Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jasmine Paolini to claim the WTA Finals title, earning her the year-end world number one spot.
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sabalenka, the reigning US Open champion, won 6-3, 6-1 to defeat the fatigued Italian.
Sabalenka won her 60th game of the year and her 12th against a top-10 opponent when she defeated world number eight Paolini.
Sabalenka, a Belarusian, has spent 63 weeks overall at the top of the world, including 55 consecutive weeks since October, 2013.
After Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek won the opening match, defending champion Coco Gauff takes on fellow American Jessica Pegula on Sunday in the Stefanie Graf Group second match.
Sabalenka has won the title five times in a row, but she hasn’t qualified for the year-end Finals. In 2022, she came in second behind Caroline Garcia.
Paolini, who is the only player competing in both singles and doubles, was absolutely fantastic against the 29-year-old.
Sabalenka produced 24 winners overpowering the agile Paolini and 11 aces in 66% of first-serve points.
Before Sabalenka started winning six games in a row to end the first set and take a 4-0 lead into the second, the pair traded breaks in the first set.
Paolini got on the board and let Sabalenka score, but Paolini didn’t really threaten until the next game when big first serves gave her the lead.
In a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) victory over Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider, third seeds Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand, won the doubles match.
Victoria Mboko, a 19-year-old Canadian, won the Hong Kong Open 7-5 6-7 (9-11) 6-2 to extend her remarkable year.
Amy Dowden has battled hell and back ever since she was 32 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she is now supporting a new breast check app that she hopes will “save lives.”
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Amy’s harrowing breast cancer battle has made her determined to help other women(Image: PA)
Amy Dowden’s life changed forever in May 2023 when, aged just 32, she was diagnosed with breast cancer – a discovery made only a day before flying to the Maldives for her honeymoon with husband Benjamin Jones.
The Strictly Come Dancing professional was left “traumatised and devastated” but chose to confront her fear head-on, documenting her treatment to raise awareness and encourage others to check themselves regularly. Her honesty and strength inspired millions, and she has since become one of the UK’s most recognisable advocates for early cancer detection.
After celebrating the all-clear in February 2024, Amy’s mission hasn’t slowed down. Determined to save more lives, she has now joined forces with fellow survivor Gemma Ainger to launch My Breast Friend –a brilliant, totally free app designed to make self-checks simple, stigma-free and routine.
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Users can privately log any changes using the app’s gentle monthly reminders. According to its creators, “checking your boobs, chest, or pecs shouldn’t feel frightful or clinical.” They hope to bring about normalization of conversations about breast health.
Amy says she immediately wanted to get involved because she is first-hand experts on how crucial early detection can be. She explains, “I have a sense of the value of early detection from my own diagnosis.” It “can quite simply save lives,” he said.
My Breast Friend aims to make self-examinations as simple as brushing your teeth in the morning because one in seven women in the UK are expected to have breast cancer at some point in their lives and nearly half of them will admit to doing so.
Opening up about the shock of her own breast cancer diagnosis, Amy – who also has Crohn’s Disease – tells us: “I never, ever thought at 32 that I would be diagnosed with breast cancer. If I wasn’t checking myself, I wouldn’t be alive. The woman I’m working with behind the My Breast Friend app, Gemma – had she been checking her chest, her outcome could have been very different.”
Gemma, a marketing professional, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 42 after discovering a lump by accident in the shower.
She admitted she “rarely checked” herself without any symptoms or family history, and later pondered the possibility that regular self-examinations might have brought the illness to its apex sooner. Gemma, who was determined to change lives, used her experience to create My Breast Friend to aid in earlier detection of cancer.
Following Amy’s own traumatic diagnosis, the Strictly pro – who was partnered with Tom Skinner this year, who was sadly the first celebrity to leave the series – is on a mission to spread awareness.
“I want to do everything I can to raise awareness and spread the message to help others since I was diagnosed with breast cancer.” I’m so proud to now be able to negotiate my diagnosis.
“I’m finally feeling like myself once more. I’ve made it to Amy once more. I’ve regained my energy and hair, and I’m feeling so happy. However, you never forget the impact of having cancer and going through it throughout.
“My life has been completely transformed forever,” he said. However, I want to use the suffering I endured to help others and stop them from going through the same.”
The Strictly Come Dancing star admits that her life was turned completely upside down when she was diagnosed in May 2023, and the journey she went through has changed her forever.
I never anticipated that I would develop cancer. Unfortunately, breast cancer is not discriminatory, and sadly, more and more people are being diagnosed with it at such a young age.
Unfortunately, the cancer is more aggressive when it is younger. Therefore, it will essentially become the norm if people 18 and up check themselves out at the age of 18.
