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<ul class="summary-list"><li>After my date bailed on me, I decided to take a trip on a luxury river cruise alone.  </li><li>Although traveling solo initially felt odd, it allowed me to enjoy the experience to the fullest.  </li></ul><p>I planned a trip on a luxury <a href="https://www.insider.com/river-cruise-great-if-you-dont-like-cruises-opinion">river cruise</a> with a potential suitor I met through friends in Barcelona. He was from a municipality in <a href="https://www.insider.com/surprising-things-about-moving-to-europe-from-us-barcelona-spain">Spain</a> called Valladolid, and his eagerness to travel together was evident from the first time we met.</p><p>I was nervous about inviting him on a trip. I explained that we would be <a href="https://www.insider.com/junior-suite-carnival-cruise-line-elation-room-tour-2023-6">sharing a suite cabin</a> on a seven-night cruise, starting from Vienna, Austria, and ending in Budapest, Hungary. He jumped at the idea, and I felt a nervous but excited knot forming in my stomach.  </p><p>After receiving trip confirmations from both Riverside Luxury Cruises and my airline, I got a message from him saying he wouldn't be able to make it. Although he'd known the dates for quite some time, he said he couldn't take time off from work. </p><p>I had to decide whether I should cancel the entire trip or <a href="https://www.insider.com/first-solo-trip-helped-fear-of-being-alone-2023-8">go alone</a>.</p><p>Traveling by myself on a small <a href="https://www.insider.com/regent-seven-seas-explorer-luxury-cruise-worth-it-review-2023-2">luxury cruise</a> wasn't ideal, but something inside me told me to do it (and possibly learn something new about myself in the process).</p><h2><strong>Dining alone allowed me to enjoy meals without distractions  </strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="A river boat called &quot;Riverside Mozart.&quot;" height="2844" width="3792" msid="103969857" hostid="261" sizebytes="812886"></div><p>Upon arrival, I was amazed at how opulent the boat was. I opened the door to my cabin and was impressed by all the fixtures and decorations that evoked a sense of modern luxury. My room had two water-level sliding doors that allowed me to see the Danube River as though it was right next to me. </p><p>Next to the sliding doors, I noticed a bottle of white wine and two champagne flutes on a small corner desk. A rush of sadness poured over me, and all I could think about was how much I wished I had someone to enjoy a drink with. </p><p>Roaming the ship, I found a jazzy piano bar, a cozy coffee shop-like bistro, a fancy dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, and many other Instagram-worthy spots. As the night progressed, I went to the Waterside restaurant for dinner. </p><p>I sat at a table set for two next to a window facing <a href="https://www.insider.com/american-moved-to-vienna-most-liveable-city-loves-it-2023-9">Vienna</a>. Sitting alone didn't bother me, but I began to feel odd when the waiter removed the set of unused utensils.</p><p>As the food came out, I noticed that I could fully taste each dish when I didn't have any distractions. Eating alone allowed me to focus on all of the flavors, from the wine to the dessert. I put my phone down and enjoyed the view. </p><h2><strong>Going on excursions alone was a freeing experience </strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="A man with a striped shirt, jean jacket, and sunglasses poses in front of the parliament building in Budapest." height="2954" width="3939" msid="103969858" hostid="261" sizebytes="1246846"></div><p>As we sailed on the Danube River towards the Central European cities of Dürnstein, Linz, Bratislava, Esztergom, and Budapest, I participated in a few excursions to pass the time.</p><p>The thought of going on excursions alone was a little stressful, as I knew people would wonder why I was by myself. </p><p>As I began participating in the activities, I started to feel more liberated. The loneliness I initially felt faded, and I felt like I had total control over what I wanted to do and when. </p><p>I started chatting with other folks on the trip. When I met couples from <a href="https://www.insider.com/living-half-year-in-uk-half-in-australia-what-its-like">Australia</a>, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, each spoke to me directly and willingly. I came to the realization that the conversations may have flowed differently if I had been with someone else.</p><p>It was fun meeting travelers from around the globe, even if it didn't lead to life-long friendships.  </p><h2><strong>It's easier to overindulge when you're by yourself </strong></h2><p>Since I was on an all-inclusive boat, I took frequent trips to the bistro for a milkshake or scoop ice cream. During multi-course dinners, I had more than two glasses of wine.</p><p>This form of over-indulgence was frequent, and it changed my perception of how much was too much. It turned out I was having too much of a good time.</p><p>The trip made me rethink my relationship with alcohol, food, and fitness. After the cruise, I made a deliberate plan to improve my health. </p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-pack-for-solo-travel-tips-frequent-traveler">Traveling solo</a> isn't the easiest, but it's worth it. Even though it felt a little weird to be alone, I was perfectly content and realized I didn't need a potential partner to make me happy.</p><p>All I needed was to be present and focus on what was right in front of me. </p>

After I got stood up, I took a luxury cruise in Europe by myself. I learned 3 surprising things along the way.

