Today’s Big Story

The World’s Tallest Church

Barcelona’s ever-growing Sagrada Família has overtaken Germany’s Ulmer Münster

Even if you don’t know the name, you’re likely familiar with the striking look of Sagrada Família (Basílica de la Sagrada Família). The world-famous basilica in Barcelona was designed by the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. It’s one of the most iconic examples of modernist architecture and a marvel to the dedication of the Spanish people.

The first stone of the Sagrada Família was placed in 1882, with up-and-coming architect Gaudí taking over the project the following year. And when he died in 1926, only about 15–25% of the basilica was completed. Work has continued for over a century and is still ongoing—relying largely on private donations and visitor fees. Completion is currently projected to be around 2033, marking 150 years since construction began (delayed from the earlier goal of 2026 for Gaudí’s centenary).

The basilica is famous for its highly symbolic architecture, blending nature, faith and geometry. And in October, the building officially became the tallest church in the world, after workers placed the first part of a cross at the top of its central tower. The tower now rises to 162.91 meters (534 feet) above the city, the church said in a statement. That barely beats out the tip of the spire of Germany’s Ulmer Münster, which tops out at 161.53 (530 feet) meters.

Of course, the Sagrada Familia is still growing. The central “Tower of Jesus Christ” that is rising from the top of the church will reach 172 meters (564 feet) when it is completed in the coming months.

The construction of a building that was been rising for more than two centuries has been anything but smooth. During the Spanish Civil War, anarchists torched Gaudí’s workshop, destroying his detailed plans and plaster models. Reconstruction of his vision took decades. Because of COVID, tourism (and vital donations dried up). But despite wars, pandemics and political turmoil, Gaudí’s masterpiece has endured—a living and constantly evolving construction site that doubles as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most-visited landmarks in Europe.

Government Shutdown Effects Bear Down

Despite a judge's ruling, Trump said that November's SNAP payments were likely to be delayed

As the federal government shutdown passes the one-month mark, a new round of impacts will soon hit millions of Americans. A chief concern for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in recent weeks was the impending lapse in funding for SNAP benefits (better known as food stamps). The Trump administration is now staring down a noon deadline to update a federal judge who ruled late last week that the Agriculture Department must disburse the funds.

Over 40 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits to purchase food. According to NBC News, the impact was visible in long lines at food banks. This weekend in Texas and California, stadium parking lots were converted into mass distribution sites where families picked up boxes of produce, frozen meat and other household staples. Governors and other leaders from dozens of states across the country have said that they will free up emergency funds in their states to temporarily assist families that usually rely on their federal SNAP benefits to purchase food.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration could green-light food assistance payouts by Wednesday, to comply with federal courts orders, but hungry families will have to wait. President Donald Trump said he directed lawyers for the administration to seek clarity but that “even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed while States get the money out.” Bessent said on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday that “five Democratic senators could cross the aisle and open the government by Wednesday”, too.

The Crushing Costs of Child Care

In U.S. first, New Mexico launches free child care for all

For an increasing number of American families, the high cost of child care is now a higher expense than rents and mortgages, or even in-state college tuition, and has pushed tens of thousands of women out of the workforce this year alone. The cost of childcare in the U.S. continues to rise, outpacing overall inflation, with prices increasing by 29% from 2020 to 2024.

CBS News spoke with Reshma Saujani, CEO and founder of Moms First, who says Americans need to rethink how we think about child care. Smith also talks with parents in New Mexico, which has become the first state to offer free child care to all residents. Under the program, families, regardless of income, can receive state vouchers to cover public and private child care fees. It culminates efforts New Mexico has made to expand access to free child care since the governor and state legislature created the Early Childhood Education and Care Department in 2019.

The launch comes as other Democratic-run states, cities and counties eye a step popular among working families. Connecticut recently passed a bill making child care free for those families earning under $100,000 per year and no more than 7% of income for those earning more. New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has proposed no-cost universal child care.

A Comeback for the Ages

The Dodgers beat the Blue Jays second-straight World Series in epic Game 7

You probably heard that over the weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers became World Series champions for the second straight year after an incredible comeback in Game 7 of the World Series. It was an epic night on the field that had turned Saturday into Sunday morning. And it was Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whose performance in the 5-4 victory, will go down in the annals of baseball history.

As The Athletic points out, when the season began, people joked about the Los Angeles Dodgers’ roster as if everything was preordained. Would they win 120 regular-season games? 125? Would they go undefeated? But the Dodgers ran into some obstacles. “One of their superstars looked unlike himself, first physically and then his production at the plate. The injuries to starting pitchers mounted. The bullpen wasn’t trustworthy. But ultimately, this was a team that marked October as the time to peak, and a classic World Series challenged them to reach new heights.”

After a complete victory in Game 2 and another winning performance in Game 6, Yamamoto pitched 2 and 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in Game 7 to secure back-to-back titles for Los Angeles. The Dodgers are now MLB’s first repeat champions since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees.

The Long Read

In a pop-up city off the coast of Honduras, longevity startups are trying to fast-track anti-aging drugs

Give it a try.