Group 1 - The Trump administration has temporarily halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students while preparing to expand social media vetting of applicants [1][2][3] - This suspension is expected to impact university budgets in the US, as many institutions have relied on international students who typically pay full tuition to offset cuts in federal research funding [2][3] - The internal cable from the State Department indicates that consulate sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity until new guidance is issued [3] Group 2 - The State Department spokesperson emphasized the use of all available resources to vet visa applicants, indicating a continued focus on scrutiny of international students [5] - Recent actions by the Trump administration include revoking Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, which has been challenged in court and temporarily blocked [6][8] - The administration's previous policies have led to increased scrutiny of visa applicants, including reviews of social media accounts, which may continue to affect international students' enrollment plans [12]

Donald Trump has threatened to impose 50% tariffs on the EU, starting from next month, after saying that trade talks with Brussels were "going nowhere".Mr Trump made the comments on his Truth Social platform. It is a fresh escalation in his trade row with the European Union, which he has previously accused of ripping off the US. It comes as he also announced that Apple will be forced to pay 25% tariffs on its iPhones unless it moves all its manufacturing to the US.Apple shares dropped more than 2% in premar ...

Core Insights - Comcast's NBCUniversal has launched a new theme park, Epic Universe, in Florida, representing a $7 billion investment aimed at competing with Disney World [1][4] - The park spans 750 acres and includes five themed areas based on popular franchises, such as Super Nintendo World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter [1][2][6] - Analysts predict that Epic Universe could attract 9.5 million visitors and generate over $1.3 billion in revenue by 2026 [5] Investment and Economic Impact - Epic Universe is the first major theme park to open in the US in over 20 years, marking Comcast's largest investment in Universal attractions since acquiring the business in 2011 [4] - The park is expected to significantly contribute to the local economy, with projections of attracting millions of visitors and generating substantial revenue [5] Future Developments - Another Universal theme park is planned for Europe, with the first resort set to open in 2031, indicating ongoing expansion in the theme park sector [7]

Core Points - Netflix has secured a deal to stream new episodes of Sesame Street, expanding its audience after federal funding cuts to PBS by President Trump [1][2] - New episodes will be available on Netflix and PBS simultaneously, with select past episodes accessible worldwide on Netflix [1][3] - The partnership aims to maintain Sesame Street's educational mission while ensuring free access for children in the US [4][5] Group 1 - The deal follows Warner Bros Discovery's decision not to renew its contract for new episodes on HBO and Max, with existing episodes remaining until 2027 [2] - The upcoming 56th season will focus on an 11-minute story format, exploring the Sesame Street neighborhood and featuring iconic characters [2][3] - Sesame Street has a long-standing legacy, having won over 200 Emmys and other prestigious awards, highlighting its cultural significance [7] Group 2 - The collaboration between Netflix, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting represents a public-private partnership aimed at enhancing children's educational content [4][5] - Sesame Workshop emphasizes the importance of this partnership in delivering research-based curriculum globally while ensuring access to US communities [5]

Industry Overview - The film industry in Hollywood has experienced a significant decline, with production falling by 40% over the last decade, leading to a shift of productions to other states and countries [2][4]. - Popular filming locations have shifted to countries like Britain, Australia, and Canada, which are now preferred over California for movie production [2]. Economic Factors - The exodus of the film industry is primarily driven by economic factors, including lower labor costs and more attractive tax incentives offered by other countries [4]. - The impact of this shift has resulted in many studios in Los Angeles being frequently empty, leading to job losses for those working behind the scenes [4]. Government Response - President Trump has proposed a 100% tariff on all foreign-made films entering the USA as a potential solution to the industry's decline [5]. - There is uncertainty regarding the implementation of these tariffs, with questions about their applicability to different types of films, such as those shown in cinemas versus streaming [6][7]. Industry Concerns - Filmmakers express concerns about the lack of detail in the proposed tariffs and how they would affect the production of films that require specific locations [9][14]. - The prop supply industry in Los Angeles has been severely impacted by the COVID pandemic, strikes, and the globalization of the film industry, leading to a significant decline in business [10][12]. Future Considerations - Industry stakeholders emphasize the need for careful consideration of the proposed tariffs to avoid unintended negative consequences for independent films and the overall film ecosystem [12][14].

