Author: Jack Mulligan

Combined ownership revives long-discussed cost sharing idea Paramount’s proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery would place CNN and CBS News under the same corporate roof, reviving a concept that has surfaced repeatedly for decades: combining or sharing news-gathering to reduce costs. Earlier efforts to link the two organizations fell apart largely over governance and control, but regulatory approval of the current transaction would make some level of coordination difficult to avoid. The practical questions are immediate and politically charged. If the deal proceeds, CNN and CBS News would need to determine leadership roles, staffing structures, and editorial guardrails.…

Parliament briefing sets tone ahead of National People’s Congress China said it is willing to work with the United States to promote communication at all levels while maintaining its “red lines” and core principles, according to remarks on Wednesday by a spokesperson for China’s parliament. The comments came on the eve of the opening of the National People’s Congress annual session, a political meeting that is expected to draw close attention amid efforts by both countries to stabilize a relationship strained by multiple crises. The spokesperson, Lou Qinjian, made the comments at a press conference as China prepares to open…

Official survey stays in contraction as holiday disrupts production China’s factory activity weakened in February as manufacturers paused output and shipping during an extended Lunar New Year break, according to an official survey released Wednesday. The official manufacturing purchasing managers index fell to 49 in February, below both the 50 threshold that separates expansion from contraction and economists’ forecast of 49.1. The result marked a second consecutive month in contraction. The February reading matched levels last seen in October and April 2025. In January, the official PMI registered 49.3 after a brief rebound in December. Broader indicators also softened. The…

Early access feedback drives fixes to core smart home controls Google is rolling out a set of updates to its Gemini for Home voice assistant aimed at improving reliability and reducing friction in everyday smart home use. The changes follow feedback collected through an early access program after Google introduced Gemini on Google Home devices later than many users expected. The update targets common pain points reported by early adopters, including inconsistent handling of timers and alarms, weak device targeting when issuing whole-home commands, and interruptions where the assistant cut users off mid-sentence. Google says the upgraded experience should make…

Countdown starts as final spots and roster cuts loom Tuesday, March 3 marks 100 days until the 2026 World Cup begins, with Mexico set to host South Africa in Mexico City on June 11. While much of the field is already known, the next few weeks will shape the tournament in ways that rankings cannot fully capture. The last week of March will decide the final six tournament berths, with four teams coming through Europe and two more emerging via an intercontinental playoff. At the same time, the European club season is entering its decisive stretch, a period that typically…

Partial departures return while most schedules stay grounded Air travel through the United Arab Emirates began a limited restart on Monday, but the wider Gulf network remained heavily disrupted, leaving large numbers of passengers waiting for new itineraries. Several international carriers said they would operate only a small selection of services after flight activity was halted on Saturday as regional airspace closures spread during the conflict between the US-Israel and Iran. Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways, Dubai based Emirates, and budget carrier Flydubai each confirmed a narrow set of departures or arrivals. Dubai’s government urged passengers to go to airports…

Largest scale buyout signals renewed utility appetite A buyer group led by Global Infrastructure Partners, the infrastructure unit owned by BlackRock, together with Swedish private equity firm EQT AB has agreed to acquire U.S. power company AES Corp in a transaction valued at $33.4 billion including debt. The agreement, announced on Monday, ranks among the biggest acquisitions in the sector and highlights how large pools of private capital are moving toward electricity assets as demand expectations reset. The consortium will pay $15 per share in cash, AES said, implying a total equity value of $10.7 billion. The investor group also…

Monthly Increase Driven by Services U.S. wholesale prices climbed more than anticipated in January, adding to concerns that inflation pressures could firm in coming months. The Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand rose 0.5% last month, following a downwardly revised 0.4% gain in December, according to the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected a 0.3% increase. The stronger reading suggests that some businesses may be transferring higher costs, including those linked to import tariffs, to customers. A 0.8% surge in services prices accounted for much of the monthly advance. Trade services, which reflect…

Cross-Border Strikes Trigger Open Conflict Claims Pakistan and Afghanistan traded air and ground attacks overnight in one of the most serious escalations between the two neighbors in years. Pakistan’s defense minister described the situation as an “open war” on Friday following retaliatory strikes by both sides. Afghan authorities said their forces launched attacks late Thursday against Pakistani military targets in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes carried out Sunday along border areas. Hours later, Pakistan struck sites in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces, stating that its operations targeted military installations. Tensions have been simmering for months. Clashes in October resulted…

From Lakefront Landmark to Lease Frustration The Chicago Bears have spent decades playing as tenants. After sharing Wrigley Field with the Cubs for half a century, the franchise moved to Soldier Field in 1971 when the NFL mandated larger stadium capacities. With its neoclassical façade and lakefront skyline views, Soldier Field remains iconic. Yet behind the postcard setting lie restrictive lease terms, mounting renovation obligations and limited revenue control under the Chicago Park District’s ownership. Now representing the NFL’s third-largest market in its oldest and smallest stadium, the Bears are exploring alternatives. Their search for a permanent home has stretched…