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Celebrities can spark change when they speak up about their health49ers’ Kyle Shanahan isn’t ready to talk about 2025 season yetRuben Amorim impressed with Arsenal’s corners after first defeat as Man Utd boss
REVEREND Richard Coles has been left gagging as he struggled to swallow a fish eye alongside Tulisa during an I’m A Celeb trial. The Reverend is no stranger to an eating trial, after he and Maura Higgins took on a gruesome food challenge towards the start of his time on the show. Advertisement 6 Reverend Richard Coles has been left gagging as he struggled to swallow a fish eye alongside Tulisa during an I’m A Celeb trial Credit: ITV 6 Ant and Dec giggled away as they watched on Credit: ITV 6 Courses include cleverly named ‘Love Eye-land’ and ‘Ant & Dec’s Limitless Limbs' Credit: ITV And he and Irish beauty Maura did their camp mates proud during their Teddy Bear’s picnic challenge – but in an upcoming teaser , it seems the Reverend was disgusted while attempting to swallow the fish eye. Tulisa and Richard embark on a Jungle TV Dinners challenge, and tuck into several different Bushtucker courses, under the watchful eye of show hosts Ant and Dec. Courses include cleverly named ‘Love Eye-land’ and ‘Ant & Dec’s Limitless Limbs.’ Rev Richard and Tulisa desperately try to win stars for camp but it doesn’t appear to be the easiest of trials. Advertisement Read More on I'm A Celeb THAT'S AMOORE Jane Moore returns to I'm A Celeb hotel and reunites with Ruth Langsford AND SPAT'S THAT Jane Moore breaks silence on 'Washing-up-gate' and spat with Barry McGuigan “Richard, you must like a bit of Love Island,” says Ant, as they introduce the Love Eye-land course. Richard says he does, as Ant admitted they really liked it when Maura – who is of course also on I’m A Celeb – was on the show. “I’m afraid, though, it’s not that kind of Love Island,” Ant added, continuing: “It’s Love eye-land,” while emphasising ‘eye.’ The Reverend was presented with a very playful looking dish of fish eyes positioned as if sat around a fire pit, like Love Island’s iconic fire pit. Advertisement Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 Exclusive THAT'S AMOORE Jane Moore returns to I'm A Celeb hotel and reunites with Ruth Langsford Exclusive MOORE TO IT! Jane Moore reveals verdict on I'm A Celeb cast including star's secret battle BUG-GING THEM I’m A Celeb fans accuse ITV of ‘choosing winner’ with ‘campaign’ for star JANE'S DIG Jane Moore takes swipe at I'm A Celeb co-stars as she becomes the first to leave Reverend Richard was laughing, as Ant said: “Got a text,” and told him to “chew it properly” as the Reverend struggled to hold it down and gagged as he chewed. I'm A Celeb star Reverend Richard Coles leaves GK Barry in stitches as he asks her what 'scissoring' is - as the pair spark up unlikely friendship Meanwhile, Dec, in a Love Island manner, read out various hashtags like “fishy business ,” and “get your lips around this.” Seated on a cosy brown sofa, Ant and Dec couldn’t help but laugh as the Reverend struggled and Maura watched on. It comes as many I’m A Celeb fans were left convinced that an iconic show challenge is on the brink of return after spotting a clue. Advertisement Many think that we haven't seen the last of the junkyard - a secret camp where new arrivals The Reverand Richard and Maura first went to when they arrived. I'm A Celebrity 2024 i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher. Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth." The Reverand and the Love Island star were the first to face the challenge last week. The new campers had to convince the original contestants to give up their beds to win three food portions. Advertisement Then GK and Coleen brought dishes to the junkyard to clean, and they went about pretending they had the rough end of the stick, making the campers feel sorry for them. In another challenge, they had to dump offal on poor Melvin. The duo summoned the best of their acting abilities to convince him that they, too, were being soaked—when, in fact, they gorged on fruit at the junk food buffet. And then they recruited The Sun's very own Jungle Jane Moore compete in a challenge together for treats. Then they got everyone feeling sorry for them as they returned to camp, but there was a twist when, unbeknownst to the rest of the camp, their makeshift ' prison ' was full of luxuries. Advertisement As the stars entered the jungle, they feared the worst - but were assured by Ant And Dec that it wouldn't be as bad as they thought. They had a luxurious double bed, a hidden sofa, a gas cooker, hidden fridge door stocked with fruit smoothies and a platter and even a bathtub. Many fans have been intrigued to see a 'playfully wicked' streak develop in The Reverend, as he convinced the camp to feel sorry for him. Maura said: "I'm a good liar," to which holy man Richard said, "I will learn fast." Advertisement Viewers are now convinced that, with the challenge over, we haven't seen the last of the tomfoolery. One fan took to a forum to ask, "Just wondering, with a team split coming up and the cash card scenario, will the Junkyard come into play?" "Either, winning team gets luxury in the Junkyard, or, for a twist, the worst team gets sent there, but this time, it really is the "poor" camp with all luxuries removed and only rice and beans on the menu..." In reply to this another fan said: "With teams of four it would be very cramped in there don’t you think? Only two would be able to sleep in the comfy bed or sit on the couch. I know it’s like that in the main camp but you are talking about a team ‘winning’ the luxury camp so why would two of four get the comfort?" Advertisement Read more on the Scottish Sun SIP SIP HOORAY Exact time Coca-Cola truck arrives in Scotland tomorrow for Xmas tour FESTIVE CHEER Scots Xmas market tops London's Winter Wonderland as 'most stunning' in UK The original person who posted this clarified: "I suggested two scenarios. Either it remains luxury for a winning team or it could revert to being a poor camp for losing camp mates, with luxuries removed, which would create more space." Another fan replied, "That sounds great. I hope it happens. It would show the campmates how they really are as people, not trying to hide themselves as they do at present. It's the best idea I have heard in ages." 6 Reverend Richard struggled to eat the fish eye Credit: ITV 6 The dish was presented like the Love Island fire pit Credit: ITV Advertisement 6 Viewers are now convinced that, with the challenge over, we haven't seen the last of the tomfoolery Credit: Rex
Friday nights under lights a first for century-old Golden Square Bowls clubOne day, when actor and comedian Rosie O'Donnell was in her 50s, her body ached and her arms felt sore, but she pushed through the pain, not realizing she was having a massive heart attack. She had surgery to put in a stent that saved her life. Shortly after her 2012 heart attack, O'Donnell shared her experience on her blog. During her 2015 television standup special, she spoke about how the experience changed her life. The segment included a heart attack acronym the comedian coined: HEPPP (hot, exhausted, pain, pale, puke). O'Donnell's candidness about her heart attack helped spread awareness about how it can present differently in women. She's one of countless celebrities over the years who have opened up about their health conditions, including breast cancer, HIV, depression, heart disease and stroke. When celebrities reveal and discuss their health issues, the impact can be far-reaching. It not only helps to educate the public, but it also can reduce stigma and inspire others. "Health disclosures by celebrities do matter, and we know this from decades of research across a lot of different health conditions and public figures," said Dr. Jessica Gall Myrick, a professor of health communication at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. "They absolutely do influence people." Some of the earliest celebrity health disclosures happened in the 1970s and 1980s with U.S. presidents and first ladies. When first lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after Gerald Ford became president in 1974, she spoke openly about her diagnosis, inviting photographers into the White House and helping make talk of cancer less taboo. In 1987, first lady Nancy Reagan used her breast cancer diagnosis as a chance to advocate for women to get mammograms. Her disclosure came two years after President Ronald Reagan's colon cancer diagnosis, about which the couple was equally as vocal. "Individuals throughout the country have been calling cancer physicians and information services in record numbers," the Los Angeles Times reported after Nancy Reagan's widely publicized surgery. The public showed a similar interest years earlier following Betty Ford's mastectomy. Another major milestone in celebrity health disclosures came in 1991, when 32-year-old NBA superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. "Life is going to go on for me, and I'm going to be a happy man," Johnson assured fans during a news conference. He immediately retired, only to return to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. His disclosure, along with his work as an advocate for safe sex, helped shatter stigmas around HIV and AIDS. Calls to testing centers increased significantly in the days and weeks after Johnson's announcement. "That celebrity disclosure really helped people see there was a wider susceptibly to HIV," Gall Myrick said. "People were more likely to say, 'I need to think about my own risks.' It was very powerful." When it comes to heart and stroke health, President Dwight Eisenhower helped make heart attacks less frightening and mysterious. During a news conference in 1955, millions of Americans learned from the president's doctors about his heart condition, his treatment, and concrete steps they could take to reduce their own heart attack risk. Other notable figures have shared their health experiences over the years. Soap opera legend Susan Lucci , who was diagnosed with heart disease in 2018, has advocated for women's heart health. Basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar talks about his irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, and advocates for regular health screenings. Lawyer, author and television personality Star Jones continues to speak about heart disease risk after having lifesaving heart surgery