During his visit, Azar expressed continued support for Taiwan from Washington, D.C., where there is growing bipartisan desire to challenge perceived Chinese expansionism. He also attacked China’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus, accusing Beijing of failing the international community. The pandemic is one element of deteriorating U.S.-Chinese relations, which have taken a nosedive since President Donald Trump took office. Beijing and Washington have repeatedly clashed over trade, technology, territorial disputes, human rights, and Taiwan....

But the aide’s lament should not be ignored: style is crucial, especially when dealing with the “face”-conscious Chinese. And this administration’s style has, too often, been ad hoc and unintelligible. The trouble began in the 1992 campaign, when Clinton did precisely what Dole chose not to do: he played politics with the China issue, winning points with Democratic Party constituencies – labor unions and human-rights groups – by lambasting George Bush for maintaining normal trade relations (most-favored nation means normal) and “codd[ling] tyrants” in Beijing....

Created by artist Badiucao, the collection is titled Beijing 2022 and contains five drawings of Olympic-style images. In it, a snowboarder rides a surveillance camera instead of a snowboard, a curler slides the COVID-19 virus instead of a curling stone, and the biathlon shows someone blindfolded and held at gunpoint to represent the Uyghur genocide. “I have been battling censorship from China’s authoritarian regime for more than 10 years,” the artist wrote on the collection’s site....

New coach Chip Kelly and the organization are content with their lack of spending despite a cry of confusion from fans whose team finished 5-11 last season. Even with more than $50 million in salary cap space, they refuse to splurge on players who aren’t “the right fit for the organization.” IYER: Niners among FA losers | MORE: 10 worst trades in NFL history “I don’t know if it’s let big money deals go or not go,” Kelly told the San Francisco Chronicle this week....

Chondroitin sulfate is often found paired with glucosamine sulfate, a naturally occurring compound found in joint fluid. This is because they are believed to work together to slow or even reverse the loss of joint cartilage. Chondroitin Health Benefits Chondroitin supplements are intended to enhance the shock-absorbing properties of joint cartilage and block enzymes that break down cartilage. Unlike other dietary supplements used to treat arthritis, chondroitin has undergone a significant amount of clinical research to evaluate its safety and effectiveness....

According to the Miami Herald, the complication involved evidence of some continued clotting believed to be related to one of Bosh’s two previous blood clot episodes. The Heat “increasingly believe” Bosh’s career in Miami is coming to an end, according to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski. MORE: 10 devastating playoff injuries that crushed championship dreams Bosh, who has a history of blood clots, took multiple medical exams this week to determine if he is healthy enough to begin practices with the team....

On Tuesday, ESPN radio host Bomani Jones was a guest on “Dan Le Batard is Highly Questionable” and had some strong thoughts on Wilson’s comments. MORE: The intersection of religion and sports ESPN NBA insider Chris Broussard, a man who has not shied away from openly discussing his views on faith, took umbrage with Jones’ comments. That’s when Twitter kicked into high gear. Religion is a divisive topic and ESPN has tried to steer its talent away from all mentions of religion....

According to HotNewHipHop.com, the “With You” singer posed for photos with fans who paid a hefty sum. When the images started making the rounds on social media, people were quick to slam the price tag. “I don’t know how people be so gone off celebs, like paying $1,000 for Chris Brown? That’s insane,” one Twitter user wrote. Another added: “So women are paying $1,000 to take pictures with Chris Brown?...

Christie, a former Republican presidential hopeful, made the comments in his forthcoming book, Republican Revival, which will be published on Tuesday. Excerpts from the book were published by The Guardian on Saturday. Once a close ally of former President Donald Trump, Christie has rejected the idea that the 2020 election was stolen from him and received strong criticism from the former president as a result. In Republican Revival, Christie wrote that members of his party “need to renounce the conspiracy theories and truth deniers, the ones who know better and the ones who are just plain nuts....

The former Redskins tight end thinks he’s still got something left in the tank, and he announced Monday that he plans to return to the NFL. MORE: Best undrafted free agents from every NFL team | Chris Johnson, Cardinals agree to 1-year deal Though Cooley, now 33, spent his entire nine-year career with the Redskins, there’s no guarantee that’s where he’ll end up. But the Redskins are thin at tight end after losing Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen to season-ending injuries last week....

