the turbulent experiences that 2010s been moving like the Energizer Bunny come with it, from dating dusty boys to since releasing her first album in 2005. dealing with self-doubt. She also put out albums in 2006, 2007, BY MESFIN 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 — showing 8. Janelle Monae, FEKADU that she was a singer who knew how to ‘The ArchAndroid’ Associated Press pick a hit, record it and make it sound According to contemporary pop folk- better than any other artist could. But lore, Janelle Monae arrived on the pop she took four years to create “Anti,” landscape from another planet, and and the time was used wisely. No need boy do we need more artists from that to hit the skip button on this album as sphere to land here now. On the beauti- Rihanna shows her sultry side on “Kiss fully theatrical “The ArchAndroid,” It Better,” her twerk side on “Work” she brilliantly paints the picture of and her vocal chops on “Love on the an android, Cindi Mayweather, who Brain.” Her hard work, work, work, finds out she is the chosen one and is work, work, work has truly paid off. trying to figure out how to handle her newfound mission. The versatile album 3. Beyonce, ‘Beyonce’ has so many high points, including the See earlier entry. Fela-flavored “Dance or Die,” the play- ful “Tightrope,” the groovy “Locked 4. Adele, ‘21’ Inside” and the addictive “Faster.” Back in my day — well in 2010 — re- 9. Katy Perry, cord labels sent albums months in 1. Beyonce, ‘Lemonade’ advance, and in November 2010 I ‘Teenage Dream’ At the beginning of this decade, Beyonce was already the received Adele’s “21.” Everything I’ll quote the opening line of my 2010 greatest singer of her generation. She won a record six else around had to be turned off. I was “Teenage Dream” review, which came Grammys in a single night, had women AND MEN “oh-oh- sucked in. Months later, so was the before the album matched the record world. THE ENTIRE WORLD. Adele Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” set by oh’ing” to the fun sound of “Single Ladies” and continued launching five No. 1 hits: “Katy Perry’s to be a beast of a performer. But somehow Superwoman was impressive on her 2008 debut, especially on “Hometown Glory,” but new CD is like a magical slot machine: — shoot, she’s Superman, too! — found a way to do more: Select any song and you’ll hear a hit.” Like a boss she launched her own company, Parkwood with “21” she went deep, too deep, she was rolling in the deep! Literally. Each Entertainment, and really took the bull by the horns of song made you feel something — sad, 10. Bruno Mars, her career. In 2011, she released the R&B adventure lonely, bouncy, fired up, calm, angry, ‘24K Magic’ “4,” featuring classics like “Countdown,” “Love on Top,” lost. And nine years later, each song Bruno Mars released three epic “Party,” “End of Time,” “I Care” and “I Miss You.” Three sounds as classic as they did at first lis- albums this decade, but “24K Magic” years later — in surprise form — came “Beyonce,” her ten, especially “Turning Tables,” “Set was a whole mood. bold, audacious and daring album that showcased a new Fire to the Rain” and the incomparable side of Beyonce: Goodbye was the girl who cared about “Someone Like You.” 11. Solange, topping the charts, and born was an artist, a true story- ‘A Seat at the Table’ teller, a grown woman. Somehow, she topped herself again 5. Kendrick Lamar, Solange’s art-piece of an album will with “Lemonade,” which still tastes as good as it did when ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’ move you to think, and sing along, at it was released in 2016. The usually All of Kendrick Lamar’s albums the same time. private Beyonce bares her soul released this decade have been mas- on the album, singing about a terpieces, including the 2011 indepen- 12. Sam Smith, troubled relationship, black pride dent release “Section.80” as well as ‘In the Lonely Hour’ and motherhood in a brave way. the major-label projects “To Pimp a Unrequited love ruled Sam Smith’s Lyrically, she’s on point and Butterfly” and “DAMN.,” which won debut album, introducing the world to a honest over beats and sounds him the Pulitzer Prize for music as he piercing voice that is brave and honest. that range from rap to rock made history as the first non-classi- to country and pop. “Who cal or jazz artist to win the prestigious 13. Nas, ‘Life Is Good’ the (expletive) do you think prize. Lamar has profoundly mixed his Nas is still the best rapper alive. Don’t I am,” she brashly asks on poetry with hip-hop, jazz, soul, funk at me. “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” and African music to create songs that which co-stars Jack White. tackle blackness, street life, police 14. Taylor Swift, ‘1989’ The answer: the greatest brutality, survival and self-worth. And After dabbling in it on “Red,” former of all time. with 2012’s “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” country singer Taylor Swift hopped, this great kid immediately raised the skipped and jumped into the pop music bar not only in hip-hop, but in music world with “1989,” an adventurous It was a great period, forcing his peers to do better album full of hits, hits and more hits. decade for and try harder. Beyonce, who 15. Kacey Musgraves, also holds the 6. HAIM, ‘Golden Hour’ No. 3 spot ‘Days Are Gone’ on this list. With timeless songs like “Space Cow- The sister trio HAIM reached perfec- boy,” “Butterflies,” “Slow Burn” and AP tion on their debut album. Hit play. And “Lonely Weekend,” Kacey Musgraves that is all. proved to not just be golden, but grand.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 37 WEEKEND: POP CULTURE OF THE DECADE – MUSIC TOP Robyn Jay-Z and Beyonce Diplo, Miley Cyrus ‘Dancing 1 Kanye West 6 ‘Run the 10 Skrillex and 14 ‘Wrecking Ball’ 19 SONGS on My Own’ ‘(Expletive) World (Girls)’ Justin Bieber Remember when We’ve all been there In Paris’ No explanation ‘Where Are U Now’ Miley was putting OF THE — the one you want is needed. out good music? The Kanye we miss, and The song that helped 2010s dancing with someone Jay-Z we’ve always loved. else. For that exact mo- Bieber gain adult male fans, even if they all didn’t ment, Robyn created Lady Gaga BY MESFIN “Dancing on My Own,” want to admit it at first. FEKADU so instead of awkwardly ‘Alejandro’ 11 Associated Press checking your phone, just Gaga’s “The Fame dance to this tune. Monster” EP, Nio Garcia, released a year after she Darell and 15 put out her multi-hit debut “The Fame,” was a piece Casper Magico AP of art, as Gaga elevated featuring Bad Bunny, her radio-ready sound to Nicky Jam and Ozuna newer, darker dimensions, Adele ‘Te Bote Remix’ especially on “Alejandro.” ‘Someone 7 Close to seven minutes Like You’ long, “Te Bote” is an This song induces addictive track featuring tears of sadness (break- some of the best perform- ups are hard!) and tears ers on the contemporary AP of joy (this song is just too Latin music scene. good). AP La Roux H.E.R. and ‘I’m Not Your Toy’ 20 Daniel Caesar 16 You may not know this song, but I ‘Best Part’ AP promise you, it’s like TNS Much like Ed Sheeran’s a good piece of candy “Thinking Out Loud,” — short, sweet and will “Best Part” is going to be leave you craving more. Kelly Rowland played at weddings for featuring 2 years to come. Lil Wayne Sufjan Stevens 21 ‘Motivation’ SZA ‘Mystery of Love’ Don’t ever sleep on Kelly Stevens’ vocals Ro. ‘The Weekend’ 17 are dreamy and This is the his lyrics are soft and definition of a direct. Alabama situationship. Shakes 3 CeeLo Green Charlie Andra Day ‘Gimme All Your ‘(Expletive) 8 Wilson 12 ‘Rise Up’ 22 Love’ You’ ‘I’m Blessed’ Press play and be Brittany Howard’s bluesy With Bruno Mars great. vocals plus psychedelic in the writer’s chair and A feel-good jam that’s also guitar-playing equals CeeLo in the vocal booth, a reminder to be humble, OMG. a classic song with a few grateful and kind. curse words was born. AP

AP

RCA Records Warner AP Records

Frank Ocean DaVido Gotye ‘Thinkin About 18 ‘Fall’ 23 You’ featuring 9 An Afrobeat Kimbra Ocean’s straight- adventure. Justin forward lyrics and vocal ‘Somebody That performance — especially I Used to Know’ Timberlake 13 that falsetto — make this Jessie Ware Drake Gotye is somebody that ‘Strawberry song unforgettable. ‘Passionfruit’ 4 we used to know. Like, for Bubblegum’ ‘Champagne 24 Kisses’ Drake can do real. Where has he been? The best song Timberlake so many things We’re thankful he had a put out this decade wasn’t This song is luscious and — rap, sing, sing-rap, rap mainstream run because even a single: this sexy rich. in accents, and more. his Grammy-winning number is so good it could But my favorite perfor- “Somebody That I Used to almost make you forget mance of his this decade? Know” is a timeless track. Timberlake fumbled the His groovy nature on ball with his last album. the dance-floor anthem “Passionfruit.” Here’s to hoping he finally releases a full-length R&B album AP of his singing.

Disclosure AP featuring 5 Universal Music Group Sam Smith ‘Latch’ Willow Smith Speaking of dance-floor anthems, “Latch” was, ‘Whip My Hair’ 25 and still is, the jam! AP Whip it real good. PAGE 38 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WEEKEND: BOOKS If you read it and loved it in 2019, read more like it in

BY ANGELA HAUPT Special to The Washington Post ere are 12 books, from a variety of Hgenres, to consider based on recent favorites. iStock

If you enjoyed “City of Girls,” by and the ramifi cations of going public. If you enjoyed “Normal People,” by If you enjoyed “Black Leopard, Red Elizabeth Gilbert, read “The Forgotten Sally Rooney, read “Topics of Conver- Wolf,” by Marlon James, read “The City Letters of Esther Durrant,” by Kayte If you enjoyed “Evvie Drake Starts sation,” by Miranda Popkey (Jan. 7) We Became,” by N.K. Jemisin (March Nunn (March 3) Over,” by Linda Holmes, read “In Five Popkey’s lyrical 24) In 1951, young Years,” by Rebecca Serle (March 3) debut novel reads Jemisin, the Hugo mother Esther Dur- Dannie Cohan, a like a series of short Award-winning rant thought she was Type A lawyer, gets stories: Over the fantasy author, going on vacation; engaged right on span of 20 years, an blends speculative instead, her husband time — of course she unnamed narrator and literary fi ction committed her to does; it’s part of her has conversations in this, the fi rst of a a mental asylum fi ve-year plan. But with an eclectic set new series. Five New on a remote island. she wakes up after- of women — conver- Yorkers must come Nearly seven de- ward in a different sations about shame together to save cades later, a feisty apartment with a and love, sexuality their city, which has marine scientist very different man, and power. Envy and literally come to life, takes shelter there which is not part of guilt. Motherhood. in a story that’ll give and discovers a the plan, even if he Loneliness. The slim book is smart and you “Spider-Man: suitcase of long-lost love letters. The is attractive. It’s still raw, and Popkey dives head-on into dif- Into the Spider-Verse” vibes. Expect an book’s narration alternates between the Dec. 15, but in 2025 — fi ve years in the fi cult, well — how else to say it? — topics interdimensional novel that plays with ’50s and the present, unfolding a family future. An hour later, Dannie is back in of conversation. identity, culture and magic. mystery and, ultimately, a love story. 2020, trying to stifl e the disconcerting dream. Or was it a premonition? She’s If you enjoyed “Stay Sexy & Don’t Get If you enjoyed “All This Could Be mostly successful, until the man shows Murdered,” by Georgia Hardstark and If you enjoyed “Inheritance,” by Dani Yours,” by Jami Attenberg, read “All up a few years later on her best friend’s Karen Kilgariff, read “The Serial Killer Shapiro, read “Missed Translations,” Adults Here,” by Emma Straub (May 5) arm. Cookbook,” by Ashley Lecker (April by Sopan Deb (April 21) There are three gen- 21) Just before his 30th erations of Stricks at If you enjoyed “The Silent Patient,” by Ruth Snyder had birthday, Deb, a the center of Straub’s Alex Michaelides, read “Darling Rose chicken Parme- stand-up comedian new novel: Astrid, Gold,” by Stephanie Wrobel (March 17) san and Alfredo and culture reporter a 60-something Rose Gold Watts pasta. Macaroni for the New York widow and newly out spent 18 years and cheese for Times, realized he bisexual; her three believing she was Gustavo Julian barely knew his adult children; and seriously ill — a con- Garcia. Ted immigrant parents, her teenage grand- coction fabricated Bundy requested, whose arranged daughter, Cecelia. by her mother, Patty, but did not eat, marriage had col- After witnessing a who’s sentenced seared steak, hash lapsed years prior. bus accident, Astrid to fi ve years in jail browns, toast and His father had is grappling with the after being exposed. fried eggs. This notion that perhaps she wasn’t quite the returned to India, In this claustropho- cookbook pairs serial-killer trivia that while his mother lived in New Jersey parent she imagined herself to be — and bic psychological everyone else is struggling to fi gure will thrill true-crime afi cionados with — and Deb’s retelling of his journey to suspense novel, the recipes for famous killers’ fi nal meals, connect with both of them is full of self- out, well, everything else. Prepare for a two move back in to- smart, of-the-moment take on a family in from breakfast to indulgent desserts. discovery and forgiveness, with a side of gether — but each has an ulterior motive turmoil. comedy. and revenge to exact. If you enjoyed “Last Witnesses: An If you enjoyed “Know My Name,” by Oral History of the Children of World If you enjoyed “Lost Children Archive,” If you enjoyed “No Happy Endings,” by Chanel Miller, read “Whistleblower,” by War II,” by Svetlana Alexievich, read Nora McInerny, read “Keep Moving,” by Valeria Luiselli, read “Amnesty,” by Susan Fowler (Feb. “The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of by Maggie Smith (May 5) Aravind Adiga (Feb. 18) 18) Churchill, Family, and Defi ance During A few years ago, the Blitz,” by Erik Larson (Feb. 25) Danny, an illegal In 2017, then-25- Smith’s poem immigrant in Aus- year-old Susan Fowl- On the day Winston “Good Bones” tralia who works er wrote a blog post Churchill became spread quickly and prime minister of as a house cleaner, about the “very, very has fi nally achieved strange year” she widely on social the United King- media with the help dom — May 10, some semblance of spent as an engineer a normal life. But at Uber — rocking of Alyssa Milano 1940 — Hitler when one of his Silicon Valley with and Megan Mul- invaded Holland clients is murdered, accusations of sexual lally, among other and Belgium. In this harassment and re- celebrities. After historical narra- he has to choose taliation. It went getting divorced, tive, Larson, who’s whether to come viral and started a Smith started writ- known for epics forward with his reckoning: Uber’s chief executive and ing daily tweets about pushing through such as “The Devil suspicions that she 20 additional employees were forced out, to the other side of loss — small bursts in the White City,” was killed by the doctor she was having and other tech companies began looking of wisdom, truth and inspiration. Her pieces together Churchill’s day-to-day an affair with — and risk being deported inward. In her memoir, Fowler, who’s new book of quotes and essays expands over the course of a year, with the help of — or say nothing and hinder justice. It’s remained mostly quiet since then, opens on the idea that new beginnings are op- diaries, original archival documents and the fi fth novel from the Booker Prize- up about the decision to share her story portunities. recently released intelligence reports. winning Adiga. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 39 WEEKEND: TELEVISION & DVD