<br /> The year 2013 is on its way out but are we really planning a blast to ring in the New Year? The good news is – Indians are still undeterred by the falling <keyword id="6355302" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rupee">rupee</keyword> and looking forward to outbound travel in the coming holidays, just like they did this summer. But the way they travel is definitely changing, according to a senior executive of a Delhi-based <keyword id="6607315" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="OTA">OTA</keyword>. Overseas travel no longer means the ritual rush through <keyword id="6357117" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="bangkok">Bangkok</keyword> or <keyword id="6356662" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Singapore">Singapore</keyword> – the global destinations closest to home and perhaps the least expensive. Of course, these places are not yet marked off the list, but the experienced and the well-heeled seem to have caught the travel bug of a different kind.<br />
<br /> <keyword id="1960912" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Offbeat-destinations">Offbeat destinations</keyword> are getting increasingly popular among Indians, says Saurabh Srivastava, vice-president (marketing &amp; product strategy) at ixigo.com, a travel planning site and search engine that aggregates and curates travel information to help consumers.<br />
<br /> “Of the 2.5 million visitors coming to our site month on month, we see some very clear and emerging trends. While the <keyword id="1960914" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Regular-overseas-travellers">regular overseas travellers</keyword> are increasingly looking at offbeat destinations to try out something different, first-timers or those who haven’t ventured outside the country too much, are still looking at <keyword id="1960915" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Popular-destinations">popular destinations</keyword> like Bangkok, Singapore, <keyword id="8695" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Malaysia">Malaysia</keyword> and <keyword id="6355478" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Australia">Australia</keyword> – the main attractions being <keyword id="6396451" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="beaches">beaches</keyword>, <keyword id="60543" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Water-sports">water sports</keyword> and <keyword id="6368952" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="shopping">shopping</keyword>,” he observes.<br />
<br /> We have talked to a number of <keyword id="722880" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="travel-agencies">travel agencies</keyword> and rounded up 12 out-of-the-ordinary (but up and coming) places that people are closely following (and booking) these holidays. Here is a quick look at each of them with a glimpse of the local flavour and the basic cost per person on a twin-sharing basis. However, costs are only indicative and are bound to change, depending on your <keyword id="472754" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tour-schedule">tour schedule</keyword>, quality of <keyword id="6358762" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Package">package</keyword>, customisation and service provider. Also, prices may fluctuate as dates get closer.<br />
<br /> Try planning a holiday if you love these destinations too. Just remember, sometimes, the best travel happens farthest from <keyword id="823132" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="home-and-away">home and away</keyword> from your everyday ambience. Catch the sun on a <keyword id="1553372" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="foreign-soil">foreign soil</keyword> this New Year and bon voyage!

<b>Want To Vacation Abroad? These 12 Places Are Creating The
Buzz These Holidays</b>

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01OQZICwZgg">YouTube/Tulcea Noastra</a></span></p><p class="caption">A video showing the aftermath of the collision.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Five passengers from the German river-cruise ship Prinzessin Isabella were injured on October 8 after a collision with a cargo ship, according to the website <a href="https://www.vesseltracker.com/de/Ships/Prinzessin-Isabella-I350456.html">Vessel Tracker</a>.</li><li>Two of those passengers were reportedly taken to the hospital.</li><li>The Prinzessin Isabella, which was carrying 165 passengers, received significant damage, as multiple cabins on its upper passenger deck were "torn open and crushed," according to Vessel Tracker.</li><li>A video appearing to show the aftermath of the incident was posted on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01OQZICwZgg">YouTube</a>.</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</strong></li></ul><p>Five passengers from the German river-cruise ship Prinzessin Isabella were injured on October 8 after a collision with a cargo ship, according to the website <a href="https://www.vesseltracker.com/de/Ships/Prinzessin-Isabella-I350456.html">Vessel Tracker</a>.</p><p>Two of those passengers were reportedly taken to the hospital. The collision occured on the Danube River between Romania and Ukraine, according to Vessel Tracker. The cargo ship, named Blue Star 1, had reportedly been traveling from Piraeus, Greece, to Galati, Romania.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cruise-ship-workers-reveal-most-annoying-things-passengers-do-2019-5">Cruise ship workers reveal the 7 most annoying things you can do as a passenger</a></em></p><p>The Prinzessin Isabella, which was carrying 165 passengers, received significant damage, as multiple cabins on its upper passenger deck were "torn open and crushed," according to Vessel Tracker. A video appearing to show the aftermath of the incident was posted on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01OQZICwZgg">YouTube</a>.</p><p>Romania's police force is investigating the incident, according to Vessel Tracker.</p><p><em><strong>See also:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ignition-transportation">Apply here to attend IGNITION: Transportation, an event focused on the future of transportation, in San Francisco on October 22</a></em></p><p>The German tour company Phoenix Reisen, which owns the Prinzessin Isabella, and the Romanian police did not immediately respond to Business Insider's requests for comment.</p><p><em>Have you worked on a cruise ship? Do you have a story to share? Email this reporter at <a href="mailto:mmatousek@businessinsider.com">mmatousek@businessinsider.com</a>.</em></p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cruise-ship-workers-saved-lives-2019-7" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">8 times cruise ship workers heroically saved lives</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/norwegian-cruise-line-ditching-plastic-water-bottles-2019-9" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">Norwegian Cruise Line is ditching plastic water bottles on its ships as the cruise industry comes under fire for for polluting the seas</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cruise-ship-employee-reveals-one-question-you-should-always-ask-2019-5" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">A former Royal Caribbean employee reveals the one question you should always ask workers on a cruise ship</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/viking-cruises-worlds-longest-cruise-photos-2019-9" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">Viking Cruises is trying to set a record for the world's longest cruise with a 245-day journey that costs over $90,000 per person. Here's what the ship it's using looks like.</a></li></ul>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airplane-tap-water-tainted-epa-faa-fda-flight-attendants-avoid-study-video-2017-2">Here's why flight attendants avoid drinking tap water on airplanes</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

