Crude Realities: Energy Markets Are Betting on Chaos
In 2025, energy markets aren’t reacting to policy—they’re reacting to chaos. Igor Isaev, Doctor of Technical Sciences and Head of Analytics at Mind Money, draws on over two decades in financial and commodity markets to explain why investors are abandoning oil’s instability and chasing returns in renewables.
Inside the New York Hotels Where A-Listers Get Ready for the Met Gala
These hotels combine proximity, privacy and polish for celebrities ahead of the biggest night in fashion.
Mysticism and Mark-Making: Artist Philip Smith On Channeling the Sacred in the Static
Observer recently caught up with the Pictures Generation artist to learn more about how his practice has evolved and the role spirituality plays in his life and work.
Art
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Inside the 2025 TIME100 Gala: Icons, Innovators and Impact They Carry
At the TIME100 Gala, legacy, ambition and influence shared the spotlight—and sometimes, the same step-and-repeat.
At AIPAD’s Photography Show, Vintage Icons Shine—but the Future of the Medium Remains a Question
Still, the fair lacked a sense of urgency around discovery. Few booths showcased work pushing photography forward, raising a larger question about the medium’s future and the fair’s role in defining it.
Antonia Ruder On the Role of Gallery Weekend Berlin in a Changing Art Market
As the city grapples with rising costs and shifting demographics, this annual event aims to reaffirm Berlin’s cultural relevance on the global stage.
The Walters Art Museum Shines a Light On the Toxic History of Medieval Manuscripts
“If Books Could Kill” displays the dark side of historical manuscript-making practices.
More Than a Muse, Gala Dalí Was a Starmaker and Star in Her Own right
In an era where personal branding has become a widespread obsession, Gala’s life story is emblematic of the heights to which it can be taken.
Lifestyle
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Jacob Elordi’s Unbothered Rise to Hollywood Style Icon
Whether in Bottega Veneta suiting or WWII fatigues, Elordi is reshaping the archetype of the screen idol—not by rejecting the past, but by making it personal.
Async Maps a Flavorful Tour of China, One Cocktail at a Time
The Lower East Side bar translates China’s varying regional flavor profiles into drinks.
New York City’s Best Speakeasies Pair Secrecy With Style
Behind phone booths, bodega doors and tarot shops, these hidden bars prove that in New York City, the best nights start with a little secrecy.
The Essential White T-Shirts to Wear on Repeat
The best white t-shirts that solve every wardrobe dilemma.
The Ultimate Guide to Montreal’s Best Luxury Hotels
Industrial conversions, historic mansions, and architectural hybrids—these 17 exceptional properties showcase Montreal’s unique approach to hospitality.
Culture
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Review: ‘Dead Outlaw’ Is An Exquisite Corpse and Killer Close to the Broadway Season
This darkly exhilarating musical has what is easily the best new score on Broadway, written by by David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, and an irreverent yet wistful book by Itamar Moses.
Review: Not-Such-Happy Campers Vacation with Bereavement in ‘Grief Camp’
A group of teenagers retreat to the woods to process their feelings in playwright Eliya Smith’s thoughtful and elliptical dramedy.
Soprano Elza van den Heever Is Tackling the Met’s ‘Salome’ Head On—or Off!
In early December, after the final two performances of Richard Strauss’ ‘Die Frau ohne Schatten’ at the Metropolitan Opera, something out of the ordinary happened.
‘Floyd Collins’ Review: Adam Guettel’s Best Work Still Lies Ahead
National treasure and Broadway’s last great hope Adam Guettel is back onstage—but not with something new. Rex Reed reviews the revival with a wince and a wish for Guettel to move on—to something that doesn’t come with spelunking gear.
From ‘Black Swan’ to ‘Étoile’: The Best Movies and TV Shows About Ballet
The new Amazon Prime series ‘Étoile’ is the latest in a long tradition—since the early days of Hollywood, the high stakes world of ballet has brought the drama.
Business
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Warren Buffett Is Hosting a Book Auction to Help an Omaha Homeless Shelter
A new initiative from the billionaire investor is boosting fundraising for an Omaha-based homeless shelter.
I Tried an A.I.-Powered Facial—Here’s What the Tech Got Right (and Wrong)
Unlike other fields disrupted by technology, A.I. in skincare isn’t about saving time.
Google Faces Losing Temu and Shein Ad Revenue Due to China Tariffs
The rollback of a tariff exemption for low-cost shipments is expected to take its toll on Google’s ad revenue.
