A judge blocked Kroger's $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons Cos., finding the takeover would lessen competition for grocery shoppers in a ruling that marks a likely death knell for the deal.

Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. are finally getting their day in court. Nearly two years after the acquisition was announced, the grocery giants on Aug. 26 started a federal court hearing in Portland, Ore., on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s bid to block the $24.6 billion deal.

A Senate panel is investigating whether oil producers are illegally coordinating with OPEC to raise prices, following allegations that the former head of Pioneer colluded with the cartel.

A group of lawmakers wants the FTC to take action against large retailers, such as Amazon and Walmart, that increased profits during the COVID-19 pandemic and have kept prices high since.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on the Federal Trade Commission to open a full investigation into a wave of acquisitions in the oil and gas industry, arguing that the consolidation threatens competition and could lead to higher prices.

The Federal Trade Commission, eight states and Washington, D.C., sued to block Kroger Co.’s $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons Cos. on Feb. 26.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and a group of states are poised to sue to block the tie-up between supermarkets Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos., according to people familiar with the plans.

FMCSA filed comments in support of an FTC proposed rule banning junk fees that trucking regulators have argued should include provisions to mitigate predatory truck towing.

Attorneys for Amazon on Dec. 8 asked a federal judge to dismiss the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust lawsuit against the e-commerce giant.

The Federal Trade Commission is investigating Chevron’s acquisition of Hess oil company, the second inquiry the independent agency has opened recently of a major oil industry merger.