From Notre Dame to Westminster Abbey, there are plenty of stunning cathedrals across Europe – but experts have now named a UK one as the most beautiful.
This cathedral came out on top(Image: Getty)
The UK and Europe are home to plenty of awe-inspiring cathedrals, from the iconic Notre Dame to the historic Westminster Abbey. But recently, an unexpected cathedral has been crowned as the most beautiful in all of Europe.
Travel experts at Saga Holidays conducted an analysis of Google reviews for cathedrals across Europe, taking into account how often visitors mentioned the cathedral’s beauty, the average search number, and the overall sentiment of the reviews.
Each cathedral was then scored out of 100. Surprisingly, the top spot went to Durham Cathedral.
Nestled in the North East of England, just south of Newcastle, Durham is a picturesque city known for its stunning architecture.
The city’s crown jewels are undoubtedly the castle and cathedral, both of which are recognised UNESCO Heritage sites that may seem familiar to some visitors.
Indeed, fans of the Harry Potter franchise might recognise the quadrangle, cloisters, and chapter house, all of which served as filming locations for the beloved films.
It’s not hard to see why, as a visit to this enchanting place feels like stepping into a magical world, reports the Express.
Beyond its magnificent castle, Durham is a charming city perfect for a leisurely stroll. Its compact size makes it easy to explore on foot.
For those feeling adventurous, there are numerous walking paths along the River Wear that meander through the city, offering a different perspective on this beautiful destination.
However, if you’re planning a visit during the brisk winter months, a riverside stroll might be a bit too nippy.
In such instances, a trip to Durham’s Oriental Museum is a splendid alternative.
This remarkable museum showcases artefacts from Ancient Egypt right up to contemporary China, providing an engaging way to while away an afternoon.
Jan. 12 (UPI) — Alphabet, Google‘s parent company, became the fourth company to reach a $4 trillion value Monday.
The company’s stock rose 2% Monday after Apple announced it chose Google’s Gemini to power its artificial intelligence features.
Nvidia and Microsoft breached the $4 trillion mark in July, and Apple crossed it in October. Alphabet passed $3 trillion in September. Since then, Apple and Microsoft have dropped below $4 trillion.
“We believe the technological advantages of the Gemini assistant app — powered by Google’s ‘grounding’ assets — vs. ChatGPT (powered by Bing and partner integrations) are underappreciated,” Mathivanan wrote. Google “arguably, has the strongest footprint across several layers in the AI tech stack, and the company’s decade-long investments have enabled deep competitive moats.”
In November, Google released Ironwood, the seventh generation of its tensor processing units, a custom AI chip that rivals Nvidia. In December, Google introduced Gemini 3.
Apple and Google announced their Gemini partnership Monday in a joint statement.
“Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year,” the companies said.
“After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google’s Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users. Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apple’s industry-leading privacy standards,” the statement said.
Citi analysts said 70% of Google Cloud customers use its AI products.
“Google has the chip, the infrastructure capacity, and the model amid growing demand,” CNBC reported Citi said.
Victoria Woodall has taken Google to an employment tribunal
A senior Google employee has claimed she was made redundant after reporting a manager who told clients stories about his swinger lifestyle and showed a nude of his wife.
Victoria Woodall told an employment tribunal she was subjected to a campaign of retaliation by the company after whistleblowing on the man who was later sacked.
Google UK’s internal investigation found the manager had touched two female colleagues without their consent, and his behaviour amounted to sexual harassment, documents seen by the BBC in court show.
The tech giant denies retaliating against Woodall and argues she became “paranoid” after whistleblowing and began to view normal business activities as “sinister”.
In her claim, Woodall says her own boss subjected her to a “relentless campaign of retaliation” after her complaint also implicated his close friends who were later disciplined for witnessing the manager’s behaviour and failing to challenge it.
The claim also included Woodall’s allegations of a “boys’ club” culture, including that up until December 2022, Google had been funding a men’s only “chairman’s lunch”.