in 2010. Longtime TV and radio personality Dick Clark brought stroke and aphasia into the national spotlight when he returned to hosting "New Year's Rockin' Eve" in Times Square just a year after his 2004 stroke and continued until his death in 2012. And actor and comedian Jamie Foxx recently revealed he had a stroke last year. "Celebrity disclosures represent teachable moments," said Dr. Seth M. Noar, director of the Communicating for Health Impact Lab at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "Searches for different health conditions often spike in the wake of these types of announcements. They cause people to think about these health issues, learn more about them, and in some cases change their behaviors." Celebrities have also highlighted the importance of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to restore a person's heartbeat if they experience cardiac arrest. Interest in CPR and AEDs spiked in 2023 after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during an NFL game broadcast on national TV. Views of the American Heart Association's hands-only CPR pages jumped more than 600% in the days following Hamlin's cardiac arrest. Three months later, around 3 million people had watched the AHA's CPR video. Family members of celebrities who have died from a heart issue have also spread awareness. After actor John Ritter died of an undiagnosed aortic dissection in 2003, his wife, actor Amy Yasbeck, started the Ritter Foundation to raise awareness about the condition and help others avoid a misdiagnosis. A literature review published in Systematic Reviews in 2017 found that people are conditioned to react positively to celebrity advice. Research also has found that people often follow advice from celebrities who match how they perceive – or how they want to perceive – themselves. The most effective celebrity disclosures are frequently the ones that tell a compelling story and include clear steps people can take to apply lessons the celebrity learned to their own health situation, Gall Myrick said. "People are more likely to take action when they feel confident and capable." Research has shown that celebrity disclosures often impact calls to hotlines and page views on health-related websites, and they can spark behavioral and even policy changes. Anecdotally, Gall Myrick said, people ask their doctor more questions about health conditions and request medical screenings. Celebrities can have a big impact because people tend to have parasocial relationships with them, Gall Myrick said. These are one-sided relationships in which a person feels an emotional connection with another person, often a celebrity. People may feel as if they know the basketball player they've watched on the court for years, or the Hollywood actor they've followed, she said. They want to comfort them after a health disclosure. Social media has only increased this feeling of familiarity, as celebrities regularly share mundane – but fascinating – details of their daily lives, like what they eat for breakfast, their favorite socks, or the meditation they do before bed. "We spend a lifetime being exposed to celebrities through the media, and over time, you get to know these public figures," Gall Myrick said. "Some feel like friendships." A study published in the journal Science Communication in 2020 compared reactions to actor Tom Hanks, who had COVID-19 early in the pandemic, and an average person with COVID-19. Researchers found that participants identified more with Hanks when it came to estimating their own susceptibility to COVID-19. The participants also felt more emotional about the virus that causes COVID-19 when thinking about it in relation to Hanks versus an average person. When a celebrity reveals a health condition, it's a surprise that may feel personal, especially if they are well-liked and the health issue is dramatic and sudden. "We feel like we know them, and the emotional response is what can then push people out of their routine," Gall Myrick said. Noar said a celebrity health story is often a more interesting and powerful way to learn about a health condition than just the facts, which can feel overwhelming. People are drawn to the slew of media coverage that typically follows a celebrity disclosure, he said. "Some of these high-visibility public figures' stories are now woven into some of these illnesses," Noar said. For example, Angelina Jolie is often linked to the BRCA1 gene mutation after the actor shared she had a preventive double mastectomy because of her elevated breast cancer risk and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed because of her increased risk for ovarian cancer. "It's a narrative, a story that humanizes the condition in a way that very informational communication really doesn't," Noar said. "People remember it, and it can potentially be a touch point." After a disclosure, patients may bring up a celebrity's story during a doctor's appointment and connect it to their own care. Today's multiplatform digital culture only amplifies celebrity messages. "You're seeing everyday people react to these events, and that can have a ripple effect too," Gall Myrick said. "We know from research that seeing messages more than once can be impactful. Often it's not just one billboard or one commercial that impacts behavior; it's the drip drip drip over time." Still, there's a cautionary tale to be told around the impact of celebrity health news, especially if the celebrity has died. An unclear cause of death may lead to speculation. Gall Myrick said that guesswork could potentially end up hurting rather than helping if patients were to act on misinformation or a lack of information. "Maybe the death was atypical or it needs more context," she said. "That's where advocacy groups and public health organizations come in. They need to be prepared for announcements or disclosures about celebrity deaths, and to fill in some of those gaps." 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. Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!The blue blur returns — and explores. Few video game characters are as well-known as Sonic, the notoriously smart-mouthed chili dog-eating hedgehog. Sonic has been around for decades, and in that time his games have been a lot of things — side-scrollers, pinball games, kart racers, fighting games, and more. You’d think the blue blur had done everything by this point, but in 2022 the series managed to break new ground yet again, by going entirely open world. Sonic Frontiers is a fascinating Sonic experience, one with some clear flaws that still manages to set itself apart from the flood of open world games out there. Its sense of speed and almost zen-like exploration is more than worth the price of entry for any fan, and luckily if you’re a PlayStation Plus member , that price is now zero. If you need some Sonic to scratch the itch after watching Sonic the Hedgehog 3 , you can’t go wrong with Frontiers . Frontiers is essentially a self-contained game, one separated from almost all of the other story lines and settings. The exception, of course, is that the game assumes you have some familiarity with characters like Tails, Robotnik, Knuckles, and Amy Rose. There are some references to past games and events, but you’ll be mostly fine going in blind. An open world that manages to set itself apart from the flood of open world games out there is a feat in itself. At the beginning of Frontiers , Doctor Eggman travels to the mysterious Starfall Islands to steal ancient technology, once again trying to hatch one of his ludicrous plots. He uploads an artificial intelligence named Sage into a portal on the island, and inadvertently wakes up its defense system and gets drawn into another dimension called Cyber Space. As Sonic and his friends investigate they start to see visions about the Ancients, an extraterrestrial race that lives on the island and was destroyed by an entity simply known as “The End.” The storytelling in Sonic games isn’t usually incredibly complex, but Frontiers opts for a different approach by looping its narrative into exploration and leaving a lot of things cryptic and up for interpretation. Playing as Sonic, you essentially explore a sequence of islands, with each one growing more complex in the way its puzzles and open areas work. The islands are littered with ancient ruins and structures that act as both platforming challenges and puzzles, along with plenty of enemies to fight. An upgrade system even lets you pump up Sonic’s speed, attack, defense, ring capacity, and boost. Little wrinkles and gimmicks in later islands keep things interesting, as well as new skills Sonic unlocks. Frontiers has so many little puzzles and places to explore, that it’s easy to get “into the zone.” Frontier’s open world is, bizarrely, most comparable to Breath of the Wild — in the way that it hyper-focuses on exploration and discovery. This isn’t an experience that guides you by hand but rather wants you to poke around the islands on your own, find little puzzles to solve, creatures to save, and a boatload of secrets. The world isn’t as well put-together as Breath of the Wild , and the gameplay itself, particularly Sonic’s movement, can feel janky, imprecise, and rough around the edges. But what’s remarkable about Frontiers is the kind of calming effect playing it has. The world almost reminds you of one of those weird ‘90s animation concepts meant to showcase the power of CG — a dreamlike place that doesn’t obey the laws of reality. There’s no pressure to do anything in a timely manner in Frontiers , and simply running around the world spin-dashing and grinding on rails is delightful. It just feels good to exist in this world. Frontier’s bombastic boss battles are a sight to behold. The extra wrinkle here, however, is how that quiet reverie is occasionally, intentionally, broken by the game’s over-the-top boss battles. Each boss has you transforming into Super Sonic and engaging in what is essentially a Dragon Ball Z fight, filled with explosive moves and crazy combos. Sonic Frontiers is a fascinating game, with contemplative quiet spoiled abruptly with in-your-face action. It’s experimental and drastically different from anything Sonic has seen before, but that’s another part of its charm. While we wait to see what Sonic’s future looks like, Frontiers might just give you a little glimpse. Video Games PlayStation Xbox
