California attorney general and public servant
Twenty-five U.S. states have filed suit at the U.S. Court of International Trade to halt 10–12.5% tariffs the administration has imposed on imports from about 60 economies, arguing the Section 301 duties are unlawful, blanket taxes that reuse a previously struck-down global tariff plan and will force higher costs on businesses and consumers.
California has reached a civil settlement with General Motors over the sale of driver data collected via OnStar, with GM to pay $12.75 million and restrictions on data use. The case, announced by Attorney General Rob Bonta, centers on the sale of location and driving data to data brokers between 2020 and 2024. Court approval is required for the payout and accompanying limits.
Universities UK-led polling shows VCs warn of staff redundancies and reduced outreach as funding pressures bite. Higher education leaders say government funding must better reflect the sector’s value, while student support could be at risk as hardship grants are reconsidered.
Hackers have exploited Meta's AI-powered Instagram support to link target accounts to new emails and reset passwords, exposing thousands of accounts. Meta has fixed the flaw and is securing affected users, while security researchers warn of broader AI-enabled identity risks.
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 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.
Drones have been neutralized near World Cup venues and team camps as Mexico enforces Plan Kukulkán. Authorities warn spectators and participants; Canada and the U.S. remain on alert as violence linked to cartel activity and political risk continues to influence preparations across host cities.
Offshore wind leases held by Invenergy are being canceled by the federal government, with reimbursements totaling $765 million. The funds will be redirected into natural gas and geothermal projects, amid a broader push to slow offshore wind development under the current administration. The moves follow earlier terminations of similar leases by TotalEnergies, Golden State Wind, and Bluepoint Wind.
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that Hawaii’s private-property gun-in-venue permit requirement imposes a new burden on the Second Amendment. Private property owners may still prohibit guns, but the court has shifted the default away from a blanket access rule. The decision aligns with Bruen-era tests and signals ongoing shifts in how states regulate guns in public.
Writers Guild of America West and East have filed a federal antitrust complaint to block Paramount’s $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the merger would reduce competition, suppress writers’ wages, and threaten content diversity. California and 11 states have also sued, creating a coordinated wave of legal action as regulators review the deal.
A coalition of 12 U.S. states has secured a 14-day pause on Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, pending a ruling on a preliminary injunction. The deal remains under antitrust review globally as regulators weigh competition, pricing, and content implications for theaters, networks, and streaming platforms.
The European Commission has cleared Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery’s merger after Paramount agrees to terminate a distribution joint venture with Universal in Europe and to refrain from joint distribution deals with Universal or Disney for 10 years. The approval comes with a 13-month unwind window for the Universal arrangement. US regulators remain weighing the merger, with a court pause and potential injunction ongoing.
States have secured a temporary pause on the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger as a multistate antitrust lawsuit challenges its terms. A 14-day restraining order prevents closing, with a hearing set for August 3 to decide on a longer injunction. The dispute centers on competition and market power in film and cable.