5 people were hurt and cabins were 'torn open and crushed' after a cruise ship crashed into a cargo ship

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Viking River Cruises</span></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Unlike the bloated, gimmicky ocean liners that cart hoards of tourists around the Caribbean, river cruises offer a more refined and intimate experience.</p>
<p>And travelers are taking note, as the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/river-cruise-boom-in-europe-2014-3">river cruising industry is booming</a>, with a <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/whats-behind-the-river-cruise-boom-2013-02-01">10% increase in river cruise passengers</a> in the last 5 years.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-longships/index.html">Viking River Cruises</a> has carved a niche for itself as the premiere luxury river cruise ship operator.</p>
<p>The cruise company recently unveiled <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">16 new Longships that travel all over Europe, exploring different cities like Amsterdam, Belgrade, and Budapest on the famous rivers like Rhine and </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Danube. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span><span>On board and off, a trip with Viking River Cruises is a full cultural immersion, with talks and activities that shed light on the destinations, such as cuckoo clock-making, wooden shoe-carving, cooking classes, wine tastings, and dance performances.</span></span></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></p>

These Luxurious New River Cruise Ships Are Taking Over The Travel Industry

Europe is a continent teeming with rich history, diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and architectural wonders. From bustling cities to quaint villages, Europe offers something for every type of traveller. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, an adventurer, or an art enthusiast, there are countless treasures waiting to be explored. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Europe that should be on every traveller's bucket list:<br /><br /><strong>1. Paris, France<br /></strong>Known as the "City of Light," Paris is famous for its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Louvre Museum. Take a stroll along the Seine River, wander through charming neighbourhoods like Montmartre, and indulge in exquisite French cuisine at sidewalk cafes.<br /><br /><strong>2. Rome, Italy</strong><br />With its millennia-old history, Rome is a city that transports visitors back in time. Explore ancient ruins such as the Colosseum and Roman Forum, marvel at the artistry of the Vatican Museums, and toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck.<br /><br /><strong>3. Barcelona, Spain</strong><br />Barcelona is a vibrant city known for its unique architecture, including the whimsical creations of Antoni Gaudí such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. Relax on the city's beautiful beaches, savour delicious tapas, and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of La Rambla.<br /><br /><strong>4. Amsterdam, Netherlands</strong><br />Famous for its picturesque canals, historic architecture, and world-class museums, Amsterdam is a city that captivates visitors with its charm. Visit the Anne Frank House, explore the Van Gogh Museum, and take a leisurely bike ride along the city's scenic pathways.<br /><br /><strong>5. Prague, Czech Republic</strong><br />With its fairy-tale-like charm, Prague is a city straight out of a storybook. Explore the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, admire the majestic Prague Castle, and soak in the breathtaking views from Charles Bridge.<br /><br /><strong>6. Santorini, Greece</strong><br />Santorini is a stunning Greek island known for its whitewashed buildings, crystal-clear waters, and jaw-dropping sunsets. Explore the charming villages of Oia and Fira, unwind on black sand beaches, and sample local delicacies such as fresh seafood and fava beans.<br /><br /><strong>7. Florence, Italy</strong><br />Considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is a city steeped in art, culture, and history. Admire masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli at the Uffizi Gallery, and marvel at the beauty of the Florence Cathedral and Ponte Vecchio.<br /><br /><strong>8. Dubrovnik, Croatia</strong><br />Dubrovnik, often referred to as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is a city renowned for its mediaeval walls, baroque architecture, and stunning coastline. Walk the ancient city walls, visit the filming locations of Game of Thrones, and take a boat trip to the nearby Elafiti Islands.<br /><br /><strong>9. Edinburgh, Scotland</strong><br />Edinburgh is a city that seamlessly blends history with modernity. Explore the cobbled streets of the Old Town, visit the imposing Edinburgh Castle, and hike up Arthur's Seat for panoramic views of the city.<br /><br /><strong>10. Budapest, Hungary</strong><br />Budapest is a city of contrasts, with its grand historic buildings, thermal baths, and vibrant nightlife. Relax in the healing waters of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, admire the stunning architecture of the Hungarian Parliament Building, and take a scenic cruise along the Danube River.<br /><br />From the romantic streets of Paris to the ancient ruins of Rome, Europe offers an endless array of experiences just waiting to be discovered. Whether you're drawn to the cultural treasures of its cities, the natural beauty of its landscapes, or the culinary delights of its diverse cuisines, a journey through Europe is sure to leave you with memories to last a lifetime.<br /><br />Note: The article is based on content generated by AI models like Bard and Chatgpt.<br />

