cities

TRAIN travel can be very expensive in the UK, especially when you’re travelling halfway across the country.

But one train company that offers affordable tickets has applied to start two additional direct routes between major UK cities.

Lumo, which offers affordable journeys onboard its fleet of electric trains, has plans to add even more routes to its network.

FirstGroup, which owns Lumo, has revealed that it has submitted applications to begin new direct routes between Cardiff and York, and Rochdale and London Euston.

The Cardiff to York route would run via Birmingham, Derby, and Sheffield.

Meanwhile, the Rochdale to Euston route would stop at Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows, and Warrington Bank Quay.

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The company hopes these routes will be operational by December 2028.

Lumo hopes to run return services between the cities to six times a day throughout the week from Cardiff to York.

It hopes that this journey would “replicate the success of the Edinburgh to London service” which Lumo started in 2021.

As for the Rochdale to London route, the application proposes three return services on weekdays and Sundays and four services every Saturday.

Lumo said this would provide residents of the north-west a “convenient and competitively priced” direct rail service to London. 

The train company also applied to extend its new route between Scotland’s Stirling and London Euston.

The service between Stirling and London has been approved and will start to run from next year.

The new application has asked for it to be extended past May 2030 when the contract currently ends.

Lumo’s new route will link London Euston directly to Stirling, calling at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld) and Larbert.

Lumo tries to keep its train fares affordable and aims for 60 per cent of its single fares to be under £30.

Onboard a Lumo train, there are no first class seat options. But wherever you sit, you’ll have USB sockets and tray tables.

Passengers can also personalise their lighting through the button on the back of the seat in front of them.

Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, a winged headrest for comfort and a coat hanger.

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Lumo will connect two more major cities from December 2025…

Customers travelling between London and Glasgow can do so on a new Lumo service which starts in December 2025.

Lumo announced its new service on social media. It said: “Our new timetable starts on 14th December 2025!

“Our new Glasgow service will start in December and we’re also adding an additional service from Newcastle to London King’s Cross every weekday.”

Lumo plans to run two northbound and one southbound service on weekdays and one service in each direction on Sundays between London King’s Cross and Glasgow.

The new route will go between the two cities but will also stop at Falkirk High and Newcastle.

If booked in advance for journeys in 2026, tickets start from as little as £33.90. Anyone travelling from Newcastle to Glasgow can buy tickets for just £10.90.

For more on trains, here is the way that passengers can travel on UK trains without buying tickets.

Plus, this is where you can find the most beautiful train journey – it takes 10 minutes and costs £3.

The world’s longest flight connects America to Asia, with passengers strapped into their seats for almost 19 hours – and it’s not for the faint-hearted

The world’s longest flight links America to Asia with travellers buckled in for nearly 19 hours. The current record holder for the longest long-haul journey is the Singapore Airlines route from New York’s JFK Airport to Singapore Changi.

The 9,537-mile trip has a scheduled flight time of 18 hours and 50 minutes and was introduced by the carrier in 2018. The service operates using Singapore Airline’s cutting-edge A350-900ULRs, which can remain airborne for more than 20 hours without refuelling.

The aircraft achieves such endurance thanks to a specially adapted fuel system. This enhancement boosts the plane’s total fuel capacity to an enormous 24,000 litres.

Yet the journey isn’t readily available to all, as Singapore Airlines doesn’t provide economy class seating on this route.

Rather, Singapore Airlines provides 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats. Premium Economy travellers can benefit from additional legroom, a footrest, and an adjustable headrest. Passengers can also utilise noise-cancelling headphones and WiFi throughout their journey.

Business class travellers experience ultimate privacy, whilst their seats transform into completely flat beds to ensure a peaceful sleep during travel.

Singapore Airlines assert that the A350-900ULR will provide customers with a “more comfortable travelling experience”. The aircraft boasts a range of additional features including elevated ceilings, expanded windows and specially designed lighting to combat jetlag.

The carrier maintains that the plane’s innovative carbon composite airframe also enables enhanced air quality. Those seeking a ticket are expected to be extremely wealthy, with seats routinely costing well into five figures.

Singapore Airlines’ CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong, previously stated that the new route will be the “fastest way” to travel between the two major cities.

He said: “Singapore Airlines has always taken pride in pushing the boundaries to provide the best possible travel convenience for our customers, and we are pleased to be leading the way with these new non-stop flights using the latest technology, ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900ULR.

“The flights will offer our customers the fastest way to travel between the two cities – in great comfort, together with Singapore Airlines’ legendary service – and will help boost connectivity to and through the Singapore hub.”

WE all love a city break, but heading to the main European capitals can give your bank balance a battering.

The Serbian capital of Belgrade offers all the history and grandeur for a fraction of the price.

With beers or coffees in local cafes from £1.50, meals with wine in a decent restaurant for £15 and hotels from £40 a night, it’s perfect for those tourists looking to expand their city-break horizons without spending a fortune.

WHY SHOULD I GO? One of Europe’s oldest cities, its architecture tells its history from Roman and Ottoman to Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav.

Catch up on its recent history at the Museum of Yugoslavia, home to the tomb of Josip Broz Tito, founder of socialist Yugoslavia. The Belgrade Fortress is free to enter and offers panoramic views of the Danube and Sava rivers.

Elsewhere, the Sava Lake offers water sports, tennis and cycling, with restaurants and bars perched on the shore.

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STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? Public transport in Belgrade is free, making it easy to hop on and off the buses and trams. However, walking around the city means you can stop and rest at the traditional kafanas (coffee houses).

The main cobbled street in the city — Skadarlija — is regarded as the city’s “bohemian quarter” and is a great spot to enjoy a drink.

A walking tour of the Red Star Belgrade football stadium is not to be missed, even for those not familiar with the club. Take a walk through the famous tunnel which at 787ft is the longest pre-match walk in Europe.

Fans can get a taste of what the players go through as they are transformed into gladiators with the thumping chants from the stands.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST? Tara National Park is a four-hour drive from the city for those wanting to escape the hustle.

Lake Perucac offers floating houses that allow guests to wake up on the water and look over to the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The national park has the largest population of brown bears in Serbia.

Also worth a hike is the path up to the viewpoint known as Banjska Stena, soaring above the Drina River.

Kayaking down the river also gives the best views of the worldfamous Drina River House.

The hut, first built by swimmers wanting to rest, is perched on a rock in the middle of the water and has been rebuilt multiple times. It’s definitely an Insta-worthy picture.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT? Belgrade is without doubt a city for meat eaters. For an authentic lunch, head to Drama Cevapi in the heart of Belgrade’s Dorcol district for grilled meat and fresh flatbreads.

The cevapi — minced sausages with a mix of beef, lamb or pork — come in generous portions of five from £3, and flatbreads just 45p. If you fancy a smarter dinner, Iva New Balkan Cuisine shows off traditional Balkan recipes with a stylish twist.

Beef ribs with a celery and apple cream, honey and mustard seed glaze or pork belly with kohlrabi salad, pickled beetroot and crackling will set you back just over £10.

The main cobbled street in the city — Skadarlija — is regarded as the city’s ‘bohemian quarter’ and is a great spot to enjoy a drink

Meanwhile, Restoran Uzelac is a short taxi ride from the city centre where spit-roasted lamb is served by the kilo.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY? There’s a bed for every budget.

The Stari Grad district is best for a central location and the five-star Square Nine is great for those with deep pockets.

The gold-fronted building gives a cool oasis from the busy streets and features a wellness spa with a 59ft swimming pool.

Expect luxury linen and cashmere throws, with rooms from £300 a night. But there are also some fantastic budget options.

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Boatel Charlie is set on the Danube. It is a chic barge with contemporary interiors that has rooms from £43 a night.

The neighbourhood of Dorcol is the place to stay to meet the locals, with multiple coffee shops and markets.

Oct. 30 (UPI) — Los Angeles has toppled Chicago as America’s Rattiest City, according to exterminating company Orkin, which publishes a Top-50 list.

“With year-round warm weather, a booming culinary scene and dense neighborhoods that offer ample access to food and shelter, the City of Angels checks every box for rodent survival,” a company press release said.

“From bustling commercial corridors to hidden alleyways, Los Angeles’ signature blend of glam and grit creates a perfect storm for rodent activity.”

