Bloomberg – by Greg Stuart Hunter

The biggest-ever bet on Bitcoin options is about to expire worthless.

Purchased for almost $1 million on LedgerX’s trading platform just days after Bitcoin peaked a year ago, the call options have a strike price of $50,000 and an expiry date of Dec. 28, 2018. For the contracts to retain any value at expiry, Bitcoin would need to rally more than 1,400 percent.   Continue reading “Bitcoin Options Bought for $1 Million Will Soon Be Worthless”

Market Watch – by Steven Kutz

Because of changes to the tax law that went into effect this year, professional athletes might need to put their CPAs on speed dial.

That’s because players in sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, MLB, WNBA and NHL have traditionally been able to deduct tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for things that they no longer can.  Continue reading “Why pro athletes may lose a fortune because of the new tax law”

Yahoo News

Australia Thursday passed controversial laws allowing spies and police to snoop on the encrypted communications of suspected terrorists and criminals, as experts warned the “unprecedented powers” had far-reaching implications for global cybersecurity.

There has been extensive debate about the laws and their reach beyond Australia’s shores in what is seen as the latest salvo between global governments and tech firms over national security and privacy.   Continue reading “Australia passes cyber snooping laws with global implications”

Independent – by Sarah Knapton

Pig hearts could soon be tested in humans after scientists passed an important milestone by transplanting the organs into primates.

In 2000, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) suggested human trials would be considered once 60pc of primates could live for three months, with at least some indication that longer survival was possible.   Continue reading “How transplanting pigs’ hearts into humans could save our bacon”

CBC News

Marlboro cigarette maker Altria is in early stage talks to acquire Canadian cannabis producer Cronos, as it seeks to diversify its business beyond traditional smokers, people familiar with the matter told CNBC.

Cronos has not agreed to any deal and there is no certainty it will do so, the people said.

The news comes as Altria is also eyeing a significant minority stake in e-cigarette company Juul, people familiar with the situation have told CNBC.   Continue reading “Altria in talks to buy cannabis company Cronos Group”

Daily Mail

CNN has fired a commentator who made comments that critics described as a ‘dog whistle’ advocating the elimination of Israel.

During a speech at the United Nations on Wednesday, Marc Lamont Hill said accused the Israeli government of ‘normalizing settler colonialism’ and called for a ‘free Palestine from the river to the sea.’   Continue reading “CNN commentator Marc Lamont Hill dropped over anti-Israel comments made at the United Nations”

Daily Mail

The Trump Organization at one time planned to give Russian President Vladimir Putin a penthouse worth $50 million in the never-built Trump Tower Moscow, according to a new report.

Felix Sater, a real estate developer and former mobster turned FBI informant who advised the Trump Organization on the deal, said on Thursday that the idea was a marketing ploy.   Continue reading “Trump Organization ‘planned to give Putin a $50 million penthouse in Trump Tower Moscow’”

Epoch Times – by tom Ozimek

A New York lawyer who was previously accused of participating in a $5 million corporate tax evasion scheme has now been found guilty on charges of asylum fraud.

Andreea Dumitru Parcalaboiu, who was charged with a range of crimes in association with her job as an immigration attorney, was found guilty on Nov. 19 of asylum fraud, making false statements to immigration authorities, and aggravated identity theft.   Continue reading “New York Immigration Attorney Found Guilty of Large-Scale Asylum Fraud”

Chicago Sun Times

Bill Daley on Wednesday unveiled a strategy to grow Chicago out of its financial crisis — to a population of 3 million within the next decade — even as he opened the door to a commuter tax and constitutional amendment to solve a looming pension crisis.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has emphatically and repeatedly ruled out a commuter tax for fear it would put the kibosh on his efforts to lure corporate headquarters downtown.   Continue reading “Mayoral candidate Bill Daley opens door to commuter tax to help fund pensions”

Daily Mail

These are the hellish conditions that are driving members of the Central American migrant caravan to finally turn their backs on their US dream – by ‘self-deporting’.

Despite traveling as much as 4,500 miles – much of it on foot – hundreds of migrants have already accepted free flights home rather than stay longer in the filth-strewn sports complex that has become their temporary home in Tijuana, Mexico.   Continue reading “Migrants begin to turn back as diseases become endemic in Tijuana”

Yahoo News

Washington (AFP) – Democrats intend to probe US President Donald Trump’s financial ties to determine whether they are the “hidden hand” driving US foreign policy on Russia and Saudi Arabia, the incoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Sunday.

Adam Schiff, currently the ranking Democrat on that committee, accused Trump of being “dishonest” about the role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.   Continue reading “Democrats to probe Trump money ties to Russia, Saudis: lawmaker”

Daily Mail

Migrants approaching the U.S. border from Mexico were enveloped with tear gas Sunday after a few tried to breach the fence separating the two countries.

U.S. agents shot the gas, according to an Associated Press reporter on the scene. Children were screaming and coughing in the mayhem.

Mexico vowed Sunday to deport about 500 migrants who tried to ‘violently’ and ‘illegally’ cross the U.S. border, according to the Mexican Interior Ministry in a statement.   Continue reading “US agents fire tear gas and rubber bullets at hundreds of migrants who try to storm the border fence and force authorities to shut the crossing down”