Google said an internal investigation found no such culture and the event was ended as it was no longer in line with its policies.
A judgement from London Central Employment Tribunal is expected in the coming weeks.
‘Swingers’
Woodall worked as a senior industry head in Google’s UK Sales and Agencies team.
In August 2022, according to her claim, she was contacted by a female client who said that, during a business lunch, a manager in the team had boasted about the number of black women he had had sex with.
He said “he and his wife were swingers” and also described how they had sex with two women they met on the beach on holiday, according to summary notes of Google’s investigation submitted to court.
The client said the conversation was unprompted and happened in front of his line manager who did nothing to stop him, describing their behaviour as “disgusting,” in court documents.
Woodall reported the client’s concerns to her boss Matt Bush, then managing director of the agency team, and Google opened an internal investigation into the manager’s conduct, it adds.
While this investigation was underway, Woodall raised a second complaint from another female client who alleged the same manager had shown her a “picture of his wife’s vagina” while scrolling through photos on his phone, according to her claim.
The report
Google interviewed 12 people as part of its investigation and uncovered further incidents which it found amounted to sexual harassment in breach of company policies, according to emails, notes and a copy of the report submitted to the tribunal.
The manager was found on the balance of probabilities to have sexually harassed two female employees during a work event, where he allegedly touched one colleague’s leg during a conversation and rubbed another colleague’s back and shoulders, both without their consent.
Google also found he had allegedly made inappropriate comments to staff, including telling a female colleague he had met for the first time that he was in an open marriage and that if she had “sex with him in the bathroom, his wife would enjoy hearing about it”.
The manager denied the allegations during Google’s investigation and said he did not think he had shared with his workmates that he has an open relationship with his wife, according to the report.
He was sacked for gross misconduct, court documents show, while his line manager and another senior colleague were recommended for “documented coaching” for failing to intervene. They were both later made redundant.
‘Boys’ club’
Woodall claims that shortly after reporting the sexual harassment in 2022, her boss, Matt Bush, gave her “little choice” but to swap her successful client account with a failing one – which up until that point had belonged to one of the two colleagues to later receive disciplinary action following her whistleblowing.
She described the move as a “poisoned chalice” that had left her vulnerable to redundancy, the court heard.
She says she was then demoted to a subordinate role on a big internal project supporting the other senior manager her report had implicated. Her boss later tried to downgrade her performance among other retaliatory actions, according to her claim.
In his witness statement, Bush says he always supported Woodall’s career and took fostering inclusivity and gender equality in hiring pipelines and promotions very seriously, adding that it was standard practice to regularly move accounts between the team.
‘Way to exit people’
In 2023, Google started a redundancy process that resulted in the departures of her boss and one of the senior managers who failed to report the sexual harassment, according to court documents.
In May that year, Woodall took her concerns about a boys’ club culture and the retaliation she was facing to the top of the organisation.
In her witness statement, she says she met with Debbie Weinstein, then vice president of Google UK and Ireland after hearing from a HR colleague that she was concerned about the team and the experiences of women.
Following their discussion, Weinstein, now president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, appeared shocked by Woodall’s claims. Court documents show she messaged a member of HR: “Just met Vicki [Woodall]. Holy moly. Want to get you for 10 mins today.”
Then in November 2023, as Google prepared for a broader reorganisation and redundancy process, Woodall claims there was a final push to remove her from the agency team.
That month, Weinstein messaged Dyana Najdi, Google’s managing director for UK and Ireland advertising, to say: “keep pushing…for solution on how you can run a process including agency [Woodall’s team]… gotta use this as a chance to exit people”, according to messages of their conversation submitted to court.
In March 2024, Woodall was made redundant alongside the second senior manager involved in the misconduct investigation, however she remains employed by the company receiving long-term sickness payments for work-related stress, according to her claim.
Google denies that Woodall was made redundant for whistleblowing, adding that her role was one of 26 across the team and wider department closed, according to its defence.
