"He does not want to back down, and he does want to take on Pierre Poilievre, whom he detests," he said.

Bitcoin, riding record highs following Donald Trumpov's embrace of the digital cryptocurrency, came back down to earth after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank is not looking to hold it.

When inflation is high, it may decide to raise rates to bring inflation back down towards its 2% target.

In the meantime, French farmers are continuing to put pressure on Paris to not back down.

The bear casually slumps back down onto all fours, then looks up and gazes at me briefly.