Grand Theft Auto VI, the most hotly anticipated title in gaming history, has been delayed.Take-Two Interactive pushed the release of the blockbuster title to May 2026 on Friday. The video game was previously expected to be released in autumn this year and is expected to be an instant hit with billions in sales every year, according to analysts.Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, is one of the best-selling video games of all time, selling more than 200 million copies since its release in 2013."With every ga ...

Core Viewpoint - Apple is shifting its manufacturing strategy to mitigate the impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, with most iPhones being sourced from India and iPads from Vietnam, aiming to avoid significant price increases for American consumers [1][10]. Financial Performance - For the first three months of the year, Apple reported revenue of £71.8 billion and earnings of £18.6 billion, surpassing analyst expectations [4]. - The company anticipates an additional cost of £677 million in the current quarter due to tariffs, assuming no changes in Trump's policies [2]. Market Dynamics - High demand for iPhones was noted during the period, likely driven by US consumers making purchases before the new tariffs took effect [4]. - The full impact of any panic buying will be assessed in Apple's results for the April to June period [4]. Supply Chain and Manufacturing Changes - Apple's previous reliance on Chinese factories for iPhone production made it more vulnerable to the effects of the trade war compared to other companies [5]. - Devices sold outside the US will continue to be manufactured in China, while the company is diversifying its supply chain to reduce risks associated with having all production in one location [10]. Stock Market Reaction - Following the announcement of reciprocal tariffs, Apple's stock experienced a significant decline of 23%, resulting in a loss of £582 billion in market value, although it has since recovered slightly [7]. - Despite the recovery, the stock remains 5% lower than before the tariffs were announced [7]. Sales Impact - Sales in China fell by 2.3% between January and March, influenced by the growing tensions between Washington and Beijing [7].

Tesla's board members have reportedly started their search for someone to replace Elon Musk as CEO.Several executive search firms were approached to find a successor around a month ago, the Wall Street Journal reported. It said the current status of the succession planning for the electric car-maker wasn't known. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:36 Musk jokes about attacks on Tesla cars Musk's net worth has plunged and Tesla stocks have fallen amid a public backlash over h ...

Core Points - Apple and Meta have been fined millions of euros by the EU for violating digital competition rules [1][2] - Apple received a fine of €500 million (£428 million) for preventing app developers from directing users to cheaper alternatives outside the App Store, while Meta was fined €200 million (£171 million) for requiring users to choose between seeing ads or paying to avoid them [2] - These fines are the first issued under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), aimed at enhancing competition in the digital economy and preventing monopolistic practices by Big Tech [3] Company Responses - Apple has claimed that the EU is "unfairly targeting" the company, stating it has invested significant resources to comply with the new regulations [5] - Meta's chief global affairs officer criticized the EU's actions, suggesting that the Commission is trying to disadvantage successful American companies while allowing Chinese and European firms to operate under different standards [5]

Group 1 - Elon Musk plans to reduce his involvement with Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) and focus more on Tesla starting in May [1] - Tesla's first-quarter profits dropped by 71% to $409 million, attributed to declining sales and the impact of President Trump's tariffs [1] - Revenue for Tesla fell by 9% to $19.3 billion in the first quarter, which was below Wall Street's expectations [2] Group 2 - Tesla's stock has decreased by over 40% this year, although it experienced a slight increase in after-hours trading [2] - Concerns regarding Musk's ability to dedicate sufficient attention to Tesla have contributed to the stock's decline [2] - Shareholders have raised questions about Musk's role as CEO, indicating a focus on leadership stability during an upcoming investor call [3]