Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia basilica has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the world’s tallest church. On Thursday, a section of its central tower was successfully installed, elevating the structure to a height of 162.91 meters (534 feet). This surpasses Germany’s Ulmer Münster, a Gothic Lutheran church that previously held the title at 161.53 meters (530 feet). The Sagrada Familia, designed by the visionary architect Antoni Gaudí, is now just over a meter taller than its German counterpart. The central “Tower of Jesus Christ” is still under construction and is expected to reach its final height of 172 meters (564 feet) in the coming months. Construction of the basilica began in 1882, and Gaudí, who passed away in 1926, never anticipated its completion within his lifetime. Over the decades, the project has gained momentum, fueled by its status as a global tourist attraction. Last year alone, 4.9 million visitors, including 15% from the United States, contributed to its funding through entrance fees. The church’s intricate facades and interior decorations will continue to be developed over the next decade, with full completion anticipated around 2035. Next year marks the centenary of Gaudí’s death, and the basilica plans to host events honoring his architectural legacy, which includes other remarkable structures in Barcelona and across Spain.
标签： Europe
欧洲
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Guy Kopelowicz, former Paris photo chief for AP, dies at 89
Guy Kopelowicz, a revered figure in photojournalism and a key contributor to The Associated Press’s visual storytelling in France for over four decades, has died at the age of 89. His family confirmed his passing on Sunday. Kopelowicz’s illustrious career spanned some of the most pivotal moments in modern history, including the 1968 Paris uprising, the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis, and the 1998 World Cup. Born in Paris on October 28, 1936, he joined the AP in 1964 as a photo editor, eventually rising to become Paris Chief Photo Editor in 1984, a role he held until his retirement in 2005. Beyond his professional achievements, Kopelowicz was a lifelong jazz aficionado, writing for Jazz Hot and Jazz Magazine in the late 1950s and later photographing jazz performers post-retirement. His passion for jazz was matched only by his love for fine wine, particularly Bordeaux grands crus. Kopelowicz leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Denise, and their son, Marc. A memorial service will be held at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris on Friday.
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Greek airline will run direct flights to Baghdad starting in December
In a significant move to enhance bilateral relations, Greece has announced the launch of direct flights from Athens to Baghdad, marking a new chapter in the economic and cultural ties between the two nations. Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis revealed on Thursday during his visit to Iraq that Aegean Airlines will commence its inaugural flight on December 16. This development is particularly noteworthy as no other European airline currently operates direct flights to the Iraqi capital. Gerapetritis emphasized the potential of this initiative to significantly bolster economic and cultural connections between the peoples of Greece and Iraq. While Aegean Airlines and a few other carriers already service Irbil, the capital of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, Baghdad has largely been avoided due to historical security concerns. The security situation in Iraq has improved since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 and the subsequent defeat of the Islamic State group, which once controlled vast territories in Iraq and Syria. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein welcomed the new flight route, highlighting ongoing discussions between the two countries on cooperation in agriculture, investment, and tourism. He noted that recent visits by European leaders to Iraq reflect the country’s growing stability and its enhanced international standing.
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This Spanish tenor’s already a star in Europe. Now he’s made a big splash at the Met
Xabier Anduaga, the 30-year-old Spanish tenor, has swiftly ascended to stardom in the opera world, earning acclaim for his exceptional vocal talent and stage presence. His journey began in San Sebastian, Spain, where he started singing as a boy soprano in church at the age of seven. By ten, he joined the Orfeón Donostiarra Choir, where he met Elena Barbé, his future wife and vocal coach. Despite early struggles at the conservatory, where he was pushed to sing roles unsuitable for his light tenor voice, Anduaga found his footing under Barbé’s guidance. His breakthrough came in 2016 when he performed at the Rossini festival in Pesaro, Italy, and later stepped in as a last-minute replacement for a role in Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” in Bilbao. Since then, Anduaga has become a sought-after performer across Europe, headlining productions like Bellini’s “La Sonnambula” at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. His voice, described as capable of “thinning to a silken thread or blooming into ringing, plush fortissimos,” has drawn comparisons to legendary tenors like Pavarotti, though Anduaga humbly dismisses such parallels. With a growing repertoire that includes bel canto favorites and lighter Verdi roles, Anduaga is poised to become a defining figure in opera for years to come.
