super. ace LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — with a moment of silence before the Atlanta Falcons’ game at the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, hours after the 39th president of the United States in Plains, Georgia. Beyond being a Georgia native who led the country from the White House less than 8 miles (12 kilometers) away during his time in office from 1977-81, Carter was the first president to host the NFL's Super Bowl champions there when he welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. released by the team before kickoff said he was deeply saddened by the loss of his dear friend and mentor, calling Carter “a great American, a proud Georgian and an inspirational global humanitarian.” “He lived his life with great civic responsibility and took it upon himself to be the change he wished to see amongst other,” Blank said, recalling meeting Carter at The Home Depot. “President Carter’s kind and uniting spirit touched so many lives. He was a man of deep faith, and did everything with principal and grace, doing things the right way for the right reasons." AP NFL:CHICAGO (AP) — Two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid returned to the Philadelphia 76ers' starting lineup against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. After missing his first seven shots and ambling deliberately in his left knee brace in the first quarter, the 2023 MVP went on a tear to propel the Sixers to a 108-100 win over the Chicago Bulls. Embiid connected on eight of his next 10 shots in the second quarter for his first 19 points of the game, which lifted Philadelphia to a 62-50 halftime lead. The Sixers stretched it to 19 before holding on for their fourth win in five games, and Embiid finished with 31. “I just got lucky and started making shots,” Embiid deadpanned when he talked to reporters almost 90 minutes after the game. “We just missed shots and we adjusted and we got them in.” Embiid, a seven-time All-Star, added 12 rebounds in his fifth game this season. The 7-foot center had missed the previous seven games because of knee injuries and a three-game suspension for pushing a sports columnist. Embiid finished slightly above his career average of nearly 27.8 points per game in 33 minutes. The Sixers don't play again until Friday thanks to the NBA Cup, so coach Nick Nurse planned to give his star ample work Sunday with a break and recovery time ahead. “All of a sudden he certainly caught fire there with a little bit of variety,” Nurse said. “I know a lot of it seemed like foul-line jumpers, which it was. He snuck in a roll or two and a couple of post-ups. It gave us a lot of confidence.” The Sixers trailed 33-23 after the first quarter. Behind Embiid and a 16-0 run in the second, they took the lead for good. Chicago got within four points twice in the fourth, but Philadelphia closed it out. “We guarded really well and we rebounded extremely well at both ends,” Nurse said. Tyrese Maxey got his first career triple-double as part of the winning formula and clicked with Embiid. Maxey finished with 25 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. “It was great, that's who he is,” Maxey said of Embiid. “After he got in the game it's easy, it was easier, man. There was a lot more space out there.” The All-Star trio of Embiid, Maxey and Paul George (12 points) played together for only the second game this season. “Obviously we've got the connection,” Embiid said. "We know when things are not going right, what we need to do. Now it's up to us to make the shots and the plays. “After that first quarter, it just felt like we needed to take more of an ownership as far as getting us back in the game. They're great players.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jimmy Carter was honored with a moment of silence before the Atlanta Falcons’ game at the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, hours after the 39th president of the United States died at the age of 100 in Plains, Georgia. Beyond being a Georgia native who led the country from the White House less than 8 miles (12 kilometers) away during his time in office from 1977-81, Carter was the first president to host the NFL's Super Bowl champions there when he welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. Falcons owner Arthur Blank in a statement released by the team before kickoff said he was deeply saddened by the loss of his dear friend and mentor, calling Carter “a great American, a proud Georgian and an inspirational global humanitarian.” “He lived his life with great civic responsibility and took it upon himself to be the change he wished to see amongst other,” Blank said, recalling meeting Carter at The Home Depot. “President Carter’s kind and uniting spirit touched so many lives. He was a man of deep faith, and did everything with principal and grace, doing things the right way for the right reasons." AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Darius Tahir | (TNS) KFF Health News President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to run the sprawling government agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act marketplace — celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz — recently held broad investments in health care, tech, and food companies that would pose significant conflicts of interest. Oz’s holdings, some shared with family, included a stake in UnitedHealth Group worth as much as $600,000, as well as shares of pharmaceutical firms and tech companies with business in the health care sector, such as Amazon. Collectively, Oz’s investments total tens of millions of dollars, according to financial disclosures he filed during his failed 2022 run for a Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat. Trump said Tuesday he would nominate Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The agency’s scope is huge: CMS oversees coverage for more than 160 million Americans, nearly half the population. Medicare alone accounts for approximately $1 trillion in annual spending, with over 67 million enrollees. UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest health care companies in the nation and arguably the most important business partner of CMS, through which it is the leading provider of commercial health plans available to Medicare beneficiaries. UnitedHealth also offers managed-care plans under Medicaid, the joint state-federal program for low-income people, and sells plans on government-run marketplaces set up via the Affordable Care Act. Oz also had smaller stakes in CVS Health, which now includes the insurer Aetna, and in the insurer Cigna. It’s not clear if Oz, a heart surgeon by training, still holds investments in health care companies, or if he would divest his shares or otherwise seek to mitigate conflicts of interest should he be confirmed by the Senate. Reached by phone on Wednesday, he said he was in a Zoom meeting and declined to comment. An assistant did not reply to an email message with detailed questions. “It’s obvious that over the years he’s cultivated an interest in the