Author: Eric Mawuli DJIRACKOR

This Brand Press post is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial or investment guidance. Always ensure to carry out due diligence.

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The crypto market’s always buzzing with possibilities, but this week feels like a blockbuster lineup for savvy investors. Between Hedera breaking into Europe’s financial markets with its ETP launch on Euronext and Litecoin’s bullish momentum towards a $150 breakout thanks to miner confidence, the opportunities are ripe for the picking. And right in the middle of it all is Qubetics, quietly but confidently reshaping how we think about online privacy with its decentralised VPN (dVPN).
So, which of these coins will give you the best bang for your buck? While Hedera and Litecoin have some exciting developments, Qubetics’ innovative dVPN tech and its presale price of just $0.0342 might just make it the top contender among the best altcoins to invest in right now. Let’s dig into why.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve used a VPN before. Maybe you wanted to stream a show that wasn’t available in your country, or you were just trying to keep your browsing private. But here’s the thing—traditional VPNs are far from perfect. They’re centralised, which means there’s always a single point of failure. Whether it’s data breaches, surveillance, or good ol’ censorship, these issues leave users vulnerable.
Enter Qubetics and its decentralised VPN. Built on blockchain, Qubetics dVPN doesn’t rely on a central server. Instead, it uses a peer-to-peer network to encrypt and distribute data, making it way more secure and private. Imagine never having to worry about a VPN provider selling your data or a government snooping around in your digital footprint. That’s the promise of Qubetics.
And investors are loving it. The Qubetics presale has already raised over $7.3 million, with more than 363 million $TICS tokens sold. At just $0.0342, you could snag around 29,200 tokens for $1,000. Now, here’s the kicker: analysts are predicting that $TICS could soar to $10-$15 after the mainnet launch. That’s not just a solid return—that’s life-changing money.
But Qubetics isn’t just about making you rich. It’s about solving real-world problems. In an age where online privacy feels like a luxury, Qubetics is proving that it can be a fundamental right. Its decentralised approach addresses the biggest flaws in existing VPNs, from security risks to data tracking, making it a game-changer in the space. To learn more about Qubetics, you can check this out: Watch the Video.
Hedera has been turning heads lately, thanks to its new Exchange Traded Product (ETP) launch on Euronext. This move is more than just a milestone—it’s a sign that crypto is becoming increasingly integrated with traditional finance. The ETP gives European investors a streamlined way to gain exposure to Hedera’s ecosystem, potentially driving adoption and boosting the value of HBAR, its native token.
Why does this matter? Because mainstream exposure like this often acts as a catalyst for price growth. With Europe taking the lead in crypto regulation and adoption, Hedera is positioning itself as a serious player in the global financial ecosystem.
If you’re an investor looking for stability and growth, Hedera’s recent moves make it one of the best altcoins to invest in right now.
Written by seasoned experts, who have over 16 years of experience in Free Zones development. Learn more.
Litecoin has been quietly but steadily climbing the ranks, and its latest price action is a testament to that. With miners reportedly buying up $18 million worth of LTC, confidence in the network’s future is at an all-time high. Add to that its potential to break the $150 mark, and you’ve got a recipe for excitement.
What’s driving this optimism? For starters, Litecoin has long been considered the silver to Bitcoin’s gold. Its faster transaction speeds and lower fees make it a favourite for both investors and everyday users. And with miners doubling down on their holdings, the sentiment around Litecoin is undeniably bullish.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to invest in Litecoin, this might just be it. The combination of miner confidence and bullish price predictions make it one of the best altcoins to invest in right now.
Hedera’s mainstream appeal and Litecoin’s miner-driven momentum are undeniably exciting, but Qubetics offers something unique—a chance to invest in a project that’s solving real-world problems while delivering insane growth potential. Its decentralised VPN isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity in today’s digital age.
Combine that with its $0.0342 presale price and analysts’ bold predictions, and it’s hard to argue against Qubetics being the top pick. Whether you’re in it for the tech, the returns, or both, this is one opportunity you don’t want to miss.
