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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In a groundbreaking feat, NASA’s lunar orbiting spacecraft is sending back the clearest images yet of a crater sculpted by a SpaceX rocket’s collision.
Tuesday saw the release of NASA’s before-and-after images spotlighting the site of this cosmic crash.
This incident involved the Falcon rocket’s upper stage, which slammed into the lunar surface at an astonishing speed of 5,400 mph (8,700 kph) on August 5. After a yearlong drift in the vacuum of space, it brought with it a couple of private moon landers equipped with experiments, alongside a miniature rover, as part of NASA’s initiative to encourage commercial ventures in lunar discovery.
Recent images captured by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter reveal that the newly formed crater spans 60 feet (18 meters) wide and plunges less than 10 feet (3 meters) deep, as per initial scientific assessments.
Visually striking dark and bright streaks fan out from the crater, with the darker streaks signifying ancient material near the surface, shaped over time by cosmic forces such as solar winds and meteor impacts. The brighter trails capture freshly upturned rocks and soil, flung up from deeper subsurface layers.
The spacecraft photographed the crater a week after the collision from 60 miles (96 kilometers) up, while zooming along at one mile per second. Flight controllers had to tilt the spacecraft so its cameras pointed toward the impact scene.
The orbiter completes a lunar polar orbit every two hours, as the moon rotates beneath. It took six days before the crash scene came into view.
South Korea’s Danuri spacecraft was first on the scene to beam back photos.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has been orbiting the moon since 2009, serving as NASA’s up-close eyes as the space agency works to return astronauts to the lunar surface.
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Californians have identified the worst traffic headache in the state, and surprisingly, it’s not located in Los Angeles.
The notorious “MacArthur Maze,” nestled near the Bay Bridge, has claimed the title of California’s most dreaded commute. It has surpassed even the infamous freeway congestion that habitually plagues Southern California, grinding traffic to a halt.
In a recent survey conducted by Resume.io, 3,017 employees were asked how much of their annual income they would give up to eliminate their daily travel woes.
According to the Mercury News, respondents expressed a willingness to forgo $3,220 just to avoid the intricate tangle of I-80, I-580, and I-880.
Importantly, this figure does not account for the additional savings commuters would enjoy by reducing fuel consumption and minimizing vehicle maintenance costs.
It was simply based on how much they would hypothetically be willing to give up to get that time back in their lives each day.
The portion of US 101-Hollywood Freeway in Los Angeles, connecting the City of Angeles to the San Fernando Valley, came in as a close second, at $3,112 to avoid the nightmare area.
Taking the third place spot was the part of the I-405 through Sepulveda Pass, connecting the west side of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Workers said they would give up a little more than $3,000 to skip this part of their commute everyday.
The online survey, which was taken in July 2026, also found 46% of those polled said they were willing to turn down a job if the commute to work was going to be too hard or long.
The emotional toll a stressful commute can garner was one of the greatest costs for one-third of those who responded.
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However, the city with the worst traffic in the US, is still held by LA, where Angelenos are spending more than a full workday –– 8 hours and 27 minutes –– in traffic every week.
“It may be the City of Angels, but traffic in Los Angeles can be downright devilish,” reads the latest report by Consumer Affairs that ranked America’s 50 most populous cities on commute times, traffic congestion and fatal crash rates. LA climbed up from last year’s No. 2 rank on the list.
Angelenos are spending 36 minutes more per week than last year stuck in traffic, with an average daily commute time of around 30 minutes –– the sixth highest daily commute in the US.
The same report placed San Francisco as having the fourth-worst traffic in the country. Drivers in the Bay Area spend an average of 5 hours and 56 minutes in congestion each week.
In an unexpected twist, ESPN’s heartfelt homage to its creator, Bill Rasmussen, met an abrupt interruption, replaced by a boisterous welcome to The Pat McAfee Show.
During the closing moments of First Take, the show aimed to honor Rasmussen’s substantial contributions. The man behind the concept of 24/7 sports broadcasting had recently passed at 93, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped sports media.
