This past summer, I reviewed , but now I have the AMD Ryzen AI version in house. It should make for an interesting comparison, given the stellar battery life and terrific performance I saw previously. Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift! . This is a 14-inch ThinkPad T14s with an AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 processor and Radeon 880M graphics, 32 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB NVMe SSD. The display is Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and I’m guessing it’s the same entry-level and low-power IPS panel the previous T14s came with. Expansion looks identical, too. There are two Thunderbolt 4/USB4 Type-C ports and a full-sized HDMI port (plus a combo microphone/headphone jack) on the left, and then two full-sized USB 3 Type-A ports on the right, plus a Kensington nano security slot. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 are available for connectivity, as with the Snapdragon version. There are two top-firing speakers, with grills on either side of the keyboard, that support Dolby Atmos immersive sound. And that keyboard is full-sized and backlit, and appears to be Lenovo’s most modern version, with island-style scalloped keys, correct Ctrl/Fn placement, and an overloaded arrow key area with physical PgUp and PgDn keys. The T14s features Lenovo’s vaunted TrackPoint pointing system, with the nubbin in the center of the keyboard and dedicated keys, plus a small-ish (for these days) mechanical touchpad. The round power button to the upper right of the keyboard doubles as a Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-In Security (ESS) fingerprint reader, and there’s a Windows Hello ESS compatible webcam too, of course: This is, or soon will be, a full-featured Copilot+ PC. All the useful ThinkPad bits are present and accounted for, from the light-up red dot on the “i” in the ThinkPad logo on the exterior display lid to the subtle Lenovo branding. It comes in one color, Eclipse Black, as one should expect from a ThinkPad. It’s light for a 14-inch laptop, at just 2.86 pounds. Power comes via a standard 65-watt Lenovo USB-C power adapter. Prices start at about $1500 for a model with 32 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage, and the non-touch display. I’m loading it up with apps as I write this, but I’m eager to get started. More soon. Paul Thurrott is an award-winning technology journalist and blogger with 30 years of industry experience and the author of 30 books. He is the owner of and the host of three tech podcasts: with Leo Laporte and Richard Campbell, , and with Brad Sams. He was formerly the senior technology analyst at Windows IT Pro and the creator of the SuperSite for Windows from 1999 to 2014 and the Major Domo of Thurrott.com while at BWW Media Group from 2015 to 2023. You can reach Paul via , or . Join the crowd where the love of tech is real - become a Thurrott Premium Member today! Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each FridaySoren’s aced the politics, it is governance he needs to improve Will Hemant Soren turn out to be a cat with nine political lives? Jharkhand has returned him to office, a rare CM on bail. Soren’s had a tumultuous stint since his 2019 win – among the first CMs to get private sector help to fly back his state’s migrants to Ranchi, using Twitter to have three-way conversations with migrant groups and destination-state CMs. By Sep 2022, he was forced into a waiting game over EC’s opinion on Soren’s “disqualifi cation” in connection with an office-of-profit case. By Jan 2024, he was in ED custody, arrested in a PMLA case. Soren’s a nonconformist CM and won again on the strength of his party’s politics, and a state tradition of resistance. Jharkhand’s CMship has always been torrid – since 2000, seven politicians have served as CM 13 times, and there’ve been three central rule periods. Soren must use some of his political savvy and administrative calibre to improve people’s lives. Jharkhand still has 30% of its population multidimensionally poor. It has among the country’s worst electricity crises despite it being home to over 140 coal mines and seven thermal plants – almost all power is sent outside the state. Its per capita income, among India’s lowest, is almost 300% less than Goa’s, the richest on per capita income. The problem with Jharkhand, and to a lesser extent twin state Chhattisgarh, is that the very issues that crippled the state at inception endure – progress is painfully slow as much on education and health as in jobs, or income generation. Smaller states were carved out ostensibly to better manage their governance. But that’s been proved otherwise. Jharkhand’s miners – 7.5L formally employed and 30L informal workers – are trapped in their work with no improvement in circumstance. Companies are rich, netas are rich, the people and the govt poor. The two tribal land laws that protect Chotanagpur and Santhal Pargana regions ensure no land transfer. But protection of tribal autonomy cannot mean a state failing the people. For, tribals do not even have the money for input costs of farming their land. Surely, schemes to support agriculture by tribals are a no-brainer. Cooperatives among tribal communities have been mooted for self-sufficiency. The Supreme Court has said legislative power to tax mineral rights vests with the states, that royalty paid on minerals was not a tax. But, question is, will the state spend funds thus generated on its people?
