zkMe Network Celebrates Second Anniversary, Announces Strategic Ecosystem Rewards Program for 2025Bruce Willis may have retreated from the spotlight in recent years amid his frontotemporal dementia (FTD) battle, but every now and then fans are delighted with a glimpse of him on social media. The latest comes from his wife Emma Heming Willis , who often shares heartwarming throwback photos and videos of him with their daughters. The Die Hard actor shares daughters Mabel Ray, 12, and Evelyn Penn, 10 with the Make Time Wellness co-founder, as well as Rumer , 35, Scout , 33, and Tallulah , 30, with ex-wife Demi Moore , to whom he was married from 1987 to 2000. Over the weekend and ahead of Christmas, Emma took to Instagram and shared a round of throwback photos of Bruce, including a video of him singing in their backyard. She started with a black-and-white portrait of the four of them and wrote: "Them. Always," followed by two throwback photos of Mabel with her dad when she was younger, and finally the video of Bruce singing and smiling, on which she wrote: "Him. Always." Demi Moore gives update on 'stable' Bruce Willis amid health battle Emma recently opened up to Town & Country about how she has been coping the last couple of years, and how she has approached explaining Bruce's condition to their daughters. "I'm trying to find that balance between the grief and the sadness that I feel, which can just crack open at any given moment, and finding joy," she said, and though it was a heartbreaking diagnosis to receive, she noted: "This disease is misdiagnosed, it's missed, it's misunderstood, so finally getting to a diagnosis was key so that I could learn what frontotemporal dementia is and I could educate our children." MORE: Tallulah Willis shares 'authentic' look at the stunning home she was raised in by Bruce Willis and Demi Moore MORE: Emma Heming Willis shares glimpse inside family Christmas with Bruce Willis at $9.8M home "They've grown up with Bruce declining over the years. I'm not trying to shield them from it," she added, and explained: "What I learned from our therapist was that if children ask questions, they're ready to know the answer. If we could see that Bruce was struggling, I would address it with the kids so they could understand." "But this disease is chronic, progressive, and terminal. There is no cure," she further shared, noting that "obviously, I don't like to speak about the terminal side of this with them, nor have they asked," however, "they know that Daddy's not going to get better." MORE: Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter shows off wild new look in revealing personal video She continued: "There is no treatment, which is why I'm out there raising awareness, so that they can see that we have some agency in this. I'm not going to allow FTD to take our whole family down," and emphasized: "Bruce wouldn't want that. They're going to see me fight for our family, have some hope, and help the next family out there." MORE: Bruce Willis embraces daughter Scout in new video as she shares life update Still, she reflected: "We had so many plans, so many beautiful things we wanted to do with our girls, so many things that we wanted to experience together," though maintained: "This is not the opportunity that I would want, but it's the opportunity that's been presented." "We've been able to raise awareness on a global scale, and they could see the reach and impact that their father has. That's a beautiful thing."
