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Apple TV+ teases the new series ‘Chief of War’ starring Jason Momoa

Apple TV+ released the first still image from Chief of War, a new drama starring Jason Momoa, who also serves as executive producer and writer on the series; and the streaming service also shared the first teaser-trailer for the series.

Momoa shared the first-look photo, which sees him portray warrior Ka‘iana, that the series is a “story rooted in my home, my culture, and my heart”. He wrote in an Instagram post that “Hawaiian history has never been told like this.”

Chief of War, co-created by Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, is “set amidst the beautiful backdrop of the islands of Hawai’i, the nine-episode series, based on true events, follows warrior Ka’iana, portrayed by Momoa, as he tries to unify the islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century” (per an official synopsis.). Showrunner Doug Jung also executive produces alongside Sibbett, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook and Brian Andrew Mendoza. The cast also includes Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale’o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka and Te Kohe Tuhaka.

The first two episodes of Chief of War will premiere Aug. 1 on Apple TV+, with the remaining six episodes dropping over the ensuing Fridays through Sept. 19.  See the teaser trailer: HERE.

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Brad Pitt stars in final trailer for upcoming film, ‘F1’

Apple TV+ released the full trailer for F1, featuring Brad Pitt as a former Formula 1 driver who returns to the sport to partner with a hotshot rookie.

The film follows Sonny Hayes (Pitt), whose Formula 1 career came to a premature end following an on-track crash in the 1990s. The character returns to the sport 30 years later to partner with a rookie driver named Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) in the fictional APXGP team. Javier Bardem also stars as Ruben Cervantes, Hayes’ former teammate who convinces him to return to professional driving.

F1 is directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), and is produced by Kosinski, Pitt, Jerry Bruckheimer, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Chad Oman.

F1 premieres in theaters June 27; see the trailer: HERE.

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President Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping agree to in-person meeting after phone call

President Trump spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday morning, with the President saying the two leaders spoke for 90 minutes and addressed issues surrounding a temporary truce reached on May 12 that was meant to alleviate the escalating trade war between the two countries. According to Chinese officials and state media, the conversation took place at the request of the White House.

Trump had posted to social media on Wednesday, airing frustrations on how the conversations between the U.S. and China were progressing: “I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!”

However in a Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump said a meeting will now be held “shortly” between representatives from the two nations at a location to be determined:  “I just concluded a very good phone call with President Xi, of China, discussing some of the intricacies of our recently made, and agreed to, Trade Deal. The call lasted approximately one and a half hours, and resulted in a very positive conclusion for both Countries. There should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products. Our respective teams will be meeting shortly at a location to be determined. We will be represented by Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer. During the conversation, President Xi graciously invited the First Lady and me to visit China, and I reciprocated. As Presidents of two Great Nations, this is something that we both look forward to doing. The conversation was focused almost entirely on TRADE. Nothing was discussed concerning Russia/Ukraine, or Iran. We will inform the Media as to scheduling and location of the soon to be meeting. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Under the May 12 truce, the U.S. agreed to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods to around 30% from 145%, while China reduced its levies on American imports to 10%. However last week, Trump accused China of violating the May 12 deal. U.S. officials have said China is withholding some products, including rare earth minerals, that it agreed to resume exporting under the agreement. China responded that the U.S. is undermining the deal by imposing new export control guidelines on AI chips and planning to revoke Chinese student visas.

Trump is also facing major challenges in U.S.-China relations, including efforts to force a sale of TikTok by its Chinese parent company ByteDance, and ongoing attempts to curb the flow of fentanyl, much of which U.S. authorities believe is sourced from Chinese labs. A deadline that would require ByteDance to divest from the app or face a U.S. ban is set for June 19; unless an agreement is reached, Trump may have to extend the deadline for a third time.

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President Trump meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at White House

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived Thursday in Washington to meet with President Donald Trump in person for the first time at the White House. The topics of discussion ranged from tariffs and trade to Russia’s war on Ukraine and the state of the Middle East.

Before their meeting, Merz had said that he was looking forward to his first face-to-face meeting with Trump after the two have previously spoken over the phone, writing on X: “Our alliance with America was, is, and remains of paramount importance for the security, freedom, and prosperity of Europe. The United States is an indispensable friend and partner of German.”

Trump said that Merz is a “very good man” to deal with, telling reporters in the Oval Office that “all we want is a very good relationship,” adding that the Chancellor is “difficult”, but later joking that Merz “wouldn’t want him to say he’s easy … We’ll have a good trade deal … you’re a very big part of that,”

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Merz told Trump he wants more pressure on Russia to end the war, telling him the US is in a strong position to bring the war to an end; meanwhile, Trump says he spoke to Putin on the phone, referring to the two leaders as “two children fighting in a park”.