Things are really starting to cook for Barakah Eats , a Surrey family business that makes South Asian-influenced, ready-to-eat meals sold in stores and served at a growing number of hospitals, schools and other institutions. Cooked and packaged at a Newton plant since 2019, the Khan family's butter chicken, channa masala, beef haleem and other products come frozen in bags and boxes, ready for the microwave. The company recently scored the Emerging Business trophy during the 2024 Rise Awards hosted by BC Food & Beverage, a not-for-profit association representing the province's food and beverage processing industry. Rushd Khan operates Barakah Eats with the help of father Zafar, mother Lubna, wife Arshiya and a dozen employees. "We're very proud of the award, which reinforces our mission since we've launched this business as an extension of our family business including the restaurant ( Gulberg Tandoor , located near the KPU Surrey campus in Newton)," Rushd said. "It (the award) will help with the growth of our businesses, for sure." In a competitive frozen-food market, key for Barakah Eats products is halal certification — food that adheres to Islamic dietary laws and regulations. "Some hospitals, like Surrey Memorial, Langley and BC Children's Hospital just this month, they started using some of our products for patient care because they're halal-certified," Rushd explained. "That has been a gap among hospital patients, who can now ask for halal-certified meals. The hospitals noticed that there was a lot of food waste, because some people couldn't eat the food." Barakah Eats products have been tasted at BC Halal Food Festivals at Holland Park in recent summers and will be featured at the new Halal Expo Vancouver, planned Feb. 7-8 at Cloverdale Agriplex (details on halalexpovancouver.com ). In Arabic, the company name means "blessings," a word embraced by the Khan family. "I never thought it would get to this, with people all over the place eating our food. It's unbelievable," patriarch Zafar Khan said. "Food is my passion, you know, so we have a tandoor in my backyard when we built our house, where we make naan," he added. "I went to back to Pakistan to learn how to make it, and at that time we didn't have a restaurant or anything yet." Looking ahead, the Khans aim to grow the Barakah Eats name in the food manufacturing market. "We see ourselves becoming more of a national company, hopefully by next year," Rushd said. "Right now our business is predominantly in B.C. We do some business outside of B.C. with our vegetarian products, but the meat license with CFIA certification (Canadian Food Inspection Agency), that's our target right now. Once we get over that hump, that opens up a lot of doors for us to start exporting across Canada and then outside of Canada as well. We already have a HACCP-certified facility." BC Food & Beverage's 2024 Rise Awards attracted 400 people to Anvil Centre in New Westminster on Nov. 29, a night when "exceptional leaders, innovators and brands" were recognized in 16 categories. “These awards showcase the talent, dedication and innovation that define B.C.’s food and beverage industry,” James Donaldson, CEO of BC Food & Beverage, raved in a news release, posted online . Other Rise Awards winners are Terra Breads (Hall of Fame inductee), Chocxo Chocolatier (Best in Brand), Vancouver Island Sea Salt (Circularity), Fine Choice Foods (Export), Authentic Indigenous Seafood (Indigenous Led Business of the Year), Blume (Innovation), Jeff Lee of Honey Bee Zen Apiaries (Leadership), Fine Choice Foods (Outstanding Workplace, Health & Safety), Salt Spring Kitchen Co. (People's Choice), Salt Spring Coffee (Social Impact), Chiwis (Sustainability) and Binny Boparai-Gill of Farming Karma Fruit Company (Woman Entrepreneur of the Year). Products of the year are Plant-based Crumbles-Chorizo, made by The Better Butchers (Gold award), Honey Salt Popcorn, Popstastic (Silver) and Dark Chocolate Lemon Crème Cups, Chocxo Chocolatier (Bronze).
NEW YORK (AP) — Kaapo Kaako scored a power-play goal with 24 seconds left, and the New York Rangers stopped a five-game slide by topping the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on Saturday. Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad also scored for the Rangers, who got their first win since a 4-3 victory at Vancouver on Nov. 19. Adam Fox had two assists, and Jonathan Quick made 25 saves. With Montreal’s Kirby Dach serving a four-minute, high-sticking penalty, Kaako got his fourth goal of the season. The Canadiens trailed 3-1 after two periods. But Cole Caufield scored his 14th goal 4:16 into the third and Nick Suzuki tied it at 14:07. Trocheck tipped the puck past Montreal goaltender Sam Montembeault at 19:56 to put New York ahead after Panarin and Montreal’s Mike Matheson scored earlier in the first. Panarin put the Rangers ahead at 9:02, scoring on a 5-on-3 for New York’s first power-play goal since Nov. 12 at home against Winnipeg. Matheson tied it at 11:47. Montembault made 24 saves for Montreal. Takeaways Canadiens: dropped to 3-7-1 on the road. Rangers: Forwards Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil returned to the lineup. Kreider missed three games with an upper-body injury while Chytil was out for seven after colliding with teammate K’Andre Miller on Nov. 14. Reilly Smith and Jonny Brodzinski were scratched. Key moment Seeking an early spark, New York captain Jacob Trouba fought Montreal’s Josh Anderson 1:58 into the contest. It appeared to give the Rangers a collective jolt that was missing in recent games. Key stat The Rangers are 11-1-0 when scoring first. It was the 1,700th home win in franchise history. Up next The Canadiens visit the Boston Bruins on Sunday. The Rangers host the New Jersey Devils on Monday. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL“If gold rust, what then will iron do? For if a priest be foul in whom we trust, no wonder that a common man should rust.” – Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. On Sunday, 24 November 2024, I read a Ghana Web reportage carried under the banner headline: “2024 Elections: If your mother is at the funeral, you cannot be denied Tuo Zaafi – Bawumia to Walewale residents.” After reading the news report I became convinced instantly that Mahamudu Bawumia lacked the honesty, high moral character and proven integrity demanded of the high office of the President of Ghana under the 1992 Constitution. My memory sent me to a document I had been privy to as the Special Prosecutor in which the first of Nana Akufo-Addo’s guiding principles which he told to a friend who restated them in a handwritten recollection was as follows: “Ohene sƐ wo foro akoŋwa yi na sƐ wo aŋya sika a, wↄ bƐka sƐ wo yƐ okwasanpa ni”, however, that does NOT mean that ONLY ... [name] and ... [name] alone should make ALL the money ...the money must spread.” I have tried to type out the twi words in twi characters as written in hand using a computer as accurately as I can, which translated in my understanding means that: “ A chief who ascends a stool and does not get rich, would be said to be a foolish old man.” I shall explain how I came by Nana Akufo Addo’s guiding principles in due course. But I was flabbergasted, as I least expected that Dr. Mahamudu Bawunia, the son of my late friend, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, a two-time Chairperson of the Council of State under the 1992 Constitution, an honest and leading northern politician who fought tirelessly for the development of the British Protectorate of Northern Territories of the Gold Coast Colony and Ashanti (NT) until the North became part of a unitary Republic of Ghana would be so unlike his father and exhibit the highest degree of moral turpitude and selfishness in public office as a Vice-President wishing to become the next President of Ghana. I was puzzled at how this could happen to Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia’s son years after his demise and burial when the John Agyekum Kufuor government ignored the sad event without any state participation in the burial and funeral rites of such an honourable and distinguished Northerner of impeccable character and integrity. As I pondered upon how this could happen, my bank of knowledge brought to the fore the fact that the trait exhibited by Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia was an adulthood acquisition attributable to socialization through association with persons of a culture that endorses the new philosophy he propounded at the Walewale rally. The answer to the puzzle surfaced when my bank of knowledge rebooted to an incident which occurred in 2018 when I was the Special Prosecutor at the Office of the Special Prosecutor. One morning I was presented, without my asking, through an anti-corruption activist friend of mine with a document with the subject matter: “GUIDING PRINCIPLES???” which was a memorandum addressed in hand to President Nana Akufo Addo recounting a conversation between President Nana Akufo-Addo and a friend of his when he was the Foreign Minister then residing at his East Legon residence on the Ambassadorial Road just next to my late friend, DCOP Mr. J. A . Adams’ residence. I was so alarmed by the content of the document that instead of destroying it after reading it as I was instructed by the sender, I rather sent the document by special delivery to the United Kingdom for safekeeping in case anything untoward befell me as the Special Prosecutor. I had to refresh my memory with the exact words used in stating Nana Akufo-Addo’s guiding principles that rhymed with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s pronounced “guiding principle” should he become President of Ghana. The reader who has been following my discourse on the 2024 elections and the competence of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the anointed successor of President Akufo-Addo to be the sixth President of Ghana will recollect that I have been doubtful whether the Vice-President and flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) was going to be any different from the governance style and principles of his mentor and promoter the President. Bawumia’s declaration of principle of one’s mother being at the funeral ensuring that one cannot be denied Tuo Zaafi, rhymes with Nana Akufo-Addo’s guiding principles before he became President as contained in the document I received when I was the Special Prosecutor in 2018. I, therefore, propose to set forth what Dr. Bawumia was quoted as having said to the residents of Walewale in his native