2 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on ‘I just wanted to cry’ – Alvaro Morata reveals ‘self-destructive’ spell and considered faking injury to skip tournament
ALVARO MORATA contemplated faking an injury to avoid playing at Euro 2024.
Spanish captain Alvaro Morata has revealed that he considered faking an injury to avoid participating at last year’s European ChampionshipMorata captained Spain to their Euro 2024 triumph
The revelations are made in a new tell-all documentary called Morata: They Don’t Know Who I Am, which details the psychological difficulties he has faced.
He named Atletico Madrid’s defeat to Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League quarter-final in April 2024 as a particular low point.
Morata, 32, said: “You start to feel many things in your body and you don’t know why or how.
“Your legs hurt. Your chest closes up. You can’t breathe. I was afraid of going to sleep and not waking up. I was afraid of everything.”
After fumbling a one-on-one with Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel early in the second leg in Germany, Morata claims he was unable to focus on the game because he kept mentally reliving the opportunity.
He said: “I was not able to follow the ball.
“We were not losing the game, but in your head, you had blown the chance to reach a Champions League final withAtletico.
“When the game was over, I stayed a long time alone in the dressing room. I just wanted to cry. From there, it all began.“
In the documentary, Morata claims that he “had a very bad time” during his challenging time as a Chelsea player from 2017 to 2019.
And he claims the problems escalated after the former Real Madrid academy graduate joined city rivals Atletico.
Morata said: “I had many horrible, self-destructive thoughts.
“It passed through my head to fake an injury, so I would not have to go [to the Euros].”
Morata informed Spain’s doctor, Oscar Celada, on the phone that he was unable to attend the tournament.
Celada arranged for Morata to talk to former international team-mate Andres Iniesta, who battled depression during his playing career when his close friend and team-mate Dani Jarque passed away in 2009.
Morata was assisted by Iniesta in seeing that he could overcome his issues by contributing well to Spain at the Euros in Germany.
In the documentary, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente also claims that he gave Morata something to strive for by telling him that “the team needed him.”
The programme shows some of Morata’s sessions with his psychiatrist, Pilar de Castro-Manglano, in between Euros matches.
De Castro-Manglano said: “Alvaro is currently undergoing repair.
Morata seeked the assistance of former teammate Andres Iniesta on his mental strugglesThe loaned out Milan striker is still in a ‘process of repair’ but is ‘learning to manage’ after leaving Atletico
“It’s like a ligament had broken, and you have to learn to walk again, to deal with the difficulties of life in a healthy way. Learning to manage life is difficult, even more in elite people who live in the public eye.”
Throughout his lengthy international career, the enigmatic striker, currently applying his trade at Galatasaray, has frequently been lambasted for his performances by media and fans.
Morata said: “Is it worth playing for Spain if everywhere I go with my family, there are unpleasant incidents, with people insulting you and mocking you?
“If you go to stadiums, wearing the Spain jersey, and fans whistle you and abuse you. It’s not worth it.
“There are many Spain fans who support me, but also many others who don’t want me here. But if I retire from international football, they will win.”
Since making his international debut in 2014, Morata has scored 37 goals in 86 games for Spain.
Most recently, he missed the decisive penalty kick as Spain lost to Portugal in a shootout in the Nations League final.
He made a suggestion about leaving the international game after the final whistle.
He said: “I feel sorry for my teammates, but that’s part of life.
“I thank the coach for his words. The penalty? I took it badly, I could have done better, but there’s nothing I can do about it.
Speaking on his possible retirement, Morata added: “I’m only thinking about what happened today, but it’s possible I won’t be back in September.”
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
Shutterstock EditorialMathys Tel is set to make his Tottenham loan permanent[/caption]
AlamyTel, 20, helped Spurs win the Europa League[/caption]
The initial deal possessed a £45m option to buy.
Following further negotiations, Bild claim that Tottenham have knocked that fee down to around £30m, with a deal imminent.
Tel made 20 appearances in all competitions following his mid-season switch, scoring three times.
The French youth international played five times on Spurs’ run to Europa League glory, including in both legs of the semi-finals.
Tel, who turned 20 in April, arrived at Tottenham having already gained a wealth of experience in Germany.
The highly-rated starlet played 83 times for Bayern Munich, scoring 16 goals.
Having initially not been sure about a move to Spurs, Tel was convinced to make the switch by former boss Postecoglou.
