Viral

A BARGAIN hunter mother has shared a stern warning to parents about a viral buy from The Range.

Last year, mums and dads were racing to stores desperate to get their hands on the must-have buy that was sure to make the festive season even more special.

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And earlier this month, parents were left overjoyed to see that the purse-friendly product was now available to buy again.

But one shopper has been left very disappointed with the Large Christmas Sleigh Hamper, which she claimed is “not worth the hype.” 

Eager to alert others about the “flimsy” purchase, Emma Smith took to social media to express her frustration with the £7.99 buy.

Posting on Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, a private Facebook group with 2.6 million members, the savvy shopper uploaded snaps of the huge sleigh, which was once sold-out and can hold dozens of gifts and decorations.

Alongside her post, she shared a messaged to “everybody thinking of getting The Range viral large Christmas Sleigh Hamper.”

She fumed: “I would not waste your money.”

Sharing pictures of the damaged sleigh, she snapped: “The cardboard is very flimsy.”

As well as this, she claimed: “The sleigh has collapsed to the side.”

Clearly very frustrated with her purchase, which has been described as a “fun way to display gifts” and is hailed as “the gift that keeps on giving,” Emma added: “Definitely not worth the hype!”

Emma’s post has clearly shocked many, as it was posted just 13 hours ago, but has already racked up almost 200 likes and 239 comments.

Big divide

But social media users were left totally divided – while some were thankful for her thoughts, others had “no issues” with their Christmas Sleigh Hamper, which is bound to turn your home into a magical festive scene in seconds.

One person said: “Not buying again. I was crazy to get it from The Range. When you put it away it won’t fold back up. It’s cute but not worth it and very small.” 

Looks like it’s been forced together tbh. For the price, it looks amazing, warts and all

Facebook user

Another added: “Thank you, I was going to get one. So glad I saw this post.” 

A third commented: “Same happened to mine! Filled it with sweets and it couldn’t take the weight and the legs buckled!” 

However, at the same time, one shopper wrote: “I got these two years ago and this will be the third year I’ve used them. Mine are great. No issues with them.” 

A second chimed in: “I got two the other day and put them up and all fine.” 

Someone else beamed: “I got the large one from The Range last year and I’ll be using it again as I found it ok and didn’t have any problems with it.” 

Whilst one user observed: “Looks like it’s been forced together tbh. For the price, it looks amazing, warts and all.”

Definitely not worth the hype!

Emma Smith

However, to this, Emma wrote back and claimed: “It wasn’t forced. The cardboard is hard regardless so you’ve got to make sure it’s put in the slots properly.” 

Meanwhile, others praised a similar sleigh hamper from B&M.

One shopper shared: “B&M ones are better and cheaper!”

Another agreed: “Got mine from B&M, £5. Sturdy and solid.”

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Sept. 18 (UPI) — Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh is to step down from his position, the school announced, making him the latest university executive to lose their job amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on left-leaning ideology being taught at education institutions.

The resignation of Welsh, a distinguished four-star Air Force pilot and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will be effective Friday at 5 p.m., Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar announced Thursday.

“President Welsh is a man of honor who has led Texas A&M with selfless dedication,” Hegar said in a statement.

“We are grateful for his service and contributions. At the same time, we agree that now is the right moment to make a change and to position Texas A&M for continued excellence in the years ahead.”

Texas State Rep. Brian Harrison, a Republican, celebrated Welsh’s resignation online, stating: “WE DID IT!”

“As the first elected official to call for him to be fired, this news is welcome, although over due. Now… END ALL EDI AND LGBTQ INDOCTRINATION IN TEXAS!!”

Welsh’s resignation comes on the heels of the school being pulled into a scandal around a professor discussing gender and sexuality in children’s literature during a children’s literature course.

On Wednesday, Harrison had shared an uncorroborated video of a student filming herself in a Texas A&M University classroom arguing with her professor, Melissa McCoul.

In the video, the female student references an executive order President Donald Trump signed on his first day in office recognizing only two genders defined at “conception.” She also references Trump administration moves to pause federal funding for schools that have policies that do not align with its own, including diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

The video sparked backlash from Republicans, resulting in Welsh first firing two administrators followed by him later firing McCoul. He said the grounds of the firing were that the course contained content that was not included in the course curriculum. Course content “must match catalog descriptions,” he explained.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican and President Donald Trump ally, had called for McCoul’s firing.

After the firings, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, suggested Welsh to be fired over his handling of the situation and his “ambivalence on the issue.”

“Most parents, students and Aggie alumni expect Texas A&M to reflect the values of our state and our nation as well as A&M’s rich history,” Patrick said in a statement late last week.

“If President Welsh will not or cannot reflect those values, then change needs to happen.”

Since Trump returned to the White House in January, he has led a charge to remove left-leaning ideology from government, public and private spaces via his executive powers.

He has targeted dozens of universities, in particular so-called elite institutions, with executive orders, lawsuits, reallocation of resources and threats over a swath of allegations, from anti-Semitism to employing diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

Critics and Democrats have accused the Trump administration of using these allegations to coerce schools under threat of stringent punishments, including fines sometimes exceeding $1 billion, to adopt his far-right policies.

While some schools, including Columbia University, Brown University, and others, have reached settlements with the Trump administration, others, such as Harvard, are challenging the White House in court.

On Tuesday, a coalition of faculty, staff, students and labor unions sued the Trump administration to have the courts stop the president’s attempt “to require that universities conform to his worldview.”

Welsh is the latest university exeutive to either be fired or resign amid the second Trump administration.

Michael Schill, president of Northwestern University, resigned earlier this month after the Trump administration froze some $790 million in research funding for the school on accusations of ignoring Jewish students amid pro-Palestine protests.

James Ryan, president of the University of Virginia, resigned late June as the Trump administration demanded he step down as part of a settlement of a civil rights investigation over the school’s DEI policies.

Katrina Armstrong, interim president of Columbia University, resigned in late March, among others.

A woman has gone viral on social media after she shared the petty revenge she got on a rude passenger who was sat next to her on a flight – and people are loving it

A woman has been praised after sharing how she got her petty revenge on a rude plane passenger as they got off the plane.

Flying can be a nerve-wracking ordeal, particularly when you’re stuck beside complete strangers for hours at a time. However, this doesn’t justify being rude to your fellow passengers. This lesson was one a woman called Charlotte felt compelled to teach a passenger that had been seated beside her during a recent flight, after he allegedly been ‘rude’ to everyone nearby without any clear reason. Consequently, she decided to get her petty revenge on him in return.

Taking to TikTok to share her experience, Charlotte began by explaining how she boarded her aircraft and made her way to her allocated row, where she’d been given the middle seat. A man was sat in the aisle seat as she got on, so she politely asked he stand to allow her access to her middle seat.

“I said ‘excuse me sir, I just need to get through to that seat cause I’m sitting there’,” she recounted.

Charlotte went on to describe how this prompted the man to glare at her with a blank expression before sighing heavily, remaining silent as he rose to his feet. He retrieved his bag from beneath the seat ahead as he moved to allow her to get through to her seat.