Chicago has held the top spot since Orkin created the annual list in 2015

The shift is most likely due to weather patterns, urban infrastructure and human behavior, the press release said.

“Rats and mice are more than a nuisance — they’re opportunists,” Ian Williams, Orkin entomologist, said in a statement. “If there’s food, warmth and a way in, they’ll find it. And once inside, their constant chewing and rapid reproduction can quickly turn a small issue into a large, expensive one.”

Rodents are known carriers of illnesses to humans, including Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis, Lymphocytic Choreomeningitis, plague and typhus.

Orkin measures the number of calls to Orkin to eliminate rats to make the rankings.

The top 25 Rattiest Cities, according to Orkin are, in order, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Hartford, Conn., Washington, D.C., Detroit, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Denver, Cleveland, Baltimore and Boston.

Also, Indianapolis, Dallas, Milwaukee, Seattle, Atlanta, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Tampa, Fla., Houston, San Diego and Grand Rapids, Mich.

The MSC Poesia will dock at four cities known for their Christmas markets – Hamburg, Rotterdam, Bruges and Le Havre – and the price includes all meals onboard

A seven-day cruise, taking in some of Europe’s most renowned Christmas market cities, is currently available for a mere £384.

Iglu Cruises has just cut the price of this week-long journey from Southampton aboard the MSC Poesia, setting sail on 28 November.

This no-fly cruise deal includes a wide array of amenities, including all meals onboard and a midnight buffet for those needing a late-night snack after a busy day hunting for festive bargains at the market stalls.

The ship, capable of accommodating around 3,000 passengers, boasts five restaurants, 16 bars and lounges, sports facilities such as tennis, basketball, and mini-golf, two swimming pools, a gym, sauna, whirlpools, and the award-winning MSC Aurea Spa.

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And if that wasn’t enough, MSC Poesia also features a library, casino, and games room onboard, as well as evening entertainment in the form of Broadway-style shows. While all these may tempt you to spend the entire week onboard, the cruise is ideal for those keen to explore new places, reports the Express.

Fortunately, the ship will dock at four cities famed for their Christmas markets.

Got a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc. com

Hamburg

Hamburg is renowned for its food markets, particularly the fish markets that have gained global recognition. However, Germany’s second-largest city also excels in hosting Christmas Markets.

The most famous and largest market in Hamburg is the main Weihnachtsmarkt, situated in front of the Town Hall, with a grand Christmas tree marking its location. Other unique markets are scattered throughout the city, including the ‘Santa Pauli’ festival on the Reeperbahn, which boasts being the world’s first erotic Christmas market.

Rotterdam

The Winter Fair takes place at the Ahoy Convention Centre, where you can purchase a variety of goods and culinary delights, including the Rotterdam staple ‘kapsalon’ – a dish consisting of thin chips topped with gyro meat and smothered in cheese.

Bruges

Undeniably one of Europe’s most picturesque cities, Bruges truly sparkles when its medieval architecture is illuminated against the dark winter night sky. The market is a riot of colour and sound, with stalls offering a carefully chosen selection of holiday goods, from handmade ornaments and decorations to gourmet chocolates and festive attire.

Traditional Belgian fare such as waffles and chips, along with plenty of beers, are sure to be highlights.

Le Havre

A lesser-known but delightful festive destination is Intra Muros, located at the foot of the Castle on Esplanade St Vincent. It boasts a variety of chalets offering food and drink, including scrumptious cheeses, crêpes, and mulled wine, as well as arts and crafts and an array of gifts. The town also features an ice rink and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Iglu currently has two other Christmas market-themed cruises available:

‘Christmas Markets from Tilbury’ is offered by Iglu Cruise for £572 per person (previously £619), for a 6-night, full-board trip departing on 14th December 2025. The cruise visits Hamburg, Amsterdam, and Zeebrugge (for Bruges) and is based on two people sharing an outside cabin on board Ambassador’s Ambience. Solo cabins are available for only £552 (previously £679).

‘Christmas Markets Hamburg, Rotterdam & Bruges from Southampton’ is offered by Iglu Cruise for £621 per person (previously £649), for a 7-night, full-board trip departing on 14th December 2025. The cruise visits Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Rotterdam, and Hamburg and is based on two people sharing an inside cabin on board Cunard’s Queen Anne.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is initiating a leadership shakeup at a dozen or so offices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to bring more aggressive enforcement operations across the U.S.

Some of the outgoing field office directors at ICE are anticipated to be replaced with leaders from Customs and Border Protection, according to news reports. Among the leaders targeted for replacement are Los Angeles Field Office Director Ernesto Santacruz and San Diego Field Office Director Patrick Divver, the Washington Examiner reported Monday.

The stepped up role of Border Patrol leaders in interior enforcement — which has historically been ICE territory — marks an evolution of tactics that originated in California.

In early January, Gregory Bovino, who heads the Border Patrol’s El Centro region, led a three-day raid in rural Kern County, nabbing day laborers more than 300 miles from his typical territory. Former Biden administration officials said Bovino had gone “rogue” and that no agency leaders knew about the operation beforehand.

Bovino leveraged the spectacle to become the on-the-ground point person for the Trump Administration’s signature issue.

The three-decade veteran of Border Patrol, who has used slick social media videos to promote the agency’s heavy-handed tactics, brought militarized operations once primarily used at the border into America’s largest cities.

In Los Angeles this summer, contingents of heavily armed, masked agents began chasing down and arresting day laborers, street vendors and car wash workers. Tensions grew as the administration ordered in the National Guard.

The efforts seem to have become more aggressive after a Supreme Court order allowed authorities to stop people based on factors such as race or ethnicity, employment and speaking Spanish.

Bovino moved operations to Chicago and escalated his approach. Immigration agents launched an overnight raid in a crowded apartment, shot gas into crowds of protesters and fatally shot one man.

Now Bovino is expected to hand-pick some of the replacements at ICE field offices, according to Fox News.

Tom Wong, who directs the U.S. Immigration Policy Center at UC San Diego, said the leadership changes are unsurprising, given Bovino’s strategies in Los Angeles and Chicago.

“The Trump administration is blurring the distinction between Border Patrol and ICE,” he said. “The border is no longer just the external boundaries of the United States, but the border is everywhere.”

Former Homeland Security officials said the large-scale replacement of executives from one agency with those from another agency is unprecedented.

The two agencies have similar authorities but very different approaches, said Daniel Altman, former head of internal oversight investigations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

ICE officers operate largely inside the country, lean heavily on investigations and typically know when they set out for the day who they are targeting.

Border Patrol, on the other hand, patrols the borderlands for anyone they encounter and suspect of entering illegally. Amid the rugged terrain and isolation, Border Patrol built a do-it-yourself ethos within the century-old organization, Altman said.

“Culturally, the Border Patrol prides itself on solving problems, and that means that whatever the current administration needs or wants with respect to immigration enforcement, they’re usually very willing and able to do that,” said Altman.

White House leadership has not been happy with arrest numbers. Stephen Miller, President Trump’s deputy chief of staff who is heading his immigration initiatives, set a goal of 3,000 immigration arrests per day, which the agency has not been able to meet.

DHS says it expects to deport 600,000 people by January, a figure that includes people who were turned back at the border or at airports.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant public affairs secretary for the Homeland Security department, didn’t confirm or deny the changes but described immigration officials as united.

“Talk about sensationalism,” she said. “Only the media would describe standard agency personnel changes as a ‘massive shakeup.’ If and when we have specific personnel moves to announce, we’ll do that.”

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said, “The President’s entire team is working in lockstep to implement the President’s policy agenda, and the tremendous results from securing the border to deporting criminal illegal aliens speak for themselves.”

On Fox News on Tuesday, Trump’s border czar Tom Homan said the administration is dedicated to achieving record deportations of primarily immigrants with criminal records.

“As far as personnel changes, that’s under the purview of the Secretary of Homeland Security,” he said. “I’m at the White House working with people like Stephen Miller, one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever met, to come up with strategic policies and plans — how to get success, how to maintain success, and how to get the numbers ever higher.”

Deborah Fleischaker, a former ICE and DHS official under the Biden administration, said the personnel moves appear to be an “attempt to migrate a Border Patrol ethos over to ICE.”

