The Daily Populous

Take-Two and Zynga merge in the biggest deal in gaming history

Take-Two and Zynga have merged in what, for the moment, is the biggest corporate deal in gaming history.

The stockholders of each company approved all proposals last Thursday, and shares of Zynga ceased trading after market close on Friday.

Yesterday Zynga shareholders received $3.50 and 0.0406 Take-Two shares for every share in Zynga, adding up to an enormous $12.7 billion, and the deal is done.

The money involved is eye-watering, though so are the brands involved.

Take-Two's most famous asset is the Grand Theft Auto franchise, but it also owns the likes of NBA2K, the WWE games, BioShock, Borderlands, and Civilisation.

"We are eager to continue building an unparalleled portfolio of games that will reach broader markets and lead to continued growth for this next chapter of Zynga’s history.".

That deal still faces some regulatory hoop-jumping, but is widely expected to eventually complete. »

Texas Republicans made it easier to buy and carry guns months before 19 kids were shot and killed at an elementary school

Authored by businessinsider.com

A gunman killed at least 19 children and two adults at an elementary school in Texas on Tuesday.

In recent months, Texas has made it increasingly easier to buy and carry guns.

Tuesday's school shooting at Robb Elementary School, which killed at least 19 children and two adults, came months after Republicans in Texas made it easier to buy and carry guns in the state. »

Exxon must go to trial over alleged climate crimes, court rules

Authored by theguardian.com

Healey’s lawsuit accuses Exxon of breaking the state’s consumer protection laws with a decades-long cover-up of what it knew about the impact on the climate of burning fossil fuels.

The state also says the company deceived investors about the risks to its business posed by global heating.

Richard Wiles, president of the Center for Climate Integrity, welcomes the latest ruling to keep the process in state courts. »

Cosmetic surgery adverts targeting teenagers banned

Authored by news.sky.com

Adverts for cosmetic procedures are now banned from targeting under-18s in the UK.

These adverts will not be allowed to appear around television and radio programmes commissioned for, aimed at or likely to appeal to under-18s.

Cosmetic Botox and dermal lip fillers were banned for under-18s in England last year after a spike in youngsters seeking an "Instagram face". »

Sandy Hook families’ defamation damages trial against Alex Jones to move forward in CT

Authored by newstimes.com

BRIDGEPORT — A federal judge cleared the way for Sandy Hook families to have the defamation lawsuit they won against Alex Jones released from bankruptcy protection and returned to state court, where a trial to determine the damages Jones must pay had been set for August.

The Sandy Hook families will be free to pursue their damages because they will no longer be party to the three Jones-controlled businesses in bankruptcy.

She proposed a solution to Alinor Sterling, a Bridgeport attorney representing the Sandy Hook families, and Cameron Atkinson, a New Haven attorney representing Jones. »