Reflecting on Rasmussen’s profound influence, personalities Evan Cohen, Jason McCourty, and Chris Canty shared poignant memories, while a tribute graphic adorned the screen. Host Courtney Cronin was in the midst of her closing remarks, beginning with ‘his legacy lives on’.
However, her solemn delivery was unexpectedly halted by the exuberant voice of Pat McAfee, who burst onto the airwaves with: ‘Hello and welcome to the Thunderdome beautiful people!’
Transitioning swiftly to his dynamic setting, the ex-NFL punter continued with flair: ‘And welcome to our humble abode, the DraftKings Thunderdome on this big ball Tuesday.’
The awkward end to the tribute quickly generated attention on social media, particularly given it involved McAfee, who has become a controversial new face of the network as one of its highest-paid employees.
ESPN botched its own tribute to founder Bill Rasmussen at the end of First Take
The booming voice of Pat McAfee interrupted the tribute as he started his show for the day
ESPN has invested heavily in McAfee, funding his show with a $30-million-a-year contract while making a host of cuts in other areas. He is also set for a pay rise, according to reports, as talks continue over an extension of his contract.
Cronin broke news of Rasmussen’s passing earlier in the show after his battle with Parkinson’s disease ended in his Florida home.
‘He was a sports fan turned broadcaster and entrepreneur who’s out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour, cable sports network, ESPN, changed forever the landscape of sports media,’ she said.
‘Bill was a remarkable man – a visionary and an innovator who conceived the idea of a network entirely devoted to sports,’ said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
‘Quite simply, none of us would be here today if it wasn’t for Bill’s passion and all the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit he put into building ESPN in the late 1970s – key aspects of our company culture that still carry on to this day.’
Pitaro added: ‘One of my greatest thrills since joining ESPN was getting to know Bill on a personal level. I will always cherish the memory of catching the ceremonial first pitch that he threw at Fenway Park in Boston in celebration of our 40th anniversary. His legacy will always be a part of ESPN.’
Rasmussen is survived by his two sons, Scott and Glenn, daughter Lynn, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He lost Lois, his wife of 56 years, back in 2011.
The Chicago-born executive conceived the idea of ESPN with his son, Scott, in the 1970s after being fired as communications director of the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association.
Rasmussen died on Tuesday in his Florida home at the age of 93 after having Parkinson’s
Tributes have been paid to Rasmussen, who’s ‘game-changing’ idea revolutionized sports
While many initially dismissed his idea, he launched ESPN in 1.4 million homes on September 7, 1979. After serving as the company’s first president and CEO, he left after a few years having laid the groundwork for its astronomical success.
‘Bill was our George Washington and a good friend,’ said veteran anchor Chris Berman, who joined ESPN three weeks after the original network launch in 1979.
‘He was such a grateful person and every sports fan can be grateful for Bill. He wasn’t a glass half-full guy; his glass was always overflowing with optimism. He greeted everyone with a smile and we can all smile knowing Bill’s legacy.’
Rasmussen revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019. He became an ‘ambassador for Parkinson’s patients through both the American Parkinson Disease Association and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research,’ per ESPN.
Inset: Steven Shannon (Allen County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Allen County Jail in Fort Wayne, Ind. (Google Maps).
A man from Indiana has been detained after he allegedly went to his ex-girlfriend’s residence and launched a violent attack on her new partner, with the purported aim of committing murder.
Steven Shannon, aged 47, faces charges of attempted murder following a violent encounter at his former girlfriend’s home in Fort Wayne, Indiana, this past Sunday.
Local CBS affiliate WANE reported that police were called to the scene around 9:30 p.m., where they discovered a man who had been severely beaten. Witnesses at the scene allegedly identified Shannon as the aggressor, and his ex-girlfriend informed the police that Shannon had allegedly sent several menacing texts, warning he intended to “battle” her current boyfriend.
Court records obtained by WANE reveal that Shannon’s text messages to his ex-girlfriend included the ominous statement, “if he’s still there that means he’s prepared to do battle,” further suggesting that the confrontation would be “to the death.”
