Travel

From Brasília to Ciudad de la Paz: Planned Capitals Designed for Modern Life

Published

2 months ago

March 15, 2026

Many of the world’s most famous cities grew gradually over centuries, with layers of history shaping their streets and architecture. Ancient structures often stand alongside modern skyscrapers, creating striking contrasts. Yet these historic layouts can sometimes struggle to meet the needs of modern urban life.

For that reason, several countries have chosen to build cities from scratch, carefully designing them to serve as political and administrative centres. These purpose-built capitals allow planners to create organized layouts with space for housing, transport, public services and government institutions.

One of the most famous examples is Brasília. The city officially became the capital of Brazil in 1960 after the government decided to move the seat of power away from coastal Rio de Janeiro. Built in the country’s interior, Brasília was designed with a distinctive modernist layout and has become an architectural landmark. Notable sites include the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Congress complex. In 1987 the city received recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its role in modern urban planning.

Another planned capital is Canberra. Located between the rival cities of Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra was chosen in the early 20th century as a compromise between the two. Construction began in 1912 following a design competition. Today the city has a population of about half a million and is known for its national museums, art galleries and cultural institutions.

In the Pacific, Wellington developed as the political centre of New Zealand after the capital moved from Auckland in the 19th century. While the city was not built entirely from scratch, its modern layout was planned using grid patterns designed in 1840 by surveyor William Mein Smith. Wellington is widely regarded as the country’s cultural hub and hosts major institutions such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

South Asia also features a purpose-built capital in Islamabad. The city was constructed during the 1960s and officially became the capital of Pakistan in 1967, replacing Karachi. Its location near Rawalpindi was chosen partly because of its proximity to military headquarters. Islamabad today has more than one million residents and includes landmarks such as Faisal Mosque and the Pakistan Monument.

Another modern capital is Naypyidaw, where construction began in 2002 before it replaced Yangon as the administrative centre in 2005. Despite its vast roads and large government complexes, the city has a relatively small population, giving it a reputation for unusually quiet streets.

In Central America, Belmopan became the capital after a hurricane devastated Belize City in 1961. The new inland capital was officially established in 1970 and now serves as the country’s administrative centre.

The newest planned capital is Ciudad de la Paz. Located in mainland Equatorial Guinea, the city was declared the country’s capital in January this year. Designed to house about 200,000 residents, it remains sparsely populated and is often described as unusually quiet compared with older capital cities.

Together, these cities illustrate how governments have attempted to reshape urban development by creating capitals designed specifically for modern governance and future growth.

Travel

Rising Jet Fuel Costs Revive Interest in Travelling to Spain Without Flying

Published

3 days ago

May 14, 2026

Web Reporter

Escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are pushing up jet fuel prices worldwide and forcing travellers to reconsider how they reach popular destinations such as Spain, as airlines face mounting pressure from higher operating costs.

The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy corridor, handles around 40 per cent of the fuel used by commercial aircraft worldwide. Continued disruption in the region has sharply increased the price of aviation fuel, creating fresh uncertainty for airlines ahead of the busy summer travel season.

While major carriers are attempting to reassure passengers, concerns are growing across the aviation sector about how long airlines can absorb the rising costs.

Iberia said this week that it plans to maintain its summer flight schedule and avoid introducing additional fuel surcharges despite the worsening energy situation. The airline’s president, Marco Sansavini, said the company’s financial restructuring over recent years had helped it withstand the shock better than some competitors.

However, he acknowledged that the impact on the wider aviation industry could be long-lasting. The parent group IAG expects its fuel bill to rise from €7 billion to €9 billion by 2026, reflecting the sustained pressure on energy markets.

As ticket prices climb, many travellers are again considering alternatives to flying, particularly within Europe.

Rail travel remains one of the main options, especially for passengers travelling from neighbouring countries. Spain’s high-speed rail network has improved its international connections in recent years, including services linking Barcelona with Paris and routes operated between Madrid and Lyon.

Yet Spain still faces major rail connectivity challenges. Much of the country’s railway system uses a different track gauge from the rest of Europe, limiting seamless international travel. Direct rail connections from the United Kingdom to Spain do not currently exist, and journeys from northern Europe often require multiple transfers and lengthy travel times.

Ferry travel is also attracting renewed attention. Routes linking southern England with northern Spanish ports such as Santander and Bilbao continue to operate, offering crossings lasting between 24 and 35 hours. Operators including Brittany Ferries have seen interest from travellers seeking alternatives to increasingly expensive flights.

Long-distance bus services are another option for budget-conscious travellers. Companies such as FlixBus operate routes connecting Spain with major European cities including Amsterdam, Milan and Paris, although journeys can last up to 20 hours.

Electric vehicles are also becoming a more practical alternative as charging infrastructure improves across Europe. Travellers driving from countries such as Germany, Belgium or France can increasingly reach Spain using major charging corridors, though infrastructure gaps remain in some inland regions.

