Context:

President Trump proposed a 100% tariff on non-American movies, causing concern among filmmakers about its impact on U.S. filmmaking, but the tariff was later retracted. The American film industry, though still dominant globally, faces challenges such as decreased production in Los Angeles due to cheaper overseas options. Trump's tariff approach is criticized as potentially harmful and impractical for the entertainment sector, with experts suggesting tax credits as a better alternative. In South Asia, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following India's airstrikes on Pakistan as retaliation for a terrorist attack. Concurrently, the Catholic Church is undergoing a papal conclave, highlighting the enduring influence of its traditions and the global balance of power in selecting a new pope.

Dive Deeper:

• President Trump's announcement of a 100% tariff on foreign-made movies was intended to protect American filmmaking but was quickly retracted following backlash from the industry. Filmmakers warned that such tariffs could halt production and harm international revenue due to potential retaliatory tariffs from other countries.

• The U.S. film industry, while still the leading global exporter, is experiencing a shift as production increasingly moves outside Los Angeles to take advantage of cheaper labor and tax incentives offered by other countries. This has led to job losses domestically and raised calls for policies to bring production back to the U.S.

• Critics argue that tariffs are an unsuitable solution for Hollywood's challenges, as the industry primarily deals in services rather than physical goods. Instead, industry leaders and California's governor are advocating for substantial tax credits to incentivize domestic filmmaking, though funding such incentives poses a challenge amidst ongoing budget constraints.

• In South Asia, Indian military strikes on Pakistani territory were conducted as a response to a terrorist attack allegedly supported by Pakistan, leading to heightened tensions in the historically volatile region of Kashmir. Both nations have a history of conflict over Kashmir and possess nuclear capabilities, raising the risk of escalation.

• The Catholic Church is in the process of selecting a new pope through a conclave in the Vatican. This event underscores the church's enduring global influence and the significant role of cardinals from Asia and Africa, where Catholicism is growing, in shaping the future direction of the papacy.