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Israeli leader tells Biden ‘we have to get hostages back’ who are ‘going through hell in dungeons of Gaza’

Israel and the U.S. ‘have to get the hostages back’ who are ‘going through hell in the dungeons of Gaza,’ one of the country’s leaders told President Biden while visiting the White House Tuesday. 

‘I know that you’re working very hard to make sure that this war will end and that there will be, first and foremost, security for the people of Israel, as well as for the people of Lebanon,’ Israeli President Isaac Herzog told Biden, adding that 101 hostages have been held in the Gaza Strip for more than 400 days. 

‘I know, Mr. President … you’re day in, day out, actively seeking their safe return home as they are going through hell in the dungeons of Gaza. Clearly, you’re thinking and working about the day after as well, which perhaps should be a trajectory of hope to the people of the region and the ability to have our neighbors, as well as us, live in security and peace,’ Herzog continued. ‘But first and foremost, we have to get the hostages back.’ 

‘I agree,’ Biden responded. 

‘It all starts in Tehran,’ Herzog added. ‘It all starts in the empire of evil and, where in Tehran, with its proxies they are doing whatever they can to derail stability and security and peace, calling for their annihilation of the state of Israel and seeking nuclear weapons. And Mr. President, this has to be a major objective all throughout your term and the next term of the next president because we have to make sure that they cannot fulfill their evil intentions.  

‘They’re also a major engine of antisemitism, Mr. President, and I know how much you put a focus on fighting and combating antisemitism.’ 

Biden also told Herzog during the meeting his ‘commitment to Israel is ironclad.’ 

‘You’ve been an incredible friend of Israel and the Jewish people for decades, and we will never forget, ever in history, how you stood up with us in our darkest hour, which became our finest hour, how you came to Israel few days after the barbaric attack of Oct. 7,’ Herzog told Biden. 

‘How you helped us and supported us with words and deeds. And I want to express our heartfelt thanks to you, Mr. President, which is a great legacy that you stood up with the Jewish people and the state of Israel, as you always did.’ 

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Trump confirms Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser pick

President-elect Trump appointed Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., to join his administration as National Security Adviser. 

‘Mike is the first Green Beret to have been elected to Congress, and previously served in the White House and Pentagon,’ Trump said in a statement announcing his latest cabinet pick. ‘Mike served in the Army Special Forces for 27 years where he was deployed multiple times in combat for which he was awarded four Bronze Stars, including two with Valor.’

‘Mike retired as a Colonel, and is a nationally recognized leader in National Security, a bestselling author, and an expert on the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorism,’ the statement added. ‘He serves as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Mike is a distinguished graduate with honors of the Virginia Military Institute. Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda, and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!’

The move puts Waltz at the forefront of a litany of national security crises — ranging from U.S. weapons supplies to Ukraine and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups.

Waltz, a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida, was the first Green Beret elected to the U.S. House, and easily won reelection last week. He has been chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on readiness and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its ongoing mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population.

He has been a sharp critic of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and has called on the U.S. to hold accountable those who bear responsibility for the deaths of the 13 U.S. service members at Abbey Gate and for ‘thousands of Americans and allies behind enemy lines.’ He has also repeated Trump’s frequent complaints about a’woke’ military that the former president has derided as too focused on diversity and equity programs.

In a statement last year, Waltz said that as head of the readiness subcommittee: ‘I am ready to get to work to better equip our military and turn our focus away from woke priorities and back to winning wars. Our national security depends on it.’

A graduate of Virginia Military Institute, Waltz was a Green Beret. He served in the active-duty Army for four years before moving to the Florida Guard. While in the Guard he did multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa and was awarded four Bronze Stars, including two with valor. He also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Tufts University accused of severing ties with House Democrat over trans athlete comments

A top university is accused of severing ties with Democrat Rep. Seth Moulton’s office over the congressman’s comments expressing concern about transgender female students participating in school sports with biological females.

Tufts University, located in Massachusetts, said it would no longer facilitate student internships in Moulton’s office after the Massachusetts Democrat’s interview in The New York Times last week, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital.

Moulton himself appeared to confirm the situation on Tuesday morning, but Tufts University has denied limiting internship opportunities with his office.

The source told Fox News Digital, however, that Moulton’s office was contacted by Tufts University Political Science Department Chair David Art on the matter.

