The Louvre has closed again as staff strike over pay and working conditions.
The Louvre shut its doors again yesterday after staff launched another strike over pay, staffing shortages, and working conditions, extending a cycle of disruptions that began in December. Museum officials cited the walkout as the reason for the closure and said they would refund tickets automatically. Unions representing Louvre employees point toward chronic understaffing and mounting maintenance problems, concerns sharpened by a recent high-value theft and plans for a new Mona Lisa gallery that workers view as unrealistic. Management and the unions continue negotiations, with the museum set to reopen on January 14 if talks hold.
Nike’s SoHo flagship has officially closed, as Ikea takes over the Broadway building.
Nike has closed its SoHo flagship at 529 Broadway, ending a nearly decade-long run in the five-story space. The store opened in 2016 and functioned as an immersive retail environment with in-store courts, treadmills, and sport-specific testing zones across 55,000 square feet. Ikea’s parent company, Ingka Group, purchased the building for $213 million and plans to convert the former Nike site into a new Ikea location.
Concurrent to the Venice Biennale, Fondazione Prada will host a Richard Prince/Arthur Jafa exhibition.
Fondazione Prada will present a joint exhibition of works by Arthur Jafa and Richard Prince at its Venice location during the 2026 Venice Biennale. Titled Helter Skelter, the show opens May 9, the same day as the Biennale, and marks the first public presentation of an extended creative exchange between the two artists. The exhibition, curated by Nancy Spector, pairs works by Jafa and Prince through thematic contrasts that trace shared interests in appropriation, pop culture, and image circulation.
Reports of dangerous health advice have forced Google to partially roll back its A.I. summaries.
Google has removed some A.I.-generated search result summaries after an investigation by the Guardian found that the feature delivered misleading health information that could cause real harm. Reports showed the system gave flawed guidance on liver blood tests, potentially reassuring seriously ill users that their results fell within a safe range. Following the findings, Google removed A.I. summaries for several specific health queries with the disclaimer that it continues to review and refine the product.
Canada will permit Ssense’s founders to remain owners of the brand amid its bankruptcy proceedings.
A Canadian court has approved a plan that allows Ssense’s founders to keep control of the company as it works through bankruptcy protection. Under the proposal, the Atallah family will retain ownership alongside a Canadian multi-family office, with the deal expected to close in February pending final approvals. The company said its current leadership team will stay in place, preserving operational continuity during the restructuring. Ssense entered court protection last fall while carrying more than $200 million in debt, a move aimed at avoiding a forced sale by creditors.
Today’s attractive distractions:
One of John Lautner’s midcentury L.A. residences has been listed for $2.3 million.
Are the films of luxury fashion labels really giving Hollywood a run for its money?
Both Pope Leo XIV and Alex Consani snagged spots on Vogue’s best-dressed list.
Need to disassociate from the winter chill? Check out Mick Jagger’s Loire Valley château.
