Oakland
Photo: Basil D Soufi, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
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- Sep 21
Paramount offers $1.5 billion in California concessions to unlock Warner Bros. Discovery deal
Paramount Skydance has entered advanced settlement talks with California and 11 other states, proposing $1.5 billion in local production investments and governance safeguards to complete its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
- Sep 10
California signs laws banning addictive social feeds and regulating AI chatbots for minors
Governor Gavin Newsom signed measures AB 1709 and SB 1119 on Thursday, requiring parental consent for recommendation algorithms and imposing audit requirements on AI chatbots.
- Sep 2
Ariana Grande concludes 41-date tour in London ahead of public hiatus
The singer finished a 10-night residency at London's O2 Arena on Tuesday, confirming an extended pause from public appearances and withdrawing from a West End musical.
- Aug 28
US cities cancel Flock surveillance camera contracts at record rate in August 2026
Data from advocacy group Secure Justice shows 90 US municipalities dropped Flock Safety license-plate cameras in August 2026, as a nationwide survey reveals 46% of Americans now oppose the surveillance network.
- Aug 26
Meta agrees to $18 billion US teen safety settlement as global regulators demand parity
The agreement commits the tech company to pay up to $18 billion over ten years and roll out mandatory teen protections on Instagram and Facebook, including time caps and hidden likes.
- Aug 26
Instagram head Adam Mosseri defends teen safety record in $200 billion Meta trial
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri faced questioning in an Oakland federal court as four US states seek $200 billion over allegations that Meta designed addictive platforms for children.
- Aug 22
US states seek $1.4 trillion from Meta in Oakland youth mental health trial
Attorneys general from roughly 20 US states opened legal proceedings in California accusing Mark Zuckerberg's company of engineering platforms to foster addiction among minors.
- Aug 20
Mark Zuckerberg Buys 440-Acre Strancally Castle in Ireland for Estimated €20M to €30M
Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan have acquired Strancally Castle in County Waterford, expanding their real estate holdings to southeastern Ireland.
- Aug 19
Former engineer testifies Mark Zuckerberg prioritized growth over child safety in federal Meta trial
Former engineering director Arturo Bejar testified in an Oakland federal court that Meta executives dismissed internal data and designed platform features to increase teen engagement.
- Aug 13
Meta faces federal trial as 29 states seek $1.4T over youth addiction claims
A federal civil trial against Meta opened on 12 August in Oakland, California, with 29 states accusing the company of deliberately making Instagram and Facebook addictive for minors. Opening arguments begin 18 August.
- Aug 13
First federal trial against Meta over youth social media addiction begins in Oakland
Jury selection opened on Wednesday in Oakland, California, in the first US federal trial against Meta over allegations that Instagram and Facebook were designed to addict minors, with 29 states seeking penalties up to $1.4 trillion.
- Aug 10
Las Vegas jury convicts ex-gang leader Duane Davis of murder in 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur
A Clark County jury deliberated for three hours before finding the 63-year-old former South Side Compton Crips leader guilty of first-degree murder, concluding a two-week trial that rested largely on Davis's own public confessions.
- Aug 8
Tom Holland and Zendaya celebrate post-nuptial party at Surrey's Beaverbrook Hotel
The actors hosted a three-day celebration for about 250 guests at a 470-acre Surrey hotel, months after quietly marrying earlier in 2026.
- Aug 2
Progressive El-Sayed edges Stevens in Michigan Senate primary, setting up November showdown with Rogers
Progressive doctor Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated establishment-backed Haley Stevens in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, fending off $98.2 million in spending to set up a November contest with Republican Mike Rogers.
- Jul 25
Paramount delays $111 billion Warner Bros. acquisition to June 2027 after states sue to block deal
The postponement follows a legal challenge by twelve US state attorneys general who argue the merger would stifle competition in film, streaming, and cable television.
- Jul 25
US federal court extends freeze on Paramount’s $110bn Warner Bros. Discovery takeover to 17 August
A federal judge in Oakland extended a temporary restraining order blocking the $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance until 17 August, while the European Commission gave conditional approval on 22 July.
- Jul 21
US judge temporarily blocks $110 billion Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger after 12 states sue
A US federal judge temporarily halted the $110 billion Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger on Monday after a 12-state coalition argued the deal would irreparably harm competition in film and television.
