Celebrities

Los Angeles — Actress Sydney Sweeney and political commentator Erika Kirk have drawn attention after appearing in a provocative advertising campaign for Novig, a sports-betting application that says it is seeking to distinguish itself in an increasingly crowded online wagering market.

The campaign, released Tuesday across social-media platforms, uses minimalist imagery and the slogan, “Nothing Between You and the Game.” The company did not disclose the financial terms of the endorsement agreements.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump delivered an impromptu and at times emotional response Thursday after learning of the death of Gloria Steinem, the journalist and feminist activist whose work helped shape the modern women’s movement. Steinem died Wednesday at her New York City home at age 92, according to a statement from her foundation.

Speaking briefly with reporters before an afternoon event, Trump said he had learned of Steinem’s death shortly beforehand and recalled her as a prominent public figure whose influence was felt across several decades.

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi governor Tate Reeves reportedly rejected calls to lower state flags in honor of country music legend Dolly Parton, saying the tradition should be reserved for military personnel, first responders and other figures whose public service, in his view, meets a higher threshold.

In particular, the governor criticized Parton’s decision to publicly support COVID-19 vaccination during the pandemic. He falsely claimed that her advocacy had caused “countless Americans to contract autism,” offering no evidence for the assertion.

WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that an encounter with country-music icon and philanthropist Dolly Parton during his childhood helped shape his decision to enter public life, describing her as a figure who “always saw the good in everyone.”

Speaking emotionally to reporters after news of her death was made public, Vance recalled meeting Parton as a young boy and said her warmth left a lasting impression.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Monday appointed Elizabeth Colbert Busch to temporarily fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant after the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, placing a longtime figure in the state’s business and political circles at the center of an expedited succession process. President Donald Trump praised the decision, calling the pick a strong choice for the state as South Carolina prepares for a special election later this year.

LOS ANGELES — Longtime Hollywood figures Jim Carrey and Demi Moore are at the center of renewed attention this week after rumors began circulating that the two actors are involved in a private romantic relationship.

Washington, D.C. — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Friday that she and her husband are expecting their second child. Leavitt, 28, shared the news in a social media post, revealing that the couple’s baby girl is due in May 2026.

Glendale, AZ -- Erika Kirk, a media personality and advocate known for her work on conservative and social issues, confirmed Sunday that she is eight weeks pregnant. The announcement, made during an interview with Megyn Kelly, included few personal details and did not identify the father.

Kirk, 33, shared that she was “grateful and healthy” but requested privacy during the early stages of her pregnancy. “This is a deeply personal time,” her statement read. “I’m focusing on health, faith, and gratitude for this new chapter.”

Washington, D.C., — President Donald Trump on Wednesday characterized his first in-person meeting with New York City’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, as exceptionally positive, telling reporters the conversation was “very perfect.”

The meeting, held in the Oval Office, lasted just under an hour. While observers anticipated discussions on federal funding, public safety, or infrastructure, Trump said the two leaders spent much of their time talking about the newly crowned Miss Universe, Fatima Bosch.

WASHINGTON—Vice President JD Vance delivered a somber memorial address yesterday in honor of conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk, who passed away last week. Speaking to a crowded sanctuary filled with family, supporters, and political allies, Vance described Kirk as a “forceful and unapologetic voice” whose influence shaped a generation of conservative thought.