Apple’s Next Era: John Ternus Replaces Tim Cook as CEO

Apple has named John Ternus as its next CEO, replacing Tim Cook in the company’s first leadership change since 2011, when Cook succeeded Steve Jobs. Cook will transition to executive chairman on Sept. 1 while helping guide a smooth handoff. Ternus, currently Apple’s hardware engineering chief, has overseen major product lines including iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch. His promotion signals a renewed focus on product and engineering leadership as Apple navigates AI competition and supply chain pressures.

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are taking Higher Ground Productions in a new direction, shifting to an independent model after eight years with Netflix. The move ends their exclusivity with the streamer and opens the door to projects across multiple studios. Since launching in 2018, Higher Ground has produced award-winning hits like American Factory and Rustin. It has already begun developing new series and films beyond Netflix’s ecosystem, including inking a deal to relaunch Lemme Say This, an entertainment podcast hosted by journalists Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix.

Eli Lilly is acquiring Kelonia Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $7 billion, including $3.25 billion upfront, to expand into next-gen cancer treatments. Kelonia’s in vivo CAR-T tech aims to reprogram T-cells inside the body with a single infusion, simplifying a complex, lab-based process. The move is part of Lilly’s broader deal spree, including recent bets on Centessa Pharmaceuticals and Orna Therapeutics.

In other Apple news, the company may have quietly previewed a major update to Siri in its WWDC 2026 teaser, hinting at a redesigned, AI-focused interface coming with iOS 27 and across its ecosystem. This year’s WWDC is expected to center on Siri’s evolution, following years of subtle clues hidden in Apple event invites. Separately, ongoing memory shortages could delay upcoming Mac releases, including the next Mac Studio and a touch-screen MacBook Pro.

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy debuted to a modest $13.5 million, falling short of expectations in its opening weekend. Meanwhile, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie continued its box office run with $35 million, pushing its global total to $747.5 million. Project Hail Mary followed with $20.5 million, as holdovers continued to dominate over new releases.

Shaboozey announced his fourth album, The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales, with an official album trailer on Monday. The concept record tells a cinematic Western revenge story centered on the character, Cherie Lee. The first single, “Born To Die,” is set to arrive on April 24, while Shaboozey will also debut an immersive saloon experience at Stagecoach April 24–26. The project follows his breakout success with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and a Grammy win for “Amen.”

Walt Disney World is raising peak-day prices for 2027, with top-tier Magic Kingdom tickets reaching $219 on select dates, about a 10% increase from 2025 highs. Entry-level prices remain unchanged, but the hike reflects Disney’s demand-based pricing model, which pushes costs higher during peak travel periods like holidays.

Eddie Murphy received the AFI Life Achievement Award over the weekend, earning a standing ovation from peers including Spike Lee, Chris Rock, and Dave Chappelle. The tribute highlighted Murphy’s impact from Saturday Night Live to Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America. The star-studded ceremony, featuring appearances from Kevin Hart and Martin Lawrence, will stream as a special on Netflix on May 31.

Gap is teaming up with Victoria Beckham for a multi-season collaboration reimagining Gap essentials through a more elevated, tailored lens. The 38-piece debut collection, arriving for spring, refines staples like denim, khakis, tees, and outerwear, including a modern take on double denim. The launch blends its heritage basics with Beckham’s signature style, with release set for April 24.

Philadelphia will offer free train travel for fans leaving 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, covering rides on the Broad Street Line from halftime until two hours after full-time at NRG Station near Lincoln Financial Field. Meanwhile, New Jersey and Boston are facing backlash for opportunistically hiking prices on transit routes used by many commuters.

The Vatican will host a private screening of Aldeas: The Final Dream of Pope Francis on April 21, marking one year since Pope Francis’ death. The film, produced by Martin Scorsese, includes the pontiff’s final on-camera interview and follows his Scholas Occurrentes community filmmaking project across multiple countries. It also features Scorsese working with youth in Sicily.

Marc Jacobs has partnered with Tao Group Hospitality on a new experiential program that launched at Coachella over the weekend. The collaboration included high-profile events such as a cocktail gathering at Mirabella Estate co-hosted by Adriana Lima and late-night activations at Zenyara Estate. The festival kickoff marks the start of a broader slate of cultural experiences planned through 2026.

Tesla is facing lawsuits from drivers globally who say they were misled about its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, per the Wall Street Journal. Owners in the U.S., Europe, and Australia claim they paid thousands for “lifetime” access to features their vehicles’ hardware can’t support. CEO Elon Musk has acknowledged that upgrading affected vehicles would be “painful and difficult,” even as Tesla pushes toward fully autonomous driving.

Image: Courtesy of Apple