Viral

The holidaymaker revealed how he enjoyed a week-long holiday at a budget price

A social media user has wowed travel fans after sharing how much he spent on a week’s holiday in Mexico. The holidaymaker explained his bargain travel hack in a TikTok post shared under the username @Byseyi.

In the viral video, Byseyi revealed he spent £360 per person on a last-minute holiday to Mexico. He said: “So this is one travel tip that I don’t really hear that many people talk about. And this is actually how me and my wife travelled to Mexico for a week for around £360 per person, and that’s flights and accommodation.”

The TikTok creator claims: “So if you’re able to travel last-minute, go and look at TUI’s last-minute flight deals on the flight section of their website. Because what happens is they’re trying to get rid of some of these last-minute flights and not have empty seats going. So we ended up booking a flight for two people to go to Cancun, Mexico, for £538 for both of us.

“Managed to find some good accommodation in Tulum that was cheap for £185. And even right now, if you go on the website, you’ll see a flight to the Dominican Republic for £384 if you’re able to travel in the month of May.

“So it’s really just for those people, maybe you had a holiday that got cancelled and you’re trying to plan a new thing, or you have the flexibility to just travel last minute. So it doesn’t apply to everyone, but for those that it can work for, you can get something good for cheap.”

The video gained over 115k views and 14k likes on TikTok. Replying to the video, a viewer said: “Thanks for reminding me being fully remote is a win.” A second comment read: “A digital nomads dream lol …let me go check out TUI.” A third social media user wrote: “Yep! TUI got me to Aruba for £196 return, directttt! best!”

Someone else shared: “I always like these deals but they don’t work for people who like to explore more than one city in a country. But I think it’s great when you are simply looking for anywhere to go to.”

Another response said: “How close to the departure date did you book?” The travel lover replied: “Booked on the 23rd of Feb, flew out 3rd of March.”

Passengers looking for last-minute flights can browse deals on TUI’s website, where there’s a section dedicated to cheap flights. Customers can filter their search by departure date, with options ranging from within seven days to three months. Alternatively, customers planning further ahead can refine their search by month.

Chris Logan, Commercial Director at TUI UK and Ireland, said: “If you’ve got a bit of flexibility, our last-minute flight deals can be a brilliant way to grab a great-value getaway. Flying from over 20 airports across the UK, making it easy to pick a date, pack a bag and set off from a nearby airport. There’s a great choice of destinations on offer too – from European favourites like Spain and Greece, to long-haul escapes across the Caribbean, including Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, as well as Florida.

“These direct flights include 10kg of hand luggage as standard, with the option to add more, upgrade for extra space or enjoy a more premium travel experience. It’s always worth checking back – you might find something that gets you away sooner than you think.”

A travel content creator has shared a simple two-second trick to help keep your belongings safe

A globetrotter has left social media users amazed after revealing her “genius” tip to help keep her possessions safe. In a viral TikTok post, @Charlottenorth demonstrated a two-second trick for fashioning a “makeshift lock” for your handbag.

The “smart” concept impressed viewers, with some branding it “the best hack.” The method is “so simple”, as you’ll only need one item to try it. As seen in the viral clip, Charlotte recommended using a claw clip to “lock” bags. Commenters also suggested using carabiners for the same effect.

In her post, Charlotte wrote: “How to lock your bag when travelling – I might just be dumb but I figured this out halfway through my trip and it felt revolutionary.” She then demonstrated the method, which saw her feed a hair clip through the zip and then clip it to her bag’s strap to create a “makeshift lock.”

Viewers loved the idea, with the footage gaining over 100k likes. One impressed viewer said: “I love this omg how smart!!” A second posted: “So simple yet genius!” Another fan of the idea wrote: “That’s so smart omg!! Thanks for sharing!”

A fourth commenter echoed: “This is so smart!!” Charlotte replied: “Honestly felt so much better walking round crowded areas like this!!!”

Sharing a similar idea, someone else said: “I’ve been doing this with a carabiner and it’s perfect when I travel!!” A different reply read: “Been doing this for a year and it’s the best hack!!” Another social media user shared: “I always do this! Looks cute and my stuff is safe.”

Keen to try the idea, a fan said: “Ohhhhhh! I think I’ll do this for my upcoming Italy trip this summer!” Yet another fan wrote: “Ohhh, I might do this for our summer euro trip.”

Issuing advice on pickpocketing, the Metropolitan Police’s website states: “Remember, having a zipped bag doesn’t mean you’re totally safe. Thieves have been known to walk behind victims while slowly unzipping bags. Yes, they can be that bold. So, never underestimate a pickpocket.”

The webpage also includes dos and don’ts to help keep your belongings safe. The tips include carrying bags in front of you or diagonally across your chest and concealing your wallet in a buttoned or zipped pocket.

When travelling, the advice is to separate your wallet and phone and keep the contact numbers of family in case your phone is stolen. The guidance recommends opting for a purse that’s difficult to open.

People are also advised not to leave bags hanging on the back of a chair, attached to a pushchair, or out of sight on the floor when they visit cafes and restaurants. Pickpockets can target people in these areas.

A plane passenger claimed their flight was delayed by an hour because of one other passenger’s selfish act – and it had devastating consequences for people’s travel plans

Finding out your plane is delayed can be a nightmare. No one wants to hang around in an airport for any longer than they need to, especially if you’re trying to go and enjoy a holiday, or aching to get back home. Delays can also be frustrating if you have a connecting flight, as you could end up missing your next plane.

The most common cause for flight delays is weather conditions, which neither the airport nor the airline can control. But one woman on social media was left furious when her plane was delayed by an entire hour – just because of another passenger causing an issue with the flight attendants.

Cassandra Saunders was already sitting in her seat on the flight from Los Angeles, California, to Tampa, Florida, when the incident began, and filmed herself so that she could capture the audio of the fellow passenger complaining to a flight attendant. The passenger was complaining that he couldn’t sit next to his fiancée as they hadn’t booked seats next to each other, and the flight attendant was trying to tell him that he couldn’t just sit in someone else’s seat.

In the video, which was uploaded to Instagram, the man’s voice can be heard asking the flight attendant how he can switch seats, to which she replies he will have to ask the person sitting in the seat he wants to move to. She adds the cabin crew can’t do anything to move people out of their designated seats.

The man continues to argue, saying there was no one currently in the seat he wanted to sit in, but the flight attendant says boarding hadn’t finished yet. The conversation continues, with Cassandra writing on her clip that the argument delayed their flight by an hour.

She wrote: “My intuition already knew this guy was going to be a problem. This dude delayed our flight by an hour. He kept going to the back and wasn’t respecting the flight attendant’s instructions.”

In the caption, Cassandra said the row over seating meant some passengers were at risk of missing their connecting flights and having their travel plans ruined – and she only made her connecting flight with a mere five seconds to spare after racing through the airport when they eventually landed.

She posted: “Travelling is already chaotic, and this couple was being inconsiderate to everyone on the plane, delaying us by an hour. Several passengers asked them to get off because people had connecting flights. But all he seemed to care about was sitting next to his fiancée. The flight attendant did a great job in handling it. I made it to my connecting [flight with] five minutes to spare – I ran!”