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Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis slated to make season debut on Monday night vs LA ClippersKourtney Kardashian Reveals Baby Rocky's Hair Is So Long in New Photo
Taylor Swift reportedly “feels horrible” for her close friend Blake Lively after the actress filed a legal complaint last week accusing her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Sources tell The Daily Mail that the “Shake it Off” singer was “startled” by the revelations contained in Lively’s lawsuit. “Taylor is startled by the revelations surrounding the Blake Lively takedown and she is encouraging Blake to get to the bottom of it,” the source said. “She supports Blake and feels horrible that she had to go through all of this.” Lively and Swift have been close friends for years, and the pop star is even the godmother to her three daughters James, Inez, and Betty. Lively’s children, whom she welcomed with husband Ryan Reynolds , are also named in one of Swift’s tracks “Betty” off her 2020 album Folklore . In her complaint, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and his public relations team for engineering a smear campaign against her over the summer. Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, called the claims “outrageous” and told the Associated Press in a statement, “These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.” Universal Pictures put the speculation to rest on Monday, announcing that director Christopher Nolan’s next film will be The Odyssey , based on Homer’s epic poem and a central story of Greek mythology. “Christopher Nolan’s next film ‘The Odyssey’ is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology,” the studio posted on X. “The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.” No specific casting has been announced, but the film is expected to star real-life couple and former Spider-Man co-stars Tom Holland and Zendaya along with Matt Damon ( Oppenheimer ), Anne Hathaway ( Interstellar ), Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron. As recently as last week, Holland was being coy about the details of the film, saying in a podcast interview , “To be perfectly honest, I don’t really know what it’s about. I’m super excited, but it’s been pretty quiet about the project. I met with [Nolan] and it was awesome. He kind of loosely pitched what it is, and I’m sure when he’s ready he’ll announce what it’s about.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Martin Scorsese. Bill and Hillary. Martha Steward. These are just some of the people we are unlikely to meet in person, but at least we can get up close and personal with them by taking their MasterClass online courses —and at a major discount for a limited time. The expert-led platform has a robust library of educational classes on far-ranging topics: science , music, arts , personal empowerment, and more. The classes are taught by industry experts and household names, including Gordon Ramsey, Mariah Carey, David Lynch, Jeff Koons, and many more. Right now, you can score up to 50 percent off on MasterClass subscriptions just in time for last-minute holiday gifting. You do have to take a short quiz to get to the deal, but honestly, it’s worth the 60 seconds. Honestly, whether you waited until the last minute or not, you’ll be gifting the dad in your life with intelligent, cultured content and giving them the opportunity to learn something new from someone famous. Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, began erupting Monday. Lava fountains emitted from the volcano, which is one of the most active ones in the world. The volcano erupted last in September and June. The United States Geographic Survey posted videos of the eruption cascading along the caldera floor. According to the AP, the area where the eruption is has been closed off to the public since 2007 due to many hazards. Some of the dangers include sulfur dioxide and other gases from the volcanoes, possible explosions and uneven ground surfaces like cracks and cliffs. “Kīlauea volcano has been intermittently erupting,” the USGS said. “This is an exciting time on Kīlauea because several eruptions have occurred at the summit following the 2018 summit collapse.” According to the USGS, past eruptions in the last several years from Kīlauea have lasted from around two weeks to over a year. Short video of the current Kīlauea eruption from the west caldera wall. pic.twitter.com/A3kBpJTeUl Kieran Culkin made his film debut at age 8 opposite his real-life brother Macaulay Culkin in the holiday classic Home Alone . Before that, his child acting career got off to an unfortunate start, he revealed in a new episode of the Smartless podcast , when he was cast as a learning disabled kid in a commercial at 6-years-old. “The concept was I’m standing in front of a