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The Walt Disney Company is eliminating health insurance coverage for the spouses of more than 200,000 employees starting in 2027, a significant benefits change that arrives even as the entertainment giant reports record box office performance and expanding profits across its film, streaming and theme park businesses.

According to a report first published by Puck and subsequently confirmed by Disney, employees will no longer be able to enroll a spouse or domestic partner on the company’s healthcare plan if that spouse has access to insurance coverage through their own employer, regardless of the cost or comprehensiveness of that alternative coverage. The change was communicated through an internal memo from Eric Chaisson, Disney’s executive vice president of Total Rewards and Employee Services, as part of a broader benefits overhaul the company is calling “Total Rewards.”

Disney confirmed the policy shift in a statement addressing the change. “Making measured adjustments to our employee benefits in response to rising healthcare costs nationwide,” the company said, according to IBTimes UK, adding that it remained committed to providing employees with “a comprehensive package of high-quality coverage and other benefits that support their total health and well-being.” An internal memo obtained by Puck offered a similarly measured explanation for the decision, stating that Disney is “navigating a number of factors, including rising healthcare costs, evolving company needs, and shifts across the industry.”

The policy change does not extend to dental or vision benefits for employees’ spouses, according to IBTimes UK, and will not affect spouses who are unemployed or whose jobs do not offer any form of medical insurance coverage. However, for spouses who do have access to workplace coverage, even coverage that is significantly more expensive or less comprehensive than Disney’s own plan, that access will now automatically disqualify them from Disney’s healthcare plan starting in 2027.

Industry experts have described Disney’s approach as unusually aggressive compared with how most large employers typically manage rising healthcare costs. Joshua Lavine, chief executive of insurance advisory firm Capitol Benefits, characterized the move as a significant departure from common industry practice. “We’ve seen employers reducing their contribution toward the spouse’s coverage, but not eliminating the coverage option for those people,” Lavine told Yahoo Finance. He warned that the change could create particular hardship for families managing ongoing medical needs. “There are so many options for employers right now to make coverage available to employees that this is really the extreme, nothing-else-can-work solution,” Lavine said, offering an alternative approach he believes would have been less disruptive. “A better solution is to reduce, or if you have to, eliminate the employer contribution for spouses.”

The financial impact of the change is expected to fall most heavily on Disney’s lower-paid workforce. According to reporting cited by Inside the Magic and confirmed across multiple outlets, the policy will disproportionately affect lower-paid, hourly cast members who have historically relied on Disney’s relatively comprehensive healthcare benefits, forcing many affected families onto alternative employer plans that may carry higher deductibles, steeper premiums or narrower provider networks.

Disney’s decision arrives during what the company has itself described as a particularly strong financial period. According to The A.V. Club, Disney’s co-produced “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” has already crossed $2 billion at the global box office, joining “Toy Story 5” among the year’s top three highest-grossing films. In a letter to shareholders this month, Disney reported that revenues are up company-wide and that the “Toy Story” franchise alone has generated an estimated $16 billion in cumulative revenue for the company. The company has also continued touting expansion plans across its resorts, theme parks and cruise ship business, built on the continued strength of its family-oriented entertainment brand.

The benefits change comes under the leadership of Disney’s relatively new chief executive, Josh D’Amaro, who took over the company’s top role following Bob Iger’s departure. D’Amaro previously served as head of Disney’s Parks, Experiences and Products segment, a role in which he oversaw a significant workforce reduction of 28,000 employees at that division amid pandemic-era park closures, according to a separate report from TipRanks documenting that earlier decision. At the time, D’Amaro described that reduction as a difficult necessity. “We have made the very difficult decision to begin the process of reducing our workforce at our Parks, Experiences and Products segment at all levels, having kept non-working Cast Members on furlough since April, while paying healthcare benefits,” D’Amaro said at the time, according to TipRanks.

