Like scoring 7-7-7 on a Vegas slot machine, Nina Nieves and Kevin Carter hit love’s jackpot. 

In today’s dating climate, where finding “the one” can feel like a risky gamble in a rundown casino with worn-out carpeting and the lingering stench of stale cigarettes, coming up a winner in love is no sure bet.

So, to toast their lucky strike without breaking the bank, the North Jersey couple crossed the Hudson River to trade traditional ‘I dos’ for a funky, affordable affair at the Lower East Side’s buzziest new wedding venue, The Sure Thing Chapel.

“We’re really just not traditional wedding people,” Nieves, 31, a surgical coordinator, told The Post with a laugh, praising the pale pink hotspot on Allen Street for its avant-garde appeal.

She and Carter, 34, a postman, tied the knot for roughly $700 on Sept. 4 inside Sure Thing’s grand hall.

It’s a 400-square-foot salon decked out in crimson-red flooring, matching velvet drapery, mirror-ceiling tiles and a hanging heart bedecked with blinking light bulbs as its centerpiece. Disco-ball pigeons and a neon Wurlitzer organ shine as the gaudy cherries on top of the already over-the-top setup.

Three rows of bubblegum-pink chairs accommodate up to 18 to witness the speedy ceremonies.

But a massive front window facing the street gives passersby an unobstructed eyeful of the non-religious nuptials, most of which wrap up in under 30 minutes and can be booked via email or phone. And they’re all presided over by in-house officiants, including a drag queen clown and a hellishly kitschy Elvis impersonator.

The elopement establishment, founded this fall by Victoria Hogan and Amy Lee, creators of the two Sure Thing chapels in downtown Las Vegas, offers a sprinkle of old-school Sin City pizzazz to New Yorkers who want next-level nuptials for next to nothing. 

Wedding packages, each including a marriage license filing, range from $666 to $1,444. 

Guys and gals can spring for glitzy add-ons, including access to the adjacent Autophoto Photobooth Museum, a two-song serenade from the chapel’s Wurlitzer pianist — who belts out classics like Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” — or a live performance by Tillie the Clown.

But Nieves and Carter kept their bash simple and economical, sans the extra bells and whistles. 

“Kevin is definitely more of an introvert and I’m an extrovert. I wanted the fun, flashing lights, vintage feel of Las Vegas without having to spend all that money getting ourselves and our families to Vegas,” said Nieves.

The penny-wise paramours are part of a growing 49% of sweethearts who’d rather opt for an affordable elopement than an expensive extravaganza. 

High-rolling couples tying the knot in 2026 and 2027 are reportedly spending an average of approximately $37,000 — an $11,000 jump from the median cost in 2024.

From VIP venues to designer bridal gowns and everything in between, A-listers and everyday darlings alike are blowing big bucks on their big days, some sparing no expense to make their wildest wedding dreams a reality. 

More prudent pairs, however, are creatively keeping costs low with penny-pinching hacks like getting hitched on the L train or charging a $300 admission fee at the doors of their holy matrimonies. 

Nieves and Carter, former AMC movie theater coworkers-turned-inamoratos, weren’t about to make their loved ones come out of pocket — at least not for more than the $20 toll to cross the Hudson River from New Jersey into New York City.

They considered exchanging rings with a backyard celebration or at a local City Hall. But once Nieves learned of Sure Thing’s grand opening in September, it was, well, a sure thing. 

“The minute I found out the chapel was coming to New York, I was like, ‘Oh my god! We have to get married here.’ The vibrancy and energy of the whole place just screamed at me,” said the bride, who wore a $40 Fashion Nova wedding gown for the sweet celebration. 

Carter, who wore a suit he’d already owned for the fête, told The Post his biggest concern was ensuring his lady’s happiness. 

“The wedding was a reflection of her spirit. We wanted a ceremony that felt right to us,” he said of the kooky venue. He and Nieves plan to allocate the cash they saved by forgoing an over-the-top shindig toward an haute honeymoon in Japan.  

“It didn’t matter if people didn’t understand why we chose [Sure Thing],” said Carter. “Screw everyone else, as long as we’re happy.”

Carter and Nieves weren’t the only ones marching to the beat of their own wedding bells. Nicci Reeve and her groom, David, had a similar anything-goes attitude about their Oct. 10 to-do.

The British lovebirds, based in Bristol, England, flew over 3,600 miles to the Big Apple just to become husband and wife at the Sure Thing after 14 years of dating. 

And the $666 wedding only took five minutes. 

