On September 8, 2026, Reuters reported that Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ:PSKY) said California Attorney General Rob Bonta made television statements that contradict his own legal arguments against Paramount's request for a $1.88 billion bond in the ongoing court fight over its roughly $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD).
Bonta's office has argued the bond is unnecessary because Paramount voluntarily agreed to pause the deal's closing rather than wait for a court injunction. But Paramount described that same pause as equivalent to an injunction in media interviews, which it argues legally requires the states to post a bond under antitrust law. A hearing is scheduled for September 24.
Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ:PSKY) could protect a significant portion of its financial position if the court grants its $1.88 billion bond request. Paramount says the delay could cost it about $1.3 billion in fees to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders by the time the case concludes in April 2027. A bond would give Paramount a potential path to recover those losses if it ultimately defeats the states' challenge. It reduces the financial damage from a prolonged legal process.
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD) is receiving financial protection from the transaction's delay through Paramount's ticking fees. Paramount agreed to pay WBD shareholders approximately $7 million per day starting October 1 if the transaction does not close, creating a growing payment obligation for Paramount. It is also providing WBD shareholders with compensation for waiting. The arrangement gives WBD a financial benefit from the prolonged closing process even as the companies await a final legal resolution.
The legal dispute has not eliminated the strategic rationale for combining the two media companies. Paramount argues that the merger would strengthen the film and television industry and lead to more content while giving the combined company greater scale to compete with Netflix and Disney. For Paramount, completing the acquisition would speed up David Ellison's plan to build a larger media competitor. WBD shareholders would receive the transaction consideration rather than remain exposed to the company's standalone turnaround.

#paramount

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday granted Paramount Skydance's request to allow Middle Eastern royal families to hold a substantial stake in a merged Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery.
Foreign investors, including the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, are slated to indirectly own nearly 50% of the equity in David Ellison's proposed mega-studio. That will give them a hefty stake in CBS, CNN, Comedy Central, HBO and two historic Hollywood film studios.
Paramount also asked the commission, led by President Trump's appointee Brendan Carr, to allow the foreign investors to eventually take on an even bigger stake because the company expects that it will need more capital to run the merged entity after closing the highly leveraged deal.
The FCC's Media Bureau granted Paramount's petition. Ellison needed FCC approval because the deal will change the ownership structure of CBS.
As part of the Communications Act of 1934, Congress placed restrictions on foreign ownership of broadcast outlets because of concerns about national security. Current rules prevent foreign investors from owning more than 25% of a company that holds a U.S. broadcast license — unless the FCC determines that foreign ownership would serve a public interest.

#stake

Paramount Skydance will meet with California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's representatives next month for court-ordered settlement talks that could clear a path for David Ellison's $111-billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The two sides will convene for two days, Oct. 14 and Oct. 15, according to court documents filed this week.
The talks come as both sides look for ways to resolve the pitched battle over Hollywood's industry-reshaping deal, which would put HBO, CBS, CNN, TBS, Food Network, Comedy Central and the Paramount and Warner Bros. studios under one roof. Bonta and 11 other Democratic state attorneys general sued in July to block it, and Ellison's team has been stoking political pressure on Bonta to retreat.
Bonta canceled a session last month after prelimary details and ground rules leaked, prompting him to accuse Paramount of "playing games" by violating a confidentiality agreement and spreading misinformation.

#bros #court #sides

Shares of the artificial intelligence cloud provider Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) slid this morning after a report over the weekend showed that co-founder Larry Ellison was abandoning plans to sell up to $7.5 billion worth of Oracle stock.
That sort of news would typically cause a share price rally, but Ellison's move came as investors sold some AI stocks today, amid calls from Anthropic and OpenAI for more artificial intelligence regulation.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Adding to investor pessimism today is the growing belief among investors that the Federal Reserve may hike rates at its next meeting. That could make Oracle's current AI spending even more expensive than it already is.
Oracle stock was down by 4.5% as of 11:04 am ET.

#intelligence #investors

(Bloomberg) -- Oracle Corp. Chairman Larry Ellison canceled his plan to sell as many as 50 million shares in the tech company, a holding worth $7.5 billion, a day after the company disclosed the founder's divestment plan.
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#bloomberg #plan #company #spend

It should surprise exactly no one that players, who were out of eligibility under NCAA rules, going through NFL training camp and filing lawsuits to play college football for another year was the last straw.
A week later, the Protect College Sports Act, dead in the water a month ago, is close to passing the Senate because the chaos finally got to be too much. It is, according to Team Chaos, bad for athletes.
It appears Sen. Thune has enough votes to pass the Protect College Sports Act.