Art said he had consulted with colleagues and that the college did not want Moulton’s office reaching out about possible internship opportunities, the source said.

Moulton was asked about the alleged issue with Tufts on MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe.’

‘Imagine if one of these Tuft students actually wants to intern in a Republican office? I mean, what would these political science professors do then? This is just everything that is wrong with this cancel culture,’ Moulton responded.

Patrick Collins, the executive director of media relations for Tufts University, told Fox News Digital in response to the source’s claims, ‘We have reached out to Congressman Moulton’s office to clarify that we have not — and will not — limit internship opportunities with his office.’

‘We remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives, and our Career Center will continue to provide students with a wide range of employment opportunities across the political and ideological spectrum,’ Collins said.

Moulton, a moderate Democrat and a military veteran, has been under fire by the progressive left after he told The Times, ‘Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone rather than being brutally honest about the challenges many Americans face.’

‘I have two little girls, I don’t want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, but as a Democrat I’m supposed to be afraid to say that,’ he said.

Local progressives in Massachusetts criticized Moulton’s comments, as did Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who called the remarks ‘offensive’ on CNN.

Moulton responded to the attacks in a statement, blaming Democrats for not tolerating dissenting views, arguing it cost them the election.

‘I stand firmly in my belief for the need for competitive women’s sports to put limits on the participation of those with the unfair physical advantages that come with being born male,’ Moulton told Fox News Digital last week.

‘I am also a strong supporter of the civil rights of all Americans, including transgender rights. I will fight, as I always have, for the rights and safety of all citizens. These two ideas are not mutually exclusive, and we can even disagree on them.

‘Yet there are many who, shouting from the extreme left corners of social media, believe I have failed the unspoken Democratic Party purity test. We did not lose the 2024 election because of any trans person or issue. We lost, in part, because we shame and belittle too many opinions held by too many voters and that needs to stop.’

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Loyalty matters: Trump picks allies and supporters to fill out his administration

President-elect Trump is quickly moving to assemble his second administration, and this time around, he does not appear to be searching for many outsiders to his political orbit.

As he aims to turn Washington, D.C., upside down, the former and future president is turning to allies, loyalists and other supporters of his MAGA movement and America First agenda, many of whom are known commodities in the nation’s capital.

Unlike eight years ago, when the first-time politician first took control of the White House, he is not in the market for establishment types or those who served in his first administration, but in his mind, proved disloyal.

‘Elise is a strong and very smart America First fighter,’ Trump said of Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, whom he has chosen as his ambassador to the United Nations. ‘She was the first Member of Congress to endorse me and has always been a staunch advocate.’

Additionally, Trump called former Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York, whom he is aiming to install as Environmental Protection Agency administrator, ‘a true fighter for America First policies.’

The president-elect is also expected to name South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a conservative firebrand and MAGA-world star who has long been a fierce Trump ally and supporter, as Homeland Security secretary.

Noem will work with Stephen Miller, whom the president-elect has picked as his incoming deputy chief of staff for policy. Miller was the architect of much of the first Trump administration’s hard-line policy on immigration and border security.

She will also collaborate with Thomas Homan, who, as acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during the first administration, was often the face of Trump’s controversial immigration policies. The president-elect has named Homan as his incoming ‘border czar.’

Fox News also reported that Trump is expected to name Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida as secretary of state.

Rubio was a rival to Trump during the combustible 2016 Republican presidential nomination battle but over the years has become a strong Trump ally in the Senate.

While the senator is known on Capitol Hill as a foreign policy hawk who favors maintaining U.S. alliances overseas, including NATO, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee member has taken similar positions to Trump on a number of top international conflicts, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s war with Hamas. 

Trump also named Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida as his national security adviser. Waltz, a former Army Green Beret, is a longtime Trump ally,

Dan Eberhart, an oil drilling chief executive officer and a prominent Republican donor and bundler who raised big bucks for Trump’s 2020 and 2024 campaigns, noted that Trump is in a very different situation than he was eight years ago, when he first won the White House.

‘He’s got a stronger mandate because he won the popular vote, and he won all seven swing states,’ Eberhart emphasized. ‘I also think he knows what he wants, and he knows better how to get what he wants out of Washington. He’s going to have a more cohesive, more MAGA team, that’s hopefully able to accomplish more.’

