Supporters of Chilean presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast look at their phones while awaiting election results in Santiago on November 16, aided by a fast Internet. Photo by Ailen Diaz/EPA
Nov. 24 (UPI) — The Chilean city of Valparaíso has the fastest fixed broadband Internet in the world, according to the Speedtest Global Index, which ranks average connection speeds based on user tests.
The port city leads the latest ranking with an average download speed of 398.21 megabits per second, surpassing major cities such as Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, which placed second with 376 Mbps and Lyon, France, which ranked third.
In the United States, Los Angeles is the first city to appear in the ranking, in 11th place, followed by New York in 12th.
Valparaíso ranked ahead of Chile’s capital, Santiago, because it sits in a strategic location for technology companies that use the city as a hub for developing fiber-optic infrastructure for Chile, South America and connections to Oceania.
“Valparaíso is the landing point for submarine cables such as Google’s Curie, América Móvil’s Mistral and SAC, which add capacity and redundancy to the connectivity ecosystem, while Google’s Humboldt transpacific cable with the Chilean government is set to land in Valparaíso in 2027,” Danilo Bórquez, who holds a doctorate in complex systems engineering and is a professor at the Adolfo Ibáñez University’s engineering school, told UPI.
He added that residents of Valparaíso have faster and more stable Wi-Fi.
“With more than 300 Mbps you can have several users online at the same time. Video calls run smoothly and game or photo downloads and backups are much faster. You can also hold classes or use educational platforms without interruptions, with materials downloading in seconds or minutes,” Bórquez said.
At the national level, fiber-optic adoption is high. “In Chile, it accounts for about 70% of fixed connections, which drives the typical speeds measured by Speedtest. There are companies that can migrate or extend fiber to another 4.3 million households in Chile, which increases the base of users with high-speed plans.”
Marco Aravena, director of Modernization and Digital Transformation and a computer engineering professor at the University of Valparaíso, told UPI that service providers come to the city to expand fiber-optic Internet access.
“In Valparaíso you have Las Torpederas beach, where one of the submarine cables that brings fiber-optic connections from other parts of the world comes ashore. We are one of the technology hubs through which internet arrives in Chile. It’s not that users connect directly to that fiber, but they have more direct access to it,” he said.
Experts say these factors make Valparaíso attractive for people who want to work in hybrid or remote roles.
“Valparaíso is becoming a hub that allows people to come live and work here because of its strong connectivity. It also attracts students because there are many universities in the city,” Aravena said.
However, the city has significant investment in technology and networks but little investment in infrastructure or economic development.
According to the latest 2024 Urban Quality of Life Index from the Catholic University, Valparaíso scored medium-high in connectivity and mobility, but low in housing and surroundings and medium-low in health and the environment.
ONE destination in the Midlands known as the ‘City of Kings’ thanks to its links to the Crown.
It’s had connections to royalty throughout history, both fictional and in real-life – plus for visitors, it has some great attractions.
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Leicester has links to royalty throughout history – and it’s the resting place of King Richard IIICredit: AlamyThe Jewry Wall is one of the largest remaining Roman structures in BritainCredit: Alamy
The city of Leicester is the final resting place ofKing Richard IIIand the birthplace of the Shakespeare’s mythical King Leir.
Other attractions include the King Richard III Visitors Centre, and the King Power Stadium.
Another popular attraction is Jewry Wall Museum, which immerses visitors in the stories of Roman Leicester – and it reopened after renovations earlier this year.
It’s where you can see Jewry Wall which was once part of a public bathhouse and it’s one of the largest surviving Roman masonry structures in Britain.
Inside the museum are plenty of Roman artefacts from soldiers’ helmet pieces to brooches and rings.
Tickets for adults are £12.50, those for children between 5-15 are £6.25 – families can get group tickets for £32.
The city in the Midlands is known for many things – but one must-see is the National Space Centre.
Most read in Best of British
The museum is the number one attraction in Leicester followed by Tropical Birdland and the Retro Computer Museum.
The National Space Centre is not just top in Leicester, it’s the UK’s leading visitor attractions dedicated to space science and astronomy.
National Space Centre in Leicester is the top attraction on TripadvisorCredit: Osborne Hollis Ltd.You can see the space centre for miles thanks to its Rocket TowerCredit: Alamy
It has interactive exhibits throughout the year and the UK’s largest planetarium.
Heading into the city, you’ll be able to spot it thanks to Rocket Tower – which is 42 metres high.
It has Blue Streak and Thor Able rockets, as well as the Gagarin Experience, Apollo Lunar Lander and real Moon Rock.
For those who want even more, stay for Space Lates — exclusive evenings of talks, activities, and galleries.
Entry for adults starts from £20.95, tickets for children between 5-16 are £18.95.
This much-mocked UK city is set to be huge next year – according to National Geographic…
According toNational Geographic, one of ‘best places in the world to travel to in 2026’ isHull– all thanks to its lively bar scene, award-winning aquarium, and completion of a huge project costing millions.
National Geographic has named it as one of the best places in the entire world to visit next year, but it’s not always been so up and coming. For example in Hull took top spot in the book Crap Towns: The 50 Worst Places to Live in the UK back in 2003.
However, it’s set to become more popular in 2026, and National Geographic mentioned that one of the reasons why is Hull’s investment into conserving its rich maritime history.
Hull was a very important trade route during the 13th and 14th centuries. Thanks to this, you can see Dutch-influenced architecture buildings that line the streets of the quaint Old Town.
Since 2020, the Maritime Museum has been undergoing a huge revamp worth £11million, but it will finally reopen to the public next year. This has been part of a wider £27.5 million project to promote Hull’s maritime history which has gone into restoring the museum and ships.
Another reason is the city’s new leisure spots that have transformed warehouses and the old waterside Fruit Market to become bars, restaurants, and art galleries.
The publication added: “There’s also a spectacular performance amphitheater, called Stage@TheDok, overlooking River Hull where it meets the Humber Estuary.
“And a former shipyard has for over 20 years been the base for The Deep, one of the United Kingdom’s most highly respected aquariums and marine conservation centers.”
SACRAMENTO — On a recent day at Sacramento native Lecho Lopez’s comic shop in the city, his 5-year-old nephew read his first word aloud: “bad.” It was from a graphic novel.
There was irony in that being his first word, because Lopez credits comic books with many positive things in his life. That is why he supports repealing a city ordinance dating to 1949 that bars the distribution of many comic books to kids and teens. It is not enforced today.
“It’s a silly law,” said Lopez, who has a red-and-black tattoo of the Superman logo on his forearm, in an interview at his store, JLA Comics. “A lot of good things come out of comic books.”
A City Council committee unanimously voted last week to advance the repeal and designate the third week of September as “Sacramento Comic Book Week.” It now heads to the full council for a vote. The ban prohibits distributing comic books prominently featuring an account of crime that show images of illegal acts such as arson, murder or rape to anyone under 18.
In the mid-20th century, as comic books were on the rise, fears spread over their effect on children, with some arguing they could lead to illiteracy or inspire violent crime. The industry decided to regulate itself, and local governments — from Los Angeles County to Lafayette, La. — adopted bans to shield certain comics from young people. While some cities like Sacramento still have those laws on the books, they are rarely if ever enforced.
Now, proponents of repealing the Sacramento law say it is necessary to reflect the value of comics and help protect against a modern wave of book bans.
Local artist pushes for repeal
Comic book author Eben Burgoon, who started a petition to overturn Sacramento’s ban, said that comics “have this really valuable ability to speak truth to power.”
“These antiquated laws kind of set up this jeopardy where bad actors could work hard to make this medium imperiled,” he said at a hearing Tuesday held by the City Council’s Law and Legislation Committee.
Sacramento is a great place to devote a week to celebrating comics, Burgoon said. The city has a “wonderful” comic book community, he said, and hosts CrockerCon, a comics showcase at a local art museum, every year.
