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The Blue Jays have decided to gamble on a former all-star while staying true to their obsession over acquiring versatile defenders. General manager Ross Atkins reportedly pulled off his first two big moves of the off-season on Tuesday by acquiring infielder Andres Gimenez from the Cleveland Guardians and . The Gimenez deal was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The Star has confirmed that infielder Spencer Horowitz and outfielder Nick Mitchell are headed to Cleveland, with Gimenez and pitcher Nick Sandlin coming back to Toronto. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal was the first to report that Horowitz was on his way to Cleveland. Gimenez is two years removed from a career season. In 2022, he provided elite production with a .297 average and .837 on-base plus slugging percentage with 46 extra-base hits and 69 RBIs. The 26-year-old’s performance has since fallen off as he became a liability with the bat each of the last two years. Despite the lack of recent production, Gimenez is operating under the comfort of a long-term deal. He is signed through 2029 and there is a team option for 2030. The Venezuelan will earn $10.5 million (U.S.) each of the next two years before his salary skyrockets to more than $23 million from 2027-29. That’s a lot of money for a guy who is coming off a season in which he hit .252 with a lowly .298 on-base percentage while his .638 OPS was significantly below average. Almost all the value he provided this season was on defence, where he possesses one of the game’s better gloves. In other words, he might be considered the Daulton Varsho of the infield. Gimenez spent most of his career with the Guardians at second base, but he’s also played 83 games at shortstop and 10 games at third. It wasn’t immediately clear where the Jays intend to play him, but with rookie Will Wagner in the mix at second base, the logical fit for Gimenez would be at third.Trump's immigration and border team is filling out.
Joni Ernst Under Heat, Denies She Is Behind Campaign to Tank Pete Hegseth's NominationMeet Zing: An app leveraging AI for 10-minute food deliveriesPenn State University Police and Public Safety have closed the investigation into an incident involving Jason Kelce that saw the former Philadelphia Eagles center spike a heckler's cellphone and repeat a homophobic slur . A viral video showed an interaction between Kelce and an individual outside Beaver Stadium where Penn State played Ohio State on Nov. 2. Kelce was at the game as part of Pat McAfee's Kicking Contest put on by ESPN's "College GameDay." The fan is heard using a homophobic slur directed at Kelce about his brother Travis, who is dating Taylor Swift . Kelce is seen turning around and grabbing someone's cell phone before spiking it to the ground. Kelce is then heard repeating the homophobic slur towards the person. Penn State confirmed to CNN that the investigation had been closed. "The individual in the video footage circulating on social media has not been identified, and no one has come forward to University Police with a related complaint about damage to personal property," the school said in a statement to CNN. Kelce apologized for the incident on ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown," and then again on his "New Heights" podcast with his brother. "Me reacting gave him the time of day, and it also gave the situation notoriety," he said. "That's what I regret. It didn't deserve attention. It's really stupid. "And if I just keep walking ... it's a nothing burger. Nobody sees it. Now, it's out there, and it just perpetuates more hate. "The thing that I regret the most is saying that word, to be honest with you. The word he used is just (expletive) ridiculous and it takes it to another level. It's just off the wall and (expletive) over the line. "It's dehumanizing and got under my skin. ... I know now that I shouldn't have done it because now there's a video out there with me saying that word, him saying that word, and it's not good for anybody." CNN has reached out to Kelce's representatives for comment.
Pep Guardiola’s side avoided the indignity of a sixth successive defeat in all competitions and looked on course for a welcome victory thanks to a double from Erling Haaland – the first from the penalty spot – and a deflected effort from Ilkay Gundogan. Yet Guardiola was left with his head in hands as Feyenoord roared back in the last 15 minutes with goals from Anis Hadj Moussa, Sergio Gimenez and David Hancko, two of them after Josko Gvardiol errors. FULL-TIME | A point apiece. 🩵 3-3 ⚫️ #ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/6oj1nEOIwm — Manchester City (@ManCity) November 26, 2024 Arsenal delivered the statement Champions League win Mikel Arteta had demanded as they swept aside Sporting Lisbon 5-1. Arteta wanted his team to prove their European credentials, and goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track in style following the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan last time out. A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. Putting on a show at Sporting 🌟 pic.twitter.com/Yi9MgRZEkl — Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 26, 2024 Paris St Germain were left in serious of danger of failing to progress in the Champions League as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Kim Min-jae’s header late in the first half was enough to send PSG to a third defeat in the competition this season, leaving them six points off the automatic qualification places for the last 16 with three games to play. Luis Enrique’s side, who had Ousmane Dembele sent off, were deservedly beaten by Bayern who dominated chances and possession. 