“ICE’s job has historically focused on targeting and enforcing against public safety threats,” she said. “Border Patrol has a much more highly militarized job of securing the border, protecting against transnational crime and drug trafficking and smuggling. That sort of approach doesn’t belong in our cities and is quite dangerous.”

Fleischaker said it would be difficult to increase deportations, even with Border Patrol leaders at the helm, because of the complexities around securing travel documents and negotiating with countries that are reticent to accept deportees.

In the meantime, she said, shunting well-liked leaders will sink morale.

“For the folks who are still there, everybody knows you comply or you risk losing your job,” she said. “Dissent, failure to meet targets or even ask questions aren’t really tolerated.”

On Tuesday, DHS posted a video montage of Bovino on its Instagram page set to Coldplay’s song “Viva la vida.” The caption read, “WE WILL NOT BE STOPPED.”

Times staff writer Brittny Mejia contributed to this report.

One overlooked Italian city with a “unique spirit” stood out as a favourite to a seasoned travel writer who’s been to Florence, Venice, Rome and several more cities in Italy.

A traveller who’s visited nine Italian cities has proclaimed one in particular is his favourite – and it’s not such a well-known destination. Being less touristy is all part of the appeal of this continental city and the “unique spirit” of the place was what made it really special, along with the exceptional Italian food.

Journalist Adam Miller detailed his visit to this stunning city, describing the experience as being “worlds away” from a stay in Rome or Venice.

The writer had already been to “Florence, Rome, Venice, Milan, Verona, Siena, Lucca, Pisa, and Bergamo” which he loved, but then he discovered a new city that’s become a firm favourite.

Travelling to the city of Bologna in Italy for the first time (in August 2025), Adam was enchanted by the liveliness, the terracotta buildings and “the best food” he’d “ever eaten”.

Writing for the Metro Travel Hot Takes, Adam described Bologna: “The real magic of Bologna is in its simplicity. Everything feels so calm and easy. Eating, drinking, exploring – it all feels effortless compared to Florence, Venice, or Rome.

“I can’t imagine staying anywhere else in Italy for a city break now, especially when the Italian train service is so cheap and efficient. Florence is close, Venice is only 70 minutes away, and tickets can be as cheap as £13, so it also makes a great detour destination.”

Adam describes the bustling city, but explained it was miles apart from the atmosphere of a weekend night out in the UK; he said the energy of Bologna was “unique” and that it had become his “favourite” Italian city.

TripAdvisor reviewers who have also visited the city of Bologna rate the church, Santuario di Madonna di San Luca as a must-visit, describing it as a “unique experience” and having fantastic views from the site.

One visitor reviewing the church on TripAdvisor wrote: “Very suggestive place on the hills of Bologna, which can be reached through a not too strenuous walk under long porches, possibly starting from the monumental cemetery of the Certosa (equally suggestive place, which I absolutely recommend to visit).

“The arcades are well maintained and the same applies to the area in front of the sanctuary; the view, once arrived, is magnificent.”

Another visitor to the Santuario di Madonna di San Luca wrote: “It is a beautiful Baroque basilica perfectly maintained both inside and outside. It is located in the hills which allows you to enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding hills.

“You can reach it by taxi, with the train that leaves from Piazza Maggiore but the most exciting experience is to do it on foot by climbing for about 4km, about 500 steps, under the longest porch in the world that starts from the city centre – not to be missed.”

Other top-rated Bologna visitor experiences according to TripAdvisor include the square in the heart of the city, Piazza Maggiore and observation deck, Le Due Torri Torre degli Asinelli for its far-reaching views.

The Porticoes of Bologna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also described as unforgettable for its stunning Bolognese architecture of red-stone columns and magnificent arches.

ONE of the easiest ways to travel around Europe is by train – and a new vintage train in Spain will take you to some of the most popular cities.

The distance between Madrid to Seville is around 300 miles long, but if you’re onboard a retro luxury train, the travel is isn’t a chore at all.

Al Andalus will begin a seven-day route from southern Spain to the capital from spring 2026.

The train doesn’t just trundle straight through from one destination to the other either, as there are plenty of stops along the way.

Stops include Córdoba, Alcázar de San Juan, Mérida, Jerez and Aranjuez as well as visits to UNESCO sites and beach towns.

Another of the stops along the way is to Cádiz, a pretty port city in Andalusia.

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There’s a huge cathedral and Roman amphitheatre next to the city’s promenade as well as La Caleta – one of the local beaches, and outdoor market, Mercado Central.

Sun Writer Hope Brotherton visited previously visited the city and you can find out more on what she thought about these attractions here.

The luxury and vintage train is the longest on the Spanish tracks and is 450 metres in length.

It’s made up of 14 carriages, which accommodate a total of 64 people – there are two restaurant cars, a kitchen car, a bar car, playroom car, seven bed cars, as well as one for crew, and another for machinery.

Onboard are four lounges based on the 1920s which serve traditional Andalusian dishes and drinks.

Breakfast is served daily in the Alhambra and Gibralfaro restaurants where passengers can enjoy both an a la carte and buffet meal.

The Grand Class Room is the smaller of the room options and is fitted with two single beds.

It has a wardrobe, safe, luggage compartment, minibar, air con and a private bathroom with a shower.

It’s not just for sleeping in either, during the day, the cabin can be transformed into a living room.

The beds fold into armchairs and guests can sit to watch the views from the window.

A Grand Class Room for two people is €13,200 (£11,456), or for one individual is €11,200 (£9,722).

Meanwhile, the Deluxe Suite Room is larger at 89 square foot with a large double bed.

It comes with all the amenities that the Grande Class Room has, and the private bathroom has a hydromassage shower.

The day bed turns into a comfortable sofa and each of the suites has 24-hour room service.

For a Deluxe Suite Room, it’s €15,800 (£13,715) for two people, or €13,800 (£11,978) for an individual.

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Here are the list of stops along the new route from Seville to Madrid…

Day One – Seville – Cordoba

Day Two – Córdoba – Cádiz – Jerez

Day Three – Jerez – Zafra

Day Four – Zafra – Cáceres – Mérida

Day Five – Mérida – Alcázar de San Juan

Day Six – Alcázar de San Juan – Toledo – Aranjuez

Day Seven – Aranjuez – Madrid

Here’s more on where to visit in Spain by one writer who goes there every month.

Plus, a new overnight sleeper train to connect 100 European cities with private cabins and panoramic views.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is set to rule for the first time on whether the president has the power to deploy troops in American cities over the objections of local and state officials.

A decision could come at any time.

And even a one-line order siding with President Trump would send the message that he is free to use the military to carry out his orders — and in particular, in Democratic-controlled cities and states.

Trump administration lawyers filed an emergency appeal last week asking the court to reverse judges in Chicago who blocked the deployment of the National Guard there.

The Chicago-based judges said Trump exaggerated the threat faced by federal immigration agents and had equated “protests with riots.”

Trump administration lawyers, however, said these judges had no authority to second-guess the president. The power to deploy the National Guard “is committed to his exclusive discretion by law,” they asserted in their appeal in Trump vs. Illinois.

That broad claim of executive power might win favor with the court’s conservatives.

Administration lawyers told the court that the National Guard would “defend federal personnel, property, and functions in the face of ongoing violence” in response to aggressive immigration enforcement, but it would not carry out ordinary policing.

Yet Trump has repeatedly threatened to send U.S. troops to San Francisco and other Democratic-led cities to carry out ordinary law enforcement.

When he sent 4,000 Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in June, their mission was to protect federal buildings from protesters. But state officials said troops went beyond that and were used to carry out a show in force in MacArthur Park in July.

Newsom, Bonta warn of dangers

That’s why legal experts and Democratic officials are sounding an alarm.

“Trump v. Illinois is a make-or-break moment for this court,” said Georgetown law professor Steve Vladeck, a frequent critic of the court’s pro-Trump emergency orders. “For the Supreme Court to issue a ruling that allows the president to send troops into our cities based upon contrived (or even government-provoked) facts … would be a terrible precedent for the court to set not just for what it would allow President Trump to do now but for even more grossly tyrannical conduct.”

California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a brief in the Chicago case warning of the danger ahead.