chalkboard with chalk in my hand and I don’t know how to solve the easy thing in front of me,” Culkin recalled. “And the kids in the class are supposed to be calling me a dummy and stupid, all that.” But when the director, who he declined to name, called action, he started shouting at the young Culkin, “‘Dummy. Idiot. Stupid.’” The unusual approach led the actor to think to himself, “I get it. I’m 6. Stand here and look sad. I’m not f---ing method. I’m 6. What’s wrong with you?” As a child, Culkin went on to star in films like Only the Lonely and Father of the Bride. More recently, he won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Roman Roy on HBO’s Succession and is a frontrunner for the Best Supporting Actor trophy at the upcoming Academy Awards for his role in the film A Real Pain . Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Every winter, my skin gets chapped, irritated, and downright pissed at me, thanks to the shorter days, colder temperatures, layers of clothes, heaters on full-blast everywhere, and lack of moisture in the air. Usually, I don’t feel the need to reach for a designated ‘night cream’ since the regular moisturizer that I use during the day works just fine, but during the past few weeks, my skin has been screaming for a little extra TLC and hydration. When it comes to any category of skincare , I always look for clinically-proven and medical-grade formulas, if possible, including the most basic creams and moisturizers. While there are a few Korean beauty (K-beauty to the initiated) products I’ve loved for years, the holy grail snail mucin serum I once used religiously has disappeared from my daily routine, as has my former collection of sheet and lip masks. On my quest for a thirst-quenching night cream with added anti-aging benefits, I discovered the luxury medical-grade skincare line, Dr. Rossi DERM MD . The brand’s formulas borrow wisdom from Korean skincare traditions and each of the formulas is powered by Dr. Rossi’s proprietary Bio-Theriac Complex , combining biomimetic sea anemone peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid in an optimized ratio to combat premature aging caused by skin sensitization. Its bestselling, skin-repairing Night Synthesis Cream sounded like exactly what my skin needed (it also doesn’t hurt that the enviably ageless Martha Stewart is reportedly a fan of the concentrated cream.) Without being overly heavy or greasy—two skincare formula characteristics that are absolute dealbreakers as far as I’m concerned—the night cream is still rich, emollient, and brimming with science-backed ingredients that not only keep their complexion-enhancing properties but also rejuvenate lackluster skin fast. When I say this cream is dense, I’m really not joking—when you turn the jar upside down, the formula stays put like a Dairy Queen Blizzard turned upside down. Despite its density and viscosity, I’ve been wearing it under makeup during the day, and the formula absorbs quickly enough that there’s no oil slick of residue lingering, which is another requirement of mine. Within just a week of using the cream , the dehydration-induced fine lines around my crow’s feet and under my eyes have diminished significantly. My skin appears firmer, brighter, and more luminous upon waking. Plus, the broken capillaries, redness, and skin peeling (also likely due to my retinoid use) have almost vanished despite the arid climate and rampant seasonal cedar allergies. Coming in at just under $200, this luxury night cream is definitely an investment but one that is well worth it if your skin, like mine, is crying out for reprieve from these drier winter months. A U.S. Navy fighter jet was shot down over the Red Sea on Saturday in an apparent friendly fire incident, authorities have said. Two U.S. Navy pilots ejected safely after it was “mistakenly fired” upon by the USS Gettysburg in a non-specified location, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. One of the pilots sustained minor injuries and authorities said a full investigation is underway. The F/A-18, was operating from the USS Harry S. Truman, when the guided-missile cruiser—part of the Truman carrier strike group—fired during a refueling operation. The incident happened a day after U.S. forces hit Houthi structural targets in Yemen. The rebel group appeared to try and take credit for the incident Sunday, but it has a reputation for false claims. The U.S. has a presence in the area due to the Iran-backed Houthi campaign of targeting ships in the busy waterway. Michael Schumacher, the famed F1 star, is going to be a granddad. The news comes after his daughter, 27-year-old Gina, announced her pregnancy. The sports icon’s daughter was just married three months ago, with her dad speculated to have attended the wedding. Gina made an Instagram post, featuring a photo of pink western items, including a pony, with the caption: “Impatiently awaiting the arrival of our little girl.” She tagged her newly-wedded husband, Iain. Schumacher, 55, has not been seen publicly since a skiing accident in 2013, where he sustained a severe head injury. Known to keep his life private, no mobile phones were allowed at the wedding. Jean Todt, a friend of Schumacher, said in the past that he “is no longer the Michael we knew,” according to The Sun . Beside Gina, Schumacher has a son named Mick, who also races. He commented on his sister’s announcement post, writing: “So excited.” Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos visited Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last week, according to reports, just the latest in a procession of business elites suddenly seeking face-time with the president-elect. The 60-year-old has previously donated to Democrats including President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to Reuters . Sarandos is also married to Nicole Avant, who was Obama’s United States Ambassador to the Bahamas between 2009 and 2011. A dizzying array of high-powered business moguls have tried to curry favor with Trump since his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. Last week, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos joined Trump for a dinner at Mar-a-Lago that was also attended by Trump’s outspoken cheerleader and Twitter owner, Elon Musk . Fellow social media mogul Mark Zuckerberg also paid a visit to the president-elect’s Palm Beach club last month, while Apple CEO Tim Cook made his visit earlier in December. Zuckerberg’s Meta donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund after his house call, a move that Amazon is also reportedly considering . Trump seems to be thrilled with his newfound popularity, posting last week: “EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND.” Japanese car manufacturers Honda and Nissan have announced a merger, leaving drivers wondering what the phoenix brand will be called. Japan’s second and third biggest automakers, behind Toyota, are pairing up to fight back against the rising threat of Chinese dominance in the electric vehicle market. The two companies signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding in March, committing to collaboration on EVs, and on Monday confirmed the plans to fully merge—alongside Nissan-controlled Mitsubishi. But after the press conference in Tokyo, attention shifted to what the overall holding company might be called when the merger is finished, perhaps as early as late January. “Nissonda or Hondissan?” one X user asked , while another added : “Can’t wait to drive a Nishonda.” One person took a different view, saying : “Hondissan this, Nissonda that. No. Nonda. Or, the objectively more evil Nisson.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. As any true audiophile already knows, Amazon Music Unlimited has long been a reliable destination for an elevated listening experience. With millions of high-quality songs and an unparalleled collection of top ad-free podcasts, the platform’s catalog is curated to capture both your attention and your imagination. Now, Amazon is raising the bar with an exciting update: Audible is officially joining Amazon Music Unlimited, cementing the brand’s status as an all-in-one audio hub . Audible’s industry-leading catalog of audiobooks features an expansive selection of can’t-miss bestsellers, hot-off-the-press exclusives, and timeless classics to immerse yourself in. As an Amazon Music Unlimited subscriber, you’ll be free to select one book each month (of any length) and listen to it directly in the Amazon Music app . Whether you’re a fiction buff ready to dive into a thrilling new adventure or a non-fiction enthusiast looking to expand your horizons, Audible’s expansive collection is sure to have the right title that matches your tastes. Plus, when you’re ready to take a break from the book, you can seamlessly swap back to your favorite tunes and podcast episodes —all without having to leave the app. It’s all the audio that you’ll ever need, all in one place! Best of all, this game-changing update is arriving just in time for the holiday season: start a new subscription , and enjoy your first three months of Amazon Music Unlimited, completely for free. Audio art, conversation, and storytelling—all in one place. What’s not to love? Sign up today and get lost in the sound . A Cathay Pacific flight destined for Boston diverted to Japan because of an unruly passenger who allegedly assaulted people during a midair meltdown. Passengers endured a 15-hour delay and a forced stopover at Tokyo Haneda after flight CX812, which originated in Hong Kong , descended into chaos. The disruptive individual was banned from future flights with the airline, Hong Kong’s flag carrier. Reports suggest the