Biden to Seek Extension of Nuclear Treaty with Russia

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Volume 79 Edition 198 ©SS 2021 CONTINGENCY EDITION FRIDAY,JANUARY 22, 2021 Free to Deployed Areas Biden to seek extension of nuclear treaty with Russia

BY JOHN HUDSON The Washington Post President Joe Biden is seeking a five-year extension with Russia on the only remaining treaty lim- iting the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals just days before it expires, said two senior U.S. officials. At the same time, his administration is preparing to impose Heading new costs on Russia pending a newly requested intelligence assessment of its recent activities. The officials said Biden is ruling out a “reset” in bilateral relations with Moscow as many new U.S. presidents have done since the into the end of the Cold War. “As we work with Russia, so, too, will we work to hold Russia accountable for their reckless and aggressive actions that we’ve seen in recent months and years,” High North said a senior U.S. official, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensi- tive security matter. Army plans new ‘Arctic brigade’ The decision to seek a five-year treaty extension, which Russia as sea levels and competition rise supports but the Biden administration hadn’t settled on until BY JOHN VANDIVER now, reflects the rapidly ap- Stars and Stripes proaching deadline for Washing- STUTTGART, Germany — The Army wants a new Arctic-fo- ton to renew the New START cused brigade and other operational forces to bolster its position pact Feb. 5, the officials said. in the High North, the service’s top general said this week, signal- President Donald Trump tried ing a push into an area where Russia has ramped up military oper- to conclude a shorter extension ations. with Moscow in the final months Chief of Staff Gen. James C. McConville said the Army recently of his presidency, but he failed to completed a new Arctic strategy, which was needed to better “de- reach an agreement after his nu- ter conflict,” as melting sea ice raises the prospect of increased SEE NUCLEAR ON PAGE 8 competition over natural resources and new commercial shipping routes. RELATED “It starts with recognizing where our national interests are and we certainly have national interests in the Arctic,” McConville A U.S. Army paratrooper marches after landing Dems take control said Tuesday during a meeting at the Association of the U.S. Ar- at a drop zone during a training event near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on Dec. 17. of Senate, confirm SEE ARCTIC ON PAGE 7 JACKSON RICKER/U.S. Marine Corps 1st Cabinet pick Page 9 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER EU fines video game companies EXCHANGE RATES Military rates So. Korea (Won) 1101.32 Associated Press in violation of the bloc’s antitrust and of the opportunity to shop Switzerland (Franc) .8858 Euro costs (Jan. 22) $1.19 Thailand (Baht) 29.92 LONDON — The European rules. around for the most suitable offer Dollar buys (Jan. 22) 0.8018 Turkey (NewLira) 7.3735 British pound (Jan. 22) $1.34 Union has issued fines to a U.S. The companies used so-called in the EU,” Executive Vice-Presi- Japanese yen (Jan. 22) 101.00 (Military exchange rates are those available video game platform and five geo-blocking practices to prevent dent Margrethe Vestager, the South Korean won (Jan. 22) 1072.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger game makers after they blocked players from activating and play- bloc’s competition watchdog, said. many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) .3769 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur players from buying cheaper co- ing games sold either on DVD or Valve, which was fined 1.6 mil- Britain (Pound) .7285 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2615 your local military banking facility. Commercial pies of the games in other coun- by download, the commission lion euros, refused to cooperate China(Yuan) 6.4634 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.1233 tries in the bloc. said. Steam activation keys pre- with the investigation, the com- Egypt (Pound) 15.7401 when buying currency. All figures are foreign The EU’s executive Commis- vented games from working out- mission said. Euro .8231 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7519 pound, which is represented in dollarsto sion said Wednesday that it fined side the Czech Republic, Poland, The game makers — Bandai Hungary (Forint) 294.12 pound, and the euro, which is dollarstoeuro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2717 Valve Corp., which owns the Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Es- Namco, Capcom, Focus Home, Japan (Yen) 103.58 INTEREST RATES Steam online PC game distribu- tonia, Latvia and Lithuania, it said. KochMedia and ZeniMax — coop- Kuwait(Dinar) .3028 Norway (Krone) 8.4401 Prime rate 3.25 tion platform, and the game mak- “Such practices deprive Eu- erated and received discounts on Philippines (Peso) 48.03 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.73 Federal funds market rate 0.09 ers a total of $9.5 million because ropean consumers of the benefits their penalties, the commission Saudi Arab (Riyal) 3.7518 3month bill 0.08 they restricted cross-border sales of the EU Digital Single Market said. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3230 30year bond 1.84 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 31/22

Kabul Seoul 50/22 48/31 Baghdad 60/34 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 50/34 47/42 60/22 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 45/31 43/30 54/44 Iwakuni Kuwait City 55/45 Bahrain Brussels Zagan Sasebo 61/43 63/56 Ramstein 50/35 60/50 Guam 44/36 47/34 84/76 Riyadh Lajes, 62/39 Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 64/59 52/35 68/58 Aviano/ 54/47 Vicenza 50/42

Naples 59/53 Okinawa Morón 74/60 58/43 Sigonella Rota 66/51 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 61/52 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 83/71 60/48 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 14 Opinion ...... 15 Sports ...... 19-24 Friday, January 22, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Guard helicopter crash kills 3 during drill in NY Associated Press The helicopter flew out of the ly serve and protect both here and MENDON, N.Y. — Three Na- Army Aviation Support Facility at abroad, and I extend prayers and tional Guard members on a train- Rochester International Airport, condolences from all New York- ing flight were killed Wednesday and was assigned to C Company of ers to the family, loved ones and when their helicopter crashed in a the 1st Battalion, 171st General fellow soldiers of these honorable farmer’s field in western New Support Aviation Battalion, ac- heroes,” he said in a statement. York. cording to Eric Durr, public af- Monroe County Sheriff Todd The craft, a UH-60 Black Hawk fairs director of the New York Baxter said at a news conference medical evacuation helicopter, State Division of Military and Na- that witnesses who called 911 re- crashed around 6:30 p.m. in Men- val Affairs. ported hearing the sounds of an don, N.Y., a rural town south of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo engine sputtering and said the air- Rochester, officials said. said flags on state buildings would craft was flying very low. The circumstances were under be lowered to half-staff on Thurs- There were no survivors of the HADI MIZBAN/AP investigation. The Federal Avia- day to pay tribute to the troops. crash, he said. Security forces work at the site of a deadly bomb attack in Baghdad, tion Administration said it would “National Guard members are Baxter called the three guard Iraq, on Thursday. take part. our citizen soldiers who voluntari- members “great Americans.” Twin suicide blasts rock central Baghdad Associated Press At the Vatican, Pope Francis BAGHDAD — Twin suicide denounced the attack in Baghdad bombings ripped through a busy as a “senseless act of brutality” market in the Iraqi capital Thurs- and urged Iraqis to keep working day, killing at least 32 people and to replace violence with fraterni- wounding dozens, officials said. ty and peace. The telegram of The rare suicide bombing hit condolences sent to the Iraqi NEW the Bab al-Sharqi commercial ar- president was particularly heart- ea in central Baghdad amid felt, given Francis is due to visit RESOLUTION? heightened political tensions Iraq in early March to try to en- over planned early elections and courage the country’s Christian NEW YOU! a severe economic crisis. Blood communities that have been dev- was splattered on the pavement astated by ISIS persecution. of the busy market amid piles of Thursday’s twin suicide bomb- STUDENT clothes and shoes as survivors ings marked the first in three took stock of the disarray in the years to target Baghdad’s bus- SUCCESS aftermath. tling commercial area. A suicide No one immediately took re- bomb attack took place in the SCHOLARSHIP sponsibility for the attack, but same area in 2018 shortly after Iraqi military officials said it was then-Prime Minister Haidar al- the work of the Islamic State. Abadi declared victory over Is- Iraq’s health minister Hassan lamic State. Mohammed al-Tamimi said at Iraq has seen assaults perpe- least 32 people were killed and trated by both ISIS the Islamic 110 were wounded in the attack. State group and mostly Shiite mi- He said some of the wounded litia groups in recent months. Mi- were in serious condition. Iraq’s litias have routinely targeted the UMGC Europe is offering hundreds of scholarships military previously put the num- American presence in Iraq with worth up to $250 for new students to get them started ber of dead at 28. rocket and mortar attacks, espe- The Health Ministry an- cially the U.S. Embassy in Bagh- on a 1-credit course. nounced that all of its hospitals in dad’s heavily fortified Green the capital were mobilized to Zone. The pace of those attacks, To be eligible: treat the wounded. however, has decreased since an Maj. Gen. Tahsin al-Khafaji, informal truce was declared by spokesman for the Joint Oper- Iran-backed armed groups in Oc- P You must be a new student starting in Spring 2021 and enrolled ations Command, which includes tober. in a 1-credit course such as LIBS 150 Introduction to Research or an array of Iraqi forces, said the The style of Thursday’s assault first suicide bomber cried out was similar to those ISIS has con- CAPL 398A Career Planning Management. loudly that he was ill in the mid- ducted in the past. But the group 1-credit remote and online courses start throughout January, dle of the bustling market, has rarely been able to penetrate P prompting a crowd to gather the capital since being dislodged February, and March. around him — and that’s when he by Iraqi forces and the U.S.-led detonated his explosive belt. The coalition in 2017. P Apply today at europe.umgc.edu/scholarships. second detonated his belt shortly The twin bombings Thursday after, he said. came days after Iraq’s govern- Scan here to “This is a terrorist act perpe- ment unanimously agreed to hold apply today trated by a sleeper cell of the Is- early elections in October. Prime ENROLL NOW lamic State,” al-Khafaji said. He Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi had said ISIS “wanted to prove its ex- announced in July that early We’re ready to assist you from anywhere in our istence” after suffering many polls would be held to meet the virtual oﬃ ces 7 days a week. blows in military operations to demands of anti-government pro- europe.umgc.edu/virtualofﬁ ces root out the militants. testers. PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 MILITARY Indo-Pacific allies congratulate Biden via tweet

BY SETH ROBSON cessful term in leading USA as we stand Stars and Stripes united and resilient in addressing common TOKYO — America’s most important al- challenges and advancing global peace and lies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region, security.” along with its greatest strategic rival, took to The India-US partnership is based on social media to congratulate President Joe shared values, Modi said in another tweet. Biden on his inauguration Wednesday. “We have a substantial and multifaceted Biden, 78, took over for a Trump adminis- bilateral agenda, growing economic en- tration that played hardball with Japan and gagement and vibrant people to people link- South Korea in an effort to get them to pay ages,” he wrote. “Committed to working more for their own defense; started a trade with President @JoeBiden to take the In- war with an increasingly aggressive China; dia-US partnership to even greater and held summit meetings with North Ko- heights.” rean leader Kim Jong Un in an unsuccess- Shyam Tekwani, an India expert at the ful attempt to denuclearize the Korean Pen- Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in insula. Honolulu and Abhijit Singh, a senior fellow “America is back,” South Korean Presi- and security expert at the India-based think dent Moon Jae-in tweeted after Biden and tank Observer Research Foundation, told Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn Stars and Stripes in November that they ex- in. “America’s new beginning will make de- pect defense ties between the U.S. and India mocracy even greater. Together with the to deepen due to mutual apprehension over Korean people, I stand by your journey to- China’s growing military might and its de- ward ‘America United.’ ” sire to dominate the region. The alliance between the U.S. and South Modi also congratulated Harris, whose Korea will grow stronger by working to- EUGENE HOSHIKO/AP mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, immi- gether to address global issues such as pub- People walk past a broadcast of the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden on grated to the U.S. from India. lic health, security, the economy and cli- Thursday in Tokyo. “It is a historic occasion,” Modi tweeted. mate change, Moon said. “Looking forward to interacting with her to “The U.S. will surely succeed in building ga, in a tweet to Biden and Harris, de- the end of March. Trump had demanded Ja- make India-USA relations more robust. The back better, and the world will be amazed,” scribed Japan and the U.S. as allies tied pan pay $8 billion a year, up from $2.5 bil- India-USA partnership is beneficial for our he tweeted, using Biden’s campaign slogan. firmly by bonds and shared universal val- lion, for hosting U.S. troops in the country, planet.” “[South Korea] will walk along with the new ues. former national security adviser John Bol- Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Cui Biden administration from the start. We go “I look forward to working with you and ton wrote in his memoir, “The Room Where Tiankai, who criticized Trump last spring together!” your team to reinforce our alliance and to It Happened,” published in June. for blaming Beijing for failing to stop the A new U.S. administration will likely realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” Suga Australian Prime Minister Scott Morri- coronavirus’ spread, also tweeted congrat- move quickly to resolve a dispute with wrote, using a U.S. catchphrase often said in son also tweeted his congratulations to the ulations to Biden. South Korea over the cost of supporting relation to freedom-of-navigation exercises new U.S. leaders. “China looks forward to working with the 28,500 American troops on the divided pen- in the South and Ease China Seas that irk “The Australia-US Alliance has never new administration to promote sound & insula, Michael O’Hanlon, a senior fellow at Beijing. been more important. I wish you both every steady development of China-U.S. relations the Brookings Institution and Ralph Cossa, In a call following his November election success for your time in office and look for- and jointly address global challenges in a former Air Force officer and president win, Biden told Suga the U.S. would defend ward to working closely with your new ad- public health, climate change & growth,” emeritus of the Pacific Forum think tank in the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, ministration,” he wrote. Tiankai wrote in his tweet. Hawaii, told Stars and Stripes in November. which are administered by Japan but The importance of the alliance was dem- Despite the well-wishes, there is biparti- Seoul and Washington have been at odds claimed by China and Taiwan. Chinese ves- onstrated last year with the rotation of 1,200 san concern among U.S. lawmakers over over Trump’s demand that South Korea sels in 2020 made a record 333 trips to the Marines to Australia’s Northern Territory. China’s military build-up, threats to Tai- substantially increase the amount it pays to area around the uninhabited islands, be- The contingent was half as large as planned wan, infiltration of U.S. institutions, theft of host a U.S. military presence, a contract sting the previous year’s record of 282. but went ahead despite the coronavirus American intellectual property, illegal oc- called the Special Measures Agreement. Security experts expect the new adminis- pandemic, which forced the cancellation of cupation of disputed South China Sea terri- The previous agreement expired in Decem- tration will drop hardball negotiating tac- exercises with other countries in the region tory, suppression of democracy activists in ber 2018. tics used by the Trump administration over such as the Philippines. Hong Kong and genocide of Uyghur Mus- In April, the U.S. government furloughed Japan’s contribution to the cost of basing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lims and ethnic and religious minority about 4,500 South Korean base employees, approximately 54,000 U.S. troops in the tweeted his “warmest congratulations” to groups who live in the northwestern region about half its local workforce, for nearly country, but that Japan will likely pay more Biden and Harris. of Xinjiang. three months when the countries failed to if asked. “I look forward to working with him to agree on a plan. The allies are negotiating ahead of the ex- strengthen India-US strategic partner- [email protected] Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Su- piration of a five-year cost-sharing deal at ship,” he wrote. “My best wishes for a suc- Twitter: @SethRobson1 Trump-appointee Norquist takes over as acting defense secretary

