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Mark Cuban is ready to fund a TikTok alternative built on Blueskyβs AT Protocol
Entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban is ready to fund a TikTok alternative built on Blueskyβs AT Protocol, he shared in a TikTok video posted on Wednesday. In anticipation of the coming U.S. TikTok ban, which will go through on Sunday unless paused by the Supreme Court, users have been fleeing to other video platforms, including [β¦]
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- Duolingo sees a spike in users learning Mandarin as Americans flock to Chinese TikTok rival RedNote
Duolingo sees a spike in users learning Mandarin as Americans flock to Chinese TikTok rival RedNote
- Americans are flocking to Chinese app Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, as a potential US TikTok ban looms.
- Some of them are learning Mandarin in an attempt to bridge the language divide on the app.
- Language-learning apps Duolingo and Drops told BI they've seen an increase in US users learning Chinese.
The threat of TikTok going dark in the US appears to have compelled some Americans to start learning Mandarin as they look to communicate on a rival Chinese app.
Many Americans are joining Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, as a potential TikTok ban looms in the US. As they hop from TikTok to RedNote, some of the so-called "TikTok refugees" are learning Mandarin to bridge the language divide on the Chinese app.
Language learning apps Duolingo and Drops told BI they've seen a jump in US users learning Mandarin on their platforms recently.
"oh so NOW you're learning mandarin," Duolingo joked in a tweet Tuesday.
oh so NOW youβre learning mandarin
β Duolingo (@duolingo) January 14, 2025
However, the spike in interest is real, according to the company.
Duolingo told BI it's seen roughly 216% growth in new Mandarin learners in the US compared to this time last year. The company says this is "a much bigger increase" than that of other languages, even when it comes to some of its most popular offerings. Spanish, for example, saw just 40% growth in the same period.
Duolingo also asked new users in a survey how they heard about the app, and said it's seen "a corresponding spike in people selecting 'TikTok' as their answer."
Duoling was the 18th most downloaded free app in Apple's App Store on Thursday.
Another language learning app, Estonia-based Drops, said it has seen an increase in Chinese-language learners too.
Frederik Cordes, general manager at Drops, told BI the app has welcomed "three times as many users learning Chinese during the past few days and five times more US-based users learning Chinese" than what it expected based on the previous two weeks.
While the company has recently added new features, Cordes believes "the current spikes do indicate there are external factors with strong contributions to installs."
NoΓ«l Wolf, a cultural expert from Babbel, which does not offer Chinese, told BI that the influx of Americans to RedNote "marks an unprecedented level of direct cultural exchange facilitated by language learning and communication at a scale we've never seen before."
In one TikTok, a user pointed to a cat before saying in Chinese, "Hello, this is my cat. I am learning Mandarin. This is day one."
"Me after literally 2 hours on RedNote," the person captioned the video.
A second TikTok featured another user speaking Chinese, with the text overlay on the video reading, "Trying to learn Chinese to be a more respectful RedNote user."
"I hope this came out alright," the user captioned the video.
@_jen_hamilton_ I hope this all came out right
β¬ original sound - Jen Hamilton
And it turns out RedNote's popularity isn't just driving some Americans to learn Chinese. As new users flood the app from the US, some of RedNote's Chinese users are learning English from Americans new to the app.
More than 700,000 new users joined Xiaohongshu in two days, Reuters reported, citing a person close to the company. While the growth is notable, that would represent a fraction of TikTok's 170 million US users.
For now, TikTok's future in the US remains up in the air.
TikTok could be banned from US app stores from Sunday under a law that would require it to divest from its current owner, Chinese company ByteDance. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing TikTok's appeal.
There are some potential US buyers who could swoop in to prevent the ban, though, and President Biden could grant a 90-day extension if there's "significant" progress on a deal.
President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office Monday and supported banning TikTok in his first term, has recently expressed interest in keeping the app operating in the US, saying he has "a warm spot in my heart for TikTok."
No one does daring fashion like Zendaya. Photos show the boldest looks she's worn.
- Zendaya is a certified style icon both on the red carpet and off.
- Her fashion is often daring, feminine, and fashion-forward.
- The Emmy-winning actor gravitates toward sheer dresses and historical fashion pieces.
No one does fashion quite like Zendaya.
The 28-year-old actor has been making showstopping appearances on red carpets since the start of her career, and her style only seems to get better with time.
Just look at the orange Louis Vuitton gown she wore to the 2025 Golden Globes and the flashy engagement ring she debuted with it.
