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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...

By DANICA KIRKA, Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II in her Christmas Day message shared the pain she felt after the death of her husband as she encouraged people everywhere to celebrate with friends and family, despite the grief caused by the ongoing pandemic. Saying she understood the difficulty of spending the holiday season “with one familiar laugh missing,” the monarch delivered her address beside a framed Asics Running Shoes  photograph of her arm-in-arm with Prince Philip, who died in April at age 99. On her right shoulder was the same sapphire chrysanthemum brooch she wore in the photo — a glittering statement pin that she also wore as a newlywed. “Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for tho...

LONDON (AP) — Scottish singer Tom Walker praised the piano skills of the Duchess of Cambridge after the pair recorded a Christmas tune that was shown during a carol concert. Walker, 30, performed a new song, “For Those Who Can’t Be Here," accompanied by the 39-year-old Kate playing the piano, in a prerecorded segment shown during the concert broadcast on ITV on Friday. Walker said he had kept the performance a secret — even from his mother. “She was in floods of tears watching it on the telly,’’ he told the BBC. “It was beautiful.” Walker had performed at a charity event in front of the duchess, and when asked to play at the carol service he offered to perform a song the public hadn't yet heard. “So I sent it over to the team and they absolutely lov...

By HYUNG-JIN KIM, Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Three members of the K-pop superstar group BTS have been infected with the coronavirus after returning from abroad, their management agency said. RM and Jin were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Saturday evening, the Big Hit Music agency said in a statement. It earlier said another member, Suga, tested positive for the virus on Friday. All three took their second jabs in August, the agency said. BTS is a seven-member boyband. The four other members are J-Hope, Jungkook, V and Jimin. According to the agency, RM has exhibited no particular symptoms Clarks Womens Shoes while Jin is showing mild symptoms including light fever and is undergoing self-treatment at home. The agency said Friday that Suga...