Latest news with #BenMorris
Daily Mail
03-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Inside the world's 'biggest city' that most tourists have never heard of
A 'cyberpunk' megacity in China is the world's largest by population - yet it remains relatively unknown to many outside of Asia. Chongqing, situated in the south west of the country, is home to a staggering 32 million residents - making it the only Chinese city with a population of over 30 million. The sprawling municipality, which covers a whopping 31,815 square miles, is distinguished by its ethereal mountainous terrain and its complex, multi-tired infrastructure. Chongqing is built on elevated, hilly terrain, resulting in a unique vertical layering of buildings, where entrances can be found on different floors of properties, while roadways and pedestrian walkways overlap one another across various heights. The city's skyline, meanwhile, with its neon lights and futuristic architecture, is often compared to cyberpunk and sci-fi concepts - with YouTuber Ben Morris calling it the 'closest I've ever been to a real-life video game' in a viral clip. Despite its sheer size and jaw-dropping landscape, Chongqing is often overlooked by tourists, who might be more familiar with other major Chinese cities like Beijing or Shanghai. Now, the spotlight is firmly on the 'Mountain City' thanks to its growing popularity amidst seasoned travellers, curious content creators and distinguished tourism boards. The Lonely Planet travel guide describes the city as 'the most important city in western China and the economic engine of the upper Yangzi [Yangtze],' while highlighting the municipality's 'fantastic food and 'charismatic geography.' In addition, the Western China International Communication Organization says the complex design of the 'internationally renowned 8D Magic City' defies traditional urban planning. Chongqing is positioned at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, serving as a major departure point for cruises with access to the breathtaking Three Gorges region. In the city itself, the monorail winds its way through buildings and across hills, offering a unique and efficient mode of transportation that adds to the landscape's impressive design. The city played a crucial role as China's wartime capital, making it a fascinating destination for history buffs, according to Travel and Leisure Asia. It's most famous for its hotpot - though it offers a more fiery and flavourful culinary experience compared to other regional variations of Sichuan cuisine. Other notable Chongqing dishes include sliced meat with crispy rice, Jiangtuan - or 'big-head' - fish, Yongchuan bean sauce and pork leg cooked with rock candy. Chongqing has also emerged as a major hub for laptop production and the overall electronic information industry. The city was placed on the global stage after computer hardware company HP set up its base for laptop production there in 2009. In the city itself, the monorail winds its way through buildings and across hills, offering a unique and efficient mode of transportation that adds to the landscape's impressive design Despite its sheer size and jaw-dropping landscape, Chongqing is often overlooked by tourists, who might be more familiar with other major Chinese cities like Beijing or Shanghai Other information companies have since followed suit, with firms like Foxconn, Quanta Computer, Lenovo and Asus, setting up successful operations in the Chinese megacity. Driven by big data and artificial intelligence development, Chongqing has become an emblem of the fastest urban revolution on the planet. Darkness for the city's inhabitants is exacerbated by the fact it is enshrouded by a thick layer of fog for over 100 days of the year. The city is also so built up, that it now has its own microclimate - bringing about humidity and sweltering temperatures of up to 40C degrees.