Disney’s move to restrict spousal healthcare coverage reflects a broader trend among large U.S. employers confronting significant increases in healthcare costs heading into 2027. According to IBTimes UK, citing insurance brokerage Aon, employer healthcare expenses are projected to rise by roughly 9.5% next year, with other estimates cited by Disney Fanatic putting the increase as high as 11.1%. IBTimes UK further reported that nearly half of large employers surveyed by consulting firm Mercer are considering changes to their medical plans that could shift additional out-of-pocket costs onto employees, suggesting Disney’s decision, while notably aggressive in its scope, reflects a broader industry response to mounting healthcare expenses rather than an isolated company-specific choice.

To help offset the impact of the benefits reduction, Disney is introducing several new perks alongside the spousal coverage change. According to Inside the Magic, the company plans to launch a new Employee Stock Purchase Plan in 2027, pending regulatory approvals, and will double the number of counseling sessions available to employees through its Employee Assistance Program. Critics of the policy change, however, have characterized those additions as a limited counterbalance to the potential financial burden facing affected families. Disney Fanatic described the option to purchase company stock as “a hollow consolation prize” for cast member families potentially facing thousands of dollars in new medical deductibles under alternative coverage plans.

Disney has not publicly disclosed how much money the new restriction on spousal coverage is projected to save the company, nor has it specified exactly how many employees’ spouses will ultimately be affected by the change once it takes effect in 2027. The company has also indicated that most of its medical plans will change for the coming year, requiring nearly all employees to actively select new coverage options and re-enroll their dependents, rather than allowing existing coverage selections to automatically carry over as they have in previous enrollment cycles.

Representatives for Paramount Skydance and California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office are expected to meet Monday to discuss a potential resolution to the lawsuit seeking to block Paramount’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to reports.

The talks come as the transaction remains on hold under a court agreement and the companies face a March 2027 antitrust trial unless the dispute is resolved sooner.

Variety first reported Friday that the two sides were expected to meet, citing sources familiar with the situation. The discussions are expected to focus on whether there is a path toward resolving the states’ antitrust case.

FOX Business has reached out to Paramount and Bonta’s office for comment.

Bonta led a coalition of 12 state attorneys general in filing the lawsuit in July, alleging the combination would reduce competition in theatrical film distribution and basic cable programming.

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The states argue the merger would combine two of Hollywood’s five major film distributors and give the combined company roughly 27% of the wide-release theatrical film market. They also allege it would control more than 30% of anticipated top-grossing theatrical films and about 27% of the market for licensing basic cable channels.

Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have rejected the states’ view of the transaction, arguing the combination would strengthen competition in a rapidly changing media industry.

Bonta signaled openness to a possible resolution in a CNBC interview Thursday but said any settlement would require “robust structural remedies.”

“We do prefer to resolve cases in the boardroom instead of the courtroom,” Bonta told CNBC, while saying the states remain focused on the markets outlined in their complaint.

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Under a July 24 court stipulation, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery agreed not to close the deal or begin integrating their operations until five days after a ruling on the merits or June 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín has scheduled a 12-day trial beginning March 2, 2027. In an Aug. 4 scheduling order, the judge also encouraged the parties to identify potential magistrate judges to oversee a settlement conference.

Paramount agreed in February to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $31 per share in cash, valuing the transaction at roughly $110 billion including debt. Under the merger agreement, Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders begin accruing additional consideration if the transaction remains unclosed after Sept. 30.

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The companies have said the combination would create a stronger global media competitor while maintaining both film studios and producing at least 30 theatrical films annually.

Music producer Benny Blanco traveled by boat across the Atlantic Ocean to visit his wife, actress and singer Selena Gomez, while she was in London filming a new season of her Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building,” a journey he documented on social media in July, citing his fear of flying as the reason behind the unconventional trip.

Blanco shared the travel update on TikTok, framing the video around his decision to avoid air travel entirely despite the significant time and logistical trade-off involved in crossing the Atlantic by sea instead. “POV: Ur traveling across the Atlantic in the Titanic to see ur wife bc ur scared of flying,” Blanco wrote over the video. In the caption, he added a simple explanation for the gesture: “The things we do for love.”

Blanco eventually made his way back to the United States for a high-profile occasion of his own: the wedding of pop star Taylor Swift, one of Gomez’s closest friends. Gomez herself drew attention at that wedding for a gold dress widely interpreted as a subtle nod to her own recent nuptials.

