2 days agoBlogsComments Off on You need to be hanging your wet sheets & towels from windows to beat the heat this weekend
SAVVY homeowners are turning to a clever laundry hack that’s perfect for cooling you down in the scorching summer heat.
This simple trick not only helps keep you cool, but also makes your clothes dry faster and smell fresher – and it won’t cost you a penny.
GettyAs the UK sizzles in scorching summer heat, homeowners are turning to a clever washing hack[/caption]
GettyThis genuis tip is perfect for tackling sweaty clothes, sticky nights and stuffy air[/caption]
It might sound wild, but hanging your washing inside your windows could be the genius summer hack you never knew you needed.
If you’re bunging towels or bed sheets in the wash today, try pegging them over your windows – not only will they dry quicker in the scorching heat, but they’ll also help block out the blazing sun and keep your home cooler.
That’s right – dry your laundry and beat the heat in one go.
Two birds, one washing line!
How this works
Hanging a wet sheet in front of an open window can help cool a room by using evaporative cooling.
As the breeze blows through the wet sheet, the water evaporates, drawing heat away from the air and making it cooler.
This is a simple, cost-effective way to lower the temperature inside a room, especially during warmer days when there’s a breeze.
Muslin Clothes
Parents also offered their tips, and made the most out of the hundreds of muslin clothes they had lying around.
One mum said: “I give the kids a damp, very well wrung out muslin when it’s horrible and hot.
“They are magic for cooling you off, and if they warm up you just need to flap them about a bit and they cool down again!
“Perfect for getting to sleep with.”
Hot Water Bottle
Another hack that people are sharing on Mumsnet is to use a hot water bottle, yes, even in the summer.
You simply fill the water bottle with a small amount of cold water and stick it in the freezer until frozen.
Then you want to place it at the bottom of your bed to keep you cool all night long.
However, you shouldn’t use the same hot water bottle for hot water in winter and freezing in summer, as it can weaken the rubber.
If you can, buy two hot water bottles and change them for each task.
Many agreed that the hack was vital to staying cool in the summer.
One wrote: “In praise of the cold water bottle.
“It’s just a hot water bottle filled with cold water, but it’s so helpful when it’s really hot.”
AlamyA hot water bottle isn’t just for the colder months[/caption]
Free summer holiday activites
You don't need to spend a penny to keep your kids entertained this summer...
Museums – Some museums offer free entry to some exhibits, and also host events for kids.
Parks – Head to your local park to enjoy the playgrounds, games areas, courts and splash pads. Some even have trails for kids to enjoy.
Beach – It doesn’t have to be sunny to enjoy the beach, you can go rock pooling, crabbing, make sandcastles, or enjoy a walk along the headland.
Library – If the weather is awful, head indoors and borrow books, audiobooks, dvds.
Cooking – Have your own mini bake-off, or Come Dine With Me challenge.
Playdates – Invite friends over for an afternoon of socialising.
Boardgames – Enjoy a little sibling rivalry with rounds of Monopoly or stretch your brain with Scrabble.
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Former kids TV presenter unrecognisable 25 years after presenting with Holly Willoughby
A FORMER kids TV host looks unrecognisable 25 years after presenting alongside Holly Willoughby.
Marcus O’Donovan co-presented short-lived S Club TV with the former This Morning star.
YouTubeFormer kids TV host Marcus O’Donovan has a brand new career[/caption]
LinkedinHe looks unrecognisable in his new role[/caption]
YouTubeMarcus appeared on a short-lived show opposite Holly Willoughby[/caption]
Despite the name, no members of the group S Club featured in this show.
More than two decades on, Marcus has a surprising new job away from the screen.
He now runs his own sparking water company, which is named CO2 You.
According to Linkedin, the entrepreneur owned snack company HUSK from 2011 until 2024.
Marcus previously opened up about his experience working in the food industry.
He told About Time Magazine: “WORK FOR SOMEBODY IN THE INDUSTRY FIRST! I regret not getting that level of experience.
“Ask around for honest feedback on your idea.
“The hardest thing in the food industry isn’t making a great product or branding it well, it’s getting your product to market and understanding logistics and manufacturing. There is a lot to learn.
