Dragging a suitcase across various different countries and airports can lead to a dirty build-up on the wheels, but one ex-cabin crew member thinks they’ve found the solution
Holidaymakers advised to use this simple hack to keep their suitcases clean(Image: Getty Images)
There’s nothing more satisfying than opening up an empty case on your bed and starting to fill it with holiday clothes each summer.
But before you haul your wheelie case out of the loft, have you stopped to think how dirty the wheels are? This is especially important if you still own luggage that has been to various countries with you and is looking a little worse for wear.
One flight attendant believes she has found the answer to the issue, with a simple, low-cost, hack to stop you from bringing dirt from the airport and overseas back into your home. It costs under £5 and comes in a roll – that’s right, it’s black electric tape.
It’s often used to insulate electrical wires in homes, along with marking and protecting them. So there’s a chance if you are in the trade, or not, that you may have a roll of this handy stuff in a drawer.
Adding electrical tape to the wheels of your suitcase will also avoid the annoying squeaky noise (Image: Getty)
Shared by TikTok user SANA Motherhood, the 14-second video shows her putting black tape around the wheel. She captioned: “Tired of your suitcase wheels dragging airport dirt into your home? This one simple thing will change everything after your trip.”
Accumulating more than 9.6 million views and 172.4k likes, the comment section was flooded with reactions from other users who had never thought such a simple hack would be so useful, especially when we tend to put suitcases on top of the bed. However, others didn’t see the point of it.
One said: “Smart hack for luggage,” with a second one explaining: “For those who don’t know, it helps protect your bag tyres from puncture, hence saving you the cost of replacing new bag tires, including wheel alignment every now and then.”
A third one commented: “Is it not easier to give the wheels a quick disinfecting wipe than to have to put tape on and then peel the dirty tape off with your fingers?”
A former flight attendant joked: “Former flight attendant here, do not do this unless you want to collect hair from around the world.”
By applying this simple hack, travellers can rest assured that the wheels of their suitcase remain clean after every trip and ready for the next holiday. Even better, the travel journey will become stress-free without the inconvenience of hearing the squeaky noise of the worn-out wheels.
Additionally, this hack is very simple, and it doesn’t require any special tools or expertise. It’s ideal for last-minute travellers who want to protect their luggage, also adding an extra layer of protection against wheel damage, extending the usage of your suitcase for longer. You can find black electrical tape in any UK supermarket, Amazon, or specialised store selling trade tools.
TikTok sensation Katie Kennedy – aka The History Gossip – is bringing history to life in her new Sky TV show History Crush after going viral with her bawdy social media videos
Queen Elizabeth I was “fuggers”, Henry VIII “clapped” and it’s debatable whether Anne Of Cleeves was a “minger”.
Katie Kennedy, better known as The History Gossip, uses this colourful language to bring alive famous historical characters in her bawdy social media posts, which have earned millions of likes on TikTok. Most people take years to get noticed, but Katie became famous practically overnight.
One minute she was writing her 12,000-word dissertation on Women in Pompeii in her final year at Durham University, the next she’d posted a few quirky history videos on TikTok and gone viral.
Like most students, she’d happily wile away hours of study time on social media, but for Katie, it led to greater things. “I was on TikTok all the time anyway, so I posted some stuff about the Tudors and I got a couple of thousand followers Then I did a video with the caption – why were the Tudes clapped?” she says.
Seeing my blank expression, she translates: “Why were they really ugly? That did really well. It got onto this really big meme page called Great British Memes and they’ve got loads of followers. People were screenshotting it and asking, ‘Is that you?”
Earthy and funny, Katie’s history videos are the right side of sweary, with a sprinkling of Gen Z language. “Some of the slang that I’ve picked up through the years was originally just to get around TikTok guidelines,” she explains.
The young Henry might have been worth a flng, but Katie says the older king was definitely ‘clapped’(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Half a million followers later, Katie got a book deal and published The History Gossip – Was Anne Of Cleeves A Minger? And she will now be appearing on our screens on Sky TV’s History Crush, where she’ll be rummaging through the underwear drawers of historical figures like Lord Byron, Charles Dickens or Marie-Antoinette – and asking the big questions like was Henry VIII clapped? “Yes he was,” she giggles. And was Lord Byron a crush or a burn? “Definitely a crush.”
The speed at which Katie got a book deal will have many seasoned writers gnashing at the bit. “I had a message from my now agent in February last year when things were going off,” she says. “And she was like, ‘Have you ever thought about writing a book?’ And I thought, ‘Yeah maybe in the future.’ But as soon as I handed in my dissertation, I started writing it and finished it during Freshers Week at Oxford – when I was hungover!
“We got it out for November for Christmas, because it was more of a gifty book. It’s still really weird seeing it in the book shops.”
