American daily newspaper and media company
California Attorneys General have filed a high-stakes antitrust challenge to the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, arguing it would harm consumers and reduce competition. The coalition seeks to block the deal, which would combine HBO Max, Paramount+, HBO, CBS, CNN and thousands of titles under one umbrella. The case has paused the merger, with a ticking fee looming if not closed by Oct. 1. Regulators in the EU have granted conditional approval, while Paramount says the deal will boost production and distribution efficiency.
Retailers are increasing store investments to refresh layouts and services as online sales rise. Target is remodeling more stores; Walmart is upgrading aisles and driver efficiency; Burlington is opening 110 stores nationwide, including in California; IKEA opened a Culver City location with a city-focused layout; Walmart is adding beauty experts in hundreds of stores.
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has described that recruits have cited parental concerns about moving to Mississippi, sparking backlash as he moves to LSU. He has apologized for any offense and says comments were not calculated.
In Indiana, competitive eater Chestnut has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge and has been placed on 180 days of probation. A judge has granted travel outside Indiana, enabling him to defend his Nathan’s Famous Mustard Belt on Coney Island this summer. The incident stemmed from a late‑night bar altercation in March, with Chestnut claiming intoxication and memory loss. Major League Eating says the incident does not affect his eligibility.
Four people were found fatally shot in Muscatine, Iowa. The suspect, a 52-year-old man, killed himself on a police trail after officers confronted him. Two of the victims are students; two others are district staff. Police continue to investigate, with a vigil planned and counselors offered to the community.
Gen Z daters are adopting a flexible, pressure-free approach called wildflowering, avoiding fixed labels and timelines. Experts say it counters dating-app gamification but warn it may leave some seekers of clarity disappointed while aiming to balance spontaneity with some boundaries.
The Obama Presidential Center has opened to the public amid ongoing scrutiny of its cost, timing and design. A new museum tower and campus provide digital, interactive exhibits and community spaces, while critics and Trump have highlighted the political dimensions of the project.
Uruguay has faced travel snags ahead of its Group H opener with Saudi Arabia. Paperwork delays forced the team to depart Cancún on a second flight, arriving in Florida hours later. The coach and captain have downplayed the disruption, stressing rest and preparation.
Sony has announced it will stop producing physical PlayStation game discs from January 2028. New titles will be sold via the PlayStation Store or as retailer-issued download codes; games releasing before 2028 remain unaffected. The move follows years of rising digital sales and has provoked consumer backlash over ownership, preservation and the second‑hand market.
A CNBC-led review shows women continue to earn less, provide more caregiving, and save differently, widening retirement gaps. While Social Security decisions and new accounts nudge savings, experts warn the gap remains and growth in annuity options is gradual.
British American Tobacco is cutting about 5,500 jobs and outsourcing 3,500 more as it shifts toward vaping, nicotine pouches and digital operations. The company says the savings target is about 600 million pounds annually by 2028, with the US not affected. The cuts come as it faces slower cigarette sales and rising regulatory and tax pressures in various markets.
The Ruby Princess has reported a norovirus outbreak on its 20-day San Francisco–Alaska–Canada cruise, affecting more than 100 passengers and 23 crew members. Princess Cruises has implemented enhanced sanitation protocols and will disinfect the ship before its next voyage. CDC/OHSA are monitoring, with several other outbreaks reported on US‑based cruise ships this year.
Australia’s social media age-restriction law has faced enforcement challenges as a study finds that initial age-inference checks are failing to identify under-16 users, despite platforms claiming to follow regulator guidance. A Kick platform shows stricter onboarding, while Meta, YouTube and others dispute the trial’s implications.
Cuban lawmakers have approved measures loosening dozens of restrictions on private activity while the island continues to suffer repeated, crippling blackouts and fuel shortages after a US oil embargo. Officials have allowed private import of some medicines, eased land and oil rules and authorised private tourism — even as hospitals and families cope with daily power cuts and supply gaps.
Cori Bush has mounted a rematch against Rep. Wesley Bell in Missouri as outside groups push heavy spending to influence the race. AIPAC-backed ads are a major part of the effort, while Bush’s own ads are minimal. The race underscores tensions over money, influence, and foreign policy within the Democratic primary.
The U.S. outbreak of cyclosporiasis has expanded across multiple states, with Michigan reporting the highest counts. Officials say the source remains unidentified, but lettuce and leafy greens are under investigation amid recalls and ongoing traceback work as case counts rise through summer.
The White House has issued an executive order directing sidewalk signs around the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to warn visitors about alleged inaccuracies in the museum’s portrayal of American history and to point to sources for a corrected narrative. Smithsonian leadership defends its scholarship and fullness of America’s story as Republicans press for hearings and potential changes on Capitol Hill.
Smoke from hundreds of active wildfires in Canada has blanketed large parts of the US Midwest and Northeast and made air quality hazardous in cities including Detroit, Chicago and New York. Authorities have issued health alerts, opened cooling centres and distributed masks; officials expect rain to disperse some smoke but warn that pollution will linger in the Upper Midwest.
Wildfire smoke from Canadian and U.S. fires has created unhealthy air across the Midwest, Northeast and beyond. Official alerts urge residents to stay indoors as air-quality deteriorates. Climate-linked fires are intensifying, with conditions likely to persist and spread smoke further south and east.
Cyclospora cases linked to iceberg lettuce have driven retailers to push greenhouse-grown greens. Health authorities warn on contaminated produce as more states report cases; restaurants adapt menus and chains reassure customers about ingredients.
The FDA has reaffirmed the outbreak advisory linking shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico to cyclosporiasis, while Taylor Farms recalls iceberg lettuce as a precaution. A subsequent reevaluation has determined the initial positive test was a false positive, but health officials say the outbreak data remains valid and investigations continue.
A Senate hearing has spotlighted newly released diary pages from Fauci, fueling accusations that the scientist privately contradicted public statements as lawmakers push for questioning under the Fifth Amendment; experts note the diary entries document uncertainty in early pandemic days and ongoing debates about origins and gain-of-function research.
Six Flags reveals Bakunawa, a 382-foot spinning launch coaster inspired by Philippine folklore. The ride will debut in 2027 at The Boardwalk, replacing Kingda Ka, with speeds up to 100 mph, three launches, and floorless, free‑spinning trains. The project aims to set multiple world records while expanding the park’s thrill lineup.
Kennedy-backed program promotes healthy, affordable cooking under $5 a serving, arguing that nutritious meals can be cheaper than fast food. The show features Chef Andrew Gruel and aims to align with the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans while highlighting home cooking as a long-standing solution to health issues tied to ultra-processed foods.
Salah Sarsour, a legal permanent resident with a decades-long U.S. stay, has had a June release from ICE detention after a judge found the government failed to justify deportation. DHS maintains he poses a foreign policy risk based on Israeli convictions; Sarsour and his supporters say the charges are tainted by torture claims and political targeting. A next hearing is set for Sept. 14.