person, who was arrested upon touchdown, assaulted others onboard. Passengers initially departed Hong Kong International Airport 7:40 p.m. local time on Saturday, but after the incident, the were loaded onto a new plane, which departed at 10:45 a.m. and reached Boston at 12:26 p.m. Eastern Time Sunday. They were compensated with meal vouchers and lounge access, while the airline also apologized. Hong Kong’s Aviation Security Ordinance has strict penalties for unruly behavior, including fines of up to around $6,500 and imprisonment for up to five years. The governor of Nebraska, Jim Pillen , is facing Christmas in hospital after he was bucked off a horse. The Republican state leader, who turns 69 next week, was out riding with family members when the horse, which was described as new, sent him flying. His office said he “is alert and is in continuous touch with his team,” after the incident Sunday. However, it added that he was expected to remain in hospital “for several days.” This means Pillen could spend Christmas Day in the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he was transported “out of an abundance of caution” after initial treatment at Columbus Community Hospital, according to his office. “Gov. Pillen and his family are very appreciative of the thoughts and prayers given to them by Nebraskans and they wish all Nebraskans a very merry Christmas,” his office added in the statement.Immersive experiences are the next big thing in nightlife
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LAURYN Goodman seems to be taking her career in an unexpected new direction, with insiders saying she’s keen to keep herself in the spotlight. Embracing a new-age hippy persona on social media, the 33-year-old proudly presents herself as an " Earth mother" to her two kids she shares with love rat Kyle Walker. And now after her attempt to set up home with her former lover Manchester City and England defender Kyle Walker failed, Lauryn allegedly is "desperate for the limelight." Last week, The Sun Newspaper exclusively revealed that she was seen partying with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickforward and teammates. An onlooker said that Jordan was downing “shot after shot” after buying the drinks for team-mates and Lauryn at upmarket hotspot Bagatelle in Mayfair, West London. Now, sources close to her say that the TV personality has changed her way of working in a “desperate” bid to boost her career. Insiders told the Mail Online that she “recently employed a new agent to help get her work” as she “really wants to appear on a reality show." In fact, Lauryn, who previously appeared on Celebs Go Dating, has allegedly already set close pal and former glamour model Nicole McLean “the task of getting her on Celebrity Big Brother this year.” The source said: “She always says she doesn’t want her children to be forgotten but given her determination to be on TV, you have to wonder if she is the one who is desperate for the limelight, the fame and, frankly, to always be connected to Kyle. “Many women would just enjoy life and riches with their children.” Earlier this year, Kyle - who has four children with his ex-wife Annie - was reportedly “shocked” when she filed for divorce. Lauryn, who shares her two kids with Kyle, has expressed her desire to mend fences with Kyle following their highly publicised feud, which included a court battle. She shared: “I truly hope we can move forward and focus on what’s best for all the children. “I believe bridges can be rebuilt for Kairo and Kinara’s sake. Life is too short, and we’re connected through these two amazing kids we’ve brought into the world.” Lauryn and Kyle’s latest spat was over a doorbell at her £2.4 million home, which he helps maintain. When the fancy intercom system stopped working, she was given a Ring Doorbell as a quick fix. But Lauryn insisted the cheaper alternative would not provide the peace of mind she needs for her family. A source told The Sun: “She got in touch with Kyle’s property manager and asked if they could have [her security system] fixed. “They told her no and instead offered a Ring Doorbell system, which doesn’t have nearly the same level of security and won’t open the gate. She’s angry.” But a source close to Walker said: "As per the court order all housing issues are made directly to what is essentially the temporary landlord who deals with requests from Lauryn. "Should Lauryn have any issues she knows to ask the landlord to raise it with Kyle should they not be able to come to an agreement. "Kyle is completely unaware of any issues Lauryn has with the property and would urge her to follow the procedures put in place by the court which protect her and the children." Celebs Go Dating is soon welcoming a new bunch of famous faces in search of love. Here is where you may have seen some of them before...
