Trump tariff tamasha: Hollywood edition

Written by: Aarthi Ramnath, Raghav Bikhchandani & Yash Budhwar

Occupation Gaza: Israel announces plans for ‘conquest’

It’s finally official—Tel Aviv has no plans to leave Gaza. The security cabinet has approved a plan to take large parts of Gaza—once again using the handy ‘Hamas and hostages’ rationale:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the cabinet had decided on a "forceful operation" to destroy Hamas and rescue its remaining hostages, and that Gaza's 2.1 million population "will be moved, to protect it". He did not say how much territory would be seized by troops, but he stressed that "they will not enter and come out".

An Israeli official who spoke to France 24 was more blunt: “The plan will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection.” Time to place bets, people: How many Gazans will survive Israeli ‘protection’?

The reaction in the West: has been entirely predictable:

Asked about the Israeli plan to expand its offensive, President Donald Trump repeated a pledge to help get food to Palestinians there. The UK meanwhile said it "does not support an expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza". The EU earlier urged restraint, saying it was concerned about "further casualties and suffering for the Palestinian population.

There are no plans to increase defence spending to save Gaza—which might as well be in a galaxy far, far away. In any case, it already enjoys Tel Aviv’s protection. 🤷🏾

As for the Arabs: Israel insists it will not move forward until Donald Trump arrives in the region. He plans to visit Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar later this month. None of them have said a word so far. Perhaps because they’ve been too busy doing business with Trump Jr—who just inked deals for a $1 billion, 80-story Trump hotel in Dubai, a high-end residential Trump Tower in Saudi Arabia—and a new golf course and villa complex in Qatar. Ooh, what else do those three countries have in common?

The only possible hitch: is that the plan entails calling up more reservists:

The Israel Defense Forces also plans to mobilize tens of thousands of reservists. “We are issuing tens of thousands of reserve call-up orders to intensify and expand the operation in Gaza — increasing the pressure with the goal of bringing our people home and defeating Hamas,” Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF chief of staff, said in a speech Sunday at a naval commando base.

Reservists have instead been staging rallies calling for the end of the invasion. Ah, the irony, the only people willing to resist this bloodbath are Israelis themselves.

Reading list: BBC News has details of the Israeli plan. Al Jazeera’s live blog reports on Israeli strikes on Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Gaza in a single day (perhaps an indication of a grander ‘conquest’ plan). Also in BBC News: protests by Israeli reservists.

Trump tariff tamasha: Hollywood edition

It was only a matter of time before Donald came for Hollywood. He announced a 100% tariff on any movie produced outside the US… we think:

The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death. Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda! Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!

Wtf does that mean? Since there is no Google Translate for Trump-speak, no one knows for sure. The only straight-forward case would be, say, a tariff on a Bollywood film released in the US—a 100% tariff on a 100% foreign production. What about US studios that shoot and produce movies outside?

Hollywood has increasingly turned to foreign locales for the cameras-rolling part of the moviemaking process because, as with so much traditional manufacturing, it is much cheaper. Britain, Hungary, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and other countries offer tax incentives that Disney, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures and other major movie companies, including Netflix and Amazon, have used. International locales also often come with lower labor costs.

This is far more likely the cause for this raging—given Trump’s obsession with bringing jobs back to America.

Data point to note: According to a recent New York Times report:

[T]housands of middle-class film workers in the United States — camera operators, set decorators, lighting technicians, makeup artists, caterers, electricians — have seen work evaporate. According to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, roughly 18,000 full-time jobs have been eliminated in the past three years, primarily in California. “We’re allowing California to become to the entertainment industry what Detroit has become to the auto industry,” Michael F. Miller Jr., a vice president at the union, told The Times last month.

But, but, but: Jobs may be exiting Los Angeles, but many are shifting closer to home—to 38 states using taxpayer dollars to attract movie productions. Georgia has spent at least $5 billion—while New York has handed out more than $7 billion to lure productions from California.

Irony alert: The Trump announcement was triggered by his conversation with actor Jon Voight—who’d actually asked for similar incentives to lure productions back to the US—not tariffs. Call this an example of ‘Trump Translate’ lol!

The A-grade bit of stupidity: There is no easy way to slap import taxes on film production—which is entirely globalised today. In any given movie, some bits may be shot in one location, edited in another—and special effects added elsewhere still. It also marks a dangerous escalation—from taxing goods to slapping tariffs on intellectual property.

As for the ‘national security’ threat: Even the MAGA folks can’t explain that one.

