Latest news with #Ralph
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Portals Redefines Telegram Gift Trading on TON: Over 200K Transactions and Counting
07/25/2025, Seoul, South Korea // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Telegram's thriving gift economy is getting its moment in the Web3 spotlight, and Portals is leading the charge. As digital collectibles on Telegram explode in popularity, Portals has emerged as the premier marketplace for buying, selling, and showcasing NFT-based Telegram gifts on the TON blockchain. Since its 2024 launch, Portals has facilitated over 200,000 gift transactions, driven by a user-first experience that combines zero listing fees, instant settlement, and seamless integration within Telegram. With each new feature, Portals continues to lower the barrier for thousands of users to join the Telegram-native digital economy. 'This thing is just getting started. This is more than just trading JPEGs, it's culture,' said top crypto influencer Ralph, who recently spotlighted Portals as 'one of the most promising experiments in the TON ecosystem.' Ralph even teased plans to acquire the legendary Plush Pepe, the platform's most expensive collectible. A Marketplace Evolving Into an Ecosystem Portals isn't just a trading hub, it's becoming a fully immersive experience. Users can now: The Portals experience is built for Telegram-first users. No NFT expertise required. Whether it's browsing viral drops like Durov's Caps or entering competitive auctions for premium assets like Heart Lockets, Portals makes it as simple as scrolling your favorite e-commerce feed. Driving Culture on the TON Blockchain What once looked like meme-driven assets is now turning into real Web3 social capital. Telegram gifts represent a unique fusion of status, creativity, and community, and Portals is building the rails for this new form of expression. As TON-based mini apps expand and Telegram-native tokens gain traction, Portals is well-positioned to onboard the next wave of Web3 users — one gift at a time. About Portals Portals is the leading Telegram-native NFT gift marketplace on the TON blockchain, enabling seamless gift trading, collection, and rewards. With a growing user base, zero-fee listings, and cutting-edge features, Portals is reshaping the future of social collectibles in Web3. Disclaimer:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
SC Congressman Ralph Norman enters race for governor. Here are 5 things to know
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, a House Freedom Caucus congressman, is running for governor, the Associated Press reported Friday. He joins Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, and Attorney General Alan Wilson already in the race for the Republican nomination for governor to succeed Gov. Henry McMaster, who can't run in 2026. Norman is expected to make a formal announcement Sunday at a kickoff event in Rock Hill. Because South Carolina is a reliably red state, winning the GOP nomination is key to anyone running for a statewide office. Who is Ralph Norman? Norman was elected to six terms in the State House before being elected to Congress. He's represented South Carolina's 5th Congressional District since 2017 after winning a special election. The district includes Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union and York counties He is a member of the U.S. House's Freedom Caucus and was a supporter of the creation of the South Carolina House Freedom Caucus. Before being elected to Congress, Norman was a real estate developer. Why it makes sense for Norman to run? Norman has been in Congress for eight years. He's also 72 years old and whoever wins the GOP nomination is likely to hold onto the governor's mansion for eight years. If he doesn't run now, the next real opportunity may only be when he's in his eighties, making a bid less likely to succeed. He brings business experience to the race and has established himself as conservative on spending issues. 'A family man who is probably ready to work a bit closer to home, Ralph has run a business, served in the Statehouse and U.S. House, and has distinguished himself, in working with the Freedom Caucus in Washington, as an outspoken fiscal hawk who understands conservative issues and governance,' said Rob Godfrey, a longtime South Carolina Republican strategist who is not working for any campaign this cycle. 'The governorship could afford Ralph a chance to employ skills he's learned throughout his career.' He may have a lane being in the Freedom Caucus and presumably having the backing of the hard-line conservative South Carolina Freedom Caucus. 'Ralph has proven that he has his values, he has his beliefs, but he's not an obstructionist for the Republican Party, just to be an obstructionist like a (U.S. Rep.) Thomas Massie,' said Alex Stroman, a former SC GOP executive director not working for any campaign this cycle. 