“On June 7, for the first time in our nation’s history, the President invoked [the Militia Act of 1903] to federalize a State’s National Guard over the objections of the State’s Governor. Since that time, it has become clear that the federal government’s actions in Southern California earlier this summer were just the opening salvo in an effort to transform the role of the military in American society,” their brief said.

“At no prior point in our history has the President used the military this way: as his own personal police force, to be deployed for whatever law enforcement missions he deems appropriate. … What the federal government seeks is a standing army, drawn from state militias, deployed at the direction of the President on a nationwide basis, for civilian law enforcement purposes, for an indefinite period of time.”

Conservatives cite civil rights examples

Conservatives counter that Trump is seeking to enforce federal law in the face of strong resistance and non-cooperation at times from local officials.

“Portland and Chicago have seen violent protests outside of federal buildings, attacks on ICE and DHS agents, and organized efforts to block the enforcement of immigration law,” said UC Berkeley law professor John Yoo. “Although local officials have raised cries of a federal ‘occupation’ and ‘dictatorship,’ the Constitution places on the president the duty to ‘take care that the laws are faithfully executed.’”

He noted that presidents in the past “used these same authorities to desegregate southern schools in the 1950s after Brown v. Board of Education and to protect civil rights protesters in the 1960s. Those who cheer those interventions cannot now deny the same constitutional authority when it is exercised by a president they oppose,” he said.

The legal battle so far has sidestepped Trump’s broadest claims of unchecked power, but focused instead on whether he is acting in line with the laws adopted by Congress.

The Constitution gives Congress the power “to provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel Invasions.”

Beginning in 1903, Congress said that “the President may call into Federal service members and units of the National Guard of any State in such numbers as he considers necessary” if he faces “danger of invasion by a foreign nation … danger of a rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States or the president is unable to execute the laws of the United States.”

While Trump administration lawyers claim he faces a “rebellion,” the legal dispute has focused on whether he is “unable to execute the laws.”

Lower courts have blocked deployments

Federal district judges in Portland and Chicago blocked Trump’s deployments after ruling that protesters had not prevented U.S. immigration agents from doing their jobs.

Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, described the administration’s description of “war-ravaged” Portland as “untethered to the facts.”

In Chicago, Judge April Perry, a Biden appointee, said that “political opposition is not rebellion.”

But the two appeals courts — the 9th Circuit in San Francisco and the 7th Circuit in Chicago — handed down opposite decisions.

A panel of the 9th Circuit said judges must defer to the president’s assessment of the danger faced by immigration agents. Applying that standard, the appeals court by a 2-1 vote said the National Guard deployment in Portland may proceed.

But a panel of the 7th Circuit in Chicago agreed with Perry.

“The facts do not justify the President’s actions in Illinois, even giving substantial deference to his assertions,” they said in a 3-0 ruling last week. “Federal facilities, including the processing facility in Broadview, have remained open despite regular demonstrations against the administration’s immigration policies. And though federal officers have encountered sporadic disruptions, they have been quickly contained by local, state, and federal authorities.”

Attorneys for Illinois and Chicago agreed and urged the court to turn down Trump’s appeal.

“There is no basis for claiming the President is ‘unable’ to ‘execute’ federal law in Illinois,” they said. “Federal facilities in Illinois remain open, the individuals who have violated the law by attacking federal authorities have been arrested, and enforcement of immigration law in Illinois has only increased in recent weeks.”

U.S. Solicitor Gen. D. John Sauer, shown at his confirmation hearing in February, said the federal judges in Chicago had no legal or factual basis to block the Trump administration’s deployment of troops.

(Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

Trump’s Solicitor Gen. D. John Sauer presented a dramatically different account in his appeal.

“On October 4, the President determined that the situation in Chicago had become unsustainably dangerous for federal agents, who now risk their lives to carry out basic law enforcement functions,” he wrote. “The President deployed the federalized Guardsmen to Illinois to protect federal officers and federal property.”

He disputed the idea that agents faced just peaceful protests.

“On multiple occasions, federal officers have also been hit and punched by protestors at the Broadview facility. The physical altercations became more significant and the clashes more violent as the size of the crowds swelled throughout September,” Sauer wrote. “Rioters have targeted federal officers with fireworks and have thrown bottles, rocks, and tear gas at them. More than 30 [DHS] officers have been injured during the assaults on federal law enforcement at the Broadview facility alone, resulting in multiple hospitalizations.”

He said the judges in Chicago had no legal or factual basis to block the deployment, and he urged the court to cast aside their rulings.

A SEASIDE city in the UK has been named among the happiest in the world.

It has a world famous pier, pretty shopping streets and an enormous beach that sees millions of tourists during the summer months.

We all like to be beside the seaside, and therefore it is no surprise that, according to Time Out, Brighton is one of the happiest cities in the world.

Cities across the world were ranked on a criterion of five statements: My city makes me happy; I feel happier in my city than other places I’ve visited or lived; The people in my city seem happy; I find joy in the everyday experiences my city offers; The sense of happiness in my city has grown a lot recently.

Overall, Brighton then scored 11th place on the table and it was the only city in England to gain a spot on the list.

And it isn’t surprising, as the city has a lot to boast about including being close to London and having sprawling beaches.

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If heading from London Victoria, it takes just 58 minutes to reach Brighton on the train with an adult anytime day return usually costing £34.70.

Once there, one of the obvious spots to explore is the beach.

The pebble beach stretches far and is also where visitors can find the historic pier.

For breathtaking views, head up the BA i360 observation tower, costing £18.50 per person.

Then make sure to head to Brighton’s Grade-II listed pleasure pier, which boasts a number of fairground rides, bars and restaurants – all hovering above the sea.

It stretches a total of 525 metres and is the ideal spot to catch the sunset.

If you then stroll along the promenade, make sure to check out the Upside Down House.

Inside, there are lots of quirky photo ops and it costs between £7.45 and £14.95 to enter.

Heading into the town, make sure to explore Brighton’s art district – North Laine.

You can wander around independent shops and stop off at traditional pubs.

Often referred to as ‘the lanes’, the area is full of higgledy-piggledy alleyways and avenues.

North Laine is a top spot for coffees, pastries and second-hand shopping.

There are then also the historical lanes, to the south, which have a number of restaurants, bars and boutiques.

For those who love exploring history, visit The Royal Pavilion – a palace in the middle of the town.

This rather extravagant building is a former palace that was commissioned by King George IV.

Today, the attraction is a Grade I listed building and is known for its ornate designs inside.

It costs £19.50 per adult and £11.75 per child to visit.

There’s also the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, which costs £9.50 to enter.

With its central gallery having just reopened following a £2million upgrade, visitors get the chance to see collections of fine art, decorative arts, fashion, and local history.

If you’re looking for a spot to grab a bite, then head to Baqueano – the number one rated restaurant in Brighton, with a full five out of five stars from more than 1,900 TripAdvisor reviews.

Though don’t expect it to be cheap – the catch of the day will set you back £28.50 and a fillet steak, £39.30.

And if you are looking to stay longer, you won’t be short of choice when it comes to hotels and accommodation.

For example, you could stay at Drakes Hotel, which is set along the seafront and is just a 10 minute walk from the beach.

Inside, the rooms are all individually designed with bespoke furniture, large TVs, tea and coffee making facilities and free wifi.

There’s even a 24-hour cocktail bar.

It costs from £134 per night to stay at the hotel.

Alternatively, for a slightly cheaper option, you could stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole costing from £95 a night.

The hotel features an indoor pool, fitness centre, onsite restaurant and even has pet friendly rooms.

Other cities on the list features Abu Dhabi securing the top spot.

Then the only other UK spot, was Glasgow, placing 20th. The city was also named the friendliest in the country, and you can read why by one local who lives there.

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THESE are the 20 happiest cities in the world in 2025, according to Time Out.

1. Abu Dhabi, UAE
2. Medellín, Colombia
3. Cape Town, South Africa
4. Mexico City, Mexico
5. Mumbai, India
6. Beijing, China
7. Shanghai, China
8. Chicago, US
9. Seville, Spain
10. Melbourne, Australia
11. Brighton, UK
12. Porto, Portugal
13. Sydney, Australia
14. Chiang Mai, Thailand
15. Marrakech, Morocco
16. Dubai, UAE
17. Hanoi, Vietnam
18. Jakarta, Indonesia
19. Valencia, Spain
20. Glasgow, UK

If you are looking for other seaside spots to visit, there is also an English seaside town that’s better in autumn with London-worthy restaurants and new hotels.