pharmaceutical industry and the insurance industry,” said Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a watchdog group. “That raises a question of whether he can be trusted to act on behalf of the American people.” (The publisher of KFF Health News, David Rousseau, is on the CSPI board .) Oz used his TikTok page on multiple occasions in November to praise Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including their efforts to take on the “illness-industrial complex,” and he slammed “so-called experts like the big medical societies” for dishing out what he called bad nutritional advice. Oz’s positions on health policy have been chameleonic; in 2010, he cut an ad urging Californians to sign up for insurance under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, telling viewers they had a “historic opportunity.” Oz’s 2022 financial disclosures show that the television star invested a substantial part of his wealth in health care and food firms. Were he confirmed to run CMS, his job would involve interacting with giants of the industry that have contributed to his wealth. Given the breadth of his investments, it would be difficult for Oz to recuse himself from matters affecting his assets, if he still holds them. “He could spend his time in a rocking chair” if that happened, Lurie said. In the past, nominees for government positions with similar potential conflicts of interest have chosen to sell the assets or otherwise divest themselves. For instance, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Attorney General Merrick Garland agreed to divest their holdings in relevant, publicly traded companies when they joined the Biden administration. Trump, however, declined in his first term to relinquish control of his own companies and other assets while in office, and he isn’t expected to do so in his second term. He has not publicly indicated concern about his subordinates’ financial holdings. CMS’ main job is to administer Medicare. About half of new enrollees now choose Medicare Advantage, in which commercial insurers provide their health coverage, instead of the traditional, government-run program, according to an analysis from KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Proponents of Medicare Advantage say the private plans offer more compelling services than the government and better manage the costs of care. Critics note that Medicare Advantage plans have a long history of costing taxpayers more than the traditional program. UnitedHealth, CVS, and Cigna are all substantial players in the Medicare Advantage market. It’s not always a good relationship with the government. The Department of Justice filed a 2017 complaint against UnitedHealth alleging the company used false information to inflate charges to the government. The case is ongoing. Oz is an enthusiastic proponent of Medicare Advantage. In 2020, he proposed offering Medicare Advantage to all; during his Senate run, he offered a more general pledge to expand those plans. After Trump announced Oz’s nomination for CMS, Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute, said he was “uncertain about Dr. Oz’s familiarity with health care financing and economics.” Singer said Oz’s Medicare Advantage proposal could require large new taxes — perhaps a 20% payroll tax — to implement. Oz has gotten a mixed reception from elsewhere in Washington. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, the Democrat who defeated Oz in 2022, signaled he’d potentially support his appointment to CMS. “If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, I’m voting for the dude,” he said on the social platform X. Oz’s investments in companies doing business with the federal government don’t end with big insurers. He and his family also hold hospital stocks, according to his 2022 disclosure, as well as a stake in Amazon worth as much as nearly $2.4 million. (Candidates for federal office are required to disclose a broad range of values for their holdings, not a specific figure.) Amazon operates an internet pharmacy, and the company announced in June that its subscription service is available to Medicare enrollees. It also owns a primary care service , One Medical, that accepts Medicare and “select” Medicare Advantage plans. Oz was also directly invested in several large pharmaceutical companies and, through investments in venture capital funds, indirectly invested in other biotech and vaccine firms. Big Pharma has been a frequent target of criticism and sometimes conspiracy theories from Trump and his allies. Kennedy, whom Trump has said he’ll nominate to be Health and Human Services secretary, is a longtime anti-vaccine activist. During the Biden administration, Congress gave Medicare authority to negotiate with drug companies over their prices. CMS initially selected 10 drugs. Those drugs collectively accounted for $50.5 billion in spending between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug benefit. At least four of those 10 medications are manufactured by companies in which Oz held stock, worth as much as about $50,000. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump Jr. emerges as a political force of his own as he helps his father launch a second term National Politics | The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump’s promises on growth and inflation National Politics | What to know about Brooke Rollins, Trump’s pick for agriculture secretary National Politics | After Trump’s Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles National Politics | Republicans push back against Democrats’ claims that Trump intelligence pick Gabbard is compromised Oz may gain or lose financially from other Trump administration proposals. For example, as of 2022, Oz held investments worth as much as $6 million in fertility treatment providers. To counter fears that politicians who oppose abortion would ban in vitro fertilization, Trump floated during his campaign making in vitro fertilization treatment free. It’s unclear whether the government would pay for the services. In his TikTok videos from earlier in November, Oz echoed attacks on the food industry by Kennedy and other figures in his “Make America Healthy Again” movement. They blame processed foods and underregulation of the industry for the poor health of many Americans, concerns shared by many Democrats and more mainstream experts. But in 2022, Oz owned stakes worth as much as $80,000 in Domino’s Pizza, Pepsi, and US Foods, as well as more substantial investments in other parts of the food chain, including cattle; Oz reported investments worth as much as $5.5 million in a farm and livestock, as well as a stake in a dairy-free milk startup. He was also indirectly invested in the restaurant chain Epic Burger. One of his largest investments was in the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Wawa, which sells fast food and all manner of ultra-processed snacks. Oz and his wife reported a stake in the company, beloved by many Pennsylvanians, worth as much as $30 million. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the U.S.