She also knows a thing or two about daring ensembles. Here's a look at the boldest looks she's ever worn, from see-through dresses to silver armor.
Zendaya's standout dress was designed by Fausto Puglisi. It had a sleeveless black bodice and a red miniskirt with embroidered suns. The latter piece was especially unique, as it extended into a train behind her.
To complete the look, she wore a gold sun headband and matching bracelet.
Her striped pants, as well as her single-sleeved crop top, were designed by Rosie Assoulin. Though both pieces are now sold out, they previously retailed for a combined total of $3,490.
Zendaya's long-sleeved gown had a plunging neckline that extended to her metal belt. The slit in her skirt, on the other hand, helped her show off black sandals that had 14 buckle straps each.
The actor's blonde cropped hairstyle also helped her stand out on the red carpet.
On the blue carpet, she was photographed wearing a white shirtdress underneath an oversize, ripped-up sweater. She completed the look by wearing over-the-knee boots with red laces.
She was an honoree that night and looked stunning in the Reem Acra design, which also had sheer pink sleeves covered in ruffles.
The green Zuhair Murad dress wasΒ made from transparent fabric, and it also had a plunging neckline and open back.
For a "Spider-Man: Homecoming" photo call, she paired a black-and-yellow striped cardigan with a blue tutu and white belt. The actor also wore white pumps and an updo hairstyle.
Her custom Ralph & Russo gown was bright pink, with a high neckline and rows of fabric that cascaded from her shoulders down to the red carpet. The dress also had a plunging cutout across the chest, as well as a thigh-high slit, which revealed her pink pumps.
Her high-neck top had long sleeves and was held together by pink buttons. Zendaya's pants, on the other hand, were wide-legged and reached her ankles.
Zendaya's dress had a floor-length velvet skirt and long sleeves covered with silver stars. Its bodice was almost entirely sheer, aside from two black horses that covered her chest.
Her billowing dress had balloon-style sleeves, a high neckline, and a giant bow on the side of her neck. To complete the bold look, Zendaya wore a black headband and polka-dot-print shoes.
Zendaya was one of three celebrities to wear an armor-inspired outfit that night. Still, her Versace gown stood out thanks to its sparkling skirt, scoop-style neckline, and metal padding.
Her gown had a sparkling yellow bodice, which was wrapped with purple silk that extended into a single sleeve draped down her back. Additionally, Zendaya's skirt had a tall slit that extended above her thigh.
Designed by Marc Jacobs, Zendaya's sleeveless dress was partially made from pink-and-orange feathers. She paired it with pink pumps and wore her hair in an updo.
At a LancΓ΄me event, during which Zendaya was named the brand's Global Ambassador, the actor wore a red, long-sleeved jumpsuit. Each sleeve had red ruffles attached, and her outfit perfectly matched her bright heels.
While visiting "Good Morning America," Zendaya was photographed wearing a sleeveless shirtdress covered in car blueprints. Her pants were also covered in the daring design.
Zendaya's three-piece ensemble comprised a suit-style jacket, loose shorts, and tall boots β all of which had the same red-and-white print.
Her Armani PrivΓ© gown had a red sleeveless top that connected to her black high-low skirt. The daring gown was also backless and paired perfectly with her pointed pumps.
Her tuxedo-style crop top and sleek black trousers were custom made for her by Armani. She paired the outfit with sheer black tights and Christian Louboutin pumps, which retailed for $845 at the time.
Her green Vera Wang gown had a sheer strapless bodice and a silk floor-length skirt with a slit. She also wore matching green heels and a cuff-style bracelet.
Designed by Peter Do, her daring outfit included a button-up shirt, pleated pants, a skirt, and a cropped jacket with shoulder pads.
She walked the Critics' Choice Awards red carpet in January wearingΒ a bright two-piece designed by Tom Ford.Β The outfit included a metallic breastplate and a mid-rise skirt.
Her edgy look,Β designed by Christopher Esber, cost $1,035. That night, Zendaya also wore Vhernier jewelry and $695 Christian Louboutin pumps.
Rahul Mishra CoutureΒ designed her outfit and her jewels were from Bvlgari.
The purple-and-green dress was a vintage Versace design. Stylist Law Roach coordinated the look, and Zendaya revealed on Instagram that the outfit was inspired by BeyoncΓ© wearing the same dress during her first performance of "Crazy in Love."
She wore a sleeveless, tan dress custom-made by Balmain.