🔔 FULL TIME – Victory at home! +3 in the #UCL 👏❤️ #FCBayern #MiaSanMia | #FCBPSG #UCL pic.twitter.com/BYE23dXXih — FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) November 26, 2024 Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid were 6-0 winners away to Sparta Prague, Julian Alvarez and Angel Correa each scoring twice whilst there were also goals from Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann. Barcelona ended tournament debutants Brest’s unbeaten start with a 3-0 victory courtesy of two goals from Robert Lewandowski – one a penalty – and Dani Olmo. Lewandowski’s first was his 100th Champions League goal, only the third man to reach the mark after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. A Castello Lukeba own goal saw Inter Milan go top of the standings with a narrow 1-0 win over RB Leipzig at San Siro, whilst Bayer Leverkusen were emphatic victors against Red Bull Salzburg, Florian Wirtz scoring twice to move Xabi Alonso’s side into the automatic qualification places. Atalanta continued their strong start, albeit whilst conceding a first goal in Europe this season in a 6-1 win away to Young Boys, whilst Tammy Abraham scored the decisive goal as AC Milan beat Slovan Bratislava 3-2.PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticised Haitian officials who dismissed Prime Minister Garry Conille, calling them “complete idiots” in a video that surfaced on social media. The remarks made during a private conversation in Rio de Janeiro, on the sidelines of the G20 summit, were in response to a Haitian individual who had blamed France for Haiti’s ongoing crisis. Macron expressed frustration over the dismissal, stating that Conille had been an effective leader, and he had supported him. He lamented that Haiti’s political instability, fueled by drug trafficking and gang violence, had worsened the country’s situation. The president noted that Conille’s removal was a tragic decision, as he believed the prime minister had been doing a good job. Conille had argued that only Haiti’s parliament had the authority to remove him, but since the legislature is not currently functioning, the transitional presidential council proceeded with the dismissal. The dismissal of Conille, replaced by businessman Alix Didier Fils Aimé on November 11, has deepened uncertainty in Haiti, which has been grappling with violence, political chaos, and humanitarian crises. The nation remains leaderless following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, and gang violence controls much of the capital. Macron’s comments reflect ongoing frustration with the country’s political and security challenges.
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Lea en español For many people, this time of year is all about the shopping. And there's a fair chance many feel less than joyful about the prospect. If fulfilling your lengthy list feels overwhelming, learning what brain science and evolutionary psychology say about shopping and gift-giving might help you understand exactly why you're stressed – and even point you toward a healthier, happier holiday season. Our reactions are encoded into our nervous system, said Dr. Beth Frates, a part-time associate professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "By understanding these brain responses, people can develop strategies to manage stress better, such as setting realistic expectations, focusing on mindfulness and simplifying holiday preparations," said Frates, who also is the immediate past president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. The idea of exchanging gifts at this time of year can be traced back to pagan solstice celebrations. But the drive to share with another is as old as humanity itself, said Dr. Diego Guevara Beltran, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology at the University of Arizona in Tucson who studies cooperation and generosity. The science of generosity is more about survival than stocking stuffers, Guevara Beltran said. Sharing food gave early humans an evolutionary advantage. "Generosity is just one of the ways by which we can accumulate resources, be it wealth itself or friendships or work partners or more attractive, more intelligent mates," he said. Sharing with other people, Guevara Beltran said, is "a signal that communicates how much you value them, their welfare, your relationship with them." Research has shown that helping people makes us feel good. Part of that, he said, is because when someone is part of a community, they feel protected. One way this manifests is through the act of giving gifts. But to derive happiness from gift-giving, the giver needs to feel both that it was not an obligation and that it was effective, according to the 2019 World Happiness Report . That means it could be stressful to be in a culture where gift-giving feels mandatory, or if we can't see that a gift helped someone, Guevara Beltran speculated. It also might be stressful if gift-giving becomes a competition to show that you care about somebody more than the others around them. Our brains on shopping Stressful shopping can cause several physiological responses to kick in, Frates said. First is the "fight or flight" reaction that comes with stress. The release of chemicals that increase our heart rate, raise our blood pressure and intensify our breathing evolved to give us bursts of energy to escape danger. Frates said that while holiday stressors are not life-threatening, they can still trigger the stress response. The pressure to stay within budget could create a sense of scarcity, she said. "This taps into an evolutionary response, where the fear of losing resources like money can feel urgent and distressing." The holiday season also involves a lot of choices. "The brain has limited capacity for decision-making, and