Plus, one of the UK’s most underrated and affordable seaside cities is set for a huge £53million revamp.

MANCHESTER and Birmingham could soon get Channel Tunnel trains.

Virgin has revealed that it wants to operate services from Manchester and Birmingham to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, if it wins the bid to run cross-channel services.

If the routes were launched, the trains would need to run via the West Coast Main Line and then divert across north London to join the Channel Tunnel route at Stratford.

A Virgin spokesperson said: “Reopening the stations to be able to accommodate international services requires commitment and resources from all parties and potential competitors involved.

“But if the stations are opened, Virgin will stop in Kent.”

Virgin has also pledged to reopen Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International stations, which have both been closed since 2020.

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Virgin would then run 20 services each day from London St Pancras to Paris and Amsterdam via Brussels, within the next five years.

In the future, Virgin said it could also add services to Germany and Switzerland too.

In August, Virgin signed a deal for 12 new high-speed trains.

The “binding exclusivity” with Alstom means Virgin would get a dozen Avelia Stream trains to use for journeys into mainland Europe.

Virgin is just one of several companies bidding to run services across the channel; other companies include Gemini Trains and Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS).

The latter has said they would look to restart train routes from Ashford International Station as well.

If Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane was successful in its bid to gain a Channel Tunnel contract, they’d launch trains from between London and Paris from 2029 onwards, with a stop in Ashford.

Meanwhile, Gemini Trains has revealed plans to launch 10 trains from the UK to Europe, including routes to Paris and Brussels.

The ORR will make a decision about the future of cross-channel services, by either allowing a new operator to run services or allow Eurostar to grow its services.

If Eurostar did expand, the operator has expressed that it would like to run services to a number of new destinations, such as Frankfurt and Geneva.

A final decision is set to be made on October 31.

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WHILE a second operator on the channel tunnel could only be a positive move for travellers, there are significant challenges before this could become reality.

Eurostar currently has a monopoly on the route and competition would potentially bring more choice, lower prices and new routes.

Eurostar itself is a shadow of the company it was in its glory days with direct routes to Disneyland Paris, Lyon, Avignon and Marseille plus its fabulous ski train to the Alps.

While the pandemic brought the company almost to its knees, it has been steadily getting back on its feet and the merger with Belgian operator Thalys has opened up fast train services to Germany.

But the constrictions on space at St Pancras and the maintenance depot at Temple Mills plus the potential disruption when the new European Entry Exit System finally arrives mean there are still significant problems that need to be addressed.

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In other train news, one of the UK’s most beautiful underground train stations was inspired by Russia.

Plus, a new UK train service is set to connect two major cities and tickets are a bargain.

The best cities for food have been revealed and they are not all in Italy

When it comes to culinary delights, most people’s minds wander to Italy’s pasta, Japan’s sushi or Mexico’s tacos. However, a study by TasteAtlas has revealed the top foodie destinations around the globe.

The team analysed nearly half a million ratings from 17,073 cities in their database. Interestingly, many of the top-rated locations are just a short hop from the UK, with the majority of the top 10 nestled within Europe.

Naples clinched the top spot, thanks to its status as the birthplace of pizza, lasagna and macaroni.

But this stunning city wasn’t the only Italian gem to make the list, reports the Express.

Milan bagged second place, with its famous dishes such as risotto and panettone earning it high marks.

And let’s not forget that Milan is also the home of Campari, perfect for washing down those delicious meals.

Italy dominated the top three, with Bologna securing third place.

This city is renowned for its spaghetti bolognese, ragu and tortellini.

Despite the Italian dominance, other popular cities like Paris, Vienna and Mumbai also made the cut in the top 10.

Sadly, the UK didn’t manage to crack the top 30, with other notable absences including Hong Kong, Barcelona, Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok, and Amsterdam.

The top 30 best cities for food:

1. Naples
2. Milan
3. Bologna
4. Florence
5. Mumbai
6. Rome
7. Paris
8. Vienna
9. Turin
10. Osaka
11. Madrid
12. New York
13. Genoa
14. Nice
15. Lima
16. Jakarta
17. Kyoto
18. Gaziantep
19. Ferrara
20. New Orleans
21. Catania
22. Singapore
23. Venice
24. Istanbul
25. Tokyo
26. San Francisco
27. Lisbon
28. Guadalajara
29. Chicago
30. Philadelphia

This comes as Booking.com has unveiled its 2026 Travel Predictions, declaring the year ahead as the era of YOU – where individuality takes the spotlight.

One of the trends they found was Shelf-ie Souvenirs. This is where Brits will look to turn kitchen shelves into cultural showcases.

These shelf-ie souvenirs are moving from fridge magnets to pantry shelves, with travellers increasingly seeking edible and design-led treasures that turn everyday kitchens into showcases of global culture.

This shift is as much about meaning as aesthetics.

More than a quarter (25%) say edible souvenirs help them relive a destination each time they cook, while 24% value how these items showcase local craft, sustainability, and traditional methods.

For others, exclusivity and style play a role, with nearly one in five (16%) choosing destinations for rare souvenirs, limited-edition cookware, or packaging that looks as good on a shelf as it does on social media.

The friendliest cities in Europe have been named and the list includes bustling metropolises to charming harbourside spots, where visitors are made to feel at home

In a continent teeming with vibrant cities, some stand out for their exceptional hospitality. The annual Readers’ Choice Awards by Condé Nast Traveller, one of the travel industry’s most esteemed surveys, reveals which destinations make visitors feel most at home.

This year’s ranking, voted on by thousands of readers, showcases the cities that are not only beautiful but also boast the friendliest locals. Contrary to popular belief, large, bustling cities aren’t necessarily less friendly.

London, often seen as a cold and impersonal global metropolis, was ranked the second friendliest city in the UK in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2024 awards, scoring an impressive 93 out of 100, just behind Glasgow. This year, no UK cities made it into the top 10, but two from the tourist-favourite country of Portugal did.

Top 10 friendliest cities in Europe

10. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague’s historic beauty is matched by its growing reputation for friendliness, especially among its younger, English-speaking population. However, not all rankings agree that the Czechs are welcoming.

According to the 2023 Ease of Settling In index from expat-focused social enterprise InterNations, Czechia ranks 50th (out of 53 countries) in a global ranking of locals’ friendliness.

9. Madrid, Spain

Madrid’s warmth is frequently characterised as metropolitan and energetic. The locals, referred to as Madrileños, are “welcoming and open”, according to Expatra.

While the metropolis is vast and fast-paced, its dynamic culture and relaxed work-life balance serve as significant attractions for both residents and visitors. The city’s dwellers are also recognised for being particularly amiable in social environments, such as pubs and cafés, enabling tourists to easily integrate into the local atmosphere and feel comfortable.

8. Porto, Portugal

Porto’s amicable environment forms a crucial element of its charm, with travellers frequently remarking on the authentic warmth of its residents. The metropolis possesses a robust community spirit and “openly welcomes anybody into the city”, says Global Citizen Solutions.

The unhurried lifestyle and communal dining traditions enable visitors to easily bond with inhabitants, with many applauding the inviting atmosphere and the cordiality of the locals.

7. Oslo, Norway

Oslo’s amiable standing is more understated yet equally authentic. Whilst Norwegians might appear reserved and “mainly keep to themselves”, some Reddit users suggest that they are “in general friendly if approached”.

The capital is also commended for its diversity and forward-thinking principles, alongside a strong culture of courtesy and consideration. Tourists often remark that they feel secure and assured that residents will assist them if they become lost or need guidance.

6. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen’s high ranking is a testament to its commitment to liveability and a culture of “hygge,” which roughly translates to cosiness or well-being. The city’s residents are known for their punctuality, and while they may not be overly spontaneous, they are described as friendly and always ready to lend a hand.

The city’s safe and relaxed atmosphere, coupled with a strong sense of community, makes it easy for visitors to navigate and feel a genuine sense of belonging.

5. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon’s friendliness is often attributed to the pleasant and open nature of its people, who are described as “some of the kindest people” travellers have ever met, according to Reddit users. The city is also considered very safe, which contributes to a comfortable and welcoming environment for all types of travellers.

