The Sagrada Família’s Tower of Jesus Christ, in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece, will be blessed by Pope Leo XIV during his visit to Barcelona on June 10, 2026. This event coincides with the centenary of Gaudí’s death and is expected to attract around 8,000 people, including dignitaries and the public. The Pope’s visit will also include a mass and a blessing ceremony, making it one of the most significant moments in the Basilica’s recent history.
Robert Peapo “Peabo” Bryson
(April 13, 1951 – June 2, 2026)
After collaborating with singers Luther Vandross and Cissy Houston on his debut album Peabo (1976), he signed to Capitol Records and released the 1978 albums Reaching for the Sk
He later released the collaborative projects We’re the Best of Friends (1979) with Natalie Cole and Born to Love (1983) with Roberta Flack, the latter of which included the hit single “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love”.
Walter Theodore “Sonny” Rollins
(September 7, 1930 – May 25, 2026)
Jazz Tenor Saxophonist
Dame Julie Bethridge Topp DNZM
(14 May 1958 – 23 May 2026)
also known as Jools Topp
Dennis Michael Locorriere
(June 13, 1949 – May 16, 2026)
Lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Dr. Hook (formerly Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show)
Robert Edward Turner III
(November 19, 1938 – May 6, 2026)
American businessman, television producer, media proprietor, and philanthropist. He founded CNN, the first 24-hour cable news channel. He founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television, as well as television networks TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies.
Also married to Jane Fonda (1991-2001)
John Craig Venter
(October 14, 1946 – April 29, 2026)
He is known for having led one of the first draft sequences of the human genome and led the first team to transfect a cell with a synthetic chromosome.
Dilworth Karaka died today at 75.
Frontman for Herbs, prominent throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Herbs’ politically inspired music reached a wide audience, and the band opened for international stars such as Stevie Wonder and Tina Turner.
Herbs were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in September 2012.
Herbs from left Dilworth Karaka, Tama Lundon, Gordon Joll, and Thom Nepia. July 26, 1990.
Neil Sedaka
March 13, 1939 – February 27, 2026
On this day in 1830 the so-called ‘Girls‘ War’ was fought between northern and southern Ngāpuhi hapū at Kororāreka (Russell).
Up to 100 people were killed or wounded in the fighting, after which the northern alliance took control of the important settlement.
The conflict had its roots in inter-hapū rivalry and competition for European trade. It was sparked by a fight among some young high-born women, including wives of a European whaler, W.D. Brind. A minor incident led to an exchange of threats between hapū. Events took a violent turn when a woman was accidentally shot.