Hillary Rodham Clinton turned 50 yesterday with as much secrecy as her rising popularity and re-emerging public role could afford.
Mrs Clinton became the latest prominent baby boomer to hit the 50th milestone under the glare of publicity, including President Bill Clinton, who reached 50 last year.
Mrs Clinton's birthday has already brought her onto the cover of national magazines and will land her a spot on the Oprah talk show tomorrow. About 75 friends threw a surprise party for Mrs Clinton at a Washington hotel on Saturday night. Mrs Clinton visits her native Chicago area today for another round of commemorations. Later this week, she leaves for a five-day visit to Ireland and Britain that will include a meeting with Tony Blair on Saturday.
Channel 4 was last night dealt a body blow with the revelation that two of its most celebrated executives are on the verge of resigning to accept a lucrative deal in the US.
David Aukin, who as head of Channel 4 Film was responsible for the successful films Four Weddings and a Funeral and Trainspotting, and David Leventhal, director of acquisition, are expected to announce details of the offer, thought to be from a Hollywood studio.
Mohamed Al Fayed has reacted with shock and anger to claims that his son, Dodi, was a cocaine addict.
William Cash has been researching an article for next Saturday's Daily Telegraph, and reports say he claims Dodi Fayed had a drug habit and was obsessive about security after being kidnapped as a child. But Mr Al Fayed's spokesman, Michael Cole, insisted yesterday Dodi had never had any involvement with drugs.
Donatella Versace chats with Al Pacino at the Italian-American Foundation Gala in Washington on Saturday.