Public life, culture, and power in the glare of fame
Kohberger has filed a petition arguing his guilty plea was coerced by disinformation and false promises. He claims his innocence and seeks to withdraw the confession tied to the 2022 Moscow killings, citing alleged evidence issues and ineffective counsel. Prosecutors maintain the plea was valid.
Kohberger has filed a petition to challenge his guilty plea in the Idaho quadruple murder case, arguing false promises influenced his plea. The Goncalves family says the move ignores the victims, and Idaho officials say the case remains under review.
Ruby Rippey has published a Vanity Fair essay detailing an affair with California Gov. Gavin Newsom from 2005-2006, challenging his memoir account and recounting her struggles with alcoholism. The piece arrives as Newsom eyes a potential 2028 presidential bid and amid renewed scrutiny of past relationships that reshaped California politics.
OpenAI hosted a luxury, nature-themed retreat for content creators in upstate New York to promote its tools. Attendees posted glossy content, while critics accuse the event of greenwashing and highlight concerns about AI data centers’ environmental impact and broader social costs.
Au Vodka, the Swansea-based RTD vodka brand, is nearing a sale to Sazerac, the Kentucky-based owner of brands like Buffalo Trace and Fireball. Founders Charlie Morgan and Jackson Quinn are expected to net over £100m each, with a deal potentially valued up to £500m including future payments. Legal and advisory teams are said to be involved, and the move would expand Sazerac’s UK footprint amid industry turbulence.
The Guardian review of Life of M traces how Rachel Cusk’s novel intercuts a star’s ascent with the narrator’s reflections, comparing M to Natalie Portman’s career and examining fame’s impact on authenticity, family, and art. The prose is praised for its precise, sparing style that exposes the performative nature of celebrity.
Princess Diana’s black Christina Stambolian evening dress, worn in 1994 as a public response to Charles’s affair, is returning to Sotheby’s for auction with a conservative estimate around $200,000. The item will tour displays in London, Hong Kong, Geneva and New York ahead of a December sale, with portions of proceeds benefiting NHS Lothian Charity.
Fox News Media has parted ways with Maria Bartiromo after 12½ years, prompting a shift in daytime and Sunday programming while Bartiromo’s camp disputes she was fired. The network thanks her for her work and says this marks a new chapter for both sides.
The dress once worn by Princess Diana at the Serpentine fundraising dinner is expected to fetch up to $220,000 at Sotheby’s, London. The gown, by Christina Stambolian, has toured globally ahead of the December sale, with part of the proceeds supporting NHS Lothian Charity.
The president has repeated a personal story that he was at the World Trade Center site after the 2001 attacks, saying firefighters lifted him from the U.S. Steel Building as it "creaked." First responders who were on the scene have said they never saw him there. He has continued to insert himself into anniversary remembrances while praising the country's strength.
Emma Bonino, longtime Italian politician and feminist activist, has died at 78, according to +Europa. Her career spanned over five decades, including roles as European commissioner and foreign minister. Tributes highlight her lifelong advocacy for abortion rights, humanitarian aid, migrants’ rights, and civil liberties across Italy and the EU.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has announced she is cancer-free, six months after revealing an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis. She thanked supporters and said she will continue to advance the Trump administration's agenda.
Condé Nast chief executive Lynch will depart after seven and a half years to lead Mattel. Mattel has launched a search for a new leader, with interim management by Mike Perlis. Lynch emphasizes a track record of growth, while Mattel faces questions about Barbie-era sales and IP-driven strategy.
Chanel’s new collection marks a bold pivot from quiet luxury to vibrant, wearable spectacle. Matthieu Blazy has forged a joyful identity for the house, blending archival references with modern tailoring and collaborative staging, signaling a confident era for Chanel amid strong momentum.