Last night, I contacted many U.S. Senators’ offices to tell them the truth about the bill.

The PCSA is bad for athletes. A lot of money is being spent in an effort to convince people otherwise. pic.twitter.com/tShgI0sp9T
This is what happens when you make everybody despise you.
When your position is that you have to have megaconferences, more ******* ding of revenue by the conferences at the top, a stupid college basketball Thanksgiving week event in Las Vegas backed by all the worst people in existence (the Emiratis and David Ellison chief among them), more private equity backing, more helmet games, unlimited transfers, unlimited tampering with mid-major rosters, unlimited college eligibility and freedom to go back and forth between college and the pros as you please, all so that athletes can maximize their earnings…

#college #protect #sports #people

Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) and The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) are both booking real tariff refund windfalls, but reporting and using the money in noticeably different ways, CNBC reported.
Walmart CFO John David Rainey said the company is eligible for roughly $2.9 billion in refunds, has yet to receive just under $100 million of that, and saw Walmart U.S. gross profit grow 1.6% from the boost; Rainey said Walmart plans to use the funds to lower prices for consumers, with the impact showing up in the current fiscal third quarter.
Home Depot said it received $730 million in tariff refunds during its fiscal second quarter, using about $685 million to reduce the cost of goods sold, lifting gross margin by 0.3 percentage points. CFO Richard McPhail called that "the vast majority" of what the company expected. Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW), by contrast, said it would not use its refund to cut prices, with CEO Marvin Ellison saying the company wants to "deliver strong profitability for our shareholders" instead.
Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) can turn its tariff refund into both lower prices and solid sales. The firm expects roughly $2.9 billion in tariff refunds and has already used part of the benefit to lower prices on about 11,000 products. Walmart can attract price-sensitive shoppers and increase traffic. It can also strengthen its market share if those lower prices generate more purchases.
The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) has taken a consumer-focused approach to its tariff refund while still protecting its margins. The company expects to receive roughly $730 million in tariff refunds and plans to apply about $685 million toward its cost of goods. That approach gives Home Depot room to pass savings to customers while retaining a financial benefit, potentially helping it compete more aggressively for home-improvement spending.

#depot

CNBC reported that Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ:PSKY) CEO David Ellison has cleared regulatory approval in 68 jurisdictions for his $110 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD), but a lawsuit from 12 state attorneys general remains the final obstacle.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who leads the states' case, canceled a planned settlement meeting with Ellison, noting a "lack of good faith." Paramount said it remains "hopeful" and denied being the source of leaks about the talks. Media veteran Tom Rogers said California's home constituency is "overwhelmingly against the transaction," reducing the state's incentive to settle. Paramount faces a ticking fee that could reach roughly $650 million per quarter starting September 30 and asked a court to force the states to post a $1.88 billion bond.
The deal already holds broad global regulatory approval, which strengthens Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ:PSKY)'s position in the remaining state dispute. With clearance from roughly 68 jurisdictions worldwide, the state antitrust lawsuits represent the main remaining obstacle rather than a broad regulatory challenge. This gives Paramount a strong basis to argue that the transaction has already withstood extensive regulatory scrutiny.
For Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD) shareholders, California Governor Gavin Newsom is sending a clear signal that he prefers a settlement over a prolonged court battle. If Paramount can satisfy California and the other states, WBD shareholders can finally receive the agreed payment instead of remaining stuck in legal limbo. That makes a negotiated resolution potentially attractive to shareholders who have faced prolonged uncertainty around the transaction.
Paramount has also shown flexibility rather than simply defending the deal's original terms. The company has acknowledged that it is considering structural changes to settle the lawsuits. It shows management is willing to make concessions to get the transaction completed. That flexibility could improve the chances of reaching a settlement without requiring the companies to wait for a lengthy court process.