Sam Helmick, president of the American Library Assn., said “there is no good reason” to have a ban such as Sacramento’s on the books, saying it “flies in the face of modern 1st Amendment norms.”
The history behind comic book bans
The movement to censor comics decades ago was not an aberration in U.S. history, said Jeff Trexler, interim director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which fights to protect the free speech rights of people who read or make comics.
New York, for example, created a commission in the 1920s dedicated to reviewing films to determine whether they should be licensed for public viewing, based on whether they were “obscene” or “sacrilegious” and could “corrupt morals” or “incite crime,” according to the state archives.
“Every time there’s a new medium or a new way of distributing a medium, there is an outrage and an attempt to suppress it,” Trexler said.
The California Supreme Court ruled in 1959 that a Los Angeles County policy banning the sale of “crime” comic books to minors was unconstitutional because it was too broad. Sacramento’s ban probably doesn’t pass muster for the same reason, Trexler said.
There is not a lot of recent research on whether there is a link between comic books and violent behavior, said Christopher Ferguson, a professor of psychology at Stetson University in Florida. But, he said, similar research into television and video games has not shown a link to “clinically relevant changes in youth aggression or violent behavior.”
Comic-book lovers tout their benefits
Leafing through comics like EC Comics’ “Epitaphs from the Abyss” and DC’s and Marvel’s collaboration “Batman/Deadpool,” Lopez showed an Associated Press reporter images of characters smashing the windshield of a car, smacking someone across the face and attacking Batman using bows and arrows — the kinds of scenes that might be regulated if Sacramento’s ban were enforced.
But comics with plot lines that include violence can contain positive messages, said Benjamin Morse, a media studies lecturer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“Spider-Man is a very mature concept,” said Morse, who became an “X-Men” fan as a kid and worked at Marvel for 10 years. “It’s a kid who’s lost his parents, his uncle dies to violence, and he vows to basically be responsible.”
Lopez’s mother bought him his first comic book, “Ultimate Spider-Man #1,” when he was about 9 years old, he said. But it was “Kingdom Come,” a comic featuring DC’s Justice League, that changed his life at a young age, with its “hyperrealistic” art that looked like nothing he had ever seen before, he said.
He said his interest in comic books helped him avoid getting involved with gangs growing up. They also improved his reading skills as someone with dyslexia.
“The only thing that I was really able to read that helped me absorb the information was comic books, because you had a visual aid to help you explain what was going on in the book,” Lopez said.
And a comic book can offer so much more, Burgoon said at last week’s hearing.
“It makes imaginative thinkers,” he said. “It does not make widespread delinquency. It does not make societal harm.”
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
The operation begins in the subway tunnel, at Jungfernheide station, in the west of Berlin. Around 30 soldiers storm down the staircase, onto the platform, then jump onto the tracks. A machine-gunner sets up his weapon on the platform and puts his sights on the stationary subway train. The platoon leader signals his soldiers to approach the train. There are screams from the rear compartment, and suddenly the tunnel is filled with smoke. The sound of automatic gunfire rings out from inside the train.
Residents of the German capital making their way home using the subway network this week may have had a surprise. For three nights, Berlin-based soldiers from the German Army were conducting drills in the tunnels, practicing how to fight saboteurs and other urban warfare contingencies. These included training for urban and house-to-house fighting, as well as the protection of critical infrastructure.
On the one hand, the maneuvers were a throwback to the Cold War days of the then-divided city, when NATO special operations forces regularly prepared to face off a Warsaw Pact invasion. On the other hand, they reflect changing priorities for the German military, which is increasingly orienting itself toward a potential future conflict with Russia.
19 November 2025, Berlin: During the exercise Bollwerk Bärlin, German Army soldiers come down a flight of stairs at Jungfernheide subway station. Photo by Christophe Gateau/picture alliance via Getty Images picture alliance
For three nights this week, between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., around 250 soldiers from the 2nd and 3rd Companies of the German Army’s Wachbataillon (Guard Battalion), trained to fight in the city. As well as at Jungfernheide subway station, maneuvers took place at a decommissioned chemical plant in Rüdersdorf, and at Ruhleben “Fighting City,” which was a NATO training area in the Cold War, but is now used by the German police.
The scenarios involved in the Bollwerk Bärlin III exercise focused on combating saboteurs in the German capital. As well as eliminating hostile elements, the soldiers practiced securing and evacuating the wounded, which would include members of the city’s population of roughly 3.9 million.
Photo by Christophe Gateau/picture alliance via Getty Images
While the Guard Battalion is best known for its ceremonial duties, including providing an honor guard for the visits of foreign dignitaries, it’s part of the German Armed Forces’ Joint Service Support Command and has an infantry combat role. For this mission, the soldiers swap out their 1930s-era Karabiner 98k bolt-action rifles for Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifles.
Members of the Guard Battalion fulfill their more familiar duty. Bundeswehr/Steve Eibe
“We are training here because Berlin is our area of operation,” Lt. Col. Maik Teichgräber, commander of the Guard Battalion, told Die Welt newspaper. “In the event of tension or conflict, we protect the facilities of the federal government. And this is where they are located.”
“Ultimately, we have to think from the worst-case scenario,” Teichgräber continued. “It’s about being ready for whatever could happen in the worst-case scenario. Nothing is simulated down here. The terrain is as it is.”
German Army soldiers representing injured soldiers are placed on a trolley in a subway tunnel at Jungfernheide subway station. Photo by Christophe Gateau/picture alliance via Getty Images picture alliance
By closing down part of the subway for the exercise, the Guard Battalion was able to practice in an entirely realistic environment, with confined spaces, poor visibility, and changing light.
In the scenario outlined at the start of this story, the battalion’s rapid response unit was called in once it was clear that enemy forces were on the subway train. The unit stormed the train, the carriages were secured, the enemy neutralized, and casualties among the friendly forces were evacuated. Throughout, the station was protected by additional forces positioned outside, including snipers.
Members of the Guard Battalion train for house-to-house combat during an urban warfare exercise. Bundeswehr/Anne Weinrich
Preparing to fight in the confines of subway stations and tunnels is a new development for the German Guard Battalion, but other nations are increasingly conducting similar maneuvers.
Earlier this year, TWZreported on how Taiwanese forces use the Taipei subway to maneuver around the city of Taipei as part of a major annual exercise, named Han Kuang. In that particular case, the Taipei Metro could provide an inherently hardened means of moving troops and supplies around in the event of an invasion from the mainland, wherein key facilities above ground would be heavily targeted. Taiwan’s military already regularly trains for urban warfare, which would be a central feature of any future conflict with the People’s Republic of China, especially in Taipei.
Taiwanese personnel get off a subway car in Taipei carrying a Stinger missile during this year’s Han Kuang exercise. Military News Agency/Taiwan Ministry of National Defense capture via Focus Taiwan
Like in Germany, Taiwan’s military is putting a new emphasis on whole-of-society defense readiness, rather than just that of the armed forces.
Elsewhere, too, the challenges of fighting underground are becoming a more relevant topic.
At the same time, the advent of large numbers of drones on the battlefield, and especially the introduction of autonomy, are further factors that will likely push conventional forces to move underground, if possible, on future battlefields.
During the Cold War, the NATO forces in West Berlin — American, British, and French — regularly trained in urban warfare, to be ready to try and slow down any Warsaw Pact move against the city, isolated 200 miles deep in East German territory. During this time, there was no West German military presence permitted in the city. Given the difficulty of reinforcing West Berlin and the overwhelming numbers of Warsaw Pact forces surrounding it, holding the city for any length of time was never a realistic proposition.
Instead, NATO would have relied primarily on special forces units, like the U.S. Army’s secretive Detachment “A,” the existence of which wasn’t formally disclosed until 2014. Trained in unconventional warfare, clandestine operations, sabotage, and more, it would have sent small teams across the city and deeper into Warsaw Pact-held territory to cause havoc should hostilities break out. It ceased operations in 1984.