However, since they were sat in the over-wing emergency exit row, most carriers forbid passengers in these seats from storing luggage beneath the seat in front. Instead, any luggage must be placed in the overhead storage compartments. Due to this regulation, a flight attendant requested the male passenger relocate his bag to the overhead locker, causing him to stare at them too before sighing audibly before complying with the instruction.

And whilst the man didn’t utter a single word throughout the entire journey, Charlotte also claimed she could sense him jabbing her repeatedly with his elbow in a bid to make her shift and give him more room. However, each time she looked towards him, he would ‘pretend to be asleep’.

Obviously irritated by his behaviour by the time the flight came to an end, Charlotte ensured she secured her payback as everyone prepared to leave the aircraft.

“When we were getting off the plane, a woman and a child needed to get off before him, as they were sat in the row in front of us,” she explained, as it’s ‘plane etiquette’ to let the people in the rows in front of you get out first.

“He just stood there going [big sighs] so loud so everybody could hear,” she said.

Explaining she knew the man spoke English because she’d spotted his mobile was set to an English language setting, she decided to secure her petty revenge on the passenger.

“Because he was so rude to everybody that he bumped into this morning, I decided to tell him that he had poo on the back of trousers,” she revealed, saying he did in fact not have poo on his trousers. “But now he think he does. And yes, I am that petty when it comes to airport etiquette.

“Nobody really likes travelling anyway, so just be nice about it,” she said.

People quickly took to the comment section of the video, with many praising Charlotte for her actions.

“I love this level of pettiness!” one viewer commented, while another person said: “Gonna start carrying a pot of Nutella on me just to seal the deal.”

Another individual remarked: “I don’t know why people are so rude it costs nothing to be nice. What did he expect you to do?”

“This is amazing. I’m going to remember this,” a fourth person penned.

A mum was left fuming after a recent flight with her two children, as the behaviour of the passenger sitting in front of her completely ruined the experience for her kids

If you’ve ever taken a flight with young children, you’ll know how much of a headache it can be at times. Rushing them through airport security, making sure you all get to your boarding gate on time, and hoping that they don’t cause a scene when you’re on the plane can leave you feeling drained.

Many people have sparked discussions in the past about how they don’t like flying with “screaming” children on board, but the parents of those children are likely even more exhausted – and we should all be more compassionate. But one mum didn’t receive any sympathy on a recent flight she was on with her two children, as the passenger in front of her chose to do something “rude” in the middle of their journey.

Matilda Norton shared a video on TikTok of herself sitting with her two children on the plane, where the family was happily minding their own business. Matilda had her youngest child on her lap, while her older son was standing up in the seat beside her, playing with a toy plane.

But her problem came when the man in front of her decided to recline his seat – meaning she had very little room for herself and her young baby, who was already getting restless and starting to cry.

The mum also explained in her video that the seat next to the man in front of her was empty, meaning he could have moved across and reclined that seat, which was in front of her older child.

Although that still would have encroached on their space, it would have given the mum enough room to properly look after her younger child.

In the video’s caption, she said: “He had an empty seat next to him. He could have moved over and put the other seat back … where there was no baby behind him.

“Or when he lay down across both seats, he could have at least put his seat upright since he wasn’t even using it. I know everyone has the right to put their seat back, but where is the common courtesy? We had no space.”

Commenters on the post were split over the issue. Some said that the mum was right to be annoyed, as even though the man was within his rights to recline his chair, he could have been more respectful of her situation.

Others, however, said the man did nothing wrong. They also argued that the mum could have swapped seats with her son so that she took the window seat and he was in the middle, meaning she would still escape the reclined chair.

One person said: “You could literally swap with your other son, and the issue would be resolved. People are allowed to recline their seats on a flight.”

Another added: “Why do people think they are entitled to special treatment? He’s allowed to recline his seat without any question or explanation.”

However, someone else defended the mum, stating: “This comment section isn’t it. It’s so rude to recline your seat on a short flight. It’s entirely unnecessary, and you know that it makes the person behind you uncomfortable.”

Matilda also later shared in the comments why she refused to swap seats with her son, as she said she would rather make sure he has a good time and enjoys his flight.

Responding to one commenter who told her to swap seats, she wrote: “He likes the window seat and I would rather him happily look out the window than be grumpy in the middle. You’ve clearly never travelled with kids!”

As airlines are getting stricter with their baggage restrictions, travellers are coming up with inventive ways to pack more while paying less – but there’s one trick experts are urging people not to risk doing

There are so many different travel ‘hacks’ circulating on social media – but experts urge travellers not to follow the viral pillowcase luggage trick as it’s not worth the risk.

Many of us are guilty of overpacking when going away, so it’s no wonder we’re always looking at ways to pack more and keep within the allowed size and weight limit for our luggage without paying more.

However the viral pillowcase hack, that sees travellers stuffing an empty pillowcase with extra clothes rather than bags when boarding a plane could come at a risk that experts advise people not to follow.

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As airlines become stricter on their hang luggage rules, Amanda Parker from Netflights has shared her thoughts. She said: “Passengers are cunningly avoiding these strict hand luggage limits and avoiding paying up to £150 in extra fees by taking advantage of an empty pillowcase.

“Travellers are using a standard pillowcase, removing the pillow inside, and instead using it as a secret storage compartment for extra clothes. Travellers rely on airlines not counting a pillow as an additional item when boarding, so by stuffing a standard pillowcase with soft clothing items like T-shirts and jumpers, they’re essentially creating a travel ‘pillow’ that they hope to sneak through.”

However the expert said “airlines are cracking down on sneaky flight hacks” and said you might want to think twice about testing this hack on your next flight.

“An overly stuffed pillowcase bursting with clothes can raise suspicion, and if you’re already boarding the plane with maximum baggage, then your pillow can be flagged as extra.” Amanda said what works for one airline may not for another as different airlines cabin baggage rules vary.

She added: “By risking the pillowcase hack, you could risk holding up the boarding process or being denied boarding entirely if you can’t pay the fee. Some low-cost airlines state that any item used to carry belongings, even if disguised, must be treated as luggage,” and advised before jetting off to always check the baggage allowance rules with the correct bags.

The expert said airlines issue fines for overweight baggage due to the fact that the heavier a plane is, the more fuel it burns. “So every kilogram of baggage increases the plane’s weight, which directly impacts fuel consumption.

“Since fuel is one of the biggest costs for airlines, they want to limit unnecessary weight, and charging for excess baggage is one way to do it.”

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New York City is famous for its thousands of bodegas across the city, and while they may not look like much from the outside, these small stores are hidden gems of the city.

When you arrive in New York City, sights such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building might be first on your bucket list.

But for me, drinking in the real city meant a trip to some of the city’s corner bodegas – a New York term for local convenience stores combined with delis that have become an integral part of the NY city furniture.

A small corner shop selling essentials might not sound overly interesting, but in many of New York’s neighbourhoods, the local bodega is a hub for the community. Bodegas are also silver screen stars. They have provided countless backdrops for New York-shot TV shows and films, including modern comedy classics Broad City and Master of None.

There is, I’d suggest, no better way to get under the skin of a new destination than by visiting its supermarkets and finding out how much space a given community devotes to crisps; if a nation is yet to discover the meal deal; and whether everything just smells a bit odd.