North Korea’s Cybercrime Empire: Billions in Stolen Crypto, Bunny Meat for the Masses
How does a country with no open internet become the world’s most dangerous cybercriminal state? National security expert and former NSA officer John R. Schindler explains how Pyongyang’s hacker army—operating under state orders—has stolen billions in cryptocurrency, infiltrated U.S. companies under fake names, and turned online theft into a key revenue source for its nuclear ambitions.
Pope Francis Reformed Vatican Finances—But Left Big Problems Behind
The next Pope inherits a reformed but still fragile Vatican economy.
Art Market
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Nine Abstract Masterworks from the Bass House Collection Headline Christie’s May Sale
This latest consignment joins other headline lots at Christie’s, including Monet’s Peupliers au bord de l’Epte, crépuscule, which will be also offered with a whopping $30 million—50 million estimate during Christie’s 20th Century Evening sale on May 12.
From Rothko to Revenue: Unlocking Liquidity Through Art-Backed Lending
Philip Hoffman, CEO and founder of The Fine Art Group, has spent the last two decades turning passion-driven collections into strategic financial instruments. As global markets tighten and liquidity becomes king, Hoffman is helping collectors see their Picassos and Pollocks not just as prized possessions—but as capital, collateral and leverage for the future.
San Francisco Art Fair’s Kelly Freeman On Bay Area Creativity and the City’s Resilience
The Bay Area’s premier art fair returns to Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture this week.
As the Contemporary Market Resets, Established Names Dominate the 2025 Hiscox Artist Top 100
Sky-high valuations and speculative wet paintings are fading from the spotlight; what’s left is a market defined by serious collectors instead of flippers.
The Art of Legacy: How Collectors Can Preserve and Protect Their Collections
Without a will or a plan, even a museum-quality collection can become kindling for tax fires and family feuds.
Art Reviews
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Van Gogh’s Final Years Come to Life in ‘The Roulin Family Portraits’
The exhibition reveals Van Gogh’s intense devotion to painting—even through deep sorrow and unbearable hallucinations.
Zanele Muholi Shows that Insistence Is the Best Resistance in Savannah
At the SCAD Museum of Art, the artist reframes portraiture as both protest and protection, where everyday objects carry revolutionary weight.
Dual Identity Becomes a Powerful Creative Engine at Mudam Luxembourg
“Nets for Night and Day” is just one of Lubaina Himid and Magda Stawarska’s many entwined projects.
One Fine Show: ‘Nancy Holt, Power Systems’ at the Wexner Center for the Arts
Holt’s work is “site reflexive” rather than “site specific,” and the Wexner has done an admirable job of integrating her vision into their architecture.
“Culture Shift” Revisits the Radical Legacy of One British Magazine’s Boundary-Pushing Photography
An exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery spotlights The Face magazine’s daring style and era-defining image-making.
Luxury Travel
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Royal Treatment: 12 Palace Hotels for the Ultimate Luxury Stay
From Versailles to Venice, these palatial properties let you live like a king or queen—even if just for a night.
Sustainable Style: 15 Hotels Setting a New Standard for Green Luxury
Forget towel reuse signs. From the Maldives to the Hudson Valley, these properties embed sustainability into their architecture, supply chains and local economies.
24 Hours of Quiet: Bali’s Day of Silence Is the Ultimate Reset
On Nyepi, the entire island shuts down, offering a rare chance to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with yourself.
A Modern Traveler’s Guide to Tokyo, Japan
Where ancient tradition meets futuristic vision—a sophisticated traveler’s blueprint to navigating Tokyo’s most exceptional experiences in 2025.
The Ultimate Guide to Tokyo’s Best Luxury Hotels
Ahead of a record-breaking travel boom, the capital’s best stays fuse futuristic comforts with artisanal touches—proof that Japanese hospitality is constantly being reimagined.
Nightlife & Dining
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The Best Italian Restaurants in L.A.
Whether you’re seeking a Michelin-recognized experience on Melrose Avenue or a low-key dinner in Santa Monica, these are the best Italian restaurants in Los Angeles.
At Noma, Chef Pablo Soto Pushes the Boundaries of Fine Dining
With precision and whimsy, Noma’s head chef transforms every dish at the Copenhagen restaurant into a moment worth remembering.