Damage done: Bechara Netflix was the only US tech stock soaring amid the Trump-wreaked carnage. On Monday, its stock fell almost 3.7%. Given the platform’s heavy reliance on foreign-made-and-shot productions, some analysts estimate it could face a 20% decline in earnings—and an annual cost increase of $3 billion. Bechari Emily may have to go home.

Reading list: Quartz has more on Netflix pain. Axios offers a good overview. New York Times is best on job losses in LA.

Seeing red in MAMI: Allegations of plagiarism

The context: ‘Seeing Red’ is a short film directed by Shalini Vijayakumar—under the mentorship of acclaimed Tamil filmmaker Vetrimaaran. The horror-comedy is one of four shortlisted films for the ‘Filmed on iPhone’ category. The entire movie is offered for free on MAMI’s YouTube channel.

What happened now: Author-journalist Jeyarani has accused Vijayakumar of borrowing heavily from her short story titled ‘Sevvarali Poocharam’—published in December 2024. She also claims Vijayakumar “distorted and appropriated” her work “through a Brahmanical lens.” Jeyarani wants the movie to be removed from all platforms—and a public apology.

About the allegation: This is what the short story is about:

In ‘Sevvarali Poocharam’, men of a village blame women for their misfortunes, such as fires in the fields, and accuse them of supernatural possession. Under the guise of exorcism, the women are whipped, their screams deemed “proof” of possession. One woman ultimately resists, turning the ritual violence back on the men.

Jeyarani claims that ‘Seeing Red’ appropriates and relocates the plot to an upper caste setting:

Unfolding in a Brahmin household during the same time period, the film follows two women and a young girl who see the ghost of a woman clad in a red madisar saree — a caste marker specific to Brahmin women. The patriarch of the family is shown engaging in caste segregationist practices multiple times, and the women are alleged to be possessed by the ghost as punishment for their moral transgressions. A lowered-caste exorcist, also wielding a whip, is summoned amid the patriarch’s protests about his “impurity.” Ultimately, the ghost appears to give the women the courage to turn the tables.

The director’s defence: Shalini Vijayakumar denies the allegations and says the film draws “inspiration from her mother’s childhood stories.” The Hindu spoke to Vijayakumar about her work. (The News Minute)

Met Gala 2025: SRK owns the red carpet!

First, the basic deets: This year’s theme—‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’—is an ode to Black men’s fashion, specifically Black Dandyism: “[T]he way Black men have used fashion as a tool of self-actualization, revolution and subversion throughout American history and the Black diaspora.” Selected in the Biden-Harris era, the theme hardly seemed revolutionary. However, in the backdrop of the Orange(man) Revolution, it looks like a bold DEI declaration. More so since Anna Wintour has said the one person she would never invite back to the gala is Trump!

Point to note: The event is helmed by a number of boldface Black names:

This year, more Black designers are expected to be worn on the opening party’s red carpet, more Black stylists are dressing celebrities, and more Black celebrities are expected to attend than ever in the gala’s 77-year history. Along with Ms. Wintour, the gala’s co-chairs are ASAP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo and Pharrell Williams; the honorary chair is LeBron James.

Who was not at the gala tables: Tech billionaire bros like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. We wonder why.

On to the SRK stuff: Shah Rukh brilliantly channeled his inner Black Dandy in this Sabyasachi fit:

FYI: The above is a “floor-length elongated coat in Tasmanian superfine wool with monogrammed, Japanese horn buttons”—accessorised with a “Bengal Tiger Head Cane crafted in 18k gold with tourmalines, sapphires, old mine cut and brilliant cut diamonds.” But SRK is SRK—as he proved on the red carpet:

Also representing: Diljit Dosanjh who looked like a Punjabi prince:

Point to note: Yes, Bollywood ladies Kiara Advani and Priyanka Chopra were in attendance as well—but didn’t quite match the gentlemen’s style.

We were tickled by: Colman Domingo looking like ‘blue carpet’ royalty—kinda Bridgerton on acid:

Also Bridgerton on waaay more acid: vaccine king Adar Poonawalla’s wife Natasha Poonawalla in Manish Malhotra, no less:

The fit hits: In comparison, the other gala co-chair Pharrell Williams looked positively tame (but very good) in comparison:

But rapper Doechii easily outdid Pharrell’s LV flair:

And we appreciated Janelle Monáe leaning into the Black Dandy theme:

Proving she’s still got it: Diana Ross—who came back to the Met Gala carpet after 22 years—in a stunning 18-foot gown embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren.