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For the duration of my NYC trip, I stayed in Moxy Lower East Side, which is in the heart of Downtown. Luckily, Don Juan Grocery and Deli, one of the city’s better-known bodegas, was just a four-minute walk away.

I can say for certain that neither of them was like my local Tesco Express back home. When I stepped into the tiny store for a much-needed bottle of water away from the city’s summer heat, the Latin music was booming just like we had arrived at a cocktail bar.

A rustic lottery ticket station greeted me, with chocolate snacks locked up above the cashier rather than out on the shelves. Sat across two other wooden shelves was everything you would possibly need, not for a light lunch or Central Park picnic, but if a full-blown disaster struck. Even on the packed streets of New York, a spot of prepping is possible.

I jumped for my life when a man popped out of a metal hatch from the ground. Happily, he meant no danger, but instead had just clambered down into the shop’s store room.

One thing that has put NYC bodegas on the map is their deli sections.

From pastrami to roast beef, Don Juan store had fresh meats, cheeses and fish on the menu in the corner of the store – where a small kitchen set up neighbours the till counter. Don Juan has created a name for itself in the area for their tasty sandwiches, burgers, and breakfasts, with its bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich garnering fame.

Their food is so popular that many skip out on heading to cafes and restaurants in favour of grabbing a traditional sandwich from the deli. The store has even teamed up with food brands across the city to host pop-up food events during the summer, a side gig to the general running of Don Juan.

With around 13,000 bodegas across the city, what started as a local place for essential buys and quick eats are rising in popularity. Sky Deli, formerly Haji’s Deli, in Harlem, has achieved nationwide acclaim as the origin of the chopped cheese sandwich. Famed as one of the city’s best bites, the sandwich includes chopped ground beef, onions, American cheese, and lettuce on a long hero roll.

Queens spot Datz Deli is another of the city’s best-known bodegas. The store is known for its quirky menu, which includes pancakes with hot sauce. Having garnered 120,000 followers on Instagram, Datz is also home to the “macpatty,” which blends macaroni cheese with beef and oxtail in a burger. This dish has been featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Sunny and Annie’s Deli in the East Village isn’t famous for its extravagant menu items but for its community feel. Open 24 hours a day, the store has become a staple in the neighbourhood for locals to catch up, grab some food, or just stock up on the essentials.

As TikTok rises, many influencers and food bloggers are testing out food in bodegas across the city for content, meaning what used to be a community spot for locals is now turning into foodie spots for tourists.

My advice is not to overlook a breakfast or lunchtime fix from a local bodega; while it may not look glamorous, it could be your new favourite spot.

Tourists visiting France needn’t speak perfect French, but these seven essential phrases can make all the difference in the kind of holiday you experience abroad.

A French cultural advisor has unveiled seven essential phrases that could completely change how locals treat British tourists visiting France.

MaryAnne Sparkes, cultural advisor at cruise company European Waterways, says British visitors needn’t speak perfect French but must master a handful of crucial phrases to avoid being dismissed in the globe’s most-visited destination.

Sparkes counsels British holidaymakers planning journeys across the Channel as she says: “Locals don’t expect fluent French but you do need to say Bonjour and a couple of other key words to avoid offending. In some places one word is your ticket to being treated like a local.”

The cultural advisor explains French etiquette remains hidden until violated, particularly in scenic regions where life follows a customary pace.

“In France etiquette is invisible until you get it wrong. Skipping a simple greeting can instantly brand you as an outsider especially in the prettiest parts of the country” she says.

According to Sparkes, the most vital phrase is “Bonjour” which should never be omitted when entering shops, restaurants or any social environment. “Bonjour isn’t just a greeting. It’s a sign of mutual respect” she points out. “It’s how you announce that you see and acknowledge someone.”

The expert emphasises six additional indispensable phrases British visitors should master before arrival, which include “s’il vous plaît” (please) when requesting anything from café orders to directions. Sparkes observes courtesy operates as social currency in France, with minor pleasantries creating a substantial impact on how residents react.

“Excusez-moi” (excuse me) comes third on the essential list for navigating crowds or making enquiries, followed by “Comment ça va?” (how are you?) which demonstrates genuine concern even during fleeting interactions.

The cultural expert also suggests perfecting “Merci beaucoup” (thank you very much) for any kindness from opening doors to serving meals.

For unavoidable tourist blunders, “Je suis désolé(e)” (I’m sorry) preserves social peace.

The concluding expression “Puis-je…?” (May I…?) should be employed when seeking approval in official circumstances.

The specialist emphasises these expressions prove most effective when spoken with genuine intent rather than flawless accent. “French etiquette isn’t complicated but it is expected. These phrases make the difference between being tolerated and being truly welcomed”, she says.

The advice emerges as statistics demonstrate approximately 17 million British nationals travel to France annually despite its standing as one of the most discourteous nations globally. As increasing numbers of British holidaymakers explore beyond conventional tourist destinations into countryside villages, these social signals become progressively vital.

Whilst fluency remains unnecessary, grasping fundamental cultural standards opens the door to friendlier, more genuine encounters across the nation. Sparkes emphasises that modest linguistic attempts demonstrate respect for French culture, which residents recognise and value.

“You don’t need perfect French. Just showing you’ve made an effort with these few phrases opens doors to genuine connections with locals” she says.

For British holidaymakers planning French getaways, European Waterways recommends practicing these expressions beforehand, observing that even flawed efforts generate favour from residents.

The cultural advisor concludes that learning these seven expressions enables tourists to discover authentic France beneath the tourist veneer.

A man who relocated to Benidorm from the UK has shared three ‘dangerous situations’ he has found himself in since the move, and issued some advice to those planning to visit

A man who has “lived in Benidorm for at least seven or eight years” has shared three hair-raising moments that made him question his decision to move, and whether he should hotfoot it back to the UK.

Harry, known as @harrytokky on TikTok, regularly posts about his life in Benidorm – and recently shared the “most dangerous slash scariest situations” he’s found himself in while living in the Spanish party hotspot. However, he did admit that these things could definitely happen in other places and he said he wasn’t trying to put anybody off visiting Benidorm, as he loves his life there.

Almost being hit by a bus

“Yes, you heard, ran over,” Harry elaborated. He went on: “It was one of these back roads here in Benidorm where people drive at mental speeds, and to be honest, they were so close to hitting me.

“I literally had to run out of the way of the road, it was awful,” he said.

Unexpected police search

Harry recounted how he’d been stopped by police, and they “literally said random search” to him. He alleged they were looking for “the naughty stuff,” which Harry insisted he “didn’t have.”

“They did a full-on search on the side of the road here in Benidorm. I honestly thought they were going to handcuff me, chuck me in the back of a car and throw away the key,” Harry claimed.

Nearly being robbed

“This is definitely number one by far,” Harry divulged, explaining: “I was walking down one of the back alleys […] from the beach to the main road and a guy came up to me, shook my hand, twisted my arm around my back and all of this”.

He described the incident as an attempt to “rob” him of his possessions, labelling it as the “worst experience,” that would leave anyone rattled.

However, he clarified that his intention wasn’t to “scare anyone off Benidorm,” but rather to arm people with the awareness that such incidents can occur, enabling them to take precautions.