“I’m not really a Vegas girl, but I’m absolutely a New York City girl,” laughed Reeve, 42, a marketing exec in the UK. “But I do love the vintage Vegas aesthetic, and I’d been following Sure Thing online for quite a while.”

“So I immediately made arrangements for David and me to get married at the New York location, sight unseen,” added the self-crowned “Type B” bride — the antithesis of a stereotypical bridezilla demanding princess-style perfection for her special occasion. 

Rather than a Cinderella-inspired ball gown, the artsy nonconformist sported a creme colored two piece set from designer Simone Rocha. Instead of a horse-drawn chariot, she and her unpretentious Prince Charming, 47, a corporate associate director, hopped a city subway to their “I Do” destination. 

And in place of a six-figure soirée in the English countryside — arrangements Reeve nearly greenlit — the romantic rebels eloped in a room full of empty seats at Sure Thing, going it completely alone. 

“Our photographer was our witness,” she giggled. “We wanted the wedding to be just about us. No big crowds, no cake-cutting ceremony or first dance. Just our love.”

The new spouses toasted their new titles with dinner à deux at French bistro, Bridges, in Chinatown before retiring to their 4-star digs at The Ludlow Hotel, then whisking away to the Catskills for an extended stay in the mountains. 

“The whole experience was so me,” Reeve raved, grateful for the Sure Thing’s magnetism. 

“It was a literal dream come true.”

Usman Nurmagomedov and several members of his entourage have received prison sentences and substantial fines in Abu Dhabi following a shocking attack at a hotel.

Nurmagomedov confronted UFC star Merab Dvalishvili at the Yas Hilton on Wednesday, striking him in the lobby during an apparent revenge attack that was filmed by people in his group.

Dvalishvili, the Georgian-American fighter, fought back alongside his cameraman as the confrontation quickly erupted into a chaotic brawl. He was left with visible cuts and bruises, while those involved were swiftly taken into custody by authorities.

Just 48 hours later, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department announced the punishments on social media.

Six members of the group were sentenced to six months in prison and fined £61,000 each. They will be deported from the United Arab Emirates once their sentences have been completed.

The court said the men had “caused panic, disturbed public security and endangered lives.”

Two other associates of Nurmagomedov were fined £10,000 each after being found guilty of disturbing public security and assaulting others.

Usman Nurmagomedov (left) reportedly started the confrontation by slapping Merab Dvalishvili, while his brother Umar (right) lost a title fight to the Georgian last year

The Abu Dhabi court posted details of the attackers’ sentences online

The remaining two members of the party, who recorded the assault, were also handed six-month prison terms and £61,000 fines. Their recording devices were confiscated.

They were convicted of violating privacy laws by using information technology to record and distribute footage of the fight.

Dvalishvili had been scheduled to compete at a RAF wrestling event on Saturday. Chad Bronstein, the event’s CEO and co-founder, later confirmed that the UFC fighter had returned to the group.

Bronstein said: “I am pleased to share that Merab Dvalishvili is back with us in Abu Dhabi. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi for their professionalism and support.

“We remain focused on moving forward and are pleased to have Merab back with us.”

The confrontation was reportedly the result of tensions that had been building for four months.

In July, Dvalishvili had taken part in a RAF event in Georgia. The freestyle wrestling promotion allows UFC fighters to compete outside their mixed martial arts commitments.

While at the event, Dagestani wrestler Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov, a friend of Umar Nurmagomedov, confronted Dvalishvili over his reluctance to consider another bout with Umar.

UFC star Merab Dvalishvili was attacked at a five-star hotel in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday

Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Dvalishvili recalled: “I was super relaxed, super chilled and then somebody, Gadzhimagomedov, came and grabbed my neck and pulled me over and started yelling at me in Russian, which I hardly understand.

“He mentioned Umar. It took me a couple of seconds to realize, ‘Who is this guy to tell me what to talk about him?’

“It’s between me and Umar. I have so much respect for all Dagestani people, especially fighters. The only guy I don’t like from Dagestan is Umar and his sneaky manager, Rizvan, the guy who was helping Umar disrespect me on X and Threads.”

After Gadzhimagomedov confronted him, Dvalishvili pushed him by the neck and shouted: “What’s your problem, b***h?”

That incident was brought under control quickly, unlike the later hotel confrontation, and a child was reportedly nearby at the time.

Usman was said to have been seeking revenge for Gadzhimagomedov, as well as for his brother Umar, who lost a title challenge against Dvalishvili last year.

