分类: entertainment

  • Dior dress, Adam Sandler and a man of honour: What we know about Taylor and Travis’s wedding

    Dior dress, Adam Sandler and a man of honour: What we know about Taylor and Travis’s wedding

    After months of swirling rumors and relentless public speculation, one of the world’s most followed celebrity couples has officially said “I do.” Global pop phenomenon Taylor Swift and three-time Super Bowl champion NFL star Travis Kelce tied the knot at New York City’s legendary Madison Square Garden on Friday, in a star-studded ceremony that blended personal intimacy, Hollywood nostalgia and one-of-a-kind spectacle. The confirmation came directly from Swift’s publicist Friday evening, matching a surprise announcement that lit up the giant digital screens outside the Manhattan arena: “JUST&T MARRIED!”

    The couple first announced their engagement in August 2025, and ever since, fans around the globe have been scrambling for any crumb of detail about when, where, and how the long-awaited wedding would take place. While many personal elements of the celebration remain private, emerging details from attendees and official confirmations have painted a clear picture of the unique day.

    The wedding itself was rooted in a sweet personal connection to actor-comedian Adam Sandler, who stepped in as the officiant. The link traces back to Swift’s 2024 track *Wi$h Li$t*, where she fantasized about building a quiet future with Kelce — a vision directly inspired by Sandler’s iconic character in the 1996 comedy *Happy Gilmore*. Speaking to Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Swift explained that the song’s chorus describes her own “happy place,” mirroring the mental escape Sandler’s character turns to during times of stress. Kelce even made a cameo appearance in 2025’s *Happy Gilmore 2*, the sequel to the 1996 hit, cementing the Hollywood connection. According to entertainment outlet TMZ, Sandler also leaned into another of his famous roles, performing a “humorous yet touching” original song at the ceremony, echoing his turn in the 1998 romantic comedy *The Wedding Singer*. Sandler has long spoken warmly of his friendship with the pair, telling *Entertainment Tonight* last year: “Taylor’s so damn nice to my family and has always been. She’s ridiculously nice to them and warm, and Travis is such a gentle, nice guy. Funny as hell. He’s like the guys I grew up with.” Even the choice of Madison Square Garden as a venue nods to another Sandler film: 2002’s *Mr. Deeds*, where Sandler’s character hosts a proposal at the iconic arena. Legally, the arrangement was entirely above board: any adult can apply for a one-day marriage officiant license in New York State, clearing the way for Sandler to lead the ceremony.

    All eyes have been on the couple’s wedding attire, and official details confirm that both looks were custom created by Christian Dior Haute Couture. Jonathan Anderson, the Northern Irish designer who took over as creative director of Dior’s women’s, men’s, and haute couture lines last year after leading Loewe, designed the pieces in close collaboration with Swift and Kelce. This marks Anderson’s first couture wedding creation for a global A-list celebrity, crafted entirely by hand in Dior’s historic Paris ateliers at 30 Avenue Montaigne. Swift, who has a long-standing relationship with the fashion house, wore a Dior tartan creation to the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. Completing the look, Swift’s jewelry came from Cartier, and both the bride and groom wore custom footwear from Christian Louboutin — the brand that also created all shoes for the European leg of Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour.

    Breaking from long-held wedding tradition, Swift opted not to have a traditional maid of honor, instead naming her younger brother Austin Swift, a 34-year-old actor and producer, as her man of honor. Swift has previously called Austin “one of my best pals,” and he has been a constant presence in her life throughout her decades-long career. On Kelce’s side, his older brother Jason Kelce — fellow NFL star and co-host of the brothers’ hit podcast — served as best man. In another break from tradition, the couple chose not to have any bridesmaids or groomsmen at all, keeping the wedding party small and intimate.

    Roughly 1,000 guests filled the iconic arena, with the guest list reading like a who’s who of global music, film, sports, and media. Confirmed A-list attendees include Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Hugh Grant, Gracie Abrams, Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper, Tom Hanks, Millie Bobby Brown, Ellie Goulding, Graham Norton, Dakota Johnson, and Steven Spielberg, with dozens more high-profile names rumored to be in attendance, including Paul McCartney, Lana Del Rey, Emma Stone, Nicole Kidman, and Greta Gerwig. Most guests arrived and departed away from the crowds of waiting media and photographers, and attendees were reportedly asked not to share unapproved photos or details publicly. That hasn’t stopped a small number from sharing their excitement: rapper Nelly posted on Instagram, writing “S/O [shout out] to @taylorswift & @killatrav..!! Wedding was incredible,” while BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James — who received his invitation live on air last year — confirmed on Instagram that the event was “an unbelievably brilliant night.”