West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly area alongside the message that was delivered to me in 2018 to put this matter into proper perspective. Ghana Web with source as 3news.com quoted the NPP flagbearer and incumbent Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia as stating that: “We have just two weeks to elect a president for Ghana. Imagine the feeling when they say the President of Ghana is from your home. God has given us a great chance, and that power can be beneficial because, per our constitution, whatever the President says is final. Just imagine that the power is in your own house.” The news report paraphrased Dr. Bawumia as: “Citing a local proverb which means that if one has their own in the right places, what they deserve will not be denied them, the NPP flagbearer urged them to vote for none other than him,” and quoted him in the following words: “That is why we say, if your mother is at the funeral, you cannot be denied TZ (Tuo Zaafi). You will just be enjoying TZ with good soup every day. ... Therefore, we must not joke with this opportunity. God has given us a great gift. God has given us a penalty and chosen a goalkeeper for us to score. John Mahama has been President before, and he can only do four years, but I can do eight years by the grace of God,” President Nana Akufo-Addo’s “GUIDING PRINCIPLES???” I received which was dated 18 April 2018 contained three (3) distinct guiding principles , the first two of which the written recollection of the conversation listed as follows: (i) “.... that on the aircraft from Mali/Niger? to Accra, you told K4 that,..”Sir, wo ayƐ mistake” ...you should NOT have bought the Hotel on your name and should have used a TRUST to acquire it...and the answer was very simple; that K4 did NOT trust anybody (to do just that). ...” (ii) ...” “Ohene sƐ wo foro akoŋwa yi na sƐ wo aŋya sika a, wↄ bƐka sƐ wo yƐ okwasanpa ni”, however, that does NOT mean that ONLY ... [name] and ... [name] alone should make ALL the money ...the money must spread.” I have left out the names of the two persons named as not being the ONLY people alone to “make ALL the money...the money must spread.” I have also left out the third listed principle out of discretion and caution. My intention is not to vilify everybody in the government. I am just stating why in my considered view the electorate should not vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to replace Nana Akufo-Addo as President of Ghana on 7 December 2024. When one puts Nana Akufo-Addo’s suggested “GUIDING PRINCIPLES???” alongside his anointed successor, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s guiding principles one cannot escape the conclusion that Dr. Bawumia has internalized a new cultural, economic, political and social process of socialization that forms his present character through association with the President from 2008 when he chose him as his running mate to date. After refreshing my memory with what I read as Nana Akufo-Addo’s guiding principles I could not resist the fact that his government of family, friends and cronies from 7 January 2017 has reflected the principles contained in the document I received as the Special Prosecutor in 2018. Nana Akufo-Addo’s right hand man in actualizing the create, loot and share philosophy he espoused while he was John Agyekum Kufour’s Foreign Minister and throughout his contest to be President and assuming the Presidency has been none other than Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia. Nana Akufo-Addo actualized his guiding principles during his eight-year tenure of office with Bawumia and still wants more of those governing principles to continue by choosing to anoint his Vice-President and poodle as successor through their long game of election rigging for the succession. My responsibility as a constitutional activist is to inform the electorate of the facts to enable them to make an informed choice of the next President of Ghana. When Mahamudu Bawumia as Vice-President saw the opportunity to locate a STEM Senior High School in the northern sector of Ghana he sent it to his late mother’s home village in Kpasenkpe, in his native West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly Area. When there was an opportunity for a public/private partnership to develop the watermelon industry in the northern sector of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia ensured that the factory was sited at Logri within the environs of Walewale in his native West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly Area. The citizens of Ghana living in the North East Region where Dr. Bawumia hails from have had occasion to complain bitterly of discrimination in the distribution of development in that region. In an article headlined “One-Sided Distribution Of Development In the North East Region” published on Modern Ghana one author lamented as follows: “The North East has experienced some massive development over the last 7 years in the sector of Education, Health, Roads, Sports etc. The question is how are these developmental projects fairly distributed among the various vulnerable and deprived Districts?” The author answers the question as follows: Obviously No, because, some districts have been denied and neglect their share of the Regional Developmental Agenda base on some political merits while others had their shares. All the developmental projects have been shifted to one of the Region, some Districts have had tremendous growth and development while others still remains deprived and neglected. This (sic) simply the division of the Region into two, the Mamprugu areas and non Mamprugu areas.” The author then highlighted the inequality in distribution of development projects in the region by writing that: “West Mamprusi Municipal, East Mamprusi Municipal and Mamprugu Moaduri have gained some massive development in all sectors compare to Chereponi, Yunyoo-Nasua and Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri. Several people have been asking why the three Mamprugu Districts gained much development than the others. The question remain unanswered....” The foregoing rhymes with the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia principles as stated by Bawumia at his hometown of Walewale in the West Mamprusi Municipality: “That is why we say, if your mother is at the funeral, you cannot be denied TZ (Tuo Zaafi). You will just be enjoying TZ with good soup every day.” As acting President of Ghana Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has shown zero competence for the protection of the citizens’ human security as evidenced by his inability to manage on-going conflicts in the country in the absence of the President from Ghana. This contrast very sharply with the character, honour, integrity and selflessness of his late distinguished father. Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, the father of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, worked with the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) government from 1988 to 7 January 1993 as Ghana’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The NDC Government of Jerry John Rawlings appointed him as the first and second Chairperson of the Council of State under the Fourth Republic during the two tenures of that government. I was present as Deputy Attorney General representing the Attorney-General at a Council of State requested meeting to discuss matters affecting the development of Ghana which was convened at the Castle Gardens. Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia took everybody by surprise when, out of the blue, he raised the question of why the former NT which became part of independent Ghana in 1957 still could not boast of one single justice in the Supreme Court of Ghana responsible for adjudicating on cases for the whole country when the 1992 Constitution had enshrined regional balance in appointments to public office. Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia demanded to know whether the government was telling the public that there were no competent lawyers from Northern Ghana qualified to be appointed to the Supreme Court all those years since independence. President Jerry John Rawlings told the assembled gathering that Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, had made a valid point but he would have wished that the issue had been raised privately and not to the glare of the media with GBC-TV and other TV houses capturing what he had said. Jerry John Rawlings undertook to handle the aberration in the appointments to the Supreme Court which was not representative of the whole country at the time. The first supreme Court justice from Northern Ghana was nominated, opposed by the Ghana Bar Association and the NPP, and appointed to the Court in 1995. Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia after performing his duty to the North as he had done during the colonial era and since independence, never got himself involved in who was nominated from the North to the Supreme Court. I was most humbled by Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia’s integrity and selflessness for equality in Mother Ghana’s non-discriminatory power distribution in appointments to public office as mandated by the 1992 Constitution. I have tried to follow in the footsteps of the honesty, integrity, selflessness and service of our forebearers from the NT which later became Northern Ghana after independence. This contributed to my shock and trauma when I read Dr. Bawumia’s guiding principles. