Failed Drug War Confidential Documents Indicate Nearly All US Efforts at Ending Opium Farming in Afghanistan Backfired

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Volume 78, No. 178 ©SS 2019 MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2019 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas Failed drug war Confidential documents indicate nearly all US efforts at ending opium farming in Afghanistan backfired

BY CRAIG WHITLOCK The Washington Post n late 2017, U.S. military commanders in Afghani- stan launched Operation Iron Tempest, a storm of JOSEPH DITZLER/Stars and Stripes airstrikes by B-52 bombers, F-22 Raptors and other warplanes. The main target: a network of clandes- A warning sign marks the edge tine opium production labs that U.S. officials said of a suspected minefield in the wasI helping to generate $200 million per year in drug countryside north of Siem Reap, money for the Taliban. Cambodia, on Nov. 6. “This is a new war, and the gloves are off,” Air Force Brig. Gen. Lance Bunch said during a swaggering news conference in Kabul. “That is our new strategy going for- African rats ward, and it’s definitely been a game-changer and the Tal- iban is definitely feeling it. ... The war has changed.” Within a year, Operation Iron Tempest had fizzled out. helping clear SEE BACKFIRED ON PAGE 6 Two Afghan children assisting their elders working in a poppy field observe Cambodian patrolling Marines in 2014. minefields DUSTIN D. MARCH/U.S. Marine Corps BY JOSEPH DITZLER Stars and Stripes SIEM REAP, Cambodia — An hour’s drive north on Route 66, beyond the tourist gaggle at the temple complex around Angkor Wat, work goes on to clear away the vestiges of three decades of war. The key workers — African giant pouch rats — keep their noses on the job. This year in Cambodia, the rats and their human handlers have cleared hundreds of acres of land mines and unexploded munitions, making way for local farmers. In early November, the teams were finishing up 70 acres just off the highway and past a two-room, wooden Cambodian farmhouse on stilts, over a muddy pasture and through a grove of cashew trees. “From the time we started working, we’ve already cleared 13.25 hectares,” or 33 acres, said Mark Shukuru, senior technical

SEE CLEAR ON PAGE 5 PAGE 2 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Monday, December 23, 2019 BUSINESS/WEATHER EXCHANGE RATES Spending bill includes funding for wild horse program Military rates Switzerland (Franc) ...... 0.9825 Euro costs (Dec. 23) ...... $1.1387 Thailand (Baht) ...... 30.18 Dollar buys (Dec. 23) ...... €0.8782 Turkey (Lira) ...... 5.9349 The Washington Post available 60 days after the bu- rounding up as many as 130,000 British pound (Dec. 23) ...... $1.34 (Military exchange rates are those Japanese yen (Dec. 23) ...... 107.00 available to customers at military banking reau submits a five-year plan that, wild horses over a decade, was as- South Korean won (Dec. 23) ...... 1,135.00 facilities in the country of issuance The Bureau of Land Manage- Commercial rates among other things, includes horse for Japan, South Korea, Germany, the sailed by several horse advocacy Bahrain (Dinar) ...... 0.3770 ment’s wild horse and burro pro- Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For fertility control and the movement British pound $ ...... 1.3015 groups that portrayed it as a gift to nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., gram got a significant funding Canada (Dollar) ...... 1.3158 of equines to private pastures. purchasing British pounds in Germany), the cattle industry, which grazes China (Yuan) ...... 7.0067 boost in the $1.4 trillion budget The increase amounts to an en- check with your local military banking livestock on public lands where Denmark (Krone) ...... 6.7450 deal approved Thursday by Con- facility. Commercial rates are interbank dorsement of a controversial pro- Egypt (Pound) ...... 16.0489 horses and burros also feed. rates provided for reference when buying gress. But to access the money, Euro ...... $1.1075/0.9029 posal on the management of wild currency. All figures are foreign currencies Horse advocates call the round- Hong Kong (Dollar) ...... 7.7963 the agency first needs to produce horses published earlier this year to one dollar, except for the British pound, ups cruel and blame millions of Hungary (Forint) ...... 298.24 an “aggressive, nonlethal” strat- by an unusual alliance of animal Israel (Shekel) ...... 3.4752 which is represented in dollars-to-pound, egy to manage a swelling mustang welfare organizations and ranch- cattle for damaging the land while Japan (Yen) ...... 109.47 and the euro, which is dollars-to-euro.) grazing. Ranchers and some envi- Kuwait (Dinar) ...... 0.3037 INTEREST RATES population roaming public lands ing advocates. Typically at odds, Norway (Krone) ...... 8.9672 in the West. the groups said they decided to ronmentalists view the horses as Philippines (Peso) ...... 50.75 Prime rate ...... 4.75 The spending bill increases the work together in hopes of break- feral pests that damage ecosys- Poland (Zloty) ...... 3.84 Discount rate ...... 2.25 Saudi Arabia (Riyal) ...... 3.7516 Federal funds market rate ...... 1.55 program’s budget by $21 million, ing a stalemate in Washington. tems and compete for resources Singapore (Dollar) ...... 1.3552 3-month bill ...... 1.53 or about 25%. It would be made But their plan, which called for with livestock and wildlife. South Korea (Won) ...... 1,159.90 30-year bond ...... 2.34 WEATHER OUTLOOK MONDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST MONDAY IN EUROPE TUESDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 32/28 Kabul 55/26 Seoul 34/25 Baghdad 60/43 Kandahar 55/33 Osan Tokyo Mildenhall/ Drawsko 36/26 53/46 Lakenheath Pomorskie Busan 45/41 42/38 47/32 Iwakuni 53/48 Kuwait Bahrain Zagan Sasebo City 68/64 Brussels 43/39 Guam 64/50 47/43 Ramstein 53/47 83/79 Lajes, 45/41 Riyadh Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 65/38 69/59 64/60 44/40 44/40 Aviano/ Vicenza 45/36

Naples 58/53 Okinawa Morón 71/67 63/54 Sigonella Rota 58/51 The weather is provided by the Djibouti Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 84/73 63/55 63/59 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. T O D A Y IN STRIPES

American Roundup ...... 11 Classified ...... 12 Comics ...... 15 Crossword ...... 15 Faces ...... 14 Opinion ...... 16 Sports ...... 17-24 Monday, December 23, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 3 MILITARY Study: Army suicide rise not linked to combat

BY WYATT OLSON Jeffrey Smith, a history professor largest service branch. rates among soldiers began rising which “seems to speak to larger Stars and Stripes at the University of Hawaii-Hilo Researchers found distinct pe- dramatically. It peaked at 29.7 per factors at play,” Smith said. and a co-author of the study. riods of lower and higher suicide 100,000 in 2012 and has not fallen The findings dovetail with Suicide rates among active- “From a historical standpoint, rates, a finding that suggests ac- below 20.2 for the past 11 years, several recent studies that found duty U.S. soldiers significantly rates did not increase during war- tive-duty suicide rates are not according to the study. increased during America’s deployment does not increase time, which is part of why we’re necessarily linked to wartime Smith said his current research lengthy wars in Vietnam, Af- the risk of suicide for active-duty starting to try to look at these combat. is examining suicide more broad- ghanistan and Iraq, reversing an personnel. The Defense Depart- increases from a multifactorial Beginning in 1843, suicide rates ly over time to “parse out” causes earlier historical trend in which ment’s annual report on suicide perspective,” he said Thursday. among soldiers began to increase, “indicative of a particular time rates dropped during wartime, a released in September described “There’s probably other factors with a peak of 118.3 suicides per and place” for society overall. study found. it as a “misconception” to link de- at play in these increases in rates 100,000 individuals in 1883. “We’re looking at causal fac- The study published Dec. 13 in ployment — including combat ex- beyond a singular fixation on From there, rates decreased tors that would be beyond the JAMA Network Open suggests perience, length of deployment, the uptick in active-duty Army combat exposure as the primary through the Spanish-American battlefield,” he said. “We’re look- driver of what’s going on.” War in 1898, World War I in 1914- ing at socio-economic factors, and number of deployments — suicide rates over the past two with greater risk of suicide. decades might not be associated Researchers from the Univer- 18 and World War II in 1941- 45. psychological factors, those type It noted, for example, that of with combat, as has been often sity of Hawaii and the Defense By the last year of World War avenues.” assumed. Department examined records II, the rate had dropped to 5 per A big jump in the suicide rate the active-duty service members “There appears to be a para- dating to 1819, the first such in- 100,000 soldiers. in the late 1800s came at a time of who died by suicide in 2017, 41.7% digm shift that happens with the depth look at military suicide Beginning around 2004 — a few no major wars and then declined had no history of deployment. so-called ‘endless wars’ — Viet- rates. The Army was chosen to years after the U.S. sent forces to without the military implement- [email protected] nam, Iraq and Afghanistan,” said review because it is the nation’s Afghanistan and Iraq — suicide ing a suicide-prevention program, Twitter: @WyattWOlson Military has NDAA makes maintaining no policy on career easier for spouses

BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY in the NDAA that increases the troop’s use Stars and Stripes amount spouses can be reim- bursed by the military for reli- of TikTok WASHINGTON — Frequent censing from $500 to $1,000. military moves for Navy spouse At one time, spouses would have BY IMMANUEL JOHNSON Andrea Krull involves not only to change their state of residence Stars and Stripes the challenges of uprooting her each time they moved while ser- life but also maintaining her busi- vice members could retain their TikTok user @Shreddedpho- ness as a public relations consul- residence regardless of where the tog’s dance with a banana to the tant. With each move to a new military moved them. The 2009 sounds of “This Is How We Do state, she would have to reestab- Military Spouse Residency Relief It” garnered some attention last lish her residence and reregister month on the video-sharing app, her small business, costing time Act allowed spouses to take on but it was a six-second clip of him and money. the same state residency as their flexing his bulging biceps that “Every time you move, not service member for tax and vot- went viral. SCREENSHOT/TikTok only does every state have differ- ing purposes. “You are so into yourself,” says ent rules about registering your However, it does not cover the a woman he hadn’t noticed enter- Lawmakers have expressed concern over the Chinese-owned app registration of the spouse’s busi- TikTok and the potential national security risk it can pose . However, [limited liability corporation], ing the room, and @Shredded- ness in that state. service members continue to use it with no specified guidance . but every county and city also photog — also known as Marine has different rules,” Krull said. Because Krull has to register Sgt. David Bickel — flashes an “And so every time we move, I’m her small business in the state address existing and emerging mercial networks. In 2015, the embarrassed grin that has earned putting everything on hold for the where she physically resides threats in defense of our net- him 1.6 million views. FBI blamed the breach of more actual physical move … And then — currently Virginia — and the The clips show a lighter side works,” Cmdr. Dave Benham, than 21 million records from the I’m needing to go in and make state requires that she also be a of the Marine Corps on an app 10th Fleet and U.S. Fleet Cyber Office of Personnel Management sure that I’m addressing all of the resident, Krull has to reestablish that has grown in popularity with Command spokesman, said in a on Chinese hackers. correct administrative things I her residence and business with young people who might some- statement. TikTok is growing in popular- need to do to get re established in each move, adding more time and day think about signing up. But Last month, the U.S. Army ity because the videos are short every state.” costs per move for her to main- TikTok’s Chinese ownership has Cadet Command directed its and easy to view, Marine Sgt. The 2020 National Defense tain her career. units not to use TikTok for of- some lawmakers and military Courtney White said. Authorization Act includes a She worked with staffers for ficial purposes. That came after officials concerned that it could “Some of the hashtags you use provision to amend the Service- Shaheen, her husband’s sena- Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., ex- be used to gather intelligence on members Civil Relief Act to allow tor, on legislation to help other pressed concerns about soldiers can have millions of different vid- Americans. military spouses to use the same spouses who face difficulties using China-owned social media eos so you would not see the same “I don’t post anything other state of residence as their service maintaining residency and small platforms “in both their personal video,” she said. “It’s genuinely than in common locations and member for any reason to include businesses while moving with the and official capacities.” fun and easy to use.” screen the video before it gets for the purposes of registering a military. Krull has had to reregis- In a letter to Army Secretary Service members who spoke posted,” said Bickel, who also business. ter her business three times. Ryan McCarthy, Schumer said with Stars and Stripes said turns off location services and The legislation also included the “Military spouses have chal- doesn’t record directly through that national security experts they’re generally aware of opera- transfer of professional licenses have raised concerns about Tik- tional security and risks associ- lenges enough because they are the TikTok app. for spouses when they move. often the ones who have to move The military generally tells its Tok’s collection of user data “in ated with social media. However, For spouses who have profes- the families, make the arrange- personnel not to disclose sensitive light of laws that compel Chi- those platforms are where young sional licenses for their jobs, ments, and then many of them information on social networks nese companies to support and adults and prospective service multiple moves to different states work at the same time. And to and to avoid installing apps that cooperate with intelligence work members can be reached. forces them to recertify and pay have that additional burden didn’t might compromise personal or controlled by the Chinese Com- “As long as we are abiding by fees for new licenses with each seem fair to me,” Shaheen said. sensitive data. But there is no uni- munist Party.” the standards set forth, apps like move. form policy on TikTok. TikTok said it has a “deep com- More than 34% of military Krull will be able to keep her TikTok can actually help the residence and business registered “Tik Tok is a cybersecurity mitment to user privacy” in an recruiting mission and public spouses need a state license to emailed statement. in one state, regardless of where threat,” the Navy Marine Corps support,” Bickel said in a chat work in their field, such as teach- “TikTok US content and mod- her family moves to next. Intranet stated Wednesday in a message. “When we have normal ers or nurses, according to the user bulletin, adding that anyone eration policies are led by our office of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D- “I’m really excited for all of the Marines engaging with the pub- with the app on their mobile de- U.S.-based team and are not in- N.H. The NDAA authorized the military spouses who are trying lic on a personal level (TikTok, vices wouldn’t be allowed to use fluenced by any foreign govern- Defense Department to work with so hard to maintain their profes- the intranet. ment, including China,” TikTok personal Instagram accounts and states on developing agreements sional career. But this is one less “This decision was made based spokesperson Josh Gartner said. YouTube) it allows what we do to on state licensing standards to thing they need to worry about,” on cybersecurity threat assess- The U.S. has accused China for seem more achievable.” help with the transfer of licenses Krull said. ments, and is consistent with several years of state-sponsored [email protected] for spouses when they move. [email protected] 10th Fleet efforts to proactively hacking of government and com- Twitter: Manny_Stripes There is a separate section Twitter: @caitlinmkenney PAGE 4 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Monday, December 23, 2019 MILITARY Ramstein airmen prepare for dining facility closure

BY JENNIFER H. SVAN fers a main line with hot food, a Stars and Stripes snack line and sandwich bar, a salad bar, soup and takeout. RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Ger- It and the dining facility at many — The 1950s-era base RAF Lakenheath in England are dining facility that serves some the busiest on Air Force bases in 1,300 airmen here will close next Europe. The month for up to two years to un- Ramstein dergo major upgrades, base offi- ‘ This is venue serves cials said last week. between During the closure, most air- going to 252,000 and men who live in the dorms on be a large 260,000 cus- Ramstein will have to find some- lifestyle tomers annu- where else to have their meals. On ally, or about JENNIFER H. SVAN/Stars and Stripes the plus side, they’ll receive more change for 700 meals than $700 a month to compensate the airmen a day, said Airmen wait for a hot meal at the Rheinland Dining Facility at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Dec. 17 . The for the loss of access to the Rhe- Master Sgt. dining facility will close for up to two years starting in mid-January for major renovation . inland Dining Facility, which for that utilize Daniel White- many is the cheapest and most this dining man, the Rhe- “For USAFE, this is the No. most of which is automatically ity, will qualify for standard BAS convenient dining option. facility. ’ inland facility 1 priority building” for renova- deducted from their paychecks (about $369 per month) if they The doors to the Rheinland manager. tions, he said. “It’s a long time when they eat at the dining facil- work on Ramstein. Lt. Col. Brandi Dining Facility are slated to shut About $7.2 overdue.” ity, officials said. To make the closure of the on Jan. 15, said Lt. Col. Brandi Rountree million in Town halls were held at After the dining hall closes, Rheinland facility easier, base of- Rountree, commander of the 786th Force renovation Ramstein to inform airmen of the airmen who live on Ramstein 786th Force Support Squadron. Support and struc- closure and present them with will see their BAS entitlement in- ficials plan to offer more cooking “This is going to be a large life- Squadron tural work options on where to get inexpen- crease to $738.78 monthly, which classes in the dorms and equip style change for the airmen that is planned. sive, healthy meals. Officials also is twice the standard rate. Meals some dorm rooms with mini utilize this dining facility,” she The entire floor and supports advised them to budget their food won’t be deducted from that total, refrigerators. said. underneath it will be replaced, allowance wisely. and airmen will also receive a Other dining establishments on The only full-service dining as will grills and hood-and-duct Most airmen who live in base higher cost of living allowance base may extend their hours or facility on base, the Rheinland systems. dormitories, where kitchen space — about $4 to $5 extra per day, DFAC is located near most of the The serving area will be ex- can be limited, are enrolled in the depending on rank. services, officials said. dormitories. It serves three meals panded and the salad bar re- meal card program. They receive Those who live on Kapaun, [email protected] a day, seven days a week, and of- vamped, Whiteman said. a basic allowance for subsistence, which also has a dining facil- Twitter: @stripesktown Integration has been seamless for girls in Okinawa Scouts

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE just sort of happen organically, the troop’s Stars and Stripes Scoutmasters said. Many activities, like meetings, hikes and certain camping trips, CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa — In are done jointly. years past the leader who called Scouts Four girls joined in February, Gutzwill- BSA Troop 110 to order Wednesday on Camp Courtney may have elicited sur- er said. That number has grown to 10. The prise, even disapproval, from some old- girls are thus far so motivated to achieve school Boy Scouts. that they have spurred their male counter- “It’s very important that you are ac- parts to keep up, he said. countable for your responsibilities,” said No issues have arisen due to having both assistant senior patrol leader Melanie Ale- genders in the troop, Scoutmasters said. jandra Varon Golden, addressing the group Scout Chett Huff, 15, said he knows the about the possibility of becoming leaders girls from school, so welcoming them into themselves. “You have to be willing to put the fold was easy. Huff is a Life Scout, in 100% effort because other Scouts rely on Scouting’s second-highest rank. you.” “They bring a lot to the table,” he said. The 17-year-old Star Scout — Scouting’s Assistant Scoutmaster Jeff Planteen, third highest rank — joined the 109-year- old civic organization for 11- to 17-year- who achieved Scouting’s top rank of Eagle olds in March, one month after the Scouts Scout, has been overjoyed watching his opened their ranks to girls. daughter, Kaelin, 11, carry on enthusias- Varon Golden and her male and female tically in his footsteps, he said. She took counterparts said integration had not part in a wilderness survival campout and only been seamless but highly success- scaled 12,389-foot-high Mount Fuji. ful on Okinawa, improving Troop 110 and “I’ve definitely seen confidence, her abil- pushing Scouts of both genders to greater ity to speak up and say, ‘Hey, I know how to heights. do that,’ or ‘I can show you how to do that,’ “Coming in, I was a bit nervous,” Varon which is something I don’t think she really Golden said after the meeting. “Even CARLOS VAZQUEZ/Stars and Stripes had before,” Planteen said. “She’s having though society has these things that are a blast.” more so for men, I think it’s been a great Members of the Scouts BSA Troop 110 huddle after a meeting at Camp Courtney, “The people here are awesome, and opportunity that we are able to be a part of Okinawa, on Wednesday . Scouts BSA and are treated equally.” they’ve been welcoming,” said the soft- Troop 110 is one of eight on the Japanese Korea. two separate gender-specific troops under spoken Kaelin Planteen. “We go on really island of Okinawa, according to the Boy Troop 110 is about 30 years old, said as- the same umbrella. fun adventures.” Scouts of America Far East Council web- sistant Scoutmaster Ryan Gutzwiller. Since The Scouts decide what they want to do [email protected] site. Troops are spread across Japan and adding girls in February, it now operates as together or separately, and those events Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 Monday, December 23, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 5 MILITARY Clear: Rats alert handlers to chemical explosives