Many visitors find that locals are very helpful, especially if you attempt to speak a little Portuguese.

4. Reykjavik, Iceland

Holidaymakers regularly praise the authentic warmth of Reykjavik’s residents, who are frequently characterised as relaxed and eager to express their love for their country. As Iceland Review notes, “Icelanders are friendly and welcoming people,” with most being “happy to offer advice, a helping hand, and share the passion they hold for their homeland with international visitors.”

This hospitable character is equally evident in the city’s security and the straightforward manner in which tourists can engage with residents, many of whom willingly act as personal guides, revealing a more genuine aspect of the city to visitors.

3. San Sebastián, Spain

San Sebastián’s reputation for warmth is closely linked to its relaxed seaside culture and its exceptional gastronomic offerings. The Spanish destination boasts “fascinating Basque people and their rich culture,” as noted by ‘With Locals’.

Visitors often describe these residents as knowledgeable, engaging, and approachable in conversation. The community’s hospitality shines particularly in the convivial environment of the pintxos establishments, where tourists can effortlessly integrate into the regional dining culture and become part of the lively neighbourhood.

2. Florence, Italy

The warmth of Florence comes from locals’ deep pride in their incredible heritage, which they’re delighted to share with tourists.

Whilst some Reddit users describe Florence as nothing more than a “glorified tourist spot,” others have experienced the “complete opposite experience,” remarking that “the locals were incredibly friendly” and calling it their top Italian destination.

The genuine nature of the local culture helps visitors feel welcome whilst they discover the city’s breathtaking art and history.

The city also receives praise for being highly walkable, with a laid-back atmosphere that welcomes tourists warmly.

1. Vienna, Austria

Vienna’s position as Europe’s most welcoming city reflects its perfect combination of cultural sophistication and local appeal.

The Austrian capital is renowned for its security, excellent public transportation system, and numerous green areas, all of which create a hospitable and relaxed atmosphere for tourists.

Although some visitors have observed that Viennese residents can be quite direct, they’re also characterised as possessing a “robust charm,” and are recognised for being approachable when engaged.

The city’s spotless streets and well-maintained public areas make navigation effortless, while locals’ passion for their city’s past and culture creates an environment of genuine warmth.

Arguing that some places in the United States – primarily those governed by Democratic officials – are rampantly crime-infested, President Donald Trump has been deploying military forces to cities from Los Angeles to Washington, DC.

Former National Security Council official Kori Schake tells host Steve Clemons that Trump is trying to enlist the US military to get involved in his culture war issues, such as immigration and political dissent.

She warns that US forces should be kept out of politics “so that the American public continues to have confidence and trust in the military”.

A Russian fiber-optic-controlled first-person view (FPV) drone made a precision strike within the city of Kramatorsk for the first time on Sunday, the city council said. Though no one was injured in the attack, a fiber-optic FPV drone strike on one of the largest cities in the east raised alarms in Ukraine.

Unlike radio-controlled drones, FPV drones that link to their controllers via very long spools of fiber-optic wire are immune to jamming and terrain features that can impede line-of-sight radio signals. While they also have disadvantages, such as having a range defined by the length of the wires they trail and degraded freedom to maneuver, they are hugely threatening due to their resiliency. And the range at which they can reach out is only increasing.

Kramatorsk was home to about 200,000 people before Russia’s all-out invasion, but that has dwindled to about half that population. Located 12 miles from the front lines in Ukraine’s war-torn east, Kramatorsk has come under increasing attack from Russian radio-controlled FPV drones. 

Boosting the range of Russia’s fiber-optic-controlled FPV drones extends the depth of the front lines and increasingly puts civilians at risk.

“One strike and one damaged car will not change the security situation on the front line or directly in Kramatorsk, but it demonstrates a trend,” the Ukrainian Radio Liberty media outlet reported. “However, firstly, the Russian troops have demonstrated the reach and vulnerability of the administrative center of Donetsk Oblast to fiber optic. Secondly, if strikes with different types of FPV are scaled up, we can talk about a threat to civilian and military logistics in order to create the prerequisites for a future offensive…”

The video feed from the drone itself is incredibly clear, which is a major feature of this class of FPV drone. On the other hand, a radio-controlled one would have an intermittent video feed dominated by static due to the great distance from its controllers and especially amongst tall buildings and general urban terrain. The video shows the drone flying over a relatively pristine street in Kramatorsk, before making a sharp turn to the left and striking a pickup truck — much like the ones many Ukrainian troops use — parked near an apartment building.

Both sides have developed fiber-optic-controlled FPV drones that can now reach as far as 25 miles, but generally, those in operation fly a fraction of that distance carrying much smaller spools of wire. Still, efforts to extend the range to more than 30 miles are underway now, which could be highly problematic for forces operating deep behind enemy lines and civilians, as well.

It’s worth noting that the Russians started the use of fiber optic wires on the FPV drone in the spring of 2024, and Ukraine quickly followed suit. You can read more about that in our original story here. The use of fiber optic cables to transmit the guidance data between the controllers and the FPV drones has become so prevalent on both sides that fields once used for farming are now covered in the strands.

The increasing range of Russia’s fiber-optic-controlled FPVs is worrisome to one of Ukraine’s major players in drone development and production efforts.

“The enemy’s FPV drones can fly even greater distances,” Serhii Sternenko warned on X. “There is no such thing as a rear area up to 30 kilometers (about 18.5 miles) from the front. This needs to be realized now, especially by local officials.”

Sternenko is urging Ukrainian city leaders to adopt new defensive measures to protect civilians.

“All settlements in this zone should already be closing roads with anti-drone nets,” he suggested. You can see a driver’s view of traveling through one such system in the following video.

A Ukrainian logistic route that has covered with the anti drone nets and fence. pic.twitter.com/8O1QQHFPMe

— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝕯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝕯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱△ 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇺🇲🇬🇷 (@TheDeadDistrict) April 5, 2025

These nets are a measure first introduced by Russia and later adopted by Ukraine to create miles-long ‘tunnels’ designed to protect military transport vehicles from drone attacks. Russia has even designed a system to protect buildings with nets.

In addition, Sternenko wants civilian movement on the streets to be limited and ultimately have non-combatants evacuated.

“It will only get worse, because technology doesn’t stand still,” he posited. 

Though fiber optic cables increase the range of FPV drones, there are also limitations, as we have previously discussed and touched on at the opening of this article.

The extra weight of the large spools needed to operate over long distances slows them down and makes them less maneuverable. In addition, environmental factors come into play, the head of Ukraine’s defense tech incubator recently told us. Just because such a drone can reach 25 miles doesn’t mean it will.

“It depends on what we are measuring, the length of the fiber optics, or the distance between the ground station and the target,” Andriy Hyrtseniuk, the new head of Ukraine’s Brave1, told us. “It’s two different stories because, because of the wind, the fiber optics is moving,” reducing the range of these drones.

Still, given the advantages offered by longer fiber optic cables, both sides are in a race to increase their distance, Hyrtseniuk explained.

“This is very similar to the game of cat and mouse, and the innovations are enhancing [the range] very, very quickly,” he stated.

Ukraine was slower to develop the fiber-optic-controlled FPV drones, but it is catching up.

“This is actually one of the very few areas where Russia was faster than we were, but we are very quickly reducing the [gap],” he posited. “And right now, more than 35 Ukrainian companies are building the fiber optic drones and have scaled their production. So right now we are comparable with Russia.”

“Of course,” he added, “we and the Russians are working on the increasing distance and increasing lengths of the fiber optics…I don’t want to give more detailed information about fiber optics, but the level of 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) was completely reached, and it works.”

There has been very little movement on the front lines, providing Ukraine a degree of security within a dozen or so miles from them due to Russia’s lack of air superiority. But AI-infused drone technology, using Ukraine’s own telecom network to control long-range drones far beyond the front, and long-range fiber optic drones could disrupt this delicate balance. We discussed how AI-enabled Shaheds could have a massive impact on the war in a story we wrote last year. Even putting nearby towns at risk of highly resilient fiber-optic FPVs could have major impacts, especially on both sides’ ability to supply troops at the front.

So far, Kramatorsk is battered, but 100,000 people still call it home. Right now, cable-guided FPV drones are an emerging threat to this city. However, as we have seen across the battlefield, the ability to extend the range of these weapons makes defending against them even harder.

