TikTok

Virgin has announced a six-month contract for a ‘Head of Yes’ to try out some of the company’s best luxury travel and experiences

You could earn £50,000 to travel first class, rest your head in boutique hotels or cruise the seas aboard a luxury liner.

Virgin has launched a six-month contract for a ‘Head of Yes’ to test some of the company’s finest luxury travel and experiences available.

The role offers £50,000 and all the successful candidate will need to do is document their journeys on social media. It follows research of 2,000 adults which discovered that attending live music events, enjoying spa days and booking last-minute getaways are amongst the experiences Brits wish to embrace more often this year, by saying yes.

The survey showed nine per cent are hesitant to say yes to various activities blaming anxiety about change, a fear of the unknown or financial concerns as main reasons not to.

One in five also say no to opportunities due to being trapped in routine – with millennials being the worst offenders. Nevertheless, eight in ten are planning to make a conscious effort to become more daring and venture beyond their comfort zones next year.

They’re hoping to attempt activities such as skydiving, riding roller coasters, or sampling different cuisines.

Andrea Burchett, chief loyalty officer at Virgin, which commissioned the survey, said: “It’s positive to see people wanting to say ‘yes’ more – now they just need to do it.

“Actions speak louder than words, so if you’re thinking about doing something that might jolt you out of a comfort zone, there’s no better time for it.”

Brits reckon that by embracing more opportunities – whether that’s weekend getaways or simply accepting help from others – will bring them greater happiness and boost their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Meanwhile, others anticipate it would leave them feeling more satisfied with their lives, with seven in ten adding that some of their finest memories came from embracing new experiences.

Andrea added: “The Head of Yes role exists to remind the world what happens when you stop overthinking and start living.”

“Life doesn’t get bigger by playing it safe,” Andrea adds. “This [job] is for the person who says yes to karaoke, to skydives, to showing up even when it’s easier not to.

“Saying yes is the fastest route out of routine. If your idea of a good day is saying yes to something that makes your friends text, ‘Wait, what?!’, then you’re exactly the kind of mischief we want to fund.”

Applications to become the ‘Head of Yes’ are open from 29 September until 10 November.

Hopefuls simply need to share a TikTok video detailing a moment when they embraced an unforgettable adventure, using the hashtag #headofyes to enter.

RICHARD BRANSON’S TOP TIPS FOR SAYING YES

Say yes first

Work out the details later. Most of life’s great adventures start with a leap into the unknown. Don’t overthink it – opportunities rarely come fully formed.

Turn fear into fuel

The things that scare you often turn out to be the most rewarding. If it makes your stomach flip, it’s probably worth doing.

Embrace spontaneity

Some of my best experiences came from last-minute decisions. Say yes to that trip, concert or crazy idea. You’ll rarely regret it.

Make “why not?” your default

Instead of talking yourself out of things, ask yourself why not. More often than not, the reasons not to do something are smaller than you think.

Seek out adventure in the everyday

Saying yes doesn’t always mean skydiving. It can mean trying a new food, taking a different route or speaking to someone new.

Surround yourself with “yes” people

Spend time with people who lift you up and encourage you to try new things – you’ll find yourself saying yes more naturally.

Value experiences over perfection

Don’t wait for the “perfect time.” If you’re always waiting, you’ll miss the moment. Jump in and learn along the way.

Challenge routine

If you’re stuck doing the same things day in, day out, deliberately say yes to something that disrupts your usual pattern. That’s where growth happens.

Let curiosity lead you

Curiosity is the best compass. If something excites you or sparks a question, say yes to exploring it further.

Remember – life is short

No one looks back wishing they’d said no more often. Say yes, collect memories and live boldly

Travel blogger Chelsea Rodd was left stranded at London Gatwick Airport after being denied a flight to Italy owing to a passport issue she believes may not be common knowledge

A woman has issued a warning to all British passport holders after her holiday plans ended in tears at the airport. Travel blogger Chelsea Rodd fell victim of a rule she was unaware of, resulting in her having to cancel her plans despite the fact her passport is yet to expire.

“I should be in Milan right now with the girls,” began a tearful Chelsea in a TikTok video. She continued, explaining that after arriving at London Gatwick Airport ready to drop off her baggage, her passport was subsequently checked and it soon became apparent she wouldn’t be heading to Italy. “I’m not sure if this is common knowledge – I travel all the time – but because my passport’s start date is July 2015, it’s just gone over the 10-year mark even though it doesn’t run out until April 2026,” Chelsea explained.

So what’s the problem? “I learned the hard way that for travel to the EU your UK passport must have been issued within the last 10 years – even if it hasn’t expired yet,” she revealed.

Chelsea continued: “I’m absolutely shocked by that. When you go to book your flight to the EU, nothing on the website mentions this and at the point of check-in nothing was said.”

Attempts to fly with a different airline, on alternative flights and to another airport all proved in vain. “I even tried the Passport Office and booking an emergency appointment online” Chelsea said. “But there was nothing until Monday when we’d be due to come back. I tried everything and the girls didn’t want to go without me, but I wanted them to have a lovely time as we’ve been planning it so long.”

To compound her misery, Chelsea revealed she will now be forced to miss out on numerous content creation opportunities she had arranged with a number of brands over the course of the past year.

She closed by urging others: “If you have a trip coming up, check your passport’s start date, not just the expiry date. This rule came in after Brexit, but it’s still catching so many people out.

“Previously when you renewed a passport, if you did it before the 10 years was up they would give you the extra on top – this was my issue. They don’t do that now.”

Writing in response, one TikTok user shared the same frustration, penning: “The annoying thing is when you check in and put your passport details in they only ask for expiry – and given this has happened so many times of people being unaware airlines should ask for start date too.”

A second person added: “This happened to me many years ago. I organised a trip to Milan. We all at airport checking in. That’s when I was informed that my passport had expired. I had to wave goodbye to my friends.”

While a third fumed: “Happened to me too a couple of weeks ago at Gatwick. Passport expires Sept 2026 and issued June 2015. Don’t get how they allow you to book. I always thought you had to have 6 months from when you return.”

The European Union’s travel website advises: “If you are a national from a country outside the EU wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a valid passport and possibly a visa.

“Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU and it must have been issued within the last 10 years.

“This means your travel document must have been issued within the previous 10 years the day you enter the EU on condition that it is valid until the end of your stay plus an additional 3 months.”

Influencers are reportedly raging after an over-night sensation is given jungle spot

Social media influencers are reportedly fuming after TikTok star Angry Ginge is pipped for this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, as some are said to be feeling overlooked by ITV.

Angry Ginge, who is really 21-year-old Morgan Burtwhistle, has been added to the rumoured line-up for the hit ITV show, alongside Lisa Riley and Shona McGarty. The decision is thought to have sparked outrage amongst other social media stars, many of whom are said to feel “snubbed”.

A source said told the press: “It’s turned into an influencer war every single year now. There are some really big names in that space who have been trying to get into the jungle for ages, and they feel ITV keep ignoring them. First it was GK Barry last year, now it’s Angry Ginge – people are fuming.”

Angry Ginge, whose content focuses on FIFA, has more than 3 million followers across TikTok and Instagram and has already filmed videos with football stars such as Wayne Rooney. He even participated in Soccer Aid this year. It is thought that ITV bosses are eager to get the TikTokker into the jungle as GK Barry was popular on last year’s series.