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MicroStrategy has bought 5,262 bitcoin using proceeds from a sale of $561 million worth of stock. The company now holds 444,262 bitcoin, worth $27.7 billion, bought at an average price of $62,257. MicroStrategy's bitcoin buying strategy involves leverage, posing a big risk if the crypto declines significantly. MicroStrategy continued its bitcoin buying spree for the seventh consecutive week, announcing that it purchased an additional 5,262 bitcoins. The company sold about $561 million worth of shares in its at-the-market equity offering and then used the proceeds to add to its bitcoin pile, according to a filing made with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday. Last week's purchase came at an average price of about $106,613, just below bitcoin's record high of about $108,500. Since then, the cryptocurrency has declined 14%, to $92,893. MicroStrategy now owns 444,262 bitcoins, acquired for $27.7 billion at an average price of $62,257. It's the largest corporate holder of bitcoin. Despite its impressive bitcoin stash, MicroStrategy Chairman Michael Saylor is playing a risky game, taking on leverage to buy as much of the cryptocurrency as possible. "Their strategy is to issue convertible bonds and use the proceeds to buy bitcoin. That is literally the definition of a leveraged trade — borrowing money to buy a financial asset," Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers, told Business Insider last week. MicroStrategy said in October that it would issue about $42 billion of stock and debt to buy that much in bitcoin over the next few years. The company has since purchased nearly 200,000 bitcoins and increased its average cost basis from $39,266 in October to about $62,257 today. "That works fabulously when the price of the asset moves in your favor, which it has done spectacularly with bitcoin, but has a nasty way of unraveling if it moves in the opposite direction," Sosnick said. While MicroStrategy is sitting on an enormous unrealized gain of about $41 billion tied to its bitcoin bet, a significant decline in the cryptocurrency could put the company at risk, especially considering that its underlying software business is not consistently profitable and that it has raised more than $7 billion in convertible debt. Sosnick highlighted that MicroStrategy benefits from a "self-fulfilling feedback loop" as it buys up more bitcoin, helping push the price higher, and then sells more debt and equity to buy more bitcoin, which subsequently pushes the price higher. "These types of things never go on forever and often end poorly — the question is 'when?' The short-term answer seems to be 'not yet,'" Sosnick said. But Anthony Scaramucci, founder of hedge fund company SkyBridge Capital, doesn't think Saylor's bitcoin bet has to end badly even if the cryptocurrency suffers a bear market decline. Instead, Scaramucci said bitcoin would need to experience a "systemic collapse" for MicroStrategy's leveraged bitcoin bet to collapse. "People think if bitcoin crashes, he is going to implode, and as a result of it, leverage is going to unwind in the system and there's going to be a collapse," Scaramucci told Bloomberg last week. "But if you really study his balance sheet, he has long, long-term debt, and he has rolling long-term debt. You'd have to have a systemic collapse in bitcoin, and you'd have it to last six or seven years to flash him out." According to Sosnick, the stock will stay elevated as long as the hype and momentum continue for bitcoin and MicroStrategy. Even small bitcoin corrections can have a big impact on MicroStrategy stock, however. A 9% sell-off in bitcoin in late November coincided with a near 40% decline in MicroStrategy stock peak-to-trough. Granted, the volatility has subsided over the past week. Amid bitcoin's current 14% correction, MicroStrategy stock has been less volatile, falling about 17%. For his part, MicroStrategy's Saylor is keep up the evangelism for bitcoin. He told CNBC last week that buying bitcoin was like buying a piece of Manhattan a few hundred years ago. "We'll just keep buying the top forever. Every day is a good day to buy bitcoin. I would have bought Manhattan 100 years ago, 200 years ago, every year for the past 300 years. You pay a little bit more than the person that bought Manhattan before you, but it's always a good investment to invest in the economic capital of the free world," Saylor said, before mentioning a $13 million long-term price target for bitcoin. Ultimately, Saylor's risky strategy has paid off. The billionaire's wealth has soared this year, driven by his stake in MicroStrategy stock, which is up 442% year-to-date.LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams have claimed cornerback Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from Washington. The Rams (6-6) announced the move Monday. They waived undrafted rookie defensive back Charles Woods to make room on the roster. Forbes was the 16th overall draft pick in 2023, but the Commanders released him Saturday in yet another latest flop for their first-round selections under former coach Ron Rivera. Forbes started 10 games as a rookie, but the Mississippi State product got benched during the season — and his playing time dwindled to almost nothing under new coach Dan Quinn