When police tracked down Shannon, he claimed that he only went to his ex-girlfriend’s house to make sure she was not using drugs. He told police he entered through the home’s back door, like he did when he lived there. Shannon also claimed that he was the one who was beaten during the alleged fight and that the victim was the one wielding a knife. According to court documents, Shannon told police that he and the other man were “tussling” before he purportedly “blacked out” and left the home.
The woman told police Shannon left her home when he heard sirens.
Shannon was booked into the Allen County Jail, where he is being held on $120,000 bond. He is due to appear in court on Aug. 31.
The post Man showed up at ex’s house to fight her new boyfriend ‘to the death,’ ripped door from hinges to get inside, police say first appeared on Law & Crime.
For generations, Australians have celebrated the enduring spirit of the “Aussie battler,” a symbol of resilience and determination. However, as time has marched on, there’s a growing debate over whether this iconic spirit has faded, overshadowed by a more modern tendency to grumble. This topic is at the heart of the Insight episode, “Wired to Whinge,” now available to stream on SBS On Demand.
I consider myself an expert in the world of complaints, and I’m not shy about admitting it.
My track record in lodging complaints speaks for itself. I’ve managed to secure a $400 reimbursement from my bank after it failed to deliver a new transaction card before my international trip, not to mention obtaining compensation for medical expenses from an airline when a friend’s mother was injured during a flight.
Relentless in my efforts and not easily deterred, I press on until I achieve results.
Surprisingly, my journey as a professional complainer didn’t start this way.
Born in the 50s, I grew up mostly in Sydney’s inner-west in a time when even an eye roll was perhaps considered subversive of the notion that we shouldn’t complain too much.
Because of this, I was always terrified of being seen as a whinger and would bury any grievances I had about all the ways women were treated.
Then feminists such as Germaine Greer and Betty Friedan hit my consciousness at around age 15, and I realised how much women endured, which made me have newfound respect for my mum.
Despite this awareness, I continued for the next decade to put up with many experiences I believed were just typical for young women.
I didn’t complain when I spent half a day getting ready for a date, and they’d show up looking like they just fell out of bed; I didn’t complain when my bum was pinched as a barmaid or when I’d have to lock myself in a storeroom to avoid the advances of a coworker.
Complaining meant you had no sense of humour and took yourself too seriously.
It wasn’t until my mid-20s, working as a social worker, mostly in the criminal justice system, that I was surrounded by many women who taught me I didn’t need to put up with it.
‘I’m not going to keep my mouth shut anymore’
Then, when I was a 34-year-old mother of two, I earned my law degree and really felt empowered to complain, as it taught me how to navigate the systems and rules that structure society.
I thought, “I know the system. I know how it’s supposed to work, so I’m not going to keep my mouth shut anymore.”
As a social worker and solicitor, who also worked for the NSW Ombudsman, I’ve learnt a lot from other “professional complainers” over the past four decades — even if some seemed worn from battling bureaucracy and institutions.
My “professional complaining” has largely been advocating for others for housing and those experiencing addiction. People call me up with an issue they need help with, and they know I’ll gladly open my big mouth and advocate for them, wasting no time to get their issues resolved.
How to complain successfully
I think people could complain more, but they don’t know how to do it successfully; there is a process you must follow to be a good complainer.
My “Charter of Complaining” has two main rules to follow.
The first rule is: do it in writing. Making a telephone complaint is often a complete waste of time, as a conversation can be ignored or forgotten. Creating a written artefact makes it much more difficult to be ignored; a document or email is a thing which needs to be dealt with.
The second rule of complaining is to target the proper decision maker. There is little point in complaining to the call centre worker based offshore — that’s just bullying. You need to target the person with the power to address the problem.
I’d also say, learn the system. Work out that if you get knocked back for your pension, you can complain about it, and then you can go to the tribunal about it, and then you can go to various courts about it.
‘A civic duty’
At my age, I feel I have earned the right to speak my mind when the situation requires it — always in complete sentences, with correct grammar and supporting evidence.
As well as being a professional complainer, I’m now also a professional ‘complainee’ as a university lecturer.
Some students seemingly see it as their right to complain about pretty much everything — from having to physically borrow a book from the library, to having to show up for class.
I am either the Wicked Witch of the West or Glinda the Good in my end-of-semester evaluations from students — there is no middle ground.
