World Top News

When their teacher asked them to design images that symbolized where they came from – and where they hoped to go – to paint on shoes, many of the Jemtegaard Middle School students in art teacher Dani Allen’s class struggled with the assignment. Allen admits her assignment, which she called the “Roots and Wings” project, was not easy. “Many of the first sketches were not even close to the ‘roots and wings’ theme. Students drew their favorite anime, or a sunset, or fire on both shoes,” Allen said. “I’d ask how this fit the theme, and they got frustrated that they could not do their original idea and were not sure how to do what we asked. They said it was too difficult.” But Allen didn’t give up. And neither did her students. “It was like, out of the blue, they just got it,” Allen...

TAMPA, Fla. – Sophomores Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith understand that it’s their responsibility to fill the void left by Jahan Dotson, who opted out of the Outback Bow to prepare for the NFL draft. “When we came in, he (Dotson) was leading us,” Lambert-Smith said. “It’s just a matter of taking what he was doing. I’m pretty sure we’re prepared to lead the young guys coming in and lead the guys in our room already.” Washington and Lambert-Smith will be central figures for Penn State (7-5) against Arkansas (8-4) in the Outback Bowl Saturday at noon (TV-ESPN2; WPHT-1210AM) and in 2022. The 5-10, 207-pound Washington is the second-leading Skechers Womens Outlet receiver for the Nittany Lions with 57 receptions for 722 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-1, 184-pound Lambert...

2021 is nearly up, and we’ve pumped out all of our lists about the best sneakers of the year. We’ve ranked the best sneakers, the best Air Jordans, and the best new designs. But here’s where the real fun starts: Where we each editor gets to discuss their personal top five sneakers from the past 12 months. There’s usually consensus picks for the top shoes of the year. If you were to create a time capsule that would be opened in 100 years, there are things you’d want the list to contain. But the top 10 best shoes of the year might not always be someone’s personal favorites. And we know that an obscure model isn’t the best representation when ranking the best sneakers. Hoka Shoes ,This is the chance to include shoes that impacted all eight of us in 2021. Nike SB Dunks, Air Jordans, Virgil ...

As the new year rapidly approaches, running-shoe companies are dropping hints about the technologies and designs they plan to roll out in 2022. Based on what we’ve seen, it promises to be a banner year for running footwear, with refined tech pushing the limits at the top end and trickle-down innovations appearing across categories and price points. Here are a few models that we’re most excited about training and racing in. Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite ($220) Puma FAST-R Nitro Elite (Photo: 101 Degrees West) Evolving the Super Shoe Easily the most eye-catching shoe promised in the new year, the Puma Fast-R is a novel evolution of the Deviate Nitro Elite marathon racer that Molly Seidel wore to a bronze-medal finish in this year’s Olympic marathon. The Fast-R features all the familiar ingredi...

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Jason Bateman was named the 2022 Man of the Year by Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals on Thursday, the first recipient of the award since 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Bateman, an actor, producer and director on the Netflix series “Ozark," who also played a starring role in “Arrested Development," will be given his pudding pot at a roast on Feb. 3, the theater troupe said in a statement. “We are stoked to present Jason Bateman with the 55th annual Hasty Pudding Man of the Year award. It’s been a hot minute since we’ve handed one of these out, so we figured we’d give it to the guy who all our moms have crushes on after watching ‘Ozark,’” organization President Nick Amador said. The last Man of the Year was Ben Platt...

By MICHAEL R. SISAK, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Revelers will still ring in the new year in New York's Times Square next week, there just won't be as many of them as usual under new restrictions announced Thursday as the city grapples with a spike in COVID-19 cases. Viewing areas that normally accommodate about 58,000 people will be limited to about 15,000 to allow for more distancing, and everyone in attendance must show proof of vaccination and wear a mask, Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a news release announcing the changes. “There is a lot to celebrate and these additional safety measures Hey Dudes Shoes will keep the fully vaccinated crowd safe and healthy as we ring in the New Year," de Blasio said, noting the city's success in getting residents vaccina...