A leading strategist in Trump’s political  orbit, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, told Fox News that ‘one thing that is noticeable this time around is that instead of a team of rivals who are all over the place ideologically, Trump is largely bringing people on who are aligned with his America First agenda.’

Those whom the president-elect feels have not shown their loyalty to him appear to be iced out.

Trump this past weekend announced in a social media post that he would not ask former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley – who served as ambassador to the U.N. in his first administration – and former Rep. Mike Pompeo of Kansas – who served as CIA director and then Secretary of State in Trump’s first term – to join his incoming cabinet.

Haley ran against Trump in this year’s Republican presidential primaries and ended up as the final challenger to the former president in what turned into a divisive nomination battle. 

Pompeo seriously mulled making his own 2024 White House run before ultimately deciding not to launch a campaign. 

Both politicians eventually endorsed Trump this year, following the primary season.

A source in Trump’s political orbit who’s involved in the transition told Fox News that the president-elect is ‘not relying on people from the outside who weren’t really Trump people. The people now who are around him are all Trump people, and they will make sure that those whom they bring into the administration are believers in the president and his agenda and are going to work to advance his agenda.’

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These are the top names in contention for defense secretary under Trump

National security minds in Washington, D.C., are awaiting President-elect Donald Trump’s decision for defense secretary.

Trump’s pick of Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., as his national security adviser and his expected pick of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., for secretary of state, set a tone for his foreign policy that is expected to be hawkish on China and Iran. 

Whoever Trump picks for defense secretary will oversee major changes within the Pentagon, both a reorienting of troop posture abroad and an across-the-board stripping of DEI provisions they believe caused the Pentagon to go ‘woke’ under President Biden. 

A litany of names has been tossed around for who could lead the government’s largest agency, with one running theme: while his pick needs to pass a Senate confirmation, Trump is expected to appoint a loyalist who will not undermine him. 

During his first term, five men held the job as Pentagon chief only to resign, be fired or serve briefly as a stopgap.

‘I don’t think [Trump] really knows yet who he wants for defense secretary,’ one source familiar with the transition process said. ‘I don’t think he’s decided.’

One possibility is Robert Wilkie, Trump’s former Veterans’ Affairs secretary. Prior to his VA confirmation in 2018, he served as undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness under Trump and served in both the Navy and Air Force Reserve. Wilkie has been leading the Trump transition team with Pentagon staffing. 

Wilkie is a fellow at the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute and a military analyst for Newsmax. 

Another name is Robert O’Brien, Trump’s former national security adviser who has also been involved with the transition team. O’Brien told Fox News Digital that ‘of course’ he would return to a Trump administration. 

O’Brien has been outspoken about the need to pivot U.S. defenses to China. He said the way to force Russia to the negotiating table with Ukraine was through steeper sanctions – and bringing Ukraine into NATO ‘risks World War III.’ 

Richard Grenell, Trump’s former acting director of national intelligence and German ambassador, was also expected to land a national security role in this administration. With the state and national security adviser roles filled, he, too, could land at the Department of Defense. 

Throughout the campaign, Grenell advised Trump on foreign policy and political issues, and led outreach to Arab Americans in Michigan. He appeared with Trump in September when he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Grenell was a pro-Trump antagonist to Europe during his time in Germany, with the former president joking about former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s happiness when Grenell was moved to the national security role. 

Sen. Joni Ernst, the defense-minded Iowa Republican and current GOP conference chair, has also been floated as a possibility, a source confirmed to Fox News Digital, but she remains ‘laser-focused’ on her GOP conference chair race. She also served in the Army Reserve and Iowa Army National Guard. 

If picked, she would be the first female defense secretary. 

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., head of the House Armed Services Committee, was also under consideration and has been contacted by the transition team, a source familiar confirmed. 

However, two sources said that Trump is likely to pull from the private sector for this role. Picking from Congress would whittle away narrow GOP majorities in those chambers, at least until seats were filled. 

Rogers is also a staunch supporter of aiding Ukraine – a position that might put him at odds with Trump. 

Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who held high-level national security posts during Trump’s first term, has also been named as a possibility. 

‘The president is going to make the call on who is in his administration,’ Kellogg recently told Fox News Radio’s Guy Benson, while suggesting he would say yes if the president called. ‘It’s going to be a very loyal team.’ 