When we meet outside on a sunny afternoon in pretty Vaults and Gardens Cafe by Radcliffe Camera in Oxford, where 25-year-old Katie’s now studying for her masters, I have to ask, “Was Anne of Cleeves a minger?”
A diet of sugar left the Virgin Queen with ‘fuggers’ teeth and awful breath, says Katie Kennedy(Image: UIG via Getty Images)
“Well I don’t think so,” she replies. “Henry VIII gave her a castle and they had a brother and sister type of relationship. Of all his wives, she came out of it quite well. She wasn’t really minging, like her portraits said, but she was ‘mid’.”
What about Elizabeth 1? “Her teeth were fuggers because she ate so much sugar,” says Katie. “And it’s so funny that even when she looks a bit minging in her portrait, that’s probably her best photoshopped version.”
Katie has just returned from a holiday abroad, but her skin remains the colour of porcelain. “I don’t like to sit in the sun because I get scared of getting sunburned,” she says in her sing-song Geordie accent.
“I’ve lived in Durham my whole life. I grew up there, went to a local comprehensive school, did sixth form. And then a journalism apprenticeship with BBC,” she says.
This explains why Katie’s so good at finding a hook in a story – and she has a journalism certificate to prove it. “In my posts, I have to get a three second intro to get people interested – that takes a lot of research,” she explains. “I don’t really script them though, I just press record!”
The History Gossip says Anne of Cleeves was nowhere near as ‘minging’ in real life as her portrait(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The secret of Katie’s success is clearly an authentic voice on the platform, which is backed up by years of hard academic study.
“I did journalism for two years, but I felt like I’d missed out on university, so I applied to Durham to do Ancient History and Archeology – and got in!” she says.
While she seems surprised by her ‘luck,’ it strikes me that both Durham and Oxford are lucky to have someone with such a knack for bringing history to life.
Although she has a bit of imposter syndrome, the university social life has made up for it. “I loved being at Durham – all the traditions and stuff and that’s partly why I wanted to come to Oxford,” she admits. “It’s fun and you don’t get that in every university.”
A quick peek at her socials and you can see Katie has settled in well since arriving last September. She laughs: “Yeah the balls are so nice. I love wearing the gowns. I went to a Balioll College ball last week. I can’t lie – the balls here are better than Durham!”
Katie’s first taste of history came when her parents dragged her around National Trust properties every Sunday. “I remember when I was seven being like, I don’t want to go to Wellington and Cragside, I just want to sit on my little Nintendo,’” she admits.
In her new show, Katie reckons poet Byron was definitely a ‘crush’ rather than a ‘burn’(Image: Getty Images)
But the experience left an impression, because she fell in love with immersive history – even becoming part of a Beamish Living Museum of the North exhibit.
“It’s just down the road from where I liv,e so I did work experience there twice,” she recalls. “Once dressed up as a Victorian school child and then as a Second World War evacuée and I had my little cardboard gas mask box.
“Did you know during rationing, instead of ice lollies little kids would have frozen carrots?”
Inspired by TV historians such as Lucy Worsley and Ruth Goodman, Katie admits that Horrible Histories – which has probably done more to make history popular than all the dusty old academic institutions put together – inspired her.
“Horrible Histories doesn’t make you feel like you’re learning. The author of the books, Terry Deary, is from Sunderland, which is not far from where I’m from,” she adds proudly.
“I used to love Ruth when she would do Victorian Farm on TV and she would be like, ‘I’m going to make bread from scratch.’ She doesn’t make you feel you’re being lectured to – she’s living history and talking about normal people, who I think get overlooked sometimes.
“It definitely sparked the way I like to present history in a fun, doesn’t-feel-like-you’re-learning type of way.”
‘Misunderstood’ Marie Antoinette loved her gowns and employed a full-time hot chocolate maker(Image: ullstein bild via Getty Images)
I do wonder what Katie’s more traditional tutors think of her style of bringing history to the masses. “When I first started on TikTok, I blocked everyone at Durham and friends and family, because I was embarrassed about posting a video that might get three views,” she reveals. “It was only later when I did a series on the Victorians, that I stopped caring what people thought.
“My supervisor at Oxford’s really supportive. I told him it’s like Horrible History but for adults, and he thinks it’s great that I’m making history more accessible.”
Social media burn out is real for influencers. I ask how she’s managing her time with so much on her plate. “My masters is on British and European 18th-century history, and I’m doing my dissertation on the fan-making industry and how women used fans. But I’ve gone part-time now, so I’ve got another year to get my arse in gear and sort it”: she says.
“I used to post every single day on TikTok, but I’ve learned to take a step back from it and know that if I don’t post today, it’s not like the end of everything.”
And history clearly attracts a decent social media crowd. “I just get Americans not being able to understand my accent, or they’re like ‘what’s a minger?’” she laughs.
In Durham she lives with her mum, dad and brother, who’s just started studying politics at university. “He was debating history or politics, but he likes arguments, so it’s politics,” she says.