FROM FRONT PAGE adviser for APOPO, a nongovern- ‘ At the end of mental agency that trains rats to the week, we give sniff out mines. “Up till now we’ve pulled 14 mines” and have found them a big bunch of nine unexploded ordnances. APOPO — one of several orga- food. The seventh nizations clearing mines under day is a holiday. the auspices of the Cambodian Mine Action Center — expected We’re giving them to finish that site by Nov. 29 and watermelons, sweet move on to another. The cleared acreage will be handed off in a potatoes, corn, ceremony Dec. 29 to local Cam- carrots to enjoy bodians, said Michael Heiman, APOPO program manager in their weekend. ’ Cambodia, in an email Nov. 27. Mark Shukuru APOPO is a Dutch acronym for senior technical adviser for APOPO Anti-Personnel Landmines De- tection Product Development. “They are planning to grow mangoes, cashew nuts and rice is still mostly poor or just out of on the land cleared,” he wrote. poverty, according to the World Minefields and other leftover Bank. munitions are a diminishing Shukuru, a Tanzanian, has threat in Cambodia, thanks to the cleared minefields in Angola and Cambodians themselves, nongov- Mozambique. He said he sees in /Stars and Stripes ernmental agencies and foreign Cambodia something he’s not PHOTOS BY JOSEPH DITZLER governments — Japan and the seen elsewhere: Locals deliber- Above: An African pouch rat makes its way across a suspected minefield in Cambodia on Nov. 6 . Below: United States included. Today, far ately working in minefields. A rat sniffs for land mines in Siem Reap, Cambodia. more Cambodians die in traffic That’s not uncommon in some accidents than are killed by land mine-riddled, developing coun- a full year for a dog. And any mines. tries, Heiman said. trained handler can work with But they’re still a threat. “Sometimes it’s a survival thing any rat; the dogs are paired with From 1979 to 2017, leftover mu- so they take the risk,” he wrote. specific handlers. nitions in Cambodia killed nearly “We provide Mine Risk Educa- “Normally, in captivity their 20,000 people and injured an ad- tion in the mine-affected villages, life span is eight years and it ditional 45,000, about half of them but we cannot put guards around takes us one year to train a rat, so children. A 2013 survey found the mine-affected areas.” that means we have at least five more than 700 square miles of Cambodia was a battleground to six years to use them in opera- Cambodia was still contaminat- from the mid-1960s to the early tions,” Shukuru said. “When they ed by land mines, according to 1990s. reach the age of six years, from Landmine and Cluster Munition The U.S. and South Vietnam there most of them are retired.” Monitor. battled North Vietnam there The nonprofit relies on interna- work.” during the Vietnam War. The In the late 1960s and early tional public support; U.S. donors The basic procedure is simple. reunited Vietnamese fought the 1970s, the U.S. — one of several gave $1.9 million from 2015-17, The handlers stand on either U.S.-backed Cambodians. The combatants at the time — dropped according to tax filings. To raise side of the rectangle and the rat about 2.7 million tons of ordnance insurgent, communist Khmer money, APOPO advertises an moves on a cord back and forth there. Some of it still litters the Rouge fought the government “adopt-a-rat” program on social between them, sniffing as it goes. countryside. Since then the U.S. under Lon Nol. The Vietnam- media. has given more than $114 million ese fought the Khmer Rouge. When the rat reaches one side, The animals are captured wild the handlers take a step sideways to clear mines in Cambodia, ac- The United Nations brokered a in Tanzania and bred. The next sketchy peace in 1991. and the rat returns to the other cording to the State Department. generation is trained to detect Antipersonnel and antitank side. For example, the Marine Corps mines. The training success rate mines, unexploded cluster muni- If the rat alerts, the handlers this summer sent emergency is about 93%, Shukuru said. tions, artillery rounds, grenades, mark the spot and move on. A de- ordnance disposal technicians to In the field, the rats work from mortars and aerial bombs still lit- mining team comes by later to train their Cambodian counter- 6-9:30 a.m., when they’re most ter the countryside. remove the land mine if they find parts as part of an ongoing De- alert and before the Cambodian fense Department program, said The site being cleared by one. Random plots are rechecked day becomes too hot. 2nd Lt. Danny Little, spokesman APOPO in November had been On a typical day, teams of rats to guarantee they’re mine-free. for Marine Corps Forces Pacific, a fortified camp. The minefield and handlers must clear about The hardworking rats earn a in an email Nov. 28. showed no pattern. Water sources 3,300 square feet, working pre- regular bonus. and obvious cover, such as large “At the end of the week, we give trees, were ringed by mines. A marked rectangles of about 1,100 ‘A survival thing’ square feet. Each rat works with them a big bunch of food,” Shu- site map indicated a lane cleared kuru said. “The seventh day is a Founded in Belgium in 1997, two handlers per section. Once by the Khmer Rouge to move ar- holiday. We’re giving them wa- APOPO is unique in developing mored vehicles, where powerful a rat becomes fatigued, another termelons, sweet potatoes, corn, rats as minesweepers, Heiman antitank mines might lie. waiting nearby takes its place. said. “They have to work, all of carrots to enjoy their weekend.” The rats are very efficient, he The rat advantage them,” Shukuru said. “Every [email protected] said. They alert handlers to the rat that comes in the day has to Twitter: @JosephDitzler chemical explosives, not the me- Rats make good mine detectors tallic parts that trigger electro- for several reasons, said Thoeun magnetic mine detectors. The Theap, the APOPO operations rats over three years increased manager in Siem Reap. APOPO mine-clearing efficiency They’re too small to set off by about 25%, according to the or- the mines. Their food — apples, ganization’s 2018 annual report. bananas, tomatoes, peanuts Overall, APOPO this year — is available in local markets. cleared 509 acres in Cambodia, APOPO also uses canines to hunt finding and destroying over 600 mines but dog food can be expen- mines and other unexploded left- sive and harder to procure. overs of war, Heiman wrote. An APOPO vehicle can carry Although the Cambodian econ- only one or two dogs but several omy grew by an average 8% from rats, plus training the rats takes 1998 to 2018, its rural population eight months to a year versus PAGE 6 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Monday, December 23, 2019 WAR ON TERRORISM Backfired: Ignorance of culture, confusion, division cited in drug war’s failure

FROM FRONT PAGE est NATO ally, Britain, tried Many of the suspected labs all sorts of strategies to shrink turned out to be empty, mud- opium production. They bribed walled compounds. After more farmers to stop cultivating pop- than 200 airstrikes, the U.S. pies, hired mercenaries to invade military concluded it was a waste poppy fields and drew up plans to of resources to keep blowing spray defoliants from the sky. But up primitive targets with ad- the poppies spread anyway. vanced aircraft and laser-guided The State Department and munitions. DEA have led most of those ef- Of all the failures in Afghani- forts for the United States. For stan, the war on drugs has been most of the war, the U.S. military perhaps the most feckless, ac- has struggled to make up its mind cording to a cache of confiden- about how involved it should get tial government interviews and in the opium wars. other documents obtained by The During the George W. Bush Washington Post. administration, most U.S. gen- Since 2001, the United States erals wanted nothing to do with has spent about $9 billion on a diz- the battle over opium. Accord- zying array of programs to deter ing to the interviews, they saw it Afghanistan from supplying the as a distraction or hindrance to JUSTIN T. UPDEGRAFF/U.S. Marine Corps world with heroin. In dozens of their primary mission of fighting interviews, however, key players terrorists. An Afghan National Police officer spreads out tires before the top layer of confiscated drugs gets added in the anti-narcotics campaign During the Obama administra- during a periodic drug burn at Bost Airfield, Afghanistan, on Nov. 2, 2017. acknowledged that none of the tion, as evidence mounted that measures have worked and that, drug money was financing the sap right before destroying their in many cases, they have made insurgency, the generals began plants and got paid anyway. things worse. to see opium as a military threat. In a Lessons Learned inter- Mohammed Ehsan Zia, a for- Because the generals’ war strate- view, Anthony Fitzherbert, a Brit- mer Afghan Cabinet minister in gy hinged on winning the support ish agricultural expert, called the charge of rural development pro- of the Afghan people, however, cash-for-poppies program “an grams, told U.S. government in- they were reluctant to take action appalling piece of complete raw terviewers that the United States that could alienate poppy farmers naivete,” saying that the people and other NATO countries never — a large chunk of the population in charge had “no knowledge of settled on an effective strategy — or U.S.-friendly warlords who nuances and [I] don’t know they and just threw money at the opium profited from opium trafficking. really cared.” problem. He said they constantly The previously undisclosed Wankel, the former DEA agent, changed policies and relied on a interviews were conducted be- said the Pentagon and the British carousel of consultants who were tween 2014 and 2018 by the Office government were slow to recog- ignorant about Afghanistan. of the Special Inspector General nize that narcotics were fueling “Foreigners read ‘Kite Runner’ for Afghanistan Reconstruction, the insurgency. on [the] plane and believe they or SIGAR, for a special project “The U.S. military didn’t want are an expert on Afghanistan called “Lessons Learned.” to deal with the drugs issue — bet- and then never listen,” Zia said, In June 2018, SIGAR published ter to be an ostrich — had to take referring to the best-selling novel a 270-page report that docu- them kicking and screaming,” he about an Afghan boy haunted mented the failure of the war on said in a Lessons Learned inter- by oppression and ethnic strife. Afghan opium and made policy view. “[It] created a whole new “The only thing they are experts recommendations — in flat, bu- problem that the military didn’t in is bureaucracy.” reaucratic jargon — for dealing know how to deal with.” /U.S. Army Afghanistan dominates the with the problem. CHRISTOPHER MCCULLOUGH Prodded by Congress to do something, in 2004 the State global opium markets. Last year, “A whole-of-government U.S. Afghanistan national army Capt. Sayed Baba Mansory destroys Department’s Bureau of Inter- it produced 82% of the world’s counternarcotics strategy should opium poppy plants discovered during a routine patrol outside the national Narcotics and Law En- supply, according to estimates be developed to coordinate vari- village of Samogay, Afghanistan, on May 7, 2012. by the U.N. Office on Drugs and ous agencies around shared, forcement Affairs, or INL, took a hard line. Crime. long-term goals,” the report war on opium thought the policies of the opium poppy — Papaver The agency hired a small army Defying U.S. efforts to curtail concluded. “The goals of a U.S. they were carrying out made no somniferum — for generations. of 1,200 security contractors to it, Afghan opium production has counternarcotics strategy should sense. With a little irrigation, the plants crack down against poppy farm- skyrocketed over the course of the be aligned with and integrated “I was convinced we were thrive in warm, dry climates and ing, including mercenaries from 18-year war. Last year, Afghan into the larger security, develop- doing the wrong things and his- are especially bountiful in the South Africa, veterans of the Bal- farmers grew poppies — the plant ment, and government objectives tory would come to judge” those southern provinces of Helmand kan wars and Gurkha soldiers from which opium is extracted to of the United States and the host in charge, an unnamed British and Kandahar, the heart of the from Nepal, according to Ronald make heroin — on four times as nation.” official said in a Lessons Learned insurgency. McMullen, who served as direc- much land as they did in 2002. But the Lessons Learned re- interview in June 2016. The of- Early on, President Bush asked tor of the agency’s Afghanistan- With business booming, the port omitted the names of the vast ficial said the outcome was “a the United Nations and NATO opium industry has tightened its majority of those who were inter- legacy that shows what we did allies to tackle the problems of Pakistan office from 2006 to stranglehold on the Afghan econo- viewed and left out their toughest was harmful. Partly because opium production and traffick- 2007. my, corrupted large sectors of the criticisms. The Post sued SIGAR people are stupid and partly being. Britain agreed to take charge In an oral history interview, Afghan government and provided in federal court to force it to re- cause they actively choose not to but got off to a disastrous start, McMullen said that when he the Taliban a rising source of rev- lease transcripts and notes of the listen.” according to the interviews. took charge of the office he was enue, U.S., European and Afghan interviews under the Freedom of An unnamed U.S. official gave In the spring of 2002, British baffled by some of the tactics the officials said in the interviews. Information Act. a similar account of foolishness officials floated an irresistible contractors and Afghan counter- “Drugs was a nasty thing that To supplement the Lessons and blamed bureaucratic infight- offer. They agreed to pay Afghan narcotics police were using. had to be contended with,” Doug- Learned interviews, The Post ing for many of the problems. poppy farmers $700 an acre — a “I was shocked to learn that the las Wankel, a former Drug En- obtained several oral history in- “There was violent competition fortune in the impoverished, war- American-funded anti-poppy po- forcement Administration agent terviews that the nonprofit As- in Washington not only within ravaged country — to destroy lice unit was eradicating Afghan who led a federal counternarcot- sociation for Diplomatic Studies Congress, between the Hill and their crops. poppies by hand,” he said. ics task force in Kabul from 2004 and Training conducted with the administration but also be- Word of the $30 million pro- “We’d send a truck of counter- to 2007, told government inter- U.S. officials who served in Af- tween different parts of the ad- gram ignited a poppy-growing narcotics police out to a field of viewers. “The biggest problem ghanistan, as well as confidential ministration,” the U.S. official frenzy. Farmers planted as many blossoming opium poppies, the was corruption in Afghanistan memos that then-Defense Sec- told government interviewers in poppies as they could, offering police would hop out of the truck, and drugs was part of it. You retary Donald Rumsfeld wrote May 2016. “It was sad to see so part of their yield to the British pick up sticks and walk through couldn’t deal with one without about the Afghan drug trade. many people behave so stupidly.” while selling the rest on the open the field whacking poppies with dealing with the other.” Together, the documents reveal Hardscrabble Afghan farm- market. their sticks.” The United States and its clos- that many people involved in the ers have been growing varieties Others harvested the opium SEE BACKFIRED ON PAGE 7 Monday, December 23, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 7 WAR ON TERRORISM Afghan president wins in preliminary count

Associated Press tial election have been repeatedly ment as a victory of the nation U.S. Ambassador to Afghani- cording to Hawa Alam Nuristani, delayed amid accusations of mis- and pledged to “represent the stan John R. Bass tweeted: “It’s the head of the Independent Elec- KABUL, Afghanistan — Af- conduct and technical problems. whole nation.” important for all Afghans to re- tion Commission. ghanistan’s president has won a second term in office, secur- Ghani appears to have beaten “We will connect and unite all member these results are prelim- She did not give a specific per- ing a tiny majority of the ballots out his main challenger, Abdul- Afghans. We will end the crisis inary. Many steps remain before centage for Abdullah during the cast three months ago, according lah Abdullah, who serves as the and all divisions by building a re- final election results are certi- press conference in the capital, to a preliminary vote count an- country’s chief executive in a sponsible government,” he told a fied, to ensure the Afghan people Kabul, but he appeared to have nounced Sunday. His opponents fragile national unity government crowd of supporters gathered at have confidence in the results.” received 39.52%. can still challenge those results. and who rejected the results. the presidential palace. For now, Ghani’s lead appears The U.N. secretary-general’s If the results hold and Ashraf Ghani and his government have As for foreign aid, “we are not secure as there also won’t be any special representative for Af- Ghani remains president, it could been sidelined during the past asking for a donation; our shared decision on whether a second ghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamo- give him the authority he has year of direct talks between the interests ensure our relations round of voting is needed until to, said the commission “has an been seeking to demand a lead- U.S. and the Taliban. Washing- with countries,” he said. the final results are out. Afghan obligation to adjudicate any coming role in peace talks with the ton seeks to withdraw its combat Abdullah’s office released a election laws say a runoff must plaints it receives transparently Taliban. troops and end 18 years of fight- statement saying the results were take place if no candidate obtains and thoroughly so the election The country’s election commis- ing in Afghanistan, America’s “not legitimate” and that they over 50% of the votes. process may conclude in a cred- sion said Ghani got 50.64% of the longest war. were “based on the fraudulent The preliminary results found ible manner” and that “all can- votes in the Sept. 28 presidential In a live TV speech later Sun- vote without considering the legal Ghani won 923,868 votes, while didates have the chance to raise poll. The results of the presiden- day, Ghani hailed the announce- demands of the candidates.” Abdullah won 720,990 votes, ac- any concerns they may have.” Backfired: Counterinsurgency, counternarcotics efforts were at odds

FROM PAGE 6 much more profitable to grow. from 2009 to 2012. interviewers. terinsurgency, because so much Many U.S. lawmakers and Bush U.S. military commanders At the same time, military of- Todd Greentree, a former State of the rural population depended administration officials wanted to were relieved by the Obama ad- ficials were growing concerned Department official who served on income from opium produc- adopt an aggressive approach that ministration’s decision to aban- that the opium trade was pro- as a political adviser to the U.S. tion,” he said in an oral-history Washington had backed in Colom- don poppy eradication programs. viding a major revenue stream military in Afghanistan from interview. bia to combat cocaine traffick- They saw them as unnecessary ir- to the Taliban, which imposed 2008 to 2012, said it proved im- “Counterinsurgency opera- ing. A core part of that program, ritants to Afghan villagers whose taxes on farmers and traffickers. possible to develop a coherent tions that relied on support of the known as Plan Colombia, was the loyalty they were trying to win, U.S. commanders wanted badly strategy for all arms of the U.S. population would be disrupted aerial spraying of herbicides to according to William Wechsler, to deprive the Taliban of drug government. by counternarcotics operations eradicate coca plants — despite who served as the Pentagon’s top money but were not sure how to “There was contradiction be- that were intended to eradicate concerns that the chemicals could civilian in charge of drug issues do it, Wechsler told government tween counternarcotics and coun- opium.” cause cancer. However, the U.S. military and British lobbied Afghan President Hamid Karzai against the plan. The dissension made Karzai even more suspicious about U.S. motives. He rejected the spraying plan and reacted coolly to other proposals to restrict poppy farming and prosecute suspected opium traffickers. “Urging Karzai to mount an effective counternarcotics campaign was like asking an Ameri- can president to halt all U.S. economic activity west of the Mississippi,” McMullen, the former INL director, said in his oral- history interview. “That was the magnitude of what we were asking the Afghans to do.” The U.S. policy changed immediately after Barack Obama’s election in 2009. The State Department’s new special representative for Af- ghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, had written an op-ed in The Post a year earlier blast- ing the Bush administration’s poppy eradication efforts as “the single most ineffective program in the history of American foreign policy.” Upon taking office, Holbrooke brought eradication to a stand- still. The U.S. government shifted its focus to programs that tried to persuade Afghan poppy farmers to switch to other crops or adopt other livelihoods altogether. But those efforts mostly backfired. In Helmand province, the epicenter of the poppy belt, USAID and the U.S. military paid Afghans to dig or renovate miles of canals and ditches to irrigate fruit trees and other crops. But the canals worked just as well to irrigate poppies — which were PAGE 8 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Monday, December 23, 2019 NATION US boosts efforts to seize land for Texas border wall

BY NOMAAN MERCHANT and prevent construction in areas like the Santa Ana Associated Press National Wildlife Refuge, an important sanctuary for several endangered species of jaguars, birds and HOUSTON — Three years into Donald Trump’s other animals, as well as the nonprofit National But- presidency, the U.S. government is ramping up its ef- terfly Center and a historic Catholic chapel. They forts to seize private land in Texas to build a border have also filed several lawsuits. wall. A federal judge this month prevented the govern- Trump’s signature campaign promise has consis- ment from building with money redirected to the tently faced political, legal and environmental ob- wall under Trump’s declaration of a national emer- stacles in Texas, which has the largest section of the gency earlier this year. Also, two judges recently U.S.-Mexico border, most of it without fencing. And ordered a private, pro-Trump fundraising group to much of the land along the Rio Grande, the river that stop building its own wall near the Rio Grande. forms the border in Texas, is privately held and en- Even on land the government owns, construction vironmentally sensitive. Almost no land has been taken so far. But Depart- has been held up. In another federal wildlife refuge, at a site known as La Parida Banco, work crews ment of Justice lawyers have filed three lawsuits J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP this month seeking to take property from landown- cleared brush last spring and the government an- ers. On Tuesday, lawyers moved to seize land in one nounced in April that construction would soon begin. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., center, has declined to case immediately before a scheduled court hearing Eight months later, the site remains empty. send the two articles of impeachment to the Senate until the GOP in February. According to a U.S. official familiar with the proj- provides trial details. The agency says it’s ready to file many more pe- ect, work crews discovered that the land was too titions to take private land in the coming weeks. saturated. The planned metal bollards installed on While progress has lagged, the process of taking top of concrete panels would have been unstable be- land under eminent domain is weighted heavily in cause of the water levels in the soil, said the official, White House predicts the government’s favor. who spoke on condition of anonymity because the The U.S. government has built about 90 miles of person did not have authorization to share the infor- walls since Trump took office, almost all of it replac- mation publicly. Pelosi will yield on ing old fencing. Reaching Trump’s oft-stated goal of U.S. Customs and Border Protection declined 500 miles by the end of 2020 will almost certainly to comment on the issue of saturation at La Parida require stepping up progress in Texas. Banco, saying construction there was “currently in impeachment delay Opponents have lobbied Congress to limit funding the design phase.” BY HOPE YEN impeach Trump, who became Associated Press only the third president in U.S. history to be formally charged WASHINGTON — The White with “high crimes and misde- Amid impeachment focus, Senate House tried to make the case meanors.” Pelosi has declined to Sunday that Speaker Nancy Pelo- send the articles of impeachment si has put herself in an untenable to the Senate until Republicans continues transformation of courts position by stalling House-passed provide details on witnesses and Associated Press articles of impeachment against testimony. number of federal appeals court to posts on a California-based ap- President Donald Trump in Senate Majority Leader Mitch judges confirmed in Trump’s first peals court that Trump has tagged hopes of shaping the upcoming WASHINGTON — Amid in- McConnell, R-Ky., and Schumer three years in office. The relent- as a liberal bastion. Senate trial. tense focus on impeachment and have been at an impasse over the less pace means that more than Lawrence VanDyke, a deputy A senior administration offi- year-end deals on spending and issue, leaving open the possibility trade, the Senate hurtled toward a quarter of all federal appeals assistant attorney general from cial suggested the top Democrat court judges were nominated by of a protracted delay until the ar- a less-heralded accomplishment: Nevada, and Patrick Bumatay, a in Congress would soon relent, Trump and confirmed by the Re- ticles are delivered. confirming another batch of con- federal prosecutor from southern paving the way for leaders in the publican-controlled Senate. McConnell has all but prom- servative judges. California, were approved in sep- Republican-controlled Senate to “While all eyes were under- settle on the contours of a trial ised an easy acquittal of the Senators confirmed 13 of arate votes to the 9th U.S. Circuit President Donald Trump’s judi- standably on impeachment, that is likely to result in Trump’s president. McConnell appears to Court of Appeals. cial nominees, bringing to 102 Mitch McConnell’s conveyor belt acquittal on charges of obstruc- have united Republicans behind the number of federal judges ap- churned out a shocking number of One unspoken factor propel- tion of Congress and abuse of an approach that would begin proved this year — more than judges this week in what remains ling Republicans forward is the power. An influential senator and the trial with presentations and twice the annual average over the the most underrated story of the calendar. With no guarantee that key Trump ally predicted that arguments, lasting perhaps two past three decades. Trump era,” said Christopher a Republican will be in the White the drive by Pelosi, D-Calif. and weeks, before he tries drawing The steady transformation of Kang, chief counsel at Demand House come January 2021, there Senate Minority Leader Chuck the proceedings to a close. the courts reflects the single- Justice, a liberal advocacy group. is an emphasis on filling vacan- Schumer, D-N.Y., for new wit- That has sparked a fight with “Trump’s hijacking of our ju- Pelosi and Schumer, who are minded focus of Senate Majority cies now. nesses and testimony would be diciary will be his most endur- for naught. demanding trial witnesses who Leader Mitch McConnell, who has McConnell “is moving nomi- vowed to “leave no vacancy being legacy, and it will continue to “She will yield. There’s no way refused to appear during House nees as quickly as he can (through hind” as he and Trump seek to tilt threaten everything progressives she can hold this position,” said committee hearings, includ- the judicial branch to the right. care about long after he leaves of- the Senate), just in case Trump Marc Short, the chief of staff to ing acting White House chief of The judicial confirmations in- fice, ” Kang said. loses in 2020,” said Carl Tobias, a Vice President Mike Pence. “We staff Mick Mulvaney and former clude 20 additions to the U.S. Court Last week, the Senate con- law professor at the University of think her case is going nowhere.” national security adviser John of Appeals, bringing to 50 the firmed two conservative lawyers Richmond. The House voted last week to Bolton. Police: 13 wounded in shooting at memorial party in Chicago

