
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Shopping on Temu can feel like playing an arcade game. Instead of using a joystick-controlled claw to grab a toy, visitors to the online marketplace maneuver their computer mouses or cellphone screens to browse colorful gadgets, accessories and trinkets with prices that look too good to refuse. A pop-up spinning wheel offers the chance to win a coupon. Rotating captions warn that a less than $2 camouflage print balaclava and a $1.23 skeleton hand back scratcher are “Almost sold out.” A flame symbol indicates a $9.69 plush cat print hoodie is selling fast. A timed-down selection of discounted items adds to the sense of urgency. Pages from the Shein website, left, and from the Temu site, right. Welcome to the new online world of impulse buying, a place of guilty pleasures where the selection is vast, every day is Cyber Monday, and an instant dopamine hit is always just a click away. Questions about Gillian’s Wonderland finances draw angry response from Mita Absecon police detain suspect in dollar store robbery Pleasantville man accused of murdering girlfriend Northfield intersection to become four-way stop 4 Bridgeton men indicted in alleged sex trafficking ring Northfield Councilman Leeds resigns, citing concerns over Mayor Chau's criminal charges Atlantic City mayor waives first appearance on witness tampering charge Wonderland developer to pitch vision again Wednesday at Ocean City Tabernacle Former Galloway gymnastics co-owner accused of sex with minor to remain in jail These South Jersey bars and restaurants have transformed into holiday wonderlands Some Atlantic City casino workers call on union boss to resign for opposing a smoking ban Atlantic County suing NJ Juvenile Justice Commission over placement of youth offenders Longport administrator and former police chief Scott Porter dies District overspending main focus for new Atlantic City school board member Ron Bailey 9-year-old Margate boy wins tautog tourney in Ventnor: Shep On Fishing By all accounts, we’re living in an accelerating age for consumerism, one that Temu, which is owned by the Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings, and Shein, its fierce rival , supercharged with social media savvy and an interminable assortment of cheap goods, most shipped directly from merchants in China based on real-time demand. The business models of the two platforms, coupled with avalanches of digital or influencer advertising, have enabled them to give Western retailers a run for their money this holiday shopping season. A Christmas tree ornament purchased on Temu. Software company Salesforce said it expects roughly one in five online purchases in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada to be made through four online marketplaces based or founded in Asia: Shein, Temu, TikTok Shop — the e-commerce arm of video-sharing platform TikTok — and AliExpress. Analysts with Salesforce said they are expected to pull in roughly $160 billion in global sales outside of China. Most of the sales will go to Temu and Shein, a privately held company which is thought to lead the worldwide fast fashion market in revenue. Lisa Xiaoli Neville, a nonprofit manager who lives in Los Angeles, is sold on Shein. The bedroom of her home is stocked with jeans, shoes, press-on nails and other items from the ultra-fast fashion retailer, all of which she amassed after getting on the platform to buy a $2 pair of earrings she saw in a Facebook ad. Neville, 46, estimates she spends at least $75 a month on products from Shein. A $2 eggshell opener, a portable apple peeler and an apple corer, both costing less than $5, are among the quirky, single-use kitchen tools taking up drawer space. She acknowledges she doesn’t need them because she “doesn’t even cook like that.” Plus, she’s allergic to apples. “I won’t eat apples. It will kill me,” Neville said, laughing. “But I still want the coring thing.” Osheen Jain Shein, now based in Singapore, uses some of the same web design features as Temu’s, such as pop-up coupons and ads, to persuade shoppers to keep clicking, but it appears a bit more restrained in its approach. Shein primarily targets young women through partnerships with social media influencers. Searching the company's name on video platforms turns up creators promoting Shein's Black Friday sales event and displaying the dozens of of trendy clothes and accessories they got for comparatively little money. But the Shein-focused content also includes videos of TikTokers saying they're embarrassed to admit they shopped there and critics lashing out at fans for not taking into account the environmental harms or potential labor abuses associated with products that are churned out and shipped worldwide at a speedy pace. Neville has already picked out holiday gifts for family and friends from the site. Most of the products in her online cart cost under $10, including graphic T-shirts she intends to buy for her son and jeans and loafers for her daughter. All told, she plans to spend about $200 on gifts, significantly less than $500 she used to shell out at other stores in prior years. “The visuals just make you want to spend more money,” she said, referring to the clothes on Shein's site. “They're very cheap and everything is just so cute.” HALELUYA HADERO Associated Press Unlike Shein, Temu's appeal cuts across age groups and gender. The platform is the world’s second most-visited online shopping site, software company Similarweb reported in September. Customers go there looking for practical items like doormats and silly products like a whiskey flask shaped like a vintage cellphone from the 1990s. Temu advertised Black Friday bargains for some items at upwards of 70% off the recommended retail price. Making a purchase can quickly result in receiving dozens of emails offering free giveaways. The caveat: customers have to buy more products. Despite their rise, Temu and Shein have proven particularly ripe for pushback. Last year, a coalition of unnamed brands and organizations launched a campaign to oppose Shein in Washington. U.S. lawmakers also have raised the possibility that Temu is allowing goods made with forced labor to enter the country. More recently, the Biden administration put forward rules that would crack down on a trade rule known as the de minimis exception, which has allowed a lot of cheap products to come into the U.S. duty-free. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to slap high tariffs on goods from China, a move that would likely raise prices across the retail world. Both Shein and Temu have set up warehouses in the U.S. to speed up delivery times and help them better compete with Amazon, which is trying to erode their price advantage through a new storefront that also ships products directly from China. DONNA EDWARDSAssociated Press By KATIE WORKMAN Associated Press By JESSICA DAMIANO Associated Press Brooke CainThe Bradenton Herald(TNS) The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.Memorial for Dr. Manmohan Singh: Honoring a Visionary Leader
Share Tweet Share Share Email The crypto market is heating up again, and analyst Vegeta is foreseeing a new breakout for Stellar (XLM) to an ATH. Meanwhile, Lunex Network (LNEX) and Pepe (PEPE) are picking up steam with a combined price growth of over 350% . While PEPE is one of the top meme coins , LNEX is a presale star already selling millions of tokens. Since this rookie could disrupt the entire DeFi market , which Statista predicts may be worth $376B by 2025, experts remain bullish with many foreseeing a potential 30x jump for LNEX in 2025. Vegeta: The Price of Stellar (XLM) May Reach a New ATH Stellar (XLM) is rising on the price charts as one of the top crypto coins . CoinMarketCap shows that the Stellar price has jumped nearly 450% in the past month alone. During that time, its value moved between $0.093 and $0.489. Crypto analyst Vegeta made a bullish Stellar price prediction . According to his X post , this altcoin may see a new break to an ATH. In other words, this altcoin could surge past the $0.94 level soon. The technicals for the Stellar crypto are also positive. TradingView shows that this altcoin is valued above its 10-day EMA ($0.48) and 30-day EMA ($0.36). Plus, its momentum indicator sits at 0.008, which is in the buy zone, suggesting this bullish trend will continue. Lunex Network (LNEX) Soars 200% in Ongoing Crypto ICO Event Lunex Network (LNEX) is quietly becoming one of the best new ICOs this year. The value of this DeFi coin has already increased by 200% , giving early buyers a big return. Given that this price will rise on a three-day basis, the percentage will continue growing as well. LNEX will be the native token of the Lunex Network – an upcoming non-custodial crypto exchange that will connect all isolated blockchains. On it, people will get to experience: Privacy: No sign-up KYC checks or the need to connect a crypto wallet. Full Transparency: All orders will be processed through smart contracts and no AMM. Multicurrency Staking: The ability to stake different crypto coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc. Currently, LNEX is worth just $0.0036, a 200% rise from its starting presale price. Those looking to earn passive income via staking, governance voting rights, and more are now stocking up on this DeFi crypto . Plus, a Tier-1 CEX listing may push its value to $0.0216 – a 500% return for all who buy it now. Analyst Remains Optimistic for the Pepe (PEPE) Price Movement Pepe (PEPE) also has some green price charts. Over the past month alone, the price of Pepe has increased from $0.0000085 to $0.000022 as per CoinMarketCap . In other words, over a 150% surge in just a few short weeks. The technical analysis for Pepe (PEPE) also shows some good signs. This meme coin is currently valued above its 10-day EMA of $0.000020 as per TradingView . Also, its momentum indicator sits at 0.0000030, suggesting that this bullish trend may continue. Market expert Davie Satoshi also made a bold statement about the Pepe coin . According to his X post , the next leg up for this meme coin could lead to an ATH. This Pepe price prediction has excited many traders. Stellar (XLM) vs. Lunex Network (LNEX) vs. Pepe (PEPE) – Which Crypto Coin Could Surge First? Experts think Stellar (XLM), Lunex Network (LNEX) , and Pepe (PEPE) could all see big price gains soon. However, they think the DeFi coin Lunex Network may stand out. This crypto will have a smaller market cap than its peers, which means it will need less money for its price to surge. Therefore, many experts think its value could soar by 30x in 2025. Discover the Exciting Opportunities of the Lunex Network (LNEX) Presale Today! Website: Lunex Network Telegram: Join Our Telegram Community X: Follow Us On X Related Items: Lunex Network (LNEX) , Stellar (XLM) Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Top Crypto Gainers You Can’t Afford to Miss: Mantra, Stellar, Lunex Token Simplifying Cross-Border Transactions with Stellar (XLM) Crucial Role of MACD in Stellar’s Trading Analysis CommentsThe woman who accused then-Fox News host Pete Hegseth of sexual assault in 2017 said that while she did not have a complete recollection of the night in question, she "remembered saying 'no' a lot" and alleged that he prevented her from leaving his hotel room, according to a police report from the Monterey, Calif., police department. The report , which was released to NPR and other outlets after a public records request, provides additional details about the incident involving the woman and Hegseth , who was named last week as President-elect Donald Trump's choice for Secretary of Defense. On