Katie and her new book The History Gossip – Was Anne of Cleeves A Minger?(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)
While she’s keen to ask if historical figures are worth dating, she sidesteps when asked if she’s single. “Depends on who’s asking?” she smiles.
But she gushes when talking about one of her great loves back in Durham. “We’ve just got a King Charles Spaniel puppy called Millie – I love to sit and cuddle her in the garden,” she says. “I miss her so much when I’m not there.”
Devoting a lot of time to studying women in history Katie continues: “I especially like the Brontes and also Mary Antoinette, because I feel like she was very misunderstood.”
The arts have been losing out in the push for more maths and engineering, but Katie is making history cool again and reminds us the importance of knowing about our past.
“History keeps repeating itself,” she says. “People aren’t so different to us today. The Tudors put belladonna in their eyes to make them sparkle. Victorian women would eat arsenic wafers to give their skin a pale complexion and wore dresses dyed with a green pigment made from arsenic. Women died wearing them.”
So, forget Brazilian butt lifts, or excessive tanning – when it comes to dying for beauty, the Tudors and Victorians got there first.
• HISTORY CRUSH, presented by Katie Kennedy (aka History Gossip), will be available on Sky HISTORY on demand via Sky and Virgin Media from May 29. More at www.history.co.uk/shows/history-crush #HISTORYCRUSH @HISTORYUK
On long-haul flights, there is a tiny, and normally completely secret room that passengers are banned from entering, but one flight attendant has pulled back the curtain – literally
06:00, 24 May 2025Updated 10:22, 24 May 2025
On long haul aircraft the cabin crew have a rest area, but where is this secret space?(Image: Getty Images)
The next time you’re about to take a snooze on a long-haul flight, you are going to want to remember this secret area exists on the plane – as passengers are totally banned from entering it.
It isn’t just the passengers who need to get some rest while they fly across the world – the cabin crew also need to make sure they get some sleep as they work their seriously long shifts making sure all their customers are well watered, fed, and safely enjoying their trip.
But to the uninitiated, you might wonder where on earth the flight attendants manage to get any rest – as they are seemingly always working hard.
One air hostess revealed on her TikTok account that there is actually an entire secret area tucked away on long-haul flights for exactly this purpose, lifting the lid on the aviation industry’s best-kept secret.
In a viral TikTok video that has racked up over 1.3 million views, flight attendant Kaytee ( @gh.inthesky ) gives passengers a rare glimpse into the secret areas of the plane where cabin crew can catch some much-needed shut-eye. The clip shows Kaytee climbing into a compact, dimly lit space above the main cabin, entirely out of sight from passengers.
“This is where we sleep on long-haul flights,” she explains, showing off her allocated bunk. The bed is fully equipped with a thin mattress, bedding, and, of course, a safety belt to keep the crew secure in case of turbulence. Despite its confined dimensions, Kaytee describes the pod as surprisingly comfortable. “The turbulence actually rocks you to sleep, it’s like being in a cradle,” she says.
These hidden crew rest compartments are often compared to ‘coffin-like’ spaces due to their incredibly snug design but are a vital feature on long-haul aircraft.
They are typically located either above the main cabin, near the cockpit, or in compartments underneath the passenger seating area. Each bunk is also fitted with a privacy curtain, a pillow, and dim lighting to ensure the crew can get some well-deserved sleep during extended journeys.
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Reactions to Kaytee’s tour have been mixed, with some TikTok users fascinated by the behind-the-scenes look at airline operations. Others feel uneasy at the sight of such a compact space.
One commenter wrote: “What in the coffin is this?” while another jokingly added, “I’d need an escape plan before even getting in there!” Despite their claustrophobic appearance, these rest areas are essential for flight attendants who are working long shifts, which can often span 10 hours or more.
All airlines are required to provide designated sleeping quarters for crew members on long-haul flights to ensure they remain alert and refreshed throughout the journey.
Flight attendants are primarily responsible for passenger safety and comfort, so good sleep is vital!(Image: Getty Images)
For many passengers, the idea of crew members vanishing mid-flight has always been an unsolved mystery. But now, thanks to social media, we have an exclusive look into the secret world behind the curtain (literally and figuratively)!
Europe is a popular tourist destination for many people around the globe, but one common travel destination is sinking, and people fear it will ‘end up like Atlantis’
A popular European city is sinking and some people have compared it to ‘Atlantis’ (stock photo)(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
One favourite European hotspot is going underwater, and travel fans fear it could vanish just ‘Atlantis.’ The iconic city Venice is built on over 100 small islands and intersected by 177 canals, and it is sinking.
Located in northeastern Italy and serving as the capital of the Veneto region, Venice is best explored on foot or by boat due to its car-free policy. This unique characteristic draws flocks of tourists to the Italian gem. However, BBC Future warns that due to subsidence and rising sea levels, Venice is at “real risk of being consumed by the sea”. The outlet even suggests that in the worst-case scenario, the city could “disappear beneath the waves by as early as 2100”.