    While most details remain closely guarded, a handful of attendees have shared glimpses of the atmosphere inside. Good Morning America co-host George Stephanopoulos, who attended the event, said that even in a 20,000-seat arena, the wedding felt remarkably personal, describing the space as transformed into a “garden inside the Garden.” Co-host Robin Roberts added that the guest list balanced A-list celebrities with the couple’s neighbors and long-time high school friends, saying “it was like any wedding that you would attend.” Roberts also confirmed that the couple wrote their own personal vows. AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron, another attendee, shared in a now-deleted X post that the entire indoor venue had been reimagined as “an outdoor garden at a lush countryside retreat,” with Kelce in a crisp white tuxedo and Swift in a “stunning white wedding dress with a long veiled train.” One anonymous guest told Reuters that “the night had been incredible,” adding “They cried, and they laughed and they danced, and they hugged and they kissed.” An inside source told TMZ that Swift walked down the aisle to a string arrangement of one of her own hit songs, with decor themed as “Alice in Wonderland meets The Wizard of Oz.” In the lead-up to the ceremony, onlookers spotted large set pieces being hauled into the arena, including a giant glitterball, white staircase railings, and crates marked for a garden party.

    The choice of Madison Square Garden as a wedding venue raised some eyebrows at first, but the iconic location makes perfect sense: it is a landmark that sits at the intersection of music and sports, the two worlds that Swift and Kelce dominate. More practically, the enclosed arena makes it impossible for paparazzi or drones to capture unapproved photos of the private event, allowing the couple to keep their special day as intimate as possible despite their global fame.

  • Storm halts live BBC report on Taylor Swift wedding

    Storm halts live BBC report on Taylor Swift wedding

    What was supposed to be a straightforward live entertainment update on one of pop music’s biggest stars quickly turned into a viral moment of unexpected chaos, when a severe torrential thunderstorm crashed a BBC outside broadcast. Reporter Floyd Cush had been on location delivering a live segment centered on emerging reports that global superstar Taylor Swift had tied the knot, when rapidly shifting weather conditions threw the broadcast off course. As wind speeds spiked and heavy rain lashed the area, Cush found himself struggling to stay upright on camera, with the brutal storm forces coming close to knocking him off his feet mid-report. The abrupt disruption turned a routine entertainment news segment into an unplanned viral moment, highlighting how unpredictable live broadcasting can be even for seasoned journalists. While the storm stole the spotlight from the wedding announcement, the incident has drawn widespread attention online, with viewers sharing clips of the chaotic interruption across social media platforms. As of now, no further details on the accuracy of the initial wedding report have been confirmed by Swift’s representatives, but the unexpected storm interruption has already made the segment one of the most talked-about entertainment news moments of the week.

  • Watch: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wed in NYC – here’s how the day unfolded

    Watch: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wed in NYC – here’s how the day unfolded

    One of the most high-profile celebrity couples in recent pop culture history, global music icon Taylor Swift and NFL superstar Travis Kelce, have officially married in a spectacular, star-filled ceremony held in the heart of New York City.

    The iconic Madison Square Garden, a venue best known for hosting championship sports matches and sold-out world tours, served as the unforgettable backdrop for the pair’s big day. In a surprising and delightful twist, the ceremony was officiated by beloved Hollywood comedian and actor Adam Sandler, bringing a unique blend of humor and warmth to the intimate yet glamorous occasion.

    Long rumored to be heading toward marriage after months of public appearances and widespread fan speculation, the wedding marks a major milestone in the couple’s relationship, which has captivated tabloids and social media audiences around the world since they first went public with their romance. Industry sources confirm that dozens of A-list guests from both the entertainment and sports industries were in attendance to celebrate the newlyweds, though details about the private reception and personal vows have not been released to the public as of yet.

  • Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wed in NYC in ceremony officiated by Adam Sandler

    Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wed in NYC in ceremony officiated by Adam Sandler

    One of the most anticipated celebrity unions in modern history has come to pass, as global pop icon Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce have officially married in a star-studded, once-in-a-generation ceremony held at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden. Officiated by beloved Hollywood comedian Adam Sandler, the intimate yet grand event brought together A-list guests from across entertainment, sports, and culture, while thousands of adoring fans packed surrounding Manhattan streets to celebrate the couple from outside the venue.