this season. Forbes was considered undersized to be an elite NFL defensive back before Washington used a first-round pick on him, and his play did little to discourage that perception. But the Rams are taking a flier on Forbes to help their mediocre pass defense. Darious Williams, a member of the Rams' Super Bowl championship team who returned to Los Angeles this season as a free agent, has been their best cover corner, but he struggled in Sunday's victory over New Orleans. Third-year pro Cobie Durant has started all 12 games this season with one interception. Los Angeles already traded Tre'Davious White, its other major offseason signing at cornerback, after the former Pro Bowler failed to perform. The Rams shipped White to Baltimore for a seventh-round pick swap last month. Woods has played in nine games for the Rams, appearing mostly on special teams. Los Angeles hosts Buffalo on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
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Kilkenny is lighting up this holiday season with the launch of Festive Fridays a Night Time Economy and Shop Kilkenny Initiative . Every Friday of Yulefest, the city will host an array of festive activities designed to bring the community together, support local businesses, and create a vibrant night time atmosphere for both residents and visitors alike. From magical Christmas trails to live entertainment, Festive Fridays at Yulefest Kilkenny promises an unforgettable holiday experience for everyone. Yulefest Christmas Trail: A Journey of Holiday Magic The heart of Festive Fridays lies in the Yulefest Christmas Trail , an experience that invites visitors to explore Kilkenny's historic streets, uncover hidden gems, and participate in an exciting interactive quiz. Christmas Trail Maps are available for collection at the Yulefest HQ (located at the corner of Rose Inn Street and the Parade — Eircode: R95Y672) or local shops. An interactive family friendly trail around Kilkenny city, the trail takes in the city’s Christmas Lights, Christmas Trees and historical areas while ‘reindeer spotting’, answering questions and solving puzzles. A magical way to spend an evening with the family in the beautiful medieval city of Kilkenny this festive season! The trail is a self-guided free activity on public streets. Follow the map to get to every stop and answer the questions and puzzles as you go. Once you’ve completed the trail you can submit your answer sheet in the Yulefest postbox to be in with a chance of winning weekly Shop Kilkenny vouchers! The Yulefest Christmas Trail is live throughout the festival, so you can pick a time that suits you, although we highly recommend the evenings when the lights shine their brightest. A highlight of the trail, as mentioned above, includes: Reindeer Garden at Rothe House Visit this beautiful Kilkenny treasure with a festive twist and come see the Yulefest display of reindeer in the beautiful Rothe House Garden. The garden can be visited from 3pm-6pm throughout December will late opening on Fridays and Saturday till 8pm. Stop in while you’re on the Yulefest Christmas Trail . The retail shop will be open during the garden opening times, selling local crafts and Irish products. An easy place to pick up some gifts while you are here! KCLR Battle of the Buskers This December we’re bringing live entertainment to the streets of Kilkenny! Feel the energy of local talent as Kilkenny's buskers battle it out each week for the chance to win a €500 cash prize, together with recording time in studio and airplay on KCLR 96fm! Featuring a lively blend of musicians performing holiday classics and original tunes, providing the perfect soundtrack to the Christmas festivities. Come out Friday 6th, 13th, 20th December from 6pm, visit all 4 buskers and vote for your favourite! Yulefest Festive Fridays: An Interactive Experience! Launch Celebration: Lights, Music, and Community Spirit The festivities kicked off in grand style on Saturday November 30 with Santa’s arrival to the city and the official launch of Yulefest Kilkenny 2024. Santa took to the River Nore by boat before travelling around Kilkenny’s medieval streets by Steam Train. A spectacular site to behold! Santa and his elves were overwhelmed with the welcome they received at Canal Square and he was delighted to see all of the children and families who came out to see him. Kilkenny’s Mayor Andrew McGuinness had the honor of switching on the city’s Christmas lights alongside Santa himself and Cathaoirleach Michael McCarthy, which filled the streets with a magical glow. The moment was made even more special by a stunning performance from Enya Cox , a talented singer from Castlecomer and finalist on The Voice Kids . Enya's beautiful rendition of ‘Oh, Holy Night’ and ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ provided the perfect soundtrack as the lights illuminated the city, signaling the start of a magical season. Festive Fridays and the Night Time Economy Initiative The Night Time Economy Initiative , in partnership with Shop Kilkenny, is a key part of this year’s Yulefest celebrations, designed to encourage people to experience Kilkenny’s vibrant Christmas scene after dark. By supporting local businesses, the initiative aims to boost the local economy while providing a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for