So, what are you waiting for? Head over to the Qubetics presale page, grab your $TICS tokens, and secure your spot in one of the most promising projects in crypto today.
Qubetics: https://qubetics.com
Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics
Twitter: https://x.com/qubetics
This Brand Press post is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial or investment guidance. Always ensure to carry out due diligence.

About Brand Press: This is a sponsored content service, enabling brands to directly engage with our technology-focused audience. Please note that Brand Press content is created independently of Techpoint Africa’s editorial team.
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This Brand Press post is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial or investment guidance. Always ensure to carry out due diligence.

About Brand Press: This is a sponsored content service, enabling brands to directly engage with our technology-focused audience. Please note that Brand Press content is created independently of Techpoint Africa’s editorial team.
Interested in reaching our dynamic readership? Connect with us at business@techpoint.africa

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Lindsey Vonn, 40, finishes 14th in first World Cup race since 2019  Yahoo Sports
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A government shutdown may not be the gift Americans had on their list this holiday season. But the potential for one looms Friday.
A shutdown became more likely after President-elect Donald Trump opposed a bipartisan plan reached Wednesday to keep the government funded through mid-March. Complicating an already complex situation: Trump wants Congress to raise the debt ceiling because the current debt limit suspension ends on January 1, 2025. An agreement would give the incoming administration time to use “extraordinary measures” to pay the bills.
A question possibly on the minds of the 68 million Americans currently getting Social Security benefits: What happens to the Social Security Administration during a government shutdown? Will recipients still get benefits checks? Here’s what to know.
Paid biweekly?:Here’s when you could get an ‘extra’ paycheck in 2025
During a government shutdown, some federal agencies continue their work because at least some of their workers are considered “essential” to continue activities such as air traffic control, border protection, law enforcement, in-hospital medical care, and power grid maintenance, notes the nonprofit, nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
Holiday deals: Shop this season’s top products and sales curated by our editors.
Among those agencies and programs that continue on because some of their mandatory spending is not subject to annual appropriations by Congress: Medicare, Medicaid and, yes, Social Security. 
Social Security has “dedicated funding, so it’s outside of the budget process,” said Craig Copeland, director of wealth benefits research at the Employee Benefit Research Institute. “All that money is there to paid (out). It doesn’t have to be appropriated. … You’re still going to get your checks.”
That means retirement and disability benefits including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will continue to go out.
Also unaffected by a shutdown: military veterans’ benefits, and medical care, and food benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The Social Security Administration has a contingency plan for shutdowns. In a letter to the director of the Office of Management and Budget three months ago, the SSA described its 2025 fiscal year plan for a potential federal government shutdown. That coincided with a potential mid-September shutdown, which was avoided by an agreement reached in Sept. 22. (That agreement expires on Friday.)
The SSA details how it will “continue activities critical to our direct-service operations and those needed to ensure accurate and timely payment of benefits …. (and) will cease activities not directly related to the accurate and timely payment of benefits or not critical to our direct-service operations.”
The plan, signed by Chad Poist, the SSA’s deputy commissioner for the budget, finance and management, cites a 1995 memorandum from the Department of Justice to the Office of Management and Budget that any other government activities needed to disburse Social Security benefits are allowed during a “lapse in appropriations.”
The SSA’s continued activities include processing benefits applications, issuing new and replacement Social Security cards, and information technology work needed for daily processing activities, fraud protection, and other applications.
Some discontinued activities during a shutdown include benefit verifications, earnings record corrections and updates unrelated to adjudication of benefits, and IT enhancement activities.
“Some of the (SSA) workers could be furloughed until this is resolved, because some of those services are funded differently than the way the benefits are,” Copeland said.
He suggests anyone who has an appointment to start benefits or to handle benefit calculations to make sure their appointments will happen or need to be rescheduled. “Appointments … could be impacted,” he said.
Those recipients whose birthdates range from the 21st to the 31st of the month are scheduled to get a check on Dec. 24, according to the SSA calendar. The January SSI payment is scheduled to go out Dec. 31.