making multiple decisions can lead to decision fatigue," Frates said. "This fatigue reduces the ability to self-regulate and cope, which can lead to heightened stress responses when confronted with even minor setbacks, like a long line or out-of-stock item." The stress of needing to complete tasks within a limited time can intensify the fight-or-flight response, she said, as the brain interprets the ticking clock as a sense of urgency or threat. Meanwhile, Frates said, holiday shopping can also trigger brain chemicals that affect our feelings. "Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, is released when we anticipate something exciting or enjoyable, like finding a great gift or finding a good deal," she said. "This anticipation can feel rewarding even before any actual purchase is made." For some people, this dopamine boost can make shopping a relaxing experience. "It provides a temporary distraction from other stressors and allows them to focus on something positive, creating a 'holiday high,'" Frates said. For some people, that can be problematic. "When shopping becomes a way to chase that next dopamine hit, it can lead to excessive spending or impulsive purchases," she said. "This can become a trap, particularly during the holidays, when deals, sales and gift-giving pressures are everywhere." Understanding how all these processes work can help people recognize why they feel the way they do and adopt strategies to cope, Frates said. Here are some of her suggestions. 1. Start with self-care before shopping Prioritizing self-care means people can be their best selves and make good decisions, Frates said. So, "eat food that is delicious and nutritious. Get seven to nine hours of sleep. Make sure to enjoy physical activity. Take walks when you can and invite friends along. Practice stress reduction like meditation or yoga to help you calm your body and mind." Before going shopping, try taking deep breaths using stress-relieving techniques such as 4-7-8 breathing (inhale through your nose for four counts, hold for seven counts, and exhale through your mouth for eight) or box breathing (inhale through the nose for four counts, hold your breath for four, exhale for four, then hold for four). 2. Be strategic Don't shop when you're hungry, tired, lonely or stressed, Frates said. And don't start shopping 15 minutes before a store closes or a website's online deals end, she said. That's setting yourself up for triggering the fight-or-flight response. 3. Be mindful Before making a purchase, take a moment to consider whether it's truly needed or whether it's an impulsive choice. To avoid overindulging, set a specific budget or limit yourself to a couple of hours or specific shopping days. "This keeps dopamine-driven spending in check while still allowing for the enjoyable aspects of holiday shopping," Frates said. Look for post-shopping activities that provide rewards without the financial cost. That can satisfy your brain's desire for more dopamine in a healthier way. "Plan enjoyable, stress-relieving activities after shopping, like going for a walk, spending time with friends or indulging in a hobby," she said. 4. Bring a friend Not only does this support healthy social connections, Frates said, but if things start feeling stressful, "you have a buddy, and you have a support system right there for you." 5. Rethink the focus of the season "With gift-giving, we need to change mindsets in order to be able to manage the stress," Frates said. The holidays could be used to emphasize social connections, she said. "Thinking about the connection with the person and making gift-giving more about deepening the connection than anything else, I think, will really help to reduce the stress around the process," she said. So instead of scouring shops and websites for the "perfect" gift, think about making a meaningful and personal one, she suggested. It could be a poem, a painting, a song or a framed photograph that captured a special time. 6. Lessons for children It's easy to get caught up in the hunt for a hard-to-get item, Frates said. But ask yourself what the holiday means in your family's traditions. "Is it about getting that perfect gift for the child? Or is it about celebrating the meaning of that holiday?" So instead of having children ask for one specific toy, or a specific brand of clothing, teach them to leave a little leeway on their lists. "It is a good reminder to express to children that this season is about giving and sharing what we can in the best way that we can," she said, "and sometimes the exact gift is not available." Encouraging such an attitude can be a tall order, Frates said, but it's a place to start. "A simple mindset shift could be the difference between a stressful holiday shopping season or a joyful journey to find meaningful gifts for people you care about." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. 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Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack Awards season has arrived in the form of the Golden Globes nominations. The awards, which honor both movies and television programs, is often viewed as a preview of the upcoming Oscars. In this week's episode, co-hosts Bruce Miller and Terry Lipshetz go over the list, focusing largely on the movies, which tend to shine brightest at the ceremony. But they also take time to review a few of the TV shows, including the great, but rarely funny "The Bear," which is again in the comedy or musical category. We also have an interview with "Nickel Boys" director RaMell Ross, who spoke with Miller prior to the film receiving a nomination for best drama. Miller also talked with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who starred in the film. Complete list