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The International Space Station marks 25 years of nonstop human presence in orbit
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — This weekend marks a monumental milestone in space exploration: 25 years of uninterrupted human habitation aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Since its first crew arrived on November 2, 2000, the ISS has hosted nearly 300 individuals from 26 countries, including professional astronauts, space tourists, and even a movie director. The pioneering trio of NASA’s Bill Shepherd and Russia’s Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko laid the foundation for this extraordinary achievement, transforming the station into a functional and hospitable environment. Despite geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Russia, collaboration in space remains strong, a testament to the unifying power of space exploration. Over the years, the ISS has evolved from a rudimentary outpost to a state-of-the-art facility, complete with advanced labs, an internet phone, and a glassed-in cupola offering breathtaking views of Earth. Astronauts have conducted thousands of experiments, including groundbreaking medical research and the famous twins study involving Scott and Mark Kelly. However, life aboard the ISS is not without challenges. Astronauts have faced close calls, such as a near-drowning incident, persistent air leaks, and the growing threat of space debris. As the ISS approaches its planned decommissioning in 2031, NASA is working with private companies like SpaceX and Axiom Space to ensure a seamless transition to future orbital stations. SpaceX has been tasked with safely deorbiting the ISS, while Axiom plans to repurpose its module into a new space station. NASA’s goal is to maintain a continuous human presence in orbit, ensuring that the legacy of the ISS endures.
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Serbia youth lead thousands on march for weekend rally marking deadly canopy collapse last year
Thousands of predominantly young Serbians commenced a two-day march from Belgrade on Thursday, converging in the northern city of Novi Sad to commemorate the anniversary of a catastrophic train station disaster. The incident, which occurred on November 1, involved the collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad’s central train station, claiming 16 lives. The tragedy has galvanized a youth-led protest movement, targeting President Aleksandar Vucic’s administration, which protesters accuse of corruption and negligence in the station’s renovation. Demonstrators are demanding accountability for the disaster and advocating for early parliamentary elections to oust Vucic’s populist government. The march, spanning 90 kilometers (58 miles), was spearheaded by flag-waving university students, with Saturday’s rally expected to draw tens of thousands, intensifying pressure on the president. Over the past two weeks, various student groups have trekked across Serbia, uniting in Novi Sad for the anniversary. Belgrade residents showed solidarity, honking car horns, waving, and blowing whistles as protesters passed. Participants like Mihajlo Jovanovic and Ana Marija Seslija expressed hope for change and determination to continue their struggle. Authorities have detained numerous protesters in recent months, with allegations of police brutality. While 13 individuals have been charged in connection with the disaster, no trial date has been set, raising doubts about accountability. Vucic has dismissed the protesters as Western-backed “terrorists,” exacerbating political tensions. Serbia’s EU accession process remains stalled amid concerns over democratic freedoms and Vucic’s ties with Russia and China.
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The Dutch election is tied, joining a list of memorable close contests. Here are a few others
In an unprecedented turn of events, the Dutch general election has resulted in a deadlock between the far-right Party for Freedom and the centrist D66 party, with both securing 26 seats in the 150-seat parliament. The final vote count, published by the Dutch national news agency ANP, revealed this historic tie, marking the first time in Dutch electoral history that two parties have finished neck-and-neck. This outcome is expected to significantly delay the formation of a new coalition government, a process that could take weeks or even months given the fragmented political landscape. The election has drawn comparisons to other tight races globally, such as the 2000 U.S. presidential election and recent close contests in Poland, Portugal, and Ireland. The Dutch political system, known for its coalition-based governance, now faces a challenging period of negotiation and compromise to establish a stable government.