Lopetegui came into the game under pressure following some poor displays from the Hammers in recent weeks but they earned a hard-fought victory to end the Magpies’ three-game winning spell. Despite a promising opening from the hosts, Tomas Soucek headed West Ham in front before Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s first goal for the club after the break wrapped up victory. Lopetegui was pleased with his side’s display following a “tough match”. He said: “I am happy for the three points and am very happy against a good team like Newcastle, who have good players and a fantastic coach. “I think today was a tough match and we were able to compete as a team. “I think we deserved to win. Today they had many moments in the first half, but I think the second half we deserved to win and we are happy because you have to do these kind of matches against this type of team if you want to overcome them.” Newcastle started brightly and had plenty of chances in the first half especially, but the visitors responded after the break by retaining possession well. The win eases the pressure on Lopetegui, whose West Ham side face Arsenal on Saturday, and he believes the victory is an important feeling for his players. He said: “I think the only thing that is under our control is to play football, to improve, to defend well, to convince the players we are able to do better. “Today we did, but I think the only thing we can do is to do the things that are under our control, not today but every day. “So we had to keep with this mentality, but above all let me say we are happy for the players because they need this kind of feeling as a team to believe that we are able to do well as a team, to put the best for each player of the team.” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted defeat was a missed opportunity for his side. The Magpies missed a series of chances in the first half, including efforts from Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff, before Alexander Isak blasted a chance off target. Anthony Gordon also rolled an effort just wide of the post after the break and Isak headed wide of goal. Three points could have seen Newcastle move into the top six and Howe admitted his side need to learn from the match. “Yes, massive because the league is so tight that a couple of wins and the whole picture looks very different,” Howe said. “We’ll kick ourselves tonight because we knew the opportunity we had, a home game, Monday night, a great moment for us potentially in our season, so we have to learn from that and come back stronger.”
US expected to send £1 billion in weapons to Ukraine before Trump takes office
U.S. to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, in push to get aid out before leaving office
By Molly Farrar Patriots safety and captain Jabrill Peppers will face a jury in January after allegedly assaulting a woman in October, but he might be back on the field as early as this weekend. Peppers, who last appeared in late September for the Patriots’ Week 4 game against the 49ers, was arrested Oct. 5 and charged with domestic assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and possession of a Class B substance. Peppers pleaded not guilty to all charges. His jury trial was scheduled last week to begin Jan. 22. His lawyer, Marc Brofsky, declined to comment Monday afternoon. Peppers is accused of choking a woman and pushing her head against a wall in his apartment before forcing her from his apartment, according to police records . Police also found a small bag of white powder in his wallet; Peppers allegedly admitted it was cocaine and tested positive for the drug. Previously, Brofsky has indicated that there is video evidence that “completely contradicts the alleged victim’s story.” “I expect my client to be fully exonerated,” he told a Boston 25 News reporter after a hearing last month. Peppers was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list three days after his arrest, which is a temporary designation that restricts players from attending practice or competing in weekly games. While on the list, players are still paid. Peppers was removed from the list Monday, the NFL announced. The Patriots are set to play the Colts in Foxborough Sunday which could be Peppers’ return to the field. “In accordance with the Personal Conduct Policy, the league initiated a preliminary investigation into an incident from early October,” the announcement said, according to multiple reports . “That review will remain ongoing and is not affected by this change in Peppers’ roster status.” A civil suit was filed against Peppers in Norfolk Superior Court last week. Representation for the NFL player and the alleged victim, who is not identified in court filings, are discussing a potential settlement, according to her lawyer. Wigdor LLP, who said on X they represent the woman, released a statement following what they called false claims about her motives from Brofsky. According to MassLive , Brofsky said the alleged victim “demand(ed) $10.5 million to settle this case, or else she would file a civil suit.” He added that “while it’s technically not extortion... it tells the court what this case is about.” “As Mr. Peppers’ lawyer has raised this, we can confirm that Mr. Peppers’ lawyer asked us to meet to discuss a potential settlement and asked us to convey a settlement proposal,” Wigdor wrote in a statement . “We did not present a proposal of $10.5 million to avoid a civil lawsuit and the civil lawsuit does not seek any particular amount other than what a jury decides to award.” Molly Farrar Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more. Boston.com Today Sign up to receive the latest headlines in your inbox each morning. Be civil. Be kind.
