From major cultural institutions to advanced technology, the 2026 Global Cities Index highlights the qualities that make the world’s leading urban destinations attractive places to live in and explore. What allows a city to command global attention – and what turns it into a rewarding destination for visitors? Oxford Economics’ 2026 Global Cities Index suggests the answer involves much more than financial strength or striking landmarks. The index assesses 1,000 cities across five categories:

After a hot European summer, an equally appealing season for travel begins. In autumn, popular cities welcome fewer visitors, the weather is ideal for long walks, and lower prices and a calmer mood offer a different perspective on Europe. Condé Nast Traveler has highlighted seven destinations worth considering. Copenhagen and the Danish Riviera, Denmark. In autumn, the Danish capital is especially pleasant for walks beneath golden leaves, with cosy cafés, bakeries and restaurants adding to the

On the evening of Wednesday, September 23, a fire broke out at a Starlink satellite communications ground station in Poland. Reuters reported the incident, citing Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski. The official said the facility provided communications services for the entire region, including Ukraine. According to Gawkowski, the affected systems have now returned to normal operation. “The fire engulfed the power unit and generator. It is clear that this sabotage was deliberately

Anthony Albanese has pledged an additional $60m in Australian support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion, following an emotional meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the margins of the United Nations gathering in New York. As the prime minister prepared to deliver a major address warning that the global order was “no longer fit for purpose”, he embraced the Ukrainian president, who expressed gratitude for Australia’s continuing assistance. Albanese appeared moved as he praised his

In his final address to the United Nations before the end of his presidential term, Emmanuel Macron said the world was witnessing a situation that should shame everyone. He also criticized US President Donald Trump for presenting his Gaza peace plan as a diplomatic victory. Reuters reported that Macron made the remarks only hours after Trump, speaking from the same podium, described his Gaza proposal as a major diplomatic success. "A year ago, in this very hall, around a dozen countries

I had read enough interviews with Sophie Calle to expect a difficult exchange. France’s best-known conceptual artist has a reputation for being elusive. That is why the woman on screen surprises me: she is warm, smiling and apparently generous with herself. Large tinted glasses cover her eyes, though I imagine them sparkling behind the lenses. Then, 10 minutes into our conversation, she tells me she is fascinated by absence. When I ask what draws her to it, she replies: “Why do you live in

Dhading; Rasuwa; Nuwakot, Nepal – Nine-year-old Ram Thakur was walking uphill with his mother and dozens of other people escaping rising floodwater on August 26 when he turned around and saw muddy water rushing towards them. Everyone began to run. His mother, who had been gripping his hand, urged him to climb more quickly. As the roar of the water mixed with cries from the crowd, she shouted: “Chhito maathi hinda, pachhaadi na-hera,” meaning, “Climb faster, don’t look back.” Thakur followed her

At 69, I had never gone backpacking and barely knew what land art meant. Still, when my friend Jackie, a wildlife documentary-maker, asked whether I wanted to join her, Wendy and Sasha on a walking trip through the Refuges d’Art in the mountains of Haute-Provence, I answered with an enthusiastic yes. We would spend our nights beside sculptures created by the celebrated land artist Andy Goldsworthy. Before leaving, I watched Rivers and Tides, a film about Goldsworthy’s practice, and learned that

The sound of birds singing can make people feel calmer and more comfortable. Yet certain bird calls appear to be especially enjoyable to human listeners, and scientists are starting to identify the reasons behind that response. Throughout much of human evolution, the everyday sounds of birds may have served as a comforting sign that the area nearby was safe and relatively free from threats. New research suggests that particular acoustic traits may explain why some bird songs appeal to people

It is huge. It is beloved by aviation fans. It is unmistakably past its peak. And it has returned from the brink more times than many expected. Yet as Australia’s national carrier Qantas prepares to phase out its fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbos, known for their spacious full-length double decks, a larger question remains: has the world’s biggest passenger aircraft finally reached the end of its era? Qantas announced in August that it intends to begin retiring its 10 A380s in 2028, four years