It disputes that Weinstein attempted to make Woodall redundant, saying she was very supportive towards her and instigated the investigation into the culture of the agency team.
The company accepts that Woodall’s report of the manager accused of misconduct was an act of whistleblowing, but denies any retaliation against her, saying the subsequent events were perfectly normal business decisions.
The village in Norfolk is known for its natural beauty, archaeological sites, coastal erosion and beautiful beach walks, but in the 19th century, it was also the home of alleged serial killer Jonathan Balls
12:46, 08 Jan 2026Updated 12:56, 08 Jan 2026
The village is home to a unique lighthouse(Image: GETTY)
Britain is dotted with charming villages and towns, but few harbour a sinister history quite like Happisburgh, a coastal village in Norfolk. While celebrated for its stunning scenery, archaeological treasures, dramatic coastal erosion and picturesque beach walks, the village was also home to Jonathan Balls during the 19th century.
Following his death in 1846, he was posthumously accused of murdering at least 22 individuals, predominantly family members, between 1824 and 1845 through poisoning.
Little is documented about Mr Balls’ earlier years before these alleged atrocities, though he was regarded as a “bad character” locally, having previously served time for minor offences.
Who was Jonathan Balls and what were his alleged crimes?
Mr Balls wed a woman called Elizabeth at some stage and fathered three daughters, who each went on to have children themselves. The family lived in poverty, depending on relief funds to survive.
Yet as Mr Balls aged, he became increasingly reliant on his relatives for financial assistance, which is thought to have driven him to systematically poison family members so their money would pass to him, reports the Express.
It’s understood that Mr Balls started purchasing substantial quantities of arsenic during the 1830s from neighbouring towns, using the excuse of a rodent problem at his property. The first questionable death was that of his daughter, Maria Lacey, aged 24, who is thought to have succumbed to mistreatment by her husband and an unidentified illness.
A year on, on Christmas Day in 1836, a tragic event occurred when Mr Balls’ granddaughter, Maria Green, who was just 13 months old, died under mysterious circumstances. This was followed by the death of Ann Peggs, aged 8, on June 7, 1839, and the deaths of 13-month-old Martha Green and her three year old brother, William, both on October 31, 1841. All three were Mr Balls’ grandchildren.
In the subsequent years, several members of Mr Balls’ family met with suspicious ends, including one of his children and one of his parents. Both died mysteriously after relocating from their home to live with him.
Despite the family’s neighbours calling for an inquest into the deaths on two separate occasions, no investigation was carried out. In September 1845, another tragedy struck when Mr Balls’ grandson, Samuel Green, passed away, followed by his ailing wife, Elizabeth, just four months later.
The last confirmed victim is believed to be his granddaughter, Elizabeth Anne Pestle, who died on April 17, 1846.
Three days following the death of Ms Pestle, Mr Balls also passed away at his residence in Happisburgh, succumbing to an illness. In the wake of his passing, local residents requested the area’s coroner, Mr Pilgrim, to exhume and reexamine the bodies for cause of death.
Eventually, Mr Pilgrim authorised the exhumation of both Mr Balls’ and Ms Pestle’s remains. The post-mortem examinations revealed a substantial amount of arsenic in both bodies, prompting further investigation into other family members.
Interviews were conducted with surviving relatives of Mr Balls and several servants employed at the property. One maid, Sarah Kerrison, alleged she had witnessed Mr Balls adding a suspicious white powder to a teacup, which he then served to his bedridden wife.
Her health deteriorated progressively, leading to her eventual demise. After tasting some food prepared in the household, the maid fell ill, exhibiting signs of poisoning.
The case garnered extensive media coverage and was even a topic of discussion in Parliament.
The village of Happisburgh
Despite its murky history, Happisburgh is a must-visit if you find yourself in Norfolk. This coastal village boasts some of the UK’s earliest known human footprints, a significant archaeological discovery that places early humans in Northern Europe.