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., had been a lead contender for an administration role, likely defense secretary or CIA head, but pulled his name from the running, a source confirmed. He is running for Republican Conference chair and is likely to take over Rubio’s position as head of the Intelligence Committee.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been floated, but on Saturday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Pompeo would not be joining this administration – and neither would former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. 

Fox News’ Liz Elkind contributed to this report. 

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Trump tapping 2 House Republicans for future admin fuels concerns about slim possible majority

President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of two House Republicans to serve in his administration could pose issues if the GOP’s majority in the chamber ends up critically thin.

Trump has selected House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., as his ambassador to the United Nations, while a source told Fox News Digital that he picked Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., to be his National Security Adviser.

Both represent Republican stronghold districts that have little chance of falling into Democratic hands in special elections.

However, those special elections could take place weeks or months after the new term begins in January 2025, which could slow down Trump’s plans for an ambitious first 100-day agenda.

‘That’s an agenda we’ve been working on with President Trump for months now. We didn’t wait until the day after the election to start planning this, and this shows the relentless focus of Donald Trump,’ House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said during a press conference on Tuesday.

‘I know he’s already pulled a few really talented people out of the House – hopefully no more for a little while until special elections come up, but it shows you the talent that we have and the ability we have.’

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., similarly said he did not believe Trump would select any more House members for his administration and said he and Trump broached the topic in discussions.

‘President Trump fully understands and appreciates the math here, and it’s just a numbers game. You know, we believe we’re going to have a larger majority than we had last time. It’s too early to handicap it, but we are optimistic about that,’ Johnson said.

‘But every single vote will count, because if someone gets ill or has a car accident or a late flight on their plane, then it affects the votes on the floor. So, I think he and administration are well attuned to that. I don’t expect that we will have more members leaving, but I’ll leave that up to him.’

House Republicans are on track to win a single-digit majority in the chamber.

It is not much different than it was during the 118th Congress, but GOP leaders will likely face more pressure to keep members in line when working to enact Trump’s will.

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Bears fire OC Shane Waldron amid three-game losing streak

The Chicago Bears have fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron amidst their three-game losing streak.

Waldron joined Bears head coach Matt Eberflus’ staff last offseason as the team’s new offensive play-caller. He took over the offense from Luke Getsy, who was fired after the 2023 season and joined the Las Vegas Raiders’ coaching staff this year.

About one week after the Raiders fired Getsy, Waldron became the second offensive coordinator to be fired in the middle of the 2024 season.

‘After evaluating our entire operation, I decided that it is in the best interest of our team to move in a different direction with the leadership of our offense. This decision was well-thought-out, one that was conducted deliberately and respectfully,’ Eberflus said in a statement. ‘I would like to thank Shane for his efforts and wish him the best moving forward.’

All things Bears: Latest Chicago Bears news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

The writing had been on the wall for Waldron as the Bears lost three consecutive games and failed to string together successful scoring drives. Chicago’s offense has scored the ninth-fewest points per game in the NFL and has totaled the third-fewest yards per game.

Following the team’s 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 10, the Bears had gone 23 consecutive possessions without scoring a touchdown.

The Bears announced Tuesday morning that passing game coordinator Thomas Brown will take over as the interim offensive coordinator for the remainder of the season.

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Fantasy football waiver wire: Audric Estime could be late-season gold

Building a championship fantasy football roster requires several different components, from a strong draft to prudent in-season management to a little bit of luck.

At this stage of the season, we can’t help you with the first part or the last part. But if you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, our weekly waiver wire suggestions could provide that winning edge. If you were around last week, you may have reaped the benefits of adding Quentin Johnston or Trey Benson.

Who else might be available this time around?

Fantasy football players to add for Week 11

Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here are in the lowest to highest availability rates in Fantrax leagues, which may or not match rates on other platforms. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

RB Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers (37%)

In his first action since suffering an ankle sprain in Week 4, Edwards carried the ball 10 times for 55 yards. He didn’t threaten J.K. Dobbins’ status as the lead back, but he did see plenty of work in relief, even getting four carries inside the red zone (though Hassan Haskins came in to vulture a 1-yard TD). Look for Edwards to see even more work now that he’s fully recovered. FAAB bid: $9.

