Our daily cruise around the world

🇪🇸 Spain is nearing completion of a world-famous church after 140+ years of construction. Workers first broke ground on Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia in 1882, though construction was delayed over the decades due to several factors including the lead architect’s death and the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. Officials in charge of the Sagrada Familia say the basilica is on track to be completed in 2026, when, at 566 feet tall, it will become Spain’s tallest building as well as the world’s tallest church.

🇺🇳 The UN Security Council approved its first call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Yesterday’s vote, which the US abstained from and all other 14 members approved, marked the first time the Security Council has called for a ceasefire since the Israel-Hamas war began in October. The US had previously blocked all ceasefire resolutions, saying such a move would interfere with Israel-Hamas negotiations. In retaliation for the US’ abstention yesterday, Israel’s government withdrew from high-level meetings with the Biden administration that were set to begin today.

🇺🇸🇬🇧🇨🇳 The US and UK accused China of a cyberespionage campaign against millions of people. In a series of charges and sanctions filed yesterday, British and American officials accused seven suspects of carrying out a global hacking campaign on behalf of China's Ministry of State Security over the past decade-plus. Officials allege the hackers’ targets included British parliamentarians, White House staffers, US senators, defense contractors, journalists, and government officials around the world who were critical of Beijing.