While the Aussie has since been axed, new manager Thomas Frank is said to also be keen on keeping Tel – with the promising forward to become the Dane’s first Spurs signing.
The Frenchman indicated earlier this month that he would like to join Manchester United.
But with ex-Bees boss Frank now at Spurs, the North Londoners have entered the race.
On Friday it emerged that initial talks had taken place between Brentford and Tottenham, who paid around £10m to recruit Frank and his coaching staff, over a separate deal for Mbeumo.
The 25-year-old scored 20 Premier League goals last season – nine more than Spurs’ top scorer Brennan Johnson.
Also on Tottenham’s radar are Bees forward Yoane Wissa and Bournemouth‘s Antoine Semenyo.
GettyThomas Frank is keen to reunite with Bryan Mbeumo at Tottenham[/caption]
2 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on BBC Radio host drops F word live on air as he struggles with cramp – as fans threaten to call Ofcom
BBC Radio host Ian Skye dropped the F word live on-air as he struggled a with cramp today, prompting fans to threaten Ofcom complaints.
Ian, who hosts the mid-morning show on BBCRadio Derby, was caught off guard when a painful cramp caused him to swear live on air, mistakenly thinking he was off the microphone.
BBCBBC Radio host Ian Skye dropped the F word live on-air today[/caption]
The awkward moment came just one day after he and his team had completed a course aimed at improving their broadcasting skills.
During the broadcast, listeners overheard Ian suddenly cry out, “Ow, f***ing hell,” before the program quickly resumed with his co-hosts chatting following a song.
In a lighthearted response, Ian’s co-host joked about the timing, saying: “I don’t think they suggested suddenly getting unbearably agonising cramp and shouting really loud on the radio.”
Ian replied with a hesitant laugh: “No, that’s probably not what I should have come in and done today.”
He then acknowledged the slip-up, saying: “Can I just say, if before that amazing song from Kate Bush, and I say if. You’d have had to be deaf if you didn’t hear a rude word.”
He went on to offer a heartfelt apology: “I really profusely apologise. You know when something happens and it’s just instinct. My very, very calm producer said ‘you’re still on the radio, Ian.'”
TV critic Scott Bryan highlighted the moment on social media with the comment: “We now cross over to BBC Radio Derby.”
The clip quickly sparked reactions online.
One listener wrote: “Known Ian for 30 yeas. He is a good guy. This is a moment and it has passed. Why we still feel the need to pretend to be shocked in a 24/7 unedited world is beyond me. Plus, it is possibly one of the most entertaining things on BBC derby in years!”
Others shared their amusement, with one saying: “I honestly think this is my moment of the year,” and another adding, “I have laughed so hard at this so many times, thank you for posting it, thank you so much.”
Many praised Ian’s quick recovery: “Perfectly managed. Swore, made a joke. Didn’t make a big deal of it. Really well handled.”
However, not everyone was amused.
Some expressed concern, with one listener remarking: “Tens of people in the Derby and the Derby area will have heard a swearword, and you’re laughing.”
Another commented: “Did not apologise straight away, made a joke instead. Ofcom warning.”
Ian has been a radio presenter for more than 13 years, with experience at stations including Radio Wyvern in Worcester, as well as others in Kent, Newcastle, and Teesside.
It was at Radio Wyvern where he adopted his professional name.
His real surname is Wickens – but his managers suggested it wouldn’t fit well in jingles.
Inspired by the Isle of Skye, he chose the name Ian Skye.
At the time, Maryam explained: “Hey everyone, yesterday just before the top of the hour I was joking around a bit with the team in the gallery.
“I was pretending to count down as the director was counting me down from 10-0.. including the fingers to show the number. So from 10 fingers held up to one.
“When we got to 1 I turned finger around as a joke and did not realise that this would be caught on camera. It was a private joke with the team and I’m so sorry it went out on air!”
BBCMaryam Moshiri flashed her middle finger to viewers live on air[/caption]
2 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Bobby Brazier has ‘become a Hare Krishna’ and ‘seeks solace’ in the daily spiritual rituals after mum Jade’s death
BOBBY Brazier has ‘become a Hare Krishna’ and is ‘seeking solace’ in daily spiritual rituals following the death of his mum, Jade Goody.
Strictly finalist Bobby, 22, has become a regular at the Hare Krishna temple in Soho, where he takes part in communal prayers, chants mantras and helps prepare meals.