BY COREY DICKSTEIN Pentagon comptroller — its top fi- Norquist avoided the spotlight term could be shorter, as Biden Pentagon comptroller, was sworn Stars and Stripes nancial official — beginning in during the Trump administration, awaits Congress to vote on his de- in as the acting Navy secretary. David Norquist, a Pentagon June 2017. surviving in the Pentagon as five fense secretary pick, retired Ar- And, John Roth, who had served mainstay throughout former A longtime government finance men — two Senate-confirmed and my Gen. Lloyd Austin. as the Air Force’s comptroller President Donald Trump’s term, official, Norquist previously three acting — served as defense The Biden administration will and was the service’s acting un- was sworn in Wednesday as the served as an Army budget ana- secretary for Trump. Among his also have Trump-era holdovers dersecretary, became the acting acting defense secretary, taking lyst, a House Appropriations noted accomplishments, Norquist take on the roles of the three ser- Air Force secretary. over the Defense Department’s Committee staffer, and in former in 2019 guided the Pentagon vice secretaries in temporary, Ryan McCarthy left his role as top position until a permanent President George W. Bush’s through its first-ever audit. acting capacities. Biden has not Army secretary Wednesday after choice is approved by Congress. Homeland Security Department Trump passed over Norquist announced who he plans to nomi- speculation that he might be Norquist, who has served as the and Pentagon. As deputy defense for acting defense secretary when nate for the positions of Army asked by Biden’s administration Pentagon’s No. 2 civilian since Ju- secretary, Norquist has been re- he fired Mark Esper shortly after Secretary, Navy Secretary and to remain in the Pentagon. In a ly 2019, took over responsibility sponsible for the day-to-day busi- his election loss in November. He Air Force Secretary. note to the Army, McCarthy for the Defense Department ness operations of the Defense instead picked Christopher Mill- On Wednesday, John Whitley, called serving as the service’s top shortly after President Joe Biden Department, managing the Pen- er, a former Army Special Forces who had been serving as the Ar- civilian since September 2019 was sworn into office at the Capi- tagon’s massive budget, and over- officer, to lead the Pentagon dur- my’s comptroller, was sworn in as “the highest honor” of his life. tol, Pentagon officials said. Before seeing efforts to reform the mil- ing his final weeks in office. acting Army secretary. Thomas he served as deputy secretary of itary’s acquisition and accounting Miller served as acting defense Harker, who had been the comp- [email protected] defense, Norquist served as the practices. secretary for 72 days. Norquist’s troller for the Navy and acting Twitter: @CDicksteinDC Friday, January 22, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Tributes pour in after Green Beret’s death BY CHAD GARLAND chanical engineering from Flor- fallen soldier, where they shared Stars and Stripes ida State University in 2008, be- photos and memories. ‘John was a big brother and protector Dozens of people have paid fore join- “He was a big brother,” Leduc homage online to a Green Beret ing the said. “He was always looking out for all of us on and off the ice.’ who died last week in a noncom- Army, for me when I needed a hand. Darren Grassey bat incident, while hundreds the com- And of course he had a knack for have raised more than $50,000 mand equally getting us into trouble former FSU hockey teammate for the wife and young daughter said in a and out of it as well.” and two friends, “armed with on the Facebook memorial page. he left behind. state- Wirka joined the Army in Feb- three roses and a ‘smooth’ pick up “I know he served our country Warrant Officer John Wirka, ment. ruary 2010 and by September of line,” said a profile of the couple the same way, selflessly. Thank 36, of 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Craig that year had completed basic, in- published in the magazine VIP you & RIP John.” Forces Group (Airborne), died Leduc, a fantry training and Airborne Destin in spring 2017. Ralph Wieder, another hockey Jan. 14, the command said in a college School at Fort Benning, Ga., and After that, any time he passed a teammate, wrote that he was fo- statement over the weekend, pro- room- the Special Forces Assessment vendor selling roses, he would cusing on how proud he was of viding few details about the cir- mate who Wirka and Selection at Fort Bragg. buy his wife a flower to commem- Wirka “instead of how sad this cumstances of the incident or now lives After graduating the Special orate the night they met. He pro- loss is.” where it occurred. in Durham, N.C., recalled seeing Forces Qualification Course in posed on a beach in July 2015, As of Thursday morning, more “With this tragic event, John Wirka for the last time when his February 2012, he was assigned just two weeks before he went off than 320 people had donated a to- leaves behind his spouse and one former university club hockey to 7th Group’s 3rd Battalion at to Ranger School. tal of almost $53,000 to a Go- child,” said Col. John W. Sannes, teammate was training at Fort Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where The Ranger-qualified soldier FundMe campaign set up for 7th Group commander. “John Bragg, N.C., and paid him a brief he deployed several times to sup- commissioned as a warrant offi- Wirka’s wife and daughter. served his nation honorably and visit. port missions in U.S. Southern cer last year. He then served as Hours earlier on Facebook, his was loved by many. We are deep- “It was so great to catch-up, Command, U.S. Northern Com- an assistant detachment com- mother expressed thanks for the ly saddened by the loss of one of share a few beers and memo- mand and Afghanistan. mander within 2nd Battalion, 7th generosity and those sharing trib- our finest soldiers.” ries,” Leduc said in a Facebook He also served as the senior in- SFG. utes to her son. In a Facebook post, his mother post Tuesday. “At the time my structor at the Maritime Oper- His awards and decorations in- “While we are devastated by expressed the family’s grief at wife was four months pregnant ations Training Detachment, clude two Bronze Stars, an Army our loss, all the kindness has learning of his death. with our daughter and John told where he helped produce over 50 Superior Unit Award and an Ar- meant so much,” she wrote. “Our hearts are broken,” Alli- me just how great it was to be a dive-qualified soldiers for the my Achievement medal. “Please pray for our families. We son Wirka wrote. “He was our he- Girl Dad.” Special Forces Regiment, the “John was a big brother and love you.” ro.” Leduc was one of dozens of command said. protector for all of us on and off

The native of Tampa, Fla., Wirka’s friends who have joined a Wirka met his wife Erica in the ice,” former FSU hockey [email protected] earned a bachelor’s degree in me- Facebook memorial page for the 2014, when he approached her teammate Darren Grassey wrote Twitter: @chadgarland PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 PACIFIC 15 new virus cases at bases in Japan, S.Korea

BY JOSEPH DITZLER Jan. 7 with 2,447 new patients. ported one new coronavirus pa- wrote. “Although it remains vol- and curb the virus’ spread. Stars and Stripes Ahandful of U.S. bases are with- tient, an individual screened prior untary at this time, I encourage U.S. Forces Korea on Thursday TOKYO — U.S. military bases in the larger metro area, including to deployment and already isolat- everyone to get the vaccine when reported 10 new coronavirus in Japan and South Korea report- the headquarters of U.S. Forces ed, according to a Facebook post. your name is called.” cases, seven of them new arrivals ed 15 new coronavirus cases as of 6 Japan, U.S. Army Japan and the In a separate post Thursday, in- The vaccine, which initially ar- to the peninsula between Jan. 6 p.m. Thursday, while Japan’s cap- Navy’s 7th Fleet. stallation commander Col. Lance rived at six other installations in and Wednesday, according to a ital city counted over 1,000 new Naval Air Facility Atsugi, 24 Lewis passed word that the Mod- Japan on Dec. 26, is distributed news release. patients for the ninth straight day. miles southwest of central Tokyo, erna vaccine against COVID-19, according to priorities set in a South Korea reported 401 newly Another 1,471 people in Tokyo reported four new coronavirus in- the coronavirus respiratory dis- three-phase plan that starts with infected people on Wednesday, tested positive Thursday, accord- fections: one tested positive after ease, will arrive soon. medical care providers, first re- continuing a fall in new cases from ing to public broadcaster NHK. recently arriving in Japan and “No Marine or Sailor likes be on sponders and security forces and a high on Dec. 25 of 1,235, accord- More than 90,000 people in the three were already quarantined, the defensive, so I’m pleased to culminates with the healthy, gen- ing to the Central Disease Control city have become infected with said base spokesman Sam Sa- say that this weekend, we go on the eral population. Headquarters and the World the virus and at least 754 have died muelson. He did not know why the attack with the arrival of the vac- So far in January, MCAS Iwaku- Health Organization. during the pandemic, according to three were quarantined. cine for which your chain of com- ni has reported 75 cases of corona-

metro government data. The re- Marine Corps Air Station Iwa- mand will have the details about virus and imposed a daylong lock- [email protected] cent wave of infections peaked kuni, 500 miles west of Tokyo, re- priorities and mechanics,” Lewis down to permit contact tracing Twitter: @JosephDitzler DODEA high school drill program wins virtual competition

BY DAVE ORNAUER ond to E.J. King High School at Sa- Stars and Stripes sebo Naval Base in the armed ex- CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — hibition. In the overall standings, Brent Cook needed more bodies Yokota High at Yokota Air Base for his Junior Reserve Officer was second, followed by King and Training Corps drill program at Nile C. Kinnick High School at Yo- Camp Foster’s Kubasaki High kosuka Naval Base. All the schools School. are on U.S. military bases in Ja- Students there, deprived during pan. the coronavirus pandemic of their In a normal year, teams from 12 regular extracurricular outlets — Department of Defense Educa- football, volleyball, basketball and tion Activity schools in the Pacific the rest — needed something, any- gather in separate venues for DODEA thing, to do and a team with which JROTC drill and marksmanship The JROTC Dragon Battalion from Kubasaki High School at Camp Foster, Okinawa, won four of five events to bond. competitions. at a virtual Far East Drill Competition in December. That proved beneficial for Cook, But this is a pandemic year, who coached the Kubasaki Drag- which actually helped Cook and Cook singled out Cadet 2nd Lt. competition in a pandemic started video camera and assembled a on Battalion to top honors at the his boss, retired Marine Capt. Madison Sharp, in charge of un- in spring 2020, when JROTC su- team of 15 judges, three each as- Far East Drill Competition in De- Kenneth Gipson, expand the drill armed regulation and exhibition, perintendents realized the prob- signed to the five events. cember, according to results an- team ranks from 23 members last Cadet 1st Lt. Mateo Alvarez, in lems ahead, Cook said. “The biggest challenges were nounced last week. The drill team year to 36 this year, Cook said by charge of color guard and armed Jason Perdew, a retired lieuten- scheduling of team recordings took four of five events in the vir- telephone on Wednesday. exhibition, and Cadet 1st Sgt. Ian ant colonel and commander of the and judging sessions,” he said. tual competition. “The kids, they really bonded. It Ayson, in charge of armed regula- Matthew C. Perry High School “Every team had different COVID “It’s awesome,” said Cook, a re- was such a great environment, tion. JROTC battalion at Marine Corps rules to follow. Some could prac- tired Marine Corps sergeant ma- watching them bond and do some- Also key to victory were six Air Station Iwakuni, “was the piv- tice more than others. Some had to jor, in his fifth year as the Dragon thing” together during the pan- first-year Dragon cadets, all small otal key person who made it hap- be outside. Some could use the Battalion’s superintendent. demic, Cook said, adding he avidly in size, Cook said. pen,” Cook said. gym, some couldn’t. Bottom line “We’re very happy. The kids are recruited and had little trouble “They were tiny, they were lug- Perdew, a former communica- was, we tried to replicate a live very excited.” finding takers. ging around weapons that were tions officer in the Marines, ar- drill meet as much as we could.” Kubasaki placed first in the col- “It gave them purpose. I loved bigger than they were,” he said. ranged the competition. He devel- or guard, armed and unarmed watching their teamwork. They “But they stepped up and fell in oped a digital score sheet, a sys-

regulation and unarmed exhibi- were so focused. They made it love with drill.” tem in which every school would [email protected] tion categories and finished sec- fun,” he said. Organizing the Far East drill do their routines in front of one Twitter @DaveOrnauer

Tokyo again protests to Beijing about incursions near Senkaku Islands

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE senior diplomats from both coun- Japan urged China to halt incur- west of Okinawa that Beijing refers offices. Japanese Defense Minis- AND AYA ICHIHASHI tries, a spokesman from Japan’s sions into Japanese waters and to to as Diaoyu Dao. ter Nobuo Kishi “firmly” delivered Stars and Stripes Foreign Ministry told Stars and stop harassing Japanese fishing “We thought because of what Japan’s position over sovereignty Japanese diplomats lodged a Stripes by phone Thursday. boats in the area, the spokesman happened in the Senkaku Islands of the islands and urged China not protest with their Chinese counter- Takehiro Funakoshi, director said. region last year, it is a good time to to escalate tensions. parts Wednesday over Beijing’s general of the Japanese Foreign The Chinese delegation spoke have a talk between both countries, Chinese State Councilor and De- repeated intrusions into waters Ministry’s Asian and Oceanian Af- from “their own perspective,” but director to director, even via video- fense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe surrounding disputed islets in the fairs Bureau, and Hong Liang, di- the Japanese spokesman declined conference,” the spokesman said. rebuffed Kishi’s demands and as- East China Sea. rector general of the Chinese For- to provide specifics. Government This meeting followed a similar serted Chinese sovereignty. The comments about the Japa- eign Ministry’s Department of spokespeople in Japan traditional- videoconference on Dec. 14 be- nese-controlled Senkaku Island Boundary and Ocean Affairs, took ly speak on condition of anonymity. tween the defense ministers of the [email protected] Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 chain came during a maritime se- part in the conference, the spokes- Taiwan and China both claim the two neighboring nations, accord- [email protected] curity videoconference between man said. uninhabited chain about 280 miles ing to statements by the ministers’ Twitter: @AyaIchihashi Friday, January 22, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 MILITARY Arctic: Multi-domain units will bring new capabilities to region

FROM PAGE 1 my. “As the situation changes up “As the situation there and there is more freedom of movement, we certainly want to changes up make sure that we protect our interests.” there and there The Army’s plans include de- veloping a brigade, transforming is more freedom an existing two-star command in- to an operational headquarters of movement, and building a “multi-domain task force” for the region, McConville we certainly said. Multi-domain units are rela- want to make tively new to the Army. They bring together a wide range of ca- sure that we pabilities, including long-range missile systems, to counter more protect our CRISTA MACK/U.S. Army advanced potential adversaries Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade traverse frigid terrains at Exercise Cold Response in Norway in such as Russia and China. interests.” 2016. The Army’s new Arctic strate- James C. McConville gy, expected to be formally released in upcoming weeks, comes Army Chief of Staff after the Navy unveiled its updat- ed Arctic strategy earlier this in the Arctic. month. The U.S. military has already “In the face of increasing ag- deployed larger rotations of Ma- gressive activity in the High North rines to Norway and sent warships from both Russia, which is an Arc- into Arctic waterways. tic nation, and China, which In March, four U.S. Navy war- claims to be a near Arctic nation, ships were sent into the Barents we in the United States must Sea, marking the first time naval maintain a favorable balance of surface ships maneuvered in that power in this region for ourselves waterway — positioned north of and for our allies,” Navy Secretary Finland and Russia — since the Kenneth Braithwaite told report- Cold War. ers following the Jan. 5 strategy For the Army, its Arctic strate- launch. gy will also be about showcasing The Navy plan calls for more “our capabilities through com- port calls in the High North and bined exercises and power projec- more training on operating in icy tion,” McConville said. conditions. The Navy also is looking at ways to share bases and in- [email protected] frastructure with European allies Twitter: @john_vandiver

Army investigating death of soldier found at Kuwait base

Stars and Stripes Two other soldiers were in- The Army was investigating jured in that accident and taken what caused the death of a soldier to a military hospital in Kuwait, at a base in Kuwait this week. including the driver, who was The soldier, who has not yet treated and released the same been publicly identified, was day. found unresponsive Wednesday Some 600 soldiers of the Texas at Camp Arifjan, the Army said. Army National Guard’s 36th In- “We send our heartfelt condo- fantry Division are on a 10-month lences to the family of the de- deployment to the country as part ceased,” U.S. Army Central said of Operation Spartan Shield, in an emailed statement Thurs- which supports logistics, security day. cooperation, exercises and hu- The soldier’s name was being manitarian assistance missions in withheld until 24 hours after fam- the region. The division took over ily had been notified, it said. command of Task Force Spartan It’s the second soldier’s death in November. in Kuwait this year, coming a lit- There were also approximately tle over a week after Staff Sgt. An- 2,200 active-duty personnel from thony Bermudez, 28, was killed in all services in Kuwait, Defense a vehicle accident near Camp Department data in a September Buehring. report showed. U.S. Central Com- Bermudez, from a suburb of mand declined Thursday to pro- Dallas, Texas, died Jan. 11. His vide more up-to-date numbers, remains were returned to the citing operational security con- United States in a dignified trans- cerns. fer ceremony Jan. 13 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. [email protected] PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 NATION Biden to kick off national virus initiatives

