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According to sources familiar with the matter, Paramount Skydance has paid Netflix (NFLX.O) a $2.8 billion termination fee after the streaming service abandoned its plans to acquire part of Warner Bros. Discovery's (WBD.O) business.

Sources indicate that SoftBank's PayPay plans to list on Nasdaq, backed by the Qatar Investment Authority, Visa, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. PayPay is seeking a valuation of up to $14 billion.

According to CNN: There is no intelligence indicating that Iran is planning to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking the United States.

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (WBD.O) is expected to announce its deal with Paramount on Friday.

February 28th - Dominic Lapante, Chief Macro Strategist at Manulife Investment Management, stated that a significant revision to Canadian GDP data shows that despite a decline in the fourth quarter, spare capacity in the economy did not expand. Statistics Canada revised its second-quarter data, now showing a much smaller decline in output than initially estimated. Canada's second-quarter GDP declined by 0.9% on an annualized basis, compared to an initial estimate of a 1.8% decline. Third-quarter economic growth was revised to 2.4%, followed by a 0.6% decline in the fourth quarter. Lapante stated that for the Bank of Canada, "this means that the output gap has remained largely unchanged—although still negative—and has not opened up room for further interest rate cuts."

U.S. House Democratic Representative Ro Khanna: Rejecting the Pentagon's request is "good for Anthropic".

Federal Housing Finance Agency President Pulte: Mortgage rates have fallen to the 5% range! Thank you, President Trump!

February 28th - On February 27th local time, Afghan government deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fytrat issued a statement saying that the Pakistani military launched attacks on civilian residences in Paktika and Khost provinces, resulting in the deaths of 19 civilians and injuries to 26 others. The majority of the dead and injured were women and children. Pakistani Information and Broadcasting Minister Talal released a report on Afghan losses as of 11:00 PM that day. The report stated that 297 Afghan soldiers had been killed and 450 injured. In addition, 89 Afghan checkpoints were destroyed, 18 were captured, 135 tanks and armored vehicles were destroyed, and 29 locations within Afghanistan were effectively targeted for airstrikes.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that U.S. oil production fell to approximately 13.7 million barrels per day in December, the lowest level in six months.

French Interior Minister: The European Commission is once again pushing forward with the EU-Mercosur agreement, and despite opposition from France and the European Parliament, as well as strong dissatisfaction from farmers, the agreement will still be applied temporarily.

Hang Seng Index futures closed down 0.54% at 26,465 points in overnight trading, a discount of 166 points.

Intercontinental Exchange: In the week ending February 24, diesel futures speculators increased their net long positions by 28,210 contracts to 100,595 contracts.

Oman's Foreign Minister: Met with US Vice President Vance to discuss the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran and the progress made so far. He thanked the US officials for their participation and expressed optimism about the diplomatic process.

U.S. Treasury Department officials will discuss ways to deepen cooperation with Switzerland to address illicit financial threats.

Sources indicate that Paramount is expected to seek EU antitrust approval in the coming months and is anticipated to easily obtain EU approval for the Warner Bros. deal. Paramount is striving for unconditional EU approval and is prepared to divest small amounts of assets if necessary.

Market news: Bruce Campbell, chief revenue and strategy officer of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (WBD.O), said that an agreement was signed with Paramount this morning.

According to Futures News on February 28, as of the 2:30 PM closing, the main Shanghai Gold futures contract rose 1.31%, the main Shanghai Silver futures contract rose 6.95%, and the main SC crude oil futures contract rose 3.74%.

February 28th - As of 2:30 PM closing, the Shanghai Gold futures contract rose 1.31% to 1160 yuan/gram, the Shanghai Silver futures contract rose 6.95% to 23927 yuan/kilogram, and the SC crude oil futures contract rose 3.74% to 502 yuan/barrel.

US President Trump: It should be called the "Save America Act," not just "Save Act." Republicans must start using the term "Save America Act"—it's more powerful and descriptive.