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Cassandra later posted the second part of the passenger’s argument with the cabin crew, in which another male voice is heard ordering the passenger to get off the plane. The man’s fiancée is then apparently heard trying to convince the plane staff to let her partner stay on the flight, but is told she is welcome to leave with him.

Adding more context to what happened, Cassandra wrote: “They had a full conversation while everyone was waiting on them. The [fiancée] stayed and then five minutes later decided to get off the plane.”

Commenters on the video were gobsmacked by the “entitlement” of the couple, with many saying that sitting next to someone for a couple of hours on a domestic flight isn’t worth being delayed by an hour. Others said they should have been kicked off the flight sooner, arguing that an hour is far too long to have allowed the dispute to go on.

One person said: “If you want to make sure you’re next to your partner, pay the extra fees and make sure you book the seats together.” Another added: “Any conversation longer than 10 minutes should have been had outside the gate.”

A third fumed: “An HOUR?!!! Nah, they didn’t do their job. Get him off immediately.”

Crime thriller fans are heaping praise on a gripping new BBC series starring Sheridan Smith, as people say it’s the ‘show of the year’ and has some ‘unexpectedly’ funny moments

A new BBC crime thriller series could be your next obsession. If you’re looking for a new series to sink your teeth into, then forget about Netflix and Amazon Prime Video – as a new series now available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer has already been touted as one of the best shows of 2026.

The five-part series stars Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha, and according to people on social media, it is both gripping and “unexpectedly funny”. With only five episodes, it’s the perfect thing to binge this weekend – especially if you’re looking for a “high-stakes” show with tension and laughter.

TV and film reviewer Emily posted a video on TikTok in which she heaped praise on the new series, called The Cage, stating that fans of crime dramas should “get this one on your watch list” immediately.

She said: “We have a brand-new high-stakes crime thriller that the BBC have just dropped, starring Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha. So if you love a good crime thriller, then definitely get this one on your watch list.”

The Cage is set in a casino in Liverpool, where two casino workers named Leanne (Smith) and Matty (Socha) realise they have both plotted to steal from the same safe.

Emily explained: “It’s all about two employees who are both secretly stealing from the same safe without knowing that the other exists. What starts off as a quick way to make extra money turns into something far more dangerous when their lives collide, pulling them into a situation involving crime, pressure, and people that they really do not want to be involved with. From then on, everything just keeps spiralling.”

The TV reviewer said she hasn’t yet finished the series herself, but she’s already “hooked” after just two episodes.

She continued: “I have watched the first two episodes so far, and I am hooked. It’s really tense, gritty, unpredictable, and you have this constant sense that something could go wrong at any moment, which really raises the stakes. It also really leans into desperation and bad decisions, and how quickly things can spiral, even if you think you have a plan.”

The Cage was created by Tony Schumacher, who also created the BBC police drama The Responder, which starred Martin Freeman as a police officer who has been demoted from his position as an inspector and takes on a series of night shifts in Liverpool city centre.

Alongside Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha, The Cage also stars Barry Sloane, Geraldine James, and Sue Jenkins. The show was directed by Al Mackay and was filmed in Liverpool and Merseyside in early 2025.

Commenters on Emily’s video were split over the series. Some said they had already seen it and found it to be “slow”, while others said it was “unexpectedly” good.

One person said: “Watched it all over the past two nights, really, really good. Would recommend it.”

Someone else posted: “This is really good. Unexpectedly, it was quite funny in parts.”

But another wasn’t convinced, writing: “I’ve watched the first episode, [and] it needs to get better. I will try one more, but if it hasn’t grabbed me, that will be me done.”

A fourth shared: “Watching it now. [It’s] a bit slow.”

Travel fans swear by the ‘game-changing’ packing method that prevents creases and saves space in your suitcase

A traveller has shared a “game-changing” packing hack that prevents clothes from getting creased in your suitcase. The popular method was demonstrated in a TikTok video posted by womenswear brand Sophie Cameron Davies.

Taking to social media, @Sophiecamerondavies explained why dedicating a little extra time to packing your suitcase can save considerable hassle during your trip. The caption said: “If your suitcase is full of floaty dresses, silk pieces or anything remotely crease-prone, try this. No more steaming out wrinkles for half your holiday.

“It’s simple, space-saving, and actually works. Save this one – your future self will thank you.” As shown in the clip, the method sees holidaymakers fold their garments as few times as possible, ensuring they stay flat within the suitcase.

Sophie said: “Lay your clothes completely flat, don’t roll or overfold. Fill the full width of your suitcase right into the corners, and fold only once or twice max to avoid deep creases.

“Then just lay each piece on top of the other like a stack. It keeps everything smooth and compact, so simple but game-changing.” The video racked up thousands of likes.

It also prompted commenters to share their preferred methods, and it seems many are devoted to Sophie’s approach. One fan of the idea wrote: “I have packed like this for years and it’s honestly a game changer! Less folds = more space.”

A second fan replied: “I’ve been doing this more recently!” A third viewer wrote: “I always pack like this – never have to iron.” Adding to the praise, someone mentioned: “I’ve always done this and left them on hangers too. So once I arrive, hang straight up.”

There was more feedback. A social media user wrote: “I do this too ….makes unpacking at hotel sooooo much easier.” Others shared their own methods, with a viewer writing: “I use the other side for clothes as it’s flat and the side you have put the clothes in I use for toiletries and shoes, swimwear etc .. it works no creases.”

Another response added: “I do this but I lay each piece flat hanging from the sides. Lay items on top then flip the sides inwards and secure it.”

Not everyone was so convinced, though. A commenter wrote: “Then when you stand the case up everything will fall down,” someone defended the method but highlighted a different criticism, saying: “No, it doesn’t. I’ve packed like this – just a pain looking for things when arriving at destination.”

Guardians fan Evelyn Moore got a pretty cool souvenir from Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays — a two-run home run ball hit by Cleveland second baseman Daniel Schneemann.

The 11-year-old softball player from New Philadelphia, Ohio, almost got the ball right after Schneemann hit it in the bottom of the fifth inning.

But, as seen in video footage that quickly went viral on social media, a man appeared to snatch it away as Evelyn was trying to pick it up near the rail in the left-center field stands at Progressive Field.

He eventually gave it to her, however, and now the girl’s mother wants folks on social media to leave him alone.

“This man’s life shouldn’t be ruined over this,” Nikki Moore-DeVore said. “Jokes and memes are one thing, but it’s getting excessive. It’s too much.”

Moore-DeVore said her family — which also includes her husband, Jon DeVore, and her son, Theo Moore, 9 — attend several Guardians games a year. They sit in the outfield stands, where Evelyn — an avid baseball fan and baseball card collector — likes to take her glove down to the rail and try to persuade Cleveland outfielders to toss her a ball.

Video of Schneemann’s home run shows the ball flying over the left-center field wall, where a bearded man wearing a throwback Cleveland Indians hat and T-shirt tried to catch it in the air. Instead, it bounced off his hands toward the rail to his left.

