Michael Appleton for The New York Times

Match Lit at Manhattan School Exploded a Laboratory in Renovation

By RICK ROJAS and JOHN SURICO

A match struck to test a Bunsen burner sparked a gas explosion on Thursday in Marble Hill that injured three construction workers, the authorities said.

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Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times

New Rules on Crowding for the Hamptons Express

By EMMA G. FITZSIMMONS

The aisles of the wildly popular Cannonball – a direct, nonstop LIRR train to the Hamptons – are lined with bags and extra people, where most of the cars are first-come, first-serve.

Richard Perry/The New York Times

Times Square Painted Ladies Take a Pause

By KATE TAYLOR and ILEANA NAJARRO

One day after Mayor Bill de Blasio said he would look at curbing the presence of naked women with body paint who pose for photos for tips, few of the painted ladies could be found.

Crime Scene

Richard Perry/The New York Times

Shatterproof Window Foils Effort to Steal Fake iPhones in a Manhattan Shop

By MICHAEL WILSON

A window that looked breakable but was not stopped four would-be burglars from stealing iPhones that looked real but were not.

More Crime Scene Columns

Richard Perry/The New York Times

Challenging Mayor de Blasio Over Times Square Plazas

By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN

The idea of ripping up the pedestrian spaces and forcing people to dodge traffic again runs headlong into a policy to improve safety.

Evan Sung for The New York Times

Amid Internet Outcry, Manhattan Theater Club Adds to Season Lineup

By LAURA COLLINS-HUGHES

The company’s announcement of productions solely by white male playwrights led to protests on social media, followed by a change.