The Advertiser
06-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Kangaroo on road could have caused triple-fatal crash
Three people are dead and another has been critically injured after a horror crash on a regional road that police suspect might have been caused by a kangaroo. The collision involving two SUVs occurred about 7.20am on Sunday on Bolinda-Darraweit Road in the Macedon Ranges, northwest of Melbourne. The triple fatality brought the number of lives lost on Victorian roads in 72 hours to six, prompting renewed warnings from authorities. Three people travelling in one SUV died at the scene, while two others involved in the crash were taken to hospital, one of whom had life-threatening injuries. A dead kangaroo was found near the scene, with police looking into whether one of the SUVs had veered to avoid it. "It appears one of the vehicles has veered into incoming traffic ... and they've collided head-on, which has caused the catastrophic scene," Senior Sergeant Ben Morris told reporters. "We're not 100 per cent sure ... we're still working through the scene to confirm the involvement of the animal." A motorist died hours later after a head-on collision on the Western Highway in Buangor, about 181km west of Melbourne. Police were called to the scene after a car reportedly veered onto the wrong side of the freeway and collided with another vehicle. The driver of the first car died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified. The second car's driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a female passenger was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rider died and another is fighting for life after a crash involving two motorcycles and two vehicles on the Western Freeway at Grangefields, near Melbourne. A 16-year-old boy died in the city's east on Friday after being hit by a car, while an e-bike rider was critically injured in Geelong. Road Policing Command Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said most of the serious collisions at the weekend were on regional roads. "Every life lost is one too many," he said. "What we have seen this weekend has been devastating and there are many families whose lives have changed forever as a result of the trauma on our roads." Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery described the fatalities and injuries as the most horrific of circumstances. "As a paramedic, I realise that these events are part of our job, but the tragic loss of life through road trauma is especially tough," he said."If there is one message we can send, it's to please take care when on the road. The impact is felt well beyond those behind the wheel." There have been 156 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, 15 more than the same time in 2024. Three people are dead and another has been critically injured after a horror crash on a regional road that police suspect might have been caused by a kangaroo. The collision involving two SUVs occurred about 7.20am on Sunday on Bolinda-Darraweit Road in the Macedon Ranges, northwest of Melbourne. The triple fatality brought the number of lives lost on Victorian roads in 72 hours to six, prompting renewed warnings from authorities. Three people travelling in one SUV died at the scene, while two others involved in the crash were taken to hospital, one of whom had life-threatening injuries. A dead kangaroo was found near the scene, with police looking into whether one of the SUVs had veered to avoid it. "It appears one of the vehicles has veered into incoming traffic ... and they've collided head-on, which has caused the catastrophic scene," Senior Sergeant Ben Morris told reporters. "We're not 100 per cent sure ... we're still working through the scene to confirm the involvement of the animal." A motorist died hours later after a head-on collision on the Western Highway in Buangor, about 181km west of Melbourne. Police were called to the scene after a car reportedly veered onto the wrong side of the freeway and collided with another vehicle. The driver of the first car died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified. The second car's driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a female passenger was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rider died and another is fighting for life after a crash involving two motorcycles and two vehicles on the Western Freeway at Grangefields, near Melbourne. A 16-year-old boy died in the city's east on Friday after being hit by a car, while an e-bike rider was critically injured in Geelong. Road Policing Command Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said most of the serious collisions at the weekend were on regional roads. "Every life lost is one too many," he said. "What we have seen this weekend has been devastating and there are many families whose lives have changed forever as a result of the trauma on our roads." Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery described the fatalities and injuries as the most horrific of circumstances. "As a paramedic, I realise that these events are part of our job, but the tragic loss of life through road trauma is especially tough," he said."If there is one message we can send, it's to please take care when on the road. The impact is felt well beyond those behind the wheel." There have been 156 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, 15 more than the same time in 2024. Three people are dead and another has been critically injured after a horror crash on a regional road that police suspect might have been caused by a kangaroo. The collision involving two SUVs occurred about 7.20am on Sunday on Bolinda-Darraweit Road in the Macedon Ranges, northwest of Melbourne. The triple fatality brought the number of lives lost on Victorian roads in 72 hours to six, prompting renewed warnings from authorities. Three people travelling in one SUV died at the scene, while two others involved in the crash were taken to hospital, one of whom had life-threatening injuries. A dead kangaroo was found near the scene, with police looking into whether one of the SUVs had veered to avoid it. "It appears one of the vehicles has veered into incoming traffic ... and they've collided head-on, which has caused the catastrophic scene," Senior Sergeant Ben Morris told reporters. "We're not 100 per cent sure ... we're still working through the scene to confirm the involvement of the animal." A motorist died hours later after a head-on collision on the Western Highway in Buangor, about 181km west of Melbourne. Police were called to the scene after a car reportedly veered onto the wrong side of the freeway and collided with another vehicle. The driver of the first car died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified. The second car's driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a female passenger was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rider died and another is fighting for life after a crash involving two motorcycles and two vehicles on the Western Freeway at Grangefields, near Melbourne. A 16-year-old boy died in the city's east on Friday after being hit by a car, while an e-bike rider was critically injured in Geelong. Road Policing Command Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said most of the serious collisions at the weekend were on regional roads. "Every life lost is one too many," he said. "What we have seen this weekend has been devastating and there are many families whose lives have changed forever as a result of the trauma on our roads." Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery described the fatalities and injuries as the most horrific of circumstances. "As a paramedic, I realise that these events are part of our job, but the tragic loss of life through road trauma is especially tough," he said."If there is one message we can send, it's to please take care when on the road. The impact is felt well beyond those behind the wheel." There have been 156 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, 15 more than the same time in 2024. Three people are dead and another has been critically injured after a horror crash on a regional road that police suspect might have been caused by a kangaroo. The collision involving two SUVs occurred about 7.20am on Sunday on Bolinda-Darraweit Road in the Macedon Ranges, northwest of Melbourne. The triple fatality brought the number of lives lost on Victorian roads in 72 hours to six, prompting renewed warnings from authorities. Three people travelling in one SUV died at the scene, while two others involved in the crash were taken to hospital, one of whom had life-threatening injuries. A dead kangaroo was found near the scene, with police looking into whether one of the SUVs had veered to avoid it. "It appears one of the vehicles has veered into incoming traffic ... and they've collided head-on, which has caused the catastrophic scene," Senior Sergeant Ben Morris told reporters. "We're not 100 per cent sure ... we're still working through the scene to confirm the involvement of the animal." A motorist died hours later after a head-on collision on the Western Highway in Buangor, about 181km west of Melbourne. Police were called to the scene after a car reportedly veered onto the wrong side of the freeway and collided with another vehicle. The driver of the first car died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified. The second car's driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a female passenger was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rider died and another is fighting for life after a crash involving two motorcycles and two vehicles on the Western Freeway at Grangefields, near Melbourne. A 16-year-old boy died in the city's east on Friday after being hit by a car, while an e-bike rider was critically injured in Geelong. Road Policing Command Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said most of the serious collisions at the weekend were on regional roads. "Every life lost is one too many," he said. "What we have seen this weekend has been devastating and there are many families whose lives have changed forever as a result of the trauma on our roads." Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery described the fatalities and injuries as the most horrific of circumstances. "As a paramedic, I realise that these events are part of our job, but the tragic loss of life through road trauma is especially tough," he said."If there is one message we can send, it's to please take care when on the road. The impact is felt well beyond those behind the wheel." There have been 156 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, 15 more than the same time in 2024.
Perth Now
06-07-2025
- Perth Now
Kangaroo on road could have caused triple-fatal crash
Three people are dead and another has been critically injured after a horror crash on a regional road that police suspect might have been caused by a kangaroo. The collision involving two SUVs occurred about 7.20am on Sunday on Bolinda-Darraweit Road in the Macedon Ranges, northwest of Melbourne. The triple fatality brought the number of lives lost on Victorian roads in 72 hours to six, prompting renewed warnings from authorities. Three people travelling in one SUV died at the scene, while two others involved in the crash were taken to hospital, one of whom had life-threatening injuries. A dead kangaroo was found near the scene, with police looking into whether one of the SUVs had veered to avoid it. "It appears one of the vehicles has veered into incoming traffic ... and they've collided head-on, which has caused the catastrophic scene," Senior Sergeant Ben Morris told reporters. "We're not 100 per cent sure ... we're still working through the scene to confirm the involvement of the animal." A motorist died hours later after a head-on collision on the Western Highway in Buangor, about 181km west of Melbourne. Police were called to the scene after a car reportedly veered onto the wrong side of the freeway and collided with another vehicle. The driver of the first car died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified. The second car's driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a female passenger was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rider died and another is fighting for life after a crash involving two motorcycles and two vehicles on the Western Freeway at Grangefields, near Melbourne. A 16-year-old boy died in the city's east on Friday after being hit by a car, while an e-bike rider was critically injured in Geelong. Road Policing Command Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said most of the serious collisions at the weekend were on regional roads. "Every life lost is one too many," he said. "What we have seen this weekend has been devastating and there are many families whose lives have changed forever as a result of the trauma on our roads." Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery described the fatalities and injuries as the most horrific of circumstances. "As a paramedic, I realise that these events are part of our job, but the tragic loss of life through road trauma is especially tough," he said."If there is one message we can send, it's to please take care when on the road. The impact is felt well beyond those behind the wheel." There have been 156 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, 15 more than the same time in 2024.