Associated Press fired just after 12:30 a.m. shooting randomly at people as downtown that has high crime. the third straight year. Through The victims range in age from they exited the party, ” Waller The shooting started inside, then roughly mid-December, about CHICAGO — A shooting early Sunday at a house party held in 16 to 48 and suffered “different said. more shots were fired as people 475 people were killed, compared honor of someone who was killed and various gunshot wounds to Waller did not provide details began spilling out of the house. with 549 in 2018, which is a 14% in April left 13 people wounded, their bodies.” on the person who was being Shots were also fired at a third drop. four of them critically, Chicago Two people were being ques- memorialized. place nearby, Waller said. Police have credited Chicago’s police said. tioned, Waller said. One of them Waller described three shoot- He described the shooting as drop in crime to the use of tech- The shooting stemmed from was arrested with a weapon, he ing scenes at the residential lo- an “isolated incident.” nology used to predict where a dispute at the memorial party, said, while the other was wound- cation in the city’s Englewood The shooting comes as the city shootings might occur, while ex- Chief of Patrol Fred Waller said ed. Waller said police recovered a neighborhood, a predominantly has been on the verge of clos- perts also credit anti-violence at an early morning news con- revolver. low-income stretch of the city ing out 2019 with sizable drops programs that offer jobs and gang ference. He said shots were first “It looked like they were just roughly 10 miles southwest of in shootings and homicides for conflict mediation. Monday, December 23, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 9 NATION 6 killed, 13 hurt in Las Vegas apartment fire

BY MICHELLE L. PRICE, husband told the newspaper that PAUL DAVENPORT medical personnel told him the AND MARC LEVY fetus’ heartbeat appeared strong. Associated Press Three people were found dead in the apartment where the fire LAS VEGAS — A fire in a started, Szymanski said. three-story apartment building in It wasn’t immediately clear downtown Las Vegas where resi- if anyone died after falling or dents were apparently using their jumping from windows, Szyman- stoves for heat killed six people ski said. No firefighters were and forced some residents to injured. jump from upper-floor windows The cause of the fire appeared to escape the heavy smoke before to be accidental, and the fire was dawn Saturday, authorities said. largely contained to the first-floor Investigators reported that the unit where it started in the stove fire started around a first-floor area, Szymanski said. Firefight- unit’s stove and that residents had ers found the burners on, Szy- told them that there was no heat manski said. in the building, which sits a few Residents told investigators blocks from downtown Las Vegas’ and reporters that some had been touristy Fremont Street District. using their apartment’s stoves Residents reported awakening for warmth because the building to pounding on doors around 4 lacked heat. Temperatures over- a.m. night have been dipping into the By the time Matthew Sykes high 30s, according to the Nation- STEVE MARCUS, LAS VEGAS SUN/AP got his clothes on to flee, one end al Weather Service. Meteorolo- of his second-floor hallway was Firefighters work the scene of a fire at a three-story apartment complex on Saturday in Las Vegas. gist Chris Outler said the low was choked with thick black smoke, 40 degrees early Sunday. as was a stairwell, making it im- scene began treating injured and of is: We’ve got to rescue those The Las Vegas Review-Journal Szymanski said firefighters passable for he and his wife. using ladders to rescue numerous people,” he said. “A fall of 16 feet reported that a pregnant woman reported hearing smoke alarms “The whole place was like people already jumping or hang- or higher can be fatal.“ in her first trimester fell after her going off but not fire alarms. The one big black cloud of smoke ing from windows, fire depart- Thirteen people were injured, hands slipped on a rope of bed- State Fire Marshal’s Office will — couldn’t get down the stairs,” ment spokesman Tim Szymanski mostly from smoke inhalation, sheets while descending from her investigate for code violations, in- Sykes told The Associated Press. said. but victims also had fractures, third-floor apartment, leaving cluding any involving fire alarms, Firefighters arriving at the “The first thing that you think Szymanski said. her with multiple fractures. Her he said. Boeing capsule returns after mishap

BY MARCIA DUNN “Congratulations, Starliner,” returning from orbit. Associated Press said Mission Control, calling it a The capsule’s first trip to space successful touchdown. began with a smooth rocket ride CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. A test dummy named Rosie the from Cape Canaveral on Friday. — Boeing safely landed its crew Rocketeer — after Rosie the Riv- But barely a half-hour into the capsule in the New Mexico desert eter from World War II — rode flight, it failed to fire its thrusters Sunday after an aborted flight to in the commander’s seat. Also to give chase to the space station the International Space Station returning were holiday presents, and ended up in the wrong orbit. that threatened to set back the clothes and food that should have The problem was with the company’s effort to launch astro- been delivered to the space sta- Starliner’s internal clock. It did nauts for NASA next year. tion crew. not sync up with the Atlas V The Starliner descended into After seeing this first test flight rocket, throwing off the capsule’s the Army’s White Sands Mis- cut short and the space station timing. sile Range in the frigid predawn docking canceled because of an The capsule burned so much darkness, ending a two-day demo improperly set clock on the cap- fuel trying to orient itself in orbit that should have lasted more than sule, Boeing employees were re- that there wasn’t enough left for a a week. A trio of red, white and lieved to get the Starliner back. space station rendezvous. AUBREY GEMIGNANI, NASA/AP blue parachutes popped open and It was the first American-made Boeing is still trying to fig- The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft lands in White Sands, airbags also inflated around the capsule designed for astronauts ure out how the timing error N.M., on Sunday. spacecraft to ease the impact. to make a ground landing after occurred. Second Amendment Sanctuary push aims to defy new gun laws

BY DENISE LAVOIE their government leaders estab- al Rifle Association’s headquar- duce any new gun control bills a Second Amendment Sanctuary Associated Press lish sanctuaries for gun rights. ters, lawmakers in both parties when Republicans shut it down resolution in April 2018. Camp- The resolutions, promoted have traditionally supported gun after just 90 minutes. bell said he and a local prosecutor BUCKINGHAM, Va. — A heavily by the gun rights group rights. But in recent years, Demo- Gun control advocates are now chose the word “sanctuary” as a standing-room-only crowd of Virginia Citizens Defense League, crats have backed tighter restric- proposing an array of new restric- swipe at Democratic leaders who more than 400 packed the meet- vary from county to county, but tions on guns. tions, including universal back- used the word to describe their ing room, filled the lobby and most declare the intention of The Second Amendment Sanc- ground checks, assault weapon refusal to cooperate with federal spilled into the parking lot recent- local officials to oppose any “un- tuary movement began after bans and red flag laws that would immigration enforcement in the ly in rural Buckingham County, constitutional restrictions” on the Democrats promising new gun allow authorities to temporar- “sanctuary cities” movement. Va. They had one thing on their Second Amendment right to keep control laws took over both cham- ily take guns away from people The movement caught fire, and minds: guns. and bear arms. In the last two bers of the state legislature in the deemed dangerous to themselves today, 70 out the 102 counties in The vast majority favored a months, more than 100 counties, Nov. 5 election. or others. proposal to protect their right cities and towns in Virginia have Gun control proposals gained But many see the bill as the Illinois have approved the resolu- to carry firearms: declaring the approved such resolutions. momentum after a shooter killed first step down a slippery slope tions, Campbell said. county a Second Amendment The current movement began 12 people and injured four others that will end with their guns “What it’s designed to do is to Sanctuary. last year in Illinois and quickly at a Virginia Beach municipal being taken away. send a message to our legisla- Similar scenes have played out spread to numerous states, in- building in May. But a special David Campbell, vice chairman tors letting them know we are not across Virginia over the last six cluding California, Colorado, New legislative session called by Dem- of the Effingham County Board in going to stand for unconstitution- weeks. Gun owners are descend- Mexico and Florida. ocratic Gov. Ralph Northam after Illinois, said his county was one al laws being passed like they are ing on local offices to demand that In Virginia, home to the Nation- the mass shooting failed to pro- of the first in the nation to pass trying to do,” Campbell said. PAGE 10 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Monday, December 23, 2019 NATION Jane Fonda gets arrested for 5th time, turns 82

BY MARISSA J. LANG be a better way to call attention to The Washington Post your cause.” “I think she’s right,” Fonda said WASHINGTON — Jane Fonda, as she walked out of the H. Carl who has been leading weekly Moultrie Courthouse the next day. climate change protests called “My 82-year-old bones hurt.” “Fire Drill Fridays” since early Fonda had been stepping aside October, was arrested Friday for the past several weeks, en- WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD./AP along with 137 other demonstra- couraging others to be arrested Wreckage of a freight line train is shown in the Potomac River on Saturday near Harpers Ferry, W.Va. tors inside the Hart Senate Office in her stead. Building, where 50 U.S. senators Police have have offices. arrested As she was led away by a Capi- several ce- Empty freight train derails in W.Va tol Police officer, her hands bound lebrities, in- by zip ties, a demonstrator called cluding Sally Associated Press out to the crowd, “Everybody sing Field and restore the area. The National Park Service said the derailment ‘happy birthday’ to Jane!” She Ted Dan- HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — A freight train de- pumped her arms above her head son, at the railed as it crossed the Potomac River near Harpers closed access to some parts of Harpers Ferry Na- in triumph as the crowd broke demonstra- Ferry, sending two cars into the water and damaging tional Historic Park and the Chesapeake & Ohio Na- into song. tions. Other a footbridge that is part of the Appalachian Trail. tional Historic Park. Fonda turned 82 on Saturday. Fonda activists also CSX said in a statement that there were no in- Photos released by the park service showed dam- have been The arrest is her fifth in the juries early Saturday morning when seven cars in aged to a footbridge that’s attached to the CSX arrested in droves. past three months during demon- total derailed. CSX said all the cars were empty and bridge and is a part of the Appalachian National But on Friday, Fonda — whose strations calling for government no hazardous materials were involved. Scenic Trail. The park service said that footbridge 1970 raised-fist mug shot has been action on the environment, a re- was closed indefinitely and referred hikers to the a symbol of civil disobedience — CSX said the cause of the derailment is under in- duction in fossil fuel production vestigation and it will work swiftly to clean up and Appalachian Trail Conservancy for updates. and congressional approval of the stepped back into the fray. Green New Deal, an aggressive The rally began in front of the decade long plan to address cli- Capitol, where Fonda led a crowd mate change. in chants and song. Demonstrators who rack up As she climbed to a stage on Texas law to curb jailhouse suicides multiple public disturbance ar- the Capitol lawn, demonstrators rests in a short time are typically greeted the two-time Oscar- held overnight in the District of winning actress with a round of fails to make a dent in the number Columbia jail and made to appear “Happy Birthday.” in front of a judge before they can She was joined by other long- BY RIIN ALJAS Associated Press and the Univer- lem in Texas. The 22 suicides in be set free. It’s not clear whether time activists, including the Rev. AND RYAN E. LITTLE sity of Maryland’s Capital News the state’s jails this year through Fonda spent her birthday in jail. William J. Barber, who revived Capital News Service Service compiled a database of November already surpass the 17 Last month, after Fonda’s the economic justice Poor Peo- more than 400 lawsuits in the last in all of last year, a nearly 30% fourth arrest, she slept on a mat- ple’s Campaign, Buddhist teacher In a county jail in central Texas, five years alleging mistreatment increase. tress-less cot in the jail, where and civil rights activist Roshi an inmate on suicide watch began of inmates in U.S. prisons and Since the Sandra Bland Act she loaned her signature red Joan Halifax, labor organizer Do- strangling himself with a phone jails. Close to 40% involved sui- went into effect in September coat to a fellow shivering inmate lores Huerta and feminist activist cord. The guard watching him cides in local jails — 135 deaths 2017, state figures show staff- inside the drafty building. Upon Gloria Steinem. did not rush in because of secu- and 30 attempts. All but eight in- ing levels at Texas’ 239 local her release, Fonda said, one of Halifax, Barber and Steinem rity rules that prohibit him from volved allegations of neglect by jails have remained largely un- her jailers told her, “There’s gotta were arrested too. Steinem is 85. going into a cell alone, leading the staff. changed at around 25,000 jailers. to an agonizing 10-minute wait “It’s not always maliciousness,” Jails are still required only to before another staffer arrived to Claitor said. “We’re talking about meet state standards that man- provide backup. people who are doing a very tough date a minimum of one jailer for San Quentin Prison inmates Derrek Monroe, who died the job.” every 48 inmates in a single-story next day in a hospital, was among Texas became a national flash- jail. In multistory jails, a guard is the first of 48 jail suicides since point in the debate over jailhouse required for each floor with 10 or run in annual jail marathon the 2017 launch of a sweeping suicides and treatment of men- more inmates. Texas law aimed at reducing such tally ill inmates after the highly At the time of Derrek Monroe’s Associated Press at 3:16:38. deaths through better screening publicized 2015 case of Sandra video-recorded suicide attempt Fidelio Marin finished sec- SAN FRANCISCO — Once and monitoring. That law hasn’t Bland, a black activist who killed on Oct. 1, 2017, the Coleman ond at 3:18:24, despite rolling his a year, the running club at San made a dent in the number of herself in a county jail three days County Jail met state standards ankle on one of the final laps. suicides, and experts blame its after her arrest in a contentious with a single guard overseeing Quentin Prison gets a chance to Jarosik, a former architect, was failure to address one of the most traffic stop. nine inmates and two floors, even race in pursuit of glory. convicted of raping and attempt- significant factors: the lack of Her death led to protests, de- though Monroe was on a suicide The San Francisco Chronicle ing to murder his ex-girlfriend staff to watch troubled inmates. bate and ultimately an ambitious watch because of another attempt reported that 30 inmates took in 2012. Marin was convicted of “Jails are understaffed and part in the annual San Quentin murdering his estranged wife in law in her name that sought to be the day before. often very understaffed,” said Prison Marathon held on Nov. 22. 2011. Both are lifers, like most of a national model. It included pol- Smith said the biggest issue in Diana Claitor, executive director The 26.2-mile run loops 105 the inmates at the prison at the icy changes that required men- Waller County is keeping trained times around the outdoor track of northern edge of San Francisco of the Texas Jail Project, which tally ill inmates to be diverted staff, noting that he often loses California’s oldest prison. Bay. advocates for inmates and their toward treatment, independent guards to larger jails in other Aged 22 to 72, the competitors Markelle “The Gazelle” Taylor, families. “You know you have to investigation of jail deaths, de- counties where there are more are all members of the maximum- who won last year’s marathon, check a suicidal inmate, but at escalation training for police and opportunities for advancement. security prison’s 1,000 Mile Club holds the prison record of 3:10:42. the same time, another crisis or funding for electronic sensors or Other guards leave because they and include inmates incarcerated After 18 years behind bars on fight occurs down the hall, and cameras for accurate and timely are burned out working hard for rape, attempted murder and a second-degree murder con- you have to go there. If you don’t cell checks. hours for little pay. other charges. viction, Taylor was released on have any extra personnel because But critics note that the law “They’re incarcerated every “Running takes you out of this parole in March. A month later, someone is sick, you’re doing ev- had no requirement or money for day along with the inmates,” place,” said Mark Alan Jarosik, he ran the Boston Marathon in erything alone.” additional guards, and jailhouse Smith said. “They just don’t want this year’s winner, who finished 3:03:52, a personal best. In a joint reporting effort, The suicides remain a stubborn prob- to do that 20 years.” Monday, December 23, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP Man pleads to operating cargo ship while drunk

SAN FRANCISCO — A CA Ukrainian man pleaded guilty to being intoxicated while operating a cargo ship in San Francisco Bay, the U.S. attorney’s office announced . Vadim Humenyuk, 51, of Iz- mail acknowledged that he was under the influence while serving as master, or head officer, of the Rainbow Quest on Dec. 10, authorities said. The 590-foot-long Gibraltar- flagged bulk carrier had fueled up in the bay and was preparing to sail to South Korea when a bar pilot notified the Coast Guard that Humenyuk appeared to be intoxicated. Site tells residents when snowplow might arrive

RENO — Lake Tahoe- NV area residents stuck in snow, hoping to go and waiting for their road to be cleared have a new way to see when a snowplow might arrive. Washoe County Roads began posting a snowplow monitoring system featuring an interactive map showing where trucks are operating in Incline Village and Crystal Bay in nearly real-time. County Community Services Operations chief Eric Crump said ROBERT F. B UKATY/AP that by equipping trucks with au- tomated vehicle locator technol- ogy, people can see which areas All aboard The Polar Express have recently been plowed. Passengers check out the steam locomotive prior to boarding The Polar Express on Friday in Portland, Maine. The annual holiday journey is Family discovers owl the largest fundraiser for the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum. in Christmas tree Deputies: Man stole car THE CENSUS Mike Esmond said he will never ATLANTA — A Geor- with sleeping man inside forget the Christmas he and his GA gia family got a real The approximate number of vehicles damaged in a BB three daughters spent in 1983 without heat and power because hoot from its Christmas tree: LAS CRUCES — A gun rampage in Sioux Falls, S.D. Police arrested four men he couldn’t pay his bill. He said More than a week after they NM New Mexico man in connection with the rampage and one of them is facing bought it, they discovered a live 100 a charge of felony intentional damage, Aberdeen American it was one of the coldest days on faces charges after authorities News reported. Damaged vehicles were found throughout owl nestled among its branches. said he stole a car without know- record in Pensacola at only 9 de- Aber deen and Brown County. Police said it appeared the men fired a BB gun from Katie McBride Newman said ing that another man was sleeping grees and remembers there were a moving vehicle. that she and her daughter spotted inside. icicles hanging off the window. the bird Dec. 12. They had bought Joseph Allen, 40, of Las Cruces The 73-year-old small business the 10-foot tall tree from a Home was arrested in connection with owner went to the city of Gulf Depot, taken it back to their At- the theft of the running car in It was ripped from the cement facture before they were painted Breeze this month and requested lanta area home and decorated it. Vado, the Las Cruces Sun-News in the temple’s rotunda in Novem- and otherwise decorated. a list of all utility accounts that The family called a nonprofit reported. ber 2018 and found badly broken Go Collaborative president Jim were past due and at risk of hav- nature center for help. The Chat- According to the Dona Ana on a street in Boston’s West Rox- Evanisko said the damaged art- ing their gas and water turned work can’t be fixed. tahoochee Nature Center caught County Sheriff’s Office, Ignacio bury neighborhood. off. The owners of an auto body the bird and helped the family Baca, of Las Cruces, told authori- Then he paid off all 36 of them, release it. shop near the temple and other ties the episode began after he fell Police: Up to 50 victims totaling about $4,600. asleep in the back seat of his girl- local residents helped restore the in nude photo ring Principal apologizes friend’s 2006 Toyota Corolla. structure free of charge. Police: $4K in school after seizing kids’ pizzas Baca told Dona Ana County Authorities believe the thieves TRENTON — Police Sheriff’s Detective Ileana Adame may have been trying to steal the GA officials in Georgia’s basketball fees stolen that he’d left the vehicle running towering candelabra for its valu- northwestern corner said as many DES MOINES — A Des able metal. IA Moines middle school while he was sleeping, and later as 50 adults and minors may be NEWINGTON — Po- principal apologized for denying woke up and realized the car was victims of a group of people trad- CT lice in a Connecticut traveling east on Interstate 10. students pizzas that had already Police: Heads from ing sexually explicit photos. town are investigating the theft of Allen faces several charges, in- been delivered to their classroom snowmen returned Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross about $4,000 in town basketball cluding aggravated battery with a for a year-end pizza party prom- and Trenton Police Chief Christy registration fees. deadly weapon and auto burglary. ised by their teacher. STROUDSBURG Smith told local news outlets that Newington Police said the theft Brody Middle School Principal PA — Police in northeast- they’re working with Dade Coun- happened Dec. 13 as town offi- Thomas Hoffman intercepted the Temple rededicating ern Pennsylvania said that sus- ty High School and others to iden- cials were collecting registration tify victims. pizzas last week, citing a school stolen menorah pects returned the decapitated fees for the upcoming high school fairness policy. That led parent heads from four snowmen placed Investigators are urging potential victims to come forward. recreational basketball league. Neil Erickson to post about the BROOKLINE — A around town as a holiday promo- Police said a parks and recre- incident on social media, saying MA 500-pound menorah tion and arts project. Man pays families’ past ation department employee had his son and his classmates were stolen from a Jewish temple in a Stroud Area Regional Police left an envelope containing cash, unfairly denied and that their Boston suburb last year was re- said the group of vandals cap- due electric bills checks and credit card informa- teacher was “left in tears.” tured on video in Stroudsburg dedicated after being recovered tion unattended at a registration Hoffman issued a public apolo- and repaired. came forward and admitted what GULF BREEZE — A table set up in the Mortensen gy, saying he was “overly strict” in The Boston Globe reported happened. Florida man who once FL Community Center gymnasium. applying the school’s standards. the six-foot-tall copper menorah The project led by the Go Col- spent a Christmas without elec- Several restaurants planned was one of two that had stood on laborative picked artists for each tricity is paying it forward . He The employee returned a short to send pizzas to the school , the the grounds of Temple Emeth in snowman, which organizers say paid the power bills for 36 fami- time later to find it missing. newspaper reported. Brookline since 1948. cost about $2,000 apiece to manu- lies with past due accounts. From wire reports PAGE 12 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Monday, December 23, 2019 WORLD N. Korean meeting eyes steps to boost military