“It can be very lonely and you may need a lot of funding.
“Reach out to me if you’re just starting, I’m always happy to give someone 15 minutes on the phone.”
Ahead of its debut, the S Club TV team were interviewed by Ant and Dec and Cat Deeley on SMTV Live.
Alongside Marcus and Holly, S Club TV featured five other presenters on the team.
This included actor Ben Barnes, singer Kelly Beckett and BBC Look North anchor Amy Garcia, among others.
Back in 2017, Holly delighted fans when she shared a throwback nod to S Club TV.
The star responded to a tweet from The London Studios who had uploaded an photo of Holly’s early presenting work in 2000.#
The London Studios wrote on X, then Twitter: “Today @hollywills is at @TMLiveEvent ..17 years ago she was in Studio 3 for S Club TV on CITV! #ThrowbackThursday @ChildrensITV,”
The snap featured a youthful Holly surrounded by a team of similarly attractive presenters.
Sharing the image with fans, Holly replied saying: “Oh wow!” along with some heart emojis.
InstagramS Club TV also featured Ben Barnes, Amy Garcia and Kelly Beckett[/caption]
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on The 30p BBQ cleaning hack that removes burnt food & grease in seconds, saving you hours of scrubbing & it smells good
YOUR barbecue is getting more action than it has all year as temperatures soar across the weekend.
And if you’ve opened it up to find last year’s grime on it, or want to prepare for the mess you’ll make after burning the sausages this weekend, here’s a quick cleaning hack.
GettyBurnt food can be a nightmare to get off a BBQ[/caption]
Before you even think about picking up a brush, turn your BBQ on high for 10-15 minutes with the lid firmly closed.
You’ll see smoke rising as the old grime burns away.
“This method completely transforms BBQ cleaning,” a cleaning pro said.
“The intense heat burns off leftover grease and food residue, making everything infinitely easier to remove.”
Once cooled slightly, a quick brush with your usual BBQ cleaning tool will remove everything effortlessly.
How does it work?
The science behind this hack is straightforward – heat breaks down the oils and charred bits that normally require serious elbow grease to shift.
What would typically take you 30 minutes of aggressive scrubbing becomes a quick five-minute job, Lottomart suggests.
Refresh your BBQ
For an extra cleaning boost while the grates are still warm, try this natural trick: halve a fresh lemon, dip it in coarse salt, and rub it over the surface.
The citric acid cuts through any remaining grease naturally while leaving your BBQ smelling wonderfully fresh.
The timing for this cleaning hack is crucial: “Don’t let it cool completely, but make sure it’s safe to handle.
“The residual heat helps with cleaning, but safety always comes first,” the expert adds.
Lemons can be picked up for as little as 30p from a supermarket, making it a super cheap cleaning hack.
Try the onion trick too
Another natural cleaning hack many BBQ owners swear by is using an onion.
Top grilling tips
1. Preheat the grill
For 10-15 minutes, with the lid closed, warm up your grill. It helps cook food evenly and stops it sticking.
2. Oil the grates
Using tongs and a paper towel with some oil on it, wipe the grates. Your meat and veg will get iconic grill marks on and not stick.
3. Use two heat zones
Split your BBQ into two if you can, one side super hot for searing and the other side cooler for slow cooking – essential for burgers, sausages or meat with bones.
4. Don’t press your burgers
It squeezes the juices out and makes them dry – let them cook untouched and flip only once if you can.
5. Let meat rest
After cooking, leave your meat for 10-15 minutes under foil, this will help the juices redistribute to stay juicy, not dry.
6. Keep the lid closed
Not only does it help trap heat, but ensures food is cooked evenly – think of it like an oven.
Turn up the temperature slightly and attach half an onion to a fork for a makeshift handle.
Gently rub it over the hot grill, removing any burnt-on food whilst letting the onion’s natural juices help clean the barbecue.
Make sure that the BBQ has cooled completely before touching it again.
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Thailand launches first local cancer therapy pill
Thailand has introduced its first domestically created targeted therapy pill for cancer treatment, named Imcranib 100. This development is attributed to the scientific vision and leadership of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana. Targeted therapy represents a modern approach to cancer treatment, concentrating on attacking specific cancer cells while preserving healthy cells. This …
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Huge blaze rips through industrial estate with 150 firefighters tackling warehouse, diggers and vehicles on fire
AN industrial estate went up in flames last night, with 150 firefighters scrambling to the scene.
