“Meet me at the flagpole after the final bell goes,” “I’ll see you next to the bandstand at the park on lunch,” “Fight on the corner at 3pm”… plenty of us saw these kinds of messages flying around BBM and Snapchat when we were at school.

You know, as kids. School children fight arrangements. Not the kind of arrangements that tend to get sent by adults.

And yet this bloke worth £8 billion turned up at Lidl waiting for a ‘one on one’ fight after being called out online over a video game.

Xavier Niel is the founder and majority shareholder of the French Internet service provider, the Free telecoms group.

Xavier Niel is one of the richest men in France (JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)

The French billionaire was hit with backlash when a disgruntled customer slammed his service, claiming the slow internet speed had ruined his game of Call of Duty.

I mean, we’ve all been there haven’t we – whether it be the film you’re watching or game you’re playing, there’s nothing more annoying than a sh**ty internet connection getting in the way.

So, this guy went straight for the man at the top as he lashed out after his gaming session went wrong.

“Xavier Niel I hate you. I propose a one-v-one in front of the Lidl on Rue Sainte in Marseille,” user Fuego 7 wrote on X back in May.

Xavier Niel

@Xavier75

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Fuego 7️⃣🇲🇦

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Xavier Niel je te déteste je te propose un 1v1 devant le Lidl de la rue Sainte à Marseille

9:00 AM · Nov 15, 2024

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And on Friday (15 November), Niel decided to follow through and show up at the supermarket.

“I’m here! I’m waiting for you!” he shouted on a video posted to social media, “Where are you, come on! Do you want to meet in the car park?”

The 57-year-old was in Marseille for an AI conference when he decided to head to the shop and post the bizarre video.

But Fuego 7 responded to the post, declining the invite to meet his rival.

“I would have liked to but 34.2 temperature plus stomach ache plus headache sorry I give up,” the user joked.

The bloke was waiting (X/@Xavier75)

And with one of the richest men in French looking for his fighter outside their shop, Lidl’s social media team even got involved.

“Please come and get the gentleman who has been tweeting since this morning in front of the store on Rue Sainte in Marseille,” it posted.

Niel had also shared a selfie of himself outside the store, quoting Fuego 7’s post as he wrote: “I’m waiting for you.”

Well, the great fight that could have been between a gamer and a billionaire on the holy Lidl ground…

Here is a super simple test which takes just 60 seconds and could reveal if you’re suffering from a common health problem.

Modern technology such as smartphones and computers has improved our lives, but our excessive connectivity is something which one part of our wrists and hands won’t be thanking us for.

Phrases such as ‘smartphone hand’ and ‘texting claw’ have been coined in the past couple of years to refer to the strain placed on our digits.

Could your lifestyle be causing this common condition? (Getty Stock Images)

When it comes to people who spend several hours a day tapping away at computers, carpal tunnel syndrome is something you’re at a very real risk of developing.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

According to the NHS, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition which occurs when the median nerve of the wrist is compressed.

Symptoms of CTS typically include an ache or pain in your fingers, hand or arm, as well as a tingling or ‘pins and needles’ sensation in the same area, numb hands, and reduced grip strength.

CTS was previously caused by wrist injuries, diabetes and pregnancy – however, the condition is increasingly being associated with office workers due to the fact that they spend around seven to eight hours a day tapping away on keyboards.

Treatments for CTS include painkillers, wrist exercises, and wearing a support brace. Severe cases can potentially need surgical intervention.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is common amongst people who use computers for their work (Getty Stock Images)

How to tell if you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome

If you’re worried that you may be suffering from CTS, there is a very simple test you can do right away, which doesn’t involve the use of any medical equipment

Sharing the test via his TikTok account, US-based doctor Dr Myro Figura explained that placing the backs of both your hands together (while pointing down) and holding the position for 60 seconds – adding that it was the ‘number one test’ for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Figura went on to explain that anyone who experiences pain, tingling or numbness in their first three fingers (thumb, index and middle) may have the condition.