RB Cam Akers, Minnesota Vikings (63%)

When starter Aaron Jones was carted off the field with a chest injury, Akers took over and saw his most extensive action in weeks. The results weren’t all that great, with 13 carries for 38 yards and one 9-yard reception. He would have been an even more valuable pickup if Jones hadn’t been able to return to action later in the game. Still, Akers is a good insurance policy. FAAB bid: $7.

TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers (63%)

After a big game in Week 9 and a touchdown on Sunday, Sanders has been building momentum … only to have it slowed by a bye week. If you’re in need of immediate help, perhaps Jonnu Smith (32%) or Taysom Hill (28%) are available. Otherwise, Sanders may be worth the wait. FAAB bid: $3.

RB Audric Estime, Denver Broncos (66%)

It’s rare to find a lead back available on the waiver wire at this stage of the season, but that’s exactly what we may have here with Estime. The rookie played more snaps than Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin combined on Sunday, rushing for 53 yards on 14 carries. And that was against a Chiefs defense that’s been the toughest fantasy matchup for running backs this season. Audric could turn out to be golden for fantasy managers. FAAB bid: $20.

WR John Metchie, Houston Texans (82%)

Another of this week’s fantasy sizzlers, Metchie was a pretty good comeback story, even before his big game on Sunday night. After posting a career-high five receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown, he showed he can help fill the void left by Stefon Diggs’ season-ending injury — even after top wideout Nico Collins returns. FAAB bid: $6.

WR Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins (85%)

The rookie opened the scoring on Monday night, taking a reverse 18 yards to the house for his first career touchdown. While it may not amount to much, Washington did show he has the one quality the Dolphins prioritize: speed. Look for him to get more opportunities on offense while he continues his punt return duties. FAAB bid: $3.

QB Trey Lance, Dallas Cowboys (86%)

A more viable option in two-QB leagues, Lance figures to see more action down the stretch with Dak Prescott seemingly out for the season and the Cowboys struggling mightily. The third overall pick in 2021 can’t be worse than Week 10 starter Cooper Rush (13-for-23, 45 yards), so why not? He’ll still have a pretty decent group of receivers — as long as they don’t play at home in the late afternoon. FAAB bid: $3.

WR Mack Hollins, Buffalo Bills (87%)

The well-traveled veteran leads all Bills receivers in snaps this season, but is perpetually overlooked. With Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman missing time, Hollins has become a greater factor in the offense the past two weeks. With Coleman already ruled out for Sunday’s clash with the Chiefs, Hollins can be a potential flex play once again. FAAB bid: $6.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints (93%)

The Saints are in dire need of healthy receivers, and MVS answered the call in a big way on Sunday. After hardly playing at all in Buffalo to start the season, Valdes-Scantling latched on with New Orleans and quickly became Derek Carr’s favorite big-play target. He caught just three passes (for 109 yards), but two went for touchdowns vs. Atlanta. Another good matchup at home vs. Cleveland is on tap. FAAB bid: $10.

WR Tylan Wallace, Baltimore Ravens (98%)

Speaking of doing a lot with a little, Wallace had three targets on Thursday night, but turned them into 115 yards, the bulk of which came on an 84-yard catch-and-run. The Ravens’ receiver room is pretty crowded with Diontae Johnson joining the mix at the trade deadline. But Wallace has enticing big-play ability that could pay off again for those in deep leagues. FAAB bid: $3.

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Joel Embiid injury, suspension update: 76ers star to make season debut

Joel Embiid’s 2024-25 NBA season is off to a controversial start – and he hasn’t even played in a game yet.

Embiid, first due to a nagging injury and then because of a league-issued suspension, missed the Philadelphia 76ers’ first nine games and the team has struggled without him. The 76ers, considered one of the preseason favorites in the Eastern Conference after the offseason addition of Paul George, have a 2-7 record heading into Tuesday’s nationally televised playoff rematch with the New York Knicks to start off group play in the Emirates NBA Cup.

But the franchise’s trajectory could be about to change with Embiid, less than two years removed from being named NBA MVP, on the cusp of a return to the court. Ahead of Embiid’s season debut, here’s a look at why his injury issues have left some Philadelphia fans and media grumbling and what led to his suspension:

Is Joel Embiid playing tonight?

It’s trending that way, barring a last-minute setback. For the first time this season, the 76ers did not list Embiid on their injury report going into Tuesday’s home game against the New York Knicks for the NBA’s in-season tournament. He has also served the entirety of the suspension doled out last week by the NBA.