InstagramBobby Brazier has “become a Hare Krishna” and is “seeking solace” in daily spiritual rituals following the death of his mum, Jade Goody[/caption]
SplashLast year, Bobby joined in cha-cha-chanting at a Hare Krishna gathering on Oxford Street[/caption]
Friends say Bobby’s interest in spirituality has grown over the past year and is helping him process the lasting impact of losing his mum to cervical cancer in 2009, when he was just five.
A volunteer at the temple told MailOnline: “He’s here every Saturday without fail. He joins our kitchen session, learns the prayers – this isn’t a gimmick.”
A family friend added: “Bobby had a difficult life. His mum dying left a mark on him, as it would. Hare Krishna is somewhere he seeks solace. It might seem strange, but for him, it works.”
Last year, The Sun published images of Bobby joining in cha-cha-chanting at a Hare Krishna gathering on Oxford Street, where he was even seen handing out leaflets.
Bobby – whose dad is TV star Jeff Brazier – said of the movement: “I’ve had the blessing of meeting some incredible devotees who have really taken me under the wing and been really merciful upon me.
“And they are just the most beautiful, happy, content, smart, intelligent people.”
After Jade’s death, Bobby and younger brother Freddy, 20, were raised away from the spotlight.
At 16, Bobby was scouted by a modelling agent during a trip to a local coffee shop and quickly signed to a major agency.
He later walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana and Tommy Hilfiger and joined EastEnders as Freddie Slater.
In 2023, he won the National Television Award for Rising Star and finished as a finalist on Strictly the same year.
And he appeared in the Paramount+ drama Curfew last year.
Bobby is also set to inherit £250,000 from Jade’s estate when he turns 25.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “Everything was agreed before Jade passed away – there have been payments for agreed education or healthcare, but no other withdrawals until the boys turn 25.
“Even years after she passed, Jade has been able to provide for them, which is what she always wanted.”
An EastEnders spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.”
A telly insider revealed: “Bosses had a meeting with Bobby only recently as they had a plan in mind for a storyline, and it just so happened that Bobby was also thinking that now was the right time to look for other opportunities outside the show.
“The timing of the decision worked for both, but his final scenes are not for a while yet.
“The character has had a great run, but the time is now right for Bobby to look for other opportunities, and for EastEnders to wave goodbye to Freddie Slater.”
PA:Press AssociationBobby and his brother Freddy are pictured with the late Jade Goody in 2006[/caption]
RexBobby’s dad is TV star Jeff Brazier[/caption]
BBCThe Sun on Sunday revealed he’s leaving EastEnders after four years[/caption]
2 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on I saw arrogant Mick Philpott carry out sick plot to emerge as the ‘hero’ before torching home & burning kids alive
WHEN Mick Philpott burned his six children to death in a family home, horrified parents struggled to comprehend what kind of monster could commit such a sickening crime.
Now, a Sun investigation has uncovered new evidence of his botched game plan to play the ‘hero’ by rescuing his kids from the flames, and how he desperately tried to deflect the blame as his doomed plot unravelled.
HandoutThe scene after the fire at Victory Road, Allenton, in 2012[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationMick Philpott and wife Mairead speak to the media after the fire[/caption]
Philpott’s six children who died
Speaking for the first time in our brand new series, Scene of the Crime, the killer’s traumatised neighbours shine fresh light on what really happened before and after that tragic night 13 years ago.
On the day before he set the Derby property alight on May 11, 2012, one recalls spotting him carefully setting up two ladders beneath the upstairs windows in a brazen bid to later pull the kids to safety.
Haunted by the memory of the children’s blackened bodies, she emotionally tells how they “paid the price of their father’s “arrogance and stupidity“.
Meanwhile, another resident on Victory Road reveals how she and her partner were called ‘child murderers’ in the street after cops held her and her partner for 72 hours – as shameless Philpott scrambled to pin the blame on THEM for his crimes.
The furious locals paint a grotesque picture of the convicted mass killer, who we recently revealed was left “battered and bruised” in a brutal jail beating.
In extraordinary detail, they tell how he acted with impunity, seeing himself saw himself as “God’s gift”, and paraded up and down the street often dressed in little more than a pair of turquoise speedos.
Dinner lady Pearl Turner was in her garden when she spotted her next-door neighbour, Philpott, setting up the ladders at the back of his home.
Pearl, who lived next door to the family for several years, claimed that he’d planned to climb them once he’d set the house ablaze, and help pull his kids to safety.