Associated Press And he’s mobilizing the Public WASHINGTON — Deep in the Health Service to deploy to assist deadliest coronavirus wave and localities in vaccinations. facing worrisome new mutations, There’s also support for states. President Joe Biden will kick off Biden is ordering FEMA to reim- his national COVID-19 strategy to burse states for the full cost of us- ramp up vaccinations and testing, ing their National Guards to set up reopen schools and businesses vaccination centers. That includes and increase the use of masks — the use of supplies and protective including a requirement that gear as well as personnel. Americans mask up for travel. But some independent experts Biden also will address inequi- say the administration should be ties in hard-hit minority commu- setting a higher bar for itself than nities as he signs 10 pandemic-re- 100 million shots. During flu sea- lated executive orders on Thurs- son, the U.S. is able to vaccinate day. Those orders are a first step, about 3 million people a day, said and specific details of many ad- Dr. Christopher Murray of the In- ministration actions are still being stitute for Health Metrics and spelled out. Evaluation in Seattle. “Given the The new president has vowed to number of people dying from CO- take far more aggressive mea- VID, we could and should do more sures to contain the virus than his — like what we’re able to do on predecessor, starting with strin- seasonal flu,” he said. gent adherence to public health Zients said Biden will not follow guidance. He faces steep obsta- through on a Trump administra- cles, with the virus actively J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP tion plan to penalize states lagging spreading in most states, slow pro- President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, watch a military pass in review ceremony on the East Frontin vaccination by shifting some of gress on the vaccine rollout and of the Capitol at the conclusion of the inauguration ceremonies in Washington on Wednesday. their allocation to more efficient political uncertainty over whether states. “We are not looking to pit congressional Republicans will Biden acknowledged the urgen- resume full funding and staffing Trump made a point of going one state against another,” he help him pass a $1.9 trillion eco- cy of the mission in his inaugural support for WHO. maskless and hosting big gather- said. nomic relief and COVID response address. “We are entering what The U.S. mask order for travel ings of like-minded supporters. Biden has set a goal of having package. may well be the toughest and being implemented by Biden will Science has shown that masks, most K-8 schools reopen in his “We need to ask average Amer- deadliest period of the virus,” he apply to airports and planes, ships, properly worn, cut down on coro- first 100 days, and he’s ordering icans to do their part,” said Jeff said before asking Americans to intercity buses, trains and public navirus transmission. the departments of Education and Zients, the White House official join him in a moment of silence in transportation. Travelers from Biden also is seeking to expand Health and Human Services to directing the national response. memory of the more than 400,000 abroad must furnish a negative testing and vaccine availability, provide clear guidance for reo- “Defeating the virus requires a co- people in the U.S. who have died COVID-19 test before departing with the goal of 100 million shots in pening schools safely. States ordinated nationwide effort.” from COVID-19. for the U.S. and quarantine upon his first 100 days in office. Zients would also be able to tap FEMA’s Biden officials say they’re ham- Biden’s top medical adviser on arrival. Biden has already man- called Biden’s goal “ambitious Disaster Relief Fund to help them pered by lack of cooperation from COVID-19, Dr. Anthony Fauci, al- dated masks on federal property. and achievable.” get schools back open. the Trump administration during so announced renewed U.S. sup- Although airlines, Amtrak and The Democratic president has Getting schools and child care the transition. They say they don’t port for the World Health Organi- other transport providers now re- directed the Federal Emergency going will help to ease the drag on have a complete understanding of zation after the Trump adminis- quire masks, Biden’s order makes Management Agency to begin set- the U.S. economy, making it easier their predecessors’ actions on tration had pulled out of the global it a federal mandate, leaving little ting up vaccination centers, aim- for parents to return to their jobs vaccine distribution. And they body. Fauci said early Thursday wiggle room for passengers ing to have 100 up and running in a and restaurants to find lunch-time face a litany of complaints from that the U.S. will join the U.N. tempted to argue about their month. He’s ordering the Centers customers. states that say they are not getting health agency’s efforts to bring rights. It marks a sharp break with for Disease Control and Preven- But administration officials enough vaccine even as they are vaccines, therapeutics and diag- the culture of President Donald tion to begin a program to make stressed that reopening schools being asked to vaccinate more cat- nostics to people in need, whether Trump’s administration, under vaccines available through local safely depends on increased test- egories of people. in rich or poor countries and will which masks were optional, and pharmacies starting next month. ing. Nuclear: Biden seeks assessment of Russian aggression against US gence Avril Haines to provide in the hopes of encouraging a dous access to data and Trump’s special envoy, Marshall FROM PAGE 1 him a full intelligence assessment more productive relationship. inspections” and is “certainly in Billingslea, tried to secure a clear envoy spent months trying of Russia’s alleged interference “This will be the first post-Sovi- the national interest to extend.” shorter extension with his Rus- to persuade China to join the ac- in the 2020 election, use of chem- et U.S. administration that has not Not all of Biden’s aides have sian counterpart, Deputy Foreign cord before dropping that de- ical weapons against opposition come into office vowing to forge a supported the idea of a five-year Minister Sergei Ryabkov, but mand. leader Alexei Navalny and boun- warmer relationship with Rus- extension for the treaty. failed to make a deal, leaving a Letting the treaty expire would ties on U.S. soldiers in Afghanis- sia,” said Angela Stent, a senior Victoria Nuland, a longtime critical agreement dangerously allow Moscow and Washington to tan, officials said. intelligence official on Russia Russia hawk whom Biden will close to expiration. deploy an unlimited number of Biden is also asking Haines for during the George W. Bush ad- nominate to be the No. 3 official at Arms control advocates have nuclear-armed submarines, bom- an assessment of the massive ministration. the State Department, wrote in also opposed holding out for a bers and missiles in what many cyberattack on federal agencies Biden’s nominee for secretary Foreign Affairs over the summer shorter extension. experts fear could spark a nucle- and departments related to the of state, Antony Blinken, told law- that the United States should only “There is no evidence that Rus- ar arms race and further exacer- SolarWinds software breach, makers Tuesday that sanctions seek a one- or two-year renewal sia is desperate to extend the bate U.S.-Russia relations. which many analysts and govern- passed by Congress to target in the hopes of retaining leverage treaty or that a shorter-term ex- “New START is manifestly in ment officials have blamed on Moscow will be “extremely help- over the Kremlin. tension would make Russia more the national security interest of Russia. The request for the intel- ful in being able to impose . . . “Washington should not grant likely to negotiate a follow-on the United States and makes even ligence assessments will go out costs and consequences” on Rus- Moscow what it wants most: a agreement,” said Daryl Kimball, more sense when the relationship this week, said the officials. sia. free rollover of New START with- executive director of the Arms with Russia is adversarial,” the Biden’s plans for potential pu- Blinken said New START, out any negotiations to address Control Association. senior U.S. official said. nitive actions toward Russia at which restricts the number of de- Russia’s recent investments in U.S. officials said they hoped a As the Biden administration in- the outset of the administration is ployed strategic nuclear war- short- and medium-range nuclear quick renewal of New START forms Moscow of its terms for an unique among his recent prede- heads to 1,550 and deployed stra- weapons systems and new con- could provide a foundation for extension, the president will or- cessors, all of whom attempted to tegic delivery systems to 700, pro- ventional weapons,” she wrote. new arms control arrangements, der Director of National Intelli- turn a new page with the Kremlin vides the United States “tremen- But U.S. officials noted that potentially including China. Friday, January 22, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION New-look Senate confirms Biden’s DNI pick BY LISA MASCARO Haines’ nomination was tempo- Associated Press “We have a rarily blocked by Sen. Tom Cotton, WASHINGTON — Three new R-Okla., as he sought information senators were sworn into office lengthy agenda. about the CIA’s enhanced interro- Wednesday after President Joe Bi- gation program. Sen. Josh Hawley, den’s inauguration, securing the And we need to R-Mo., is holding back the Home- majority for Democrats in the Sen- land Security nominee, Alejandro ate and across a unified govern- get it done Mayorkas, over Biden’s proposed ment to tackle the new president’s immigration changes. agenda at a time of unprecedented together.” And McConnell is refusing to en- national challenges. ter a power-sharing agreement In a first vote, the Senate con- Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. with Senate Democrats unless they firmed Biden’s nominee for Direc- majority leader meet his demands, chiefly to pre- tor of National Intelligence, Avril serve the Senate filibuster — the Haines. Senators worked into the tion’s painful political divisions procedural tool often used by the evening and overcame some Re- from the deadly Jan. 6 siege of the minority party to block bills under publican opposition to approve his Capitol by a mob loyal to Donald rules that require 60 votes to ad- first Cabinet member, in what’s Trump. vance legislation. traditionally a show of good faith on Congress is being called on to McConnell, in his first speech as Inauguration Day to confirm at MELINA MARA, THE WASHINGTON POST/AP consider Biden’s proposed $1.9 tril- the minority party leader, said the least some nominees for a new The Senate confirmed President Joe Biden’s nominee for national lion COVID recovery package, to election results with narrow Dem- president’s administration. intelligence director, Avril Haines, on Wednesday, 8410, after three distribute vaccines and shore up an ocratic control of the House and Haines, a former CIA deputy di- new Democratic senators were sworn into office. economy as more than 400,000 Senate showed that Americans “in- rector, will become a core member Americans have died from the vi- tentionally entrusted both political of Biden’s security team, oversee- fice to the new Democratic sen- by California’s governor to finish rus. At the same time, the Senate is parties with significant power.” ing the agencies that make up the ators — Jon Ossoff, Raphael War- the remainder of Harris’ term. about to launch an impeachment The GOP leader said he looked for- nation’s intelligence community. nock and Alex Padilla — just hours “Today, America is turning over trial of Trump, charged by the ward to working with the new pres- She was confirmed 84-10. after taking her own oath at the anew leaf. We are turning the page House of inciting the insurrection ident “wherever possible.” The new Senate majority leader, Capitol alongside Biden. The three on the last four years, we’re going to at the Capitol as rioters tried to in- At her first White House brief- Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urged Democrats join a Senate narrowly reunite the country, defeat CO- terrupt the Electoral College tally ing, press secretary Jen Psaki said colleagues to turn the spirit of the split 50-50 between the parties, but VID-19, rush economic relief to the and overturn Biden’s election. The Biden’s desire to have his Cabinet new president’s call for unity into giving Democrats the majority people,” Ossoff told reporters ear- Senate will need to confirm other confirmed and in place is “front action. with Harris able to cast the tie- lier at the Capitol. “That’s what Biden Cabinet nominees. and center for the president,” and “President Biden, we heard you breaking vote. they sent us here to do.” To “restore the soul” of the coun- she said he was hoping to have his loud and clear,” Schumer said in Ossoff, a former congressional Taken together, their arrival try, Biden said in his inaugural national security nominees in his first speech as majority leader. aide and investigative journalist, gives Democrats for the first time speech, requires “unity.” place Thursday or Friday. “We have a lengthy agenda. And and Warnock, a pastor from the late in a decade control of the Senate, Yet as Washington looks to turn Psaki said the president will be we need to get it done together.” Martin Luther King Jr.’s church in the House and the White House, as the page from Trump to the Biden “quite involved” in negotiations Vice President Kamala Harris Atlanta, won run-off elections in Biden faces the unparalleled chal- administration, Republican leader over the COVID relief package, but drew applause as she entered the Georgia this month, defeating two lenges of the COVID-19 crisis and Mitch McConnell is not relinquish- left the details of the upcoming im- chamber to deliver the oath of of- Republicans. Padilla was tapped its economic fallout, and the na- ing power without a fight. peachment trial to Congress. Biden revokes Trump report promoting ‘patriotic education’ Associated Press across the nation, the commission “It’s an insult to the whole enter- executive director and a vice presi- contributions of enslaved people, President Joe Biden revoked a glorifies the country’s founders, prise of education. Education is dent at the conservative Hillsdale Indigenous communities and recent Trump administration re- plays down America’s role in slav- supposed to help young people College, denied any wrongdoing, women. In a statement also signed port that aimed to promote “patri- ery, condemns the rise of progres- learn to think critically,” said Da- saying the panel’s members “con- by 13 other academic groups, the otic education” in schools but that sive politics and argues that the civ- vid Blight, a Civil War historian at tributed our own work and writing, organization says the report seeks historians mocked and rejected as il rights movement ran afoul of the Yale University. “That report is a under our own names, to the 1776 “government indoctrination of political propaganda. “lofty ideals” espoused by the piece of right-wing propaganda.” Report, which was an advisory re- American students.” In an executive order signed on Founding Fathers. Trump officials heralded the report to the president.” Blight, at Yale, compared it to “a Wednesday in his first day in office, The panel, which included no port as “a definitive chronicle of the Spalding and other commission sixth or seventh grade kind of ap- Biden disbanded Donald Trump’s professional historians of the Unit- American founding,” but scholars leaders did not immediately re- proach to history — to make the presidential 1776 Commission and ed States, complained of “false and say it disregards the most basic spond to other criticism leveled children feel good.” withdrew a report it released Mon- fashionable ideologies” that depict rules of scholarship. It offers no ci- against the report. After the report was removed day. Trump established the group the country’s story as one of “op- tations, for example, or a list of its In documents announcing Bi- from a White House website, some in September to rally support from pression and victimhood.” Instead, source materials. den’s executive order, administra- of its authors moved to make it white voters and as a response to it called for renewed efforts to fos- It also includes several passages tion officials said the panel “sought available on conservative web- The New York Times’ “1619 Pro- ter “a brave and honest love for our copied directly from other writings to erase America’s history of racial sites. In an opinion piece published ject,” which highlights the lasting country.” by members of the panel, as one injustice.” by The Heritage Foundation, one of consequences of slavery in Ameri- Historians widely panned the re- professor found after running the The American Historical Asso- the commissioners, Mike Gonza- ca. port, saying it offers a false and out- report through software that’s used ciation condemned the document, lez, said the members “intend to In its report, which Trump dated version of American history to detect plagiarism. saying it glorifies the founders continue meeting and fulfilling the hoped would be used in classrooms that ignores decades of research. Matthew Spalding, the panel’s while ignoring the histories and charges of our two-year remit.” PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK US jobless claims drop to still-high level of 900,000

