Large fire breaks out at historic Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
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Large fire breaks out at historic Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
A significant fire damaged part of the UNESCO-listed Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba Friday night, Spanish authorities confirmed. The blaze, which began around 9:15p.m. local time, was traced to a suspected mechanical issue in a warehouse area. Firefighters responded swiftly and extinguished the flames, with the city’s mayor expressing gratitude for their quick work and assuring the public that the site will be monitored overnight.
Originally constructed in the 8th century under the Umayyad Caliphate, the Mosque-Cathedral stands as a masterwork of medieval Islamic architecture, later converted into a cathedral after the Reconquista in 1492. Its status as a World Heritage Site has long symbolized Cordoba’s history as the intellectual heart of Muslim-ruled Spain, celebrated for scholarship and cultural achievements.
Why it matters: The fire highlights the vulnerability and enduring legacy of Islamic heritage sites, prompting renewed calls for preservation and international attention to safeguarding shared cultural treasures.
Azerbaijan and Armenia sign US-brokered peace deal
Azerbaijan and Armenia have reached a landmark peace agreement, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday. It aimed at ending decades of conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The deal includes mutual security guarantees, the creation of corridors for commerce bearing Trump’s name and provisions for future dialogue on disputed territories. Leaders from both countries expressed optimism and gratitude.
Why it matters: The peace deal holds potential to resolve one of the post-Soviet world’s longest-running conflicts, restoring hope for normalization between two nations and reducing tensions in a volatile region.