NEW ON DVD “The Biggest Loser” contestant Luis Hernandez competes in the “The Lighthouse”: Willem fourth episode of Season 17. Dafoe and Robert Pattinson star NBC as two men attempting to stay sane on an 1890s New England Trying island, stuck after a storm, resid- ing in a, well, you know. Disturb- ing imagery abounds as Winslow (Pattinson) begins experiencing disturbing visions, and the fi lm could deeply affect your relation- to lose ship with those beacons of the sea (this movie’s got everything: a decapitated head, graphic violence against fake seagulls, mermaid sex, oh my!). It’s weird, and it’s dark, and we stigma should expect nothing less from director Robert Eggers, whose debut was the 2015 feature “The Witch.” And it works. ‘Biggest Loser’ gets “Joker”: In one of the most po- larizing movies of 2019, Joaquin Phoenix stars as Arthur Fleck, a makeover, but experts a failed stand-up comedian who, struggling with mental illness say it’s not enough and an unjust system, devolves into becoming the infamous DC Comics supervillain and archri- val of Batman. The fi lm aims to create empathy for the charac- ter, blaming his environment for inspiring his eventual life of crime. Todd Phillips left comedy to direct the fi lm (he told Vanity Fair it’s hard to be funny with “this woke culture”). But considering the contro- versy that came with it, it doesn’t live up to the hype. “Aside from a few soap opera- them to create individualized meal plans. don’t care if you help them with sleep or you style reveals, you’ve heard it all BY MARISA IATI Each contestant will leave the show with a give them a class on stress or teach them how before,” wrote Tribune News The Washington Post nutritionist, a Planet Fitness membership to breathe and relax,” Thomson said. “It’s Service’s Katie Walsh. he Biggest Loser” had a big and access to a support group, Harper said. just not going to be enough if you have put Also available on DVD: problem. “So much in weight loss has changed over them through this 100-pound weight loss in a “A Million Little Pieces”: A Since the reality show the past few years, and we want to show very short time period.” writer with a drug addiction “Tdebuted on NBC in 2004, it Americans that being fi t is about healing The competitive nature of the show could (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) checks had been slammed as a fat-shaming mockery yourself from the inside out,” Harper said in serve as a motivator for some contestants, in to a Minnesota rehab. that also harmed the health and long-term an email. “Finding those root causes, getting especially men and people who enjoy the “Big Little Lies: The Com- weight-management efforts of its contestants. that emotional support and, yes, hard physi- publicity, Thomson said. She said studies plete Second Season”: Three After dropping pounds at an incredible rate cal work and smart eating are key, but there have shown that competitive programs with mothers in affl uent Monterey, on the show, many participants gained back are other pieces of the puzzle.” rewards, such as workplace weight-loss pro- Calif. (Reese Witherspoon, Ni- much of the weight in the years that followed. Sarah Adler, a psychologist at the Stanford grams, can incentivize people to change their cole Kidman, Shailene Woodley), Enter the reboot, which the program plans Eating Disorder and Weight Control Clinic, behaviors. have a dark secret in this HBO to roll out for its 18th season in January: In- said she was pleased to see the language Other mental and emotional effects of the mystery series. stead of talking about “getting skinny,” host used by “The Biggest Loser” catch up with show are less positive, experts have said. In “Bulletproof 2”: A special Bob Harper told People Magazine that the the way experts have talked about weight 2012, researchers at Ohio’s Bowling Green agent (Faizon Love) disguises show will focus on “getting healthy.” Contes- control for years — by focusing on health, State University found that watching “The himself as a member of a crimi- tants will learn how to make nutritious meals rather than body shape or size. She said the Biggest Loser” increased viewers’ dislike of nal family and unintentionally and will participate in group therapy for help show, however, still aims to make contestants overweight people and made them believe shifting their lifestyles, promised USA Net- puts the person he’s impersonat- as thin as possible, which impedes them from more strongly that weight is controllable. The work, where the next season will run. ing (Kirk Fox) in danger. accepting their bodies and making healthy researchers concluded that weight-loss shows “Skinny does not always equate to being “Crown Vic”: An LAPD offi cer weight-related decisions. contribute to weight stigma. healthy,” Harper said in an email. “This is (Thomas Jane) attempts to catch “I think the devil’s in the details,” Adler Harper said no one should be ashamed of about getting these contestants on the right two criminals who have mur- said. “If they are paying lip service to struggling with their weight, especially be- dered cops. course to living healthier lives — physically and mentally.” making these taxonomic changes or these cause nearly 40% of Americans are medical- “Girl on the Third Floor”: language changes but still promoting ideal- ly obese, and that people should talk openly A fl awed husband (C.M. Punk) The show’s revamp comes amid a societal shift in how people think and talk about ized weight and shape, then we’re not really about weight management. attempts to fi x up a dilapidated getting anywhere.” Although the host and trainers in the house with a dark past. weight management. Instead of focusing on a number on the scale, diet and exercise The changes are a step in the right direc- show’s upcoming season will talk about “get- “Imprisoned”: A prison tion but barely scrape the surface of the steps ting healthy,” the program’s ideals and values warden (Laurence Fishburne) companies now speak about holistic wellness and self-care. The changes to “The Big- the show would need to take to effectively remain the same, said Rachel Dubrofsky, a frames an ex-convict out on gest Loser” refl ect that change in ways that help participants lose weight and keep it off, communication professor at the University parole (Juan Pablo Raba) for make the show less harmful than previous said Cynthia Thomson, a health promotion of South Florida. She said the defi nition of murder. versions, experts say, but the program still sciences professor at the University of Ari- “healthy,” as portrayed on the show, may end “Mine 9”: A group of Appa- presents an unrealistic picture of weight loss. zona. She praised the program’s plan to teach up being as restrictive as “getting skinny.” lachian miners fi ght to survive Participants on “The Biggest Loser” com- about factors, other than food, that affect “At the end of the day, the message is the after being trapped underground pete for a cash prize by losing the highest weight such as stress and sleep, but she said same: Through diet and exercise you can be because of a methane explosion percentage of weight during each 30-week people’s environment, community and family transformed for the better, in specifi c ways that limits their oxygen. season. Trainers teach the contestants nutri- dynamics also play a role. ‘The Biggest Loser’ values,” Dubrofsky said. “Paradise Hills”: Young tion and guide them in sometimes-grueling Thomson said that regardless of other Danielle Lindemann, a sociology profes- women (Emma Roberts, Awk- exercise plans, and participants compete in adjustments that the show has made for the sor at Lehigh University who studies reality wafi na, Eiza Gonzalez, Danielle challenges that can lead to rewards such as upcoming season, its unchanged premise of television, said it was unclear how “The Big- Macdonald) must escape from an advantage at the next weigh-in. Some past encouraging contestants to lose weight as gest Loser” audiences would respond to the an peaceful island after learning contestants have said, however, that the show quickly as possible is still unhealthy. Weight changes, given that most reality-television the disturbing truth behind it. encouraged them to make dangerous deci- loss that happens too rapidly often decreases viewers want to watch high-drama programs. “The Shed”: Bullied teens (Jay sions, such as dehydrating and developing people’s metabolic rates — how quickly their “Is it going to be less voyeuristic for Jay Warren, Cody Kostro) hatch disordered eating patterns. bodies use energy — and bone mass, she people, and subsequently, less tempting for a sinister plan after discovering Harper said the 2020 season will focus on said. people to watch,” Lindemann asked, “if it a vampire in one of their back- the reasons that each contestant got to their “When you take people who really have becomes this wholesome show that’s more yards. weight in the fi rst place. Trainers will talk to quite signifi cant metabolic dysfunction and about a celebration of people’s health and less — Katie Foran-McHale/TNS participants about nutrition and work with body size and you do this rapid weight loss, I a fat-shaming show?” PAGE 40 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WEEKEND: HEALTH & FITNESS

iStock illustrations Ward off weight gain this winter

BY JILL U. ADAMS comfort foods over fruits and vegetables are some of University of Memphis and fi rst author on the military Special to The Washington Post the eating habits that could occur. personnel’s weight-gain studies. Study participants Some researchers have narrowed the time win- used electronic scales that sent data directly to the hese cold, dark winter days make me want to dow to look at weight gain over the weeks spanning researchers. Fahey and her colleagues observed that curl up with a book, perhaps while munching Thanksgiving through New Year’s. In the NIH study, during the winter months, people often skipped their on holiday cookies. people gained 0.8 pounds, on average, during that daily weigh-ins. T One could describe my conduct this way: period. And in a second study with military personnel, The researchers also noticed that the participants sedentary behavior combined with snacking on sugary it was 0.4 pounds. who had most recently enrolled in weight-loss inter- treats. A regular practice of these things might well People celebrate a variety of things over the holi- vention gained the least weight. That suggests that lead to weight gain. days — seeing family, religious events, the turning of when motivation is high, winter weight gain can be Is winter weight gain a thing? Yes, says Larry Che- the calendar — and they do it with rich foods, desserts avoided. skin, who chairs the nutrition department at George and drinks. Perhaps we should mention the holiday Motivation can help you stick to good weight main- Mason University in Northern Virginia. “There is spirit — a spirit of permission to overindulge. I mean, tenance behaviors, such as daily weigh-ins, as well as good evidence that it is a thing.” we’re celebrating! tracking diet and activity. There are a number of apps On average, research shows that people gain one to “The holidays are not insignifi cant,” Cheskin says. that can make it easier to track what you eat and how two pounds over the winter months. For instance, a There are more social events, an increase in the vari- much you move. study of 195 people at the National Institutes of Health ety of foods and more drinking. Alcohol adds calories “Winter weight gain is common,” Fahey says. found weight gain of about one pound between late and undermines self-control. “Which might indicate that weight maintenance strat- September and March. But it’s not just overeating at holiday parties that’s egies are important to implement during winter.” A study of 248 U.S. military personnel, who were to blame. When it’s cold and snowy — or slushy or icy Gavin recommends being mindful of your eating enrolled in a weight-loss program, found that people — outside, people spend more time habits, but not overly restrictive. Don’t try to avoid added about two pounds from fall to winter. indoors, which in turn can mean get- cookies altogether, he says, but limit yourself to one Here’s something else. There also is evidence that ting less physical activity. or two cookies. American adults gain one to two pounds each year, Research backs up the exercise Cheskin says it’s important to understand gradually accumulating weight over decades. Winter slowdown. A review of 37 studies your own tendencies. When weight gain might be a major culprit, so perhaps we found that people are most physi- counseling patients who should view the season as a particularly risky time for cally active in spring and summer want to lose weight, adding excess padding. and least in winter. he starts by ask- Indeed, 165 subjects in the NIH study returned for a Also, it’s easy to feel bored ing them what September weigh-in and, on average, were 1.4 pounds when you’re cooped up in- they think has heavier than the year before. side — and boredom may contributed to A note: One to two pounds on average means that lead you to snack more. their weight gain. some people don’t gain any weight, while others gain So if wintertime in Do you eat when you’re fi ve pounds or more. And in a rude twist of fate, the general, and the holidays sad or bored? Do you plan your people who gain the most are more likely to be already in particular, are a precarious time meals? Do social outings — or overweight or obese. for gaining weight — weight that you family — interfere with healthy Why does winter weight gain happen? “The reasons might keep forever — then what can be eating? Are there medical issues are not that clear,” Cheskin says. “I suspect that much done? involved? of it is what we would call behavioral.” First, be aware that winter weight gain “You hear about lots of factors That means eating more and exercising less. can happen. Pay attention to your diet and relating to weight,” Cheskin “The change in eating behavior is key,” says Mi- try to keep your activity level up. says. You don’t need to attend chael Gavin, a physician at the University of Rochester Weighing yourself every day is key, says to all of them, he says — just the Medical Center. Overeating, snacking and choosing Marg aret Fahey, a doctoral student at the ones that are specifi c to you. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 41 WEEKEND: FAMILY THE MEAT AND Free time for parents POTATOES OF LIFE Lisa Smith Molinari Author maps a plan to grab your life back, 20 minutes at a time

BY CINDY DAMPIER Think in 20-minute chunks recommends that you keep lists of The power of being Chicago Tribune things you like to do that can be Bertsche says many people done with little to no prep before- he holidays are over conceptualize free time as an hand. “Here are things I like to do positive to yourself (barely), so it’s time for hour or more — but breaking that for me: Watch a TV show, read a a little self-congratula- thought pattern can open your book, go for a walk,” she says. “You eyes to the free time you do have. had taken the part-time library job out of despera- tion: You got the gifts, can keep it simple, and when you tion. After interviewing and being rejected for three T “You may have trouble fi nding an have 20 minutes, check your list. It you did the decorating, you hour to do something for yourself,” other positions because I “didn’t have enough expe- entertained the family, you at- takes a little bit of the work out of rience” (a common problem for military spouses), she says, “but you probably have it and that helps. Anything you can I I accepted the offer to work weekend night shifts at the tended the winter concert, you smaller chunks of time in your do to remove the mental load.” baked cookies with the kids, day. If you’re willing to accept boarding school library. Although I was grateful to be employed, the job brand- you fl irted with your spouse ... that, you can actually get a lot of Invest in relationships benefi t from a smaller amount of ed me with a permanent feeling of defeat. I had been give yourself a high-fi ve! Bertsche spends plenty of time working as a freelance writer for more than a decade and And please, please give your- time. Twenty minutes is kind of a on advice for making couple time magic number for a lot of things: was a licensed attorney, but the 10-hour-a-week library self a breather. a priority. But she also points out job represented my fi rst outside employment since the think about the 20-minute nap, for the relationship many parents Your health depends on it instance. You can get a lot out of 20 ’90s, when I quit my legal job to stay home with the kids. think of as “a luxury, rather than The decision to look for outside employment had been — not to mention your family’s minutes.” a necessity” — friend time. In her well-being. a tough one after so many years. But I had mustered the Watch out for mental load research, the 15% of parents who courage, telling myself that, although I had gaps in my As stress and its costs to indi- reported a healthy balance of free In a survey of parents con- résumé, employers would understand the challenges of viduals and society come under time versus kid time also reported military life, and would see me as a capable candidate. ducted for Bertsche’s book, “71% that they made more time for increasing scrutiny, experts are of parents said their open time Three tough rejections later, I had to come to terms lining up to point the fi nger at a friends and spent more time away with the brutal fact that no one would interpret my status didn’t feel free because of mental from social media and screens burgeoning problem: the stress load,” she says. “Imagine you’re as a military spouse as “work experience” — I would than other parents. “Time spent need to prove myself before an employer would believe in brought on by today’s intense getting a massage, but you spend with friends is a huge benefi t to our parenting styles. “We live in the time thinking about all the me. Not an easy task, because I didn’t always believe. physical and mental health,” she “You’re stupid. You talk too much. You’re fat. You’re an age of intensive parenting,” things that you should be doing or says. “We should really think of it need to get done while you’re get- boring.” These were the subconscious insults I had hurled says Chicago author Rachel like exercise, something that we at myself since adolescence. During periods of insecurity ting that massage. That’s mental need to prioritize for our health.” Bertsche, author of “The Kids load, and it’s not relaxing.” When and stress, I unknowingly turned on myself, engaging in Are in Bed: Finding Time for you fi nd a 20-minute chunk of free Remember it’s for the kids an inner dialogue that was self-defeating and counterpro- ductive. Yourself in the Chaos of Parent- time, Bertsche says, give your- If you’re determined to sacri- ing.” “And people feel, for many self the permission to set aside Having grown up in arguably the last generation of fi ce yourself and every minute of hard knocks, before millennials made narcissism and different reasons, all this pres- those thoughts. “Too often,” says your time on the altar of parent- Bertsche, “people don’t let them- entitlement acceptable, I hid my insecurities and got on sure to be with their kids all the ing, maybe this argument will with the business of life. Despite my secret lack of confi - time and do the absolute most selves lean into the free time and sway you: You’re really doing it actually enjoy it.” dence, or perhaps because of it, I pushed myself to earn for them.” for the kids. “When you ask kids degrees, seek relationships, pursue a career, succeed Bertsche’s book, out Jan. 7, is Keep a list handy what they want,” says Bertsche, in marriage, commit to parenting and create a healthy “they say they want parents who household for our military family. a practical argument for a dif- In her research for the book, are less stressed. Not parents who ferent approach — one in which Bertsche discovered that parents But those insecurities were there, constantly threaten- are there all the time but thinking ing to derail me. parental free time is a prior- who fi nd themselves with some about 1,000 different things.” In unexpected free time (like that It wasn’t until my teenage daughter began battling her ity. “What I’m trying to say is other words, you can’t be at your own inner naysayer that I became cognizant that “nega- 20 minutes you spent just waiting best for your children if you never that everyone benefi ts, parents outside a ballet class, or a pocket tive self-talk” was a thing. Like many adolescents and as well as kids, when you take invest in your own resilience and teenagers, and like me when I was her age, my daughter of time when your partner takes calm. Finding free time means time to step away, refuel and the kids to the park) suffer from had begun to hate herself without truly understanding building up your reserves to meet why. Although the reasons are complex, negative self-talk take care of yourself,” she says. a common problem — they don’t parenting’s daily challenges. She has a few key pieces of know what to do with it. “The pres- can develop when a teenager becomes aware of social sure to use the time wisely is the hierarchies, her physical appearance and her place in the advice that will help you make world. This competitive environment, made worse by so- that happen. thing that makes us end up doing nothing at all,” Bertsche says. cial media and parental expectations, can lead to feelings That’s why Bertsche of inadequacy and negative coping mechanisms. Research has shown that those who engage in nega- tive self-talk are more anxious, depressed and socially maladjusted. Therapy often involves training oneself to use positive inner dialogue to avoid the downward spiral of negativity. Essentially, words matter, and can have a powerful impact on one’s mental well-being. Two months into my library job, I was behind the circulation desk, hiding away from the scrutiny of the students and faculty, who surely thought I was an idiot. A door opened, and a resident faculty member entered with her three young daughters. They often came in at this time, to return books and check out more. I saw the soft brown curls of the eldest, who couldn’t have been more than 5 or 6, bobbing by the desk at her mother’s side. “Go ahead, you can put it there,” her mother whispered. While her sisters fought over who would drop books into the return slot, the one with brown curls reached an arm up over the desk and slapped something pink onto the wood surface. I turned back to my computer, and the three sisters toddled off to the children’s section. A few minutes later, I was scanning their newly se- lected books and printing due date slips. It was so sweet, I thought, that a book about a cartoon rabbit was such You can’t be at your cause for excitement. And then I saw it. The pink note stuck to the desk. Peel- best for your children if ing it away, I deciphered the words scrawled in pencil. “You Are Amazing,” it read. I felt the power of those you never invest in your three simple words, and for that moment, I believed. iStock Read more of Lisa Smith Molinari’s columns at: own resilience and calm. themeatandpotatoesoflife.com Email: [email protected] PAGE 42 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 WEEKEND: CROSSWORD AND COMICS NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

DOWN FOR THE COUNT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 BY LAURA TAYLOR KINNEL / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Laura Taylor Kinnel, of Newtown, Pa., teaches math and is the director of studies at a Friends boarding school near Philadelphia. She got her interest in crosswords at a young age through her grandmother, who used to solve the Sunday Times puzzle and ask for 20 21 22 23 Laura’s ‘‘help.’’ The first crossword Laura made was a year-in-review puzzle for a 2018 Christmas letter. This puzzle is her debut in The Times. — W.S. 24 25 26 ACROSS 48 Where fans are often 96 College town of 11 The 1 in (1,2), in math 27 28 29 30 1 TV-screen inits. placed on high? George Washington 12 Work times, typically Carver 4 Steinful 50 Org. whose 14 Phaser setting 31 32 33 34 35 36 academy’s motto in 98 Hither’s partner 7 Cut (off) 15 Admiral Graf ____ English is “The sea 99 “Absolutely!” (German W.W. II 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 yields to knowledge” 10 “Nope” 101 ship) Little Richard hit 45 46 47 48 49 52 One who might give with “the most 16 Leaf (through) 13 Lucky strikes? you a shot inspired rock lyric 17 Bearing 15 Massage target 53 Miss 50 51 52 53 ever recorded,” per 18 One might be taken in 17 Capital of Belarus 54 Food that Marge Rolling Stone protest 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 Simpson once served 104 Sea eagle 19 Spa amenity with “a whisper of 19 Longtime NPR host 105 Many-time N.H.L. 63 64 65 66 67 MSG” Diane 20 1/x, for x All-Star Jagr 58 Big name in denim 21 Satellite inhabited 68 69 70 71 72 73 24 Top type 107 Sheepish continuously since 59 Collected $200, say 25 Hay-fever irritant 108 Fashionable 2000: Abbr. 74 75 76 77 78 79 63 “Te ____” 110 Nonbinary identity 22 Complement of 26 Online payment 64 Former superstore option 111 Focus of an egoist’s turtledoves in a 80 81 82 chain selling Christmas song gaze 27 Record holder for the diapers and 23 Obsolescent TV 83 84 85 86 most Indianapolis strollers 112 Magazine with companion 500 laps led (644) 67 “Egads!” annual Women of 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 the Year Awards 28 Paris’s ____ La 29 Lowly workers 68 Quite a tale Fayette 113 President Ford and 94 95 96 97 98 70 Spirit 30 Disfigure 30 Mythical being others 71 Charitable offering depicted in bronze in 114 Traditional, if bulky, 33 ____ sleep 99 100 101 102 103 104 Copenhagen Harbor 73 Film character who presents in Santa’s 35 Perturb says, “Kiss me as if 105 106 107 108 109 31 Followers of dos bag 38 “The Caine Mutiny” it were the last time” author 115 Opening words? 110 111 112 32 Home of the 74 It postulates a space- 39 End of some school N.C.A.A.’s Rhody the time fabric names, for short Ram, for short DOWN 113 114 115 80 Congressional budget 40 Orbicularis ____ 34 Director DuVernay directives 1 Super Bowl trophy (eyelid-closing 81 San Francisco’s ____ eponym muscle) 36 Govt. org. often Valley 2 Deep-fried doughy 41 “We ____ Kings” 55 1935 Triple Crown 69 Universal self, in 84 Famed Chicago 100 Prefix for a polygon impersonated on treats winner Hinduism steakhouse with 140° interior 82 Radio medium 42 What fools might scam calls 70 angles 83 Renaissance-themed 3 Picked nits make of themselves 56 Top-ranked Preserves 85 A couple of Bible something? 37 Picked a card festival 4 ____ tear (athlete’s professional tennis books 101 Headed for overtime 43 “Je ne ____ quoi” player for a record 72 Houston A.L.’ers 39 Abstainers … 84 Tears to pieces injury) 87 Completely 102 A short rest, so to 44 Joint winner of 237 consecutive speak or the central 5 Thieves’ place 73 Trump who wrote unrestrained 86 Who once had all 10 of FIFA’s Player of the weeks 2017’s “Raising column’s answers the top 10 Billboard Century award in 103 He: Lat. 6 Yosemite attraction 57 Ark contents Trump” 88 Tribute vis-à-vis 20-, 39-, hits simultaneously 2000 104 Top female baby 74- and 101-Across, 7 Hides one’s true nature 59 75 Tiny margin of victory 89 Swollen, as a lip 87 “The Gift of the Magi” 46 Top-level foreign- ____ fast one name of 2014-18 respectively 8 Group with the 2012 60 Labor-day setting? 76 When one usually 90 Drain, as blood 106 Year that author chart-topping album policy grp. goes through 44 One in a pocketful 89 “Seriously?” 49 Monopoly quartet: 61 “Beau ____” 92 Swiss dish Michelangelo’s “Up All Night,” to customs “The Crucifixion Abbr. 62 Signs off on 93 Derisive expressions 45 Has finished 91 Gobbles (down) fans 77 Purple pool ball of St. Peter” was 95 Runs smoothly 47 Speed that would 94 Doze (off) 9 It’s pitchfork-shaped 51 Fold 65 “I tell ya!” 78 Brushed up on completed enable a 23-minute 95 Mr. Incredible’s actual 10 “Why do you ask?” 53 Fuel line 66 Charlotte of “The 79 Lucky-ticket-holder’s 97 They can’t do without 109 Things the Energizer D.C.-to-L.A. flight surname response 54 Wallop Facts of Life” cry does bunny may need