A butterfly collector in Africa with more than 4.2 million seeks to share them for the future

Antoine Griezmann earns Atletico Madrid last-gasp win over SevillaHeartbreaking news: Sometimes, the splurge is worth it. You never want to hear that spending a ton of money on a product is actually a good thing, but there’s no denying that some products, from cleaning appliances to cookware, have more than earned their steep dollar count. And if you’re a pragmatic shopper like me, you probably want to know for certain that you’ll get all possible bang for your buck before you dig out your wallet to drop hundreds of dollars on an item sight unseen. That’s why I asked some of my colleagues for the best big purchases they’ve ever bought, to find out what people really think is worth the splurge. The answers I got from writers, editors, and other staffers ran the gamut from shoes to baby carriers to so, so many vacuum cleaners. (What can I say? Everybody loves a good vacuum cleaner.) If you want to make sure your next big purchase is spent on something you can trust, keep reading to see our picks for the most splurge-worthy products out there. 1. The GoPro Hero12 waterproof camera "I was always under the impression that GoPros were more for people who lead way more adventurous lives than I do," says Adam Schubak, growth strategist for the shopping team, "but I decided to make the investment ahead of my wedding and honeymoon. I was so happy with the video quality that we ended up using it to record our ceremony in lieu of hiring a videographer. Since then, I take it with me on every vacation and family gathering to capture memories that I can relive at the click of a button." The Hero12 model can take ultra high-definition HDR photos and videos, but isn't nearly as bulky as other expensive cameras. It's also super durable, able to be dunked underwater down to 33 feet and still deliver high-quality images thanks to the water-repelling lens cover. Get it from Amazon for $289.99 . 2. A worth-every-penny pair of headphones "After hearing about how good the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are for years, I pulled the trigger when they dropped down to $300, and I don't regret it one bit," said shopping writer Kevin Cortez of these widely adored premium over-ear headphones. "I've been using them daily since grabbing them a few weeks back, and they're still blowing me away. I've been revisiting some favorite albums and noticing different parts of songs I never did before — it's like they grant me the ability to hear the parts I didn't know were being muddled with cheaper earbuds. They're so comfortable, even as a glasses-wearer, and I've even been using them during phone calls for crystal-clear audio. They're the most premium item in my apartment. Seriously, they're so good, they make me feel like I've been listening to music wrong my entire life. I f**king love them so much it's wild." These headphones have a 4.6-star score and over 58,000 reviews on Amazon. They boast up to 30 hours of battery life and touch-sensor controls to easily pause, play or adjust the volume on your audio and will even automatically pause playback when you remove them from your ear. Get them from Amazon for $228 (available in three colors). 3. The Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 deluxe bundle Schubak also believes his purchase of a Nintendo Switch was well worth it. "Nintendo has been a staple in my life for as long as I can remember, and adulthood hasn't changed any of that. From having at-home date nights with my husband to having intense Mario Kart races against my niece and nephew, playing Nintendo Switch has become a part of my daily routine," he says. "I could write essays about what it has done for my mental health during difficult periods of my life over the past few years. This bundle , which includes the system, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, joy-cons, and a 12-month membership to Nintendo Switch Online, is the ideal starter pack for gamers of any age." Get it from Walmart for $299 . 4. A cozy weighted hoodie for weighted blanket enthusiasts If you love cozying up in weighted blankets, shopping writer Haley Zovickian has recommended this weighted hoodie from Thera in previous coverage. "The jacket’s deep pressure melted away my tension and soothed my nerves surprisingly quickly, and it felt like I was wearing a secure, cozy cocoon," she wrote." It turns out this cocoon-like feeling is exactly the intended effect: Thera designed the hoodie to feel like a calming hug — aiming to help reduce cortisol , calm the nervous system and boost oxytocin and serotonin like hugs do. (The jacket is also supposed to help support deeper and more restful sleep.)" The hoodie comes in six colors in the fleece version and three colors in the minky version, in sizes XS–3XL. An XS weighs eight pounds. It's also available in a kid's size in three fleece colors and one minky color. Get it from Thera for $158 . 5. A durable leather pair of Rainbow sandals "I had a pair of Rainbows in high school when I worked at a summer camp and always remembered them being supportive and comfortable," says shopping writer Griffin Wynne. "Last summer, I got a few pairs of $2 plastic flip-flops that I ended up breaking or walking through. After seeing a guy wearing Rainbows in a bar, I remembered them and went to buy a pair, only to be shocked at the $70 price. I bit the bullet and got them anyway and have not regretted it once. They’re so light and easy to pack, the leather looks nice and ages well, they can easily be dressed up or down and they’re actually supportive and give me proper arch support. If you’re in the market for a universal flop — I’d recommend investing." The sandals are available in five colors in women's sizes 5.5–11. Get them from Amazon for $70.99 . 