The dad – who had previously appeared on the Jeremy Kyle Show – had concocted the arson scheme to pin on former mistress Lisa Willis who he was due to face in court over access to his four kids with her.
But in a tragic turn of events, he had forgotten to unlock their bedroom windows, leaving them trapped inside the burning building.
The fire claimed the lives of Duwayne, 13, Jade, 10, John, nine, Jack, seven, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five. Only Duwayne, the eldest, managed to escape the house alive, before he too died from his injuries in hospital days later.
Both Philpott and his wife Mairead, who supported his plan, were eventually arrested on May 29 2012, initially for murder, although charges were later changed to manslaughter.
Haunting memories
Thirteen years on, Pearl is still traumatised by the memory of seeing the five children’s charred bodies laid out in a row in the street outside her home as firefighters tried in vain to save them.
Now 78 and retired, she was still living next door to where the tragedy unfolded when The Sun revisited the scene of the killings.
Breaking her silence on the horrific fire, she says: “I’ll never get the sight of them lying there out of my head.”
She shared heartbreaking details about the night of the fire but also offered insight into the extraordinary lengths Philpott had gone to in order to ensure he emerged as a hero.
She added: “I was in my garden the day before the fire and Philpott came home with two sets of ladders.
“He initially placed them against my wall at the back, then moved them off and positioned them very carefully underneath the two upstairs windows at the rear of his house. They were the children’s bedrooms.
Roland LeonNew homes were built on the street after the Philpott home was demolished in September 2013[/caption]
Philpott and Mairead appearing on This Morning in 2006RexHandoutThe landing of the house in Derby after the fire where six children died[/caption]
“As soon as I saw those two ladders leaning up against our wall, I knew the crafty sod was up to something, but never in a million years would I have worked out the evil plan he had in mind.
“I knew he hadn’t brought the ladders home to do any DIY or a spot of house maintenance because he was useless and lazy. I’d never seen any ladders at his property before.
“As soon as I became aware their house was on fire, it became clear to me what his purpose with the ladders had been. He’d planned to use them to climb up to their windows and rescue them so he could play the hero.
“But he forgot the bedroom windows had locks on them and in the panic and chaos of the fire, with smoke everywhere, those poor children weren’t able to open the windows and died.
“They paid the price of their father’s arrogance and stupidity. It was all such a needless, tragic waste.
“They were lovely, polite kids. They always waved at me when they saw me. If I was in the garden, they’d wave from their bedroom windows.
“On the day of the fire, I told the police about my suspicions over the ladders, but it took them weeks to arrest him. I’ve never really understood why. It was obvious to me what he’d done.”
‘We were called child murderers’
One of those arrested, a 41-year-old woman named Vicky, also told The Sun – in another first interview – how Philpott tried to frame her and her partner for the fire that left six children dead.
Vicky, then aged 28, revealed how officers arrested her and her late partner Adam, then 38, who died last year, and took them to Ripley police station and held them for questioning for 72 hours.
Through tears, Vicky said: “We had been friends with Mick, Mairead and Lisa (Philpott’s former live-in mistress) for some time and Mick used that friendship to try and save his own skin.
“When the police spoke to him on the day of the fire he told them me and Adam had started it.
“As soon as they told me Mick had accused us of starting the fire, I knew it had to have been Mick himself who had done it. Why else would he have tried to put it on us?
“Even so, it took us three days to convince the cops we were innocent before they let us go, but when we got back people still believed we’d done it.
“We were getting called child murderers in the street and on social media. It was absolute hell for us. It went on for months and months. I am still traumatised by it.
“Poor Adam is dead now but it was the same for him until the day he died. You just never get over it.
“The abuse only stopped when Philpott and the other two went to court and the details came out, but for me and Adam, the damage was already done.
“And those poor, poor children. Nothing could bring them back.
“Philpott was an obnoxious, self-centred b*****d who thought he was God’s gift to everything. He killed his own children then tried to frame me and Adam – his friends – for it. That tells you what kind of man he is.
“I hope he is never released from jail. He is a monster and should die in there.”
PA:Press AssociationThe bathroom at the house after the fire that killed six children[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationThe charred shell of the house was boarded up in 2013, with flowers and teddy bears left outside in tribute to the children who died[/caption]
Vicky said she remains close friends with Lisa, and is “in touch” with her.