Europe uncovered: the top 10 places every traveller should discover

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russian forces have been routinely attacking Ukraine's southern cities and ports in recent weeks.</li><li>Some drone strikes have targeted areas along the Danube River, which borders NATO member Romania. </li></ul><p>Russian forces have been increasingly carrying out explosive drones attacks on Ukrainian ports, even in areas near Ukraine's borders with NATO territory, and Western intelligence suggests the series of calculated moves show Moscow's "appetite" for risk has changed.</p><p>Moscow began a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-ukraine-black-sea-dangerous-no-mans-land-grain-deal-2023-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">coordinated effort</a> to target Ukraine's southern cities, ports, and grain storage facilities in mid-July after it killed the critical Black Sea grain deal, which had allowed Kyiv to export food and fertilizer beyond a Russian blockade in a bid to avoid a global food crisis. Since the deal collapsed, Russia has relentlessly bombarded Ukrainian economic interests and civilians near the Black Sea and even threatened military action against vessels it believes are bound for Ukraine.</p><p>But these attacks have also crept toward NATO territory, something Western officials have warned of since the 17-month-long war began. Specifically, Russia has used Iranian-made one-way attack drones — widely known as "Shaheds" in a reference to the types of drones — to carry out several waves of strikes on Kyiv's ports along the meandering Danube River, which separates southern Ukraine and NATO-member Romania and feeds into the Black Sea.</p><p>Britain's defense ministry said in a Friday intelligence <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1687339724388573184" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">update</a> that Russia "is highly likely attempting to coerce international shipping into stopping trading via the ports." It added that the Iranian-made drones have landed as close as 650 feet from the Romania border, "suggesting that Russia has evolved its risk appetite for conducting strikes near NATO territory."</p><p>A recent video filmed from the Romanian side of the Danube River — which showed a giant fireball erupt in the aftermath of a Russian attack on the city of Izmail — highlighted just how close the drones are to NATO territory.</p>  <p>Ukraine's defense ministry said an attack on Izmail this week left over 40,000 tons of grain damaged.</p><p>"This grain could have fed millions of people in China, Israel, and many African countries. Terrorists can use starvation as a weapon. russia has demonstrated this once more," the defense ministry <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1686748464024113154?s=20">wrote</a> on Twitter. </p><p>UK intelligence said there's "a realistic possibility" that Russia is using the Iranian drones "to strike this area in the belief they are less likely to risk escalation than cruise missiles: Russia likely considers them as acceptably accurate, and they have much smaller warheads than cruise missiles."</p><p>In some areas along the Black Sea, Russia has made use of notoriously inaccurate missiles like the Kh-22 — an anti-ship missile referred to by NATO as the AS-4 Kitchen — to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-attacking-southern-ukraine-with-carrier-killer-missiles-intelligence-2023-7">hammer Ukrainian cities</a> over the past few weeks, leading to international outrage and condemnation. The persistent <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-attacks-odesa-orthodox-cathedral-grain-invasion/32515285.html">strikes</a> have killed and injured scores of civilians and left buildings, including historic sites, in ruins.  </p><div type="image" title="A view shows a building of the Black Sea Danube shipping company destroyed during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Izmail, Odesa region, Ukraine August 2, 2023." height="3888" width="5593" msid="102435071" hostid="261" sizebytes="1520060"></div><p>"Russia's attacks on civilian and port infrastructure in Odesa, Izmail, and Reni devastate places where people live and work," US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbKyiv/status/1686760034519150593">said</a> on Wednesday. "As Russia continues to weaponize food, these escalatory attacks also represent a total assault on Ukraine's ability to get badly needed grain to people around the world."</p><p>Meanwhile, the bombardment near Romania comes as some NATO countries worry that Russian allies are encroaching on NATO territory to the northwest of Ukraine.</p><p>In late July, Poland <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/28/lithuania-poland-belarus-borders-wagner-fighters">accused</a> Wagner Group mercenaries living in exile in Belarus and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wagner-mercenaries-train-belarus-troops-russia-putin-grip-power-slipping-2023-8">training</a> the country's military of moving into position near its border and said that two Belarusian military helicopters <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-poland-helicopters-airspace/32530001.html#0_8_10089_8766_2710_249283308" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">violated</a> its airspace. Minsk has denied the allegations, but nonetheless, Wagner's presence has led officials in NATO members Poland and Lithuania to express concern over the group's activities. </p><p>Speaking to reporters this week, White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby downplayed the concern and said the mercenaries do not appear to be an immediate threat to NATO.</p><p>"We're not aware of any specific threat posed by Wagner to Poland or to any of our NATO allies, and we're watching that, obviously, closely," he said, reiterating that the US is still committed to "defending every inch of NATO territory."</p>

Russia is playing risky games with its exploding drones, attacking Ukrainian ports only a couple hundred meters from NATO territory

Meme stocks are back in fashion. Here's how to find one. 