The Best New L.A. Restaurants Opening in April
From a sleek chef’s counter in Culver City to a former grocery store, these are April’s most exciting L.A. restaurant openings.
Sip in Style: The Expert-Approved Glasses That Make Every Cocktail Taste Better
Because a perfect Negroni deserves more than a sad little tumbler.
Misty, Mickalene and $1.3 Million: What You Missed at the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s 2025 Vision Gala
With Ava DuVernay on stage and more than a few notable dancers in the crowd, the cultural institution’s spring gala celebrated Darren Walker with purpose and style.
Style
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The Best White Jeans to Elevate Your Everyday Uniform
From flared silhouettes to classic straight-legs, these are the best white jeans to complete your capsule wardrobe this season.
The Indulgent Mother’s Day Gifts for the Beauty Lover
From caviar-infused creams to sculpting tools and luxury lipsticks, these are the Mother’s Day beauty gifts she’ll actually use—and love.
Sip in Style at Divine Vintage, L.A.’s Coolest Wine Bar
Divine Vintage blends vintage fashion, biodynamic wine and personal hospitality.
The Best Dress Shirts for Men, from Classic Staples to Luxury Standouts
These shirts deliver style credentials your paycheck can’t buy (but they’ll help you earn a bigger one).
Mom-Tested, Observer-Approved: The Only Mother’s Day Gift Guide That Matters
This isn’t a guide for the vaguely thoughtful or the last-minute panicker. It’s for those who understand that luxury isn’t about logos—it’s about precision, longevity and never having to second-guess the details. These are gifts tested by a woman with two young children, a demanding career and a finely tuned allergy to mediocrity. They’re built for real life—fast mornings, tight schedules, disappearing margins of error—but still honor taste, elegance and the quiet power of a mother who knows exactly what she’s doing.
Theater
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Review: A Caryl Churchill Tasting Menu of Haute Weird at the Public Theater
Four short works from England’s greatest living playwright blaze forth in outstanding American debuts.
Review: High Schoolers Tell Truth and Shame the Devil in ‘John Proctor is the Villain’
In the most energizing and emotionally wrecking drama this season a group of high school students is studying “The Crucible” and processing the #MeToo movement.
‘Smash’ Is Escapist Fluff and Exactly What We Need Right Now
Loosely adapted from a short-lived television series, this musical comedy about the making of a musical is full of showstopping songs and powered by a phenomenal cast.
‘Sondheim’s Old Friends’ Is a Love Letter in Two Acts—One Whispered, One Roared
Leaden direction and limp gags almost derail ‘Sondheim’s Old Friends,’ a tribute show that feels as uneven as it is ambitious. But with Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga and a late-breaking jolt of theatrical electricity, the evening eventually delivers—if you stick around long enough.
Clooney Lights Up Broadway, but ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’ Flickers in the Footlights
Two decades after the film first flattered Oscar voters, ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’ returns—this time as a Broadway spectacle, complete with chain-smoking nostalgia, McCarthy-era paranoia and George Clooney in the trench-coated flesh. He’s older, moodier and now within arm’s length—if you can afford it.
Opera
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The Threepenny Opera: Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Weill
Barrie Kosky brings his sleazy, sparkling production to BAM to sharp effect.
Topflight Teamwork Makes for a Marvelous Met Mozart
Unlike many works by Puccini, Verdi or Wagner, Mozart’s operas demand charismatic singing actors working closely together with a minimum of diva/divo posturing.
Barrie Kosky On Why ‘The Threepenny Opera’ Still Cuts Deep
Nearly a century after its chaotic premiere, ‘The Threepenny Opera’ still exposes the machinery of power, performance and moral collapse.
‘Moby-Dick’ Sails Confidently into the Met, and the Exhilarating Optimism of ‘Fidelio’ Arrives Just in Time
The Metropolitan Opera ended its annual winter hiatus with two productions that chronicle their protagonists’ dangerous, intensely personal quests.
A Powerful Turn of the Screw at Juilliard Is Equal Parts Atmospheric and Urgent
The production makes it clear that this is an opera about the fraught class dynamics of childcare, where the potential for exploitation is ever-present.
Dance
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La MaMa’s Radical Dance Festival Turns Twenty
La MaMa Moves! brings boundary-pushing, forward-thinking global performances to New York City’s East Village.
Deaths, Entrances and Memory at The Joyce
Martha Graham choreographed many masterworks during her long and illustrious career, but “Deaths and Entrances” is special.