Starting with the Battle of Berlin in 1945, during which the Soviets took the German capital from the Nazis, including via house-to-house fighting, the city was characterized by its military presence and strategic status. Flashpoints during the Cold War included the Berlin Airlift, when Stalin attempted to force the Western allies to give up their portions of the city, and the 1961 Berlin Crisis, when Soviet and U.S. tanks stood off at Checkpoint Charlie, leading to the partition of the city and the construction of the Berlin Wall.
On October 27, 1961, combat-ready American and Soviet tanks faced off in Berlin at Checkpoint Charlie. Tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union over access to the outpost city of Berlin and its Soviet-controlled eastern sector had increased to the point of direct military confrontation. U.S. Army
It’s worth noting, too, that during the Cold War, certain stations within the West Berlin subway network were constructed specifically with civil defense in mind. The stations at Pankstraße and Siemensdamm (on the same U7 line as Jungfernheide) were prepared as so-called Multi-Purpose Facilities, with blast doors, a filtered ventilation system, and emergency supplies. In case of nuclear attack, each could serve as a fallout shelter for more than 3,000 people over a two-week period. Today, the Pankstraße facility is protected as a historic monument, but Germany, overall, is increasingly looking at reactivating Cold War-era civil defense infrastructure.
A corridor in the Pankstraße nuclear fallout shelter in Berlin on May 10, 2022. Built in 1977 during the Cold War, it was intended to protect the citizens of West Berlin in case of a nuclear conflict. Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images JOHN MACDOUGALL
By 1994, however, the Cold War was over, and the last military occupying forces had left the city.
The fact that the German military is once again training to fight in the city is a measure of how much the security situation has changed.
By 2029, Germany is expected to spend €153 billion (around $176 billion) a year on defense, equivalent to around 3.5 percent of GDP. This amounts to the biggest military expansion since reunification, putting it ahead of France in terms of defense spending.
The first of 123 Leopard 2A8 tanks for the German Army, unveiled to the public in Munich this week. These are the first new-build main battle tanks for the German military in around 30 years. Photo by Alexandra Beier/Getty Images Alexandra BEIER
Speaking at a Berlin security conference earlier this week, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said it was America’s “aspirational goal” that Germany take over command of NATO forces in Europe, given the country’s defense spending plans. That would be an unprecedented move, since the role of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) has always been held by a U.S. four-star general.
By most measures, Germany is probably far from being ready to assume command of the alliance, but, in the meantime, it is starting to prepare its military for new kinds of contingencies.
“What is happening 900 kilometers [560 miles] east of us is reality,” said Teichgräber, speaking at the Bollwerk Bärlin III exercise, and reflecting on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “No one can say whether this will eventually affect Germany. But we must be prepared.”
Two out of three think the county is headed in the wrong direction. Four out of five feel its leaders are closely connected to “big money interests, lobbyists, and developers,” and the same fraction felt county supervisors were effective “only some of the time” — or not at all.
How to turn things around? Seven out of ten agreed the county government needed “major reform.”
Those are the top-line findings from a new survey on local governance published this week by the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University.
The survey, paid for by the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, took the pulse of just over 1,000 registered voters and found most were feeling quite glum about the local state of affairs.
“Voters and residents are in a state of distrust and think that the government is not working,” said Fernando Guerra, the center’s director.
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But the survey was meant to show more than just a dejected electorate, Guerra said. He argued it made another point: Now is not the time for opponents to try and undo Measure G, a controversial measure that overhauled the county’s form of government.
“There are some people that are trying to relitigate Measure G, and I’m talking at the level of political elite,” said Guerra, who supported the overhaul. “What these numbers are suggesting, and what I’m suggesting, is if it were to be put up for an election again, it would pass again.”
It’s been almost exactly a year since voters approved Measure G, bringing something akin to a wrecking ball to the county’s governance structure and promising to replace it with something unprecedented in California: namely, nine supervisors instead of five and an elected county executive rather than an appointed one.
The measure was always controversial, with criticism lobbed at the position of chief executive, who opponents said would now hold far too much power over a $45-billion budget and the well-being of the county’s 10 million residents.
The measure barely passed, with a little more than half of voters agreeing to give it a shot. But the ultimate bureaucratic flub is giving some opponents of the overhaul new ammo to bring it back to voters.
Due to an error with how the county handles charter updates, voters inadvertently gave a 2028 expiration date to a different ballot measure that allocates funding for anti-incarceration efforts — known as Measure J — when they approved Measure G. (The head-scratching error is a wonky one — readers curious as to how it came about can find out here.)
Months after the error came to light, the county has still not said how it plans to fix the mistake. There are a few options, including putting either of the measures back on the ballot.
The survey of voters was not an election poll, and respondents were not given opposing arguments. Most voters did not seem to know much about the impending county government overhaul and the survey did not ask about the bureaucratic screw-up, which could be seized upon in a campaign. About half didn’t remember how they voted.
It’s not clear who exactly is pushing so hard for G’s demise currently. While the overhaul had its vocal opponents — including two supervisors — the effort would be extremely expensive and some may not relish the idea of a campaign that may come with an acute sense of déjà vu.
Some on the government reform task force who opposed Measure G said they didn’t think it was in the cards — though those who opposed the measure said they didn’t think it was such a bad idea.
“I have not heard that,” said John Fasana, a task force member who first noticed the error and voted against both Measure G and J. “I think that’s what they should do: if they’re going to do one, I would say it should be G.”
Instead, the county appears to be leaning toward a ballot measure involving Measure J for 2026.
On Nov. 3, Dawyn Harrison, the county’s top lawyer, laid out the possible options for the board to “reverse the error and honor the will of the voters.” That memo included language for various ways to enshrine Measure J through a ballot measure and make sure it doesn’t go poof in a few years.
Brian Kaneda, who is part of the coalition that got Measure J passed, said the group believes the county has multiple options to fix the blunder. But putting Measure J back on the ballot, they warn, should be the last thing the county considers.
“If evidence surfaces that a new ballot measure is legally required, we’re ready,” said Kaneda. “But we believe the county should rectify this internally, honoring the will of 2.1 million voters.”
State of play
— RUFF WEEK: One of the opponents of L.A. City Controller Kenneth Mejia accused the controller of misusing city resources by using images of his corgis and other graphics for both his office and his campaign. A campaign spokesperson suggested the opponent was “jealous of our cute corgi graphics.”
— BIN BONANZA: Los Angeles has left dozens of green bins on city blocks, so residents can dump their food waste and comply with a state composting law. Some residents say it’s overkill.
— ‘SMEAR’ STANCE: Newly appointed Fire Chief Jaime Moore says the media is trying to “smear” firefighters. The accusations appear to be in reference to a Times report that a battalion chief ordered firefighters to leave the burn area of the Jan. 1 Lachman fire, which would reignite into the deadly Palisades fire.
— FIRE FUND: The city’s firefighter union plans to propose a ballot measure that would increase the sales tax for Angelenos by half a cent in perpetuity, raising hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue annually for the department to build dozens of new stations, add rigs and increase the size of the department by more than 1,000 by 2050. “This is the most important thing for the LAFD really ever,” said Doug Coates, the acting president of UFLAC.
— FRAUD PROBE: Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman said his office will investigate claims that plaintiffs made up stories of sexual abuse in order to sue L.A. County. The announcement follows Times investigations that found nine people who said they were paid by recruiters to join the litigation.
— RESERVOIR QUESTIONS: State officials determined that even if the Santa Ynez Reservoir had been full during the Palisades fire, the water system still would have been overwhelmed and quickly lost pressure. Officials concluded the water supply in Southern California was “robust” at the time of the fire and that the water system isn’t designed to handle such large, intense wildfires.