Analysts say the situation highlights Spain’s heavy dependence on air travel. Tourism remains a cornerstone of the Spanish economy, while destinations such as the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands rely almost entirely on aviation links.

Industry experts warn that if major airlines reduce services or significantly increase fares because of fuel costs, Spain could face a direct impact on visitor numbers during the peak travel season.

Travel

Tech Leaders Join Trump in Beijing as Business Ties With China Face New Scrutiny

Published

3 days ago

May 14, 2026

Web Reporter

Several of America’s most influential technology executives joined US President Donald Trump in Beijing this week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting the deep commercial ties that continue to connect US tech companies with China despite years of political and trade tensions.

Among those attending the summit are Jensen Huang, Tim Cook and Elon Musk, each representing companies with major operations, investments or supply chain links in China.

The White House said the summit aims to encourage China to expand market access for American firms and improve dialogue on trade, artificial intelligence and broader economic issues.

Nvidia’s relationship with China stretches back more than a decade. The semiconductor company began working with Chinese universities in 2011 to promote use of its CUDA software for artificial intelligence development. By 2017, Nvidia chips were being used by major Chinese technology companies including Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba.

However, Nvidia’s business in China has faced mounting pressure from US export controls introduced during former president Joe Biden’s administration. Restrictions on advanced AI chips limited the company’s ability to sell its most powerful processors to Chinese customers.

To continue operating in the market, Nvidia developed modified chips that complied with US regulations. Even so, additional restrictions and Chinese security concerns have reduced the company’s market share in the country. Chinese firms including Huawei, along with AI developers such as DeepSeek, have increasingly developed domestic alternatives to Nvidia products.

Apple also maintains extensive links with China through manufacturing and supply chains built over decades. The company began expanding production in China in the late 1990s and steadily shifted much of its manufacturing there during the early 2000s through partnerships with suppliers including Foxconn.

Cook has repeatedly played a role in managing tensions between Washington and Beijing, particularly during earlier trade disputes. Apple has also secured tariff exemptions in past negotiations with the US government while continuing major investments in China.

The company signed a multibillion-dollar agreement in 2021 aimed at easing regulatory pressure on its operations in the country and later announced plans for an energy investment fund supporting projects in China.

Tesla’s ties with China have also grown substantially under Musk. The electric vehicle maker entered the Chinese market more than a decade ago and initially struggled to gain traction. Sales later accelerated, and in 2019 Tesla opened its large manufacturing facility in Shanghai.

The Shanghai plant has since become one of Tesla’s most important production centres, manufacturing millions of vehicles for both domestic and international markets.

The presence of leading American technology executives at the Beijing summit underlines how deeply interconnected the US and Chinese economies remain, even as disputes continue over trade, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and national security.

Travel

London Named World’s Best City for Culture in Time Out Ranking

Published

3 days ago

May 14, 2026

Web Reporter

London has been named the world’s best city for culture in a new ranking published by Time Out, with the British capital praised for its thriving theatre scene, major museum openings and diverse live entertainment offerings.

The ranking was based on responses from more than 24,000 residents across cities worldwide, with London securing the top position ahead of global cultural hubs including Paris and Berlin.

According to the survey, London performed strongly across several categories, particularly theatre, museums and galleries. Around 90 per cent of local respondents praised the city’s theatre scene, while 88 per cent approved of its museums and 81 per cent highlighted its galleries.

Time Out editors said a wave of major cultural openings and events helped London claim the number one spot. Among the attractions highlighted were the newly launched V&A East Storehouse and the upcoming reopening of the Museum of London at its new Smithfield location later this year.

The publication also pointed to the continued popularity of the West End theatre district, as well as London’s varied music and comedy scene, which ranges from avant-garde jazz performances to underground metal concerts and free stand-up comedy nights.

Grace Beard, travel editor at Time Out, said cities featured in the ranking combined internationally recognised museums with strong performing arts sectors and busy calendars filled with festivals, exhibitions and public events.

She said the list was designed to provide travellers with a guide to the most vibrant cultural destinations for 2026.

Paris ranked second overall and was the only city in the survey to receive a perfect culture score from residents, with 100 per cent of respondents praising the city’s arts and cultural scene.

Time Out highlighted several major exhibitions expected to attract visitors this year, including a Matisse exhibition at the Grand Palais and “One Hundred Years of Art Deco” at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

Berlin also featured prominently in the ranking, finishing fourth. Editors described the German capital as a centre for radical artistic expression and alternative culture.

Major events cited included Rave the Planet, Christopher Street Day, Karneval der Kulturen and Fête de la Musique, alongside internationally recognised events such as the Berlinale film festival and Berlin Art Week.

Nine of the top 20 cities in the ranking were located in Europe, including six cities placed within the top 10, highlighting the continent’s continued influence on global arts, entertainment and cultural tourism.