AI News

**Hollywood Faces Moral Dilemma Over Filming in Hungary Amid Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws**

As Hungary tightens anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, Hollywood faces a tough choice—continue filming in the tax-friendly hub or take a stand like it did against North Carolina’s “bathroom bill.” Major productions, including *Dune: Part Two* and *The Brutalist*, have already shot there, with more on the way. Will studios prioritize ethics over economics?

**Hungary’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Crackdown Puts Hollywood in a Bind**

With Hungary passing harsh anti-LGBTQ+ laws, Hollywood remains silent despite past boycotts over similar legislation in North Carolina. Big-budget projects like *Dune 3* and HBO’s *Dune: Prophecy* continue filming in Budapest—will financial incentives outweigh human rights concerns?

**Will Hollywood Boycott Hungary Over LGBTQ+ Crackdown?**

Hungary’s new anti-LGBTQ+ constitutional amendment has sparked protests, but Hollywood studios—including Warner Bros. and Netflix—are staying put for now. With major productions like *3 Body Problem* and *PONIES* filming there, will ethics or tax breaks win out?

**EU Approves Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Amid Trade Tensions**

The European Union has voted to impose new tariffs on U.S. products in response to Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs, targeting motorcycles, poultry, and more. The move comes just hours after Trump announced paused tariffs on most countries but hiked duties on China to 125%. EU officials called the U.S. measures “unjustified and damaging,” leaving room for negotiations if Washington agrees to a “fair outcome.” The retaliatory tariffs could take effect as early as next week if no deal is reached.

**EU Strikes Back With Tariffs as U.S. Trade War Escalates**

The EU has approved retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, including motorcycles and wood, following Trump’s steel and aluminum duties. European officials emphasized a preference for negotiations but warned of economic harm if the trade dispute continues. Meanwhile, Trump paused most global tariffs but raised China’s to 125%, adding to market volatility. European stocks fell sharply as investors reacted to the escalating trade tensions.

**Europe Hits U.S. With Tariffs, Seeks Negotiations to Avoid Trade War**

The EU has greenlit retaliatory tariffs on American products, calling Trump’s earlier measures “damaging” to global trade. European leaders stressed they would suspend the tariffs if the U.S. agrees to a balanced deal. The move follows Trump’s decision to delay most tariffs but impose steep hikes on China. Markets tumbled as uncertainty over the escalating trade conflict rattled investors worldwide.

**Is a college degree still worth it? New data reveals when it pays off**

A new report from the New York Fed confirms that a college degree still delivers strong financial returns—but only under the right conditions. While graduates typically earn $30K+ more annually than high school diploma holders, factors like major choice and delayed graduation can impact ROI. Experts warn that taking longer than four years or selecting low-paying fields may reduce the degree’s financial benefits.

**College payoff or debt trap? Fed study weighs the real ROI of higher education**

The New York Fed’s latest analysis shows college grads still outearn peers by $33K per year—but not all degrees are equal. Engineering and economics majors see the highest returns, while extended graduation timelines and on-campus costs can shrink financial gains. Despite rising tuition, grant aid and reduced borrowing have actually lowered the net cost of college in recent years.

**Gen Z skips college as Fed report highlights key degree risks**

With student debt fears growing, the New York Fed found college remains profitable—if students graduate on time and pick high-earning majors. Delaying graduation by just one year can add $92K to total costs, eroding the degree’s lifetime earnings premium. As alternatives like vocational training gain traction, experts stress that strategic choices determine whether college delivers its promised payoff.

**$30K salary gap: Why your major choice makes or breaks college ROI**

New York Fed data proves college grads earn 70% more than high school grads—but majors like engineering dominate the payoff. While most degrees still break even, students who take extra years or live on campus may see diminished returns. As Gen Z questions traditional education paths, analysts confirm that speed, field selection, and cost control are critical to maximizing higher ed’s value.

**Northvolt’s collapse leaves Europe’s EV battery dreams in tatters — and opens the door for China’s CATL**

Europe’s homegrown EV battery champion Northvolt has filed for bankruptcy after burning through $15 billion, leaving the continent’s green energy ambitions in jeopardy. The Swedish startup’s failure clears the path for China’s CATL — already the world’s top battery producer — to expand its European factories in Germany, Hungary, and Spain. With aggressive hiring plans and localized strategies (even adding bratwurst to factory menus), CATL is poised to dominate Europe’s EV supply chain as geopolitical tensions reshape the industry. Analysts warn Europe must urgently rethink trade policies or risk ceding its battery future to Chinese giants.

