Deal still under UK scrutiny with new investigation, and could face lawsuit from state attorneys general

Donald Trump’s Department of Justice has decided to approve the $111bn merger of Paramount Skydance, controlled by the Ellison family, and Warner Bros Discovery, the parent company of networks like CNN and HBO.

The deal was approved by the justice department’s anti-trust division after months of review, and despite the concerns of many people in the entertainment and media industries who believe it will hurt competition by reducing the number of film studios and – most likely – merging two news networks, Paramount’s CBS News and CNN.

Mike Ashley’s retail group has made near-€2bn bid for the German fashion house, in which it holds a 26% stake

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Shares in Hugo Boss jumped nearly 10% on Thursday after the company said it would “thoroughly examine” a near-€2bn takeover approach from the Sports Direct owner Frasers Group.

Mike Ashley’s fashion and sportswear business has pounced on the German fashion house, in which it already owns just over a 26% stake, saying late on Wednesday that it was offering about €1.98bn (£1.73bn) to take full control .

Venerable but struggling UK firm backs deal with Chicago-based Ingredion putting nearly 500 jobs worldwide at risk

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Tate & Lyle has agreed to a £2.7bn takeover by its US rival Ingredion, in a deal that could put hundreds of jobs at risk and represents yet another loss for London’s struggling stock market.

The FTSE 250 business, which makes artificial sweeteners such as Splenda, has agreed to a deal that values it at 615p a share, about 60% above its price before news of a possible takeover emerged.