GUNSTON STREET RESULTS FOR ABOVE PUZZLE

“Gunston Street” is drawn by Basil Zaviski. Email him at [email protected], and visit gunstonstreet.com. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 43 FACES YouTube docuseries on Bieber coming in January Justin Bieber is launching a docuseries Carrying on about creating his new album on YouTube, the platform where the singer originally got his start in music more than a decade ago. YouTube announced Tuesday that “Jus- tin Bieber: Seasons” will debut Jan. 27. without The 10-episode series will follow the pop star while he records his first new album since 2015. Before releasing his debut song in 2009, Bieber gained popularity from posting his performances of cover songs on YouTube. “When I was getting started, YouTube Carrie provided me a platform and a community where I could share music, experiences and moments with my fans,” Bieber said in a statement. “It feels great to partner with YouTube for this original documentary series. I want my fans to be part of this journey.” Bieber, 25, is releasing a new song, “Yummy,” on Friday. YouTube says the series will “feature a behind-the-scenes look at Bieber’s private life, including never-before-seen footage of his wedding to Hailey Bieber and his day- to-day alongside those in his inner circle.” The series will also show Bieber reflecting “on the highs and lows of growing up in the public eye as he invites his fans on the jour- Disney/Lucasfilm ney leading up to the release of the highly- Through remaining footage and some digital wizardry, Carrie Fisher, right, was able to reprise her role as General Leia Organa anticipated and most personal album of his for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” Also pictured: Daisy Ridley. career.” Theron, Craig among ‘Rise of Skywalker’ creators rose to the challenge after Fisher’s death Golden Globe presenters Charlize Theron, Octavia Spencer and BY MICHAEL CAVNA Fisher’s presence is tastefully crafted from existing Daniel Craig are among the first present- The Washington Post footage of her in character as Leia. ers announced for Sunday’s Golden Globe “Originally the frustration I felt at cutting out Awards. The Hollywood Foreign Press As- This was supposed to be Carrie Fisher’s movie these scenes that we had shot in ‘Force Awakens,’ ” sociation also announced Thursday that — her center spotlight after the previous two films ‘ When Abrams says, “were suddenly the relief that we other presenters will include Sofia Ver- in Disney’s modern Star Wars trilogy successively needed in prepping ‘The Rise of Skywalker.’ ” gara, Kerry Washington, Tiffany Haddish, featured Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, her cast- we were In several scenes in “Rise,” we see a strong- Glenn Close and Will Ferrell. Kate McKin- mates across four decades. constructing minded Leia guiding another Force-sensitive Jedi non and Ted Danson will also present. “It’s nothing short of heartbreaking that she wasn’t warrior, the new trilogy’s central hero Rey (Daisy Ricky Gervais will host for the fifth time. here to collaborate on this film, because we couldn’t scenes around Ridley), to take on the Empire, including Leia’s own Gervais also emceed the ceremony from possibly tell the story without her,” J.J. Abrams says Carrie, we son, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). 2010 to 2012 and 2016. of directing “The Rise of Skywalker” without Fish- Chris Terrio, the “Rise of Skywalker” cowriter, Tom Hanks will receive the Cecil B. De- er, who died three years ago last month. would try to says helping script Leia’s new scenes required Mille Award, an accolade for film. Ellen Ever since her death, those creatively involved see what “every skill that I’ve ever picked up along the way.” DeGeneres will be honored with the Carol with the Skywalker Saga — which seemingly con- Carrie was “You would have scenes that honestly were shot Burnett Award, which focuses on life cluded with the Dec. 20 opening of “Rise” — have achievement in television. tried to honor Fisher’s memory while also wrestling doing and just with some different context in mind,” Terrio says. with how to present her iconic character, Leia Or- look at the “But you’d want to get to the emotional truth of what was going on in the scene so that we could ... stay Other news gana, on screen. warmth and The starkest misstep since was a digital motion- true to her acting choices.  Actress Michelle Williams is engaged capture representation of a young Leia briefly in her wit and all “So when we were reconstructing scenes around to “Fosse/Verdon” director Thomas Kail the one-off film “Rogue One” — an eerie effect that these things Carrie,” the cowriter continues, “we would try to see and is said to be expecting a baby with many fans thought fell squarely into the “uncanny what Carrie was doing and just look at the warmth him. If the report is true, this would be the valley.” that Carrie and her wit and all these things that Carrie was.” second child for Williams, who has a 14- Lucasfilm announced last year that Fisher would was. ’ Although Fisher’s screen time is less than once year-old daughter, Matilda, with late actor appear in “Rise,” but assuaged fans about how the planned, there is a power to her presence. Heath Ledger. Chris Terrio  Jack Sheldon, an acclaimed jazz musi- posthumous “performance” would be handled. “The Rise of “If she had been around, (are there) other things cian whose trumpet graced the award-win- “We would never consider recasting,” Abrams Skywalker” cowriter we would have asked for and written? Of course,” said . “And we wouldn’t want to do a digital Abrams says. “But the fact we had this — that al- ning song “The Shadow of Your Smile” and character.” lowed us to incorporate her into the movie in a way who was known to TV viewers as the puck- Abrams had worked with Fisher on his 2015 “Star that makes me feel like she’s in the film and in a ish sidekick to talk show host Merv Griffin, Wars” reboot — “I knew her a little bit for a long significant way — and in a way that I truly believe has died. He was 88. time before we did ‘Force Awakens,’ ” he says — and she would be happy with.” From wire services Golden Globes to serve meatless menu at awards ceremony

Associated Press we eat, the way we grow the food we eat, the way we dis- was not just their symbolic steps, but also something that pose of the food is one of the large contributors to the cli- guests will enjoy.” The Golden Globes is going with a meatless menu for its mate crisis.” Items on the main entree include king oyster mushrooms 77th annual awards show. The annual awards ceremony will air Jan. 6 live on scallops and wild mushroom risotto, along with roasted Guests will be served a 100% plant-based meal just AFN-prime Atlantic and in the evening on AFN-Movie. baby purple and green Brussels sprouts and carrots. A ahead of showtime Sunday. The Hollywood Foreign Press Soria said there was some initial push back about chang- chilled golden beet soup will be served as an appetizer. Association said Thursday that it wants the initiative to ing the menu just about two weeks before the show, but the HFPA partnered with Icelandic Glacial, a naturally al- raise environmental awareness about food consumption hotel eventually agreed on the new menu. kaline and sustainably-sourced natural spring water. The and waste. “People were basically saying it’s too late, we’re ready water will be served in glass bottles to eliminate plastic “If there’s a way we can, not change the world, but save with all the orders, the holidays and all that,” he said. “But waste in the ballroom and red carpet, which is reused at the planet, maybe we can get the Golden Globes to send after we began discussions, meeting for one or two days, other events throughout the year. a signal and draw attention to the issue about climate (the hotel) accepted the change completely. They start- Soria called the food “excellent” after a recent change,” HFPA president Lorenzo Soria said. “The food ed to experiment with how to do plant-based meals that taste-testing. PAGE 44 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 OPINION Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Sean Klimek, Europe commander 2 VIEWS ON MILITARY SPENDING Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations Joshua M. Lashbrook, Pacific Chief of Staff Stop redefining our Redirect that money EDITORIAL Terry Leonard, Editor planning downward to more-vital needs [email protected] Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor BY GISELLE DONNELLY BY ROBERT WEISSMAN [email protected] InsideSources.com InsideSources.com Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content ne of President Donald Trump’s longest-standing po- entagon spending is, literally, out of control — and it is [email protected] litical promises has been to rebuilding U.S. military making America weaker, not stronger. It’s time — past strength. The White House boasts of “historic strides” time — for a fundamental reorientation of the federal Managing Editor for Presentation Sean Moores, in this effort, and Trump’s tweet celebrating the passage government’s spending, with Pentagon spending slimmed [email protected] O P of this year’s defense appropriations bill boasted of “new planes, and the resultant savings reallocated to address domestic and hu- Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital ships, missiles, rockets and equipment of every kind, and all made manitarian priorities. [email protected] right here in the USA.” The almost three-quarters of a trillion dollars in the annual Alas, the president’s claim is more hat than cattle: While the Pentagon budget doesn’t reflect any reasonable assessment of na- Pentagon’s annual “topline” has crept past the $700 billion mark, tional security threats, common-sense priority setting or any kind BUREAU STAFF it remains the case that about 10% of that amount is in the Over- of honest reckoning with the costs and benefits of an additional Europe/Mideast seas Contingency Operations account that mostly goes to pay for billion dollars for warfighting. The result is that we are wasting Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief the continued costs of military deployments in the Middle East hundreds of billions of dollars, fueling endless war and diverting [email protected] and elsewhere. This is not merely a haphazard approach to man- money from other vital needs. +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 aging the budget that forestalls longer-term planning, it reflects The Pentagon eats up more of the federal government’s discre- Pacific the fact that the hoped-for “Trump Buildup” is, as the saying goes, tionary budget — $738 billion for the current fiscal year — than Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief fake news. all other discretionary spending combined. Think about that for a [email protected] Indeed, the truer measures of national purpose — calculating moment: The Pentagon has been gifted more resources than our +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 defense spending as a slice of gross domestic product or of fed- diplomatic and peace-building agencies, more than the Environ- eral spending — reveal that national security continues to dimin- mental Protection Agency, more than our education and housing Washington ish as an American priority. Under Trump, the Pentagon budget programs, and more than we spend on scientific research … com- Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief [email protected] has dipped to its pre-9/11 low of less than 3% of GDP and 15% bined. At the same time, the Pentagon is unable to pass an audit. (+1)(202)886-0033 of overall federal spending, dwarfed by mandatory and “entitle- For 2020, the Pentagon received a $20 billion budget boost despite Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News ment” spending (about 62% of federal outlays and 13% of GDP). being unable to explain how it spent the outlandish amount it re- [email protected] Servicing the national debt, the most “mandatory” spending of all, ceived in 2019. accounts for an additional 7-plus% of government expenditures. The endless sums thrown at the Pentagon aren’t commensurate CIRCULATION Thus the armed services, as they prepare for next year’s bud- with any threat we face. Pentagon spending is more than the next Mideast get request, are weighing substantial program cuts. Consider the seven top military spending countries combined. Even worse, bot- Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager Navy, which Trump promised to expand to 355 warships — it’s tomless Pentagon spending is intertwined with the endless wars [email protected] now about 300, depending on what the definition of “ship” is — by that have left us and the world less safe. Military and political [email protected] the end of the decade. Last week, the respected trade publication figures of all political persuasions agree with this basic assess- DSN (314)583-9111 Defense News reported that the sea service is likely to ax five of ment; and the “Afghanistan Papers” recently published by The Europe 12 planned purchases of its current line of destroyers over the Washington Post show that, despite public proclamations to the Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager next five years, as well as delaying starts on attack submarine and contrary, top political and military officials have recognized all [email protected] frigate builds while decommissioning four of its 22 aging Ticond- along that the Afghanistan War was an unwinnable disaster. [email protected] eroga-class cruisers and canceling life-extension refits for others. We have spent and continue to spend unfathomable sums on +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 According to Navy planners, the size of the fleet is likely to drop endless war. Researchers at Brown University put the total at $6.4 Pacific to 287 ships. trillion, including cost of caring for injured veterans. The wars Mari Mori, [email protected] As has been the case since the end of the Cold War, these sorts have killed more than 800,000 people directly and many more in- +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 of reductions are being framed as investments in new technolo- directly, all while failing in their mission and leaving us less safe. gies and a preference for quality over quantity. And, considering We need to pull back from constant and ever-expanding warf- CONTACT US the constantly stagnating pace of U.S. military modernization and ighting and instead invest much more energy (and resources) in the increase in adversary, particularly Chinese, military power, diplomatic measures to reduce international conflict. We need Washington there is a logic in that argument. to focus on the great international challenges that create insta- tel: (+1)202.886.0003 Yet the one great — though still unlearned — lesson of the past bility but are not amenable to military solutions: poverty, newly 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 generation has been the shortfall in capacity rather than capabil- emergent diseases, wealth inequality and, above all, the climate ity. In the South China Sea, for example, the problem is not that crisis. And we need to reallocate hundreds of billions every year Reader letters Chinese ships and other weaponry is superior to that of the United away from the Pentagon to address problems at home that par- [email protected] States and its allies, it’s that they’re there and we’re not. allel those global challenges: ensuring health care for all, ad- Additional contacts The shifting balance of global military power is, however, less a dressing economic inequality and transforming our economy to stripes.com/contactus product of inadequate spending or lagging technological innova- rely on efficiency and renewable energy in order to avert climate tion as it is a failure of strategic imagination. catastrophe. OMBUDSMAN American planning remains, as it was against the Soviet Union, There are plenty of opportunities for massive cuts — on the driven by the assessment of threats rather than an appreciation of order of $200 billion a year or more — in Pentagon spending with- Ernie Gates geopolitical interests; we know our adversaries but not ourselves. out damaging national security: We have forgotten the fundamental insight of the Truman admin- We can save $70 billion or more a year by eliminating a Pen- The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow of news and information, reporting any attempts by the istration that “domination of the potential power of Eurasia” by a tagon slush fund, known as the Overseas Contingency Operations military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s hostile power or coalition “would be strategically and politically account, that is being used for programs that have no connections independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns unacceptable to the United States.” We can’t remember what our to emergencies or contingencies. and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fair- ness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman purpose is, what victory means. We can save more than $40 billion a year by ending reliance welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted Consequently we have been constantly content to redefine our on expensive private contractors to do work that more affordable by email at [email protected], or by phone at military planning downward. Where we once strove to build to government employees should do, and by eliminating wasteful 202.886.0003. a global, “multiple-and-simultaneous” campaign standard — as contracting strategies that skyrocket costs in the final month of early as 1940, Congress passed a “Two-Ocean Navy Act” — we a fiscal year. now hope to field a one-war force. But this hope is no method for a There is a long list of super expensive weapons, like the F-35, Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday global power, let alone a nation that not so long ago considered it- that should be eliminated, cut back, or replaced with more cost-ef- through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and self “history’s sole superpower.” The proper question to ask about fective alternatives. Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals defense spending is not, “How much is enough?” but rather, “What Cutting the number of troops in Afghanistan — or pulling postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, is sufficient to defend our global interests?” them out altogether — would save tens of billions annually. APO AP 96301-5002. Those interests have long been defined, both by the nature of For far too long, Pentagon spending has been immune from This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services overseas. international politics and the nature of our American experi- the kind of scrutiny and common-sense analysis applied to other However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, ment. As both an Atlantic- and Pacific-facing nation, we seek a forms of government spending: Is the money properly accounted and are not to be considered as the official views of, or favorable balance of power across Eurasia. As a trading people, for? Are private actors profiteering at public expense? Does the endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official chan- we seek secure access to the commercial “commons” of the seas, spending address legitimate national priorities? Should we spend nels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote skies, space and, nowadays, communications networks. As a free another dollar on this program at the expense of alternatives? Is locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. people, we seek to further the natural political rights of humanity this program achieving its objectives? The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense — a “balance of power that favors freedom.” When you ask those questions about Pentagon spending, the an- or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. This may — indeed, it will — cost us more than 3 cents of our swers all point in one direction: We are spending far too much on Products or services advertised shall be made available for national dollar. It is the principal purpose of our federal govern- weapons and war, and on price-gouging and profiteering private purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical ment, not a tertiary purpose. And our failure to pay the cost is, as contractors. And that spending is starving us of the moneys we handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor the headlines daily remind us, a false economy. need to address key priorities, from education to climate. It’s time of the purchaser, user or patron. Finally, the value of our security, measured in prosperity but to reallocate hundreds of billions of Pentagon spending and put © Stars and Stripes 2020 most of all by liberty, is incalculable. people over the Pentagon. Giselle Donnelly is a resident fellow in defense and national security at the Robert Weissman is president of Public Citizen. Public Citizen is a member of stripes.com American Enterprise Institute. the People Over Pentagon coalition. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 45 OPINION

