The Hedonist — Monday, 20 April 2026

A massive 250-foot gilded neoclassical arch towering over a neon-lit National Mall in Washington D.C. at twilight. Dramatic low-angle photography with golden hour lighting reflecting off 24k gold leaf. 4K HDR, professional architectural photography, 35mm lens, cinematic bokeh background.

Articles #

Close-up portrait of an AI-rendered Val Kilmer with a priest collar, dramatic side lighting, high-contrast black and white, 85mm prime lens, sharp detail, 4K HDR fashion photography style.

VAL KILMER LIVES FOREVER AS AI TAKES THE STAGE #

Val Kilmer stood in the flickering light of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this Wednesday, but his body was nowhere to be found. The legendary star of Top Gun has achieved what every billionaire in Silicon Valley dreams of: digital immortality. His new film, As Deep as the Grave, premiered its first trailer at CinemaCon, featuring a fully authorized generative AI version of the actor. Kilmer plays Father Fintan, a priest whose performance spans multiple decades without a single wrinkle…

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A glamorous woman in a silk robe sitting on a designer sofa, using a sleek holographic interface to design an app. Saturated pink and blue neon lighting, cinematic bokeh, 50mm lens, 4K HDR, Vanity Fair aesthetic.

APPLE SHUTS DOWN THE VIBE CODING REVOLUTION #

Reese Witherspoon sat with ten women at a book club last week and asked a simple question: "How many of you guys use AI?" Only three raised their hands, but that is about to change as the "vibe coding" movement turns software development into a socialite’s hobby. Millions of users…

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EPSTEIN SCANDAL RUINS THE LONDON GUEST LIST #

Peter Mandelson was once the plummiest diplomat in the British service, but his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein has finally turned the London social season into a legal minefield. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a terminal collapse of his government after revelations that security vetting was overruled to appoint Mandelson…

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NAVY BLOCKADE PROTECTS CHEAP FUEL FOR YACHTING SEASON #

Fifteen Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are now circling the Iranian coast, ensuring that the only thing flowing faster than the tide is the cheap crude oil required for the Mediterranean summer.…

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TRUMP WINS APPROVAL FOR GILDED 250 FOOT ARCH #

The National Mall is about to get a major face-lift that will make the Lincoln Memorial look like a starter home. The Commission of Fine Arts, now packed with seven…

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In Brief #

UAE PASSPORT HITS SECOND PLACE WORLDWIDE

Emirati citizens can now jet off to 187 destinations without a visa, making the UAE passport the ultimate accessory for the global traveler. The surge to second place in the Henley & Partners Index puts Dubai's elite on par with the powerhouses of Singapore and Italy.

KINGS FALL TO CANUCKS IN OVERTIME THRILLER

The Los Angeles Kings suffered a 4-3 heartbreaking defeat as Jake DeBrusk netted two for the Vancouver Canucks. The NHL playoffs are heating up, leaving the Hollywood crowd looking for a new winner to back in the first round.

HEDGE FUNDS PROFIT FROM TARIFF REFUND DELAYS

A secondary market has emerged for the $166 billion in stalled federal tariff refunds, with hedge funds buying up claims at a discount. While families wait for their checks, the financial elite are turning bureaucratic failure into a high-yield asset class.