A harrowing incident on the slopes of Pic de l’Hortell in Andorra was captured on camera when Spanish skier Ares Masip and his dog were unexpectedly caught in a powerful avalanche. The footage, recorded by Masip himself, documents the terrifying moment when the snowpack gave way, sweeping both skier and animal down the mountain in a torrent of snow and debris.\n\nThe video evidence reveals the rapid onset of the avalanche, demonstrating how quickly stable conditions can transform into life-threatening situations in alpine environments. Masip’s recording provides valuable firsthand perspective of the avalanche’s force and the challenges of maintaining orientation while being carried downhill.\n\nSafety experts analyzing the footage have noted the importance of avalanche preparedness equipment and training. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of backcountry skiing, even for experienced practitioners. Andorran mountain rescue services have used the opportunity to reinforce awareness about checking avalanche forecasts and traveling with proper safety gear including transceivers, probes, and shovels.\n\nThe footage has garnered significant attention within the winter sports community, sparking discussions about risk assessment and companion safety in avalanche terrain. Remarkably, both Masip and his canine partner emerged from the incident without serious injuries, providing a fortunate outcome to what could have been a tragic event.
标签： Europe
欧洲
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Huge Roman villa found under popular park dubbed town’s ‘Pompeii’
Archaeologists have made an unprecedented discovery in South Wales, unearthing the largest Roman villa ever found in the country through advanced ground-penetrating radar technology. The monumental structure, located less than one meter beneath the surface of Margam Country Park, represents what experts are calling “Port Talbot’s Pompeii” due to its exceptional preservation state.
Dr. Alex Langlands, project lead from Swansea University’s Centre for Heritage Research and Training, described his astonishment at the discovery: “My eyes nearly popped out of my skull when the radar revealed this huge structure.” The villa spans an impressive 572 square meters within a defensive enclosure and features a sophisticated corridor design with two wings, a front veranda, six main rooms, and eight rear chambers accessible through dual corridors.
The significance of the find is magnified by its location within a historical deer park that has never been plowed or developed, creating conditions comparable to the famous preservation at Pompeii. Sophisticated scanning equipment from Welsh firm TerraDat Geophysics produced remarkably clear 3D mappings that identified not only the main villa but also a substantial 354-square-meter aisled building to the southeast, potentially serving as a barn or meeting hall.
This discovery challenges previous understandings of Roman influence in Wales, demonstrating that the region contained architectural sophistication equal to that found in southern England’s agricultural heartlands. The villa likely served as the center of a major agricultural estate operated by a local dignitary, complete with decorative elements such as statues and mosaic floors.
The research team, comprising experts from Swansea University, Neath Port Talbot council, and Margam Abbey Church, emphasizes that this find provides unparalleled insight into Wales’ national story. Further survey work and potential excavations could reveal extensive information about daily life from the first through fifth centuries.
Local community members have expressed excitement about the discovery, with retired teacher Margaret Jones noting the particular significance for Port Talbot following recent economic challenges at the local steelworks. The find promises to attract increased tourism while filling critical gaps in knowledge about Roman presence in western Britain.
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Avalanche kills British skier in French Alps
A tragic incident in the French Alps has claimed the life of a British skier during off-piste activities at the renowned La Plagne resort. The victim, reportedly in his fifties, was engulfed by an avalanche while skiing without essential safety equipment or professional guidance.
Emergency responders received the alert at 13:57 local time (12:57 GMT) on Sunday, immediately deploying a comprehensive rescue operation. The search team, comprising over 50 specialized personnel including medical experts, ski instructors, and a helicopter-assisted canine unit, located the buried skier after an intensive 50-minute operation. He was discovered beneath 2.5 meters (8 feet) of compacted snow.
Critical investigation revealed the skier had ventured into unpatrolled terrain without an avalanche transceiver—a standard safety device that emits signals to rescuers—and without accompaniment by certified mountain professionals. La Plagne resort management expressed profound condolences to the victim’s family while emphasizing the inherent dangers of backcountry skiing.
The resort’s official safety protocols explicitly advise visitors engaging in off-piste activities to consult daily Avalanche Risk Bulletins and carry avalanche detection equipment. This incident occurs during the Northern Hemisphere’s peak avalanche season, which typically runs from December through February, when snowpack instability increases dramatically.