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER ply for aid. Associated Press Once vaccines become more WASHINGTON — The num- widely distributed, economists ber of Americans seeking unem- expect growth to accelerate in the ployment benefits fell slightly second half of the year as Amer- last week to 900,000, still a histor- icans unleash pent-up demand ically high level that points to on- for visiting movie theaters and going job cuts in a raging pan- concert halls, travel and dining demic. out. Such spending should, in the- TED SHAFFREY/AP The Labor Department’s re- ory, boost hiring and start to re- People wait in line to receive the Moderna COVID19 vaccine at a public high school in Paterson, N.J., on port Thursday underscored that gain the nearly 10 million jobs Wednesday. President Joe Biden has inherit- lost to the pandemic. ed an economy that faltered this But for now, the economy is winter as virus cases spiked, cold losing ground. Retail sales have States report shortages of vaccine, weather restricted dining and fallen for three straight months. federal rescue aid expired. The Restrictions on restaurants, bars government said 5.1 million and some stores, along with a re- cancel appointments for first doses Americans are continuing to re- luctance of most Americans to ceive state jobless benefits, down shop, travel and eat out, have led Associated Press mediately came under pressure to its supply of vaccine within two or from 5.2 million in the previous to sharp spending cutbacks. Rev- NEW YORK — The push to in- fix things. He has made it clear three days for people seeking their week. That suggests that while enue at restaurants and bars oculate Americans against the that his administration will take a first dose. some of the unemployed are find- plunged 21% in 2020. coronavirus is hitting a roadblock: stronger hand in attacking the cri- “What’s clear now is we’ll be going jobs, others are likely using The loss of so many jobs has A number of states are reporting sis, and he vowed to administer ing from week to week, and you up their state benefits and transi- meant hardship for millions of they are running out of vaccine, 100 million shots in his first 100 will see a constant pattern of basi- tioning to separate extended-ben- American households. In Decem- and tens of thousands of people days. cally running out, waiting for the efit programs. ber, employers cut 140,000 posi- who managed to get appointments Less than half of the 36 million next week’s allocation, and start- More than 10 million people are tions, the first loss since April and for a first dose are seeing them doses distributed to the states by ing up again,” he said. He urged receiving aid from those extend- the sixth straight month in which canceled. the federal government have been health care facilities not to sched- ed programs, which now offer up hiring has weakened. The unem- Karen Stachowiak, a first-grade administered so far, according to ule appointments to dispense vac- to 50 weeks of benefits, or from a ployment rate remained stuck at teacher in the Buffalo area, spent the Centers for Disease Control cines they haven’t been allocated new program that provides bene- a still-high 6.7%. almost five hours on the state hot- and Prevention. Public health offi- yet. fits to contractors and the self- Yet there are signs that the line and website to land an ap- cials have said the gap could re- In Florida, local media reported employed. All told, nearly 16 mil- $900 billion federal aid package pointment for Wednesday, only to flect recordkeeping delays as well a similar problem in the Miami ar- lion people were on unemploy- enacted late last month may have be told it was canceled. The Erie as disarray and other failings at ea, where the Baptist Health care ment in the week that ended Jan. begun to cushion the damage, in County Health Department said it various levels of government in system canceled appointments for 2, the latest period for which data large part thanks to $600 checks scratched vaccinations for over actually getting shots into arms. first doses. is available. being sent to most adults. The 8,000 people in the past few days In a statement, HHS said that ju- “I could have blown the top of “Unemployment claims contin- government began distributing because of inadequate supply. risdictions actually received my head off with steam,” 76-year- ue to show a job market unable to the payments at the end of last “It’s stressful because I was so about a 5% increase in vaccine al- old Charlotte Reeve told The Mia- progress further as long as CO- month. close. And my other friends that locations this week from what they mi Herald. “I’m also a fairly recent VID-19 remains in the driver’s Those payments have likely are teachers, they were able to got in the past couple of weeks. widow. To me, having to be locked seat,” said Daniel Zhao, senior helped drive an increase in book appointments for last Satur- C ountries across Europe are al- up in my house alone is just devas- economist at Glassdoor. “While spending on debit and credit day,” Stachowiak said. “So many so having problems getting tating to me ... I feel like I just got the vaccine offers a light at the cards issued by Bank of America, people are getting theirs in, and enough doses to provide protec- cut off at the knees again.” end of the tunnel, we’re still far economists at the bank wrote last then it’s like, ‘Nope, I’ve got to tion against a virus that is now ap- San Francisco’s health depart- away from a complete reopening week. Total card spending jump- wait.’” pearing in new, more contagious ment said it is likely to run out of of the economy that could drive ed 9.7% for the week that ended The reason for the apparent variants around the globe. vaccine on Thursday, in part be- rehiring and stem further lay- Jan. 9 compared with a year ear- mismatch between supply and de- Pfizer said last week that it cause the state pulled back on ad- offs.” lier. That was up from a 2% year- mand in the United States was un- would temporarily reduce deliv- ministering a batch of Moderna New viral infections have be- over-year increase before the clear, but last week, the Health eries to Europe and Canada while shots after several health workers gun to slow after months of re- stimulus payments, Bank of and Human Services Department it upgrades capacity at its plant in suffered what may have been a lentless increases, though they America said. suggested that states had unrealis- Belgium, which supplies all shots bad reaction. The county health remain high and are averaging Last week, Biden unveiled a tic expectations for how much vac- delivered outside the U.S. Pfizer’s department received 12,000 doses about 200,000 a day. The number $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan that cine was on the way. primary site for manufacturing last week but fewer than 2,000 this of deaths in the United States would provide, among other In any case, new shipments go vaccine for the U.S. is in Kalama- week. from the pandemic that erupted things, $1,400 checks for most out every week, and both the gov- zoo, Mich. In a statement, Moderna said 10 months ago has surpassed Americans, which, on top of the ernment and the drugmakers have In the U.S., some states have that it is on track to deliver 100 mil- 400,000. $600 checks already being dis- said there are large quantities in suggested they may run out by lion doses by the end of the first Economists say one factor that tributed, would bring the total to the pipeline. Thursday and are unclear when quarter of the year and 200 million has likely increased jobless $2,000 per adult. The shortages are coming as new doses will arrive. by the end of the second quarter. claims in the past two weeks is a The new plan would also make states dramatically ramp up their New York Mayor Bill de Blasio Pfizer, the maker of the other government financial aid pack- available $400 a week in federal vaccination drives, at the federal said Wednesday that the city had vaccine used in the U.S., said it du- age that was signed into law in benefits for jobless Americans government’s direction, to reach to cancel 23,000 appointments for ly filled the government’s orders late December. Among other and extend a moratorium on evic- people 65 and older, along with people awaiting their first dose over the past two weeks. It said it is things, it provided a $300-a-week tions and foreclosures through certain others. More than 400,000 this week. The New York Police working around the clock to pro- federal unemployment benefit on September. Biden’s proposal will deaths in the U.S. have been Department suspended first-shot duce millions more doses each day top of regular state jobless aid. require congressional approval, blamed on the virus. vaccinations for its officers. and foresees no problems in meet- The new benefit, which runs and some congressional Republi- President Joe Biden, who was New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ing its commitment to deliver 200 through mid-March, may be en- cans have already expressed res- inaugurated on Wednesday, im- said he expects the state to exhaust million by the end of July. couraging more Americans to ap- ervations about its size. Friday, January 22, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 NATION Portland protesters damage Dem’s HQ Powerball winner Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. — A group of protesters carrying signs sold in Md. against President Joe Biden and police marched in Portland on Associated Press Inauguration Day and damaged LONACONING, Md. — The lat- the headquarters of the Demo- est jackpot-winning Powerball cratic Party of Oregon, police ticket, worth $731.1 million, was said. sold in a struggling coal mining Some in the group of about 150 town whose biggest previous people smashed windows and claim to fame was being the home- spray-painted anarchist symbols town of baseball Hall of Famer at the political party building. Po- Lefty Grove. lice said eight arrests were made Someone bought it at Coney in the area. Some demonstrators Market, a convenience store in the carried a sign reading, “We don’t Allegany County town of Lonacon- want Biden, we want revenge!” ing, the Maryland Lottery an- in response to “police murders” nounced on Thursday. The store and “imperialist wars.” Others will get a $100,000 bonus for sell- carried a banner declaring “We ing the ticket to the fifth-largest Are Ungovernable.” lottery prize in U.S. history. Police said on Twitter that offi- It had been more than four cers on bicycles had entered the months since anyone won the crowd to contact someone with a Powerball. An even larger Mega weapon and to remove poles af- Millions jackpot will be up for fixed to a banner that they grabs Friday night. thought could be used as a weap- AP Just who will collect the Power- on. A group of protesters shield themselves from chemical irritants as they demonstrate Wednesday evening ball prize may never be known: Police said the crowd swarmed outside the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, Ore. Maryland is one of the states that the officers and threw objects at allows winners to remain anony- authorities, who used a smoke p.m. in northeast Portland with demonstrations for more than 100 Wednesday, where police said mous. Lonaconing is a town of canister to get away. speakers talking about police straight days. windows were broken at a feder- about 300 families that’s well off The group was one of several brutality. Mayor Ted Wheeler has deal courthouse and officers arrest- the beaten track, with a poverty that gathered in the city on Inau- Portland has been the site of cried what he described as a seg- ed three people. rate of more than 22 percent, well guration Day, police said. A car frequent protests, many involv- ment of violent agitators who de- The crowd called for the aboli- above the national average. caravan in the city celebrated the ing violent clashes between offi- tract from the message of police tion of Immigration and Customs Coney Market is in a century- transition of presidential power cers and demonstrators, ever accountability and should be sub- Enforcement and, outside the old building. It draws its share of and urged policy change, The since the police killing of George ject to more severe punishment. federal immigration court, sever- regulars, who can eat hamburgers Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Floyd in Minneapolis in May. A group of about 100 people al- al people set fire to an American and submarine sandwiches in a Another group gathered around 5 Over the summer, there were so marched in Seattle on flag, The Seattle Times reported. small seating area. Controversial head of Voice of America resigns The Washington Post Senate. WASHINGTON — Michael Pack, a former documentary Pack, a Trump appointee who filmmaker who has worked with sought to remake the Voice of former Trump adviser Steve America and other government- Bannon, left a trail of controver- funded overseas news agencies, sies, lawsuits and general criti- resigned on Wednesday, bringing cism inside and around the agen- an end to a short and tumultuous cies he oversaw. tenure. He characterized his efforts — Pack quit a few hours after which included replacing top President Joe Biden took office managers and asserting the right and less than eight months into to direct VOA’s newsgathering, his three-year term as chief exec- despite a firewall of regulations utive of the U.S. Agency for Glob- intended to keep the news prod- al Media. The government agen- uct independent — as an attempt cy oversees VOA, Radio Free Eu- to restore the venerable news rope/Radio Liberty, the Office of agency’s tradition of non-partisan Cuba Broadcasting and other net- reporting. Critics, however, saw works that produce and distrib- his initiatives as an effort to turn ute news to millions of people in VOA into a mouthpiece for the countries whose governments Trump administration. suppress independent reporting. “I firmly believe that — thanks He said that his resignation to your support, patriotism, and came at Biden’s request. During understanding — a great amount the presidential campaign, Bi- of much-needed reform was den’s staff had signaled that he achieved in the past eight would replace Pack if Biden won months,” Pack wrote in a resig- election. nation letter to staff on Wednes- Biden named Kelu Chao, a vet- day. eran VOA journalist, as Pack’s in- It’s not clear if Pack’s appoin- terim replacement later on tees, including those on supervi- Wednesday. A permanent suc- sory boards, will be replaced by cessor must be confirmed by the Biden. PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 Friday, January 22, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Conviction overturned over ‘Shining’ reference TRENTON — The New NJ Jersey Supreme Court has overturned a man’s bank robbery conviction because of a prosecutor’s reference to a classic hor- ror movie. During closing arguments in the case against Damon Williams, the prosecutor showed jurors a photo from the movie “The Shining” de- picting a character played by Jack Nicholson telling his terrified wife and son, “Here’s Johnny!” moments after breaking through a door with an ax. The reference was meant to illustrate that actions can speak louder than words, and to support the prosecutor’s conten- tion that Williams should be convicted of a more serious offense even though no threatening words were spoken to the bank teller in Camden County in 2014. The jury convicted Williams of second-degree robbery, which requires the use of force or the threat of force, rather than third-degree theft. Prosecutors argued that Wil- liams’ conduct before and after passing a note to the teller support- JEFF GRITCHEN, THE ORANGE COUNTY (CALIF.) REGISTER, SCNG/AP ed the more serious charge. Wil- liams is currently serving a 14-year term. Winds that sand can’t withstand A unanimous Supreme Court Marich Schapiro, left, her daughters, Cassie and AJ, and June Castillo, brave the wind as they wait for Schapiro's husband, who was surfing disagreed Tuesday, writing that south of the pier in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Tuesday. prosecutors “must walk a fine line” when comparing a defendant with Sheriff’s deputies arrested Ri- THE CENSUS “an individual whom the jury asso- chard Dawayne Fonville, 37, of State parks attendance ciates with violence or guilt.” Hilliard, on Monday on theft The amount, in pounds, of methamphetamine seized during a reaches new high of 3M charges. An arrest report said Fon- 151 traffic stop that led to charges against five Kentucky men, offi- Legislative panel OKs ville was left in charge of the store cials said. The charges stem from an investigation conducted by federal and AUGUSTA — Maine home delivery of alcohol for a few days over the holidays local law enforcement agencies, U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman said in a state- ME users of state parks while the manager was assigned to ment Tuesday. The Jan. 11 traffic stop also resulted in the seizure of counterfeit shattered records for attendance LITTLE ROCK — An another one. pharmaceutical pills suspected of containing fentanyl, marijuana and other last year as they sought outside ad- Arkansas Senate panel When the manager returned to drugs, the statement said. Afterward, multiple search warrants were executed ventures amid the coronavirus AR around Owensboro and authorities seized additional drugs, firearms and over on Tuesday advanced legislation the store on Dec. 29, she found pandemic. $325,000 cash, the complaint said. The five men were all later charged with allowing home delivery of alcohol some inconsistencies in the lottery conspiring to possess drugs with the intent to distribute, Coleman said. The Maine Department of Agri- by liquor stores, a measure that ticket sales record, the report said. culture, Conservation and Forest- would make permanent some- She reviewed security footage, ry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands thing that’s been temporarily al- which showed Fonville removing was not wearing a mask and em- jo Route 4178 with concrete bar- said state park attendance topped lowed during the coronavirus pan- scratch-off tickets from the coun- ployees asked him several times to riers and signs near the Navajo 3 million in 2020 for the first time. demic. ter on those dates, the Florida put a mask on. After ignoring the Agricultural Products Industry The record came despite closures The Senate City, County and Lo- Times-Union reported. The video requests, at the checkout stand, an farm and food product company. in the spring and capacity limita- cal Affairs Committee approved showed Fonville scan the tickets to employee refused to sell goods Genevia Cundiff, the security tions throughout the year. the bill, which would allow deliver- find the winners without scratch- costing about $15 total to the man. manager at NAPI, said no acci- ies by retail liquor permit holders. ing them off. He “became irate,” and the two ar- dents or fatalities have been Home’s Christmas lights The deliveries would not be al- The manager told investigators gued, the release said. caused by drag racing but “it’s a still bringing cheer lowed outside the county where the tickets were never paid for, but The man walked out without risk we do not want to take.” the permit holder is located. the amount each ticket won was paying for the items and an em- AUGUSTA — Though Arkansas allowed home deliv- taken from the cash register. ployee confronted him, the release Police: Man helped GA the holidays have come ery of alcohol by liquor stores in said. The suspect threw a coffee woman, then took her car and gone, John Jarman’s Christ- March when it imposed restric- Maskless customer hits bottle at the employee that struck mas lights are still burning bright. tions on bars and restaurants be- worker with glass bottle him in the head before shattering ST. LOUIS — St. Jarman said he spent a year cause of the coronavirus. Under on the ground, officials said. MO Louis police are planning the display, about 1,800 the measure now heading to the SPOKANE — Wit- The customer then picked up a searching for a man who appeared colored lights with an image-pro- full Senate, the deliveries could on- WA nesses told deputies a piece of the broken bottle, “holding at first to be a good Samaritan by ducing matrix, that covers his ly be made by the permit-holder man became “irate” over grocery it as a weapon,” and threatened the helping an elderly woman load home in Augusta. The whole thing and not a third-party delivery sys- store employees’ requests that he employee, the release said. The groceries — only to pull out a gun syncs to his choice of music, in- tem. wear a mask, ultimately attacking suspect fled before police arrived. and take her minivan moments lat- cluding the Bee Gees and Nat King an employee with a glass bottle, ac- er. Cole. Despite the jolt to his electric Store employee accused cording to a Spokane County Sher- Section of road closed Police say the carjacking hap- bill, Jarman said he plans to keep in lottery ticket theft iff’s Office news release. because of drag racing pened Saturday. The 76-year-old the lights on nightly until people Once he is arrested, deputies victim said she was picking up a get tired of them. JACKSONVILLE — An will recommend felony charges of FARMINGTON — food donation from a church when So far, his neighbors have been FL assistant manager of a robbery and second-degree as- NM Officials have closed a man came over and helped her supportive. convenience store has been arrest- sault, the Spokesman-Review a section of road on the Navajo Na- put the groceries into her vehicle. “Everybody loved it,” said ed in a case involving stolen Flor- reported. tion through the end of February The woman said she thanked the neighbor Christine Ellison. “Any- ida Lottery scratch-off tickets. Around 9:40 a.m. Friday, Spo- because of concerns about persist- man and offered him a ride out of thing that kind of makes you con- The tickets taken from a Jack- kane Valley Deputies responded to ent drag racing. gratitude. Police say that as they nect with the spirit and the joy of sonville Circle K store were worth a report of a disorderly customer The Farmington Daily Times re- drove, the man pulled out a pistol Christmas … I think it was a good acombined total of $6,520, accord- who was refusing to leave the Gro- ported Monday that the Bureau of and ordered her out of her 2006 thing.” ing to the Nassau County Sheriff’s cery Outlet, officials said. A store Indian Affairs Division of Trans- Dodge Caravan. She complied and Office. employee told deputies the man portation closed 2.5 miles of Nava- the man drove away. From wire reports PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 FACES Familiarity creates trust Murray, Coppola’s history extends from ‘Lost in Translation’ to ‘On the Rocks’