“Stuff like this does happen everywhere in the world,” Harry emphasised. “But because I live here, it’s happened to me, and I wanted to speak about it.”

Responding to a comment suggesting he’d led a “crazy life” in Benidorm, Harry added: “I know right, super crazy”.

Despite the incident, Harry highlighted some of the benefits of living in Benidorm – including the cheap McDonald’s.

As he sat outside, he announced: “And just like that, the food has arrived. Now you will not believe how cheap this was. We’ve got two meals here. Guess how much this costs? €11 (£9.53)”.

Harry went on to detail the contents of the meal, which included two portions of fries, two burgers, two drinks, and a side of chicken nuggets.

He enthused: “I mean, €11? What do you think guys? I think that’s an absolute bargain, let’s be honest. €11? In the UK, that’d probably be at least £20.”

A large Big Mac meal in the UK typically costs around £7.69, depending on location, while six chicken nuggets are priced at approximately £3.49.

Ceramicist and Saint Lucia local, Amanda, went viral on TikTok last year when she posed a special quest for UK travellers. This year, she’s upping the stakes in her pursuit of a sausage melt.

For all the beauty and sunshine that Saint Lucia offers, one of its few short falls is its lack of a Greggs. After achieving viral success with her social media call to action last year, one Saint Lucia resident is setting Brits on a quest to help with her sausage melt fix.

On September 1, the TikTok creator and ceramicist Amanda offered up a “side quest” to British travellers planning a visit to Saint Lucia. Posting under her TikTok account, @keramikslu, she asked inbound holidaymakers to bring her some Greggs sausage and bean melts.

In exchange, the generous travellers will get to take their pick of one of her pottery creations. While it may seem like a big ask to some, Amanda was spurred by the success of her same call to action last year, though this time she’s updated her request.

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“Well ladies and gentleman, it’s that time of year again,” Amanda shared in a recent TikTok video. “Are you British? Are you coming to St. Lucia on holiday? Are you going to be staying at Coconut Bay?” she asked her followers.

If you answered yes to all of these questions, then Amanda wants to know if you can do her a “little favour please” and bring her some Greggs. But while last year, she was only asking for a single sausage and bean melt, she’s upped the ante this time round.

“I have upped the difficulty level just a tiny bit because it was so easy apparently last time. The challenge is this: can you bring me a frozen box of Gregg’s sausage and bean melts. Can you? Can you!”

The same rules as last time apply, she clarifies: “As a reward, I’ll bring you here [to the studio] and let you pick your own pottery”. Amanda is the business owner of the pottery site Keramik Saint Lucia Artisan Ceramics.

According to her blog she learned to make pottery in Vietnam and continued taking classes in Manchester, UK before deciding to move to Saint Lucia at the end of 2019. It is here that she began documenting her attempt to process clay dug up on her own land.

Her TikTok video concludes with a simple plea: “So British people coming to Saint Lucia staying at Coconut Bay, are you up for the challenge? Please say you are. Please. I really need some Greggs.”

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In just three days, the video has massed over 400,000 views and users in the comments are already signing on to the challenge. One wrote: “Adding Coconut Bay to my travel list just so I can bring you Greggs”.

Another commenter identifying themselves as a British Airways cabin crew member shared they’re also ready to help if Amanda can meet them at the airport. “I’m genuinely willing to get you your Greggs! I’m BA cabin crew and coming to St Lucia on Monday!” they wrote.

Amanda’s original video shared in May 2024 achieved viral success with over 1.5 million views. The following week, she shared a video of her meeting up with a traveller to exchange her pottery for a Greggs delivery with the caption: “happily ever after”.

Let’s hope there’s another happy reunion for Amanda.

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An easyJet flight to Spain “erupted” recently as a man proposed to his partner in an unexpected way. Passengers were left floored as the romantic incident played out

Over the years people have witnessed all sorts of weird and wonderful marriage proposals, and it’s not the first time one has taken place in the air. Recently a man was captured proposing to his partner while travelling to Spain on an easyJet flight, and it’s left people totally stunned.

A video of the romantic moment was recently shared on TikTok by Nicki Gunner, and it’s since gone viral, as people can’t believe how it played out on the flight. Over a clip of the video, Nicki wrote: “Nothing beats an easyJet proposal outside the toilets on a flight to Benidorm.”

The video has been viewed over 80,000 times since it was shared, and people were left in total disbelief that it happened. In the clip, the man is seen holding his partner’s hands, while standing outside the loo, and popping the question – and it’s not the first romantic tale to have unfolded on a plane.

After chatting, the man gets down on one knee, and takes a ring out of his pocket before popping the question. The plane then erupts into cheers after his partner says “yes”.

A flight attendant is heard congratulating the couple after the brilliant moment takes place. People had all sorts of thoughts and questions after the video was posted, with many questioning why he chose the plane journey to ask for her hand in marriage.

One person said: “Why not propose on the holiday?” Another added: “This is real romance.”

A third joked: “Engaged on the plane, married at baggage claim and honeymoon in Benidorm.” Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “Imagine walking out of the loo, and everyone clapping in your direction.”

Someone else also chimed in with: “Cute. They probably have been on holiday several times going on easyJet. They may have met on easyJet, It means something.

“Don’t mock people for having connections. I’ve seen way worse – a man proposing at his kebab shop; however, it still has meaning.”

Some also pointed out that you can’t fly directly to Benidorm, but you can travel to Alicante-Elche Airport, as this is the closest airport to the resort. From here, you can take a bus, taxi or shuttle transfer from Alicante Airport to Benidorm, as there is no airport directly in the town itself.

None the less, many understood what Nicki meant, and were keen to celebrate the couple’s happiness. Several offered kind words to the newly engaged couple.

One said: “Just let them enjoy life. We don’t know the backstory. [It] could be they met on a plane, could be this is when he knew that he loved her. People are so sad to put these people down for what they are doing.”

Another replied: “Maybe she works for easyJet and he surprised her by getting on the flight. Sounds like the crew knew about it. That’s cute.”

Someone else also added: “They might have met on this same route 10 years ago. This might be really sentimental. Congratulations to them.”

A young woman has opened up about her ‘hilarious’ experience of being the only international student and ‘the British girl’ in a sorority at a university in the US

It’s the classic scene we see in all the films – a student heads off to college in America, moves into a dorm room, plays sport, attends ‘frat parties’, or joins a sorority. On the big screen, it all looks a lot more glamorous than the debauched Freshers’ Week parties we have here in the UK.

But what are sororities and the American college system actually like in reality? Thankfully, a British woman called Angel has shed light on this by sharing her experiences at Arizona State University, in Georgia. She attended from 2019 to 2023 – and during that time, she was “most known for being the British sorority girl”.

She told her TikTok followers: “Being an international student in a sorority is quite hilarious because you have no idea what’s going on ever… like at all.”

Acclimatising was also tricky because Angel was the only fully international student in her sorority, whereas the fraternities boasted significantly more in 2019.

However, being British worked in her favour when it came to joining. That’s because her Britishness helped her to stand out among those around her. What’s more, it made it easy to make friends and have something to talk about.

Angel said: “I was the British girl to everyone in the house and I love it, it made it easy, comfortable, it was great.”