Gauthier Dance Brings an Innovative European Energy to New York
The acclaimed contemporary dance company is presenting three New York premieres and one beloved masterpiece.
Choreographer Julia K. Gleich Is Pushing Artistic Boundaries By Encouraging Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The 12th edition of ‘CounterPointe’ will feature new works by established and emerging artists, blending ballet with sculpture, installation art and mixed media works.
Daisy Jacobson and Miriam Gittens On Dancing for Twyla Tharp
“She’s constantly searching and curious for different things in her work and in her dancers.”
Tech
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Rivian’s Board Welcomes an A.I. CEO Amid Push to Autonomous Driving
Rivian adds Cohere CEO Aiden Gomez to its board as it expands into autonomous driving and manufacturing tech.
Elon Musk Vows to Refocus on Tesla Amid Profit Plunge and Brand Fallout
Tesla stock shot up today after Musk said he will reduce his hours at DOGE and refocus on Tesla.
Coursera Founder Andrew Ng’s New Venture Brings A.I. to K–12 Classrooms
Andrew Ng’s Kira Learning uses A.I. agents to transform K–12 education with tools for teachers, students and administrators.
Sam Altman Turns 40: A Look Back at the OpenAI CEO’s Unlikely Ascent
As Sam Altman turns 40, we trace his path from college dropout to the face of A.I.
Meta A.I. Chief Yann LeCun Applauds France’s Effort to Attract U.S. Scientists
France’s attempt to recruit U.S.-based researchers is a “smart move,” said Yann LeCun, who moved from France to the U.S. in 1988.
Finance
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CEO of Barbie Maker Mattel Says There Should Be Zero Tariff on All Toys
“Toys are a foundational part of children’s development. It plays to a fundamental human behavior.”
Citadel CEO Ken Griffin Warns Trump’s Tariffs Are Tarnishing the ‘American Brand’
“When you tarnish that brand, it can take a lifetime to repair the damage that has been done.”
Bill Ackman Is Betting on Car Rental Giant Hertz to be a Tariff Winner
Bill Ackman said Hertz’s fleet value is set to increase by over $1 billion thanks to Trump tariffs.
LVMH and Hermes CFOs Say Luxury Titans Are Starting to Feel Tariff Pains
A Birkin bag is about to get even more expensive in the U.S.
Jerome Powell Reveals His Daily Routine as Head of the Federal Reserve
Fed Chair Jerome Powell opens up about his routine, political pressure from Trump and the future of the Fed’s independence.
Media
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Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos on How Hyperlocal Shows Become Global Hits
Sarandos says the key to creating global hits is letting local teams focus on making shows for their own markets.
Can Superhero Films Still Fly? Marvel and DC Face a Reckoning
The fate of the superhero genre hangs on the box office performance of Marvel’s Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four and DC’s new Superman.
The Role of Human Creators in an A.I. Ecosystem
Linda Bloss-Baum, director of the Business and Entertainment Program at American University, has spent years teaching students how to defend the human imagination from digital encroachment. But as generative A.I. tools move from curiosity to industry disruptor, her curriculum—and the culture at large—are facing an existential rewrite.
Hollywood Keeps Betting on Books, Games and Manga—Why Familiar Stories Always Win
Studios chase familiar stories to mitigate risk, with books, games and true events powering streaming success and audience loyalty.
ChatGPT’s ‘Ghiblification’ Craze: What Does Ghibli’s Creator Think of A.I.?
It’s likely the 84-year-old filmmaker would view the trend with unease.
Power Lists
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The Top PR Firms in 2025
This year’s PR Power List celebrates the agencies bold enough to lead the charge and smart enough to reflect the world they’re shaping.
The Top Specialty PR Firms in 2025
In an era where perception is currency, specialty PR firms are the brokers of influence
The Most Important People in Nightlife & Dining
These are the architects of modern indulgence, wielding influence with every lease signed and every menu unveiled. Theirs is the kind of power that turns concepts into cultural institutions.
Marketplace
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10 Best CBD Gummies for Pain & Inflammation to Buy in 2025
Finding the best CBD gummies for pain and inflammation is made easy with this comprehensive review of leading brands. Colorado Botanicals earned the top spot among nine other brands that caught our attention.
10 Best CBD Companies to Buy From in 2025: Honest Reviews & Guide
Despite strong competition from nine impressive challengers, Colorado Botanicals tops our list of the best CBD companies to buy from in 2025.