“When checking, there is nothing to worry about. You must first understand your body and your “normal,” so that when something doesn’t feel right, you can immediately check it.
Be kind to yourself, Amy says, offering nuggets of wisdom and advice to anyone who may be struggling with a cancer diagnosis right now. There are so many amazing healthcare professionals who can assist you, and there are so many different charities on which to rely.
Another crucial lesson is to never hold anything in. Because you can’t control your thoughts or feelings, you really need to talk to your loved ones about how you’re feeling.
She continues emotionally, “I can recall when one of the lovely nurses told me, “Amy, don’t hold it all in.” She actually encouraged me to cry and let it all out by reminding me that it was okay to feel what I was feeling.
“It was the best thing I could have done. When I cried, I released all these emotions that I was forcing down. I realised in those moments that I didn’t always have to be brave and that it was okay to break down and show some weakness.
You must pat yourself on the back for making it through, regardless of what you do next or where you go. Keep in mind all of your small victories. This too shall pass and Don’t get bitter, get better are two phrases that kept playing in my head throughout the entire experience. “
Amy acknowledges that sharing her cancer journey sometimes made her want to obliterate everyone and everything. But she persevered, realizing that speaking out might be able to save lives later on.
“There were times where I felt as though I just wanted to shut off from the world. I didn’t want to share updates or discuss what I was going through. But at the end of the day, if there’s one positive that would come from all of my oversharing was that hopefully even one person would be more inclined to check themselves. To me, it was just all about that. It was about saving lives.
“I had a lot of thought about mortality.” It’s frightful. When you’re in such a dark place, your mind wanders to the most bizarre places. I anticipated the worst after receiving my initial diagnosis and while I was awaiting confirmation of the plan of action. The worst possible scenario.
When you’re in these situations, you’re upset and emotional, and your mind wanders you there indescribably, causing the worst emotions inside of you. Despite everything, I’m still here.
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Download My Breast Friend from all major app stores. For more info please visit https://mybreastfriend.health
New evidence and cover-ups by Israeli and US governments are revealed in an investigation into Shireen Abu Akleh’s murder.
The murder of Palestinian American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was reporting in Jenin, West Bank, was the subject of this significant investigative documentary.
After months of exhaustive investigation, it finally discovers the identity of the Israeli sniper who killed her.
It examines efforts to bring justice to its own country through the US and Israeli governments’ opaque political systems.
Jennifer Aniston is currently in a relationship with Jim Curtis, who she previously had been married to from 2000 until 2005 and Justin Theroux from 2011 until 2017.
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Jennifer Aniston’s new boyfriend made a love admission (Image: Getty Images)
Jennifer Aniston’s boyfriend Jim Curtis has made a surprise romantic declaration via social media this week. The actress started romance rumours with the relationship guru and hypnotist earlier this year when they were spotted with each other in Spain.
They even took their relationship to the next level recently when he supported her at the season three premiere of her Apple TV+ drama The Morning Show. This week saw Jim answering questions on social media about love.
How can someone find love at the age of 42? He responded, “Amazing question, just like you do at 22 and 32, but with more experience, greater authenticity, and more confidence.”
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You are not a sailor. First, you must first acknowledge that you are the ideal age. and that 42 still means life is not over. You’ll look back and wish you were 42 when you’re 62 and 72 and wish you were.
“So let’s get going.” Open yourself to love, and leave. Make eye contact with your face and grin. Develop relationships with others, and most importantly, care for yourself. You will attract more love from others when you love yourself.
Jennifer seemed to confirm her new romance last month where she shared a set of photos on Instagram. One of the snaps seemed to feature her new man.
Although rumors have beencirculating since July, the pair have not yet confirmed their relationship. In July, Jennifer and Jim were seen together visiting Mallorca on a yacht.
According to a source, “They do everything together, they are always together, and they are on the phone all the time if they have to be away from one another.” It’s crazy because they are so hot and heavy.
“The amazing thing is that they click really well because they have the same interests like meditation, yoga, therapy and dogs.”
Jim wrote in his newsletter about challenging life experiences he had gone through following the couple’s trip to Mallorca. He remarked, “I never imagined that I would have the abundance, joy, and love I now experience on a daily basis when I was sick, sad, stuck, and in pain.”
“Life brings opportunity, but also brings struggle.” There is always the chance for something better to come along that is more free, more meaningful, and aligned.
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Jim made the decision to pursue a life coaching career in 1995 after suffering from severe nerve pain following his freshman year at the University of New Hampshire.
His spinal cord lesions were discovered during an MRI scan, forcing him to give up his active lifestyle and pursue healing.