Per UPI: Germany announced last week it will provide a nearly $5.7 billion military aid package to Ukraine that will finance long-range weapons to be produced by Ukraine, which Merz announced can be deployed by the Ukrainian military for use inside the borders of Russia. Trump, meanwhile, ordered a pause on military aid to Ukraine in March shortly after his meeting with Zelensky in February.

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Jessie Murph to launch The Worldwide Hysteria Tour

Jessie Murph has announced a 2025 international tour this summer in support of her upcoming sophomore album. The Worldwide Hysteria Tour will visit major cities across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, following the success of Murph’s 2024’s In The Sticks run.

The Worldwide Hysteria Tour kicks off July 27th in Phoenix, AZ, and will head north for two Canadian performances at Toronto’s Massey Hall on August 30 and Montreal’s MTELUS (September 1). She will return to Canada after several more US dates for a show at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom (September 22) before wrapping the North American leg at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on September 27th. Jessie will then head overseas to Amsterdam in October with stops in Germany, Paris, London, Ireland before finishing up in Australia in November.

Tickets are on sale now at the link – HERE.

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‘Carrie’ series from Mike Flanagan greenlit at Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video has confirmed a series green light for Carrie, a series based on the Stephen King novel. Mike Flanagan serves as writer, executive producer and showrunner, and will direct select episodes, with Trevor Macy also executive producing.

Amazon has ordered eight episodes, with production slated to begin this summer in Vancouver. Variety exclusively reported that newcomer Summer H. Howell is currently is negotiations for the title role of Carrie White, while Siena Agudong has been cast as nemesis Sue Snell.

Like the 1976 film Carrie, the series will be based on Stephen King’s debut novel (1974).  The film followed Carrie White (Sissy Spacek), a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom The movie also starred Piper Laurie as Carrie’s mother, and John Travolta.

The Prime Video series is described as “a bold and timely reimagining of the story of misfit high-schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother. After her father’s sudden and untimely death, Carrie finds herself contending with the alien landscape of public High School, a bullying scandal that shatters her community, and the emergence of mysterious telekinetic powers.”

Vernon Sanders, head of television for Amazon MGM Studios, shared in a statement:  “’Carrie’ is an iconic story that has withstood the test of time with continued cultural relevance. With Mike Flanagan at the helm and the accomplished team assembled including executive producer Trevor Macy this provocative series is sure to captivate our global customers.”

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John Lithgow, Nick Frost and more cast in ‘Harry Potter’ series for HBO

Warner Bros. announced that they have officially cast four series regulars in the upcoming Harry Potter series from HBO: John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.

The streamer is touting the series as “a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series” by J.K. Rowling, who also exec produces with Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.

The fantasy book series was previously adapted as seven films, beginning with the 2001 movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and concluding with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II (2011).   An official synopsis states:  “Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bring Harry Potter and its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences.”

The newly announced cast also includes Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch. Whitehouse is the only actor cast thus far to have appeared in any of the original films (he played Sir Cadogan in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).

Executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod said in a press release: “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.” Gardiner also serves as showrunner, while Mylod directs multiple episodes.

Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content, previously said the Harry Potter series would be a “deep dive” into each of Rowling’s novels, and emphasized that the TV series will run for 10 consecutive years.

The series will air on HBO Max; a release date has not yet been shared.

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Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, Luke Combs, Doja Cat to headline Austin City Limits Festival 2025

Austin City Limits announced the multi-genre lineup for its 2025 edition, with Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, Doja Cat, Luke Combs, The Strokes, John Summit, Feid, Cage the Elephant and Doechii all scheduled to headline the festival.

The nine-stage, two weekend long musical event will take place October 3-5 and October 10-13 at the festival’s traditional location of Zilker Park. The lineup of the year also includes T-Pain, Empire of the Sun, Djo, Pierce the Veil (W2), Rilo Kiley (W2), Maren Morris (W1), Mk.gee, Zeds Dead, Sammy Virji, Polo & Pan, Role Model, and more.

The artists will spread out on nine stages, with this year’s event again slated to stream on Hulu, which will air select live performances, interviews and more during the first weekend. Full broadcast lineup and schedule to be announced later this summer.

Other acts on this year’s roster include: Role Model, Japanese Breakfast, Car Seat Headrest, Magdalena Bay, Olivia Dean, Marina, Gigi Perez, MJ Lenderman, Phantogram, Passion Pit, The Dare, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, Panda Bear, Anderson East, Lucius and many more.

For full details and ticketing information, head to the event website.

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CBO says Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” could inflate deficit by $2.4 Trillion

According to a new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the major legislative package backed by President Trump known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” could increase the federal deficit by $2.4 trillion over the next decade.  The updated estimate slightly exceeds the CBO’s earlier projection of $2.3 trillion in additional debt tied to a previous version of the bill.