After being accepted into the sorority, members tried to pair Angel with people who she had things in common with. However, this backfired.

Amusingly, some thought she was from London in Canada. And as a result, she got paired up with a number of Canadians!

The closest connection Angel was able to find were people with distant British relatives – or simply people who had been to the UK on holiday.

Angel said: “[They] had like been there once or their great grandad was British… That was hard because no one really was an international student like I was.”

Another challenge was the former ASU student had to miss some sorority events before the university year began – as she hadn’t moved over to the US yet.

She said: “I had my flight book nine months before because it was so expensive so I missed a lot of stuff, but they were really understanding about that.”

And ultimately, joining late didn’t mean she missed out on making friends. In fact, that’s her favourite part of the whole sorority experience.

If her college mates come over to Europe, they now message her asking to meet up. Angel added: “They know I will happily take them around London and show them around, everyone knows that.”

Summing up her whole experience in the comments section, Angel admitted it did live up to her expectations from watching American TV shows and films.

She concluded: “In a nutshell in was like the movies to a point.”

Getting into a US university

British students can attend universities in the US by submitting applications to individual colleges.

According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), more than 1,057,000 international students were enrolled at US institutions during the 2024/25 academic year. This includes more than 10,500 from the UK.

As well as sororities and fraternities, there are many differences between UK and US universities.

American university campuses often resemble small towns. Plus, a Bachelors degree typically takes four years to complete – one year longer than in the UK.

Another thing to note is that you will not pick a subject you want to study when applying. Instead, you will spend one or two years exploring a range of subjects, known as general education.

These courses, often called ‘electives,’ span disciplines such as humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Students then choose a ‘major’, which is your main area of study.

Jack Kay quickly became known as the Ibiza Final Boss after being filmed dancing on the White Island and his stock continues to rise in the UK

He’s a phenomenon that has taken the internet by storm. He is the Ibiza Final Boss. But what does the White Island actually think of their latest craze?

Jack Kay became an overnight internet sensation after a video of him dancing in the open air club Zero Six West on the party isle went viral earlier in the month thanks to his distinctive look. He was quickly dubbed by many as the Ibiza Final Boss.

With travel companies and Lego immediately jumping on board with the craze, as well as celebrities quickly commenting on the 26-year-old’s style, he has since been swooped up by big talent agency Neon Management. The savvy experts have also represented other TV personalities and reality show stars, such as Joey Essex and Gogglebox’s Stephen Webb.

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And now we wait to see what delights they can throw his way as he continues to tour the UK’s establishments and party festivals, living off his unique appearance. It’s also thought that the agency sees potential for him to pursue various opportunities, including TV shows and podcasts.

Some say he has hit the jackpot, with rumours suggesting he could be about to bag a six-figure income if he is to play his cards right. But after being snapped in Ibiza with the likes of Wayne Lineker after being flown back to the island in a private jet, it’s unclear if his notoriety is quite as big as back in Blighty.

Almost a month on, was it just a fad or is he here to stay? In the UK, it certainly seems as though we have not heard the last of the North East native who is quite rightly cashing in on his instant fame. Just the past weekend, he was living his best life at Creamfields, mixing it with some of the biggest names performing.

And he has also hinted at a number of big appearances back where he was first spotted. But locals on the island where he rose to fame may not be as excited – or bothered – about his partying appearances.

At Newcastle airport prior to my whistle-stop journey, there were a number of holidaymakers sharing the signature bowl cut – with one muscly man also donning a BOSS top. While it was clearly designer brand Hugo, it did feel as though he may have been playing on the latest craze slightly with the choice.

After stepping out into the Balearic sunshine, it appeared as though locals weren’t quite as keen to play up to the star of the moment. On my way to my hotel, I thought I’d drop in his moniker and was met with a ‘who?’ response.

I didn’t push it, so I can’t be sure if this was a language barrier or indeed just someone who hadn’t been swept up in the moment. I was met with similar response in a shop while looking at souvenirs. Again, my joke questioning of any Final Boss memorabilia was met with a confused gaze.

Whether I would have received a warmer interaction if I had headed closer to his usual party scene in San Antonio, I’m not sure, but sadly I wasn’t in town long enough to find out. While British partiers were more receptive of the “legend” inside one bar in Ibiza Town, when I asked if he’d been there was a simple eye roll and shrug response.

Needless to say, whether Ibiza likes it – or even knows much about it – or not, there has to be a doff of the hat to Kay for cashing in on the moment in any way possible. He was welcomed with open arms to DJ decks across the island and popped up on exclusive guest lists of some of the hottest venues. And now he could be about to set himself up for a wealthier future off the back of living in the moment with his pals on a holiday.

There are not many people out there who would turn down such a life-changing opportunity. And he certainly appears to be living his best life while he can, and I certainly don’t blame him. Let’s see what he gets up to next!

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Three London-born friends have been vlogging their travels to their parents homelands to represent their cultures authentically – now they plan to take their channel to the next level

A trio of British friends have been flipping the YouTube travel genre on its head by visiting their immigrant parents’ homelands – now, in a bid to make their travels their full time job, they’re planning to release “the best series yet” and it’s set to come out in early September.

While Bangladesh, Morocco and the self-declared republic of Somaliland are not the most frequented destinations for travel vloggers, for London-born, Abu Finiin, Kayum Miah and Zak Hajjaj, they saw an opportunity to learn about themselves and each other – as well as show their ancestral cultures through a non-Western lens.

The friends, who are looking to make the transition into full-time vloggers, spoke on their channel name’s origin: “Kids of the Colony”. As the child of Somali immigrants, Abu, who was studying at Oxford University, wanted to explore the ex-colonial countries he and his friends came from. Kayum is from Bangladesh and Zak is of English and Moroccan descent.

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Abu tells The Mirror: “I wanted a name like ‘children of immigrants’. Kids of the Colony had that ring to it.” He attempted to pitch the idea to several media production companies but it was ultimately rejected. They were told it was because their idea “only normally works with celebrities”.

So, with no major budget or studio behind them, the trio gathered some friends and set off to Bangladesh to begin the series. They travelled through the streets of Dhaka and met Kayum’s grandfather, who insists he’s 120 years old.

From there, their chatty vlog style, immersive film and core message captured over 100K viewers. Their channel now has almost 30K subscribers and their social media videos rack up hundreds of thousands of views.

‘The experience humbled me’

The trio have since visited Morocco, where Zak’s father is from, and Somaliland, involving themselves in everyday life: from getting local jobs to playing football with the local kids. Zak shares: “We gathered lots of locals kids in the football team each. I can’t speak the language and neither can Kayum, but we were still trying to teach the kids.”

One of Abu’s favourite experiences was when travelling to Somaliland and he, Kayum and Zak were working on top of a water truck delivering water to different houses – when they bumped into his grandmother. “We hadn’t seen her on this trip and the first thing she saw was just us three on top of a water truck in overalls and she was like, ‘what the hell?’” he jokes.

Their travels also gave them the chance to reflect on their own lives. A memory which stands out to Kayum was visiting one of Somaliland’s games cafes. “We went to one that was in not such a nice area and they had PS2s and the lights were barely working and there were power cuts,” he says.

