Small

The packing technique called the “brick method” allows you to pack four weeks’ worth of clothing in a small carry-on suitcase.

For those plotting a brief spring or summer escape this year, splashing out on a hefty suitcase for the aircraft hold often feels like overkill. This is where honing your packing prowess becomes essential, whether you’re taking a small carry-on, a rucksack, or a holdall into the cabin.

Packing cubes have become a hit amongst globe-trotters on social media for their ability to organise belongings and optimise space. Yet, you must deploy them correctly to reap their full benefits.

TikTok user @kelsifymecapn has demonstrated that a straightforward packing technique can prove equally efficient, enabling you to squeeze four weeks’ worth of garments into a diminutive suitcase.

Kelsey captioned the video: “How to pack one month’s worth of clothes in only a carry-on suitcase.”

In this packing hack, dubbed the “brick method”, fold the trousers to a consistent size, then roll them up until they take on the appearance of a brick, thus explaining the name, reports the Express.

When it comes to bottoms with tie strings, fold them in half to conceal the ties first before rolling them up. Then, align the bottoms in a packing cube so the straps will compress the clothes.

Kelsey recommends wearing your bulkiest layers, like denim, on travel days to preserve space. Alternatively, lay them flat over the top before zipping your packing cube shut.

For tops and shirts, follow the same method as trousers – fold everything into a uniform size. Fold button-down shirts with buttons facing you to reduce bulk.

Tuck any hoods and vest straps inwards to minimise bulk. Kelsey explains: “Your items should become similarly sized ‘bricks’, so they’ll fit uniformly in the cubes.”

For those seeking alternative packing strategies to try out this summer and who’d rather skip the packing cubes, influencer Chantel Mila offers an excellent tip.

She suggests standing your suitcase upright instead of laying it flat on the floor, and arranging your belongings vertically in columns.

This approach not only maximises space but also provides a clearer view of all your items, making the unpacking process far simpler once you reach your destination.

The U.S. military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone over southwest Texas earlier this week, U.S. officials confirmed to The War Zone. We now know that this drone was small in size and was engaged by AeroVironment’s LOCUST directed energy weapon. The friendly fire incident spurred expanded airspace restrictions over the Fort Hancock area that will last for four months. It also gives credence to the FAA’S concerns about the operational deployment of counter-drone laser weapons along the border. The same system was used to fire at suspected Mexican cartel drones flying across the southern border into Texas two weeks ago, which resulted in a large airspace closure, general confusion and major headlines.

LOCUST Laser Weapon System

Federal officials confirmed last night that some kind of incident occurred on Wednesday, although a joint statement held back from making a definitive conclusion on exactly what happened.

“This reported engagement occurred when the Department of War employed counter-unmanned aircraft system authorities to mitigate a seemingly threatening unmanned aerial system operating within military airspace,” the Defense Department, CBP, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in their statement.

“The engagement took place far away from populated areas, and there were no commercial aircraft in the vicinity,” the statement added.

The Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) covered an area located roughly 50 miles southeast of El Paso, the scene of a drone incident earlier this month, and the U.S. Army base at Fort Bliss, a facility that has counter-drone operations as part of its training remit. The TFR lasts until June 24 and prevents most pilots from flying over the area. Emergency services, like medevac flights and search and rescue operations, will be allowed to fly in the area if they contact Albuquerque Center, which will coordinate with U.S. Northern Command’s Joint Task Force-Southern Border, which is overseeing military operations in this area.

In an earlier statement, the FAA noted that an incident had led to it expanding a temporary flight restriction that was already in place around Fort Hancock. The restriction was issued for “Special Security Reasons,” the FAA added, and did not impact commercial flights in the region.

An unnamed U.S. official previously told CBS News that a laser weapon was used to down the drone in the area of Fort Hancock, a small community located on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Democrat Representatives Rick Larsen, André Carson, and Bennie Thompson, all members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, also issued a joint statement. “Our heads are exploding over the news that DoD reportedly shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone using a high-risk counter-unmanned aircraft system,” they said, criticizing an apparent lack of coordination between the agencies involved.

Earlier this month, CBP personnel reportedly used a laser directed-energy weapon to take down an object, which they assumed to be a drone operated by a Mexican drug cartel. Multiple reports said that the object turned out to be a Mylar balloon. A U.S. official told us at the time that the incident was the first time a laser weapon had been fired at drones in the continental U.S.

The system involved, identified by Reuters as an AeroVironment LOCUST laser counter-drone weapon, was lent to the CBP by the U.S. Army.

