JQJO — General news · Page 33

Craig Brewer’s Song Sung Blue premiered at AFI Film Festival, igniting awards buzz for Kate Hudson’s revelatory turn as Claire “Thunder” Sardinia. The Focus Features release, opening Dec. 25, tells of two struggling musicians who form a Neil Diamond tribute band and is being pushed in the Globes’ comedy/musical category, a possible Oscar launchpad. Praise also extends to Hugh Jackman, Jim Belushi, and breakout Ella Anderson. Brewer’s adapted screenplay could contend. If Hudson is nominated, it would be her first Oscar nod since Almost Famous, 25 years ago.

Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi — the first woman to hold the post — meets President Trump in Tokyo on Tuesday seeking reassurance on trade and security. She is expected to lean on her ties to Shinzo Abe while urging commitment to the alliance, countering China and backing Taiwan. Talks will probe oversight of Japan’s $550 billion U.S. investment and her accelerated plan to reach about 2% of GDP on defense. Trump will visit the Imperial Palace, lunch at Akasaka Palace and rally troops. Analysts warn a warm Trump-Xi meeting later this week could leave Japan vulnerable.

Craig Brewer’s Song Sung Blue follows the true story of Mike and Claire Sarina (Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson), Milwaukee musicians who form the Neil Diamond tribute act Lightning & Thunder. The film revels in Karaoke Culture as their Midwest circuit gigs lead to a breakthrough—opening for Pearl Jam, with Eddie Vedder joining onstage. A sudden calamity upends their lives, yet Hudson’s raw performance and the duo’s bond carry the drama. Amid Mike’s health scares and a planned reunion capped by meeting Diamond, the movie channels fervent, unapologetic love for his songs.

Families are choosing smaller sizes worldwide, NPR reports, with some like Ashley and Nick Evancho deciding “one is enough.” UN data show fertility has fallen by more than half since the 1970s; the U.S. rate hit a record-low 1.6 in 2024. Economists warn of aging populations, worker shortages and pressure on programs like Social Security and Medicare, as seen in rural New York where a maternity ward closed despite plentiful jobs. Some urge immigration, automation and incentives—Greece approved a multibillion-dollar tax package; the Trump administration included incentives—but others, including Claudia Goldin, say fears are overstated.

Jordan Love delivered a career night in the Packers’ 35-25 win at Pittsburgh, completing 20 straight and finishing 29-of-37 for 360 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions at Acrisure Stadium as Aaron Rodgers watched. Love dissected the blitz for 183 yards and all three scores. Tight end Tucker Kraft caught two touchdowns and racked up 143 yards, including 128 after the catch; Christian Watson returned to make four grabs for 85 yards. Teammates and coach Matt LaFleur praised Love, and Rodgers lauded his poise. Green Bay improved to 5-1-1.

HBO will drop Episode 2 of It: Welcome To Derry nearly three days early for Halloween, streaming on HBO Max Friday, Oct. 31, at 12:00am PT/3:00am ET, before its HBO premiere Sunday, Nov. 2, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The early release is a one-off; the eight-episode season resumes Sunday rollouts on HBO and HBO Max through the Dec. 14 finale. Set in Stephen King’s It universe, the series was developed by Andy and Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs, with Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise.

HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry opens with a jolt: after an initial death, the premiere introduces a young Losers Club only to seemingly murder several members in a chaotic movie-theater climax. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Andy Muschietti says the aim was to signal that nothing is sacred, subvert familiarity, and raise intensity. Whether the kids are truly dead remains purposefully unclear. He leaves the reality of Matty’s car scene unanswered to preserve the story’s enigma. Pennywise’s appearance is being delayed to build anticipation. The series airs Sundays on HBO.

Jon Stewart says he wants to keep hosting The Daily Show, telling David Remnick at the New Yorker Festival that “we’re working on staying,” even as his contract is up in December. Stewart, who returned to the show in early 2024, joked that Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison is his “new boss.” He has criticized CBS’ plan to end The Late Show and a 60 Minutes settlement with Donald Trump, linking them to “fear,” and mocked Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension with a satirical episode. He vowed to continue.

On Sunday Night Football, Aaron Rodgers faces the only NFL team he's never played — the Green Bay Packers — in his first meeting with his former franchise as the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback. With 18 seasons and 475 Packers touchdown passes behind him, a win would make him the fifth quarterback to defeat all 32 teams. Rodgers says he holds no animosity; Jordan Love recalls learning from him. Expect the pass rush to matter, with T.J. Watt and Micah Parsons, and striking looks: Pittsburgh's 1933 throwbacks vs. Green Bay's all-white "Winter Warning" combo, 3-0 so far.

After eight trips to Washington, Ryosei Akazawa secured a deal that swapped lower‑than‑threatened U.S. tariffs for a $550 billion Japanese fund to finance American projects chosen at President Trump’s direction, with profits largely flowing to the United States. Three months on, both governments are still sorting how to invest the money, while Tokyo worries about being pushed into ill‑suited projects under threat of higher tariffs. As new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi prepares to meet Mr. Trump, she has kept the pact intact but questioned its “unequal” aspects and retained Mr. Akazawa as economy minister.