In a civil lawsuit, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z have been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl at an afterparty for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. In an amended civil complaint, a woman identified as Jane Doe alleges she was raped by Combs, 55, and Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, during the party at a New York City residence. The accuser is now in her late 30s. The complaint, which was obtained by The Post, also claims the assault happened while an unnamed female celebrity watched. According to the document, the accuser was invited to the after-party by a limousine driver who claimed to work for the artist and told Jane Doe that the mogul liked younger girls and “fit what Diddy was looking for.” Prior to their interaction, she claimed she had been standing outside of Radio City Music Hall trying to get inside the VMAs and walking up to limousines that were dropping guests off at the venue. The plaintiff, who was 13 at the time of the alleged incident, alleged that she was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement when she arrived at the after-party and alleges she was later given a drink that she believes was drugged. The plaintiff claimed she was approached by Combs during the party, and he had a “crazed look in his eyes” as he allegedly told her, “You are ready to party!” according to the complaint. The accuser further alleged that Combs threw her toward a wall, where she fell down. She got up and “stumbled,” at which point Combs allegedly grabbed her again and “threw her on the bed,” the complaint states. The plaintiff claims that Jay-Z removed her clothes, held her down and raped her while Combs and an unidentified female celebrity watched. She alleged Combs also raped her as Jay-Z and the female celebrity watched. Jane Doe is seeking unspecified damages. Her attorney, Tony Buzbee, previously announced that he was representing more than 100 people accusing Combs of misconduct. The amended complaint was filed on Sunday and named Jay-Z, despite the initial complaint, filed in October, not referencing Jay-Z by name. Jay-Z’s lawyers have filed a motion asking a judge to dismiss the claim. He also wants the identity of the anonymous accuser to be “disclosed immediately” to the public. The Roc Nation founder, 55, defended himself against the allegations in a statement posted to social media on Sunday. Jay-Z, who has Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Rumi and Sir, 7, with Beyoncé, vehemently denied the claims and said his “only heartbreak is for my family.” “My wife and I will have to sit our children down , one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of young people,” his statement, posted on Roc Nation’s X account , read in part. “I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit,” the statement continued. A day later, the record executive stepped out alongside his wife and oldest daughter for the red carpet premiere of “Mufasa: The Lion King.” In the Disney film, Beyoncé is the voice of Nala while Blue Ivy voices lioness cub Kiara. Even his mother-in-law, Tina Knowles , attended the event and posed with the rapper. Hours earlier, Knowles claimed her social media account — which “liked” a post about the Jay-Z and Combs lawsuit — was hacked. Following the family’s night out, 50 Cent went online to troll Jay-Z for his attendance at the red carpet. The rapper, 49, posted pictures of the famous family at the event to his Instagram, writing , “Jay said they said I rapped [sic] a kid, everybody get dressed we going to see Mufasa LOL.” He has since deleted the post. Over the years, 50 Cent has notoriously trolled Combs and is now making a Netflix documentary about the sexual assault allegations against the disgraced mogul. Combs was arrested in September on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking and has been denied bail three times. He’s behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn while awaiting his May 2025 trial.
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SINGAPORE: On Nov 12, 2020, amid the chaos of a contentious United States presidential election and a global pandemic, Jiang Fan, president of Alibaba’s Taobao and Tmall platforms, took the stage to announce the performance of its 11.11 “Singles’ Day” shopping festival . The highlight was the total GMV (gross merchandise value) of 498.2 billion yuan (US$68.8 billion), a staggering 86 per cent increase compared to 2019. It was a moment of triumph for Chinese e-commerce – and the last time Alibaba launched the 11.11 with such fanfare. Since 2022, major Chinese e-commerce platforms have replaced GMV announcements with vague metrics, such as the number of small merchants doubling their sales or brands with over 100 million yuan in sales. For the recently concluded 2024 edition , Alibaba reported that 45 brands surpassed 1 billion yuan GMV on Tmall, while JD claimed a 20 per cent increase in the number of shoppers. Yet, both platforms again refrained from revealing total GMV. Traditionally, 11.11, alongside the mid-year 6.18 shopping festival, has served as a key barometer for consumer confidence, which has become a focal point of China’s efforts to boost its slowing economy. But in the absence of official figures, analysts and media are left to interpret third-party data. E-commerce data firm Syntun, a popular reference point, estimated that overall ecommerce sales grew 26.6 per cent to 1.44 trillion yuan this year. HOW USEFUL IS THE BAROMETER? This growth sounds promising on paper. During my visits to Hangzhou (home to Alibaba) and Yiwu (one of China’s largest e-commerce hubs) during 11.11, it was evident that e-commerce participants – from merchants to logistics operators – took the event seriously, striving to outdo competitors. So, why the silence from platforms about total GMV? Several factors are at play. First, there has been a shift in tone amid fierce competition. Before the pandemic, 11.11 was a celebration – a chest-thumping display of dominance by confident e-commerce giants. But the past few years have seen China’s e-commerce landscape morph from a duopoly (of Alibaba and JD) into a fierce battleground, with Pinduoduo, Douyin and Kuaishou now claiming 40 per cent of the market. Founders of both Alibaba and JD have returned to steer their companies amid this war of attrition. In such a competitive and uncertain environment, public boasting feels out of place. Leaders lack the mood or energy for fanfare. Moreover, in an economic climate where sentiment is fragile, the announcement of eye-popping numbers risks being misinterpreted - strong figures could invite criticism of profiteering or being out of touch, while weak ones might spark pessimistic headlines which the government dislikes. Better to say as little as possible. Then there is the question of the GMV’s relevance. The utility of 11.11 GMV as a measure of consumer confidence has become debatable. High return rates - reaching 80 to 90 per cent for fashion and jewellery sellers on live commerce channels - blur the real value of sales. Moreover, the festival’s timeline now varies across platforms, with some stretching it to 35 days this year, making year-on-year comparisons complicated. Interestingly, this year, e-commerce platforms in the United States are also extending their Black Friday promotion period to be as long as two weeks. Pinduoduo’s strategy of offering low prices year-round has further diminished the allure of shopping festivals. When consumers can find bargains every day, what are the incentives for brands and consumers to invest extra time and attention for a singular event like 11.11? Can category-level insights still provide some clarity? Perhaps, but even those numbers come with caveats. For instance, electronics emerged as one of the best-performing categories this year, but that is likely bolstered by the 150 billion yuan subsidies introduced in August to encourage appliance upgrades. BACK TO BASICS This year, it was quicker and easier to determine the US election results than to gauge the relative performance of China’s ecommerce platforms. Ultimately, the value of 11.11 as a barometer for consumer confidence has diminished. The event’s headline figures often obscure more than they reveal. Instead of focusing on inflated GMV figures, it’s more insightful to consider the fundamentals driving consumer behaviour. Confidence stems from secure job prospects, stable property values and a robust stock market – factors squarely within the government’s purview, not the platforms’. Though the stock market rally was short-lived, it underscored the potential for decisive actions to revive consumer sentiment. While the government has unveiled new measures targeted at banks and local government, it has so far avoided direct stimulus for households. As for ecommerce platforms, they must adjust to the new reality. Regardless of how much confidence returns, the explosive growth of the past two decades is unlikely to repeat. Instead, expect more Chinese platforms to look outward, competing on the global stage. Just take a look at Pinduoduo’s Temu and Taobao’s recent promotions in Singapore. China’s 11.11 shopping festival has evolved from an extravagant spectacle into a quieter affair, reflecting both competitive pressures and broader economic uncertainty. For businesses and policymakers alike, the focus should shift from fleeting metrics to the structural factors that truly inspire consumer confidence: A belief that the future holds more promise than today. Jianggan Li is CEO of Momentum Works, a Singapore-based venture outfit, and co-author of Seeing The Unseen: Behind Chinese Tech Giants’ Global Venturing.