    According to Swift’s long-time publicist Tree Paine, who confirmed the nuptials exclusively to the BBC, both the bride and groom wore custom couture from Christian Dior, designed in close collaboration with Jonathan Anderson, the brand’s Creative Director for Women’s, Men’s and Haute Couture Collections. Paine noted that this ceremony marked the first time Anderson has created a couture wedding look for a global A-list celebrity. Completing the couple’s ensembles, custom footwear came from luxury designer Christian Louboutin, while Swift wore one-of-a-kind fine jewelry from Cartier. Breaking from traditional wedding party structures, the pair chose not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen: Swift’s brother Austin Swift stepped into the role of Man of Honour, while Travis’ brother, retired NFL star Jason Kelce, served as Best Man.

    Celebrations for the union stretched across two days. Festivities kicked off on Thursday with a smaller pre-wedding gathering attended by roughly 100 close friends and family, officially listed as a “pre-party” on permits filed with New York City officials. By Friday, preparations scaled up dramatically for the main ceremony: a massive privacy tent twice the size of Thursday’s canopy was erected outside the arena entrance to shield arriving guests from paparazzi and public view, with dozens of blacked-out SUVs shuttling attendees through the secured structure. Event crews also installed opaque curtains and private gazebos across the arena to maintain seclusion for the 1,000 expected guests, while city officials closed off one of Midtown Manhattan’s busiest corridors to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic, redirecting passersby with barriers. Even with these extensive privacy measures, dozens of high-profile attendees were spotted by photographers making their way to the venue: Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper, Hugh Grant and his wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein, Ethan Hawke, Jason Sudeikis, Dakota Johnson, singer Benson Boone, TV host Graham Norton, multiple members of Kelce’s NFL team, and Swift’s long-time collaborators including Jack Antonoff and Lena Dunham were all counted among the guest list.

    As soon as the ceremony concluded, Madison Square Garden lit its exterior in a soft pink-lavender glow and displayed large illuminated signs reading “JUST&T MARRIED” — a playful, personalized nod to both Taylor and Travis’s first names. Nearby, the Empire State Building also lit up in honor of the couple, marking the occasion for the entire city. The celebration drew thousands of Swifties, Swift’s devoted global fanbase, to the blocks surrounding the arena from early morning Friday, even as temperatures climbed to a sweltering 37C (98.6F), with a heavy NYPD presence deployed to manage crowds.

    Fans of all ages lined every sidewalk, many clad in Swift concert merch and singing her hit tracks, while others climbed nearby scaffolding to catch a glimpse of arriving celebrities. As black SUVs pulled into the venue entrance, crowds erupted in chants of Swift’s lyrics and cheers of “We love you Taylor!” Many fans told reporters they were shocked but overjoyed to see the couple wed at the iconic Manhattan arena, with some saying they never doubted Swift would pull off such a spectacular event. Not all local reactions were positive, however: some New York residents described the street closures as an absurd inconvenience for everyday New Yorkers, though many acknowledged they expected the ceremony to be unforgettable regardless of the disruption.

    Wedding planning experts estimate the couple spent tens of millions of dollars to rent out the 20,000-capacity arena for the event, a cost that reflects the unprecedented scale of the celebration. Long before the ceremony, rumors of the wedding sparked global speculation that drew comparisons to royal weddings, dominated news cycles, and even drove millions of dollars in activity on online betting markets focused on wedding details. In a surprise gesture ahead of the big day, Swift — one of the world’s few billionaire entertainers — and Kelce donated $26 million to more than 20 charities across the U.S., with no public connection drawn to the wedding at the time of the donation.

    While some observers noted that a major sports and concert arena like Madison Square Garden is an unconventional choice for a high-profile wedding, the venue’s unique layout — with few exterior windows and multiple underground access points — offered an unusual level of privacy for the high-profile couple. Pop culture critic Kristen Meinzer told the BBC that the wedding reflects the unique cultural place the couple hold in American life: “We worship at the throne of music and football, these are all the things we love in America married together.” She added that Swift’s long-standing connection to New York City, where she has lived since 2014 when she purchased a combined $20 million Tribeca penthouse that inspired her 1989 album track *Welcome to New York*, made Manhattan a fitting location for the ceremony.