Thursday, Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman said in statement: "This report corroborates what Mr. Hegseth's attorneys have said all along: the incident was fully investigated, and no charges were filed because police found the allegations to be false. Pete Hegseth is a highly-respected Combat Veteran who will honorably serve our country when he is confirmed as the next Secretary of Defense, just like he honorably served our country on the battlefield in uniform." The allegation against Hegseth came into public view just days after President-elect Donald Trump announced him as his nominee for Secretary of Defense, adding to scrutiny of the longtime TV personality's qualifications to lead the Department of Defense. Hegseth, 44, stopped working at Fox News last week after his nomination was announced. His attorney, Timothy Parlatore, said that while Hegseth denies the allegations by his accuser, he settled with her several years ago, to prevent her from filing a lawsuit that could damage his television career. "This police report confirms what I have said all along," Parlatore told NPR via email, "that the incident was fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed." Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni said in a statement to NPR that her office declined to pursue the case in early 2018, after determining that "No charges were supported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt." What do the two sides say? The woman is identified only as Jane Doe in the police document. She told an investigator that late one night, while in Hegseth's room at a hotel that was hosting a Republican women's conference, he took her cellphone and "blocked the door with his body," according to the report. She also said they then had a sexual encounter, and in the ensuing days as other events triggered memories, she "went to the hospital because she believed she was sexually assaulted by [Hegseth]," an officer wrote in the report. The incidents described in the police report occurred over several hours, from Saturday evening, Oct. 7, into the early hours of Sunday, Oct. 8. When police contacted Hegseth later that month, his version of events differed from Doe's; as he told an investigator that he and Doe had had sex -- but that it was consensual. Both Hegseth and Doe say they had been drinking alcohol that night, as they and others moved from a banquet and speech to an afterparty and then late-night drinks at the bar at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa. The resort was hosting a conference and party for the California Federation of Republican Women. Doe, a staffer for the organization, was staying at the hotel with her husband. Why is the report coming out now? City Attorney Christine Davi says her office determined that it could release the redacted police report because Hegseth had been given a copy of the same document in March of 2021 -- rendering it no longer exempt from release under the state's public records laws. Other records, including a separate police report from another agency; a Kaiser Permanente report; an audio recording; surveillance footage; a photograph; and a memo from the Monterey County District Attorney's Office remain confidential, Davi says. What about accounts from witnesses and video? Witnesses describe roughly the same general arc of movement, as Hegseth, Doe and others moved from the hotel's conference center and ballroom to an after party spanning several suites. Later, Doe and Hegseth were part of a smaller group that went to the hotel's bar, called Knuckles Sports Bar. Witnesses and hotel records stated that Hegseth and Doe had a loud argument along the pool deck around 1:30 a.m. -- prompting an employee to ask them to be quiet. Hegseth responded by cursing at the employee and saying "he had freedom of speech," according to the police report. Doe then intervened, telling the employee "that they were Republicans and apologized" for Hegseth's behavior. The employee said Hegseth and Doe left soon afterward. They ended up in Building 5, room 528 -- Hegseth's room. What did Jane Doe tell police? In text messages Doe shared with police, she mentioned meeting Hegseth at the conference, including a message saying, "our ladies are freaking drooling over him." Some of Doe's texts were in conversations with her husband. Some of them indicated that she was not impressed with Hegseth, noting, "He wears a ring on his pointer finger. It creeps me out." Later in the evening, Doe told investigators, she saw Hegseth "acting inappropriately," rubbing women's legs, and "giving off a 'creeper' vibe," according to the report. In her statements to police, Doe described how memories of that night came back to her. Of the visit to Knuckles bar, she said, "that's when things got fuzzy." She told police that she recalled arguing with Hegseth near the pool, saying it was about how he was treating women at the conference. Doe remembered Hegseth telling her "that he was a nice guy," according to the report. "[Doe] stated the next memory she had was when she was in an unknown room," according to the police report. "[Doe] did not know where she was and how she got to the room. [Hegseth] was in the room with her." The report states that the woman said Hegseth asked who she was texting with and took her phone. Doe told police that she then tried to leave the room, but Hegseth blocked the door. "[Doe] remembered saying "no" a lot. [Doe] stated she did not remember much else. [Doe's] next memory was when she was on a bed or a couch and [Hegseth] was over her. [Hegseth's] dog tags were hovering over her face." What did Hegseth tell police? Hegseth told police that he delivered the keynote speech at the conference. Later, he said, he went upstairs to the after-party where he drank beer. He said that he and others then went to the hotel