All things Sixers: Latest Philadelphia 76ers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Joel Embiid injury update

Embiid is expected to make his season debut with the Knicks on Tuesday night in a game broadcast nationally by TNT (7:30 p.m. ET). He took part in the team’s shootaround in the morning. Embiid is coming back from what Sixers officials have deemed left knee management, a designation that drew the ire of some fans due to Embiid’s injury history and the fact that he was able to play for the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer.

Embiid originally injured his knee last January and was diagnosed with a torn lateral meniscus that required surgery. He returned in time for last year’s playoffs, but said he was not 100 percent while playing. Embiid said last month he’s unlikely to ever play in back-to-back games moving forward as a preventative measure.

Embiid’s injury history dates back to his entry into the NBA, when he missed what would have been his first two years in the league recovering from foot injuries after the Sixers chose him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. He has averaged more than 26 missed games per season during the eight years since then.

‘From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice; I came back early with the risk of losing my vision,’ Embiid told reporters last month. ‘I have broken fingers. I still came back. When I see people say, ‘He doesn’t want to play,’ I’ve done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to be saying that.’

Why was Joel Embiid suspended?

Embiid’s potential return could have perhaps come sooner than Tuesday, but the 7-foot center was suspended for three games by the NBA after getting into an altercation with a local columnist in the 76ers’ locker room last week. Embiid took issue with a column written by Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer that initially referenced Embiid’s son and his deceased brother while criticizing Embiid’s professionalism and willingness to stay in shape. Hayes later took the passage out of his column.

Nonetheless, after Philadelphia’s home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at Wells Fargo Center on Nov. 2, Embiid reportedly confronted and then shoved Hayes in the 76ers’ locker room. The NBA subsequently suspended Embiid for three games without pay, which cost him almost $1.9 million based on the three-year, $193 million max contract extension he signed in September.

Joel Embiid stats

Here’s a rundown of Joel Embiid’s career stats and accomplishments in the NBA

27.9 points per game
11.2 rebounds per game
3.6 assists per game
1.7 blocks per game
2022-23 NBA MVP
7-time NBA All-Star
5-time all-NBA selection (first team in 2023, second team in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
2-time NBA scoring champion (2021-22 and 2022-23)

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Playoff bracket prediction: SEC adds fifth team, Big Ten unbeaten falls out

If Ole Miss follows Georgia win with a strong finish, it could climb the CFP seedings into a first-round host bid.
What happens if final spot comes down to a two-loss SEC team or a one-loss Big Ten team? Look out, Indiana.
Path for BYU, Miami becoming clear: Win your conference.

LSU’s College Football Playoff bubble popped Saturday night, but that hardly cleared the playoff picture.

If anything, the CFP bracket got murkier after Miami lost its undefeated credentials and Ole Miss upset Georgia.

For several weeks, I capped the SEC at four playoff qualifiers. No more. My latest projection reverts to my preseason stance that the SEC will qualify five for the playoff.

Ahead of Tuesday’s rankings update, here’s my latest prediction for the CFP bracket. Top-four seeds would receive a first-round bye, while teams seeded Nos. 5 through 8 would host first-round playoff games.

1. Oregon (Big Ten)

Dillon Gabriel retained his perch near the top of the Heisman Trophy leaderboard by tossing three touchdown passes in Oregon’s 39-18 win over Maryland. My concern about the Ducks: They haven’t played a road game against team that’s currently above-.500. What happens when Oregon must leave Autzen Stadium’s friendly confines in the postseason? Last week: No. 1 seed.

2. Alabama (SEC)

As an SEC standings logjam forms, complex tiebreaker protocols might be needed to determine one or both teams for the conference championship game. So, I can’t say with certainty Alabama will reach Atlanta. Strapped with two conference losses, the Crimson Tide require help to get there. If they they get there, I like their chances of retaining the SEC’s crown. Quarterback Jalen Milroe regained his juice, and Alabama showed no signs of its October woes, while demolishing LSU. Last week: Not in playoff.

3. Brigham Young (Big 12)

BYU spent most of its rivalry game against Utah vindicating the CFP committee’s initial lukewarm ranking of the Cougars. But, BYU just won’t go away. The Cougars used a late field goal to escape with a 22-21 victory, their fourth win by six points or fewer. The committee’s reticence toward the Cougars makes their task clear: Win the Big 12, or expect to receive rejection. Last week: No. 4 seed.