#paramount #NASDAQ #california #states

Actress and liberal activist Jane Fonda had some surprisingly positive things to say about Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison despite her complete opposition to a merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Fonda took questions this week at the DVF Awards charity gala held during the Venice Film Festival, and she said she likes Ellison "very much," which makes her vocal opposition to his $111 billion merger a bit awkward.
"It's sad for me because I like David Ellison very much," Fonda said, according to Variety.
The 88-year-old actress noted Ellison's Skydance financed her Netflix series Grace and Frankie which ended in 2022.
"David's Skydance financed Grace and Frankie, my seven-year-long run for Netflix, and I got to know him, and I like him. But that doesn't change things. This is not a personal thing. This is what it will do to the entertainment industry, which is already suffering terribly," Fonda said.

#ellison #netflix

A banner flew over Paramount Studios that read, "Ellison is Trump's b----."
David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, has courted controversy for leading the attempted takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Ellison has denied reports that he **** ured Donald Trump he would tweak CNN to the president's liking should he gain control over the news network via the merger.
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison can't even look up to the heavens to escape criticism.
The embattled head of the media conglomerate was the subject of a vulgar message that was printed in capital letters and flown over Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Thursday. "Ellison is Trump's b----!" read the message on a banner that a plane dragged back and forth across the airspace over the movie studio.

#message

There's a list of celebrities supporting Mark Ruffalo after the "Avengers" star's latest anti-Israel bombast.
Gina Carano might have settled for just one A-list defender. Or even a D-list dweller.
Ruffalo's chronic anti-Israel rhetoric finally caught up with the 58-year-old actor. Several Jewish groups chastised his recent anti-Paramount merger rhetoric wrapped in what some called antisemitic tropes.
"Larry Ellison will own most of 'Para Bros.' Larry is a classic Oligarch. They are crushing workers and consolidating the wealth of the world for their own power and concentrated dominance."
There's a list of celebrities supporting Mark Ruffalo after the "Avengers" star's latest anti-Israel bombast. WireImage

#Israel #ruffalo #larry #supporting

George Clooney is defending Mark Ruffalo's right to "speak freely," including his recent criticisms of Oracle and Paramount.
Ruffalo was previously accused by Paramount of "antisemitism" for calling out the leaders of the two companies.
Clooney is the latest actor to speak up for Ruffalo, on the heels of 170 Jewish artists signing an open letter in his defense.
George Clooney is defending Mark Ruffalo's right to "speak freely" as the actor fends off accusations of antisemitism.
The past few weeks have seen the Avengers: Endgame star at the center of Hollywood discourse after criticizing the links between the tech company Oracle — which is owned by Paramount Skydance boss David Ellison's father, Larry — and the Israeli military. Last month, Ruffalo accused the company of aiding the Israeli military in committing genocide, prompting a statement from Paramount slamming the actor for invoking "antisemitic tropes."

#clooney #actor #oracle

George Clooney is coming to Mark Ruffalo's defense after the 13 Going on 30 star, 58, faced backlash for his criticism of the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
Clooney, 65, was on hand at the Venice Film Festival Wednesday, September 2 — where he was accepting the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award on the festival's opening day — and he was asked about the state of politics in America and the rise of AI, particularly when it comes to Paramount's ongoing attempt to merge with Warner Bros.
That's when the Oscar winner came to the defense of Ruffalo, who was accused by Paramount of "antisemitic tropes" after the Marvel star attacked the deal over its potential consequences for Hollywood, accusing David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, and the Ellison family of being complicit in the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
"I support Mark Ruffalo's ability to speak freely," Clooney told Variety when asked about the controversy. "It's ridiculous. We're not going to ban speech. I believe in free speech even when I completely disagree with it. That's important. In fact, it's part of how democracy works."
"There're gonna be people tonight in the room that are gonna disagree with most everything I say or stand for. Fair enough, that's how it's supposed to be," he continued. "We're supposed to argue these things out and come to a conclusion based on the information we take in. So I will always support Mark Ruffalo's ability to speak freely. I like him; he's a good man."