BY MICHAEL ORDONA on adventures.” Los Angeles Times Jones is the daughter of the late hildren of famous par- actress Peggy Lipton and music- ents sometimes strug- industry giant Quincy Jones. She gle to escape those long and Coppola have known each Cshadows. To find their other since the casting process for place in the sun, some leave the “Translation.” family business. Not Sofia Coppo- “We’ve both gone as [our fa- la. ther’s] date to some location or With her second directorial fea- work trip,” Coppola said of the ture, as a self-described “kid” two relating to the film’s primary (she was 32 when it came out), the relationship. “I went to Cuba with daughter of Oscar-winning film- my dad and met Fidel Castro maker Francis Ford Coppola won when he was speaking at the film the original screenplay Oscar for school. That’s unique, having a fa- APPLE TV+/TNS 2003’s “Lost in Translation.” She ther like that. But I also think “On the Rocks” marks the second collaboration between actor Bill Murray and writerdirector Sofia has since racked up acclaim in- there’s a universal aspect; you Coppola. The first time the duo worked together was the 2003 film “Lost in Translation.” cluding the Golden Lion at the have bigger-than-life characters Venice Film Festival (for “Some- in all families.” always remembered the nugget ray Christmas” (2015) — which had such great chemistry. I know where”) and the director prize at Murray’s Felix is the cultured of that. I thought, you could hang also happened to feature Jones. that Bill really has regard for her, Cannes (for “The Beguiled”). rapscallion, the Teflon-coated fa- all these other aspects on that in a Coppola is now a member of a so I thought that would come Now that sunny spot has be- ther to Jones’ Laura in Coppola’s fun way,” said Coppola, thinking fairly exclusive club: directors through. They’re both just so in- come so comfortable that she has sophisticated relationship come- of screwball comedies and the whom Murray chooses to work telligent and funny.” made a film about a woman with a dy set in a New York similar to “Thin Man” gentlefolk mysteries. with repeatedly. He still surprises Coppola was aware of how their famous father, starring a woman Woody Allen’s but more active “Maybe I could make some- her, as he did with his vulnerabil- working relationship had (Rashida Jones) with a real-life and modern. Happily married, thing that was playful and fun but ity in one of the most painful mo- changed since their 2003 collab- famous father, and reuniting Cop- Laura begins to wonder if hus- dealt with this exchange between ments in “On the Rocks”: “I think oration and how she had sort of pola with a kind of famous father band Dean (Marlon Wayans) the two of them, with contrasting the scene in Mexico where he’s grown up behind the camera. figure from early in her career. might be having an affair. Felix points of view and also the talking about a former love, and “We’d just met, and I was kind “Felix is a very debonair man. rematerializes in her life and uniqueness of a father-and- he really opens his heart up in a of a kid. He believed in the pro- He’s a specific kind of character drags her along to solve the mys- daughter relationship.” way that was striking, because ject and was totally there for me. that my dad isn’t like,” she says of tery, as only one with his effort- As Felix, Murray delivers one you don’t usually see that side. It But now we have a history togeth- the role Bill Murray (who was less charm and endless connec- of his richest, most lived-in yet was moving.” er; I felt like there was probably nominated for an Oscar for his tions can. uniquely charismatic perform- It was Murray’s chemistry with more trust, and we have a rap- work in “Lost in Translation”) “I had a friend whose husband ances. Coppola had been hesitant Jones that sealed the casting for port. I trust my instincts more plays in her new Apple TV+ fea- was going on work trips, and [she to reunite on screen because of Coppola. than when I was starting, because ture, “On the Rocks.” became] suspicious. Her father, “Lost in Translation’s” legacy. “I’d done a short scene with I’ve seen how things evolve; it “But definitely, Rashida and I who is a playboy, said, ‘We’re go- Things may have shaken loose for them on the Christmas show we looks like a mess and then some- talked about the fun of having a ing to’ — they went and spied on her after he asked her to direct did with Bill, and that’s when I how it turns into a movie,” she charismatic father that takes you him. It was such a crazy story. I his Netflix special, “A Very Mur- first saw them together, and they said. Biden granddaughter Natalie creates style buzz at inauguration

BY MARQUES HARPER “Natalie biden i am in love w u,” wrote another, adding, AND CHRISTI CARRAS “ok it’s official bright pink gonna be a 2021 fashion Los Angeles Times trend.” Step aside, Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga. America has According to Town & Country, “Though more private found a new inauguration “style icon” in Natalie Biden. than her cousins, Natalie campaigned for her grandfather Natalie, one of seven grandchildren of President Joe in the 2020 election and even spoke about having Dr. Jill Biden, was one of the fashionable standouts at the presi- Biden as a grandmother at the 2020 Democratic National dential inauguration in Washington, D.C. The 16-year-old Convention.” stole the runway show with a monochromatic pink coat Appearing during the virtual 2020 DNC in August, Joe and matching mask among a sea of purple and blue shad- Biden’s granddaughters opened up about their close rela- es worn by Vice President Kamala Harris, former First tionship with the president, while Natalie called him out Lady Michelle Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary for “eating [ice cream] in the freezer so that my grandma Clinton, and her grandmother, First Lady Jill Biden. doesn’t see.” Social media was buzzing Wednesday about the young- The young women also discussed the president’s daily er Biden’s all-pink look along with the Miu Miu coat worn habit of checking in on his granddaughters via phone, as by Ella Emhoff, the vice president’s stepdaughter. We’ll well as his concerns about how a 2020 presidential run likely get to know more about the eldest child of the might impact his family. president’s late son, Beau, and his widow Hallie as Joe “Pop told us that this election would be totally different DREW ANGERER/TNS Biden’s first term commences. from any other election, ever. He was worried how it Natalie Biden, left, accompanies her grandfather, “Natalie biden really serving pls,” one person tweeted, would affect his kids,” Natalie said during the DNC seg- thenpresidential candidate Joe Biden, on the campaign along with viral video of the teen making her inaugu- ment. “We just knew that he had to run, and we weren’t trail in November in Scranton, Penn. ration debut. gonna take no as an answer.” Friday, January 22, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Biden’s message for the dissatisfied Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY GEORGE F. WILL sive use of what presidents of both parties global cabal of Satan-worshipping pedo- Washington Post Writers Group have wielded beyond constitutional pro- philes out.” She has vowed to try to impeach EDITORIAL WASHINGTON priety — executive orders. There might Biden on Thursday. Another first-term rep- Terry Leonard, Editor tanding where his predecessor de- soon be many of those issued to undo some resentative, Greene’s Republican colleague [email protected] cried what he subsequently deliv- Trump measures: Policies that impatient, from Colorado, the pistol-packing Lauren ered — “American carnage” — Joe careless presidents implement by decrees Boebert, recently posted a long video of her- Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor Biden on Wednesday promised a are written on water. But there will not be self preening about how admirable she is be- [email protected] S recuperative presidency. His call for Amer- the blizzard of executive fiats that progres- cause she carries her Glock on Capitol Hill. Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content icans to heed the better angels of their na- sives desire. Why are strange people proliferating? [email protected] ture — “each of us has a duty and responsib- “There’s some things that I’m going to be And why did 450,461 of our dissatisfied fel- ility” — recalled an admonition 160 years able to do by executive order,” Biden said, low countrymen vote to transform these two Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] ago. In 1861, when seven of the 34 states had “and I’m not going to hesitate to do it, but ... I into lawmakers? already voted for secession, the 16th presi- am not going to violate the Constitution. Ex- One reason, Sasse said, is “America’s Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital dent said in his inaugural address that the ecutive authority that my progressive junk-food media diet,” the “underlying eco- [email protected] nation’s fate was “in your hands, my dissat- friends talk about” — e.g., banning assault nomics” of which involve “dialing up the isfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine.” weapons — “is way beyond the bounds.” Fif- rhetoric” to increase “clicks, eyeballs, and BUREAU STAFF Today, too, ultimate responsibility for the teen days later, resisting pressure to unilat- revenue.” Another reason is “institutional republic’s trajectory resides in the citizen- erally erase billions of dollars of student collapse” as “the digital revolution erodes Europe/Mideast ry. debt, he said, “I’ve spent most of my career geographic communities in favor of place- Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] Biden’s responsibility involves restora- arguing against the imperial presidency.” less ones. Many people who yell at strangers +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 tion of institutional norms and equilibrium. Progressives yearning for New Deal 2.0 on Twitter don’t know their own local offi- Pacific Five days before becoming president, he will notice that Biden did not speak as Fran- cials or even their neighbors across the Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief spoke five blunt words that would have been klin Roosevelt did in his first inaugural ad- street.” And the susceptibility of a signifi- [email protected] discordant in an inaugural address but that dress about perhaps seeking “broad Execu- cant portion of the citizenry to irrational +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 the entire nation needs to take to heart. Com- tive power” as great as he would need “if we rage reflects “the failure of our traditional Washington menting on Republican members of Con- were in fact invaded by a foreign foe.” Bi- political institutions and our traditional Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief gress who refused to wear masks while den’s grown-up respect for institutional pro- media to function as spaces for genuine po- [email protected] (+1)(202)886-0033 crowded into protected rooms during the prieties might be infectious, encouraging litical conversation,” creating “a vacuum Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Biden said: “It’s time to temperateness among his dissatisfied coun- now filled by the social-media giants.” [email protected] grow up.” trymen, 74 million of whom voted for four Biden’s address, the essence of which was Grown-up American politics requires more years of infantilism. the admonition to “stop the shouting and CIRCULATION voters, as well as those they elect, to have the Among the legislators in attendance on lower the temperature” and end the “ex- Mideast patience to respect constitutional process- Wednesday was Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., hausting outrage,” had the unadorned rhet- Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager es. So, some words Biden spoke six weeks who four days earlier had published in the oric of a teacher telling disorderly pupils to [email protected] ago were heartening. Speaking truth to pow- Atlantic a call for Republicans to choose sit down and buckle down. In tone, it was [email protected] er is universally praised and occasionally adulthood. Their House caucus now in- pitch-perfect for intimating to his dissatis- DSN (314)583-9111 practiced. On Dec. 8, however, in a meeting cludes Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene, fied fellow countrymen that they should not Europe with supporters, Biden did something even who was one of those who would not wear a be self-satisfied. In their hands, not his, is Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager rarer: He spoke truth about power. mask when closely confined on Jan. 6. She the responsibility for mending the social [email protected] [email protected] He rejected pleas that he pursue broad welcomed the previous presidency as “a fabric that they have played a large part in +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 swaths of his domestic agenda by aggres- once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take this fraying. Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 CONTACT US Many Capitol rioters don’t fit media’s mold BY ADAM CHANDLER average Joes, small-business owners and that rioters with military affiliations were Washington Special to The Washington Post elite travelers who flew private jets to D.C. “not representative of our country’s mili- tel: (+1)202.886.0003 n the days following the attack on the and then stormed the Capitol. Civic leaders tary” is less than reassuring. But if that’s 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 U.S. Capitol, it was both easy and and religious activists also took part in the true, what steps are being taken to address Reader letters tempting for Americans to distance melee. Weeks later, many are wondering the growing issues of political extremism [email protected] Ithemselves from the masses that who, if any, of these respected community and white supremacy in the military? Additional contacts sought to execute a coup in broad daylight. members will face consequences back The various revelations about who was in- stripes.com/contactus Channeling the collective disgust, many de- home. While cases are being built and arrests volved speak to the depth of our unprepared- picted the mob as just that — a mob, uniform are underway, the consequences for the ness as well as the reach of the threat into our OMBUDSMAN in its rage, reasons and economic status. On thousands involved are not entirely clear. national life. That so few of the rioters both- Ernie Gates CNN, Anderson Cooper caricatured the par- What’s more terrifying than a carbon-copy ered to make themselves unidentifiable and ticipants as Olive Garden regulars, while at rioting mass? A group of furious insurrec- so many broadcast themselves committing The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow of news and information, reporting any attempts by the the Atlantic, Caitlin Flanagan grouped them tionists with no totalizing banner. Their tac- crimes is symbolic of a sense of impunity dri- military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s as an unwashed coalition of “deadbeat dads, tics and agendas, like their demographics, ven by mainstream approval. In a CBS News- independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for YouPorn enthusiasts, slow students, and were far-ranging and diverse. Some mem- YouGov poll a week after the riot, 43% of Re- fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman MMA fans.” bers of the mob who arrived in Washington publicans described the actions of those who welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by email at [email protected], or by phone at This sentiment apparently found favor came armed with guns and homemade na- forced their way into the Capitol as “patriot- 202.886.0003. even in the White House, where an anony- palm, while others tracked excrement down ism”; 50% described them as “defending mous adviser claimed then-President Do- the hallways of the Capitol and parkoured off freedom.” No wonder the aftermath has left Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday nald Trump ultimately issued his disapprov- the Senate balcony. the rest of us reeling. through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and al of the insurrection on the grounds that the Some pilfered stationery and took memen- With Joe Biden taking the oath of office on Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send optics of it were “low class.” tos, while at least one accused looter may the Capitol’s West Front on Wednesday, mil- address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, The troubling reality is, we would be lucky have wanted to sell House Speaker Nancy lions watching in the U.S. and around the APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services if it were that simple. It is not. We are learning Pelosi’s laptop to Russian agents. Perhaps world breathed a huge, long-held sigh of re- overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are the extent to which political violence and the the only upside to the disorder within the lief. While calm and civility may have been unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- subversion of democracy are in bounds to a ranks is that a far more devastating outcome the watchwords of the day, the transfer of per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to wide spectrum of people. The implications of was avoided, according to several accounts, power should not lead us to believe in tempt- remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. our collective misconceptions are astound- by a matter of seconds and feet. ing fictions or magical thinking. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or ing, especially as a new administration tries We’re also learning how far established Just as all of 2020’s woes didn’t magically Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. to credibly take power. The failure to grasp groups and institutions went to undermine dissolve when our calendars flipped to 2021, Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, the severity of the threats reveals how far be- the democratic process. That includes the the threats we face won’t change just be- religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical hind we are in the battle to legitimately un- participation of some members of law en- cause the White House has a new occupant. handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. derstand them, much less counter them. forcement and the military. That Gen. Mark