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Researchers have created a metal that can float even after it has been damaged or punctured.&#xa0;</li><li>That means it could keep ships from sinking. The material could also be used to build floating cities.&#xa0;</li><li>The project has received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.&#xa0;</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>It took just two-and-a-half hours for the Titanic to sink after it collided with an iceberg in 1912.</p><p>Before the disaster, the ship was said to be "unsinkable" thanks to waterproof compartments below its deck. But the Titanic's engineers hadn't anticipated that a disaster would puncture six of those compartments.</p><p>More than a century later, ships still aren't impervious to collisions: In May, 28 people died when a sightseeing boat and a cruise ship crashed on the Danube River in Hungary. And in 2017, a US Navy destroyer was hit by an oil tanker, which killed 10 Navy sailors.</p><p>But <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.9b15540">new research</a> from the University of Rochester may offer a novel way to keep vessels afloat. A team there has designed a metal array that won't sink, even after it's pierced.&#xa0;</p><p>"Regardless how much it's damaged or punctured, it will still be able to stay afloat," Chunlei Guo, the study's chief researcher, told Business Insider.&#xa0;</p><p>The project received grants from the US Army, National <keyword id="41551" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="science">Science</keyword> Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a private charity started by the Microsoft co-founder. In addition to ship construction, the researchers think the metal could one day be used for a host of other applications like cleaning latrines or building floating cities.</p><h2>The metal has a giant air bubble that helps it float</h2><p>Ships float by displacing water; to remain afloat, a ship must weigh less than the volume of water it displaces. When the Titanic's compartments flooded, the ship became heavier than the displaced water and started <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/titanic-shipwreck-disappearing-dive-reveals-2019-9">sinking</a>.</p><p>To prevent their metal structure from suffering the same fate, the Rochester researchers had to design a method to constantly push water away.&#xa0;</p><p>The scientists used lasers to carve tiny grooves into the surface of an aluminum disk. These etchings trapped air, forming a protective barrier that caused water droplets to slide off the metal surface.&#xa0;</p><p>But if the metal was held underwater long enough, the grooves would eventually fill up with water instead of air, the researchers found. So they placed two of the etched metal disks on either end of a small pillar, with the etched sides facing inward. They left a gap in the center that's small enough to prevent water from entering. That creates an air bubble that helps the array to float.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><p>Next, the researchers kept the array underwater with extra weight for two months to see if it would lose its buoyancy. But when they took the weight off, the metal still rose to the surface.</p><p>Their final task was to see whether the array could sustain major damage. So they drilled holes in the disks and placed them underwater again. No matter how many holes they drilled, they found, the array would still float.</p><h2>The metal could be used to build floating cities</h2><p>In the new study, Guo suggests using the metal to build life rafts, buoyant clothing, or "highly floatable ships and vessels." The weight of the ship wouldn't matter, he said, as long as the surface area of the metal was large enough to counterbalance it.&#xa0;&#xa0;</p><p>"As the area of the metal becomes larger and larger, so does the loading capacity," Guo said. That means the metal could one day even be used to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/un-floating-city-housing-hurricanes-2019-4">build giant structures like floating cities</a>.&#xa0;</p><p>"I think it's a great idea," Guo said, adding that his metal configuration is "far more robust and far more durable" than some other <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/floating-city-prototype-san-francisco-bay-2019-10">materials associated with floating-city concepts</a>, like fiberglass or limestone.&#xa0;</p><p>Guo's research has also shown that just <a href="https://www.popsci.com/high-intensity-laser-blasts-create-metals-are-super-water-repellant/">a few droplets of water</a> are sufficient to rid the metal of dirt. So he's been working with the Gates Foundation to understand how these properties could improve sanitation in developing countries. Latrines made out of similar etched metal, for example, could be easier to clean.</p><p>"Keeping the metal afloat is just one of the many, many applications," Guo said.</p><p>Right now, the biggest obstacle to producing the metal in larger quantities is that the laser etching takes a while -&#xa0; about an hour to etch a 1-inch by 1-inch square. But Guo said that's a problem for manufacturers to solve. His mission, he added, is to demonstrate the science.&#xa0;</p><h3>Watch the metal float in water:</h3><div></div>

Scientists have created an 'unsinkable' metal that could be used to build ships or floating cities. It's backed by Bill Gates.