This alarming situation has led to comparisons with Atlantis, the legendary lost island described by ancient Greek philosopher Plato.
Jennifer Napolski shed more light on the issue in a TikTok video. A voiceover in the clip states: “Venice is an ancient city that once had the most powerful people, materials and power in Europe.”
It goes on to mention Piazza San Marco, the main public square in Venice, and St Mark’s Basilica, some of the city’s most famous attractions.
The voiceover concludes: “However, today, due to climate change, the foundations of Venice are sinking. The sea level is rising and Venice’s life is coming to an end.
“Perhaps in 50 years this miracle on the sea will sink to the bottom of the sea. By then the charming streets, romantic century-old buildings and dreamy islands in the water will disappear onto the sea.
“If you have the opportunity, you must take your family to visit this disappearing city.” Venice grapples with flooding during certain seasons due to “acqua alta”, which translates to “high water.”
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This flooding is caused by a mix of high tides, wind conditions like the Adriatic’s sirocco winds, and low atmospheric pressure causing waters from the Venetian Lagoon to inundate the city.
Flooding is most likely between October and December but can happen at other times depending on the weather. Rising sea levels due to climate change are making the flooding worse, but there is a ray of hope for Venice.
The city awaits the completion of the Mose (Experimental Electromechanical Module) project to save itself from sinking.
The initiative includes putting in place 78 moveable gates to act as sea barriers which will hopefully help prevent severe floods.
Jennifer’s TikTok footage showing Venice under water has sparked almost 3,000 comments as travel fans express their worries over the fate of the enchanting city. One user ominously predicted: “One day they will talk about Venice like we talk about Atlantis.”
Another mused: “What if Atlantis was a prophecy instead of historical fiction?” A third voiced: “Venice underwater. About to be the new Atlantis.”
Someone who has visited Venice shared: “I was there 10 years ago and it was NOT this flooded.” Another user expressed their concern: “This is kind of terrifying for the people who have lived there for generations.”
Someone else commented: “It’s so sad that it could disappear I love Venice. I’ve been there so many times.”
A PUB dubbed the “cheapest” in Britain has suddenly shut up shop after 500 years.
Locals have been left shocked after the owners revealed a bizarre reason with a notice on the door.
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The Abbey, Derby, posted the handwritten note on the door saying they were unhappy about photos of it being shared online.Credit: Google maps
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The brewery operates 200 pubs across the UK and is known for it’s strict rules from owner Humphrey SmithCredit: Google maps
The Abbey, Derby, posted the handwritten note on the door saying they were unhappy about photos of it being shared online.
The 22-word notice reads: “Closed!!
“Due to someone posting pictures of the Abbey on social media.
Sam Smith has taken the alcohol and closed these premises.”
Samuel Smith’s Brewery owns the pub and it has been suggested the current landlords had broken policies and were dismissed as a result.
The brewery operates 200 pubs across the UK and is known for it’s strict rules from owner Humphrey Smith.
Such rules include a no-swearing policy, no televisions or jukeboxes and a ban on the use of mobile phones or laptops in its public houses.
Just days prior to the closure, a Facebook account with more than 125,000 followers posted 18 pictures of the pub, inside and out.
The Great British Pub Crawl account, a page run by Dale Harvey and his wife, Holly, follows the couple as they attempt to visit every boozer in the UK.
They posted the photos on Saturday, May 17 alongside the caption: “Not every day you are asked to grab photos or a video in a Sam Smith’s pub.”
It’s not clear whether the post was the reason behind the closure.
The pub is one of the last surviving buildings from an extensive monastery, dating back to the 15th century.
The sudden closure has left locals stunned, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment and confusion.
While the brewery has offered no official explanation, insiders suggest the landlords were dismissed for allowing, or failing to prevent, photos of the pub being shared online, a clear breach of company policy.
The closure marks yet another abrupt ending for a Samuel Smith’s venue, following similar shutdowns in Bradford and London, and raises fresh questions about the brewery’s management style and the long-term viability of its rule-heavy model in the digital age.
The Abbey is far from the only British boozer pulling its last pint.
A string of beloved pubs are closing their doors, with punters and landlords alike left heartbroken as pressures in the hospitality industry hit boiling point.
Once a bustling local favourite, the venue was brought back to life in 2014 following a major revamp by landlords Nick Stephens and his partner Hanna-Sinclair Stephens.
Despite surviving the Covid crunch thanks to a heroic crowdfunding campaign that raised over £30,000 in a single day, the couple say the pub has now become “unsustainable”.
“It was hugely popular, but we just couldn’t keep going,” Nick said.
“The capacity was only 90 — the numbers just didn’t add up anymore.”
