US agency regulating radio, TV, internet, and communications infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Justice has approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery after an eight‑month probe, concluding the merger is unlikely to harm competition in streaming, linear TV or theatrical film markets. The transaction still faces reviews by U.K. and EU regulators and possible lawsuits from state attorneys general.
ABC has launched on-air appeals to viewers to weigh in with the FCC as the commission reviews The View’s status and ABC’s broadcast licenses amid broader diversity probes. The network argues the case centers on political speech rules and public-interest licensing.
Labor deputy leader pushes for election-specific duties on major platforms to counter misinformation and foreign interference. She wants a digital code of practice and framework during elections, with the Electoral Commission collaborating with Ofcom and platforms. Critics say the move aims to protect democracy by ensuring informed choices amid opaque algorithms. The issue comes as ministers flagged concerns over platform responsibility.
The government has signed Lulu’s Law, directing the FCC to enable emergency mobile alerts when shark attacks occur. States will implement warnings; Alabama already has a similar system. Lulu Gribbin, who survived a 2024 shark attack, advocates the measure, saying it could save lives.
Telstra’s nationwide outage has disrupted mobile and internet services, including emergency calls. Investigations are underway, welfare checks have been conducted, and ministers vow accountability as the company investigates the cause and outlines reforms.
Ofcom has fined Virgin Media £28 million after findings that millions of calls were mishandled between 2022 and 2024, delaying or blocking contract cancellations and encouraging staff to retain customers via incentives. The regulator says customers faced hold times, transfers, and deliberate call-dropping, impacting switching to rivals. Virgin Media has overhauled its customer services and will compensate affected customers.
President Trump has delivered a primetime address releasing declassified intelligence he says shows China acquired large volumes of U.S. voter data and that officials hid reports about foreign efforts to target U.S. elections. Journalists, former intelligence officials and state authorities have said the documents do not prove foreign actors altered 2020 vote counts and many of the administration's claims have been disputed.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr plans to vote at the August meeting to repeal the 39% cap on TV station ownership, adopting a case-by-case review. The move, backed by Nexstar and opposed by Democrats, seeks to expand local broadcasters’ reach while critics warn of risks to localism and competition.
Broadcasters weigh airing a primetime Trump speech on election security as FCC investigations loom; several networks have limited or preempted coverage, while others are airing clips or streaming live updates.
The Republican-led EEOC has voted to end the annual demographic reporting requirement (EEO-1) for private employers, prompting a 30-day public comment period and a hearing on August 11. The move argues the data collection is costly and potentially at odds with colorblind employment principles; critics say the data are crucial to uncover discrimination patterns.
Amazon has filed with the FCC to launch a Direct-to-Device satellite network intended to provide global mobile connectivity, competing with SpaceX's Starlink. The plan leverages Globalstar’s spectrum and envisions service for unserved regions and emergency operations, with initial service slated for later this year and full deployment by 2028. Several partnerships and regulatory waivers accompany the filing.
The FCC has announced restrictions on importing new Chinese humanoid and quadruped robots and connected power inverters, aiming to strengthen the U.S. AI supply chain and incentivize domestic manufacturing. The measures affect models not yet approved for sale and come amid broader U.S.-China tech tensions.
The Federal Communications Commission has added "advanced robotic devices" — including humanoid robots, four‑legged machines and some connected power inverters — to a list that blocks new foreign-made models from US markets on national‑security and cybersecurity grounds. The rule has taken effect for models not yet authorised; existing authorised devices remain allowed while exemptions can be requested.
AI discussions intensify as regulators push for government-grade standards while industry players push for practical, market-friendly rules. Meta’s Zuckerberg argues for broad access and economic opportunity, while industry groups warn that hard-and-fast mandates could slow adoption. A wave of opinions from major players outlines a tension between openness and governance.