bar. Police say that the hotel's surveillance footage shows him, Doe and another woman walking to the bar, in a video time-stamped close to midnight. Hegseth said that no one at the bar was "blacked out drunk," and that while he was "buzzed," he wasn't intoxicated, according to the report. Hegseth told police he didn't remember having an argument at the pool. He said he was confused that Doe went back to his hotel room with him, because they had not talked as much as he did with others. Hegseth maintained that any physical interaction between them was consensual. Afterward, he said, Doe told him she would tell her husband that she had fallen asleep on a couch in someone else's room. Before Doe left his room, Hegseth said, he told her he would stay quiet about what had happened — but he added that she "showed early signs of regret." He did not specify what those signs were. How did the police get involved? Police were alerted when a Kaiser Permanente nurse called them on Oct. 12, 2017, reporting that a woman had come in requesting a sexual assault exam. The patient wanted to remain anonymous -- known as Jane Doe -- and she initially did not tell police Hegseth's name either, according to the report. The nurse said the patient was referred to an emergency room for an examination. The 22-page police report includes input from at least three officers, beginning with the officer who handled the initial call to an investigator who followed up and spoke with Doe, other women who were with her that night; hotel employees; and Hegseth himself. The report concludes with a recommendation to forward the case to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office for review. It lists the potential criminal offense as "Rape: victim unconscious of the nature of the act" -- citing California penal code section 261(a) (4) . Under state law, rape is classified as a felony punishable by three to eight years in prison. Copyright 2024 NPRNewmark Arranges $525 Million Refinancing for Flexible Living Apartment Portfolio Operated by Sentral
Ousted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media say DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Russia media say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad has fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally. The reports came hours after a stunning rebel advance swept into Damascus to cheers and ended the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire, joyful after a stifling, nearly 14-year civil war. But the swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country still split among armed factions. One rebel commander said “we will not deal with people the way the Assad family did." The fall of Bashar Assad after 13 years of war in Syria brings to an end a decades-long dynasty BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad has fled the country. Assad’s departure on Sunday brings to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto power in a brutal civil war that became a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. Assad’s exit stood in stark contrast to his first months as Syria’s unlikely president in 2000, when many hoped he would be a young reformer after three decades of his father’s iron grip. But faced with protests of his rule that erupted in March 2011, Assad turned to his father's brutal tactics to crush dissent. A long stalemate was quickly broken when opposition groups in northwest Syria launched a surprise offensive late last month. Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad? BEIRUT (AP) — Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader who led the stunning insurgency that toppled Syria’s President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image and that of his fighters. He renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicts himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test. The 42-year-old al-Golani is labeled a terrorist by the United States. He has not appeared publicly since Damascus fell early Sunday. But he and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, stand to be a major player in whatever comes next. Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a US withdrawal from NATO is possible WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is pushing Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine. Trump describes it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO. Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says any deal would have to pave the way to a lasting peace. The Kremlin's spokesman says Moscow is open to talks with Ukraine. South Korean prosecutors detain ex-defense chief over martial law imposition SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean prosecutors have detained a former defense minister who allegedly recommended last week’s brief but stunning martial law imposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol. Local media say that ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun voluntarily appeared on Sunday at a Seoul prosecutors’ office, where he had his mobile phone confiscated and was detained. A law enforcement official says Kim was later sent to a Seoul detention facility. Kim's detention came a day after Yoon avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote to prevent a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. Gaza health officials say latest Israeli airstrikes kill at least 14 including children DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian health officials say Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza have killed at least 14 people including children, while the bombing of a hospital in northern Gaza has wounded a half-dozen patients. Israel’s military continues its latest offensive against Hamas militants in northern Gaza, whose remaining Palestinians have been almost