Central Park’s restored Delacorte Theater—home of free Shakespeare in the Park—has reopened.
Central Park’s Delacorte Theater has reopened after an $85 million redesign by Ennead Architects, featuring a vertical redwood facade—made from reclaimed water tower boards—and warm wooden interiors. The overhaul modernizes the 1,864-seat venue with permanent lighting towers, accessible ramps to the stage, weatherproof seating, and expanded dressing rooms, while preserving its integration into the park’s landscape. The theater’s return comes at a time when free Shakespeare productions nationwide face severe federal funding cuts, threatening access to public theater. The project stands as both a cultural investment and a civic symbol of New York’s commitment to keeping art free and accessible.
Pandemic-era fitness juggernaut Peloton announces declining sales and layoffs.
Peloton forecasted another sales drop for the current quarter and announced plans to cut 6 percent of its global workforce as part of a turnaround effort under new CEO Peter Stern. The company reported a 6 percent revenue decline in the June quarter, with falling hardware and app subscriptions, but noted improved gross profit and reduced operating costs. Stern’s strategy includes launching new products this year, integrating A.I. for more personalized workouts, expanding retail presence, and broadening offerings into strength, mobility, mental well-being, and recovery. Despite the challenges, Peloton’s shares rose over 9 percent in premarket trading.
According to OpenAI, even certified baddie GPT-5 can’t replace you at work yet.
OpenAI launched GPT-5, calling it a major leap toward artificial general intelligence (AGI) but admitting it still falls short of replacing human workers. CEO Sam Altman said the model can’t “continuously learn,” a key capability he believes AGI should have. GPT-5 offers sharper coding skills, stronger creative writing, and fewer factual mistakes, along with new integrations for email, calendars, and contacts. While the upgrade expands ChatGPT’s usefulness, OpenAI stressed it’s not a substitute for professional expertise, especially in health-related matters.
Artworks seized by the Manhattan DA’s office have been repatriated to three European countries.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has returned more than 30 antiquities to Spain, Italy, and Hungary following investigations into convicted traffickers and looted cultural property. The repatriated works include a marble head of Alexander the Great stolen from a Roman museum, a 17th-century Jesuit manuscript taken during World War II, and Visigoth pendants once held by the Met. These seizures stem from the Antiquities Trafficking Unit’s years-long efforts under Alvin Bragg and Matthew Bogdanos to dismantle illicit art networks. The unit has recovered hundreds of artifacts worth millions, many tied to high-profile dealers facing prosecution or extradition.
TikTokers are losing their minds over a biologist’s octopus city content.
TikTok users are flocking to videos about “Octopolis” and “Octlantis,” two sites off the coast of Australia where gloomy octopuses live together in shell-built communities. First documented in 2009 and 2017, these underwater hubs feature octopuses crafting dens, socializing, and even sparring over territory. Wildlife biologist Josh Allyn’s viral posts have reignited public fascination, sparking comedic skits and online jokes about “octopus landlords.” The renewed interest seems fueled by a mix of wonder and escapism, with some viewers finding hope in the idea of a thriving, cooperative society beneath the waves.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Peek inside Harry Nuriev’s latest project, a glowy Parisian cafe.
A loft in a converted Antwerp convent could be yours for $1.7 million.
Bad news for sunscreen enthusiasts: Gen Z is super into tanning.
Bring the listening bar trend home with any of these eight record players.