The CBO published its latest projections on Wednesday, just as attention shifts to the Senate, where some Republican lawmakers are raising red flags over rising deficits and proposed changes to Medicaid. According to the CBO’s analysis, nearly 11 million more Americans could be without health insurance by 2034 due to the bill’s healthcare provisions. The legislation proposes $3.7 trillion in tax cuts, paired with $1.2 trillion in spending reductions. However, the CBO has yet to release a full analysis that includes broader economic effects, which will come in a separate report.

The White House defended the bill ahead of the CBO’s announcement; Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller dismissed the CBO as biased, labeling the office “lefty” and praising the measure as a “dream bill.”  In addition, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought downplayed the CBO’s findings, arguing that the projected deficit impact was overstated due to what he called the agency’s failure to use a “realistic” current policy baseline. The administration maintains that the CBO ignores the long-term effects of the 2017 tax overhaul in its projections.

During a GOP leadership press conference on Wednesday morning, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise also criticized the CBO’s approach, saying it fails to account for potential economic growth, which it will do in a later, separate estimate. Scalise said: “I get that we got to play by the rules of the referee, but the referee’s been wrong. We’ve got a referee that tries to sack our quarterback a lot.” 

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Republican leaders are aiming to pass a modified version by July 4. However, it remains unclear what changes will be made in the Senate version or how they might impact the bill’s financial outlook. Trump was scheduled to meet with members of the Senate Finance Committee at the White House on Wednesday in a push to get the legislation through the Senate.

Adding to the mounting criticism, Elon Musk—former adviser to Trump and prominent billionaire—lashed out at the bill on Tuesday, calling it a “disgusting abomination” in light of the projected increase in the national debt.

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U.S. tariffs go into effect; doubling to 50% on steel, aluminum

The United States doubled its tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50% on Wednesday, as part of President Trump’s broader trade policy.

The new rates took effect at midnight Eastern time in a move that cast a shadow over the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ministerial meeting underway in Paris. Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy—targeting both allies and rivals with levies on imported steel, aluminum, and automobiles—has strained relations with key trading partners and sparked a wave of diplomatic efforts aimed at averting further trade disruptions.

Trump signed an executive order doubling the tariffs on all aluminum and steel imported into the United States from 25% to 50% with only Britain receiving a reprieve as part of a trade deal between the two nations in May. Trump said in the order: “In my judgement, the increased tariffs will more effectively counter foreign countries that continue to offload low-priced excess steel and aluminum in the United States Market and thereby undercut the competitiveness of the United States steel and aluminum industries,” 

The Paris-based OECD (which represents 38 primarily advanced economies) has convened for its ministerial meeting this week, the organization downgraded its global economic outlook. The cuts were driven in part by the fallout from U.S. trade policies. OECD chief economist Alvaro Pereira in an interview that “trade, investment, and consumer spending have all taken hits due to these tariffs,” and warned that the United States stands to bear the heaviest consequences.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with European Union Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič on the sidelines of the OECD meeting, which as the EU tries to avoid further tariff hikes on its exports. U.K. Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also held talks with Greer on Tuesday, hoping to shield British steel and aluminum from the increased tariffs. Despite the U.S. doubling those tariffs overall, the U.K. rate remains temporarily capped at 25% while both sides work out new terms in line with their recently signed trade agreement. According to a summary from the U.K. government, Reynolds and Greer discussed their mutual interest in swiftly implementing the agreement, which includes provisions around sector-specific tariffs and quotas.

Trump’s latest tariff increase was criticized by the European Union, who said it undermines ongoing efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution and warned it is prepared to retaliate if necessary. Canada, which supplies more steel and aluminum to the U.S. than any other country, called the tariffs “illegal and unjustified.”

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche on the sidelines of the OECD gathering said that “we need to find negotiated solutions as quickly as we can—time is running short,” with French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin echoed the sentiment, urging calm and stating, “These tariffs benefit no one. We must stay measured.”

Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard argued that the duties are unjustified, noting that the U.S. actually exports more steel to Mexico than it imports. “It doesn’t make sense to tax a product where you already have a surplus.” Mexico’s economy is particularly exposed to U.S. trade policy, with 80% of its exports going north to the United States.

Britain was spared from the tariffs after signing the U.S.-U.K. Economic Prosperity Deal on May 8 that granted the United States the ability to fast-track exports including agricultural products, through British customs and market access for industrial products. Tuesday’s executive order stipulated, however, that Britain could be subject to the 50% tariffs as soon as July 9 if it is determined that it has not “complied with relevant aspects of the deal.”

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that letters had been sent to U.S. trading partners urging them to submit new proposals before Wednesday’s deadline. Leavitt told reporters that the letters were delivered “just to give them a friendly reminder that the deadline is coming up … They continue to be engaged in those discussions, and this letter was simply to remind these countries that the deadline is approaching and the president expects good deals, and we are on track for that, I will emphasize.”

Meanwhile, tensions between Washington and Beijing continue to build. Trump has been especially critical of China this year, at one point slapping a 145% tariff on Chinese imports, prompting a retaliatory 125% duty on American goods from Beijing. In a post early Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!”

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