Gomez and Blanco married in September 2025, capping a relationship that first became public in December 2023, though the couple had actually been together privately for several months before that. Speaking to the Spanish newspaper El País in July, Blanco revealed the extent of that earlier secrecy. “We kept our relationship private for a long time, about eight or nine months,” he said, according to a translation reported by InStyle. The couple announced their engagement in December 2024, roughly a year after their relationship first became publicly known.

Blanco has continued to make his affection for Gomez a recurring, public part of his social media presence throughout their relationship. In July, to mark Gomez’s birthday, he shared a carousel of photos of her on Instagram alongside an emotional caption. “My beautiful wife … I’ll carry [you] wherever [you] wanna go forever … Happy birthday my love,” Blanco wrote.

Beyond his public displays of affection, Blanco, an accomplished music producer and songwriter, has also credited Gomez directly as a source of creative inspiration in his professional work. Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar in 2025, he described how naturally she has factored into his songwriting process. “You know, Selena makes it very easy to write songs about ’cause she’s the best,” Blanco said.

Gomez has continued her acting career alongside her marriage to Blanco, currently filming a new season of “Only Murders in the Building” in London, the Hulu comedy-mystery series that has become one of her most prominent television projects in recent years, co-starring alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short. Production commitments for the series have required Gomez to spend extended periods filming overseas, a circumstance that directly set the stage for Blanco’s cross-Atlantic trip to see her.

Blanco’s decision to travel by boat rather than by air reflects a well-documented personal aversion to flying, a fear he has referenced in the past when discussing how he manages travel demands tied to both his own career and his relationship with Gomez. Choosing an ocean crossing over a transatlantic flight represents a significantly more time-intensive form of travel, a trade-off that has been highlighted by entertainment outlets covering the trip as a notable example of a personal gesture rooted in genuine sacrifice rather than financial extravagance.

That framing stands in contrast to some of the more conventional displays of affection commonly associated with celebrity relationships, which often involve significant spending on luxury gifts or experiences. Coverage of the trip has specifically noted that Blanco’s boat journey, requiring him to dedicate considerably more time and personal discomfort than a simple first-class or private flight would have required, stood out as a particularly meaningful gesture precisely because it prioritized overcoming a genuine personal fear rather than simply spending money.

Gomez and Blanco’s relationship has continued to draw significant media attention given both individuals’ prominent public profiles, spanning Gomez’s decades-long career as an actress, singer and entrepreneur and Blanco’s extensive résumé as a hit songwriter and producer for a wide range of major recording artists. Their September 2025 wedding and subsequent public displays of affection, including Blanco’s recent transatlantic boat trip, have continued to generate coverage across entertainment media as fans and outlets track the couple’s relationship milestones.

As Gomez continues production on the new season of “Only Murders in the Building” in London, further details regarding the season’s release timeline have not been widely publicized, though Gomez’s ongoing overseas filming commitments suggest additional cross-Atlantic travel, by whichever method either she or Blanco ultimately chooses, is likely to remain a recurring feature of the couple’s relationship in the months ahead.

AMD has re-released one of its most celebrated gaming processors, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, as a limited “10th Anniversary Edition,” bringing the chip that first popularized 3D V-Cache technology back to store shelves at a significantly reduced price, according to a wave of reviews published this week.

The Ryzen 7 5800X3D 10th Anniversary Edition is, physically and technically, the same silicon AMD originally launched in 2022, according to TechPowerUp. The chip features eight Zen 3 cores built on TSMC’s 7-nanometer manufacturing process, with 96 megabytes of total L3 cache, made up of 32 megabytes on the compute die plus a 64-megabyte stacked V-Cache die layered on top. The processor carries a base clock of 3.4 GHz and boosts up to 4.5 GHz, running on the aging but still widely used Socket AM4 platform. According to [H]ard|Forum, nothing about the underlying silicon has changed from the original release; what’s new is the retail packaging and, more significantly, the price.