by nearly 40% over the last half-century. What newspapers A full-time worker making the minimum wage cannot afford a one-bedroom apart- ment in almost any American city. are saying at home The simplistic view that minimum-wage laws cause unemployment commanded The following editorial excerpts are se- such a broad consensus in the 1980s that lected from a cross section of newspapers this editorial board came out against the throughout the United States. The editori- federal minimum in 1987, calling it “an als are provided by The Associated Press idea whose time has passed,” and citing and other stateside syndicates. as evidence “a virtual consensus among economists.” The old critique is still put Unity can help fight scourge forward regularly by the restaurant indus- try and other major employers of low-wage of anti-Semitic attacks workers. Houston Chronicle But evidence that any such effects are The list of anti-Semitic attacks in the relatively small has been piling up for New York area in December is appalling, several decades. A groundbreaking study a litany of hatred that calls out to be con- published in 1993 by the economists David demned and countered. Card and Alan Krueger examined a mini- Starting with the death of three people at mum-wage rise in New Jersey by compar- a kosher grocery store in Jersey City, N.J., ing fast-food restaurants there and in an more than a dozen incidents have been re- adjacent part of Pennsylvania. It found no /AP ported. These include a 65-year-old man TOM FOX, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS impact on employment. who was punched and kicked while his as- Church and community members gather at West Freeway Church of Christ in White This prompted other economists to test sailant yelled anti-Semitic slurs and a 34- Settlement, Texas, for a candlelight vigil Monday. A gunman shot and killed two people the standard theory. This year, the British year-old woman who was walking with her before an armed security officer returned fire, killing him during their service Sunday. government asked the economist Arin- son when she was hit on the head as her drajit Dube to review the results accumu- attacker called her a “f------Jew.” Our gratitude, which was also felt by creases in state and local minimum-wage lated over the last quarter-century. Dube The latest assault happened Saturday , Gov. Greg Abbott, comes from the knowl- standards has pushed the average effec- reported the sum total of the research when a man wielding a large blade barged edge that this mass shooter would have tive minimum wage in the United States showed minimum-wage increases raised into a rabbi’s home and stabbed five peo- likely incurred a lot more mayhem except to the highest level on record. The average compensation while producing a “very ple during a Hanukkah celebration. The for the fact that a good man and a volunteer worker must be paid at least $11.80 an hour muted effect” on employment . man, who was charged Monday with a hate member of the church’s security team im- — more after inflation than the last peak, More than doubling the current federal crime, allegedly searched online for near- mediately shot back. In response to the era in the 1960s, according to an analysis by standard would be a significant change, by Jewish temples and for “Why did Hitler of mass shootings that we are in, Texas spe- the economist Ernie Tedeschi. and it is not without risk. It is possible that hate the Jews.” cifically enacted a law to allow law-abiding And even as wages have marched up- a national $15 standard would produce the The rash of attacks is even more troubling citizens to carry concealed weapons in ward, job growth remains strong. The un- kinds of damage critics have long predict- when you consider that it is hardly unique. church (and elsewhere, unless specifically employment rate at the end of 2019 will be ed; the Congressional Budget Office puts Close to 1,900 incidents of anti-Semitism prohibited at that location). That law saved lower than the previous year for the 10th the potential increase in unemployment were reported in 2018, according to the lives this weekend in North Texas. straight year. somewhere between zero and 3.7 million Anti-Defamation League. Anti-Semitic Regardless of whether people like this The interventions by some state and people, essentially acknowledging the ef- homicides reached their highest level ever fact, it remains true that there have been at local governments, however, do not obviate fects are unpredictable. Workers may be last year after the shooting at the Tree of least two church shootings in Texas in re- the need for federal action. To the contrary. most vulnerable in areas where prevailing Life synagogue in Pittsburgh left 11 dead, cent years that ended because law-abiding Millions of workers are being left behind wages are relatively low. FBI statistics show. And even while white citizens had the means and willingness to because 21 states still use the federal stan- But the successful increases in mini- supremacists led the chant of “Jews will fight back. The second occurred two years dard, $7.25 an hour, which has not risen mum-wage standards across a diverse not replace us!” at a 2017 Charlottesville, ago in Sutherland Springs, and unfortu- since 2009 — the longest period without an range of states and cities suggest the Va., rally, anti-Semitism can come from nately resulted in the loss of many more increase since the introduction of a federal broader risk is worth taking. The Ameri- across the political spectrum. lives. But as in this most recent shooting, in standard in the 1930s. can economy is generating plenty of jobs; “What we’re finding about various at- that incident the assailant did not survive Across much of America, the minimum the problem is in the paychecks. The solu- tacks is that they don’t fill any one single after good men responded with force. wage ro se again with the start of 2020 . tion is a $15 federal minimum wage. narrative. Perpetrators are from different The truth is that there isn’t one solution In Maine and Colorado it reached $12 an backgrounds, expressed different poli- that will bring an end to all mass attacks, hour; in Washington State, $13.50; in New Stock market performance a tics,” Kari Dunn Saratovsky, CEO of Jew- which is one reason we’ve supported such York City, $15. Workers in the rest of the ish Federation of Greater Houston, told the things as creating a federal center to eval- country also deserve a raise. The time has pleasant surprise for some editorial board. “What they share is a ha- uate local, state and federal laws to find come to increase the federal minimum. The Wall Street Journal tred of Jews.” the cracks violent criminals exploit to ob- House Democrats passed legislation Regarding the movement of equity pric- This hatred is not limited to the U.S., tain firearms. But it is also true that part in July that would gradually increase the es, we associate with the words of Alan either. Around the world, ugly incidents of the set of solutions will have to involve federal standard to $15 an hour in 2025 “Ace” Greenberg, the head of Bear Stea- of bigotry and discrimination are becom- enabling innocent people to protect them- — likely raising the real value above the rns during the 1987 market crash: “Stocks ing all too common. In France, where selves and each other up to and including peak value in the late 1960s — and most fluctuate, next question.” The good news 500 anti-Semitic attacks were reported in fighting back. of the Democrats running for president in 2019 is that mostly they fluctuated up, 2018, a Jewish cemetery was desecrated If that’s tough to consider, there is anoth- have endorsed the legislation. Last year, which offers a lesson or two. last month — swastikas spray-painted on er hard reality cast into sharp relief by this only about 430,000 people — or 0.5% of Stock prices fell Monday , no doubt in dozens of gravestones. In Germany, where latest shooting. As in many other incidents hourly workers — were paid the federal part as investors took profits before the a recent survey found that 1 in 4 hold — whether it’s a knife-wielding attacker on minimum. The share has fallen in recent end of the year. But what profits they prob- anti-Semitic beliefs, a gunman attacked a a Jewish community in New York or a syn- years as state and local governments, and ably are. With one day of trading left in synagogue during Yom Kippur, killing two agogue, church, mosque or other shooting some employers, have stepped in. But a 2019, the S&P 500 was up 29% for the year, people. — the attack in North Texas was an assault much larger group of workers stand to ben- the Nasdaq Composite had risen 35%, and This rise in anti-Semitism must be met on a community, on a group of people free- efit, because they now earn less than the even the dowdy Dow Jones Industrial Av- with a greater force, one that we must all ly associating with each other and working proposed minimum. The Congressional erage climbed 22%. Apple and Microsoft, contribute to spreading. Houston is a di- toward common purpose. Budget Office estimated a $15 minimum which drove much of the increase in the verse city with a thriving Jewish commu- These attacks are pernicious and act hourly wage would raise the pay of at least Nasdaq, each now have market capitaliza- nity that deserves and welcomes support. with particular purpose to destroy com- 17 million workers. tions of more than $1.2 trillion. “It takes all of us to stand up together munities. They seek to kill more than indi- Among the beneficiaries: people who Anyone who sold a year ago missed a and unite against this hate and perpetual vidual lives. They seek to kill social bonds work for tips. Federal law lets businesses major boost in net worth, yet at the time violence,” Saratovsky said. “We can’t re- that bind us together. They seek to divide pay $2.13 an hour to waiters, bartend- the investor mood was negative. main silent here. We have to call for action, and isolate, to leave survivors feeling alone ers and others who get tips, so long as the Some poor folks probably even heeded and that’s on all of us.” or unsafe in any common space. So it is all total of tips and wages meets the federal the infamous Oct. 21, 2016, article in Po- The only way to fight hate is through love. the more important for us to stand togeth- minimum. The legislation would end that litico that began: “Wall Street is set up for Meeting one another, and understanding er in defense against hateful, divisive and rule; the same minimum would apply to a major crash if Donald Trump shocks the one another, is a great way to start. evil purpose. It is civil society itself that’s all hourly employees. Opponents of the world on Election Day and wins the White under attack. change argue customers will curtail tip- House.” The S&P 500 was then trading at Texas law allowing concealed ping and workers will end up with less about 2200. It closed Monday at 3221. Piecemeal moves strengthen money. But eight states, including Minne- The lesson here is that, as Warren Buf- weapons saved lives at church sota, Montana and Oregon, already have a fett likes to say, don’t bet against the The Dallas Morning News case for higher minimum wage universal minimum, including for tipped United States to succeed. America makes On Sunday , the kind of news no one wants The New York Times workers, and restaurant workers in those mistakes, voters sometimes hand power to see slid across the landscape. There was Opponents of minimum-wage laws have states make more money. to misguided politicians, and the public a shooting at a church in White Settlement long argued that companies have only so Crucially, the legislation also would re- sometimes succumbs to financial manias outside of Fort Worth, and there were ca- much money and, if required to pay higher quire automatic adjustments in the mini- that turn into panics and crashes. But left sualties. But as we delved into the details, wages, they will employ fewer workers. mum wage to keep pace with wage growth to work, trade and invest without too much we will admit feeling first a sense of relief Now there is evidence that such con- in the broader economy. The current mini- political interference, Americans unleash that the loss of life was not larger — two cerns, never entirely sincere, are greatly mum rises only when Congress is in the their energies in productive fashion. Stocks innocent lives were lost along with the as- overstated. mood. As a result, the purchasing power fluctuate, but over time they go up — often sailant — and then a sense of gratitude. Over the past five years, a wave of in- of the federal minimum wage has eroded in years you least expect it. PAGE 46 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 47 AMERICAN ROUNDUP Sex offender’s name change denied by court

MINNEAPOLIS MN — A man indefinitely committed as a sexual predator can’t rename himself “Better Off Dead” even when he claims he’s doing it for religious reasons, the Minnesota state Court of Appeals ruled. Hollis John Larson has been committed since 2008 as a sexu- ally dangerous person under the Minnesota Sex Offender Program that allows for indefinite confine- ment for predators. Larson “professes a religious belief involving Hinduism, Tao- ism, Buddhism, and Agnosti- cism,” the court said. His desired name change is “in accordance with that religious belief and to express his freedom of speech.” A three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeals agreed with a lower court ruling denying the name change in part because “Better Off Dead” is an idiomatic expression, contains no pronouns and is “inherently misleading.” Firefighters: Naked man tried to douse house fire

CAVE CREEK — Fire AZ department officials in Arizona responding to a house fire in Cave Creek found a naked man on the roof with a garden hose. Flames were coming from the roof of the two-story house and a CHRIS DILLMANN, VAIL (COLO.) DAILY/AP man who lives at the home was on the roof, KPHO-TV reported. The naked man initially re- fused to come down, and when he Eyes on the ice did, he tried to run back into the burning home, Rural Metro Fire Abby Tanksley, 8, and her brother, Charlie, 5, of Missouri, watch Sunday as plain blocks of ice are turned into works of art during the Department officials said. Beaver Creek Cheer holiday event in Beaver Creek, Colo. A crowd gathered to watch the live ice sculpting demonstration by a local artist . Fire crews fought the fire for more than two hours before it was The store’s grand opening is THE CENSUS owner. brought under control . Jan. 4. The Hillsborough County “Breaking Bad” followed an Al- The estimated population of Montana in July 2019 accord- Sheriff’s Office tweeted that the Graceland plans auction buquerque high school chemistry ing to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau, meaning cat showed up at one of its offices for Presley’s birthday teacher turned meth lord, Walter the state could regain its second seat in the U.S. House after in the Tampa area and deputies White, who was played by Bryan 1M the 2020 census. Montana lost the second seat after the 1990 were hoping to find the owner. Cranston. MEMPHIS — Elvis U.S. Census and has had just one member in the 435-member The sheriff’s office said that the TN Presley’s Graceland body since January 1993. The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts owner had been traced via micro- plans an auction of artifacts to be Boy, 6, rescued after in December 2020. States will have the information to start redrawing districts, if chip after deputies took the cat to held during the late entertainer’s falling through ice necessary, by March 31, 2021. a local veterinarian. The sheriff’s 85th birthday celebration Jan. 8. office didn’t identify Eva’s owner All the items up for auction SCARBOROUGH — Peacock Diner on its final run, battery with a dangerous weapon but said the cat went missing dur- come from third party collec- ME A 6-year-old boy who stranding riders for 45 minutes. and other offenses. ing the 2017 hurricane whose tors but have been thoroughly fell through the ice on a frozen The trolley has faced numer- path cut through the middle of researched and certified by pond was rescued by a neighbor ous mechanical problems since it Police: Dead geese, Florida. Graceland Authenticated, ac- who pulled him to safety, officials started operating in late 2018. cording to a news release from said . ducks found in bags Food-delivery robots to Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. The boy, who sunk to his waist Police: Man threw knife The mansion and all artifacts in in icy water and was shivering, CLOVERDALE — Au- be tested in Ann Arbor the Graceland Archives continue was taken to a hospital for treat- during road rage incident OR thorities are searching to be owned by Lisa Marie Pres- ment for mild hypothermia, but for information after three gar- ANN ARBOR — A ley and are not for sale. his rescuer did not need medi- AUBURN — Massa- bage bags full of the remains of MI Michigan company that The 288 artifacts include a cal treatment, Scarborough Fire MA chusetts State Police ducks and geese were found near makes self-driving food delivery golf cart, clothing, jewelry, auto- Capt. Nate Contreras said. arrested a Connecticut man they the Oregon coast. vehicles will begin testing them said threw a knife through the graphs, concert memorabilia and The boy had been playing with Oregon State Police said in a in Ann Arbor this month with pa- open window of another vehicle Hollywood items. friends at the edge of the pond release that a person walking trons from four restaurants. when he ventured onto the ice and during a road rage incident, strik- their dog near the Nestucca River Ann Arbor-based Refraction ‘Breaking Bad’ store to broke through, Contreras said. ing and injuring two people. in Tillamook County reported the Two vehicles were traveling gruesome discovery. AI makes the REV, an autono- cater to fans of series mous robot that’s five feet tall, Loop Trolley breaks on the Massachusetts Turnpike Eight geese and five ducks in Auburn when one cut off the were found in the garbage bags, with wheels and a fuselage that ALBUQUERQUE down on final ride other, police said in a statement. with the breast meat removed can hold delivery bags. The com- NM — A store will open The folding pocket knife en- from three of the geese. pany begins using its REVs on in Albuquerque that will cater UNIVERSITY CITY tered an open window, striking Friday to make meal deliveries to fans of the AMC-TV hit series MO — The Loop Trolley’s the 22-year-old man driving, and Cat reunited with owner from four restaurants to a test “Breaking Bad.“ star-crossed 13-month run has a 23-year-old woman in the pas- group of 300 customers in down- A co-owner of The Breaking ended, with a breakdown on the 2 years after hurricane senger seat. Both sustained minor town Ann Arbor. Bad Store ABQ said local artists final ride. injuries. Refraction plans to expand in have been commissioned to cre- The trolley that operates on a A state trooper caught up with TAMPA — A cat that ate unique items inspired by the 2.2-mile route in St. Louis and the other driver, Joshua Garrey, FL went missing two years 2020 to areas including Boston as long-running series and its cast of University City is ceasing op- 26, of Wethersfield, Conn ., and ago in Florida during Hurricane well as Madison, Wis. characters. eration . It broke down in front of charged him with assault and Irma has been reunited with its From wire reports PAGE 48 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 49 PAGE 50 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 51 PAGE 52 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 53 PAGE 54 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 SCOREBOARD/DEATHS