QUICK HITS
Where is Inside Safe? The mayor’s signature program to address homelessness went to Beverly Boulevard and Mountain View Avenue in Historic Filipinotown, an area represented by Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez. Outreach teams also returned to previous Inside Safe locations in Echo Park, Van Nuys, Mar Vista, Little Armenia, Sun Valley, Woodland Hills and the Figueroa Corridor, according to Bass’ team.
On the docket next week: The county supes will consider deferring permit fees for some homeowners who are rebuilding single-family homes in areas of Malibu after the Palisades Fire.
Stay in touch
That’s it for this week! Send your questions, comments and gossip to [email protected]. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Saturday morning.
UNDISTURBED views of hazy mountains are all around.
My focus, however, is on the plate in front of me, piled high with cheeses including sulguni, a sour and briney variety famous in this part of the world.
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Now is an ideal time to visit the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, with temperatures are in the low twentiesCredit: GettyGeorgians take great pride in their cuisine, and visitors should try delicacy Khachapuri, pastry with cheese and eggCredit: Getty
I take a glug of red wine and notice everyone at my table, like me, has been rendered speechless by the sumptuous spread.
You may think I’m in the South of France or Italy — but no, I’m in Georgian capital Tbilisi, and the place is stunning.
In April this year easyJet launched a direct route to this former Soviet republic from Luton — and with the city’s magnificent wine scene and travel prices that won’t break the bank, it’s not hard to see why it is soaring in popularity.
Now is an ideal time to visit, when temperatures are in the low twenties — perfect for exploring and, more importantly, eating until you’re fit to burst.
Georgians take great pride in their culinary excellence and there are several dishes which simply have to be tried while you’re here.
Khachapuri, a national delicacy, is top of my list and can be picked up from most cafes and restaurants in the city.
Made of gooey cheese melted into a thick, hollowed-out, loaf-like bread, and often served with runny-yolked egg, this traditional staple is as heavy as it is tasty.
Luckily, virtually every meal in Tbilisi comes with a Georgian salad, consisting of tomatoes and cucumbers, so don’t worry about getting towards your five-a-day.
It’s amazing how much flavour the city’s chefs can add to the simplest of ingredients — and beans are no exception.
I tried them in a dish loved by locals, lobiani. Mashed kidney beans are cooked in onions and spices and stuffed into a flatbread.
Sofiko restaurant does an excellent version and what’s better is that its dishes are served alongside mesmerising city views.
When you are able to eat no more, Tbilisi’s cobbled streets are ideal for walking off all the food.
The city’s architecture reflects a fascinating blend of Persian, Arabic and Soviet styles, due to its occupations by all of these empires over the years.
Just make sure you pack comfy shoes. I’d booked a tour with a local guide, Nik, who told me: “Georgia would be the biggest country in the world . . . if it was flat”.
Gergeti Trinity Church sits on one of the country’s many spectacular green hillsCredit: GettyThe imperious Mother of Georgia statue was built in 1958 to mark the city’s 1,500th anniversaryCredit:
Bearing this in mind, I opted for the cable car up to the Narikala Fortress —an ancient stronghold built by King Vakhtang I Gorgasali in the fourth century, which looks over Tbilisi.
Up there you can see the imperious Mother of Georgia statue, a 20-metre figure built in 1958 to mark the city’s 1,500th anniversary.
In one hand she carries a sword — and in the other wine, to reflect the area’s fine vineyards.
Some of the world’s most celebrated grapes are grown in Georgia’s Kakheti region and no restaurant or bar is short of a good local white or red.
Kiketi Farm, a natural wine cellar around 45 minutes from Tbilisi, is the place to head if you want to sample some of the best tipples.
For such quality, I expect a steep bill for my tasting session. But the 30 lari I am charged works out at a very affordable £8.50.
Don’t guzzle too much, though, as you’ll also want to take advantage of everything else on offer at the farm — which includes horse riding. Staff are so friendly that they even attempted to give me a culinary masterclass.
It’s safe to say that despite their efforts to teach me how to make khinkali — a type of dumpling crammed with meat or veg — I reckon this job is best left to the local chefs.
If you’re after even more rural delights, an hour or so from Tbilisi is the Kass Land attraction park and its spectacular Diamond Bridge.
Bestriding the Dashbashi canyon 300 metres below, this transparent glass walkway is no more than two metres wide but 240 metres long — and features a colossal diamond- shaped structure at its centre, housing an all-glass sky bar with panoramic views.
Some find the experience rather daunting but I found it truly spectacular — especially when you can sip wine while drinking in the knockout views.
GO: Tbilisi
GETTING THERE: EasyJet flies from Luton to Tbilisi twice weekly from £137 return. See easyjet.com.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metekhi Palace cost from £150 per night including breakfast.
There are a staggering 193 countries in the world, and one travel expert has visited them all. But despite his extensive exploration, there’s a UK city he’s labelled one of the best
A travel expert has dubbed this UK city as one of the best in the world
The world is full of incredible destinations offering breathtaking landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so it’s no wonder that we can often overlook what’s right on our doorstep. But sometimes looking a little closer to home is the best thing to do. A UK city has beaten a whopping list of the top places to visit in the eyes of a very well-travelled explorer – and it’s not London.
Henrik Jeppesen has journeyed to every single country in the world – a staggering total of 193 – and has ticked off more than 2,000 destinations on his ever-expanding list. The globetrotter, who hails from Thy in northwest Jutland, Denmark, has been exploring the world since he was just 17, amassing a treasure trove of insider knowledge and a long list of advice.
Despite being well-versed in European travel and having experienced countless countries worldwide, there’s one destination that he can’t recommend highly enough – and it’s right here in the UK. “I absolutely loved Belfast when I visited. I still remember it as being one of the best and most surprising cities I’ve been to”, Henrik exclusively told the Mirror. “The city is so charming, and it has a very rich history.”
The capital of Northern Ireland is the birthplace of the RMS Titanic and home to the Crumlin Road Gaol, a former prison that has been converted into a museum.
Meanwhile, City Hall takes centre stage in the city, which earned the nickname ‘Linenopolis’ during the 19th century when Belfast was known as the world’s linen capital. In addition to its legacy, Henrik had nothing but praise for the people who call the city home.
“I really loved it there, and the people make the place special. They are really fantastic, and I met, I don’t know how many Northern Irish people – they’re just fantastic, talkative and lovely,” he said. “Then the feeling about walking the streets, beautiful buildings – it’s really a lovely city with the atmosphere, and the food was great.”
Despite visiting Belfast 15 years ago for just three days, Henrik still holds fond memories of the city and is eager to return. “I had plans to visit last month, but I couldn’t go, so I’ll go in the future. The city of Belfast is one of the great cities of Europe, and of all the cities I’ve visited, I haven’t felt that they’ve been that special like Belfast has.”
Noting why it could be seen as an overlooked city in the UK, Henrik said: “You hear so much negativity in the media from the conflict back in the day, so it doesn’t really stand out as a place you want to visit; people think about London, Dublin or Edinburgh. Edinburgh is a fantastic city, but I think Belfast is highly underrated. It’s so simple and easy to get to, so if you want a quick weekend break, it makes so much sense to explore the city.”
For anyone looking to book a getaway to Belfast, or anywhere in Europe, Henrik shared some vital advice when it comes to how long you should spend in one destination. “If you go to other parts of Europe, you might want to do five cities in two weeks, but that might be too fast. I would say you have two weeks. It’s better to spend one week in each location, rather than two places,” the expert advised.
“It’s not to feel rushed. Is it really a holiday if you’re rushed? It shouldn’t be that you rush and hurry to see alot of stuff. I’ve had moments in my travels when I’ve had to rush, but I don’t enjoy it as much; it’s better to take your own pace and explore a lot of things.”
You can find more of Henrik’s world adventures on his website.