Cleveland Guardians’ Daniel Schneemann, right, is greeted at the plate by teammate David Fry after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday in Cleveland.

(Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press)

Evelyn ran down from her seat two rows up, dropped to the ground and attempted to secure the ball in front of her. The man ran over and also dropped to the ground next to her, starting a brief struggle for control of the ball.

The man eventually emerged triumphantly.

“I did not really see how the ball came over to us. I just saw it bounce in our direction and my daughter go down to get it,” Moore-DeVore said. “And I saw the scuffle kind of from behind, but I couldn’t see much of the hands or anything like that. I just saw the shoulders shifting around.

“And then she got up empty-handed, and people started booing. The guys sitting in front of me were like, ‘That was her ball!’ My husband was booing. He was not happy, but we didn’t want to ruin the game.”

Evelyn also was upset by the turn of events, her mother said, “but she didn’t cry.”

“She actually took it like a champ,” Moore-DeVore said. “Every inning, she still went up to the rail to try to get one of the players to throw a ball to her. She didn’t give up.”

Meanwhile, Theo approached the man to request he return the ball to his sister. Moore-DeVore said her son told her the man politely refused.

“I was just proud of him for going over there and taking it upon himself to try to help his sister,” Moore-DeVore said.

The Rays broadcast of the game showed the incident involving Evelyn and the man, with the announcers taking the girl’s side. On social media, fans shared the video and shamed the man for his behavior, with some looking to make his identity public.

Later in the game, Rays sideline reporter Ryan Bass visited the family at their seats and presented both kids with baseballs.

That’s when Evelyn became emotional.

“She cried happy tears,” her mother said. “I think she just felt seen. The incident made her feel small, and Ryan made her feel seen.”

Bass posted about the moment on X.

“We had to make it right,” Bass wrote, adding in a separate post: “We got the chance to make a sweet little girl’s night. There’s nothing better. Kindness is free. Always remember that.”

Before the bottom of the eighth inning, Evelyn went down to her usual post at the rail to try to persuade an outfielder to toss her a ball. She returned with the home run ball from three innings earlier.

“She came back with the biggest smile on her face: ‘Mom, he gave it back to me!’” Moore-DeVore said. “The guys in front of me were like, ‘yeah, he’s, like, getting a lot of social media flack.’ … I’m sure he realized eventually that it was probably the wrong action to take, just not good etiquette.”

In return, Moore-DeVore said, Theo offered the man — whose name has not been revealed despite the internet’s attempts — one of the balls that Bass had given him and his sister.

“He respectfully declined,” she said, “so my son gave it to another kid.”

Moore-DeVore said both of her kids are “on cloud nine” over how everything turned out — and she wants everyone else to get over it as well.

“I don’t want this one moment to ruin this guy,” she said. “And my kids, they wouldn’t want that. They’re sweet kids. I feel like, if kids their age can forgive and offer him a peace offering, grown adults and other fans can, too.”

One travel influencer has suggested three places in the UK which people should consider visiting instead of more popular destinations. “It’s not about skipping any of them… just travelling a little differently,” she said

The UK is full of incredible places to visit, from historic sites dating back thousands of years, to bustling towns and cities. Whether you want to spend some time in the countryside or on a beach, or if shopping in high-end boutiques and eating in Michelin-star restaurants is more your speed, we’ve got it all.

There are plenty of places in the UK which are famous across the world as destinations for tourists, from the ancient mystery of Stonehenge and the historic streets of Edinburgh, to the spectacular countryside of the Cotswolds and the iconic Big Ben. But what if you want something a bit more off the beaten path?

One travel influencer has suggested three places in the UK which people should consider visiting instead of the more popular destinations. Apryl, who has 47,000 followers on Instagram and regularly shares tips for travel in the UK, shared the advice on social media. Writing in the first slide of the post, Apryl said: “Three places everyone plans in England but I wouldn’t… where I’d go instead.”

Writing in the caption, she said: “Everyone goes to the icons, and you probably should too. But if you’ve already done them, or want something a little less crowded, here’s what I’d add to your England itinerary.” She added: “It’s not about skipping any of them… just travelling a little differently.”

Ely instead of Oxford

Firstly, she said people planning to visit Oxford should instead consider the Cambridgeshire city of Ely. She said: “Fewer crowds, cathedral views, medieval streets.”

Nestled in the Cambridgeshire countryside, the city’s most iconic feature is the spectacular Ely Cathedral, with its incredible octagonal tower. Tourism site Visit Ely describes it as “the destination city with something for everyone”.

It said: “From the monastic buildings of the city past, the vibrant food scene and the scenic majesty of the Riverside, Ely packs a great deal into a pocket city. With Ely Cathedral, independent shops around the city centre, places to relax and replenish both body and mind, there has never been a better time to enjoy this quintessentially English jewel in the heart of East Cambridgeshire. “

Hastings Old Town instead of Brighton Pier

Next, Apryl said people planning a visit to Brighton Pier should instead consider travelling 36 miles east to Hastings Old Town in East Sussex. Apryl said: “Fishing huts, antique shops, and a slower seaside.”

Hastings Old Town is famous for its 19th-century Net Shops, tall, black wooden sheds originally built to provide weatherproof storage for fishing gear. Today the huts are Grade II-listed, while one serves as a free museum.

The area itself comprises the part of the town of Hastings which existed before the 19th century. Today it is the easternmost valley of the current town.

Chester instead of York

Apryl’s final tip was directed at people planning a trip to the historic city of York. She said people should instead visit Chester in Cheshire. She said: “Timbered streets, Roman walls, and fewer crowds.”

Steeped in history, Chester has the most complete city walls and the largest Roman Amphitheatre in the UK, as well as a 10th century cathedral. Chester Zoo is also home to 35,000 animals, and is reportedly the most-visited attraction in the UK outside London.

Visit Cheshire said: “Visit Chester, for its bewitching beauty and unique atmosphere which make it one of Britain’s most popular places for an unforgettable short break. The ancient city is a breath-taking experience with each chapter of Chester’s history etched into the very fabric of the city. Walk where Roman Legionnaires marched to war, Viking raiders wreaked havoc and Norman invaders conquered Anglo Saxons.”

Concluding, Apryl clarified she wasn’t suggesting people shouldn’t visit Oxford, Brighton, or York, but that they should consider other lesser-known destinations too. “Don’t cancel your trip… just try these too,” she said.

While a multitude of law enforcement agents sprang into action after a shooter tried to storm a ballroom where President Donald Trump and others were attending the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, one well-dressed and cool under pressure plainclothes agent went viral after whipping out a Heckler & Koch MP7. The MP7 is a high-end personal defense weapon (PDW) that is already something of a pop culture fascination, being famously used by SEAL Team Six and featured in countless video games. Unlike many of its counterparts, it also remains unavailable in any configuration on the general firearms civilian marketplace. Regardless, the memes have come fast and furious and have made this still unidentified expressionless agent, and his futuristic-looking weapon, internet stars.