That pricing shift represents the headline reason for the re-release. The original 5800X3D launched in 2022 at $450, according to TechPowerUp, while the 10th Anniversary Edition carries an MSRP of $350 and has been selling for as little as $340, according to [H]ard|Forum and Tom’s Hardware, which listed the chip at $339.95 through Amazon. TechPowerUp characterized the price cut as the review’s central storyline, framing the re-release as a strategic response to current PC hardware market conditions rather than simply a nostalgia play. “Reviving the 5800X3D might look like AMD selling nostalgia, but it makes real sense given today’s market,” TechPowerUp wrote, pointing to DDR5 memory prices that have climbed nearly fivefold amid surging AI-related demand for memory chips, a shift that has renewed interest in older DDR4-based platforms among budget-conscious gamers who already own compatible AM4 motherboards and memory.

Beyond the repackaging, AMD included one notable physical addition with the anniversary edition: a bundled Carbice carbon-nanotube thermal pad, according to TechPowerUp’s unboxing coverage. Unlike traditional thermal paste, the Carbice pad is a dry, pad-style thermal interface material that AMD has positioned as a cleaner and longer-lasting alternative for transferring heat away from the processor’s stacked cache design. TechPowerUp noted a degree of institutional skepticism toward such bundled accessories generally, though acknowledged that AMD’s willingness to include the pad directly suggests the company has confidence it can adequately handle the thermal demands of the cache-stacked chip. [H]ard|Forum separately noted that the Carbice pad requires a burn-in period before reaching its full thermal performance.

Despite its four-year-old design, the 5800X3D continues to perform competitively against more recent hardware in gaming workloads, according to TechSpot’s benchmark testing. In Rainbow Six Siege X, using the Medium graphics preset, the chip averaged 401 frames per second, representing a 55% to 57% performance uplift compared with older processors such as the Ryzen 7 3800X and Ryzen 5 5500. Even users upgrading from the still-popular Ryzen 5 5600X could expect a solid 13% performance improvement, according to the same testing. TechSpot found the 5800X3D effectively matched the newer Ryzen 5 7500F in gaming performance and trailed Intel’s Core Ultra 5 250K Plus by only about 4%, though AMD’s current-generation Ryzen 5 9600X remained comfortably faster overall. TechSpot characterized that result as impressive given the 5800X3D’s age and the value proposition it continues to offer existing AM4 platform owners.

Power efficiency remains one of the chip’s standout characteristics even years after its original release. According to TechPowerUp’s conclusion, while the 5800X3D is no longer competitive against modern processors built on smaller 4-nanometer and 5-nanometer manufacturing nodes in raw performance terms, it remains impressively efficient for its age and continues to rank near the top of the outlet’s gaming efficiency charts. That low power draw also makes the chip notably easy to cool; TechPowerUp noted that a modest, inexpensive cooler is sufficient for the 5800X3D, an option generally not available with processors drawing more than 200 watts. Like all of AMD’s X3D chips, the 5800X3D operates with a conservative 90-degree-Celsius thermal limit specifically to protect its stacked cache die, and TechPowerUp found that with any reasonably competent cooling solution, thermal throttling remains a non-issue for the chip.

Not every aspect of the anniversary release drew universal praise from reviewers. TechSpot offered a more pointed critique of the branding and packaging approach itself, expressing disappointment that the new anniversary edition processors look essentially identical to the original 2022 parts aside from minor labeling changes on the box. The outlet drew a direct comparison to AMD’s earlier 50th Anniversary Edition Ryzen 7 2700X processor, which had featured a signature from AMD Chief Executive Lisa Su and was widely regarded as a genuinely distinctive commemorative product. “These are simply plain old 5800X3Ds, so why make such a fuss about the anniversary branding? AMD could have just brought the processor back without the fluff,” TechSpot wrote, characterizing the anniversary framing itself as somewhat unnecessary given that the chip’s core value proposition rests entirely on its reduced price rather than any genuine commemorative design element.