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Europe’s economy shows modest growth of 0.2%, held back by laggard Germany
Europe’s economy expanded by a modest 0.2% in the third quarter of 2023, according to official data released on Thursday. The growth in the eurozone, comprising 20 countries, was constrained by higher U.S. tariffs and lackluster performances from key economies like Germany and Italy, both of which narrowly avoided technical recessions. Germany’s economy stagnated with zero growth in the July-September period, following a 0.2% contraction in the second quarter. Italy similarly recorded zero growth after a 0.1% decline in the previous quarter. Germany’s manufacturing and export-driven economy faces multiple challenges, including elevated energy prices, competition from Chinese producers, a shortage of skilled labor, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Additionally, Europe is grappling with the impact of a 15% tariff imposed by the U.S. on European goods and ongoing uncertainty surrounding potential tariff hikes. Despite the weak growth, the European Central Bank (ECB) has maintained its key interest rates at 2%, signaling no immediate plans for further cuts. This stance contrasts sharply with the U.S. Federal Reserve, which recently reduced its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point and is considering additional cuts. ECB President Christine Lagarde has emphasized that monetary policy is ‘in a good place,’ with annual inflation at 2.2% in September, close to the bank’s 2% target. Analysts predict that the ECB’s next rate adjustments may involve moderate increases in late 2024, driven by anticipated growth from German infrastructure and defense spending.
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Russia blasts Ukraine’s power grid again, causing outages across the country and killing 2
In a relentless escalation of its ongoing campaign, Russia launched a massive drone and missile assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Thursday, causing widespread power outages and restrictions across all regions of the country. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko condemned the attacks as ‘systematic energy terror,’ emphasizing Moscow’s intent to disrupt civilian life and morale as winter approaches. The strikes, part of Russia’s near-daily targeting of Ukraine’s power grid, resulted in at least two fatalities and left 17 injured, including children aged 2 to 16, according to Ukrainian authorities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that over 650 drones and 50 missiles of various types were deployed in the attack. Ukraine’s centralized public infrastructure, essential for water, sewage, and heating systems, has been severely compromised by the blackouts. These relentless assaults aim not only to cripple Ukraine’s war-related industries but also to undermine the resilience of its population nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion. Svyrydenko called for increased international support, including enhanced air defense systems, stricter sanctions, and intensified diplomatic pressure on Russia to halt its aggression. Meanwhile, the southern Zaporizhzhia region witnessed 17 injuries, including a 2-year-old girl, and the death of a man rescued from rubble. In the western Lviv region, near Poland, two energy facilities were damaged. The Polish military responded by scrambling NATO aircraft and temporarily closing regional airports as a precautionary measure.
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UK’s Starmer stands by his Treasury chief after house rental rule breach
UK Treasury Chief Rachel Reeves has issued a public apology for renting out her London residence without the required license, a legal oversight that has drawn criticism from opposition leaders. The incident came to light after a report by The Daily Mail revealed that Reeves, who moved into a government-owned apartment near Downing Street following the Labour Party’s July 2024 election victory, failed to secure the necessary permit for her property. In a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Reeves described the lapse as an “inadvertent mistake” and confirmed that her team had since applied for the license. Starmer, after consulting the government’s ethics adviser, stated that no further investigation was necessary, accepting Reeves’ apology and closing the matter. However, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the handling of the issue, calling for a full investigation and labeling the situation as problematic. The controversy adds to the challenges facing Reeves, who is preparing to deliver her annual budget statement on November 26 amid a struggling economy, high inflation, and subdued growth. The Labour government, which has yet to deliver on its economic promises, is also grappling with internal scandals, including the recent resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner over a tax dispute and the dismissal of UK Ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson due to his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.