What agency this individual belongs to still is not entirely clear, with the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and U.S. Capitol Police having been raised as possibilities. The latter is very likely to be the agency in question, having adopted the MP7 for its Dignitary Protection Division following another politically-motivated shooting nearly a decade ago.

Cole Tomas Allen was subdued and arrested at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C., on Saturday after authorities say he attempted to shoot his way past security to get to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He is said to have been armed with a .38-caliber pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun, as well as knives, at the time. A Secret Service agent was hit by gunfire, but the projectile was reportedly stopped by a combination of their protective vest and cellphone, and they are expected to recover. Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, sent a message to family members stating his intention to target members of the Trump administration right before the attack.

The President and First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other top members of the administration were at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, and other members of Congress were also present. A host of other dignitaries were in attendance, as well. Trump and other administration officials were moved first to secure locations on site, before returning to the White House after authorities asked everyone to leave the venue.

It was during that initial response that the plainclothes agent emerged carrying the MP7. A photographer actually caught the individual pulling the gun from what looks to be a Crye Precision EXP-series pack. The MP7 in this case was also fitted with a non-magnifying T2 red dot optic on a raised Unity mount, both of which are made by Aimpoint. What appears to be a Surefire XVL2-IRC laser aiming and light module was also spotted mounted on top of the gun in front of the optic. It also had a collapsible foregrip.

Since Heckler & Koch first introduced the MP7 in 2001, it has been presented as ideally suited to being discreetly carried by individuals tasked with VIP protection duties. In its standard configuration with its built-in buttstock collapsed, the gun is around 16 and a half inches long. Without a magazine loaded or any accessories fitted, it weighs just under four pounds. The MP7 is a bit heavier than the smallest version of Heckler & Koch’s famed MP5 submachine gun, the MP5K, but also has far more modern ergonomics and controls.

MP7A1 vs MP7A2: H&K’s Modern PDW

In addition, the 4.7x30mm round that the MP7 fires is designed to offer excellent low-recoil, armor-penetrating, and range characteristics in a very compact package, especially compared to traditional pistol rounds. Due to its relatively tiny rifle-style ammunition, Heckler & Koch’s gun is regularly compared to the FN P90, a very different weapon design-wise, but which was built around a broadly similar cartridge, the 5.7x28mm. Both offer submachine gun size, but with armor-piercing capabilities that their pistol caliber cousins cannot offer. The accessibility to increasingly capable body armor by civilians is a main reason why units have moved from submarine guns to guns in the PDW class, including the MP7 and FN P90, as well as compact assault rifles.

The MP7’s focus on lower felt recoil also helps increase accuracy. Altogether, the gun, with its rate of fire of around 950 rounds per minute, is intended to offer a potent amount of firepower that a shooter can get on target easily and keep it there, even when drawing quickly from concealment under pressure.

Despite still having a relatively small user base today, as noted earlier, the MP7 has attained a certain spot in popular culture, including video games and movies, in large part due to the gun’s use by SEAL Team Six. This is the same unit, also known as the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), responsible for the raid that led to the death of Al Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden in 2011.

“I ran with a suppressed MP7 submachine gun on a few missions, but lacked the knockdown power of my H&K 416 [5.56x45mm assault rifle]. The submachine gun came in handy during ship boarding, in the jungle, or when weight, size, and the ability to stay extremely quiet were needed,” retired Navy SEAL Matt Bissonnette (writing under the pen name Mark Owen) wrote in his 2012 book No Easy Day. “Several times we shot fighters in one room with a suppressed MP7 and their comrades next door didn’t wake up. The H&K 416s didn’t compare to the MP7 when you were trying to be extremely quiet.”

SEAL Team 6/DEVGRU kit. MP7 and HK416 in matching camo. The real gem is the ‘Pirate Gun,’ the sawed-off M79 40mm break-open grenade launcher made famous by ‘Mark Owen’s’ book No Easy Day. pic.twitter.com/IzwEwun4ZX

— Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) October 6, 2020

MP7s are also in service worldwide with a variety of conventional and special operations military units, as well as law enforcement agencies, including in the United States.

At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the agent’s stoic action movie mystique and tailored suit also upped the ‘cool factor’ when paired with his intriguing MP7 armament.

All of this has now also contributed to the images of the MP7 agent at the Washington Hilton this weekend going viral on social media. The general visual of the MP7 being drawn from the pack has also prompted comparisons to iconic photos of Secret Service agent Robert Wanko producing a Uzi submachine gun from a custom briefcase during the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. The MP7-armed agent spotted over the weekend is already developing a similar following online. 

As noted, there still remains something of a question as to what agency the MP7-armed individual seen at the Washington Hilton on Saturday belongs to.

The U.S. Capitol Police is a particularly distinct possibility based on its very public adoption of the MP7 for use by its Dignitary Protection Division (DPD). Agents from DPD would have had a clear reason to be among those providing security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, given the presence of Speaker Johnson and other legislators. In the United States, the Speaker of the House is an extremely important position, with whoever is serving in that role being second in line to succeed the President if need be.

The USCP’s Dignitary Protection Division (DPD)

The U.S. Capitol Police first began acquiring MP7s as a result of four people, including then-U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (another Louisiana Republican), being shot at the annual Congressional Baseball Game in 2017. The gunman, James T. Hodgkinson, was also wounded in the ensuing firefight and subsequently died. Authorities concluded that Hodgkinson had deliberately targeted Republican lawmakers at the event.

“It should be noted that we do have the ability to deploy another weapon, the M4, the [5.56x45mm] assault rifle. We have that ability today, and we deploy that when necessary,” then-Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police Matthew Verderosa told members of Congress at a hearing in 2019. “The MP7 is a pilot program that the Board has directed us to engage in, in terms of providing a weapon that meets the needs that sort of bridges the gap between a true assault rifle and a handgun.”

“We currently have a [sic] MP7 assault weapon that is specifically utilized by our Dignitary Protection Division agents,” Assistant Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police Sean Gallagher also said in 2022. “I believe almost 60 to 70 percent of our entire DPD is trained on that weapon.”

Gallagher’s comments came in an interview with the House of Representatives’ Select Committee investigating the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The individual with the MP7 at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner may still belong to another agency, though this seems less likely to be the case. The Secret Service has been brought up as another possibility. However, it is known to have adopted the P90, and it is unclear why it would also have the functionally similar MP7 in inventory. Interestingly, on April 24, the Secret Service also awarded a contract to J.P. Enterprises, Inc., for an unspecified “9mm Pistol Caliber Carbine,” which could be based on that company’s existing JP-5 or GMR-15 designs.

FBI has also been put forward based on the badge the individual has on their belt. It features an eagle on top with wings that are not fully connected with the rest of the badge, as is the case with what the FBI issues to special agents. The FBI is also not known to be a user of the MP7, though this does not rule out the possibility. At the same time, members of the U.S. Capitol Police have been seen wearing badges with eagles with similarly detached wings over the years, as well.

TWZ has reached out to the Secret Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Capitol Police for any additional information they can provide. FBI declined to comment.