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his siblings during the lifetime of their father were known NDC sympathizers with Dr. Bawumia’s mother being the women’s organizer for the West Mamprusi Constituency of the NDC. Young Mahamudu after his father had arranged with President Rawlings for him to return home and to be employed at the Bank of Ghana in 2000 became restless in 2004 when the NDC at its delegates congress in Kumasi decided that the next NDC running mate should be a northerner and a Muslim. Mahamudu Bawumia lobbied behind the scenes with Jerry John Rawlings to be nominated, as I was informed by the late President, whilst at the Bank of Ghana but lost out. The choice was for Professor Mills to make and not former President Rawlings. Nana Akufo-Addo had identified and groomed the restless and ambitious Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia whilst he was at the Bank of Ghana and lobbying to become the next Vice Presidential candidate to the NDC and the NPP simultaneously. The established loyalists of the NPP tradition objected to Nana Akufo-Addo’s proposal to make Dr. Bawumia his running mate for the 2008 elections but lost the contest once Nana Akufo-Addo won the presidential primaries to represent the NPP in those elections. The process of grooming, cloning, and the socialization of Dr. Bawumia as Nana Akufo-Addo’s poodle began leading to the sharing of the similar governance principles Bawumia espoused at the Walewale rally. Nana Akufo-Addo has so succeeded in grooming Dr. Bawumia in his own character and image that he can rest assured that when Dr. Bawumia succeeds him as President the fruits of “Ohene sƐ wo foro akoŋwa yi na sƐ wo aŋya sika a, wↄ bƐka sƐ wo yƐ okwasanpa ni”, however, that does NOT mean that ONLY ... [name] and ... [name] alone should make ALL the money ...the money must spread” will be protected from auditing for his family, friends and cronies under his regime to sleep in peace. The choice that faces the electorate on 7 December 2024 is, therefore, to vote Mahamudu Bawumia as Nana Akufo-Addo’s anointed successor and continue suffering under the create loot and share principle they both hold in common or vote for change to enable probity and accountability as demanded by the Constitution to prevail. I cannot as a person born in the then NT recommend Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as a person with the trait of honesty, integrity and selfless service exhibited by our forebearers from the NT to the Republic of Ghana to be elected on 7 December 2024 as President symbolizing a representation of northerners on an NPP ticket for Ghana. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is not only an opportunist and pretender, he has lost track of the high moral character associated with his own biological family and the forebearers of Northern Ghana. The Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia principle of “That is why we say, if your mother is at the funeral, you cannot be denied TZ (Tuo Zaafi). You will just be enjoying TZ with good soup every day” is inconsistent with and contravenes the Presidential Oath which Mahamudu Bawumia took as Vice-President which from his own Walewale confession he will abuse again should the electorate vote for him on 7 December 2024. Ghana needs a President from one of the two dominant political parties who can audit the economic mess the Nana Akufo-Addo/Bawumia inept government is going to leave behind. I have demonstrated hereinbefore that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is a clone and poodle of the incumbent President and is incapable of doing such an audit. With Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, it is the same old wine in a new bottle! We may as well put lipstick on a pig, as the saying goes. John Dramani Mahama is not a saint, but he is nobody’s poodle. He has the experience as a former President to audit the mess the Nana Akufo-Addo/ Bawumia government will leave behind. I have had problems with John Dramani Mahama in the past which are documented on my website. The constitutional situation on our hands, however, demands pragmatism to ensure probity and accountability after an eight year tenure of government. We need a candidate who can command a sizeable parliamentary representation to actualize an audit of the previous government. John Dramani Mahama whose audit Nana Akufo-Addo fears ought to be the best bet for the integrity of the 1992 Constitution in our present circumstances. The 1992 Constitution does not enshrine dynasty or inheritance by cronyism, that is why the electorate should aim for a change in government on 7 December 2024 to defend and preserve the Constitution of our Fourth Republic. Ghana must always come first! Martin A. B. K. Amidu 3 December 2024
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Unless otherwise specified, all sizes in this post are listed in women's. 1. A set of cami bras for those days when you're lounging around the house but still want to keep the girls supported. Promising review: "Loved the five colors, very VERY comfortable and worth the price. The material is very soft, feels like you have nothing on. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this product." — Amazon Customer Price: $25.99+ for a set of four (available in sizes S–3XL and in six color sets) If you like these, check out our picks for the best tank tops with built-in bras ! 2. A Maidenform convertible push-up bra that goes from strapless to secured in seconds. You'll get a lil' extra boost thanks to the push-up design and the monochrome colors make it the perfect pick under any outfit. Promising review: "Bought this to wear as a strapless to a wedding. I didn’t have to constantly pull it up, which has always been why I stay away from strapless. It was tight, and I did receive a size bigger than I ordered, so keep that in mind. Glad it was tight though!" — Kara Price: $17.76+ (available in sizes 34C–40DD and in two designs) 3. A seamless medium-low support workout bra so you can stay supported while still looking super cute. I honestly wouldn't blame you if you wore this cutie sans anything over the top of it (aka, as a shirt). Promising review: "I'm a 32DDD and it's so hard finding good sports bras. The cups add nice shape so I don't get an underboob look and it's so cute from the back!" — H Price: $19.99+ (available in sizes XS–XL and in 14 colors and designs) You can also find this bra at #1 in our list of chic sports bras ! 4. A wire-free and bulge-free bra because bra bulge is the one thing that no one needs in their lives. Yes, it's a relief when you take off your bra at the end of the day, but what makes it even better is not having any indents on your skin. Promising review: "The product is exactly what was needed. It is soft and supportive. It doesn’t hide your shape and is not too tight. Soft material and Excellent fit." – Anna Price: $16.94 (available in sizes S–XXL and in four colors) 5. A padded push-up bra to add an entire cup size in an instant. Seem too good to be true? Just take a look at the almost 10,000 5-star ratings. Promising review: "For all my natural big-breasted sisters...get this bra!! This is by far one of the best bras I have ever owned. This bra is super comfortable and attractive. I totally recommend. Can't beat it for the price." — Amazon Customer Price: $29.99+ (available in sizes 32A–40DDD and in 16 colors) 6. A Hanes ComfortFlex foam bra so light and comfortable that you'll probably think, "did I remember to put a bra on today?" Promising review: "I hate bras. I find almost all of them TOTALLY uncomfortable no matter what...UNTIL NOW!!!!!!! THIS BRA IS THE BEST!!!! It's so comfy and I never have to adjust it because it's bothering me. Just enough padding that you don't see nipple bumps in a T-shirt. Sometimes I even continue to wear it after I get home from work, unlike others I would NEED to take off immediately the second I could. I will forget I'm wearing this!!! Highly recommend!!!" — Brandy Lunn Price: $12.99 (available in sizes S–3XL and in six colors) 7. A lace halter bralette , because nothing is fancier than a lacy bralette. This bb will look amazing with your shirt draped off your shoulder — why wouldn't you want to show it off? Promising review: "There’s a reason why this bra is is popular: it’s really cute and super comfortable. It doesn’t have any padding or much support but still held me well. " — Candy Price: $12.59+ (available in sizes S–XL and in eight colors) 8. A half-cup mesh bra to make you feel *so* good. This is the ideal bra to wear under your fancier clothes, but it's also comfy enough for every day. Promising review: "I am picky with bras and this really surprised me. It fits so well and makes the girls look amazing. I bought it in more colors. It runs true to size." — Kindle Customer Price: $25.99+ (available in sizes 32A–38DD and in 12 colors) 9. A padded bra top so you can wear your underwear as outerwear. Reviewers love this 2-in-1 so much, many say they often sleep in it. Promising review: "This got delivered less than 10 minutes ago and I’ve already purchased two more colors. This sports bra is so comfy and the perfect crop length for biker shorts or leggings. The material is high quality and super soft. I am a 34D wearing a medium and it’s the perfect amount of support for training. Might want something tighter or go down a size if you're a runner and don’t want anything to move. You need this in your closet!!" — Alyssa Price: $21.99 (available in sizes S–XXL and in 27 colors and styles) 10. A secure Glamorise front-closure bra , because who has time to contort themselves for 20 minutes each morning until they *finally* hook the back clasp? This game-changing bra also has an underwire that cradles your bust so the wire never touches your body. FYI, it is included in Prime Wardrobe so you can give it a trial run if you're a member! Promising review: "I hate ordering bras online because I never know what size to order. I took a risk, thinking that I would just return it if it didn’t work. But this one did!! She holds the (big) girls in so well! There’s also that lift and separate action that I love so much! I highly recommend this very comfortable and beautiful bra!" — BSong Price: $47.20 (available in sizes 34B–50H and in 11 colors) 11. A vintage-inspired balconette underwire bra that'll be perfectly paired with your ever-growing collection of retro dresses (or by itself under a blazer 😉). Promising review: "Size 34FF fits great, although typically I wear a 34DDD in American sizes. I have narrow shoulders and a narrow back. Finally, not a minimizer, but a great-looking bra to make my beauty shine. It has just enough padding to be appropriate to wear with a T-shirt, not over-padded. Absolutely recommend this bra to those of us who are well-endowed!" – Lydia32 Price: $39+ (available in sizes 30D–44GG and in 12 colors) 12. An ultra-light smoothing bra because your bra showing through your top is not always the vibe. (Unless it is, you do you!) For around 20 bucks, you can't go wrong. Promising review: "I'm so glad I purchased this bra. It’s hard finding my size bra (34DD) in stores. It seems as if it’s nonexistent. I don’t feel like paying double the price at VS for my bra size (just to get a DD bra you have to pay $10 more...there isn’t $10 more worth of fabric so I don’t see the justification). The bra is very comfortable, buttery soft, and no boob spillage. Definitely would buy again. Just wish there were more color options." – MillB Price: $22.66+ (available in band sizes 34–42, cup sizes B–DD, and 12 colors) 13. A lightly padded satin bra with over 4K 5-star reviews and a comfortable, gorgeous design. FYI, bra is included in Prime Wardrobe so you can give it a trial run if you're a member! Price: $53.99+ (available in sizes 34D–44DD and in 14 colors) 14. A darling Natori plunge contour bra that magically molds to your shape to give you the best fit yet. Promising review: "I now own this bra in three colors; it's that amazing. This bra looks and feels incredible; you scarcely feel it at all when it's on. It's invisible under nearly all clothing, as the lace at the top lies flat; to me, this is very important, as I hate seeing the tops of bra cups poking through the fabric of your shirt! Not a problem here. I wear this bra daily with confidence, and I can't recommend it highly enough." — Amanda H. Smith Get it from Amazon for $46.80+ (available in band sizes 30–38, cup sizes A–G, and dozens of colors). 