Dubbed a “labour of love” by its owners, The Emerald quickly became a community favourite for curry lovers and cricket fans alike.
But behind the scenes, soaring costs and the departure of a key business partner created what they described as “emotional, financial and operational strain”.
In a heartfelt post, they thanked loyal customers:
“The Emerald was always more than just a pub—it was a cultural space… Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”
Social media lit up with tributes from heartbroken regulars. One wrote: “It was more like home to us.
Watching India win the World Cup there was unforgettable.”
And even award-winners haven’t been spared, a Midlands pub, hailed as the region’s best and a finalist for Desi Grill of the Year 2024, has also gone under, despite its short-lived success.
The wave of closures paints a grim picture for the UK pub scene, already battered by the pandemic and now facing soaring prices for rent, business rates and barrels.
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The pub is one of the last surviving buildings from an extensive monastery, dating back to the 15th centuryCredit: Google maps
Mexico’s femicide crisis is back in the headlines after beauty influencer Valeria Marquez was murdered on a live stream.
The world was shocked when a gunman shot and killed Mexican influencer Valeria Marquez while she livestreamed herself at a beauty salon. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government says it will investigate the murder as a possible case of femicide. Will it mark a turning point for a nation that has long struggled with staggering levels of gender-based violence?
The travel fan explained how she planned to save on her flight fees by not paying for extra luggage
The money-saving tip could help passengers (stock photo)(Image: Getty)
A travel lover who told passengers not to pay for luggage on flights has shared the £10 hack she recommends to cut costs. Posting on Instagram, Ashleigh Money Saver explained how an under-seat bag from Home Bargains could help Ryanair passengers save on fees.
She recommended the retailer’s £9.99 Salisburys Under Seat Bag, which is available in pink or black. According to the product description, the bag measures approximately 40x20x25cm. As such, passengers could use it as their free small bag when flying with Ryanair, preventing the need to purchase cabin or checked baggage.
The creator used her Home Bargains bag to pack for a four-night city break. Her caption said: “Don’t pay extra for luggage! I got this under-seat cabin bag from @homebargains for just £9.99 and managed to fit SO much in for my 4-night city break! Perfect size for Ryanair flights where every penny counts!”
In the video, she explained how she fit all her essentials in the small bag and demonstrated her packing method. She recommended using packing bags to help compress clothes, and she opted for items she could style multiple ways.
“I pack a capsule collection, so I know I can mix and match everything,” she explained. The savvy shopper added two pairs of shoes, two pairs of shorts, three tops, one shirt, a dress, and a playsuit to her bag.
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She also packed underwear, toiletries, makeup, sunglasses, a small bag, a phone charger and an adaptor. As seen in the video, the creator used a Primark makeup bag and mini travel toiletries to save space.
Instead of a bottle of shampoo and conditioner, she used small packets. She also decanted her aftersun and foundation into smaller bottles.
By the time she finished packing, there was still room for more. “There’s still plenty of room for more items, should you wanna add anything else or buy anything as a token,” the shopper added. She also praised the bag’s design, adding: “I love the colour and it also comes with a handy strap inside.”
Salisburys Under Seat Bag from Home Bargains(Image: Home Bargains )
Explaining the bags’ features, Home Bargains’ product description reads: “Salisbury Under Seat Bags solve modern travel issues of the check-in case. A fantastic size bag that is versatile for the needs of your modern travel. Large open zipped storage compartment with small zip side pouch.”
However, it’s not the only choice for shoppers looking for space-saving luggage. Although dimensions vary, and it’s always best to check with your airline before travel, Home Bargains offers a range of travel-ready luggage items.
She added that she’d tried to wash up the bottle “six times” before coming to the conclusion that it would be “stained forever” after she’d used it for turmeric.
As one last ditch attempt, she decided to try Fairy’s new Skip the Soak spray, which she’d picked up for just £1 thanks to a Tesco Clubcard voucher.
“In all honesty, I just forgot that I had it,” she said.
“Then thought I’d just give it a try seeing as nothing else was working.”
She then showed the spray in action, before rinsing the foam off to reveal a completely clear and clean bottle.
“If you’ve ever had anything come out the dishwasher and it comes out a bit orangey… I’ve never been able to get those kind of stains out before,” Hannah continued.
I tried Zoflora’s new carpet cleaner – it works in just 30 seconds and leaves your home smelling super fresh (1)
She also said that, as the name suggests, the spray can be used in place of leaving something to soak to get it clean.
“It says you can use it on surfaces as well,” Hannah said.
“Someone even said you can use it on clothes if you’ve got a stain in clothes.
“I think it’s quite new.
“Wanted to share because I feel like this is such a huge hack!
“I can’t believe it.”
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
“What is this witchcraft?” Hannah wrote over the top of her video, adding in the caption: “I can’t believe I’ve had this just sitting in my cupboard for weeks!”