More broadly speaking, though the response looks to have largely worked as intended, the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has raised questions about security protocols, especially around Trump at public events. Trump, both as President and as a candidate, has already been the target of multiple assassination attempts. He was notably wounded during one attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024. The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies were widely criticized over that incident.

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting may well trigger further reviews of tactics, techniques, and procedures at the Secret Service and other agencies. Whether it prompts the adoption of new weapons, like the U.S. Capitol Police’s adoption of the MP7 in the wake of the 2017 attack on the Congressional Baseball Game, remains to be seen.

If nothing else, the suit-wearing expressionless agent carrying the MP7 has already been cemented as a core image of the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton this weekend.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com

The fort was built in the 1890s as part of a series of facilities set up to keep a potential invasion from London. One historian revealed the incredible story behind the site

The UK is full of stunning places to visit, but one particular spot combines breathtaking scenery with a captivating glimpse into the past. A military historian recently explored the location and revealed the remarkable story behind its construction.

Military history specialist Dr Jen Howe shared the tale of Reigate Fort on Instagram. Now under the ownership of the National Trust, the fort was constructed on top of Reigate Hill in Surrey in 1898. And the purpose behind its creation is extraordinary.

According to the National Trust, which manages the site today, the fort was erected to fend off a possible French invasion as part of the London Defence scheme. This comprised a 72-mile network of defences consisting of 13 military installations intended to safeguard the capital. Beyond storing equipment and ammunition, there were also proposals to excavate enormous trenches to keep invading armies at bay from London.

Beginning her Instagram slideshow, Dr Howe remarked: “POV: You stumble into a world of forgotten military history just 30 mins from London.” Detailing the history of Reigate Fort, she continued: “Built in the late 1890s to defend London from a French invasion that never actually came. These buildings held shovels and guns, ready to build one huge trench around London…”

The National Trust notes that, by 1906, it was decided the British Navy possessed sufficient strength to repel any prospective invasion, and Reigate Fort was decommissioned. It was sold the following year. In 1972, it and the other mobilisation centres were designated as Scheduled Ancient Monuments by English Heritage in recognition of their significance to British military history. The site welcomes visitors every day, reports Surrey Live.

Those who visit can view two sets of gates – the first are steel and spiked, while the second are heavier and bulletproof. The tool store and the magazine – where munitions and explosives were once kept – are also on display, along with the underground casemates, which would have served both as storage facilities and as shelter from enemy bombardment.

Dr Howe also drew attention to a nearby memorial dedicated to nine US airmen, who died when the B-17 Flying Fortress they were aboard came down on Reigate Hill in March 1945. “A few metres on and you’ll find a tragic site,” she said.

“On March 19, 1945, nine US airmen were coming home from Germany when their plane went down in a thick cloud. None of them made it.

“They had an average age of 21. The oak wing tips laid out are the exact distance of the aircraft’s tips, and a haunting reminder of what fell here.”

According to the National Trust, the memorial sculpture was crafted by Surrey artist Roger Day, and was unveiled on the 70th anniversary of the crash. Both elements of the memorial are carved from ancient Surrey oak, positioned the same distance apart as the aircraft’s wingtips, with metal salvaged from the crash site incorporated within the sculpture.

Dr Howe also drew attention to another nearby structure. “Just beyond and you’ll find a mysterious WW2 structure,” she said. “Even historians aren’t too sure what it was used for.”

In the caption accompanying her post, she wrote: “40 minutes from London there’s a stretch of the North Downs where, in the space of a single walk, you pass a Victorian fort built to protect London from a French invasion that never came, a mysterious WW2 structure, a clearing where a US bomber crew were killed on their 13th mission together, and a WW2 training ground.

“Reigate is a genuinely beautiful walk, with wide open chalk downland, extraordinary views, ancient woodland. But the hidden military history adds so much to this place. You may not even notice these things if you didn’t know where to look!”

One Australian traveller was left stunned when she turned up to Gatwick airport at 4am and look over at the Wetherspoons pub there. Her video has now gone viral online

Most of us have bagged ourselves an early flight to try and save on fees before. However, that does involve getting up at the crack of dawn to make it to the airport on time. Luckily, most major airports usually have somewhere open to get a coffee, grab and snack or have the ‘airport beer‘ many Brits enjoy before heading on your flight – no matter what the time.

One of the most popular places for many Brits to head to before they catch their flight is Wetherspoons if there’s one there. Most of us know that airports can be expensive, so the budget pub brand is the perfect place to have a breakfast, meal or drink that isn’t going to break the bank.

However, one Australian traveller was left stunned when she turned up to Gatwick Airport and saw that the Wetherspoons there was completely packed – despite it being 4am.

The travel influencer, Kiaya, who boasts 14,900 followers online on her @kiaya.travels account, shared a video the showed people queuing to get into the pub. Another take from inside then showed the inside which was rammed with people, with some already enjoying an alcoholic beverage.

Overlay text read, ‘Every table full at 4am in the airport, oh to be British.’

The caption for the post, which was shared on the official Wetherspoon Instagram account, wrote: “Nothing like a ‘Spoons breakfast before my flight!”

People were loving the post, as it went viral and racked up more than 122,000 likes.

One person exclaimed: “Nothing slaps harder than a pre-flight ‘Spoons breakfast and a pint to be honest,” while another added: “What more could you want a 4am! I’m here for it.”

A third chimed in: “We love Wetherspoons,” while another branded it their “favourite spot”.

Wetherspoon pubs at Gatwick Airport are typically open between 3AM and 5AM and close between 9PM and 11PM daily. There is one branch in the North Terminal (after security) and two in the South Terminal (one before and one after security).

Despite a pre-flight pint being a tradition amongst many Brits, travel insiders previously shared why it might not be the best idea. Chatting with experts at global travel booking giant Omio, flight attendant Dashiell Horowitz of Air Transat gave his advice to anyone planning to board a plane.

He recommended eating a big meal to ‘make sure you’re tired and get some rest on the flight’, however, he wasn’t as keen on airport beers.

Dashiell said: “There isn’t much I would avoid if flying as a passenger except for anything that you know will upset your stomach!

“The one thing I would truly avoid is any alcohol before a flight. Most people don’t know it affects you twice as much whilst in the air, so you’re more likely to feel the effects than on the ground.”

A flight attendant has shared several plane safety tips that could make your next trip more comfortable – including the one item you should absolutely never wear

You could be picking up all sorts of germs by wearing the wrong clothes on a flight.

When travelling by plane, whether it’s for a work trip or holiday, you usually want to be as comfortable as possible. No matter how long your flight is, sitting in a cramped space surrounded by strangers isn’t ideal, so you normally want to make sure your outfit is something you can feel relaxed in for at least a few hours, if not longer.

But one flight attendant has said there’s one thing you should absolutely never wear on a plane, regardless of how comfortable you think it is. Charity Moore is a flight attendant who regularly posts travel tips on social media, and in a recent video, she shared several things she wishes more people did on flights.

Among her tips, Charity said there’s one thing you should absolutely never wear on a plane, as it puts your body in direct contact with the seats – which aren’t always the most hygienic things to be sitting on.