“Lisa has long since moved away from Derby and I would never tell anyone where she is now,” she said.
Vicky also revealed that Mairead, who was released early from jail in 2023, has since changed her name and is living with a new partner.
“She is a monster too and should never have been let out early. Why should she be allowed to start a new life as if nothing happened?”
‘Hope he never gets out’
Speaking to those living in Victory Road now, it is notable how many locals’ lives were interwoven with the Philpotts.
Neighbour Martin’s son was in a relationship with Philpott’s daughter from his first marriage at the time of the tragedy.
He said his son, then 18, had been one of the first to try and enter the burning building and rescue the children.
Martin said: “Before the fire crews arrived, my boy was there trying to get the kids out.
“He saw the ladders at the back of the house and climbed up to try and get in through the window but the heat was so intense it was burning the hairs off his arms. His skin felt like it was on fire.
“He tried and tried to smash the windows but he just couldn’t. It was awful.
“He knew the Philpotts because he’d been going out with one of Mick’s daughters for about a year at the time. We all got to know Mick and his family quite well and we’d sometimes go round for dinner.
“I never really liked him because he was such a loudmouth, but I had to make the effort for the sake of my son and his girlfriend.
Pricilla ColemanPhilpott in the dock at Nottingham Crown Court[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationHe wept in the witness box[/caption]
“To be honest, I thought Mick was a bit of a prat. He’d been on TV and thought of himself as a star. He really believed he was a film star.
“But I never thought for a moment he’d be capable of what he did.
“What happened put such a strain on my son’s relationship with Mick’s daughter that they broke up a year or so later.
“My son was traumatised by the events of that night and he has struggled with his emotions to this day, although very recently he has started to open up a little.
“All of us around here just want to forget about Mick and that horrific day, but it is impossible. I hope he never gets out of prison.”
Elsewhere in Victory Road, a 38-year-old mother told how her son was at school with several of the Philpotts’ children.
She recoils at the mention of Mick Philpott’s name and tells how he “made my skin crawl”.
She said: “I hated him on sight. He was a horrible, horrible man.
“He was friends with my ex-partner and he’d call round here to see him wearing nothing but a pair of tight, turquoise Speedos and a pair of trainers.
“He’d stand at our porch with one leg raised on the windowsill like he was God’s gift, but all I saw was a fame-hungry w****r. He was utterly repulsive.
“I had nieces in their teens at the time and when they were here he’d be leering at them. It was disgusting.
“When they left to go back home, I’d go with them in case he tried to follow them. I just didn’t trust him at all.
“I felt sorry for Mairead because she was completely under his thumb and did whatever he told her to. He treated her miserably.
“Once I told her to stop being such a wet blanket and stand up to him, but she never did. If he told her to jump, she’d say ‘How high?’. It was that kind of relationship.
“When she and Lisa were both pregnant, I remember the three of them walking back from town with loads and loads of bags full of shopping, but he made them carry it all.
Paul Tonge - The SunThe headstones on the graves of the six Philpott children who died[/caption]
Philpott with his mistress Lisa and wife Mairead, and kids, after he launched an appeal to the council to be rehoused to a bigger propertyRex
“He was walking ahead of them, empty-handed, in his stupid Speedos and nothing else.
“It was a weird set-up with the three of them. Between Mairead and Lisa, one of them was always pregnant.
“But even though I knew what an awful man he was, I was surprised he could kill his own children. I hope to God he is never allowed out of jail for what he did.”
Battered and bruised
Last month, The Sun revealed how Philpott was left with bruises and lumps on his head after an inmate battered him with a metal container at tough HMP Wakefield, West Yorks.
A source said: “Philpott was in a bad way after the attack – battered and bruised and with two large and noticeable lumps on the back of his head.
“The other lad pounced on him and whacked him quite a few times from behind.
“It was one bloke on his own – someone quite a bit younger than Philpott and it happened really quickly on the landing.
“There was a huge commotion, an alarm was going off and guards rushed in to help.
“Otherwise it could have been a lot worse for Philpott.
“Philpott was feeling very sorry for himself after the attack – but no-one had much sympathy.
2 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on People are only just realising what the triangle symbols on laundry labels are – and their minds are blown
YOU might look at the label on your clothes before washing to see which temperature is recommended.
But are you able to identify the other symbols?
