Summary:
Netflix moved to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios and streaming arm in a multibillion-dollar deal expected to face antitrust scrutiny, while the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Texas to use a redrawn congressional map favoring Republicans for 2026. Markets leaned toward a December Fed rate cut as major banks revised forecasts, and authorities made the first arrest in the 2021 D.C. pipe bomb probe.
Top stories
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Netflix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios and streaming division for $72B equity value (EV ~ $82.7B)Deal expected to close after a WBD networks spinoff; faces antitrust scrutiny.
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Supreme Court allows Texas to use redrawn congressional map favoring Republicans for 20266–3 order stays a lower-court finding of racial gerrymandering as filing deadlines near.
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Markets price high likelihood of December Fed rate cutMorgan Stanley shifts to a 25 bps cut call, echoing JPMorgan and BofA; futures firm on easing bets.
U.S.
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First arrest in 2021 D.C. pipe bomb investigationFBI arrests a suspect tied to devices near DNC and RNC HQs on Jan. 5, 2021; court appearance in Washington.
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FIFA awards inaugural “Peace Prize” to Donald Trump at 2026 World Cup drawPresentation in Washington, D.C., draws scrutiny over politics in sport.
Asia
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Taiwan blocks Xiaohongshu (RedNote) for one yearAuthorities cite 1,700+ fraud cases and security risks; opposition KMT calls the move censorship.
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Cyclone Ditwah: Sri Lanka seeks ~$200M IMF aidGovernment orders bank relief for affected borrowers; reports of hundreds of deaths and widespread displacement.
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Putin visits New Delhi for India–Russia summitPutin and Modi target $100B bilateral trade by 2030 and emphasize energy ties.
Business & Markets
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Airbus deliveries dip to 72 in November after industrial glitchYear-to-date at 657; revised full-year target around 790 implies a heavy December push.
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Kroger to pay Ocado $350M as it closes three robotic warehouses, cancels anotherMove highlights a pivot toward store-based fulfillment in the U.S. grocery market.
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Switzerland advances toward a U.S. trade agreementGovernment adopts draft negotiating mandate following a framework on tariff cuts and investment.
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Markets snapshotAsian equities mixed as Japan’s Nikkei falls on BOJ hike speculation; U.S. futures edge up ahead of inflation data and the Fed decision.