Apple Reclaims Title as World’s Most Valuable Company, Nears $5T Valuation

Apple has reclaimed its spot as the world’s most valuable company, overtaking Nvidia in market capitalization on Monday as it approaches the $5 trillion milestone. The tech giant’s valuation briefly neared $4.9 trillion following a strong week for its stock. The surge comes as Apple prepares for a major leadership transition, with John Ternus set to succeed Tim Cook as CEO while Cook moves into an executive chairman role.

Cristiano Ronaldo is expanding into television. According to The Sun, the soccer icon is developing Day 1s, a drama series with Kingsman director Matthew Vaughn centered on a fictional U.K. soccer agent. Damian Lewis is set to star, with guest appearances reportedly planned from Thierry Henry, rapper Dave, and other soccer stars. The series will be the first TV project from Ronaldo and Vaughn’s UR•Marv Studios, which will independently finance the production.

Christopher Nolan‘s The Odyssey continues to dominate the global box office, adding $215.3 million in its second weekend — a modest 18% drop — to push its worldwide total to nearly $640 million. Meanwhile, Disney and Pixar‘s Toy Story 5 surpassed $1 billion globally, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2026 and just the third movie this year to reach the milestone. With Spider-Man: Brand New Day still to come, 2026 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year at the box office.

Apple TV has unveiled the first teaser for Neuromancer, its upcoming cyberpunk series based on William Gibson’s influential 1984 novel. Executive produced by Drake, the 10-episode adaptation stars Callum Turner as hacker Case and Briana Middleton as assassin Molly on a high-stakes corporate heist. The series also features Mark Strong, Peter Sarsgaard, and Dane DeHaan, with a two-episode premiere set for Jan. 22, 2027.

Prince’s iconic Purple Rain is headed to Broadway. A stage adaptation of the 1984 film will begin previews at New York’s Majestic Theatre on March 12, 2027, ahead of its April 12 opening. The musical will feature more than 20 of Prince’s biggest hits, including “When Doves Cry” and “The Beautiful Ones,” and follows the story of “The Kid” as he navigates fame, music, and personal struggles in 1980s Minneapolis.

Jon Stewart and Pete Davidson are bringing back their 9/11 comedy benefit. “NYC Still Rising After 25 Years: A 9/11 Comedy Benefit” will take place Sept. 10 at Madison Square Garden, marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks. The all-star lineup will feature performances from Stewart, Davidson, Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Aziz Ansari, Nikki Glaser, and more. Proceeds from the event will support 9/11-related charities.

SAG-AFTRA has joined Hollywood’s opposition to the proposed $111 billion Paramount–Warner Bros. merger, calling for binding protections around production, jobs, and U.S. film and TV operations. The union joins the Writers Guild of America and Teamsters in challenging the deal, while Paramount CEO David Ellison reassured staff that he remains “highly confident” the merger will clear antitrust hurdles despite a legal pause.

LVMH is showing signs of a luxury market rebound after two years of slowing demand. The company’s fashion and leather goods division, home to Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Loro Piana, posted its first sales growth in seven quarters, rising 1% in Q2. Overall revenue was flat, while watches, jewelry, and selective retailing delivered strong gains. The world’s largest luxury group continues focusing on brand reinvention, new creative leadership, and attracting its wealthiest customers.

NBCUniversal and YouTube have struck a multi-year deal to bring Peacock content directly into YouTube Premium subscriptions in the U.S. starting in early 2027. The partnership will give subscribers access to Peacock’s full lineup, including NFL and NBA coverage, Universal films, Bravo hits, and original series. The move reflects a broader shift in streaming as media companies pursue bundles and partnerships to expand reach and compete with digital platforms.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing scrutiny from Congress over the organization’s relationship with the Trump administration ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Rep. Jamie Raskin has requested FIFA records detailing interactions with Trump, his administration, and related entities, while asking Infantino to appear before the House Judiciary Committee. The inquiry follows several high-profile ties between FIFA and Trump, including the World Cup draw relocation and a FIFA-created peace award for the president.

Netflix is expanding its library with Lionsgate Television’s Power franchise, licensing the first four series in the Starz universe. Beginning in November, subscribers will gain access to Power, Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and Power Book IV: Force in international markets, along with U.S. rights to the original series. The deal gives Netflix a major scripted franchise as Starz continues focusing on ownership of its content.

In other Netflix news, the streamer is reuniting with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground for Women Like Us, a new comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg, Jenifer Lewis, Vanessa Williams, and Vivica A. Fox. Directed by Tasha Smith, the film follows a group of lifelong friends confronting grief, marriage, and new beginnings during a milestone trip. The project marks one of Higher Ground’s first major Netflix collaborations since becoming an independent production company.

Nvidia, Microsoft, SpaceX, Palantir, and other tech companies have launched the Open Secure AI Alliance, an initiative focused on improving safety for open AI models. The effort comes after a cyberattack involving rogue OpenAI models highlighted concerns around AI security and the role of open-weight systems in defending against threats. The launch also arrives as policymakers debate potential restrictions on Chinese AI models, which dominate the open-source space.

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