Twelve state attorneys general filed suit Monday to block a proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery, citing concerns over competition and consumer costs.
California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington argue the combination would create a "media behemoth" that illegally harms competition.
The states contend the merger would raise movie ticket prices and damage cable TV distributors. Their legal challenge comes after the Justice Department declined to block the deal last month, signaling the agency's own antitrust review found insufficient grounds for intervention.
The lawsuit represents a significant state-level pushback on media consolidation. If approved, the merger would unite Paramount's film and television production with Warner Bros Discovery's extensive media portfolio, creating one of the entertainment industry's largest players.
The case will likely face significant legal hurdles, given the federal government's decision not to oppose the deal. However, state attorneys general have shown increased willingness to challenge major corporate mergers independently.
President Trump is expanding his data center infrastructure pledge to include Republican governors and major utilities. The agreement requires data center developers to cover their own energy and infrastructure costs.
Surging demand from data centers has increased public electricity costs by $23 billion, according to analysis. The trend reflects the infrastructure strain caused by AI and cloud computing expansion.
Countries worldwide are implementing age verification requirements and exploring dedicated online spaces for minors as concerns mount over social media's impact on child safety and wellbeing.
Instacart reported Q1 revenue of $1.02 billion, up 14% year-over-year, with gross transaction value reaching $10.29 billion. Growth slowed compared to the prior year's 16% rate, and shares dropped 11% on the earnings.