6. A high-suction Miele vacuum Shopping managing editor Emily Ruane previously sang the praises of the Miele Compact C1 vacuum last year and still loves it. "Mine is a slightly older version, but I think this is the most up-to-date model. It is the most simple, thoughtfully designed vacuum, and it works incredibly well after more than 10 years of heavy use," she said. "The suction power is incredible, and it's so easy to use on both carpet and hardwood floors thanks to the variety of attachments. Last year, we added the parquet twister attachment to our arsenal, which I also highly recommend." Get it from Amazon for $469 . 7. An automatic self-cleaning cat litter box "The Litter-Robot may be the best purchase I’ve ever made, for the life-changing reason that I have not scooped a single bit of litter since I bought it nearly a year ago," Zovickian says. "To say this has been a quality of life upgrade for me and my cat is a dramatic understatement. I now never interact with cat poop except for when I empty it out every nine days (!), and my cat has a fresh, hygienic bed of litter ready for her use all the time. It’s the most precious thing I own — besides my kitty. Yes, it’s more than I ever anticipated spending on a litter box , but for me, it was worth every penny I paid for it. If you’re curious about how the Litter-Robot works, check out the process in action on TikTok or YouTube . It automatically scoops litter by rotating its inner shell, shaking clumped litter through a filter and depositing the soiled litter in a sealed drawer-like compartment underneath the box (which also effectively and blissfully traps odor)." Get it from Target for $699.99 . 8. The highly-rated Kindle Paperwhite e-reader Like myself, Zovickian is a Kindle Paperwhite devotee. She previously wrote, "With the Kindle, instead of lugging around a 15-pound bag of books from place to place, I can hold thousands of titles at a fraction of the weight in my bag or a large pocket, completely comfortably. This has been nothing short of game-changing." My Kindle Paperwhite is the reason I was able to more than double the annual amount of books I read, from 12 in 2022 to 28 in 2023. My Kindle has essentially paid for itself, too, since I use the Libby app to check out digital copies of library books to read on my Kindle for free — no more time or money spent agonizing over bookstore prices, and I can have my next read in my hands within minutes of adding it to my TBR list. Get it from Amazon for $149.99 . 9. The self-charging Roomba 692 "Hands down, I never regret purchasing my Roomba ," says Marquaysa Battle, Shopping deputy managing editor. "It's easy to use and it PICKS UP SO WELL. It's even gently pushed doors open to clean a room when I've forgotten to widen it. I experience a lot of neck and back pain that doesn't always allow me to push a broom or vacuum the way I would like to and this thing totally helps. I purchased it for a little relief on my bad days but also because I had a Shark vac that was just horrible, whether I was having a good day or not. I've since purchased one for my mom and she loves hers, too." Get it from Amazon for $234.49 . 10. A durable 11-piece set of pots and pans Editorial manager Erin Evans said this 11-piece Calphalon cookware set was still a splurge when she bought it on sale, but she loves it. The set includes a 10-inch fry pan, 12-inch fry pan, 1.5-quart saucepan, 2.5-quart saucepan, 3-quart saucepan, and an 8-quart stockpot, all of which (except the 10-inch fry pan) come with tempered glass lids. The pots and pans are nonstick but metal utensil-safe, oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and even dishwasher-safe to make cleanup easy. It also has a lifetime warranty. Heads up: The standard set that Evans owns appears to be going fast (so get it while you can), but there's also another version of the set with the same cookware that has MineralShield nonstick technology, making it five times more durable, according to the brand. Get the standard set from Amazon for $248.85+ (available in three sizes) or the set with MineralShield for $399.99 . 11. The Breville Barista Touch espresso machine One editor recommends the Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine as a big upfront expense that will pay dividends later, especially if you're someone who's constantly going out to get coffee at coffee shops. By making coffee at home, you can start saving money big time. (Ruane has a similar model from Breville that she uses daily and adores.) The machine has a pictorial touchscreen, making it easier than ever to choose the coffee drink you want. You can adjust the coffee strength, milk texture and temperature to your preferred settings, then save them as a favorite so the machine remembers them for later. It also heats up in just three seconds and can brew one to two cups at a time. The machine is available in four colors. And if this splurge price has you hesitating, save the link for later, because the Barista Touch is known to go on sale sometimes. Get it from Amazon for $999.95 . 12. An UPPAbaby stroller with so many convenient features An editor commends this UPPAbaby stroller for growing with her family. The stroller comes with a water-repellent bassinet for babies up to 20 pounds and a toddler seat for children from three months to 50 pounds. It also features an under-seat basket that can hold up to 30 pounds, shock-absorbing wheel suspension, a rain shield, bug shield and UPF 50+ sunshade to protect the baby. It's available in seven colors and currently has a hard-to-beat average rating of over 4.7 stars at Amazon. Get it from Amazon for $759.99+ . 13. These Sonos Ace over-ear headphones "I received the Sonos Ace Headphones as a gift, and they are absolutely worth the splurge," says BuzzFeed IT project manager Jusanha Abobo. "I've almost convinced everyone on my team to get a pair. They're much better than the Apple AirPods Max — lighter and with incredible noise canceling." Released this year, these over-ear headphones are available in white or black, have up to 30 hours of battery life on a single rapid charge and has spatial audio as well as Noise Cancellation and Aware modes so you can choose how much you hear of what's happening around you. Get them from Amazon for $349+ . 