“It [gave me] humility…I appreciate growing up [in the UK] gave me a lot of opportunities that a lot of people that don’t have from birth. Even things such as having a game console that I have at home that I barely play that these guys would love to.”

‘We’re helping people explore their identities’

Abu says these experiences stand out because they show how unscripted their videos are. The Somaliland series was mainly filmed in a one-mile radius to keep its “true and authentic” representation of the culture. He says: “For me, it was always about also creating a space for second generation immigrants to explore their identities.”

The impact of the series has been monumental with it gaining a large audience and positive reactions from viewers. Abu mentions how “touching” it was “because [he] never had that representation growing up.” And so was honoured to be able to provide that representation for others.

The Bangladesh series received “so much support from the Bengali community”, as did the Somaliland series with the Somali community. Abu says: “There were parents messaging me saying I’ve got something to show my kids, to show them where they’re from”.

‘We keep it super authentic –this is what life is like‘

Aside from exploring different cultures they also gained knowledge in film production and “that was a big learning curve as well in terms of producing a show.”

Their hope that viewers can get out of their videos is that they want “children of immigrants” like them to “be proud of [their] heritage” Abu highlights that they wanted “to create a show” where “kids can see their country in a positive light and be like, ‘Okay, yeah, that’s where I’m from'”.

He adds: “I hope people get that sense of pride from that, a sense of representation, a sense of belonging” understanding “the identity of your parents being from one place but you being from a completely different culture and just navigating that balance.”

Kayum agrees on their series showcasing “an unbiased opinion” on their countries as they do not have “a great media representation” so they want to show the objective view. Abu adds: “When we do our travels, we don’t go to fancy restaurants or we don’t stay in hotels. We keep it super authentic because we want people to see, this is what life is like.”

The outreach of their videos have reached the likes of NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving who follows them on Instagram. They mention Complex posting them and former footballer and media personality, Ian Wright liking one of their videos.

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‘We’re doing the craziest things that no one has ever done’

The group explains how they aim to expand their content but still keep it authentic. They share how they recently filmed their Albania series and claim that it is “the best series yet.” From their previous travels they improved what they learnt and made this series have it all: “the relatability, it was natural, free-flowing, spontaneous and [they] introduced some challenges as well.”

When asked whether there are more new elements they are incorporating into the series, Abu says: “We’re just doing the craziest things that no one has ever done. And I just don’t see other YouTubers doing it because I just think they’ve got too much money and too comfortable in their lives to take the risk.”

They provide little information about their next series which will follow the boys as they travel across the UK. “It’s a countdown series where we travel across the UK. And the way it will be different is that it will be extremely interactive.” People will be dictating their journey across the country,” Abu shares.

They will be posting everyday on their travels, “letting people know what city [they’re] in” and whoever they come across will have the chance to express what they’d like the trio to do. This is something original that they have never done and are due to set off on their travels later this month.

Finally, they were asked what one word or sentence they would use to describe their content. Abu says, for him it was “reimagining travel.” Kayum also keeps it short and sweet with, “action-packed” and finally Zak shares that their content is “authentic and chaotic at the same time, we go out there, nothing’s fake or planned…it’s all action-packed, but it’s all authentic from ourselves”

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Turkey is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits, but many people make a mistake when it comes to exchanging their money that can make their trip more expensive

Turkey is fast becoming a favourite holiday spot for Brits, with its sun-soaked resort towns and bustling cities like Istanbul drawing in millions of us each year. In fact, a whopping 4.4 million UK tourists jetted off to Turkey in 2024 alone, making it the eighth most popular destination for British holidaymakers. While it’s still playing catch-up with hotspots like Spain, France, and Greece, the number of visitors is on the rise each year, and it could soon break into the top five.

But there’s one common blunder many Brits make when heading to Turkey that can make their holiday pricier than they bargained for. With just one simple change, you could save a pretty penny on your trip.

A Turkey travel guru named Katherine has shared some insider tips for those planning a trip to Istanbul in a TikTok video, but her top piece of advice applies no matter where in the country you’re headed.

She warns against exchanging your local currency for Turkish Lira before you set off, as you could end up getting a poor exchange rate and spending more dosh than you planned.

Instead, she suggests swapping your cash for Euros or Dollars first, then taking that to Turkey and changing it into Turkish Lira once you’re there.

She explained: “Never change Lira in your home country or the airport in Turkey. Instead, bring Euros or Dollars and exchange small amounts [while you’re here], because Turkish Lira is pretty unstable.

“The best exchange spots [in Istanbul] are the Grand Bazaar or Istiklal Street. I always go to the one right across from the Swarovski store at Istiklal.”

Whilst that money-saving tip works throughout the nation, Katherine’s additional guidance focuses specifically on getting around Istanbul.

She advised that you should never pay for public transport using your credit card or contactless payment, as you’ll face a staggering 40% surcharge. Instead, you should purchase a travel card known as an Istanbulkart, which is available at any metro station.

Lastly, Katherine cautioned against hopping into “random airport taxis,” as you could end up paying five to ten times more than the journey should actually cost.

Taxi applications such as Uber, Bitaski, and InDrive offer far superior alternatives for travelling around the city, as you can opt to pay through the app.

Turkey travel guidance

When travelling to Turkey with a full British citizen passport, the passport must expire at least 150 days after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page inside.

You can visit Turkey for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, whether you’re visiting for business or tourism. Longer stays require a short-term residence permit. If you’re considering taking money to Turkey for exchange, it’s crucial to understand the currency rules.

While there’s no cap on the amount of foreign currency or Turkish Lira you can bring into Turkey, you’re restricted from taking Turkish Lira equivalent to more than $5,000 USD out of the country.

Passengers on a recent easyJet flight were guided by cabin crew through an impromptu stretching session, but beyond entertainment there is a vital reason this is becoming a common practice

Passengers on a recent easyJet flight were subject to an impromptu ‘air-robics’ class. A viral TikTok video shows a plane-full of passengers stretching their arms and touching their knees at the direction of a cabin crew member.

The TikTok video has been viewed over 2 million times and was shared with the caption: “What in the air-robics is going on, easyJet”. While the synchronised stretching may look quite odd, one expert has shared that the practice is critical while flying.

While doing yoga stretches on an airplane may sound like a hassle, it’s become quite the trend. Videos are circulating online of flight attendants leading passengers through seated yoga routines mid-flight.

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Weighing in on the movement, yoga instructor Holly Hogan says the practice supports circulation onboard and reduces nerves.

Partnering with Well Pharmacy Online Doctor, Holly Hogan, also shares expert-backed advice on in-seat yoga stretches, discreet breathing techniques, and strategies for beating jet lag to improve passenger comfort and wellbeing at 30,000 feet.

Holly says even minimal movement during long-haul travel can make a big difference. “Just five minutes of gentle stretching every couple of hours can help reduce tension in the neck, back and legs and lower the risk of circulation issues like deep vein thrombosis (DVT).”

While it’s important to stretch your legs by walking up and down the aisle, Holly says there are some beginner-friendly ways to stretch in your seat too.

“Even with limited space, there are simple yoga stretches you can do to stay comfortable and grounded. Try a seated cat-cow by gently arching your spine as you inhale and rounding your spine as you exhale. Add in some neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, and ankle circles to release tension and improve circulation.”