Kaila Hattis, founder and therapist at Pacific Coast Therapy, has a long history of working with people who have experienced trauma on how to regulate emotion. She has also sent her clients to cities that she believes help to relax them
Bath is a lovely Georgian city (Image: futurewalk via Getty Images)
A therapist swears by the power of one UK city when it comes to calming her patients.
Kaila Hattis, founder and therapist at Pacific Coast Therapy, has a long record of working with people with traumatic experiences on how to regulate emotion. When it comes to the places “that have the potential to aid an over-stressed individual relax and unwind”, Kaila is a fan of one in particular.
“Bath has always stood out for its slow-moving, consistent pace from the moment one arrives in the city. The curved Georgian roads move at a soothing pace, while the quieter pockets close to the Abbey have a calming effect on anxious individuals quicker than any grounding technique I have taught. For myself, my own breathing calms within seconds of arriving, and similarly for my clients. Approximately 7 out of 10 of the clients who have traveled to Bath report that their bodies relaxed without them doing anything differently. The reality is that Bath provides people with space to reset themselves, much like wellness trends attempt to simulate but cannot replicate,” Kaila told the Mirror.
The story of the city’s founding goes that Prince Bladud was wandering through the area in 890 BC with a herd of pigs, having been banished from his kingdom after contracting leprosy. He realised that there was something different about the water leaking through the topsoil when his porcine friends began rolling around happily in the warm mud.
It would be on this site that Bath was built, attracting bath-house enthusiasts and pilgrims from across the Continent for the next 2,900 years. If you’re looking for a relaxing break in the city today, then Thermae Bath Spa is a fair bet, boasting as it does herbal steam rooms and four thermal pools, including an open-air rooftop dipping spot.
Bath is also famous for its stunning architecture, which was primarily built during the 18th-century Georgian period – although TV fans may also recognise it as one of the Bridgerton filming locations. The Crescent is arguably the jewel in the city’s architectural crown, using golden Bath stone and the Palladian revival style to turn terraced housing into an art form.
The restored Cleveland Pools – Britain’s oldest lido – the Bath World Heritage Centre are also worth a visit, while those keen to take in a game of Premiership rugby can do so in the central stadium, which lies next to a river beneath fine examples of Georgian architecture. One of Bath’s most iconic attractions is Pulteney Bridge, a symbol of Georgian architecture that domes over the River Avon.
Another highly rated city, ideal for relaxation, is Utrecht, according to Kaila.
“The canals are located beneath the street level and this creates a quieter environment, pulling the noise down into the lower levels before it even becomes noticeable. At present, I send entrepreneurs to Utrecht since many of them operate under a state of constant adrenaline. Upon returning, they report more stable moods, clearer thought processes and significantly reduced episodes of spiraling thoughts. This essentially equates to both cities providing the kinds of resets that most busy individuals rarely permit themselves,” she said.
A MAJOR train company has unveiled its plans for a new station, taking passengers from one world-famous city to another.
It comes as the rail company decided a far bigger station would be needed, with more than 80 alterations being made to the original idea so far.
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The Oxford-Cambridge train line is currently in its planning phaseCredit: AlamyIt’s set to take passengers through Bedfordshire, replacing some of the county’s old train linesCredit: Alamy
East West Rail’s Oxford-Cambridge route is set to take passengers from one popular city to another, with stops in places including Bedford, Milton Keynes, and Winslow in between.
The nearly £7bn scheme is aiming to construct fresh stations, new entrances and a completely reworked service pattern.
It’s no small overhaul – it’s an incredible challenge to all involved, both strategically as well as in terms of design.
In preparation for the new train line, Cambridge will be getting a revamp, with a brand-new Cambridge East station near the city airport.
The stunning city already has two prominent stations – Cambridge North and Cambridge Central located in the CB1 area.
The central station will also be receiving a long-awaited eastern entrance to ease foot traffic during rush hour.
All of these plans for Cambridge have been written into the scope of the plan, though elements of it are dependent on whether external funding is received.
Whereas in Oxford one of its old running lines – the Cowley Branch Line – will be reinstated to better suit the travel timetable once Oxford-Cambridge becomes available for travellers.
According to a press release by East West Rail, “millions of people across the Oxford to Cambridge corridor are set to benefit” from the project.
David Hughes, CEO of EWR, said: “These updates reflect our commitment to listening to communities while designing a railway that delivers long-term benefits for the region.
“Our latest proposals better reflect what matters most to people and will deliver better outcomes for passengers, local communities and the environment.”
Though one of the biggest challenges the construction team are going to be facing during construction is rethinking what to do with the Marston Vale Line that transverses central Bedfordshire.
The current plan is to switch out the nine existing rather tired-looking stations on its line for four larger contemporary ones.
With the release of Wicked: For Good today, a travel company has named the top 10 most beautiful destinations to experience real-life Disney charm
Simon Green Head of Trendswatch
12:56, 21 Nov 2025Updated 12:56, 21 Nov 2025
A little-known city just a stone’s throw from the UK is truly beautiful(Image: GETTY)
A stunning little-known city just a stone’s throw from the UK is like stepping foot into a real-life Wicked movie. Travel company Omio released their findings in time for the release of smash-hit musical Wicked: For Good today (November 21).
Colmar in France is filled with Disney-inspired charm, pastel houses and stunning canals. To get there is easy too, requiring just a 1hr 30 flight from London to Strasbourg, before a 55 minute drive to the city. Other recommended destinations in the top 10 include Sintra in Portugal, Lake Bled in Slovenia and the UK’s very own Isle of Skye.
The list came as part of a new survey that found more than a third of Gen Z (36%) are more likely to travel with friends they “hold space” for in the year ahead compared to just 12% of Boomers.
The ‘holding space’ phrase – meaning to be emotionally present with who you are with – became a viral meme during Wicked’s press tour in 2024, but now fans are incorporating it into their holidays.
These friendship trips can lead to a deeper bond and create lasting memories according to travel company Omio, mirroring the evolving relationship between the characters Elphaba and Glinda.
More than a quarter of Brits (28%) quizzed in Omio’s latest ‘Now Next 2025-2026 Travel Report’ say they’re influenced by film and TV when choosing where to go. Despite Oz not being a viable destination for jetsetters, whimsical fairytale-inspired destinations are found to be on the rise.
The report also reveals that almost two-fifths (37%) of women internationally want to feel connected, with 44% planning family and friend reunions. Wellbeing-led escapes are found to be on the rise with more than half (59%) of travellers wanting to return from holidays feeling recharged.
The report also discovered that people are opting for unique travel plans, with 32% preferring under-the-radar locations that would make people green with envy. Veronica Diquattro, President of Consumer and Supply Business Europe, said: “Our extensive inventory makes finding the best route to niche destinations simple.
“Gen Z leads the charge. They are purposeful planners, determined to travel more, for longer, and sustainably. Omio meets their expectations with breadth, flexibility and digital-first solutions.
“Our report reveals a new age of smart, conscious and value-driven travel. The desire to explore is stronger than ever, and Omio is at the forefront, ensuring every trip is seamless.”
Omio’s top 10 recommended fairytale destinations
Colmar, France: Disney-inspired charm, pastel houses and canals for cottage-core queens
Schwangau, Germany: a village in Bavaria, southern Germany. It’s a gateway to the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, a magical hilltop fairytale castle that famously inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Sintra, Portugal: Home to whimsical palaces and castles nestled in lush hills, plus candy-coloured palaces for the perfect girls’ trip.
Hallstatt, Austria: a picturesque village nestled by lakeside magic, with mountain backdrop drama.
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic: A small city with a large castle complex and a charming medieval old town.
Isle of Skye, Scotland: A rugged and scenic island with dramatic landscapes.
Lake Bled, Slovenia: A picture-perfect lake surrounded by forested mountains.
Giant’s Causeway, Ireland: An iconic World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland, steeped in legend and folklore.
Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore, Italy: A combination of grand architecture, vibrant floral displays, hidden grottoes, and the presence of white peacocks.
