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A viral video showing a woman freezing her açaí bowl to get it past security has sparked a warning from experts, who say the hack could lead to a £5,000 fine for UK travellers

Social media, particularly TikTok, has emerged as a breeding ground for so-called “travel hacks.” Holidaymakers frequently rely on content creators for guidance on maximising their flights and hotel experiences.

Nevertheless, much of the guidance discovered online should be approached with considerable scepticism, particularly when it doesn’t originate from a qualified professional. This has proven true with one passenger’s footage, which has captured the attention of travellers and has now been viewed more than a million times.

In the footage, she demonstrates how she smuggles her açaí bowl through airport security: by freezing it before placing it in her hand luggage, reports the Express.

The post sparked confusion in the comments section, with one viewer questioning: “Wait, how did you get this through security?”, and another cautioning: “Pretty sure this is still considered a liquid.”

Now, travel specialists are offering their verdict – and they have one stark warning.

According to Amanda Parker, spokesperson for Netflights, freezing açaí bowls or similar liquids to stop security screening isn’t merely ineffective – it could lead to your snack being seized or, worse still, a substantial penalty.

“According to official government guidelines, you’re not allowed to carry frozen items in your hand luggage,” the travel expert clarified.

“Even though this açaí bowl is frozen, it’s still considered a liquid and security will treat it as a liquid.

“Your treat may start to thaw when you pass through airport security, and if it exceeds the 100 ml liquid limit, it’ll be going straight in the bin. Plus, the spillage while you carry it, not worth the hassle.”

And the danger doesn’t stop at security checks, as travellers jetting back to the UK could find their bowl’s contents triggering alarm bells with customs officials.

Numerous favourite toppings and ingredients – from dairy products to seeds and fresh fruit – violate UK border regulations.

“There are restrictions on bringing food back to the UK, too. Meat, dairy, fish, fruit, veg, nuts and seeds are all no-nos,” Amanda cautioned. “You could face a £5,000 fine if you break these rules.

“As açaí bowls are normally topped with nuts and seeds, plus they’re dairy, it’s important not to freeze your açaí bowl for your flight home to the UK, as you could pay the price.”

SHOPPERS have slammed a bargain retail giant after spotting Christmas decor on shelves four months early.

Many have claimed it is “ridiculous” and an “absolute joke” to see the festive decorations so early in the year.

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Despite this August being sunnier and warmer for Scots than normal, The Range is already preparing for the winter months.

And shoppers were left fuming when the retailer showed off its range of Christmas buys that are now up for grabs.

The Range took to social media to share its brand new collection of festive decor, which is already stocked on shelves.

In one Facebook post, the shop showed a number of festive cushions and teddies, including cuddly Christmas puddings, gingerbread men, candy canes, and snowy trains and villages.

There was also a huge collection of different Christmas bedding sets, each with its own theme, and large Santa toys.

Fan favourite festive candles were also on display, as well as diffusers with classic Christmas smells such as gingerbread and cranberries.

Our Christmas candles have officially landed. Because it’s never too early for a little festive magic

The RangeFacebook post

Other pieces of decor for the home were up for grabs, like little gingerbread house ornaments, green glass trees and gold lanterns.

The Range captioned one post: “They’re here… and yes, it’s still summer.

“Our Christmas candles have officially landed. Because it’s never too early for a little festive magic.”

And another post on Facebook read: “Not to sleigh the surprise… but since you asked for MORE, here’s a little festive teaser.

“Too early? Snow way! Our full Christmas collection is coming soon – stay tuned!”

But the posts led to an outcry from shoppers who said it “spoils the magic” by being in shops so early – especially when the summer is still considered to be in full swing.

Many flocked to the comments to blast the shop for selling Christmas decor before the official start of autumn.

One person said: “Have a day off, it’s bloody August!”

Another added: “Spoils the magic of it. It’s ridiculous”.

Someone else wrote: “Absolute joke…”

While a fourth shared: “Ridiculous, it’s not even Halloween”.

And a fifth chimed in: “I love Christmas, but this is far too early”.

Others, however, seem delighted to get into the Christmas spirit before summer’s over.

A user posted: “Woop woop, skip Halloween and just have Christmas”.

A second commented: “Can’t wait to see the full range of Christmas stock out in shops”.

And a shopper agreed: “Please hurry, I keep popping in to check”.

While a fourth cheered: “Sooooooooo excited, I love Christmas”.

Someone else added: “YASSSSSS, IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!”

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LUCY BRONZE has revealed that she played the entirety of Euro 2025 with a fractured tibia.

The Lionesses stalwart, 33, incredibly fought through the serious injury to play a key role as Sarina Wiegman’s side retained their Euros crown.

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Bronze played 105 minutes of England’s final victory over Spain, before finally being forced off at half-time of extra time with a knee issue.

Following the Lionesses’ 3-1 penalty shoot-out victory, the Chelsea full-back told the BBC: “I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, and then I have hurt my knee on my other leg.

“That’s why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game, as I’ve been in a lot of pain. If that’s what it takes to play for England, that’s what I’ll do.”