Several political figures have joined the Awam Pakistan party in Rawalpindi. According to sources, a prominent landowner and head of the influential Chaudhary family, Chaudhary Inam Zafar, ended his 40-year association with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). He, along with his family and allies, has joined the Awam Pakistan party under the leadership of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The political switch follows an earlier defection of the same sort. Sources further said the shift has changed Rawalpindi's political landscape. Additionally, ten female leaders and councillors, previously affiliated with PML-N, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have also announced their allegiance to the Awam Pakistan party. The women leaders include Zahida Parveen and councillors Saeeda Begum, Maira Begum, Rizwana Bibi, and Arshi Begum. The political switch follows an earlier defection by Chaudhary Sarfraz Afzal, another key figure from the Chaudhary family, to the Awam Pakistan party. These leaders revealed plans to organise a city convention in January, where several other significant PML-N personalities are expected to join the party. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our
Afghan women turn to entrepreneurship under Taliban Zainab through her business in western province of Herat covers all household expenses KABUL: When Zainab Ferozi saw Afghan women struggling to feed their families after Taliban authorities took power, she took matters into her own hands and poured her savings into starting a business. Two-and-a-half years after putting 20,000 Afghanis ($300) earned from teaching sewing classes into a carpet weaving enterprise, she now employs around a dozen women who lost their jobs or who had to abandon their education due to Taliban government rules. Through her business in the western province of Herat, the 39-year-old also “covers all the household expenses” of her family of six, she told AFP from her office where samples of brightly coloured and exquisitely woven rugs and bags are displayed. Her husband, a labourer, cannot find work in one of the poorest countries in the world. Ferozi is one of many women who have launched small businesses in the past three years to meet their own needs and support other Afghan women, whose employment sharply declined after the Taliban took power in 2021. Before the Taliban takeover, women made up 26 percent of public sector workers, a figure that “has effectively decreased to zero,” according to UN Women. Girls and women have also been banned from secondary schools and universities under restrictions the UN has described as “gender apartheid”. Touba Zahid, a 28-year-old mother-of-one, started making jams and pickles in the small basement of her home in the capital Kabul after she was forced to stop her university education. “I came into the world of business... to create job opportunities for women so they can have an income that at least covers their immediate needs,” Zahid said. Half a dozen of her employees, wearing long white coats, were busy jarring jams and pickles labelled “Mom’s delicious homecooking”. While women may be making the stock, running the shops in Afghanistan remains mostly a man’s job. Saleswomen like Zahid “cannot go to the bazaar to promote and sell their products” themselves, said Fariba Noori, chairwoman of the Afghanistan Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI). Another issue for Afghan businesswomen is the need for a “mahram” -- a male family member chaperone -- to accompany them to other cities or provinces to purchase raw materials, said Noori. After 40 years of successive conflicts, many Afghan women have been widowed and lost many male relatives. Despite these challenges, the number of businesses registered with AWCCI has increased since the Taliban takeover, according to Noori. The number went “from 600 big companies to 10,000” mainly small, home-based businesses and a few bigger companies, said Noori, herself a businesswoman for 12 years. Khadija Mohammadi, who launched her eponymous brand in 2022 after she lost her private school teaching job, now employs more than 200 women sewing dresses and weaving carpets. “I am proud of every woman who is giving a hand to another woman to help her become independent,” said the 26-year-old. Though businesses like Mohammadi’s are a lifeline, the salaries