The next checks would be Jan. 3 for recipients who began receiving Social Security before May 1997. Those who get both Social Security & SSI will get Social Security paid on Jan. 3 and SSI on Jan. 1, according to the SSA’s 2025 calendar.
Checks go out on Jan. 8 for those whose birthdates are from the 1st to 10th of the month and Jan. 15 for those whose birthdates are from the 11th to 20th.
Contributing: Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, and Reuters.
Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.
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EZ2/LVM – 31 14
SUERTRES – 6 4 6
6D Lotto – 0 2 9 6 1 8
6/42 – 42 27 12 8 38 18
P9,805,761.00
Grand Lotto – 25 48 26 8 46 53
P29,700,000.00
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Bitcoin rose to its latest zenith last week. (Photo illustration by Chesnot/Getty Images)
Bitcoin prices rallied to their latest all-time high during the week through Friday, December 20, as multiple variables, including some notable government developments, caused the digital currency to experience some compelling upside.
The world’s most well-known cryptocurrency reached successive highs on Monday, December 16 and Tuesday, December 17, surpassing $107,000 on the former and $108,000 on the latter, according to Coinbase data from TradingView.
After rallying to these levels, the digital asset surrendered some of its gains, suffering repeated pullbacks and falling to nearly $92,000 on Friday, December 20, additional Coinbase figures provided by TradingView reveal.
Several analysts offered their take on what fueled these sharp price movements, including Alex Lin, cofounder and general partner at venture capital firm Reforge, which focuses on investments in blockchain and frontier tech.
“Bitcoin’s surge to an all-time high of over $108,000 was propelled by a combination of factors that began early last week with expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts and continued strong market sentiment favoring the asset after it crossed the psychological $100,000 threshold,” he stated via email.
“This momentum was further supported by reduced BTC supply on exchanges reported from earlier this month, suggesting investors were moving their BTC into personal custody, which decreased available supply against growing demand and increased scarcity,” said Lin.
“And as BTC approached and subsequently surpassed previous highs going into this week, short positions were squeezed, resulting in additional buying pressure as those shorting had to cover their positions,” he continued.
“However, the all-time high was short-lived as the Fed’s announced rate cuts on Wednesday were smaller than expected,” Lin stated, referring to the Federal Open Market Committee’s announcement, released on December 18, which indicated that the group of policymakers had opted to reduce the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points.
“The hawkish stance and cautious monetary policy catalyzed a BTC sell-off, followed by significant liquidations in the derivatives market, further exacerbating the price drop as positions were forcefully closed,” he added.
Brady Swenson, head of education at Swan Bitcoin, also weighed in via email, offering his thoughts on the price declines that bitcoin experienced later in the week.
“Bitcoin’s price dip is likely more related to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s recent comments indicating fewer rate cuts in 2025 than it is the shutdown drama,” he stated, referring to the press conference that Powell held on Wednesday, December 18, in addition to the potential government shutdown that lawmakers managed to avert on Friday, December 20.
However, these developments simply make the digital asset look more appealing, Swenson claimed.
“The looming government shutdown and the course changes with monetary policy both underscore the appeal of Bitcoin’s transparent, code-based policies, contrasting with the often opaque and confusing process of human consensus building on major monetary and fiscal decisions,” he stated.
Greg Magadini, director of derivatives for digital asset data provider Amberdata, also commented on the price declines that bitcoin experienced after reaching an all-time earlier in the week.
“With the markets at all-time highs, relatively strong CPI numbers last week, and a strong labor market, the Fed reduced its guidance for 2025 rate cuts to a more hawkish tone,” he wrote via email on Friday, December 20.
Magadini emphasized that after the recent U.S. election, the crypto markets’ long exposure vastly outweighed its short exposure, which created an environment that made it far easier for pullback to materialize “as investors re-evaluated the US rate landscape and fiat USD rallied.”
Going forward, bitcoin is in a position to appreciate, Tim Enneking, managing partner of Psalion, said via emailed comments.
“With a wipeout back to the low 90s, the stage is now really set well for another leg up,” he stated.