Cabaña Verónica, Spain For me, a proper mountain shelter should be compact, reached only after a demanding walk, and preferably come with an unusual story. Cabaña Verónica, high in the Picos de Europa, meets every requirement. Sleeping six people at 2,325 metres, it takes around two hours to reach from the nearest cable-car station, let alone from any road. The panorama is extraordinary, and the welcoming warden keeps the refuge in excellent shape. Its greatest appeal, though, is its past life:

In 1970, the release of the most successful nature record ever made brought whale song to a huge audience and permanently changed the way people thought about whales. It was 1952, at the peak of the Cold War. US sonar engineer Frank Watlington was working off Bermuda, listening beneath the waves for Soviet submarines and signs of seismic activity. Watlington used an early hydrophone system: long cables fitted with microphones that could be lowered deep into the sea. Whatever military signals he

US President Donald Trump has signed a broad new sanctions law aimed at Russia over its continued war in Ukraine, only days after Congress approved the measure with unusual bipartisan backing. The legislation, signed on Friday and titled the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, commemorates the late Republican senator who spent more than a year helping negotiate the proposal before his unexpected death in July. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal co-authored the bill.

New Delhi, India – On August 26, the high Himalayan terrain above Nepal’s Rasuwa district was transformed within a matter of minutes. A huge volume of ice and rock gave way in the mountains, unleashing a powerful mix of water, mud and debris into the Lhende Khola River. The flow raced through steep valleys, destroying homes and infrastructure before reaching the Nepal-China frontier. It was more than an ordinary flood. It was a cascading disaster. By the middle of September, more than 1,400

More than 180 authors have signed an open letter to Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki demanding confirmation that 12 writers detained in 2001 are still alive. Nobel prize-winning authors Olga Tokarczuk and JM Coetzee are among the high-profile signatories, alongside Colm Tóibín, Elif Shafak, Isabel Allende, Ben Okri, Yann Martel, Kamila Shamsie and Tsitsi Dangarembga. The letter was coordinated by PEN International and dated 18 September, marking 25 years since the government moved against

Subscribe to CNN Travel’s weekly “Unlocking the World” newsletter for updates on destinations, aviation, food and drink, and places to stay. In this week’s travel roundup, five Americans reflect on starting fresh in Europe. There’s also Mongolian throat singing, towering Portuguese surf and a Greek holiday romance that endured for decades. Living the dream For plenty of people, moving abroad is an irresistible ambition, though every relocation comes with benefits and challenges. CNN has spoken

Scarlet macaws are among the most recognisable birds of the rainforest, yet their numbers are falling in many parts of their range. Researchers are now trying to change the future of the species by confronting a harsh pattern of parenting that leaves many chicks unable to survive. Parker had not even opened his eyes when he was lifted out of his nest. It was a Monday morning in November 2018 in Peru's Tambopata National Reserve, far inside the Amazon rainforest. The naked young chick was

North Korean troops could potentially replace some Russian units on the Sumy or Kharkiv front, allowing those forces to redeploy toward the Lyman area. This was stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) dated September 16. According to ISW, a source reporting on the activities of Russia’s Northern Group of Forces said on September 16 that some Russian troops in northern Ukraine may leave their positions to reinforce Russian defenses near Lyman. The source claimed that North

A residential building in Gaza City, previously damaged during the war, has collapsed, killing at least 20 Palestinians, including women and children, while leaving dozens feared trapped beneath the debris. Palestinian Civil Defence officials said on Wednesday that the overnight collapse of the six-storey building killed at least 20 people, including five children, and injured 14 others. Recommended Stories • list 1 of 3Israeli quadcopter causes fear in Gaza City neighbourhoods • list 2 of

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman says the public should place greater trust in AI companies to develop and deploy the technology responsibly, as worries about its risks continue to grow. “The world should trust that we are going to do the right thing because it is the right thing, and because we understand the scale of what is at stake,” Altman said on Tuesday at a conference in San Francisco. He acknowledged that people have valid reasons to feel uneasy about artificial intelligence,