Believed to be the oldest human footprints in the UK, they date back 800,000 years.
The village’s rugged coastline boasts some stunning walking trails, with the sandy beach staying peaceful all year round. It’s also dog-friendly year-round, making it an ideal destination for dog walkers keen to discover this dramatic coastline.
That said, visitors walking along the cliffs or beach are urged to take care due to the danger of coastal erosion. The cliffs are composed of glacial till, which has resulted in the loss of land and cliffs in recent years.
One of Happisburgh’s most recognisable landmarks is Happisburgh Lighthouse, which dates back to 1790, making it East Anglia’s oldest working lighthouse. It’s also Britain’s only independently operated lighthouse, offering stunning coastal views from 85 feet up.
The Hill House Inn is a dog-friendly local pub serving up classics such as fish and chips, alongside a warm atmosphere and welcoming vibe. The pub has earned a rating of 4.3 out of five on Google, with one reviewer describing it as the “kind of pub you dream of stumbling into on a windswept Norfolk day”.
The review, from Neil, said: “The Hill House Inn in Happisburgh is the kind of pub you dream of stumbling into on a windswept Norfolk day. Perched not far from the cliffs, it has that mix of cosy charm and a bit of history woven into the beams.
“Inside, it feels like the sort of place where smugglers probably once traded contraband rum under the table while pretending to just be ‘popping in for a pint’. The ale is well-kept, the food hearty, and the welcome as warm as the fire in winter.”
Another review from Patricia added: “My first time visiting the inn. A lovely, typical village pub. Dog-friendly, with friendly staff. Nice sandwich, I had ham on the bone, and my friend had salmon, with chips and salad plus two coffees. Reasonable price too.”
Alternatively, there’s Smallsticks Cafe at Cart Gap Beach, located slightly further along the coast from Happisburgh beach. The cafe offers everything from coffee, cake and sandwiches to fish and chips and a full English breakfast.
This friendly, family-run establishment has earned a rating of 4.6 out of five on TripAdvisor, with visitors praising both the staff and the delicious food on offer.
One reviewer said: “We ended up here five times during our week in Norfolk! It was simply outstanding and so fabulous! The menu was great, such a fabulous choice, and the hardest thing was choosing what to eat! The whitebait was awesome and absolutely delicious, and cooked to perfection! Food was well-presented and cooked perfectly! Staff were so warm and friendly and so polite and true ambassadors to the establishment! ! ! Prices were fantastic and certainly won’t dent a hole in your wallet! So doggy friendly and the toilets were spotless!”
Another individual commented: “Very welcoming and the coffee and cake we had were lovely. Very friendly staff and a very pleasant way to spend an hour. Didn’t eat the cooked food, but what we saw looked very nice.”
It has been named the most beautiful spot in the UK for a winter stroll by a new study – and it’s a real gem worth visiting.
Nicola Roy Spare Time writer
12:37, 07 Jan 2026
Balloch is the gateway to Loch Lomond – the perfect place for a wintery adventure(Image: Emad Aljumah via Getty Images)
If you’re feeling the sting of the January blues, you’re not alone. This time of year can be a real struggle, with not a lot of sunlight and gloomy weather – but one pick-me-up is wrapping up warm and heading out for a brisk walk.
Us Brits are spoilt for choice when it comes to scenic strolls right on our doorstep. And there’s one trail that’s been crowned the most picturesque in all the land.
Nestled in Balloch, a quaint village perched on the stunning shores of Loch Lomond in Scotland, lies this gem. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park has bagged the title of the UK’s most gorgeous spot for a winter wander.
It comes from a study by CEWE, which scoured the UK for the best walks using desk research and Google review data, reports the Express.
Each location was examined for star ratings, number of reviews and winter-related keywords such as ‘winter’, ‘cold’, ‘scenery’, and ‘peaceful’ to pinpoint the ones boasting the most captivating views.