But I get it and see complaining as a civic duty for those of us with the wherewithal to do it.
With confidence and knowledge of how systems work, complaining can be an exercise of citizenship which supports our democratic processes. If you can write a decent letter or email about something that might be affecting lots of other people, then you should do it.
Complaining about social issues is a very valuable thing, as you don’t have social change without social action. Speaking up about faulty systems means that change can happen.
Putting up and shutting up means that things stay the same.
In a dramatic courtroom moment on Tuesday, prosecutors sought to leverage religious beliefs in their case against Lindsay Clancy, questioning her Catholic mother-in-law about the sinfulness of murder. Their line of inquiry aimed to establish that Clancy comprehended her actions when she tragically took the lives of her children, countering the defense’s narrative of postpartum psychosis.
Lindsay Clancy, aged 36, faces charges of first-degree murder following the deaths of her young children—Cora, Dawson, and Callan—all under the age of six. They were found strangled in their home in Duxbury in 2023. The prosecution wrapped up their arguments on Monday morning.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham posed a pointed question to Susan Clancy, Lindsay’s devout mother-in-law, asking if she believed murder to be a “mortal sin.”
Dramatic Moment in Court as Postpartum Mother Lindsay Clancy’s Trial is Disrupted by Emotional Breakdown
In a scene marked by tension, Susan Clancy, the mother-in-law of the accused, delivered her testimony during the high-profile murder trial in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)
Susan Clancy didn’t answer the question, and Judge William Sullivan immediately called a sidebar and struck the remark from the record.
Susan Clancy told jurors Tuesday that she had concerns about Lindsay’s mental health during the 2022 holiday season, though she described her as a devoted mother.
Lindsay Clancy listens to her mother Paula Musgrove on the witness stand during her murder trial in Plymouth Superior Court, in Plymouth, Mass., Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.(Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)
“Lindsay was struggling. We were all very concerned,” Susan Clancy said. “She was very nurturing, very loving. She was a wonderful mother. Wonderful.”
Susan Clancy said she began seeing a decline in Lindsay’s mental health in November 2022.
“She reached out to me in November and told me that she felt unwell,” Susan Clancy said. “She felt… Mostly she had insomnia. She was losing her appetite. She was very anxious and sad.”
“She was begging for help,” Susan Clancy said.
Paula Musgrove, mother of Lindsay Clancy, enters the courtroom to take the witness stand during her daughter’s murder trial in Plymouth Superior Court, in Plymouth, Mass., Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.(Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)
Paula Musgrove, Lindsay Clancy’s mother, also told jurors about the mental health problems. In an Oct. 20, 2022 text message, Lindsay Clancy asked her mother for help.
A copy of a text Lindsay Clancy sent to her mother is displayed during Clancy’s murder trial in Plymouth Superior Court, Plymouth, Mass., Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.(Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)
“Mom, will you please come up and stay with me for a bit? I’m really sick. Something is wrong. I had horrible insomnia all night, and I just don’t know how I am going to get through the day… It’s just really scary, and I don’t want to be alone,” the text read.
Musgrove said she wasn’t concerned about the children’s safety.
Lindsay Clancy’s defense team will continue presenting its case Wednesday morning as her defense team seeks to convince jurors that she was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis when she killed her children.
A history teacher from Beverly Hills, who spent three decades imparting knowledge, found herself experiencing severe distress after losing her job. The turmoil came in the wake of a Facebook post criticizing pro-Trump rhetoric following a Make America Great Again rally held at her school. This firing resulted in panic attacks, feelings of nausea, and physical tremors, as detailed in a recent lawsuit.
Joanie Garratt, an accomplished educator and Harvard alumna, was dismissed just days after the 2024 election. The termination was attributed to her social media post that lambasted Trump supporters celebrating their victory at the high school, according to legal documents.
During the rally, students adorned in MAGA hats and Trump-themed attire proudly waved flags. However, the event was marred by allegations that some individuals directed racial slurs at the Black Student Union, uttering inflammatory statements such as “deport all Mexicans.” These claims are a part of the lawsuit filed and reviewed by the California Post.