'If you look at Ralph on the speaker vote, if you look at Ralph on the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' Ralph tends to kind of hold out and have his position to make sure his positions are heard. But I think Ralph is, at least from my viewpoint, in the caucus they know ... he's coming at it from a place of principle, and at the end of the day, Ralph is trying to get the yes and trying to be a team player.' Is Norman aligned with President Donald Trump? Norman backed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's bid for president during the 2024 campaign, sticking with her until she dropped out. He eventually backed Trump's bid when he was the last Republican left in the race. Norman also initially wouldn't vote for U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson to be House speaker, holding up that election until he got onto a phone call with Trump, which had been facilitated by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace. The 5th District congressman also was a holdout on the Trump-pushed tax cut and spending bill known as the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' before a final vote on July 3. Norman said he voted for the bill after receiving assurances from Trump over how green initiative tax credits would be handled by his administration, he said. 'We got clarification of what's going to be enforced,' Norman told reporters July 3 according to The Hill. 'We got clarification on how the IRAs are going to be dealt with. We got clarification on the tax cuts. What advantages does Norman have? Norman has deep pockets and his wealth could help finance a statewide run. According to federal financial disclosures, Norman has at least $27 million in land and cash assets an investments, according to his 2023 financial disclosure form filed in August of last year. 'Ralph is personally wealthy, if he's willing to dive into those coffers,' Stroman said. Being in Washington also gives Norman access to donors across the country. 'He has dealt with the pressure of raising money. He has worked with stakeholders across local, state and federal government for years. And he knows the budget process — through the lenses of a business owner and a federal and state policy maker — and that's not experience that can be under sold these days,' Godfrey said. His style may be useful when campaigning around the state. 'Ralph is also someone who's really engaging, really well-spoken, (and) folksy. He can go into different areas of the state, I think connect with voters. And so I think that Ralph is somebody that even when you may disagree with some of his opinions, he's really hard to not like,' Stroman said. What challenges does Norman face? Norman hasn't always been on the Trump train, which could hurt him in a state where the president is popular among the GOP voting base. He also has supported the State House Freedom Caucus, a group of hard-line conservative lawmakers. That could hurt Norman among establishment Republicans. Voters may see him as standing in the way of the president's goals. 'He came around on both of those at the end of the day, but I think that could be a challenge, just because people might see him as being not fully on board the president's agenda,' Stroman said about Norman's votes on the House speaker and tax cut and spending bill. His steadfast backing of Haley in 2024 could come back to hurt him. 'I think that points to kind of his standing on loyalty. I think he liked Nikki, that they were close, and that when other people, maybe in the state or even nationally, decided to go with (Trump) and take the easy route, Ralph went full (throttle) for Nikki Haley, for a friend. He stood by a friend,' Stroman said. He may not be well known around South Carolina. A Winthrop University poll found Norman was only familiar among 35% of Republican voters. Norman will have to raise his name ID. 'He's represented a Statehouse district and a congressional district, but he's never served in statewide office, so he has to go to parts of the state where he hasn't lived, where he hasn't known the voters quite as well - and he has to introduce himself,' Godfrey said.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Team RAWR delights fans with fun TikTok videos
RAWR fans, your wishes have finally been granted! Ralph De Leon, AZ Martinez, Will Ashley, and River Joseph — dubbed as Team RAWR — came together for a couple of TikTok videos posted on Friday. On AZ's page, she shared a video of them doing the viral trend set to the song "Im So ATL" by Bankroll Ni. Her caption mentioned taho, referencing a comment by a netizen on X saying that she would eat taho if RAWR makes a TikTok together. Ralph had noticed the post and shared it on their broadcast channel previously. Ralph also posted a second TikTok of them dancing to the classic "Butterfly" by A fan commented, "10/10 walang tapon lahat may saltik," and Ralph replied, laughing, "TRUE." Team RAWR is one of the barkadas formed on "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition." All four friends made it to the PBB Big Four. AZ and River (AzVer) finished as the 4th big placers, while Ralph and Will (RaWi) finished as the 2nd big placers. The 20 housemates will reunite on August 10 for "The Big ColLOVE" at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Following the success of "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition," a second season is in the works. —JCB, GMA Integrated News
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- NZ Herald
Reality TV star Tamika Chesser case: Police call off search for missing head of Julian Story