#mark #going

Kenneth Lonergan has taken a firm stand for Mark Ruffalo amid antisemitism accusations tied to his Israel-Gaza remarks. The Oscar-winning filmmaker and longtime friend of Ruffalo addressed the allegations in a letter to The Hollywood Reporter. He called the antisemitism accusation against Ruffalo "overtly preposterous" and said it was being used to silence his criticism of Israel.
Ruffalo's latest controversy followed his criticism of Oracle founder Larry Ellison and the company's reported ties to Israeli military technology. He also faced backlash from Paramount Skydance after criticizing the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The company accused him of using antisemitic tropes, but Ruffalo denied it and said he was criticizing political and corporate actions.
Lonergan's relationship with Ruffalo dates back to You Can Count on Me, his 2000 directorial debut starring Laura Linney and Ruffalo. The film was widely praised and marked the beginning of their friendship, which has continued for decades.
Their long friendship led Lonergan to publicly defend the actor. In his letter, he referred to Ruffalo as his "dear friend for thirty years." Lonergan called the antisemitism accusation "a cynical and disgusting lie" and questioned the motives behind it. He wants the Simon Wiesenthal Center to review its response and clarify where it detects any antisemitism.
Lonergan said that attacking Ruffalo personally helps critics avoid addressing his actual arguments. He also acknowledged that he "disagrees profoundly with many of his positions on the Middle East, Israel, Gaza, and Iran's constellation of fanatical Islamic fundamentalist proxies." However, Lonergan said people can disagree with Ruffalo's views without labeling his criticism of Israel as antisemitic.

#ruffalo #friend #letter #accusation

On August 19, Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW) reported second-quarter sales of $26 billion, up 8.3% from a year earlier, even though comparable sales inched up just 0.2%. The headline number hides a split personality inside the business. Pro contractors, online shoppers and Do-It-For-Me customers kept spending, while everyday DIY homeowners pulled back hard enough that management trimmed its full-year guidance. That gap between who is still spending and who isn't is the real story in this quarter.
Pro sales grew again, and management credited small and medium-sized contractors responding to the company's digital planning tools and the MyLowe's Pro Rewards loyalty program, which lets Pros quote, plan, and manage jobs inside Lowe's own platform. Online sales jumped 15.7%, helped by expanded visualization tools and the Mylow AI agent, which has fielded more than 25 million customer and ******* ociate questions since launch.
Notably, CEO Marvin Ellison said the conversion rate for online shoppers who use Mylow runs triple that of shoppers who don't, a sign the tool is doing more than answering questions. Appliances delivered a seventh straight quarter of positive comparable sales, aided by next-day delivery in virtually every US ZIP code and a push into premium products like Traeger grills and a GE Profile refrigerator that scans groceries for an Instacart shopping list. Loyalty is compounding too: MyLowe's Rewards has crossed 30 million members who shop more often and spend more per visit than nonmembers, giving the company a growing base to sell that premium ******* ortment into even while the broader housing market stalls.
Comparable transactions fell 2.1% during the quarter, offset only by a 2.3% rise in average ticket, and management pinned the weakness on weather-sensitive and seasonal categories where DIY shoppers dominate. Executive Vice President Joe McFarland said Pro customers themselves are noticing it, describing homeowners who are "more cautious about their spending" and shifting toward smaller repair jobs instead of full remodels.
That caution pushed Lowe's to guide toward the bottom of its prior range, now targeting roughly $92 billion in sales and $12.25 in adjusted earnings per share for the full year. Margins felt it too. Adjusted operating margin slipped 62 basis points to 14%, and CFO Brandon Sink noted that an $80 million tariff refund benefit was largely wiped out by elevated fuel and transportation costs. The company's Foundation Building Materials and Artisan Design Group acquisitions add another layer of risk, since Sink flagged "softer-for-longer new home construction" pressuring demand in both segments. Inventory climbed to $17.7 billion, up $1.4 billion year over year, and adjusted debt to EBITDA sits at 3.0x against a 2.75x target management doesn't expect to hit until mid-2027. Third quarter earnings are guided to come in roughly 7% below last year's adjusted EPS.