In response, Garratt took to social media to denounce what she described as “bullying,” accusing the students of “harassing & intimidating” their peers. She further attributed this behavior to what she termed the influence of “His Majesty, King Trump.”
Joanie Garratt’s dismissal came on November 13, 2024, when Mathew Horvath, the assistant superintendent, informed her that her return to the classroom was unwelcome. The decision, Horvath explained, was directly tied to her controversial Facebook post, as outlined in her lawsuit.
Garratt claims the firing caused severe emotional distress, sleeplessness, nausea, weight loss, tremors, humiliation and “irreparable harm to her reputation.”
The suit cites BHUSD policy stating employees cannot be disciplined for personal beliefs or activities unless they violate the law or district rules.
Garratt, who filed a wrongful termination claim shortly after her firing, is seeking general and special damages and is represented by attorney V. James DeSimone.
“Joanie’s post, which criticized harassment at the rally and attributed student conduct to political rhetoric whipped up as part of Donald Trump’s re-election strategy, is constitutionally protected speech,” DeSimone told The Post.
The Beverly Hills High School Unified School District was contacted by The Post for comment.
Hayden Panettiere was discovered unresponsive in a living room chair by the brother of her boyfriend, as reported by TMZ.
An unnamed source revealed that it was Zach Hickerson who found the actress around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The source further reported that her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, had been resting in a bedroom within the Greenville, South Carolina loft during the incident.
Upon their inability to wake Hayden, Zach and Brian quickly dialed 911. Emergency medical services worked tirelessly for roughly an hour, but ultimately, she was pronounced dead before them, as detailed in the police report.
Officers on the scene noted that Zach was visibly distressed while the paramedics administered CPR, whereas Brian’s reaction was more subdued until the official declaration of Hayden’s passing.
After cops arrived, Brian allegedly then showed police a ‘bag of medication’ that Panettiere had been taking at the time of her death.
Hayden Panettiere’s on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother were in the South Carolina apartment where the actress died, police say
Panettiere first began dating Brian in 2018, however their on-off relationship became tumultuous as he was arrested several times on domestic violence charges
The Heroes star’s on-off boyfriend Brian was in the apartment where she died alongside his brother Zach (above together) who reportedly discovered her unresponsive
The heavily redacted police report said officers arrived at 1.50pm, and officers found multiple EMS and firemen performing CPR for ‘an extended amount of time’ on the actress, ‘who did not seem to have any obvious physical reasons to be unresponsive.’
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has said Panettiere’s cause of death remains under investigation, however audio of the 911 call from her apartment showed a dispatcher described it as a ‘cardiac arrest.’
A dispatcher could be heard in the audio saying that Panettiere had suffered a suspected overdose, and sources told TMZ that Narcan – a nasal medication used to treat an opioid overdose – was also found on a mattress at the property.
Panettiere first began dating Brian in 2018, however their on-off relationship became tumultuous as he was arrested several times on domestic violence charges.
Panettiere had spoken of her troubled childhood in the spotlight in recent months and revealed intimate details of her relationship with Brian in her memoir published three months before her death.
She had an 11-year-old daughter with her ex-partner Wladimir Klitschko, a former boxer turned Ukrainian government official who has full custody of the youngster.
In her memoir, titled This Is Me: A Reckoning, Panettiere alleged that Hickerson once beat her so severely that she had to remain in her house for weeks to keep her injuries from the public.
She said she tried to keep the alleged abuse from the police because she feared the public would find out, and described her relationship as a ‘very dark and complicated time in my life.’
In one incident, Brian was arrested in May 2019, and court records show he was charged with injuring a spouse or girlfriend. He pleaded no contest to the allegations in April 2021, and he was sentenced to 45 days in county jail and four years’ probation.
Just three days before Panettiere’s death, Brian’s request to reduce his past felony charges was denied by a judge.
Panettiere’s relationship with Brian appeared to end in 2020, and in July of that year she filed for a restraining order against him. The outcome of her request is not stated in court records.
The Greenville Police Department said in a statement that ‘the preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances,’ and an autopsy found ‘no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.’