BY HYUNG-JIN KIM the affiliation of some units and changing Associated Press deployment of (others). ” KCNA didn’t elaborate. But South Ko- SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea rean media speculated the meeting might said Sunday leader Kim Jong Un has con- have discussed the restructuring of mili- vened a key ruling party meeting to decide PAUL WHITE/AP on steps to bolster the country’s military tary units over the deployment of new capability. weapons that the North had test-launched A woman dressed as Santa Claus, holding a large replica lottery ticket, sits outside The meeting came amid speculation that in recent months, and what steps it will as others wait to enter the Teatro Real opera house for the Christmas lottery draw in the North could abandon diplomacy with take in coming weeks. Madrid on Sunday. the U.S. and launch either a long-range North Korea is to hold a higher level missile or a satellite-carrying rocket if Workers’ Party gathering, a Central Com- Washington doesn’t accept its demand for mittee meeting, later this month to discuss Spanish lottery delivers Yule cheer new incentives to salvage faltering nuclear what it previously described as “crucial is- negotiations by year’s end. sues” in line with “the changed situation at Associated Press prizes. The Korean Central News Agency said home and abroad.” Other lotteries have bigger individual Kim presided over a meeting of the Cen- BARCELONA, Spain — The lucky hold- In Washington, the White House said top prizes but Spain’s Christmas lottery, tral Military Commission of the Workers’ President Donald Trump discussed “recent ers of ticket number 26590 struck it rich Party. It didn’t say when it took place. in Spain on Sunday when they won the top held each year on Dec. 22, is ranked as the threatening statements” by North Korea in world’s richest for the total prize money It cited Kim as saying the meeting would a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister prize in the nation’s bumper Christmas determine “important organizational and lottery. involved. Shinzo Abe. The two leaders agreed to con- political measures and military steps to The top-prize winning number, known The winning tickets were sold in the tinue close communication, it said. bolster up the overall armed forces ... as as El Gordo (The Fat One), worth 400,000 northeastern provinces of Tarragona and required by the fast-changing situation Earlier this month, North Korea carried euros ($436,000) fell out of the enormous Barcelona, in central Madrid and Sala- and crucial time of the developing Korean out two major tests at its long-range rocket metallic shuffling bins in a live televised manca, and in southern Alicante, Murcia revolution.” and missile engine testing site. Experts event. The winners won 20,000 euros for and Seville. According to KCNA, the gathering de- said they were engine tests that indicate each euro spent on a 20-euro ticket. Spain established its national lottery as cided on “important military issues and that North might be preparing for a banned The incredibly popular lottery dishes out a charity in 1763 during the reign of King measures for organizing or expanding and satellite launch or an intercontinental bal- a total of 2.24 billion euros ($2.43 billion) in Carlos III. Its objective later became to reorganizing new units ... (and) changing listic missile test. prizes this year, including lots of smaller shore up state coffers and help charities. Monday, December 23, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 13 WORLD Man who used narwhal tusk to stop attack ID’d Fire reveals lead dust dangers

BY THOMAS ADAMSON Officials in other historic Euro- ed Parisians to an environmental Associated Press He said Khan had two large Associated Press pean capitals such as Rome and health risk, they were forced to knives, one in each hand, and LONDON — A mysterious fig- London, as well as the U.S. En- cobble together disparate and in- pointed at his midriff. PARIS — It took a blaze that ure who used a rare narwhal tusk vironmental Protection Agency complete research to set a make- “He turned and spoke to me, nearly destroyed Paris’ most fa- to help subdue a knife-wielding and the World Health Organiza- shift safety level in an attempt to then indicated he had an explo- mous cathedral to reveal a gap in extremist on London Bridge last tion, also have no such outdoor reassure the public. global safety regulations for lead, month has been identified as a sive device around his waist,” lead dust hazard guidelines. Officials were surprised to dis- civil servant in Britain’s Justice Frost said. a toxic building material found The reason, they say, is that al- cover that while safety guidelines Ministry. “At this point, the man next across many historic cities. though there are lead regulations, exist in France for lead levels Darryn Frost broke his silence to me threw his chair at the at- After the Notre Dame fire in no one contemplated a conflagra- inside buildings and schools, as Saturday, telling Britain’s Press tacker, who then started running April spewed dozens of tons of tion on a lead-laden building the well as in paint, soil and air pol- Association that he and others re- towards him with knives raised toxic lead dust into the atmo- scale of Notre Dame. lution, there were zero hazard acted instinctively when Usman above his head.” sphere in just a few hours, Paris Poisoning from lead dust can guidelines for lead accumulations Khan start- The confrontation quickly authorities discovered a problem cause permanent loss of cognitive in public spaces, such as dust on ed stabbing moved onto London Bridge, where with the city’s public safety regu- ability, seizures, coma or death the ground. people at a Frost and others — including one lations: There was no threshold — and exposure is of greatest risk Health officials told the AP that prison re- man who sprayed Khan with a for them to gauge how dangerous to pregnant mothers and to young Paris still does not have any offi- habilitation fire extinguisher — managed to the potentially deadly pollution children, who can easily transfer cial regulatory threshold. program at fight the attacker to the ground was from the dust that settled on toxic dust into their mouths. The World Health Organization Fishmon- until police arrived. the ground. After 250 tons of lead on Notre told the AP it also has no outdoor gers’ Hall The extremist, who had served Since then, The Associated Dame’s spire and roof was en- safety guidelines for lead dust next to the prison time for earlier terrorism Press has found this regulatory gulfed in flames in central Paris and has no “immediate” intention bridge Nov. offenses, was shot dead by police gap extends far beyond France. on April 15 and authorities alert- to create any. 29. moments later after he threatened again to detonate his vest. Frost Frost used the rare nar- There had been much specula- whal tusk that he grabbed from tion in the British media about the the wall to help subdue Khan even identity of the man who used the though the attacker claimed to be narwhal tusk in such a dangerous about to detonate a suicide vest, situation. which turned out to be a fake de- He was one of a handful of vice with no explosives. The inter- people who defied danger to help vention of Frost and others helped keep Khan from doing even more keep the death count to two. damage in the crowded hall and He said another man used a on the bridge. chair as a weapon in the desper- Frost said he was “eternally ate struggle. grateful” to the former prisoners “When we heard the noise from and the members of the public the floor below, a few of us rushed who were taking part in the meet- to the scene,” the 38-year-old said. ing and ran to help. “I took a narwhal tusk from the Frost said he was withhold- wall and used it to defend myself ing many details out of respect and others from the attacker. An- for the victims and their fami- other man was holding the attack- lies and because of the ongoing er at bay with a wooden chair.” investigation.

India’s PM defends amid public anger at his absence during a national crisis and ar- citizenship law at rally rived home Saturday night. He NEW DELHI — Clashes con- spoke to reporters Sunday morn- tinued Sunday between Indian ing while visiting the headquar- police and protesters angered ters of the Rural Fire Service in by a new citizenship law that ex- Sydney. cludes Muslims as Prime Minis- Thirty firefighters from Can- ter Narendra Modi used a rally ada and nine from the United for his Hindu nationalist party States were among fresh crews to defend the legislation, accus- set to join the battle against the ing the opposition of pushing the fires on Sunday. country into a “fear psychosis.“ Twenty-three people have been Philippine troops rescue killed nationwide since the law 2 held by militants was passed in Parliament earlier this month in protests that repre- MANILA, Philippines — Phil- sent the first major roadblock for ippine forces rescued two of Modi’s Hindu nationalist agenda three Indonesian hostages Sun- since his party’s landslide re- day after a gunbattle with their election last spring. captors from the Muslim militant Most of the deaths have oc- group Abu Sayyaf in the southern curred in the northern state of jungles, a regional military com- Uttar Pradesh, where 20% of the mander said. state’s 200 million people are A soldier and a militant were Muslim. killed in two successive firefights at dawn that allowed troops to A ussie leader apologizes rescue the two Indonesians in the mountainous hinterlands off Pan- for vacation amid fires amao town in Sulu province, said SYDNEY — Australian Prime Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana. Minister Scott Morrison apolo- Troops, backed by rocket-firing gized Sunday for taking a fam- helicopters, were pursuing the ily vacation in Hawaii as deadly militants in an effort to rescue bushfires raged across several the third Indonesian, he said. states, destroying homes and The Indonesian fishermen claiming the lives of two volun- were kidnapped by the ransom- teer firefighters. seeking militants in September Morrison cut short a vacation off Malaysia’s Sabah state. with his wife and adult children From The Associated Press PAGE 14 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Monday, December 23, 2019 FACES

Q&A Enduring droid Anthony Daniels talks long ride as C-3PO in Star Wars films

BY JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. Associated Press nthony Daniels went through a painful experience after not receiv- Aing the same amount of public recognition as other co-stars when the first Star Wars film was released in 1977. In time, Daniels’ C-3PO character became one of the most popular in the franchise and he’s LUCASFILM/AP the only cast member to have C-3PO, portrayed by Anthony Daniels, center, is shown in a scene appeared in all nine of the main from “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” “Star Wars” films. The Brit- ish actor plays the soft-spoken great. As an actor, you’re always came out. That was a painful ex- “protocol droid” built by young looking for the next job. And often perience that lasted quite a while, Anakin Skywalker that is fluent that next job for me has been but then changed over the course in 6 million languages. His gold- something to do with Star Wars. in time. It brings me here today plated character also appeared in The friendship and companion- with my name on the poster. Only the franchise’s spin-off “Rogue ship of being C-3PO has been parents care about that sort of One,” and had a cameo in “Ralph quite a gift. thing. Breaks the Internet.” Are you surprised Star Wars What has been your most C-3PO’s witty exchanges with made it this far? memorable experience? fellow droid R2-D2 often served At the end of “A New Hope,” In the desert on the first epi- as comic relief, making the tan- the original film, I thought that sode. It was absolutely riveting. dem fan favorites. was it. Twelve weeks of weird and It had such an impact. Seeing the It’s been a long ride for Dan- difficult work. Not entirely won- effect of people looking at me in iels, 73, who believes his appear- derful. I thought that was it. Then the costume then seeing their CHRIS PIZZELLO/AP ance in “The Rise of Skywalker,” they came and said “Let’s make reactions. You are the center of which opened in theaters Friday, another one, then another.” . . . So attention. They can’t see you, but Anthony Daniels arrives at the world premiere of “Star Wars: The will likely be his last film appear- I’ve been swept along by forces you’re absorbing the energy. That Rise of Skywalker” on Dec. 16 in Los Angeles. ance as C-3PO. He highlights his beyond my control. But finally, it was pretty intense. That stays Star Wars experiences in his new is ending. with me. He’s kind of my friend, my com- ally gone anymore. You may not memoir “I Am C-3PO: The Inside Is “A New Hope” your favorite When you put on your cos- panion. He’s somebody I know be able to physically touch them. Story,” which was released in late film compared to the rest? tume, what goes through your quite well. I want to be with him But they are there. There are October. Yes, because I understood it. mind? all the time. I’m proud to know fond memories. In a recent interview, Daniels The story was simple enough that Here we go again. Why am I him. What mark has your character spoke with The Associated Press I got it. It got a bit complicated doing this? And then, adrenaline What was it like for you not and Star Wars left? about playing C-3PO and reflects after that. It was an innocent film is a great thing when somebody having Carrie Fisher around It’s so big that I kind of don’t get on some of the best memories in out of nowhere. on set says “action.” Suddenly, during filming “The Rise of it yet. I need to be away from it the past 42 years in the iconic It was your favorite film, but your professional skills take over. Skywalker?” for a while. Maybe I need to talk franchise. you struggled with being over- The adrenaline gently sets in and It was little wistful. But she is to more fans. So many people say AP: What has it been like to looked after “Star Wars’ ” re- you put up with stuff. You make it so there in all these films. You “Thank you for my childhood.” be in all nine films? lease as well, right? work as a professional actor. sort of forget that she’s died, be- We have given people a lot of stuff. Daniels: It’s been a ton of work, It was difficult not being asso- What does the character, C- cause she’s just there. That’s the They have given back with all and a ton of employment, which is ciated with the film when it first 3PO, mean to you? magic of the media. Nobody is re- their enthusiasm and affection.

Other news Del Rey releasing spoken-word album Idris Elba and his wife have been granted honorary citizen- From wire reports half of what the spoken-word album was going for to ship in his late father’s homeland benefit Native American organizations around the of Sierra Leone. Authorities gave New year, new Lana Del Rey. country, whether it was for preserving their rights diplomatic passports Friday to The singer-songwriter announced Friday that or trying to help keep their land intact,” she said. the British star and his Canadian she’ll release a spoken-word album next month for The “Summertime Sadness” hit-maker elaborat- wife, Sabrina Dhowre, asking “around $1,” and that half of the profits will be do- ed that a previous effort to trace her family lineage them to serve as “brand ambas- nated to Native American organizations. The lyri- had deepened her connection to America and partly sadors” for the country. Sierra cist, who is known for weaving spoken-word into her inspired one of her prior projects. Del Rey’s music, Leone is home to chimpanzees, music, explained her choices as she shared the news such as 2012’s “American,” has been known to fea- pristine beaches and surfing, but on social media. ture patriotic themes. the country is more widely known “My new book, ‘Violet Bent Backwards Over the “I just really wanted to pay homage to the country as the scene of a brutal war in the Grass,’ is taking a lot longer to hand-bind than I that I love so much by doing my own reparation, I late 1990s. thought, and I just wanted to let you know that I’m guess I would say — my own reparative act,” she The NBA announced that going to put up a spoken-word album, if you can call said in the video. “I have no reasoning for it, other Grammy winners Common and it that,” she said in an Instagram video. “I knew I than it just feels right to me. And so, for as long as Chance The Rapper will be wanted the album to be around $1 because I just my album, my spoken-word album, is distributed, headliners at the All-Star Game loved the idea that thoughts are meant to be shared half of it will be going to Native American organiza- in Chicago on Feb. 16. Both per- and that they were priceless in some way.” tions across America, so I’m very excited about that, formers were born in Chicago. The album, similar to her forthcoming book, will and I’m in the middle of speaking to people from the Common will deliver remarks JAY L. CLENDENIN, LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS feature Del Rey’s “freestyle poetry.” It will be her organizations that will change every year.” about what basketball means to first all-spoken-word collection, coming months Described as “not particularly polished” and “a Pop star Lana Del Rey said the city before he introduces the after she dropped her critically acclaimed latest bit more gritty,” the album will serve as a sort of half the profits from her album rosters before the game. Chance studio effort, “Norman F---ing Rockwell.” late holiday gift to her fans, who as of Friday had of “freestyle poetry” will be The Rapper and some guests will “There was a second part that I had been think- already viewed the announcement video more than donated to Native American perform at halftime, doing a med- ing of before releasing it, which was that I wanted a million times. organizations around the U.S. ley of some of his biggest hits. Monday, December 23, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 15 PAGE 16 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Monday, December 23, 2019 OPINION Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Sean Klimek, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander A shift toward the realists in the race Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY STEPHEN STROMBERG out that even President Richard M. Nixon “We can also be smart about the promis- Joshua M. Lashbrook, Pacific Chief of Staff The Washington Post allowed his aides to testify, calling on acting es we’re making, make sure they’re prom- White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney ises that we can keep without the kind of EDITORIAL LOS ANGELES and former national security adviser John taxation that economists tell us could hurt or much of the Democratic presi- Bolton to appear before Congress. Provid- the economy. Terry Leonard, Editor dential race, an obstreperous ing detailed and substantive answers deliv- “It’s why, for example, I’ve proposed [email protected] left wing defined the contest. ered with increasing poise, Klobuchar has that we make college free for 80 percent of Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor FThursday’s debate showed that done better every debate. Americans. But it doesn’t have to be free [email protected] has changed. Next, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders em- for the top. If you’re in that top 10 percent, Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content Not long ago, it was unclear whether barrassed himself by explaining that the how about you pay your own tuition and we [email protected] a Democratic candidate would be viable trade agreement with Canada and Mexico save those dollars for something else that without embracing progressive activists’ that Congress is considering would make we could spend them on that would make a Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation demands for “Medicare for All” and the [email protected] some small improvements — which is why big difference, whether it’s infrastructure, Green New Deal. Massachusetts Sen. Eliz- he is opposing it. Others onstage declined child care, housing, health? Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital abeth Warren rose in the polls as she pro- to make perfect the enemy of the good. “On issue after issue, we’ve got to break [email protected] posed policy after policy, each seemingly Then came the most illustrative philo- out of the Washington mindset that mea- more immoderate than the last. The race sophical contrast of the evening, on taxes, sures the bigness of an idea by how many BUREAU STAFF seemed to be slipping into a deadly spiral between Warren and South Bend, Ind., trillions of dollars it adds to the budget or for the Democratic Party, in which candi- Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Moderator Judy Europe/Mideast the boldness of an idea by how many fellow dates proposed increasingly extreme poli- Woodruff asked Warren to respond to Americans it can antagonize.” Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief cies to out-progressive each other. [email protected] economists who warn that her plan to enact Klobuchar summed up this approach +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 Instead, those in the race speaking up the biggest tax increase since World War II later on, as the candidates yelled at one an- for realism calculated that the candidates would hurt the economy. other about health care. “You can be pro- Pacific on the left had overreached. They were Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief “Oh, they’re just wrong,” she said flip- gressive and practical at the same time,” [email protected] right. These realists have become more pantly. Warren argued that investing in ed- she said. She should have expanded: It is +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 prominent, and they have grown into the ucation, child care and other government more progressive to be practical, because, spotlight. services would help the economy, which is as Buttigieg explained, that is the best way Washington As the debate began, Minnesota Sen. not the point. The question is whether the Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief to ensure the government has the resourc- Amy Klobuchar offered the best answer on [email protected] growth-slowing effects of increasing taxes es to invest in progressive priorities. impeachment. Rather than just assuming (+1)(202)886-0033 as high and in the manner she suggests Former Vice President Joe Biden, the Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News that those watching agreed that President would swamp the stimulative effects of the other relative moderate onstage, was more [email protected] Donald Trump deserves to be impeached, spending she proposes. Economists — and inert. In fact, Buttigieg by far drew the as the other candidates did, she stayed on not just right-wing, partisan economists — most fire from the other candidates, be- CIRCULATION point, making the case for indicting the have increasingly raised the alarm about cause of his rising polling numbers in Iowa Mideast president. Warren’s program. and New Hampshire. As much as anything Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager “This is a global Watergate,” she ex- Buttigieg responded: else, that is a measure of how the intellec- [email protected] plained. “In the case of Watergate, a para- “I think we’re being offered a false choice [email protected] tual tenor of the race has shifted toward noid president facing election looked for that you either have to go all the way to the DSN (314)583-9111 the realists. dirt on a political opponent. He did it by extreme or it’s business as usual. Yes, we Europe getting people to break in. This president must deliver big ideas and, yes, taxes on Stephen Stromberg is a Washington Post editorial Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager writer. He specializes in domestic policy, [email protected] did it by calling a foreign leader to look for wealthy individuals and on corporations including energy, the environment, legal affairs [email protected] dirt on a political opponent.” She pointed are going to have to go up. and public health. +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 Changing sports landscape seen in MLS’ growth CONTACT US BY CONOR SEN week, MLS said that a group paid a record The third is that there are a dwindling Washington Bloomberg Opinion $325 million to win the rights to a team in number of potential expansion cities. tel: (+1)202.886.0003 Charlotte, N.C., becoming the 30th team Major League Baseball and the NBA each 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 ttendance is falling, even in in the league. That compares with the $70 have 30 teams (although some cities have Reader letters the midst of a strong economy. million fee that Atlanta United paid five more than one team from a single league). [email protected] Perhaps some of that decline can years ago. The NFL has 32 teams. Before Charlotte be attributed to the improvement Additional contacts A So what explains the gold rush? Even if was announced as the 30th team in MLS, in high-definition broadcasting and the stripes.com/contactus attendance and TV ratings for sports are there was a sense that the window to land prevalence of large flat-screen televisions, falling, there are a host of reasons that an expansion team was closing. If Char- OMBUDSMAN which make watching at home a much bet- would-be ownership groups are willing to lotte hadn’t offered an aggressive bid it ter experience than in the past. But that bet on the fortunes of soccer in the U.S. may well have lost out to Phoenix; Las Ernie Gates wouldn’t explain why TV ratings this sea- The first is that pro soccer probably has Vegas; Detroit; Raleigh, N.C.; or any of a son for the National Basketball Association the potential for more revenue growth in handful of other major cities that have yet The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow of news and information, reporting any attempts by the have fallen by double digits, although that the U.S. than other sports leagues. Maybe to gain a team. military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s might, in part, reflect the continuing de- MLS will never be as big as the NFL or There’s also the promise that the 2026 independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns cline in the number of subscribers to the World Cup set to be held in North America and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fair- the English Premier League, but given the ness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman cable bundle. Major League Baseball, changing demographics in the U.S., with will be a catalyst for a new phase of growth welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted meanwhile, is looking to eliminate almost in U.S. soccer, particularly as millennials by email at [email protected], or by phone at young people showing more interest in soc- 202.886.0003. a quarter of its minor-league franchises, cer than older people, it seems inevitable become parents of kids who may learn to many of which are in declining or rural love and play the game. that soccer’s popularity and revenues will communities. Just about the only bright start catching up with other more lucrative Last, it’s worth noting how different the Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- spot on the sports landscape is Major league’s geographic footprint is compared days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday sports leagues. through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and League Soccer, where prospective inves- The second is to consider what can hap- with that of Major League Baseball, some- Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals tors are paying ever-higher fees for the pen to a well-managed new MLS franchise. times still referred to as America’s pastime. postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send A third of MLB franchises are in the Mid- address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, opportunity get in on the one sport where In 2017, Atlanta United entered MLS in a APO AP 96301-5002. there’s real growth in North America. city that can be a tough sell for pro sports. west, and four of those cities — Milwaukee, This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Cleveland, Detroit and Pittsburgh — don’t Defense for members of the military services overseas. Before anyone gets too excited, it’s im- Yet the team quickly led the league in at- However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, portant to note that compared with either tendance, playing in front of NFL-size have MLS franchises. Neither do India- and are not to be considered as the official views of, or napolis or Buffalo, N.Y., two other metro endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, the National Football League or the big crowds several times a year, and won MLS’ Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official chan- European soccer leagues, MLS is still in U.S. Open Cup Final in its second season areas that have multiple pro sports fran- nels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote the minor leagues when it comes to reve- in the league. Forbes now says it’s the most chises. Meanwhile, MLS will have teams locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. entering the league in the next few years in The appearance of advertising in this publication does nue. Last year, the NFL grossed more than valuable team in the league, with a value not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense $16 billion. MLS is in the neighborhood of $500 million — still a far cry from NFL Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tenn.; and Char- or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. lotte — where Major League Baseball is Products or services advertised shall be made available for of about $1 billion, with the average team valuations, where the average team is purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, pulling in about $30 million, or roughly worth close to $3 billion, but it shows that absent. Based on geography, this suggests religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical that baseball represents America’s past 10% as much as the average club in the there’s momentum. Prospective ownership handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor while soccer reflects its future. of the purchaser, user or patron. English Premier League. groups now have a data point showing that Despite this backdrop, expansion fees big-time fan interest and revenue growth Bloomberg Opinion columnist Conor Sen is a © Stars and Stripes 2019 portfolio manager for New River Investments in — the price new ownership groups are justify higher prices for those that want to Atlanta and has been a contributor to the Atlantic stripes.com paying to join MLS — are soaring. Last join MLS. and Business Insider. Monday, December 23, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 17 SCOREBOARD/SPORTS BRIEFS