everyone to enjoy the holiday season. Festive Fridays will run from 5 PM to 9 PM, with a host of events, activities, and live performances, ensuring the city remains lively well into the evening. Event Information: When: Every Friday in December, from 5pm to 9pm Where: Kilkenny City Centre Start: Yulefest HQ (Corner of Rose Inn Street and the Parade – Eircode R95Y672) Full Event Details: www.yulefestkilkenny.ie Whether you're here to explore the Christmas trail, enjoy a live performance, or simply soak in the festive atmosphere, Yulefest Kilkenny 2024 offers something for everyone. Don’t miss out on this magical holiday celebration— Kilkenny is waiting to be explored under the stars! Yulefest Kilkenny celebrates Christmas in Kilkenny and runs until December 22. Featuring the Yulefest Christmas Market, live music on the Yulefest Live Music Stage, and family entertainment each weekend plus a range of festive events each week! For more information and the full event schedule, visit www.yulefestkilkenny.ie or follow on social media at @YulefestKilkenny .UConn F Alex Karaban (head) won't play vs. Baylor
Rams claim CB Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from WashingtonPresident-elect Donald Trump's repeated support for TikTok has sparked speculation about potential solutions to prevent the app's impending ban in the United States, though the path forward remains unclear. "We got to keep this sucker around for a little while," Trump told supporters on Sunday, just days after meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in Florida. Trump, who credits the wildly popular platform with delivering him a large young user base, opposes banning TikTok partly because he believes it would primarily benefit Meta, the Mark Zuckerberg-led company behind Instagram and Facebook. The situation is complex, according to University of Richmond School of Law professor Carl Tobias, given the various potential solutions and Trump's unpredictable nature. Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation, signed by President Joe Biden in April, that would block TikTok from US app stores and web hosting services unless Beijing-based ByteDance sells its stake by January 19. US officials and lawmakers grew wary of the potential for the Chinese government to influence ByteDance or access the data of TikTok's American users. Even with Trump's decisive election victory and incoming Republican-led Congress, acquiescing to the president-elect's desire and preventing the ban faces significant hurdles. The law enjoyed rare bipartisan support in a divided Washington, making its outright repeal through a vote in Congress politically unlikely even with Trump's influence over Republicans. The Supreme Court may offer the clearest path forward. TikTok has appealed to the nation's highest court, arguing the law violates First Amendment rights to free speech. The court, which is dominated by Trump-aligned conservatives, will hear the case on January 10, just nine days before the ban takes effect. This follows a lower appeals court's unanimous decision to uphold the law in December. Another possibility, according to Tobias, is that a Trump-led Department of Justice could determine ByteDance has addressed the law's national security concerns. However, such a move would likely be seen as caving to China by Congress and others. The final option is ByteDance selling to a non-Chinese buyer, though the company has consistently refused this possibility. With 170 million monthly active users, acquiring TikTok's US operations would require substantial resources. As president, Trump could extend the ban deadline by 90 days to facilitate a transaction. Few potential buyers have emerged, with major tech companies likely deterred by antitrust concerns. Former Trump Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin, who runs a private equity fund backed by Japan's SoftBank Group and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala sovereign wealth fund, has expressed interest. During a recent event with Trump, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son pledged to invest $100 billion in the US economy, though specific investments weren't detailed. Other contenders include US real estate billionaire Frank McCourt, who aims to make social media safer through his Project Liberty organization. Elon Musk, given his proximity to Trump and ownership of X, could also have a role to play, as he has expressed plans to transform the text-focused platform into something more like TikTok. A senior Republican lawmaker recently suggested Trump might orchestrate a "deal of the century" satisfying both US concerns and ByteDance's interests. The chairman of the US House committee on China, John Moolenaar, told Fox News Digital that once ByteDance accepts it must comply with US law, the situation could progress rapidly. Any agreement would need Beijing's approval, with US-China relations expected to remain tense during Trump's upcoming term. This isn't the first attempt to resolve TikTok's US status. In 2020, Trump also threatened a ban unless ByteDance sold its US operations. While Oracle and Walmart reached a preliminary agreement with ByteDance for ownership stakes, legal challenges and the transition to the Biden administration prevented the deal's completion. arp/mlm