NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin topped $100,000 for the first time this week as a massive rally in the world's most popular cryptocurrency, largely accelerated by the election of Donald Trump, rolls on. The cryptocurrency officially to rose six figures Wednesday night, just hours after the president-elect said he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to be the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bitcoin has soared since Trump won the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5. The asset climbed from $69,374 on Election Day, hitting as high as $103,713 Wednesday, according to CoinDesk. And the latest all-time high arrives just two years after bitcoin dropped below $17,000 following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX . Bitcoin fell back below the $100,000 by Thursday afternoon, sitting above $99,000 by 4 p.m. ET. Even amid a massive rally that has more than doubled the value of bitcoin this year, some experts continue to warn of investment risks around the asset, which has quite a volatile history. Here’s what you need to know. Cryptocurrency has been around for a while now. But chances are you’ve heard about it more and more over the last few years. In basic terms, cryptocurrency is digital money. This kind of currency is designed to work through an online network without a central authority — meaning it’s typically not backed by any government or banking institution — and transactions get recorded with technology called a blockchain. Bitcoin is the largest and oldest cryptocurrency, although other assets like ethereum, XRP, tether and dogecoin have also gained popularity over the years. Some investors see cryptocurrency as a “digital alternative” to traditional money, but most daily financial transactions are still conducted using fiat currencies such as the dollar. Also, bitcoin can be very volatile, with its price reliant on larger market conditions. A lot of the recent action has to do with the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Trump, who was once a crypto skeptic, has pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. His campaign accepted donations in cryptocurrency and he courted fans at a bitcoin conference in July. He also launched World Liberty Financial, a new venture with family members to trade cryptocurrencies. On Thursday morning, hours after bitcoin surpassed the $100,000 mark, Trump congratulated “BITCOINERS” on his social media platform Truth Social. He also appeared to take credit for the recent rally, writing, “YOU’RE WELCOME!!!” Top crypto players welcomed Trump’s election victory last month, in hopes that he would be able to push through legislative and regulatory changes that they’ve long lobbied for — which, generally speaking, aim for an increased sense of legitimacy without too much red tape. And the industry has made sizeable investments along the way. Back in August, Public Citizen, a left-leaning consumer rights advocacy nonprofit, reported finding that crypto-sector corporations spent more than $119 million in 2024 to back pro-crypto candidates across federal elections. Trump made his latest pro-crypto move when he announced his plans Wednesday to nominate Atkins to chair the SEC. Atkins was an SEC commissioner during the presidency of George W. Bush. In the years since leaving the agency, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. He joined the Token Alliance, a cryptocurrency advocacy organization, in 2017. Under current chair Gary Gensler, who will step down when Trump takes office, the SEC has cracked down on the crypto industry — penalizing a number of companies for violating securities laws. Gensler has also faced ample criticism from industry players in the process. One crypto-friendly move the SEC did make under Gensler was the approval in January of spot bitcoin ETFs, or exchange trade funds, which allow investors to have a stake in bitcoin without directly buying it. The spot ETFs were the dominant driver of bitcoin's price before Trump's win — but, like much of the crypto’s recent momentum, saw record inflows postelection. Bitcoin surpassing the coveted $100,000 mark has left much of the crypto world buzzing. “What we’re seeing isn’t just a rally — it’s a fundamental transformation of bitcoin’s place in the financial system,” Nathan McCauley, CEO and co-founder of crypto custodian Anchorage Digital, said in a statement — while pointing to the growth of who's entering the market, particularly with rising institutional adoption. Still, others note that the new heights of bitcoin's price don't necessarily mean the asset is going mainstream. The $100,000 level is “merely a psychological factor and ultimately just a number,” Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at British investment company AJ Bell, wrote in a Thursday commentary . That being said, bitcoin could keep climbing to more and more all-time highs, particularly if Trump makes good on his promises for more crypto-friendly regulation once in office. If Trump actually makes a bitcoin reserve, for example, supply changes could also propel the price forward. “It is hard to overstate the magnitude of the change in Washington’s attitude towards crypto post-election,” Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise Asset Management, said via email Thursday, reiterating that prices could keep rising if trends persist. “There is a lot more demand than there is supply, and that’s usually a pretty good recipe for success.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is never promised. Worldwide regulatory uncertainties and environmental concerns around bitcoin “mining" — the creation of new bitcoin, which consumes a lot of energy — are among factors that analysts like Coatsworth note could hamper future growth. And, as still a relatively young asset with a history of volatility, longer-term adoption has yet to be seen through. Today’s excitement around bitcoin may make many who aren’t already in the space want to get in on the action. For those in a position to invest, Hougan says it's not too late — noting that bitcoin is still early in its development and most institutional investors “still have zero exposure.” At the same time, Hougan and others maintain that it's important to tread cautiously and not bite off more than you can chew. Experts continue to stress caution around getting carried away with crypto “FOMO,” or the fear of missing out, especially for small-pocketed investors. “A lot of people have got rich from the cryptocurrency soaring in value this year, but this high-risk asset isn’t suitable for everyone,” Coatsworth noted Thursday. “It’s volatile, unpredictable and is driven by speculation, none of which makes for a sleep-at-night investment.” In short, history shows you can lose money in crypto as quickly as you’ve made it. Long-term price behavior relies on larger market conditions. Trading continues at all hours, every day. Coatsworth points to recent research from the Bank for International Settlements, a Switzerland-based global organization of central banks, which found that about three-quarters of retail buyers on crypto exchange apps likely lost money on their bitcoin investments between 2015 and 2022. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, bitcoin stood at just over $5,000. Its price climbed to nearly $69,000 by November 2021, during high demand for technology assets, but later crashed during an aggressive series of rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. And the late-2022 collapse of FTX significantly undermined confidence in crypto overall, with bitcoin falling below $17,000. Investors began returning in large numbers as inflation started to cool — and gains skyrocketed on the anticipation and then early success of spot ETFs, and again, now the post-election frenzy. But lighter regulation from the coming Trump administration could also mean less guardrails. This story has been corrected to refer to Anchorage Digital as a crypto custodian, not a crypto asset manager.