RedditPeople are only just realising what the triangle symbols on laundry labels are – and their minds are blown[/caption]
The laundry care symbols on labels include several small images: a tub filled with water, a circle inside a square, and an iron, for example.
They provide instructions and guidelines on everything from the best washing temperature to ironing and drying.
Put it simply, the UK washing symbols help you decide if your clothing is safe to wash in your washing machine, which setting, and what temperature you should use.
But it’s not something we are ever taught, instead, learning the meanings from others.
Someone on Reddit was baffled by the list of laundry care symbols on their label.
There was a 40 degrees washing symbol, a triangle with lines in, a tumble dryer, iron, the letter F in a circle and a square with two lines in.
In fact, the triangle refers to bleaching.
And people are only just realising there is a bleaching symbol.
One wrote: “I didn’t know about the triangle. I thought it had something to do with the clothes hanger.”
Another person referred to the triangle as a “food pyramid”.
Washing symbols
The symbol looks like a bucket or tub filled with water – except for the ‘Do not wring’ symbol.
According to Ariel, If the garment is machine washable, you’ll either see dots or numbers inside the bucket symbol, representing the recommended maximum temperature: one dot means 30 °C (meaning that you have to wash your clothing in cold water), two dots 40 °C (warm water), and four dots 60 °C.
ArielAriel Care Label[/caption]
If there is a line drawn under the bucket, it means that your piece of clothing should be washed on a synthetic cycle. Two lines means a gentle or wool wash cycle.
If you find the hand wash symbol on your garment’s fabric care label, wash the item by hand at 40 °C or lower, or use your washing machine’s hand wash program.
Bleaching symbols
Before reaching for your bottle of bleach to make your white clothes sparkle, it’s worth taking a look at your garment’s fabric care label to see if the clothing can handle the harsh chemical.
ArielAriel Care Label[/caption]
Bleach is represented with a triangle – an empty triangle means you can safely use bleach on your piece of clothing when necessary.
Diagonal lines inside the triangle refer to the use of non-chlorine bleach; however, in the case when the triangle is crossed out by two lines, you shouldn’t use bleach at all.
Drying symbols
To stop clothes from shrinking or becoming misshapen when drying, there are several helpful symbols on the fabric care label, which tell you the best way to dry clothes, and not damage the fabric.
ArielAriel Care Label[/caption]
A square with a circle inside means that the item can be safely tumble dried, while the number of dots inside the tumble dryer symbol indicates what temperature setting to use: one dot stands for low heat, two dots for medium, and three for high heat setting.
Iron symbols
The little iron shows you if you can or can’t press the item, if so what temperature is best.
Dry cleaning symbols
Some clothes are better off being handled by a professional; that’s when dry cleaning comes into the picture.
Laundry tips
Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips.
How often should you be remaking your bed?
When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better.
Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets!
You want to be washing your sheets once a week – or every 10 days if you don’t suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn’t look dirty.
Using an effective detergent like smol’s will still give you a great clean on a 20°C cycle – that’s better for the planet and your energy bills!
What temperature do smol recommend then?
For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It’s gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties.
What’s the difference between bio and non-bio detergent?
Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It’s best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively.
Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn’t contain enzymes, it’s still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process.
2 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Walmart rolls out change at 100 stores promising shoppers ‘ultra-fast experience’ – see how to get it & locations
WALMART is rolling out a major change at its stores, promising customers an “ultra-fast experience” when receiving deliveries.
The retail giant is expanding its drone delivery service to five major cities, the company said in a statement.
GettyWalmart is expanding its drone delivery service to major cities[/caption]
GettyWalmart began delivering via drone in 2021[/caption]
The option will now be available in Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Houston, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Tampa, Florida.
Drone delivery has already been available in Dallas, Texas, and Bentonville, Arkansas.
“This rapid expansion reinforces Walmart’s leadership in tech-enabled retail, bringing the future of shopping to even more customers — right from the sky, faster than ever before,” Walmart said in a press release.
“This expansion underscores Walmart’s commitment to reshaping the future of fast and flexible retail,” read the release.
The drone delivery service will be expanded to a total of 100 stores through an agreement with the drone provider, Wing, read the release.
This allows Walmart to deliver goods faster and more efficiently to customers, “ensuring they get what they need, when they need it, in a way that’s both safe and sustainable.”
“This is real drone delivery at scale,” said Adam Woodworth, CEO of Wing.
“People all around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex have made drone delivery part of their normal shopping habits over the past year.