  • Police, fans and celebrities – What it’s like outside the Swift wedding

    Police, fans and celebrities – What it’s like outside the Swift wedding

    On a crisp, bustling day in downtown Manhattan, crowds of onlookers, die-hard fans, and media personnel have clustered around the iconic Madison Square Garden, all drawn by swirling rumors of a high-profile wedding tied to global pop superstar Taylor Swift.

    BBC correspondent Nada Tawfik reported on-location from the heart of the crowd, capturing the electric, chaotic atmosphere that has wrapped around the famous venue since early morning. Uniformed NYPD officers have been deployed across the perimeter, working to maintain order as thousands of attendees, many decked out in Swift’s signature red lipstick and Eras Tour merch, jostle for the chance to catch a glimpse of the star or her famous guests.

    Celebrities have been spotted slipping into the venue through private back entrances over the past two hours, fueling further excitement among the gathered crowd. Fans have traded speculative rumors about the guest list, the ceremony details, and the surprise performance many are hoping will take place after the vows. Local business owners nearby say foot traffic has surged more than 300% compared to a typical weekday, with food carts and souvenir stands selling out of snacks and Swift-themed merchandise within hours.

    Despite the chaos, officers on the ground report that the crowd has remained overwhelmingly peaceful, with most attendees just happy to be part of the once-in-a-generation pop culture moment unfolding outside one of New York’s most famous landmarks.

  • China’s internet got so mad about a celebrity’s ‘bad’ singing, her concert was cancelled

    China’s internet got so mad about a celebrity’s ‘bad’ singing, her concert was cancelled

    For celebrities working in China’s fast-paced entertainment industry, fame can be a double-edged sword that elevates careers one moment and brings them crashing down the next. Veteran Chinese television host Xie Na learned this harsh lesson recently, when her highly anticipated first nationwide singing tour was derailed by widespread public backlash and official criticism, resulting in the abrupt cancellation of its opening Beijing show.

    Xie Na has been a household name in Chinese entertainment for more than 20 years, best known for her two-decade run as a core cast member of *Happy Camp*, one of China’s most beloved long-running variety shows. After starting her career with small acting roles, her outgoing, energetic personality and sharp comedic timing turned her into one of the country’s most recognizable media personalities. But for years, she held an unfulfilled personal goal: to build a career as a professional singer.

    In April, she made that dream public in a post on Chinese social platform Weibo, announcing her first run of solo concerts would kick off in Chengdu, the booming cultural hub of southwest China. “This year, I finally get the chance to chase this dream seriously,” she wrote. When tickets went on sale shortly after the announcement, thousands of seats sold out within minutes, a result that even caught Xie by surprise. Eight minutes after sales opened, she shared on Weibo: “My hands are still trembling, the tickets are all gone.”

    The two Chengdu shows, held in May, drew enthusiastic support from her loyal fanbase, with special nostalgic guest appearances from Xie’s celebrity friends that boosted her confidence. After the performances ended, a giddy Xie shared her surprise at her own vocal performance during a livestream with fans. “By the final song, I wasn’t even out of breath,” she joked, adding that she could have been a “pop queen” before asking her audience: “Do you think I can pull off a whole national tour?”

    Buoyed by the warm reception in Chengdu, Xie and her team quickly moved forward with plans for a multi-city national tour, opening with a stop in Beijing. Tickets were priced between 380 and 1,180 yuan (equivalent to $52 to $174 USD). But almost immediately after the tour announcement, public opinion began to shift dramatically against the project.

    Online critics questioned whether Xie had the vocal talent to justify a full concert tour, with many arguing she was leaning on the star power of her celebrity friends to draw crowds rather than standing on her own musical merit. Others went further, accusing her of launching the tour solely to cash in on her existing fame for quick profits. As discontent grew, some social media users claimed they had filed official complaints alleging the tour had not secured proper regulatory permits, and a viral screenshot showed an unsolicited message sent to Xie’s husband Zhang Jie, a well-known professional singer, urging him to “control your wife.”

    What might have stayed just online chatter gained new weight when Chinese state media and official outlets joined the criticism, issuing sharp public rebukes. An opinion piece published last month by a department of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee argued that Xie’s tour raised suspicions that she was chasing profits rather than fulfilling a personal artistic dream. The piece framed the controversy as a warning: “Shallow, superficial popularity cannot generate sustainable profit, and it will also lead to an overall loss of cultural refinement.”