Maryland (4-7, 1-7 Big Ten) at No. 4 Penn State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (BTN) BetMGM College Football Odds: Penn State by 24 1/2. Series record: Penn State 43-3-1. WHAT’S AT STAKE? The Nittany Lions will try for their first 11-win regular season in James Franklin’s 10-year tenure and hang onto their chance to host a playoff game. The Nittany Lions could still get to the Big Ten championship game, but would need Michigan to beat No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus earlier in the day. The Terrapins have lost four in a row and are trying to avoid their longest skid since losing seven straight to end the 2019 season. KEY MATCHUP Maryland’s front seven vs. Penn State’s running game. The Nittany Lions lost starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh to a long-term injury last week but were still able to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark against a tough Minnesota defense. Maryland has allowed 176 rushing yards per game over its last four. The Terps will need to do better against a Nittany Lion ground game fueled by running backs Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, tight end Tyler Warren and quarterback Beau Pribula. PLAYERS TO WATCH Maryland: WR Tai Felton. Only one FBS player has more catches than Felton. The sure-handed senior leads the Big Ten with 92 catches for 1,097 yards. He’s scored nine touchdowns and should be a focal point for Penn State’s secondary. Penn State: Singleton. The explosive back has recovered from the unspecified injury that slowed him earlier in the season. He had a season-high 19 touches last week versus Maryland including a career-most six catches. FACTS & FIGURES Maryland is 2-3 in Happy Valley since joining the Big Ten with wins in 2014 and 2020. ... Felton has 183 more receiving yards than the next closest Big Ten WR (Illinois’ Pat Bryant) and is 143 yards away from Marcus Badgett’s single-season record set in 1992. ... Penn State has won seven of the last eight against Maryland. ... The Nittany Lions secured their 27th 10-win season last week. ... Warren became Penn State’s all-time leader in reception yards for a tight end (1,516) with 102 yards against Minnesota. ... DT Zane Durant leads the Big Ten and is fourth among Power Four tackles with 8 1/2 tackles for loss this season. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballTeen births declining, Oklahoma in top 5 states
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks were struggling a week ago, coming off their bye having lost five of their last six games. That included a gut-punch overtime defeat at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 3. The outlook for the last-place Seahawks (5-5) was beginning to look grim. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.OTTAWA — A lawyer for terrorism suspect Mohamed Harkat told a Federal Court judge Tuesday the Algerian-born refugee has been linked to extremists through speculation, not hard evidence. Harkat, 56, was arrested in Ottawa in December 2002 on suspicion of being an al-Qaida sleeper agent. Harkat says he fled strife-ridden Algeria and worked with an aid agency in Pakistan before he arrived in Canada in 1995 using a false Saudi passport. He denies any involvement in terrorism. The federal government has long been trying to deport the former gas-station attendant using a security certificate — a legal tool for removing non-citizens suspected of ties to extremism or espionage. A Federal Court judge who reviewed the certificate ruled in 2010 there were grounds to believe Harkat is a security threat who maintained ties to Osama bin Laden's terror network after coming to Canada. The judge found Harkat operated a guesthouse for Ibn Khattab and his organization for at least 15 months in Pakistan, demonstrating active membership in an organization involved in terrorist activities. Harkat is back in Federal Court challenging a 2018 decision by a federal delegate that he should not be allowed to remain in Canada. He argues he faces a risk of torture if returned to Algeria. In a written submission to the court, federal lawyers note the delegate found that Harkat’s role as the operator of Khattab's guesthouse made the recruitment, vetting, preparation and training of jihadists and terrorists possible. This allowed the Khattab organization, and the broader bin Laden network with which it was linked, to commit various terrorist acts, the submission adds. In their own submission, counsel for Harkat question the evidence that Khattab was indeed a terrorist. Lawyer Barbara Jackman, representing Harkat, told the hearing Tuesday the federal conclusions were not only unreasonable, but "also it's taking facts and speculating to fill in the blanks." Jackman said operating a guesthouse is not a crime. "Doesn't it depend on the knowledge and intent of the person who's operating the guesthouse?" asked Justice John Norris. The judge suggested the government would need to establish that Harkat knew the purpose of the place. Jackman said Harkat denies even working at the guesthouse. Even so, she took issue with the evidentiary reasoning. "You have to show a connection to the crime or the criminal organization in some kind of real way," she said. "He's a passive actor running a hotel that people come in and out of." At the end of the hearing, Norris said he would make a ruling on Harkat's challenge at a later date. Civil libertarians have criticized the security certificate process as fundamentally unjust because the detainee sees only a summary of the accusations, making them difficult to challenge. In a 2014 ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada said the security certificate regime does not violate the person's right to know and contest the allegations they face. The Supreme Court also concluded Harkat "benefited from a fair process" when Noel reviewed his case. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024. Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
Cutting in line? American Airlines' new boarding tech might stop you at now over 100 airports
Dodgers shortstop Jose Hernandez suspended for 2025 ACL season under minor league drug programSouth Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday said he would lift martial law just hours after he imposed it, in a brief and confusing episode in which he blasted the opposition as "anti-state forces" threatening the country's democracy. The unexpected move from Yoon -- the first time martial law had been declared in South Korea in more than four decades -- alarmed the United States and the country's other allies. What do we know about the imposition, its lifting and what might come next? In a dramatic, late-night emergency television address to the nation, Yoon announced that he was imposing martial law, as he accused the opposition of paralysing the government with "anti-state activities". A six-point decree from the new martial law commander, army chief General Park An-su swiftly followed, banning political activities and parties, "false propaganda", strikes and "gatherings that incite social unrest". The order also brought all media outlets under the authority of martial law and directed all medical staff, including striking doctors, to return to work within 48 hours. Security forces sealed the National Assembly, helicopters landed on the roof and troops entered the building for a short time, seemingly in a bid to prevent lawmakers from getting inside. But 190 lawmakers managed to enter and voted unanimously to reject Yoon's declaration and call for martial law to be lifted. Outside, hundreds of protesters gathered, many raising chants calling for Yoon to be arrested. Following the lawmakers' vote, Yoon backed down. His cabinet additionally approved the motion to lift the order, Yonhap news agency reported. "Just a moment ago, there was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations," Yoon said in a televised address around 4:30 am (1930 GMT Tuesday). Under South Korea's constitution, the parliamentary vote to lift martial law has to be respected. Yoon said he was acting to safeguard his country's liberal democracy from "anti-state elements" and "threats posed by North Korea" -- but gave little detail. While unexpected, the announcement came in the context of a festering budget row between Yoon and the opposition Democratic Party. The opposition has slashed around 4.1 trillion won ($2.8 billion) from Yoon's proposed 677 trillion won budget for next year, prompting the president to complain that "all key budgets essential to the nation's core functions" were being cut. "What is clear is that Yoon has been a deeply unpopular, ineffectual leader and he is having a hard time getting any kind of public support for anything he's trying to do," said Alan Yu, a former US diplomat in Asia now at the Center for American Progress. "The use of martial law feels almost like a desperation move to try to break out, both in a political and policy sense, but it is really poorly played on both fronts." Domestically, pressure has only grown further on Yoon after his late-night bombshell. South Korea's main opposition party has demanded that Yoon step down, accusing him of "insurrection". The country's main labour union group has also called an "indefinite general strike" until he resigns over the "irrational and anti-democratic measure". Yoon's own People Power Party described his attempt at imposing martial law as "tragic" and demanded that those involved be held accountable. South Korea is a key Western ally in Asia, seen as an important democratic bulwark in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes, and the drama is being watched with concern. Washington said it was "relieved President Yoon has reversed course" on his martial law order. Earlier, Britain and Germany both said they were closely following developments. China, a key ally of nuclear-armed North Korea, urged its citizens to exercise caution, while Russia -- itself increasingly close to Pyongyang -- called the situation "alarming". burs-pdw-bfm-hmn/cwlWASHINGTON: President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday nominated Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the US ambassador to France. Kushner "is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests," Trump said on his Truth Social website, adding that Jared "worked closely with me in the White House."
