Serena Williams Eyes Tennis Return, First Professional Match Since 2022 US Open
Serena Williams is reportedly set to return to competitive tennis for the first time since the 2022 US Open, eyeing a doubles appearance at Queenโs Club next month. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, now 44, re-entered the anti-doping testing pool last year and is expected to partner with rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko. While Williams has stayed quiet publicly, the move fuels speculation that a full singles comeback could follow during the grass-court season ahead of Wimbledon.
Anthropic Tops OpenAI as Valuation Nears $1T After Huge Funding Round
Anthropic has become the most valuable AI startup after closing a $65 billion Series H round at a $965 billion valuation, surpassing OpenAIโs $852 billion. The funding has nearly tripled its valuation since February. The surge is driven by rapid revenue growth, with a $47 billion annualized run rate fueled by its Claude Code assistant. Anthropic also unveiled new models, including Claude Opus 4.8 and a cybersecurity-focused preview system.
NBA Votes to Reshape Draft Lottery in Historic Anti-Tanking Reform
The NBA Board of Governors has approved a new โ3-2-1โ Draft Lottery system aimed at reducing tanking, beginning with the 2027 Draft. The lottery expands to 16 teams with flattened odds: Non-playoff teams receive three balls, while Play-In teams receive two or one. The three worst records are โdraft relegatedโ and lose a ball, with a pick floor of No. 12. Additionally, teams can no longer receive back-to-back No. 1 picks or three top-five picks in consecutive years.
Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp Get Subscription Tiers as Meta Expands Revenue Push
Meta is rolling out paid subscription tiers across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp as it looks to expand beyond ad revenue. The new โPlusโ plans, priced between $2.99 and $3.99 per month, unlock premium features like profile customization, enhanced Story insights, and messaging upgrades. The company is also testing pricier โMeta Oneโ AI subscriptions with advanced reasoning, image generation, and higher compute limits.
Netflix Scores Back-to-Back No. 1 Shows as CBS Packs Top 25
Netflix has secured the No. 1 TV show for a second consecutive year, with Stranger Things topping 2025โ26 cross-platform rankings at 32.9 million viewers. CBS leads all networks with eight series in the overall top 25, including Marshals (20.7M), Tracker (16.4M), and High Potential (16M). Netflix is close behind with seven entries, all ranked in the top 15. Together, the two platforms dominate the most-watched non-sports programming across broadcast and streaming.
TV Series to Explore Cรฉline Dionโs Rise to Fame
A scripted TV series about Cรฉline Dionโs childhood and rise to fame is officially in development, marking the first dramatized adaptation backed by the singerโs family. Titled Growing Up Dion, the project will explore Dionโs upbringing in Quebec alongside her 13 siblings and the family dynamics that shaped her journey to global superstardom. The series is being produced with involvement from Dionโs brother, Jacques, and is currently being shopped to international buyers.
‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’ Set for October Launch, Nintendo Release
Activision has officially unveiled Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, with Infinity Ward returning to lead the franchiseโs next chapter ahead of its Oct. 23 release. Set primarily on the Korean Peninsula, the game follows a rookie soldier caught in a global conflict that spans cities such as New York and Paris. MW4 promises grounded multiplayer, 12 new maps, the return of DMZ mode, and a native Switch 2 release, the franchiseโs first Nintendo launch in over a decade.
Catch the full Call of Duty trailer here. >>
Salomon Expands Lifestyle Strategy With JISOO Ambassador Deal
BLACKPINK star JISOO has been named the newest global ambassador for Salomon, signaling the companyโs continued push into fashion and lifestyle culture. Known for its performance hiking and trail gear, Salomon is increasingly positioning itself at the intersection of sport and streetwear. JISOO said the partnership felt natural, given her connection to the outdoors growing up in South Korea, with future creative campaigns and product collaborations already in the works.
Disney, Spotify, Sony Execs Named to Paley Center Board of Trustees
Disney CEO Josh DโAmaro has joined the Paley Center for Mediaโs Board of Trustees alongside a new class of top media and tech executives, including Spotify co-CEO Alex Norstrรถm, Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang, and Sony Group CEO Hiroki Totoki. The appointments reflect the nonprofitโs growing focus at the intersection of entertainment, technology, and culture as it continues to expand its influence across the modern media landscape.
Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo Lead Liverpool Stars in Tommy Hilfiger Campaign
Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Cody Gakpo front Tommy Hilfigerโs new summer campaign, blending football culture with the brandโs signature prep aesthetic. Shot around Anfield and Liverpoolโs training ground, the collaboration builds on Tommy Hilfigerโs existing partnership with Liverpool, which included custom arrival outfits worn throughout the 2025-26 season.
CNN Takes Perplexity to Court Over Alleged Content Theft
CNN has filed a lawsuit against AI startup Perplexity, accusing the company of illegally copying and distributing its journalism without permission. The case marks CNNโs first major AI copyright battle and is believed to be the first filed by a television network against an AI firm. The lawsuit highlights growing tensions between publishers and AI companies as media outlets push for licensing deals and compensation tied to chatbot-generated news content.
Zac Efron to Star in HBOโs โAngel Heartโ Series With A24
Zac Efron is set to star in and executive produce a new HBO adaptation of cult thriller Angel Heart, developed alongside A24 and Black Rabbit creator Zach Baylin. Inspired by William Hjortsbergโs Fallen Angel novels, the series will be directed by Shลgun filmmaker Jonathan van Tulleken and marks the third collaboration between Efron and A24 following 2023’s The Iron Claw.
Tilman Fertitta Expands Empire With $17.6B Caesars Acquisition
Billionaire Tilman Fertitta is expanding his hospitality empire with an $17.6 billion deal (worth $5.7 billion after assuming $11.9 billion in debt) to acquire Caesars Entertainment and take the casino giant private. The acquisition would combine Caesarsโ massive North American casino footprint, including Caesars Palace and Harrahโs, with Fertittaโs growing portfolio of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment assets.
U.S. Auto Market Loses 1M Buyers as Demand Slows
The U.S. new car market has lost roughly 1 million potential buyers since 2020 as high interest rates, inflation, and rising ownership costs continue to pressure consumers. Automakers, including Ford and GM, now expect sluggish sales growth, with industry analysts warning it could take until 2030 or later for the market to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels. Executives increasingly view weakening demand as a long-term challenge for the broader auto industry.
Image: Elsa / Getty Images
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