completely cut off from the rest of the territory amid a growing humanitarian crisis. One airstrike flattened a residential building in the urban Bureij refugee camp Sunday afternoon. That's according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. Trump's return may be a boon for Netanyahu, but challenges abound in a changed Middle East TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is jubilant about President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House. Trump's first term policies skewed heavily in favor of Israel, and he has picked stalwart Israel supporters for key positions in his administration. But much has transpired since Trump left office in early 2021. The turmoil in the Middle East, the lofty ambitions of Netanyahu’s far-right governing coalition and Netanyahu’s own personal relationship with the president-elect could dampen that enthusiasm and complicate what on the surface looks like a seamless alliance. The hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's elusive killer yields new evidence, but few answers NEW YORK (AP) — Police don’t know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of a backpack found in Central Park that they believe was carried by the killer. Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday outside of a hotel in Manhattan. First 12-team College Football Playoff set, Oregon seeded No. 1 and SMU edges Alabama for last spot SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs (11-2), losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama (9-3) of the SEC but one fewer loss. The first-of-its-kind 12-team bracket marks a new era for college football, though the Alabama-SMU debate made clear there is no perfect formula. The tournament starts Dec. 20-21 with four first-round games. It concludes Jan. 20 with the national title game in Atlanta.Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. — When Lilly Goyah struggled with mental health, she found comfort in Christian music. Now, as a 22-year-old senior at the College of St. Benedict, Goyah is pursuing an individualized major that blends music and business. She’s part of the university’s Entrepreneur Scholars program, a selective course designed to help students launch business ventures. For Goyah, the program became a launchpad for her idea: ANP Streaming, a Christian-based music platform tailored to users’ emotional needs. Her vision stems from her personal experiences. Born to Liberian immigrants, Goyah’s childhood was marked by frequent moves between shelters, government and transitional housing on the East Coast and, later, in Minnesota. She had a brief hope of housing stability when she was in eighth grade, when she and her brother moved to live with her father in Champlin, a northwest suburb in the Twin Cities. That hope shattered when the family returned one day to find the locks changed and their belongings gone. “We had been through a lot of instability, obviously and homelessness before that. But I had a lot of hope once we were able to move into that house,” Goyah said. “When we were put back in that shelter, I had this feeling of we were never going to get past that part of life.” The upheaval, combined with school struggles and a falling out with her father, plunged Goyah into depression and suicidal thoughts. By the end of her freshman year at Anoka High School, Goyah had made the decision to end her life. “For me, that was one of the worst moments ever. Because while I was also struggling with mental health, I didn’t relate to or feel a genuine feeling when it came to religion, Christianity, or God ... I had this disconnection from religion as a whole,” she said. Before she could act, her mother sent Goyah on a life-changing youth retreat in Olney, Maryland. On the first night, Goyah watched a skit depicting a child grappling with depression and suicidal thoughts. “That kind of changed my mind and my thoughts toward Christianity,” she said. Her views on Christian music, the only genre she was allowed to listen to growing up, also changed on the trip. At one point, she viewed the genre as “corny” and “not a real representation of life.” Those views quickly shifted during the retreat after she heard the song “My World Needs You” by Kirk Franklin for the first time. He quickly became her favorite artist, and still is to this day. The retreat sparked a new hope for Goya, who graduated from Anoka High School in 2020. “Music was really pivotal in helping me get through those moments and have a healthy coping mechanism,” said Goyah, who was also part of her high school choir. After graduation, Goyah followed her friends to Augsburg University in Minneapolis. However, she quickly found herself isolated and again struggling with her mental health. She realized a need for change and, on the advice of her high school counselor, transferred to the College of St. Benedict in the fall of 2021. When she hit campus, Goyah took up her individualized major and discovered the Entrepreneur Scholars program. That program is a cohort of about a dozen students, according to academic director Paul Marsnik. He noted the program’s selectivity, which usually sees about 30 to 35 applicants a year. “We’re looking for students with what we call an entrepreneurial mindset, young people who see opportunities and get things done,” Marsnik said. The program launched 20 years ago. One day, Goyah appeared in his office, eager to learn more about the program, which includes trips to Silicon Valley and Vietnam. Those trips allow cohort students to talk and network with companies. “I could see her face light up; she was like, ‘Oh, this is exactly what I’m looking for,” Marsnik said. Despite a full cohort, there was a last-minute opening that allowed Goyah to join. Marsnik said the program has featured many talented students, but he thinks Goyah is one of