And the lochside trail, which begins in Balloch, clinched the top spot, with a flurry of reviews raving about its wintery allure.
As Scotland’s first national park, established back in 2002, it’s home to over 22 lochs and 21 Munros.
Winter might not be the best time for tackling the more challenging peaks, but there are plenty of gentler routes to explore within the park.
Balloch Castle country park stands out as a real gem. As the only country park situated within the national park boundaries, visitors can explore plenty including a walled garden, enchanting fairy glen, and naturally the historic castle.
The Three Lochs Way represents another fantastic trail starting from Balloch, though at 34 miles in length, tackling it in manageable stages is highly recommended.
Visitors to the national park have showered it with glowing praise, with Google reviews brimming with enthusiasm. One delighted tourist said: “Love visiting Loch Lomond, regardless of the weather the views and scenes are absolutely stunning.”
A second reviewer wrote: “One of the most beautiful locations anywhere. Mountains, forests, lochs abound in a well managed national park. Great facilities across the region and second to none for hiking, cycling and camping.”
Meanwhile, a third visitor commented: “This place has something for everyone. From lochs, hills, waterfalls and mountains to quiet little villages and spa resorts.
“Massive areas of beautiful and unspoiled wilderness to explore, perfect for walking, cycling or even driving if you prefer the less strenuous approach.”
Beyond serving as the gateway to Loch Lomond, Balloch boasts a brilliant selection of exciting attractions suitable for all ages.
The Sea Life centre is worth a visit, being amongst Scotland’s rare aquariums, housing thousands of fascinating marine creatures waiting to be explored.
If you fancy a spot of retail therapy, Loch Lomond Shores is a stylish shopping destination featuring shops like Frasers and Mountain Warehouse, along with eateries, cafes and a farmers market held every first and third Sunday of the month.
Captivating and eerie yet hauntingly beautiful, this ancient Italian city is frozen in time — and it really is fascinating to visit
This Italian water fountain well is centuries old(Image: Katie Oborn )
Italy never fails to enthral me with its ancient buildings and streets, many of which have stood the test of time. Then there are the breath-taking views, whether it’s the countryside, the sea, or even volcanoes – Italy truly has it all – not to mention the mouth-watering food.
While holidaying in Sorrento, I found it easy to hop on a train to several other Italian destinations. One such stop was Ercolano Scavi, the gateway to an eerie yet intriguing place.
The train route from Sorrento towards Naples passes through Herculaneum (modern name: Ercolano), a site where a tragic event preserved a significant piece of history. Some 2,000 years ago, Herculaneum was a prosperous city, but in 79 AD, the Mount Vesuvius volcano that towers over this area erupted, burying the ancient Roman city under fast-flowing lava.
Mount Vesuvius is a daunting sight in this part of Italy, visible from both Sorrento and Naples, but it looms ominously over Ercolano, serving as a stark reminder of the potential devastation it could wreak, even today.
Its last eruption occurred on March 17, 1944, claiming the lives of 26 civilians, lending an eerie atmosphere to this part of Italy, despite trips and hikes to the top of Mount Vesuvius being offered to tourists, reports the Express.
I chose to stay below the volcano to focus on exploring Herculaneum, where 2,000 years ago, volcanic ash and rock engulfed everything – and everyone alive at the time.
But despite the fear and tragedy that struck at that time – and can be felt as you wander around the now uncovered and preserved streets and buildings of Herculaneum – it was the volcanic lava that preserved this Roman city.
From drinking troughs to mosaics, walls and statues, even bread in ancient stone ovens, it was fascinating to see how creative and systematic the people who lived here were at the time.
The mosaics and murals were so detailed and colourful, I observed that this ancient civilisation took pride in their surroundings, which arguably may not always be the case in modern times.
It was a few years ago that I visited Herculaneum, and since then, archaeologists have uncovered more of the ancient Roman city, including skeletal remains.
A recent Google reviewer wrote about what they saw: “What a brilliant place, so well preserved, fascinating architecture and history.