14. A luxe baby carrier for ultimate comfort without back pain "[It's] so pricey compared to the other types of baby carriers but the Artipoppe baby carrier is worth the price," says senior producer Leah Mark. "I have used other ones and they always end up hurting my back and always [need] two people to put it on. With the Artipoppe, I can put it on myself. This weekend, my baby spent about 90 minutes in the carrier at a baseball game and didn't complain at all and my back wasn't hurt." The Zeitgeist Baby Carrier comes in 34 variants, with options for different colors, materials and patterns. Get the leopard print version from Artipoppe for $370 (or browse other styles ).US President Joe Biden on Sunday said deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should be "held accountable" but called the nation's political upheaval a "historic opportunity" for Syrians to rebuild their country. In the first full US reaction to Assad's overthrow by an Islamist-led coalition of rebel factions, Biden also warned that Washington will "remain vigilant" against the emergence of terrorist groups, announcing that US forces had just conducted fresh strikes against militants from the Islamic State organization. "The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice," Biden said, speaking from the White House. "It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria." Asked by reporters what should happen to the deposed president, who reportedly has fled to Moscow, Biden said that "Assad should be held accountable." Biden -- set to step down in January and make way for Republican Donald Trump's return to power -- said Washington will assist Syrians in rebuilding. "We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward independent, sovereign" Syria "with a new constitution," he said. However, Biden cautioned that hardline Islamist groups within the victorious rebel alliance will be under scrutiny. "Some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses," Biden said. The United States had "taken note" of recent statements by rebels suggesting they had since moderated, he said, but cautioned: "We will assess not just their words, but their actions." Biden said Washington is "clear eyed" that the Islamic State extremist group, often known as ISIS, "will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish" itself in Syria. "We will not let that happen," he said, adding that on Sunday alone, US forces had conducted strikes against ISIS inside Syria. The US military said the strikes were conducted by warplanes against Islamic State operatives and camps. Strikes were carried out against "over 75 targets using multiple US Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s," the US Central Command said on social media. Earlier, Biden met with his national security team at the White House to discuss the crisis. - Missing US journalist - Assad's reported departure comes less than two weeks after the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group challenged more than five decades of Assad family rule with a lightning rebel offensive that broke long-frozen frontlines in Syria's civil war. They announced Sunday they had taken the capital Damascus and that Assad had fled, prompting celebrations nationwide and a ransacking of Assad's luxurious home. A Kremlin source told Russian news agencies that the deposed leader was now in Moscow, along with his family. The US military has around 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of the international coalition established in 2014 to help combat the Islamic State jihadist group. It has regularly struck targets in the country including those linked to Iranian-backed militias. Tehran was a major backer of Assad's government. Biden also confirmed US authorities believe the American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria in 2012, still lives. "We believe he's alive," Biden said, but the US has yet "to identify where he is." bur-sms/mlm

UTR Sports Partners with Stack Sports to Launch TeamInn Travel Services for Tennis and Pickleball

EONR stock touches 52-week low at $0.79 amid market challengesFinalists for South Wales Health and Care Awards' Care Hero AwardPatriots to wear navy-silver combo again in Week 12 vs. DolphinsCHICAGO (AP) — Two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid returned to the Philadelphia 76ers' starting lineup against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. After missing his first seven shots and ambling deliberately in his left knee brace in the first quarter, the 2023 MVP went on a tear to propel the Sixers to a 108-100 win over the Chicago Bulls. Embiid connected on eight of his next 10 shots in the second quarter for his first 19 points of the game, which lifted Philadelphia to a 62-50 halftime lead. The Sixers stretched it to 19 before holding on for their fourth win in five games, and Embiid finished with 31. “I just got lucky and started making shots,” Embiid deadpanned when he talked to reporters almost 90 minutes after the game. “We just missed shots and we adjusted and we got them in.” Embiid, a seven-time All-Star, added 12 rebounds in his fifth game this season. The 7-foot center had missed the previous seven games because of knee injuries and a three-game suspension for pushing a sports columnist. Embiid finished slightly above his career average of nearly 27.8 points per game in 33 minutes. The Sixers don't play again until Friday thanks to the NBA Cup, so coach Nick Nurse planned to give his star ample work Sunday with a break and recovery time ahead. “All of a sudden he certainly caught fire