A single-storey warehouse in a scrap yard, three diggers and several other vehicles were caught up in the huge blaze.
UKNIPA major industrial fire broke out at Maypole Crescent, Erith[/caption]
UKNIPThe fire was reported at 10.45pm on Friday evening[/caption]
UKNIPThick plumes of smoke were seen rising into the sky last night[/caption]
Locals living near Maypole Crescent in Erith, south-east London have been warned to keep their windows and doors closed due to the smoke.
Twenty-five fire engines, two 32-metre turntable ladders and a fire boat were deployed to extinguish the inferno.
The London Fire Brigade responded to the first of 10 calls shortly before 11pm.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
UKNIPLocals living near Maypole Crescent in Erith, south-east London have been warned to keep their windows and doors closed due to the smoke[/caption]
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on I had sex with my aunt on her sofa after impromptu skinny dip session – should I come clean to my wife?
DEAR DEIDRE: MY aunt seduced me when I was 18 and apart from my best friend no one else knows.
We spent a whole summer entangled in her bed. Even though I’d already lost my virginity to a girl from my school, being with her was my real sexual awakening.
She is my dad’s younger sister and I’d gone to live with her as I’d got a temporary job in her city.
We were left to our own devices and we made the most of our freedom.
She is seven years older than me and one of the sexiest women I’ve ever met.
One day, it was so hot and sticky we went down to a local swimming spot. We stripped off and I noticed her checking me out.
That afternoon when we got home, she pounced on me asking to see my chest again.
Within minutes we were having sex on her sofa.
I’ve kept those memories of skinny dipping in the river and having sex anywhere and everywhere all to myself but now I wonder if I should come clean to my wife to be.
I don’t want to have any secrets from her and somehow it seems like I’m lying by keeping this from her – especially as my aunt will be at the wedding and I know my wife-to-be and she will meet.
I’m 29 now and my fiancée is 27. We have a great relationship and I’ve never had any doubts about her but I’m worried this could come between us.
We have spoken about our pasts and I admitted I’d had a crazy summer with a woman a little bit older, but I lied and said I’d met her through my job.
So she knows part of the truth.
After my job finished and I moved back home, my aunt and I agreed that would be the end of our affair.
We didn’t even stay in touch, only catching up at family gatherings.
She is still as stunning as ever. She now has two young daughters and a long term boyfriend and I’d never want to jeopardise that.
This isn’t easy. What should I do?
DEIDRE SAYS: This was no idyllic love affair and while it doesn’t seem to have occurred to you, having a sexual relationship with your aunt, someone you are related to counts as incest. I must let you know that incest is a criminal offence.
You were 18 at the time of this relationship barely an adult and your aunt had a lot more life experience than you.
I’m afraid to say she took advantage of your inexperience and her behaviour could even be considered grooming.
You have a difficult decision to make.
If you tell your wife, it could taint your wedding day and open a whole can of worms.
On the other hand your wife might feel more upset were she to find out from someone else further down the road, although this seems very unlikely as you’ve only ever told your best friend and your aunt has too much to lose to share the truth.
You have a lot to work through and it would really help you if you were to see a counsellor, someone who could help you decide what are your next best steps.
Dear Deidre’s Incest Issues
Deidre’s mailbag is bursting with incest and relationship problems.
One reader struggled to navigate her feelings for her long-lost cousin, while another found himself aroused after seeing sexy videos of his half-sister.
And one man discovered his brother’s sexual fling with their half-sister.
GLOBAL SNAPSHOT: WHERE IS INCEST LEGAL?
Incest laws vary widely across the world — in some places, it’s criminalised even between consenting adults, while in others, it’s legally permitted under certain conditions.
France Consensual incest is not a criminal offence, though marriage between close relatives is banned.
Spain Decriminalised consensual incest in 1995. No laws against sexual relations between adult relatives.
Russia No specific law against consensual incest between adults. Marriage between close relatives is not permitted.
Japan Incestuous sexual relationships between adults are legal, but marriage is prohibited under the Civil Code.