It was reported on that occasion that flight restrictions were imposed around El Paso as a result of a breakdown in coordination between the U.S. military and the FAA over the employment of a counter-drone system armed with a laser-directed energy weapon.

As we discussed at the time, the chaotic aftermath of the El Paso incident underscored the policy challenges and impediments the U.S. still faces in defending against drone incursions over the homeland. These are significant national security concerns that TWZ has been at the forefront of reporting on for years.

Under a federal statute commonly referred to as 130(i), “DoW can mitigate drone threats to protect military installations and missions inside the U.S., but it does not have general domestic airspace policing authority,” Scott Shtofman, Vice President & Counsel, Regulatory Affairs for the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), told us in the wake of the El Paso incident.

Safety concerns about using directed energy weapons, and especially kinetic ones, to take down drones in the U.S. have been a major factor in why they haven’t been previously used in this role. A little less than a year and a half ago, officials at U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which has coordinating authority for counter-drone efforts in the U.S., said the use of such weapons was not yet on the table. The reason is that they can create dangerous or otherwise serious collateral effects that are less of a concern in a war zone.

While the details of this week’s incident are still to be established, it appears almost certain that this is the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of U.S. efforts to counter small drone incursions over the country.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

The historic market town earned five stars for food quality in a Which? Travel survey and has been celebrated as the ‘food and drink capital of the Marches’

Long hailed by poet John Betjeman as “the loveliest town in England,” Ludlow has also earned global recognition as a culinary and beverage hotspot. Boasting over 500 listed buildings and a skyline crowned by a Norman castle, Ludlow blends historic fairy-tale character with contemporary allure.

Winding cobbled lanes guide visitors to delicatessens, artisan bakeries, welcoming pubs, and celebrated eateries. Frequently dubbed the ‘ food and drink capital of the Marches’, Ludlow’s hospitality sector flourishes thanks to its abundant locally-sourced offerings.

A Which? Travel poll of over 9,000 participants asked respondents to evaluate the culinary credentials of their preferred inland destinations.

Ludlow emerged victorious as the country’s top-rated food and drink location. It stood alone as the sole inland town achieving a perfect five-star rating for cuisine, reports the Express.

As Which? Travel observed, “Instead of a handful of high-end eateries, there’s a culture of local produce as well as numerous pubs and cafes, served by people who care about the food.”

This philosophy translates directly onto diners’ plates, emphasising fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and seasonally-rotating menus.

TripAdvisor presently places Old Downton Lodge at the summit of Ludlow’s restaurant rankings. Waterside favourite CSONS represents another cherished destination for laid-back, high-quality dining, alongside Kin Kitchen and Baker’s of Tower Street for casual cafe-style fare.

Pub enthusiasts face an embarrassment of riches with The Queens and The Boot Inn, both receiving strong ratings on TripAdvisor. Experts from Ludlow Distillery highlight that the town’s gastronomic reputation rests upon a robust network of food and beverage producers, encompassing everything from artisan cheese and bread makers to craft breweries and distilleries.

They explained: “The strength of this offering is best seen (and tasted) by a visit to the Local to Ludlow Market in the Castle Square (where growers and makers based within 30 miles of the town sell a range of high-quality and carefully selected produce), and the award-winning Broad Bean fine food delicatessen on Broad Street.”

Ludlow has embraced the ‘Slow Food’ philosophy, a worldwide grassroots initiative with thousands of supporters globally that connects culinary enjoyment with community engagement.

In recent years, the Ludlow branch of this movement has flourished considerably. Slow Food Ludlow Marches provides year-round activities, featuring site visits, presentations, cookery demonstrations, dining experiences and Taste Workshops during the Ludlow Food Festival each September.

The Ludlow Food Festival stands as one of the town’s premier annual occasions, consistently attracting approximately 15,000 people to Ludlow Castle across a three-day period.

Plan your trip for either the second or fourth Thursday of each month to explore the Ludlow Local Produce Market, which celebrates food and beverages crafted within a 30-mile radius.

Vendors prioritise sustainability and seasonal offerings, transforming an ordinary shopping trip into a delightful culinary experience.

Looking beyond Shropshire, Wells secured the runner-up position for inland dining according to Which? Travel.

Additional accolades went to Lavenham in Suffolk, Llangollen in Denbighshire, Stamford in Lincolnshire and Cartmel in Cumbria, with each destination providing its own distinctive gastronomic getaway.