there with a little bit of variety,” Nurse said. “I know a lot of it seemed like foul-line jumpers, which it was. He snuck in a roll or two and a couple of post-ups. It gave us a lot of confidence.” The Sixers trailed 33-23 after the first quarter. Behind Embiid and a 16-0 run in the second, they took the lead for good. Chicago got within four points twice in the fourth, but Philadelphia closed it out. “We guarded really well and we rebounded extremely well at both ends,” Nurse said. Tyrese Maxey got his first career triple-double as part of the winning formula and clicked with Embiid. Maxey finished with 25 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. “It was great, that's who he is,” Maxey said of Embiid. “After he got in the game it's easy, it was easier, man. There was a lot more space out there.” The All-Star trio of Embiid, Maxey and Paul George (12 points) played together for only the second game this season. “Obviously we've got the connection,” Embiid said. "We know when things are not going right, what we need to do. Now it's up to us to make the shots and the plays. “After that first quarter, it just felt like we needed to take more of an ownership as far as getting us back in the game. They're great players.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs leaves game because of concussion

Wade Taylor IV racked up 19 points that included eight in the final 3:22 of the game as No. 22 Texas A&M outlasted Texas Tech 72-67 on Sunday afternoon in the USLBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas A&M (8-2) led by as many as 11 points in the first half and by three at halftime before the Red Raiders surged to the front early in the second half. Down 52-49, the Aggies produced an 11-0 surge capped by a jumper by Zhuric Phelps to take a 60-52 advantage with 5:02 to play The Aggies' margin was just two points when Taylor went hard to the hole on back-to-back possessions for layups that pushed the lead to 64-58. A 3-pointer by Tech's Chance McMillian cut lead to three but Taylor, Henry Coleman III and Solomon Washington converted free throws over the final 27 seconds to provide the deciding points for A&M. Jace Carter added 16 points and Phelps had 12 for the Aggies, who have won four straight games. McMillian's 23 points were a game high, while Kevin Overton added 17 and Darrion Williams had 11 for Texas Tech (7-2), which had a three-game winning streak snapped. The Aggies ruled the game's first five minutes, blitzing to a 13-2 lead thanks to eight early points from Taylor and a stifling defense that forced Tech into four turnovers. The Red Raiders responded with an 8-2 run capped by a jumper by Federiko Federiko to close the gap to five points at the 10:57 mark. Texas Tech continued to battle back, clawing to within 26-24 with 5:16 left in the first half thanks to a 9-0 run. Texas A&M boosted the margin to as many as six points after Manny Obaseki hit a layup with 2:23 remaining before McMillian canned a pair of free throws with 41 seconds to play to pull to within 34-31 at the break. Overton led all scorers with 14 points before halftime while Carter paced the Aggies with 13. The Red Raiders pulled even on Federiko's jumper 46 seconds into the second half, went in front on a jumper by Elijah Hawkins with 18:22 to play and pushed their advantage to five points on another Hawkins jumper at the 16:30 mark of the half. The Aggies swung back, tying the contest at 49 when Washington sank a 3-pointer with 10:48 left, setting the stage for the furious finish. --Field Level MediaDarius Tahir | (TNS) KFF Health News President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to run the sprawling government agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act marketplace — celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz — recently held broad investments in health care, tech, and food companies that would pose significant conflicts of interest. Oz’s holdings, some shared with family, included a stake in UnitedHealth Group worth as much as $600,000, as well as shares of pharmaceutical firms and tech companies with business in the health care sector, such as Amazon. Collectively, Oz’s investments total tens of millions of dollars, according to financial disclosures he filed during his failed 2022 run for a Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat. Trump said Tuesday he would nominate Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The agency’s scope is huge: CMS oversees coverage for more than 160 million Americans, nearly half the population. Medicare alone accounts for approximately $1 trillion in annual spending, with over 67 million enrollees. UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest health care companies in the nation and arguably the most important business partner of CMS, through which it is the leading provider of commercial health plans available to Medicare beneficiaries. UnitedHealth also offers managed-care plans under Medicaid, the joint state-federal program for low-income people, and sells plans on government-run marketplaces set up via the Affordable Care Act. Oz also had smaller stakes in CVS Health, which now includes the insurer Aetna, and in the insurer Cigna. It’s not clear if Oz, a heart surgeon by training, still holds investments in health care companies, or if he would divest his shares or otherwise seek to mitigate conflicts of interest should he be confirmed by the Senate. Reached by phone on Wednesday, he said he was in a Zoom meeting and declined to comment. An assistant did not reply to an email message with detailed questions. “It’s obvious that over the years he’s cultivated an interest in the pharmaceutical industry and the insurance industry,” said Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a watchdog group. “That raises a question of whether he can be trusted to act on behalf of the American people.” (The publisher of KFF