Sports College football on AFN Bowl schedule Stern, trailblazing NBA leader, Friday, Dec. 20 Bahamas Bowl Buffalo 31, Charlotte 9 Frisco (Texas) Bowl Go to the American Forces Kent State 51, Utah State 41 Network website for the most Saturday, Dec. 21 Celebration Bowl dies weeks after brain surgery up-to-date TV schedules. NC A&T 64, Alcorn State 44 New Mexico Bowl myafn.net San Diego State 48, Central Michigan 11 Cure Bowl BY BRIAN MAHONEY Adam Silver, who followed Stern as commissioner. Liberty 23, Georgia Southern 16 Associated Press “Every member of the NBA family is the beneficia- Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl College basketball FAU 52, SMU 28 ry of David’s vision, generosity and inspiration.” Camellia Bowl NEW YORK — David Stern had basketball as a Lakers forward LeBron James echoed Silver. Arkansas State 34, FIU 26 passion and law as a profession, one he figured he “We lost a great visionary,” James said. “Him Wednesday’s men’s scores Las Vegas Bowl Washington 38, Boise State 7 could return to if a job at the NBA didn’t work out. and Dr. James Naismith are the two most impor- SOUTH New Orleans Bowl He never did. ETSU 49, Wofford 48 Appalachian State 31, UAB 17 tant people for the game of basketball. Dr. Naismith Furman 89, VMI 73 Monday, Dec. 23 Instead he went to Europe, Asia and plenty of because he invented the game Samford 69, The Citadel 68 Gasparilla Bowl other places around the world, bringing with him UNC-Greensboro 72, Mercer 63 UCF 48, Marshall 25 and David for his vision, his vi- MIDWEST Tuesday, Dec. 24 a league that was previously an afterthought in the sion to make this game global.” Cincinnati 67, UConn 51 Hawaii Bowl U.S. and turning it into a global powerhouse. Creighton 92, Marquette 75 Hawaii 38, BYU 34 Thriving on good debate in Fort Wayne 70, South Dakota 59 Thursday, Dec. 26 Stern, who spent 30 years as the NBA’s longest- the boardroom and good games Wichita St. 75, East Carolina 69 Independence Bowl serving commissioner and one of the best in sports SOUTHWEST Louisiana Tech 14, Miami 0 in the arena, Stern would say SMU 82, South Florida 64 Quick Lane Bowl history, died Wednesday. He was 77. one of his greatest achieve- FAR WEST Pittsburgh 34, Eastern Michigan 30 “Without David Stern, the NBA would not be what Boise St. 65, Wyoming 54 Friday, Dec. 27 ments was guiding a league of Nevada 67, Colorado St. 61 Military Bowl it is today,” Hall of Famer Michael Jordan said. “He mostly black players that was San Diego St. 61, Fresno St. 52 North Carolina 55, Temple 13 guided the league through turbulent times and grew San Jose St. 88, New Mexico 85 Pinstripe Bowl plagued by drug problems in UNLV 70, Utah St. 53 Michigan State 27, Wake Forest 21 the league into an international phenomenon, cre- the 1970s to popularity with Texas Bowl ating opportunities that few could have imagined Men’s Top 25 schedule Texas A&M 24, Oklahoma State 21 mainstream America. Holiday Bowl before.” Stern He had a hand in nearly Friday’s game Iowa 49, Southern Cal 24 Stern suffered a brain hemorrhage on Dec. 12 and No. 5 Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Cheez-It Bowl every initiative to do that, from Saturday’s games Air Force 31, Washington State 21 underwent emergency surgery. The league said he the drug testing program, to No. 1 Gonzaga vs. Pepperdine Saturday, Dec. 28 died with his wife, Dianne, and their family at his No. 2 Duke at Miami Camping World Bowl the implementation of the salary cap, to the creation No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 16 West Virginia Orlando, Fla. bedside. of a dress code. No. 4 Oregon at Utah Notre Dame 33, Iowa State 9 “The entire basketball community is heartbro- No. 6 Baylor vs. Texas Cotton Bowl Classic But for Stern, it was always about “the game.” No. 7 Louisville vs. No. 18 Florida State Arlington, Texas ken,” the National Basketball Players Association “The game is what brought us here. It’s always No. 8 Auburn at Mississippi State Penn State 53, Memphis 39 No. 9 Memphis vs. Georgia said. “David Stern earned and deserved inclusion in about the game and everything else we do is about No. 10 Villanova at Marquette Peach Bowl No. 11 Butler vs. Creighton Atlanta our land of giants.” making the stage or the presentation of the game No. 13 San Diego State at Utah State LSU 63, Oklahoma 28 Stern had been involved with the NBA for nearly even stronger, and the game itself is in the best No. 15 Maryland vs. Indiana Fiesta Bowl No. 17 Kentucky vs. Missouri Glendale, Ariz. two decades before he became its fourth commis- shape that it’s ever been in,” he said on the eve of No. 19 Virginia vs. Virginia Tech Clemson 29, Ohio State 23 sioner on Feb. 1, 1984. By the time he left his posi- the 2009-10 season, calling it “a new golden age for No. 21 Penn State vs. No. 23 Iowa at Monday, Dec. 30 The Palestra SERVPRO First Responder Bowl tion in 2014 — he wouldn’t say or let league staffers the NBA.” No. 22 Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State Dallas say “retire,” because he never stopped working “When you think of all that he accomplished No. 24 Wichita State vs. Mississippi Western Kentucky 23, Western Michi- No. 25 Arizona vs. Arizona State gan 20 — a league that fought for a foothold before him worldwide on behalf of thousands of players, so Sunday’s games Music City Bowl had grown to a more than $5 billion a year industry many fans, all of the jobs he created for team and No. 12 Michigan at No. 14 Mich. State Nashville, Tenn. No. 20 Dayton at Saint Joseph’s Louisville 38, Mississippi State 28 and made NBA basketball perhaps the world’s most arena employees and all of the people that benefit- Redbox Bowl popular sport after soccer. ted from the many layers of growth in the sport and Wednesday’s women’s scores Santa Clara, Calif. California 35, Illinois 20 “Because of David, the NBA is a truly global brand industry that David spearheaded and then passed SOUTH Orange Bowl on to others, there is no doubt Commissioner Stern Lipscomb 86, Queens University of Miami Gardens, Fla. — making him not only one of the greatest sports Charlotte 45 Florida 36, Virginia 28 commissioners of all time, but also one of the most lifted the NBA to new heights and he will be greatly UNC-Greensboro 84, Lenoir-Rhyne 59 Tuesday, Dec. 31 MIDWEST Belk Bowl influential business leaders of his generation,” said missed by all of us,” Larry Bird said. South Dakota 62, Fort Wayne 41 Charlotte, N.C. SOUTHWEST Kentucky 37, Virginia Tech 30 Cent. Arkansas 63, Houston Baptist 39 Sun Bowl FAR WEST El Paso, Texas Colorado St. 75, Nevada 70 Arizona State 20, Florida State 14 Fresno St. 79, San Diego St. 54 Liberty Bowl Larsen, who threw only perfect North Dakota 90, Denver 82 Memphis, Tenn. San Jose St. 81, New Mexico 80 Navy 20, Kansas State 17 UC Davis 96, William Jessup 32 Arizona Bowl UNLV 60, Utah St. 46 Tucson, Ariz. Wyoming 73, Boise St. 68 Wyoming 38, Georgia State 17 World Series game, dies at 90 Alamo Bowl Women’s Top 25 schedule San Antonio Texas 38, Utah 10 Associated Press his shoe, the signal from manager Mantle’s home run and an RBI Friday’s game Wednesday, Jan. 1 No. 2 Oregon vs. Colorado Casey Stengel that he would start single by Hank Bauer. No. 3 Oregon State vs. Utah Citrus Bowl NEW YORK — Don Larsen, the No. 5 Stanford vs. Washington State Orlando, Fla. Game 5. Larsen, selected MVP of the Alabama 35, Michigan 16 journeyman pitcher who reached No. 10 UCLA vs. Arizona State “I must admit I was shocked,” 1956 Series, had two close calls. No. 16 DePaul at Providence Outback Bowl the heights of baseball glory when No. 18 Arizona at Southern Cal Tampa, Fla. Larsen wrote in his autobiogra- In the second inning, Jackie Rob- Minnesota 31, Auburn 24 No. 21 Missouri State at Loyola of Chi- he threw a perfect game in 1956 phy. “I knew I had to do better inson hit a hard grounder that cago Rose Bowl with the New York Yankees for No. 25 Texas vs. TCU Pasadena, Calif. than the last time, keep the game was deflected by third baseman Oregon 28, Wisconsin 27 the only no-hitter in World Series Sugar Bowl close and somehow give our team Andy Carey to shortstop Gil Mc- Deals New Orleans history, died Wednesday night. a chance to Dougald, who threw out Robin- Georgia 26, Baylor 14 He was 90. Thursday, Jan. 2 win. Casey son. In the fifth, Mantle ran down Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl Larsen’s agent, Andrew Levy, was betting Wednesday’s transactions Cincinnati (10-3) vs. Boston College (6-6) a long drive to left-center field by Gator Bowl said the former pitcher died of on me, and FOOTBALL Gil Hodges. With two outs in the Jacksonville, Fla. esophageal cancer in hospice I was deter- National Football League Indiana (8-4) vs. Tennessee (7-5) ninth, pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell BUFFALO BILLS — Signed DE Jonathan care in Hayden, Idaho. Levy said Woodard to the practice squad. Friday, Jan. 3 mined not to took a third strike, completing MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Signed DE Eddie Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Larsen’s son, Scott, confirmed let him down the perfect game and sending Yarbrough from Buffalo’s practice squad. Boise the death. Placed DT Armon Watts on IR. Signed DE Ohio (6-6) vs. Nevada (7-5) this time.” catcher Yogi Berra dashing out Curtis Cothran and CB Kemon Hall to the Saturday, Jan. 4 Larsen was the unlikeliest of The Dodg- from behind the plate to leap into practice squad. Released C John Keenoy Armed Forces Bowl characters to attain what so many from the practice squad. Placed DE Stacy Fort Worth, Texas ers and Yan- Larsen’s arms. Keely on practice squad IR. Southern Miss (7-5) vs. Tulane (6-6) Hall of Famers couldn’t pull off Monday, Jan. 6 kees split “When Yogi Berra jumped on PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Signed WR in the Fall Classic. He was 81-91 Shelton Gibson and RB Elijah Holyfield. Lendingtree Bowl the first Larsen me and grabbed with the bear Placed G Brandon Brooks and DE Dae- Mobile, Ala. lifetime, never won more than 11 four games hug, my mind went completely shon Hall on IR. Signed OT Dieugot Jo- Miami (Ohio) (8-5) vs. Louisiana-La- seph to the practice squad. Released LB fayette (10-3) games in a season and finished an and Stengel blank,” Larsen wrote in his auto- Deshaun Davis from the practice squad. Monday, Jan. 13 unsightly 3-21 with Baltimore in liked the deception of Larsen’s SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Signed DT College Football Championship biography. “I was under friendly Earl Mitchell. Waived DB Antone Exum Jr. New Orleans 1954, the year before he was dealt no-windup delivery. The manag- attack ... I was swept into the WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Named Clemson (14-0) vs. LSU (14-0) to the Yankees as part of an 18- er’s instincts proved historically Ron Rivera coach. Saturday, Jan. 18 dugout.” HOCKEY East-West Shrine Classic player trade. correct. The lanky right-hander Their celebration remains one National Hockey League At St. Petersburg, Fla. NHL — Fined Minnesota G Alex Stalock East vs. West In the 1956 World Series, won struck out seven, needed just 97 of baseball’s most joyous images. $2,000 for diving/embellishment during NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in seven games by the Yankees, pitches to tame the Dodgers and “Don’s perfect game is a defin- a Dec. 21 game again Winnipeg. At Pasadena, Calif. ARIZONA COYOTES — Recalled D Kyle American vs. National he was knocked out in the second only once went to three balls on a ing moment for our franchise, Capobianco from Tucson (AHL). As- inning of Game 2 by the Brook- batter — against Pee Wee Reese encapsulating a storied era of signed D Aaron Ness to Tucson. NCAA FCS playoffs NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Assigned G lyn Dodgers and didn’t think he in the first inning. Yankees success and ranking Gilles Senn to Binghamton (AHL). Recalled Championship would have another opportunity In winning 2-0, the Yankees among the greatest single-game G Louis Domingue from Binghamton. Saturday, Jan. 11 COLLEGE At Toyota Stadium to pitch. But when he reached themselves only managed five performances in Major League NORTH CAROLINA STATE — Named Frisco, Texas Tim Becks offensive coordinator and North Dakota State (15-0) vs. James Yankee Stadium on the morning hits against the Dodgers’ Sal Baseball history,” the Yankees quarterbacks coach. Madison (14-1) of Oct. 8, he found a baseball in Maglie, but scored on Mickey said in a statement. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 55 COLLEGE BASKETBALL/NBA This week in the Top 25 Conference races prepare to heat up

BY JOHN MARSHALL The Cardinals (11-2, 2-0 ACC) Associated Press are smarting after losing to rival Kentucky on Saturday, but held The holidays gave teams a Michigan to 43 points earlier in chance to recover, recharge and December, They also have one of reset from the first two months of the nation’s best players in Jordan the season. Nwora, who averages 20.2 points As the calendar flips to 2020, and 7.2 rebounds. conference play begins for some The Seminoles (11-2, 1-1) made leagues, heats up for those that a Sweet 16 run last season after already started. being overlooked and have the The road to March is about to type of experienced team that heat up. could prove projections wrong This week features four games again this year. MATT MARTON/AP between ranked opponents and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, and the Bucks are one of several teams in the several other Top 25 teams facing Nittany Lions and Eastern Confernence that could reach 50 wins this season. stiff tests. It starts Saturday with a Big 12 the Hawkeyes bruiser: No. 16 West Virginia at The Big Ten will have a match- Around the NBA No. 3 Kansas. up of ranked teams on Saturday, The Jayhawks (10-2) won the when No. 21 Penn State faces Maui Invitational, knocked off No. 23 Iowa at The Palestra in a ranked Colorado team and Philadelphia. stomped Stanford on Sunday. The Nittany Lions (11-2) were Kansas has one of the most formi- blown out by Ohio State, but dable front courts in the country Teams rising in the East bounced back by beating then- with Udoka Azubuike and David No. 4 Maryland. McComack, and talented guards The Hawkeyes have losses to BY TIM REYNOLDS There’s a team around .500 to play with them. No. 13 San Diego State and No. 12 Associated Press hovering in seventh — Brooklyn NBA scoreboard The Mountaineers (11-1) are Michigan, but beat No. 22 Texas in the East, Oklahoma City in the back to playing don’t-give-an- Tech. The West is used to being load- West. inch defense under Bob Huggins ed at the top. And then there’s a below-.500 Eastern Conference after missing the NCAA Tourna- Both teams have dynamic scor- The East, not so much. team in eighth — Orlando in the Atlantic Division ment last season. West Virginia ers. Penn State’s Lamar Stevens But a new year is arriving with East, San Antonio in the West. W L Pct GB won the Cancun Challenge by averages 16.4 points and 7.2 re- Boston 23 8 .742 — bounds after testing the NBA a new look in the NBA’s Eastern The East and West have split Toronto 23 11 .676 1A knocking off No. 24 Wichita State A Conference. The league woke up the last eight NBA Finals, so it’s Philadelphia 23 13 .639 2 and pushed around No. 5 Ohio waters during the offseason. Iowa Brooklyn 16 16 .500 7A on Wednesday — the first day of not like there’s been a huge dis- New York 10 24 .294 14A State in a 67-59 win on Sunday forward Luke Garza leads the 2020 — with six East teams with parity in talent at the very top. Southeast Division after laboring in a win against league in scoring at 21.5 points Miami 24 9 .727 — winning percentages of .600 or But the West, top to bottom, has Orlando 15 19 .441 9A Youngstown State. per game and averages 10.0 re- better, the first time that’s been unquestionably been the stronger Charlotte 13 23 .361 12A “I think it’s that old adage of bounds. This one should be fun to Washington 10 23 .303 14 the case on New Year’s Day since side of the league for some time. Atlanta 7 27 .206 17A respect all and fear none,” Hug- watch. 1998. Things seem different now. Central Division gins said after the Ohio State vic- Milwaukee 31 5 .861 — “This is a tough part of the “It’s really competitive and you tory. “We came off not respecting Tough tests Indiana 22 12 .647 8 country, a tough part of our have to like this,” Miami coach Chicago 13 21 .382 17 Youngstown and they gave us a Detroit 12 22 .353 18 A handful of Top 25 teams face league,” Philadelphia coach Brett Erik Spoelstra said. “You have to A heck of a game. Hopefully our Cleveland 10 23 .303 19 difficult games against unranked Brown said. enjoy it as a competitor. People guys learned from that. We’re not opponents this week. He didn’t say “finally,” but he have been disparaging the East- Western Conference afraid to play people, obviously, Oregon climbed to No. 4 this could have. ern Conference for so long. You Southwest Division or why would we do this?” W L Pct GB week to match it highest ranking, Just last spring, Brooklyn got have some really good teams Houston 23 11 .676 — with the 2017 Final Four team. the No. 6 seed in the East play- here in the East and the teams Dallas 21 12 .636 1A Rivaly renewed San Antonio 14 18 .438 8 The Ducks have a difficult start offs at 42-40. This season, it won’t are proving it.” Memphis 13 21 .382 10 No. 12 Michigan (10-3, 1-1 Big to the Pac-12 season, playing at be inconceivable if two teams in New Orleans 11 23 .324 12 the East reach 50 wins and start Northwest Division Ten) has fallen back since match- Colorado and Utah. Decade in review Denver 23 10 .697 — ing a record by debuting at No. 4 The Buffaloes were picked right the playoffs on the road anyway Utah 21 12 .636 2 — which would be amazing, con- There were seven different Oklahoma City 18 15 .545 5 in the AP Top 25 on Dec. 2. The behind Oregon in the Pac-12 pre- Portland 14 21 .400 10 Wolverines lost to Louisville after season poll and were ranked ear- sidering that every 50-win team franchises with at least one NBA Minnesota 12 21 .364 11 in the East since 1998 has gotten championship in the 2010s, Gold- Pacific Division their monumental poll climb and lier this season. Utah has been up L.A. Lakers 27 7 .794 — followed with losses to Illinois and down, but one of the ups was a top-four seed. en State leading the way with L.A. Clippers 24 11 .686 3A Has there been a power shift three followed by Miami with Phoenix 13 21 .382 14 and No. 4 Oregon. a victory over No. 17 Kentucky in Sacramento 12 22 .353 15 Following a pair of easy victo- Las Vegas. from one conference to another? two. Golden State 9 26 .257 18A No. 25 Arizona (10-3) has And can what seems to be hap- San Antonio was one of the five Wednesday’s games ries, Michigan gets a huge test Orlando 122, Washington 101 on Sunday, facing rival Michigan dropped off some since a strong pening in the East race last until clubs with one — but a case could New York 117, Portland 93 start to the season, losing at No. April? be made for the Spurs being the Milwaukee 106, Minnesota 104 State. L.A. Lakers 117, Phoenix 107 The 14th-ranked Spartans 18 Baylor, at home to top-ranked “My gut feel is, I think it can,” team of the decade. Thursday’s games Gonzaga and to St. John’s in San Brown said. “To your overall The Spurs had the most wins in Charlotte at Cleveland (10-3, 2-0) are trying to figure Denver at Indiana things out since star guard Cas- Francisco. question, is there a power shift, the 2010s, whether just counting Toronto at Miami The Wildcats open Pac-12 play I’m biased but I think quite the regular season or adding both Golden State at Minnesota sius Winston’s brother was hit by Utah at Chicago a train and killed in early Novem- with a rivalry game, facing Ari- possibly.” the regular season and the play- Brooklyn at Dallas zona State on Saturday. The Sun That one could easily be ar- offs together. Oklahoma City was Oklahoma City at San Antonio ber. They may also be without the Memphis at Sacramento All-American senior against the Devils have been inconsistent gued. Going into 2020, the basic No. 2 in regular season wins, fol- Detroit at L.A. Clippers and were run out of the gym in a structure of the standings in each lowed by Golden State, Houston Friday’s games Wolverines. Atlanta at Boston Winston suffered a bone bruise loss to Saint Mary’s, but have tal- conference is basically the same. and Miami. Miami at Orlando ent and will certainly be up for There’s a team that has broken The fewest wins? That would be Portland at Washington in his left knee during practice Philadelphia at Houston last week and did not play in playing their biggest rival. a bit away atop the pack — Mil- Sacramento, followed by Minne- New York at Phoenix No. 13 San Diego State is one of waukee in the East; the Los An- sota, Brooklyn, Phoenix and New New Orleans at L.A. Lakers Michigan State’s win over West- Saturday’s games ern Michigan on Sunday night. two remaining undefeated Divi- geles Lakers out West. York. But a special decade long Memphis at L.A. Clippers sion I teams — with No. 8 Auburn Then there are five teams award for futility should go to De- Toronto at Brooklyn — but will face a big challenge jostling for spots 2 through 6 troit — the only team in the NBA Utah at Orlando ACC showdown Indiana at Atlanta Saturday, playing at Utah State. — Miami, Boston, Toronto, Phila- that didn’t win a playoff game in Oklahoma City at Cleveland Boston at Chicago The ACC is always tough and The Aggies were ranked ear- delphia and Indiana in the East; the 2010s. The Pistons have lost Denver at Washington Saturday will be no different for lier this season and have one of Denver, the Los Angeles Clip- 14 consecutive postseason con- Charlotte at Dallas Detroit at Golden State No. 7 Louisville and No. 18 Flor- the nation’s top guards in Sam pers, Houston, Dallas and Utah tests since winning Game 4 of the San Antonio at Milwaukee ida State. Merrill. in the West. 2008 Eastern Conference finals. New Orleans at Sacramento PAGE 56 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 DECADE IN REVIEW AP MALE ATHLETE OF THE DECADE For James, it was good to be King

