JQJO — General news · Page 26

Paramount’s new regime courted Taylor Sheridan on his Texas ranch after the Skydance-Paramount merger, but the prolific hitmaker instead signed with NBCUniversal in a deal worth up to $1 billion, with film work beginning next year and a five-year TV pact starting in 2029. Sources cite friction over rejected scripts, spending critiques and talent scheduling—plus a crowded executive meeting that felt impersonal—as strains with Paramount. Insiders also note Paramount never made a formal offer, while NBCU’s Donna Langley wooed Sheridan with a quieter approach, betting his winning streak will continue.

President Donald Trump in Gyeongju to press a trade deal with South Korea, but talks are slowing over his demand for $350 billion in U.S.-bound investment. Seoul prefers loans, guarantees and a currency swap line, saying a direct cash injection could destabilize its economy. The impasse contrasts with pledges of up to $490 billion from Japan after Trump’s trip with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Tensions also linger after a U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai plant. As Trump eyes meetings with Xi and possibly Kim, North Korea fired cruise missiles.

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall remains affected after the disastrous eye poke that ended his UFC 321 title bout with Ciryl Gane. Hospitalized Saturday, Aspinall was ruled a no-contest—the first in UFC title-fight history—after Gane accidentally poked both eyes in the first round. On Tuesday, his father and coach, Andy, said in a video on Aspinall’s YouTube channel the 32-year-old sees 'just gray' in the right eye and about 50% in the left; further tests are underway, though bone damage was avoided. Aspinall has stayed quiet. UFC CEO Dana White intends to rebook the fight pending recovery.

Microsoft closed up 2% at $542.07, lifting its market value to $4.04 trillion and returning it to a small club that includes Nvidia—and briefly, on Tuesday, Apple. The gain followed OpenAI’s move to convert into a public benefit corporation after Delaware and California attorneys general said they would not oppose the plan. OpenAI also signed a new agreement granting longtime backer Microsoft roughly a 27% stake in its new for-profit corporation. The sky-high valuations highlight investor frenzy around artificial intelligence.

Standing beside President Trump in Israel’s parliament, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed victories over Hamas and Iran’s axis, even as critics said he failed to translate them into peace. Israel faces intense condemnation over the Gaza war that followed the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 attack, which Israeli authorities say killed 1,144 people; Gaza health officials report more than 68,000 Palestinians killed. Analysts warn U.S. backing is eroding. The Abraham Accords held, business ties quietly persist, and a shaky ceasefire saw new fighting as Israel accused Hamas of firing, prompting 'forceful' strikes in Gaza City.

Hundreds protested near the US embassy shouting "No Trump!" while others rallied "No China!"—a snapshot of the delicate week as President Lee Jae-Myung hosts US President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping. Talks could seek a trade-war breakthrough, yet US–Korea negotiations remain unsettled after tariffs, investment pledges, and a Georgia immigration raid at a Hyundai plant that detained hundreds of South Koreans. Polls show strong pro-US sentiment but skepticism toward China; anti-CCP rallies persist as Lee pushes a bill curbing hate rallies and eases visas for Chinese tour groups. Analysts say Seoul aims for center ground.

WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda, best known as IRS, has been placed in hospice care, according to multiple reports. The update came from his former tag partner and brother-in-law Barry Windham, who called it “kinda tough,” and was echoed by former WWE star Leilani Kai, who shared a photo from earlier this year. Rotunda, 67, found fame in WWE and WCW with The U.S. Express and Money Inc., and was inducted with Windham in 2024. The family previously lost his son Windham Rotunda, known as Bray Wyatt, at 36.

Stocks notched records Tuesday as investors crowded into the AI trade ahead of the Federal Reserve’s rate decision. S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow set all-time intraday highs, with Nvidia jumping about 5% after unveiling moves at its GTC event, including a $1 billion stake in Nokia to help fund its AI plans. Microsoft rose roughly 2% and, with Apple, topped $4 trillion; OpenAI said its recapitalization is complete, positioning Microsoft’s roughly 27% stake for a windfall. Earnings remain strong—83% of S&P companies reporting beat estimates—while markets eyed an expected Fed cut and easing U.S.-China tensions before a Trump–Xi meeting.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Kenvue and Johnson & Johnson, alleging deceptive Tylenol marketing and claiming the drug “leads to a significantly increased risk of autism and other disorders.” The suit cites evidence “highlighted by the Trump Administration.” Donald Trump has repeatedly urged people not to take Tylenol. Studies are mixed; a Swedish sibling study found no added risk. After Trump’s remarks, the FDA noted no causal link is established and acetaminophen remains the safest option in pregnancy. Kenvue called the case “scientifically unfounded,” warning about misinformation and pledging a vigorous defense.

Nobody Wants This returned to Netflix at No. 1, drawing 8.6M views in its first four days—slightly below last year’s 10.3M season-one launch. The comeback also lifted Season 1 to No. 9 with 2M views for the week. The Diplomat ranked second with 6.3M in its second week, and Boots was third with 5.6M, with several other series filling out the TV chart. On film, Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite debuted with 22.1M views in three days, depicting the upper echelons of the U.S. government’s roughly 18 minutes to react to an unattributed nuclear missile.