As for the rest: In the ‘what were they thinking’ category, we have Anne Hathaway:

Also, André 3000 sporting a piano on his back:

Last but not least: The Met Gala carpet itself—which has been woven by the Kerala based brand Neytt since 2022. The blue accented with white and yellow daffodils was designed by artist Cy Gavin—whose painting ‘Untitled (Sky)’ will also be projected inside the Met during the event.

Reading list: Vogue has the entire list and gallery of the best-dressed stars. TIME Magazine offers us the most outrageously done attendees. For a full recap, you can check out People.

what caught our eye

business & tech

A hacker broke into TeleMessage—the Signal-like app used by ex-Trump adviser Mike Waltz—raising fresh alarms about the security of US government communications, according to 404 Media (login required).
Neurodivergent workers—who may make up 1 in 5 people—are emerging as an untapped talent pool, with more employers waking up to their skills and potential.
Japan’s SMBC has scored RBI’s nod to snap up 51% of Yes Bank—a deal that could peg the private lender’s value at $1.7 billion.
Ford’s Q1 profits nosedived 65%—with new launches and Trump-era tariffs dragging earnings and triggering a forecast pullback, as the carmaker braces for a $1.5 billion tariff hit this year.
New York Times (splainer gift link) has a good read on how the latest AI systems are getting smarter—but also more delusional—and even their creators can’t explain why.

sports & entertainment

Brazilian police say they foiled a plot to bomb Lady Gaga’s Copacabana concert.
The rain played spoilsport in Hyderabad, as SRH were knocked out of IPL playoff contention in a washout—despite restricting DC to 133 in the first innings.

India vs Pakistan

Amid rising Indo-Pak tensions, the Centre has ordered nationwide civil defence drills—complete with air-raid sirens and evacuation plans—from May 7 to 9.
UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned the two nations to step back from the brink—calling military action “no solution” and the post-Pahalgam tensions the “highest in years.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi landed in Islamabad yesterday, ahead of his planned trip to Delhi, with his mediation offer between India and Pakistan adding extra weight to the visit.
India drastically cuts Chenab’s flow to Pakistan, sending water levels to a historic low near the border, in line with its post-Pahalgam move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. Locals in Jammu seize the rare chance to cross the river on foot, but no flooding risk for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s reclusive army chief, General Asim Munir, has stepped into the spotlight, taking center stage in the rising India-Pakistan tensions.
The National Commission for Women calls out the Right-wing backlash against Himanshi Narwal’s plea for peace after her husband’s death in the Pahalgam terror attack—but stops short of taking action on online trolls.
Forty-two people have been arrested in Assam for allegedly “defending Pakistan” after the Pahalgam terror attack, with three more caught recently.

meanwhile, in the world

The upcoming Conclave to elect the next pope will be the most globally diverse ever, with 135 Cardinals from 71 countries eligible to vote.
One of Pope Francis's popemobiles is being turned into a mobile health clinic for children in Gaza, fulfilling one of his final wishes, the Vatican confirmed.
A Dubai family office is set to pour $8.8bn into building a blockchain and digital assets hub in the Maldives, aiming to help the cash-strapped nation dodge a looming debt crisis.
The Trump administration is dangling $1,000 and a plane ticket to undocumented immigrants—if they agree to deport themselves.
“Buy American” is falling flat in Europe—Harleys, Levi’s, and Jack Daniel’s et al are out as Trump’s trade war turns consumers away from US goods for good.

meanwhile, in India

The Supreme Court shot down a woman’s claim to the Red Fort, dismissing her plea as “misconceived” and “meritless” after she argued she was the legal heir of the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar-II.
The committee investigating Justice Yashwant Varma over cash found at his residence submitted its report to outgoing Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
The government plans to introduce a negative points system for traffic violations, with too many infractions leading to license suspension or cancellation.
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to respond to a plea challenging the blocking of 4PM News YouTube channel, with the channel’s owner calling the move unconstitutional.
The Telegraph has a good read on Kolkata’s tea-shop biscuits—ranging from nostalgic projapati to crunchy toast—that give foreign cookies a serious run for their money.

Two things to see

One: On Sunday, BJP workers staged rallies in Hyderabad —to support Modi-ji in his ‘sangharsh’ against our evil enemy across the border. Sadly, South Indians get embarrassingly confused any time they’re asked to speak Hindi—as Uma Mahendra demonstrated. Hai, such anti-nationals!

Two: Say hello to the winners of the Dance Your PhD contest! Yup, you heard that right! This year’s overall winner was the University of Helsinki's Sulo Roukka—who researches how people experience different sensory food compounds like capsaicin (hot) or menthol (cool). Watch the music vid below. Check out the rest of the winners in Ars Technica.