Sports College basketball Sam Houston St. 87, New Orleans 79 Saturday’s men’s scores Texas Tech 68, Texas Rio Grande Val- on AFN EAST ley 58 Augsburg 90, St. Mary’s (Md.) 73 FAR WEST Bentley 74, Felician 64 Drake 85, Air Force 80 Boston College 64, California 60 Long Beach St. 68, Utah Valley 65 Go to the American Forces Boston U. 74, Mass.-Lowell 62 Simon Fraser 58, Colorado Mines 53 Bryant 64, Dartmouth 60 Stanford 62, San Diego 59 Network website for the most Buffalo 92, Niagara 72 UNLV 81, Robert Morris 69 up-to-date TV schedules. Carnegie-Mellon 86, Chatham 64 Washington St. 87, Incarnate Word 59 Drexel 53, Norfolk St. 49 myafn.net East Stroudsburg 83, Mercyhurst 64 Edinboro 88, Kutztown 86, OT Saturday’s women’s scores Emory & Henry 74, Skidmore 67 EAST Findlay 79, St. Thomas Aquinas 62 Alderson-Broaddus 66, WV Wesleyan Deals Geneva 58, Goucher 53 61 Georgetown 99, Samford 71 Assumption 60, Dist. of Columbia 51 Harvard 88, George Washington 75 Bentley 74, S. New Hampshire 66 Jefferson 79, Holy Family 54 Saturday’s transactions La Roche 89, Pitt.-Greensburg 73 Bloomfield 63, Caldwell 61 La Salle 66, Fairleigh Dickinson 58 Boston U. 74, Dartmouth 56 BASEBALL Bridgeport 90, Queens (NY) 62 American League Lawrence 83, Husson 60 ADAM HUNGER/AP Loyola (Md.) 72, Elizabethtown 45 Bucknell 70, St. Francis (Pa.) 46 DETROIT TIGERS — Designated 1B CCSU 61, Hartford 54 Brandon Dixon for assignment. Agreed Mercy 80, Notre Dame (Ohio) 75 Pitcher Dallas Keuchel has agreed to a $55 million, three-year deal to terms with 2B Jonathan Schoop and Molloy 76, NYIT 74 Columbia 99, NJIT 43 1B C.J. Cron on one-year contracts. Monmouth (NJ) 72, Albany (NY) 70 Fairleigh Dickinson 77, St. Peter’s 71 with the Chicago White Sox, a person familiar with the negotiations TEXAS RANGERS — Designated RHP Moravian 83, Immaculata 70 Gannon 70, Bloomsburg 56 said Saturday. Jimmy Herget for assignment. Pace 80, S. New Hampshire 76 Georgetown 57, Md.-Eastern Shore 39 National League Penn 105, Widener 57 Goldey Beacom 70, Wilmington (Del.) ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Traded OF Post (Conn.) 82, Concordia (N.Y.) 57 69 Adolis Garcia to Texas for cash. Providence 70, Texas 48 Grove City 75, Juniata 45 SAN DIEGO PADRES — Announced the Quinnipiac 69, Bowling Green 64 Hofstra 58, Campbell 55 Brieﬂ y retirement of INF Ian Kinsler, who will re- Randolph 86, New Paltz 73 Holy Family 71, Jefferson 64 main with the club as an adviser to base- Rhode Island 86, W. Kentucky 82, OT Immaculata 77, Bryn Athyn 58 ball operations. Shippensburg 69, Indiana (Pa.) 66 Lock Haven 77, Pitt.-Johnstown 62 BASKETBALL Siena 81, Bucknell 71 Mansfield 62, Clarion 59 NBA G League Stony Brook 77, American U. 74 Merrimack 73, Mass.-Lowell 50 CAPITAL CITY GO-GOS — Reacquired G Syracuse 82, North Florida 70 Molloy 54, NYIT 46 Chris Chiozza. Temple 78, Rider 66 Northeastern 66, Maine 58 FOOTBALL Towson 86, Tulane 82, OT Notre Dame (Md.) 83, Penn St.-York 51 Source: Keuchel National Football League Villanova 56, Kansas 55 Nyack 69, Dominican (NY) 66 CLEVELAND BROWNS — Waived DT Wagner 82, Army 62 Oneonta 43, Colby-Sawyer 36 Brandin Bryant. Signed DE Robert Mc- SOUTH Post (Conn.) 73, Concordia (NY) 60 Cray from the practice squad. Ala.-Huntsville 75, Spring Hill 55 Quinnipiac 75, Rhode Island 63 GREEN BAY PACKERS — Placed OT Alabama 92, Belmont 72 Sciences (Pa.) 62, Chestnut Hill 37 Yosh Nijman on IR. Signed OT John Le- Albany (Ga.) 81, Central St. (Ohio) 76 Scranton 100, Rosemont 44 glue from New Orleans’ practice squad. Appalachian St. 70, Troy 65 St. Rose 69, Georgian Court 63 OAKLAND RAIDERS — Placed LB Mar- Arkansas St. 62, Louisiana-Monroe 59 joining White Sox Towson 59, Marshall 56 quel Lee on IR. Signed G Lester Cotton Auburn 74, Lehigh 51 UMass 65, Iona 51 Sr. Bethune-Cookman 85, Marist 56 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Announced Vermont 73, LIU Brooklyn 62 BY RONALD BLUM Campbell 82, Johnson & Wales (NC) Villanova 77, La Salle 69 sons intentionally made changes the retirement of RB Darren Sproles. 59 TENNESSEE TITANS — Waived LB Sarif SOUTH Associated Press in the electronic database to dis- Catawba 94, Southern Wesleyan 87 Abilene Christian 95, Nicholls 84 Finch. Signed RB Dalyn Dawkins from the Cedarville 87, Lynn 84, OT tort the parameters and indica- practice squad. Charleston Southern 76, E. Kentucky Central St. (Ohio) 66, Albany (Ga.) 56 The Chicago White Sox and 69 Charlotte 75, Davidson 64 tors of Russian athletes’ doping Chattanooga 68, UNC Asheville 64 Clayton St. 67, Georgia College 42 left-hander Dallas Keuchel have samples,” Russian Investigative Coastal Carolina 81, South Alabama Colorado 62, Tulane 52 agreed to a $55.5 million, three- College football 69 Francis Marion 82, Young Harris 73 Committee (IC) spokeswoman Coll. of Charleston 73, SC State 61 Furman 63, Saint Joseph’s 48 year deal, a person familiar with Svetlana Petrenko said in a state- Duquesne 86, Austin Peay 77 Georgia St. 77, SC State 52 the negotiations told The Associ- NCAA FCS playoffs ETSU 80, Cleveland St. 55 Georgia Tech 54, Rice 52 ment Saturday. Embry-Riddle 121, Fort Valley St. 85 Hampton 69, Richmond 65 ated Press. Since leaving Russia, Rodchen- Quarterfinals Florida Gulf Coast 84, St. Thomas (Fla.) Harvard 65, FAU 51 Friday, Dec. 13 62 Howard 86, George Mason 75 The person spoke on the condi- kov has become a key witness for James Madison 17, Northern Iowa 0 Florida Southern 119, American Inter- Lander 92, Columbus St. 78 tion of anonymity Saturday night WADA, which ruled this month Montana State 24, Austin Peay 10 national 89 Lincoln (Pa.) 68, NC Central 53 Weber State 17, Montana 10 Florida St. 66, South Florida 60 Miami 74, Washington St. 68 because the agreement had not that the doping data — known as Saturday, Dec. 14 George Mason 69, UMBC 53 Mississippi St. 72, Virginia 59 been announced. Keuchel’s deal the LIMS database — was doc- North Dakota State 9, Illinois State 3 Georgia Southern 77, Texas-Arlington Mount Vernon Nazarene 91, St. Thom- Semifinals 74 as (Fla.) 74 includes a vesting option for 2023 tored to protect Russian athletes Saturday, Dec. 21 Georgia St. 81, Texas St. 69 North Alabama 85, SIU-Edwardsville that would bring the total value to who failed drug tests while the North Dakota State 42, Montana State High Point 92, Belmont Abbey 66 67 14 Liberty 80, Akron 67 North Georgia 59, UNC Pembroke 45 $74 million. data was in the custody of the IC. James Madison 30, Weber State 14 Memphis 77, Jackson St. 49 Old Dominion 85, Mount St. Mary’s 34 The 31-year-old Keuchel won Championship Miami 91, Coppin St. 60 Rodchenkov’s lawyer told the Saturday, Jan. 11 Presbyterian 74, Brevard 45 Mississippi 83, SE Louisiana 76 SC-Aiken 68, Ga. Southwestern 52 the AL Cy Young Award with the AP the new allegation against his At Toyota Stadium Mount Olive 78, Wingate 75 Frisco, Texas Sam Houston St. 78, New Orleans 46 Houston Astros in 2015 but strug- client is a “farce.” North Carolina 74, UCLA 64 Shaw 58, Claflin 53 North Dakota State (15-0) vs. James Northwestern St. 67, Lamar 61 gled to find work last offseason as Madison (14-1) Tennessee Tech 78, Lipscomb 58 “Rodchenkov could not and did Ohio St. 71, Kentucky 65 UAB 84, Texas Southern 68 a free agent. He signed a roughly not log into the LIMS database,“ SC-Upstate 92, Bob Jones 74 UCF 69, Wright St. 53 NCAA Division II playoffs Shaw 58, Claflin 53 UNC Asheville 53, Southern U. 34 $13 million, one-year deal with Jim Walden told The Associated Southern Miss. 96, Tougaloo 77 Semifinals UNC-Greensboro 82, High Point 70 the Atlanta Braves in June and Press. “We are not aware of any- St. Bonaventure 66, Middle Tennessee UNLV 61, South Florida 51 Saturday, Dec. 14 65 went 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA for the Minnesota State 58, Slippery Rock 15 Virginia Tech 84, Wichita St. 63 one else that logged in. The point Stephen F. Austin 81, McNeese St. 73 Wake Forest 73, Florida 68 West Florida 28, Ferris State 14 Tennessee 75, Jacksonville St. 53 NL East champions. is that this is all a charade.” Championship Tennessee St. 86, Blue Mountain 71 West Florida 59, Southern Wesleyan The long-bearded veteran joins WADA this month banned Rus- Saturday, Dec. 21 UAB 71, Alabama St. 63 45 At McKinney, Texas UALR 69, Louisiana-Lafayette 66 Winthrop 63, W. Carolina 60 catcher Yasmani Grandal as a big- sia from next year’s Tokyo Olym- West Florida 48 vs. Minnesota State UNC Greensboro 67, N. Kentucky 50 MIDWEST money addition to the White Sox pics over the data manipulation, 40 Utah St. 65, Florida 62 Akron 52, Morgan St. 45 Vanderbilt 88, UNC Wilmington 73 Barry 82, Ohio Dominican 66 this offseason. Grandal signed a though Russian athletes can still NCAA Division III playoffs Virginia Tech 64, VMI 55 Bradley 66, E. Washington 46 $73 million, four-year contract compete as neutrals. W. Carolina 89, Tennessee Tech 76 Cincinnati 69, Pittsburgh 53 Semifinals Wake Forest 76, NC A&T 64 Dayton 94, East Carolina 68 with Chicago last month. Saturday, Dec. 14 Winthrop 85, Elon 80 Defiance 66, Kalamazoo 60 North Central (Ill.) 45, Muhlenberg 14 E. Michigan 84, Detroit 70 Keuchel and Gonzalez will join Scott earns first win Wisconsin-Whitewater 35, Saint John’s MIDWEST Iowa 79, Drake 67 a rotation led by All-Star Lucas (Minn.) 32 Arkansas 72, Valparaiso 68 Liberty 68, UMKC 44 Giolito that also includes Rey- in almost four years Championship Butler 70, Purdue 61 Marquette 53, Belmont 51 Friday, Dec. 20 Concordia (Mich.) 89, Kalamazoo 84 Minnesota 77, Lehigh 49 naldo Lopez and Dylan Cease. At Shenandoah, Texas GOLD COAST, Australia — DePaul 83, Northwestern 78 North Dakota 66, Milwaukee 58 North Central (Ill.) 41, Wisconsin- Promising young right-hander Adam Scott sealed his first tour- Whitewater 14 DePauw 75, Earlham 70 Oakland 72, Lourdes 53 Detroit 81, SIU-Edwardsville 55 Ohio Christian 88, Rochester (Mich.) Michael Kopech is also expected nament win in almost four years Evansville 78, Murray St. 76 78 to return following Tommy John NAIA playoffs Fairfield 61, Oakland 59, OT Ohio Wesleyan 86, Waynesburg 54 Sunday when he shot 3-under 69 Green Bay 85, N. Illinois 84 Championship Purdue 81, Bowling Green 74 surgery. to win the Australian PGA Cham- Indiana 62, Notre Dame 60 S. Dakota St. 60, Green Bay 55 Saturday, Dec. 21 Indiana Wesleyan 82, Shawnee St. 79 At Grambling, La. SE Missouri 68, Indiana St. 58 pionships by two shots. Morningside 40, Marian (Ind.) 38 Iowa 77, Cincinnati 70 W. Michigan 79, Denver 70 Russia: Whistleblower Scott’s win gave him the 30th Kent St. 103, Hampton 64 West Virginia 63, Michigan St. 57 Miami (Ohio) 71, Bradley 55 Xavier 79, Northwestern 59 modified doping data title of his professional career Michigan 86, Presbyterian 44 SOUTHWEST and his second Australian PGA AP sportlight Michigan St. 101, E. Michigan 48 Arkansas 86, UALR 53 Missouri 63, Illinois 56 Lamar 61, Northwestern St. 58 Russia is blaming the World crown after his win at Royal Missouri Southern 105, Arkansas Tech SE Louisiana 69, Houston Baptist 59 88 Anti-Doping Agency’s star wit- Pines in 2013. He was edged into Dec. 23 San Diego St. 57, Incarnate Word 48 North Dakota 75, Nebraska 74 Stephen F. Austin 82, McNeese St. 51 ness for modifying key labora- second place by compatriot Greg 1972 — The Pittsburgh Steelers beat Northern St. (SD) 95, Minn. St.-Moor- the Oakland Raiders 13-7 on Franco Har- Texas A&M 78, Montana St. 67 tory data. His lawyer says that’s Chalmers in a thrilling seven- head 64 Texas A&M-CC 67, Cent. Arkansas 47 ris’ “Immaculate Reception,“ in an AFC Ohio 82, Morehead St. 76 nonsense. hole playoff on the same course Divisional playoff game. The Steelers Ohio Northern 73, Manchester 66 Tulsa 61, Colorado St. 55 have 4th-and-10 on their own 40-yard Omaha 87, Montana 82, OT FAR WEST The Russian Investigative in 2014. line with 22 seconds remaining and no Oral Roberts 82, Missouri St. 72 Arizona 61, UC Santa Barbara 42 Committee, a major law enforce- Scott’s last tournament win time outs. Terry Bradshaw, under pres- Ripon 80, N. Michigan 75 Cal St.-Fullerton 79, Air Force 70 sure, throws a pass over the middle to Rockhurst 87, Missouri Western 75 Idaho 67, Hawaii 52 ment agency, alleges that former came 3 years, 9 months, 16 days Oakland’s 35-yard line which is deflected S. Dakota St. 85, Idaho 57 Kentucky 63, California 61 Moscow anti-doping laboratory ago at the WCG Cadillac Classic by Oakland’s Jack Tatum. Harris catches S. Illinois 64, SE Missouri 45 Nevada 62, Texas Rio Grande Valley 57 the deflection at the Raiders’ 43-yard S. Indiana 87, King (Tenn.) 68 Oregon 89, Kansas St. 51 director Grigory Rodchenkov re- in Miami where he beat Bubba line and runs down the left sideline for Saint Louis 66, Kansas St. 63 Saint Mary’s (Cal) 72, St. Bonaventure motely changed test results from Watson by a shot. a touchdown. It’s the first playoff victory West Virginia 75, Youngstown St. 64 57 in Steeler franchise history. Wichita St. 73, VCU 63 San Diego 59, CS Northridge 40 abroad after fleeing to the United His win in front of a home 1978 — Bryan Trottier has five goals Wisconsin 83, Milwaukee 64 San Francisco 68, UC Irvine 61 States in 2015. crowd — he has a house close by and three assists to lead the New York Wright St. 79, Toledo 72 Santa Clara 90, Fresno St. 66 Islanders to a 9-4 victory over the Rang- SOUTHWEST Southern Cal 57, Long Beach St. 40 “All the evidence obtained by — completed a solid year and lift- ers. Trottier sets an NHL record with Cent. Arkansas 71, Texas A&M-CC 67 Tennessee 88, Portland St. 61 three goals and three assists in the sec- Colorado St. 111, Tulsa 104, 3OT Utah Valley 57, Utah St. 49 the investigation shows that Rod- ed him from 18th to 13th on world ond period. Oklahoma 53, UCF 52 Vanderbilt 76, Washington 74 chenkov and unidentified per- rankings. PAGE 18 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Monday, December 23, 2019 NBA Giannis has triple-double, Scoreboard Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Boston 19 7 .731 — Toronto 20 8 .714 — Bucks rout hapless Knicks Philadelphia 21 10 .677 A Brooklyn 16 13 .552 4A New York 7 23 .233 14 Southeast Division Associated Press Miami 21 8 .724 — big win and coming out and playing the way Orlando 12 17 .414 9 we did in the first quarter.” Charlotte 13 19 .406 9A NEW YORK — Giannis Antetokounmpo Washington 8 20 .286 12A had a triple-double, though his brother had Antetokounmpo had secured his triple- Atlanta 6 24 .200 15A Central Division the highlight. double by midway through the third quarter Milwaukee 26 4 .867 — And while the NBA MVP wasn’t interested after playing just 23 minutes. It appeared for Indiana 20 9 .690 5A Chicago 12 19 .387 14A in talking about his stats, he certainly was a while that he was going to be finished for Detroit 11 19 .367 15 impressed by Thanasis’ one basket, a follow the night at that point, but he was eventually Cleveland 8 21 .276 17A slam with his left hand in the fourth quarter. called on for some fourth-quarter minutes. Western Conference “That was amazing. That was a crazy dunk. He took only 10 shots, making eight. Southwest Division “I don’t look into stats,” Antetokounmpo said. W L Pct GB He came out of nowhere,” Giannis said. Houston 20 9 .690 — And the Greek Freak had a good seat on the “All I care about is that we came in here, we Dallas 19 9 .679 A San Antonio 11 17 .393 8A bench to celebrate it after another easy win got the job done. Got another one tomorrow.” Memphis 11 19 .367 9A for the NBA’s top team. Khris Middleton scored 23 points and Kyle New Orleans 7 23 .233 13A Northwest Division Antetokounmpo had 22 points, 11 rebounds Korver had 17 for the Bucks, who are playing Denver 19 8 .704 — without starters Wesley Matthews and Eric Utah 18 11 .621 2 and 10 assists in his third triple-double of the Oklahoma City 14 14 .500 5A season, and the Milwaukee Bucks followed Bledsoe because of right leg injuries. They Portland 14 16 .467 6A didn’t miss them at all. Minnesota 10 18 .357 9A their big victory over the Lakers by routing Pacific Division the New York Knicks 123-102 on Saturday. It wasn’t quite as easy as Milwaukee’s 132- L.A. Lakers 24 5 .828 — L.A. Clippers 22 9 .710 3 Avoiding any letdown two nights after win- 88 home victory in one of David Fizdale’s final Sacramento 12 17 .414 12 ning a showdown against Los Angeles for the games as Knicks coach, but it was plenty good Phoenix 11 18 .379 13 Golden State 6 24 .200 18A NBA’s best record, the Bucks (26-4) made enough to increase the average victory mar- Friday’s games their first six three-pointers to open a big gin for a team that came in leading the league Cleveland 114, Memphis 107 Indiana 119, Sacramento 105 early lead that grew to 29 points. at 12.8 points per game — a figure that would Boston 114, Detroit 93 “Luckily we’ve got a group that is very pro- be the highest in NBA history if it stood until Toronto 122, Washington 118 SARAH STIER/AP Dallas 117, Philadelphia 98 fessional, very motivated,” coach Mike Buden- the end of the season. Miami 129, New York 114 Oklahoma City 126, Phoenix 108 Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks holzer said. “I think they take their work Julius Randle had 20 points and eight re- Denver 109, Minnesota 100 to pass the ball against the Knicks in New seriously, they take their routine, the process bounds for the Knicks, who lost for the second Portland 118, Orlando 103 Golden State 106, New Orleans 102 York on Saturday. Milwaukee won 123-102. seriously, and I think it reflected coming off a straight night. Saturday’s games Utah 114, Charlotte 107 Brooklyn 122, Atlanta 112 Chicago 119, Detroit 107 Roundup Philadelphia 125, Washington 108 Milwaukee 123, New York 102 Memphis 119, Sacramento 115 L.A. Clippers 134, San Antonio 109 Houston 139, Phoenix 125 Portland 113, Minnesota 106 Harden-Westbrook combo rounding into form Sunday’s games Dallas at Toronto Charlotte at Boston Associated Press Indiana at Milwaukee L.A. Clippers at Oklahoma City Denver at L.A. Lakers PHOENIX — The James Harden-Russell Monday’s games Atlanta at Cleveland Westbrook combo is starting to become ev- Chicago at Orlando erything the Houston Rockets hoped it would Philadelphia at Detroit Toronto at Indiana be. The two superstar guards bring different Washington at New York speeds to the offense, and the Phoenix Suns Utah at Miami San Antonio at Memphis couldn’t stop either one Saturday. Denver at Phoenix “Russell is go, go, go, go,” Rockets coach Houston at Sacramento New Orleans at Portland Mike D’Antoni said. “When it’s half-court, Minnesota at Golden State Tuesday’s games maybe it’s James’ time.” No games scheduled Harden scored 47 points, Westbrook added Wednesday’s games Boston at Toronto 30 and the Rockets rolled to a 139-125 victory Milwaukee at Philadelphia over the Suns for their 10th victory in the past Houston at Golden State LA Clippers at LA Lakers 13 games. New Orleans at Denver Phoenix pulled to 115-107 with 9:37 left Calendar but the Rockets responded with a 21-9 run Jan. 10 — All contracts guaranteed for — which included four three-pointers from rest of season. Harden — that slowly deflated the Suns’ play- Feb. 6 — Trade deadline (3 p.m. EST) Feb. 14-16 — All-Star weekend, Chi- ers and crowd. cago. April 15 — Regular season ends. Harden shot 15 of 27 from the field, includ- April 18 — Playoffs begin. ing 9 of 19 from three-point range. He leads May 19 — Draft lottery, Chicago. May 21-24 — Draft combine, Chicago. the NBA with 38.5 points per game and blew June 4 — NBA Finals begin. past that number with his fourth quarter out- June 25 — NBA Draft. /AP burst, hitting his quartet of threes in a span of ROSS D. FRANKLIN Leaders about three minutes. Rockets guard Russell Westbrook loses the ball while being defended by Suns forward Scoring The former Arizona State star has already Mikal Bridges, right, on Saturday in Phoenix. Houston won 139-125. G FG FT PTS AVG Harden, HOU 29 324 327 1124 38.8 scored 1,124 points this season, most for a Antetokounmpo, MIL 29 336 188 911 31.4 player through 29 games since Rick Barry Doncic, DAL 25 236 184 732 29.3 76ers 125, Wizards 108: Joel Embiid had The Pistons were without Blake Griffin and Young, ATL 29 276 190 841 29.0 had 1,134 in the 1966-67 season. By the end 21 points and 13 rebounds and Josh Richard- Derrick Rose, and the Bulls pulled away late Beal, WAS 28 267 181 790 28.2 of the night, he received an ovation from a big Rebounds son added 21 points to lead Philadelphia over thanks to LaVine’s outside shooting. He and G OFF DEF TOT AVG chunk of the fans. visiting Washington. White made five three-pointers apiece. Drummond, DET 28 128 331 459 16.39 Capela, HOU 25 101 263 364 14.56 “This city has shown me so much love be- Ben Simmons had 14 points, 11 assists and Trail Blazers 113, Timberwolves 106: Gobert, UTA 27 97 283 380 14.07 fore I even got to the NBA,” Harden said. “So eight rebounds for the 76ers, who snapped a Damian Lillard scored 29 points, Hassan Whiteside, POR 27 100 262 362 13.41 Sabonis, IND 27 91 265 356 13.19 I feel like it’s my job to go out there and put on three-game losing streak overall and a two- Whiteside had 16 points, 22 rebounds and Assists a show.” game skid at home. seven blocks, and Portland defeated visiting G AST AVG James, LAL 29 308 10.6 Harden’s scoring has been a constant Clippers 134, Spurs 109: Los Angeles Minnesota. Rubio, PHX 23 217 9.4 throughout the season, but Westbrook’s pro- Doncic, DAL 25 222 8.9 forward Kawhi Leonard had 26 points, nine Nets 122, Hawks 112: Spencer Dinwiddie Young, ATL 29 244 8.4 duction has spiked in recent weeks. He’s aver- assists and seven rebounds in three quarters scored 39 points and host Brooklyn overcame Simmons, PHI 29 238 8.2 Steals aging 33.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists and won in San Antonio for the first time since a 47-point performance by Trae Young. G STL AVG over his past three games. The two players leaving the franchise. Jazz 114, Hornets 107: Bojan Bogdanovic Simmons, PHI 29 64 2.21 Butler, MIA 25 53 2.12 took turns dominating on Saturday, hitting Leonard was 11-for-16 from the field with scored 26 points, Rudy Gobert had 17 points Drummond, DET 28 56 2.0 Phoenix with waves of offense that couldn’t four steals and two turnovers in setting a hur- and 19 rebounds and Utah beat host Charlotte Dunn, CHI 31 62 2.0 VanVleet, TOR 23 45 1.96 be stopped. ried pace the Spurs were unable to match. for its fifth straight victory. Blocks “I don’t know if 30 (points) is a benchmark Bulls 119, Pistons 107: Zach LaVine Grizzlies 119, Kings 115: Jaren Jackson G STL AVG Whiteside, POR 27 73 2.7 or not, but Russell’s playing really well, doing scored 33 points and Coby White added 19 Jr. scored 18 points, Jae Crowder added 17 Davis, LAL 27 71 2.63 Isaac, ORL 27 69 2.56 a lot of stuff,” D’Antoni said. “And you know to help Chicago outlast short-handed host points and 10 rebounds, and Memphis beat Lopez, MIL 28 68 2.43 James has been playing great.” Detroit. visiting Sacramento. Turner, IND 21 49 2.33 Monday, December 23, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 19 COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP Late three helps Villanova top No. 1 Kansas