the best. “She’s an inspiration to a lot of people and could be to a lot more, I think,” Marsnik said. Goyah's original idea was a record label, but she pivoted toward ANP Streaming, a platform that she said would fill a unique need in Christian music. ANP — which stands for "A New Psalm — Streaming will offer Christian music tailored to emotional needs, filling a gap in the market, Goyah said. “I’m really excited to put this in the space for people,” said Goyah. “If you’re not talking niche, then obviously it would be like Spotify or YouTube Music or Apple Music." She envisions ANP as a way for users to connect with faith and find solace through music, just as she did. “The No. 1 mission with the application, of course, with it being Christian-based, is kind of helping people to discover individual relationships with God, which can be fostered through music,” Goyah said. During her time in Vietnam, she secured a partnership with Saigon Technology to develop the app for an estimated $50,000. Goyah has opened a crowdfunding campaign to support development costs. She is securing licensing and catalog agreements to make the platform a reality. ANP Streaming will launch a “freemium” model, Goyah said. That will include a free version with advertisements and a premium version with no ads and additional features. The application will be available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Development for the application is underway and will launch in middle to late 2025. As music remains vital to Goyah, she has also recently started to write original songs, including "Freedom," which she performed last year on the Johnnie Bennie Media YouTube channel. While unsure if she’ll remain in the area or head somewhere like Nashville, Goyah is eager to see where her vision can have the most significant impact as the app is developed. “I’ve just been so overwhelmed with how amazing this community is and how resourceful it is,” Goyah said. “So part of me really wants to stay, but I think wherever this journey takes me and where I can have the most impact is really, ultimately, where I’m looking to go.” Lilly Goyah has launched a campaign on Indiegogo to help fund her Christian music mobile app, ANP Streaming. To donate to the campaign, visit tinyurl.com/ANPStreaming-donate. For more about ANP Streaming, visit anpstreaminginfo.com.It's the weekend after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and Walmart just keeps on giving with a massive weekend sale. The retailer has launched a holiday sale with left-over Black Friday prices on best-selling gift ideas. You can save on AirPods, robot vacuums, air fryers, TVs, gaming consoles, and toys. • Shop Walmart's full holiday sale As a deals editor and self-proclaimed shopping expert, I've gone through Walmart's weekend sale and hand-picked the 23 best deals on gift ideas. I've selected highly rated products from brands like Apple, Ninja, Dyson, and Roomba that would make great Christmas gifts. A few highlights include Apple's MacBook Air M1 on sale for $599.99 , the popular Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 on sale for $199.99 , and this Chefman Turbofry air fryer on sale for only $50 . Most of Walmart's deals listed below are still on sale for the same record-low prices we saw during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. That will change as we get closer to Christmas, so you should snag these bargains while you can. Walmart's holiday sale quick links Apple: AirPods, iPads & Apple Watch from $80 Baby: 40% off car seats, highchairs & strollers Christmas trees: deals from $38.99 Clothing: 40% off coats, jeans & shoes Furniture: couches, beds & chairs starting at $49 Gift ideas: deals for the family from $5 Headphones: Sony and Apple from $29 Holiday decor: save on throws, trees & furniture Home: coffee makers & air fryers from $35 Laptops: up to $550 off Mattresses: deals starting at $65 Toys: up to 40% off Lego, Star Wars & Barbie TVs: smart 4K TVs from $148 Vacuums: robot vacuums from $99 Walmart's 23 best-selling gifts on sale Roku's most affordable streaming stick is fast, cheap, and easy to use, making it a great way to get started in the world of streaming. This discount brings this device to under $20, which is a bargain for TV owners looking for a simple and effective way to add smart features to their display. Get the best compact, single-serve blender for just $39.99 at Walmart's holiday sale. This is an ideal solution for your daily smoothie or protein shake. With its built-in handle and sippy cup lid, you'll be ready to make your favorite creation just before leaving the house. If you're looking to gift a cheap air fryer, Walmart has a massive 50% discount on the top-rated Chefman air fryer, bringing the price down to $50. The eight-quart air fryer features a basket divider, so you can separate food for dual cooking. Apple devices are always popular products during the Christmas shopping season, and Walmart has Apple's cheapest AirPods, the AirPods 2, on sale for just $89. That's the best deal you can find right now, only $20 more than the record-low price. This offer is highly recommended if you want new AirPods and don't need noise-canceling technology. You can get the best-selling Beats Studio 3 headphones for just $89 right now -an excellent price. That's the lowest price we've found for the wireless headphones that include noise-canceling technology and provide up to 22 hours of battery life. At Walmart's holiday sale, you can grab this Ninja Grand Kitchen blender for $98. You'll get an XL 72-oz. blender, an 18-oz Nutri Ninja Cup with a to-go lid to take your smoothie on the go, and an eight-cup food processor bowl. The top-rated Tineco cordless wet-dry vacuum mop combo is on sale for a record-low price of $99 at Walmart's holiday sale. The Tineco iFloor 2 vacuums and washes hard