Footage from the hotel appeared to show the group approaching 35-year-old Dvalishvili from behind. One man spoke to him briefly before slapping him across the face.

Dvalishvili appeared stunned before being kicked, while another man who seemed to be accompanying him tried to restrain him.

He attempted to defend himself, but several men quickly surrounded him as his companion was also attacked. The groups were eventually separated, after which Dvalishvili addressed the incident on social media.

The 35-year-old was caught off guard while conducting an interview

Speaking while receiving treatment for his injuries, Dvalishvili said: “What a sneaky way, guys. Just two of us, me and my friend, came here in Abu Dhabi and Usman and his friends came like snakes from behind. What kind of fighters are you? What kind of man does this? If you want to fight, let’s do it the real way.

“You came when there were only two of us, and you were prepared. What the f***?”

His companion added: “From behind? You call yourselves men? You’re a little b***h.”

Dvalishvili continued: “You are sneaky guys. You are not real men. It shows your character. If you want to fight, let’s fight. We are fighters. I talk straight, but you came from behind. I don’t know how many of you there were, with all your friends waiting for us in a sneaky way.

“I knew what kind of guys you were. Usman, Umar and their friends came from behind with so many people. I am fine, guys. To all my friends and family, I am completely fine. I am a fighter. This is nothing for me, but it shows what kind of people you are. Cowards do this. We are warriors.”

A woman in the UK has spoken publicly about the horrifying moment she realized her husband had been drugging her so strangers could rape her.

Laura Bishop identified herself for the first time in an interview with ITV News, describing a case that bears disturbing similarities to that of Dominique Pelicot, the 71-year-old French woman who was repeatedly raped by men allegedly invited to her home by her husband while she was unconscious.

Laura said her husband, Daniel Bishop, also livestreamed at least eight assaults involving seven different men. She has criticized police for failing to bring those men to justice.

She first discovered what had happened in 2021, when she woke up naked and being raped after Daniel suggested they have a drink at their home in Bristol, England.

“He poured me a gin and tonic. I couldn’t see what he was doing. I never thought I’d need to watch what he did with my drink. I don’t remember finishing it,” Bishop told ITV News.

“I woke up on the bed. Completely undressed. Naked. And being raped by a stranger,” she said.

“I immediately looked to the right, and Dan was standing there; my husband was standing there in the doorway,” she said.

“I can remember the first thing I thought was, ‘I’m going to be strangled and murdered.’ But I started moving myself very quickly back up the bed, and the man got up and ran off,” she recalled.

Bishop reported the attack to police, who arrested her husband.

Daniel Bishop pleaded guilty in 2022 to three rapes, three attempted rapes, a sexual assault and administering a noxious substance, according to ITV.

He was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison, followed by an additional eight years of supervised release.

Laura later secretly recorded her husband while he was in prison. During the conversation, he told her that “seven men in total” had raped her, she said.

“The last one came twice. So it was eight separate occasions, with seven different men,” she said, adding that an unknown number of people may have watched the assaults online.

However, Laura said none of the men involved has yet been brought to justice. That is one reason she decided to speak publicly about what happened.

“The most important thing is outing these men and putting names to faces… This is my opportunity for my voice to be heard,” she said. “I want justice. That’s what I feel I deserve.”

Avon and Somerset Police told ITV News it was “sorry Laura feels let down by aspects of the overall investigation.”

“One man has received a significant prison sentence for the crimes he committed against her, but a thorough investigation continues, led by specially trained detectives.”

A threat already embedded within the United States could cause catastrophic damage to millions of Americans, a former FBI official has warned.

Chris Swecker, a 24-year bureau veteran, said Iran-backed Hezbollah cells operating inside the country have the ability to carry out terrorist attacks on US soil.

His warning came after federal prosecutors in New York announced terrorism charges against three alleged Iran-backed operatives. The case includes an alleged plot to bomb a Manhattan synagogue.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also relocated to a US military base following threats from Iran against his life, Reuters reported, citing two people familiar with the move.

President Donald Trump has convened urgent meetings with his national security team to determine whether the United States will resume its bombing campaign against Iran as peace negotiations continue to stall.

Swecker cautioned that a US nuclear strike could provoke retaliation against American nuclear power plants and other critical energy infrastructure.

‘I think the most realistic retaliation is that the many Hezbollah cells already here in the United States would take matters into their own hands.

‘They have that capability, and they can carry out terrorist attacks here,’ he told the Daily Mail.

Swecker said Americans should be prepared for possible retaliation if Washington orders what would be the first wartime nuclear strike since 1945.