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel leave the cruise ship on Danube river during the European Union summit - the first one since Britain voted to quit - in Bratislava, Slovakia, September 16, 2016.</p></div><p></p></div></div>A bloc of EU member states in eastern Europe is threatening to veto any Brexit deal that would risk the right of their citizens to live and work in the United Kingdom.</p><p>In yet another reminder of how tough negotiations will be for Theresa May, Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico said on Saturday that his country, Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic would unite to block any deal that threatens of the free movement of people.</p><p>"Unless we feel a guarantee that these people [living and working in Britain] are equal, we will veto any agreement between the EU and Britain," <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-slovakia-idUSKCN11N0IA?il=0" target="_blank">Fico told Reuters</a>.</p><p>"I think Britain knows this is an issue for us where there's no room for compromise."</p><p>One of the main reasons the majority of Brits voted for Brexit in June was the high level of EU citizens who have migrated to the <keyword id="6354868" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="UK">UK</keyword> in recent years. Leave campaigners like former UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage repeatedly used phrases like "take back control" when talking about the nation's borders.</p><p>May and foreign secretary Boris Johnson have previously suggested they would pursue a Brexit deal <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/29/working-eu-uk-free-movement-permit-easy-entry-migrants-jobs-automatic-rights-" target="_blank">which would allow Britain to retain access to the single market but opt-out the free movement of people.</a></p><p>However, speaking at a meeting of EU leaders on Saturday, Fico made clear that May would face an almighty challenge trying to strike this sort of deal. <span>"The V4 countries will be uncompromising," he said. The "V4" is a term often used to describe the group of Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic.</span></p><p>Fico added that he and fellow European leaders would not let their citizens become "second class citizens" as a result of Britain's eventual withdrawal from the 28-nation bloc.</p><p>The Slovakian leader's warning comes just days after the EU Parliament controversially appointed Guy Verhofstadt to be its main negotiator in Brexit talks. The former Belgian prime minister was fully opposed to Brexit long before the referendum and <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/guy-verhofstadt-brexit-article-50-theresa-may-single-market-immigration-2016-9" target="_blank">shares Fico's opinion that Britain will not be allowed any access to the single market if it refuses to accept the free movement of people.</a></p><p><span><span>Farage described the appointment as a <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/nigel-farage-brexit-article-50-guy-verhofstadt-european-union-2016-9" target="_blank">declaration of "war" on Brexit negotiations.</a> The former UKIP leader, like other pro-Leavers, are worried that Verhofstadt's firm negotiating position will mean delivering Brexit will be near-impossible for May and the rest of her government. </span></span></p><p><span><span>The reality is that Fico and Verhofstadt's stance is no different to the rest of the Union. <span>Jean-Claude Juncker, the EU President, used the meeting on Saturday to reiterate that <a href="http://news.sky.com/story/brexit-talks-no-compromise-with-uk-on-free-movement-juncker-warns-10580865" target="_blank">Britain can forget single market access if it refuses to accept the free movement of people to Britain. </a></span></span></span></p><p>"There is a clear interlink as we made clear at the very beginning between the access to the internal market and the basic principles of the internal market - namely the free movement of workers and we are sticking to that position," he said.</p><p>"This is not a game between prime ministers leaving and prime ministers remaining, this is about people in Europe."</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/polling-analyst-matt-singh-explains-what-threw-off-all-the-brexit-polls-2016-9">The only person who was right about the general election tells us what threw off all the Brexit polls</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="g1MzNvNTE6az7BjvpEmRa3waqiCRlHDL" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

A key group of EU states is threatening to totally sabotage Brexit

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci</span></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Following Germany's 7-1 drubbing of the hosts, here are seven facts you didn't know about Germany - and one you didn't know about Brazil.</p>
<p>Germany</p>
<p>1. Watching the slapstick 1963 British comedy sketch "Dinner for One", starring Freddie Frinton and May Warden, is an essential part of the German New Year's Eve celebration.</p>
<p>2.The word Rindfleischetikettierungsueberwachungsaufgabenuebertragungsgesetz (law delegating beef label monitoring) was removed from the German language this summer, but there are still some crackers - kraftfahrzeughaftpflichtversicherung (automobile liability insurance) and donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitaenswitwe (widow of a Danube steamboat company captain), to name but two.</p>
<p>3.If you ask a German the time and are told "halb drei" (literally "half three") the time is in fact half past two (half two in English). Germans count the minutes to the next hour rather than after.</p>
<p>4. The Munich Oktoberfest actually starts in late September. Don't worry too much if you miss it: there are 60 beer gardens in and around the city that are open all summer.</p>
<p>5. In 1888 Germany had three emperors: Wilhelm I, Frederick III and Wilhelm II. Frederick III died from cancer of the larynx aged 56 having ruled for just 99 days. A liberal by disposition, he would have been a very different emperor to Wilhelm II.</p>
<p>6. There is a Barbie doll modelled on Germany's current Chancellor Angela Merkel.</p>
<p>7. The opening of Berlin's long awaited new international airport has been delayed five times and it is still not exactly clear when it will be ready for service. What happened to Teutonic efficiency?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10223647/Twenty-things-you-didnt-know-about-Germany.html"><em>Find out more fun facts about Germany</em></a></p>
<p>Brazil</p>
<p>1. Osama Bin Laden-themed bars are something of a trend in Brazil. Well, there's at least two, anyway. Bar do Bin Laden in Sao Paulo - run by an Osama lookalike - and Caverna do Bin Laden, or "Bin Laden's Cave" - can be found just in Niteroi, around 25 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/southamerica/brazil/10824584/Brazil-30-fascinating-facts.html"><em>Find out more fun facts about Brazil</em></a></p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/a/10923591"><em>Rhine river cruise guide</em></a><em><br /> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/a/10920204">Europe's biggest hole, and other views from the sky</a><br /> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/a/10856826">Berlin: an unlikely paradise for birders</a><br /> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/a/10681086">Berlin hotels for under £110: The Fab Five</a><br /> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/a/8738153">Berlin city guide</a><br /> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/a/10870009">Brazil's 10 best beaches</a><br /> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/a/10869341">The ultimate travel selfie? Christ the Redeemer photo captured by Briton</a><br /> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/a/10785828">Brazil's Osama Bin Laden-themed bars</a></em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-competitions/10944252/Telegraph-Travel-Awards-2014.html"><em>Win one of 40 holidays worth £800,000</em></a><br /> Telegraph Travel Awards 2014: vote for your favourite destinations and travel companies for the chance to win one of 40 luxury breaks worth a total of £800,000.</p>
<p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/travel-guides-by-telegraph/id793779955?mt=8"><em>Travel Guides app</em></a><br /> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/travel-guides-by-telegraph/id793779955?mt=8">Download the free Telegraph Travel app</a>, featuring expert guides to destinations including Paris, Rome, New York, Venice and Amsterdam</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/TelegraphTravel"><em>Follow Telegraph Travel on Twitter</em></a><em><br /> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Telegraphtravel">Follow Telegraph Travel on Facebook</a><br /> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/telegraphmedia/">Follow Telegraph Travel on Pinterest</a><br /> <a href="https://foursquare.com/telegraph">Follow Telegraph Travel on FourSquare</a></em></p>
<p></p>