This tragedy echoes similar recent mountain accidents across European ski destinations, including last month’s fatal avalanche in Italy’s Dolomite mountains that claimed five German climbers, among them a teenage girl and her father.
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Revolutionary eye injection saved my sight, says first-ever patient
In a groundbreaking medical achievement, specialists at London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital have successfully reversed vision loss in patients suffering from hypotony, a rare and devastating eye condition previously considered untreatable. The world’s first dedicated clinic for this disorder has developed a pioneering therapy using a transparent hydrogel that has produced life-changing results in clinical trials.
The innovative treatment utilizes hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPCM), a low-cost, water-based gel already employed in certain ocular surgeries. Unlike previous approaches that used vision-obscuring silicone oil, this clear substance allows light to pass through unimpeded when injected into the eye’s main chamber. The procedure is administered every three to four weeks over approximately ten months.
Among the success stories is 47-year-old Nicki Guy, the first patient to undergo the experimental therapy. Her vision had deteriorated dramatically following the birth of her son in 2017, leaving her partially sighted and dependent on memory for navigation. “I’ve gone from counting fingers and everything being really blurry to being able to see,” she revealed exclusively to the BBC. “It’s given me everything back. I can see my child grow up.”
Medical director Mr. Harry Petrushkin described the decision to attempt the unproven treatment as “nerve-wracking” but necessary for patients facing certain blindness. The team has now treated 35 patients under funding from Moorfields Eye Charity, with published results from the first eight cases showing seven responded positively to the therapy. Researchers continue to refine patient selection criteria to identify those with remaining viable retinal cells who could benefit most from this remarkable intervention.
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Thousands of tourists stranded in Lapland as cold grounds flights
A severe Arctic cold snap has brought air travel to a standstill at Kittilä Airport in Finnish Lapland, leaving thousands of international tourists stranded amid the most extreme winter conditions in recent memory. The airport operator, Finavia, confirmed the complete cancellation of all outbound flights on Sunday as temperatures plummeted to a bone-chilling -35°C, with forecasts predicting a further drop to -39°C on Monday.
The meteorological phenomenon has created uniquely hazardous operational conditions. The extreme cold has rendered standard aircraft de-icing procedures ineffective while causing critical ground equipment, including maintenance and refueling systems, to freeze solid. According to Finavia’s statement to public broadcaster Yle, heightened atmospheric moisture has compounded the crisis by creating dangerously slippery frost layers on aircraft surfaces and runways.
This deep freeze has primarily affected travelers from major European hubs including London, Bristol, Manchester, Paris, and Amsterdam, many of whom journeyed to Lapland for winter sports and aurora viewing. While the region is renowned for its cold winters, current temperatures are notably severe—typically averaging -14°C with occasional dips to -30°C, rather than the sustained -35°C to -39°C now being recorded.
The transportation disruption extends beyond air travel, with Fintraffic authorities warning of perilously icy road conditions throughout the region. In a concerning incident reported by Yle, a bus carrying Ukrainian passengers skidded into a ditch on Sunday morning, though fortunately no serious injuries were reported.
This Arctic blast forms part of a broader pattern of severe winter weather sweeping across Northern Europe. Concurrent storms have caused significant disruption in the UK, France, and Germany, including a tragic fatality in England when a tree fell on a caravan and widespread power outages affecting approximately 100,000 French households.
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Britain is in talks with NATO to counter Russia and China in the Arctic
LONDON — The United Kingdom is actively coordinating with NATO partners to enhance security measures in the Arctic region, addressing growing concerns about strategic competition from Russia and China. This development emerges alongside diplomatic friction between the United States and Denmark regarding Greenland’s sovereignty.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander characterized these multilateral discussions as routine strategic planning rather than a direct reaction to recent statements from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Greenland. “While we haven’t witnessed the severe consequences in the Arctic that we’ve seen in Ukraine, it’s imperative that we collaborate with all NATO allies to establish an effective deterrent against Putin’s ambitions,” Alexander stated during a BBC interview.