Brazil Incest is not criminal unless it involves coercion, minors, or abuse of authority.
Portugal No legal penalties for consensual incest between adults, though it remains socially taboo.
Turkey Consensual incest is not criminalised by law, but cultural and religious norms strongly condemn it.
Sweden Sex between half-siblings is legal. Full siblings may apply to marry with government approval in rare cases.
Ask me and my counsellors anything
Every problem get a personal and private reply from one of my trained counsellors within one working day.
Sally Land is the Dear Deidre Agony Aunt. She achieved a distinction in the Certificate in Humanistic Integrative Counselling, has specialised in relationships and parenting. She has over 20 years of writing and editing women’s issues and general features.
Passionate about helping people find a way through their challenges, Sally is also a trustee for the charity Family Lives. Her team helps up to 90 people every week.
Sally took over as The Sun’s Agony Aunt when Deidre Sanders retired from the The Dear Deidre column four years ago.
The Dear Deidre Team Of Therapists Also Includes:
Kate Taylor: a sex and dating writer who is also training to be a counsellor. Kate is an advisor for dating website OurTime and is the author of five self-help books.
Jane Allton: a stalwart of the Dear Deidre for over 20 years. Jane is a trained therapist, who specialises in family issues. She has completed the Basic Counselling Skills Level 1, 2, and 3. She also achieved the Counselling and Psychotherapy (CPCAB) Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Studies.
Catherine Thomas: with over two decades worth of experience Catherine has also trained as a therapist, with the same credentials as Jane. She specialises in consumer and relationship issues.
Fill out and submit our easy-to-use and confidential form and the Dear Deidre team will get back to you.
You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page or email us at:
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Bacolod mayor blames garbage-clogged waterways for city flooding
BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Greg Gasataya is calling for public cooperation after 26,105 kilograms of waste, equivalent to about three full garbage trucks, were removed from Mambuloc Creek on Thursday, July 10. The large-scale cleanup underscores the urgent need for community involvement to address recurring flooding and environmental degradation, Gasataya said. The haul, made up
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Doogee V Pad Full Specs, Features, Price In Philippines
Here’s The Complete List of Specifications, Features, & Price of the Doogee V Pad The Doogee V Pad was officially announced in June 2025. The 5G-ready is fueled with a 8800 mAh battery + 10W wired charging. The tablet is available in two colors: Black and Blue. Body & Display: The dimension of the tab ... Read more
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Chon Buri duo nabbed in midnight aluminium theft
Two desperate men armed with hammers and a beat-up motorbike were caught red-handed slicing aluminium in a Chon Buri backstreet—fuelled by poverty and the urge to feed their families. In the early hours of yesterday, July 11, Bang Lamung Police Station officers swooped on a quiet lane near Soi Sukhumvit-Pattaya 79 after concerned residents reported …
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Kerry ace has come back from the wilderness after US stint to emerge as key cog in All-Ireland bid
ON A day when Kerry kicked fourteen points without reply to KO the All-Ireland champions, it was no mean feat to be one of the first players name-checked in the winning manager’s post-match press briefing.
Seán O’Shea and David Clifford laid waste to Armagh’s hopes of back-to-back Sam Maguire successes as they combined for an astonishing 19 points in the quarter-final a fortnight ago.
Micheál Burns was critical to their second half explosionEmbracing Mark O’Shea after they thumped Armagh by 0-32 to 1-21
But when it came to highlighting individual contributions, Jack O’Connor started with two of the men he called upon from the bench.
The Kerry boss said: “The introduction of Paudie Clifford at half-time just gave everybody a lift because we know the calibre of a player Paudie is. Him and Micheál Burns really lifted the team.”
The elder of the Clifford brothers exerted the type of influence we have come to expect from a man who won his third straight All-Star in 2023.
However, given Burns was persona non grata when Armagh dumped them out of the 2024 Championship, his redemption arc has been much more than a minor footnote in Kerry’s season.
O’Connor added: “Micheál Burns had the game of his life. He came on and showed he’s a big player for us.”
During one of the most spellbinding periods of football that Croke Park has seen in an age, Armagh were haemorrhaging scores.