    Shortly after that commentary ran, China’s official state newspaper *People’s Daily* published another editorial criticizing an unnamed “popular host with no well-known original musical works,” warning that while genuine excellence earns long-term public recognition, “those who gain fame without real skill will eventually run into trouble.”

    The mounting public and official pressure ultimately forced the tour’s cancellation. Over the weekend, Xie’s event organizer announced the opening Beijing show would be scrapped, and all purchased tickets would be fully refunded. It remains unclear whether the cancellation came as a direct government order; Xie herself has not issued any public comment on the controversy to date.

    Industry analysts note the backlash is not an isolated incident, but a reflection of growing shifts in public attitudes toward celebrity culture in China. Dr. Jian Xu, an associate professor specializing in Chinese internet and pop culture at Australia’s Deakin University, suggests the cancellation may have been a calculated risk management move by Xie’s team and event organizers, rather than a forced cancellation. He adds that the public anger toward Xie reflects widespread growing resentment toward celebrities seen as cashing in on their social media fame without delivering equivalent skill or value.

    Xie is far from the only celebrity to face this kind of backlash recently. Just weeks before her controversy, acclaimed Chinese singer Han Hong faced public anger after she promoted a new spy thriller film and urged fans to “give me some face” to support the movie, leading to accusations of emotional manipulation that forced her to issue a public apology.

    Xu also argues that the outrage over Xie’s tour has become an outlet for broader social and economic frustrations among young Chinese people. In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of young people in China have faced soaring youth unemployment, stagnant wage growth, and broader economic uncertainty. Against that backdrop, celebrities who appear to earn large sums of money easily through their fame have become a natural target for public anger.

    In recent years, Chinese social media has increasingly targeted public figures perceived to hold unfair privilege. Last year, a rising young actress had her name removed from the credits of an upcoming drama after online users accused her of using her mother’s industry connections to secure a spot at a top drama school. Just a month before that, another actress faced widespread online backlash after being photographed wearing luxury earrings reportedly worth more than the average Chinese worker’s annual salary.

    Zichen Wang, founder of the *Pekingnology* newsletter, notes that criticism of celebrities has become one of the safest outlets for public frustration in China. “It allows people to voice their anger over questions of competence, privilege, wealth and social fairness without directly addressing more sensitive political topics,” he explained in an interview with the BBC. “It lets people direct their anger at a target that is not in the seat of power.”

    But Wang also raises important questions about where the line between public criticism and public cancellation should lie. “A society is allowed to have strong opinions about personal taste, but taste should not be turned into administrative power, or an excuse to use it,” he said. “Personal dislike should not translate into the power to cancel someone entirely.”

    That debate has already emerged among Chinese social media users discussing Xie’s controversy. “If you don’t like it, just don’t buy a ticket and don’t follow it, why do you get to control what other people spend their money on?” one user wrote on Weibo. Another commented: “If her singing is bad and she holds a concert, she should face the consequences of the market, not public humiliation and a total cancellation.”

  • In pictures: Taylor Swift wedding fever heats up in New York

    In pictures: Taylor Swift wedding fever heats up in New York

    Anticipation and excitement have reached a fever pitch in Manhattan this Fourth of July weekend, as swirling rumors of an imminent star-studded wedding between global pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce transform the iconic Madison Square Garden into the center of global entertainment attention. The couple, who announced their engagement last year, are widely reported by U.S. media to kick off their multi-day wedding celebrations with an intimate pre-wedding gathering Thursday, widely speculated to be a rehearsal dinner, hosting roughly 100 close guests at the Manhattan arena.

    A far larger main celebration is scheduled for Friday at the same venue, which is expected to draw up to 1,000 invited guests, with A-listers including singer Sabrina Carpenter and broadcaster Graham Norton already tipped to be in attendance by insiders. Visual evidence from the venue has fueled the widespread speculation: photos taken in the lead-up to the event show uniformed crews transporting staging, lighting, and event supplies into the arena, home of the New York Knicks NBA franchise, while soft blush-colored curtains have been hung across venue windows to block public view of preparations inside.

    Local authorities have already confirmed to the BBC that a permit for temporary street closures near Madison Square Garden was approved for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and work crews installed concrete barricades around the perimeter of the venue Wednesday, one day ahead of the reported first celebration. Even New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani leaned into the buzz during a public heat safety advisory amid an ongoing heatwave sweeping the Big Apple, quipping that residents should stay cool “especially if you’re (hypothetically) having your wedding at MSG this weekend.”