straight and may keep rolling if its sup- Jayhawks are fifth porting cast can gain confidence after solid performances. Foster Loyer scored a season-high 13 points, Aaron Henry had 12 top-ranked team points, Xavier Tillman scored 11 and Mar- cus Bingham added 10 points. St. John’s 70, No. 16 Arizona 67: Nick to fall this season Rutherford scored the go-ahead basket on a driving layup with 1:03 remaining and Associated Press the Red Storm beat the Wildcats in the Al Attles Classic in San Francisco despite PHILADELPHIA — Jermaine Samu- blowing a 15-point lead in the second half. els spotted up, let the ball fly and — bang LJ Figueroa had 21 points and Rasheem — the three-pointer swished, and some Dunn added 14 to help St. John’s (11-2) win 20,000 delirious Villanova fans shook the its seventh straight game. The last two arena. With time running out, the game on have come without injured scoring leader the line, Samuels was fearless. Mustapha Heron. “I just shot it unconsciously,” he said. No. 17 Butler 70, Purdue 61: Bryce He did, and one more No. 1 got KO’d. Golden scored 14 points and the host Bull- Kansas became the latest top-ranked dogs used relentless defense to pull away team to fall in the wildest of basketball from the Boilermakers in the Crossroads seasons, another week where it’s no fun at Classic. No. 1. Butler (11-1) has won two straight since /AP Samuels hit the winner with 20.5 sec- MATT SLOCUM losing at No. 11 Baylor. onds left to lead the No. 18 Wildcats to a Villanova’s Saddiq Bey, right, tries to knock the ball away from Kansas’ David No. 19 Florida State 66, South Florida 56-55 victory on Saturday, and Villanova McCormack during Villanova’s 56-55 upset of No. 1 Kansas Saturday in Philadelphia. 60: The Seminoles used smothering de- became the only team to beat KU twice at fense to overcome a 10-point deficit in the No. 1 under coach Bill Self. far this season. State. final seven minutes and beat the Bulls in “The reason why No. 1 lost today is be- Gonzaga has reached No. 1 several Memphis (10-1) weathered 28 turnovers the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise, Fla. cause they played a team that’s really good times in recent years, including twice last by shooting 55% when it wasn’t throwing FSU (10-2) forced 24 turnovers, includ- in their building,” Self said. “I don’t think season. away the ball or mishandling passes. The ing seven as it outscored South Florida 19- it had anything to do with what anybody is Admon Gilder scored 22 points and Ryan teams combined for 53 turnovers. 3 down the stretch. The Seminoles forced ranked.” Woolridge added 15 points for the Bulldogs No. 12 Auburn 74, Lehigh 51: Austin four shot-clock violations and won despite Tell that to those who believe something (13-1), who have won five straight games Wiley had 14 points and 15 rebounds for being outrebounded by 14 and shooting is in the air at the top of the poll. since falling to Michigan in the title game the host Tigers, at 11-0 the only unbeaten only 40%, including 7-for-27 from three- Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center and of the Battle 4 Atlantis. Gonzaga has won Power Five program and one of four unde- point range. former Jayhawk Joel Embiid looked for- 30 straight home games, the longest streak feated teams in the country. No. 20 San Diego State 80, Utah 52: lorn as he walked past the Wildcats cheer- in the nation. Auburn led 27-20 at the half and pulled Malachi Flynn scored 16 points and the leaders. He popped in the KU locker room No. 5 Ohio State 71, No. 6 Kentucky away from there. J’Von McCormick scored Aztecs remained one of the nation’s four and told the team, “keep trying.” 65: D.J. Carton had 13 points, Kaleb Wes- 18 points, hitting three straight three- unbeaten teams with the victory over the “Profound words of wisdom,” Self son added 12 before fouling out and the pointers to put the game away. Utes in the Basketball Hall of Fame Clas- cracked. Buckeyes outlasted the Wildcats in the Colorado 78, No. 13 Dayton 76 (OT): sic in Los Angeles. At this pace, the Big 12 Jayhawks (9-2) CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas. D’shawn Schwartz nailed a three-pointer No. 21 Tennessee 75, Jacksonville may get another run at No. 1. Kansas had Ohio State (11-1) played with Duane at the buzzer, McKinley Wright IV scored State 53: Jordan Bowden scored 19 points moved up one spot to become the fifth team Washington Jr., its second-leading scorer, a season-high 29 points and the Buffaloes and the host Volunteers gave coach Rick to top the poll this season. It is the first limited to eight minutes due to a rib injury beat the Flyers in Chicago. Barnes his 700th career victory. time the AP poll has had five different No. and had a hard time shaking Kentucky in a Colorado (10-2) trailed by 14 in the first No. 24 Texas Tech 68, Texas-Rio 1s before New Year’s Day; the record for physical game. half, led by eight in the second and came Grande Valley 58: Freshman Jahmi’us an entire season is seven, set in 1982-83. The Wildcats (8-3) stayed within reach away with the win after Obi Toppin hit a Ramsey scored 15 points in his return Get ready for a sixth when the Top 25 is despite a poor-shooting second half before tying three in the final seconds of regula- after missing four games with a hamstring released Monday. the Buckeyes stretched the lead to seven tion for Dayton (9-2). injury, and the host Red Raiders overcame “It’s just one of those years,” Villanova with 1:17 left. Ohio State made four straight No. 14 Michigan 86, Presbyterian 44: another sluggish start. coach Jay Wright said. “There just isn’t free throws in the final 18 seconds to hold Jon Teske scored 11 of his 15 points in the No. 25 West Virginia 75, Youngstown one team that’s dominant.” off Kentucky from mounting a comeback. first half and the host Wolverines cruised State 64: Oscar Tshiebwe scored 19 points Unlike Duke and Louisville, which lost No. 8 Oregon 84, Texas Southern 78: past the Blue Hose despite losing Isaiah and Derek Culver added 15 for the visiting to unranked teams, KU lost to a traditional Payton Pritchard led a late surge to help Livers to an apparent injury. Mountaineers. national power that has had its number in the hos Ducks escape an upset scare. Michigan (9-3) snapped a two-game los- Drake 85, Air Force 80: Ryan Swan recent seasons. The Wildcats (9-2) finally Pritchard scored 29 points, 16 of them in ing streak and took full advantage of an scored a season-high 24 points for the host nudged ahead in a back-and-forth game in the final 4:44 as Oregon (10-2) finally got easier spot on the schedule. It raced to a Falcons (6-7) in a losing effort. Roman the final minute. the lead and held it. Will Richardson added 17-4 advantage and led 38-15 at halftime. Penn had a career-high 22 points to lead No. 2 Gonzaga 112, Eastern Washing- 18 points. No. 15 Michigan State 101, East- the Bulldogs (10-3). ton 77: Filip Petrusev had 24 points and No. 11 Memphis 77, Jackson State ern Michigan 48: Cassius Winston had Wagner 82, Army 62: Alex Morales nine rebounds to help the host Bulldogs 49: Precious Achiuwa had 20 points and 21 points and seven assists for the host had a season-high 21 points as the host Se- beat the Eagles, clearing a path to become nine rebounds and DJ Jeffries added 13 Spartans. ahawks easily defeated the Black Knights. the sixth top-ranked team in the nation so points to help host Memphis beat Jackson Michigan State (9-3) has won four Alex King had 15 points for Army (5-6). PAGE 20 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Monday, December 23, 2019 NHL Roundup Ducks edge Isles in shootout Anaheim’s Silfverberg scores twice, including the shootout winner