“Correlation with ‘risk on’ fiat assets will still be higher than the crypto ecosystem would like, but crypto is 24/7 and fiat markets are open about 20% of that, so the crypto bull will still have plenty of room to run,” said Enneking
Disclosure: I own some bitcoin, bitcoin cash, litecoin, ether, EOS and SOL.

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas has become a holiday staple in households around the world, but with several adaptations of Dr. Suess’ classic snow-capped story to watch, it can be a torrid affair trying to track all of them down.
Over the years, The Grinch has been adapted for film three separate times, each bringing their own take on the iconic Yuletide story.
And with rumors continuing to swirl of big names like David Habour, potentially tackling the green-skinned scourge yet again, there is no better time to revisit Dr. Suess’ classic tale than now. 
1966’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is where it all started (at least on-screen) for Dr. Suess’ garlic-souled ghoul. The original TV special recounted the events of the book exactly, simply being a narrated retelling of the original 1957 narrative adventure. 
Highlighted by spectacular colors and stunning animation for the day, this movie has become a perennial festive affair for families around the world. 
The special is currently streaming on Peacock and will air on TV several times over the 2024 Christmas season. Below is a full list of days and times for How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) on U.S. TV:
Almost 40 years after the animated original, Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas brought the tinsel-tinged tale into live-action for the first time. The movie stars Jim Carrey as the titular Grinch (a part that he has been rumored to return to several times over the years), as he learns the spirit of the holidays. 
This full-length feature takes the events of the book and expands on them. It adds several new plot points including a back story to Carrey’s — as Thurl Ravenscroft put it — three-decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce. 
Carrey’s Grinch adventure is not actively streaming anywhere in the U.S. but is available for purchase on most digital storefronts (i.e., Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Apple TV). 
The film will also play several times over the holidays on Freeform as a part of the network’s “25 Days of Christmas” programming block. Below is a full list of air dates:
The last, and most recently released Grinch-themed movie for audiences to enjoy this holiday is 2018’s The Grinch. Produced by Illumination Entertainment (of Minions fame) and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, this blockbuster brings the story back into the animated realm, featuring 3D animation for the first time. 
Even more than six years after its release, fans are still loving The Grinch, continuing to throw out theories about the movie, including what exactly happened to the adorable Cindy Lou Who’s dad (read more about The Grinch Cindy Lou father theories here). 
The Grinch is now streaming on Peacock, and is also set to air on Freeform several times over its “25 Days of Christmas.” Below is a full list of when to watch The Grinch on Freeform:
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10 Upcoming Movies That Could Start Major New Franchises  Screen Rant
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Meet Panther, A Sweet Shepherd Mix Awaits Adoption at UFAR Animals Rescue in Margate  TAPinto.net
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A 36-year-old man convicted of murder for stabbing at least two of his family members, one fatally, during a dispute in Indio was sentenced Friday to 22 years to life in prison.
Anthony William Piña-German of Indio was found guilty of second-degree murder and attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation at the Larson Justice Center in Indio in October, John Hall of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office told City News Service. He was found not guilty of a second attempted murder charge and a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.
Jurors also found sentence-enhancing allegations of use of a knife in both charges to be true.
Related:Indio police: 3 family members stabbed; one dead. Suspect arrested
At around 6:50 p.m. Nov. 26, 2022, officers responded to the 82900 block of Via Valencia to a family disturbance, and three men were found with stab wounds, according to the Indio Police Department.
Police said the victims and Piña-German were in a dispute before the stabbing occurred, and the three men were taken to a hospital, where one of them — 39-year-old Christopher Galvan — died.
Officers said Piña-German left the scene before they arrived, and based on the circumstances, police investigated the stabbing as a homicide in conjunction with the Riverside County coroner’s office, according to the department.
Piña-German was found and arrested in El Centro the following morning. He is being held at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.

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Watch CBS News
By Caitlin Yilek, Ellis Kim, Kathryn Watson
Updated on: December 21, 2024 / 10:25 AM EST / CBS News
Washington — The Senate early Saturday morning overwhelmingly approved a bill to avert a prolonged government shutdown, just hours after the House passed the measure with wide bipartisan support. The Senate vote came just after the Friday midnight deadline that would have marked the beginning of the shutdown. 