15. An unlined Calvin Klein bra ~sheer~ to be your new favorite. It's super soft, comfortable, and will bring some designer goodness to your underwear drawer. Promising review: "Exactly what I was looking for. I did not want any thick material, just the shaping from the underwire and a more natural feel and look beyond that. These bras have only sheer mesh material in the cup, and I love it. Super comfortable, make me feel like I look great. I ended up buying four more for this to be my go-to everyday bra. If you don’t want thick layers of fabric this bra is for you. Note on colors: 'nymph's thigh' is really closer to very light pink, and 'nude' is a darker tan. I only wish there was a white option for wearing under white layers. Other than that, this bra is a great, simple (and also sexy) product. If you are looking for thick padding, then this will not be what you want. The fit was perfect to my expectations (based off of my measurements)." — E N Allen Price: $9.45+ (available in band sizes 30–38, cup sizes A–DD, and in seven colors). 16. A Lilyette by Bali minimizer bra for compressing the girls and making them look smaller while still giving you a beautiful silhouette and a ton of support. This bra can reduce your bust projection up to 1.5 inches! Promising review: "Why did no one tell me the wonders of minimizing bras?!? But all is forgiven now that my 38DD otherwise unwieldy breasts are now properly contained! All my life, I've worn 'regular' bras, and all my life, they've wiggled, jiggled, pooched over the cups, and I've hated them. But now, I might be OK with a larger chest! This bra is phenomenal. I'm DD, sometimes DDD, and wearing regular bras correctly sized was horrible. Professional fittings, those $70 bras I'd still look jiggly in, and I'd still end up with boobage up out of the cup. Looked ridiculous. This bra nicely does whatever it does to push your breasts down enough that they don't pop out. But you don't look like you have smashed breasts or a uni-boob! They stay nicely separated; I've worn it several times and not once had spillage over. I'm ordering two more, pleased as punch. FINALLY, after over 25 years of bra wearing, found what I didn't know I was missing! I hope someone else is able to have the joy of nicely contained boobs!" — 3LittleFish Price: $21.99+ (available in band sizes 34–42, cup sizes C–DDD, and in eight colors). For more bust-reducing styles, take a look at our picks for the best minimizer bras . 17. A buttery soft wireless comfort bra that will become your new everyday go-to. Bras that feel like you're not wearing one? Sign me up. Promising review: "Absolutely love this bra! It's incredibly comfortable and offers great support without feeling restrictive. The fabric is soft and breathable, making it perfect for all-day wear. It fits true to size and provides a flattering shape. I’m so happy I found this, it’s now my go-to! Highly recommend!! Truly sooo Comfortable." — Gisele Marson Price: $16.99+ (available in band sizes 32–40, cup sizes A–D, and in 21 colors) 18. A floral lace bralette for a classically chic look that will enhance any outfit thanks to its incredible support and darling design. Promising review: "Love this bra! Sexy and comfortable. I ordered it in black but ordering other colors. My boyfriend loves this on me." — Rocio Andrade Price: $28.99+ (available in band sizes 32–44, cup sizes B–G, and in five colors) 19. An unlined lace bra that will keep everything right where you want it to be, but with ~elegance.~ Promising review: "To preface this, I NEVER go out of my way to leave reviews for things, but have to say this is one of the best bras I’ve ever put on my body! Being plus size, I’ve found that it’s always been hard to find something comfortable and cute for my size and I felt so much relief after putting this on. Finally a bra that lifts and supports the way it should and makes me feel confident. I’ll definitely be ordering more!! Not to mention it has a super thick strap and connector on the back that leaves that whole area looking seamless. No back fat spilling over whatsoever. 1000/10 recommend." — jessica Price: $24.99+ (available in band sizes 34–46, cup sizes C–I and in 14 colors) 20. A crisscross sports bra for jogging, dancing, boxing, or in the words of Rebel Wilson in Pitch Perfect , horizontal running (aka laying on your couch and binge-watching your latest Netflix obsession). Promising review: "I own a hundred sports bras and this one’s my favorite. Firstly, it is very easy to put on and remove and it looks really nice when paired with a pair of black leggings. They come padded, and I found them to provide good support during high-intensity exercises as well. The blue shade also looks very elegant. Overall great product." — AA Price: $12.99 (available in sizes S–3XL and in six colors) 21. A high-impact sports bra designed with strenuous activity in mind. It's made from a comfy four-way stretch, moisture-wicking fabric so you can stay supported and dry no matter what you're doing. Promising review: "Oh my, where to start!? It is very well made and comfortable to wear! I love that the padding is sewn in place, so you don’t have to worry about removing them or worse trying to get them back in place! It offers great support for running, but is cool and comfortable enough to just wear when you don’t feel like wearing a regular bra. This bra stays in place and holds *everything* in place as you run, exercise etc. and all at a great price. I highly recommend trying this sports bra!" — Tamara Price: $22.99+ (available in sizes S–3XL and in 38 colors) 22. A full coverage bra that will give the twins the *ultimate lift* without an underwire. Promising review: " I have been buying this same style of bra since the 1990s and have never found a rival for attractiveness, coverage, comfort, and good fit. These bras also last for years and years when laundered in a bag on gentle cycle and hung dry. I added this bra to have another color in my collection and anticipate many years of good fit. Playtex 18 Hour bras are genuinely so comfortable you can wear them all day and night, if need be." — Susan L. Price: $12.99+ (available in band sizes 34–54, cup sizes B–G, 19 colors, and various sets of two) 23. A super sexy sheer bra for feeling like your best self. Best worn while listening to Taylor Swift's Vigilante Sh*t . Promising review: "Great quality. See-through material makes it very sexy. Comfortable." — Robin C Meade Price: $19.99+ (available in band sizes 34–44, cup sizes B–F, and in seven colors) 24. A Bali Breathe T-Shirt bra that holds the girls in place well enough for everyday wear but adds a sultry edge with a lace finish. I own a couple of these bras, and when I tell you they are my favorite bras EVER! I'm a DD cup, and they are so incredibly comfortable and supportive. Thanks to the lacey material, they also make me feel so good. Plus, they're WIRELESS!!! Promising review: "This bra has a beautiful style, a great fit with a very accurate sizing chart, and is very comfortable. I am buying another in a different color." — fbk Price: $25.99 (available in sizes S–3XL and in six colors) 25. A wire-free and seamless scallop-detail bra to add a fun and playful pop to your underwear drawer. Promising review: "As a petite woman with a larger bust, well-fitted and comfortable bras are hard to come by. This one is so comfortable and cute and I really like the way the clasps are sort of magnetic. It makes it easier to find the right hook while uncomfortably reaching your arms completely behind your back, lol." — Amber Way Price: $26.99+ (available in sizes S–3XL and in 11 colors) 26. A longline bralette for those who are partial to a sexy lace number but don't want to compromise on comfort. Reviewers with *bustier* chests are fans, so know you don't have to settle for something drab just because you're a D+. Promising review: "The fit and support of this bralette for larger busts is so good! Fits true to size per the size chart and has great coverage. Will be getting other colors!" — Nat Price: $10.48+ (available in sizes S–XXL, 11 colors, and in two-packs and three-packs) Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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FIFA confirms 2034 World Cup coming to Saudi ArabiaHe told TMZ: "I was staying in a hotel on a hill. There was a...I said 'Where's a good place to eat?' So the restaurant was there [ at the bottom]. To get to it, I didn't have a car, so you had to walk about a mile and a half around. I said, 'Well, the hill doesn't look that steep. It's about 60-70 feet. Let me see if I can go down the hill. I fell down. Boom, boom, boom. I rolled down the hill, hit my head on a rock, and knocked me in the eye." The former 'Tonight Show' host had a show to do that night at the Yaamava' Casino in Southern California and went ahead with it despite his injuries before going to get checked out at the hospital. He said: "I did the show and when we came back to LA I went to the hospital." The incident comes almost exactly two years after he suffered second and third-degree burns on his face, chest and hands while working on car in his garage and clogged fuel line exploded. He spent 10 days at a Los Angeles hospital and underwent a a surgical excision and grafting procedure. At the time, he quipped: "The great thing about this age [is] you don't learn by your mistakes, you just keep doing the same stupid thing."