Tom’s Hardware, in a separate re-review of the original 2022 Ryzen 7 5800X3D published ahead of the anniversary edition’s release, noted that AMD had indicated the new version should perform identically to the original despite using a slightly different internal bonding process during manufacturing, a change the outlet said could have a minor impact on power consumption and thermal performance, though significant performance differences between the original and re-released versions were not expected.

TechPowerUp’s overall assessment characterized the Ryzen 7 5800X3D 10th Anniversary Edition as a compelling option specifically for gamers who already own compatible AM4 platform hardware, rather than a chip that would justify building an entirely new system around it given the availability of more modern platforms and architectures elsewhere in AMD’s current lineup. For existing AM4 owners weighing a relatively affordable upgrade path amid elevated DDR5 memory pricing, however, multiple reviewers concluded that the reduced $340 price point makes the reissued 5800X3D a considerably more attractive proposition than it was at its original $450 launch price nearly four years ago.

Billionaire entrepreneur and venture capitalist Peter Thiel has built a reputation for identifying transformative companies long before they became household names. Thiel believes exceptional investment returns come from backing businesses that are fundamentally different, not merely better versions of existing companies. His ideas, outlined in his book Zero to One and various interviews, continue to offer valuable lessons for long-term investors. Let us look at some of them:

1. Look beyond numbers and understand the business philosophy

Thiel argues that investors often focus excessively on financial metrics while overlooking a company’s core principles. Businesses built on strong values, a clear mission and sound execution are more likely to create sustainable value over the long run than those chasing short-term gains.

2. Prioritise quality over cheap valuations

According to Thiel, quality should always come before price. Investors should evaluate a company’s balance sheet, cash generation, competitive position and capital allocation before making an investment decision. Strong businesses are better equipped to navigate economic downturns and emerge stronger.

3. Seek companies with durable competitive advantages
One of Thiel’s best-known ideas is that great businesses are often creative monopolies, companies that offer something unique that competitors cannot easily replicate. Proprietary technology, network effects, powerful brands and economies of scale help companies protect their leadership and sustain profits over time.
4. Back businesses that start small but think big
Thiel believes many successful companies first dominate a niche market before expanding into adjacent opportunities. PayPal, for instance, initially focused on a narrow customer base before growing into a global payments platform. Investors should therefore look for companies that establish leadership in a specialised segment before scaling.

5. Think independently, not differently for the sake of it

Being contrarian simply to oppose the crowd is not enough, says Thiel. Instead, investors should develop independent views based on research and conviction. The biggest investment opportunities often emerge where consensus has yet to recognise a company’s long-term potential.

6. Focus on businesses investing for the future

Companies that consistently reinvest excess cash into innovation, research and growth initiatives are more likely to build enduring competitive advantages. Thiel believes firms with strong long-term vision are better positioned to create lasting shareholder value than those focused solely on protecting current profits.

7. Invest with a long-term mindset

Perhaps Thiel’s most important lesson is patience. Rather than spreading capital across dozens of average companies, he advocates concentrating on a handful of exceptional businesses with the potential to compound wealth over many years. Long-term investing, supported by conviction and disciplined research, has been a common thread among many of the world’s most successful investors.

The bottom line

Peter Thiel’s investment philosophy centres on identifying businesses that solve unique problems, enjoy strong competitive moats and possess the ability to compound value over time. While no framework guarantees investment success, his emphasis on independent thinking, business quality, and long-term conviction offers a useful roadmap for investors seeking multibagger opportunities.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

TORONTO — Toronto turned purple this weekend as the city officially declared Aug. 22 and 23 “BTS Weekend,” illuminated its landmark Toronto Sign in the group’s signature color and temporarily renamed a stretch of Yonge Street “BTS Boulevard” to welcome the South Korean superstars for two sold-out concerts.

The seven-member group performed Saturday and Sunday at Rogers Stadium in North York as the only Canadian stop on its ARIRANG World Tour. The shows, supporting the group’s fifth studio album, drew an estimated 100,000 fans across the two nights at the outdoor venue, which has a net capacity of about 50,500 per performance.