#sales #billion #shoppers #online

Jane Fonda has released a statement in support of Mark Ruffalo after Paramount slammed the four-time Oscar nominee as "antisemitic" for a recent post denouncing Larry Ellison's ties to Israel and David Ellison's planned merger with Warner Bros.
"Especially as a Jewish American, I find it deeply troubling to see false accusations of antisemitism used to silence legitimate political criticism in this country," Fonda wrote in a statement shared to the Committee for the 1st Amendment Instagram. "Antisemitism is real and dangerous, which is precisely why the charge should never be used as a cudgel against people whose political views you dislike, in this case as dedicated a crusader for democracy as Mark, whom we are proud to have as a Committee member and to be in this fight with us."
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#warner #bros

"Hacks" star Hannah Einbinder has come to the defense of Mark Ruffalo after Paramount accused him of invoking "antisemitic tropes" when criticizing the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
It all kicked off on Friday, when Ruffalo shared a clip on Instagram of Paramount board member Safra Catz outlining "really profoundly scary technologies" that Oracle — the tech giant co-founded by Larry Ellison, father of Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, who is involved in the merger's financing — used to help the Israeli military after the Oct. 7 terror attack. Ruffalo likened Larry Ellison to a "classic oligarch" and warned of the consequences if Paramount and Warner Bros. are allowed to merge, alleging that the Ellisons "are crushing workers and consolidating the wealth of the world for their own power and concentrated dominance." Of Catz, he said: "Look how she revels in what we now have come to see as a genocide, which was built on an apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle."
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#bros

Hannah Einbinder has come out strongly in defense of Mark Ruffalo as the actor faces an accusation of "antisemitism" from Paramount Skydance over his opposition to the studio's deal for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
Paramount accused Ruffalo of antisemitism after the actor drew links between Larry Ellison's tech giant Oracle and the Israeli military. Larry Ellison is the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison and provided much of the funding that allowed David Ellison's Skydance to merge with Paramount Global in 2025 and is also heavily involved in the financing of Paramount's merger with WBD.
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#paramount

Hannah Einbinder shared a lengthy Instagram story post on Monday evening supporting Mark Ruffalo after he was accused of being antisemitic by a Paramount spokesperson for highlighting the Ellison family's connection to the Israeli state and its military apparatus.
"I'm so grateful that Mark Ruffalo drew a connection between the Ellisons providing military technology to Israel during a genocide and their unprecedented media takeover–and pointed out that this is a dangerous consolidation of power that could ultimately be used against us," Einbinder posted.
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Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO Calls Out Mark Ruffalo For "Antisemitism" & "Demonization"
Mark Ruffalo Blasts Paramount For Calling Him "Antisemitic" Over Merger Criticism: "Appalling And Fundamentally Dishonest"

#paramount #Monday

John Cusack has publicly backed Mark Ruffalo in the actor's increasingly heated fight with Paramount Skydance over its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Cusack quote-posted Ruffalo's response to the company over the weekend and added just three words: "Solidarity - well said." Paramount had said the actor invoked "antisemitic tropes" while arguing against the deal.
Ruffalo called that accusation "appalling and fundamentally dishonest." He said his criticism concerned Israeli government policy, a military technology contract and the corporate executives involved, and that his views "should never be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people."
The confrontation began after Ruffalo shared footage of Oracle executive vice chair and Paramount board member Safra Catz discussing technology Oracle made available to Israel after the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023. He connected the clip to Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison, whose son David Ellison is Paramount's chairman and CEO, and to his wider opposition to the Warner Bros. transaction.
Cusack offered no further explanation with his post. The message accompanied Ruffalo's full statement, which defended scrutiny of Oracle's government contracts and data and surveillance businesses while raising concerns about possible job losses and editorial independence if the acquisition proceeds.

#oracle

Mark Ruffalo is rejecting Paramount Skydance's accusation that his criticism of the company's proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition invoked antisemitic tropes.
The actor responded in an August 22 X post, calling the accusation "appalling and fundamentally dishonest." Ruffalo argued that criticizing Israeli government policy, military technology contracts or corporate executives should not automatically be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people.
The dispute began after Ruffalo shared a video involving Oracle executive vice chair and Paramount board member Safra Catz while attacking the proposed merger and the Ellison family's business interests. Paramount then issued an unusually pointed response, telling Variety that it was troubled by what it described as antisemitic tropes being invoked in a business dispute.
Ruffalo has opposed the Paramount-Warner Bros. deal for months on antitrust, employment and media-consolidation grounds. The approximately $111 billion transaction has cleared a federal antitrust review but remains on hold because of a lawsuit brought by California and 11 other states.
In his response to Paramount, Ruffalo said his comments were directed at political decisions, corporate relationships and the use of technology rather than Jewish people. "Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people," he wrote.