The Senate vote shortly after 12:30 a.m. was by a margin of 85-11, with most Democrats and Republicans supporting the measure. The bill now heads to President Biden for his signature. The House passed the legislation by a vote of 366 in favor to 34 against and one member voting present, with more Democrats voting to support it than Republicans.
Early Saturday morning, the Office of Management and Budget said in a statement that it had “ceased shutdown preparations because there is a high degree of confidence that Congress will imminently pass the relevant appropriations and the President will sign the bill on Saturday.”
“Tonight the Senate delivers good news to America: There will be no government shutdown right before Christmas,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said just prior to the vote. “This is a good bill, it will keep the government open. And helps Americans affected by hurricanes and natural disasters, helps our farmers and avoids harmful cuts.”
It capped a chaotic week in Washington that saw President-elect Donald Trump torpedo a deal that House Speaker Mike Johnson reached with Democrats, a potential glimpse at the difficulties Republicans will face when they assume control of Congress and the White House next month.
The measure extends current government funding through March 14 and provides $100 billion in disaster relief funds to help with hurricane recovery and other natural disasters. It also allocates $10 billion in aid to farmers.
It does not address the debt ceiling, something Trump had demanded during the tumultuous back-and-forth over the course of the week. House Republicans instead vowed to address the issue in a future tax bill once Trump is in power. 
Johnson painted the measure as a “necessary step to bridge the gap” before Republicans take control of both chambers of Congress and the White House in January. 
“Trying to jam a debt ceiling suspension into the legislation at the 11th hour was not sustainable,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said ahead of the vote. Jeffries later praised the bill’s passage, saying “House Democrats have successfully stopped the billionaire boys club.” 
The White House expressed support for the legislation as House members were voting on the floor. 
“While it does not include everything we sought, it includes disaster relief that the president requested for the communities recovering from the storm, eliminates the accelerated pathway to a tax cut for billionaires, and would ensure that the government can continue to operate at full capacity,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. 
The bill was Johnson’s third attempt this week to extend government funding and avoid a politically perilous shutdown heading into the holidays. 
An earlier deal he crafted over several weeks of talks with Democrats collapsed when Republicans, led by Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, revolted against many spending provisions that went beyond extending funding at current levels. 
Trump’s opposition sank that version of the bill, which stretched to 1,547 pages. He simultaneously issued a new demand: Republicans should suspend or abolish the debt ceiling. Doing so would effectively eliminate a source of leverage for Democrats when he is in power next year.
Johnson tried to placate Trump by bringing up a slimmed-down, 116-page version of the bill on Thursday. It included disaster relief, farm aid and the debt ceiling. Trump immediately backed it, calling it a “SUCCESS” and “a very good deal.” 
But many House Republicans were not as enthusiastic and balked at suspending the debt limit after years of railing against runaway deficit spending in Washington. Thirty-eight of them bucked the incoming president and voted down the bill, sending Johnson back to the drawing board.
The speaker huddled with fellow Republicans on Friday afternoon to chart a new path forward. He settled on a plan to bring up the bill without the debt ceiling suspension that irked many conservatives and nearly all Democrats.
Republicans made quick work of passing the bill, and it sailed through with a strong majority. 
Trump, for his part, publicly stayed quiet about the third version of the bill, while Musk questioned whether it was “a Republican bill or a Democrat bill.” 
Johnson said after its passage that he was in constant communication with Trump throughout the process. 
“He knew exactly what we were doing and why,” Johnson said. “I think he certainly is happy about this outcome as well.” 
The speaker revealed he had also spoken with Musk shortly before the vote. 
“We talked about the extraordinary challenges of this job,” Johnson said. “And I said, ‘Hey, do you want to be speaker of the House?’ …He said, ‘This may be the hardest job in the world.'” 
Robert Costa, Alan He, Jaala Brown, Laura Garrison and Ed O’Keefe contributed to this report.
Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.
© 2024 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright ©2024 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.

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