After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key rolesLAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Jaylon Johnson wasn't all that interested in discussing any bright spots or reasons to have hope for the Chicago Bears. The star cornerback made his feelings clear. “I’ve been in slumps four, five years in a row now,” Johnson said Monday. "So, I mean at the end of the day, I don’t look for, ‘OK, what is going to be better in the future?’ ... It will be better when it’s better. So, right now, it’s not better. That’s all I can go off of.” The Bears (4-7) are last in the NFC North and have five straight losses after in overtime. They wiped out an 11-point deficit in the final 22 seconds of regulation, only to come up short again when the Vikings' Parker Romo kicked a 29-yard field goal. It was the third game during this skid that came down to the final play. in Week 8 and had a in Week 11. Players have openly questioned some of the coaching decisions in recent weeks. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron got fired before the game against Green Bay. And coach Matt Eberflus' game management came under more scrutiny against Minnesota. With the Bears trailing 17-10 in the third quarter, there was some confusion on a fourth-and-4 at the Vikings 27. Eberflus said he didn't do a good enough job communicating on the previous play that they would go for it on fourth down. That led to a chaotic sequence in which Santos and long snapper Scott Daly ran onto the field, only to get waved off by a lineman. Quarterback Caleb Williams had to rush to get everyone lined up properly in order to avoid a delay of game. He wound up barking out the wrong play because he misheard the call from offensive coordinator Thomas Brown and threw an incomplete pass. Receiver DJ Moore said Eberflus had not addressed that play with the team. The Bears were scheduled to meet later Monday. “That moment was just like, like a ‘what is going on’ moment that we could have avoided,” he said. The passing game. Williams has clearly looked more comfortable in the two games since Brown replaced the fired Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator. The No. 1 draft pick followed up a solid performance against Green Bay by throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns. It was his fourth straight turnover-free game and fifth in a row without an interception. Field goal protection. One week after his game-ending 46-yard field goal attempt against Green Bay got blocked, Santos had a 48-yarder rejected on his first try against Minnesota. It happened from the same area, in the middle of the line, when the Vikings' Jerry Tillery knocked down the kick. “I just think it’s technique," Eberflus said. "It’s getting your foot down, bracing up there, staying lower. ... We just have to do a better job there with that.” It was the third blocked field goal for Santos this year, the most for Chicago in a single season since it also had three blocked in 2012. He had a 43-yard try blocked in a win over Jacksonville on Oct. 13. Moore. The Bears have done a better job getting Moore involved under Brown. Moore caught seven passes for a season-high 106 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota. That gave him 14 receptions for 168 yards the past two games, compared to 13 for 104 yards over the previous four. Johnson's 27-yard catch down the middle set up Santos' tying field goal at the end of regulation. But it's not just deep shots. The Bears are finding ways to get the ball in his hands, allowing him to turn short passes into bigger gains. He also had a 13-yard run. RB D’Andre Swift. After a string of solid outings, Swift had just 30 yards on 13 carries. To be fair, he has been dealing with a groin issue, and he was going against the NFL's No. 1 run defense. The Bears reported no injuries during the game. 5-18 — The Bears' record in one-possession games in nearly three seasons under Eberflus, including a 2-5 mark this year. They are 14-31 overall during Eberflus' tenure. The schedule doesn't get any easier, with a Thanksgiving matchup at NFC North leader Detroit. The Lions (10-1) have won nine straight since losing to Tampa Bay in Week 2. AP NFL:
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After missing out on Juan Soto, the New York Yankees made their first splash of the offseason. The Yankees and left-handed starting pitcher Max Fried have agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract, several reports said Tuesday. The contract includes the most guaranteed money for a left-handed pitcher in baseball history, ESPN reported. A two-time All-Star, Fried will join right-handed ace Gerrit Cole to form a one-two punch at the front of the Yankees' rotation. Fried, 30, spent his first eight MLB seasons with the Atlanta Braves and went 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA across 29 starts last season. He had 166 strikeouts and a career-high 57 walks over 174 1/3 innings. He also pitched a major league-high two complete games (one shutout). Fried was an All-Star in 2022 and 2024, and he received votes for the National League Cy Young Award in 2020 (placing fifth) and 2022 (second). In 168 career games (151 starts), Fried has gone 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA and 863 strikeouts against 246 walks in 884 1/3 innings. He has tossed six complete games, including four shutouts. --Field Level Media
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Royce Micro-Cap Trust, Inc. (NYSE-RMT) declares Fourth Quarter Common Stock Distribution of $0.21 Per ShareA man is facing several drug trafficking and firearm related charges after RCMP in Hay River, N.W.T., discovered a post on social media. According to a news release issued Monday afternoon, the post contained a firearm and alluded to drug trafficking occurring at an apartment on Woodland Dr. in Hay River. Police executed a warrant on Nov. 22 and discovered 17 grams of crack cocaine, 14 grams of fentanyl, a handgun, ammunition and over $3,000 in cash. RCMP arrested five people, four of which were released without charge. Only 39-year-old Savy You of Toronto was charged and arrested. This is his third drug trafficking arrest in a year. The release says that You has previously failed to attend court and was subject to an arrest warrant. He was also required to reside in Toronto. You was charged for trafficking cocaine, fentanyl, possessing an unauthorized restricted weapon as well as a firearm with a tampered serial number. He was also charged with failing to attend court and failing to comply with a release order. The investigation is ongoing, the release says and You will remain in custody.As Texas Chief Justice Nathan Hecht prepares to retire, he reflects on the court he helped change