READ MORE: Matalan shoppers are rushing to get a ‘cosy’ cardigan for free with little known offer

The insider said this was souring the mood for influencers off camera, especially those who have been in talks with ITV for years. “The mood behind the scenes is not good. Some of these influencers have been in proper talks with ITV for years.

“They were already furious when GK Barry got the call-up last year, and now they’re watching another online star — who’s barely been around five minutes compared to them — bag the jungle spot. They feel stitched up.”

Despite the backlash, the I’m A Celeb producers are reportedly excited by their line-up. Lisa, who is known for playing Mandy Dingle on Emmerdale for 30 years, is already a fan of the show is rumoured to be heading to the jungle. EastEnders‘ Shona McGarty is also said to be joining the show, as she has now left the soap after 16 years on it.

Angry Ginge is thought to have been signed as part of a plan to draw in the next generation of viewers. ITV have recently struck a deal that has secured I’m A Celeb’s future until 2030, which will mark 30 years of the show. With that in mind, producers are rumoured to be hoping to attract younger viewers.

The Express’ source added that influencers are still pushing for a spot in the jungle, but this push is not a happy one. “It doesn’t matter who else is going in. Right now the influencer community is at war with ITV, and Angry Ginge is right in the middle of it.”

The Mirror contacted ITV for comment.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Sept. 26 (UPI) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to complete a deal to keep TikTok active for 170 million U.S. users with U.S. investors owning 80% of the company.

The deal creates a U.S. entity to control TikTok while ByteDance will maintain less than a 20% stake. A board of directors composed chiefly of Americans will oversee the operation of TikTok, including its highly sought-after algorithm.

Data on U.S. users will be stored and managed by Oracle, a technology company based in Nashville. ByteDance partnered with Oracle in 2020 to house U.S. user data in the United States due to concerns about data security from the U.S. government.

During the signing of the executive order at the White House, Trump said the deal was approved by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a phone conversation last week.

“He gave us the go ahead,” Trump said. “I told him what we’re doing and he said go ahead with it.”

Speaking to the details of the deal, Trump named some of the investors, including Rupert Murdoch and Mike Lindell. Vice President J.D. Vance said more information about the other investors will be announced in the coming days.

Vance added that TikTok will be valued at $14 billion.

Asked if TikTok will begin to favor “MAGA” content, Trump said it will be fair.

“If I could make it 100% MAGA I would but it’s not going to work out that way unfortunately,” Trump said. “Everyone is going to be treated fairly. Every group, every philosophy will be treated fairly.”

The executive order says the president will have the authority to determine that TikTok has undergone a “qualified divestiture” through an interagency process. If the president makes this determination, the act’s prohibitions can be removed.

The deal will bring TikTok into compliance with the law passed by U.S. Congress last year requiring it to be owned and operated by a U.S. company. Congress passed the law out of concern that the application posed a national security threat, due to ByteDance being based in China.

There is still more information to come about the agreement between the United States, ByteDance and China. The executive order has been signed but it will take weeks to months for the divestiture and formation of the new TikTok corporate structure to be complete, said Norman Bishara, professor of business law and ethics in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at Michigan.

“The devil is in the details,” Bishara said. “Until we really see this in writing and have all the details it’s hard to fully assess if they are complying with the letter of the law and the spirit of what Congress wanted in the first place.”

The White House stated the federal government will not play a role in selecting members for TikTok’s board, but the president’s role in brokering the agreement is “extraordinary,” Bishara said.

“Even without the direct control of the U.S. government or the ‘golden share’ that’s been discussed, it still seems a safe bet that the folks on the U.S. side like Silver Lake [Technology Management] and Oracle are aligned with the interest of the government and the Trump administration,” he said.

Andrew Verstein, professor of law at UCLA, told UPI the TikTok deal responds to concerns expressed by Congress, localizing operations in the United States. However, the inherent nature of its algorithm will still require data to cross borders.

“We were worried that a Chinese-owned and Chinese-controlled company with a pretty complicated technical architecture was up to bad things. So we passed a law,” Verstein said. “What we got was a compromise. The company is going to be largely owned by Americans and partially controlled by Americans, but not fully owned and controlled by Americans. So this is a compromise between those two visions and in some ways it’s worse than both things.”

Verstein said the new concern that the deal creates is that the perceived “bad things” that Congress and national security experts worried about China doing — surveillance, propaganda campaigns and misinformation — will be continued under American control.

“Granting Americans equity in the company gives them a greater incentive to do whatever is most profitable, including whatever was happening before,” he said. “It tempts them but you’re happy with that if you’re handing money out to your friends.”

TikTok creators, business owners and advertising firms have watched the ongoing saga closely as threats of the application shutting down in America have persisted for five years.

“Everybody will be very happy that the deal is done and things are settling in a final state,” Evan Horowitz, co-founder and CEO of Movers+Shakers, a marketing agency focused on social media, told UPI. “It’s been five years now that TikTok has been in this state of uncertainty and that’s been stressful for people. That’s been stressful for brand assessment, stressful for creators, stressful for consumers, because there’s this constant threat of TikTok going away.”

As Horowitz expresses relief, he remains concerned about whether the application will remain largely as it is.

“The algorithm is the number one key to TikTok’s success,” he said. “So what happens to the algorithm and how they’re able to port that or share that is going to be critical for the long-term viability of TikTok.”

The makeup of the new board also raises questions.

“One of the keys to TikTok’s success is that it’s an open and inclusive platform and that has attracted a very wide and diverse audience over the years,” Horowitz said. “If in the future it seems like TikTok will not be inclusive and open to all people and viewpoints that would present a major challenge for the community.”

As Horowitz’s company has navigated the years of uncertainty around TikTok, he said he has encouraged clients to stay focused on what is known rather than unknown. In the meantime he has monitored alternatives to the platform as social media platforms tend to come and go over time.

“Our expectation is if TikTok were either to vanish or dwindle gradually, the winners are going to be Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts,” he said. “They’re still not quite as good and the audience is not as robust but if people start being dissatisfied with TikTok for any reason, they’re going to be moving to Reels and Shorts.”

Emma Ansley Knight has shared her top three recommendations for city break getaways on the continent this October, claiming they are on her ‘bucket list’ of autumnal escapes

If you’re mulling over an October getaway but haven’t settled on your destination, one travel expert has compiled a trio of European locations she believes are perfect to visit in the coming weeks. Each month, Emma Ansley Knight turns to TikTok to share video advice concerning her travel picks for the immediate period ahead.

And next month is no exception, with the revealing that as autumn vibes are kicking in, it’s time to unveil her “bucket list” of spots that are ideal to explore over the course of October before the much cooler weather sets in across the continent.

Ghent, Belgium

“This has been on my list for such a long time,” Emma admitted. “I’ve already done Bruges and Brussels, but Ghent often gets overlooked.”

Nevertheless, she noted that Ghent appears “a lot more charming” especially during autumn. “The thought of waking up there on an October morning with crisp blue skies, a little chill in the air and throwing on a jumper and walking down the canals with golden leaves on the floor is the picture of heaven in my head,” Emma declared.

Travellers can anticipate average temperatures of 14-15C in October.

Piedmont, Italy

“This place is an absolute paradise for foodies, wine lovers and truffle lovers as well,” Emma said of Piedmont, a region which borders Switzerland to the north and France to the west.

She continued: “It’s the white truffle capital of the world and there’s actually a lot of festivals that start in October (including the 2025 International Alba White Truffle Fair), so you can try pastas with different truffles or cheeses, and pair them with the local wine.”