1. Wear the right clothes

Charity insisted you should never wear anything that exposes your legs on a plane, including shorts and skirts. She advocated for wearing trousers at all times, because she’s seen some “diabolical” things happen on plane seats that aren’t always cleaned as thoroughly as you might like.

She said: “I am letting you know, from a flight attendant, the amount of things I have seen on the seat. Wear pants. Shorts, skirts, dresses, absolutely not. Wear full pants. None of your skin should be touching that seat. I don’t care if you come on board and disinfect it. Nope, nope, nope. Wear full pants. Trust me, I have seen some diabolical things.”

2. Disinfect the seatbelts

The flight attendant also said that while she often sees passengers using antibacterial wipes on things like the tray table, she hardly ever sees anyone clean the seatbelt – which she believes is the most important part.

She explained: “You guys all come on board with your little Clorox wipes and your little disinfectants, and you start wiping everything down. That little tray table in front of you [and] the back of your seat. I don’t really get why you’re wiping the back of your seat, because if you’re wearing clothes, nothing really touches that.

“What you should be wiping that nobody wipes is that seatbelt. The metal part, because everybody touches it, but also you should be wiping the fabric part of the seatbelt, because everybody pulls on that. The amount of throw up, baby vomit, bodily fluids, liquids that have spilt, and random stuff that ends up on those seatbelts. Wipe them down, babe.”

3. Exercise proper toilet hygiene

Charity claimed that not enough passengers have proper toilet etiquette when using the bathroom on a plane. This includes washing your hands once you’ve done your business, making sure you flush the toilet, and even closing the door behind you once you’re finished.

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While these might seem like obvious things you would do after any toilet visit, whether it’s on a plane or not, the flight attendant insisted a large portion of passengers don’t do them.

She also said if you’ve taken your shoes off at your seat to make yourself more comfortable, you should not go to the toilet without putting your shoes back on.

The attendant noted: “It is never ever water on the floor in the lav. And your socks are like two big sponges.”

4. Bring food

Charity’s final piece of advice is to bring food with you. She said it’s a “huge misconception” that you can’t bring food through security, and encouraged people to bring snacks or even a fully prepared meal with them to help them survive their plane journey.

In the UK, food items and powders are allowed in your hand luggage, but may obstruct images on X-ray machines, so your bags might need to be checked again manually by security, which could cause you delays.

You are generally not allowed to bring liquid or gel-like foods such as soup, sauces, jams, and yoghurts in your hand luggage, and may not be able to bring certain fresh produce, like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, across some international borders, so always make sure you check the rules before you fly.

In most cases, you will be able to bring snack boxes with things like sweets, chocolate, and crisps onto a flight. You should usually avoid packing nuts into your snack box, as you may be asked not to open these if a passenger has an allergy.

Budget airline Ryanair has suggested a controversial new fee targeting one type of passengers on early morning flights – and the idea has divided opinion among travellers

Budget airlines such as Ryanair are often an excellent choice if you need to travel across the UK and Europe without emptying your bank account for the ticket fee. However, they frequently impose a range of ‘hidden’ charges should you wish to add special extras to your standard ticket.

From airport check-in charges for travellers who don’t check in online, to amending the name on your booking, or missing your flight, it all carries an additional cost that can add up quickly. And Ryanair is no stranger to threatening to bring in further fees, as they regularly turn to social media to float ‘ideas’ for new passenger charges – though these seldom become reality.

Potential new charges that have been shared on their social media channels include a denim fee for travellers who choose to wear jeans while on the aircraft, to a ‘toilet use’ charge. The possibilities, it appears, are genuinely limitless – and frequently prompt mixed reactions from passengers who are swift to devise ‘hacks’ to dodge the various fees.

Now, the carrier has unveiled what could be one of its most controversial proposals yet – charging talkative passengers on early morning flights. The company turned to Facebook to float the concept in a tongue-in-cheek message.

“We’ll be charging yappers on our 6am flights very soon,” they posted. Despite how absurd it may appear, some travellers seemed entirely supportive, as they were keen for a peaceful and quiet flight when having to board early. One user wrote: “A charge we can all stand by.”

Another chimed in: “Here’s a deal, if we get on board and say we don’t want a scratch card, then we are left in peace for the rest of the flight by your in-air street traders who do most of the yapping.”

Ryanair is well known for selling scratch cards on its flights, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.

However, others were quick to turn on the airline, questioning whether this fee would also apply to the cabin crew themselves. One user hit back, asking: “Does that include the ones yapping on the PA system about scratch cards and duty free?”

“That would be your crew selling us perfumes first thing in the morning,” another user added.

Ryanair fees to be aware of

While Ryanair frequently pokes fun at its own extra charges, there are some very real fees that passengers ought to familiarise themselves with – as being caught off guard could land you with a steep bill at the departure gate.

Failing to check in online means you can expect to be charged £55/€55 to ‘cover the extra cost’ of checking in at the Ryanair desk. If your flight is departing from Spain, however, this drops to £30/€30. Instead, travellers are urged to check in for their flights via the Ryanair app or website prior to arriving at the airport. Those who have pre-booked a seat can check in up to 60 days before a scheduled departure, while others may check in 24 hours before a flight. Generally, check-in closes two hours before departure.

You’ll also need to ensure your luggage meets the size requirements for cabin bags, as this is where numerous passengers come unstuck, finding themselves hit with a £60 fee per bag. Previously, bags had to be 40x25x20cm, but as of last year, passengers can bring a bag of up to 40x30x20cm. This small item can be a laptop bag, handbag, rucksack, or any item that fits within the dimensions to fit under the seat in front of you.

For an additional charge, which differs depending on route and availability, passengers can bring a second cabin bag of up to 10kg in weight. This bag can be up to 55x40x20cm in size and passengers will need to be able to load this into the overhead locker themselves without any assistance from the cabin crew.

For more information about Ryanair’s extra fees, you can read more on their website.

A British couple have shared their honest verdict on the giant mozzarella sticks in Tenerife that have gone viral on social media, with a plate of three setting you back £11.25

A couple have given their candid verdict after sampling the viral, giant mozzarella sticks during their holiday to Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

Whenever you’re gearing up to visit somewhere new, many people turn to the internet and social media to scout out things to do and foods to try, building excitement while piecing together an itinerary for their time away.

This also means that if you’re heading to a well-known tourist hotspot, the chances are you’ll stumble across at least one dish or eatery that’s already taken social media by storm. In Tenerife, one such food that’s been setting the internet alight is an impressive-looking mozzarella stick. But with all the buzz surrounding them, some may question whether they’re truly worth seeking out.

To put them to the test, British holidaymaker Sam Jenkins decided to give them a go while away with her boyfriend, before heading to TikTok to share their honest thoughts.

“Trying the VIRAL Tenerife mozzarella sticks!” they wrote at the beginning of the clip, which shows the pair making their way to the restaurant that serves them.

The footage then revealed the mozzarella stick itself, which appeared thick, lengthy and a beautifully golden shade after being deep-fried. They were presented on a plate of three, which looked to be a rather generous serving given their considerable size. A dipping sauce was also included on the side.