“Now we’re excited to share this ultra-fast delivery experience with millions more people across many more US cities.”
Customers wanting to use drone deliveries in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa are encouraged to sign up for Wing so they can be notified when the service will be available in their area.
Shoppers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can check their eligibility on the Wing website.
Walmart said it had more than 150,000 drone deliveries since first launching its service in 2021.
The company said the expansion will make shopping more convenient for shoppers as orders can be delivered in 30 minutes or less.
In the release, Walmart said that customers use the drone option for “everything from groceries to health and wellness products to household essentials, all powered by drone technology.”
How to Place a Drone Delivery Order
Log in to your Walmart.com account.
If address is drone eligible, see the link to drone landing page in site header.
“Customers are using drone delivery for key ingredients they may have forgotten during their weekly grocery trip or for urgent care items, such as OTC cold/flu medicine, baby formula, and COVID tests,” read the release.
Shoppers can track their drone deliveries on their phones to know when their package will come, said Walmart.
Drones will deliver orders right to their driveway or yard, but shoppers have to keep their delivery areas clean of people and pets for the drone to safely deliver their orders.
The drones use a cable to gently lower the package into the delivery area.
If there is a delay in delivery, shoppers may get a text giving them the option to change or cancel their pickup order with refunds for delivery fees and tips.
“Drone delivery is just one of the many ways Walmart is accelerating convenience by offering faster, more efficient delivery options,” said Walmart.
“This milestone marks a major leap for the retail industry and underscores our commitment to innovative, time-saving solutions that make customers’ lives easier, faster and more convenient.”
WalmartWalmart said the change is to offer more convenient shipping for customers[/caption]
WalmartHere are the expanded locations with shoppers able to check their availability[/caption]
2 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Terrifying moment massive fire rips through 67-storey Dubai Marina skyscraper as 4,000 people flee from high rise
THIS is the chilling moment a huge fire engulfs a 62-storey residential skyscraper in Dubai Marina – home to 3,820 people.
Emergency teams spent six hours battling the overnight blaze until Saturday morning, according to the Dubai Media Office.
Marina DubaiA fire broke out overnight in a 26-storey building in Dubai’s Yas Marina[/caption]
All 3,820 residents living in the 764 apartments were reportedly safely evacuatedDubai Media OfficeAFPExtensive damage is seen after the fire was extinguished[/caption]
All 3,820 residents from 764 apartments were safely evacuated, the Dubai Media Office said in its live updates on X.
In a post published this morning, the media office said that the fire was contained and that “the smoke currently visible at the site is due to ongoing cooling operations as part of the firefighting process”.
“Control measures remain in place and the situation is fully managed by the firefighting teams,” it added.
One resident told Khaleej Times: “I was on the 24th floor with my wife when we smelled something burning around 9.45 pm.
“We checked our apartment but found nothing. From the balcony, we saw firefighters and people outside.
“A friend called and said he couldn’t enter because of the fire. Security only told us to leave when we called them.”
He said the stairwell was filled with smoke, so they had to take the elevator, “which thankfully worked”.
The blaze broke out in the upper floors of the Tiger Tower – also known as Marina Pinnacle – at around 9.30pm, according to The National.
After fleeing the burning tower, residents gathered in the streets as emergency teams tried to put out the fire, The National reported.
Residents are reportedly receiving assistance from authorities and the building’s developer to secure temporary housing.
Marina DubaiThe building was engulfed in thick smoke and flames[/caption]
As a result of the fire, there are travel disruptions between Dubai Marina Station and Palm Jumeirah Station.
Dubai’s transport authority wrote on social media: “This is to ensure passenger safety and to facilitate the work of firefighting teams responding to the incident.”
36 crew members from both ships were taken safely to shore, but one sailor was reported missing.
After extensive search efforts for the sailor, they were presumed dead.
The container ship Solong was carrying the highly toxic chemical sodium cyanide.
Footage captured the dramatic scene as both the oil tanker and the cargo ship were engulfed in flames, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
Dubai Media OfficeThe smoke visible seen the fire was extinguished was due to ‘cooling operations’, said Dubai Media Office[/caption]
2 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on EXCLUSIVE: Alodia Gosiengfiao reveals how her father Ed supported her cosplay dreams
Model and content creator Alodia Gosiengfiao puts the spotlight on her father Ed Gosiengfiao as she talks about his unwavering support for her to achieve her dreams as a cosplayer.