#paramount #technology #israeli

Actor Mark Ruffalo fired back Sunday against accusations of antisemitism over his criticisms of Paramount Skydance's planned merger with Warner Bros., calling the attacks "appalling and fundamentally dishonest."
In a statement posted to social media, Ruffalo referenced Paramount CEO David Ellison and his father Larry, the co-founder of the tech company Oracle.
"This merger has real consequences for real people, and for the entire country. Scrutinizing the Ellisons, including Oracle's business built on data, surveillance technology and government contracts, and the serious threat to editorial freedom and the loss of a livelihood for thousands of families, is fair and necessary," Ruffalo warned.
Ruffalo made the statement after he shared an Instagram post on Friday from the BDS Movement, which advocates boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel and any companies that profit from its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. The post showed former Oracle CEO Safra Catz explaining the Israeli military runs its occupation with the help of "really profoundly scary technology at Oracle."
According to NBC News, Ruffalo's story post said "These 'really profoundly scary technologies' will most likely be merged into one of the largest media conglomerates in the world and one day used on you. Look how [Catz] revels in what we now have come to see as a genocide, which was built on an apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle."

#ruffalo #Media

John Cusack has made his position known as Mark Ruffalo challenges Paramount's allegations. The Hulk star is locked in a feud with Paramount Skydance over its its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount responded with a statement accusing Ruffalo of invoking "antisemitic tropes" in a business dispute.
Mark Ruffalo has found an ally in John Cusack, who is standing by him in solidarity as he weathers antisemitism accusations. According to Entertainment Weekly, the allegations emerged after Ruffalo condemned Oracle last week. The tech company is owned by billionaire Larry Ellison. His son, David Ellison, heads Paramount Skydance and is spearheading the $110 billion bid to merge Paramount with Warner Bros.
Ruffalo rejected the antisemitism claims in a lengthy response on X (formerly Twitter). It read, "The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest. Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people."
The 13 Going on 30 actor clarified that his views stem from his own political beliefs. He emphasized that no one should interpret his views as animosity toward Jewish people. Ruffalo also noted that his Jewish friends and colleagues have deeply shaped his understanding of acting, activism, and humanism. Those loved ones, he said, have been like family to him throughout his life.
John Cusack, who has been a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights and a critic of corporate consolidation in Hollywood, weighed in shortly after. Responding to Ruffalo's statement, Cusack wrote simply: "Solidarity — well said."

#john #mark

While Ahmad Hardy's availability was the story of the day, with the star running back now expected to miss at least Missouri football's season-opening game, Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz said the team is close to returning four players who had fall camp injury concerns.
Drinkwitz, during his Saturday night press conference that followed the team's second scrimmage of the preseason, offered updates on defensive tackle Donta Simpson Jr., tight end Gavin Hoffman, freshman wide receiver Jabari Brady and offensive lineman Braylon Ellison.
All four players appear to either be back in practice or close to a return.
More: Latest update on Missouri football running back Ahmad Hardy
More: Missouri football schedule 2026 with opponents and dates

#running #close #mizzou

Creative Community for Peace, the Hollywood-based pro-Israel advocacy group, said enough is enough and called for a Mark Ruffalo boycott following his "antisemitic" remarks against the Ellison family and their pending Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
After the Marvel actor's incendiary comments against the deal on Friday — in which he drew a line from David and Larry Ellison's Oracle ties to what he called Israel's "genocide" in Gaza — the long-running entertainment nonprofit called on Hollywood to rescind their support of Ruffalo and his work until he apologizes and retracts his statements.
"Mark Ruffalo's rhetoric has increasingly crossed the line from criticism of Israel into extremist and antisemitic messaging," CCFP Executive Director Ari Ingel said in a statement Saturday.
Ingel added that his argument against Paramount's merger "increasingly fuses hostility toward Israel and Zionism with Jewish-associated wealth, media ownership, oligarchic power and ominous warnings about concentrated control into a single narrative."
"Those echoes are impossible to ignore. Hollywood should not accept this kind of rhetoric from anyone. Mark Ruffalo should retract these remarks and apologize, and ****** ody in Hollywood should platform him until he does."