Another advantage of travelling to Piedmont is its location at the base of the Alps – something Emma says offers “breathtaking views of unbelievable mountainous backdrops and golden vineyards”.

The area also enjoys an average October temperature of 18C, while Emma recommends flying into Turin.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Rounding off Emma’s recommendations is Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, which she explained lies just an hour from Vienna, Austria and therefore presents a practical option should you wish to “tackle” both cities during one trip.

Emma added of the city positioned along the Danube: “Because so many people do visit Vienna, it [Bratislava] seems like a bit of a hidden gem. The old town looks so colourful, so charming and it’s also a really walkable city.”

She also highlighted that Bratislava is “a lot more affordable” than many of Europe’s other capital cities, making it an ideal choice for those wanting to keep costs down. With an average October temperature of 15C, though, anticipate a somewhat chillier experience than Piedmont.

One TikTok user, responding to Emma’s post, gushed about Ghent: “I recently did Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp in one trip to Belgium and Ghent was definitely top of the list, it’s lovely!”

While a second person shared their approval of Emma’s third recommendation, writing: “Love Bratislava and the Christmas markets are ace.”

President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that would allow hugely popular social video app TikTok to continue to operate in the United States.

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, had been under pressure to divest its ownership in the app’s U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban, due to security concerns over the company’s ties to China.

Congress passed legislation calling for a TikTok ban to go into effect in January, but Trump has repeatedly signed orders that have allowed TikTok to keep operating in the country.

Under an agreement that Trump said was approved by China’s President Xi Jinping, TikTok’s U.S. operations will be operated through a joint venture run by a majority-American investor group. ByteDance and its affiliates would hold less than 20% ownership in the venture.

About 170 million Americans use TikTok, known for its viral entertaining videos.

“These safeguards would protect the American people from the misuse of their data and the influence of a foreign adversary, while also allowing the millions of American viewers, creators, and businesses that rely on the TikTok application to continue using it,” Trump stated in his executive order.

Trump, who years ago led the push to ban TikTok from the U.S., said at a press event that he feels the deal satisfies security concerns.

“The biggest reason is that it’s owned by Americans … and people that love the country and very smart Americans, so they don’t want anything like that to happen,” Trump said.

Trump said on Thursday that people involved in the deal include Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Dell Technologies Chief Executive Michael Dell and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Vice President JD Vance said the new entity controlling TikTok’s U.S. operations would have a value of around $14 billion.

Murdoch’s involvement would probably entail Fox Corp. investing in the deal, a source familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly told The Times. Fox Corp. owns Fox News, whose opinion hosts are vocally supportive of Trump.

The algorithms and code would be under control of the joint venture. The order requires the storage of sensitive U.S. user data to be under a U.S. cloud computing company.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News last Saturday that the app’s data and privacy in the U.S. would be led by Oracle.

Ellison is a Trump ally who is the world’s second-richest person, according to Forbes.

TikTok already works with Oracle. Since October 2022, “all new protected U.S. user data has been stored in the secure Oracle infrastructure, not on TikTok or ByteDance servers,” TikTok says on its website.

Ellison is also preparing a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, the media company that owns HBO, TNT and CNN, after already completing a takeover of Paramount, one of Hollywood’s original studios.

“The most important thing is it does protect Americans’ data security,” Vance said at a press gathering on Thursday. “What this deal ensures is that the American entity and the American investors will actually control the algorithm. We don’t want this used as a propaganda tool by any foreign government.”

TikTok, which has a large presence in Los Angeles, did not respond to a request for comment.

Terms of the deal are still unclear. Trump discussed the TikTok deal with China’s Xi Jinping in an extended phone call last week. Chinese and U.S. officials have until Dec. 16 to finalize the details.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

DONALD Trump has signed an executive order laying the groundwork for China to hand over TikTok to US owners following “very good talks” with Xi Jinping.

Dealmaster Don said he had come to an agreement with the Chinese leader following years of speculation surrounding the fate of the beloved $14billion social media giant.

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In a major U-turn by Beijing – who once slammed the idea of giving TikTok to Washington as “robbery” – Chinese officials have now agreed to hand over the prized platform.

The landmark deal will separate the popular video-sharing hub from its Chinese parent company ByteDance – in a key step allowing TikTok to keep operating in America.

Trump said the agreement would comply with a bipartisan law that would have forced the app’s shutdown if it was not divested and sold to a US owner.

The US President said: “I spoke with President Xi and he said: ‘Go ahead with it.’

“This is going to be American-operated all the way.”

The groundbreaking plan will see US investors oversee the vast majority of TikTok‘s operations.

A coalition of American owners are expected to take charge of 80 per cent of the app – while Chinese investors will have a 20 per cent stake.

They will also gain a licensed copy of the cutting-edge recommendation algorithm retrained solely with US data.

The controversial digital recipe which shows users content based on their preferences previously stirred alarming concern among US officials.

China hawks warned the ByteDance-crafted algorithm could be weaponised by the CCP to influence content seen by hundreds of millions of Americans every day.

But US officials have failed to present any evidence proving China has ever attempted to do so.

The new US version of the spun off firm will be valued at $14billion, US Vice President JD Vance said.

But the new figure doesn’t compare to ByteDance’s overall valuation, which is estimated to stand at a staggering $330billion.

TikTok’s social media arch nemesis Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, is valued at $1.8trillion.

The new investing team will be spearheaded by US software giant Oracle.

The firm will oversee US operations for TikTok, provide cloud service for user data storage and obtain the elusive algorithm license.

The alliance of investors is set to include Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, News Corp owner Rupert Murdoch and Dell CEO Michael Dell.

Trump said of the potential new owners: “Great investors. The biggest. They don’t get bigger.”

Vance said more details about who is involved in the huge deal will be announced over the coming days.

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The deal seemingly puts to bed months of legal limbo for the massively popular app, which is said to host some 180 million US users.

Trump has even credited TikTok with helping him win the 2024 presidential election – as part of his gamechanging social media campaign.

ByteDance and TikTok once faced widespread concerns from US lawmakers over national security and data privacy.

US officials alleged China could use the app to shape messaging and ultimately spread propaganda in an effort to undermine US democracy.

TikTok denied the claims, but Congress collectively agreed to force ByteDance to find a US buyer after a historic vote last year.

The supreme court unanimously upheld the ban in January – before Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to postpone its removal from the US.

The US President also hinted at TikTok’s secure future last week, writing on Truth Social: “A deal was also reached on a ‘certain’ company that young people in our Country very much want to save.

“They will be very happy!”

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AN INFLUENCER with dwarfism has urged people to think twice about the way they speak to “little people”.

Lucy Sleight has made a name for herself as someone to watch in the social media world, and has a whopping 20.7 million likes on her TikTok page.

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She uses her platform to share fashion and beauty advice, but recently shared a video in which she opened up about some of the things she finds most difficult about being somebody with dwarfism.

One thing she can’t stand is when people “full on get on their knees” to talk to her, as she said it gives her “second hand embarrassment” for what they look like.

Instead, she urged them to sit down while she stands up, so that they’re at similar heights.

And don’t even think about patting her on the head – or using her as an armrest.

“Like girl please!” she sighed in the TikTok, which she captioned “things I find patronising as a little person”.

“This hasn’t actually happened to me many times thank God.

“Because if somebody did I’d literally be like excuse me. Like who do you think I am?

“I am not an object!”