OTTAWA — Cowessess First Nation Chief Erica Beaudin accused Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer of using First Nations drinking water legislation as a political "tactic," saying she's disappointed in what transpired in the House of Commons on Thursday. Government legislation known as Bill C-61 recognizes that First Nations have an inherent right to clean drinking water, after amendments by the Indigenous and Northern affairs committee, and commits the government to providing "adequate and sustainable" funding for water services in First Nations. Liberal MP Jaime Battiste asked on Thursday for unanimous consent from members of Parliament to send the First Nations Clean Drinking Water Act to the Senate — but several MPs said no. Scheer, whose riding includes Cowessess, rose immediately afterward with a similar motion that also condemned the Liberal government for inaction, and that was also defeated. While Cowessess is not under a boil water advisory, Beaudin says people in her community rely on bottled water because they don't trust what comes from their taps. "I'm very disappointed that he used clean drinking water as a tactic in this House in order to say, 'If you do this, then we will do this,' where there's real lives that are being affected," Beaudin told reporters at a news conference. "We're not talking about toys, we're not talking about items that are not essential, but water is essential and you either believe in clean drinking water for everybody or you don't. And if you do, you do everything you possibly can to work towards that happening." Beaudin added that she knows Scheer to be "very genuine" in representing the people of his riding and urged him to get the Conservative party to co-operate to get the legislation passed. According to government data, there are 31 long-term boil water advisories on First Nations across the country, and 36 short-term advisories. The situation in the House became heated when Battiste entered the aisle holding a glass of water. Battiste later said he considered throwing it at the Conservative benches after his motion was defeated. "This is about protecting water. In Nova Scotia, they poisoned our water in the Pictou Landing community for generations, if not decades. I had the chief in the audience with some of her councillors, and I feel like I let them down," said a visibly upset Battiste. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu blasted the Conservative party's record on ensuring there is clean water on First Nations, and accused them of ignoring First Nations leadership. "So it's a bit rich for them to use that moment to exploit First Nations people and their need for water to play politics in the House. It's appalling," Hajdu said. Hajdu and Battiste were flanked by several chiefs, including Beaudin, and other First Nations representatives in a press conference following the vote. Originally, they planned to speak about the bill moving on to the Senate. The Assembly of First Nations held a special chiefs assembly in Ottawa this week, and on Tuesday the AFN executive endorsed a resolution to continue advocating for the approval of water legislation. The bill is stalled at third reading in the House of Commons because of an ongoing privilege debate that has taken precedence over nearly all other business since late September. The Conservative party did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. — With files from Alessia Passafiume David Baxter, The Canadian PressBy Jamie McGeever (Reuters) – A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. India’s central bank interest rate decision grabs the spotlight in Asia on Friday, as investors digest yet another record high for the Nasdaq and adjust positions ahead of the weekend. The U.S. employment report for November later in the day is released after Asia closes, so investors across the continent may be inclined to square positions as best they can in preparation for Monday. The main event in Asia on Friday is in India. The Reserve Bank of India is overwhelmingly expected to hold its key repo rate at 6.50%, after a sharp rise in inflation past the RBI’s 6% tolerance ceiling in October prompted many economists to push back their forecasts for the first cut to early next year. With the rupee at record lows against the dollar, standing pat makes sense. But economists at Nomura, one of the five out of 67 houses in the Reuters poll predicting a rate cut, argue that weakening growth dynamics must be taken into account now. Although the rupee has never been weaker, benchmark bond yields are at their lowest in almost four years, Indian stocks are lagging many of their regional peers, and the economy is growing at its slowest pace in nearly two years. Maybe the RBI should start the easing cycle sooner rather than later? Investors go into the final trading session of the week against a relatively calm global backdrop, all things considered. Any market impact from the political ructions in South Korea and France appears to be fading and contained, and the dollar’s dip on Thursday will be welcomed too. The dollar fell 0.5% on Thursday. It’s probably too early to read anything too deeply into it, but that was its third down day in a row, a losing streak not seen since September. It will take more than that – perhaps a return to the September lows, around 5% below current levels – to really call into question the dollar’s resilience, but could fatigue be setting in? Fatigue is something the U.S. economy doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of yet. The Atlanta Fed on Thursday raised its GDPNow model estimate for Q4 growth to a remarkable 3.3%. As investors fret about growth in Europe, China and many other key economies around the world, America appears to be the exception that continues to prove the rule. This is a double-edged sword for Asia. On the one hand it’s clearly good news as booming U.S. markets should lift all others. But if it lifts the dollar and Treasury yields, then global financial conditions tighten and capital is sucked towards the US. Indeed, net selling of Asian equities by foreigners in November was the highest since June 2022. Here are key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Friday: – India rate decision – Japan household spending (October) – South Korea current account (October) (Reporting by Jamie McGeever; Editing by Deepa Babington) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. 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Moody's affirms South Africa's Ba2 rating amid economic challenges and political change
NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jose D. Hernandez was suspended for next year's Arizona Complex League season on Wednesday following a positive test for boldenone and nandrolone under baseball's minor league drug program. The 21-year-old Hernandez hit .302 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 26 games this year for the ACL Dodgers. The Venezuelan agreed to a contract with the Dodgers in 2019 that included a $10,000 signing bonus. Twenty players have been suspended this year for positive drug tests, including nine under the minor league program and nine under the new program for minor league players assigned outside the United States and Canada. Two players have been suspended this year under the major league drug program. Noelvi Marté , a 22-year-old infielder who was considered Cincinnati's top prospect, missed the first 80 games following a positive test for boldenone. Toronto infielder Orelvis Martínez was suspended for 80 games on June 23 following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug clomiphene, an announcement made two days after his major league debut . AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbNEW YORK (AP) — Angelina Jolie never expected to hit all the notes. But finding the breath of Maria Callas was enough to bring things out of Jolie that she didn’t even know were in her. “All of us, we really don’t realize where things land in our body over a lifetime of different experiences and where we hold it to protect ourselves,” Jolie said in a recent interview. “We hold it in our stomachs. We hold it in our chest. We breathe from a different place when we’re nervous or we’re sad. “The first few weeks were the hardest because my body had to open and I had to breathe again,” she adds. “And that was a discovery of how much I wasn’t.” In Pablo Larraín’s “Maria,” which Netflix released in theaters Wednesday before it begins streaming on Dec. 11, Jolie gives, if not the performance of her career, then certainly of her last decade. Beginning with 2010’s “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” Jolie has spent recent years directing films while prioritizing raising her six children. “So my choices for quite a few years were whatever was smart financially and short. I worked very little the last eight years,” says Jolie. “And I was kind of drained. I couldn’t for a while.” But her youngest kids are now 16. And for the first time in years, Jolie is back in the spotlight, in full movie-star mode. Her commanding performance in “Maria” seems assured of bringing Jolie her third Oscar nomination. (She won supporting actress in 2000 for “Girl, Interrupted.”) For an actress whose filmography might lack a signature movie, “Maria” may be Jolie's defining role. Jolie's oldest children, Maddox and Pax, worked on the set of the film. There, they saw a version of their mother they hadn't seen before. “They had certainly seen me sad in my life. But I don’t cry in front of my children like that,” Jolie says of the emotion Callas dredged up in her. “That was a moment in realizing they were going to be with me, side by side, in this process of really understanding the depth of some of the pain I carry.” Jolie, who met a reporter earlier this fall at the Carlyle Hotel, didn't speak in any detail of that pain. But it was hard not to sense some it had to do with her lengthy and ongoing divorce from Brad Pitt, with whom she had six children. Just prior to meeting, a judge allowed Pitt’s remaining claim against Jolie, over the French winery Château Miraval, to proceed. On Monday, a judge ruled that Pitt must disclose documents Jolie’s legal team have sought that they allege include “communications concerning abuse.” Pitt has denied ever being abusive. The result of the U.S. presidential election was also just days old, though Jolie — special envoy for the United Nations Refugee Agency from 2012 to 2022 – wasn’t inclined to talk politics. Asked about Donald Trump’s win , she responded, “Global storytelling is essential,” before adding: “That’s what I’m focusing on. Listening. Listening to the voices of people in my country and around the world.” Balancing such things — reports concerning her private life, questions that accompany someone of her fame — is a big reason why Jolie is so suited to the part of Callas. The film takes place during the American-born soprano’s final days. (She died of a heart attack at 53 in 1977.) Spending much of her time in her grand Paris apartment, Callas hasn’t sung publicly in years; she’s lost her voice. Imprisoned by the myth she’s created, Callas is redefining herself and her voice. An instructor tells her he wants to hear “Callas, not Maria." The movie, of course, is more concerned with Maria. It’s Larrain’s third portrait of 20th century female icon, following “Jackie” (with Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy) and “Spencer” (with Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana). As Callas, Jolie is