And the comments section was almost immediately filled with other chuffed users raving about the budget buy.
“It got bacon grease off my daughters dancing leotard, it’s SO good,” one wrote.
“No, that is incredible!! Saw the ad for it but didn’t think it’d be that good!!” another added.
“It makes cleaning the air fryer so much easier too,” a third commented.
“Can’t wait to try this on the tupperwares that never look clean,” someone else wrote.
As another joked: “You know you’re old when you send this to your mum asking for one on your birthday!”
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She watched as the spray got to work in secondsCredit: tiktok/@hannahmotherhood
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Taking the stain from the surface of the blender on to the foamCredit: tiktok/@hannahmotherhood
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And when she rinsed it off, it was completely clean and clear once againCredit: tiktok/@hannahmotherhood
Mourners gathered to celebrate the life of 23-year-old beauty influencer Valeria Marquez, who was shot dead during a TikTok livestream at her salon in Jalisco, Mexico. Her killing is being investigated as a possible femicide.
A 23-year-old Mexican influencer, Valeria Marquez, was fatally shot while livestreaming on Tuesday.
Marquez, who had more than 113,000 followers on the platform, was broadcasting to her audience when the attack occurred.
According to a statement from the Jalisco state prosecutor’s office, the case is being investigated under femicide protocols, applied in instances where a woman is killed due to her gender.
What is femicide?
Femicide refers to gender-related killings against women and girls. According to the latest report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women, femicide is rising around the globe.
In 2023, a woman was intentionally killed every 10 minutes by a partner or family member.
Of the 85,000 women and girls killed across the world in 2023, 60 percent (51,000) were murdered by an intimate partner or a family member.
How common is femicide in Latin America and the Caribbean?
Honduras has the highest femicide rate with 7.2 women killed per 100,000 in 2023, followed by the Dominican Republic (2.4 per 100,000) and Brazil (1.4 per 100,000).
Mexico has the fourth-highest femicide rate in Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia – all with 1.3 killings per 100,000 women in 2023.
In terms of absolute killings, Brazil saw the highest number of femicide cases with 1,463 women murdered. It was followed by Mexico, where 852 women were killed as a result of femicide in 2023. Honduras had the third-highest number, with 380 femicide cases.
Femicide is on the rise in Mexico
The rate of femicide is rising on the whole in the country, despite some fluctuations over the years.
It has become a major concern in Mexico with recorded cases rising significantly over the past decade. In 2015, femicides represented 19.8 percent of female homicides. This proportion had increased to 24.2 percent by 2024.
According to the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNCLAC), in 2015, the rate of femicide in Mexico was 0.7 women per 100,000. In 2023, that number now stands at 1.3 per 100,000 women – though that’s down marginally from a peak of 1.6 per 100,000 in 2021. Gender-based violence against women grew globally during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Mexico was no exception.
While statistics from UNCLAC show the rate of femicide in Mexico has declined over the past three years, it remains a pronounced and often silent issue due to underreporting, say experts.
In Mexico, some 85 percent of women aged 15 and over who have experienced physical or sexual violence did not file a complaint, according to Mexico’s National Survey on the Dynamics of Household Relationships.
Where in Mexico has the worst rates of femicide?
The killing of Marquez took place just days before another woman, a mayoral candidate in the state of Veracruz, was also shot dead during a livestream alongside three other people.
According to Mexico’s National Public Security System (SNSP), the national rate of femicide was 1.18 per 100,000 in 2024.
The state of Morelos, in south-central Mexico, had the highest rate of femicide with 4.7 women per 100,000 murdered, followed by Chihuahua (2.35 per 100,000) and Tabasco (2.22 per 100,000).
In Jalisco state where Marquez was killed, the femicide rate was 0.63 per 100,000 in 2024.
Jalisco is ranked sixth out of Mexico’s 32 states, including Mexico City, for homicides, with 906 recorded there since the beginning of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s term in October 2024, according to the data consultancy TResearch.
IT’S an invasive, extremely high-risk procedure that could leave patients with a lung puncture, nerve damage and chronic pain.
But despite the eye-watering risks, more women than ever are opting for ‘Barbie rib’ surgery – that’s having one or more ribs taken out – to achieve a tiny waist.
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Essex mum Kerry Miles said she planned to pay £15k for her rib removal surgeryCredit: Caters News Agency
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Kerry’s waist shrank to a shockingly small 21 inchesCredit: Caters News Agency
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Influencer Emily James shared a stomach-churning pic of the ribs she had removedCredit: Caters
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Kim Kardashian sparked rib removal rumours after the 2024 Met Gala – something she has deniedCredit: GETTY
In the 1950s, stars of the silver screen such as Marilyn Monroe wowed with their tiny hourglass figures.
But in 2025, women are going one step further by opting for the latest surgery trend.