The Age
06-07-2025
- The Age
Six deaths on Victorian roads in one weekend, including a triple-fatal crash near Gisborne
Three people have died and a fourth is in a critical condition after a two-vehicle collision in the Macedon Ranges, north-west of Melbourne. It was one of three fatal incidents on Victorian roads across the weekend, in which six people died. Police are investigating a crash on Bolinda-Darraweit Road in the small locale of Bolinda, 16 kilometres east of Gisborne, about 7.20am Sunday. Three of the four occupants inside one car died at the scene. The fourth person from that vehicle was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver and sole occupant of the second car involved in the crash also sustained injuries and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Loading Investigations into the exact cause of the collision are ongoing, but Detective Senior Sergeant Ben Morris of the Heavy Vehicle Unit said police believed the car in which the people died swerved into oncoming traffic. 'They've collided head on, which has caused the catastrophic scene we've seen today,' he said. He said there was also a dead animal on the roadside where the accident occurred. Officers were investigating if it played a role in the crash.
Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Most hated city in Europe' where Brits love to go on holiday
Benidorm is one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations, welcoming some 800,000 British tourists a year - but that doesn't mean it's not also one of the most controversial Benidorm has been branded 'The worst place on Earth' by some, despite the resort town attracting roughly 800,000 British holidaymakers annually. Indeed, for certain travellers, its unenviable title stems precisely because of the influx of Brits each year. This Spanish seaside city, famous for its "strip" crammed with bars and nightclubs, revels in a reputation of limitless revelry where drunken antics and indecent exposure are as typical of the vacation experience as sunshine and sandy shores. YouTuber Ben Morris set off to Benidorm investigating whether its infamous notoriety is merited, pointing out that many attribute the resort's issues primarily to one thing: "Brits abroad." Ben observes that English is far more common than Spanish even in the scenic Old Town, stating: "Lots of people refer to Benidorm as 'Mini Britain,' with the British greatly surpassing the local population." He was taken aback by the sheer number of people thronging the streets, saying: "I knew that this was a popular holiday destination but I was really thrown off by how busy it actually was." However genteel Benidorm seems by day, the night transforms it completely, reports the Express. As darkness falls, encounters with illicit drug peddlers and, curiously, condom vendors become routine, targeting inebriated tourists to splurge their holiday funds. "I just couldn't get over how different the energy was at night-time," Ben said. "It was like feeding time at the zoo with Brits drinking and partying all down the streets." The bustling Calle Gerona is tailored for a certain type of holidaymaker. "It's just crazy walking down the strip; it's pub after pub after sports bar after pub," Ben remarked. One infamous destination in Benidorm, Sticky Vicky's, notorious for its peculiar adult performance involving unexpected objects and a woman's nether regions, remains open even after its founder passed away in 2023. Taking the limelight is María Gadea Aragüés, Vicky's own daughter, who began mastering the unconventional family talent at the tender age of 13. Ben could only stomach roughly 10 minutes of the show before he had to make a swift exit. Yet, for those seeking a break from the brash strip's neon embrace, a short ride away lies the tranquil Altea. "It's a completely different vibe to Benidorm," Ben observes, suggesting it as a serene escape when the risqué antics of Sticky Vicky's become overwhelming.
