A flurry of political and corporate developments shaped the US and global landscape on Tuesday, as diplomatic tensions between Washington and Moscow disrupted summit plans, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) explored a possible sale amid strategic shifts, and General Motors (GM) shares surged following robust quarterly results.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump renewed attacks on Democrats over the ongoing government shutdown, and major US indexes closed mixed as investors digested a wave of earnings reports.
Trump-Putin meeting delayed amid ceasefire dispute
An anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been postponed after Moscow rejected a US-backed proposal for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.
Talks meant to lay the groundwork for the summit, including those between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, were delayed as both sides remained far apart on core issues.
Washington and its European partners have been advocating for a truce along current front lines, while Moscow continues to insist on territorial and political preconditions that Kyiv and its allies deem unacceptable.
Kremlin officials downplayed the notion of a postponement, insisting that no firm dates had been set, but Western diplomats described Russia’s rejection of the ceasefire proposal as the main obstacle.
The dispute highlights a classic diplomatic dilemma — whether to hold a summit to foster compromise or wait until negotiators have already resolved key differences.
For now, officials in Washington and European capitals have signaled that a formal meeting cannot proceed until Moscow softens its stance.
Warner Bros. Discovery weighs potential sale
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) shares jumped more than 10% after the media conglomerate confirmed it is expanding its strategic review and is now open to a potential sale.
The announcement follows months of restructuring, including plans to split into two standalone media entities.
In a press release, the company said it received “unsolicited interest” from multiple parties, prompting a broader evaluation of strategic alternatives.
A full acquisition could deliver a premium for shareholders, especially if competitive bidding emerges. WBD’s portfolio — spanning HBO Max, DC Studios, Discovery+, and CNN — positions it as a valuable target for media companies seeking scale.
While a sale could help reduce WBD’s $30 billion debt load, CEO David Zaslav emphasized that the previously planned split still holds long-term promise, allowing each division to focus on growth and operational efficiency.
Trump criticizes Democrats over shutdown
President Trump accused Democrats of “holding the government hostage” amid the ongoing government shutdown, urging them to “reopen the government.”
Speaking at an event, Trump claimed Democrats were “getting killed in the polls” and insisted he would not be “extorted” by their “crazy plot.”
He argued that the opposition was obstructing progress because his administration was “doing so well.”
General Motors stock soars on strong Q3 results
General Motors (NYSE: GM) shares surged 14% to $66.62 — an all-time high — after the automaker reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter results and raised its full-year profit forecast.
GM posted revenue of $48.6 billion, slightly lower year-over-year but above market expectations.
Net income fell 56.6% to $1.3 billion, with diluted earnings per share at $1.35. Despite profit declines, GM lifted its full-year adjusted EPS forecast to a range of $9.75–$10.50.
The automaker also said it expects to offset roughly 35% of the impact from tariffs imposed by President Trump’s administration, signaling resilience amid macroeconomic challenges.
US markets end mixed amid corporate earnings
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 218 points, or 0.5%, to a record close, supported by upbeat results from Coca-Cola, 3M, and General Motors. The S&P 500 ended flat, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.2%.
Coca-Cola and 3M rose 3% and 7%, respectively, after surpassing Wall Street’s expectations, while regional bank Zions Bancorp gained over 1% following a solid earnings report.
Despite tech weakness, strong performance from industrial and consumer stocks helped maintain overall market stability as investors weighed the latest earnings season results.
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