The former FBI official, who has 45 years of law enforcement experience, also raised the possibility of state-sponsored cyberattacks against the US financial system, as well as attacks capable of triggering blackouts across major cities or entire regions.

Iranian state television has begun airing alert messages warning of the possibility of a nuclear strike against the country

Chris Swecker spent 24 years with the FBI. The counterintelligence expert warned that Iran-backed terror cells in the US could retaliate if a nuclear bomb struck Iran

‘We face a cyber threat and a physical threat. If the financial system were compromised or shut down, it wouldn’t require a nuclear missile; cyber means could accomplish it,’ Swecker said.

‘Or they could cut an undersea cable. We’d be sent back to the Stone Age for a while.’

Swecker’s assessment of the potential for a global crisis followed urgent warnings from the Pentagon, former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and several European countries, all of which urged the public to prepare for a worst-case scenario.

He told the Daily Mail that North Korea, Russia and China—all allies of Iran—possess nuclear capabilities believed to be capable of reaching US territory.

However, the former assistant director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division said those countries were unlikely to directly defend Iran with weapons of mass destruction.

‘I think the greatest danger is terrorism—the threat to US targets overseas that are more accessible—because I believe the president has put [Iran] in a position where its capabilities are limited.’

The threat of state-sponsored cyberterrorism became more tangible on October 31, when the FBI confirmed that North Korea had successfully stolen $6.3 billion from cryptocurrency exchange Binance.

‘You could take out the power grid or financial system in one city and send it back to the Stone Age. That would create enormous panic in this country,’ Swecker said.

‘It would have an economic ripple effect because, in my view, many people in the United States do not believe this kind of attack can actually happen.’

Swecker also warned that Americans living or traveling abroad could become immediate targets after any US nuclear strike on Iran.

‘Iran cannot currently reach the US mainland with nuclear weapons, unless we are seriously mistaken about its capabilities. But I do not believe it has the ability to strike US soil with a missile,’ he added.

Former FBI agent Chris Swecker warned that the US power grid and nuclear energy facilities could become primary targets after a nuclear strike (File Image) 

Fears of nuclear escalation have reached an apocalyptic point over the past month, after President Trump reportedly began reconsidering his opposition to using nuclear weapons in the conflict with Iran.

John Kiriakou, who worked for the CIA from 1990 to 2004, claimed Trump was now looking to break the longstanding taboo against nuclear weapons.

‘I’ve heard the same thing from my own contacts at the White House: the president is considering using a tactical nuclear weapon against Pickaxe Mountain so it can penetrate deep enough to destroy everything underground,’ Kiriakou told Piers Morgan Uncensored.

Iran has openly discussed plans to construct centrifuges for nuclear enrichment at Pickaxe Mountain, known to Iranians as Mount Kalang.

The site is also believed to be large enough to contain an entire enrichment facility, prompting Trump to say the United States would not permit Iran to produce weapons-grade uranium for nuclear bombs.

Tucker Carlson, the podcast host and former Fox News personality, claimed on November 2 that a US nuclear strike could be only ‘days away.’

Swecker told the Daily Mail that the case for attacking Iran had largely centered on what he described as its ‘fanatical’ government’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon.

‘We cannot rule out the possibility that someone pushes the button,’ Swecker warned.

‘That is one reason we could not allow Iran to acquire full nuclear capabilities. They are not responsible, they are religious fanatics, and their objective is essentially to subjugate and eliminate Western civilization.’

Pickaxe Mountain is among the sites the US could target if it resumes military action against Iran

President Trump has reportedly considered using nuclear weapons within ‘days’ as the US focuses on a key nuclear research site in Iran’s Isfahan Province

Iranian state media began broadcasting public warnings around October 26, advising citizens that populated areas could be hit by nuclear weapons or exposed to deadly radiation from nearby fallout zones.

One Iranian video specifically warned: ‘If the US strikes Mount Kalang near the Natanz facility with a nuclear bomb, surrounding areas could also be endangered.’ 

Officials in Isfahan province, where Pickaxe Mountain is located, released the preparedness videos and safety guidance.

The clips, which lasted between two and eight minutes, outlined how people should respond to a nuclear explosion or radioactive contamination. They included images depicting both the US and Iran under nuclear attack.

The advice urged people to take shelter in a basement or a central room away from windows, shut doors and windows, and switch off ventilation systems that draw air from outside.

Iranians were advised to remain indoors for at least 24 hours after a possible nuclear strike.