Contact the author: [email protected]

Vienna, the capital of Austria, and Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, are just 31 miles apart and both have a lot to offer tourists

Europe’s two nearest capital cities are both stunning and merely 31 miles apart.

Vienna, Austria’s capital, and Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital are practically neighbours. Must-see spots in the Austrian capital feature Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer retreat of the Hapsburg dynasty; the gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral – and the Hofburg, which served as the Hapsburg’s main imperial residence and now houses the Spanish Riding School.

Additional draws include the magnificent St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Sigmund Freud Museum and the Staatsoper opera and ballet venue. Vienna boasts its own gastronomic treasures such as scrumptious chocolate and mouth-watering Wiener Schnitzels to satisfy food lovers. It’s also regularly listed amongst Europe’s most liveable destinations.

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One study conducted by the Economist found that Vienna possessed “an unsurpassed combination of stability, good infrastructure, strong education, and healthcare services, and plenty of culture and entertainment”.

The metropolis is also considered amongst the world’s cleanest and most environmentally-friendly, featuring numerous public gardens situated along the River Danube’s shores.

Just over an hour’s journey downstream lies Bratislava, which rivals Prague or Budapest whilst offering fewer tourists and lower costs, reports the Express.

The destination showcases aspects of medieval, Rococo, Baroque and 20th-century modernism, typical of most former communist capitals. The Old Town is a picture-perfect spot, with its pastel-coloured buildings and cobbled streets lined with cafes and restaurants.

OPINION

This is where you’ll find the majority of the city’s historic architecture. Bratislava Castle, perched on an isolated hill of the Little Carpathians, is arguably the city’s most significant landmark. Its size and location have made it a dominant feature of the landscape since it was first built in the 9th century.

The Town Hall, constructed in the 14th century, is another notable building. Michael’s Gate, the only remaining gate from the medieval fortifications, is one of the city’s oldest structures.

A more unusual landmark is Bratislava’s UFO Tower, which sits on the riverbank offering panoramic views of the city. It also houses a restaurant at the top.

Other capital cities that are close to each other include Rome and Vatican City in Italy, Pyong in North Korea and Seoul in South Korea, and Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay.

People will be bale to easily access picturesque views of Scotland easier from the Midlands as the popular Caledonian Sleeper Train has announced a brand new route

A popular sleeper train has announced a brand new route – offering the chance for more people to experience the journey to Scotland.

The Caledonian Sleeper has announced a band new route, making it the biggest timetable change in 30 years as it will now link Scotland with Birmingham.

According to the operators, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William train services will travel to and from London via Birmingham, and have also assured the new stop won’t affect journey lengths or departure times either.

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The Scottish government took over the Caledonian Sleeper in 2023 after its previous operator Serco had its contract ended seven years early and it came at the time when the government was looking to increase the number of people using the service.

According to BBC, Caledonian Sleeper’s interim managing director Graham Kelly said research suggested there was demand for Birmingham to be added to the route and it was hoped the change would help contribute to tourism in the north of Scotland and the West Midlands.

He told BBC Scotland News: “We are continuing to run our service in its existing and current format. It is about adding in Birmingham as that additional opportunity. So in terms of the length of the trains and the resourcing on board, it will all continue to remain.”

The new service will depart from Birmingham International on 15 January 2026 and will run six days a week, with no services departing stations on a Saturday night. The Lowland service that goes to Glasgow and Edinburgh is unaffected by the change.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This iconic service means people from across the West Midlands will soon be able to travel comfortably and sustainably to discover the stunning beauty of northern Scotland. But this also means our Scottish friends can come and explore the wonderful West Midlands. That’s a win-win for our tourism and hospitality businesses on both sides of the border.”

It comes after one of the most picturesque train lines in Britain is to get a new service for the first time in ten years. The West Coast Main Line will be blocked while Network Rail replaces the rail bridge over M6 near Penrith, which has led Avanti West Coast to divert its Class 805 Evero fleet onto the Settle to Carlisle line.

The stretch of railway, which is renowned for its beautiful scenery, will be used as a diversionary route when the West Coast Main Line is blocked between Preston and Carlisle for two weeks in the new year.

To keep customers moving on trains across the North West and into Scotland, Avanti West Coast is planning to run a shuttle service broadly every two hours between Preston and Carlisle non-stop via the Settle to Carlisle route.

Do you have a story to share? Email [email protected]

President Trump warned the country’s top ranking military officials Tuesday that they could be headed to “war” with U.S. citizens, signaling a major escalation in the ongoing legal battle over his authority to deploy soldiers to police American streets.

“What they’ve done to San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles — they’re very unsafe places, and we’re going to straighten them out one-by-one,” Trump said in an address to top brass in Quantico, Va. “That’s a war too. It’s a war from within.”

Commanders should use American cities as “training grounds,” the president said.

Trump’s words provoked instant pushback. Oregon has already filed a legal challenge, and experts expressed concern that what the president described is against the law.

“He is suggesting that they learn how to become warriors in American cities,” said Daniel C. Schwartz, former general counsel at the National Security Agency, who heads the legal team at National Security Leaders for America. “That should scare everybody. It’s also boldly illegal.”

The use of soldiers to assist with federal immigration raids and crowd control at protests and otherwise enforce civilian laws has been a point of contention with big city mayors and blue state governors for months, beginning with the deployment of thousands of federalized National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles in early June.

That deployment was illegal, a federal judge ruled last month. In a scorching 52-page decision, U.S. District Court Judge Charles R. Breyer barred soldiers under Trump’s command from carrying out law enforcement duties across California, warning of a “national police force with the President as its chief.”

Yet hundreds of troops remained on the streets of Los Angeles while the matter was under litigation. With the case still moving through the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, hundreds more are now set to arrive in Portland, Ore., with another hundred reportedly enroute to Chicago — all over the objections of state and local leaders.

“Isolated threats to federal property should not be enough to warrant this kind of response,” said Eric J. Segall, a professor at Georgia State University College of Law. “The threat has to be really serious, and I don’t think the Trump administration has made that case.”

Others agreed.

“I’m tremendously worried,” said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law. “Using the military for domestic law enforcement is something that’s characteristic of authoritarian regimes.”

Oregon’s attorney general filed a lawsuit Monday alleging the president had applied a “baseless, wildly hyperbolic pretext” to send in the troops. Officials in Illinois, where the Trump administration has made Chicago a focal point of immigration enforcement, are also poised to file a challenge.

Although the facts on the ground are different legally, the Oregon suit is a near copy-paste of the California battle making its way through the courts, experts said.

“That’s exactly the model that they’re following,” said Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law.

Unlike the controversial decision to send National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., in August, the Los Angeles and Portland deployments have relied on an esoteric subsection of the law, which allows the president to federalize troops over the objection of state governments in certain limited cases.

California’s challenge to those justifications has so far floundered in court, with the 9th Circuit finding in June that judges must be “highly deferential” to the president’s interpretation of facts on the ground. That case is under review by a larger panel of judges.

In a memo filed Monday, California Deputy Solicitor General Christopher D. Hu warned that the decision had emboldened the administration to deploy troops elsewhere, citing Portland as an example.

“Defendants apparently believe that the June 7 memorandum — issued in response to events in Los Angeles — indefinitely authorizes the deployment of National Guard troops anywhere in the country, for virtually any reason,” Hu wrote. “It is time to end this unprecedented experiment in militarized law enforcement and conscription of state National Guard troops outside the narrow conditions allowed by Congress.”

Experts warn the obscure 19th century law at the heart of the debate is vague and “full of loopholes,” worrying some who see repeated deployment as a slippery slope to widespread, long-term military occupations.

“That has not been our experience at least since the Civil War,” Schwartz said. “If we become accustomed to seeing armed uniformed service personnel in our cities, we risk not objecting to it, and when we stop objecting to it, it becomes a norm.”

The joint address to military leaders in Virginia on Tuesday further stoked those fears.

“We’re under invasion from within,” the president admonished generals and admirals gathered in the auditorium. “No different from a foreign enemy, but more difficult in many ways because they don’t wear uniforms.”

He touted the move in August to create a “quick reaction force” to “quell civil disturbances” — a decree folded into his executive order expanding the D.C. troop deployment.