BY TIM REYNOLDS Is catching Abdul-Jabbar the new decade’s goal? and continue using that as a template.” Associated Press “I would be lying if I said I don’t see it,” James said. Cleveland was devastated when he left. It forgave him. “Obviously I’m not trying to say, ‘OK, well if I play this James came home in 2014, took Cleveland to four con- e left Cleveland for Miami, finally became amount of time, if I average this’ ... I’m not doing that secutive Finals, then led the Cavaliers to the 2016 title a champion, went back to his beloved because I’ve never done that with my career. I’ve always and came up with one of the biggest plays of his life by northeast Ohio, delivered on another title just kind of let it happen. Whatever happens, happens. pulling off a chase-down block of Golden State’s Andre promise, then left for the Los Angeles But I see it. I do see it.” Iguodala in the final seconds of Game 7 of that series. Lakers and the next challenge. He played His work ethic, even now, makes even those closest to In 2018, he was off to LA. Hin eight consecutive NBA Finals. No NBA player won him marvel. Going Hollywood made so much sense — he’s making more games or more MVP awards over the past 10 years Here’s a typical day this past summer for James, who movies, has a production company, has a program called than he did. He started a school. He married his high remains obsessed with working even though fame and “The Shop” as part of his ‘Uninterrupted’ platform fea- school sweetheart. fortune found him long ago: He’d wake up at 3 a.m. and turing an array of guests from Drake to California Gov. “That’s all?” LeBron James asked, feigning disbelief. be at the Warner Bros. lot by 3:45 — where a weight Gavin Newsom, who signed a bill on the show that will No, that’s not all. Those were just some highlights of room and court, built just for him, were waiting. He’d be allow college athletes to get paid for the use of their like- the past 10 years. There were many more, as the man lifting by 4 a.m., getting shots up by 5:30 and be ready to ness and sign endorsement deals. called “King” spent the last decade reigning over all start another day of shooting the remake of “Space Jam” “There’s a lot of moments from this decade that would others — with no signs of slowing down. that he has been planning for years by 7 a.m. be up there, winning the two Miami championships, James is The Associated Press Male Athlete of the “That’s who he is,” said Mike Mancias, one of the lon- winning a championship in Cleveland, the chase-down Decade. He was a runaway winner in a vote of AP mem- gest-tenured and most trusted members of James’ inner block,” James said. “But the best moment? Definitely ber sports editors and AP beat writers, easily outpacing circle, tasked for more than 15 years with keeping James marrying Savannah. That would be No. 1.” runner-up Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. fit. “He does whatever it takes when it comes to fulfilling James and longtime partner Savannah Brinson “You add another 10 years of learning and adversity, his commitments to everything — especially his game got married six years ago. They already had two sons pitfalls, good, great, bad, and any smart person who and his craft.” — both are very good basketball players already — and wants to grow will learn from all those experienc- The 2010s for James started with added a daughter in 2014. es,” James, 35, told the AP. “A decade ago, I just “The Decision,” the widely criti- James also spent most of the last decade as a lightning turned 25. I’m about to be 35 and I’m just in a cized televised announcement rod for critics. He used his voice often on social mat- better (place) in my life and have a better of his choice to leave Cleveland ters, speaking out after the killing of unarmed Florida understanding of what I want to get out of for Miami. (Lost in the hubbub: teenager Trayvon Martin and campaigning for Hillary life.” The show raised more than Clinton. He supported Colin Kaepernick’s methods of Usain Bolt of Jamaica was third for $2.5 million for charity.) He protesting police brutality and racial injustice. Most re- dominating the sprints at the 2012 was with the Heat for four cently, he was criticized by many — including top U.S. and 2016 Olympics, soccer superstar years, went to the NBA Fi- lawmakers — for his remarks after Houston general Lionel Messi was fourth and Michael nals all four times with Dw- manager Daryl Morey sparked a massive rift between Phelps — the U.S. swimmer who re- yane Wade and Chris Bosh, the NBA and China by sending out a tweet supporting tired as history’s most decorated finally won the title in 2012 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Olympian with 28 medals, 23 gold — “it’s about damn time,” “I don’t live in regret,” James said. “There’s no mo- — was fifth. he said at the trophy cele- ment in this last decade that I wish I could have back. If In his 17th season, James is on bration — and led the way a situation was bad or you feel like you could have done pace to lead the league in assists in a Game 7 victory over better, then I learned from it.” for the first time while remaining San Antonio to go back-to- He doesn’t know how much longer he’ll play. He la- among the NBA’s scoring leaders. back the following year. ments missing time with his children. His “I Promise” “When LeBron James is in- “He grew immensely school that opened in 2018 in his hometown of Akron, volved,” Denver coach Michael Malone here as a leader,” Miami Ohio, has been an immediate success story, and he wants said, “I’m never surprised.” coach Erik Spoelstra said. to see that enterprise continue growing. Including playoffs, no one in the NBA “He impacted winning as Some love him. Some don’t. He doesn’t mind. scored more points than James in the past much as with his leadership “When you believe in your calling or you believe in 10 years. He started the decade 124th on as he did with his talent. I yourself, then it doesn’t matter what other people say the league’s career scoring list. He’s now think that was the most im- or how other people feel,” James said. “And if you allow about to pass Kobe Bryant for No. 3. No. portant thing he learned with that to stop you or deter you from your mission, then you 2 Karl Malone and No. 1 Kareem Abdul- us. And he’s been able to take don’t get anywhere.” Jabbar are within reach. that to different franchises In the 2010s, nothing deterred James.

The 2010s started with controversy for LeBron James, The Associated Press Athlete of the Decade, when he announced he was leaving Cleveland for Miami. After winning two titles with the Heat, James returned to Cleveland in 2014 and led the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA championship. In 2018, he was off to Los Angeles, a move that synced up with his involvement in show business.

LYNNE SLADKY/AP Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 57 DECADE IN REVIEW AP FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE DECADE Serena a smash on and off court

BY HOWARD FENDRICH Williams’ winning ways Associated Press Here is a sampling of statistics that erena Williams dominated the demonstrate how much Serena Williams decade, on the court and in dominated women’s tennis from 2010-19, conversation. based on information provided by the WTA: There were, to begin with, Her record was 377-45, meaning she won the dozen Grand Slam singles 89.3% of her matches. Stitles — no other woman had more than three over the past 10 seasons — and the She won 37 titles; no one else had more than 26 (Petra Kvitova). 3 ½ years in a row at No. 1 in the WTA rankings. She was ranked No. 1 for 196 weeks; that’s Then there was the celebrity status that more time spent atop the sport over the decade transcended tennis, making everything than the next two women combined. she did and said newsworthy, whether it She reached the finals in 52.7% of the was the triumphs and trophies and fash- tournaments she entered; next on the list is ion statements or the disputes with tour- Maria Sharapova at 29.2%. nament officials, the magazine covers or She won 12 Grand Slam singles titles in the the Super Bowl ad with a message about decade; Angelique Kerber, with three, is the women’s power, the birth of her daughter only other woman who won more than two or the health scare that followed. major championships over that time. Still winning matches and reaching She reached the finals at 19 of the 33 Grand Slam finals into her late 30s, still major tournaments she entered, a 57.6% rate. mattering as much as ever, Williams was selected by The Associated Press as the From The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Decade after a vote by AP member sports editors and AP coverage, she has won 23 Grand Slam beat writers. singles titles, more than anyone else in “When the history books are written, it her sport’s professional era, which began could be that the great Serena Williams in 1968. is the greatest athlete of all time. ... I like More than half came from 2010-19: to call it the ‘Serena Superpowers’ — that four at Wimbledon, three apiece at the champion’s mindset. Irrespective of the U.S. Open and Australian Open and two adversity and the odds that are facing at the French Open. That includes a run her, she always believes in herself,” said of four in a row from the U.S. Open in Stacey Allaster, CEO of the WTA from 2014 through Wimbledon in 2015, her 2009-15 and now chief executive for pro- second self-styled “Serena Slam.” fessional tennis at the U.S. Tennis Asso- Williams was the runner-up seven ciation, which runs the U.S. Open. times in major tournaments over the past “Whether it was health issues; coming decade, including four of the seven she’s back; having a child; almost dying from entered since returning to the tour after that — she has endured it all and she is having a baby in 2017. still in championship form,” Allaster said. In all, she made the final at 19 of the 33 “Her records speak for themselves.” majors she entered during the decade, a Gymnast Simone Biles, the 2019 AP nearly 58% rate. Female Athlete of the Year, finished Among her many accomplishments: second to Williams in voting for the de- Reaching at least one Slam final cade honor, followed by swimmer Katie every year, a streak that dates to 2007; Ledecky. Two ski racers were next, with Winning gold medals in singles and Lindsey Vonn finishing fourth and Mi- doubles (with her sister, Venus) at the kaela Shiffrin fifth. 2012 Olympics; Williams, 38, won three AP Female Becoming the oldest woman to win a Athlete of the Year awards during the Grand Slam singles trophy in the profes- decade, in 2013, 2015 and 2018. She also sional era; won in 2002 and 2009. Becoming the oldest No. 1 in WTA “She’s been my idol growing up,” Biles history and equaling Steffi Graf’s record said. for consecutive weeks atop the rankings; “She’s remained humble. She’s stayed Leading the tour with 37 singles true to herself and her character and I titles, 11 more than anyone else in the think that’s really neat about an athlete,” decade. Biles said. “Once you start winning, some The day she won Wimbledon in 2016, get cocky, but she’s stayed true to herself, Williams discussed the way she constant- win or lose.” ly measures herself. It’s the defeats that seem to drive Wil- “I definitely feel like when I lose, I don’t liams, helping propel her to heights rarely feel as good about myself,” she said. reached by any athlete in any sport. “But then I have to, like, remind my- “Whenever I lose, I get more deter- self that: ‘You are Serena Williams!’ You mined, and it gives me something more know? Like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ ” Wil- AP to work toward,” Williams said in 2013. liams continued with a laugh. “And it’s Serena Williams reacts after beating Victoria Azarenka in the final of the U.S. Open “I don’t get complacent, and I realize I those moments that I have to just, like, on Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. Williams, who won 12 Grand Slam singles titles need to work harder and I need to do bet- come off and be like, ‘Serena, do you over the past 10 years, has been voted the AP Female Athlete of the Decade. ter and I want to do better — or I wouldn’t know what you’ve done? Who you are? Gymnast Simone Biles finished second in the vote by AP member sports editors be playing the game.” What you continue to do, not only in ten- and AP beat writers. Swimmer Katie Ledecky was third, followed by ski racers With a best-in-the-game serve, power- nis (but also) off the court? Like, you’re Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin. ful groundstrokes and relentless court awesome.’ ” PAGE 58 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW PLAYS OF THE YEAR 2019 had flair for the dramatic

BY TIM REYNOLDS scamper got them near midfield — good enough Stanley Cup. for them to try the Hail Mary game-winner. Associated Press 5. Buzzer-beaters housands of pro games, hundreds 8. Goalie swagger This is where these lists get difficult. Choosing of thousands of college games, Penalty kicks are an inhumane way to decide one game-winning shot is impossible. millions of high school games anything, especially a national championship. Senior Annie Giannone of Ithaca College scored Tand billions of youth-league, rec- Katie Meyer didn’t mind. 10 of her team’s final 11 points, including a sharp- league, bar-league and whatever other sort The Stanford goalie was the star of the Women’s angled runner with six seconds left to give her of league games you can think of were con- College Cup, leading the Cardinal to the national team — which was down by eight before her late tested in 2019. title after stopping two penalty kicks from North closing surge — a 76-75 win over Desales and a That means there were probably tril- Carolina in the game-deciding shootout. She set berth in the NCAA Division III quarterfinals. lions of plays. the tone with a dive to her right to stop the first of- Don’t forget Nathan Bain, whose layup as time Of those, we’re picking 10 as the best of fering from the Tar Heels, then stoned them again expired gave Stephen F. Austin a shocking win the year. in the sixth round with a dive to the left. over then-No. 1 Duke 85-83. The shot put Bain It’s a thankless task. Spoiler alert: Yes, we Meyer got up, found the nearest camera, flexed, — and his story — in the limelight. Over the next are missing some good ones. We’re miss- shouted and emphatically pointed to the “Stan- few days, over $150,000 was raised for his fam- ing some very — very — good ones. Dwy- ford” across her chest after putting her team on ily, who endured hardship when Hurricane Dorian ane Wade’s buzzer-beater to beat Golden the brink of the title. Kiki Pickett then won it for slammed the Bahamas. State. Gary Woodland using his wedge on Stanford with the deciding penalty kick. But the best of the buzzer-beating bunch in the 17th green to just about clinch the U.S. 2019 was Kawhi Leonard, whose jumper from Open. Notre Dame’s Arike Ogunbowale 7. Another Yaz the deep right corner bounced, then bounced throwing a no-look behind-the-back pass Carl Yastrzemski won seven Gold Gloves for the again, then bounced yet again, then bounced for an assist. An outfielder for Liberty Boston Red Sox. His grandson Mike Yastrzemski ONE MORE TIME before finally going in to give front-flipping over a wall to make a catch. is pretty good with the leather as well. Toronto a 92-90 win over Philadelphia in Game They were all fantastic. So were count- The younger Yaz had some unforgettable mo- 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. You know CHUCK BURTON/AP less others. ments in 2019 — homering at Fenway Park the rest: Toronto beat Milwaukee for the East title, Team Giannis’ Stephen Curry, of the But let’s get to the ones that made the among them — but he turned in arguably the then topped Golden State in six games for the Golden State Warriors, celebrates a list. baseball play of the year with his game-end- NBA title. basket against Team LeBron during the 10. From way downtown ing catch for San Francisco in a game against first half of an NBA All-Star game on Feb. Milwaukee. 4. Golden Rose 17 in Charlotte, N.C. Curry pulled off the Aldahir Cazun is the goalie for the men’s soc- Yasmani Grandal represented the tying run This is how you finish a World Cup bounce oop to set up Antetokounmpo for cer team at New Jersey City University. He’d just for the Brewers and he hit a sharp liner into left- championship. a dunk. made a diving save to protect a 2-0 second-half center field. Yastrzemski got a good jump, dove Rose Lavelle of the U.S. took a pass just inside lead against Purchase College, then casually and snared the ball to end the game just before it of the midfield stripe in the 69th minute of the brook and anyone else in the NBA, the triple- walked with the ball up the top of the penalty box would have hit the grass. Women’s World Cup final against the Netherlands, double of the year was turned in by someone who before punting it away. “What a catch by Yastrzemski,” then-Giants a game the Americans were already leading 1-0. stands 4-foot-8. And then he got a bounce he’ll never forget. manager Bruce Bochy said. And she sealed the title in style, dribbling about Simone Biles, take a bow. Cazun’s punt was a bit wind-aided. The ball Wasn’t the first time those words were said in 40 yards downfield as three Dutch defenders at- If we’re going to get technical, her triple-double carried about 80 yards in the air, hit the grass on baseball. tempted to thwart her path and a fourth was just is actually called a triple-twisting double backflip the other end with some serious topspin, bounced a couple steps behind. — which Biles pulled off during her floor routine over Purchase goalie Mario Olmedo and found its 6. Colorful goal Lavelle waited until the last possible second multiple times this year. The rule in gymnastics way into the net. The St. Louis Blues had a comeback story for before taking a left-footed strike, threading the is if you’re the first one to execute a move, it gets all time — going from being the worst team in the ball between the outstretched legs of two Neth- named on your behalf. The triple-double in gym- 9. Tulane trickery NHL midway through this past season to winning erlands players before it skipped past a helpless nastics is the Biles II; the plain old double-double Imagine: Tulane beat Houston on a 53-yard the Stanley Cup. — and ordinarily fantastic — Dutch goalie Sari ... well, that’s the Biles, since she was the first to touchdown pass with three seconds left — and To get there, the Blues needed some Maroon van Veenendaal. do that, too. that wasn’t the one making this list. magic first. The outcome was never in doubt from there, The play before did. Patrick Maroon’s goal in double overtime gave and the Americans won the World Cup for the 2. ‘Kick’ play Tie game, 18 seconds left, Tulane lined up as St. Louis a win in Game 7 of its Western Con- fourth time. The 2019 season for the Miami Dolphins was if it was going to kneel down and send the game ference semifinal series against Dallas. The Blues largely forgettable, except for one play where a to overtime. Except the Green Wave decided to went on to beat San Jose in six games, then need- 3. The triple double punter found a kicker for a touchdown. employ some trickery, and Amare Jones’ 18-yard ed another Game 7 to defeat Boston and win the Due respect to James Harden, Russell West- It happened against Philadelphia, a play where the Dolphins sent five players out to the left, four others to the right and had Daniel Kilgore snap- ping the ball to punter Matt Haack — who was basically in a shotgun quarterback stance. Haack darted to his left and just as the Eagles were about to bring him down, he shovel-passed to Jason Sanders, the Dolphins’ kicker, who had slipped behind the defense. Sanders caught it, the Dolphins went on to win, and it was the first time a kicker and punter com- bined for an NFL touchdown since 1964. 1. Bounce oop Just about anyone can throw a lob for a dunk in the NBA, particularly in the All-Star Game. Golden State’s Stephen Curry raised the bar a little bit this year. Curry took a pass from Joel Embiid on a fast break and — in less than a second — decided to set up Giannis Antetokounmpo for a dunk. Except a lob would be too boring. Instead, Curry ham- mered a pass off the court, then watched the ball ricochet several feet above the rim as it made its way toward the Milwaukee star. Antetokounmpo handled it as if they’d been practicing the play for years, timing his jump per- fectly to corral the ball and slam the dunk home. “Timing was unreal,” Curry said. “His length, finishing it and getting it before it came down ... a pretty bang-bang play.” CLAUDE PARIS/AP The pass — and the play — just was a little The United States’ Rose Lavelle, right, celebrates with teammate Alex Morgan after scoring the American’s second goal during the better than the rest, in a year that had countless Women’s World Cup final match on July 7 against the Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France. unforgettable moments. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 59 YEAR IN REVIEW GAMES OF THE YEAR Some made memorable by blown calls

