Orban warns EU 'rebellion begins' over migration pact

 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vowed on Monday that Hungary will not implement the European Union's Migration Pact, declaring that "rebellion begins" against the bloc's immigration policies.

Responding to the European Council's decision earlier today to establish the so-called solidarity pool as "one of the main elements of the EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum," Orban said that "Brussels is attempting to force Hungary to pay even more or take migrants in," calling it "unacceptable."

"We will not take a single migrant in, and we will not pay for other migrants," he concluded.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Orban-warns-EU-'rebellion-begins'-over-migration-pact/65315233

US not to publish producer prices data for October

 The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will not publish the Producer Price Index (PPI) data for October, the agency's revised release schedule indicated on Monday.

Initially, the PPI data scheduled for release on October 16 was not published due to the US government shutdown.

The data for November will be released on January 14, 2026.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/US-not-to-publish-producer-prices-data-for-October/65315447

Paramount proposes $108.4B deal to WBD

 Paramount Skydance Corp. launched an all-cash tender offer on Monday to buy Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (WBD), offering $30 per share, for an enterprise value of $108.4 billion.

In a statement, Paramount insisted that its offer is superior to Netflix Inc., as the latter's proposal "entails a volatile and complex structure valued at $27.75 mix of cash ($23.25) and stock ($4.50)." Paramount also pointed out that it is interested in buying the entirety of WBD, including the Global Networks segment. "[The Netflix transaction] exposes WBD shareholders to a protracted multi-jurisdictional regulatory clearance process with an uncertain outcome," Paramount said, adding that it is offering the WBD shareholders $18 billion more in cash compared to its rival.

While Paramount sent six proposals in the last 12 weeks, it claims that WBD "never engaged meaningfully." Netflix previously announced that it would be acquiring WBD for $82.7 billion, with the takeover news being met with criticism.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Paramount-proposes-dollar108.4B-deal-to-WBD/65314586

Tsunami of up to 3m set to strike Japan's Pacific coast

 A Tsunami that could reach a height of up to 3 meters is expected to hit Japan's Pacific coast, following an earthquake of 7.6 magnitude, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Monday.

The agency detailed that the areas at risk are Iwate, Aomori, and parts of Hokkaido. A 40-centimeter tsunami has already been registered in Aomori, as well as Hokkaido.

Alerts for evacuation have been sounded in the areas.

BREAKING LIVE | Japan Earthquake Upgraded To 7.6, Tsunami Warnings Issued, Evacuations Underway

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Tsunami-of-up-to-3m-set-to-strike-Japan's-Pacific-coast/65314992

Viatris sells Biocon Biologics stake for $815 million in cash and equity deal

 Viatris (VTRS) on Saturday said that it has entered into definitive agreements with Biocon for the sale of Viatris' equity stake in Biocon Biologics Limited.

Under the definitive agreements, Biocon will acquire all of Viatris'  (VTRS) convertible preferred equity in Biocon Biologics for total consideration of $815 million, consisting of $400 million in cash and $415 million in newly issued equity shares of Biocon.

The shares are subject to a six-month lock-up period.

Transaction value will be subject to related taxes.

In addition, the terms of the definitive agreements accelerate the expiration of biosimilars non-compete restrictions previously placed on Viatris in 2022 in connection with Viatris' sale of its biosimilars portfolio and related commercial and other capabilities to Biocon Biologics. 

These restrictions will expire immediately at the time of close for all ex-U.S. markets and in November 2026 for U.S. markets. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2026.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/viatris-sells-biocon-biologics-stake-for-815-million-in-cash-and-equity-deal/ar-AA1RVAgm

Oppenheimer outlook puts S&P 500 on a path to 8,100 by year end 2026

 Oppenheimer’s Chief Investment Strategist John Stoltzfus reportedly expects the S&P 500 index to rally by 18% by the end of 2026, rising to 8,100 points.

According to a Bloomberg report citing Stoltzfus’s latest note, the strategist expects the S&P 500 to surge on the back of easing monetary policy and robust economic growth.

One of Wall Street’s widely followed strategists, Stoltzfus, said the firm is positive on equities and considers it its favorite asset class, according to the report. In addition to the Fed’s rate cuts and economic resilience, the strategist also credited strong U.S. corporate earnings as a reason behind his bullish outlook on the S&P 500 heading into the next year.

The S&P 500 has soared 17% year-to-date, and Lance Roberts, Chief Strategist at RIA Advisors, noted in a post on X that seasonality has turned supportive. He pointed to the index’s historical performance since 1928, noting that it has delivered an average gain of 1.3% in the second half of December. The gains stood at 2.1% when the seasonality was supportive, he observed.

In a note last week, Stoltzfus stated that if the Fed does cut rates this month, the markets are likely to reflect on it positively, if not enthusiastically. “In 2026 we expect the Fed will likely cut rates further if the flow of economic data suggests that inflation is slowing or if the unemployment rate rises further,” he added.

In July, Stoltzfus revised the year-end target for the S&P 500 index to 7,100 from 5,950. With three weeks to go for the end of 2025, the index is just 3% shy of the firm’s target.

Veteran analyst Ed Yardeni, President of Yardeni Research, said in a recent note that U.S. equities are set for an early Santa Claus rally amid rising hopes of a rate cut.

“The S&P 500 rose back above its 50-day moving average last week and now appears to be back on track to hit 7,000 in a year-end Santa Claus rally,” he said.

According to data from the CME FedWatch tool, there is a 89.6% probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut this week.

Meanwhile, U.S. equities gained in Monday’s pre-market trade. At the time of writing, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), which tracks the S&P 500 index, was up by 0.17%. Retail sentiment around the S&P 500 ETF on Stocktwits was in the ‘bearish’ territory.

https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/sp-500-8100-by-2026-oppenheimer-stoltzfus-spx-18-rally-next-year/cLIY8xKREly

Staar Surgical Concludes Go-Shop Period with Alcon

 On December 8, 2025, STAAR Surgical Company announced the expiration of its go-shop period, which ended on December 6, 2025, as part of its amended merger agreement with Alcon Inc. During this period, STAAR actively solicited acquisition proposals from 21 third parties but received no competing offers, validating the effectiveness of its board’s sale process. The outcome discredits allegations from Broadwood Partners, L.P. about ignored acquisition interest, confirming Alcon as the best buyer for STAAR.

https://www.tipranks.com/news/company-announcements/staar-surgical-concludes-go-shop-period-with-alcon