While getting ready for the event, she told Vogue: “I’ll feel so snatched I won’t even be able to communicate to you how snatched I feel.”
She fiercely denied rumours of rib removal, later saying: “I don’t even know if that’s possible.”
Well, the shocking surgery IS possible, with many women now going under the knife to achieve the same look as their favourite red carpet celebs.
The surgery, performed under general anaesthesia, involves the surgeon detaching the rib bone and removing it or partially removing to give the appearance of a slimmer waistline.
The ribs can also be repositioned, and a rib brace is then worn to compress the midsection.
It’s an incredibly dangerous procedure that could cause the lungs to collapse or damage other internal organs, with few experienced surgeons willing to carry out the op.
Hazim Sadideen, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic, told The Sun: “There’s been a lot of noise around the ‘Barbie rib’ procedure, and I think it’s important to separate fact from fiction.
“First off, rib modification and rib removal are very different things.
“True rib removal, where one or more of the floating ribs are completely taken out, is an invasive and high-risk procedure. I would never recommend it purely for cosmetic reasons.
“The risks include lung puncture, nerve damage and chronic pain. There are long-term asymmetry risks too.”
I had my ribs removed to get a Barbie waist
Other celebs have also been rumoured to have had the surgery, including Cher and singer Prince, while other A-listers have donned corsets and tight dresses on the red carpet to achieve a cinched look – a body ideal that has seeped onto social media.
Belgian performer Jada Sparks spent over £14,000 having ribs removed. The former nurse said: “I’ve done it for the cosmetic reason, but also the thrill of it to be honest.
“I went down about 2.5 inches from the start until now.
“I think I have reached my ultimate result now. In the beginning, it felt weird, but your body is an odd thing, it can adapt really quick.
“So, I like the feeling right now of having something ‘missing’.”
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Kim K stunned fans with her corseted, minuscule waistCredit: GETTY
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Emily James spent £13k having six ribs removed in a bid to achieve a Barbie-like waistCredit: Caters
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Emily’s ribs were removed from her back, and she’s left with two small scarsCredit: INSTAGRAM
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Emily shows off the results of her surgery on InstagramCredit: Instagram
Emily James, an influencer from Kansas City, Missouri, spent £13,000 having six of her ribs removed last year – and claims it is no different to a Brazilian Butt Lift.
Emily told The Sun she’d researched her procedure thoroughly and defended her decision.
She says: “I absolutely think that it’s important to make informed, well-thought-out decisions before you get plastic surgery.
“People should not just be going into random like garages, getting oil pumped into their bodies for like a BBL or getting veneered by some girl that you found on Instagram.
“It’s important to make well-informed decisions, and if you’re going into it with the mindset knowing the risks and the benefits, then you absolutely should do what you want to do.
“But just keep in mind that it is plastic surgery, and there are dangers involved, and there are risks and complications that can arise from getting these kinds of surgeries.”
‘Barbie waist’
The iconic Barbie doll has impossible proportions – which in real life would be 39″ bust, 18″ waist and 33″ hips.
Her terrifyingly tiny waist measurement would in reality be smaller than that of the average three-year-old.
A Google search of “Barbie rib procedure” yields over 135,000 results.
But while Mr Sadideen believes filtered images don’t reveal the truth about invasive procedures, Emily, who had post-surgery complications with a catheter, was able to get the surgery without any psychological evaluation or counselling.
“There was nothing like that,” she says. “But it was a really hard process to find someone that I felt comfortable going to.
“There were lots that were certified to do the surgery, but I didn’t feel they were qualified. I wanted someone who really understood me.”
Emily flew almost 800 miles for the surgery in Cleveland, Ohio.
But with the trend taking off on social media and celebrities in the US, Germany and UK reportedly having it done, increasing numbers of women are attending clinics asking for their ribs to be removed.
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Megan Fox dons a corset dress that enhances her slim figure – she has admitted to having some plastic surgery but not a rib opCredit: Getty
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Cardi B attending the 2025 Met Gala, showcasing her slender waist – the star has always denied plastic surgery rumoursCredit: Getty
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Towie star Abi Clarke is rumoured to have had rib surgeryCredit: Eroteme
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Cher has always denied having her ribs removedCredit: GETTY
While Towie’s Abigail Clarke is also rumoured to have had the procedure, Emily says the invasive and risky surgery, which she’s still recovering from, was more painful than she imagined.
“I got there about 6.30 in the morning and honestly, I was really scared,” she says. “I knew my rib removal was going to be painful because I’d done a lot of research.
“I had my boobs done at the same time, but coming out of surgery, I was super swollen, and I couldn’t sit up or lay down by myself.
“I had to have someone help me stand up, lay down, pretty much do everything.
“It was a really intense surgery, and I had a lot of numbness and pain for a long time.”
‘Emotional toll’
While Emily has documented her journey online, Mr Sadideen says social media could be to blame for the increase in requests for these types of invasive procedures.