The Federal Communications Commission has voted 2-1 to remove the statutory 39% national TV ownership cap and replace it with case-by-case reviews of proposed mergers. Chair Brendan Carr has said the change will let broadcasters scale up and invest in local news; Democrats and press advocates say the commission lacks authority and will spur consolidation and legal challenges.
SpaceX plans to build a terrestrial cellular layer using EchoStar spectrum alongside its Starlink satellite network, aiming to challenge AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. The move follows a wave of satellites and small base stations, promising better coverage and higher bandwidth.
Beijing has announced a broad package of countermeasures in response to recent U.S. moves, including sanctions on American entities, tighter export controls on drones and dual-use tech, and case-by-case reviews of certain exports. The measures come ahead of high-level talks and are aimed at pressuring the United States while keeping room for de-escalation.
The Commerce Department has concluded a yearlong national security review of polysilicon and is preparing a decision this month that will protect U.S. polysilicon plants owned by Hemlock Semiconductor and Wacker Chemie. The move has major implications for the U.S. solar and chip supply chains while federal support for renewable energy has been rolled back.
Tech giants and startups envisage a future where data centers orbit Earth. Insurers question pricing and risk; space debris and regulatory hurdles loom as hundreds of billions of dollars in hardware move into space.
Unitree Robotics has priced its Shanghai Star Market IPO at 150.80-150.8 yuan per share, raising about $900 million and valuing the company around $9 billion. Demand from retail investors was exceptionally strong, underscoring appetite for humanoid robotics while questions linger on commercial viability and scale.
The White House has announced tariffs on drones and components to boost domestic production and safeguard national security. Drones with sensitive capabilities face a 100% levy, while smaller drones face 25%. The move, part of broader defense plans, has boosted drone-related stocks as investors weigh the shift toward onshoring U.S. manufacturing.
The Supreme Court has refused to rehear Donald Trump’s defamation and sex-abuse verdict cases involving E. Jean Carroll. The latest order leaves the $5 million defamation verdict intact and maintains a separate $83.3 million defamation award under review. The decision follows two earlier denials of petitions to reconsider.
The Telegraph and Independent reveal letters in which Natalie Harp describes feeling overlooked and loyal to Trump. The publications frame the correspondence as personal insight into the president’s inner circle, with reactions from allies and critics alike. The White House defends Harp amid ongoing scrutiny of her proximity to Trump.
Stars and Stripes has dismissed editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer and reporter Lara Korte after the Pentagon issued notices of separation citing insubordination. The journalists have filed a First Amendment lawsuit in Washington, DC, arguing the department is attempting to curb the paper's editorial independence after recent disputes over coverage and management changes.
Humanoid robots at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing have achieved sprint times under the human 100m world record, with Tiangong Ultra and Lightning showcasing rapid improvements amid U.S. tech scrutiny. The events feature 2,000+ robots across 51 contests, highlighting China’s push in robotics and AI integration.
The Fourth Circuit has set aside an FCC policy that extended the lowest unit charge for pre-election TV ads to political parties and joint fundraising committees. Republican committees plan to appeal to the Supreme Court as campaigns brace for the 2026 midterms. Democrats argue the ruling favors bigger war chests and stress grassroots fundraising.
The World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing have set three 100m sprint records with the Tiangong Ultra, outpacing human benchmarks and showcasing advances in embodied AI. The event also tests robots in real-world tasks like housework and hotel services, highlighting both capability gains and remaining limits.
Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte have filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., alleging retaliation for reporting on deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The Pentagon reportedly fired them last week, citing insubordination after a CBS interview. The case underscores tensions over editorial independence in a partially funded military newspaper.
President Donald Trump has said NBCMeet the Press host Kristen Welker will be reported to the Federal Communications Commission for what he called a "purposeful inaccuracy" after she said his endorsements have had "mixed results" this primary season. He named FCC chair Brendan Carr and urged the commission to act; broadcasters and rights groups are litigating alleged FCC pressure.