The geopolitical landscape has grown increasingly complex since President Trump expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, citing prevention of Russian or Chinese expansion as primary motivation. “One way or another, we’re going to have Greenland,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, describing such an acquisition as strategically beneficial for the United States.
Danish officials have responded firmly to these propositions. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any forced takeover would fundamentally undermine NATO’s integrity. Denmark’s Ambassador to the U.S., Jesper Møller Sørensen, emphasized that Greenland’s future should be determined exclusively by its inhabitants, stating: “Let’s continue to address security challenges in the Arctic as partners and allies.”
The situation has prompted varied responses from British political figures. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey proposed that Britain deploy troops to Greenland under a joint command with Denmark, suggesting this would demonstrate genuine security commitment without violating sovereignty. “Tearing the NATO alliance apart would only play into Putin’s hands,” Davey cautioned.
Meanwhile, former UK ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson expressed skepticism about military action, noting: “He’s not a fool. We must acknowledge that the Arctic requires securing against China and Russia, and leadership will inevitably fall to the United States.”
The broader NATO alliance faces philosophical and practical questions regarding collective defense obligations. While President Trump has questioned NATO’s reliability, the alliance’s Article 5 mutual defense provision was previously invoked following the September 11 attacks, leading to NATO’s operational engagement in Afghanistan.
As diplomatic discussions continue between Danish officials and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, NATO members are evaluating appropriate responses to potential scenarios involving Greenland, with the UK positioning itself as a mediating force in preserving alliance cohesion.
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Thousands of tourists stranded in northern Finland as deep freeze halts flights
An extreme Arctic cold front has triggered widespread travel chaos across Northern Europe, with Finland’s Lapland region experiencing the most severe disruptions. At Kittilä Airport, a key gateway to Finnish Lapland, all flight operations were suspended Sunday as temperatures plummeted to -37°C (-34.6°F), creating dangerously frigid conditions that made aircraft de-icing and ground operations impossible.
The deep freeze left thousands of tourists stranded in the popular winter destination, with meteorologists predicting even more severe conditions Monday with temperatures approaching -40°C (-40°F). While Finns are accustomed to harsh winter weather, the current cold snap has proven exceptionally severe compared to recent years.
The travel disruptions extended far beyond Finland’s borders. Germany’s rail network continued experiencing significant delays and cancellations Sunday after Deutsche Bahn suspended all northern services Friday due to heavy snowfall. In North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, authorities preemptively closed all schools Monday, shifting to remote learning amid forecasts of dangerously icy roads.
Baltic nations implemented similar precautions. Both Estonia and Lithuania issued travel advisories urging drivers to postpone nonessential journeys due to approaching blizzards, while Latvia activated snow alerts across its western regions. The persistent cold weather system has affected vast areas of northern, central, and eastern Europe, combining heavy snowfall, high winds, and treacherous road conditions to create one of the most challenging winter travel scenarios in recent memory.
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Guard at Winter Olympic construction site dies in nighttime subfreezing temperatures
Italian authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the tragic death of a security guard at a construction site adjacent to the 2026 Winter Olympic venues in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The 55-year-old worker succumbed during his overnight shift in extreme subzero temperatures that plummeted to -12°C (10.4°F) on Thursday.
Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini has demanded a full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Initial reports from Milan Cortina organizing committee representatives indicate the worker suffered a fatal heart attack while on duty near Cortina’s ice arena complex.
Andrea Varnier, CEO of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, stated during a press briefing at a Milan hockey arena test event: ‘Current information suggests natural causes were responsible. We await conclusive findings from the ongoing investigation while confirming all operational documentation was properly maintained.’
The construction site, reportedly not under the direct supervision of governmental infrastructure company Simico, has prompted expressions of profound concern from Cortina municipal officials. Simico extended formal condolences while clarifying their non-involvement in the project.
With the Winter Olympics scheduled for February 6-22, 2026, the incident has raised questions about worker safety protocols during extreme weather conditions. Cortina d’Ampezzo is designated to host curling, sliding events, and women’s Alpine skiing competitions during the Games.
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Erich von Däniken, Swiss writer who spawned alien archaeology, dies at 90
BERLIN — Erich von Däniken, the Swiss author who captivated millions with his controversial theories about extraterrestrial influences on ancient civilizations, passed away at age 90. His representatives confirmed his death in a central Swiss hospital on Saturday, announcing the news through his official website on Sunday.