wonderfully regal — a self-possessed diva who deliciously, in lines penned by screenwriter Steven Knight, spouts lines like: “I took liberties all my life and the world took liberties with me.” Asked if she identified with that line, Jolie answered, “Yeah, yeah.” Then she took a long pause. “I’m sure people will read a lot into this and there’s probably a lot I could say but don’t want to feed into,” Jolie eventually continues. “I know she was a public person because she loved her work. And I’m a public person because I love my work, not because I like being public. I think some people are more comfortable with a public life, and I’ve never been fully comfortable with it.” When Larraín first approached Jolie about the role, he screened “Spencer” for her. That film, like “Jackie” and “Maria,” eschews a biopic approach to instead intimately focus on a specific moment of crisis. Larraín was convinced Jolie was meant for the role. “I felt she could have that magnetism,” Larraín says. “The enigmatic diva that’s come to a point in her life where she has to take control of her life again. But the weight of her experience, of her music, of her singing, everything, is on her back. And she carries that. It’s someone who’s already loaded with a life that’s been intense.” “There’s a loneliness that we both share,” Jolie says. “That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I think people can be alone and lonely sometimes, and that can be part of who they are.” Larraín, the Chilean filmmaker, grew up in Santiago going to the opera, and he has long yearned to bring its full power and majesty to a movie. In Callas, he heard something that transfixed him. “I hear something near perfection, but at the same time, it’s something that’s about to be destroyed,” Larraín says. “So it’s as fragile and as strong as possible. It lives in both extremes. That’s why it’s so moving. I hear a voice that’s about to be broken, but it doesn’t.” In Callas’ less perfect moments singing in the film, Larraín fuses archival recordings of Callas with Jolie’s own voice. Some mix of the two runs throughout “Maria.” “Early in the process,” Jolie says, “I discovered that you can’t fake-sing opera.” Jolie has said she never sang before, not even karaoke. But the experience has left her with a newfound appreciation of opera and its healing properties. “I wonder if it’s something you lean into as you get older,” Jolie says. “Maybe your depth of pain is bigger, your depth of loss is bigger, and that sound in opera meets that, the enormity of it.” If Larraín’s approach to “Maria” is predicated on an unknowingness, he's inclined to say something similar about his star. “Because of media and social media, some people might think that they know a lot about Angelina,” he says. “Maria, I read nine biographies of her. I saw everything. I read every interview. I made this movie. But I don’t think I would be capable of telling you who she was us. So if there’s an element in common, it’s that. They carry an enormous amount of mystery. Even if you think that you know them, you don’t.” Whether “Maria” means more acting in the future for Jolie, she's not sure. “There's not a clear map,” she says. Besides, Jolie isn't quite ready to shake Callas. “When you play a real person, you feel at some point that they become your friend,” says Jolie. “Right now, it’s still a little personal. It’s funny, I’ll be at a premiere or I’ll walk into a room and someone will start blaring her music for fun, but I have this crazy internal sense memory of dropping to my knees and crying.”The cryptocurrency officially to rose six figures Wednesday night, just hours after the president-elect said he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to be the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bitcoin has soared since Trump won the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5. The asset climbed from $69,374 on Election Day, hitting as high as $103,713 Wednesday, according to CoinDesk. And the latest all-time high arrives just two years after bitcoin dropped below $17,000 following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX . Bitcoin fell back below the $100,000 by Thursday afternoon, sitting above $99,000 by 4 p.m. ET. Even amid a massive rally that has more than doubled the value of bitcoin this year, some experts continue to warn of investment risks around the asset, which has quite a volatile history. Here’s what you need to know. Back up. What is cryptocurrency again? Cryptocurrency has been around for a while now. But chances are you’ve heard about it more and more over the last few years. In basic terms, cryptocurrency is digital money. This kind of currency is designed to work through an online network without a central authority — meaning it’s typically not backed by any government or banking institution — and transactions get recorded with technology called a blockchain. Bitcoin is the largest and oldest cryptocurrency, although other assets like ethereum, XRP, tether and dogecoin have also gained popularity over the years. Some investors see cryptocurrency as a “digital alternative” to traditional money, but most daily financial transactions are still conducted using fiat currencies such as the dollar. Also, bitcoin can be very volatile, with its price reliant on larger market conditions. Why is bitcoin soaring? A lot of the recent action has to do with the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Trump, who was once a crypto skeptic, has pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. His campaign accepted donations in cryptocurrency and he courted fans at a bitcoin conference in July. He also launched World Liberty Financial, a new venture with family members to trade cryptocurrencies. On Thursday morning, hours after