© Stars and Stripes 2021 Amid the ranks of the costumed and cos- A. Milley, Trump’s chairman of the Joint Adam Chandler is a New York-based writer and the author of stripes.com playing in the halls of Congress were CEOs, Chiefs of Staff, had to clarify on the record “Drive-Thru Dreams,” a book about the fast-food industry. PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS DOWN 26 Hurt severely 1 Rushmore face 1 Regrettably 27 Mater 4 Entreaty 2 “Brandenburg lead-in 8 Senior moment? Concertos” 28 Drain blockage 12 Murphy’s — composer 29 Golf’s Ernie Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 13 Cantaloupe 3 Ornamental 32 Biting cover jug 33 Not as many 14 Make over 4 “At once!” 15 Paint removers 5 Script makeup 35 Espionage org. 17 Currier’s partner 6 Away from WSW 36 Coffee bar 18 Place of prayer 7 Magazine orders 19 “Frontline” airer moneymaker 38 Tubular pasta 21 UFO crew 8 Spectrum 39 Sacred song 22 Designer Giorgio creator 42 Lane 26 PC shortcut 9 Gun the engine 43 “Rhyme Pays”

Non Sequitur 29 Author Umberto 10 Poetic tribute rapper 30 Foundation 11 Yr. parts 44 Trawler gear 31 Shakespeare 16 Levels 45 Retrieve title starter 20 Buddy 46 Egg (Pref.) 32 Pub order 23 “East of 47 Granola morsel 33 Gratis Eden” girl 49 — Mae 34 “As I see it,” 24 — -do-well (Whoopi’s to a texter 25 “The — of role in 35 IV measures March” “Ghost”) 36 TV’s Norman Answer to Previous Puzzle

Candorville and family 37 Heckle or Jeckle 39 Furry foot 40 Hearing thing 41 Intervene 45 Thug 48 Regatta 50 Novelist Hunter 51 Not busy 52 Hanoi holiday Carpe Diem 53 Carry 54 Engine parts 55 Uplands, for short Beetle Bailey Bizarro Friday, January 22, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 Friday, January 22, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 SCOREBOARD/COLLEGE BASKETBALL/OLYMPICS

PRO FOOTBALL DEALS NFL playoffs Wednesday's transactions Wild-card Playoffs BASEBALL Saturday, Jan. 9 Major League Baseball Buffalo 27, Indianapolis 24 American League Los Angeles Rams 30, Seattle 20 KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Agreed to Tampa Bay 31, Washington 23 terms with RHP Wade Davis on a minor Sunday, Jan. 10 league contract. Baltimore 20, Tennessee 13 TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Agreed to terms New Orleans 21, Chicago 9 with RHP Kirby Yates on a one-year con- Cleveland 48 Pittsburgh 37 tract. Divisional Playoffs FOOTBALL Saturday, Jan. 16 National Football League Green Bay 32, Los Angeles Rams 18 ARIZONA CARDINALS — Signed LBs Ja- Buffalo 17, Baltimore 3 mal Carter and Donald Rutledge on re- Sunday, Jan. 17 serve/futures contracts. Kansas City 22, Cleveland 17 GREEN BAY PACKERS — Designated LB Tampa Bay 30, New Orleans 20 James Burgess, DBs Kabion Ento and Parry Conference Championships Nickerson to return from injured reserve. Sunday, Jan. 24 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Activated RB AFC Jordan Wilkins from the reserve/COVID-19 Buffalo at Kansas City list. NFC NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Signed LB Wyn- Tampa Bay at Green Bay ton McManis to a reserve/futures con- Super Bowl tract. Sunday, Feb. 7 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Activated CB At Tampa, Fla. Nickell Robey-Coleman from the reserve/ COVID-19 list. AFC champion vs. NFC champion TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Activated NFL injury report LB Kevin Minter from the reserve/CO- VID-19 list. NEW YORK — The National Football HOCKEY League injury report, as provided by the National Hockey League league (DNP: did not practice; LIMITED: DALLAS STARS — Assigned Ds Joseph limited participation; FULL: Full participa- Cecconi, Ben Gleason, Jerad Rosburg and tion): SUNDAY Ryan Shea, C Riley Damiani, LWs Tye Fel- haber, Adam Mascherin and Riley Tufte to BUFFALO BILLS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — the Texas Stars (AHL). Waived D Julius BILLS: DNP: DT Vernon Butler (quadricep), Honka. Designated D Thomas Harley, Cs WR Gabriel Davis (ankle). LIMITED: WR Joel L'Esperance and Tanner Kero for as- Stefon Diggs (oblique), QB Jake Fromm signment taxi squad. (not injury related), DT Quinton Jefferson FLORIDA PANTHERS — Assigned G Sam (ankle). FULL: K Tyler Bass (hand), LB Tre- Montembeault to Syracuse (AHL). maine Edmunds (hamstring), DE Darryl MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS — Signed D Matt JOHN PETERSON / AP Johnson (knee). CHIEFS: DNP: LB Willie Donovan to a contract with HV71 (SHL) for Gay (ankle). LIMITED: CB Bashaud Bree- the 2020-21 season and a contract with the Providence center Nate Watson, left, looks to the basket as Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner defends land (concussion, shoulder), RB Clyde Ed- Admirals for the 2021-2022 season. during the second half of Wednesday’s game in Omaha, Neb. wards-Helaire (ankle, hip), CB Rashad MONTREAL CANADIANS — Recalled C Fenton (foot), QB Patrick Mahomes (con- Jesperi Kotkaniemi from the minor league cussion, toe), WR Sammy Watkins (calf). taxi squad. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at GREEN BAY NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Reassigned G TOP 25 ROUNDUP PACKERS — BUCCANEERS: DNP: WR Anto- Gilles Senn to Binghamton (AHL), desig- nio Brown (knee), LB Jason Pierre-Paul nated D Kevin Bahl for assignment taxi (knee, not injury related). LIMITED: WR squad and promoted G Eric Comrie to the Mike Evans (knee), WR Chris Godwin (qua- active roster. dricep), RB Ronald Jones (quadricep, fin- TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS — Recalled C Ja- ger), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (quadricep, son Spezza from the minor league taxi ankle), S Jordan Whitehead (knee). FULL: squad. DT Jeremiah Ledbetter (calf), G Ali Marpet WINNIPEG JETS — Designated LW Kris- (pectoral). PACKERS: LIMITED: LB Krys tian Vasalainen and D Ville Heinola for as- Friars turn back Creighton Barnes (thumb), K Mason Crosby (shoul- signment taxi squad. Assigned C David der), RB A.J. Dillon (quadricep), DE King- Gustafsson to Manitoba (AHL). sley Keke (concussion), WR Allen Lazard SOCCER Associated Press jays. the season. (wrist, back), TE Marcedes Lewis (knee), Major League Soccer OMAHA, Neb. — Nate Watson Georgia Tech 83, No. 20 Clem Sasser, who scored 18 points in LB Za'Darius Smith (thumb), WR Equani- LA GALAXY — Signed D Jalen Neal. meous St. Brown (knee, ankle), G Rick NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION — An- scored a career-high 29 points and son 65: The host Yellow Jackets the first half, finished 8-for-15 Wagner (knee), RB Jamaal Williams (announced D Alexander Buttner mutually kle). FULL: S Will Redmond (knee). agreed to terminate his contract. Providence turned back Creight- returned from a 17-day layoff with from the field, including 6-for-12 SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES — Acquired MF COLLEGE BASKETBALL Javier Eduardo Lopez for one-year from on each time it pulled close, beat- one of their most impressive on three-pointers. Tramon Mark C;hivas de Guadalajara (Mexico) and will ing the 11th-ranked Bluejays 74-70 showings of the season, getting had 11 points and six rebounds for Wednesday’s men’s scores occupy an international spot on the roster, pending receipt of his P1 Visa and ITC. on Wednesday night. more than 20 points from three Houston. EAST SPORTING KC — Signed MF Grayson Bar- Providence (8-6, 4-4 Big East) players and routing the Tigers. The Cougars (12-1, 7-1 Ameri- Duquesne 71, Rhode Island 69 ber, F Ozzie Cisneros and G Brooks Thomp- son. won for the first time in four Michael Devoe led the way with can) shot 43%, including 13-for-32 St. Bonaventure 70, VCU 54 National Women's Soccer League SOUTH SKY BLUE FC — Re-signed D Caprice Dy- games and avenged a crushing 22 points, while Moses Wright and on three-pointers. Houston outre- Chattanooga 70, Samford 64 dasco to a one-year contract with a sec- Davidson 73, Fordham 58 ond-year club option. loss to the Bluejays three weeks Jordan Usher chipped in with 21 bounded Tulsa 52-24, and had a ETSU 59, W. Carolina 48 COLLEGE ago. Creighton (10-4, 6-3) lost its apiece. 26-7 advantage in second-chance Gardner-Webb 84, UNC-Asheville 57 TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY — Named Cas- George Mason 87, Saint Joseph’s 85, 2OT sie Born men's volleyball assistant coach second straight after one of its Georgia Tech (7-3, 3-1 Atlantic points. Georgia 63, Kentucky 62 and Greg McGruder assistant football Georgia Tech 83, Clemson 65 coach. worst offensive games of the sea- Coast Conference) built a nine- No. 10 Wisconsin 68, North Longwood 67, High Point 54 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN — Named son. point halftime lead and handed western 52: Tyler Wahl paced a Mercer 83, The Citadel 63 Ross Kolodziej defensive line football New Orleans 87, Texas A&M-CC 68 coach. Alyn Breed had 15 points, David Clemson its second straight blow- balanced attack with 14 points and North Carolina 80, Wake Forest 73 Radford 67, Campbell 61 AP SPORTLIGHT Duke added 12 and Jimmy Nichols out loss. the host Badgers pulled away in SE Louisiana 92, McNeese St. 88 Jr. scored 10 for the Friars, who No. 8 Houston 86, Tulsa 59: the second half in a win over the VMI 74, Furman 73 Jan. 22 Winthrop 78, Presbyterian 66 were playing the third of four Marcus Sasser scored 26 points, Wildcats. MIDWEST 1920 — The New York Yankees announce they will be the first team to wear uniform straight road games. Quentin Grimes added 18 points D’Mitrik Trice added 12 points, Chicago 75, Valparaiso 39 numbers, according to the player’s posi- Illinois St. 71, Bradley 56 tion in batting order. Damien Jefferson scored a ca- and seven rebounds as the host Brad Davison 11 and Potter 10 for Providence 74, Creighton 70 1960 — Paul Pender beats Sugar Ray Wisconsin 68, Northwestern 52 Robinson in a 15-round split decision to reer-best 26 points for the Blue- Cougars avenged their only loss of Wisconsin (12-3, 6-2 Big Ten). SOUTHWEST capture the world middleweight boxing ti- Arkansas 75, Auburn 73 tle. Houston 86, Tulsa 59 1962 — Bob Feller and Jackie Robinson Nicholls 92, Houston Baptist 83 are elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Sam Houston St. 64, Abilene Christian 57 Robinson, who had the distinction of be- Stephen F. Austin 86, Northwestern St. coming the first black to play in the Major 74 League, is also the first to enter the Hall of Pound: Fans optional for Olympics FAR WEST Fame. 1973 — George Foreman knocks out Joe Boise St. 73, Fresno St. 51 Frazier in the second round in Kingston, BY STEPHEN WADE asm for the post- “It’s either 2021, or nothing," he Cal Baptist 89, San Diego Christian 37 Jamaica, to win the world heavyweight ti- Associated Press Washington 84, Colorado 80 tle. poned Olympics. said. Wednesday’s women’s scores 1983 — Houston becomes the first NBA TOKYO — Former IOC vice His words Pound said “nobody can guar- team not to score a point in overtime as EAST the Portland Trail Blazers outscore the president Dick Pound says the come as recent antee the Olympics will open on Rockets 17-0 for a 113-96 victory. Seton Hall 87, St. John’s 64 1988 — Mike Tyson knocks out Larry Tokyo Olympics could go ahead polls in Japan July 23. But I think there’s a very, West Virginia 65, Kansas St. 56 Holmes in the fourth round at Atlantic City without fans. And he predicted show 80% of the very, good chance that they can, SOUTH to retain his world heavyweight title. McNeese St. 80, SE Louisiana 72 1994 — New York Islanders’ Pierre Tur- the games will open on July 23 de- public believe and that they will.” Stephen F. Austin 87, Northwestern St. geon has four assists to help the Eastern spite surging coronavirus cases in the Olympics Pound's words suggest the 28 Conference beat the Western Conference Pound MIDWEST 9-8 in the NHL All-Star game. Japan and around the globe. should not hap- Olympics may be shaping up as a 1998 — New York’s Pat LaFontaine reac- Bowling Green 66, Akron 57 hes the 1,000-point mark, scoring his 19th "The question is — is this a pen with virus cases surging — or largely TV-only event with ath- E. Michigan 70, Cent. Michigan 67 goal in the Rangers’ 4-3 loss to Philadel- Marquette 72, Georgetown 40 phia. ‘must-have’ or ‘nice-to-have.’ It’s will not happen. letes kept in a bubble, transported Memphis 61, Cincinnati 52 2005 — Jockey Russell Baze passes Bill nice to have spectators. But it’s Pound, a veteran Canadian back and forth to venues, and en- Ohio 84, Buffalo 81 Shoemaker to take over second place on Texas Tech 75, Kansas 65 the all-time win list. Russell gets his not a must-have,” Pound said in Olympic official and inaugural couraged to leave Japan as soon Toledo 67, N. Illinois 62 8,834th victory aboard Hollow Memoires W. Michigan 70, Miami (Ohio) 54 in the seventh race at Golden Gate Fields. an interview with Japan’s Kyodo president of the World Anti-Dop- as their participation ends. SOUTHWEST 2006 — The Pittsburgh Steelers are the news agency published on Thurs- ing Agency, repeated what the Japanese media have said the Baylor 77, Oklahoma St. 58 first team since the 1985 Patriots to win Houston 80, Temple 46 three postseason road games thanks to a day. IOC and local organizers have opening ceremony will be limited Sam Houston St. 88, Abilene Christian 72 34-17 dismantling of the Denver Broncos in Texas 71, TCU 54 the AFC title game. Pound is no longer a part of the been saying for months: the to 6,000 athletes. About 11,000 are Texas A&M-CC 57, New Orleans 49 2012 — Lawrence Tynes kicks a winning IOC's decision-making executive games will be canceled if they expected to compete in the Olym- Tulsa 68, East Carolina 54 31-yard field goal in sudden-death overtime and New York beat the San Francisco board, but he has been speaking cannot be held this time. There pics. The Paralympics add anoth- FAR WEST 49ers 20-17 in the NFC championship Colorado St. 90, Utah St. 59 game. out recently to generate enthusi- will not be another postponement. er 4,400 athletes. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 NHL