of Golden Globe nominations People are also reading... Movies Best motion picture, comedy or musical “Wicked”; “Anora”; “Emilia Perez”; “Challengers”; “A Real Pain”; “The Substance” Best motion picture, drama “The Brutalist”; “A Complete Unknown,”; “Conclave”; “Dune: Part Two”; “Nickel Boys;” “September 5” Best performance by a male actor in a motion picture, musical or comedy Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Hugh Grant, “Heretic”; Gabriel LaBelle, “Saturday Night; Jesse Plemons, “Kinds of Kindness”’ Glen Powell, “Hitman”; Sebastian Stan, “A Different Man” Best performance by a female actor in a motion picture, musical or comedy Amy Adams, “Nightbitch”; Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”; Karla Sofia Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”; Mikey Madison “Anora”; Demi Moore, “The Substance”; Zendaya, “Challengers” Best performance by a female male actor in a motion picture, drama Pamela Anderson, “The Last Showgirl′′; Angelina Jolie, ”Maria”; Nicole Kidman, “Babygirl”; Tilda Swinton, “The Room Next Door”; Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”; Kate Winslet, “Lee” Best performance by a male actor in a motion picture, drama Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”; Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown’; Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”; Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”; Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice’’ Cinematic and box office achievement “Alien: Romulus”; Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”; Deadpool & Wolverine”; “Gladiator II”; “Inside Out 2”; “Twisters”; “Wicked”; “The Wild Robot” Best motion picture, non-English “All We Imagine As Light′′; ”Emilia Pérez”; “The Girl With the Needle”; “I’m Still Here”; “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”; “Vermiglio” Best animated film “Flow”; “Inside Out 2”; “Memoir of a Snail”; “Moana 2”; “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”; “The Wild Robot” Best performance by a female actor in a supporting role in any motion picture Selena Gomez, ”Emilia Pérez”; Ariana Grande, “Wicked”; Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”; Margaret Qualley, “The Substance”; Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”; Zoe Saldaña, ”Emilia Pérez” Best performance by a male actor in a supporting role in any motion picture Yura Borisov, “Anora”; Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”; Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”; Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”; Jeremy Strong, ”The Apprentice”; Denzel Washington, “Gladiator II” Best director Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Edward Berger, “Conclave”; Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Payal Kapadia, “All We Imagine As Light” Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack Best screenplay Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold, “The Brutalist”; Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Peter Straughan, “Conclave” Best original score Volker Bertelmann, “Conclave”; Daniel Blumberg, “The Brutalist”; Kris Bowers, “The Wild Robot”; Clement Ducol, Camille “Emilia Pérez”; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, “Challengers”; Hans Zimmer, “Dune: Part Two” Best original song “Beautiful That Way” from “The Last Showgirl” (music/lyrics by Andrew Wyatt, Miley Cyrus, Lykke Zachrisson); “Compress/Repress” from “Challengers’ (music/lyrics by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Luca Guadagnino; “El Mal” from EL MAL” from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille, Jacques Audiard; “Forbidden Road” from ”Better Man′′ (music/lyrics by Robbie Williams, Freddy Wexler, Sacha Skarbek); “Kiss the Sky” from “The Wild Robot′′ (music/lyrics by Delacey, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Maren Morris, Michael Pollack, Ali Tamposi); ”Mi Camino′′ from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille) Television Best television drama “Shogun”; “The Diplomat”; “Slow Horses”; “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; “The Day of the Jackal”; “Squid Game” Best television series, comedy or musical “Abbott Elementary”; “The Bear; “Hacks”; “Nobody Wants This”; “Only Murders in the Building”; “The Gentlemen” Best performance by a male actor in a television series, drama Donald Glover, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; Jake Gyllenhaal, “Presumed Innocent”; Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”; Eddie Redmayne, “The Day of the Jackal”; Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shogun”; Billy Bob Thornton, “Landman” Best performance by a female actor in a television series-drama Kathy Bates, “Matlock”; Emma D’Arcy, “House of the Dragon”; Maya Erskine, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”; Keira Knightley, “Black Doves”; Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”; Anna Sawai, “Shogun” Best performance by a female actor in a television series-musical or comedy Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”; Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”; Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”; Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”; Kathryn Hahn, “Agatha All Along”; Jean Smart, “Hacks” Best performance by a male actor in a television series-musical or comedy Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”; Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside”; Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jason Segel, “Shrinking”; Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jeremy All White, “The Bear” Best television limited series, anthology series or motion picture made for television “Baby