Spain has got a host of cities flooded with tourists every year, but fans of a small yet walkable city are missing out on one city located in the south of the country.
Rory Gannon Showbiz Journalist
12:04, 21 Nov 2025
This stunning city has been named the most walkable in Europe, but it might not be where you think it is(Image: Getty)
Spain is a firm favourite among Brits, with over 17 million of us flocking to its sunny shores last year, particularly to big cities such Barcelona and Madrid.
Airport transfer experts at Hoppa have put together a list of Europe’s top cities for pedestrians. Seville takes the top spot, followed closely by Athens, Istanbul, Krakow, and Amsterdam.
They point out that you can tick off all the Spanish city’s major sights in just 30 minutes.
Located in the south of Spain, close to the legendary Costa del Sol, the tourist hotspot sees temperatures rise to an average high of 36°C each day in summer.
But despite the cultural heritage of the city and its location to gorgeous landscapes, it is often forgotten by many tourists flocking to sun-soaked Spain.
The walking route through Seville, which showcases stunning architecture like the Cathedral and winds through Parque de María Luisa, is a mere 2km (1.2 miles) long and almost entirely flat, with a total elevation of just 3m.
One of the city’s standout landmarks is the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, better known as Seville Cathedral, which was built on the site of the 12th-century Great Mosque, converted into a church after Ferdinand III took Seville in 1248.
Just a stone’s throw from the cathedral is the historic royal palace, the Alcázar of Seville. Like the Cathedral, this building hails from the city’s Islamic era when it served as the citadel; after the Castillian conquest, it was rebuilt in the Mudéjar style.
Both the cathedral and castle were recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987, along with the nearby General Archive of the Indies, dating back to the 1500s. Other must-see landmarks include the Torre del Oro Tower, or Gold Tower, which forms part of the city walls.
Locals often recommend the Giralda Tower, a belltower that was once the old minaret of the Arab mosque, and the traditionally Andalusian 15th century Casa de Pilatos House. Speaking on the results of their study, Matthew Hall, Managing Director at Hoppa, said the results were shocking to them.
“Our ranking showed that some places are more suitable to be explored on foot than others, so doing your research before booking your flights is essential so you can properly enjoy your city break. Seville is a great alternative to the more popular Spanish city destinations Barcelona and Madrid. You can visit the top sites in less than 30 minutes.”
Matthew added: “Even though you will mostly walk when you arrive, don’t forget about getting to the city from the airport first. Booking an airport transfer in advance ensures peace of mind so you can focus on other tasks like planning your walking routes instead.”
Highlighting Seville’s walkability, Spain.info writes: “Even though Seville has the biggest old town in Spain, it is easy to get around on foot. However, you also have the choice of hopping on a tourist bus or using the public bicycle rental service (there are more than 180 kilometres of cycle lanes); you can also sail down the Guadalquivir, the only navigable estuary in Spain.”
The full top 20 of Europe’s most walkable cities are:
The city that is steeped in history and culture, and is often regarded as one of the best in the world – but did you know it is also home to its fair share of ‘spiritual’ powers?
09:39, 21 Nov 2025Updated 09:41, 21 Nov 2025
Edinburgh is ranked among the world’s best cities(Image: joe daniel price via Getty Images)
Edinburgh. A city drenched in heritage and tradition, considered by countless visitors as amongst the globe’s finest – but were you aware it harbours its fair share of ‘spirutual’ forces?
Seasoned traveller Jason Cranwell discovered this firsthand, expanding his consciousness, and his palate, to the opulent Scottish destination.
He said: “Whisky drinking is a pastime I have always been happy to leave to other people. In truth, it was to avoid the risk of it leading to a more fulfilling existence than my overdraft can handle.”
During his two-day adventure, Jason explored the Johnnie Walker Experience on Princess Street.
Despite being a self-proclaimed ‘Peroni guy’, this revelatory encounter demanded he expand his boundaries and taste some throat-burning scotch.
Jason revealed: “After answering some questions about my palate, I was soon tentatively sipping my first tailored whisky sample. Decent.
“Then the second. OK, this is not unpleasant, and then the third, a celestial cocktail creation whose recipe is now committed to memory in perpetuity like a school assembly hymn.”
It became immediately obvious precisely why the venue commanded a colossal £150million price tag the moment Eleanor began guiding everyone through what Jason characterised as “immersive rooms”.
Within was a labyrinth of polished, 360-degree wall displays, hand movement detection and striking LED installations. The chief storyteller was Evie who was a “genius” when it came to narrating the whole experience.
“Close your eyes and you could be listening to a Wikipedia biog entry,” Jason remarked, “Open them and you find yourself captivated by this Whisky Wonka.”
Next on the agenda was a trip to The Real Mary King’s Close, a subterranean maze of 17th century homes off the Royal Mile that remains remarkably intact. Makenzi took on the role of tour guide for this excursion, embodying an ancient servant for an hour-long expedition through history, covering plagues and air raid shelters.
Beyond the theatrical pursuits, Edinburgh offers outstanding dining and drinking venues. Jason and his group, seeking a swift change of tempo, chose to pop into Valvona and Crolla, a classic Italian delicatessen on an artisan strip near Leith Walk.
Founded in 1934 by Alfonso Crolla and currently operated by his great-granddaughter Olivia, what first seems like a charming narrow family establishment extends into multiple sections filled with delights around every corner.
From the delectable cheese display to the extensive collection of personally-selected wine bottles with bespoke labels chosen by the staff, and upstairs sat a restaurant hosting the most diverse mix of diners. “With the possibility of delicious antipasti, panatella and pasta paired with a highly recommended wine-tasting session hosted by the in-house sommelier for £38, who says you can’t put a price on authenticity?” Jason asked.
Venturing further down Leith Walk, you’ll find the trendier parts of town. The seafood restaurant Plaice, located at the hip venue ASKR on Constitution Street, is a pop-up eatery adorned with spray-painted decor and a menu focused on healthy options.
Jason shared his culinary experience: “I had a starter plate of scrumptious peri-peri tiger prawns that I scooped out onto my oyster-buttered warm sourdough bread, inadvertently creating the bougiest sandwich ever. My main course of bluefin tuna, caught in British waters but served up Japanese-style and bathed in sesame oil, topped it all off.”
For the trip, he stayed at Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge, conveniently located just a 15-minute walk from Haymarket train station. The hotel’s pièce de résistance is the Lochrin Rooftop Bar on the sixth floor, which was crowned Hotel Bar of the Year at the esteemed 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.
According to TimeOut, Edinburgh ranks among the top 53 cities worldwide for living. One of its key attractions is an innovative food and drink scene, described as featuring an “ever-evolving selection of forward-thinking bars and eateries”.
In 2023, TimeOut also listed Edinburgh among the 53 best cities globally to reside in, praising its dynamic array of bars and restaurants.
Earlier in 2024, Edinburgh was hailed as one of the “best places for an autumn city break” by The Times, the only UK location to earn this accolade. They penned: “Edinburgh’s snug restaurants, historic hotels and warming whiskies only get better in the cooler months. “Hike around this sloping city of quirky alleys, a waterfront port and towering castle walls in jumper-and-jeans weather, allowing time to reach its blustery natural viewpoint, Arthur’s Seat.
“In conclusion, Jason simply ended with the words: “Oh, Edinburgh, I think I’m smitten.”
A TRAIN journey across the UK can be a magical experience depending on the views – but a new train is launching that doesn’t actually go anywhere.
The Unseen Experience is set to open in Londonnext month and unlike a normal train journey where you purchase a ticket, get on board and travel from A to B, this service stays in the same spot.
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A new experience is opening in London that is set onboard a train… but you don’t go anywhereCredit: Feverup.com
Visitors will ‘board’ in complete darkness, being blindfolded throughout their ‘journey’.
Then, each ‘passenger’ will be “transported through time aboard a mysterious train as 3D audio surrounds you from every direction”, according to the event’s creators, Fever.