floors in one step, handling wet and dry messes in one sweep. Make a cup of coffee in less than two minutes with Keurig's best-selling K-Elite, which is on sale for $119. Five brew-size selections let you choose how much to make, while Strong brew and Iced options mean you can enjoy a bold morning cup or a refreshing afternoon beverage with the touch of a button. If you're looking for a budget laptop, Walmart's holiday sale has HP's 14-inch laptop for just $129 – an incredible price. For that money, you're getting an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB of SSD, and up to 10 hours of battery life. The Ninja Creami ice cream maker will surely be a popular Christmas gift this year, and Walmart has the appliance down to a record-low price. You can make ice cream, milkshakes, and sorbets with a touch of a button and add your favorite mix-ins and flavors. Apple's best-selling AirPods Pro 2 are some of the best earbuds on the market, and Walmart has them on sale for $169 - $15 more than the record-low price we briefly saw on Black Friday. The AirPods Pro 2 feature active noise cancellation, an improved audio quality, and a wireless charging case that provides more than 24 hours of battery life. Walmart is known for its stunningly low prices on TVs during Black Friday, and this 2024 Hisense set is still on sale for a record-low price. For just $178, you get 4K HD resolution, Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10, DTS Studio Sound, and the Roku operating system for easy streaming. This is an incredible offer, and I don't expect it to be around for long. The best-selling Solo Stove makes a great Christmas gift idea, and Walmart's holiday sale includes the Ranger 2.0 model for $199.99 – a record-low price. The smokeless, portable Solo Stove includes a stand, a removable base plate, and an ash pan, making cleaning easier. If you're on a budget but still want a high-end vacuum, Dyso's V8 Absolute is a fantastic option at just $299.99. Perfect for pet owners, the Dyson V8 features a de-tangling motor bar that works across hardwood floors and carpets and can transform into a handheld vac for quick and convenient clean-ups. Walmart has Apple's best-selling 10.9 iPad on sale for $299 – just $20 more than the record-low price. In our iPad 10.9 (2022) review , we said Apple's latest base-level tablet is a big upgrade over the previous generation model, offering a larger Liquid Retina display, a new A14 Bionic chip, improved cameras, USB-C support, and a sleek design. Big-screen budget TVs are always popular during Black Friday, and this 65-inch display from Onn. is still on sale for only $298. It offers 4K UHD resolution on a frameless bezel for an edge-to-edge viewing experience. The Onn. display also comes with the Roku experience for easy streaming and a compatible app that allows you to use your voice to launch shows, browse movies, and adjust the volume. Here's an incredible deal on a Roomba robot vacuum mop combo, bringing the price down to its lowest ever. The j5 uses the iRobot Home App to create no-mop zones, so it will vacuum your hard floors while mopping at the same time but will avoid your carpet. There have been savings galore for the Xbox Series X Digital Edition this Black Friday. And rightly so, as I feel its retail price is a touch on the pricey side given the lack of a disc drive. It's certainly more compelling below that $400 mark. Sadly there's no bundle here, but still a decent saving for the console itself. This TV deal sold out on Black Friday, but now it's back in stock at the same record-low price of $478. The 2024 display features 4K UHD resolution, Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10, and smart capabilities courtesy of a voice-enabled remote, making this an outstanding value. Walmart has a $100 discount on the top-rated Shark IQ robot vacuum. It offers powerful suction on carpets and hardwood floors, and the Shark app allows you to set cleaning schedules from anywhere. If you're after the best-value PS5 Slim console as well as the best-value bundle, then this Fortnite Cobalt Star listing at Walmart is the way to go, with a $50 discount. At just $599 - Walmart is practically giving away Apple's MacBook Air. Not only is this an outstanding price for such a powerful laptop that still holds up great for 2024, but this could be the last chance to pick one up now that it's officially discontinued. Don't miss this incredible deal if you're looking for a great bang for the buck MacBook. Samsung's The Frame TV is my dream Christmas present, and the 55-inch model is on sale for a record-low price of $887. The 2024 Samsung Frame TV features Pantone art-validated colors that deliver lifelike images. Plus, the display now comes with Streams, a complimentary set of artwork streamed from the Samsung Art Store.
Trump vows to pardon Jan 6 defendants on Day OneA tease of what is to come... Marvel Rivals has had a staggering launch and become one of the biggest games of 2024. But, as we head into 2025, the game has no plans to slow down and is in fact only going to be releasing more content with each season. This includes several heroes every few months, and many have already been leaked. READ MORE: ‘Marvel Rivals’ tier list – top Duelists, Vanguards, and Strategists Here is what we know about the upcoming heroes and what you can expect from them. ‘Marvel Rivals’ upcoming heroes The leaked heroes for Marvel Rivals so far are: Ultron – Strategist Mr. Fantastic – Duelist Sue Storm – Strategist Human Torch – Duelist The Thing – Vanguard Angela – (referenced in game files) Blade – (referenced in game files) Captain Marvel – (referenced in game files) Deadpool – (referenced in game files) Emma Frost – (referenced in game files) Hit-Monkey – (referenced in game files) Jean Grey – (referenced in game files) The Hood – (teased) These heroes and