7 Fun Things You Probably Didn't Know About Germany

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>USA.Gov</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>Ocean-going countries are showing new interest in operating in the Arctic and Antarctic, as receding ice makes waters there more accessible.</strong></li><li><strong>Icebreaking ships are vital for operations in those regions, but the US has fewer such ships than its neighbors in the area, including Russia.</strong></li><li><strong>The US is pushing to build more icebreakers, but the threat of militarization has added wrinkles to those plans.</strong></li></ul><p><br />Receding ice in the Arctic and Antarctic has drawn the attention of the world's ocean-going powers, and the US military, led by the Coast Guard, has been pushing for more resources <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tillerson-arctic-late-to-the-game-china-russia-2017-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to catch up to other countries</a> operating in those regions.</p><p>The Coast Guard's icebreaker fleet is the backbone of its operations around the North and South Poles, but that fleet is comparatively small. Of the three it has, only two are operational: the heavy icebreaker Polar Star and medium icebreaker Healy, which mainly does scientific work.</p><p>The Polar Star is charged with keeping navigation lanes open in the Arctic and Antarctic, but it was built in the mid-1970s and is already beyond its 30-year service life.</p><p><span>Crew members have had to shop online for replacement parts for the ship's aging computers, and it sails with a year's supply of food in case it gets stuck, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-coast-guard-falls-behind-russia-on-spending-for-vital-equipment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to CBS <keyword id="6355005" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="News">News</keyword>. Considerable repair work is needed to keep the ship afloat. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft has <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tillerson-arctic-late-to-the-game-china-russia-2017-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> the Polar Star "is literally on life support."</span></p><p><span>The Coast Guard is grappling these difficulties amid what has been called an "<a href="https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2015/09/the-icebreaker-gap-000213" target="_blank" rel="noopener">icebreaker gap</a>" with Russia. (Though some <a href="http://www.highnorthnews.com/expert-no-icebreaker-race-with-russia-in-the-arctic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have said</a> Russian naval expansion, not icebreakers, is the real concern.) </span></p><p><span>As of May, Russia - which has the world's largest Arctic coastline - had more than 40 icebreakers, including four operational nuclear-powered heavy polar icebreakers and 16 medium polar icebreakers.</span></p><p>The Coast Guard's Pacific Area chief, Vice Adm. Fred Midgette, whose <a href="http://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">command</a> ranges from the US West Coast to Asia and from the Arctic to the Antarctic, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-coast-guard-falls-behind-russia-on-spending-for-vital-equipment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told CBS News</a> this week that Russia is still outspending the US.</p><p>"If you look at what Russia is doing, there's almost a mini arms buildup going on in the Arctic," he said.</p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>US Coast Guard/Petty Officer 2nd Class Grant DeVuyst</span></p><p class="caption">The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star cuts a channel into a field of fast ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, January 7, 2016.</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span>Not all of Russia's more than 40 icebreakers are of the same type, but Moscow is not the only country with an advantage over the US.</span></p><p>Finland has seven medium polar icebreakers, though four are designated for Baltic use. China has three, but all of them are light polar icebreakers. Canada has two operational medium polar icebreakers and two under construction, while Sweden has seven, though three are medium icebreakers designed for Baltic use.</p><h2>'The Coast Guard must be funded as a military service'</h2><p><span>Zukunft and the Coast Guard are pushing for more icebreakers. The Homeland Security Department has said the Coast Guard may need up to six new icebreakers - three heavy ones and three medium ones - to meet mission demands at high latitudes. </span></p><p><span>This fall, the Coast Guard and Navy <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-us-navy-and-coast-guard-are-looking-to-play-catch-up-in-the-arctic-2017-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">released</a> a joint draft request for proposal for the construction of a heavy icebreaker, with an option to build two more. The acquisition cost of a new polar icebreaker has been put at $1 billion, though the Coast Guard and Navy believe it could cost less than that.</span></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://eapcontent.ap.org/jpg/2015/20151030/18/2db849a2c7375230860f6a706700f93a.jpg?contentid=2db849a2c7375230860f6a706700f93a/fmt=jpg/role=Preview/reldt=2015-10-30T18:38:31/media=Photo/recordid=2e3b6613a0cb425da9af36874ed3f80a/itemid=2e3b6613a0cb425da9af36874ed3f80a/objfilename=preview.jpg/authToken=eNoth0EKxCAQBF%2bkzGgczUHYr6gxMIeNQSPJwcevC2noKmrkx5M2ToGbR5hzqEZir7boljUokay2wigNwhHsgoIFsgD7qsPozadyXJVjv0ptn9gbH7lNNN5ylal8x3n7N9HA4NPTIhFI4t9ofq3cJ68%3d&amp;token=1446491401_7A0A0782E6326E80722A4073B8489A52">eapcontent.ap.org</a></span></p><p class="caption">US Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft, right, and coast guard leaders from Arctic nations sign a cooperation pledge, October 30, 2015.