Associated Press straight. Brian Boyle, Evgenii Dadanov, UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Jakob and Noel Acciari also scored for Silfverberg scored in regulation the Panthers. Driedger won for and added the shootout winner the second time in three starts in the Anaheim Ducks’ 6-5 win this season. against the New York Islanders Nino Niederreiter and Lucas on Saturday. Wallmark scored for Carolina, Adam Henrique had a goal which lost in regulation for the and an assist, John Gibson made first time in eight games. Petr 28 saves as the Ducks snapped /AP Mrazek finished with 18 saves. JOSIE LEPE a two-game skid. Max Comtois, Maple Leafs 4, Red Wings Sam Carrick and Cam Fowler St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz, left, goaltender Jake Allen also scored for Anaheim. 1: Michael Hutchinson made 29 and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, right, celebrate the team’s 5-2 Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and saves in his first win of the season win over the San Jose Sharks Saturday in San Jose. Mathew Barzal each had a goal and host Toronto got its fourth and an assist while Semyon Var- straight win. lamov made 23 saves as the Is- Zach Hyman and Auston Mat- landers fell for the second time thews each had two goals and an Pietrangelo paces in three games. Nick Leddy had assist for the Maple Leafs, who a goal and two assists, and Jordan won with their backup for the Eberle and Derick Brassard each JIM MCISAAC/AP first time this season. added two assists. Tyler Bertuzzi scored for the Blues past Sharks Anaheim Ducks right wing Jakob Ryan Pulock tied the game at Red Wings, who have lost 15 of Silfverberg, front, celebrates 17. 5-5 when he blasted a slap shot BY GIDEON RUBIN his second-period goal with his Blue Jackets 5, Devils 1: Oli- Scoreboard past Gibson at 13:19 of the third teammates during the Ducks’ 6- Associated Press period. ver Bjorkstrand scored twice in 5 shootout win at the New York the first-period, Joonas Korpisalo Sabres 3, Kings 2: Rasmus Islanders on Saturday . SAN JOSE,Calif. — On a night Ristolainen and Marco Scandella stopped 21 shots and host Colum- the St. Louis Blues didn’t bring Eastern Conference scored to help host Buffalo end a bus cruised past New Jersey. their best game, the defending ington, and Nic Dowd added an Atlantic Division three-game skid. Vladislav Gavrikov, Zach We- Stanley Cup champions found a GP W L OT Pts GF GA empty-netter. The NHL-leading renski and Gustav Nyquist also Boston 37 21 7 9 51 123 97 Victor Olosson also scored and way to grind out a win. Toronto 37 19 14 4 42 125 116 Linus Ullmark stopped 25 shots Capitals improved to 5-0-1 in the scored for the Blue Jackets, who Alex Pietrangelo scored twice Florida 35 18 12 5 41 126 115 second half of back-to-backs this Buffalo 37 17 13 7 41 114 116 as the Sabres bounced back from won their fourth straight despite in the third period, Jake Allen Montreal 36 17 13 6 40 115 115 a 6-1 loss to the Philadelphia Fly- season. being ravaged by injuries. They had 34 saves and the Blues beat Tampa Bay 34 17 13 4 38 118 110 Reigning MVP Nikita Kuch- Ottawa 37 15 18 4 34 103 122 ers on Thursday and improved to have earned at least one point in the San Jose Sharks 5-2 Saturday Detroit 37 9 25 3 21 80 145 17-13-7. erov scored his 12th of the season a season-high seven consecutive night in a rematch of last season’s Metropolitan Division for Tampa Bay, and Curtis McIl- Washington 37 26 6 5 57 134 104 Adrian Kempe and Dustin games (5-0-2). Western Conference finals. N.Y. Islanders 34 23 8 3 49 103 88 Brown scored for Los Angeles. henny finished with 32 saves. Will Butcher scored for the “This group, we just find a way Carolina 36 22 12 2 46 118 94 Predators 4, Bruins 3 (OT): Pittsburgh 36 21 11 4 46 120 96 Jonathan Quick finished with 25 Devils and Gilles Senn, start- to win,” Pietrangelo said. “It’s Philadelphia 36 20 11 5 45 116 105 saves. Ryan Ellis scored with 54.2 sec- ing his first NHL game, made 34 never easy coming over to the Columbus 36 16 14 6 38 95 104 onds left on the clock in overtime N.Y. Rangers 34 16 14 4 36 108 112 Jets 3, Wild 0: Blake Wheeler saves. West Coast the day before and New Jersey 35 11 19 5 27 84 127 to lift Nashville to a win at stum- Oilers 4, Canadiens 3: Riley had a goal and assist to become sometimes you don’t have your Western Conference the leading scorer in franchise bling Boston. Sheahan got the tiebreaking goal legs and I didn’t think we did Roman Josi had two goals, Filip in the third period, lifting host today, but we just found a way.” Central Division history, and Connor Hellebuyck GP W L OT Pts GF GA made 31 saves for his third shut- Forsberg also scored and Pekka Edmonton past Montreal. Pietrangelo finished a 2-on- St. Louis 37 23 8 6 52 114 98 Rinne stopped 29 shots to help Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDa- Colorado 36 22 11 3 47 127 100 out of the season to lead Winnipeg 1 with a shot past Martin Jones Winnipeg 36 21 13 2 44 111 101 to a win at Minnesota. the Predators finish a four-game vid and Josh Archibald each had for a 3-2 lead with 8:53 left. Pi- Dallas 37 20 13 4 44 99 92 road trip at 3-0-1. a goal and an assist to help the Nashville 35 17 12 6 40 123 114 Wheeler’s 616 points surpassed etrangelo and Ryan O’Reilly each Minnesota 37 17 15 5 39 115 126 the previous mark set by Ilya Patrice Bergeron scored twice Oilers snap a two-game skid and added empty-net goals. Chicago 37 15 16 6 36 104 118 and Par Lindholm had the other win for just the second time in Pacific Division Kovalchuk, who played for the Jaden Schwartz scored and had Arizona 37 20 13 4 44 105 94 franchise when it was the Atlanta goal for the Bruins, who have won eight games (2-5-1). Mikko Koski- two assists and Jordan Kyrou also Vegas 38 19 13 6 44 116 110 just once in their last eight games nen stopped 23 shots. Edmonton 39 20 15 4 44 115 120 Thrashers. scored for the Blues, who won Calgary 37 18 14 5 41 99 112 Patrick Laine had two goals (1-5-2). Jaroslav Halak finished Jeff Petry, Phillip Danault and their fifth straight and improved Vancouver 37 18 15 4 40 120 113 with 25 saves. Max Domi scored for the Cana- Anaheim 36 15 17 4 34 95 109 for the Jets, who had lost three to 16-2-3 against Western Confer- San Jose 37 16 19 2 34 100 130 of their past four games. Mark Ellis beat Halak with a wrister diens, who had won two straight. ence opponents. Los Angeles 38 15 19 4 34 98 120 from the bottom of the left circle Carey Price had 22 saves. Note: Two points for a win, one point Scheifele scored for the eighth “It’s character and leadership, for overtime loss. Top three teams in time in nine games, and Nikolaj for the winner after getting a pass Blackhawks 5, Avalanche 3: that’s a big part of it for sure,” each division and two wild cards per from Ryan Johansen. conference advance to playoffs. Ehlers and Logan Shaw also had Dominik Kubalik scored the go- Blues coach Craig Berube said. Saturday’s games goals. Flyers 5, Senators 4 (SO): ahead goal with 3:17 left and Chi- “They know how to hang in there Buffalo 3, Los Angeles 2 Anaheim 6, N.Y. Islanders 5, SO Alex Stalock allowed six goals Sean Couturier scored the shoot- cago rallied to win at Colorado. and then when the time comes , Winnipeg 6, Minnesota 0 on 28 shots in goal for the Wild out winner to lift Philadelphia to Patrick Kane and Kirby Dach they push and they win games. Nashville 4, Boston 3, OT Florida 4, Carolina 2 before being removed midway a win at Ottawa. scored 28 seconds apart in the We’re not always going to have Columbus 5, New Jersey 1 through third period. Devan Dub- James van Riemsdyk had two Blackhawks’ four-goal third pe- our best stuff, so it’s important Edmonton 4, Montreal 3 Philadelphia 5, Ottawa 4, SO nyk finished with two saves for goals in regulation to lead the riod, and Jonathan Toews had a that you find ways to win those Toronto 4, Detroit 1 Minnesota, which has lost three Flyers. Kevin Hayes and Jakub goal and two assists to help the games.” Washington 3, Tampa Bay 1 Chicago 5, Colorado 3 of four. Voracek also scored, and Brian Blackhawks salvage the finale Brent Burns and newly ac- Vancouver 4, Pittsburgh 1 Capitals 3, Lightning 1: Dmi- Elliott made 30 saves. of their four-game season series quired forward Stefan Noesen St. Louis 5 San Jose 2 Sunday’s games try Orlov scored the go-ahead Tyler Ennis scored twice and with the Avalanche. each scored for San Jose, which Anaheim at N.Y. Rangers goal with 6:03 left, Braden Holtby Mark Borowiecki and Anthony Kane and Kubalik also had as- has lost eight of nine and three Calgary at Dallas Arizona at Detroit made 26 saves and host Washing- Duclair added goals for the Sena- sists for Chicago. Robin Lehner of four since Bob Boughner took Vegas at San Jose ton killed off several late power tors. Marcus Hogberg stopped 34 stopped 28 shots. over as interim coach after the Monday’s games Carolina at Toronto plays to beat Tampa Bay. shots in his third straight start. Canucks 4, Penguins 1: Jake Sharks fired Peter DeBoer. Calgary at Minnesota The Capitals outshot the Light- Anders Nilsson missed his sec- Virtanen and J.T. Miller scored The Sharks trailed 2-1 late in Washington at Boston Columbus at N.Y. Islanders ning 35-27 and handed them their ond game with a concussion and power-play goals in the first pe- the second when Noesen scored N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia third loss in four games. Holtby Craig Anderson was not ready to riod to lead host Vancouver over in his San Jose debut. Noesen, Florida at Tampa Bay Buffalo at Ottawa didn’t get tested much in the first return from a knee injury, but he Pittsburgh. who the Sharks claimed off waiv- Arizona at Nashville did serve as the backup. Elias Pettersson and Brock Bo- Montreal at Winnipeg two periods but was at his best on ers from the Pittsburgh Penguins New Jersey at Chicago a late 5-on-3 penalty kill when he Panthers 4, Hurricanes 2: eser also scored for the Canucks. on Thursday, took a shot after a St. Louis at Los Angeles Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal Edmonton at Vancouver made big stops on Tyler Johnson Tyler Myers had two assists, and long pass from Brendan Dillon. Colorado at Vegas and Victor Hedman. and an assist in the third period, Jacob Markstrom made 28 saves. St. Louis went up 2-1 at 5:30 of Tuesday’s games No games scheduled Defenseman Radko Gudas Chris Dreidger stopped 42 shots, Jake Guentzel scored for the second period on Schwartz’s Wednesday’s games scored his first goal with Wash- and visiting Florida won its third Pittsburgh. power-play goal. No games scheduled Monday, December 23, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 21 COLLEGE FOOTBALL Bowl Glance Bowl roundup Friday, Dec. 20 Bahamas Bowl Nassau Buffalo 31, Charlotte 9 Frisco (Texas) Bowl Kent St. 51, Utah St. 41 Saturday, Dec. 21 Celebration Bowl At Atlanta Washington routs No. 18 Boise State NC A&T 64, Alcorn State 44 New Mexico Bowl Albuquerque San Diego State 48, Central Michigan 11 Associated Press American and game MVP Omar Cure Bowl Bayless’s 52-yard catch down to Orlando, Fla. LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Liberty 23, Georgia Southern 16 the 12. Then they had two inter- Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl Bowl was always going to be ceptions in the final minutes. FAU 52, SMU 28 about Chris Petersen. It was his Camellia Bowl Florida International (6-7) Montgomery, Ala. final game as coach, a matchup of converted a fourth-and-5 play Arkansas St. 34, FIU 26 the two programs he led to such Las Vegas Bowl with a pass to Austin Maloney, Washington 38, Boise St. 7 great heights in Washington and New Orleans Bowl who matched the huge game of Boise State Appalachian State 31, UAB 17 Bayless. But James Morgan’s Monday, Dec. 23 It could have been his moment, Gasparilla Bowl overthrow on the next play was At Tampa, Fla. but the humble Petersen went out UCF (9-3) vs. Marshall (8-4) of his way to share his last spot- intercepted by Jeremy Smith, Tuesday, Dec. 24 who returned it 21 yards into FIU Hawaii Bowl light after a successful finale. Honolulu Jacob Eason threw for 210 territory. BYU (7-5) vs. Hawaii (9-5) Liberty 23, Georgia Southern Thursday, Dec. 26 yards and a touchdown, Elijah Independence Bowl Molden was named MVP after 16: Frankie Hickson ran for 120 Shreveport, La. yards on 22 carries, Stephen Cal- Miami (6-6) vs. Louisiana Tech (9-3) intercepting a pass and forcing a Quick Lane Bowl fumble, and the Huskies sent out vert went 16-for-35 passing for Detroit 270 yards and two touchdowns in Pittsburgh (7-5) vs. Eastern Michigan (6- Petersen with a 38-7 victory over 6) the Flames’ Cure Bowl victory in Friday, Dec. 27 the No. 18 Broncos on Saturday Military Bowl night. Orlando. Annapolis, Md. STEVE MARCUS/AP Liberty coach Hugh Freeze, North Carolina (6-6) vs. Temple (8-4) “Well, this is never about any Pinstripe Bowl one person. It’s never about any who began his first season coach- Washington coach Chris Petersen is doused after his team’s 38-7 New York one player. It’s a team game,” Pe- ing the Flames from a hospital Wake Forest (8-4) vs. Michigan State defeat of Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday. (6-6) tersen said. bed in the press box following Texas Bowl That was certainly true as back surgery Aug. 16, got his Houston high 139 yards and a touchdown It was FAU’s first game since Oklahoma State (8-4) vs. Texas A&M (7-5) Petersen capped six seasons as 50th career victory. Liberty (8-5) Holiday Bowl to help San Diego State (10-3) cap Lane Kiffin left the Owls to take Washington’s coach and 14 years joined Georgia Southern and Ap- San Diego its 10th straight bowl appearance over at Ole Miss — and the Con- Iowa (9-3) vs. Southern Cal (8-4) as one of the most successful lead- palachian State as the only teams Cheez-It Bowl with a victory. The Aztecs opened ference USA champions, playing to move from FCS to FBS and win Phoenix ers in college football. Air Force (10-2) vs. Washington State (6- Richard Newton rushed for the season 7-1, then dropped two on their home field, didn’t miss a a bowl game in its first season of 6) of their last three conference beat under interim coach Glenn eligibility. The Eagles finished Saturday, Dec. 28 69 yards with a short touchdown Camping World Bowl run and threw a touchdown pass games to fall out of contention for Spencer. 7-6. Orlando, Fla. a Mountain West title berth James Charles ran for two Notre Dame (10-2) vs. Iowa State (7-5) for the Huskies (8-5), and Salvon No. 20 Appalachian State 31, Cotton Bowl Classic Ahmed added two touchdown It was a homecoming for San touchdowns for the Owls (11-3), UAB 17: Darrynton Evans ran Arlington, Texas Diego State coach Rocky Long. who tied a school record for wins Penn State (10-2) vs. Memphis (12-1) runs. Myles Bryant added an infor 157 yards, including a 31-yard Peach Bowl terception, and six different de- He last won the New Mexico Bowl in a season and improved to 4-0 touchdown after he scooped up a Atlanta CFP Semifinal fenders had a tackle for loss. in 2007 as New Mexico’s coach. in bowl games. Rashad Smith ran fourth-down fumble, in the Moun- LSU (13-0) vs. Oklahoma (12-1) Together, they capped an errat- The Aztecs prevented Central a fumble back for a score in the taineers’ win in the New Orleans Fiesta Bowl Glendale, Ariz. ic season with a dominant finale Michigan (8-6) from sustaining third quarter to help FAU blow Bowl. CFP Semifinal consistent drives, with quarter- the game open. Brandon Robison Appalachian State (13-1) Ohio State (13-0) vs. Clemson (13-0) for Petersen — who left Boise Monday, Dec. 30 State to coach Washington — after back Quinten Dormady under completed 27 of 37 passes for the scored twice in the third quarter SERVPRO First Responder Bowl pressure and forced to throw into Owls. on quarterback fumbles. Dallas he announced Dec. 2 he was step- Western Kentucky (8-4) vs. Western ping down after six seasons. De- tight coverage. He passed for 164 Shane Buchele completed 27 Evans’ go-ahead score came Michigan (7-5) and threw three interception. for 47 passes for 303 yards for the first when Zac Thomas lost the Music City Bowl fensive coordinator Jimmy Lake Nashville, Tenn. will take over as head coach. The Chippewas’ Jonathan Ward, Mustangs (10-3). ball on a fourth-and-1 sneak. Mississippi State (6-6) vs. Louisville who came into the game with Arkansas State 34, Florida (7-5) San Diego State 48, Cen- Later, outside linebacker Nick Redbox Bowl tral Michigan 11: Ryan Agnew 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns, International 26: Layne Hatcher Hampton stripped Blazers quar- Santa Clara, Calif. Illinois (6-6) vs. California (7-5) passed for 287 yards and three was held to 7 rushing yards and passed for 393 yards and four terback Tyler Johnston, and in- Orange Bowl touchdowns, Jesse Matthews 26 yards receiving. touchdowns, including a late 13- side linebacker Trey Cobb picked Miami Gardens, Fla. Florida (10-2) vs. Virginia (9-4) caught three passes for 111 yards Florida Atlantic 52, SMU 28: yarder to Jonathan Adams, and it up and returned the ball 24 Tuesday, Dec. 31 and two touchdowns and the Az- Chris Robison passed for 305 the Red Wolves beat the Panthers yards to put the Mountaineers in Belk Bowl Charlotte, N.C. tecs won a bowl game for the first yards and two touchdowns and in the Camellia Bowl in Mont- front 24-17. Kentucky (7-5) vs. Finia Tech (8-4) time since 2016, beating the Chip- the Owls scored two touchdowns gomery, Ala. Johntson, passed for 298 yards Sun Bowl El Paso, Texas pewas in the New Mexico Bowl in in a 24-second span late in the Arkansas State (8-5) came and two touchdowns for UAB (9- Florida State (6-6) vs. Arizona State (7-5) Albuquerque. first half to take control in the back to life offensively for a final 5) in his first start since injuring Liberty Bowl Memphis, Tenn. Jordan Byrd ran for a career- Boca Raton Bowl. big drive, highlighted by All- his knee Nov. 2 at Tennessee. Kansas State (8-4) vs. Navy (9-2) Arizona Bowl Tucson, Ariz. Wyoming (7-5) vs. Georgia State (7-5) FCS semiﬁ nals roundup Alamo Bowl San Antonio Texas (7-5) vs. Utah (11-2) Wednesday, Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl Orlando, Fla. Bison, 2-time defending champion, back in title game Michigan (9-3) vs. Alabama (10-2) Outback Bowl Tampa, Fla. Associated Press “Explosive,” Lance said. “Anytime he gets “Any time you get points to start the game, it Minnesota (10-2) vs. Auburn (9-3) the ball in his hands, I’m not catching him. I kind of sets the tone,” said DiNucci, who threw Rose Bowl FARGO, N.D. — In just seconds a dy- Pasadena, Calif. don’t know if a lot of guys are going to catch for two touchdowns and ran for another. Oregon (11-2) vs. Wisconsin (10-3) nasty that appeared vulnerable became Sugar Bowl him. This dude, he can turn on the burn- The Dukes got a field goal on their first New Orleans unbeatable. ers. He’ sreally explosive with the ball in his drive and touchdowns on their next two, each Georgia (11-2) vs. Baylor (11-2) Christian Watson scored long touchdowns Thursday, Jan. 2 hands.” coming after forcing the Wildcats to run three Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl on back-to-back touches early in the second Cincinnati (10-3) vs. Boston College (6-6) Lance threw for three touchdowns, includ- plays and punt. Gator Bowl quarter and two-time defending FCS champi- ing a 73-yard hookup with Dimitri Williams, “We got off to such a slow start that the Jacksonville, Fla. on North Dakota State blitzed Montana State Indiana (8-4) vs. Tennessee (7-5) and scored two rushing touchdowns. damage was done in the first quarter,” Weber Friday, Jan. 3 42-14 in a semifinal on Saturday for its 36th The top-seeded Bison (15-0) were in the State coach Jay Hill said. “You can’t get down Famous Idaho Potato Bowl straight victory. Boise semifinals for the ninth straight year. They 17-0 to those guys.” Ohio (6-6) vs. Nevada (7-5) “It was a crazy experience out there today,” have now won eight with the previous seven James Madison (14-1) led 24-7 at halftime, Saturday, Jan. 4 Watson said after gaining 86 yards on three Armed Forces Bowl bringing national titles. North Dakota State added two second-half field goals and let their Fort Worth, Texas runs and 88 on two receptions. faces second-seeded James Madison on Jan. defense take care of the rest. The Wildcats Southern Miss (7-5) vs. Tulane (6-6) Monday, Jan. 6 Trey Lance found Watson behind the de- 11 in the championship in Frisco, Texas. managed just 256 yards of offense compared Lendingtree Bowl fense along the left sideline for a 75-yard James Madison 30, Weber State 14: Ben to 467 for the Dukes. Mobile, Ala. Miami (Ohio) (8-5) vs. Louisiana-La- touchdown one play after the Bobcats tied the DiNucci and the host Dukes didn’t want to “We’re not done yet,” Dukes cornerback fayette (10-3) game at 7. After a three-and-out by Montana leave anything to chance. Rashad Robinson said. Monday, Jan. 13 College Football Championship State, Watson went 70 yards on a reverse. Both A week after its high-scoring offense was Weber State (11-4) saw its playoff run end New Orleans plays took 10 seconds and came less than two Peach Bowl winner vs. Fiesta Bowl limited to 17 points, James Madison got that on at Bridgeforth Stadium for the second time in winner minutes apart. their first three possession Saturday night. three seasons. PAGE 22 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Monday, December 23, 2019 NFL Scoreboard