4. Miami (ACC)

Georgia Tech, in a 28-23 upset of the Hurricanes showed the playbook for beating the Hurricanes: Use a ball-control attack to keep Miami’s vaunted offense on the sideline. Georgia Tech’s pass rush unsettled Cam Ward, Miami’s star quarterback. Now, the Hurricanes might need to win the ACC to earn qualification, but here’s the thing: Ward’s so good, he’ll pull tight games out for Miami more often than not. Last week: No. 3 seed.

5. Ohio State (at-large)

If the Buckeyes keep winning – undefeated Indiana comes to town in two weeks – and reach 11-1, they’ll earn a second crack at Oregon. Beat the Ducks in the Big Ten championship, and Ohio State could vault to the No. 1 seed. Lose, and the committee shouldn’t punish OSU much, if at all. Georgia suffering a second loss increased OSU’s chance to earn the coveted No. 5 seed. Last week: No. 5 seed.

6. Penn State (at-large)

The Nittany Lions will lack a signature victory, but they tout a sturdy strength of schedule, and an 11-1 record would help create separation from a pileup of two-loss SEC teams. Plus, the committee seems willing to award points for a “good loss.’ Penn State’s seven-point loss to Ohio State presents limited harm and, in fact, puts polish on the résumé. Last week: No. 6 seed.

7. Notre Dame (at-large)

While other playoff contenders absorb body blows within conference play, the Irish enjoy the fruits of their independence. Army remaining undefeated helps Notre Dame, too. The Irish gain steam, and a toppling of Black Knights would spur the committee to solidify Notre Dame into first-round host designation. Last week: No. 8 seed.

8. Mississippi (at-large)

Ole Miss’ major investment in defensive transfers paid dividends. The Rebels controlled the lines of scrimmage, smushed Georgia, and revived their playoff quest. While other SEC contenders are at risk of additional losses, meak Florida and Mississippi State await Ole Miss. Blowout wins and a hot finish play nicely for the committee. Last week: Not in playoff.

9. Georgia (at-large)

The committee might prefer to avoid scheduling rematches of regular-season games, but if the SEC piles up bids, as I’ve laid out, then the committee probably wouldn’t have any choice but to chart at least one rematch. Georgia will host Tennessee on Saturday in game the Bulldogs can’t afford to lose. You can see from this seeding I expect Georgia to rebound and defend its home turf. Last week: No. 2 seed.

10. Texas (at-large)

Georgia losing damaged Texas’ seeding potential. If the Bulldogs had kept winning, the Longhorns could have explained away their flop against Georgia in Austin. Now that Georgia looks more ordinary than invincible, Texas comes into danger of slipping in seeding and perhaps even falling out of the field entirely, if it suffers a second loss. Last week: No. 6 seed.

11. Tennessee (at-large)

If the Vols lose to Georgia and the Hoosiers subsequently lose to Ohio State, the committee could be forced to choose between two-loss Tennessee and one-loss Indiana for the final at-large bid. Backed into a corner, would the committee really ignore Tennessee’s markedly superior strength of schedule to Indiana’s, and its victory against Alabama? Historically, the committee loves no conference quite like it loves the SEC. Last week: No. 10 seed.

12. Boise State (Group of Five)

You thought Ashton Jeanty would wear down? Never! Boise State’s workhorse tailback churned out 209 yards and three touchdowns in a win against Nevada. Army keeps the heat on Boise State for the Group of Five’s bid, but Boise will receive the spot so long as it just continues winning. Last week: No. 12 seed.

Why my latest projection does not include Indiana

Ole Miss beating Georgia crowds the cue of teams with credentials for at-large consideration. Indiana looks the part of playoff team, but its modest strength of schedule leaves it vulnerable.

Tennessee lacks a deep list of signature wins, but beating Alabama remains a feather in the Vols’ cap that Indiana can’t match unless it upsets Ohio State in Columbus.

Previously, I thought Indiana would remain positioned for a bid even if it lost to Ohio State. But, if the committee must choose between a two-loss SEC team that touts a win against Alabama or a one-loss Big Ten team that touts a win against .500 Michigan, and I suspect the SEC team will plunder the spot.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer. Subscribe to read all of his columns.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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