bitcoin surpassed the $100,000 mark, Trump congratulated “BITCOINERS” on his social media platform Truth Social. He also appeared to take credit for the recent rally, writing, “YOU’RE WELCOME!!!” Top crypto players welcomed Trump’s election victory last month, in hopes that he would be able to push through legislative and regulatory changes that they’ve long lobbied for — which, generally speaking, aim for an increased sense of legitimacy without too much red tape. And the industry has made sizeable investments along the way. Back in August, Public Citizen, a left-leaning consumer rights advocacy nonprofit, reported finding that crypto-sector corporations spent more than $119 million in 2024 to back pro-crypto candidates across federal elections. Trump made his latest pro-crypto move when he announced his plans Wednesday to nominate Atkins to chair the SEC. Atkins was an SEC commissioner during the presidency of George W. Bush. In the years since leaving the agency, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. He joined the Token Alliance, a cryptocurrency advocacy organization, in 2017. Under current chair Gary Gensler, who will step down when Trump takes office, the SEC has cracked down on the crypto industry — penalizing a number of companies for violating securities laws. Gensler has also faced ample criticism from industry players in the process. One crypto-friendly move the SEC did make under Gensler was the approval in January of spot bitcoin ETFs, or exchange trade funds, which allow investors to have a stake in bitcoin without directly buying it. The spot ETFs were the dominant driver of bitcoin's price before Trump's win — but, like much of the crypto’s recent momentum, saw record inflows postelection. What does bitcoin hitting the $100k mark mean? Could it keep climbing? Bitcoin surpassing the coveted $100,000 mark has left much of the crypto world buzzing. “What we’re seeing isn’t just a rally — it’s a fundamental transformation of bitcoin’s place in the financial system,” Nathan McCauley, CEO and co-founder of crypto custodian Anchorage Digital, said in a statement — while pointing to the growth of who's entering the market, particularly with rising institutional adoption. Still, others note that the new heights of bitcoin's price don't necessarily mean the asset is going mainstream. The $100,000 level is “merely a psychological factor and ultimately just a number,” Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at British investment company AJ Bell, wrote in a Thursday commentary . That being said, bitcoin could keep climbing to more and more all-time highs, particularly if Trump makes good on his promises for more crypto-friendly regulation once in office. If Trump actually makes a bitcoin reserve, for example, supply changes could also propel the price forward. “It is hard to overstate the magnitude of the change in Washington’s attitude towards crypto post-election,” Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise Asset Management, said via email Thursday, reiterating that prices could keep rising if trends persist. “There is a lot more demand than there is supply, and that’s usually a pretty good recipe for success.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is never promised. Worldwide regulatory uncertainties and environmental concerns around bitcoin “mining" — the creation of new bitcoin, which consumes a lot of energy — are among factors that analysts like Coatsworth note could hamper future growth. And, as still a relatively young asset with a history of volatility, longer-term adoption has yet to be seen through. Is it too late to invest? What are the risks? Today’s excitement around bitcoin may make many who aren’t already in the space want to get in on the action. For those in a position to invest, Hougan says it's not too late — noting that bitcoin is still early in its development and most institutional investors “still have zero exposure.” At the same time, Hougan and others maintain that it's important to tread cautiously and not bite off more than you can chew. Experts continue to stress caution around getting carried away with crypto “FOMO,” or the fear of missing out, especially for small-pocketed investors. “A lot of people have got rich from the cryptocurrency soaring in value this year, but this high-risk asset isn’t suitable for everyone,” Coatsworth noted Thursday. “It’s volatile, unpredictable and is driven by speculation, none of which makes for a sleep-at-night investment.” In short, history shows you can lose money in crypto as quickly as you’ve made it. Long-term price behavior relies on larger market conditions. Trading continues at all hours, every day. Coatsworth points to recent research from the Bank for International Settlements, a Switzerland-based global organization of central banks, which found that about three-quarters of retail buyers on crypto exchange apps likely lost money on their bitcoin investments between 2015 and 2022. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, bitcoin stood at just over $5,000. Its price climbed to nearly $69,000 by November 2021, during high demand for technology assets, but later crashed during an aggressive series of rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. And the late-2022 collapse of FTX significantly undermined confidence in crypto overall, with bitcoin falling below $17,000. Investors began returning in large numbers as inflation started to cool — and gains skyrocketed on the anticipation and then early success of spot ETFs, and again, now the post-election frenzy. But lighter regulation from the coming Trump administration could also mean less guardrails. This story has been corrected to refer to Anchorage Digital as a crypto custodian, not a crypto asset manager.