Holly recommends a “seated spinal twist” as well, which is not only great to ease stiffness in your back but aids with digestion. A great stretch to try after you’ve gotten through your inflight meal. Knee hugs are also great to loosen the lower back.

When you do stand up to stretch your legs or use the bathroom, there are a few other discreet poses you can attempt. “Mountain pose is a great one: just stand tall, ground your feet, and lengthen your spine,” Holly says. “A gentle forward fold can release your lower back, and calf raises are perfect for circulation. Even a standing quad stretch or lunge, if you have space, can prevent stiffness.”

For those who feel anxious while flying, Holly recommends focusing on breathing to calm down. “If you’re feeling anxious, one of my favourite techniques is box breathing: inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, and hold again for four. If you can, extending your exhale – for example, inhale for four and exhale for six or eight, will help to calm your nervous system.”

Everyone should be moving or stretching every one to two hours during a long flight, according to Holly. This includes walking the aisle, doing standing poses or just stretching while seated.

“It doesn’t have to be a full routine – just enough to keep your body from stiffening up,” she says. She also says it’s vital to combine gentle stretching with good hydration.

“Drinking water supports good circulation and prevents dehydration, while conscious breathing keeps your mind calm,” she concludes. “Add in a few stretches and a guided meditation, and you’ll land feeling much more refreshed.”

MANCHESTER United fans and neutrals alike have revisited a video of Jose Mourinho from last year as evidence that he could be on his way back to Old Trafford.

The tongue-in-cheek comments about a return on social media come off the back of the Red Devils’ embarrassing Carabao Cup exit to League Two outfit Grimsby on Wednesday.

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The iconic manager made comments last October hinting that he would be open to a return to a bottom-half Premier League side, after his Fenerbahce side secured a draw in the Europa League AGAINST Man Utd.

He told the press: “The best thing I have to do is – when I leave Fenerbahce – I go to a club that doesn’t play Uefa competitions.

“So if any club in England, from the bottom of the table, needs coach in two years – I am ready to go.

Fans across the English game this window have jumped on the bandwagon, with Leeds, West Ham, Wolves and Utd fans all linking themselves to the manager through the video on social media.

One United fan succinctly commented on the post: “So Mourinho is going back to Man Utd, innit?”

Fans are split on the Portuguese, who already spent two years at the helm at Old Trafford between 2016-18, but at least some of the Red Devils faithful would be open to the move.

Speaking on the players, one X user commented: “None of them can manage the pressure and the culture of winning. We just need Jose Mourinho back.”

Fans of other clubs have also been circling around the old clip as it circulates on X.

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One Leeds fan commented:” “I don’t care if he got us relegated, this needs to happen.”

A Hammers fan added: “Feel like Mourinho and West Ham would be pure entertainment. Let it happen, fate.”

Man Utd ratings v Grimsby

MANCHESTER UNITED are at rock bottom after the biggest cup upset saw the club crash out of the Carabao Cup second-round to League Two Grimsby Town on penalties.

Ruben Amorim’s United lost to a four-tier side for the first time ever.

The home fans sang “you’re getting sacked in the morning” to Amorim throughout and you can’t help but wonder if they’re right.

Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated United’s flops at Blundell Park.

The beloved maverick was even linked with the Nottingham Forest job last week after news emerged of Nuno Espirito Santo‘s falling out with the club.

The 62-year-old’s CV includes spells at Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, becoming one of the sport’s most successful managers.

He is currently causing his signature chaos as manager of Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Finding savvy travel hacks online can make your holiday planning seamless and stressfree – but there is one hack experts urge people never to follow as it could spoil your trip

Social media is full of quirky travel hacks – but there is one trend experts are urging people not to follow.

The ‘last to board’ hack comes with the logic that by hanging back means you will be able to spot the free seats and hopefully bag some extra leg room. It also claims you can avoid the hassle of standing in the aisle while everyone else finds their place.

The internet is full of clever hacks that can make your holiday preparations a breeze such as packing tricks and how to skip long airport queues, and while the last to board trend may seem tempting, it could backfire in ways that may ruin your trip according to an expert.

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Travel expert Silvena Nonev from Scandinavia Private Tours said a lot of people think waiting until the end is a “clever move” but it’s actually a “far less glamorous” reality. “One of the biggest issues is luggage space. By the time you get on board, most passengers will have already filled the overhead bins.

“That leaves latecomers scrambling to find room wherever they can, which often means their bag ends up several rows away from them,” she said.

But it doesn’t stop there, as if there is no space left at all, passengers risk being told to check in their cabin bag at the gate. “That’s when things really become inconvenient,” she continued. “You lose access to your essentials during the flight and you’ll have to wait at baggage claim once you land. It’s hardly the relaxing start people have in mind when they’re heading off on holiday.”

She also said many travellers don’t consider until it’s too late. Airlines have the right to reassign seats if needed, and boarding late makes you a prime candidate for being moved around.

Silvena warned: “You might find yourself asked to swap so families can sit together or so that airline staff can balance the cabin. If you’ve paid extra for a particular seat, or you were hoping for peace and quiet, losing it can be very frustrating.”

Instead, Silvena said preparation is key. “Many airlines offer priority boarding for free if you’re a member of their loyalty programme, and even some credit card companies provide perks like early boarding. Making use of these options gives you the advantage without the chaos of last-minute boarding.”

She also recommends using booking tools wisely. “You can often select your preferred seat in advance, whether that’s extra legroom in the exit row or a quiet spot at the front. There are even websites that review seat layouts for different aircraft, so you can make the best choice depending on your flight length.”

And for those worried about overhead luggage space, she has a simple solution. “If you pack a smaller bag that can slide under the seat in front, you’ll never be forced to check it in. It’s worth thinking carefully about what you really need for the flight.”

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A woman was left red-faced after she was denied boarding at the airport when she realised she’d made a mistake with her burgundy passport

When jetting off abroad, it’s crucial to have all your paperwork in order. This includes an up-to-date passport, travel insurance and potentially a visa. It’s vital to have these documents ready well before you set off, as turning up at the airport without them could see you denied boarding – leaving you stranded with no way to start your holiday.

Most travellers are aware that passports need to be valid when flying, and many countries also stipulate how long they must remain valid during their stay. For instance, within the European Union, your passport needs to be valid for at least three months beyond your planned return date.

However, one woman recently had her holiday plans scuppered when she overlooked a crucial detail about her burgundy passport before attempting to board her flight.

Olivia Alcantara was all set for a family getaway, but upon reaching the airport and retrieving her passport from her bag, she realised she’d made a monumental error – she’d brought the wrong document.

In a TikTok video, Olivia is seen burying her face in her hands against her suitcase as she holds up the passport she’d mistakenly brought along. Although it was the same burgundy colour as the old UK passport, the front cover was noticeably different.

Rather than bringing her genuine passport along, Olivia had mistakenly packed a LEGO passport instead.

The footage featured the popular Jet2 Holidays advert soundtrack as the camera revealed her father, who appeared utterly dismayed by his daughter’s error.