**China’s CATL is quietly taking over Europe’s EV battery market — and even serving bratwurst to blend in**

As Northvolt’s bankruptcy sends shockwaves through Europe’s green energy sector, Chinese battery titan CATL is accelerating its European expansion with three factories and thousands of new hires. The Shenzhen-based firm, backed by Beijing’s industrial might, is localizing operations — from German barbecue in cafeterias to potential recycling partnerships — while EU policymakers scramble to respond. With US tariffs locking Chinese EVs out of America, Europe’s softer trade barriers make it prime territory for CATL’s global dominance, leaving homegrown competitors struggling to keep pace.

**Europe’s battery crisis deepens as $15B Northvolt collapses — and China’s CATL moves in**

The spectacular failure of Europe’s EV battery hopeful Northvolt has exposed the continent’s reliance on Chinese manufacturers like CATL, which is rapidly expanding its German and Hungarian gigafactories. While EU leaders debate trade protections, CATL is hiring nearly 2,000 local workers and adapting to European culture — a stark contrast to Northvolt’s overambitious global plans. Analysts warn Europe must either adopt China’s playbook of aggressive state support or resign itself to playing second fiddle in the battery race.

**From bratwurst to batteries: How China’s CATL is winning Europe’s EV war after Northvolt’s fall**

With Northvolt’s bankruptcy leaving a $15 billion crater in Europe’s battery ambitions, China’s CATL is filling the void through localized factories, strategic hiring, and even menu changes to win over European workers. As the EU struggles to turn research into production, CATL’s state-backed scale and recycling partnerships threaten to cement Chinese dominance in Europe’s clean energy transition. Experts say the continent must overhaul trade rules fast — or risk becoming permanently dependent on Beijing’s battery supremacy.

False X Post Sparks $2.4T Market Swings Over Bogus Tariff Pause Claim

A misleading X post about Trump pausing tariffs triggered wild stock market fluctuations, highlighting the platform’s dangerous influence despite spreading misinformation. The rumor originated from a small verified account before spreading to major financial news outlets like Reuters and CNBC. Within minutes, the false report caused a $2.4 trillion market swing before being debunked, exposing vulnerabilities in financial information ecosystems.

How a Viral X Lie Shook Global Markets in Just 10 Minutes

A fabricated claim about tariff delays on X sent shockwaves through Wall Street, temporarily swinging markets by trillions before corrections. Experts warn this incident reveals how Musk’s verification changes and algorithmic virality prioritize speed over accuracy. The debacle began when a little-known finance account misinterpreted a White House official’s vague comment, showing how easily unverified claims can spiral.

X’s Amplification of Falsehoods Costs Markets $2.4T in Minutes

Monday’s trillion-dollar market chaos underscores X’s lingering power as a misinformation vector, as a single unverified tariff pause rumor raced through verified accounts. Despite having just 1,100 followers, the origin account’s paid verification badge helped legitimize the false report before major outlets amplified it. Researchers say this demonstrates how X’s current structure actively enables financial disinformation to spread faster than corrections.

**Israel ramps up attacks on Syria amid rising regional tensions**

Israel’s recent strikes on Syrian airbases and civilian areas have escalated tensions, with Damascus condemning the “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Syria’s leader of a “heavy price” if hostile forces threaten Israeli interests. Meanwhile, Israel continues its occupation of Syrian land, further destabilizing the region. Here’s what you need to know about the escalating conflict.

**Why is Israel targeting Syria’s strategic airbases?**

Israeli airstrikes recently hit the Hama and T4 airbases, key military sites with logistical importance near Damascus and Homs. Reports suggest Turkiye may station defense systems there, raising Israeli concerns. The attacks come as Israel expands its occupation beyond the Golan Heights, seizing more Syrian territory. Could this lead to a wider regional confrontation?

**Is Israel trying to counter Turkiye’s influence in Syria?**

Sources reveal Israel is lobbying the U.S. to keep Russian forces in Syria, fearing Turkish dominance in the region. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Ankara of turning Syria into a “Turkish protectorate.” Meanwhile, Turkiye has demanded Israel withdraw from occupied Syrian land. Will this power struggle further inflame the conflict?

**Can Syria resist Israel’s aggression?**

After 14 years of war, Syria remains weakened, with limited options to counter Israeli attacks. Local resistance has emerged, but Israel labels them as “HTS militants” to justify further strikes. Analysts say the international community’s silence enables Israel’s expansion. Will Syria find allies to push back?

**Trump’s Shock Tariffs Spark Global Panic—Can Congress Stop Him?**

President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs—including a 54% levy on China—sent markets reeling, but bipartisan lawmakers are fighting back with a bill to reclaim Congress’s authority over trade. Experts warn the damage may already be done.