She can’t stand it when people call her “cute”, which happens a lot – especially when she’s out with her boyfriend, who also has dwarfism.

“I want to be gorgeous. I want to be beautiful,” she said.

“I want to be amazing. I want to be incredible.

“And I feel like me personally. I associate the word cute with like small things or younger things.

“Like I’d call my nephew cute.

“I’m 26. I don’t want to be cute!”

Lucy also took aim at people who call her “inspirational” just because she’s a dwarf, as she said she wants to be considered an inspiration to others because of the things she does with her platform – not just because of her condition.

And she can’t stand it when people “overcompensate” in the way they talk to her, and end up talking to her like she’s “three years old”.

“I just want to reiterate like I know all those things I’ve mentioned are like are harmless,” she concluded the video, which has had over 357,000 views on the social media site.

“People are being nice, but it’s just sometimes the way things come across.”

The comments section was immediately filled with people having their say on Lucy’s advice, as one wrote: “I hate it when people infantalise people with dwarfism or visible disabilities.

“All of these comments must be so infuriating and annoying.”

“What is wrong with people?” another sighed.

“I don’t see you as anything different.

“You’re a beautiful human with an amazing personality!”

“As a wheelchair user and someone with cerebral palsy, I relate to all of these! Drives me mad,” a third admitted.

One traveller came back from a Spanish holiday hotspot bearing crucial advice for anyone mulling over an Autumn break there. Tasha Penney took took to TikTok to share her advice with people

As Britain battles yet another spell of cold and miserable weather, countless people are fantasising about fleeing to warmer shores. The urge to dash off somewhere tropical feels overwhelming, particularly when confronted with Britain’s never-ending downpours.

One traveller who came back from Lanzarote bearing crucial advice for anyone mulling over an Autumn break to the Canary Islands. Tasha Penney, known as @tashapenney_ on TikTok, warned holidaymakers in October last year against trusting weather forecasts too heavily regarding Lanzarote’s conditions. In her eye-opening clip, she explained at the time: “If you’re coming to Lanzarote, and you’ve been worried about the weather, because when you look up online about Lanzarote weather, it always says windy, cloudy, overcast.

“It pretty much says the weather’s like not great most of the time. Don’t be worried, because it’s all a big lie.

“We’ve been here for three days and, every day, it’s said it’s going to be like 24C, cloudy. It actually predicted rain yesterday. None of the times we’ve had any of that. It’s been clear blue skies, the clouds are like that.”

Banishing any remaining concerns, Tasha revealed that the genuine temperatures felt considerably warmer than predicted, offering comfort to prospective tourists that weather worries are unnecessary.

Regarding the climate, she had absolutely zero complaints.

Her footage subsequently become a sensation, amassing hundreds of views and triggering countless responses from watchers, loads of whom are weighing up a Lanzarote getaway this year. Holidaymakers have been raving about Lanzarote, dubbing it the ideal year-round escape destination.

One fan gushed at the time: “Lanzarote is great all year around. My second home.”

Another traveller commented: “I was here for a week. It was roasting, overcast three days, sunny four. Probs it was highest 30.”

Heaping further praise on the destination, a third visitor revealed: “I’m going with my best friend in December to break up the cold. Can’t wait.”

A fourth sun-seeker posted from the island itself at the time, declaring: “Here now and it’s lush. It’s rained a little bit, usually late at night or for less than a minute, but it’s been so hot.”

The appeal of Lanzarote, situated amongst the stunning Canary Islands, comes as no shock given its standing as an excellent winter sunshine retreat.

The destination regularly enjoys a delightful average temperature of 20C during January, seldom falling beneath a mild 16C.

Better still, getaways there won’t break the bank.

For budget-conscious travellers, you can either secure a package holiday or hunt down bargain flights and sort out your own accommodation.

Bianca Adler, who is aiming to become the youngest female to conquer the world’s highest peak, has admitted her devastation at having to turn around when so close to the summit

A girl who is in the process of attempting to climb Mount Everest has been praised on social media after her latest update revealed the toll four days in the mountain’s ‘Death Zone‘ had had on her – before things took an even worse turn. Climbing Everest is a complicated process, which typically requires mountaineers to spend months training both physically and mentally, as well as acclimatising to such high altitudes.

Bianca Adler, 17, is already the youngest female to reach the summit of Manaslu [the eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres] and Ama Dablam [6812 metres], and now she has her sights set on the world’s highest peak too. The teenager is documenting her progress, with her clip on TikTok going viral, with a staggering 26million views in just 24 hours.

In it, Bianca shared footage of herself struggling to catch her breath after returning to her camp. Climbers are required to complete their ascent in stages, working their upwards via several camps along the treacherous route.

‘Death Zone’ sits at the ridge of Everest’s summit, some 8,000 metres above sea level and close to its peak of 8,849 metres. It is so-called as the pressure of oxygen is insufficient to sustain human life for an extended time span.

Camp 2, meanwhile, which is located on the expedition’s more popular South Route, sits at approximately 6,553 metres high – and it is the trek there from Base Camp (5,364 meters) that Bianca is currently working on.

Barely able to speak, she muttered under her breath: “I just got back from Camp 2 and I’m at Base Camp and I feel horrible.”

Coughing and gasping for air, she continued: “My throat and my lungs… I’m so out of breath even though yesterday I was at 8,000 metres. I’m feeling the worst I have ever felt.”

In a follow-up video shared on Tuesday (September 23), a dejected Bianca explained that she later made it as high as Camp 4 (7,925 metres) but was “devastated” after being forced to turn around for her own safety.

“It’s so hard. I was feeling so good and so strong but I had to turn around due to something out of my control,” she explained, with the aid of an oxygen mask. “I can’t do anything about that and it would have been stupid to carry on.”

She elaborated on Instagram: “I had to turn around on Mt Everest at 8450m (400m below the summit). The winds were way too strong for what I believed was right for my own safety. I could feel my hands and toes going numb, the first step of frostbite.

“I couldn’t see anything, there was snow blowing everywhere. It was an extremely tough decision, but I always want to choose life over a potential summit. I felt strong, like I could summit, and was devastated.”

Bianca continued: “The next night, my Sherpa guides and I tried again from Camp 4, but I was too exhausted from the 10-hour effort the previous night, and turned around. After three nights, and almost four days in the Death Zone at 8,000m or above, we descended back down to Camp 2.”

She concluded: “On the summit push, dad got sick and stayed at Camp 2 whilst I went up. On the way down, he was still sick and I was exhausted. We both got diagnosed with HAPE (high altitude pulmonary edema) and dehydration (which is normal for mountaineering). I still feel quite sick and extremely exhausted so taking time to recover.”

Scores of mountaineers were quick to praise Bianca’s efforts, however, offering words of comfort and encouragement. “I’m more impressed by how you handled this situation than if you would have pushed yourself to the top… now you can live another day,” one responded on Instagram. “That is what’s important. A true warrior.”

A second person noted: “Such a great effort and the summit isn’t what matters the most, sounds like it was extremely hard and you had to push yourself far but still had to make a tough, but correct decision, which is one of the most valuable and fulfilling experiences you can have in the mountains. So proud!”

Whilst a third individual confessed: “I can’t even imagine how thought that decision was, but safety is always number 1 and you made the right choice. The mountains will always be there girl, well done and huge congratulations on everything you achieved this season.”