The girl then attempted to tear off a piece, resulting in an impressive cheese pull that demonstrated just how generously packed with mozzarella each stick truly was.

The guy then had a go himself, snapping the mozzarella stick open from the middle, which once again produced a spectacular cheese pull that appeared to stretch wide enough to reach his outstretched arms.

Although they didn’t film themselves actually tasting the mozzarella sticks following the cheese pull, they did confirm the snacks had lived up to all the hype, awarding them a ’10/10′.

“Try the viral Tenerife mozzarella sticks with us!!! From the Winchester Tenerife Costa adeje 10/10 would recommend,” they wrote in the caption of the post.

In the comments section, they revealed that the plate of three mozzarella sticks had set them back €12.95 (£11.25), adding that other dishes on the menu, including burgers and pizzas, were equally delicious.

Numerous viewers also flocked to the comments to share their opinions. One person said: “I’m going to Tenerife in June so definitely will try them.

“10/10 cheese pull,” someone else remarked, while a third viewer gushed: “Omg need!!!! I dream about these everyday.”

Not everyone was convinced, however, with some branding them ‘overhyped’. One person commented: “Over hyped! We loved the seahorse just up the street I would run back there just for their food.”

April 19 (UPI) — The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Sunday that a photo showing an Israeli solider smashing the head of a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon is authentic.

The photo, originally posted on X by Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi, quickly went viral across social media, drawing condemnation from Christians, Palestinians and others in the war-torn region.

After initially pledging an investigation into the photo, the IDF later announced they had found it to be real and not an artificial intelligence fabrication.

“Following the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon,” the military announced.

“The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops.

“The incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and is currently being addressed through the chain of command. Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings.”

The Israeli military added it is “working to assist the community in restoring the statue to its place” and vowed it has “no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols,” in its fight against Hezbollah militia forces in southern Lebanon.

The photo stirred up outrage among Christians, Palestinians and others in the Middle East.

Wadie Abunassar, coordinator of the Holy Land Christian Forum, a group of Christian laity advocating for the Christian presence in the region, called for action on the part of Israeli authorities.

“Israel has to inquire this crime, to apologize for it, to bring suspect to justice, & make sure it won’t be repeated!” he wrote in a social media post.

Meanwhile, Ayman Odeh, a Palestinian member of the Israeli parliament, added sarcastically, “We’ll wait to hear the police spokesperson claim that ‘the soldier felt threatened by Jesus.'”

A British holidaymaker has shared his experience of a trip to Benidorm, saying it was ‘everything you expect and more’ after spotting one sight out of his hotel window

Benidorm is recognised as a beloved holiday destination among Brits. In fact, roughly 800,000 to 900,000 Britons flock to the Spanish resort annually, establishing them as the largest international tourist group in the city. The coastal city on Spain’s Costa Blanca is known as the “Spanish Las Vegas” for its countless bars, clubs, and cabaret venues, especially clustered around the Levante district and Calle Gerona.

Benidorm attracts an incredibly varied clientele that changes considerably depending on the season and the particular area of the city. While it is famously a magnet for British “sun and sea” tourists, it is equally a prime destination for Spanish nationals and pensioners.

Holidaymaker Mattie Powell, from North Wales, recently detailed his experience of a Benidorm getaway, describing it as ‘everything you expect and more’ when he glanced out of his hotel window.

Mattie posted to his Instagram page a video showing a “traffic jam of mobility scooters” along a Benidorm path.

He captioned it: “Traffic jam of mobility scooters was not on my 2026 bingo card.”

Those who use mobility scooters are known to regularly head to Benidorm because the resort is remarkably flat and accessible, especially along its extensive beachfront promenades. This renders it an unusual holiday destination where people with limited mobility can move about independently for miles.

Numerous people were loving by the video, as it accumulated over 105,000 likes.

One person joked: “City’s safe in their hands.”

While another user quipped: “Might go there and do some British spotting.”

The post follows a recent visit to Benidorm by an American tourist who found himself baffled by one thing.

Travel enthusiast Kalani, from the US, revealed he was repeatedly quizzed about someone called ‘Charlie’ during his stay.

“I need someone to tell me about who Charlie is,” Kalani said, recounting how numerous people had approached him offering ‘Charlie’ after a night out on the Strip. It didn’t take long for his followers to set him straight, explaining that Charlie is a widely-used slang term for cocaine.

Most people like to stay somewhere a little out of the ordinary when heading off on holiday or a short break, and one Airbnb shaped like a giant flower pot is certainly providing that

Many of us love to stay somewhere a little out of the ordinary when heading off on holiday or a short break, and one Airbnb is certainly delivering on that front. The Idaho Flower Pot is a charming, 24-foot tall Airbnb built in the shape of an enormous terra cotta flower pot. Nestled just south of Burley, Idaho, in the US, this eccentric getaway scooped Airbnb’s $100,000 (£74,000) “OMG! Fund” and sits on a working flower farm.

Inside, guests are treated to a 436-square-foot multi-storey space featuring tapered walls and a spiral staircase, with a queen-sized memory foam mattress in the loft and a pull-out sofa on the ground floor, sleeping between two and four people.

The bathroom boasts a lavish rainfall shower and a heated mosaic floor, while the kitchenette is kitted out with a two-burner induction hob and a compact fridge.

The décor features a striking “root” chandelier, bird lights, and a vintage record player.

Guests can also unwind on the rooftop patio, which offers a terrace at the top of the “pot” complete with loungers perfect for stargazing and sweeping views of the surrounding Albion Mountains.

There’s also a four-person hot tub and a flower-shaped fireplace to enjoy.

Travel influencer Anissa, known as @herjoliejourney on Instagram, shared her stay at the Idaho Flower Pot with her 64,500 followers on the platform.

Dubbing it “the most unique Airbnb in Idaho”, she added: “I’ve stayed in a lot of unique Airbnbs over the years, but nothing compares to sleeping inside a giant flower pot.

“We loved every minute of our stay and would absolutely come back again.”

Anissa posted footage from her visit, including stepping through the flower pot door, relaxing on the rooftop terrace, and shots of the bedroom and kitchen.

Followers adored the post, with it becoming viral and amassing more than 32,000 likes.

One person declared: “This is so cute,” while another commented: “Omg this is incredible! The attention to detail.”

A third remarked: “Well this is something I never thought I’d see, I love it!”

The Airbnb is approximately a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Salt Lake City and 45 minutes from Twin Falls.

Prices generally begin around $200 (£148) per night.

It’s worth noting that the rooftop patio and outdoor fire pit are accessible late spring through late autumn but may be shut in winter owing to snow.

You can view availability or reserve your stay via the official Airbnb listing.

A man on an 8-hour long haul flight was left gobsmacked when he saw what his fellow passenger had brought to amuse himself with– and the viral video has racked up more than 85,000 likes

Most of us do everything we can to keep ourselves entertained on a flight, particularly on a long-haul journey. However, one man was left completely stunned when he spotted what his fellow passenger had brought along to pass the time.