And Burns wasted no time in doing his bit to prevent Kieran McGeeney’s side from stopping the bleeding.
Just seven seconds after he was sprung into action at wing-forward, Burns was on the ball.
He weaved his way towards the Armagh goal from the left, bought space by selling Tiernan Kelly a dummy and sent over a point that pushed Kerry’s lead out to four.
Kerry legend Colm Cooper, a Dr Crokes clubmate of Burns, said this week: “I’m glad to see him back. I think Kerry are a better team when he’s on the pitch.”
While Armagh were conquering the Kingdom at the semi-final stage 12 months ago, Burns was on a sojourn to Chicago.
He had not been seen in a Kerry jersey since he was withdrawn at half-time in the defeat to Derry in the opening round of the National League.
Burns featured in the 2022 final against Galway when O’Connor steered Kerry to Sam Maguire glory.
Under the same boss, he was man of the match in the victory over Donegal in the 2014 minor decider.
Despite reports he departed the county set-up of his own accord, Burns explained he would ‘never turn down a chance to play for Kerry’ while speaking to TG4 after helping Crokes to club championship success against Dingle last September.
He elaborated in an interview with the Smaller Fish podcast, saying he was deemed ‘surplus to requirements’ by O’Connor.
US TREK
After a few months of county action with Crokes, Burns went across the Atlantic. A summer living the American dream helped him to move on from his Kerry nightmare.
With the Wolfe Tones club, where Clare forward Eoin Cleary was a team-mate, he won a North American championship.
Cleary told SunSport: “The experience out there helped him because the Kerry situation would have been difficult for him personally. As you get to know any fella, he’d open up a bit more.
“And you could see the disappointment that was there and how much it meant to him to play for Kerry.
“His form in America was excellent and he brought that back with him to Crokes, which seems to have given him great confidence for the way he’s been playing with Kerry ever since.
“He’d say himself that going to America really stood to him. He probably went home in a more relaxed mindset than in previous seasons and it told in his form.”
‘VERY FRESH’
Pat O’Shea’s Crokes returned to the summit in the Kingdom for the first time since 2018 before being crowned Munster champions.
Former Kerry captain Fionn Fitzgerald was one of many star performers but none shone more brightly than Burns.
Fitzgerald said: “It was just a simple case of a fella enjoying his football. He was a huge part of what we were doing and there was a lot of trust put in him.
“Even from a coaching point of view, Pat would have been very good with him. That certainly would have helped him.
“He went to America and I know myself that when you’re out of the bubble, you feel very fresh when you come back.
“Getting over there for a while would have been really important for him. It probably just allowed him to breathe a bit more from a mental point of view.
“To be quite honest, the year out was nearly the making of him. It was probably very influential in allowing him to take stock and enjoy himself a little bit more.
“He was really hungry and I’d say he’s a much more mature person and player for the experience.”
CLUB CLASS
The importance of Burns to Crokes’ campaign was reflected in his selection as one of three nominees for the Club Footballer of the Year award, which was ultimately claimed by Cuala’s Con O’Callaghan.
Five weeks after the Killarney outfit lost a thrilling All-Ireland semi-final to Errigal Ciarán after extra-time, he was back in the frame with Kerry as he captained the side in the absence of Gavin White for the Division 1 clash with Dublin.
Burns has been named to start against Tyrone this afternoon. But regardless of how he is deployed, Cleary reckons he can have a major say in Kerry’s bid to land Sam Maguire on July 27.
He said: “Even if they want to use him off the bench, I think he could be to Kerry what Stefan Campbell was to Armagh last year.
“He’s capable of being a match-winner or being involved in a match-winning play.
“Obviously he’d be hoping to start but you can see why they’d value him off the bench as well because he just has that energy in abundance.”
Fitzgerald, who lifted Sam Maguire in 2014, added: “Micheál is a Croke Park type of player. It suits him there.
“He likes a kicking game and front-foot football, so the new rules and Croke Park really play to his strengths.
“Whether he’s starting or coming on, I think his maturity is such now that he has the ability to deal with all the different scenarios.
“He’ll handle whatever role he’s given and he’s been a great addition to Kerry really. In hindsight, he’s someone that they missed during this stage of the Championship last year.”