The experience involves two stories on one train and is said to be “perfect for fans of mystery, crime and psychological thrillers” – so perhaps not one for people who are expecting the Orient Express.
The site for the experience explains: “You’re pulled into two worlds separated by time, where danger, tension, and unexpected turns reveal themselves only through sound.
“Whispers move behind you, footsteps close in from different angles, and voices emerge so close they feel real, all powered by cutting-edge 3D audio that lets your imagination build every scene.
“In this intimate, fully dark space, reality blurs and every sound becomes a clue, a sensation, a moment you can’t predict.”
According to Secret London, in the first world, you are a deserter on the run in 1980, during the Cold War.
Then, in the second world, you are a survivor on the same train, but this time it is around 100 years later in a post-apocalyptic world.
Your fate is decided by the fellow passengers.
The journey lasts for 35 minutes in total and each passenger must be over the age of 14 years old.
The experience is currently selling tickets for sessions between December 11 to December 21.
And currently, there is a Black Friday offer on tickets.
Instead of £14, some time slots are £11.20 per person as part of the deal.
This isn’t the first blindfolded experience to come to the capital – there is also a restaurant experience called ‘Dans le Noir?’.
‘Passengers’ are blindfolded throughout the experience and instead rely on 3D audio which makes them feel as if they are on a trainCredit: Feverup.com
The one-of-a-kind restaurant is completely in the dark, meaning that each diner does not know what they are eating.
The restaurant, which opened back in 2006, instead of focusing on sight and the presentation of dishes, uses high-quality ingredients to take diners on a taste journey, whereby flavours, textures and smells become stronger as your vision is taken away.
In fact, the capital is home to a plethora of different experiences, such as the first-ever Traitors live experience – it was a heart-pounding world of lies and best friend-betrayal.
Or perhaps for something a little more kid friendly, there is the Paddington immersive experience with ‘train rides’ and street parties.
The experience is currently selling tickets for sessions between December 11 to December 21Credit: Feverup.com
NEW YORK — New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday that the city’s current police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, has agreed to remain in the post, a major coup for the incoming mayor as he moves to assuage concerns over his past criticism of the police department.
For Mamdani, a democratic socialist who once called to defund the New York Police Department, the appointment seals one of the most consequential decisions of his nascent administration and provides further insight into the progressive’s looming stewardship of City Hall.
“I have admired her work cracking down on corruption in the upper echelons of the police department, driving down crime in New York City, and standing up for New Yorkers in the face of authoritarianism,” he said in a statement.
Tisch’s decision to remain commissioner could provide comfort to city business leaders and others who worried that Mamdani’s criticism of the department at the height of Black Lives Matter protests would translate into radical changes at the NYPD.
But the official announcement didn’t sit well with some progressives who helped elect the democratic socialist and wanted to see a bigger shake-up atop the nation’s largest police force.
Shared priorities, some disagreement
The appointment marked a budding political alliance between two leaders with starkly different backgrounds and some ideological differences.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist who once called for defunding the police, has vowed to remake the department as mayor by shifting some responsibilities from the police to new mental health care teams. Tisch is the heiress to a multibillion-dollar family fortune and is considered a steady, establishment moderate with nearly two decades in public service.
She has been a fierce critic of the state’s bail reform laws, which Mamdani supports, and has called on the city to hire more officers. Mamdani has walked back his previous comments about defunding the police, but said he will keep the department’s headcount even.
In an email to officers Wednesday, Tisch acknowledged the different views she has with Mamdani but said a series of conversations with him had made her “confident” that she can lead the department under his mayoralty.
“In speaking with him, it’s clear that we share broad and crucial priorities: the importance of public safety, the need to continue driving down crime, and the need to maintain stability and order across the department,” Tisch wrote in the email, which was shared with The Associated Press.
Hours after the announcement, Mamdani and Tisch appeared together at a Manhattan memorial for officers who died in the line of duty. Both declined to answer questions about their past differences, with Tisch saying she wanted to “leave politics out of it today.”
Tisch’s tenure
Tisch was appointed to lead the department last November as current Mayor Eric Adams and the city’s police force were reeling from overlapping scandals.
In September, federal authorities seized phones from Adams and several high-level appointees, including the police commissioner, Edward Caban, who soon resigned. Agents then searched the home of his interim replacement, Thomas Donlon, just a week after he took over.
During her first weeks as commissioner, Tisch reassigned several top officials, including some seen as allies to the mayor. The department’s top uniformed official, a longtime friend of Adams, resigned in December amid harassment allegations.
Her tenure has coincided with a drop in shootings and several categories of major crime, earning praise from the business community and some police reform groups.
A mixed reception
The announcement of Tisch’s appointment drew split reactions among Mamdani’s left-leaning supporters. The Justice Committee, a police reform group, called the move “a rebuff of his promises to New Yorkers and a disturbing endorsement of NYPD’s ongoing violence and corruption.”
The New York Civil Liberties Union, meanwhile, offered tepid praise for Tisch, while urging her to “join the Mayor-Elect in seeking to reduce the City’s misplaced demands on police to solve entrenched problems.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a moderate Democrat who endorsed Mamdani, called the appointment “a very good outcome” and said Tisch remaining in the job could help stave off a federal intervention in the city, as Republican President Trump has suggested could occur if Mamdani were elected.
“This is an important step to send a message to the Trump administration that, if you’re coming here on the pretext that we need the National Guard because crime is going up in the city, that is not the story being told here in New York. Not at all,” Hochul said at an unrelated news conference.
Since winning the election, Mamdani has moved to surround himself with a cast of seasoned officials as he prepares to enter City Hall while facing some concern that his limited public experience could create headaches once he assumes control of America’s biggest city.
He tapped a veteran budget official with deep experience in state and city government to be his first deputy mayor, and named a team that includes two former deputy mayors to help guide his transition into City Hall.
Tisch, a Harvard-educated scion of a wealthy New York family, previously led the city’s sanitation department, becoming TikTok famous for declaring “The rats don’t run the city, we do” in 2022.
Her first job in city government was in the NYPD’s counterterrorism bureau. She has helped shape post-9/11 security infrastructure in the city and, as deputy commissioner for information technology, spearheaded the use of body cameras and smartphones.
Izaguirre and Offenhartz write for the Associated Press.
Sporting Club scored two extra-time goals to end Glasgow City’s Europa Cup run in Lisbon.
Nicole Kozlova had headed the visitors in front late in the first half to establish a 2-1 aggregate lead.
However, Telma Encarnacao’s smart finish took the game to an additional half hour and the home striker grabbed another, before Carla Armengol set Sporting up for a quarter-final against Hammarby or Ajax.
The Portuguese side started and finished strongly, with City goalkeeper Lee Gibson busy in the opening minutes.
Having been under the cosh, the SWPL leaders began to find some rhythm and stunned their hosts by taking the lead four minutes before the break.
A deep free-kick from Lisa Evans was helped on by Kimberley Smit, with Kozlova ghosting in to finish from close range.
The Ukraine international threatened again before the break and City opened the second half in promising fashion, with two efforts from Linda Motlhalo.
But Sporting then took a grip on the game again as they pressed for an equaliser.
City’s resistance was broken by a straight ball over the top as Telma swivelled to beat Gibson with a first-time strike.
The Portuguese forward, who also scored in the first leg, then hit the post with fierce free-kick on 87 minutes, with the rebound smashed inches wide.
Claudia Neto also went close as City clung on desperately.
An Ashley Barron header looped over as Sporting carried that attacking momentum into extra-time and it was no surprise when Telma stole between the visiting centre-halves to nod home.
Shortly after the change of ends, Armengol settled the contest with a clipped finish over Gibson’s reach.
Cardboard cutouts of corgis even adorn the entrance to Mejia’s office at City Hall East, making it resemble the dorm room of an especially proud dog parent.