    Thousands of Swift’s diehard fans, known widely as Swifties, have already gathered outside the arena in hopes of catching a glimpse of the couple or their famous guests, alongside dozens of reporters and celebrity photographers covering the high-profile event. However, onlookers are unlikely to get a peek at the couple: if the wedding plans hold, Swift and Kelce are scheduled to enter the venue through a private underground entrance to avoid crowds and press. Multiple industry sources have described strict security surrounding the event, with one celebrity photographer telling the BBC that preparations have been wrapped in “Pentagon-level secrecy” that has kept most details tightly under wraps.

    While neither Swift nor Kelce have appeared in public near the venue to confirm the event, the massive logistics operation unfolding at Madison Square Garden matches the scale of production Swift has become known for during her record-breaking Eras Tour, which required dozens of trucks to move equipment between tour stops. Fans around the world have been sharing updates and speculation across social media all week, turning the rumored nuptials into one of the most talked-about entertainment events of 2026.

  • Steam railway that travels through the Swiss Alps celebrates its 100th anniversary

    Steam railway that travels through the Swiss Alps celebrates its 100th anniversary

    Nestled among Switzerland’s most dramatic high-Alpine landscapes, a beloved piece of railway history is preparing to mark a major milestone this weekend, as hundreds of train lovers and travel enthusiasts gather to celebrate 100 years of continuous connection along the iconic Furka Pass route.

    Perched 2,431 meters above sea level, the Furka Pass ranks among Switzerland’s highest mountain crossings, gaining global pop culture fame as the backdrop for a heart-pounding car chase in the 1964 James Bond classic *Goldfinger*. But long before Sean Connery’s 007 navigated the pass’s famous hairpin turns, a steam locomotive made the first full continuous crossing of the steep, winding alpine corridor on July 3, 1926. That historic run established a critical permanent rail link between the central Swiss cantons of Uri and Valais, serving regional communities and travelers for more than five decades.

    The original route’s operational era came to a close in the early 1980s, when a new base tunnel built under the Alps diverted all regular rail traffic and left the high mountain tracks abandoned. It would have fallen into complete disrepair if not for a large community of dedicated volunteers, who affectionately call themselves the railway’s “pioneers.” Over thousands of collective hours, these enthusiasts worked to restore, repair, and maintain the original tracks and vintage rolling stock, reviving the line to operate exactly as it did a century earlier.

    The first section of the restored route opened as a heritage railway in 1992, and the full 18-kilometer stretch between Realp and Oberwald was finally completed and opened to passenger service in 2010. Today, the vintage steam trains run exclusively as a seasonal tourist attraction, operating only during summer months. Visitors can step into restored heritage carriages for a slow journey through some of the Alps’ most breathtaking scenery, past glacial rivers, wild alpine meadows, and lush green pastures that still hold patches of lingering snow from the winter months.

    Unlike modern railway operations, every role along the Furka heritage line is filled by volunteer enthusiasts, who say mastering the art of operating a century-old steam locomotive requires far more than technical training. “It’s something like a living machine, so you have to get kind of the feeling for it,” explained Bernhard Lang, a veteran volunteer driver. “To feel how it behaves, how it moves, how it smells, how it sounds.”

    For the youngest members of the volunteer team, the project offers a rare, tangible connection to early 20th-century engineering. “You hear every sound, you hear if everything is right,” said Jacob Kallert, a 21-year-old German transport engineering student and the line’s youngest train manager. “You can pretty much feel how it was then and how it is now.”

    Volunteers say the project has a way of winning over anyone who spends time on the line. “We say, in German, that everyone who works here has the ‘Furka Virus, the Furka disease,’” joked volunteer Sergio Rovelli. “Once you come here, you like it, and you stay.”

    Tickets for the scenic 2-and-a-half-hour one-way journey start at 46 Swiss francs, equal to roughly $56.82. Centennial anniversary celebrations kicked off Friday and will run through the weekend, giving visitors the chance to mark the milestone while riding the historic locomotives through the Alps.

