Good Morning, Builders.

Today we’re looking at how last-minute moves can make or break outcomes and where strategic investments are paying off. Let’s get to work.

Warner Bros Discovery just slammed the door on Paramount’s $108 billion bid, calling it “illusory” and fraught with financing risks. The board is sticking with Netflix’s $27.75-per-share cash-and-stock offer, citing its solid debt commitments and binding structure, while questioning Paramount’s creditworthiness and the reliability of the Ellison family trust backing. Paramount, unsurprisingly, is calling Warner Bros out, claiming its all-cash bid offers more certainty than Netflix’s market-linked deal. Shares reacted predictably: Warner Bros dipped, Netflix rose, and Paramount tumbled. As of now, Hollywood’s mega-deal duel continues, but Warner Bros is betting on Netflix to win the streaming crown. (Reuters)

Meta is testing a new limit on link posting for professional Facebook accounts and Pages, letting users share only two links unless they subscribe to Meta Verified for $14.99/month. Regular links, comments, and posts linking to other Meta platforms are still allowed, but creators and brands who rely on external links are being pushed toward paid subscriptions. Meta says it’s experimenting to see if link restrictions add value for subscribers, noting that 98% of U.S. feed views already come from posts without links. The move echoes broader social media trends favoring in-platform content over external links as AI and algorithmic discovery reshape online publishing. (TechCrunch)

Retailers are bracing for a shopping surge this Super Saturday, the final Saturday before Christmas, with the NRF projecting a record 158.9 million consumers hitting stores and online platforms. Nearly half of shoppers plan to mix in-store and online buying, with department stores and discount retailers leading the charge. E-commerce remains key, but experiences like event tickets and classes are becoming hot gifts, growing in popularity from 22% of shoppers in 2015 to 31% today. The post-Christmas shopping bump is also expected, with 70% planning to shop for post-holiday sales and gift cards. Retailers, from discount chains to big department stores, are positioned to capture both last-minute shoppers and post-holiday deal seekers. (Retail Dive)

OpenAI is in talks with Amazon for a potential investment that could top $10 billion, alongside a deal to use Amazon’s AI chips. The discussions come as OpenAI expands partnerships beyond Microsoft, which has already invested $13 billion in the company. Amazon, which has previously backed OpenAI rival Anthropic with $8 billion, could now be deepening its footprint in generative AI. The potential deal highlights the fierce competition among tech giants to secure AI infrastructure and influence, with OpenAI already locking in massive compute agreements with Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, and AWS. While details remain fluid, the move could ultimately position Amazon as a stronger player in next-generation AI development. (CNBC)

This one’s for all the travelers looking to book a little bit of serenity. According to a new ranking from Travelbag, Queenstown, New Zealand, is the quietest place on Earth. The lakeside town topped a global list for peace and tranquility thanks to its abundance of green space, exceptional cleanliness, low congestion, and minimal noise and light pollution, beating out traditionally serene spots like the Seychelles. Other calm-heavy hitters like Kyoto, Banff, and Cairns followed close behind, signaling a broader travel shift where “doing nothing in nature” is becoming the ultimate luxury, especially as nearly three-quarters of travelers say their main vacation goal is to unplug and reset. (Travel + Leisure)

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