ZURICH — Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed Wednesday by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich by the soccer body's president Gianni Infantino. "The vote of the congress is loud and clear," said Infantino, who had asked officials on a bank of screens to clap their hands at head level to show their support. The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930. The decisions complete a mostly opaque 15-month bid process which Infantino helped steer toward Saudi Arabia without a rival candidate, without taking questions, and which human rights groups warn will put the lives of migrant workers at risk. "We look forward to hosting an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the FIFA World Cup by harnessing our strengths and capabilities to bring joy to football fans around the world," Prince Mohammed said in a statement. FIFA and Saudi officials have said hosting the 2034 tournament can accelerate change, including more freedoms and rights for women, with Infantino on Wednesday calling the World Cup a "unique catalyst for positive social change and unity." "I fully trust our hosts to address all open points in this process, and deliver a World Cup that meets the world's expectations," the FIFA president said. An international collective of rights groups said FIFA made a "reckless decision" to approve Saudi Arabia without getting public assurances, and the Football Supporters Europe group said it was "the day football truly lost its mind." A fast-track path to victory was cleared last year by FIFA accepting the three-continent hosting plan for the 2030 World Cup. It meant only soccer federations in Asia and Oceania were eligible for the 2034 contest, and FIFA gave countries less than four weeks to declare a bid. Only Saudi Arabia did. The win will kick off a decade of scrutiny on Saudi labor laws and treatment of workers mostly from South Asia needed to help build and upgrade 15 stadiums, plus hotels and transport networks ahead of the 104-game tournament. Amnesty International said awarding the tournament to Saudi Arabia represents "a moment of great danger" for human rights. "FIFA's reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk," said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's Head of Labor Rights and Sport." One of the stadiums is planned to be 350 meters (yards) above the ground in Neom — a futuristic city that does not yet exist — and another named for the crown prince is designed to be atop a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh. During the bid campaign, FIFA has accepted limited scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's human rights record that was widely criticized this year at the United Nations. Saudi and international rights groups and activists warned FIFA it has not learned the lessons of Qatar's much-criticized preparations to host the 2022 World Cup. "At every stage of this bidding process, FIFA has shown its commitment to human rights to be a sham," Cockburn said. The kingdom plans to spend tens of billion of dollars on projects related to the World Cup as part of the crown prince's sweeping Vision 2030 project that aims to modernize Saudi society and economy. At its core is spending on sports by the $900 billion sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund, which he oversees. "It's amazing. The infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans and everything. After what I see, I'm more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever," Cristiano Ronaldo said in a recorded package posted on X. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been part of Saudi Arabia's lavish spending on soccer — stunning the sport when agreeing to sign for Al Nassr in 2022 for a record-breaking salary reportedly worth up to $200 million a year. Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing" the kingdom's reputation. The prince, known as MBS, has built close working ties to Infantino since 2017 — aligning with the organizer of sport's most-watched event rather than directly confronting the established system as it did with the disruptive LIV Golf project. The result for Saudi Arabia and FIFA has been smooth progress toward the win Wednesday with limited pushback from soccer officials, though some from women international players. The steady flow of Saudi cash into international soccer is set to increase. FIFA created a new and higher World Cup sponsor category for state oil firm Aramco, and Saudi funding is set to underwrite the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States that is a pet project for Infantino. North American soccer body CONCACAF signed a multi-year deal with PIF, Saudi stadiums host Super Cup games for Italy and Spain, and nearly 50 FIFA member federations have signed working agreements with Saudi counterparts. Lavish spending by PIF-owned Saudi clubs in the past two years buying and paying players – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané – put hundreds of millions of dollars into European soccer. That influence could be key in talks to agree which months to play the 2034 World Cup. The November-December slot taken by Qatar in 2022 to avoid extreme midsummer heat is complicated in 2034 by the holy month of Ramadan through mid-December and Riyadh hosting the multi-sport Asian Games. Still, January 2034 could be an option — and likely better for European clubs and leagues —after the International Olympic Committee said it saw few issues in clashing with the Salt Lake Winter Games opening Feb. 10, 2034. The IOC also has a major commercial deal with Saudi Arabia, to host the new Esports Olympics. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Luxury Silicone Dolls Market 2024 Set for Major Growth Surge Over the Next Decade
Zack Snyder doesn’t seem to be all that worried about AI disrupting the filmmaking world, bringing scores of novices to the fold. At WIRED’s The Big Interview event in San Francisco on Tuesday, the director told managing editor Hemal Jhaveri that “every single person has a pretty good movie camera on their phone and yet we don’t have—right this second, anyway—millions of awesome movies being uploaded out of peoples’ pockets.” The Big Interview For the first time, WIRED’s iconic series came to life on stage with a series of unforgettable, in-depth live conversations. Check out more highlights here . That doesn’t mean he thinks Hollywood creatives can avoid AI altogether. “Educating yourself and understanding what it can and can’t do is important right now, especially where it exists in image-making and storytelling,” Snyder said. “You have to understand what it is and what it’s not capable of, and you have to be able to use it as a tool as opposed to standing on the sidelines with your hands on your hips.” While Snyder says he still sometimes questions the “why” of AI filmmaking, asking what the point of using the technology would be if you just want to shoot footage of someone sitting in a chair in a living room, for instance, he also acknowledges the technology’s potential to make some shots more accessible. “AI doesn’t care if a house is on fire or if it’s on Mars or whether it’s underwater,” he told Jhaveri. “All the things that might cost a filmmaker a lot of money to shoot are, to the AI, no different.” Snyder says he’s especially intrigued by the idea of an AI that could understand a movie or filmmaker’s aesthetic core, like if he was able to shoot an actor’s performance and then sync it up with a production designer-created world of sets in some sort of “aesthetic bank.” If an AI could understand what he truly wants—the “motes of dust,” a backlight, overall set design—rather than just convey its interpretation of what it thinks he’s asking, then, he thinks, “the concept is pretty awesome.” As a director who’s made a number of movies, superhero and otherwise, with a massive range of VFX, Snyder says he’s no stranger to “a very virtual world when it comes to filmmaking.” Still, he says, he’s always seen artistic performance at the front of what we eventually see on screen. Everything that’s not an actor is just “context,” he says. “My favorite movies are the ones where I can feel the director’s hand. I want that human point of view to be moving me in a narrative way through a story in a way I wouldn’t have thought of or couldn’t imagine what would happen next,” Snyder says. “As audiences, that’s what we pay for and that’s what we hunger for. How we get to that very human thing, though ... well, that could change.” How audiences see movies could also change, Snyder says, acknowledging that streamers like Netflix have become an absolute juggernaut in the cinematic world. Movies and shows he’s made for the platform have been seen by millions more eyes than might have seen them in the theater, he asserts, and even films classified as “blockbusters” have and will undoubtedly draw a bigger audience if they’re on a bigger streaming service than they would at the box office. As a director, Snyder says, as long as he’s aware that he’s making something that’s exclusively for streaming, then he’s up for the challenge. “It feels rude to say that I’m not an artist if my movie isn’t in the theater,” he told Jhaveri. “If you’re the streamer, you’re paying for the movie, and if you say, ‘This is our format and 250 million people are going to look at it on their phones, probably’ at the very beginning of our conversation, then I have to know that’s the reality. And if that’s the case, then I should be fine with everything that happens afterwards.”Racing Optics® Introduces Game-Changing Twilight Tearoff to Enhance Visibility in Low-Light Racing ConditionsARLINGTON, Va. , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA) announces three new members for 2025: Pilot Chemical Company , a privately held, family-owned global specialty chemical company with a 72-year legacy of innovation and customer focus, known for its ability to deliver tailored surfactant technologies and EPA-registered biocide solutions to consumer and industrial markets. Solugen , a manufacturer of innovative chemical solutions that tackle tough industrial challenges with speed, precision, and a focus on creating lasting impact for customers. Longview Strategies , an affiliate member specializing in sustainability/ESG consulting and communication services. "As the landscape evolves across manufacturing, sustainability, and global trade, companies are recognizing SOCMA's essential value," said Jennifer Abril , President & CEO of SOCMA. "These companies bring expertise in bio-manufacturing innovation, chemical manufacturing, and ESG leadership at a time when the industry needs strategic collaboration to thrive." Member Perspectives: "Pilot Chemical Company is grateful for the access SOCMA membership gives us to so many potential innovation and manufacturing partners," said Glynn Goertzen , VP of Corporate & Business Development at Pilot Chemical Company. "We continue to appreciate SOCMA's industry-leading advocacy efforts. SOCMA's strong voice on behalf of its members these past five years has been much appreciated." "We are excited to join SOCMA as we expand into fine and specialty chemicals and continue to grow our onshore manufacturing capabilities to deliver innovative solutions to our customers," said Gaurab Chakrabarti , MD, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder at Solugen. "SOCMA's resources, advocacy, and network will be invaluable as we strengthen our efforts to support critical industries like energy and defense. We look forward to collaborating with industry leaders to drive meaningful advancements in the specialty chemicals sector." "We know that SOCMA and its members share an intense curiosity about how their businesses can adapt to meet new trends," said Evan Zall , President of Longview Strategies. "That's a shared trait at Longview Strategies and among our clients as we work together to successfully navigate the ESG landscape. Whether keeping pace with global regulations or seeking to stand out as leaders in sustainability, there are outstanding opportunities for manufacturers to take charge of their future." SOCMA concluded 2024 with strong growth, welcoming 23 new members throughout the year. About SOCMA: SOCMA is the only U.S.