  • Taylor Swift’s rumoured wedding celebrations begin with star-studded New York event

    Taylor Swift’s rumoured wedding celebrations begin with star-studded New York event

    On one of New York City’s hottest July days, with temperatures soaring past 100 degrees Fahrenheit, all eyes of global entertainment media have turned to Manhattan’s iconic Madison Square Garden, where pop superstar Taylor Swift and her fiancé, NFL star Travis Kelce, are widely rumored to kick off star-studded wedding festivities this Fourth of July weekend, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

    Unconfirmed but widely circulated reports suggest the couple began their celebration on Thursday with an intimate pre-wedding gathering and rehearsal dinner, expected to host around 100 invited guests. A larger formal celebration on Friday is projected to draw up to 1,000 high-profile attendees, turning the multi-purpose sports arena into an exclusive A-list wedding venue. A permit obtained by the Associated Press confirms a “pre-party night” is scheduled for Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET, matching initial media speculation.

    By Thursday evening, A-list guests had already begun arriving. A stream of black SUVs dropped guests off under a large white privacy canopy erected outside the venue’s entrance, with Swift, Kelce and other top-tier VIPs expected to use the arena’s underground entry tunnels to avoid public attention. Paparazzi and media spotted a slew of Swift’s inner circle arriving in formal wear, including Girls creator Lena Dunham, Swift’s long-time producer and collaborator Jack Antonoff, designer Rachel Antonoff, actor Bradley Cooper, model Gigi Hadid, and pop star Selena Gomez, who shared a cryptic Instagram post of herself in a black gem-adorned gown ahead of the event. Other noted attendees including singer Sabrina Carpenter and broadcaster Graham Norton were also spotted in Manhattan ahead of the rumored celebrations.

    Media crews from around the world have staked out the area outside Madison Square Garden for days, documenting every detail of event preparation. Gossip outlet TMZ even launched a continuous live feed focusing on the arena’s loading bay, where viewers watched workers unload event equipment ranging from large cardboard boxes to custom set pieces including a grand white staircase and a giant mirror ball. A large notice posted at the venue entrance advised all visitors between June 29 and July 3 that entry constitutes consent to being filmed and photographed for an unspecified “event”, further fueling rumors of wedding-related content capture.

    New York City officials confirmed an application for street closure permits in the surrounding area was approved, though they declined to name the applicant. The timing of the event, which falls over the holiday weekend celebrating America’s 250th birthday while New York also hosts matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has added to the hype around the high-profile nuptials. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has playfully referenced the ongoing wedding speculation during recent press briefings, while city authorities deployed dozens of police officers to manage crowds and secure the perimeter, installing metal barricades around restricted zones.

    Despite an explicit official warning for the public to stay indoors to avoid the dangerous extreme heat, hundreds of loyal Swift fans have gathered outside the arena to catch a glimpse of their favorite star and celebrate the occasion. Ryan Weng, a fan who has followed Swift for more than 15 years, called the chance to be near the rumored wedding an “irreplaceable experience” for her. Rusty Carbaug, a 34-year-old pilot who wore a Kansas-themed shirt in honor of Kelce’s roots, shared that he has grown up with Swift’s music, adding that “the right man for her is whoever she chooses”. Two student fans from the University of Mississippi initially doubted Swift would choose Madison Square Garden as a wedding venue, but acknowledged that with her resources, “you’re gonna be able to make anything look pretty”. A Belgian tourist waiting outside added that the arena choice makes sense because it offers the couple much-needed privacy amid intense public interest.

    While the venue choice has raised some eyebrows — long-time New York observers note the 60-year-old sports arena, located atop one of the country’s busiest and most cramped transit hubs, is better known for hosting basketball and hockey games than luxury celebrity weddings — the intense public and media interest in the rumored nuptials has turned a routine holiday weekend in Manhattan into a global media event, with millions following along for updates on what many are already calling the wedding of the century.

  • What will guests wear to Taylor Swift’s  wedding of the century?

    What will guests wear to Taylor Swift’s wedding of the century?

    Wedding fever has swept across pop culture and social media in recent days, as swirling rumors point to an imminent high-profile marriage between global music icon Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs NFL star Travis Kelce in New York City. The 36-year-old couple, who announced their engagement in August 2025, have perfected Swift’s well-known talent for controlling public narrative, leaving every concrete detail of the rumored Friday nuptials shrouded in mystery.

    Rumors have placed the event at Manhattan’s iconic Madison Square Garden, a massive sports and entertainment venue located in the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities. Even as speculation mounts over whether the space will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind wedding venue, including unconfirmed reports of a custom-built castle on site, and who has scored one of the estimated 1,100 invitations, the biggest question on everyone’s mind ahead of the big day is simple: what will everyone wear?