Reindeer”; Disclaimer"; “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; “The Penguin”; “Ripley”; “True Detective: Night Country” Best performance by a female actor in a limited series, anthology series or a motion picture made for television Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer''; Jodie Foster, ”True Detective: Night Country"; Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin''; Sofia Vergara, ”Griselda"; Naomi Watts, “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”; Kate Winslet, “The Regime” Best performance by a male actor in a limited series, anthology series or a motion picture made for television Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”; Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”; Kevin Kline, “Disclaimer”; Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Ewan McGregor, “A Gentleman in Moscow”; Andrew Scott, “Ripley” Best performance by a female actor in a supporting role on television Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”; Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”; Dakota Fanning, “Ripley”; Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”; Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”; Kali Reis, “True Detective: Night Country” Best performance by a male actor in a supporting role on television Tadanobu Asano, “Shogun''; Javier Bardem, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”; Jack Lowden “Slow Horses”; Diego Luna, “La Maquina”; Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear” Best performance in stand-up comedy on television Jamie Foxx, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was”; Nikki Glaser, “Nikki Glaser: Someday You'll Die”; Seth Meyers, “Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking”; Adam Sandler, "Adam Sandler: Love You"; Ali Wong, “Ali Wong: Single Lady”; Ramy Youssef, “Ramy Youssef: More Feelings” —List compiled by The Associated Press Stay up-to-date on what's happeningThe brazen murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has unleashed social media scorn at his company and a U.S. health insurance industry that serves as gatekeeper to the nation's $4.5 trillion health care system. Trying to file an insurance claim at UnitedHealthcare, among the nation's largest insurance companies, is a "humiliating and godawful slog," one commenter wrote. "Guessing this (murderer) might be a disgruntled policy holder.” Another poster complained, "CEOs are making money hand over fist- by DENYING care. I feel terrible for his family, but can’t say I’m surprised.” Although social media is often filled with hatred and “good riddances” after a high-profile murder, and there have been instances of violence against people involved in health care before, the reaction this time felt different, experts said. The Midtown Manhattan murder tapped a groundswell of public anger over an industry the public often only knows through impersonal delays and denials to needed health care, said Wendell Potter, a former CIGNA executive who became a whistleblower against the health insurance industry. "I've been hearing for years now from people who have been so frustrated because of denials or delays of care, and this was an opportunity for people to vent and to take out their anger against someone who just became known to them all of a sudden," Potter said. "It's sadly misplaced anger," he continued. " The system is rigged against Americans who need care, people who have health insurance, and it is largely because of the role that Wall Street plays in our health care system." Why are people so angry at the health insurance industry? Thompson's death also elicited an outpouring of vitriol on social media toward health insurers, grievances over denied claims and complaints about perceived greed in the industry. Investigators are still working to identify and locate the shooter who killed Thompson as well as determine a motive. Officials found three bullet casings inscribed with the words "deny,” “defend” and “depose," multiple news outlets reported. The words evoke the title of a book critical of the insurance industry published in 2010 : "Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It." Before President Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act took effect last decade, health insurers often denied or limited coverage based on a person’s medical history and retroactively canceled plans when a person became sick with a costly disease such as cancer. Such “rescissions” are not allowed now except when a person commits fraud or intentionally misrepresents facts. The 2010 health law mandated insurers spend a minimum of 80% to 85% of premiums on medical care, or rebate customers when they fail to meet those thresholds. But other consumer aggravations remain. Denied claims and trouble finding a provider in network work are among the most common reportedly problems faced by Americans that say they've had trouble using their health insurance, according to a 2023 poll from KFF, a health policy nonprofit. Problems with health insurance can be complex and confusing to navigate, which leads people to put off getting care and "could lead to very long term and detrimental health impacts," said Ashley Kirzinger, director of survey methodology at KFF. "We know that it causes a lot of anxiety for people," she said. Others say the private health insurance industry is a function of the design of the United States health care system. "Insurers get maligned for a lot of things that are really decided at a much higher level," said Loren Adler, associate director of Center on Health Policy at the Brookings Institution. "The way the U.S. set up our health system, it designates insurers to make the unpopular decisions on denying some care, having prior authorization and trying to