Jodie Marlow, who moved to Murcia in Spain four years ago along with her partner and their two children, has shared how much she pays for her household bills every month

As autumn arrives and the weather becomes colder, more Brits will start fretting about the colder weather and how it will affect their energy bills.

It’s typical for energy bills to rise as we consume more gas and electricity to heat our homes. This has led some people to consider relocating to escape the high costs. Currently, there are already 403,925 UK nationals registered as residents in Spain, according to Statista. While many of them relocated there to chase the sun, others may have moved to enjoy lower living costs. This was the case for one mum, Jodie Marlow, who relocated to Murcia in Spain four years ago with her partner and their two children.

While the sunshine and new lifestyle have been a lovely for them all, Jodie also revealed that they no longer stress over their energy bills. In a revealing TikTok video, Jodie shared how much she pays for her household bills each month, as she said it’s cheaper than the UK.

Firstly, the family doesn’t have to worry about rent or mortgage payments as they own their property outright. Even better, houses on their street have doubled in value since they bought their home a few years ago.

Moving on to electricity, Jodie said switching to a cheaper provider has been transformative. The previous month, they’d paid just €37 (£32).

But since they’d recently begun running their air conditioning through the night, the bill had climbed to €55 (£48), which she insisted was ‘nothing’ given her two lads had kept their air con running every single night whilst they slept.

Regarding water, the household spends roughly €99 (£86.41) in three month instalments. This works out at €33 (£28.80) per month.

“Our house actually runs off of a gas bottle,” Jodie explained. “I thought it was really weird at first, but actually it’s pretty normal in Spain. And a gas bottle costs around €16 (£13.97).”

These bottles last ages, particularly during warmer weather as they’re not having as many hot showers. Then, rather than using the gas hob, Jodie said she often cooks on the barbecue that has a hob. She also uses an air fryer, which saves her gas too.

Jodie added: “So that gas bottle honestly could last us three months.”

For the equivalent of council tax, Jodie puts aside €250 (218.24) per year, which is around €21 (£18.33) a month. She continued: “So again, not a lot. I know some people who pay that literally a month what I pay a year.”

Wi-Fi costs €24.99 (£21.81) per month, whilst sim cards are €12.99 (£11.34). Then for home insurance, they are covered for €250 (£218.24) per year. This works out as approximately €22 (£19.21) per month.

People were stunned to discover how much cheaper things were in Spain and took to the comments section to share their thoughts.

One viewer was gobsmacked by the electricity bill, commenting: “60 Euros a month! We spent £40 per week for a 4 bed house in England.”

However, other Brits living in Spain chimed in to reveal their bills were even steeper than what Jodie had shared.

Another viewer shared : “I live in Malaga, my electric is around €180 a month, water for the last three months was €1260 and we use gas bottles €200 for three, so not cheaper than the UK.”

In response, Jodie said: “I guess depends where in the uk the same as where in Spain as Malaga is more than where I live. It’s all relative.”

Sarah Lim has travelled to 24 countries in Europe and has shared her experiences of the places where she felt the most unsafe, specifically as an Asian female traveller

A seasoned globe-trotter has been using TikTok to document her adventures across 24 European nations. In an unexpected departure from typical travel review, Sarah Lim opted to spotlight five cities in Europe where she experienced feelings of vulnerability, particularly as an Asian female explorer.

“Five cities where i didn’t feel safe in Europe (as an Asian female),” she captioned her post. Sarah added: “I went to several countries in Eastern Europe as well, through both the Baltics and the Balkans and i found Western Europe to be more unsafe unfortunately.”

Here is her list of destinations you might wish to steer clear of.

Paris, France

Describing alarming encounters in the French capital, Sarah revealed: “I was stalked at night alone on my first trip and then chased by a bunch of men when I was with five friends on my last trip.”

She also highlighted the widespread threats such as bag snatchers and pickpockets she came across.

Brussels, Belgium

Whilst she managed to avoid any major incidents in Brussels, Sarah confessed she couldn’t dispel a sense of discomfort, particularly after dark. “There were many groups of men lingering around the city centre at night, very unsettling,” she explained.

Additionally, Sarah referenced an even more troubling incident – a Singaporean exchange student’s stabbing in Brussels, which reinforced all her concerns about the city’s security.

Milan, Italy

Sarah’s Italian escapade kicked off with a near-miss scam at her flat, which she described as “very convincing” due to the fraudster’s numerous “accomplices”.

She also voiced concerns about her safety, stating: “Walking around at night near the residential areas felt quite unsafe – had to call male friends to escort me and my friend back.”

Barcelona, Spain

Next stop, Barcelona. Sarah reported no major issues but remained “very vigilant” due to the city’s notorious pickpockets.

She revealed: “I heard about stabbing and mugging cases from fellow Erasmus students.”

Rome, Italy

In Rome, Sarah experienced more trouble, noting: “It felt the most touristic – hence the number of scammers in the open. Pickpockets and snatch thieves were common here.”

Her TikTok post resonated with many viewers, leading them to share their own travel tales.

One user empathised with her Brussels experience, commenting: “Finally someone mentions Brussels,” and explaining their decision to leave despite a good job because they felt “I lived there for eight months and everybody asked me why I left if the job was so good. I literally always felt so unsafe.”

One user slammed the romantic notion of Paris, stating: “When people call Paris the city of love its hilarious because all I know is stabbings, getting stalked and pickpockets.”

Another shared a similar experience in the French capital: “I was stalked in Paris too when I was out alone in the middle of the day. Belgium was definitely shady at night and we managed to stop a pickpocket.”

Echoing these sentiments, another person said: “Milan and Paris are so real. One of my Paris friend got her bag snatched on the train. And Milan, the pickpockets are everywhere, we literally identified some of them from afar.”

However, not everyone had negative experiences. “I used to live in Paris, and actually felt very safe as long as I wasn’t near the Gare du Nord area!” one person revealed.

“And actually felt so safe in Rome as well. But of course people have different experiences.”

Another added on a positive note: “Lucky to have stayed in Paris for a month and never felt unsafe or threatened!”.

The beautiful beach has been described as the ‘perfect beach for families’ – and it’s not hard to see why

A “breathtaking” UK beach has left visitors so awestruck that they’re urging others to add it to their “bucket list.” The award-winning Porth Beach, tucked away on the Cornish coast between the bustling tourist hotspots of Newquay and Watergate Bay, is a must-see.

Praised as the “ideal beach for families”, Porth Beach also draws in walkers, swimmers, and paddleboarders. For locals, this is old news – but for those living further inland, Porth Beach could be just the ticket for a day trip.

The sandy beach is cosily nestled between headlands, and to the north, there’s a quaint footbridge leading to Porth Island. TikTok user @cornwall_lover posted a video showcasing the ‘breathtaking’ beach, reports the Express.

The caption read: “If you’ve not yet visited Porth beach in Newquay, get it on the bucket list. Perfect for paddleboarding at high tide, families who want to play in shallow streams and for those that love exploring, walk the coast path and step over the bridge to Porth Island, currently adorned with vibrant sea pink flowers”.

In the video, the blogger gushed: “The dreamiest beach in Cornwall with a bridge to its very own island.” The post quickly racked up comments from viewers.

One person said at the time of the post: “So beautiful. I’m hoping to visit it this summer.” Another added: “Ooh this looks delightful.”

A local reminisced: “I grew up just up the road from here. Many happy memories of this beach.” Yet another said: “Porth Beach, my local & favourite place to be.”