Health News, David Rousseau, is on the CSPI board .) Oz used his TikTok page on multiple occasions in November to praise Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including their efforts to take on the “illness-industrial complex,” and he slammed “so-called experts like the big medical societies” for dishing out what he called bad nutritional advice. Oz’s positions on health policy have been chameleonic; in 2010, he cut an ad urging Californians to sign up for insurance under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, telling viewers they had a “historic opportunity.” Oz’s 2022 financial disclosures show that the television star invested a substantial part of his wealth in health care and food firms. Were he confirmed to run CMS, his job would involve interacting with giants of the industry that have contributed to his wealth. Given the breadth of his investments, it would be difficult for Oz to recuse himself from matters affecting his assets, if he still holds them. “He could spend his time in a rocking chair” if that happened, Lurie said. In the past, nominees for government positions with similar potential conflicts of interest have chosen to sell the assets or otherwise divest themselves. For instance, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Attorney General Merrick Garland agreed to divest their holdings in relevant, publicly traded companies when they joined the Biden administration. Trump, however, declined in his first term to relinquish control of his own companies and other assets while in office, and he isn’t expected to do so in his second term. He has not publicly indicated concern about his subordinates’ financial holdings. CMS’ main job is to administer Medicare. About half of new enrollees now choose Medicare Advantage, in which commercial insurers provide their health coverage, instead of the traditional, government-run program, according to an analysis from KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Proponents of Medicare Advantage say the private plans offer more compelling services than the government and better manage the costs of care. Critics note that Medicare Advantage plans have a long history of costing taxpayers more than the traditional program. UnitedHealth, CVS, and Cigna are all substantial players in the Medicare Advantage market. It’s not always a good relationship with the government. The Department of Justice filed a 2017 complaint against UnitedHealth alleging the company used false information to inflate charges to the government. The case is ongoing. Oz is an enthusiastic proponent of Medicare Advantage. In 2020, he proposed offering Medicare Advantage to all; during his Senate run, he offered a more general pledge to expand those plans. After Trump announced Oz’s nomination for CMS, Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute, said he was “uncertain about Dr. Oz’s familiarity with health care financing and economics.” Singer said Oz’s Medicare Advantage proposal could require large new taxes — perhaps a 20% payroll tax — to implement. Oz has gotten a mixed reception from elsewhere in Washington. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, the Democrat who defeated Oz in 2022, signaled he’d potentially support his appointment to CMS. “If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, I’m voting for the dude,” he said on the social platform X. Oz’s investments in companies doing business with the federal government don’t end with big insurers. He and his family also hold hospital stocks, according to his 2022 disclosure, as well as a stake in Amazon worth as much as nearly $2.4 million. (Candidates for federal office are required to disclose a broad range of values for their holdings, not a specific figure.) Amazon operates an internet pharmacy, and the company announced in June that its subscription service is available to Medicare enrollees. It also owns a primary care service , One Medical, that accepts Medicare and “select” Medicare Advantage plans. Oz was also directly invested in several large pharmaceutical companies and, through investments in venture capital funds, indirectly invested in other biotech and vaccine firms. Big Pharma has been a frequent target of criticism and sometimes conspiracy theories from Trump and his allies. Kennedy, whom Trump has said he’ll nominate to be Health and Human Services secretary, is a longtime anti-vaccine activist. During the Biden administration, Congress gave Medicare authority to negotiate with drug companies over their prices. CMS initially selected 10 drugs. Those drugs collectively accounted for $50.5 billion in spending between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug benefit. At least four of those 10 medications are manufactured by companies in which Oz held stock, worth as much as about $50,000. Related Articles Health | ‘Especially disgusting’: Former workers, patients, level accusations at California addiction treatment empire Health | Addicts came to Southern California from afar to get sober but wound up dead Health | California raw milk recalled after positive test for bird flu virus Health | More foods are making us sick: What to know as foodborne outbreaks hit Health | Which health insurance plan may be right for you? Oz may gain or lose financially from other Trump administration proposals. For example, as of 2022, Oz held investments worth as much as $6 million in fertility treatment providers. To counter fears that politicians who oppose abortion would ban in vitro fertilization, Trump floated during his campaign making in vitro fertilization treatment free. It’s unclear whether the government would pay for the services. In his TikTok videos from earlier in November, Oz echoed attacks on the food industry by Kennedy and other figures in his “Make America Healthy Again” movement. They blame processed foods and underregulation of the industry for the poor health of many Americans, concerns shared by many Democrats and more mainstream experts. But in 2022, Oz owned stakes worth as much as $80,000 in Domino’s Pizza, Pepsi, and US Foods, as well as more substantial investments in other parts of the food chain, including cattle; Oz reported investments worth as much as $5.5 million in a farm and livestock, as well as a stake in a dairy-free milk startup. He was also indirectly invested in the restaurant chain Epic Burger. One of his largest investments was in the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Wawa, which sells fast food and all manner of ultra-processed snacks. Oz and his wife reported a stake in the company, beloved by many Pennsylvanians, worth as much as $30 million. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