Panettiere died in the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, where she was temporarily staying
Panettiere died aged 36 on Sunday after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest
Panettiere had an 11-year-old daughter called Kaya following a life-threatening birth, but later gave full custody to her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko
The star and her on-off real estate agent boyfriend were said to have flown from Los Angeles to South Carolina, where he is from, one day before she died.
Panettiere welcomed daughter Kaya following a life-threatening birth, but later gave full custody to her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
The star began acting as a child, appearing in soap operas, then gained wider recognition for her role in the 2000 sports drama Remember the Titans with Denzel Washington, and as the voice of Dot in Pixar’s 1998 film A Bug’s Life.
Panettiere later found fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes before starring as country singer Juliette Barnes for six seasons on Nashville.
She earned two Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actress on the show, while her singing produced 11 entries on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.
Panettiere’s film credits include 2006’s Bring It On: All or Nothing, the comedy-drama film Raising Helen, and appearances in Scream 4 and Scream VI as Kirby Reed.
Renowned for his drumming prowess with the iconic blues rock band ZZ Top, Frank Beard has passed away at 77 years old.
A statement released on Tuesday by the band’s publicist confirmed the news of Beard’s passing, revealing he was in hospice and surrounded by family at his Richmond, TX ranch. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
In March 2025, the band shared on their official X account that Beard had taken a temporary break from their ongoing tour due to an undisclosed health concern, expressing optimism for his swift recovery.
Drummer Frank Beard of ZZ Top performs onstage during Day 1 of the 2023 Stagecoach Festival on April 28, 2023 in Indio, California.Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Stagecoach
Born on June 11, 1949, in Frankston, Texas, Beard became part of the Houston music scene in 1969 with The Moving Sidewalks, which included Billy Gibbons as a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. Soon after, the band rebranded to ZZ Top, launching their career after a lineup change that brought in bassist Dusty Hill. Their debut record, fittingly called “ZZ Top’s First Album,” was released in 1971.
Recalling their initial encounter, Billy Gibbons shared in the 2019 documentary “ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas” that he immediately recognized Beard’s drumming skills as exactly what he was seeking, saying, “It didn’t take 30 minutes; it didn’t take 30 seconds.”
“He played fiercely. He played with determination,” Gibbons said.The band’s follow-up, 1972’s “Rio Grande Mud,” featured the modest chart hit “Francine.” But it was ZZ Top’s breakout third album, 1973’s “Tres Hombres,” that put them on the map, largely on the strength of the album’s lead single, the blues rock boogie “La Grange.”
Featuring Beard’s signature snare-rim-tapping triplets intro beneath Billy Gibbons’ sly, growling vocals, then dropping into a hard-pounding shuffle groove two dozen bars in, “La Grange” helped propel “Tres Hombres” into the top 10 of the Billboard 200 all-genre albums chart on the way to becoming RIAA-certified gold for sales of more than 500,000 units.With a lineup unchanged for over half a century, the “Little ‘Ol Band from Texas” released 15 studio albums during Beard’s tenure, the latest being 2012’s “La Futura,” with nine of them reaching RIAA gold or platinum status. Of those, however, the biggest-selling remains 1983’s “Eliminator,” which sold more than 10 million units in the U.S. alone and includes the hits “Sharp-Dressed Man” and “Gimme All Your Lovin'” – both propelled by Beard’s hammering, driving backbeat – and “Legs.” The latter, the band’s highest-charting single, featured neither Beard nor bassist Hill, though they were credited.Other signature ZZ Top songs on which Beard played include “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide,” “Tush,” “Tube Snake Boogie,” “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” “Cheap Sunglasses,” “I Thank You,” “Beer Drinkers
Are your upper arms starting to show unwanted jiggle now that you’re over 50? Discover four simple standing exercises that can make a difference.
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As we age, especially past 50, it’s common for the skin on our upper arms to appear looser. This change is often due to a natural decline in muscle mass and the body’s shifting fat storage patterns. Many individuals turn to spending more hours at the gym, tackling isolated curls and tricep exercises, hoping that increased repetitions will swiftly tone their arms. However, as a seasoned trainer, I’ve observed that a more holistic strategy involves engaging the shoulders, triceps, chest, upper back, and core collectively through functional standing exercises. By developing muscle across the upper body, you’ll cultivate not only stronger, but also more capable arms, enhancing your overall body’s function and movement.