Capitals Scoreboard

East Division place 4 on GP WLOT Pts GF GA Philadelphia 4 3 1 0 6 15 11 Washington 4 2 0 2 6 15 14 New Jersey 3 2 0 1 5 8 7 COVID list N.Y. Islan- 3 2 1 0 4 5 5 ders Pittsburgh 3 2 2 0 4 14 18 BY HOWARD FENDRICH Boston 3 1 1 1 3 4 5 Associated Press N.Y. Rangers 3 1 2 0 2 8 8 WASHINGTON — Alex Ovech- Buffalo 4 1 3 0 2 11 12 kin and three other Washington Central Division GP WLOT Pts GF GA Capitals players were added to the Tampa Bay 2 2 0 0 4 10 3 NHL's COVID-19 list Wednesday Florida 2 2 0 0 4 10 6 and the team was fined $100,000 by Nashville 3 2 1 0 4 10 7 the league for violating coronavi- Carolina 3 2 1 0 4 9 6 Detroit 4 2 2 0 4 9 10 rus protocols, including a gather- Columbus 4 1 2 1 3 8 13 ing in a hotel room. Chicago 4 0 3 1 1 9 20 In addition to three-time MVP Dallas 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ovechkin — one of just eight play- West Division GP WLOT Pts GF GA ers in NHL histo- Vegas 4 4 0 0 8 16 7 ry with more Minnesota 4 3 1 0 6 11 9 than 700 goals — St. Louis 4 2 1 1 5 10 15 the Capitals join- Colorado 3 2 1 0 4 12 6 San Jose 4 2 2 0 4 13 14 ing the CO- Arizona 4 1 2 1 3 12 16 VID-19 list were Anaheim 4 1 2 1 3 6 10 center Evgeny Los Angeles 3 0 1 2 2 8 11 Kuznetsov, de- North Division GP WLOT Pts GF GA fenseman Dmi- JOHN LOCHER / AP Ovechkin Montreal 4 2 0 2 6 17 13 try Orlov and top Toronto 5 3 2 0 6 15 15 Golden Knights goaltender MarcAndre Fleury, right, blocks a shot by Arizona Coyotes center Nick goalie Ilya Samsonov. Calgary 3 2 0 1 5 11 6 Schmaltz during the third period of Wednesday's game in Las Vegas. “I regret my choice to spend Winnipeg 3 2 1 0 4 9 9 time together with my teammates Edmonton 5 2 3 0 4 13 16 Vancouver 5 2 3 0 4 15 21 ROUNDUP in our hotel room and away from Ottawa 3 1 1 1 3 10 10 the locker room areas,” Ovechkin Note: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in each said in a statement issued by the division will qualify for playoffs under this Capitals. “I will learn from this ex- season’s temporary realignment. perience.” Tuesday’s games New Jersey 4, N.Y. Rangers 3 Theodore scores 2 goals, The Capitals themselves said Philadelphia 3, Buffalo 0 Dallas at Tampa Bay, ppd. they were “disappointed by our Florida 5, Chicago 4, OT players' choice to interact in their Pittsburgh 5, Washington 4, OT Winnepeg 4, Ottawa 3, OT hotel room and outside of team ap- Detroit 3, Columbus 2, OT proved areas.” Saying it accepts Carolina at Nashville, ppd. Colorado 3, Los Angeles 2 leads Vegas past Arizona the NHL's decision, the team Wednesday’s games vowed to “reiterate the COVID-19 Edmonton 3, Toronto 1 Associated Press scored for Arizona (1-2-1). Darcy play midway through the third pe- San Jose 2, St. Louis 1, SO protocols in place to make sure the Minnesota 3, Anaheim 2 LAS VEGAS — Shea Theodore Kuemper made 24 saves. riod in visiting Edmonton's victory Vegas 5, Arizona 2 players are in full compliance Vancouver 6, Montreal 5, SO scored two goals, Marc-Andre Sharks 2, Blues 1 (SO): Tomas over Toronto. moving forward.” Thursday’s games Fleury made 21 saves and the Ve- Hertl scored the only goal in a four- Draisaitl, the reigning NHL Five players from the Carolina Florida at Carolina, ppd. gas Golden Knights defeated the round shootout to lift visiting San MVP and Art Ross Trophy winner, New Jersey at N.Y. Islanders Hurricanes also are on the league's Philadelphia at Boston Arizona Coyotes 5-2 on Wednes- Jose over St. Louis. ended the Oilers’ 0-for-12 power- COVID-19 list, and that team’s Tampa Bay at Columbus day night. Marcus Sorensen scored the ty- play drought. Winnipeg at Ottawa games were called off by the Montreal at Vancouver It marks the first time the Gold- ing goal late in the second period Kailer Yamamoto was credited league through “at least” Satur- Colorado at Los Angeles en Knights have started 4-0-0 in and Martin Jones made 22 saves with the opening goal for Edmon- Friday’s games day. Buffalo at Washington their four-year existence. They’re for the Sharks, who snapped a six- ton after the Maple Leafs fumbled The postponements were an- Edmonton at Toronto the first team in the NHL to reach game losing streak to the Blues the puck into their own net in the N.Y. Rangers at Pittsburgh nounced Wednesday, a day before Detroit at Chicago four wins this season. that started in the 2019 playoffs. first. Mikko Koskinen made 25 San Jose at Minnesota the Hurricanes were set to host the Nashville at Dallas “I think the biggest thing about Jones denied all four St. Louis saves, and Josh Archibald scored Florida Panthers in their home Vegas at Arizona those games was we got better,” shooters in the tiebreaker. into an empty net with 1:06 left. Colorado at Anaheim opener. The teams were sched- Saturday’s games Fleury said. “We’re not going to Brayden Schenn scored in his Auston Matthews scored for To- uled to play again Saturday. Florida at Carolina win them all, but I think if we can second consecutive game and Jor- ronto, and Frederik Andersen Montreal at Vancouver The NHL said the Hurricanes’ Philadelphia at Boston keep improving on our game and dan Binnington made 37 saves for made 19 saves. training facilities are closed and Tampa Bay at Columbus get better as a team we’ll do well.” the Blues. Canucks 6, Canadiens 5 (SO): Los Angeles at St. Louis will stay that way “until further no- Ottawa at Winnipeg Vegas certainly looked im- San Jose appeared to get the Bo Horvat scored the shootout tice.” The league is reviewing and proved from Monday’s scrappy game-winner with 11 seconds left winner and host Vancouver over- revising Carolina’s schedule. come-from-behind win in the first in overtime, but the officials quick- came Tyler Toffoli’s hat trick to The Capitals were punished by Washington has played four of four straight games against Ari- ly waved it off for goaltender inter- beat Montreal. the league for “social interactions games so far, going 2-0-2. zona, using speed and crisper pas- ference on Ryan Donato. After a Horvat, the Vancouver captain, among team members who were This is not the first postpone- ses to execute a fluid attack all replay review, the call was upheld. put a shot between the legs of goa- in close contact and who were not ment involving the Hurricanes: night. The balanced Golden Wild 3, Ducks 2:Joel Eriksson lie Carey Price to make the Ca- wearing face coverings." Their game at Nashville on Tues- Knights had 10 skaters with at least Ek had a goal and an assist, includ- nucks winners in their home open- This is the first instance this sea- day was the NHL’s first postpone- one point. ing the game-winning score early er. son of Capitals players appearing ment since the season began this Alex Tuch added a goal and two in the third period, and visiting Horvat and Brock Boeser each on the NHL’s COVID-19 list, which month. assists, Mark Stone had a goal and Minnesota capped a successful finished with two goals and an as- could include those who test posi- The league didn’t specify which an assist, and Alex Pietrangelo season-opening road trip with a sist for Vancouver in regulation. tive, have a potential exposure or team prompted that night’s post- scored his first goal with Vegas. win over Anaheim. Tyler Motte also scored and J.T. face quarantine requirements. ponement, although four Hurri- “I thought our game overall was Ryan Hartman and Nick Bonino Miller had three assists. Being on that list would make canes players — Warren Foegele, better than it was the night before,” also scored for the Wild, who have Braden Holtby stopped 31 shots Ovechkin and the others unavaila- Jordan Martinook, Jaccob Slavin coach Peter DeBoer said. “The big won three of their first four games. in regulation and overtime. ble for practice, but it is possible and Teuvo Teravainen — were guys led the way on the scoresheet, Kaapo Kahkonen made 22 saves. Price made 23 saves for the Can- that they could be allowed back added to the daily COVID-19 list but also in our play. Four games in, Nicolas Deslauriers and Cam adiens, unbeaten in regulation this with the team in time to play in later Tuesday afternoon. there’s always work to do, but I Fowler scored for the Ducks, and season. Jesper Kotkaniemi had a Washington's next game, which is liked the things we fixed from the Ryan Miller stopped 29 shots. goal and an assist, and Brendan

Friday against the visiting Buffalo AP sports writer John Nicholson in Phoenix prior game.” Oilers 3, Maple Leafs 1: Leon Gallagher scored his first of the Sabres. contributed to this report. Nick Schmaltz and Phil Kessel Draisaitl broke a tie on a power season. Friday, January 22, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NBA