“Seeing the bodies of the poor souls who got trapped is quite a distressing thing to witness, completely different from the disconnect of a picture online, you can, unfortunately, see the terror in their faces.
“Sad part aside, a brilliant place to explore and learn from, the boat they recovered is amazing, as are all of the personal effects going within the town.”
Another recent Google review states: “Herculaneum is absolutely mind-blowing. Smaller and less crowded than Pompeii, but in many ways even more impressive. The level of preservation here is unreal – second stories still standing, wooden doors, roof beams, furniture, even food remnants. It’s like the eruption happened yesterday.
“We did a private tour with an archaeologist who helped bring it all to life – explaining how this seaside town functioned before the eruption and why it was preserved so differently from Pompeii. The contrast between the two sites is fascinating.
“It’s more compact than Pompeii, but every corner is packed with detail and history. And the best part – it’s not swarming with tourists, so you can really take your time and soak it all in.
“Don’t skip this one, Herculaneum is a must. Quiet, powerful, and unforgettable.”
It is worth checking the airport’s rules before travelling as some have already scrapped the 100ml rule.
For example, London Gatwick now allow passengers to bring liquids up to 2 litres with them, while London Heathrow are still following the 100ml rules.
And you will have to follow the rules of the airport you are flying from as well, whether it be Europe or further afield.
If you’re unsure, it is best to keep liquids under 100ml, and fitting in a plastic bag.
Can you fly when pregnant?
(4,400 searches per month)
If you want to sneak in a last minute flight while pregnant, you might be surprised by the rules.
Most airlines no longer allow pregnant people to fly if they are past 36-37 weeks, although this goes down to 32 weeks if pregnant with more than one baby.
Up until this point, it is okay to fly unless there are medical concerns.
And it is advised to check with your doctor ahead of booking your holiday too, just in case.
How long do you need on your passport to travel?
(3,600 searches per month)
Knowing how many months you need on your passport is a complex issue, so it’s no wonder people have headed straight to Google for the answers.
The answer is, it depends per country, with the usual time being between three months and six months.
Most of Europe requires Brits to have at least three months, while places like Egypt, Thailand and Indonesia require six months.
Some don;t require any – places like Barbados simply require you to have a valid passport, with no additional months enforced.
It is best to visit the UK FCO website and check the entry requirements before booking a holiday.
How much is travel insurance?
(2,900 searches per month)
Travel insurance doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does change depending on a number of factors.
Some of the cheapest prices can found for under £5, if you are going somewhere deemed safe, for a short trip.
However, the price of insurance can go up for a number reasons.
Older travellers or those with diagnosed medical conditions will have to pay more, as well as those going somewhere more dangerous or doing extreme sports.
And of course if you are paying for an annual insurance, or going away for longer than the standard holiday, these all make it more expensive.
It is best to go on a comparison website to find the best option.
You might need to have up to six months on your passportCredit: Alamy
These range from Sundays in January during the sales, or timing it six to 12 weeks before your holiday.
It all depends on your destination as well, as it can depend on the school break season where you are going.
Sadly, there is no straight answer for this, and instead you are better using a flight price tracker, so you are alerted to any big price drops so you can then grab a bargain.
Where to travel in February?
(2,400 searches per month)
February can be a great month for a holiday, as it is still off-season but most people have since had their first paycheck since Christmas.
If you want somewhere warm and not too far, the Spanish islands are a great bet – Lanzarote is often one of the warmest.
Or you can head to some of the nearer African destinations like Morocco and Cape Verde, with the later reaching 27C.
If you don’t mind going a bit further, it is one of the best seasons to visit Thailand and Vietnam too.
Lanzarote is a great short haul February destinationCredit: Alamy
What does travel insurance cover?
(1,900 searches per month)
This all depends on what kind of insurance you buy.
The cheapest is likely to cover lost luggage and basic medical expenses, as well as cover you for any last minute emergencies like cancelling your holiday.