Texans edge Bucs, win AFC South American Conference East W L T Pct PF PA y-New England 12 3 0 .800 396 198 BY FRED GOODALL He’s going to throw the ball down x-Buffalo 10 5 0 .667 308 246 Associated Press the field on the next play.” N.Y. Jets 5 9 0 .357 247 343 Miami 3 11 0 .214 241 435 The teams traded third-quar- South TAMPA, Fla. — The Hous- ter field goals, setting the stage y-Houston 10 5 0 .667 364 350 Tennessee 8 6 0 .571 339 279 ton Texans aren’t satisfied with for Watson to complete his lon- Indianapolis 6 8 0 .429 303 329 being AFC South champions for gest throw of the day — 39 yards Jacksonville 5 9 0 .357 250 353 North the fourth time in five years. to DeAndre Carter — to move the y-Baltimore 12 2 0 .857 472 257 They feel as if they’re just get- Pittsburgh 8 6 0 .571 269 259 Texans into position for Kai’imi Cleveland 6 8 0 .429 297 329 ting started and donned T-shirts Fairburn to put them ahead for Cincinnati 1 13 0 .071 211 359 Saturday declaring: “The South West good with a 37-yard field goal mid- y-Kansas City 10 4 0 .714 394 284 Is Not Enough.” way through the fourth quarter. Oakland 6 8 0 .429 274 386 “This is not the ultimate goal. Denver 5 9 0 .357 239 284 “(Winston’s) a great player and L.A. Chargers 5 9 0 .357 299 290 This is one goal to get us to where we really didn’t take advantage of we want to go,“ quarterback the interceptions that he threw,” National Conference Deshaun Watson said after the O’Brien said. “We only scored I East Texans held off the Tampa Bay W L T Pct PF PA think 10 points on them. So we’ve Dallas 7 7 0 .500 378 288 Buccaneers 23-20 Saturday to en- got to do a better job of playing Philadelphia 7 7 0 .500 334 328 sure another trip to the playoffs. N.Y. Giants 3 11 0 .214 283 382 complementary football because Washington 3 11 0 .214 215 347 “For the ultimate goal, we got if you let a guy like that hang South our shot,” Watson added. “We y-New Orleans 11 3 0 .786 378 303 around he’s a dangerous player.” Tampa Bay 7 8 0 .467 436 421 have our opportunities, so we def- Atlanta 5 9 0 .357 329 365 initely want to celebrate this and Texans 23, Buccaneers 20 Carolina 5 9 0 .357 324 390 North build on this one, then finish up Houston 10 7 3 3—23 x-Green Bay 11 3 0 .786 330 283 JASON BEHNKEN/AP next week and get ready for the Tampa Bay 3 14 3 0—20 x-Minnesota 10 4 0 .714 378 259 First Quarter Chicago 7 7 0 .500 256 253 big show.” The Texans’ Jahleel Addae, left, celebrates after he intercepted a pass Hou—Roby 27 interception return Detroit 3 10 1 .250 304 373 The Texans forced five turn- (Fairbairn kick), 14:12. West against the Buccaneers that sealed Houston’s victory on Saturday. Hou—FG Fairbairn 32, 11:29. x-San Francisco 12 3 0 .800 453 289 overs and Bradley Robby TB—FG Gay 50, :56. x-Seattle 11 3 0 .786 371 345 Second Quarter L.A. Rams 8 7 0 .533 363 340 returned one of the four intercep- and held Houston to one offensive Instead, the Texans settled for Hou—Hyde 1 run (Fairbairn kick), Arizona 4 9 1 .321 310 398 tions of Jameis Winston 27 yards TD on Carlos Hyde’s 1-yard run a field goal after a penalty for a 9:22. x-clinched playoff spot TB—R.Jones 4 run (Gay kick), 1:57. y-clinched division for an early touchdown — the in the second quarter. blindside block negated what also TB—J.Watson 8 pass from Winston Saturday’s games sixth pick-6 the Bucs quarterback The Texans ended Tampa would have been a 27-yard return (Gay kick), :13. Houston 23, Tampa Bay 20 Third Quarter New England 24, Buffalo 17 has thrown this season. Bay’s four-game winning streak for a TD. Hyde’s TD, set up by Hou—FG Fairbairn 25, 9:30. San Francisco 34, L.A. Rams 31 Jahleel Addae’s interception and are AFC South champs for Peyton Barber’s fumble, put the TB—FG Gay 41, 1:13. Sunday’s games Fourth Quarter N.Y. Giants at Washington with 1:27 remaining, ended any the second straight year. They Texans up 17-3. Hou—FG Fairbairn 37, 7:11. Cincinnati at Miami realistic chance the Bucs had join the Patriots and Chiefs as “I can’t do it,” Winston said of A—49,036. New Orleans at Tennessee Hou TB Pittsburgh at N.Y. Jets of fully overcoming Winston’s the only teams with four division his 11th career game with at least First downs 15 19 Baltimore at Cleveland mistakes. Total Net Yards 229 435 Carolina at Indianapolis titles since 2015. three interceptions, the most in Rushes-yards 26-68 21-106 Jacksonville at Atlanta “Anytime you win a division in “It’s a good accomplishment.... the NFL since he entered the Passing 161 329 Oakland at L.A. Chargers Punt Returns 1-10 2-3 Detroit at Denver this league, it’s important,” coach I think it shows some level of con- league as the No. 1 overall pick Kickoff Returns 0-0 5-74 Arizona at Seattle Bill O’Brien said. “We’ve done it sistency,” O’Brien said. “Obvi- in the 2015 draft. “I have a snap- Interceptions Ret. 4-49 1-31 Dallas at Philadelphia Comp-Att-Int 19-32-1 25-48-4 Kansas City at Chicago four out of the last five years. To ously we’ve got a long way to go, and-clear mentality, but I just Sacked-Yards Lost 5-23 3-6 Monday’s games win the division with one game but it’s a great accomplishment.” can’t (throw interceptions).” Punts 6-44.5 2-40.5 Green Bay at Minnesota Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-1 Sunday, Dec. 29 left to play says a lot about this A week after becoming the first A resilient Winston, playing Penalties-Yards 4-35 6-45 Chicago at Minnesota team. It’s a resilient team. They player in NFL history to throw for with an injury-depleted group of Time of Possession 29:32 30:28 Atlanta at Tampa Bay INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Miami at New England work hard, they come to work ev- more than 450 yards in consecu- receivers, rallied the Bucs with a RUSHING—Houston, Watson 7-37, Tennessee at Houston eryday and they try to do what we tive games, Winston was 25 of pair of touchdowns in the last two Hyde 17-27, D.Johnson 2-4. Tampa Bay, Green Bay at Detroit Jones 14-77, Winston 2-16, Barber 5-13. Washington at Dallas ask them to do.” 48 for 335 yards and one touch- minutes of the opening half to PASSING—Houston, Watson 19-32-1- Indianapolis at Jacksonville The Texans (10-5) won despite down. He tossed an interception make it 17-17 on his 8-yard scor- 184. Tampa Bay, Winston 25-48-4-335. Cleveland at Cincinnati RECEIVING—Houston, Stills 5-57, Hop- L.A. Chargers at Kansas City not getting an especially sharp on Tampa Bay’s opening drive for ing throw to Justin Watson. kins 5-23, Fells 3-27, Carter 2-44, Fuller N.Y. Jets at Buffalo performance from Watson, who the fifth time in seven games, and “He’s a gunslinger. He’ll throw 2-11, D.Johnson 1-12, Hyde 1-10. Tampa Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants Bay, Perriman 7-102, Watson 5-43, How- New Orleans at Carolina completed 19 of 32 passes for 184 nearly watched Houston go up 14- a pick, and on the very next play, ard 3-46, Ogunbowale 3-34, Jones 3-32, Pittsburgh at Baltimore Brate 2-17, Hyman 1-31, McElroy 1-30. Oakland at Denver yards and one interception. The 0 when Justin Reid intercepted he’ll throw a fade,” Reid said of MISSED FIELD GOALS—Tampa Bay, San Francisco at Seattle Bucs (7-8) sacked him five times him on the Bucs’ next possession. Winston. “It doesn’t bother him. Gay 54. Arizona at L.A. Rams Packers head to Minnesota in control of division

BY DAVE CAMPBELL Tennessee last season who turned and Matt has fostered that abil- where the Vikings will be headed Associated Press 40 last month. ity I think by keeping things very unless they get some improbable From quarterback Aaron Rod- simple.” help in Detroit on the final day of MINNEAPOLIS — Sure, the gers on down the roster, players Though the Vikings (10-4) the regular season. Green Bay Packers haven’t picked have raved about the contribution didn’t win the division until their The last non-division winner up many style points in this first that the chemistry of this team second season under coach Mike to reach the Super Bowl was the season under coach Matt LaFleur. has made to the stellar won-loss Zimmer in 2015, that ode by Rod- Packers nine years ago, and the They’ve been outscored in the record and late-game resiliency. Green Bay Packers (11-3) gers to the power of simplicity only way Minnesota can win the second and fourth quarters. Only Beyond that, though, there aren’t would translate across the border NFC North is if the sputtering four of their 11 wins have come by at Minnesota Vikings (10-4) any secrets to this success for the in some ways, too. Though Zimmer Lions beat the Packers in addition more than one score. Their team AFN-Sports Packers (11-3). is a defensive expert, not offense to Vikings victories in their last rankings in rushing and passing 2:15 a.m. Tuesday CET They have the second-fewest like LaFleur and the majority of two games. They host Chicago on yardage on both offense and de- turnovers in the NFL with nine, 10:15 a.m. Tuesday JKT their peers across the league, the Dec. 29, with the chance to go 8-0 fense are all in the bottom half of the league. and their rushing attack spear- Vikings have developed a consis- at home . Here they are, though, needing headed by Aaron Jones has ably tent identity under his leadership “I feel like our fans are some of only one victory in their final two complemented Rodgers in his healthy one. even as their offense has changed the best fans in the world, so play- games to take the division title. up-and-down attempt to help his “He allowed for the leader- hands and styles multiple times. ing at home in that atmosphere, What’s more, a first-round bye for young wide receivers hit their ship to kind of naturally come to- “I like this team. I like how it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Vi- the playoffs remains well within stride. The defense has the third- gether. He empowered guys that they’re playing,” Zimmer said, kings wide receiver Stefon Diggs reach. Whatever the outcome of best interception percentage in need to be empowered, allowed adding: “I think we’re doing a said. “I look forward to it.” their visit to Minnesota on Mon- the league and the fifth-best red his coaching staff to do the same, good job scheming offensively. LaFleur can become the 10th day night, this rookie year for the zone rate, allowing fewer than and I think naturally there’s been Defensively we’ve played a little rookie coach in NFL history to inexperienced LaFleur and his half of opponent possessions in- kind of a group within the group bit better the last couple of weeks. win 12-plus games. Jim Caldwell staff could hardly be recorded as side the 20 to cross the goal line. that’s formed from a leadership If we can ever get it to the point (Indianapolis, 2009) and George anything but a job well done. There were plenty of questions, standpoint that we all hold our- where I really feel good about it, Seifert (San Francisco, 1989) are “This was the goal, to win the both internal and external, about selves, especially in that group, we could do some damage.” the top two with 14-2 records. NFC North, and this is the game how Rodgers would work with to a really high standard,” Rodg- Making that deep push through Matt Nagy, who went 12-4 with that can do it for us,” said LaF- LaFleur, but their initial relation- ers said. “Because we have to set the playoffs will be more difficult Chicago last season, was the most leur, the offensive coordinator for ship has, by all accounts, been a the tone for the rest of the squad, on the road, of course, which is recent. Monday, December 23, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 23 NFL Pain: Niners remain in control of playoff destiny

FROM BACK PAGE end zone for the touchdown that with Beathard in college at Iowa made it 31-28. and was close to the family. Goff responded and drove the “Today was absolutely terrible, Rams to a tying 52-yard field goal for me the entire day. It sucked all with 2:30 to play after Marcell around. Overall it was just kind of Harris dropped a potential inter- a brutal day. We got that one for ception for San Francisco. C.J. and I’m so happy we were But the Rams couldn’t get an- able to do it.” other stop and lost It didn’t come easily, as it took “Bottom line is you had two Jimmy Garoppolo converting third down and I want to say 16s a pair of conversions on third- where we had a chance to get and-16 to set up Robbie Gould’s those guys off the grass, the way game-winning 33-yard field goal that we had played the whole with no time left to eliminate the night” coach Sean McVay said. defending NFC champion Rams “I think those two plays are not from playoff contention. indicative of the effort that our Garoppolo made up for a defense gave and it’s unfortu- mostly pedestrian game for the nate that they ended that way, 49ers (12-3) by delivering two because they had put together a big throws on the final drive after really good performance against /AP taking his fifth and sixth sacks. a tough offense” STEVEN SENNE “To convert two of those the The offenses controlled the game early with Goff throwing New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead breaks loose from an attempted tackle to run for a way we did it was pretty incred- game-winning 1-yard touchdown during his team’s 24-17 defeat of the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. ible” Garoppolo said. a 10-yard TD pass to Brandin He found Kendrick Bourne on Cooks on the opening drive and Todd Gurley scoring on two short an 18-yard pass over the middle runs to stake the Rams to a 21-10 to convert the first long third lead. down and then hit Emmanuel But Raheem Mostert answered Sanders behind a blown coverage Pats down Bills, retain Gurley’s second score with a TD for 46 yards. run of his own. He’s the first 49er San Francisco had failed on 50 to have five straigh tgames with straight third downs when need- a rushing touchdown since Derek ing at least 16 yards to convert Loville had a six-game streak in since last doing it in Week 3 in 1995. The defenses then buckled 2017. down starting when Fred Warner the crown in AFC East “Usually it’s such a low per- intercepted a swing pass from centage that you don’t even try on Goff in the closing minute of the third and 16” coach Kyle Shana- BY JIMMY GOLEN protocol earlier in the second Cole Beasley caught seven pass- first half and returned it 46 yards han said. “Usually you just try to Associated Press half, on the 2-point conversion to es for 108 yards, and John Brown for a score that put San Francisco survive the down and get half of make it 24-17. up 24-21 at the half. had a 53-yard touchdown recep- it.” FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Both teams had already The Niners defense then held tion for the Bills (10-5), who have The Niners then ran down the Brady appeared for his postgame clinched playoff berths; the Pa- qualified for the postseason for firm after Garoppolo’s second media session with an ice pack on clock before Gould made the kick interception set up the Rams in triots (12-3) remain in contention the second time since 1999. They that knocked the Rams (8-7) out his right elbow. Bill Belichick was for a first-round bye or even the have not won a playoff game since prime position to start the second sporting a brand new AFC East of the playoffs. Minnesota be- half. But an intentional grounding No. 1 seed in the AFC. 1995, following their last division came the fifth team to clinch a championship hat. “You couldn’t ask for a bet- title, when Marv Levy’s team penalty led to a 52-yard missed The New England Patriots had berth in the NFC with Dallas and field goal by Greg Zuerlein. ter situation, playing for an AFC beat Don Shula’s Miami Dolphins Philadelphia battling for the final things a little tougher this year, division title in December with in the wild-card round. spot. but they came out on top yet two games left to give yourself a Brady improved to 32-3 against “It’s extremely disappointing,” 49ers 34, Rams 31 again. chance,” said Bills quarterback the Bills, who haven’t beaten the Brady passed for 271 yards and Rams quarterback Jared Goff L.A. Rams 7 14 7 3—31 Josh Allen, who drove Buffalo to Patriots in six games under coach said. “You never envision some- San Francisco 3 21 0 10—34 a touchdown, sneaked for a third- the New England 8 in the final First Quarter Sean McDermott. thing like this when you start LAR—Cooks 10 pass from Goff (Zuer- down conversion to set up anoth- minutes but couldn’t deliver a the year. It’s not even close to lein kick), 11:08. er score and threw a downfield touchdown. “I’m super thankful Patriots 24, Bills 17 SF—FG Gould 26, 8:35. block on another scoring drive the standard we want to hold. It’s Second Quarter for this experience and what we Buffalo 3 7 7 0—17 sickening” LAR—Gurley 5 run (Zuerlein kick), to help the defending Super Bowl were able to do here. At the same New England 7 3 3 11—24 14:55. champions beat Buffalo 24-17 on First Quarter The victory kept the Niners in SF—Samuel 19 run (Gould kick), 12:06. time, we came here to win a foot- Buf—FG Hauschka 35, 9:16. control in the race for the NFC’s LAR—Gurley 1 run (Zuerlein kick), Saturday and clinch their 11th ball game, and we didn’t get that NE—LaCosse 8 pass from Brady (Folk 6:47. kick), 1:50. top seed and home-field advan- SF—Mostert 16 run (Gould kick), 2:21. straight AFC East title. done.” Second Quarter tage throughout. They still need SF—Warner 46 interception return “I’m pretty poor at just about Allen completed 13 of 26 passes NE—FG Folk 36, 5:04. (Gould kick), :46. Buf—Dawkins 1 pass from Allen (Haus- to win next week at Seattle to win Third Quarter everything other than throwing for 208 yards and ran for 43, in- chka kick), :01. the NFC West, otherwise they will LAR—Kupp 22 pass from Goff (Zuer- the ball,” said Brady, who is 42 cluding a first down on fourth- Third Quarter lein kick), 5:06. NE—FG Folk 51, 9:54. be relegated to wild-card status. Fourth Quarter and nursing a right elbow injury and-1 from the Patriots 30 with Buf—Brown 53 pass from Allen (Haus- SF—Kittle 7 pass from Garoppolo but still absorbed a crunching chka kick), 7:25. Garoppolo finished 16-for-27 (Gould kick), 6:06. about three minutes left. With Fourth Quarter for 248 yards with one touchdown LAR—FG Zuerlein 52, 2:30. tackle after a 3-yard scramble a first-and-goal from the 8, he NE—FG Folk 20, 10:45. SF—FG Gould 33, :00. that was followed one play later NE—Burkhead 1 run (Edelman pass and two interceptions. A—70,103. was stopped on a run, overthrew from Brady), 5:06. Goff connected on a 22-yard TD LAR SF by Rex Burkhead’s go-ahead Dawson Knox in the end zone and A—65,878. First downs 24 19 Buf NE pass to Cooper Kupp in the third Total Net Yards 395 334 touchdown. then was sacked by Adam Butler. First downs 14 23 quarter to put the Rams ahead Rushes-yards 24-72 23-119 “He’s the heartbeat of this foot- Facing fourth-and-goal from Total Net Yards 268 414 Passing 323 215 Rushes-yards 23-92 35-143 28-24. The defense had throttled Punt Returns 2-1 0-0 ball team,” special teams captain the 15 with just over one min- Passing 176 271 the Niners, holding them to four Kickoff Returns 1-27 1-81 Matthew Slater said. “We’ve been ute left, he was forced out of the Punt Returns 1-17 3-17 Interceptions Ret. 2-13 1-46 Kickoff Returns 2-57 3-75 punts, one interception and only Comp-Att-Int 27-46-1 16-27-2 one of the most fortunate organi- pocket and had to throw the ball Interceptions Ret. 0-0 0-0 two first downs in the second half Sacked-Yards Lost 0-0 6-33 zations the last 20 years to have up for grabs in the end zone, Comp-Att-Int 13-26-0 26-33-0 Punts 6-44.3 5-43.8 Sacked-Yards Lost 4-32 0-0 before San Francisco took over at Fumbles-Lost 2-0 2-0 that guy at the helm. He proved it where it was knocked down by Punts 6-44.3 2-46.5 Penalties-Yards 7-43 3-26 again tonight.” Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-1 the 9 midway through the fourth Time of Possession 32:21 27:39 J.C. Jackson. Penalties-Yards 7-46 3-30 quarter. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS With the Bills visiting for a rare “It was a playoff-type game,” Time of Possession 21:08 38:52 RUSHING—L.A. Rams, Gurley 15-48, INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Garoppolo hit Kittle on a Goff 4-12, Henderson 2-7, Woods 2-6, late-season matchup while the di- Bills running back Frank Gore RUSHING—Buffalo, Singletary 15-46, 36-yard pass to start the drive Brown 1-(minus 1). San Francisco, Mo- vision was still at stake, Burkhead said. “We played against a good Allen 7-43, Brown 1-3. New England, Mi- stert 11-53, Coleman 5-33, Samuel 3-28, chel 21-96, Burkhead 5-20, Harry 2-18, and then connected with Ross Garoppolo 4-5. rebounded from an opening-drive team and it came down to us on White 3-5, Brady 4-4. Dwelley on a 25-yarder that also PASSING—L.A. Rams, Goff 27-46-1-323. fumble to catch four passes for 77 the 10-yard line.” PASSING—Buffalo, Allen 13-26-0-208. San Francisco, Garoppolo 16-27-2-248. New England, Brady 26-33-0-271. featured a personal foul on Eric RECEIVING—L.A. Rams, Higbee 9-104, yards and run for 20 more, in- Sony Michel ran for 96 yards RECEIVING—Buffalo, Beasley 7-108, Weddle. Three plays later, Garop- Woods 8-117, Cooks 4-39, Kupp 4-31, cluding a 1-yard touchdown with for the Patriots, who would earn McKenzie 2-11, Brown 1-53, Knox 1-33, Reynolds 2-32. San Francisco, Kittle 5-79, Singletary 1-2, Dawkins 1-1. New Eng- polo scrambled on third down to Samuel 4-31, Sanders 3-61, Bourne 2-29, 5:11 left to give New England the a first-round bye if Kansas City land, Edelman 5-72, Burkhead 4-77, White Dwelley 1-25, Juszczyk 1-23. lead. Brady found Julian Edel- 4-24, Meyers 3-25, Sanu 3-24, Watson 3- give Kittle time to work free and MISSED FIELD GOALS—L.A. Rams, Zu- loses or ties one of its remaining 15, Harry 2-21, LaCosse 1-8, Michel 1-5. then found him in the front of the erlein 52. man, who was in the concussion two games. MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. S TARS AND STRIPES Monday, December 23, 2019 F3HIJKLM Not-so-good to be king Kansas becomes ﬁ fth top-ranked SPORTS team to fall » College hoops, Page 19

NFL Persevering through pain Grieving Niners eliminate Rams from playoff race

BY JOSH DUBOW Associated Press SANTA CLARA, Calif. — An ex- hilarating, game-winning drive that put the San Francisco 49ers in position to seize the top seed in the playoffs next week would normally be reason to celebrate. The mood for the 49ers was far from joyous following a 34- 31 victory Saturday night over the Los Angeles Rams because teammates were more concerned about the well-being of third-string quarterback C.J. Beathard, whose younger brother Clayton was fatally stabbed earlier in the day at a Nashville bar. “It was definitely the toughest game of my career,“ said an emo- tional George Kittle, who played

SEE PAIN ON PAGE 23 Inside: Texans keep focus on ‘ultimate goal’, Page 22 Patriots win division crown again, Page 23

The 49ers’ George Kittle shouts into a phone while celebrating San Francisco’s 34-31 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. Tony Avelar / AP

Washington tops No. 18 Boise State » College football, Page 21