It had a scoop neckline and ruched bodice, as well as a floor-length skirt with a small train and a bold slit that extended almost to her hip. On Instagram, Balmain revealed that the gown was created from leatherΒ "using an exact model of the star's bust."
The actor completed the look with pointed Louboutin heels in the same color as her dress, diamond studs, an emerald ring, and a statement snake necklace.Β
Designed by AlaΓ―a, the two-piece set had a purple long-sleeved top that fit almost like a bralette. Its long sleeves also had tiny holes in them, as did its high-waisted skirt.
The latter part of the outfit was form-fitting up to her knees, where it was covered in a thick, fur-like material.
She wore the backless Vivienne Westwood top with a high-waisted, checker-print skirt and cream-colored pumps.
She wore a red Vera Wang ensemble that included a strapless bra and a floor-length skirt. The latter stuck out as it had a round ruffle of fabric around her hips.
Zendaya also accessorized with diamond jewelry and rosy makeup.
Her Roberto Cavalli dress was backless but with a piece of gold jewelry attached to the open space. It was shaped like a scorpion and extended from her shoulders to her backside.
Valentino designed her long-sleeved dress, which had a form-fitting bodice, mermaid skirt, and thin train. She wore it with a messy bun and diamond jewelry.
The Italian fashion house also created the black ball gownΒ she wore to the actual ceremony.
Her see-through jumpsuit was bedazzled with Valentino's monogram, as was her matching blazer.
She wore no bra or shirt underneath but added dark shorts and pointed heels.
First, she hit the red carpet in a black, vintage Versace gown with neon-green detailing.
While it was vibrant in color, it also stood out thanks to its split bustier bodice and gathered fabric across the back of its skirt.
The two-piece set from Prada's 1993 spring collectionΒ included a bra with star-shaped cups and a floor-length skirt with matching shapes across its cutout waistline.
From the front, Zendaya's Louis Vuitton ensemble looked chic and classic. It featured a gray vest atop baggy brown trousers and white pumps.
When she turned around, however, Zendaya revealed just how daring her outfit actually was. The halter top had no fabric across her back, only a loose belt that held it together.
At the movie's Mexico premiere, for example, she wore a custom two-piece set from Bottega Veneta.
It included a high-waisted skirt with a leather waistband and thigh-high slit, as well as a long-sleeved crop top that revealed the underside of her chest.
It made for one of the most daring looks Zendaya wore throughout the "Dune" press tour.
She wore a silver suit of armor with see-through panels, designed and created by Thierry Mugler in 1995.
Roach told podcast host Recho Omondi that he and the actor began talking about styling the piece before "Dune: Part Two" began filming.
They eventually flew to Paris to meet with the fashion house's creative director, Casey Cadwallader, and, after some convincing, scheduled a fitting.
Roach told Omondi that the suit ended up fitting Zendaya like a glove, and he cried.
Bob Mackie designed Zendaya's sparkle-covered gown for a 2001 collection.
The vintage piece had crisscross pieces of sheer fabric across her chest, small straps that crossed over her waist and hips, and a form-fitting skirt with a tall slit.
David Lynch, director of 'Twin Peaks' and 'Blue Velvet,' dead at 78
- David Lynch, director of iconic films like "The Elephant Man" and "Blue Velvet," died at 78.
- Lynch was also known for creating the TV series "Twin Peaks."
- Lynch revealed last August that he had emphysema after years of smoking.
David Lynch, the visionary director of surrealist films like "The Elephant Man," "Blue Velvet," "Mulholland Drive" and the hit TV show "Twin Peaks," has died, his family announced on Thursday.
He was 78.
Lynch announced in August 2024 on X that he had emphysema following decades of smoking.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
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- Todayβs Android app deals and freebies: Cytus II, Aporkalypse, RPG Silver Nornir, more
Todayβs Android app deals and freebies: Cytus II, Aporkalypse, RPG Silver Nornir, more
Todayβs collection of Android games and apps are now ready to go. Alongside the Google Play discounts, we also spotted the first notable price drop on the new Sharge 30W Pouch Mini 10,000mAh power bank as well as this Hisense 50-inch 4K Google TV at just $218 shipped, the best price yet on Chipoloβs 4-pack of Google Find My Device trackers, and a massive $570 price drop on theΒ 512GB Galaxy S24 Ultra. But for now itβs all about the apps, including titles like Cytus II, Aporkalypse β Pigs of Doom, RPG Silver Nornir, Cartogram, and more. Head below for a closer look.Β
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