This can include losing your passport, last minute hotels or cancelled flights.
Otherwise upgraded insurance policies can also cover for extreme sports or winter sports.
How to pack your suitcase
(1,900 searches per month)
If you want to stop paying for checked in luggage, there are some great tips on how to pack a suitcase.
One is to always roll your item, as you can fit in a lot more than if you fold.
Packing cubes are also a huge help in compressing your clothes down to fit more in.
And of course stuff your shoes where you can, to make up for the lost pace inside.
Keep some of your liquids in your handbag just in case – and remember to wear your bulkiest items on the plane.
Rolling and packing cubes are your friend for packingCredit: Alamy
Former EU Commissioner for the Internal Marker Thierry Breton was the chief target of a U.S. travel ban imposed by Washington on European activists campaigning for online safety. File photo by Olivier Hoslet/EPA-EFE
Dec. 24 (UPI) — The United States imposed travel bans on former European Union technology commissioner Thierry Breton and four other campaigners against online hate and disinformation, alleging they had forced U.S. social media platforms to limit Americans’ first amendment rights.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Tuesday that the five had “led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize and suppress” the views of Americans with whom they disagreed.
“These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states — in each case targeting American speakers and American companies,” added Rubio who described the five as “agents of the global censorship-industrial complex.”
Beton was singled out by U.S. Under Secretary of State Sarah Rogers as the “mastermind” of European laws that require social media that operate in the 27-country bloc to adhere to content moderation and other standards to protect users, and children in particular, from harm.
That affects the big U.S. tech players, including Google and Meta, by requiring stricter monitoring of content or face fines up to 1% of global annual turnover.
Rogers named the others banned from entering the United States as Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of Berlin-based non-profit HateAid, Clare Melford, co-founder of the London-headquartered Global Disinformation Index, and Briton, Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate.
Breton, who served as the commissioner for the EU’s internal market from 2019 to 2024, likened the move to McCarthyism in the late 1940s and early 1950s and pointed out that the Digital Services Act was voted into law by 90% of MEPs.
“To our American friends: ‘Censorship isn’t where you think it is,” he said.
Brussels condemned the visa bans, saying Wednesday that freedom of expression was a core value that Europe shared in common with United States, but that the EU had sovereignty in regulating economic activity and that its digital laws were fairly applied without prejudice.
The visa bans also came under strong criticism from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who said that safeguards on Europe’s digital space, which had been adopted by democratic means in Europe, could not be dictated from the outside.
He insisted the legislation contained no extraterritorial provisions and therefore had no impact on the United States.
The dispute dates back to an August 2024 warning Breton issued to Elon Musk that an interview with then presidential candidate Donald Trump that he planned to stream on his X platform must not breach the Digital Services Act.
According to Rogers, Breton’s letter contained a sinister recap of X’s legal duties under the DSA and referenced ‘formal proceedings’ for alleged ‘illegal content’ and ‘disinformation.'”
Skyscanner recently shared insights into the best and worst times to buy flight tickets
Securing affordable flight deals can often seem impossible, but assistance might just be at hand. Skyscanner recently unveiled insights on the best and worst times to purchase international tickets, spotlighting both seasonal patterns and particular weekdays.
The travel search engine analysed historical data to reveal these trends and also addressed an ongoing debate in holiday planning: is it better to book early or to hold out for last-minute bargains?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward answer to this, as Skyscanner stressed that it largely depends on the route. Whilst quieter journeys or off-peak days may see price reductions as the departure date approaches, popular routes are likely to witness prices soar dramatically.
Irrespective of the season, Fridays and Sundays consistently emerge as the worst days to book flights due to high demand. However, statistics showed that cheaper fares are usually discovered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when bookings drop off.
“Based on past pricing trends, fares have dropped on Tuesday mornings after Monday deal releases,” Skyscanner wrote earlier this year, according to the Daily Record. When asked if prices decrease nearer a departure date, it added: “Sometimes, especially if seats are still available.