After reviewing hours of CCTV footage and exploiting specialist equipment, the police identified new search areas this week, including scrubland around the Happy Valley Cemetery in the town and the Winter Hill Lookout. The police said they had located some 'items of interest' from the cemetery, including a T-shirt with Elvis printed on it, a wristband and a purple drink bottle. 'Those items have all been seized and have been put into forensics for further analysis,' Detective Fielke said. 'At this stage, we don't have the results of that testing yet.' But the detective confirmed that 'general searching' for Story's remains had now ended. 'We've exhausted all the areas of interest that have been made known to us,' Detective Fielke said 'We will however go back and search if we receive specific information about where Julian's remains might be. 'But in terms of general searching in Port Lincoln, that has now stopped.' Detective Fielke said the police had been in contact with Story's family, and said they were happy with how the police and the community had helped them through the tragic development. It is expected the family will hold a funeral for Story on August 6. Story's body was found on the afternoon of June 19 following a small fire at the unit, and Chesser was arrested in the yard of the home. Story was a Port Lincoln local, while Chesser had only recently moved to the area from Queensland. At an earlier press conference, Fielke said the cause of death is still being investigated and a motive remains unknown. 'We know they were in a relationship together, and I'm not suggesting that is a motive, but it is something that is being explored,' Fielke said in an update from June. Police allege Chesser was captured on CCTV walking with a bag, dogs, and dressed in heavy clothing in the hours after Story's death. Chesser has been charged with murder, destroying human remains, and assaulting a police officer. She is currently on remand at James Nash House, a psychiatric facility. On Thursday, Fielke confirmed police had not yet spoken with Chesser about the alleged murder or Story's remains. 'We're not in a position yet to be able to talk to Tamika,' he said. 'We don't have the opportunity at this point of time to interview her. 'When we do, we will, and we're hopeful that she will be able to help us with some information.' Fielke added he did not believe anybody in the town was 'holding out' information from the police. Chesser starred in the second series of the hit reality TV show Beauty and the Geek in 2010, finishing in second place. She has also worked as a model for a range of brands, including Target and appeared in men's magazines, including Ralph and FHM, a profile for her on Star Now states. Her Instagram and Facebook social media profiles are filled with racy and glamorous images.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Hawthorn Hawks vs Carlton Blues LIVE: Sam Docherty prepares for last game with Blues
Latest posts 6.26pm Blues mourn the loss of Warren Ralph Jake Niall Carlton and the club's past players are mourning the death of 1980s spearhead Warren Ralph, who booted nine goals on debut. Recruited from WAFL club Claremont - where he was a gun full-forward - Ralph made that startling debut in the opening round of 1984 and also booted eight goals for the Blues against Hawthorn in a losing team in the qualifying final that year. Ralph died at home in Perth. He was 66. A long and accurate kick, Ralph topped Carlton's goal kicking in his first season with 55 but did not have as much success at Royal Parade in his next two subsequent years, managing a total of 21 games for the Blues over three seasons, injury having curtailed him early in season 1985. His 72 goals in those 21 games was a more than respectable output. Ralph was a star at Claremont, where two stints (before and after Carlton) produced 549 goals from 116 games. He represented WA six times in state football (21 goals). He finished his senior career at SANFL club Glenelg. 6.25pm 'Resilience personified': Docherty announces AFL retirement By Hannah Kennelly Carlton's Sam Docherty, who came back to football after beating cancer twice and multiple serious surgeries, has announced his retirement and will play a final AFL game at the MCG this Thursday night. The 31-year-old will play his final game against Hawthorn and will be celebrated with a tribute at the club's next home game against Gold Coast on August 9. In a club statement, Carlton said Docherty was 'resilience personified'. A John Nicholls medallist in 2016, Docherty followed that up with All-Australian honours in 2017 and took over the captaincy in 2018. After playing every game for the Blues in 2016 and 2017, Docherty was sidelined for the next two seasons after undergoing back-to-back ACL reconstructions. He returned in 2020 to play football but was then diagnosed with the first of two bouts of testicular cancer, for which he had multiple surgeries and chemotherapy treatment. 'Perspective is such a valuable thing, and that is what I am most grateful for in my career,' Docherty said. 'When my career started I thought a footballer had to define themselves by the accolades they achieved; while I am certainly grateful for those that have come my way, I will leave this game with so much more. 'The experiences I have had not just in my football career, but in life, have moved the goal posts for me – while there has been no shortage of challenges, because of what I have been through I have been allowed to meet so many amazing people and have had the opportunity to have an impact far greater than kicking or handballing a football ever could.'