Going on to explain how the test – which is referred to clinically as Phalen’s manoeuvre or Phalen’s test – works, he continued: “The reason why that works is because Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is impingement of median nerve at the wrist. This motion puts pressure on the nerve and that nerve innovates these three fingers.”

Thankfully, there’s plenty of advice out there on the internet on how to make adjustments for CTS caused by office work, which includes using a wrist support, an ergonomic keyboard, adjusting your chair to allow for proper wrist alignment and taking breaks to stretch your wrists and hands.

Gen Z has called for everyone to stop using the thumbs up emoji for one huge reason.

Social media users everywhere might be shocked to know that an emoji has apparently been cancelled by Gen Z, who are people born between the late 1990s and early 2010s.

Yep, they’ve come for ‘Boomer ellipses’ and ‘the Millennial pause’, and now not even a simple thumbs up is safe.t

This all began with a thread on Reddit, where someone brought the emoji up as a topic of discussion. But why?

Be careful with your emojis, someone could get offended. (Getty Stock Photo)

Well, it turns out that a lot of Gen Zs think that the emoji, meant to signify ‘good’ or ‘yes’ on mobile phones, is actually rude. I didn’t know either.

The user who started all of this came to the platform to find out if others were as offended by the menacing thumb as they were when they got it in a text message

They said: “I started an ‘adult’ job where we use Microsoft Teams to connect with each other for work.

“Currently, there are only a few emojis you can use to react to a message (unless of course, you respond, and can use any emoji).

“Most people at work use the ‘thumbs-up’ reaction all the time.

“I don’t use it much. I either ‘heart’ reactions or reply even if it’s a short ‘Great!’ or ‘Thanks!’ (I also feel like I use too many exclamation marks, but that’s a different story).

Some could view this as a micro-aggression. (Getty Stock Photo)

“Anyway, I think it’s normal to ‘thumbs up’ messages, but I still feel like it’s such an unsettling response.

“Does anyone else feel this way?”

It turns out that a lot of people feel this way, for one reason or another as the use of the emoji also makes people look old.

One user commented: “I feel the same way! We even have a sort of social platform/yammer and I can’t only like a post. I lead by feelings though so it may be because of that… I get mad seeing thumbs ups lol it’s pretty bad.”

A second said: “It’s not that odd to see it as passive-aggressive.

“Just imagine how would it feel to go into your boss’ room, say something, and then see him turn to you, look you in the eye, and [give you a thumbs up].”

Now that you mention it… (Getty Stock Image/Lu ShaoJi)

Another revealed: “For younger people (I’m 24 for reference) the thumbs up emoji is used to be really passive-aggressive.

“It’s super rude if someone just sends you a thumbs up. So I also had a weird time adjusting because my workplace is the same.

“So yeah, it’s a generational communication culture difference.”

But other users disagreed with the assessment, with a different user posting: “It’s just a way to say ‘I’ve read your message and have nothing add and I hope and pray to all the god all the bazillion people in this group chat have nothing to say on it too.'”

A fifth user said: “Passive aggressive? Are you being serious or facetious? It’s a thumbs up.

“It means ‘I got it’ or ‘OK, message received’.

“What in the world can possibly be passive-aggressive in that? Newsflash, not everything is a micro-aggression.”

Seaside lovers can stop sharpening their pitchforks, as it turns out there was no fire at Blackpool Tower.

The news that the iconic landmark in the Lancashire town was ablaze sparked serious panic among fans of the place, especially when six fire engines were sent to deal with it.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service even had a rope rescue team and a drone on standby at the scene to aid in the response after the 518ft and 129-year-old tower was reported to be going up in smoke.

But rather than bright orange flames engulfing Blackpool Tower, it was merely a load of orange netting.

What a kerfuffle, eh?

According to emergency responders, concerned members of the public had alerted authorities about the alleged inferno this afternoon (28 December) ‘due to a combination of factors that led them to believe it was a fire’.