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Podcaster Joe Rogan has revealed that it was Kamala Harris’ running mate Tim Walz who pushed him over the edge to get involved in the US election. “I wanted to stay out of the presidential election s**t because it’s gross,” Rogan said on his Thursday show with fellow comedians Ari Shaffir, Mark Normand and Shane Gillis, explaining he changed his mind “because I felt like I had to”. “I felt like, this is so nuts,” Rogan said. “When that Tim Walz guy, it’s so nuts that guy was given the vice president [running spot]. “You’re telling me this whole thing is fake then? You’re telling me you don’t care if someone’s a liar? You don’t care if they lied about their military rank, where they served? You don’t care if they lied about being an assistant [coach]? You don’t care if they lie about Tiananmen Square? There’s too many things, this is so crazy. You would get fired if you were an assistant manager at a f**king oil change company.” The Minnesota Governor, who was picked as Ms Harris’ running mate in August, was dogged by a number of gaffes and controversies during the campaign. He faced particular criticism from Republicans over claims he had misrepresented aspects of his military service in the Minnesota Army National Guard, including his rank at retirement, the timing of his retirement, and past comments that gave the impression he had seen active combat. Tim Walz and Kamala Harris at a campaign rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Picture: Drew Angerer/AFP MORE: Joe Rogan’s $22m A-list lure after show slump Mr Walz had also repeatedly said over the years that he was in Hong Kong during the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, when in fact he was in his home state of Nebraska at the time, leading Republicans to brand him “Tiananmen Tim”. During the vice presidential debate in October with JD Vance, Mr Walz admitted he “misspoke” when asked about the discrepancy. “I’ve not been perfect and I’m a knucklehead at times,” he said. Rogan sat down with Donald Trump for a wide-ranging, nearly three-hour interview in the final stretch of the campaign. The highly anticipated interview, in which they talked about Mr Trump’s policies, his views on his first term in the White House, expectations for a second term and his personal life, racked up more than 20 million views in less than a day. Rogan went on to endorse Mr Trump on the eve of the election while also praising billionaire Elon Musk for buying Twitter, turning it into X and backing the former President as well. Joe Rogan endorsed Donald Trump on the eve of the election. Picture: Spotify “If it wasn’t for him, we’d be f**ked,” Rogan said of Mr Musk. “He makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump you’ll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way. For the record, yes, that’s an endorsement of Trump.” Mr Trump and Mr Vance both travelled to Austin, Texas, to record podcasts with Rogan in the final stretch of the 2024 race. But Ms Harris, who was also looking to go on the show, refused to travel due to her tight schedule despite visiting Houston for a rally with pop queen Beyonce in late October. “She had an opportunity to come,” Rogan said on his podcast at the time. “You could look at this and you can say, ‘Oh, you’re being a diva,’ but she had an opportunity to come here when she was in Texas — and I literally gave them an open invitation.” Stefanie Cutter, a senior Harris campaign adviser, claimed on a recent episode of the Pod Save America podcast that the Vice President wanted to be interviewed in front of Rogan’s massive audience but “ultimately we just weren’t able to find a date”. However, top campaign aides had cowered after “progressive staff” threw a fit knowing Ms Harris was considering an appearance on the raucous podcast, the Financial Times previously reported. Rogan said the reaction to the assassination attempt was ‘crazy’. Picture: Rebecca Droke/AFP On Thursday’s show, Rogan also said he would be open to recording an episode of his wildly popular show from Mar-a-Lago — after refusing to travel to interview Ms Harris on the campaign trail. “Yeah, we have to,” Rogan said. “We helped Trump get elected.” Shaffir first floated the idea of recording another session at the President-elect’s resort on January 14 to coincide with the release of his Netflix comedy special America’s Sweetheart . “Can we get together?” Shaffir asked. “Trump’s obviously going to walk on.” “100 per cent,” Rogan agreed. “He’s gonna walk on if we do Mar-a-Lago.” Rogan said he’d already spoken with Donald Trump Jr. about the possibility — and the President-elect’s eldest son said he could “make that happen”. Shaffir pointed out during the episode that they had previously discussed doing a show at Mar-a-Lago “but you said I don’t want to influence an election”. “I changed my mind after they shot at him,” Rogan said, as the group then launched into a discussion about the July 13 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Rogan said there were still unanswered questions about gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, and described the initial reaction to the shooting as “weird”. “The guy tried to shoot the guy who was the President for four years and everyone’s making like it’s no big deal,” he said. “And then when they asked Kamala Harris about Secret Service protection, she’s like, ‘A lot of people don’t feel safe.’ You know, ‘Trans people don’t feel safe.’ There was like this crazy take on it that was so nuts, like what are you talking about? That could be you! Crazy people are out there. High-profile people that are running for president, you have to protect them. You can’t say, ‘Everyone feels in danger.’ He got shot! It makes me feel like we’re in a movie.” — with NY Post More Coverage Joe Rogan responds to ABC torching Thomas Henry Joe Rogan’s stunning claim on Zelensky Ronny Reyes – The NY Post Originally published as ‘I wanted to stay out’: Rogan reveals why he ‘had to’ get involved in election More related stories TV New claims about ACA women’s toilet cubicle interview A witness has revealed what he claims really happened when A Current Affair reporter Seb Costello interviewed a businessman in a women’s toilet cubicle. Read more TV ‘Motherf***er!’: Comedian eviscerates Biden US President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter, has gone down quite terribly even on his own side of politics. Read moreDodgers shortstop Jose Hernandez suspended for 2025 ACL season under minor league drug program