The CNN host and Italian restaurant owner Tony Roman butted heads on Wednesday night over the controversial stance taken by Huntington Beach’s Basilico Pasta e Vino restaurant. In the bizarre interview, Roman said the stance was not “an anti-vaccine stand” and that it was, instead, “a pro-freedom stand.” He added: “It’s an IQ test. Like I say to people when they ask me if they’re so blinded with their rage and their hate, I tell them, you know what, if you don’t understand it, maybe we should put up a sign that says you’re too stupid to come into the restaurant....

Kirk, a four-time tour winner, has been dealing with alcohol abuse and depression, he shared on Twitter. “I thought I could control it, but after multiple relapses I have come to realize that I can’t fix this on my own,” Kirk wrote. “I will be taking an indefinite leave from the PGA Tour to deal with these issues. I don’t know when I will be back, but for now I need my full focus on being the man my family deserves....

At 6-5, 215 pounds, Graham eclipsed nearly every player on the court, save Maryland’s Dez Wells. It was the opposite situation for the six-foot, 170-pound Sykes. Stature not withstanding, the competitive fire burned equally bright in both men. Despite being the smallest player on the 15-man roster, Sykes never backed down. One of the more interesting drills of the afternoon was a single-elimination one-on-one tournament. The first player to score on his opponent three times would advance to the next round....

Smith took the stage while Rock was gearing up to present the Oscar for Best Documentary, during which time he made numerous jokes, including one about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s buzz cut. Pinkett-Smith has publically disclosed her recent diagnosis with alopecia, a medical condition that causes sporadic hair loss. Seemingly offended on behalf, Smith took to the stage, slapped Rock, and went back to his seat, later shouting for the famed comedian “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth....

Webber has West Virginia freshman forward Sagaba Konate to thank, considering it was his emphatic shot “block” against Gonzaga’s Johnathan Williams late in the second half. MORE: Gonzaga outlasts West Virginia “What a block! That’s what I’m talking about!” Webber said on the TBS telecast. “Can’t treat that like no regular highlight! That’s a block! Let’s go, NCAA, let’s play some ball!” It’s understandable Webber was so excited in the moment considering the enormity of the play: No....

The issue is that it wasn’t a GIF of just any wave, but a very blue wave—blue, as in the color associated with the Democratic Party. In essence, he accidentally teased a Biden victory for Florida. Below is the tweet from Rubio that unleashed a tidal wave of its own: Actress Patricia Arquette was quick to pick up on Rubio’s mistake. (She then further insulted the senator in subsequent tweets....

While in Moscow, where he was seen parading around the streets in a giant chinchilla coat, Mayweather received a Christmas present from Russia’s “The Money Team.” MORE: Mayweather steals show in Russia | Must-see UFC fights | Coach head-butts player What do you get a man who already has everything they could ever wish for, you ask? Something that would make Mike Tyson proud, apparently. Rather than bombarding him with name suggestions, people weren’t thrilled that Mayweather is now the owner of an exotic animal....

His efforts in the sixth and 48th minutes gave Guo Guangqi’s men something to cheer about as they hope to finish the season well after missing out of the AFC Champions League. Bubacarr Trawally’s 66th minute effort proved as a mere consolation as Yanbian got demoted to the lower rank. Bassogog now boasts of 10 goals from 23 games in the Chinese topflight. He would be hoping to increase his tally when his side welcome Shanghai SIPG FC in their next outing on October 29....

Amy Cooper, who has since apologized, lost her job and handed her dog back to the rescue center after a video of the incident captured attention online. It was viewed tens of millions of times. Speaking to the New York Daily News, Christian Cooper said he is “not sure how I feel” about Amy Cooper losing her job, adding that focusing on her glosses over the wider context in which the incident took place....

The 49ers acquired McCaffrey in exchange for four future draft picks in a move that should further upgrade their offense. San Francisco will now be able to team McCaffrey with another versatile playmaker, Deebo Samuel, and pass-catchers Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle. The Panthers are hitting the reset button as they move past the Matt Rhule era. They fired the third-year coach just five weeks into the 2022 NFL season, and then they restocked their draft cupboard a week and a half later by trading McCaffrey....