A coalition of 12 states led by California sued to block Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The states argue the roughly $110 billion deal would raise prices, reduce choices and hurt workers, while Paramount says it would strengthen competition.
News Mash
President Trump recommended that South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appoint Darline Graham Nordone, Lindsey Graham’s sister, to serve out the late senator’s term. McMaster is expected to announce his selection Monday afternoon.
Trump said the United States will reinstate a blockade of Iran and become “the guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz, seeking a 20% reimbursement on cargo shipped through the waterway. Iran rejected any U.S. role and said passage is currently unfeasible after recent hostilities.
A person was killed Monday in Biddeford, Maine, in a shooting involving ICE personnel, state House Speaker Ryan Fecteau said. The incident came six days after an ICE officer fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during an attempted vehicle stop in Houston.
Congress is back in Washington with fights over voting rules, surveillance powers, defense policy and nominations crowding the calendar. The death of Sen. Lindsey Graham further narrows Senate Republicans’ margin and complicates their budget plans.
The United States and Iran exchanged new strikes across the Gulf, further straining a ceasefire and raising tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices jumped as the U.N. warned that renewed full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences.
Researchers estimate more than 2,700 people in England and Wales may have died from heat-related causes during record heatwaves in May and June. Scientists said climate change made the heat more intense, adding up to 4C to maximum temperatures.
A wildfire described by officials as “very virulent” and of “exceptional scale” has burned about 1,900 acres in the Fontainebleau forest south-east of Paris. The blaze forced evacuations, disrupted highways and high-speed rail, and brought firefighting planes to the Paris region during a heatwave.