5 Strongest CBD Gummies: Best CBD Gummies of 2025
We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 strongest CBD gummies for pain, sleep, anxiety and stress to save you time and money.
7 Best CBN Gummies for Sleep in 2025
Discover the top seven CBN gummies for sleep on the market, based on overall quality, effectiveness, price, formula, recognition and more.
10 Best CBD Oil for Dogs: Best for Anxiety, Pain, & Arthritis
A guide to our carefully selected picks for the top CBD oils for dogs in 2025 to soothe anxiety, pain and arthritis.
Latest
All Latest
New FDA Chief Martin Makary Says DOGE Cuts Haven’t Hit Science Staff
The new FDA chief reiterated his commitment to speeding up drug approval processes and run the agency by “gold standard science” and “common sense.”
Lakeside Legends: The Classic Resorts You’ll Never Want to Leave
These lakefront resorts prove that the best summer plans still involve a dock and a drink.
The Standout Booths and Major Sales That Defined Art Dubai 2025
Art Dubai’s 18th edition showcased a maturing market, from Moroccan modernism to A.I. data sculptures, reaffirming the fair’s position as a must-watch in the global calendar.
Former Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Discusses Tariffs in Trump Trade War 2.0: Q&A
Ross served as Secretary of Commerce during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021.
‘Andor’ S2: One Of the Best Seasons of TV You’ll Ever Watch
This season reflects on our ability to step up when freedom is threatened, examining what its characters will do but also asking the viewer the same thing.
Observer’s Guide to the Best Art Galleries in Madrid
If you want an authentic glimpse into the city’s art scene, make time to explore its contemporary landscape.
The 36th Bienal de São Paulo Will Confront What It Means to Be Human
“The theme is broad—it’s about questioning the very notion of humanity,” curator Thiago de Paula Souza told Observer.
How Future Fair’s Founders Are Reimagining the Art Fair Model from the Ground Up
Rachel Mijares Fick and Rebeca Laliberte built Future Fair to support emerging galleries via initiatives that promote collaboration and shared growth.
How the Green Family Art Foundation Is Shaping Dallas’ Rise in Contemporary Art
“What is special about the Dallas art scene, versus some other cities, is that this is a very collaborative, very tight community.”
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Visits Beijing Amid Tightened Chip Export Control
Jensen Huang is balancing Nvidia’s growing U.S. manufacturing push with efforts to preserve key partnerships in China amid rising trade tensions.
Literary Travel: 8 Must-Read Novels That Will Transport You Around the World
In these books, characters’ inner lives are inseparable from their environments, and the changes they undergo are shaped by the places they inhabit.
How Andrea Fraser Turned Institutional Critique Into a Lifelong Practice
Part of her practice has been to pinpoint things people don’t want to talk about and figure out how to talk about them without alienating anyone.
Trump Kills the Firewall, Musk Lights the Match
National security expert and former NSA officer John R. Schindler dissects a stunning week in American cyber policy: the Trump administration has defunded the crucial CVE Program, threatened mass layoffs at CISA and unleashed a political vendetta against Chris Krebs. As the government’s digital defenses erode from within, Schindler warns, America edges closer to a self-inflicted cyber catastrophe.
MASP’s Expansion Opens the Floor to Curatorial Experimentation
Until recently, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo’s programming has been tightly packed and spatially constrained.
Tim Cook’s Decades-Long Bet in China Is About More Than Cheap Labor
Tim Cook’s decades-long bet on China as Apple’s manufacturing hub faces tests amid sky-high tariffs.
“Buy Now, Pay Later” Is Taking Over Coachella (and DoorDash)
“It’s never been easier for consumers to go into debt for discretionary consumer purchases,” a personal finance expert told Observer.
High Voltage, Higher Stakes: How the Information Economy Is Rewiring Energy Markets
Stephen Crolius, president of Carbon-Neutral Consulting and a longtime strategist in the energy transition space, has spent decades helping organizations navigate the shifting terrain of climate and power. Now, as A.I. reshapes both the demand curve and the tools to manage it, Crolius offers a seasoned view of an electric future that might just outsmart its own worst fears.
The Story of an Extraordinary Woman, Played by an Extraordinary Deneuve
What could have been another dusty spousal biopic becomes a sly takedown of political ego, staged with couture precision. Léa Domenach delivers the outline; Deneuve does the damage. The result is a sly, seductive power study.