The videos also warned people not to look directly at an explosion’s bright flash and advised them to remove clothing worn outside during the blast to reduce exposure to radioactive dust.

Swecker described the videos as effective Iranian government ‘propaganda,’ arguing that the regime was trying to frighten its own population while presenting the West as an aggressive and predatory enemy.

‘This is simply part of how they control and manipulate their population. They want to instill fear,’ Swecker said.

Still, the veteran agent said he was relieved that Iran’s leadership appeared concerned about the possibility of a nuclear war. He argued that the United States’ reputation and Iran’s fear of American power had prevented the country from becoming a more formidable global threat.

Swecker said that if pressure on Iran eased, the country could rapidly rebuild its capabilities with Russia and China quietly providing intelligence, funding and weapons.

A Stanford University student accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated sophomore in her dorm room had previously worked as a designated sobriety monitor at campus parties and publicly criticized the school for making student social events more difficult to organize.

Leo Rossitter, 24, an economics and data science major, allegedly raped the student after repeatedly attempting to kiss her and getting into her bed, according to allegations outlined in court documents.

Rossitter is expected to stand trial in Santa Clara County. A hearing to set the trial date is scheduled for December, The Stanford Daily reported.

In his role as a sobriety monitor, Rossitter was required to remain free of alcohol and drugs while supervising parties, responding to emergencies and monitoring students who had been drinking.

The position, which was often held by fraternity members, could also involve checking guests at the entrance to confirm that those consuming alcohol were legally permitted to do so.

Monitors were typically expected to remain on duty until parties ended and help arrange transportation, including cabs, for guests who were too intoxicated to travel safely on their own.

Rossitter had also previously voiced dissatisfaction with Stanford’s rules governing student parties and campus social life.

In an October 2022 article for The Stanford Daily about partying at Stanford, Rossitter said the university’s policies had created additional obstacles for students.

“Social definitely has a lot more headaches now. The University is putting up barriers [that] are unnecessary,” he said.

When asked to explain which restrictions he was referring to, Rossitter declined to provide details, saying he “[couldn’t] speak to that.”

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office charged Rossitter in October 2024 with rape of an intoxicated person, oral copulation of an intoxicated person and penetration by force.

Stanford was aware of the alleged assault and, following an internal Title IX investigation, suspended Rossitter from the university for two years. He had been a member of the class of 2025.

Rossitter became eligible to return to Stanford classes this quarter, according to The Stanford Daily.

His attorney, Daniel Barton, told the outlet that Rossitter “is not guilty of the horrible things that he is accused of.”

The Empire State Building climbers charged over their unauthorized ascent of the iconic New York landmark could face prison time and deportation as a result of the viral stunt.

Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, drew global attention after scaling the skyscraper in July and unfurling a black flag that read, “when the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” Moments later, Kuznetsov proposed to Nikolau, with the entire scene recorded on video.

News Media previously reported that the Russian couple had been negotiating a plea agreement with prosecutors. Their attorney said those discussions abruptly collapsed after the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office sent an email.

Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, who climbed the Empire State Building, watch as they leave the criminal courthouse in New York City on Nov. 12, 2026. (REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz)

The pair appeared in court Thursday for another hearing. They are charged with felony counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief and third-degree burglary, along with a misdemeanor count of unlawful climbing.

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Kuznetsov said, “We didn’t damage any property. We didn’t intend to put anyone in danger.”

Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, who climbed the Empire State Building, leave the criminal courthouse in New York City on Nov. 12, 2026. (REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz)

He added, “We just wanted to send a message of love, and we’re ready to defend ourselves.” Kuznetsov held hands with Nikolau, his fiancée of nearly four months, as she broke down in tears outside the courthouse.

Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, who climbed the Empire State Building, arrive at the criminal courthouse in New York City on Nov. 12, 2026. (REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz)

The couple’s attorney, Noam Biale, said prosecutors had offered an agreement under which Nikolau and Kuznetsov would plead guilty to misdemeanor charges and avoid what he described as “catastrophic immigration consequences.”

Biale said prosecutors withdrew that offer the night before Thursday’s court appearance.

Two people were seen holding a banner atop the Empire State Building in New York City on July 1, 2026. (WNYW)

“If sent back to Russia, Mr. Kuznetsov will almost certainly be sent to fight in the war in Ukraine, and Ms. Nikolau may be jailed for her artistic expression,” Biale said.

In a statement to News Media, a spokesperson for the DA’s office said, “As we stated in court, it is not accurate to say that any offer was withdrawn. The charges remain the same.”