Now, with the acquisition proceeding, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will combine to bring together two historic portfolios of TV networks including CBS, as well as streaming services Paramount+ and HBO Max. The deal previously won approval from the U.S. and other international regulators.

While details of the agreement have yet to be publicized, it is believed that the settlement includes the creation of independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS, as well as a $30 million penalty per film if Paramount falls short of its commitment to release 30 movies annually.

The post Paramount to settle lawsuit, Warner Bros. merger to proceed<p class="company"></p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

The federal lawsuit was the result of a bipartisan investigation of attorneys general from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont that followed news reports that indicated that the company was aware of the harm caused by social media platforms when it comes to mental health and body image, especially for girls. The settlement, which will be paid out over 10 years, with California getting the largest sum of at least $1.5 billion, ends a trial over teen social media addiction, with claims filed by nearly every state, that was years in the making and intended to hold Meta accountable for the role its platforms play in undermining children’s mental health, chiefly the features that target the attention of the youth cohort.

From California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s perspective, the agreement “institutes real change, real transparency, real protections for children and teens across the country.”

Once approved by the court, the deal will put a halt on litigation by states against Meta, which were filed by 29 states in 2023, and will deliver financial support for mental health programs for kids, though the company will continue to face lawsuits from individuals and school districts. The settlement covers all states and most U.S. territories except New Mexico, which went to trial against Meta and won earlier this year, and Florida, where the attorney general believed the settlement was not tough enough.

Among the new protections that are being hailed by advocates are default time limits and the ability to disable features such as likes and push notifications during school hours, more robust age-assurance measures, and content controls to prevent bullying and harmful material about sensitive content like eating disorders and self-harm.

“Ensuring teens have a safe and productive experience on our platforms is an absolute imperative for Meta,” the company said. “We want to get this right for parents and teens, and that’s why we partnered with state attorneys general to set a new industry standard.”

The lawsuit sought to hold Meta accountable for its role in contributing to the mental health crisis by integrating addictive design features, while also arguing that there were violations of federal laws related to the routine collection of data on children under the age of 13 without parental consent. An independent auditor will assess how Meta is implementing the safety features, as well as their effectiveness.

Meta has stated that 30 percent of the settlement will be released to states only if its competitors, YouTube and TikTok, also meet conditions related to the implementation of similar safety features, including a one-hour daily time limit, a nighttime block, and age-assurance measures, paying the same amount, split between the two companies. The goal is to incentivize the entire industry to follow suit, as many of the safety measures will be most effective if they are implemented across the board, though child safety advocates believe that despite being a step in the right direction, these adjustments will not produce the desired results.

The post Meta settles teen social media addiction trial<p class="company"></p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

For the first time in four decades, VIA Rail passenger cars will be built in Canada thanks to a more than $4.7 billion commitment to enable the acquisition and maintenance of 313 new passenger rail cars from Alstom Canada.

Prime Minister Carney stated, “In the face of strong headwinds, a confident Canada is choosing to build. For the first time in four decades, VIA’s passenger cars will be built in Canada. Cars once made in the United States, now made here at home. This means new contracts for Canadian suppliers, good jobs for Canadian workers, and paycheques that stay in Canadian cities and towns. That’s how we build Canada strong.”

An act of support for its Buy Canada Policy and commitment to investing in domestic capabilities and infrastructure, diversifying trade relationships, and reducing dependence on a single trading partner, the investment will bolster the domestic manufacturing base. The investment will not only support VIA Rail, but also the Canadian steel, aluminum, and lumber industries, bringing more jobs for Canadian workers. The investment will support 700 jobs in Ontario and Quebec and will produce more than $1.6 billion in economic benefits.

The passenger cars will be manufactured and assembled in Thunder Bay, Ontario and La Pocatière, Québec, while the design and engineering work will be undertaken in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Québec. Alstom will grow its network of more than 900 Canadian suppliers to deliver the new fleet, and Canadians will benefit from a stronger economy and a stronger passenger rail network. Eight of VIA Rail’s long-distance, regional, and remote routes outside of the Québec City-Windsor Corridor will be served by the investment, which was utilized by 216,000 people in 2025.

With some of VIA Rail’s fleet reaching the end of its expected lifecycle, this investment is timely. The investment is not just in passenger rail cars and Canadian manufacturing; it is part of delivering a safer, more reliable, and modernized rail service that bolsters the economic strength of the nation.

The government has also committed $1.95 billion in 45 new passenger rail locomotives and a new assembly and maintenance facility in Montréal. The purchase from Swiss-based Stadler will see the final assembly of up to 36 locomotives in Canada, the first time in decades that VIA’s passenger locomotives will be assembled domestically.

“Today’s announcement marks a defining step in shaping the future of VIA Rail’s pan-Canadian fleet. These new Canadian-built passenger rail cars will retain signature features such as dome cars, full-service dining, and social areas, while incorporating modern amenities, improved accessibility, and greater reliability. They will help us preserve essential services to remote communities and elevate the unique onboard experience that allows passengers to discover Canada in a way that only train travel can offer. We thank the Government of Canada for this historic investment in the future of passenger rail,” Mathieu Paquette, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail Canada, said.

The post VIA Rail investment to bring rail car manufacturing back to Canada<p class="company"></p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.