BY PAUL NEWBERRY After romping to a 3-0 win in the first “It was great,” Leonard said. “It was Associated Press game of the home-and-home, total- a blessing to be able to get to that goals series, Barca seemed a lock for point and make that shot and feel that The New Orleans Saints looked the final. moment.” around in disbelief, searching But, back on their home turf at An- for a yellow flag that never came field, Liverpool pulled off a stunning 4- Megan’s moment during the NFL playoffs. 0 victory that propelled the club to its Megan Rapinoe capped a remark- The Auburn Tigers were sure sixth European title. able year of sporting excellence and they’d get the ball after a Virginia “This club has a big heart, and to- social activism by leading to United player appeared to double-dribble night the heart was pounding like States to its second straight Women’s in the closing seconds of a thrill- crazy,” manager Juergen Klopp said. World Cup title. ing Final Four game, but the refs “You could feel it all over the world.” Rapinoe broke a scoreless tie in the let it go. Twenty-four hours later, Tottenham final with a second-half penalty kick, Not long after, the guys in overcame a three-goal halftime deficit and the Americans went on to beat the stripes weren’t so lax, whistling a on the road, stunning Ajax in the other Netherlands 2-0. disputed foul that sent the Cava- Champions League semifinal. Rapinoe won the Golden Ball as top liers to the line for the winning “We saw Liverpool last night,” Totten- player and the Golden Boot as top scor- free throws. ham fullback Danny Rose said. “It goes er in the monthlong tournament, but Some of the year’s most memo- to show it’s not over until it is over.” her impact went far beyond the field. rable games were decided by con- Super over She sparred with U.S. President Don- troversial calls — or, perhaps it GERALD HERBERT /AP ald Trump and was one of the leading would be more appropriate to say, After more than nine stomach-churn- voices on a squad that loudly demand- the calls that didn’t get made. Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman interferes with Saints ing hours, the first Super Over in Crick- receiver Tommylee Lewis as he breaks up a pass late in the NFC ed equal pay with the men’s team. Let’s take a look back at the Top et World Cup history — and perhaps “We’re such a proud and strong and 10 from 2019: championship game. A penalty was not called, and the Rams won 26- the most extraordinary over ever played 23. The NFL changed its rules to allow reviews of interference calls. defiant group of women,” Rapinoe said. Bayou bungle — came down to one last ball. Her trademark victory pose, looking England calmly prevailed in the fad- skyward with arms outstretched, also The Los Angeles Rams advanced to three shots to give Virginia a disputed misconduct. ing sunlight of Lord’s as New Zealand’s became a worldwide sensation. the Super Bowl with an overtime win 63-62 win. Two nights later, in another The Golden Knights were livid — es- desperate scramble to score what against the Saints that would not have overtime thriller, the Cavaliers captured pecially after the Sharks erupted for four would have been the winning run Brave blossoms their first national title by beating Texas goals during those five minutes with an been possible without an egregious came up short. So ended the home In the wake of Typhoon Hagibis, host mistake by the officials in the closing Tech. extra skater. team’s agonizing 44-year wait to be Japan turned in a thoroughly inspiring minutes of regulation. “We kind of thought we had it “They called five minutes for that?” crowned world champion of the sport performance at the Rugby World Cup Los Angeles cornerback Nickell sealed,” Auburn’s Bryce Brown said. “I Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault it invented. in its final group stage match against Robey-Coleman committed a blatant just didn’t agree with the call.” said. “It’s a joke, that’s what it is.“ “The most ridiculous game of cricket Scotland. interference penalty with a helmet-to- The Golden Knights tied the game Pavelski payback to have ever been played,” said Jos A brilliant display by the team known helmet hit on Tommylee Lewis well with a goal late in regulation, but Bar- Buttler, England’s wicket-keeper. as the “Brave Blossoms” gave them a before the pass arrived inside the 5, Auburn and New Orleans weren’t clay Goodrow’s overtime goal won it for “The guys are shattered,” countered big halftime lead. Then they held off a forcing the Saints to settle for Wil Lutz’s the only teams to gripe about the the Sharks, 5-4. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. furious Scottish comeback to preserve 31-yard field goal. officiating, “The boys got together and said this “It’s devastating.” “I got away with one,” Robey-Cole- The NHL season ended for the Vegas is for Pavs,” San Jose’s Joe Thornton a 28-21 victory. man conceded. Golden Knights in Game 7 of the play- said. “It was just a matter of will, and Follow the bouncing balL Japan advanced to the quarterfinals Jared Goff had enough time to lead offs after a major penalty sparked the we willed that one for him.” Kawhi Leonard got the bounce. for the first time. Even though they lost the Rams down the field for Greg San Jose Sharks to a 5-4 overtime The Sharks became just the second Then another. Then another. And, yes, to eventual champion South Africa, Zuerlein’s tying field with 15 seconds victory. team to overcome a three-goal deficit in one more. their tournament run was just what remaining. On a faceoff in San Jose’s offen- the third period to win a Game 7. Finally, the shot fell through, giving their battered nation needed after the Then Zuerlein won it, 26-23, with a sive zone with Las Vegas leading 3-0 As for the Golden Knights, they had the Toronto Raptors a 92-90 victory ferocious storm. 57-yard kick in overtime. midway through the third period, Cody to be content with a call from the NHL that bounced the Philadelphia 76ers Burrow bests Tua “It happened right there in front of Eakin cross-checked Sharks captain apologizing for a penalty that was too out of the NBA playoffs. the person who would be the one to Joe Pavelski in the chest. Paul Stastny harsh. Leonard’s shot from the corner over Joe Burrow propelled LSU to the Col- then bumped Pavelski as he fell to the lege Football Playoff and himself to the make the call, and everyone in the Miracle at Anfield Joel Embiid was the first winning buzz- stands saw it, everyone watching at ice, his helmet slamming down. Pavel- er-beater in a Game 7 in NBA history. Heisman Trophy with a dazzling display home on TV saw it,” Saints quarter- ski was knocked out and bleeding on Add another entry to Liverpool’s long The ball danced on the rim four times against Tua Tagovailoa and Alabama in back Drew Brees said. the ice. list of storied comebacks. before dropping. It was quite a capper college football’s game of the year. In response to the uproar, the NFL The officials huddled as a dazed This time, Lionel Messi and mighty to Leonard’s 41-point masterpiece. Burrow passed for 393 yards and changed its rules to allow video reviews Pavelski was helped to the locker Barcelona were on the receiving end The Raptors went on to claim their three touchdowns, answered challenge of interference calls, though that has room. They gave Eakin a five-minute in the semifinals of soccer’s European first NBA title by beating the defending after challenge, and helped end LSU’s seemingly led to even more confusion major for cross-checking and a game Champions League. champion Golden State Warriors. eight-year string of futility against the and complaints this season. Crimson Tide. After the Tigers’ 46-41 victory, Bur- Final Four two-step row was carried off the field at Bryant- One year after becoming the first top Denny Stadium by his teammates. seed to lose to a No. 16 seed, Virginia “We’ve finally got the tools that we appeared headed for more heartbreak need to beat those guys,” coach Ed in the NCAA Tournament. Orgeron said. “To have a championship The Cavaliers squandered a 10-point team, you’ve got to have a champion- lead in the final five minutes to Auburn. ship quarterback.” But they managed to pull it out, with a Angel on the pitcher’s mound big helping hand from the officials. Virginia’s Ty Jerome appeared to dou- In their first home game after the ble-dribble for what could have been death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, the Los a decisive turnover. Or Jerome might Angeles Angels honored his memory have been fouled before the mishandle. with a combined no-hitter from Taylor There was no whistle for either. Cole and Felix Pena in a 13-0 victory With 1.5 seconds left and in need over Seattle. of some magic, Virginia got the ball to The Angels played a practically per- Kyle Guy in the corner. He turned and fect game on the day before what would fired as Samir Doughty, hands straight have been Skaggs’ 28th birthday. up in the air, bumped into Guy’s hip. “He was definitely looking over us The shot was short, bouncing off the tonight,“ said Mike Trout, who contrib- rim as Auburn started to celebrate. uted a 454-foot homer and six RBIs. Game over? Nope. Later, officials ruled that Skaggs’ MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP Official James Breeding called a foul died from an accidental drug overdose, on Doughty, sending Guy to the free- Members of the Los Angeles Angels place their jerseys with No. 45 in honor of pitcher Tyler Skaggs on prompting Major League Baseball to throw line. He calmly knocked down all the mound after the team combined for a no-hitter on July 12 against the Seattle Mariners. start testing for cocaine and opioids. PAGE 60 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 COLLEGE FOOTBALL Ducks look to build on win in Rose Bowl

Associated Press Nick Saban at Alabama, where he PASADENA, Calif. — Justin was a key cog in a relentless re- Herbert scored his third rush- cruiting machine. ing touchdown of the 106th Rose In his two seasons at Oregon, Bowl on a thrilling 30-yard run Cristobal has stressed the need to with 7:41 to play Wednesday dominate up front and has worked night, and No. 7 Oregon held off tirelessly to bring in the caliber of No. 11 Wisconsin 28-27 to win its players to fulfill that goal. third straight trip to the Grand- The early results of that aim daddy of Them All. were on the Rose Bowl field in CHRIS O’MEARA/AP Brady Breeze returned a fumble freshman defensive end Kayvon Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson, right, had 12 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns 31 yards for an early touchdown Thibodeaux and sophomore left Wednesday to lead the Golden Gophers to a 31-24 defeat of Auburn in the Outback Bowl in Tampa. for the Ducks (12-2). Herbert tackle Penei Sewell. Thibodeaux, then made his go-ahead rambling the top player in the 2019 recruit- run on the next snap after Breeze ing cycle and a Los Angeles native, forced another fumble . had one tackle against Wisconsin Johnson lifts Minnesota A s long as Mario Cristobal is but pressured quarterback Jack coaching at Oregon, his players Coan on several key third downs. say greater success is possible. Sewell anchored a line that did “The best thing Oregon foot- not allow a sack. ball has ever done is hire Coach over Auburn in Outback Wisconsin dominated the game Cristobal as their head coach be- statistically, including holding the cause I feel like this football team ball for more than 38 minutes, but Associated Press wasn’t as close as the final score. Johnson broke Eric Decker’s embodies everything that he’s Oregon was able to assert itself up “We used to be a blue blood school record for receiving yards about,” senior left guard Shane TAMPA, Fla. — With the clock front in the critical moments. back in the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and on his second catch of the day Lemieux said. “And he’s bringing winding down on a dominat- Thibodeaux said the ability to 60’s,“ Fleck added. “We’ve talk- and became Minnesota’s all-time in these offensive and defensive ing performance in the Outback ed about the word of the year is leader for scoring receptions on a linemen that are SEC-type and execute when the game was on Bowl, Minnesota fans broke into restore. We want to restore that one-handed, 2-yard TD catch that are physical football players, and the line was a reflection of the at- a chant of “Row The Boat, Row I think he’s changing the Pac-12 mosphere Cristobal has instilled. The Boat, Row The Boat.“ tradition.“ put the Gophers (11-2) up 24-17 at with the way he coaches, the way “It’s different,” Thibodeaux The never-give-up mantra Tyler Johnson had 12 recep- halftime. he recruits, because we play a dif- said. “ It’s the mentality, the cul- coach P.J. Fleck used to help tions for 204 yards and two touch- The senior’s 73-yard catch-and- ferent way. And you’re seeing it.” ture, everything is different.” change the culture of Golden downs to become the Gophers’ run put his team ahead for good The changes at Oregon are a The Ducks signed another tout- Gophers football continues to in- career receiving leader and Min- early in the fourth quarter. reflection of Cristobal’s personal- ed recruiting class, including the spire a program determined to nesota outrushed the Tigers 215 “Coach Fleck says all the time, ity, background and experience. top player in California for the recapture its glory days. yards to 56 while dominating that this program is going up, As an offensive lineman at second straight year in linebacker “We challenged everyone of time of possession. and as you see today it’s defi- Miami, he played on two national Justin Flowe. That influx of tal- our players, you want to be a blue “We didn’t overlook them. I nitely going in the right direc- championship teams. After an ent should keep even established blood you’ve got to beat the blue think our guys were ready to play. tion,” Johnson said. “Just having up-and-down stint as head coach veterans locked in during spring bloods,” Fleck said Wednesday I think our guys played hard but the right guys in the locker room at Florida International, Cristob- practice, summer workouts and after No. 16 Minnesota beat No. they made the plays, we didn’t.,” is very important and everyone al worked as an assistant under training camp. 9 Auburn 31-24 in a game that Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. buying in.” Bowl roundup Jeudy, Jones lead Tide past Wolverines

Associated Press Sugar Bowl. who was suspended for the first half of Jones — who took over as Alabama’s ORLANDO, Fla. — Mac Jones Georgia’s SEC title game loss to LSU starter when Tua Tagovailoa was lost threw three touchdown passes, Jerry because of his fight with a Georgia Jeudy became the first Alabama play- for the season with an injury in No- Tech player in the Bulldogs’ regular- er to top 200 receiving yards in a bowl vember — completed 16 of 25 passes season finale. “It was a great season game and the ninth-ranked Crimson for 327 yards. to me. You win some, you lose some.” Tide topped No. 17 Michigan 35-16 on Tagovailoa said on Twitter that he Baylor quarterback Charlie Brew- Wednesday in the Citrus Bowl. will announce Jan. 6 whether he will er, coming back from a concussion in Jones connected with Jeudy for enter the NFL draft or return to col- the Big 12 title game on Dec. 7, was an 85-yard score on Alabama’s first lege for another season. sidelined again in the fourth quarter No. 5 Georgia 26, No. 8 Bay- snap, DeVonta Smith and Miller For- when the back of his head appeared lor 14: Georgia freshman receiver ristall added touchdown grabs in the to hit the turf hard as he was taken second half for the Crimson Tide (11- George Pickens left behind his re- grettable ending to the regular season down by two defenders while going 2), which trailed 16-14 at the break. out of bounds. Najee Harris ran for 136 yards and and put the rest of college football on Baylor coach Matt Rhule said two touchdowns for Alabama. notice that he will be an exceedingly Jeudy finished with six catches tough cover in 2020. Brewer did not appear concussed this for 204 yards. His previous career- Pickens caught 12 passes for 175 time. Medical staff was concerned high for yards was 147 set last season yards and a touchdown in a Sugar Bowl about possible spinal and neck inju- JOHN RAOUX/AP against Missouri, and the Alabama win Wednesday in New Orleans . ries. Rhule expected Brewer to be Alabama quarterback Mac Jones threw three touchdown bowl record had stood for more than a “I’ve still got growing to do, but I monitored overnight, but added that passes Wednesday in the No. 9 Crimson Tide’s 35-16 half-century — Ray Perkins had 178 can kind of tell myself I’m improving early indications were the injuries defeat of No. 17 Michigan in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. yards against Nebraska in the 1967 every day,” said the 6-foot-3 Pickens, were not career threatening. Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 61 NFL Homer’s odyssey Sixth-round pick, once buried on the depth chart, has shined as a starter for Seahawks

BY TIM BOOTH special teams and that kept him Associated Press on the active gameday roster for all 16 games. While he wasn’t get- RENTON, Wash. — For all the ting carries, he was at least get- hype and attention that came with ting on the field. Marshawn Lynch’s return to the The first carry of his career Seattle Seahawks, he wasn’t the didn’t come until Week 13 against running back that left the stron- Minnesota when he took a fake gest impression. punt for 29 yards. He got a couple Don’t believe it? Listen to Lynch of carries in cleanup duty against himself. Carolina two weeks later after “You’re inspiring me,” Lynch Penny was lost for the season was caught saying to Seattle rook- to a knee injury. A week later, ie running back Travis Homer Homer was suddenly Seattle’s on the sideline of last Sunday’s only healthy running back after regular-season finale against San Carson (hip) and Prosise (arm) Francisco. suffered season-ending injuries If there was a bright spot to in the first half of Seattle’s loss to come out of Seattle’s loss to San Arizona. DAVID DERMER/AP Francisco in Week 17, it was the Carroll said he had to remind In making his NFL playoff debut against the Texans this weekend, second-year Buffalo Bills quarterback discovery of yet another late- Homer that day to be a little Josh Allen gets an opportunity to show how far he’s come since his last trip to Houston 14 months ago. round draft pick showing poten- smarter when to avoid hits being tial as a ball carrier in Seattle’s he was Seattle’s only healthy run- backfield. Thrust into the start- ning back remaining. ing role after injuries to Rashaad There was no need for Homer This Bill is now due: Allen comes Penny, Chris Carson and C.J. to hold back against the 49ers Prosise robbed Seattle of its depth after the arrival of Lynch to add over the final month of the season, depth. Homer finished with 62 into his own in his second season Homer showed unabashed confi- yards rushing on 10 carries and dence, a willingness to deliver a added another five receptions for BY JOHN WAWROW maintaining an even keel. hit and bursts of speed that had By the numbers 30 yards. He was exceptionally Associated Press “The juices get flowing, it’s been buried on the depth chart good on Seattle’s final two posses- a competitive time of year and all season. sions of the fourth quarter doing ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — you’ve got to do a good job of try- Seattle will need another per- a little of everything required of a Whatever bad memories Bills ing to stay as level-headed as you formance like that from Homer running back in Seattle’s offense. quarterback Josh Allen had of his can,” offensive coordinator Brian on Sunday in the opening round of He ran when given a chance. He first and only game NFL game at 85.3 Daboll said. “You want to win it the playoffs against Philadelphia. caught a few passes out of the Houston have been pushed aside so bad, but you’ve got to stay con- “The consistency that he hits backfield as a secondary option some 14 months later. sistent with your routine and the it when he’s got the ball in his and most importantly, was solid There’s no need to remind the Passer rating this season things you’ve done all throughout hands, he’s got a really good in pass protection helping keep second-year player of leaving the year.” style, attitude about running the for Buffalo Bills quarterback Russell Wilson clean. the game in the third quarter If there’s a concern, it’s Allen ball. He’s just downhill and give Josh Allen, who has 20 The entire week was surreal with a sprained throwing elbow acknowledging he’s experienced you everything he’s got,” Seattle for Homer leading into his first that eventually led to him miss- touchdowns and early game jitters, most recently coach Pete Carroll said. “That career start. He knew he was ing five weeks. And Allen doesn’t 10 interceptions. following a 24-17 loss at New suddenness really is an asset. We going to be a big part of the game need to hear of the telltale rookie England two weeks ago. It was a really love the way he plays, love plan, but at the same time was awkwardness he displayed after game in which he went 6-for-13- the style of his play.” also trying to help out Lynch in being thrust into a starting role for-62 yards and a touchdown It just took a while to see what his return after 14 months away ahead of schedule as a result of in the first half, before finishing Homer could bring on the field. from football and four years away Nathan Peterman’s turnover- 67.9 13-for-26 for 208 yards and two He was a sixth-round pick of from Seattle. prone issues. touchdowns. the Seahawks in the April draft And as for what Lynch said to However raw Buffalo’s first- Passer rating last season Slow starts have been an issue and while he showed a few flash- him on the sideline? round draft pick looked in the this season. es during the preseason it was “It was definitely a cool mo- weeks leading up to a 20-13 loss to for Allen, who had 10 Buffalo’s game-opening drives clear early on that Homer would ment for me to have one of the the Texans on Oct. 14, 2018, Allen touchdowns and 12 have produced just one touch- be deep on the depth chart. But greatest come up to me and say believes he’s made considerable interceptions as a rookie down and four field goals. And he instantly became important on what he said,” Homer said. strides in preparing to make his playoff debut in an AFC wild-card for the Bills. the Bills have combined to score game at Houston on Saturday. just 12 points in the first quarter of their past eight games, and 43 “Obviously, going through that SOURCE: NFL.com game there’s not great memories. overall. Nobody likes getting hurt,” he “That’s on my shoulders. We’ve Thanksgiving and the Steelers in said following practice Tuesday. got to go and start faster,” Allen Pittsburgh in prime-time, Allen “I feel like a different player said. can appreciate how the playoffs from last year ... just as far as see- As for the jitters? represent the next step in his ing things, seeing defenses, trust- “Just got to ride it,” he said. ing the guys around me and not development. “It’s OK to be hyped at times. It trying to make the big play all the “It’s a new game. It’s a differ- means that you care.” time.” ent situation,” he said. “All the Backup Matt Barkley cred- Allen’s progress has been ap- marbles are on the table.” ited Allen for showing growth parent during a season in which No pressure, said Allen, who and maturity. Barkley noted how he’s posted five fourth-quarter can become Buffalo’s first quar- Allen is no longer scrambling out comebacks and helped Buffalo terback to win a playoff game of the pocket at the first sign of (10-6) to its best finish in 20 years. since Hall of Famer Jim Kelly pressure, and has cut down on He’s doubled his touchdown pass- oversaw a 37-22 wild-card victory trying to force plays which lead to ing total to 20; his completion per- over Miami on Dec. 30, 1995. negative gains or turnovers. centage has jumped by 6 points to “I don’t have to be the best That’s different to the player 58.6; and his 3,089 yards passing quarterback out there,” Allen Barkley saw when he first arrived are the most by a Bills player said. “I have to be the best quar- in Buffalo two weeks after Allen since Ryan Fitzpatrick had 3,400 terback for this team to help us was hurt against the Texans. STEPHEN BRASHEAR/AP in 2012. win a football game regardless of “I do think there was a drastic Seattle Seahawks running back Travis Homer, with ball, didn’t get a Having shown a flair for per- the circumstances.” change from the first half of the carry until Week 13 but averaged 6.2 yards a carry in his team’s 26- forming in national settings by Allen’s comments echo what season and when he came back,“ 21 loss to San Francisco on Sunday. beating the Cowboys at Dallas on his coaches have emphasized on he added. PAGE 62 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 3, 2020 NFL PLAYOFFS Critical juncture