“What really worries me is how social media glamorises extreme body transformations without showing the full story – the recovery, the risks, or the emotional toll,” he says.
“The rise of these trends is often driven by filtered images and unattainable ideals, which can feed into body dysmorphia and lead people to believe something drastic is the only solution.”
While Emily had no psychological evaluation at all prior to the procedure which altered her skeleton, he believes the mental capacity of a patient should factor into every surgical evaluation.
Just because something is technically possible doesn’t mean it’s the right choice
Mr Hazim Sadideen
“Any patient considering a procedure like this should undergo a thorough psychological assessment to ensure they’re making this choice for the right reasons, not due to pressure or distorted self-image,” he says.
“As surgeons, we have a duty to protect our patients.
“Just because something is technically possible doesn’t mean it’s the right choice.”
Despite having the support of her loved ones, Emily is aware that she entered into the procedure without any long-term idea of how her rib removal might affect her body in the future.
“I knew going into surgery, the ribs I was having removed do serve some protection of my kidneys and my liver,” she says.
“I don’t think that I regret any of my surgeries, but who knows when I’m 60 if I’ll have complications from my rib removal.
“I’ve noticed already there has been one weird complication that whenever I get sick or cough, my muscles separate. So yeah, there might be complications later down the road.”
Mr Sadideen says there is a less invasive option that can be considered without needing to go to the dangerous extremes Emily has.
“There is a more conservative alternative sometimes referred to as rib reshaping or rib modification,” he says.
“In very carefully selected cases, surgeons may use a controlled mini-fracture technique to slightly bend a rib inward.
“It’s a method already used in nose reshaping – known as rhinoplasty – and orthopaedic surgery.
“But it must be done with the utmost precision, using detailed scans, ultrasound guidance during surgery, and specific tools to reduce risk and avoid complications.
“Even so, the data is still emerging, and we don’t yet have a full picture of long-term safety or outcomes.”
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While Emily – who plans to make a crown out of the ribs she’s had removed – has received a barrage of online hate for her surgery choices, she says it doesn’t bother her.
“I’ve had a lot of people say that I worship the devil, or that I’m like, controlled by Satan because I am making a crown out of my rib bones, which is really silly,” she says.
While there are plenty of celebrities who are rumoured to have had the procedure done – from Cher to Prince to Kim Kardashian and Demi Moore, Mr Sadideen says society’s obsession with filters could be resulting in the dangerous trend growing in popularity.
“Extreme procedures like rib removal should be a last resort, not a trend,” he says.
“And we should all be asking: are we doing this to feel better, or just to look better on a screen?”
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Barbie’s proportions in real life would be 39″ bust, 18″ waist and 33″ hipsCredit: Collects
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Hazim Sadideen, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic says the surgery is dangerousCredit: drhazlondon.com
WHETHER you want to get your body summer ready or just want to incorporate some more exercise to your routine, pilates makes for a great workout.
And reformer pilates has become a viral hit online in recent years with over 2.8 million posts being made about it on TikTok.
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Aldi is selling a reformer pilates machine and it’s much cheaper than other brandsCredit: Supplied
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There are plenty of accessories up for grabs to for just £5.99Credit: Supplied
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The budget retailer is also selling a step deck for cardio loversCredit: Supplied
While it is proven to be an effective workout, it can be costly.
Prices for just one class start at £37 – not something we can afford to do multiple times a week.
Fortunately, Aldi has come to the rescue by selling a reformer pilates machine you can use at home.
And the best part is that it’s a fraction of the price of other brands selling one.
The easy-to-assemble machine costs just £149.99 while the Original Fold Reformer costs £1,899.99.
That’s a huge saving of £1,750 if you buy it from the German retailer.
The machine featuring adaptable resistance levels with five resistance bands and adjustable height settings.
It has a smooth gliding functionality, and has transport wheels for easy movement, and foldable storage capabilities.
Aldi bosses say: “Whether looking to strengthen cores, improve flexibility, or tone muscles, the machine is designed to help anyone achieve their fitness goals.
“Complete with an introductory exercise chart, it’s a must-have addition to any home gym.”
The 9 best exercises to get a reformer Pilates body without the expense
If that wasn’t enough for your fitness journey, Aldi is also selling lots of gym accessories to go with it.
Also up for grabs is a pilates pad, a three piece pilates ball set, a pilates ring, and rotation ring,
Each of the products are just £5.99 each, and will help with strength, balance, conditioning and coordination.
For additional strength training, Aldi’s adjustable step deck (£12.99) allows fitness gurus to add in cardio with ease, and even includes resistance handles and a balance board for a full-body workout.
The 5 best exercises to lose weight
By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist
EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you?
As a PT and fitness journalist, I’ve tried everything.
I’ve taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates.
Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas!
The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit.