Influencer Tonio Guajardo, who has 23,100 followers on Instagram, took to the platform to share a reel of the incident. The clip began with Tonio filming himself before panning the camera round to reveal the man sitting beside him. Overlay text on the video read: “This guy brought a 1,500 piece Lego set on our 8-hour flight.” His fellow traveller was filmed pulling the Lego pieces from a small bag before leafing through the instruction booklet to guide his build.

Further text stated: “He kept dropping pieces,” as the man was shown attempting his Lego set on the cramped aircraft tray table, repeatedly bending down to retrieve fallen bricks.

A subsequent update then read: “Six hours in and we weren’t even close,” as the passenger’s rather modest Lego progress was revealed.

In the caption, Tonio wrote: “No flight is THIS long.”

The post went viral and garnered more than 85,000 likes, with viewers thoroughly enjoying it.

One person joked: “All fun and games until the plane hits some turbulence.”

While another commented: “Honestly this is a game-changer for flights. One bag at a time.”

A third chipped in: “Lowkey I’m going to start doing this.”

Even the official Lego account joined in, asking: “How did he manage to fit all that in his carry-on?”

LEGO remains enormously popular across the UK, firmly holding its place as a top brand in an expanding toy market.

The British toy industry recorded its first growth since the pandemic in 2025, with overall sales hitting £3.9 billion. Building sets, largely fuelled by LEGO, emerged as the fastest-growing category, surging by 25% on the previous year.

A key factor behind LEGO’s lasting appeal is its ability to captivate multiple generations.

So-called “Kidults” (adults and teenagers over 12) now represent roughly one-third of all toy sales in the UK.

Anyone planning on boarding a plane with hold luggage has been urged to make one change to their suitcases before they fly – as it will help keep belongings safe

Plane passengers need to make one crucial change to their hold luggage. If you’re jetting off and you’ve got bags destined for the plane’s cargo hold, you’ll know just how nerve-wracking it can be to be parted from your belongings. There’s always that nagging worry that your luggage could be lost or stolen before you reach the baggage carousel at your destination, leaving you stranded without clothes, toiletries and other essentials during your holiday.

To tackle this, most travellers will attach luggage tags to their bags. These hold small pieces of paper where you can jot down vital information, such as your email address and phone number, so that should your bag go missing or end up on the wrong flight, airport staff can reach out to you if and when it’s located.

However, one woman on social media has flagged that these tags might not be the most secure option when you’re separated from your bags, particularly as some people inscribe their full name and home address on them.

In a TikTok video, Sammy urged fellow passengers to do something different with their tags, claiming it would help safeguard their personal details from anyone who might attempt to sneak a peek at their information.

She said: “This is something I’ve never seen anyone talk about, and I had to figure it out on my own. This is not safe for you for a plethora of reasons. You have your full name on there, you have your phone number, you have all of your contact information.

“These will flip over. You’re going to have your luggage, and it’s going to flip over, and anyone who sees it can not only take a photo of it, but also anyone who sees your content online that shows your luggage can get all of your information.”

Sammy described the risk of having your details stolen from your luggage tag as “so dangerous” and “so not worth it”. In its place, she advised opting for a luggage tag featuring a full cover. These typically open like a book and fasten with a popper or Velcro, ensuring nobody can access your personal details without deliberately taking your luggage.

You can also accomplish the same outcome by removing the piece of paper from your tag and flipping it around so your details aren’t visible from the outside. You could then write something along the lines of “information overleaf” or “please turn over” on the blank side facing outwards, so airport staff know exactly where to look should they need to get in touch with you.

Those commenting on the post put forward further alternative solutions, such as listing a dummy email address that you can monitor should you ever lose your luggage, but don’t use for anything else.

One person said: “I have a fake name with my spam email that I’ll check if I ever lose my bag.”

Another added: “I write my name and flight number on the front, then put ‘see reverse for personal details’ with my address.”

A third wrote: “Thank you!! I’ve been saying the same thing for years, and people think I’m nuts. Same with names on kids or pets clothing!”

Should you opt to include only your email address without your name, ensure the email itself doesn’t contain your name within the address.

Using a false name, as one commenter proposed, is not recommended, as should your bag go missing, you won’t be able to verify it’s yours if your ID fails to match the name on the luggage tag. That said, you can choose to display only your surname or initials on the card to safeguard as much of your personal details as possible.

It turns out Raven Johnson’s “revenge tour” wasn’t completely over.

The South Carolina guard was selected as the 10th overall pick by the Indiana Fever at the 2026 WNBA draft Monday, setting her up to be reunited with a former college teammate as well as a notable rival.

Described as “one of the most WNBA-ready players” in the mock draft by The Times, the two-time national champion was famously waved off by then-Iowa phenom Caitlin Clark during their Final Four matchup in the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball tournament.

During the first quarter, Clark declined to guard Johnson, who had the ball outside of the three-point line, with wave of her arm while turned away from her. Not only did Clark’s team go on to win, the taunt — much like a number of other moments involving the sharpshooting former Hawkeye — went viral.

Johnson has been open about how that moment and the online response took a toll on her mental health.

“I was all over the internet,” Johnson said while discussing some of the adversity she’s faced in her basketball career on a recent episode of the “I Am Next” podcast. “I got bashed, I got bullied, I got called all these things that I wasn’t … like a monkey [and] just things like that. I wanted to quit basketball at that time and I wanted to just go in this little bubble of isolation and just be by myself.”

She credited her faith and the support of her teammates and loved ones for being able to turn it around and use the moment to fuel her “revenge tour” the next year. South Carolina beat Clark’s Hawkeyes in the 2024 national championship to cap off an undefeated season.

Caitlin Clark and Raven Johnson at the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament.

(Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)

At least in part because of this history, the online response to Johnson being drafted by the Fever has been divided among the team’s fans as well as the supporters of each of the individual players. But the Fever staff were clearly elated to be able to nab Johnson off the board.

“Let’s go,” Fever coach Stephanie White said in a video call with Johnson posted on social media on Monday. “We are so excited.”

Johnson isn’t the only one who is set to join forces with a rival in the next chapter of their career. Following her trade from the Sparks, Rickea Jackson will be teammates with Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso, whose game-winning buzzer beater for the Gamecocks took down the former’s Tennessee team at the 2024 Southeastern Conference tournament.

And that’s not to mention the Washington Mystics following their selection of UCLA center Lauren Betts as the fourth overall pick Monday by later drafting Texas standout Rori Harmon in the third round. Betts’ viral block is what sealed UCLA’s win over Texas at the Final Four en route to the Bruins’ championship win earlier this month. (The Mystics also selected UCLA forward Angela Dugalic in the first round.)

Despite the naysayers, Johnson appears excited to be joining a championship contender with the Fever. During a Monday news conference, Johnson mentioned Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell among the team’s vets she’s looking forward to learning from.

“She has taught me so much through my college experience,” Johnson said of Boston, her former college teammate. “She taught me what pro habits were. She taught me you have to bring those habits every day to practice. … She is a phenomenal person. She instills so much in young people and there’s no way you don’t want to play with somebody like that [and] look up to somebody like that.”