A statement shared on X by Lancashire Fire and Rescue said: “The area where the fire was suspected is generally inaccessible, therefore access to this area is difficult.

“A specialist team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service gained access and confirmed that there was no fire.

“This incident was supported by the National Police Air Service, who used thermal imaging which provided further assurance.”

X/@Gary_Cridland

Police in Blackpool also reassured the public there was no cause for concern, despite them dashing to the scene.

Chief Superintendent Karen Edwards said in a Facebook post: “We are at the scene in support of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Blackpool Council and Merlin Entertainment.

“The top of the tower is currently closed for renovation and difficult to access. Our helicopter has flown over the tower and there is no fire. We can confirm what can be seen is orange netting.

“One man has been arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace and is being transported to custody.”

Lancashire Fire and Rescue previously issued a statement confirming they had responded to calls of a fire and warned people to stay away from Blackpool Tower

Locals were also ordered not to fly drones in the area as crews were sending their own up to assess the supposed damage, so they obviously didn’t want to be obstructed by unwanted air traffic.

Jason Wells/LOOP IMAGES/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

This is not the first time there has been a concern about a fire at the iconic Blackpool landmark.

Two years ago, the tower was evacuated after reports of smoke, with Lancashire Fire and Rescue deploying six fire engines that time as well.

Fire crews searched the building and found that the smoke had been caused by ‘an electrical issue in the basement of a neighbouring property’.

Opened to the public in 1894, Blackpool Tower has been a popular tourist attraction ever since it was finished.

It was inspired by the Eiffel Tower, though it’s significantly shorter than its French counterpart, and is part of an entertainment complex that includes a circus and ballroom.

The tower took seven years to paint, and when the wind in Blackpool reaches speeds of 70mph, the top of the tower sways by an inch.

It’s one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks, and often the first thing people think of when they think of Blackpool.

A man has accidentally stumbled across one of the most disturbing websites on the dark web.

Known as @austinvro on TikTok, he has explained to followers that he had no intention to find the site.

We seem to have been warned numerous times by influencers to steer clear of the dark web at all costs, with several illegal activities taking place there, while @austinvro has visited a dark web chatroom in the past.

In a TikTok video posted to the social media platform, he explains that he was going to do a part two to his series ‘Going on the dark web‘ – but quickly realised that he was on the ‘wrong side of the dark web.’

I didn’t know there was a right side, to be fair.

He continues: “Normally this would be cool but this a side I’ve never seen before,” flipping the camera to show his monitor.

“I know this looks blurry, it’s supposed to look like that.”

He begins to read his screen: “Wanderer are you lost? The dissolved sixfold path awaits.”

TikTok/@austinvro

Austin mentions that he can see a little number six on the tab, as he has no idea what website he clicked on.

The TikToker also showed viewers the link if they wanted to visit it, but we do highly recommend that you don’t.

He states that he can click, and does so while saying ‘watch this’.

A list appears on the screen, and he claims: “I think it’s like a Satanic cult website because there’s a bunch of numbers and it says I’ll be cursed if I fail,”

I’m throwing my computer out the window at that point, but he continues.

“Then there’s this that says he will try to humiliate me, try to make me feel unworthy, do not surrender to the warden and keep in mind you are worthy and ready to experience empowerment.” He says.

“He uses your shadows to beat you, therefore, you are the only one allowing defeat.”

And then the most chilling line: “Cursed are the ones who fail.”

TikTok/@austinvro

Honestly, I would probably have moved out of the house and left the computer behind at this point – but still, Austin goes on.

He clicks again and announces that the next page is ‘the first one’, and if you pause the video, you can see an audio clip, titled with a language that looks unintelligible.

Could it really be a Satanic cult site?

The page also talks about Gheroel being the second warden and how to ‘sense his presence’.

I guess if the rumours are right and his computer gets hacked or corrupted, he has it coming.