Porth Beach is a hit on Tripadvisor, where it’s ranked as the top attraction in Newquay. One reviewer praised: “Beautiful, clean beach and cliffside. We had a nice walk along the cliff side and the views were beautiful.

“The locals are very friendly and we had a nice chat with some of them. There’s a holiday park in front of the beach, we didn’t stay here but seems like an ideal location if you want to be close to the beach!”.

Another visitor said: “Lovely clean beach with stunning views. Depending on the tide it can be a short walk to the sea. The beach can be very busy on hot days between 10am-5pm. The water is clean and clear.”

A third added: “Fantastic beach and amenities as always. We have been coming here for the last 12 years and have never been disappointed on our visit.”

Visit Cornwall states: “Porth Beach is an award-winning Newquay beach, and a popular narrow stretch of golden sand and turquoise water situated between the town of Newquay and Watergate Bay. Flanked and sheltered by two vast headlands, the spectacular beach welcomes visitors, locals, and surfers year-round.

“As of 2024, Porth Beach has been awarded the Seaside Award which celebrates the commitment to environment, water quality, and safety of the beach.”

Porth Beach, located in Newquay, Cornwall with the postcode TR7 3NH, is a mere 30-minute stroll from the nearest train station, Newquay Train Station. For those opting to drive, there’s also paid parking conveniently located near the beach.

Ella Marie Gill documented her holiday on social media after paying just £99 for mystery holiday package via Wowcher, who allocate destinations to customers at random

A woman who snapped up a £99 mystery holiday voucher from Wowcher has taken to social media to share her experience. Wowcher, known for its daily deals and discounts on a range of experiences, products and services, was something traveller Ella Marie Gill was eager to try out.

“We are heading to Malaga in Spain and have no idea what to expect,” she started off in a TikTok video after finding out her destination. After a three-hour flight, Ella Marie confessed she was “most nervous” about the condition of her hotel after checking out photos of it online.

“We’ve just arrived at our hotel and it’s not looking too bad,” she optimistically added, following a 10-minute Uber ride from the airport. Ella Marie highlighted it’s a four-star accommodation as she ventured inside where she was immediately taken by the hotel’s lobby.

“I do think it’s quite nice,” she admitted, sweeping her camera around the reception and seating areas. Stepping outside, she commended: “And we are literally on the beach, so 10 points for that.”

After picking up her room key, Ella Marie headed to the lift, thankful she was allowed to check-in two hours early. Upon entering the room, she exclaimed: “It’s absolutely huge. Honestly, I’m quite pleasantly surprised.”

Indeed, Ella Marie showed off her room’s sofa, king-size bed, chair, desk and even a mini-fridge that was already filled with a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks.

“The bathroom is lovely too,” Ella Marie declared, highlighting an immaculate-looking bath and shower. “It’s such a big size.”

Regarding her bed, she gushed about how comfortable it was, before escorting her viewers outside to her balcony – complete with table and chairs – which boasted views across the city. “I’m actually really impressed,” Ella Marie concluded. “Honestly, for a Wowcher holiday I am pretty impressed.”

In the comments section, one TikTok user shared their own Mystery Holiday experience, writing: “I’ve done this and got lake Garda in Italy. We paid £50 per person to upgrade our flights. We had to change our hotel as all the reviews on the hotel they had given us everyone said they all got bedbugs so we had to pay £250 for a new hotel and Wowcher wouldn’t change it for us or compensate us unless we went there and actually got bed bugs. Beautiful place though.”

A second person commented: “Stayed here too with the £99 holiday! So amazing, we upgraded to a beach view room. Would definitely go back.”

Meanwhile, a third exclaimed: “Absolutely bargain! Hope you enjoyed it! I love Malaga, it’s beautiful, and go as often as I get the chance.”

Wowcher markets its mystery breaks, which differ in cost depending on distance. The company states: “Experience the thrill of a surprise getaway! Whether it’s the vibrant streets of New York, the breathtaking beaches of Bali, or the historic charm of Rome, our Mystery Holidays take you to incredible destinations- without the hassle of planning!

“Whether this is an exciting trip for yourself, or you want to gift a mystery holiday voucher to a loved one, we’ve got you covered! Indeed, from long-haul destinations including Maldives, Barbados and Bali, to city breaks and beach holidays such as Venice, Rome and Amsterdam, Wowcher says customers could find themselves heading to one of more than 100 destinations through the Mystery Holiday package.”

As for how you’ll discover your destination, Wowcher explains: “Each customer is randomly assigned a destination tier and will receive a travel location within that tier, based on their selected travel dates. The destination will remain undisclosed at the time of purchase. Once revealed and the voucher is redeemed, the booking becomes non-refundable. Refunds will not be issued if a customer is unhappy with the allocated destination.”

China railed for years against the United States’s bid to force the sale of TikTok, once accusing Washington of demonstrating “robbers’ logic” in response to the platform’s success.

Now, Beijing is touting talks on how the video-sharing platform’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, might relinquish ownership of its US operations.

The turnaround has raised questions about what China might expect in return, with analysts suggesting that Beijing has come to view TikTok as a useful bargaining chip to win concessions on more pressing issues.

China has yet to confirm a deal on TikTok, which Washington has cast as a propaganda tool of Beijing and a threat to privacy, and there are numerous outstanding questions about what a sale would entail.

Most crucial of all is the question of who would own and control TikTok’s recommendations algorithm, which has been credited with powering the platform’s explosive popularity in the US, where it claims more than 170 million users.

Under Chinese export controls introduced in 2020, companies are prohibited from transferring sensitive technologies like TikTok’s algorithm without government approval.

As recently as last month, the state-run China Daily warned in an editorial that the export restrictions presented a “red line for the TikTok transaction”.

If China is willing to hand over control of the algorithm, it will expect major concessions on such issues as trade, curbs on Chinese tech, and Taiwan, said Dexter Roberts, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub.

“If anything changed on the Chinese side that makes them now more willing to do a deal on TikTok, I think it’s because they sense that they can get a lot more out of the Trump administration than they originally thought, and they may be contemplating using TikTok as a bargaining lever,” Roberts told Al Jazeera.

On the US side, President Donald Trump seems eager to reach an agreement on TikTok quickly as part of an effort to lock down his first face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping since returning to the White House, Roberts said.

“And in order to get that sit-down and that ‘deal,’ it seems as if he’s willing to give a lot in return,” he said.

While both China and the US have hailed the prospects of a resolution to the standoff over TikTok, the sides have offered substantially different accounts of where things stand.

In a briefing on Monday, an unnamed senior White House official was quoted as telling media outlets that the Trump administration was confident that China was on board with a deal that would see TikTok’s algorithm licensed out to a new joint venture in the US.

Under the terms of the deal, Texas-based Oracle, whose billionaire cofounder Larry Ellison is a staunch backer of Israel, would oversee and retrain the licensed algorithm using US data, according to reports of the official’s comment.

Since the start of the 2023 war in Gaza, in which Israel’s attacks have killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, Ellison has committed cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure support to Israel.

Oracle’s growing role in TikTok’s future comes after several Republican lawmakers have, since 2023, accused the platform of promoting pro-Palestinian content.

The latest White House briefing came after Trump, who has repeatedly extended the deadline for forcing a sale of the platform, said on Friday that he had secured a deal during a nearly two-hour-long phone conversation with Xi.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Saturday that the spin-off would see TikTok controlled by a seven-member board, filled with six Americans, and would ensure that its algorithm is “controlled by America”.