**Global Outrage as Trump Slaps 10% Tariff on “Every Country”**

World leaders condemned Trump’s unprecedented tariffs, with the EU calling it a “major blow” to the global economy, while Canada declared the era of U.S. economic leadership “over.”

**”Resilience Targeting”: Trump’s Plan to Crush Resistance Amid Economic Chaos?**

As Trump and allies like Elon Musk gut safety nets, critics warn the administration is exploiting crisis to weaken dissent—leaving Americans desperate and vulnerable to authoritarian control.

**Looking for gripping weekend reads?** NPR curates six new mystery and mishap-filled books to dive into—from family secrets to dark humor. **Escape April Fools’ Day chaos with these real, thought-provoking tales.**

**Unravel a dark family legacy** in *Children of Radium* by Joe Dunthorne, where Nazi-era secrets collide with personal history. **A gripping blend of memoir and mystery awaits.**

**Dark humor meets midlife crisis** in *I See You’ve Called in Dead*—where a drunken obituary writer’s prank spirals hilariously out of control. **A must-read for fans of morbid comedy.**

**A fractured family reunites in tragedy** in Jennifer Haigh’s *Rabbit Moon*, exploring love, loss, and painful truths. **Heartbreaking yet impossible to put down.**

**Meddling meets murder** in Jesse Q. Sutanto’s *Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping*—where an unlikely sleuth takes on a social media mystery. **Charming, chaotic, and utterly delightful.**

**Germany Vows to Fight Trump’s 25% Car Tariffs, Calls for EU Retaliation**

Germany refuses to back down as Trump slaps 25% tariffs on imported cars, warning Europe must “respond firmly.” Major automakers’ stocks tumble globally, with GM and Ford taking hits. France and Canada blast the move as “incoherent” and an “attack,” while China accuses the U.S. of breaking trade rules.

**Trump’s New Car Tariffs Spark Global Backlash—Germany Leads EU Resistance**

Germany declares it “will not give in” as Trump’s 25% tariffs on foreign cars and parts take effect April 2. European leaders vow retaliation, with France calling the move “a waste of time” and Canada labeling it a “direct attack.” Analysts warn costs could spike by thousands per vehicle, hitting supply chains hard.

**Automakers in Crisis as Trump’s Tariffs Trigger Stock Drops, Trade War Fears**

Trump’s 25% car tariffs send shockwaves through global markets, with GM and Ford shares plunging. Germany and the EU pledge a strong response, while China and Japan warn of economic fallout. As trade tensions escalate, experts fear higher prices, job losses, and a fractured auto industry.

**Global Outcry as Trump’s Car Tariffs Threaten Jobs, Supply Chains**

Trump’s new 25% tariffs on foreign cars and parts draw fierce backlash from Germany, France, and Canada, who vow retaliation. Automakers worldwide face rising costs, with stocks tumbling and fears of a prolonged trade war growing. China slams the move as a WTO violation, while Japan seeks an exemption.

**Wall Street’s AI revolution is reshaping tech roles—here’s how top engineers can stay ahead**
Generative AI is transforming Wall Street, with technologists leading the charge by automating coding, testing, and system upgrades. As AI outperforms humans in speed and accuracy, firms like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley reveal how engineers can adapt—focusing on business strategy, prompt engineering, and soft skills. Experts warn those who don’t embrace AI risk falling behind in finance’s fast-evolving tech landscape.

**Point72’s CTO says AI is coding better than him—here’s his advice for engineers**
Ilya Gaysinskiy, Point72’s CTO, jokes that AI now writes code faster and cleaner than he can—but he sees it as an opportunity, not a threat. His key advice? Adapt or get left behind, as Wall Street’s AI boom demands engineers who can leverage automation while staying ahead of rapid tech shifts.

**Morgan Stanley’s tech chief reveals how engineers can thrive in the AI era**
Hina Shamsi, Morgan Stanley’s CTO, warns engineers must evolve from pure coders to strategic “business technologists” as AI takes over routine tasks. The key to success? Understanding how tech drives business value—not just writing flawless code.

**Goldman Sachs exec shares the new must-have skill for AI-powered engineers**
Melissa Goldman, a Goldman Sachs partner, says engineers must master “prompt engineering” to get the best results from AI tools. With automation handling grunt work, the future belongs to those who can design, manage, and optimize AI systems effectively.

**Wall Street recruiters reveal what AI-savvy engineers need to land top jobs**
Recruiters like Selby Jennings’ Ben Hodzic say firms now prioritize engineers who’ve built AI systems—not just used them. The most sought-after candidates? Those who can replicate AI solutions and articulate their technical architecture with precision.