Tom Brady Joins Gucci Campaign, Embraces Leather Pants at 49 Tom Brady, the 49-year-old NFL legend with seven Super Bowl titles, has taken on a new challenge by stepping onto the runway for Gucci’s fall-winter 2026 campaign. The campaign, shot by photographer Michal Chelbin, features Brady alongside models like Alex Consani, EsDeeKid, and musician Shawn Mendes. The project marks Brady’s first foray into modeling, as he prepares to walk the runway during Demna Gvasalia’s first cruise show in Times Square. Brady’s relationship with Gucci was minimal prior to the campaign, but the collaboration sparked his curiosity. “Not much, ironically, so it was a fun phone call,” he said, recalling the initial surprise at the opportunity. He described the experience as a chance to step outside his comfort zone, emphasizing the uniqueness of the project. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try something I’ve never done before,” he added, highlighting the excitement of the collaboration. The Times Square runway show, which took place in May, was a spectacle that left Brady in awe. “It was as unique as any surreal experience I’ve had,” he said, praising the meticulous planning and execution of the event. Brady admitted he had never been to Times Square beyond driving through it, so the idea of a runway show there felt surreal. “How does that happen?” he asked, marveling at Gucci’s ability to pull it off. Working with Demna Gvasalia, Brady noted the designer’s attention to detail and perfectionism. “He’s obviously a very talented guy,” Brady said, describing the professionalism of the team behind the campaign. During fittings and the show itself, Brady followed Demna’s guidance, even when it meant adjusting his posture or jacket position.#tom_brady #times_square #gucci #demna_gvasalia #shawn_mendes
Pokémon Go Distributes Perfect Mewtwo to All Players After Controversial Anniversary Event In July, Pokémon Go developer Scopely sparked widespread frustration among fans by hosting an invite-only event in New York City’s Times Square to celebrate the game’s 10th anniversary. The event, inspired by the game’s 2016 announcement trailer, offered attendees a Mewtwo with perfect stats and a special background. However, the invitation was limited to influencers, content creators, and press, leaving many players feeling excluded. Some attendees later listed their exclusive Mewtwo variants on eBay for prices ranging from $500 to $5,000, further fueling public discontent. In response to the backlash, Scopely announced a new initiative to reward all players with a perfect Mewtwo featuring a special anniversary background. This move aims to rectify the perceived inequity of the initial event. While Mewtwo was available for capture during the global Pokémon Go Fest, which took place July 11-12, the rare "hundo" variant with perfect stats remained elusive. Players typically needed to participate in multiple raids and purchase additional passes to increase their chances of obtaining one. The new reward simplifies the process, requiring players to complete a timed research task. By catching 10 Pokémon and powering up another Pokémon 10 times, players can claim the hundo Mewtwo with the anniversary background. This special variant also unlocks the third Mega Level, allowing it to transform into Mega Mewtwo Y—the version battled by attendees at the Times Square event. Additionally, players will receive a Master Ball, a rare item that guarantees a successful catch for any Pokémon. The anniversary Mewtwo with the Times Square background will be available again in the future, likely as part of another Go Fest event.#times_square #scopely #pokemon_go #pokemon_go_fest #mewtwo
The United States Marks 250th Anniversary of Declaration of Independence The United States is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, an event known as the Semiquincentennial, under the nationwide observance of America250. This milestone, celebrated on July 4, 2026, marks the 250th year since the 1776 adoption of the document that declared the 13 American colonies independent from British rule. The observance, titled "America250," spans multiple events and initiatives aimed at reflecting on the nation’s history and its future direction. The Semiquincentennial celebration began in December 2025 with a New Year’s Eve event in Times Square, New York, where the city’s iconic "A" on the One World Trade Center was illuminated in red, white, and blue. Over the next year, the United States will host hundreds of events, including historical reenactments, museum exhibitions, public parades, and cultural festivals, to honor the legacy of the Declaration. The observance is designed to engage the public in discussions about the nation’s founding principles, its evolution, and its aspirations for the next 250 years. Two major national initiatives are leading the Semiquincentennial efforts. The first is the America250 program, established by Congress in 2016 through the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. This non-profit organization collaborates with the America250.org platform to coordinate events and educational programs. The commission includes former U.S. presidents George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama, and former first ladies Laura Bush and Michelle Obama as honorary chairs. The second initiative is the Freedom 250, launched by former President Donald Trump’s executive order, which is managed by the Salute to America 250 Task Force within the White House.#united_states #declaration_of_independence #america250 #times_square #semiquincentennial
Swatch Closes Stores Amid Frenzy for Royal Pop Pocket Watches Swatch, the Swiss watchmaker, abruptly closed dozens of its global stores on Saturday as crowds overwhelmed locations in major cities worldwide, attempting to purchase the highly anticipated Royal Pop pocket watches from its collaboration with luxury timepiece maker Audemars Piguet. The decision came after authorities intervened at multiple sites, including London, New York, and Manhattan, to manage the chaotic scenes caused by shoppers eager to secure the colorful, pop art-inspired watches priced between $400 and $420. The closure was announced via social media posts, with Swatch stating that over 30 stores were shut down “in view of public safety considerations.” The Royal Pop collection, a limited collaboration between Swatch and Audemars Piguet, was set to launch globally on Saturday. The eight watches, inspired by Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak luxury line and Swatch’s 1980s POP series, were marketed as an accessible way for fans to own a piece of the luxury brand. Despite Swatch’s warnings on its website and social media pages—urging customers not to “rush to our stores in large numbers” and clarifying that the collection was not a limited edition—thousands of shoppers disregarded the advice. In New York, hundreds of fans gathered at Swatch stores in Times Square and SoHo, leading to at least one arrest by the New York Police Department. Similar scenes unfolded in cities like Paris, London, Dubai, Toronto, Atlanta, and Detroit, where lines stretched for hours. The King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania delayed its opening until noon due to the sheer number of people attempting to access the Swatch stores, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.#new_york #times_square #swatch #audemars_piguet #philadelphia_inquirer
Teen Charged in Man's Stabbing Death Near Times Square, Search for 2 Suspects Ongoing Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy for stabbing and killing a man near Times Square earlier this week, according to NYPD officials. The teenager was taken into custody Wednesday evening near Stillwell and Surf avenues in Coney Island after officers from the local precinct spotted him jumping a turnstile. Authorities later found a scalpel on him, though officials are still investigating whether it was the weapon used in the Midtown attack. The victim, identified as Leonides Baez, 39, was stabbed to death Monday night outside a building on West 43rd Street near Broadway. Police reported finding Baez around 11:30 p.m. with stab wounds to his torso and back, as well as a slash wound to his face. First responders transported him to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The teen was charged with murder and criminal weapons possession, the NYPD stated. According to police, the suspect later told investigators he attacked Baez as part of a social media trend. Details about the suspect’s lawyer or his identity were not immediately available, as he is a minor. Baez’s last known address was in Worcester, Massachusetts, according to the NYPD. Department data revealed two other homicides in the Midtown South Precinct this year through May 3, which includes Times Square, Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, Koreatown, and Manhattan Mall Plaza. This marks a significant increase compared to the same period last year, when no homicides were recorded in the precinct. Crime statistics for Midtown South show that all other major categories—such as robbery, burglary, and assault—are down or stable compared to 2025 levels.#nypd #worcester_massachusetts #leonides_baez #times_square #midtown_south_precinct