control costs. And no one likes cost control." What is UnitedHealthcare's record on claim denials? UnitedHealthcare does not publicly report how often it denies claims or requires doctors, hospitals or labs to get the insurer's authorization before approving medical care. But lawsuits and Congressional reports provide some clues to the insurer's business practices In October, a Senate panel report found UnitedHealthcare’s denial rate for post-acute care "surged from 10.9 percent in 2020, to 16.3 percent in 2021, to 22.7 percent in 2022." Almost a dozen people were arrested in July outside UnitedHealthcare’s headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, while "protesting the company’s systemic practice of refusing to authorize and pay for care," according to the People’s Action Institute . The organization offered condolences for Thompson's death in a statement . A 2023 lawsuit filed against United Healthcare, its parent company UnitedHealth Group and subsidiary NaviHealth claimed the insurance giant used artificial intelligence to deny claims for seniors enrolled in private Medicare plans. The lawsuit claimed seniors were denied access to skilled nursing and rehab centers and the insurer used AI to make "rigid and unrealistic" determinations about what it takes for patients to recover from serious illnesses. When the lawsuit was filed UnitedHealth told USA TODAY that NaviHealth's AI program isn't used to make coverage determinations. The case is ongoing. Claim denials or delays are both strategies that health insurance companies employ to limit the amount they pay in medical claims due to pressure from Wall Street, Potter said. When UnitedHealthcare's parent company, UnitedHealth Group, reported quarterly earnings in November, the insurer paid more in claims than Wall Street expected and warned of government payment cuts for private Medicare plans and low reimbursement from state Medicaid program. After the insurer lowered its forecast on financial performance for the next year, the company's stock price dipped 8%. "From the investors' point view, the company was paying too much for care, and the company was punished," Potter said. Health care workers face on-the-job attacks, violence Beyond anger directed at insurance companies, Thompson's death is the latest in a number of violent attacks and threats against health care workers, including doctors and nurses, and industry executives. Research has found health care workers are about five times more likely to experience workplace violence than employees in other industries and their risk of becoming gun violence victims is rising. Meanwhile, health care companies have shelled out hundreds of thousands of dollars to protect top executives as threats against them also rose. Unlike mass shootings where the perpetrator doesn't personally know the victims, attacks in health care settings are usually purposeful, targeted and often involve grudges related to medical or surgical outcomes, research has found. "The risk of workplace violence is a serious occupational hazard for nurses and other health care workers," a recent study by National Nurses United found . "Countless acts of assault, battery, aggression, and threats of violence that routinely take place in health care settings demonstrate a frightening trend of increasing violence faced by health care workers throughout the country." Holding a grudge against a physician for health outcomes is the motive in about 20% of fatal shootings involving health care workers, according to a study by Maine Medical Center researchers published in 2019 . Chris Pierson, CEO of security firm BlackCloak, said he's seen executives of Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies become victims of swatting after raising drug prices as well as his own clients in the health care industry physically confronted by people attempting to hold them accountable for their company's decisions. While violence is rare, consumer aggravation with insurance companies is routine. Half of the people who reported issues using their health insurance either couldn't receive recommended care, experienced a decline in their health or paid more than expected all as a direct result of their problems, the KFF poll found. Though most people, particularly those in good health, say they're happy with their own insurance provider, "people are much more negative about the health insurance industry writ large," Kirzinger said. "With the increase in costs of health care, there's a lot of discussion of who's to blame for that and what's not getting covered," she said. Contributing: Christopher Cann, USA TODAY ; ReutersIf you’re a Hallmarkie, you know that Andrew Walker is one of the faces of the channel. And what a face it is. It’s like The CW used an AI lab to create a leading man made of the best parts of Glen Powell , Ryan Eggold , and a young Clint Eastwood . It’s insulting really, how he just walks around with that thing out in the open, making the rest of us normies look like something out of Middle Earth. Thankfully, Walker is one of the authentically good ones. Humble, engaging, totally Canadian, and a dang workhorse. The Montreal-born actor-producer has shot six movies for Hallmark this year, including Countdown to Christmas’s Jingle Bell Run and Three Wiser Men and a Boy ! On top of that, he’s also a husband, father of two sons, and an entrepreneur, having co-founded the SkinMason skincare line ... which is clearly working, since there are zero signs of fatigue on his matinee-idol mug. “Obviously I use skincare on a daily basis, and when I wrap from set, I’m always washing my face off,” he explains of the inspiration behind SkinMason. “I have used very abrasive products that have given me skin [issues], I’ve broken out, I’ve