City officials unveiled the honorary BTS Boulevard signs on Friday along Yonge Street from North York Boulevard to Finch Avenue. The temporary designation, approved by Toronto City Council, remains in place until Sept. 23. The red-designed signs draw inspiration from the visual branding of the ARIRANG album and tour. After the period ends, the signs are expected to be donated for a community giveaway or related charitable purpose.

The Toronto Sign at Nathan Phillips Square was lit purple on the concert dates, a color long associated with BTS and its global fanbase, known as ARMY. The proclamation of BTS Weekend invited fans to wear purple in celebration.

These civic gestures form part of a broader effort to highlight Toronto’s Korean Canadian community and boost local tourism and business. Destination Toronto, the city’s tourism marketing organization, released customized guides directing visitors to Koreatown, attractions and Korean-owned businesses along the newly designated boulevard. The Yonge North York Business Improvement Area also produced a Korean Vibe Guide mapping the 20 BTS Boulevard signs and nearby restaurants and shops.

The concerts coincided with the Toronto Korean Festival at Mel Lastman Square, adding cultural programming, food stalls and performances that further amplified the weekend’s atmosphere. Local media reported long lines of fans waiting for merchandise starting the day before the shows, with visitors arriving from across Canada and abroad.

“BTS’s heat is lighting up Toronto,” CityNews reported in coverage of the crowds and merchandise demand.

Public transit operators expanded service to handle the influx. Fans were encouraged to use subway and shuttle connections to Rogers Stadium, located on the former Downsview Airport lands. Free TTC rides were offered after the shows with a valid concert ticket from nearby stations. Stadium operators opened early, restricted overnight queuing and designated merchandise sales days to manage crowds at the relatively new outdoor venue.

BTS last performed as a full group in the Toronto area during three sold-out nights in nearby Hamilton in 2018. An earlier appearance came in 2015 at a smaller downtown venue. Planned 2020 dates were canceled amid the pandemic, after which the members completed mandatory military service in South Korea. The ARIRANG tour marks their first major group headline run since the Permission to Dance on Stage Tour of 2021-22.

The current world tour spans dozens of cities across multiple continents and is scheduled to continue into 2027. Toronto’s two nights featured a 360-degree, in-the-round stage configuration that placed the performers closer to the audience. Setlists from the opening night included tracks spanning the group’s catalog, with the shows proceeding despite rainy conditions on Saturday.

Fans and organizers described the weekend as more than a pair of concerts. Merchandise pop-ups in the city saw strong demand for hoodies, light sticks and other official goods. International ARMYs traveled long distances, some reporting journeys of more than 20 hours, to attend. Local Korean businesses along the boulevard and in surrounding neighborhoods reported heightened activity as visitors explored restaurants and shops.

City Councilor Lily Cheng, who introduced the motion for the temporary street co-naming along with a colleague, framed the initiatives as a welcome to the group and its fans while supporting the area’s Korean cultural presence. The motion and subsequent city announcements emphasized economic revitalization and tourism alongside cultural recognition.

Rogers Stadium, which opened in 2025, adjusted operations for the high-demand event. Organizers banned overnight lines for entry, opened gates early and prepared for weather given the outdoor setting. Capacity figures listed on ticketing platforms confirmed the roughly 50,500 net seats available each night after stage configuration.

The combination of official city proclamations, street signage, landmark lighting, festival programming and transit support turned the concerts into a citywide occasion. Visitors and residents alike encountered purple lighting, red BTS Boulevard markers and crowds of fans displaying light sticks and merchandise in the days surrounding the performances.

As the second show concluded Sunday, the temporary signs remained in place for another month, continuing to mark the corridor and guide visitors to Korean businesses. The Toronto Sign returned to its regular schedule after the purple illumination on the concert nights.

For a city that has hosted major global events, including FIFA World Cup matches earlier in the summer, the BTS Weekend illustrated how a single weekend of performances can cascade into broader civic and commercial activity. Fans left with memories of the stadium shows, while local merchants and cultural organizers gained visibility and traffic during one of the year’s highest-profile entertainment weekends in Toronto.

The ARIRANG tour continues its North American and international run following the Toronto dates, with the group’s return underscoring the enduring draw of its music and the organized enthusiasm of its worldwide fan community.