“But prices also tend to rise as departure nears. Last-minute deals exist, but they’re never guaranteed. You can also use the Skyscanner Savings Generator to find the best time to book flights based on your route.”
Skyscanner recommended that travellers book short-haul flights at least one to three months in advance to avoid disappointment. For long-haul journeys, it’s best to secure tickets two to six months before the trip.
Those wishing to monitor fluctuating flight prices can utilise Skyscanner’s alert system. To activate it, simply select a preferred route and click the ‘Get Price Alerts’ button located at the top left corner of the website.
To use this feature, you’ll need a Skyscanner account as alerts will be sent to the email linked with your account. Google also offers a similar alert system within its flight price tracking tool.
Google’s current advice states: “You can track flight prices for specific dates or, if your plans are flexible, any dates. To get flight alerts for a specific round trip, choose your dates and flights and select Search. Then, you can turn on price tracking.”
For more information on Skyscanner’s price-tracking tool, click the link here.
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Ai Chip startup Rebellion aim to challenge Nvidia as unicorn. Computer chips circuits boards. File Photo by Jon Sullivan/Wikimedia Commons
Dec. 16 (Asia Today) — Rebellion Chief Executive Park Sung-hyun said Tuesday the South Korean AI semiconductor startup wants to “compete head-to-head” with Nvidia as the company marked its fifth anniversary and said its valuation has reached about 2 trillion won (about $1.5 billion), meeting the threshold commonly used for “unicorn” status.
“Even if it kills me, I want to step into the same ring as NVIDIA and face them head-on,” Park said at a media day at Rebellion’s headquarters in Seongnam, south of Seoul.
Founded in 2020, Rebellion has positioned itself as an AI chipmaker focused on inference – the computing used to run AI services – rather than large-scale model training. The company said it has built “real-world” usage references by deploying its chips in services with live traffic in telecommunications, the public sector and enterprise markets.
Executives said competition in AI semiconductors is shifting as AI services spread and inference becomes a key battleground, where power efficiency and operating costs can matter as much as raw performance. The company pointed to moves such as Google‘s expansion of its Tensor Processing Unit into large-scale cloud offerings as evidence that specialized AI chips developed for internal use can be adapted for commercial services.
Rebellion said it is seeking to differentiate itself in a market not fully centered on Nvidia by focusing from the outset on inference-optimized designs. Park said the company expects measures such as cost per token and throughput per watt to become increasingly important as AI services scale.
Park also criticized what he described as the practical challenges facing domestic AI chip companies, arguing that government support for AI infrastructure – particularly around graphics processing units – has largely benefited large companies and established cloud providers. “This is disappointing for AI semiconductor companies targeting the inference market,” he said, while adding the company plans to pursue competition through chips and systems rather than policy-driven, software-centric approaches.
Rebellion said its merger with Sapion Korea, finalized last year, strengthened its global expansion efforts. Through the deal, SK Telecom and SK Hynix became major shareholders, providing capital and boosting credibility, Park said. He added that SK Hynix’s brand reduces the burden on Korean startups seeking recognition abroad.
The company said it raised 92 billion won (about$70 million) from KT in a 2022 Series A round and 165 billion won (about $125 million) in a 2024 Series B round from overseas investors including Saudi Aramco and Singapore’s Pavilion Capital. Rebellion said a Series C round this year included investment from Arm, which it described as a milestone for an Asian startup.
Rebellion said it mass-produced its first neural processing unit, ATOM, in 2023 and later introduced a higher-performance inference chip, REBEL-Quad. It said it has established overseas subsidiaries in Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United States as it expands international business.
Rebellion said it has selected Samsung Securities as lead underwriter for an initial public offering and has begun listing preparations. The company plans to pursue a Korean listing first, while also targeting a longer-term U.S. listing, it said.
Park said the company now sees itself as part of South Korea’s “deep tech” push and aims to become a key player in global AI infrastructure.