POET Technologies (CVE:PTK) Trading 21.8% Higher – Here’s What HappenedThis report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here . Syria's Assad regime collapses after 50 years Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has reportedly fled to Russia after a rebel advance over the weekend reached the capital city of Damascus, putting an end to 50 years of the Assad's family rule over Syria. Russian state news agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source on Assad and his family being given asylum in the country. South Korea's president survives impeachment vote South Korean president Yoon Seok Yeol has survived an impeachment vote over the weekend after his ruling People's Power Party boycotted the vote. The impeachment motion saw all 192 opposition lawmakers in favour of impeaching the president, but failed to clear the bar of 200 votes needed after only three PPP members voted for the motion. Court upholds law ordering TikTok sale in U.S. A federal appeals court upheld a law requiring China-based ByteDance to sell social media app TikTok next month or face an effective ban in the U.S. The court in an unanimous ruling rejected TikTok's argument that the law is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment rights of the 170 million Americans who use the app . TikTok said that it will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the appeals court decision. S&P and Nasdaq reach new records On Friday, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose to fresh records after November jobs data fueled hopes that the Federal Reserve will cut rates after its meeting ends on Dec. 18 stateside. The S&P climbed 0.25% to 6,090.27, while the Nasdaq advanced 0.81% to 19,859.77. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.28%, to close at 44,642.52. [PRO] Chinese EV markets to benefit in 2025 Traditional foreign automakers were shown the exit on China's car market in 2024, which means that 2025 looks to be the year that a few local electric car companies can solidify their leadership in the world's second largest economy. A quote commonly attributed to Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin goes, "There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen." While it is difficult, absurd even, to suggest that nothing has happened in the past few decades, a lot has certainly happened in the last two weeks. Over the weekend, Syria's president Bashar Al-Assad reportedly fled to Russia, ending 50 years of the Assad's family rule, South Korea's president survived an impeachment vote after declaring the first instance of martial law in over 40 years, and last week, France's government collapsed after a no-confidence vote, the first time that has happened in France in over 60 years. Could the political turmoil could cast a shadow over the typical year-end rally for markets, where markets usually climb? To be honest, it is difficult to say. On one hand, the effects of these political developments are not yet fully known and will cause uncertainty, but on the other hand, U.S. economic data seems to be supporting the case for a rise in markets. Traders expect the U.S. Federal Reserve to be the market's Santa Claus this year. According to the CME Fedwatch tool , there is an 85% chance that the Fed will enact a 25 basis points cut next week, which is likely to send markets higher. However, many other clouds also loom over the horizon heading into 2025, not least of all, the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. In short, 2024 may be coming to an end, but it seems determined to go out swinging in the last three weeks.

Tuesday’s contest that pits the Furman Paladins (6-0) versus the Seattle U Redhawks (2-3) at T-Mobile Arena has a projected final score of 75-71 (based on our computer prediction) in favor of Furman, who is slightly favored in this matchup according to our model. Game time is at 11:30 PM ET on November 26. According to our computer prediction, Furman is a good bet to cover the spread, which is listed at 2.5. The two sides are projected to go over the 141.5 total. Watch men’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Place your bets on any men’s college basketball matchup at BetMGM. Sign up today using our link. Furman has gone 4-0-0 against the spread, while Seattle U’s ATS record this season is 1-3-0. In terms of hitting the over, games involving the Paladins are 1-3-0 and the Redhawks are 2-2-0. The teams combine to score 164.3 points per game, 22.8 more points than this matchup’s total. Bet on this or any men’s college basketball matchup at BetMGM. Rep your favorite players with officially licensed gear. Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, hats, and much more. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .CDC chief urges focus on health threats as agency confronts political changesPackers wide receiver Romeo Doubs leaves game because of concussionNeal Maupay: Whenever I’m having a bad day I check Everton score and smile

Republicans rally around Hegseth, Trump's Pentagon pick, as Gaetz withdraws for attorney general