标签： Europe

The extensive search for a missing Royal Navy crew member off the north-west coast of the Republic of Ireland has been called off, with the individual remaining unlocated, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed. The crew member, part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Tidesurge, was last seen around 22:30 local time on Friday. The search operation, which spanned the waters between Tory Island in County Donegal and Eagle Island in County Mayo, involved multiple agencies and resources. Defence Secretary John Healey expressed his profound sorrow over the outcome, stating, ‘After an extensive search, it is with deep sadness that we confirm the missing crew member of RFA Tidesurge has not been found. My thoughts are with their family during this tragic time, as well as their fellow crew members.’ He also extended his gratitude to the Irish authorities, the RNLI, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy for their swift and relentless efforts in the search. The Irish Coast Guard received a distress call from a Royal Navy support vessel before 09:00 on Saturday, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation. The search involved aerial support from the Coast Guard’s fixed-wing plane Rescue 120F, based in Shannon airport; Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118, based in Sligo; and the Irish Air Corps plane, CASA 284. At sea, the search was coordinated by the UK naval support vessel and three RNLI all-weather lifeboats based at Ballyglass, Arranmore Island, and Lough Swilly. The family of the missing crew member has been informed, and an investigation into the incident is now underway. No other individuals were reported harmed or missing during the operation.

A prominent Holocaust survivors’ organization has issued a strong appeal to a German auction house to halt the sale of hundreds of artifacts tied to the Holocaust. The International Auschwitz Committee, based in Berlin, described the planned auction as “cynical and shameless,” urging its immediate cancellation. The event, titled “The System of Terror,” was scheduled for Monday by the Felzmann auction house in Neuss, near Düsseldorf. The collection, comprising over 600 items, included deeply personal artifacts such as letters penned by concentration camp prisoners to their families, Gestapo index cards, and other documents that explicitly identify individuals by name. Christoph Heubner, executive vice president of the committee, condemned the auction, stating that it exploits the suffering of Holocaust victims for profit. He emphasized that such artifacts should be preserved in museums or memorials rather than being commodified. The committee called on the auction house to demonstrate basic decency by canceling the sale. By Sunday afternoon, the auction listing had been removed from the Felzmann website, though the house had not yet responded to inquiries.

In a charming annual tradition, the streets of Nuremberg, Germany, were transformed into a pastoral scene on Sunday as hundreds of sheep paraded through the city center. The flock, led by shepherd Thomas Gackstatter, comprised approximately 600 sheep, drawing curious onlookers who eagerly captured the spectacle on their cellphones. The event marks the sheep’s journey from their summer grazing grounds in Nuremberg’s meadows to their winter pastures located west of the city. The 10-kilometer (6-mile) route took the flock through the iconic Hauptmarkt, the central market square, making Nuremberg the only known German city where sheep traverse such a prominent urban space. City authorities ensured a smooth passage by urging residents to keep the route clear and keep dogs away. Drones were also prohibited during the event. This practice of using sheep as natural lawnmowers is not unique to Nuremberg; cities like Berlin, Potsdam, and Augsburg also employ sheep for eco-friendly grass maintenance. The slow grazing process supports biodiversity by creating insect-friendly environments and reduces municipal mowing costs. For shepherds like Gackstatter, this arrangement provides a valuable solution to the scarcity of open grazing spaces.

A tragic road traffic accident in County Louth, Republic of Ireland, has resulted in multiple fatalities, with an unconfirmed number of deaths reported. The incident occurred on Saturday evening shortly after 21:00 local time on the L3168 Ardee Road in the townland of Gibstown, Dundalk. According to Gardaí (Irish police), the collision involved two vehicles, and the scene remains active with both vehicles and the bodies of the deceased still present. Emergency services transported several injured individuals to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for treatment. The road between the N52 and R171 remains closed as Garda Forensic Collision Investigators conduct a technical examination. Local traffic diversions have been implemented to manage the situation. Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward and assist with the investigation.

Nestled in the heart of Rome, the Colonna Palace remains one of the city’s best-kept secrets, a private home-museum that stands in stark contrast to the bustling tourist hubs of the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel. Spread across four wings and occupying an entire city block, this baroque masterpiece houses an extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures, busts, and tapestries, including the awe-inspiring 76-meter Great Hall. Yet, its doors open only sparingly, welcoming small groups of 10 visitors on Friday and Saturday mornings, guided by art historians. ‘Mass tourism is not our wish,’ explains Elisabetta Cecchini, a restorer at the palace, emphasizing that the limited access ensures the preservation of its artistic integrity. ‘Art dies without public appreciation, but this is not a museum meant for commodification.’

The palace remains the residence of Don Prospero Colonna, the family’s sitting prince, who has occasionally permitted high-profile events, such as the 2005 release of Pope John Paul II’s book and the 2018 Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition on Catholic fashion, attended by luminaries like designer Donatella Versace and Vogue’s Anna Wintour. These rare occasions have allowed journalists fleeting glimpses into this exclusive world. Claudio Strinati, a former superintendent of Rome’s museums, lauds the palace’s seclusion, calling it ‘one of humanity’s greatest artistic heritages’ and a legacy the Colonna family is duty-bound to protect. ‘These spaces were not conceived as tourist attractions,’ he notes. ‘They are for those who truly understand history.’

The Colonna family’s ties to the palace date back to the 12th century, when they became part of the ‘black nobility,’ Roman families loyal to the Pope during Italy’s unification in 1870. Their black banners symbolized mourning for the Papal State, while their walls safeguarded priceless masterpieces. Over the centuries, the family has maintained a trust ensuring the palace’s treasures remain intact. Princess Isabella Colonna played a pivotal role in preserving these artifacts during World War II, ordering them to be hidden in a sealed wing as the Nazis invaded. Today, the palace’s opulent interiors reflect its storied past, from the Throne Room’s portrait of Pope Martin V to the Great Hall’s frescoed ceiling depicting the naval victories of Commander Marcantonio Colonna. ‘The Colonna family and Rome are inseparable,’ says Patrizia Piergiovanni, the palace’s gallery director. ‘Their contributions have shaped the city’s history.’

Adding to its allure, the Great Hall served as the setting for the final scene of the 1952 classic ‘Roman Holiday,’ where Audrey Hepburn, portraying a princess, declared her love for the Eternal City. ‘Rome,’ she said with conviction. ‘By all means, Rome.’ The Colonna Palace, with its blend of art, history, and exclusivity, continues to embody the timeless elegance of Rome itself.