“George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Grover Cleveland, George Bush and others all used the armed forces to keep domestic order and peace,” Trump said. “Now they like to say, oh, you’re not allowed to use the military.”

Those historic cases have some important differences with 2025, experts say.

When President Cleveland sent troops to break up a railroad strike and tamp down mob violence against Chinese immigrants, he invoked the Insurrection Act. So did 15 other presidents, including Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and George H.W. Bush.

Experts stress that Trump has pointedly not used the act, despite name-checking it often in his first term.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday largely avoided the theme of “enemies within,” instead extolling the “warrior ethos” at the heart of his military reform project. He railed against what he saw as the corrupted culture of the modern military — as well as its aesthetic shortcomings.

“It’s tiring to look out at combat formations and see fat troops,” Hegseth said. “It’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon. It’s a bad look.”

As deployments multiply across the country, experts said they were watching what the appellate division and ultimately the Supreme Court will decide.

“It will be a test for the Supreme Court,” Schwartz said. “Whether they are willing to continue to allow this president to do whatever he wants to do in clear violation of constitutional principles, or whether they will restrain him.”

French train operator SNCF Voyageurs announced on Monday that the service would be discontinued as of 14 December 2025, after the French Ministry of Transport decided to stop financial support of the service with a state subsidy

Train fans have been dealt a blow as a key sleeper train network connecting Paris to Vienna and Berlin will cease operations in December.

The Nightjet service between Paris and Berlin was reintroduced back in 2023, just nine years after it was originally scrapped. However, two years on, and the iconic trainline’s days are numbered once more.

French train operator SNCF Voyageurs announced on Monday that the service would be discontinued as of 14 December 2025, after the French Ministry of Transport decided to stop financial support of the service with a state subsidy.

The trainline is a complex one to run, operated as it is by multiple different firms based in different countries. Nightjet was operated by SNCF, Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB).

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SNCF described night trains as a “huge economic challenge.” “While a seat on an airplane can be sold up to five times a day and a seat on a day train up to four times, a seat on a night train can only be sold once a day,” the train operator explained, the Independent reported.

“In addition, the personnel costs are higher on night trains (more service staff are needed, more cabin crew due to border crossings, and the cost of night services is higher). Long journeys incur costs related to accessing infrastructure in several countries and high energy costs. Finally, border crossings require locomotive and crew changes.”

The Paris to Vienna and Berlin train was just 70 per cent full on average in 2024, which meant the rail companies needed a state subsidy to break even.

Despite the withdrawal from Paris, the Vienna–Brussels Nightjet will continue to run three times a week in 2026. ÖBB remains the largest provider of night trains in Europe, operating services such as Vienna–Amsterdam and Munich–Rome.

ÖBB is also expanding its long-distance overnight services, introducing 24 new-generation Nightjet trains. These are intended to provide greater capacity and improved facilities on existing routes across the network.

A statement from ÖBB read: “Night trains can only be operated with the participation of international partners. ÖBB regrets that, following the withdrawal of the French partners, both night train connections can no longer be offered as of December 14, 2025.”

ÖBB maintained that its Vienna to Brussels Nightjet will remain in service in 2026 and will continue to operate three times a week.

The decision has been criticised by a group called Oui au train de nuit? (Yes to the night train?), which has also urged the French government to step in and save the service.

It said: “It is unacceptable that the only two international night trains serving France year-round should disappear. Each of the stakeholders has room to act, and each can take a step toward truly reviving international night trains.”

Two years ago Austria’s national railway, ÖBB, unveiled a new ‘pod’-style cabin aboard its Nightjet train. The sleek and space efficient design aims to pack railway users onto the train in a similar fashion to a modern Japanese hotel.

Pictures of the new design show that the pods have a mirror, coat hooks, a reading lamp as well as adjacent lockers for hand luggage and shoes. Customers will be able to lie back with a good book in comfort as the train whistles them across the Continent at 230 km/h.

QUANTICO, Va. — President Trump revealed that he wants to use American cities as training grounds for the armed forces and joined Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday in declaring an end to “woke” culture before an unusual gathering of hundreds of top U.S. military officials who were abruptly summoned to Virginia from around the world.

Hegseth announced new directives for troops that include “gender-neutral” or “male-level” standards for physical fitness, while Trump bragged about U.S. nuclear capabilities and warned that “America is under invasion from within.”

“After spending trillions of dollars defending the borders of foreign countries, with your help we’re defending the borders of our country,” Trump said.

Hegseth had called military leaders to the Marine Corps base in Quantico, near Washington, without publicly revealing the reason until this morning. His address largely focused on his own long-used talking points that painted a picture of a military that has been hamstrung by “woke” policies, and he said military leaders should “do the honorable thing and resign” if they don’t like his new approach.

Meetings between top military brass and civilian leaders are nothing new, but the gathering had fueled intense speculation about the summit’s purpose given the haste with which it was called and the mystery surrounding it.

Admirals and generals from conflict zones in the Middle East and elsewhere were summoned for a lecture on race and gender in the military, underscoring the extent to which the country’s culture wars have emerged as a front-and-center agenda item for Hegseth’s Pentagon, even at a time of broad national security concerns across the globe.

‘We will not be politically correct’

Trump is used to boisterous crowds of supporters who laugh at his jokes and applaud his boasts during his speeches. But he wasn’t getting that kind of soundtrack from the generals and admirals in attendance.

In keeping with the nonpartisan tradition of the armed services, the military leaders sat mostly stone-faced through Trump’s politicized remarks, a contrast from when rank-and-file soldiers cheered during Trump’s speech at Fort Bragg this summer.

During his nearly hour-long speech, Hegseth said the U.S. military has promoted too many leaders for the wrong reasons based on race, gender quotas and “historic firsts.”

“The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level,” Hegseth said.

That was echoed by Trump, who said “the purposes of America military is not to protect anyone’s feelings. It’s to protect our republic.″

″We will not be politically correct when it comes to defending American freedom,” Trump said. “And we will be a fighting and winning machine.”

Loosening disciplinary rules

Hegseth said he is loosening disciplinary rules and weakening hazing protections, putting a heavy focus on removing many of the guardrails the military had put in place after numerous scandals and investigations

He said he was ordering a review of “the department’s definitions of so-called toxic leadership, bullying and hazing to empower leaders to enforce standards without fear of retribution or second guessing.”

The defense secretary called for “changes to the retention of adverse information on personnel records that will allow leaders with forgivable, earnest, or minor infractions to not be encumbered by those infractions in perpetuity.”

“People make honest mistakes, and our mistakes should not define an entire career,” Hegseth said. “Otherwise, we only try not to make mistakes.”

Bullying and toxic leadership has been the suspected and confirmed cause behind numerous military suicides over the past several years, including the very dramatic suicide of Brandon Caserta, a young sailor who was bullied into killing himself in 2018.

A Navy investigation found that Caserta’s supervisor’s “noted belligerence, vulgarity and brash leadership was likely a significant contributing factor in (the sailor)’s decision to end his own life.”

Gender-neutral physical standards

Hegseth used the platform to slam environmental policies and transgender troops while talking up his and Trump’s focus on “the warrior ethos” and “peace through strength.”

Hegseth said the department has been told from previous administrations that “our diversity is our strength,” which he called an “insane fallacy.”

“They had to put out dizzying DEI and LGBTQE+ statements. They were told females and males are the same thing, or that males who think they’re females is totally normal,” he said, adding the use of electric tanks and the COVID vaccine requirements to the list as mistaken policies.

Hegseth said this is not about preventing women from serving.

“But when it comes to any job that requires physical power to perform in combat, those physical standards must be high and gender neutral,” he said. “If women can make it excellent, if not, it is what it is. If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it. That is not the intent, but it could be the result.”

Hegseth’s speech came as the country faces a potential government shutdown this week and as Hegseth, who has hammered home a focus on lethality, has taken several unusual and unexplained actions, including ordering cuts to the number of general officers and firings of other top military leaders.

Hegseth has championed the military’s role in securing the U.S.-Mexico border, deploying to American cities as part of Trump’s law enforcement surges, and carrying out strikes on boats in the Caribbean that the administration says targeted drug traffickers.

Finley, Toropin and Vucci write for the Associated Press. Finley and Toropin reported from Washington. AP writer Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report.