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><span>But Zukunft told <a href="https://defaeroreport.com/2017/12/15/uscgs-zukunft-coast-guard-must-funded-military-service/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Defense &amp; Aerospace Report</a> last week that there was still doubt about the service's funding going forward, saying that the Coast Guard needed to be on the same footing as the other service branches and that it </span>"cannot continue to operate on the margins" of the <keyword id="6354810" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Defense">defense</keyword> budget.</p><p>The Coast Guard draws the vast majority of its funding from non-defense discretionary spending, Zukunft said, and the potential for a reduction in that pool of money in order to expand defense discretionary spending threatens to further hinder Coast Guard finances after five years of funding below floors set in the Budget Control Act.</p><p>"Our funding mechanism has got to change," he said. "The Coast Guard must be funded as a military service."</p><p>Zukunft said he was proposing was a 5% annualized increase in the service's operating expenditures, which "gets us out of the basement" and provides "parity with the four armed services."</p><p>The commandant also suggested a floor of $2 billion for the Coast Guard's acquisition budget.</p><p>"That would allow me to put icebreakers on budget within the United States Coast Guard," he said. "That 5% and $2 billion floor allows me to grow my workforce by 5,000 active-duty and 1,100 reserves, and at the same time I don't have to cut my equally valued civilian workforce. It's not a big ask."</p><h2>'Is it to create chaos in the Arctic?'</h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamal_%28icebreaker%29#/media/File:Yamal_2009.JPG">en.wikipedia.org</a></span></p><p class="caption">Russian icebreaker Yamal during the removal of manned drifting station North Pole-36 in August 2009.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><span>As ice around the North and South Poles recedes, icebreakers are gaining importance beyond maintaining sea lanes and assisting other ships. </span></p><p><span>Their ability to navigate in harsh conditions makes them useful for projecting power. And a number of countries already outstripped the US when it comes to the icebreakers that can be deployed.</span></p><p><span>Coast Guard Rear Adm. Michael McAllister,</span> commander of the Coast Guard's 17th district - which encompasses Alaska and the Arctic - has said <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tillerson-arctic-late-to-the-game-china-russia-2017-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the US is on good terms</a> with its neighbors in the area, including Russia and China, with whom the US cooperates on waterway management, search and rescue, and law-enforcement matters.</p><p>But Washington has eyed Russian plans for its icebreakers warily.</p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"In 2020 - and we're monitoring this very closely - Russia plans to launch two icebreaking corvettes," Zukunft told Defense &amp; Aerospace Report.</span></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>(AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)</span></p><p class="caption">The icebreaker Mudyug in front of the bulk carrier Federal Danube, as men fish in the frozen Gulf of Finland, west of St. Petersburg, Russia, March 15, 2011.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"So these are designed warships that can break ice and that can carry cruise missiles. To what end is opaque," he added. "Is it to create chaos in the Arctic? Is it to make this an area that the United States would be denied access? We have to assume the answer to that question ... is yes."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zukunft said he was encouraged by the both President Donald Trump's National Security Strategy as well as the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, the latter of which includes a provision for the construction of at least one heavy icebreaker, which he said could be in the water by 2023.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But the Coast Guard commandant said there needed to be flexibility in how that icebreaker, and any that follow it into service, would be outfitted and deployed over its 30- to 40-year service life.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We do need to look at potential militarization in the Arctic, so we need to reserve space, weight, power, if we have to put what I would call modules on an icebreaker to include an offensive weapon capability," Zukunft said. "We've had great interactions with the Navy as part of this integrated program office to look at all potential requirements for an icebreaker well into the 21st century to include something more than just point-defense weapons systems."</span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/changes-earth-artic-ice-melted-animated-map-nasa-2017-3">Arctic and Antarctic sea ice just hit record lows - here's what would happen if all the ice melted</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

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