“Very painful.”

On the tournament as a whole, warrior Bronze added: “We never lost belief in ourselves. There was a lot of noise on the outside. We stuck together and dug deep. To win on penalties. This team is so inspiring to be part of.

“What we have done today is unbelievable.

“Winning on penalties is an amazing feeling, but to lose on penalties is a horrible way to lose a final.

“I know a lot of these girls from Barca missing penalties. It is difficult I have been there a couple of years ago.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

“This year it was meant for England.

“Today we have shown resilience. We have shown everyone to believe in yourself no matter what people say about you.”

Bronze, whose middle name fittingly is “Tough”, was praised for her robustness by boss Wiegman earlier in the tournament.

The Dutchwoman said: “That resilience, that fight. The only way you get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair.”

Netflix viewers have been left completely gripped by a Western drama series set in the 1850s that has been labelled an ‘absolute masterpiece’ and one of the ‘greatest of all time’

Netflix has struck gold with a Western drama series that’s being hailed as one of the all-time greats. The gripping show, American Primeval, which debuted on the streaming giant in 2025, takes audiences back to the tumultuous times of 1857.

Spanning six episodes, it tells the tale of a mother on the lam and a band of Latter-Day Saints fighting for survival amidst the chaos of the Utah War. Starring GLOW’s Betty Gilpin as Sara Rowell, a mother evading a murder accusation, the series sees her character enlisting the help of Isaac Reed, played by Taylor Kitsch, to escort her and her son Devin, portrayed by Preston Mota, to the safety of Crooks Springs.

Although not directly based on a specific true event, American Primeval powerfully portrays the struggles faced by those living in that era. It draws inspiration from historical incidents like the Mountain Meadows Massacre, where Latter-Day Saint militia and Native American allies brutally killed about 120 members of the Baker-Fancher wagon train.

The Netflix series doesn’t shy away from brutality, featuring relentless gunfights, axe battles, and high-stakes confrontations. Alongside Gilpin and Kitsch, the cast includes Dane DeHaan, Saura Lightfoot-Leon, and Derek Hinkey.

The show’s grim and turbulent backdrop is captured in its synopsis: “Up is down, pain is everywhere, and innocence and tranquility are losing the battle to hatred and fear. Peace is the shrinking minority, and very few possess grace – even fewer know compassion. There’s no safe haven in these wild lands, and only one goal matters: survival.”, reports the Express.

The series currently boasts an impressive 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes alongside an 8 out of 10 rating on IMDB. Peter Berg’s American Primeval has sparked widespread acclaim across social media platforms, with numerous viewers hailing the production as an “absolute masterpiece”.

One enthusiastic fan declared: “@netflix American Primeval is a MASTERPIECE! ! ! I NEED MORE! Do they make it to California! ? ! ? ! ? What happens to Bridger! ? ! ? Does he go get the army ? ? PLEASE I NEED MORE.”

Another viewer passionately recommended the series, writing: “One of the best TV shows I will find this year, a great introductory to the year 2025. Such an amazing show! Brutal and realistic conflict, believable acting, great story and drama. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys fantastic action, a rigorous story that grips not only your attention but your feelings as well, then give this a try. You won’t be disappointed.”

A third admirer proclaimed: “American Primeval. Bravo! ! What an absolute masterpiece! ! Best thing I’ve watched in a very long time! ! Well done! ,” whilst a fourth viewer agreed: “American Primeval gotta be one of the greatest short series I’ve ever seen on television had me gripped from start to finish.”

One fan, clearly enamoured with the series, gushed: “Just finished American Primeval, and I have to say-this series is absolutely phenomenal. From start to finish, it’s an intense, gripping, and immersive journey into the brutal and unforgiving American frontier of the 1850s. The storytelling is raw and unflinching, making you feel like you’ve been transported back in time, facing the same dangers, hardships, and moral dilemmas as the characters.”

Another viewer concurred, praising: “By far the best historical drama show I have seen in years. This is one of those rare shows which immerses you in the midst of action and makes you feel what the main protagonist feels in the moment.”

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A TikTok user shared his thoughts on the European country he wouldn’t recommend visiting, despite many others taking to social media to share their love for the spot

Europe has long been celebrated as a jewel among continents for travellers. In 2023, the continent saw an impressive surge in international tourists, with numbers reaching 707 million – a significant increase of nearly 100 million from the previous year.

France, Italy and Spain are among the most frequented destinations in Europe, thanks to their rich history, stunning architecture, diverse landscapes, delectable cuisine and wine, and generally agreeable weather. However, not all European locations are considered gems.

One TikTok user shared his least favourite spot, which many classify as part of Asia, but it has European roots, so it counts.

TikTok user olliepotts07 discussed his least preferred European location on his channel, Ollie Potts Travel Documentaries.

According to him, his least favourite country in Europe is Armenia. He stated: “I didn’t like my time there at all.

“The capital Yerevan is very, very dull. The food wasn’t great and we didn’t feel safe generally.”