-based trade association dedicated to the specialty chemicals industry. Visit https://www.socma.org . Contact: Nate Bell Sr. Manager, Member Communications & Programs nbell@socma.org View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/companies-increasingly-turn-to-socma-to-navigate-industry-challenges-in-2025-and-beyond-302329430.html SOURCE Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Bobby Rusnak: A Pillar of Leadership and Resilience at Dickey’s Barbecue PitZURICH — Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed Wednesday by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich by the soccer body's president Gianni Infantino. "The vote of the congress is loud and clear," said Infantino, who had asked officials on a bank of screens to clap their hands at head level to show their support. The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930. The decisions complete a mostly opaque 15-month bid process which Infantino helped steer toward Saudi Arabia without a rival candidate, without taking questions, and which human rights groups warn will put the lives of migrant workers at risk. "We look forward to hosting an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the FIFA World Cup by harnessing our strengths and capabilities to bring joy to football fans around the world," Prince Mohammed said in a statement. FIFA and Saudi officials have said hosting the 2034 tournament can accelerate change, including more freedoms and rights for women, with Infantino on Wednesday calling the World Cup a "unique catalyst for positive social change and unity." "I fully trust our hosts to address all open points in this process, and deliver a World Cup that meets the world's expectations," the FIFA president said. An international collective of rights groups said FIFA made a "reckless decision" to approve Saudi Arabia without getting public assurances, and the Football Supporters Europe group said it was "the day football truly lost its mind." A fast-track path to victory was cleared last year by FIFA accepting the three-continent hosting plan for the 2030 World Cup. It meant only soccer federations in Asia and Oceania were eligible for the 2034 contest, and FIFA gave countries less than four weeks to declare a bid. Only Saudi Arabia did. The win will kick off a decade of scrutiny on Saudi labor laws and treatment of workers mostly from South Asia needed to help build and upgrade 15 stadiums, plus hotels and transport networks ahead of the 104-game tournament. Amnesty International said awarding the tournament to Saudi Arabia represents "a moment of great danger" for human rights. "FIFA's reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk," said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's Head of Labor Rights and Sport." One of the stadiums is planned to be 350 meters (yards) above the ground in Neom — a futuristic city that does not yet exist — and another named for the crown prince is designed to be atop a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh. During the bid campaign, FIFA has accepted limited scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's human rights record that was widely criticized this year at the United Nations. Saudi and international rights groups and activists warned FIFA it has not learned the lessons of Qatar's much-criticized preparations to host the 2022 World Cup. "At every stage of this bidding process, FIFA has shown its commitment to human rights to be a sham," Cockburn said. The kingdom plans to spend tens of billion of dollars on projects related to the World Cup as part of the crown prince's sweeping Vision 2030 project that aims to modernize Saudi society and economy. At its core is spending on sports by the $900 billion sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund, which he oversees. "It's amazing. The infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans and everything. After what I see, I'm more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever," Cristiano Ronaldo said in a recorded package posted on X. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been part of Saudi Arabia's lavish spending on soccer — stunning the sport when agreeing to sign for Al Nassr in 2022 for a record-breaking salary reportedly worth up to $200 million a year. Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing" the kingdom's reputation. The prince, known as MBS, has built close working ties to Infantino since 2017 — aligning with the organizer of sport's most-watched event rather than directly confronting the established system as it did with the disruptive LIV Golf project. The result for Saudi Arabia and FIFA has been smooth progress toward the win Wednesday with limited pushback from soccer officials, though some from women international players. The steady flow of Saudi cash into international soccer is set to increase. FIFA created a new and higher World Cup sponsor category for state oil firm Aramco, and Saudi funding is set to underwrite the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States that is a pet project for Infantino. North American soccer body CONCACAF signed a multi-year deal with PIF, Saudi stadiums host Super Cup games for Italy and Spain, and nearly 50 FIFA member federations have signed working agreements with Saudi counterparts. Lavish spending by PIF-owned Saudi clubs in the past two years buying and paying players – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané – put hundreds of millions of dollars into European soccer. That influence could be key in talks to agree which months to play the 2034 World Cup. The November-December slot taken by Qatar in 2022 to avoid extreme midsummer heat is complicated in 2034 by the holy month of Ramadan through mid-December and Riyadh hosting the multi-sport Asian Games. Still, January 2034 could be an option — and likely better for European clubs and leagues —after the International Olympic Committee said it saw few issues in clashing with the Salt Lake Winter Games opening Feb. 10, 2034. The IOC also has a major commercial deal with Saudi Arabia, to host the new Esports Olympics. Get local news delivered to your inbox!George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, diesThe PGA Tour is making the most sweeping changes to its eligibility in more than 40 years by eliminating 25 tour cards, along with shrinking the size of its fields. The all-exempt tour had been in place since 1983, meaning the top 125 players from the official money list — now the FedEx Cup standings — kept a full PGA Tour card the following season. That changes in 2026 after the PGA Tour policy board approved a new priority list on Monday. Only the top 100 players will earn full tour cards for the following year. The top 30 from the developmental Korn Ferry Tour used to advance to the PGA Tour. That number now goes to 20. Five players from qualifying school will get cards — it previously was the top five and ties. The tour also is doing away with 156-man fields except for two tournaments held on multiple courses. Most tournaments will have 120 players before Daylight Saving Time, then 132 players in spring and a maximum of 144 players in the summer months. Here's a look at what's behind the changes and what it means: The all-exempt tour led to a bloated membership in which nearly 200 players were on the membership rolls through one exemption or another, and those toward the bottom of the priority list could not get into all the tournaments they wanted to play. Those who graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour, for example, could only get in three or four tournaments over the first few months of the season, giving them a disadvantage. The PGA Tour believes that limited full status to the top 100 instead of the top 125 will give everyone who earns a card a fair chance at getting into regular tournaments. Priority to get into tournaments starts with winners of the majors and The Players Championship over the last five years; winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Memorial and Genesis Invitational the last three years; tournament winners the last two years and career money leaders. Next are the top 125; players who have been given a medical extension; and then the 45 players who earned cards from the Korn Ferry Tour, European tour and Q-school. After that are those who finished from No. 126 to No. 150 in the FedEx Cup. All of them have PGA Tour cards. But there's not room for them in every tournament. The most common refrain in golf is to play better to get better status. Those who perennially finish in the top 100 should have no trouble keeping their cards, and they will have fewer players to beat because the fields will be smaller. It also helps newcomers from the Korn Ferry Tour, European tour and Q-school. They can expect to get into every regular tournament, increasing their odds of getting into some of the $20 million signature events. The PGA Tour, already the strongest circuit in golf, is likely to be even more competitive with a greater chance of the top names in contention. The tour also hopes — this is still to be determined — it will improve the pace of play and keep rounds from spilling over into the next day. Players like Peter Malnati and Taylor Pendrith come to mind. Under the new system, neither would have had a full PGA Tour card this year and likely would not have been in the fields for the tournaments they won — Malnati at the Valspar Championship and Pendrith at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Those wins make them exempt through 2026. Players who have not performed consistently well, who seem to struggle each year just to finish in the top 125, will have to be at their best to stay on tour. The PGA Tour also is reducing the four spots from Monday qualifiers at open tournaments. Now there will only two spots for the 132-man fields and none for fields of 120 players. One of golf's charms is how one week can change a career. Then again, there has been only one Monday qualifier to win in the last five years — Corey Conners in the 2019 Texas Open. The new eligibility starts in 2026, so that puts a huge emphasis on playing well this year knowing that only the top 100 will keep full status. The four majors are not run by the PGA Tour. The Masters has the smallest field, typically fewer than 100 players. The U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship have 156-man fields. The Players Championship, the premier event run by the PGA Tour, is reducing its field from 144 players to 120. AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
