Washington desk

Filed from the Washington desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Entertainment · 4 days ago

Byron Allen Sells Starz, Leaving Steven Mnuchin to Wonder About His Stockpile

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Byron Allen sold his entire 10 % stake in Starz—1.8 million shares—between Aug 9 and Sep 29 at $21‑$27 per share, cashing in after buying the stake from former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Finance · 4 days ago

Amazon’s AI Data‑Center Push Burns Cash, Leaves Wall Street Sweating

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Amazon announced swelling AI‑related data‑center investments on Thursday, a move that has sent its share price stumbling and left Wall Street uneasy about the cash burn.

World · 4 days ago

Conservatives Decry Obama’s Cheesecake Factory Mock, Warn Trump’s White House Décor May Be Outshone

June Harrow, Washington desk

Conservatives have lambasted President Obama for mocking the iconic Cheesecake Factory, drawing a flamboyant comparison to the perceived tackiness of Trump’s White House décor. The cultural spat now teeters between de…

Entertainment · 4 days ago

Donald Glover Turns PUBG Into a Netflix Series: The Only Battle Is Who Gets the Last Laugh

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Netflix is developing a live‑action series adaptation of the battle‑royale game PUBG, with Emmy‑winner Donald Glover starring, directing, writing and executive producing alongside his brother Stephen Glover.

Business · 4 days ago

Volkswagen’s Balance Sheet Sees Largest Hiccup in Years

Helen Pell, Washington desk

The German automaker reported its biggest financial setback in over a decade, issuing a stern warning that immediate and decisive cost-cutting measures are required.

Business · 4 days ago

Microsoft Up, Google Down: Investors Lose Patience Over AI Spending

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Microsoft’s shares are edging higher while Google’s are slipping, and investors are growing weary of lavish AI spending with modest returns. The contrast between the two hyperscalers has turned the market into a game…

Entertainment · 4 days ago

Netflix Renews ‘The Diplomat’ for Season 5 After G7 Summit Cliffhanger

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Netflix announced a fifth season of the Keri Russell‑led political thriller ‘The Diplomat’ just weeks after season 4’s dramatic G7 summit finale dropped on October 15. The renewal, confirmed Thursday, keeps t…

Sports · 5 days ago

Misiorowski’s Game‑5 Masterclass Ends 57‑Year Wait for Brewers’ First World Series

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Jacob Misiorowski starred as the ace in Game 5, delivering the Milwaukee Brewers their first World Series title in 57 years, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.

Environment · 5 days ago

Lula’s Slim Victory Leaves Amazon’s Future Hanging on a Congressional Thread

June Harrow, Washington desk

Lula narrowly won re‑election, prompting officials to hail a climate reprieve, yet a right‑wing‑dominated Congress threatens to make the triumph precarious.