A LEGO passport resembles an authentic passport but bears LEGO branding on its cover. You can take the passport to any LEGO-authorised shop to receive stamps, and each outlet worldwide offers distinctive markings.

Viewers responding to the clip were astounded by how Olivia could have made such an error, with many stating they verify their passports numerous times before departing home, never mind reaching the airport.

One individual commented: “Who doesn’t check their passport 1000x before they even get to the airport?!”

Another remarked: “It’s dad’s fault for trusting his kids. He should have nagged, checked and made sure, no matter how much the family insisted things were fine.”

Passport checks to make before travelling

The first thing you should verify before travelling is that your passport remains current. UK passports are typically valid for 10 years for adults, so if you possess a recent blue passport, it ought to be valid, having only been issued since 2020. If yours is burgundy, you must confirm that it is still valid before you travel.

Each country has its own set of rules regarding passport validity, which can extend up to six months beyond your intended departure date, so it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the regulations of your destination.

Typically, EU and Schengen countries mandate a three-month validity from your planned exit date, while Australia, India, and the UAE require six months from your arrival date.

The US, Canada, and Japan only necessitate that your passport is valid for the duration of your stay, but it’s recommended to have a few extra months to spare to prevent any potential complications.

The lead singer of the regional Mexican band Enigma Norteño, Ernesto Barajas, was shot and killed on Tuesday in the municipality of Zapopan in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, according to ABC 7.

The singer was killed by two individuals riding a motorcycle, according to authorities. The prosecutor’s office of the state of Jalisco has already opened an investigation into the murder, according to ABC 7.

The band from Sinaloa is known for its “viral drug ballads,” a musical style known to glorify organized crime. Enigma Norteño has dedicated its songs to members of the Jalisco Nueva Generacion and Sinaloa cartels. The genre has been banned by a third of the states in Mexico.

The killing of Barajas comes three months after the dead bodies of five members of the Mexican regional band Fugitivo were found in the northern city of Reynosa.

In July, the Council of the Judiciary of the State of Jalisco agreed to drop the criminal case against the Mexican regional band Los Alegres Del Barranco. The band came under investigation after it displayed a photograph of a leader of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación during a show.

In April, the Mexican government announced a music contest to encourage Mexican artists to create music that does not glorify a violent lifestyle. The competition was created to encourage musicians to write songs about love, heartbreak and peace, according to Billboard.

“While the contest won’t solve this issue overnight, and we’re not neglecting the underlying causes — for that, there’s a whole national security program — we felt it was important to create creative spaces through culture for Mexican and Mexican-American youth who are passionate about music,” Claudia Curiel de Icaza, secretary of culture for Mexico, told Billboard Español.

Authorities from the state of Jalisco did not respond to a request for a comment in time for publication.

A Balkan woman opened up about her experience in America while visiting supermarkets – she could not get over the portion sizes or difference in products sold. Her honest opinions have divided people

A tourist visiting America has divided opinion after being left gobsmacked by a number of culture shocks while shopping in a US supermarket. You may not realise just how used to your native country you are until you go on a long holiday or move abroad and start missing things from back home. It’s no secret that American stores are renowned for having significantly larger portions, but one woman, named Lucija, who is from the Balkans, was shocked by a number of things she has never seen while shopping before.

Sharing a video online, Lucija created quite a stir with her post, which has raked in over 6.9million views on TikTok. She listed “things in American supermarkets that would put Europeans into coma”.

Bread

Lucija was shocked to learn was ‘normal’ bread looks like in US supermarkets as she found endless rows of burger buns.

Typically, American families buy bread which lasts a longer time, rather than a fresh loaf like in many European stores. The bread sold in the US tends to have higher levels of added sugar, preservatives, and dough conditioners, particularly when compared to bread sold in the UK. These ingredients are used to extend shelf life and enhance sweetness.

Our sister site, Daily Express, previously reported that in an investigation is was discovered that a standard-sized loaf of Warburtons contains 17g of sugar, whereas the same-sized loaf of Wonder bread packs a staggering 50g of sugar.

“USA, the land of sugar and additives,” commented one individual on the post. “American bread is anything but normal,” wrote another.

READ MORE: B&M shoppers left divided after discovery on shelves that’s ‘ruining Christmas’

Size of portions

Lucija could not get over how big a bag of popcorn is in supermarkets – or the unique flavours like cheddar cheese flavoured popcorn. “Cheddar cheese popcorn… I feel sick,” commented one individual.

She was also gobsmacked by a “lifetime supply” of Vaseline in a giant tub that is bigger than her hand.

One American pointed out: “US is a big country everything is far each other unless you live in the city. They don’t like to go out every time to go to the store. They like to store food that last. Weeks or months that’s why they sell it big portion.”

Another agreed and shared: “The root cultural difference is that America is too damn big. for most people, grocery store is too far away. European countries smaller, grocery stores are closer. Europeans more likely (or more capable of) going grocery multiple times/week. Americans want to go once a week or less.”

“When people buy food to last a week, not a singular meal,” said another. One other insisted: “Oh come on Balkan families would be excited to use products with that size.”

Cookie-flavoured bath products

Lucija was shocked after she spotted the Dove Crumbl cookie flavoured bath and shower products she spotted in supermarkets. “I have no words for this one,” she said.

Earlier this year the Crumbl company, which has become one of the fastest selling dessert chains in the US, collaborated with Dove to roll out dessert-scented body washes, hand washes, and body scrubs. The three scents are Confetti Cake, Lemon Glaze, and Strawberry Crumb Cake.

“What/s wrong with the Dove one? It’s just a selection of scents,” added another. “The Dove is the greatest of all time, I want that in Europe,” insisted another.

Bright orange Fanta

“ORANGE Fanta,” wrote Lucija in her baffled post.

There’s nothing like tucking into a cold Fanta on a warm day, but in many European countries, the colour of the treat looks a lot different to other continents. While in the UK and other European countries, it looks light a deep yellow or light orange, in the US it is a bright and bold orange colour. The colour varies because of the ingredients used and regulations.

One US-based Redditor shared their experience drinking the fizzy beverage in Europe, explaining the colour difference was due to different ingredients and varying levels of sugar content. “Fanta in Italy has no dyes or artificial flavours,” they wrote, alongside a photo of the pale yellow drink

They added: “Slightly less sugary and a bit more tangy. It’s the same soda only by name.”

One other commented: “You’re so right about everything but I will not accept Fanta slander. Fanta in Europe is just sparkling orange juice.”

Another shared: “I’m from the Maldives and the Fanta here has the same neon orange colon, isn’t it supposed to be like that?”

“I am from an African country and orange Fanta is so nice but once you move to a European country their Fanta is just disgusting,” another insisted.

Skittles drinks

Lucija was shocked to see what she has dubbed “radioactive soda” after she found Skittles drinks on the shelves of US supermarkets. She found a purple, red and green version of the beverage.

Pre-made hard boiled eggs

Lucija could not believe her eyes as she saw 12 hard boiled eggs in a sealed plastic, grab-and-go bag. “Just ew,” she wrote.

“Hard boiled eggs? Can’t you just boil them by yourself?” commented one confused individual.

Another shocked person said: “HARD BOILED EGGS IN A BAG!? I wonder how it smells when you open that hard boiled bag.”