Larry Ellison back in headlines as Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery deal chatter heats up; Oracle cofounder/longtime CEO, now CTO and executive chairman. #tech #media
As of April 28, 2026, FCC Chair Brendan Carr has issued warnings to US broadcasters that they must "correct course" on coverage of the US-Israel war with Iran or risk losing their licenses. This follows President Trump's accusations on Truth Social that Western media outlets are spreading AI-generated falsehoods about the conflict. Critics have condemned Carr's threats as a risk to press freedom during a deeply unpopular war.
The US government is advancing its AI strategy with significant industry backing, including a new $100 million initiative led by the Innovation Council Action, which aims to influence policy and support Trump-aligned efforts. Meanwhile, AI's role in military and ethical debates continues to grow.
Snap has announced it is cutting 1,000 jobs, representing 16% of its workforce, citing rapid AI development. The company aims to reduce costs by over $500 million and improve profitability, with layoffs affecting mainly North American staff. The move follows similar layoffs across the tech sector driven by AI integration.
Trump has arrived in Beijing with a tech-focused delegation for talks with Xi Jinping. Ratner accompanies the trip to scout for Rush Hour 4 filming locations, while executives from major tech firms are present. The discussions centre on trade, Iran, and Taiwan, with some hints about potential film projects pending outcomes.
Tony Blair has published a 5,700-word essay urging Labour to prioritise policy over personality and return to a “radical centre.” Keir Starmer has rejected major elements of the critique. Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting have publicly attacked Blair’s omissions on inequality, leaving the party divided as the June 18 Makerfield by-election and a potential leadership contest approach.
As voters in the UK and US grow disillusioned with traditional leadership, both Prime Minister and President face internal and external pressures. The AI revolution is cited as a new fulcrum for politics, with potential consequences for governance and policy in coming months.
The Ellison family’s Paramount is pushing ahead with its deal to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery, amid heightened scrutiny from the DOJ and state attorneys general. Regulators have hosted a lengthy deposition and remain weighing antitrust implications, while Paramount’s chief legal officer frames opposition as politically charged. CBS News leadership changes have intensified internal turmoil.
The UK competition regulator has opened an investigation into Paramount Skydance’s $110bn takeover of Warner Bros Discovery to assess whether the merger will substantially lessen competition in the UK. The Competition and Markets Authority will decide by 7 August whether to launch a deeper phase‑2 probe. The deal has already drawn industry opposition and calls from US politicians.
The U.S. Navy has used an autonomous surface vessel to rescue the crew of an AH-64 Apache near the Strait of Hormuz, marking a high-profile test of unmanned systems in combat zones. The drone picked up the pilots and transported them to safety where a helicopter completed the evacuation. The incident follows renewed tensions in the region.
Sean Penn has announced a new film in which he will direct from his own script, with Bradley Cooper in talks to star. The project centers on a police officer entangled in the January 6 insurrection. Production is set to begin mid-2027, with Penn describing the story as an “unexpected friendship.”