    Fashion industry insiders and entertainment journalists have shared their expert predictions for guest looks, leaning into the aesthetic preferences that have long defined Swift’s personal style. Savannah Bradley, a fashion editor speaking to the BBC, explained that guests spotted arriving in New York this week will likely opt for soft, polished, classic silhouettes that align with Swift’s favored aesthetic, with romantic design as the core throughline. She added that it would be no surprise to see a host of A-list guests in pieces from luxury houses including Gucci and Dior, the latter currently helmed by creative director Jonathan Anderson.

    Swift’s guest list draws from her wide circle of celebrity friends, each with distinct personal style: the roster includes Selena Gomez, Suki Waterhouse, music trio the Haim sisters, model Cara Delevingne, producer Jack Antonoff and rising pop star Sabrina Carpenter, among others. Entertainment journalist Nola Ojomu notes that Carpenter’s signature aesthetic leans into distinctive old Hollywood glamour, a look that is perfectly suited for a high-profile wedding. Unconfirmed reports have pointed to a formal black tie dress code, requiring top hats for male attendees and evening gloves for female guests, with an overarching “whimsical” theme communicated to invitees, according to an anonymous source cited by Us Weekly.

    Ojomu points out that Suki Waterhouse’s signature natural bohemian style fits the rumored whimsical theme perfectly, and she is expected to turn out one of the night’s most memorable looks alongside fashion-forward attendees like Cara Delevingne. She predicts guests will embrace warm-weather New York wedding trends, reaching for vibrant hues, flowy silhouettes, and the recently revived lightweight lace fabrics that have dominated 2026 red carpets, alongside chic dresses with attached multiway neck scarves.

    Even as speculation over guest fashion runs wild, much remains unclear about how much of the event will ever be seen by the public. Conflicting reports swirl: some claim a livestream will give fans a peek at the celebrations, while others insist a total phone ban will keep all photography locked inside the venue. With uncertainty over whether their outfits will ever be seen by outside audiences, experts say guests are likely dressing to impress their fellow A-list attendees rather than the general public.

    Bradley explained that the unwritten rules for dressing for a gathering of fellow celebrities have shifted dramatically in recent years. Where once the goal was to flaunt wealth via headline-grabbing luxury pieces, today’s A-list guests prioritize showcasing refined personal taste and creative vision. Many attendees may opt for archival designer pieces — think a 1994 Chanel vintage look or a 2005 Ralph Lauren runway piece — or restyle a previously worn gown in a new, interesting way to stand out, rather than commissioning a brand new custom piece.

    Of course, the unbreakable rule for every guest remains: never upstage the bride. Walking that line is particularly tricky at a wedding where nearly every attendee can afford custom or archival high-end designer looks, but both experts agree that guests will stick to the unspoken rule. While attendees may lean into bolder choices than the average wedding guest, they will be careful not to pull focus from Swift on her big day.

    As for the bride herself, fashion experts agree that a custom designer gown is all but guaranteed. Bradley notes that Swift has longstanding close working relationships with acclaimed designers including Stella McCartney, the late Vivienne Westwood, and Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, while designs from Oscar de la Renta or Christian Siriano would also align perfectly with her aesthetic. “A corset wouldn’t shock me. She loves a corset,” Bradley added, echoing a common observation of Swift’s red carpet and stage wardrobe.

    Sarah Chapelle, founder of the popular fashion blog Taylor Swift Style, points out that Kelce — a noted fan of bold fashion — is also likely to make a sartorial splash. The NFL star often steps out in bright colors and eye-catching patterns, favoring pieces that are bold, playful and fun, so Chapelle predicts a colorful statement jacket for the wedding reception would fit right in with his personal style.

    Ojomu predicts Swift will lean into a full fairytale aesthetic for her walk down the aisle, with a princess ball gown silhouette that delivers the iconic romantic moment fans expect. Her main ceremony dress is likely to be a classic corseted design with a flowing A-line skirt, fitting both her personal taste and the rumored whimsical wedding theme. But given the couple’s well-documented love of celebrating, Ojomu expects Swift to change into a more lightweight, movement-friendly design for the reception — likely a relaxed, comfortable piece from Stella McCartney or Ralph Lauren. For Kelce, she predicts the groom will lean into playful, tailored design from American brand Thom Browne once the full-scale celebrations get underway.