6 simple questions to tell if a ‘finfluencer’ is more flash than cash 
Israel Doubles Troops at Lebanon Border, Searches Evacuated Villages 
California Court Rejects xAI Bid to Block AI Data Transparency Law 
Estée Lauder Sues Jo Malone Over Trademark Dispute Involving Zara 
Microsoft Eyes Legal Action as Amazon-OpenAI Deal Threatens Azure Exclusivity 
Stellantis Shareholder Fraud Lawsuit Dismissed by U.S. Judge 
U.S. Presses South Korea on Strait of Hormuz Naval Support Amid Rising Energy Tensions 
UBS Seeks Legal Protection Over Credit Suisse's Nazi-Era Banking Activities 
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Move to End Temporary Protected Status for Somali Immigrants 
Iran-Israel War Escalates: Energy Infrastructure Attacks Shake Global Oil Markets 
Apple Defies China's Smartphone Slump with Strong Early 2026 Sales 
Global Flight Cancellations 2026: Airlines Suspend Routes Amid Middle East Crisis 
How Marvel’s Fantastic Four discovered the human in the superhuman 
Pakistan Air Strike Kills 400 at Kabul Drug Rehabilitation Hospital, Taliban Says 
Trump Threatens Legal Action Against Disney’s ABC Over Jimmy Kimmel’s Return 
Supreme Court Backs GOP Lawmaker in New York Redistricting Fight Ahead of Midterms 
The head of the U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust division has firmly dismissed suggestions that political connections could accelerate regulatory approval for the proposed Paramount Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed Assefi stated unequivocally that claims of politicized enforcement are "ludicrous," signaling that all merger reviews will be conducted with equal rigor regardless of corporate or political ties.
Analysts had speculated that Paramount might face a smoother regulatory path due to relationships between Paramount CEO David Ellison's father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, and President Donald Trump. Assefi shut down that narrative entirely, reinforcing that no deal receives preferential treatment under DOJ oversight. He also cited Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos as someone who publicly acknowledged receiving a fair and thorough review, even before Netflix ultimately withdrew its competing bid for Warner Bros.' studio and streaming assets.
Assefi, who previously served as special counsel to the White House during Trump's first administration and spent over eight years at the DOJ, recently resumed his role leading the antitrust division following the departure of Gail Slater. Under his watch, prison time for antitrust crimes surged by roughly 1,200 percent year over year in 2025, reflecting a sharply aggressive enforcement posture.
His priorities mirror those of his predecessor, centering on affordability and consumer-focused issues such as food, healthcare, and housing costs. The DOJ's settlement with Live Nation was highlighted as a landmark outcome for restoring market competition.
Assefi also raised red flags around "acquihires," a growing tactic where major tech companies absorb startup talent and technology without triggering formal merger review. He warned that attempts to circumvent the review process only invite greater scrutiny, encouraging companies to engage transparently with regulators from the outset.