#mark #ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo is rejecting Paramount's claim that his recent comments highlighting the role Larry Ellison's Oracle played in the Israel-Gaza war were "antisemitic."
"The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest," Ruffalo wrote on X Saturday morning. "Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people. This critical and necessary dialogue is then dishonestly framed as being anti-Israel. To be clear, my views come from my own political convictions and should never be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people, for whom I have deep love and respect. Everything I know about acting, activism and humanism has been profoundly shaped by the Jewish friends, colleagues and loved ones who have been integral and family throughout every point of my life."
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Mark Ruffalo Links Paramount to Oracle's Israeli Military Ties. The Studio Calls Remarks "Antisemitic"
Gavin Newsom Says Paramount Settlement Talks Happening in "Real Time," Signals He'd Like a Deal

#Israel #paramount

Mark Ruffalo has refuted charges that he is antisemitic. According to the actor, the accusation is baseless and criticizing the Israeli prime minister is not equivalent to being antisemitic.
"The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest. Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people. This critical and necessary dialogue is then dishonestly framed as being anti-Israel. To be clear, my views come from my own political convictions and should never be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people, for whom I have deep love and respect. Everything I know about acting, activism, and humanism has been profoundly shaped by the Jewish friends, colleagues, and loved ones who have been integral and family throughout every point of my life," Ruffalo tweeted.
Ruffalo is known as a controversial figure in Hollywood who is ready to speak out, regardless of possible criticism. For example, he faced backlash from people who criticized him for opposing the proposed media merger and criticizing its executives.
"This merger has real consequences for real people, and for the entire country," Ruffalo wrote. "Scrutinizing the Ellisons, including Oracle's business built on data, surveillance technology and government contracts, and the serious threat to editorial freedom and the loss of a livelihood for thousands of families, is fair and necessary. The $111 billion deal would hand one family control over CNN, HBO and Warner Bros., backed in part by foreign money whose influence on editorial decisions has never been fully explained to the public."
These statements coincide with concerns voiced by media watchdogs and freedom-of-the-press activists, as well as problems ****** ociated with one family acquiring numerous media properties and a lack of transparency in financing such deals.

#family

Max Holloway may lose a portion of his fight purse following his UFC 329 victory over Conor McGregor — and he's not alone. Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) will decide on Wednesday if the former featherweight and BMF champ, along with lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett and heavyweight newcomer Gable Steveson, will incur disciplinary fines for cage hopping during the July 11 fight card in Las Vegas.
Pimblett defeated Benoit Saint Denis, not long after Steveson steamrolled Elisha Ellison.
"For the record, this rule needs to be changed," Pimblett's manager, Graham Boylan told MMA Junkie. "Yes, it's the fight game, and systems need to be in play to make it all work, but this rule does nothing to support that. It's 2026. Apply a little common sense."
Diego Lopes was dinged $5,000 for a similar infraction at UFC 300.
NSAC has been cracking down on airborne fighters ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov's ****** bombed Dillon Danis at UFC 229 back in late 2018, a fight that also involved McGregor. Speaking of the "Notorious" ex-champion, he's currently sidelined after knee surgery to repair damage suffered in his loss to Holloway — just don't expect much sympathy from the "Blessed" Hawaiian.

#holloway #mcgregor #nsac #nevada

Lowe's (LOW) stock rose 2% on Wednesday after the company reported an earnings beat but gave a more cautious outlook, citing "pressure" in do-it-yourself (DIY) consumer spending.
In the second quarter, Lowe's revenue came in at $26 billion, just below the $26.1 billion the Street expected. Adjusted earnings per share, which included a $0.11 benefit from IEEPA tariff refunds, came in at $4.27, above the $4.22 the Street predicted based on Bloomberg estimates.
"Our total home strategy is working," Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison told Yahoo Finance. "This strategic framework has enabled us to drive five consecutive quarters of positive comps. … With the DIY under pressure, we still have been able to deliver."
Poor weather during the Memorial Day weekend weighed on weather-sensitive outdoor and seasonal categories, as did competitors' use of tariff refunds to put up promotions on items like grills, patio, and live goods.
Amid a tough housing backdrop that disproportionately affects DIY customers, Lowe's same-store sales grew 0.2%, below the 0.7% expected.

#refunds

(Bloomberg) -- FTX co-founder Gary ***** and former Alameda Research Chief Executive Officer Caroline Ellison avoided financial penalties under a settlement with the US derivatives regulator over their roles at the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange.
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#gary #Research #executive #ellison