Vikings quarterback Cousins still seeking first postseason victory

BY DAVE CAMPBELL has increased this week, but by how much should it Associated Press ramp up? “On one hand you say, ‘Shame on us if we haven’t EAGAN, Minn. been giving our all every week, every day, all season Minnesota’s investment in Kirk Cousins has yet long.’ You can also talk on the other side and say, to yield a postseason victory. The hyper-scrutinized ‘Don’t leave anything on the table. Bring everything quarterback’s first opportunity to get one with the you’ve got.’ I don’t think that means you haven’t Vikings has arrived this week, on the heels of his been doing that. I think it just means there’s a sense career-best season. of urgency in the playoffs,” said Cousins, whose Traveling to the Superdome to take on New Or- touchdown rate (5.9 percent), interception rate (1.4 leans in the first round isn’t exactly a soft launch. percent) and average yards per attempt (8.1) in 2019 “I think there’s just more juice and excitement,” were the best marks of his career since he became a Cousins said. “There always is, but certainly in the full-time starter in 2015. VERA NIEUWENHUIS/AP playoffs it brings an intensity that makes it kind of Cousins is only under contract through the 2020 fun.” season, with a whopping salary cap hit of $31 mil- Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott takes a handoff from Cousins has little experience with this, having lion. The Vikings don’t have to do anything with his quarterback Carson Wentz against the New York Giants on Dec. been to the postseason only twice in his previous deal this winter, but if they’re not convinced he’s 29. Scott was promoted from the practice squad in October after seven years in the league. He was the backup for worth an extension then they’d be wise to strongly injuries to Corey Clement and Darren Sproles. Washington as a rookie in 2012, when he replaced consider using this draft to find a potential replace- an injured Robert Griffin III in the fourth quarter ment. Either way, his performance at New Orleans against Seattle in a 24-14 defeat. Cousins went just on Sunday will go a long way toward shaping his 3-for-10 for 31 yards in relief. Then in 2015, his first legacy in purple. Who are these guys? season as the full-time starter, Cousins went 29-for- Although Cousins is the most scrutinized of the 46 for 329 yards and a touchdown against Green bunch, he’s far from the only member of the Vi- Bay, taking six sacks in a 35-18 loss. kings facing a crossroad game this weekend. Gen- Philly counting on All the Vikings needed to do to make the playoffs eral manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike in his debut in 2018 was beat Chicago at home on Zimmer each have only one more year on their con- the final week of the schedule, but they lost 24-10 tracts, too. Despite all of the strides made and sta- its no-name offense in what was essentially a postseason game to finish bility established under their leadership in the front 8-7-1 and miss the cut. This year, with the offense office and on the field, the Vikings have won just one BY ROB MAADDI much improved save for that poor performance in postseason game in the past 10 years. That was, fit- Perkins signed with Atlanta defeat on Dec. 23 against the Packers, the Vikings tingly, against the Saints two years ago on the “Min- Associated Press in 2016 after going undrafted. (10-6) had their spot secured with two games to He caught a touchdown pass neapolis Miracle” touchdown pass on PHILADELPHIA — Carson go in the regular season. from Matt Ryan that season and the final play. Wentz began the season playing They have to play against the Saints (13- played in the Super Bowl loss to “Every little thing becomes a with DeSean Jackson, Alshon 3), however, in a venue as daunting for lot more magnified because New England. The Eagles signed Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Zach him in January 2018 and he has a visitor as any in the NFL. The last of the consequences of win- Ertz and Darren Sproles and fin- time the Vikings had a postseason ning and losing,“ Zimmer spent time on the active roster ished it with a group of unknown and practice squad over the past game away from home, two years said, “so everybody has players helping the injury-rav- two seasons. He was promoted ago, they were blown out 38-7 in the to do a little bit extra in aged Philadelphia Eagles reach after a slew of injuries and had NFC championship game at Phila- preparation so we don’t the playoffs. nine catches for 87 yards in the delphia. Cousins has never taken make those mistakes, Running back Boston Scott, two wins over the Giants, includ- snaps on the road in the playoffs. we line up and play tight end Josh Perkins and wide ing a 24-yard TD catch. Naturally, the intensity and focus hard and play fast.” receivers Greg Ward, Deontay Ward’s journey began as a Burnett and Robert Davis have Kirk Cousins could be playing for quarterback at the University been cut a combined 18 times by his future in Minnesota when the of Houston. He converted to re- seven teams in their careers. But Vikings take on the Saints. ceiver after going undrafted. The the Eagles relied on them in an Eagles signed him in 2017 and he AP elimination game in Week 17. was on the practice squad when The group combined for 279 the team won the Super Bowl scrimmage yards and four touch- two seasons ago. Ward has been downs in a 34-17 victory over the cut six times but finally got his Giants that clinched the NFC chance in November. He caught a East title for Philadelphia (9-7). 4-yard TD pass in the final minute They’ll be counted on again when of a comeback win at Washington the Eagles host Seattle (11-5) in a on Dec. 15 and has 21 catches for wild-card game Sunday. 209 yards during Philadelphia’s Who are these guys? four-game winning streak. Scott, only 5-foot-6 but power- “I always believed in myself ful, was a sixth-round pick by and always believed in what I can New Orleans in 2018. The Eagles do,” Ward said. “It’s a blessing to signed him off the Saints’ prac- be here.“ tice squad in December 2018 and Burnett signed as a rookie free he returned kickoffs in the play- agent with Tennessee in 2018, offs last season. made 10 catches for the Jets last Scott was among the final cuts year, briefly spent time with the in training camp, re-signed to the 49ers this season and came to practice squad and was promoted Philadelphia in December. He in October after injuries to Corey was promoted to the active roster Clement and Darren Sproles. last week and had a 41-yard catch With Miles Sanders on the side- against the Giants. line and Jordan Howard only get- “We’ve had new playmakers ting one snap, Scott ran for three every week, different guys step- TDs against the Giants and led ping up because guys are getting the team in yards rushing (54) hurt and banged up,“ Wentz said. and receiving (84). “It’s just fun to see guys step in big “The fact that I’ve had oppor- moments like that, guys who were tunities, Doug Pederson has had on the practice squad. For them to confidence in me, the coaching step up in the way they have and staff has had confidence in me, for guys to make plays, it’s been I’m really grateful to be out there so cool to see. I think that’s what because I have definitely made makes it that much more fun to do mistakes, but it’s been cool,” Scott what we did and then hopefully said. we can go do something special.” Friday, January 3, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 63 NFL PLAYOFFS Pats’ D, Titans’ offense shine in red zone

BY KYLE HIGHTOWER The efficiency of Tannehill and Henry players such as Titans rookie receiver A.J. Associated Press helped open up the field for a unit that was Brown have shown a unique ability to turn By the numbers tops in the league with nine plays that went plays such as reverses or short catches into FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — With a few for 50 yards or more and scored touch- big gains. exceptions, the Patriots’ defense demoral- downs on a league-best 75.6% of its trips ized opposing offenses this season by lim- “Obviously, they’ve got a lot of guys that inside the 20-yard line. can beat you vertical. But you watch them, iting big plays and opportunities in the red Tennessee only had 45 drives in the zone. it’s a quick slant or a slim post and A.J. red zone this season, ranking 25th in the 0.9 75.6 It will face a Titans offense in Saturday’s Brown catches it, now he breaks a tackle league. But when the Titans get there, wild-card round that was the best in the and now you’re trying to catch a guy that Patriots coach Bill Belichick said they league in both categories. you’re not going to catch,” McCourty said. Average Percentage showed an ability to get into the end zone Tennessee comes into the postseason Brown has four touchdown catches of touchdowns of times in multiple ways. with one of the NFL’s hottest offenses. at least 50 yards this season, joining Isaac per game the the Titans “They do a good job of getting the ball Quarterback Ryan Tannehill led the NFL Curtis (five in 1973), Willie Gault (four in Patriots have have scored with a career-best 117.5 passer rating. He to everybody and they have, obviously, the best running game in the league,” Belich- 1983) and Hall of Famer Randy Moss (five allowed this touchdowns joined Sammy Baugh and Joe Montana as in 1998) as the only rookies with at least the only quarterbacks to complete at least ick said. “When you combine those two four such TDs since the merger. season when when they 70% of their passes (70.3%) and average at things and the quarterback — the quarter- opponents are are inside least 9 yards per pass attempt (9.6). back can move down there, too. But, hon- In addition to players such as Brown and The Titans also forced defenses to keep estly, they’ve skipped over the red area a Henry, McCourty said they’ll also have to in the Pats’ the opponent’s tabs on running back Derrick Henry, who lot.” account for tight end Jonnu Smith, who had red zone. 20-yard line. had a league-best 1,540 rushing yards to The Patriots have allowed only three a 57-yard run against Houston in Week 15 pace the league’s third-ranked rushing of- passing plays of more than 50 yards this and caught a 41-yard TD pass in Week 16 fense (138.9 yards per game). season, but safety Devin McCourty said against New Orleans. SOURCE: NFL.com Scoreboard Winning: Watson is the face of a franchise

Playoff glance FROM BACK PAGE Wild-card Playoffs Saturday, Jan. 4 Watson and when he knew he was Buffalo at Houston special. Tennessee at New England Sunday, Jan. 5 “He’s a winner, cares about Minnesota at New Orleans winning, will do whatever it takes Seattle at Philadelphia Divisional Playoffs to win,” O’Brien said. “That came Saturday, Jan. 11 across in the first two meetings, Philadelphia, Seattle or Minnesota at San Francisco Buffalo Bills (10-6) so I would say it was way before Houston, Buffalo or Tennessee at Bal- timore at Houston Texans (10-6) he got here and on the practice Sunday, Jan. 12 AFN-Sports field.” New England, Houston or Buffalo at Kansas City 10:35 p.m. Saturday CET As O’Brien has gotten to know New Orleans, Philadelphia or Seattle Watson better and watched him at Green Bay 6:35 a.m. Sunday JKT Conference Championships lead the Texans, he’s only become Sunday, Jan. 19 more impressed with him. AFC NFC “He’s got great poise,” O’Brien Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 26 said. “Anybody that’s been around At Orlando, Fla. him for a long time, (knows) he AFC vs. NFC Super Bowl doesn’t have any fear. He has a lot Sunday, Feb. 2 of fun playing, you see the smile At Miami Gardens, Fla. AFC champion vs. NFC champion on his face, he loves playing foot- ball and he loves being out there with his teammates.” NFL injury report Tennessee Titans (9-7) Watson takes great pride in NEW YORK — The National Football MARK ZALESKI/AP League injury report, as provided by the at New England Patriots (12-4) being a leader and knows how he league: carries himself will rub off on the Saturday AFN-Sports Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson said the experience BUFFALO BILLS at HOUSTON TEXANS 2 a.m. Sunday CET rest of the team and impact how he gained in last year’s playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts should — BILLS: DNP: LB Lorenzo Alexander others perform. (not injury related -- resting veteran), DE 10 a.m. Sunday JKT help him Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. Jerry Hughes (not injury related -- rest- “You’re the face of the fran- ing veteran). LIMITED: DE Shaq Lawson chise and everyone is looking (at) (hamstring), T Ty Nsekhe (ankle), WR the Texans, where he’s helped yards with seven more scores Andre Roberts (foot), CB Levi Wallace you,” he said. “So regardless if them to consecutive AFC South this season. Watson, who sat out (ankle). TEXANS: DNP: TE Jordan Thomas (illness). LIMITED: S Jahleel Addae (achil- you’re down, if you’re up, you’re titles and had some of his biggest last week with Houston’s playoff les), WR Will Fuller (groin), CB Johnathan facing that adversity (or) you’re games when Houston was playing Joseph (hamstring), LB Jacob Martin spot set, threw five interceptions (knee), CB Bradley Roby (hamstring), having success too, people want in prime time. in his last three games played WR Kenny Stills (knee), T Laremy Tunsil to still see that fight and that will (ankle), DE J.J. Watt (shoulder). But in perhaps the biggest after only being picked off twice TENNESSEE TITANS at NEW ENG- to continue to finish what you game of his NFL career, Watson in Houston’s previous five games. LAND PATRIOTS — TITANS: DNP: WR started and try to win the game Adam Humphries (ankle). LIMITED: T came up short. Last season in his He said those miscues are a big or what you’re competing in. Ev- Jack Conklin (knee), WR Cody Hollister playoff debut Watson threw an in- reason the offense hasn’t been as (ankle), WR Kalif Raymond (concus- eryone is going to follow that and sion). FULL: LB Daren Bates (shoulder), Minnesota Vikings (10-6) terception and struggled to move powerful recently as it was ear- CB Adoree’ Jackson (foot). PATRIOTS: everyone will see it.” the offense effectively in a 21-7 lier in the season. LIMITED: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee), S at New Orleans Saints (13-3) Receiver DeAndre Hopkins Terrence Brooks (groin), T Marcus Can- loss to the Indianapolis Colts. “My turnovers,” he said. non (ankle), LB Jamie Collins (shoulder), AFN-Sports loves that quality in Watson and He believes the experience in WR Julian Edelman (knee, shoulder), CB “That’s pretty much it ... if I don’t 7 p.m. Sunday CET thinks that’s one of the reasons that game will help him on Satur- Jonathan Jones (groin), CB Jason Mc- turn two balls over in Tennessee Courty (groin). why he’s so successful. day when he gets another chance Sunday 3 a.m. Monday JKT that’s 14 extra points and who MINNESOTA VIKINGS at NEW ORLEANS “Ever ybody in this locker room, to notch his first postseason win. knows how the game goes. It’s SAINTS — VIKINGS: DNP: CB Macken- offense and defense, feeds off of “Just knowing that ... the game sie Alexander (knee), LB Eric Kendricks something that we corrected.” (quadricep), S Andrew Sendejo (illness), his game and how he never feels is going to go by faster, the plays, DE Stephen Weatherly (illness). LIMITED: like we’re out of a game no mat- the players play a little bit faster O’Brien has no doubt that Wat- DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (hamstring). FULL: RB son will get back on track this Dalvin Cook (shoulder), CB Mike Hughes ter what the score is,” Hopkins than the regular season. Every- (neck), S Jayron Kearse (foot), RB Alexan- week and raved about how much der Mattison (ankle), CB Xavier Rhodes said. “He’s a winner. He’s won his thing just speeds up,” he said. “So, (ankle), DT Shamar Stephen (knee). whole career and it shows every just being able to be prepared and he’s improved in his three sea- SAINTS: DNP: CB Eli Apple (ankle), RB sons with the Texans. Zach Line (knee). LIMITED: S Vonn Bell day in everything he does.” see how the energy and every- (knee), WR Michael Thomas (hand), RB Watson has a penchant for shin- thing changes in a playoff game, “He gets better every day,” Dwayne Washington (knee), WR Marcus Williams (groin). ing in the biggest moments. He it really helps out to get that O’Brien said. “I wouldn’t be able SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at PHILADELPHIA Seattle Seahawks (11-5) did it when he helped Gainesville firsthand look last year. I know to pick out one thing. He gets EAGLES — EAGLES: DNP: WR Nelson Ag- holor (knee), RB Miles Sanders (ankle). at Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) High School to a Georgia state it didn’t go our way, but we’ve got better every day at everything. LIMITED: DE Derek Barnett (ankle), DT title and at Clemson when he led another opportunity this year.” He tries to work on everything Fletcher Cox (triceps), TE Zach Ertz (ribs, AFN-Sports back), T Lane Johnson (ankle), CB Sidney 10:30 p.m. Sunday CET the Tigers to a national champi- He has thrown for 3,852 yards from mechanics to knowledge Jones (back), CB Avonte Maddox (abdo- onship in the 2016 season. Watson with 26 touchdowns and 12 in- of the game plan to defensive men), CB Jalen Mills (ankle). SEAHAWKS: 6:30 a.m. Monday JKT No report. has continued that success with terceptions and has run for 413 knowledge.” S TARS AND STRIPES Friday, January 3, 2020 F3HIJKLM

NFL PLAYOFFS Winning attitude Texans feed off Watson’s will to compete as they prepare to host Bills in AFC wild-card game

BY KRISTIE RIEKEN Associated Press

eshaun Watson doesn’t remember a time when he wasn’t competing. D Whether it was trying to outrun his older brother while taking out the trash as a child or running away from defenders during a game of flag football, he had the same mentality. “It’s definitely in my DNA to go out there and compete and try to win in everything I do,” Watson said. Years later, the Houston Texans quarterback has maintained that same mindset, and when you ask almost anyone about him that’s one of the first things they’ll bring up. As the Texans prepare to host the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday, coach Bill O’Brien reminisced about his early interactions with Patriots D faces one of Vikings QB Cousins Bills QB Allen ready SEE WINNING ON PAGE 63 league’s hottest offenses still looking for his 1st to show how much he in Titans, Page 63 playoff victory, Page 62 has improved, Page 61 ERIC CHRISTIAN SMITH/AP

Obits: Former NBA commissioner Stern; Don Larsen, Associated Press picks plays, who threw only World Series perfect game » Page 54 games of year » Pages 58-59