villains are at various stages of being confirmed, but six of them have models and art in the game files or from different builds of the game. Some of them even have full ability lists: Ultron Ultron is one of the characters we know the most about. His entire ability set has been leaked, and official art has also been revealed . Ultron is a 2/5 difficulty hero and also a Strategist, which may seem odd at first but actually plays into his motivations and character traits. Credit: NetEase The entire ability list for Ultron is as follows : Ultimate: Rage of Ultron – Summon Ultron Drones to fiire Encephalo-Rays, damaging enemies or healing allies. Movement ability: Dynamic Flight – Fly quickly in the direction of movement and then enter a free-flight mode. Ability 1: Imperative: Patch – Command a giant drone to follow an ally, constantly healing allies in its radius, with additional healing for the designated ally. Ability 2: Imperative: Firewall – Summon drones to grant bonus Health to allies within range, centred on himself and the ally marked with Imperative: Patch. Passive: Algorithm Correction – Hold jump to fall slowly. Regular Fire: Encephalo-Ray – Unleash a burning energy beam. Additionally, Ultron is set to arrive in Season 1, according to multiple leakers, so we could be seeing him as early as January. Mr. Fantastic Mr. Fantastic has also been almost entirely leaked. We have official models of him from the game, which can be seen below. He appears to be an all-around Duelist, aimed at players who want to tank damage and kill a lot of opponents. Credit: NetEase The full ability list for Mr. Fantastic is as follows : Ultimate ability: Braniac Bounce – Leap and smash, knocking back enemies within range. Upon hitting an enemy, leap again up to six times. Movement ability: Flexible Elongation – Select a target and dash at it, dealing damage to enemies and granting bonus health to allies. Ability 1 – Reflexive Rubber – Stretch body to absorb damage before launching stored damage in the targeted direction. Ability 2: – Rubber Grip – Extend arms forward to entange hit enemies then press fire to select and yank two more enemies. Passive: Elastic Strength – Skills generate Elasticity, boosting attack power. Reaching full Elasticity triggers an inflated state that restores health and boosts even more damage. Rgular fire: Elastic Punch – Stretch out a forward punch ot attack enemies. Sue Storm Sue Storm or The Invisible Woman has also been leaked, although she is the character we know nothing about. No images of her model have been found, besides a brief mention during an initial leak before launch . Given the rest of the Fantastic 4 are here, we don’t think she will be far behind. Human Torch Human Torch is another Duelist from the Fantastic 4. He is a 3/5 difficulty with a lot of movement options and damage potential. His in-game model has been leaked already . Credit: NetEase On top of that, we have the full ability list for Human Torch . His abilities make him a trapper of sorts, walling off areas with dangerous fire: Ultimate ability: Supernova – Unleash shockwaves to deal damage to enemies within range. During skill activation, the flame field will transform into a fire tornado. Movement ability: Plasma Body – Hold dash to enter a state of accelerated ascent. Ability 1: Pyro-Prison – Connect flame fields to form a fire wall that deals burning damage to enemies. Ability 2: Flaming Meteor – Dive towards the ground and stun nearby enemies. Regular fire: Fire Cluster – Launch forward a splittable fireball. Alternate fire: Blazing Blast – Launch a fireball to create a flame field at the targeted area. Human Torch will also bring a brand new Team-Up move with Storm: Omega Fire. Storm can consume one of Human Torch’s fire tornadoes into her ultimate to ignite her hurricane. Human Torch can also turn Storm’s hurricane into a fiery hurricane with his ultimate, enlarging and intensifying any of his fire tornadoes caught in its path. The Thing Alongside the rest of the Fantastic 4, The Thing has also been found in the game’s files. Besides being a Vanguard, we don’t know anything else about the hero. But we can guess he will be able to absorb damage and lob rocks from the ground, or something similar. At least there is an early design of him from the game’s files . Credit: NetEase Blade Blade’s in-game model and character icon have been leaked , which could suggest he is arriving in Season 1 or just after due to how far along his design is compared to some of the others on this list. While we have those designs, we don’t have any additional information on him. Credit: NetEase Angela, Hit-Monkey, and Captain Marvel have all been referenced within in-game files, according to Matfacio , a well-known dataminer. We don’t have any additional details about them, however. Although Erica Lindbeck, the actress who has played Captain Marvel in several games, has recently started following the Marvel Rivals X account , which could mean something or absolutely nothing. After delving into the game, Fumo Leaks also found that Emma Frost and Jean Grey are also in the files. Deadpool has also been found in some voice files within the game referencing him, but the evidence here isn’t as strong as some other characters, according to Fumo Leaks . Miller Ross also teased The Hood possibly coming to the game ahead of Marvel Rivals ‘ full release. The Hood will be appearing in Iron Heart in 2025 on Disney+. Finally, the wildest character that has been found in the game files is M.O.D.O.K. Yes, that M.O.D.O.K. Although, like Deadpool and The Hood, there isn’t much concrete evidence here. For even more on the game, be sure to check out how you can earn Units , Chrono Tokens , and Lattice while playing. Related Topics Marvel Rivals PC PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Xbox One Xbox Series X|S