No need for lengthy gym sessions to give your arms an effective workout. Standing exercises are particularly efficient in this regard, as they compel your upper body to exert itself while your legs and core stabilize your stance, promoting a full-body workout with each repetition. This approach also refines posture, coordination, and balance, frequently leading to arms appearing more sculpted, largely because you stand taller and move with greater confidence. The aim here is to build functional strength rather than simply pursuing an incessant pump from isolated movements.
Over my years of guiding those over 50, I’ve witnessed impressive transformations in individuals who reliably execute basic movements with precision. The four exercises I recommend specifically target the muscles responsible for stronger, firmer arms, while simultaneously treating the body as an integrated system. Minimal equipment is required, allowing these exercises to seamlessly fit into a morning routine, a workout during your lunch break, or a quick evening session. By practicing them consistently and emphasizing controlled repetitions, you’ll provide your upper body with a compelling reason to retain muscle strength as you age.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
Standing Overhead Press
The overhead press deserves a place in almost every upper-body routine because it trains the shoulders and triceps together while forcing the core to stabilize your torso. I especially like this standing variation because your entire body contributes to keeping you balanced as you press. Stronger shoulders provide the foundation for nearly every reaching and lifting task you perform throughout the day. As your pressing strength improves, everyday activities such as placing dishes on a high shelf or lifting a light box overhead become easier. Use light dumbbells or resistance bands at first and prioritize smooth, controlled movement over heavy resistance.
How to Do It
Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart.
Hold light dumbbells at shoulder height.
Tighten your core and keep your chest lifted.
Press both weights overhead.
Stop before locking your elbows aggressively.
Lower slowly to shoulder height.
Perform 10 to 12 repetitions.
The 10-Minute Wall Routine That Rebuilds Knee Strength After 60
Standing Resistance Band Row
Firm-looking arms require strong pulling muscles just as much as strong pushing muscles. Resistance band rows target the upper back, rear shoulders, and biceps while encouraging you to keep your chest open and shoulders properly positioned. I frequently use rows with clients who want better-looking arms because stronger upper-back muscles improve posture and create a more balanced upper body. The movement also counteracts the rounded posture that often develops from years of sitting at desks, driving, or looking down at screens. Every controlled pull gives your arms and back a reason to stay strong.
How to Do It
Secure a resistance band at about chest height.
Stand tall while holding one end in each hand.
Keep your arms extended in front of you.
Pull your elbows backward.
Squeeze your shoulder blades together.
Pause briefly.
Return your hands forward with control.
Complete 12 to 15 repetitions.
4 Chair Exercises That Restore Leg Strength Faster Than Lifting Weights After 65
Standing Triceps Kickback
The triceps make up a significant portion of your upper arm, so strengthening them deserves plenty of attention when your goal involves firmer-looking arms. This standing variation allows you to isolate the triceps without requiring a complicated machine or heavy load. I want clients to focus on keeping their upper arms still while extending the elbows because swinging the weights shifts work away from the target muscles. Slow repetitions create much more productive tension than rushing through a long set. As your triceps grow stronger, pushing, lifting, and carrying tasks also become easier.
How to Do It
Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
Hold a light dumbbell in each hand.
Hinge forward slightly while keeping your back flat.
Pull your elbows behind your body.
Straighten your arms behind you.
Squeeze the triceps at the end of the movement.
Bend your elbows slowly.
Perform 10 to 15 repetitions.
Standing Cross-Body Punches
I like finishing with cross-body punches because they combine arm endurance with core stability and gentle rotational movement. Every punch challenges the shoulders and triceps while your abdominal muscles stabilize your torso and your legs keep you grounded. Unlike an isolated arm exercise, this movement keeps multiple muscle groups working continuously, making it an excellent way to finish a short workout. The steady rhythm also raises your heart rate without requiring complicated equipment. Focus on control rather than speed, and you’ll feel your shoulders and arms working hard by the end of the set.