“Both the US and China now support ‘info-nationalism’,” Jeffrey Towson, a digital strategy consultant formerly based in China, told Al Jazeera.

“China has long insisted information flows be controlled domestically, and not by foreign companies or entities. The US has now come to the same conclusion. Digital platforms create powerful control points. They can shape and limit what can be said, read and watched.”

While it is unclear how the sale of TikTok might proceed under Chinese law, an agreement on the platform could mark a de-escalation in trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, said Heiwai Tang, director of the Asia Global Institute in Hong Kong.

“If the current additional 30 percent US tariffs on China could be lowered, the gain for China would be significant,” Tang told Al Jazeera.

China has only gone as far as to say that the sides have reached a “basic framework consensus” on TikTok.

“China’s position on the TikTok issue is clear: The Chinese government respects the wishes of the company in question, and would be happy to see productive commercial negotiations in keeping with market rules lead to a solution that complies with China’s laws and regulations and takes into account the interests of both sides,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement after Xi’s call with Trump.

China’s language about a “framework” for resolving the TikTok dispute leaves room for negotiations, and “details like who actually gets the algorithm – which, of course, Washington has said the US gets – could still very much be up for grabs,” the Atlantic Council’s Roberts said.

Chunmeizi Su, a media and communications lecturer at the University of Sydney, who researches platforms such as TikTok, expressed doubt that the full details of TikTok’s algorithm would be provided in any licensing deal.

“TikTok’s algorithm is not just about TikTok; it’s a core technology that has been used among other apps under ByteDance. There is a red line here for the company. I believe they would rather shut down TikTok US altogether than reveal the details of their algorithms,” Su told Al Jazeera.

“If this is the bottom line, it means that the licensing deal will only provide surface-level technologies, or, in other words, a shell of TikTok US. And even this will take a long time to achieve.”

Though a deal on TikTok would lower the temperature between the US and China, the sides would probably avoid explicitly linking the sale to concessions in other areas, said Charlie Chai, vice head of research at Beijing-based 86Research.

“I don’t think there will be explicit trade-off or getting anything in return”, Chai told Al Jazeera. Washington could quietly delay new tariffs or export restrictions later, he said, but that would be done as “an extension of a good-faith negotiation”.

“It is important to preserve the political optics that no explicit trade was made at the expense of supposedly non-negotiable core interests, which can easily lead to allegations that neither Beijing nor Washington wants to face,” Chai added.

A LUXURY car is now able be unlocked without even using keys thanks to a hi-tech new feature.

The motor has left fans shocked as hands are not even needed at all to open the doors.

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Mercedes has unveiled their jaw-dropping new Mercedes-Benz Vision V, which has gained attention on social media.

One influencer shared the exciting new motor on TikTok with a tour of the Vision V.

The display of the car’s door lights up as she walks towards the vehicle, and reads: “Hi Tuesday Le Roux.”

Le Roux then says, “We’ve got face recognition. Let’s scan.”

A camera appears as it scans Le Roux’s face.

This enables the passengers doors of the Mercedes slide open and the front door swings out.

And illuminated side step also comes out making it easier for passengers to climb into the vehicle.

The interior of the Mercedes reveals fully white leather seats and an illuminating floor.

A 65-inch television screen is also able to emeberge from behind the front seats.

“We also have seven projectors all over the car creating a fully immersive experience, including projecting on the windows,” Le Roux adds.

Other features inside the Mercedes is a chessboard that folds out between the passenger seats which are zero gravity, have extendable leg rests, and can be fully reclined.

On the outside, the front grill can light up along with a “world’s first illuminated” Mercedes-Benz star on the bonnet.

And there is no glass at all along the front headlights, which actually contain crystal.

The rim of the wheels also illuminate.

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On the roof are several solar panels, and the back light is illuminated with a ring all around the back of the car – this contains the indicators.

Commenting on the video posted by car and technology influencer Tuesday Le Roux, fans shared their shock by this new motor.

One wrote: “Mercedes Vision V is like my living room.”

Another added: “Is this one car or heaven?”

A third said: “There is only two cars in the world, Mercedes Benz and the other cars.”

The Mercedes-Benz Vision V is set to be a range of luxurious people carriers to launch in 2026.

It will come in a variety of different models, from ultra-luxurious “CEO transport” to seven-seater family cars.

Another pair of influencers might be joining President Trump’s effort to preserve TikTok in the U.S.: Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch.

The Trump administration has been working on a deal that would keep the wildly popular social video service operational for millions of Americans. Under a law signed by President Biden, TikTok’s U.S. service must separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face going dark.

Congress passed the law out of security concerns over TikTok’s ties to China and worries that the app would give the communist government access to sensitive user data, which TikTok has denied doing.

Trump revealed more details about the plan over the weekend. The president on Sunday told Fox News that people involved in the deal include Oracle Corp. cofounder Larry Ellison, Dell Technologies Chief Executive Michael Dell and, probably, Rupert Murdoch and his eldest son, Lachlan.

“I think they’re going to be in the group, a couple of others, really great people, very prominent people,” Trump said on “The Sunday Briefing” on Fox News. “They’re also American patriots. They love this country, so I think they’re going to do a really good job.”

If the Murdochs were to be involved, it could be through their media company Fox Corp. investing in the deal, according to a source familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly. Fox Corp. owns Fox News, Fox Business and the Fox broadcast network. Fox News’ opinion hosts are vocally supportive of Trump.

The pending agreement would hand over TikTok’s U.S. operations to a majority-American investor group, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Saturday. The app’s data and privacy in the U.S. would be led by Texas-based cloud computing company Oracle, she added.

Oracle’s cofounder and chief technology officer Ellison is a Trump ally who is the world’s second-richest person, according to Forbes. TikTok already works with Oracle. Since October 2022, “all new protected U.S. user data has been stored in the secure Oracle infrastructure, not on TikTok or ByteDance servers,” TikTok says on its website.

Leavitt told Fox News that six out of the seven board seats controlling the TikTok app in the U.S. would be held by Americans and that the app’s algorithm would be controlled by America.

“We are 100% confident that a deal is done,” Leavitt said.

In a Monday news briefing, Leavitt said Trump expected to sign the deal later this week.

ByteDance would retain a less than 20% stake in TikTok U.S. The investor group is still being sorted out, reported CNN, citing a White House official.

The White House, Dell Technologies and Oracle did not immediately return a request for comment. Fox Corp. declined to comment.

TikTok’s future has been uncertain for months since the law was signed. After Biden had signed the 2024 law, ByteDance was initially given a deadline of Jan. 19, which has since been extended several times by Trump. The current deadline is Dec. 16.

Any deal would also need the approval of the Chinese government.

On Friday, Trump suggested on his social media platform Truth Social that China’s president, Xi Jinping, had approved the pact during a call between the two leaders.

Reports cited Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency, which quoted Xi as saying the Chinese government “respects the wishes of companies and welcomes them to conduct commercial negotiations based on market rules and reach solutions that comply with Chinese laws and regulations and balance interests.”

ByteDance in a statement on Friday thanked President Xi and President Trump “for their efforts to preserve TikTok in the United States.”

“ByteDance will work in accordance with applicable laws to ensure TikTok remains available to American users through TikTok U.S.,” the company said.

Trump has said he believes TikTok played a key role in helping him reach younger voters and win the 2024 presidential election. During his first term, he was a prominent voice calling for TikTok to be banned during his broader campaign against China over trade and COVID-19.