No matter what kind of reaction he receives when he makes an Anfield return to Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold claims that his feelings for his former club Liverpool will never change.
On Tuesday, November 4, the Spanish giants take on the Reds in the Champions League league round.
Some Liverpool supporters criticized Alexander-Arnold for allowing his contract to expire before resigning in June for a reportedly reduced price of £8.4 million so he could compete against Real Madrid at the Fifa Club World Cup.
When asked if receiving a positive reception back at Anfield would bring him closure, the 27-year-old full-back replied, “No matter what, my feelings won’t change towards Liverpool.”
“I have memories there that will last a lifetime, and no matter how I’m received,” I said.
Alexander-Arnold was one of three senior Liverpool players entering their final year of contracts last year, along with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
In April, Van Dijk and Salah both agreed to new two-year contracts, which only led to the spotlight on the England defender.
Disgruntled supporters erected signs outside the ground to question his loyalty to the club, where he had won two league titles, the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup.
The fans decide how I’m received, Alexander-Arnold said. “The club is always my favorite. I’ll always be a club fan. I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities [Liverpool gave me], and everything we accomplished together will be forever with me.
He also stated that he would not celebrate if he scored against Liverpool, and that many of his former teammates kept in touch with him after the Champions League draw was announced.
Alexander-Arnold continued, “I spoke to Robbo]Andy Robertson], Mo [Salah], Ibu [Ibrahima Konate]. They were merely laughing, they said. Everyone was aware of what was going to happen, I believe. We’ll put our best foot forward and focus on playing the best football possible.
After recovering from a hamstring injury in a Champions League match against Marseille on September 16, Alexander-Arnold has only recently returned to the Real Madrid squad.
As 15-time European champions Real, led by another former Reds player in Xabi Alonso, fight for a fourth successive victory in this season’s competition, he is likely to start on the bench against Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold has struggled to fit into the first team, been dropped from the England squad, and has been sidelined due to injury since his Madrid move.
However, he praised Real’s England midfielder Jude Bellingham for assisting him in adapting.
Perrie Edwards, a former Little Mix star, recalls how her mental health suffered a troubling breakup with Zayn Malik, one of her former One Direction stars.
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Perrie Edwards shares devastating detail about breakup with Zayn Malik(Image: Instagram)
Perrie Edwards has revealed the devastating impact of her public break up with One Direction star Zayn Malik, and how it affected her mental health. She spoke about the “dark” time as part of Louis Theroux’s Girlbands Forever documentary, which explores the music industry for British singers over the last 25 years.
Many former girlband members looked back at a time where record companies had no regard for ‘duty of care’, in an era when the stars’ mental health was not taken into account. Members of bands like Sugababes, Little Mix, Eternal, All Saints and Atomic Kitten looked back at how they were treated by their managers in the 90s and early 00s.
Perrie, 32, won X Factor in 2011 alongside the other Little Mix girls – but her swift rise to fame left her in a dark place, particularly as it coincided with the growth of social media. She admitted: “I did start believing I’m not good at this, I’m ugly. People just say well, it’s what you signed up for.
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I wished I could sing for non-trolls, not people. That is something I didn’t want, and I didn’t consent to it. “She was relentlessly trolled by his fans when Perrie started seeing 1D star Zayn Malik. She remarked, “Social media was dark, it used to hurt me a lot.
The pair eventually got engaged, but their relationship ended in 2015 when they split up. Perrie recalled that, “You’re hurting enough, everyone else has a different opinion of you.” You can’t escape it, so you might as well just sing about it because everyone wants to know about your business and feels like they do.
Perrie wrote the song Shout Out To My Ex, Little Mix’s most popular single, about her breakup with Zayn. She recalled that while Little Mix was a pivotal moment, it was difficult to discuss that in public.
“I just hurt, and I had a lot of it in the background. Your mental health is greatly affected by it. Perrie’s mental health was about to suffer as a result when she left for Las Vegas in 2017 to perform with the girls.
She declared, “I didn’t want to go.” I was exhausted. When I attempted to leave the trip, I started having panic attacks when we arrived.
I ended up in a hospital because I didn’t know what was going on at the time or what anxiety was. I didn’t want to upset the girls, and I didn’t want to let them down. Without me, they had to do it, and I detested and deeply regretted doing it.
Perrie continued, “You can’t really be selfish when you’re in a group dynamic, even though you’re going through stuff individually. I therefore made an effort to make a face-up.
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Other claims made by artists in the documentary include allegations of forced abortions, pressure to lose weight at secluded ‘fat loss camps’ and bullying by record companies. Girlbands Forever is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