had rashes. I used to have these little alcohol wipes to take the rest of my makeup off.” During a dinner with his friend Dr. Hussein Kanji, a heart and lung surgeon who’s “always working with different types of products for [organ] detoxification and antioxidants,” the two agreed to partner on a product line. SkinMason “He had an idea for a very simple yet effective skincare brand, ideally targeted to men to start with, because the women’s space is so massive...but women and men can use the same skincare,” Walker continues. “And I said I’d love to venture into this, first off, because my wife [Cassandra] always scolded me for using way too much of her expensive skincare products—I don’t know what to use! It’s like, there’s so many products out there.” Two years later, Walker and Kanji had the first two core products of the line, exfoliating wipes and a serum, which were soon followed by their new moisturizer. “We don’t even call it a moisturizer. It’s a bioactive cream.” Noting that Jean Carruthers, the co-innovator of Botox, has endorsed all of their products, Walker explains that their formula boasts retinoid, Vitamins C, and phospholipids that rebuild collagen. The SkinMason site is having a 40 percent off Black Friday sale and you can order each item individually or as a set, with a VIP subscription for regular refill orders at a 10 percent discount. Better yet, he laughs, “My wife has now turned on to using my products!” Andrew Walker / Instagram Speaking of his wife, how do the Walkers plan to spend the holidays? “With family,” he immediately offers. “We moved up to Vancouver for a year and it’s been amazing. It’s been quiet because we live next to a forest. So the holidays this year are just going to be family and trying to take a moment to put away the phones, put away technology, and just focus my time on my kids and my wife and each other.” Now that is a good look for everyone. Three Wiser Men and a Boy & Jingle Bell Run , Streaming Now, Hallmark+ More Headlines:Man City collapse ‘difficult to swallow’ – Pep Guardiola
WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray told bureau workers Wednesday he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term in January, an announcement that came a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump said he would nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the job. Wray said at a town hall meeting that he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought,” roughly three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations, including two that led to separate indictments of Trump last year. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.BOULDER, Colo. — A 72-year-old lifelong Colorado fan with end-stage kidney failure waited to the side of the field in his wheelchair for Travis Hunter and the rest of the Buffaloes. One by one, players strolled over and signed a football for Riley Rhoades, his face lighting up with each signature. Standing close by and taking in the scene was Jeremy Bloom. He's become a wish facilitator for older adults. Bloom, the former Colorado wide receiver and Olympic freestyle skier, started the Wish of a Lifetime foundation in 2008, which has made thousands of aspirations turn into reality for older adults. The list of granted wishes range from taking veterans back to the beaches of Normandy to helping late-in-life authors publish a book. He's staged concerts for musicians, assisted some in daredevil feats such as jumping out of an airplane and even lined up a meeting between an Olympic medalist and former President Barack Obama. For Rhoades, his wish was simply to return to Folsom Field again, the place where he used to have season tickets but hasn't attended a game since 2004. "Everybody has somebody in their life —a grandparent, friend, neighbor — at that age where you wish you had more resources to help," said Bloom, whose college career was cut short two decades ago when the NCAA denied his reinstatement to play football and still ski professionally after receiving endorsement money to fuel his Olympic dreams. "Nothing can compare to seeing someone else's eyes light up because you helped make their dream come true." The foundation is a tribute to his grandparents. But the concept began to take root when he was a teenager. He was in Japan for a World Cup freestyle skiing competition when a woman tried to hop on a crowded bus. There was no room, but everyone in front rose from their seats to make space. That stuck with him, along with seeing these acts of kindness for older adults all over Europe and Asia as he traveled. An idea formed — bring that same level of appreciation to the United States, with a wish-granting element. Bloom's organization has been a charitable affiliate of AARP since 2020. It was the yearning of Rhoades that brought the two of them to Folsom Field last weekend. Rhoades, who had season tickets at Colorado for 27 years, wanted to see the Buffaloes in person after watching the team's resurgence on television. A few years ago, Rhoades, who was born with spina bifida, was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. Being among the 54,646 fans Saturday stirred up plenty of emotions for Rhoades, as he watched the 16th-ranked Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) beat Utah. Colorado remains in the race for not only a conference title but a spot in the College Football Playoff. "It's just great to be back here again," Rhoades said as he pointed out the section where he used to watch games. "It's just ... so cool." For Bloom, the success that coach Deion Sanders has brought to the program means more reunions with teammates as they pass through town. "I've been through many years where nobody comes to visit," Bloom said. "It's fun that Boulder