Now, Mejia’s corgis are the subject of a complaint submitted to the city’s Ethics Commission, alleging that the controller has impermissibly blurred the lines between his government communications and his campaign operation.
Former State Sen. Isadore Hall, looking to unseat Mejia in June, conceded in his complaint that the corgi images — especially the one meant to look like Sherlock Holmes, with a pipe and magnifying glass — are “adorable.”
Nevertheless, Hall suggested that the graphics run afoul of a city law barring candidates from using city resources, since the cap-wearing corgi appears both on Mejia’s official city website and on his campaign yard signs.
Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia uses images of corgis, sometimes sporting a pipe and a magnifying glass, on his website, his campaign materials and even the entrance to his office at City Hall East.
(David Zahniser / Los Angeles Times)
“These practices, if substantiated, undermine public confidence in the neutrality of the City Controller’s office and violate clear prohibitions on using public assets for campaign advantage,” Hall said in his complaint.
The complaint, and the focus on the controller’s signature mascots, has sent the race for the city’s top auditor position in an unusual direction. Jane Nguyen, a Mejia campaign spokesperson, pushed back on the idea that the controller failed to comply with city law, while also suggesting that Hall is “jealous of our cute corgi graphics.”
In an email, Nguyen said it’s common for politicians to use similar designs and color schemes in their campaigns and their official government duties. At the same time, she said the “Sherlock corgi” used in city publications is different from the one in Mejia’s reelection campaign.
“He is wearing glasses in one version and is not wearing glasses in the other version,” she said.
David Tristan, executive director of the city’s Ethics Commission, which levies fines when enforcing local campaign finance laws, declined to comment, saying his office “cannot confirm or deny the existence of a complaint or investigation.”
Attorney Jessica Levinson, a former Ethics Commission president, said the agency responds seriously to allegations that city resources have been misused for campaign purposes. Still, she voiced doubts that Hall’s complaint would lead to a meaningful ethics case.
“This is not the type of thing that’s going to topple democracy,” she said. “Even if the allegations are true, I don’t think this weighs particularly heavily on the minds of voters.”
Hall, 53, is basing his complaint on a city law that bars city employees from using city cars, email lists, supplies or other municipal resources for campaign purposes. For example, city employees cannot take part in campaign activities while wearing uniforms with “official city insignia.”
The complaint goes beyond Mejia’s corgis, which are a diminutive herding breed beloved by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Hall also contends that the controller’s campaign logo, font colors and other design elements match the branding on his official city website, making it appear that the city is effectively endorsing his reelection bid.
Nguyen said Mejia’s corgi images and other designs were created as part of his 2022 campaign, without using city resources. She also said that the campaign logo is “far different” from the controller’s city logo, since it contains the word “for.”
Mejia, 35, has proven to be a savvy purveyor of marketing, distributing corgi stickers at community events and sending his staff to City Council meetings in green city controller jackets. He and his team are equally strategic about publicizing data on homelessness spending, legal payouts and other city expenses.
On his campaign website, Mejia described himself as “the father of two corgis, Killa and Kirby. He is known for bringing his dogs to work, walking them down the marble corridors of City Hall. They also showed up this year on an Instagram video where Mejia and his staff performed choreographed moves to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” outside City Hall.
Former state Sen. Isadore Hall has filed an ethics complaint against City Controller Kenneth Mejia, his opponent in the June election.
(Isadore Hall for Controller)
Hall has faced scrutiny over his own election activities.
In 2014, The Times reported that Hall’s Senate committees spent $7,812 on cigars and membership at cigar lounges, $42,000 on airfare and hotels and $11,000 to stay at the Fairmont Hotel in Kihei, Hawaii, during a conference.
Hall defended the expenditures, saying they were for campaign fundraisers, dinners with potential donors and other political activities. He won his Senate race and made an unsuccessful run for Congress two years later.
Nguyen, in her email, pointed out that Hall was also accused of illegally using general election donations to pay for his primary campaign for Congress in 2016. In response to those and other violations, the Federal Election Commission issued a $24,000 penalty to Hall’s campaign.
Hall said earlier this year that he learned from the experience and had held his accountant accountable for the error.
Hall is not the only candidate running against Mejia. On Tuesday, entertainment industry executive Zachary Sokoloff formally launched his own bid for controller, promising to bring a “problem-solving approach to City Hall.” Sokoloff, 36, said he would “lead by listening” and “bring people together to fix what’s broken.”
Rick Taylor, Sokoloff’s campaign strategist, said he views Hall’s ethics complaint as “not relevant” to the upcoming campaign.
“Let’s focus on what the public wants to know,” he said. “They want to know who’s capable and competent and can do the job.”
The Global Cities Index has named the “most liveable destination” in the world, with a picturesque European city taking the top spot due to its walkability
The rankings are based largely on how easy it is to get around on foot(Image: Getty)
A stunning European city has been crowned the world’s “most liveable destination” in the Global Cities Index, thanks largely to how easy it is to get around on foot. Researchers examined six crucial factors when compiling their rankings: life expectancy, income per person, income equality, recreational and cultural amenities, internet speed, and housing costs.
Whilst European destinations dominated the list, one Australian city also secured a place in the top rankings.
10. Nantes
Nantes, a vibrant city in western France, is renowned for its rich history, cultural attractions, and bustling city life. The Château des Ducs de Bretagne, once the residence of the Dukes of Brittany, now houses the Nantes History Museum.
This museum offers a glimpse into the city’s medieval past through its well-preserved architecture and exhibits, reports the Express.
9. Ghent
Ghent, a delightful city in Belgium, is known for its medieval charm, dynamic cultural scene, and stunning architecture. It’s also the country’s most pedestrian-friendly destination.
The city’s picturesque canal-side streets are perfect for a leisurely stroll. The historic buildings along the canals cast beautiful reflections in the water, providing iconic views of the city’s architectural heritage.
8. Zurich
Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, is renowned for its high standard of living, breathtaking surroundings, and vibrant cultural scene. Residents can enjoy walks along the shores of Lake Zurich, embark on a boat tour, or relax in one of the lakeside parks.
7. Reykjavik
Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, consistently ranks among the world’s best places to live. The city centre features Tjörnin, a scenic pond surrounded by charming buildings, providing a peaceful spot for leisurely walks and bird-watching.
6. Luxembourg
Luxembourg City, the capital of Luxembourg, is known for its low crime rates and spotless streets, contributing to a strong sense of safety and well-being among its residents. The city’s public transport network is highly efficient and extensive, with the recent introduction of free public transport further enhancing accessibility and convenience for residents.
5. Basel
Basel, a Swiss city, is praised for its high standard of living, combining a vibrant cultural scene with practical, top-quality living conditions. The city is home to world-class healthcare facilities such as the University Hospital Basel, renowned for its high standards and innovative treatments.
4. Bergen
Bergen, located in Norway, is famed for its stunning natural landscapes, including fjords, mountains, and coastal vistas. The city offers a plethora of outdoor activities, from hiking in nearby mountains like Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken to sailing and kayaking in the fjords.
3. Bern
Switzerland’s capital city, Bern, is renowned for its well-preserved medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its charming cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and landmarks such as the Zytglogge clock tower and the Bear Park add to its unique charm.
2. Canberra
Canberra, Australia’s capital city, is celebrated for its exceptional liveability, thanks to a unique mix of natural splendour, contemporary facilities, and well-thought-out urban design. With its high living standards, Canberra offers clean and safe surroundings, well-kept public areas, and efficient public services.
The city’s low crime rate and high personal security levels significantly enhance its liveability.
1. Grenoble
Tucked away in the French Alps, Grenoble is a treasure that blends natural beauty, a lively cultural scene, and a high quality of life. It’s also a centre for scientific research and technological innovation, especially in nanotechnology and biotechnology fields.
Grenoble is particularly renowned for its cycle-friendly initiatives, including extensive bike lanes and hire services.
