Major developments in finance and markets include corporate mergers, AI investment surges, Federal Reserve leadership transitions, and significant policy shifts affecting energy, immigration enforcement, and tech regulation.

Warner Bros Discovery shareholders approved a $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, though the deal still requires government approval and faces potential legal challenges.

Google commits up to $40 billion investment in AI startup Anthropic as competition intensifies in the artificial intelligence sector amid accelerating demand for business and coding products.

The U.S. Justice Department drops its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, clearing the way for Senate confirmation of Kevin Warsh as Powell's successor.

Thousands of electric vehicle leases are ending in the next three years, flooding used-car markets with more affordable EV options as the battery-powered vehicle market matures.

JetBlue faces lawsuit over allegations it uses customers' personal data to set dynamic ticket prices, following controversial social media exchange advising customers to clear browser cache.

TikTok and Visa launch a debit card for UK content creators to accelerate payouts from TikTok Live, addressing persistent complaints from creators about payment delays.

A federal judge blocks Trump administration restrictions on wind and solar projects, pausing policy that gave senior officials direct sign-off authority on federal clean energy initiatives.

Pakistan buys LNG cargo from expensive spot market for the first time in two years at $18.88 per MMBtu amid ongoing energy crisis and rising global prices.

U.S. Justice Department drops Powell investigation as Senate schedules confirmation vote for Kevin Warsh, Trump's Federal Reserve nominee, while concerns mount over central bank independence.

Gen Z workers increasingly turn to entrepreneurship to bypass AI-disrupted entry-level job market, with some launching startups immediately after graduation rather than pursuing traditional corporate paths.