has become the epicenter of college football." Leading the way for Colorado this season have been quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Hunter, who's the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. But what particularly pleases Bloom is that Sanders, Hunter and the rest of college football players are able to finally profit through name, image and likeness. In his day, Bloom got caught in the NCAA crosshairs for wanting to play both sports and to have sponsors in one (skiing) so he could fund his Olympic aspirations. How time have changed. "I'm just really grateful that this generation of athletes gets to monetize their skills and ability," said Bloom, who finished sixth in moguls at the 2006 Winter Games in Italy. "It's the right thing." He's thrown his passion into fulfilling wishes such as learning ballet, riding in a Formula 1 pace car or taking a flight in a fighter jet. He's also helped reconnect families and friends, including a reunion for a trio of centenarian sisters who hadn't seen each other in more than a decade. This granted wish has stuck with Bloom: A person in Alabama wasn't able to travel after being diagnosed with end-of-life emphysema. So he asked for postcards to be sent, just to learn what made someone's town so special. He received 2,000 postcards from 26 different countries. "There's no end to the things that they've done for us in the world," Bloom said of older adults. "We're one of the organizations that reminds them that their dreams still do matter and that we still appreciate them and we cherish them." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Fat Joe Hyped To Host Bronx Thanksgiving Drive After Over 10 YearsRacing Optics® Introduces Game-Changing Twilight Tearoff to Enhance Visibility in Low-Light Racing ConditionsWASHINGTON — Republican senators were shocked last week when President-elect Donald Trump announced Matt Gaetz would be his nominee for attorney general. Republicans seemed far less shocked Thursday by news Gaetz had withdrawn himself from consideration. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said he was “grateful” because the Senate could move on. And Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said he was not surprised. “I think the decision to withdraw the nomination is the right decision,” Rounds told reporters. “I thought it was problematic, and I think, as some of our members have expressed, as they’ve learned more about it, there was perhaps some information out there that the president was not aware of when he made the original recommendation.” Even before Trump chose Gaetz, it was widely known the then-congressman had been under investigation by the Justice Department for alleged sex trafficking in a case involving a 17-year-old. The department didn’t press charges, but the House Ethics Committee was still investigating the matter until Gaetz resigned from Congress last week. After Trump said he wanted Gaetz as his top cop, further details leaked. On Thursday, CNN reported that Gaetz was accused of having not just one, but two sexual encounters with the 17-year-old. Several Republicans publicly questioned the nomination, and several more reported privately they would vote against Gaetz and that he had little chance of being confirmed by the Senate. Gaetz was going to fail in a floor vote, withdraw himself from consideration, or else Trump would have to bypass Congress, triggering a constitutional crisis , to install Gaetz at the top of the Justice Department. Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said that with Gaetz dropping out, the process “played out faster than we thought.” Part of the process included Gaetz making the rounds on Capitol Hill, meeting with senators in an effort to win them over. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-S.C.) met with Gaetz on Wednesday and suggested he might have seen the writing on the wall. “I had several discussions with him. He’s very methodical, and I think he was going through a process himself,” Tillis told HuffPost. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said perhaps Gaetz “came up here and just didn’t get a good feel to get confirmed.” As he made his way among offices on Wednesday, Gaetz told reporters his meetings were going great. “Senators have been giving me a lot of good advice,” Gaetz said. The long odds facing Gaetz’s nomination set off speculation that Trump would try to circumvent the Senate and staff his administration with an unprecedented slate of recess appointments, triggering a major court battle over the separation of powers between the presidency and Congress. Republicans told HuffPost this week they didn’t much like the prospect of recess appointments . Not everyone was relieved by Gaetz dropping out. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), an outspoken Trump ally, told HuffPost he felt “disappointed.” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who said last week Gaetz was not “a serious nomination,” indicated Thursday she was pleased. “I think it was the right decision,” she said. Gaetz was one of the least-liked members of Congress. Many House Republicans revile the former Florida congressman for his leading role in the ouster of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the speaker’s office. Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said on social media ― along with a picture of McCarthy wielding a gavel with blazing red eyes — that justice had been served. Justice has been served. pic.twitter.com/b5Aq5yQZfz Democrats are happy, too. “Now the question is,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said, “how many others are going to have to withdraw as well?” Related From Our Partner
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