Scoreboard Wizards get Eastern Conference time to reset Atlantic Division WLPct GB after layoff Philadelphia 10 5 .667 — Boston 8 5 .615 1 BY TIM REYNOLDS Brooklyn 9 7 .563 1½ Associated Press New York 7 8 .467 3 Toronto 5 9 .357 4½ Washington got back on the Southeast Division practice court Wednesday for the WLPct GB first time in more than a week, and Atlanta 7 7 .500 — Bradley Beal wondered if the Wiz- Orlando 7 8 .467 ½ ards need more time there before Miami 6 7 .462 ½ returning to game mode. Charlotte 6 8 .429 1 The NBA apparently agreed Washington 3 8 .273 2½ with him. Central Division Not long after the league’s lead- WLPct GB ing scorer said he believes the Milwaukee 9 5 .643 — short-handed team — which has Indiana 8 6 .571 1 six players who have tested posi- Cleveland 7 7 .500 2 Chicago 6 8 .429 3 tive for COVID-19 — may be fol- Detroit 3 11 .214 6 lowing “a recipe for injury” if they Western Conference played Milwaukee as scheduled Friday night, the NBA said that Southwest Division TONY DEJAK / AP game would be postponed in a WLPct GB The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Collin Sexton, left, drives past the Brooklyn Nets’ Bruce Brown. Sexton had 37 move that simply gives Washing- Memphis 7 6 .538 — points in the Cavaliers’ 147135 doubleovertime win Wednesday in Cleveland. ton more time to get game-ready San Antonio 8 7 .533 — Dallas 7 7 .500 ½ again. New Orleans 5 8 .385 2 That move, along with the post- Houston 4 9 .308 3 ROUNDUP ponement of Wednesday’s Mem- Northwest Division phis at Portland game, pushes the WLPct GB total to 17 games this season that Utah 10 4 .714 — have been pushed back because of Portland 8 6 .571 2 the virus — those decisions com- Denver 7 7 .500 3 ing on the same day the league re- Oklahoma City 6 7 .462 3½ Cavaliers spoil Irving’s 1st Minnesota 3 10 .231 6½ vealed that 11 more players in the past week have tested positive for Pacific Division COVID-19. WLPct GB The NBA said Washington’s L.A. Clippers 11 4 .733 — game with Durant, Harden Friday game would be called off L.A. Lakers 11 4 .733 — Phoenix 8 5 .615 2 “due to the number of unavailable Golden State 8 6 .571 2½ Associated Press Embiid topped 40 points for the won at short-handed Minnesota to players for the Wizards, contact Sacramento 5 10 .333 6 second time in three games. He stop a six-game losing streak. tracing for other players on their Tuesday’s games CLEVELAND — Kyrie Irving shot 12-for-19 from the floor (one Nikola Vucevic had 28 points roster, and the length of time pre- Denver 119, Oklahoma City 101 Utah 118, New Orleans 102 returned from his personal three-pointer) and was 17-for-21 and eight rebounds for the Magic. ceding the game during which the Wednesday’s games “pause” to score 37 points in his from the free-throw line. He did it Evan Fournier added 24 points in team was unable to practice.” Dallas 124, Indiana 112 first game with Kevin Durant and in 34 minutes and scored 20 points his return after missing nine That’s exactly what the team Philadelphia 117, Boston 109 Cleveland 147, Brooklyn 135, 2OT James Harden, but the new-look, in a half (22 in the first) for the fifth games with lower back spasms. wanted. Miami 111, Toronto 102 star-studded Brooklyn Nets gave time this season. Suns 109, Rockets 103: The Wizards had eight bodies Atlanta 123, Detroit 115, OT Orlando 97, Minnesota 96 up 42 to Collin Sexton and lost 147- Clippers 115, Kings 96:Kawhi Deandre Ayton had season highs for their first practice in nine days Phoenix 109, Houston 103 L.A. Clippers 115, Sacramento 96 135 in double overtime to the Cle- Leonard scored 32 points, Paul Ge- with 26 points and 17 rebounds and Wednesday night, after which Golden State 121, San Antonio 99 veland Cavaliers on Wednesday orge added 19 and host Los Angeles Phoenix won at Houston to end a Beal sounded the alarm and said Washington at Charlotte, ppd Memphis at Portland, ppd night. beat Sacramento for its season- two-game skid. he hoped the NBA would allow the Thursday’s games Sexton scored 15 points in the high fifth consecutive victory. The Suns won for the first time team time to get in some sem- L.A. Lakers at Milwaukee New Orleans at Utah second OT — most of them over The Clippers handed the Kings a since Jan. 9. Between the two loss- blance of game shape before play- New York at Golden State Irving. Sexton made two three- 38-point loss at their place last Fri- es, they had three games post- ing again. Friday’s games pointers and fed Taurean Prince day. A new week didn’t change poned because of health and safety “The health of us is the most im- Chicago at Charlotte Houston at Detroit for another in a span of 55 seconds anything. Sacramento dropped its protocols after playing at Wash- portant thing, and the safety of us, Orlando at Indiana to help Cleveland put away Brook- fourth in a row and sixth in seven ington. and that goes far beyond the vi- Boston at Philadelphia Brooklyn at Cleveland lyn. games. Warriors 121, Spurs 99: Ste- rus,” Beal said. “It’s our physical Miami at Toronto Atlanta at Minnesota Durant led the Nets with 38 Hawks 123, Pistons 115 (OT): phen Curry had 26 points, 11 re- health, too. ... It’s unfair that other Washington at Milwaukee, ppd Dallas at San Antonio points and Harden added 21. But Trae Young scored 38 points, John bounds and seven assists in Golden teams have been going and prac- Denver at Phoenix Brooklyn’s “Big 3” couldn’t do Collins had 31 and host Atlanta ral- State’s victory over visiting San ticing and playing and having Memphis at Portland New York at Sacramento enough to outlast Sexton, who mis- lied to beat Jerami Grant and De- Antonio. their constant rhythm. We haven’t Oklahoma City at L.A. Clippers sed the Cavs’ last five games with a troit. Rookie James Wiseman added played in a week and some Saturday’s games sprained ankle. Grant had a career-high 32 20 points, six rebounds and four as- change. It’s going to be tough on Philadelphia at Detroit Miami at Brooklyn As he knocked down one big shot points, including all of the Pacers’ sists, and Draymond Green had six us. It’s going to be real tough on L.A. Lakers at Chicago New Orleans at Minnesota after another in the second OT, nine points in overtime, to contin- of the Warriors’ 31 assists. Golden us.” Houston at Dallas players on Cleveland’s bench were ue his hot start to the season. But State made it consecutive impres- The earliest Washington will Denver at Phoenix Golden State at Utah tackling each other in delight. Cedi Detroit fell to 3-11, the worst record sive wins after erasing a 14-point play now is Sunday in San Antonio Leaders Osman added 25 points and Prince in the Eastern Conference. deficit in the fourth quarter of a — 13 days after the Wizards’ most Through Jan. 19 — acquired in the four-team deal Mavericks 124, Pacers 111: 115-113 road victory over the Lak- recent game. The latest postpone- Scoring that brought Harden to Brooklyn Kristaps Porzingis had season ers on Monday. ment means Washington has had — had 17 in his Cavs debut. highs of 27 points and 12 rebounds Heat 111, Raptors 102: Ken- six games pushed back in the last GFG FT PTS AVG The Nets overcame a 13-point to help Dallas win at Indiana. drick Nunn scored 28 points and two weeks. Beal, WAS 10 121 83 349 34.9 Durant, BKN 11 113 80 337 30.6 deficit in the fourth quarter and Luka Doncic added 13 points, 12 injury-plagued Miami pulled Its Wednesday practice was Curry, GS 13 118 78 367 28.2 tied it at 113-all on Irving’s putback rebounds and 11 assists, and the away in the second half to beat To- mostly some 5-on-0 offense and Lillard, POR 14 119 104 394 28.1 with 1:10 left. Mavs snapped their first three- ronto in Tampa, Fla.. shooting. Wizards coach Scott Rebounds 76ers 117, Celtics 109: Joel game losing streak in almost two Nunn came off the bench and Brooks isn’t expecting any of the GOFF DEF TOT AVG Embiid had 42 points and 10 re- years. shot 9-for-12 and had eight re- six players who have tested posi- Drummond, CLE 12 53 136 189 15.8 bounds, Tobias Harris added 22 Magic 97, Timberwolves 96: bounds in 35 minutes. Kelly Oly- tive back in the next few days at Gobert, UTA 14 50 141 191 13.6 points and host Philadelphia beat Cole Anthony hit a hurried three- nyk added 15 points, eight re- least, and Russell Westbrook is Capela, ATL 11 40 104 144 13.1 Boston. pointer at the buzzer and Orlando bounds and eight assists. still out with a leg injury. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 NFL PLAYOFFS Chiefs QB Mahomes practices, remains in concussion protocol BY DAVE SKRETTA “He’s done well up to this point Associated Press and they just progress you KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs through the day,” Reid said, “so quarterback Patrick Mahomes today was limited work and no remained in the NFL’s concussion contact, I think was the schedule protocol Wednesday, but prac- for today. And that’s kind of what ticed in a limited capacity, raising we’re doing on Wednesday, so it hopes that the reigning Super fit perfectly with that.” Bowl MVP can play in Sunday’s Mahomes was hurt in the third AFC title game against Buffalo. quarter of last Sunday’s 22-17 vic- The Chiefs typically breeze tory over the Cleveland Browns through their midweek practice when he was tackled around the with little contact before ramping neck while keeping the ball on a things up with their longest work- quarterback option. His head did out Thursday, and coach Andy not appear to strike the ground /AP ZACH BOLINGER Reid said afterward that fit per- hard — if at all — and that led to The Green Bay Packers defense celebrates a turnover againts the Indianapolis Colts in November. fectly with what Mahomes was reports that he had tweaked a able to do. nerve that runs up the neck. “He looked good,” Reid said. Chad Henne finished the game Best: Defenses playing at next level “He’s in the protocol so there’s on- and would be the starter if Ma- ly certain things he can do, but he homes was unable to play against took all the snaps and he feels the Bills. FROM PAGE 24 good. So, I mean, we’re just going “It’s definitely not the easiest if the loss to Arizona after giving up 26 306 to follow this protocol as close as you don’t get the reps during the 273 points in its first 10 games. we possibly can.” week,” Henne said, “but mentally And rather than blowing leads, the Turnovers forced by the Kansas City Average yards allowed by the Green There are five steps in the you have to stay in it. When Pa- defense is now closing out victo- Chiefs defense this season, tied for 9th Bay defense over their last seven league’s return-to-play protocol: trick was in last week, during ev- ries as evidenced in two playoff in the NFL. Kansas City. The Chiefs games. The Packers are coming off a rest until signs and symptoms re- ery practice, Matt (Moore) and I wins. limited Buffalo to a season-low 206 32-18 divisional-round victory over the turn to baseline clearance to be- are in the back doing our drops, Safety Micah Hyde, one of the yards of offense in Week 6 and held Rams in which Los Angeles finished gin cardio; stretching and bal- our progressions. That doesn’t defenders burned by Hopkins, the Saints to 285 yards in a 32-29 with a time of possession of 23 min- ance training with medical over- change. After practice we get the sealed a 27-24 wild-card win over win at New Orleans on Dec. 20. utes and 48 seconds. sight; an increase in exercises throws we need that Patrick took Indianapolis by batting down Phi- SOURCE: Associated Press SOURCE: Associated Press that includes monitored strength and we go about our business.” lip Rivers’ desperation pass in- training; the resumption of non- The return of Mahomes was on- tended for T.Y. Hilton as time ran 16th in yards allowed. Since allowing a combined 956 contact football activities; and fi- ly the start of the positive injury out. On Saturday, cornerback Ta- Kansas City limited Buffalo to a yards in back-to-back losses to the nally, the player is cleared by news for Kansas City. ron Johnson punctuated the de- season-low 206 yards of offense in Rams and Chiefs in late Novem- team physicians and passes an in- Defensive back Bashaud Bree- fense’s most complete perform- Week 6; limited the Saints to 285 ber, the Buccaneers have return- dependent neurological exam, at land, who also left the Browns ance by returning Lamar Jack- yards in a 32-29 win at New Or- ed from their bye week to to allow which point he is cleared to prac- game with a concussion, got in son’s interception for an NFL leans on Dec. 20 in Drew Brees’ a combined 1,943 yards and force tice and play. some limited work as the Chiefs playoff record-matching 101-yard return after missing a month with 10 takeaways in their past six. Reid didn’t specify which step moved practice from outdoors in- touchdown in a 17-3 win over Bal- rib injuries; and finished the sea- “It’s a different football team Mahomes was in Wednesday, but side because of gusty winds. timore. son tied for ninth in the NFL in than that week,” coach Bruce Ar- the work he described coincides The availability of their No. 1 The outings validated the pa- forcing 26 takeaways. ians said, referring to a 38-3 loss to with the fourth step. If all goes cornerback is important with tience Frazier showed in a unit In the NFC, the Packers are al- New Orleans on Nov. 8. “I tell ev- well, that could mean the Chiefs’ Bills quarterback Josh Allen rid- that opened the season allowing lowing an average 306 yards of of- erybody that. Nobody wants to be- quarterback is cleared to partici- ing a hot streak and All-Pro wide an average of 387 yards over its fense over their past seven out- lieve me.” pate more fully in practice Thurs- receiver Stefon Diggs coming to first six games, following consec- ings. And Green Bay is coming off The same can be said in Buffalo, day or Friday. town. utive losses to Tennessee and a 32-18 divisional-round win over where the Bills’ two playoff wins Kansas City. And it brings confi- the Rams in which Los Angeles came against a 10th-ranked Colts dence to a group eager to show it’s finished with a time of possession offense and the league’s top run- better than the unit that was tram- of 23 minutes and 48 seconds. ning attack in Baltimore. pled by the Chiefs in allowing a “They were relentless all Here comes Patrick Mahomes, season-worst 245 yards rushing in game,” Packers coach Matt La- should he clear the NFL’s concus- a 26-17 loss on Oct. 15. Fleur said of his defense. “That’s sion protocol, and the league’s top- “I think more than anything, it the one thing that I think has really ranked offense. emphasizes and highlights a very shown through the last half of the Safety Jordan Poyer under- resilient group of players that season, is just the intensity level.” stands the challenge ahead, and have continued to develop all the As for Tampa Bay, the Bucca- knows critics are counting out way through the season,” coach neers head to Green Bay coming Buffalo, just as they had last week. Sean McDermott said. “And that’s off a 30-20 win over New Orleans “I don’t think anybody’s given important because it’s a journey. in which their defense forced four us a chance really all year,” he There’s going to be highs and lows turnovers, three leading to touch- said. through a season. And those play- downs, and limited the Saints to 73 The turning point was losing at ers have done a phenomenal job of yards of offense and four first Arizona. learning from previous situations downs on their final four posses- “You go into the bye with that and experiences.” sions. taste in your mouth, it gives you a The Bills aren’t the only defense The Buccaneers were led by little bit of an edge,” Poyer said. REED HOFFMANN/AP to have overcome obstacles second-year linebacker Devin “That’s not us. We’re better than Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid didn’t specify which step of the among the four remaining playoff White, who had an interception, that.” league’s concussion protocol quarterback Patrick Mahomes was in teams. recovered a fumble, and tied a Wednesday, but the work he described coincides with the fourth step — meaning that if all goes well, the reigning Super Bowl MVP could The Chiefs’ defense is no push- franchise record with 11 tackles in AP sports writers Fred Goodall, Steve Megargee and over despite finishing the season his playoff debut. Dave Skretta contributed. be cleared to participate more fully in practice Thursday or Friday. Friday, January 22, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 NFL PLAYOFFS Bomb squad: QBs share affinity for going deep Final 4 QBs Allen, Brady, Rodgers and Mahomes will likely go deep BY SCHUYLER DIXON Associated Press 17.1% he four quarterbacks in the AFC and NFC cham- Percentage of Patrick Mahomes’ pionships this weekend completions over 20 yards, second in Thelped their teams re- the NFL this past season behind ach this point by thinking and Deshaun Watson. The other four throwing deep. starting quarterbacks this weekend If Patrick Mahomes can’t start weren’t far behind with Tom Brady at the AFC championship game 15.7%, Josh Allen at 15.6 and Aaron against Buffalo because of con- Rodgers at 15.3% cussion protocols, Kansas City SOURCE: NFL.com will be the only team in the final four without a quarterback tend- year-old Henne started regularly ing to look downfield for throws. in the NFL, the journeyman has If Mahomes does start over similar career numbers in com- backup Chad Henne on Sunday, it pletions and yards to last season’s might be a good week to put defen- Super Bowl MVP. sive backs through plenty of those With an extraordinary combi- backpedal-turn-run drills. nation of mobility and arm “I think I have to focus on the strength, the 25-year-old Ma- fundamentals for myself,” Ma- homes is the prototype for throw- homes said before the 22-17 divi- ing deep in today’s NFL and has sional-round win over Cleveland the numbers to prove it. JEFFREY T. BARNES / AP last weekend. Before rallying the Chiefs to a The Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen has been throwing deep since he was a rookie, but he has improved his passer “The good thing about this team Super Bowl victory over San Fran- rating to 107.2 this season, fourth in the NFL. is we have a lot of great playmak- cisco, Mahomes led the NFL with ers that can make plays happen in a passer rating of 119.1 on throws space and so if I’m getting the ball of at least 20 yards during the 2019 out of my hands and getting it to regular season and was the only them, if that’s holding it or stretch- QB with double-digit touchdowns ing plays out and throwing deep (12). passes or getting it out quick, After Mahomes left the divi- whatever way in order to have sional playoff last weekend, success on the field, I’ll try do Henne threw one pass of at least that.” 20 yards. It was incomplete. The Tom Brady’s first season with definitive plays in clinching the Tampa Bay, after 20 years in New victory were Henne’s 13-yard England, marked the highest per- scramble to set up a fourth-and-1, MIKE ROEMER / AP game average of the six-time Su- and his subsequent 5-yard com- Green Bay Packers quarterback per Bowl champion’s career for pletion to Tyreek Hill that allowed Aaron Rodgers has been throws of at least 20 yards at 5.9 in Kansas City to run out the clock. consistently among the league the regular season. That number With four of the NFL’s top 12 in leaders in deep throws and is led the NFL. deep throws from the regular sea- fifth in the league this season in The opponent for the three-time son still alive, it’s no coincidence the category. MVP Brady in the NFC champion- that the two fastest qualifying re- BRYNN ANDERSON / AP ship game — 2020 MVP contender ceivers, according to Sportradar’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady posted the highest passer rating of 67.9 two years Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay — is average top speed, are still playing pergame average of his career for throws of at least 20 yards at 5.9 ago, the 24-year-old almost hit a consistently among the league as well. in the regular season, a leaguehigh average. 70% completion rate this regular leaders in deep throws and ranked Green Bay’s Marquez Valdes- season. His 107.2 passer rating fifth this season. Scantling (16.6) and Hill (16.3) For Valdes-Scantling, the speed trend immediately, which stood to was fourth in the NFL, with Rodg- Henne’s career rate of deep were the only two to surpass 16 translated into leading the NFL at reason with the 43-year-old Brady ers and Mahomes among the three throws per game is 2.7 compared mph among receivers with at least 20.9 yards per catch. Buffalo’s Ga- joining coach Bruce Arians’ “no above him. to 5.1 for Mahomes. Although it’s two catches per game in the regu- briel Davis was fourth at 17.1, and risk it, no biscuit” philosophy after Buffalo’s offseason trade for been seven years since the 35- lar season. all four remaining teams had at years of emphasis on a shorter Stefon Diggs was a big boost for least one receiver in the top 20 in passing game that utilized run- Allen, with Diggs earning his first yards per catch. ning backs. All-Pro nod after leading the “I think it’s all predicated on the There were some bumps along league in catches (127) and yards situation,” Packers coach Matt the way, but Tampa Bay ended up receiving (1,535). LaFleur said. “If those looks pre- second in the NFL in passing be- “Ultimately, what we tell our sent themselves, then certainly we hind Mahomes and the Chiefs. wideouts and our skill players is have a lot of confidence in Aaron’s “We knew we were a work in your main job is to get open and ability to push the ball down the progress,” offensive coordinator catch the ball,” offensive coordi- field accurately and our guys have Byron Leftwich said. “We still nator Brian Daboll said. “The been doing a nice job of running are.” quarterback’s main job is to make precise routes and coming up with Buffalo’s Allen knows a little a good decision and throw it accu- big plays.” something about progress. The rately and on time.” Brady’s final two seasons with third-year pro’s attempts on deep With or without Mahomes the Patriots were notable for the balls have gone down from 5.4 as a among the final four quarter- missing threats at receiver on the rookie to 4.2. But Allen’s comple- backs, there’s a decent chance REED HOFFMANN / AP outside, and he had his lowest con- tions on those throws have nearly that throw will be well down the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, throws a pass secutive years of 20-plus-yard doubled. field. in front of Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. throws in almost a decade. Where Allen was forcing deep Mahomes had 67 completions of 20 or more yards this season and Mike Evans and company with passes while completing barely AP sports writers Fred Goodall, Steve Megargee, eight completions of 40 or more yards. the Buccaneers reversed that 50% of his throws overall with a Dave Skretta and John Wawrow contributed. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, January 22, 2021 Under the weather SPORTS Ovechkin among four Capitals on COVID-19 list ›› NHL, Page 20

NFL PLAYOFFS

All four remaining teams have defenses that are playing at their best won on Kyler Murray’s desperation 43- right way, this could turn out to be a posi- 27 years Sunday, when Buffalo travels to BY JOHN WAWROW yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hop- tive instead of a negative.’ It didn’t have to face the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs Associated Press kins, who outleaped three defenders in the be something that carried over to the next (15-2). eslie Frazier’s faith in his Bills end zone with 2 seconds left. one and affect the rest of your season,” Though much of the credit for Buffalo’s defense never wavered even at Frazier, Buffalo’s defensive coordina- Frazier said this week. “To our players’ success has centered on a dynamic Josh the lowest point of Buffalo’s sea- tor, recalled collecting his thoughts on the credit, I think they rebounded. ... That was Allen-led offense, the defense has shown Lson. flight home when frustration turned to a hard loss for a lot of reasons and they signs of shedding its early season deficien- It was mid-November and the Bills were hope in coming to the realization of how didn’t let it hold them back.” cies to find itself gradually peaking over entering their bye week on the heels of a the experience could become a valuable The Bills (15-3) have won eight straight the final half of the year. 32-30 defeat at Arizona. Immediately motivating tool. since and are preparing to make their first Buffalo has allowed just 137 points since dubbed “The Hail Murray,” the Cardinals “I said to myself, ‘If we handle this the AFC championship game appearance in SEE BEST ON PAGE 22

Pictured above, from left: Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Rashan Gary; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defenders Carlton Davis (24), Jordan White head and Devin White; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver and cornerback Taron Johnson; Kansas City Chiefs safety L'Jarius Sneed (38) and cornerback Antonio Hamilton. AP PHOTOS

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