Iconic New York skyscraper; art deco landmark and former world’s tallest
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has begun the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, a 10-year program that will image the southern sky every few nights. The telescope has started regular operations from its Chilean mountaintop site and is already returning new detections, including thousands of asteroids and transient views such as Comet 3I/ATLAS.
Federal investigators have determined that the ransom notes sent after Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance are not authentic. The notes reportedly claimed Nancy Guthrie died or demanded cryptocurrency payments. Savannah Guthrie has pleaded for information as the search continues.
A new 860-foot luxury tower at 262 Fifth Avenue has transformed the Manhattan skyline, blocking the Empire State Building. The project used air rights purchases to exceed zoning limits. Buyers seek the remaining 25 units as critics call the view a loss while New York grapples with homelessness and affordable housing.
Primark is expanding in the United States, opening stores in Willowbrook Mall (Houston area) and Castleton Square Mall (Indianapolis). Both locations will be about 30,000 square feet in size, joining a growing U.S. footprint that now reaches 44 stores. The openings follow a New York City flagship and reflect Primark’s strategy to prioritize brick-and-mortar growth in established malls.
Two climbers have been arrested after scaling the Empire State Building’s 1,454-foot antenna in a bid to propose marriage amid a banner promoting world peace. The event is ongoing in the sense that police are handling the aftermath and investigations are continuing.
Two Russian nationals, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, who appear in Netflix’s Skywalkers: A Love Story, have been charged after ascending the Empire State Building’s antenna and staging a marriage proposal with a banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” They were intercepted by NYPD; authorities say the climb was unauthorized and dangerous. The incident follows a media-filled ascent and social-media posts by the couple.
Trump has toured the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library with an AI Roosevelt, discussing Roosevelt’s legacy and US control of the Panama Canal. He reiterates calls to reassess sovereignty over the canal as tensions with Panama persist. The library opening followed with Roosevelt’s Medal of Honor loaned to the museum.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have married in a private ceremony at Madison Square Garden, their publicist has confirmed. The couple did not use bridesmaids or groomsmen; Austin Swift served as Man of Honor and Jason Kelce as Best Man. Adam Sandler officiated and both wore Christian Dior Haute Couture; Swift wore Cartier and Christian Louboutin shoes.
Airbnb has purchased its first Manhattan office, a six‑story 42,500‑sq‑ft Beaux‑Arts building at 281 Park Avenue South for $81.5 million. The move accompanies a long-running clash with New York City over Local Law 18 restrictions on short-term rentals and signals a deeper commitment to the city with an employee hub for 600+ staff in the region.
West Virginia faces a severe flood emergency as heavy rainfall triggers widespread damage. Governors mobilize National Guard and declare a state of emergency across all 55 counties. Rescues continue as utilities restore power and crews clear debris. Officials warn that the situation remains volatile with high water and saturated ground.
Torrential rain has driven dangerous floods across Texas Hill Country for a third day, triggering rescues and road washouts. Authorities warn waters will continue to rise, with last year’s deadly floods weighing on response efforts.
Two unidentified white men in their late 20s face trespassing charges after climbing over a glass wall on Seattle's Space Needle and BASE jumping to the ground. They entered the attraction around 8:50–9:00 p.m. on Friday, changed at the top, and jumped off, with authorities unsure of their landing.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art will stage a solo exhibition of John Galliano, marking a rare living-designer focus for the Costume Institute. The show, tied to the Met Gala, follows Galliano’s controversial 2011 antisemitic remarks and subsequent rehabilitation. Jewish leaders and critics debate whether his atonement warrants continued prominence in fashion.
CBRE data shows New York has the most tech talent, edging out the San Francisco Bay Area for the first time. AI roles drive hiring and office leasing in major markets, with New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Toronto leading in AI jobs.
President Trump has reiterated a memory of Ground Zero, prompting questions about the timing of his presence at 9/11 events. Multiple outlets are challenging the timeline while he defends the account at ceremonies and on Truth Social.
The Trump administration has notified Congress of a proposed $2.8bn sale to Israel that includes roughly 40,000 2,000-pound bombs. Representative Gregory Meeks has said he will not support the transfer, citing concerns about use in densely populated Gaza and Lebanon, but the White House can proceed without Congress by declaring an emergency.