Paramount-Warner Merger Paused Amid Legal Fights; SK Group Faces Record Divorce

Hollywood's landscape remains in limbo as Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery have officially paused their proposed $110 billion merger. While the European Commission gave its green light to the deal—albeit with certain conditions—major legal challenges in the United States have forced the studios to remain separate, competing operations until at least June 2027. The delay is a significant blow to the companies as they attempt to consolidate to better compete with streaming giants like Netflix and Disney.

In South Korea, one of the nation's most high-profile corporate figures, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, has been ordered to pay his ex-wife $644 million in a divorce settlement. The case has gripped the country due to the sheer size of the payout and its potential impact on the ownership structure of one of the world's largest conglomerates. Separately, South Korea is also debating working conditions after reports highlighted the 'human cost' of ultra-convenient overnight deliveries, with workers describing the toll of the high-pressure environment.

Other international business developments include British Steel's nationalisation, a move that prompted a sharp critique from China, which warned against protectionism. In the retail sector, Chipotle is set to open its first outlet in Mexico, a move that will test whether the US-based brand can succeed in the country that inspired its menu. Meanwhile, Gibraltar has entered a new economic era by removing 118-year-old border controls with Spain, a move expected to provide a significant boost to regional trade and free movement.