Stories from New York · United States

Warner Bros Discovery shareholders have voted to approve a merger with Paramount Skydance. The deal involves Paramount acquiring the company for $31 per share, encompassing cable networks, film studios, and streaming services. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval.

Bain Capital is reportedly preparing to offload its majority stake in Tyger Capital, according to industry sources.

New York City officials have announced a plan to expand the city's tree canopy to 30% by 2040, up from the current 23%. The initiative aims to cool neighborhoods, reduce flooding, and improve air quality, specifically targeting lower-income areas with less greenery. However, experts warn that underfunding and staffing shortages may hinder the project's success.

The S&P 500 index rose by 0.55% this week, marking its fourth consecutive winning week. Market advances were driven by hopes of renewed negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, alongside a strong forecast from Intel. The index reached a record high during this period. Analysts suggest market advances are partially driven by hopes regarding U.S.-Iran relations. President Trump noted that the ongoing war has had a smaller impact on markets and oil prices than initially expected, though he cautioned Americans to expect higher fuel costs for a period. S&P Global's Daniel Jurgen discussed potential global economic disruptions related to fertilizer and helium supplies.

Auction house Bonhams announced the sale of the personal estate of actress and director Yankeeton through four distinct auctions. The sales will take place in New York and Los Angeles, featuring her clothing, accessories, and personal items. The collection reflects her eclectic and androgynous style established during her career.

The Bitwise Chainlink ETF has officially commenced trading on the NYSE Arca exchange under the ticker symbol CLN. Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are now able to trade on stock exchanges via smart contracts. One wealthy speculator stated that Bitcoin is completely overvalued and would not accept all the world's Bitcoin for 25 dollars. The speculator argued that Bitcoin provides no utility compared to real estate or agriculture.

A report from the City University of New York revealed significant image manipulation in research conducted by Yan Wang. The Department of Justice previously indicted Wang in 2024 for allegedly fabricating data. This discovery highlights ongoing concerns regarding data management and integrity within scientific academic institutions. The Department of Justice indicted Hao Yan Wang for allegedly fabricating and falsifying data in National Institute on Aging (NIA) research. The investigation follows concerns regarding bad data management in seminal papers published in the journal Nature. These influential studies significantly impacted the field of Alzheimer's disease research.

An NYPD officer is under internal investigation after accumulating more than 500 speeding and reckless driving citations. Mayor Mamdani labeled the officer's driving behavior as unacceptable, though no formal disciplinary actions have been committed yet. Police officials are currently reviewing the allegations regarding the officer's conduct.

Bain Capital is reportedly preparing to offload its majority stake in Tyger Capital.

Elementary school teachers in New York will receive an additional three hours each month for planning and other purposes. This time is being used to recover instructional time for chronically absent students and to plan for all seven subjects. The initiative aims to improve instruction and address student attendance issues.