ranging from 5,000 to 13,000 Afghanis, cannot cover all costs and many women are still stalked by economic hardship. Qamar Qasimi, who lost her job as a beautician after the Taliban authorities banned beauty salons in 2023, said that even with her salary she and her husband struggle to pay rent and feed their family of eight. “When I worked in the beauty salon, we could earn 3,000-7,000 Afghanis for styling one bride, but here we get 5,000 per month,” said the 24-year-old. “It’s not comparable but I have no other choice,” she added, the room around her full of women chatting as they worked at 30 looms. The closure of beauty salons was not only a financial blow, but also removed key spaces for women to socialise. Zohra Gonish decided to open a restaurant to create a women-only space in northeastern Badakhshan province. “Women can come here and relax,” said the 20-year-old entrepreneur. “We wanted the staff to be women so that the women customers can feel comfortable here.” But starting her business in 2022, aged 18 was not easy in a country where the labour force participation for women is 10 times lower than the world average, according to the World Bank. It took Gonish a week to convince her father to support her. Aside from helping their families and having space to socialise, some women said work has given them a sense of purpose. Sumaya Ahmadi, 15, joined Ferozi’s carpet company to help her parents after she had to leave school and became “very depressed”. “(Now) I’m very happy and I no longer have any mental health problems. I’m happier and I feel better.” The work has also given her a new goal: to help her two brothers build their futures. “Because schools’ doors are closed to girls, I work instead of my brothers so they can study and do something with their lives.”7 Japan Pavilion Startups Receive CES 2025 Innovation Awards ~ Including 1 Best of Innovation Honoree ~Wound Care Biologics Market Set for Exceptional Growth in the Forecast 2024-2032
Fresno Set to Roll Out Mental Health CARE Court. How Will It Work?The 2024 elections have marked a turning point for Southern Africa, where democratic processes showed resilience but brought electoral setbacks for liberation-era parties. These longstanding parties, which spearheaded the struggle against colonialism, are now witnessing diminishing support as younger electorates prioritize economic agendas over historical narratives. In Botswana, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party faced an unforeseen defeat after a 58-year reign, as economic woes and youth unemployment spurred change. The significant decline also touched South Africa, where the African National Congress, once led by Nelson Mandela, found itself sharing power for the first time in decades. Namibia witnessed its first female president yet saw its ruling party barely holding onto its majority. Further turmoil was seen in Mozambique and Comoros with post-election protests. The region reflects a broader continental trend, where youth-driven electoral outcomes brought shifts in West Africa and Mauritius, underscoring growing calls for accountable governance. (With inputs from agencies.)TUCSON, Ariz. — Officials in Tucson are investigating an incident that resulted in a car sinking to the bottom of a high school swimming pool. The Tucson Fire Department said crews were dispatched Monday morning to reports of car submerged in Amphitheater High School's swimming pool. Upon arrival, fire crews found the car upside down on its roof at the bottom of the pool. A firefighter jumped into the pool and confirmed no occupants were still inside the underwater vehicle. The scene was turned over to Tucson police for further investigation. According to KVOA, Tucson police said the car was reported stolen and no arrests have been made. Watch 12News for free You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12+ app! The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV . 12+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. Roku : Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX." Amazon Fire TV : Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12+ app to add to your account , or have the 12+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app. >> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone. >> Live, local, breaking. Download the 12News app
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