Armenia is located in Transcaucasia, south of the Caucasus mountains in southwestern Asia.

The country borders Turkey to its west, Azerbaijan to the east, Georgia to its north and Iran to its south.

“What kind of sums up Armenia very well is the mountain which overlooks the city. It’s their national treasure, it’s worshipped and it’s also allegedly the place where Noah’s Ark landed from the bible,” he added.

A TikTok user shared his less-than-stellar experience in Armenia, stating: “For me that really summarises my experience in Armenia. We did have a great time driving around the countryside visiting the ruins.”

He added: “If you want to visit yourself, I really wouldn’t recommend it and it was my least favourite country on the continent.”

Yet, not all social media users echoed his sentiments about the country.

One person countered: “Did we visit the same Armenia? I loved it.”

Another chimed in: “The capital is so beautiful and the food excellent.”

Despite its rich history and a population of nearly three million, Armenia faces safety concerns due to tensions and potential conflict along its border with Azerbaijan, especially in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, leading to intermittent military skirmishes and making travel near the border quite perilous.

Moreover, Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia, occasionally witnesses protests that can escalate into violence, alongside minor crimes like pickpocketing.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Martin Makary’s nomination to be Commissioner of the Food and Drugs Administration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in March. File photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo

June 15 (UPI) — Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Sunday that he is “not an absolute no” on the Trump administration’s House-passed budget reconciliation bill, which threatens cuts to social services and would increase the national spending deficit.

“I talked to the president last evening after the parade, and we’re trying to get to a better place in our conversations,” Paul said on NBC News’ Meet the Press Sunday. “And I’ve let him know that I’m not an absolute no.”

Paul has been a leading critic of the bill in its current form, along with a handful of other Republicans skeptical of the scope of the cuts. A report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report that shows that the measure would come at the expense of lower income Americans to benefit higher earners.

“I don’t have as much trouble with the tax cuts,” Paul continued. “I think there should be more spending cuts, but if they want my vote, they’ll have to negotiate,” specifically citing his opposition to raising the debt ceiling by trillions of dollars.

In its current form, the measure would increase the national deficit by $2.4 trillion over 10 years. Lawmakers are trying to pass the bill through a reconciliation process that only requires a simple majority for passage.

Paul said last week that tensions have come to the fore between him and his GOP colleagues, and that he was “uninvited” to a White House picnic that is typically attended by lawmakers and their families.

He called the move “petty vindictiveness,” and said he felt the White House was trying to “punish” him for his opposition to the bill as it stands. President Donald Trump said on his social media platform that “of course” Paul was invited to the picnic.

Republicans can only afford to lose three votes pending a tie breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance. The measure currently awaits action in the Senate, where Republicans hold 53 seats. The body has taken a more conservative approach in the negotiations than the House.

BBC

FLYING abroad soon and worried about paying extra for overweight luggage?

Head over to Amazon, where shoppers are snapping up a handy gadget that’s been reduced from £19.99 to just £9.40.

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Freetoo Digital Luggage Scale, £9.40 (was £19.99)

The Freetoo Portable Digital Luggage Scale has been described as a ‘lifesaver’ for travellers who want to avoid those annoying baggage fees.

Now 53% cheaper, it’s currently a number-one bestseller on the Amazon website.

With summer just around the corner, many people have travel on the agenda – and airlines, of course, are super strict with luggage weight limits.

Thing are often trickier on the return flight home, when you’ve bought loads of souvenirs (or just gone a bit mad in the duty-free section).

This digital luggage scale is a cheap, easy way to make sure your bags stay within the weight limit.

It can measure up to 50kg and, according to the maker, is accurate down to 0.01kg.

It’s simple to use: just turn it on, attach the strap to your luggage, lift, and read the weight on the screen.

There’s a large LCD screen that’s easy to read, even in low light, and you can switch between weight units – pounds, grams, ounces or kilos.

The tare function lets you measure net weight easily, so you can figure out how much you’ve added or need to remove.

At just 90g, it’s (appropriately enough) very lightweight, and can easily go into your pocket or the luggage you take on to the plane.

This handy little gizmo has racked up nearly 50,000 reviews on Amazon, with shoppers loving how reliable and easy it is to use.

“Great travel device!” one review reads. “Easy to use, accurate readout. Does the job nicely.”

One happy customer shared: “[I] have used these for 16 flights recently.

“Gives you some peace of mind before arriving at the airport when you have loads of luggage.”

Another shopper called it “an absolute must-have for frequent travellers”.

For the reduced sum of £9.40, this is a real bargain for guaranteed peace of mind at the airport check-in desk.

And for shoppers not just worried about the weight but the size of their luggage, Amazon has slashed the cost of an underseat cabin backpack that’s designed with Ryanair restrictions in mind.

Freetoo Digital Luggage Scale, £9.40 (was £19.99)

And if you’re looking for more travel essentials, an Anker portable charger is now 65% cheaper – perfect for keeping your phone alive on long-haul flights.

And more good news for travellers: 9 UK airports have scrapped a hand luggage rule.