Aggregator

A young mother was killed when she was struck by a train on a German rail crossing as she pushed her two-year-old daughter to safety.  

A coalition of 12 states led by California is suing to block the $111 billion Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. merger, arguing it would reduce competition in theatrical distribution, blockbuster films, and basic cable licensing. The challenge (PDF) defies the DOJ's approval of the deal. Variety reports: The coalition, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alleges that the $111 billion transaction violates the Clayton Act by lessening competition in three distinct markets: wide-release theatrical distribution, "top-grossing" theatrical distribution, and basic cable licensing. "The unlawful merger of these two entertainment behemoths would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television, harming movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences on every sofa and movie theater seat in the U.S.," Bonta said in a statement on Monday. The suit argues that the combined company will control 27% of the wide-release theatrical distribution market, 30% of the submarket comprising "anticipated blockbuster films," and 27% of the basic cable bundle. The states argue that such consolidation will harm theaters and cable and satellite providers that rely on competition among distributors. Paramount and Warner Bros. are two of the five remaining legacy studios. Together, all five -- including Disney, Sony and Universal -- control 86% of theatrical distribution and 90% of blockbuster distribution, the states said. Warner Bros. and Paramount are also the second- and third-largest basic cable distributors, respectively. [...] The states are expected to seek an injunction to block the transaction, which Paramount expects to close sometime after July 22. The 12 states in the coalition are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington. [...] All are represented by Democratic attorneys general. "Consolidation here not only leads to higher prices -- it also leads to fewer opportunities for important stories to come to life, and fewer ways for audiences to encounter stories, ideas, and perspectives beyond their own experiences," Bonta said. "In this country, no one is above the law. With this lawsuit, California and our sister states are fighting for free and fair markets, not rigged markets. America has no kings in government or our economy."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sam Neill's friends and colleagues have paid tribute following the actor's death at the age of 78.

The father ran into the sea after two of his children got into difficulties but he was swept away himself and drowned along with a second man.

The fund was created to compensate Trump's political allies.

Essex could be about to see "little to no rain" for the rest of the month, according to forecasts by ITV Anglia's Chris Page.

Essex could be about to see "little to no rain" for the rest of the month, according to forecasts by ITV Anglia's Chris Page.

A transgender ex-Labour candidate who celebrated the death of Ann Widdecombe and prayed she had 'screamed in agony' is being investigated.

New evidence - direct from the World Cup stadium spidercam - now proves that Jude Bellingham's controversial first goal against Norway was right to stand after all.

Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma has been accused of murdering his wife, Nothabo, 42, and their two girls and appeared in court today (pictured) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Cheap can be expensive

The Duke of Sussex was reportedly 'very happy' that his wife and children joined him to spend time with his father and stepmother, Queen Camilla, at Highgrove.

Kane met Argentina legend Diego Maradona before a Tottenham match back in 2017, where he sought to offer advice to the striker on how he could remain at the top of the game.

Since his grooming scandal came to light, disgraced BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has cowered away from the glare of the public eye.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood admitted it 'does not guarantee his removal' because his home nation Pakistan is refusing to take him back, and MPs heard it will take a year to bring into force.

The first trailer of the new film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu was released on Monday - and fans were stunned as Tom swapped his action hero status for a whole new look.

According to the Wall Street Journal (paywalled), Apple agreed to use Intel's U.S. chipmaking plants after White House officials pressured Tim Cook during tariff-relief talks last summer. MacRumors reports: In August 2025, Apple CEO Tim Cook was in Washington to lobby the Trump administration to drop its proposed 100 percent tariff on semiconductor imports -- a levy that would have raised costs across Apple's product line. Apple reportedly secured an exemption after pledging to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S., although many of those investments were already planned. During the meetings, president Trump and commerce secretary Howard Lutnick are said to have urged Cook to use Intel's fabrication plants to make some of Apple's chips. The link between the tariff talks and the Apple-Intel deal had not been previously reported. Almost a year later, Trump announced via his Truth Social platform that Apple would begin using Intel-made chips in some products. "We need to design and build our Chips right here in America," the president posted. The news sent Intel shares to record highs. According to a person familiar with the negotiations cited by the WSJ, Apple plans to have Intel make chips for both Mac laptops and iPhones. The report doesn't say which chips or in what volume, and Apple is expected to remain reliant on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC, for the majority of its custom silicon.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Argentina's foreign minister Pablo Quirno has added fuel to the arch World Cup rivalry between his nation and England ahead of their semi-final meeting.

Alison Hammond has hit back at her 22-year age gap with boyfriend David Puttnam as she insisted 'it is nothing to do with anyone else'. 

Paul Tomlinson, 53, said he has forgiven his son's killer - who ran him over three times and left him dying under her car - but will 'fight tooth and nail' to get him justice.