A major American hotspot is thought to be ‘dying’ as tourist numbers have significantly decreased since last year. Experts have had their say on the reason for this downfall.

A beloved hotspot in the US is experiencing a dramatic drop in visitor numbers. Las Vegas stands as an internationally renowned major resort city, celebrated for its casinos, shows, exquisite cuisine and buzzing nightlife.

The most populated city in Nevada has served as the backdrop for a number of Hollywood blockbusters, including Ocean’s Eleven, The Hangover and What Happens in Vegas. Yet, tourism to this iconic American location is plummeting, with specialists revealing the reasons behind the decline. This concern was spotlighted by Race Across The World champion, Alfie Watts, who travelled to Las Vegas to investigate what’s causing the drop in holidaymakers.

He documented his latest journey to the metropolis and posted it on TikTok. The BBC TV personality said: “Vegas tourism is falling off a cliff and I went to find out why.

“This city is a neon soaked fever dream of excess. You can have dinner in Paris, cocktails in Venice and you’ll lose all of your money in New York all before midnight.”

Las Vegas boasts hotels modelled on Paris, Venice and New York that have been crafted to resemble these destinations.

Watts continued: “It’s outrageous and it’s unique but it is still incredible but back in the day the whole point of Vegas was that you didn’t have to be rich to live like it for a weekend.”

During the first half of this year, Las Vegas saw a 7.3 per cent drop in visitor numbers compared to the same period last year, with June alone witnessing an 11 per cent decrease, as reported by Investopedia.

Watts attributes this decline to the rising costs of hotels and food and drink. He elaborated: “It used to be the ultimate weekend blow-out, the wild stag do’s, the girls’ trips, the spontaneous getaway where you came back sunburnt, broke but buzzing.

“Now, it’s priced itself into special occasion only territory and when the magic costs that much, people start asking if they can get it cheaper somewhere else.”

The TV star and renowned travel content creator argued that hotel rooms which “once cost next to nothing” are now comparable to the price of a city break in Paris.

He added: “Thirty years ago Vegas was the spot for outrageous fun but now you can get a similar weekend in Dubai, Ibiza and Cancun, and very often for half the price.”

However, he admitted that Las Vegas still holds its unique charm with its dazzling lights, vibrant energy, mind-blowing events, world-class cuisine, and the opportunity to dance at 4am in a hotel lobby “shaped like ancient Rome.”

Watts concluded: “Vegas is still a glitter cannon in the desert. It’s just that these days the glitter’s a little bit more unappealing because it’s a lot more expensive.”

Investopedia highlighted additional factors driving tourists away from Las Vegas, including fewer flights arriving in the US from Canada and other nations, partly due to escalating tensions from trade rows between the Trump administration and foreign governments.

Technology could also be playing a role, as sports betting apps and online gaming mean punters no longer need to travel to Las Vegas to gamble.

In his TikTok post’s caption, Watts argued that Las Vegas is “dying” and international arrivals are “tanking.”

The video has attracted a number of comments with viewers expressing their opinions.

One commented: “The millennials don’t gamble and if they do, it’s online and they also are smart with their money, they’re not going to go somewhere where they have to pay this, that and [the] other.”

Another remarked: “Ridiculous ‘resort fees’ and the outrageous tipping culture isn’t very attractive when everything else is getting more expensive.”

A third declared: “No one under 40 cares about Vegas.” A different viewer proposed: “Downtown Vegas is the place to be. Cheaper rooms, food and drink.”

Murdoch will be part of a group of US investors – including Trump allies – trying to take over TikTok’s US operations.

United States President Donald Trump has said media executive Lachlan Murdoch will join a group of American investors seeking to take control of TikTok’s operations in the United States.

In an interview on the Fox News programme Sunday Briefing, Trump said the proposed deal would transfer TikTok’s American assets from Chinese parent company ByteDance to US ownership. He described those involved as prominent people and “American patriots”.

“I think they’re going to do a really good job,” Trump said, adding that TikTok had helped him expand support among young voters during the 2024 election campaign.

One of the proposed investors – Larry Ellison, the co-founder of the tech firm Oracle – is a prominent Republican donor. Lachlan Murdoch’s father Rupert has backed right-wing causes and parties for decades, but has a complicated relationship with Trump, who is currently suing him.

The initiative would give Trump’s allies in corporate America influence over a platform with about 170 million US users, one of the most widely used apps shaping political and cultural debate.

Lachlan Murdoch, the chief executive of Fox Corp, recently consolidated control of his family’s media empire, which includes Fox News and the Wall Street Journal, after settling a long-running legal dispute with his siblings. Trump said the 94-year-old Rupert Murdoch may himself also be involved in the deal.

Murdoch’s media outlets attract right-leaning audiences, but they have occasionally clashed with Trump. The US president’s lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal is for defamation over a July report linking him to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The newspaper has defended its reporting.

Other business figures named by Trump include Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell, who, along with Ellison, has previously been connected to discussions on TikTok’s future.

US law passed under the administration of former US President Joe Biden requires ByteDance to divest its TikTok operations, with both Democrats and Republicans supporting the legislation due to security concerns that Beijing could have access to American users’ data.

However, the spotlight on TikTok has also been linked to growing support for Palestinians and opposition to Israel among young Americans, with many pro-Israeli politicians blaming the popular app for the shifting tide.

Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for a ban on TikTok soon after the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, calling the app biased towards anti-Israel content.

Trump had proposed to ban TikTok during his first term as US president, signing two executive orders in August 2020 that were aimed at restricting the app. However, the US president did a U-turn, pledging to “save” the popular app during his 2024 re-election campaign.

The Trump administration has since tied negotiations over TikTok to wider trade talks with China.

China has consistently denied claims by US lawmakers that Beijing pressures apps like TikTok to collect personal information for the state.

US President Trump tells reporters that ‘great American patriots’ are planning to buy the social media app.

United States lawmakers are in China on a rare visit as the two countries tussle over trade, the ownership of the TikTok social media platform and military dynamics in the South China Sea.

According to a US media pool report, the members of the US House of Representatives met on Sunday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and relayed that they hoped to “break the ice” as the superpowers try to make progress on stabilising ties.

The visit followed a call by the leaders of the two countries, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Friday. The two leaders spoke by phone, their first call in three months, but there was no announcement about the sale, ownership or algorithm of TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned social media app that has 170 million US users.

According to the White House on Saturday, an emerging deal would give US companies control over TikTok’s algorithm and US citizens would hold the majority of seats, six out of seven, on a board overseeing the app’s US operations.

The app’s algorithm controls what users see, and US officials have often warned that it is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities.

But Trump told reporters on Saturday evening that “great American patriots” were planning to buy the app, which was supposed to be banned in the US in January. The president has signed repeated orders to allow the app to continue working while his administration tries to reach a deal with its owner, China’s ByteDance, to sell its US operations.

“And they’re [the buyers] very smart technologically, and they will not let anything bad happen to TikTok,” Trump said.

Among the expected buyers is Oracle, a tech firm owned by Larry Ellison, one of the world’s wealthiest people and a Trump supporter.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a Fox News interview on Saturday that the Trump administration was “100 percent confident that a deal is done”.

“[Trump] recognised the need to protect Americans’ privacy and data while also keeping this app open,” Leavitt said, adding: “TikTok is a vital part of our democratic process,” and she anticipated the deal to be finalised in “the coming days”.