Von Däniken achieved global recognition with his 1968 debut work “Chariots of the Gods,” which proposed that advanced alien civilizations visited ancient Mayan and Egyptian societies, providing them with technological knowledge to construct monumental structures like pyramids. This publication emerged during a period of heightened fascination with unexplained phenomena, coinciding with humanity’s first lunar landing through conventional scientific achievement.
The author’s literary career expanded with over two dozen additional books that blended historical speculation with imaginative narratives, creating a distinctive genre that consistently challenged established archaeological and scientific consensus. According to Swiss public broadcaster SRF, his works reached remarkable commercial success with approximately 70 million copies sold across more than 30 languages, establishing him as one of Switzerland’s most widely read authors.
Despite his professional accomplishments, von Däniken’s personal life was marked by financial instability and legal challenges. Born in 1935 in Schaffhausen to a clothing manufacturer, he rejected his Catholic upbringing and boarding school education, developing alternative explanations for human origins. His early career in hospitality included positions as waiter and barkeeper, during which he faced multiple fraud allegations and brief prison sentences.
Following the publication of his first book, von Däniken encountered further legal troubles including tax evasion charges that resulted in additional incarceration. However, the substantial royalties from “Chariots of the Gods” and subsequent works like “Gods from Outer Space” enabled his dedication to paranormal research and global travel.
Throughout the 1970s, von Däniken conducted extensive field research across Egypt, India, and Latin America, delivering lectures and establishing organizations to promote his unconventional theories. He pioneered multimedia approaches to reach audiences seeking alternative historical narratives, maintaining his beliefs despite mounting scientific criticism.
In 1991, the scientific community recognized his work with satirical distinction—the Ig Nobel Prize for literature—for promoting scientific awareness through questionable claims. Even when confronted with evidence of fabricated artifacts in documentary investigations, von Däniken maintained the fundamental validity of his theories.
Though his influence diminished in English-speaking regions during the 1980s, his ideas permeated popular culture through television programs like “The X-Files” and numerous documentary specials. His final major project, the “Mystery Park” theme park based on his books, closed after limited public interest, with its structures now standing neglected near Interlaken.
Erich von Däniken is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elisabeth Skaja, their daughter Cornelia, and two grandchildren.
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Andrea Bocelli will headline the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic opening ceremony
Milan is set to host a breathtaking opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics, featuring an extraordinary lineup of international performers. Event organizers confirmed on Sunday that crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli will join pop icon Mariah Carey as headline acts for the February 6th spectacle at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium.
The three-hour ceremony will showcase the traditional Parade of Athletes alongside spectacular entertainment segments, expected to become the most viewed moment of the Games. In a groundbreaking format reflecting the Olympics’ status as the most geographically dispersed in history, the production will incorporate live elements from three additional locations: Cortina in the Dolomite mountains, Livigno in the Italian Alps, and Predazzo in Trento province.
The ceremony will include a special tribute to fashion legend Giorgio Armani, who passed away in September at age 91. Armani’s profound legacy includes designing Italian Olympic uniforms for decades and establishing Milan as a global fashion capital through his theatrical venues, museum spaces, and sports sponsorships.
Bocelli, fresh from performances at King Charles III’s coronation and celebrating his 30th anniversary with the ‘Duets’ album, will interrupt his world tour for the Olympic appearance. The classically trained singer, known for his multilingual performances, will bring what organizers describe as “an iconic moment uniting spectacle with Olympic values.”
Veteran Olympic ceremony producer Marco Balich is orchestrating the event, which will also feature Italian actors Sabrina Impacciatore (‘The White Lotus’) and Matilde De Angelis (‘The Law According to Lydia Poet’). Carey, the six-time Grammy winner, brings American pop stardom to the ceremony, having announced her participation with an Italian message to fans: “Ci vediamo a Milano.”
The opening ceremony anticipates 60,000 live spectators with global television viewership in the millions. For the closing ceremony on February 22nd, internationally renowned ballet star Roberto Bolle will headline at Verona’s ancient Roman Arena, maintaining the celebration of Italian culture and athletic excellence.