Amazon Prime

AMAZON just slashed a lightweight power bank that won’t weigh you or your wallet down.

The fast-charging tech essential usually retails for £159.99, but right now, Prime members can grab it for just £12.99.

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Hosgubo Fast-Charging Power Bank, £159.99 £12.99
(Prime member exclusive)

That brings the Hosgubo Power Bank down by a massive 92%, so it’s no surprise it’s getting plenty of attention on Amazon right now.

You will need to be a Prime member to claim the deal, but with a 30-day free trial available, it’s an easy win.

Unlike bulkier battery packs, this one is designed with portability front and centre.

It weighs just 192g, so it’s lighter than most out there and easy to slip into a handbag, backpack, or carry-on. 

With a 10000mAh capacity, it’s got more than enough power to get you through a full day, and then some.

And because it’s well under the TSA’s 27,000mAh limit, you can safely pop it in your hand luggage for a mid-flight top-up.

It’s not just the size that makes it handy. It supports 3A fast charging, twice as fast as your average power bank, so you won’t be stuck waiting forever to recharge.

It also has smart safety tech built in to protect your devices from overheating or battery damage, which is always reassuring.

There’s a USB-C IN & OUT port, a USB-A port, and a built-in USB-C cable, so you can charge three devices at once. 

Whether it’s your phone, wireless earbuds, or even a mate’s device, this little power bank can handle it.

There’s also a clever little design touch: the micro cable doubles as a lanyard, so you can clip it to your bag and keep it handy while you’re out and about.

There’s no guessing games when it comes to battery life, the LED power display shows you exactly how much juice you’ve got left.

With a 4.6-star average and over 500 units sold last month, this compact power bank has impressed Amazon shoppers with its solid design, fast charging, and reliability.

“Compact, powerful, and perfect for on-the-go,” writes one shopper. “It’s honestly become a lifesaver for my on-the-go lifestyle.”

“A solid battery pack,” says another customer. “The in-built USB-C cable is extremely convenient, snug fitting in my phone and provides a nice, fast charge. “

Another buyer writes: “The wireless charging works flawlessly with my phone… The battery level indicator is a nice touch.

Amazon’s been rolling out a string of similar deals lately, with popular picks like the TRKOY and Matast Magsafe portable chargers flying off the shelves.

If you’re looking for more top-rated options, check out my tried and tested guide to the best power banks UK buyers love.

Hosgubo Fast-Charging Power Bank, £159.99 £12.99
(Prime member exclusive)

With more hot weather on the horizon I’ve finally taken the plunge and bought this snazzy Shark fan that’s heavily discounted for Amazon Prime Day

I’ve had my eye on this Shark fan for a while. It’s become one of those products, you know the ones where you look at something once then it feels like it’s constantly popping up on your social media feed tempting you forevermore.

The Shark FlexBreeze TableMate has been on sale at £99.99 for a while, which has really caught my attention. But now even more has been shaved off the price as Amazon launches its Prime Day Deals, knocking another £10 off and leaving it at a super enticing £89.99 – 40% off the £149.99 RRP.

It’s such a good deal that I’ve finally bitten the bullet and ordered it. Amazon’s price is currently even cheaper than direct from Shark where the fan will set you back £99.99. It’s significantly more expensive at Currys where it’s priced at £149.99.

Read more: ‘Biggest ever’ teeth whitening sale beats Amazon Prime Day with 50% off

Read more: ‘I sleep with this fan on every night and it’s incredible in a heatwave’

I’m one of those people who’s always too hot at the best of times. Where others are reaching for the thermostat I’m normally just right, and, as such, I love a good fan, especially over summer.

I already have two fans that I rate very highly. One is the Challenge White Pedestal and Desk Fan (£70 at Argos), that’s super impressive when you turn it up. So much so I’ve used it in some capacity almost every night since I’ve bought it.

Shark FlexBreeze TableMate Cordless Fan

£149.99

£89.99

Amazon

Buy Now on Amazon

Shark’s popular FlexBreeze fan has £60 off

The fan is a bit cheaper than some of the more premium options but still really packs a punch when you need cooling down. If you have a bit more budget to spend, I also have the Midea SmartAir Cool and Purify Bladeless Fan. Sold for £199.99 at both High Street TV and £199 at Amazon, (you can read the full review here).

It has all manner of fancy features and High Street TV says it’s a fan that “does it all” and it’s hard to disagree. But what those two don’t have is a battery function. I spend a lot of my spare time doing DIY or playing with my son (not at the same time!) as such, I’m often sweltering outdoors in the recent heatwave temperatures, but can’t be bothered going to the effort of setting up an extension lead and plugging in one of the fans.

That’s where the Shark FlexBreeze TableMate is going to be excellent. Its portability means it can simply be unplugged and run off the battery, making it ideal for those looking for a cooling breeze on the go. Shark says the fan can run for up to 24 hours on the battery, though that’s on the lowest speed setting.

When ramped up the fan covers “up to 20 meters”, while it’s UV and rain resistant, making it suitable for use outdoors. Other features include five fan speeds, 180 degrees of side-to-side oscillation, and a 55° tilt to keep the air circulating at the desired angle.

Of the buyers who’ve delved in to date, the fan has averaged 4.5 stars out of 5. One of the delighted reviewers said: “This is by far the best fan I have ever had! We have a heatwave right now and I normally can’t sleep, but not this year! Slept all the way through and didn’t hear the fan yet I was cool all night. Only wish I’d found this sooner.”

One of the few less positive reviews highlighted a potential issue: “When using this fan as a plug in it’s brilliant and I’m very happy with it in every way, but when using it on battery which is fully charged and on 2nd lowest setting the battery doesn’t last long.”

Despite this another buyer was very happy: “I did consider another leading brand but decided on Shark. This for me has been a really good choice. This fan is fairly expensive but the build quality is plain to see and it works really well.

“It is so versatile being able to run on mains and battery I can take it anywhere, it even has a remote control. I would recommend this fan to anyone even my friends.”

Surfshark VPN lets Brits stream their favourite TV shows while travelling on holiday

These days, many TV fans plan their lives around their favourite TV series, with the latest season premiere a major event in the diary. The biggest streamers like Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video and Disney+ have already unveiled their stellar summer slates packed with new and returning shows.

June saw beloved series like Clarkson’s Farm, The Bear and Squid Game all back on screen, with more still to come including Dexter: Resurrection (Paramount+, July 11) and Alien: Earth (Disney+, August 13). But while everyone loves a summer holiday, jetting off to greener pastures often means having to wait to watch the latest episodes until one returns home.

This is because some content on streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ can only be accessed in the UK. But there is a way to access them from abroad with a VPN, which means Brits don’t have to miss out on the latest TV series when they jet off this summer.

READ MORE: The Hunger Games fans can get Sunrise on the Reaping for free in pre-Prime Day deal

READ MORE: Watch summer sports events on DAZN, Sky Sports and TNT with TV deals

Please be aware streaming platforms may take the view that the use of a VPN to watch content from another territory may be a breach of its terms of service and may constitute copyright infringement. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure the use of a VPN is legal and The Mirror does not encourage any illegal use of a VPN.

How to watch your favourite TV series while travelling

Brits heading abroad this summer can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to unblock websites and services that usually only work in the UK. This allows users to access streaming platforms including Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ from abroad as they would at home.

A VPN works by changing a device’s IP address – the unique identifier of a device connected to the internet – to any location around the world. There are many VPN providers on the market, with Surfshark a top choice that boasts the more than 3,200 Surfshark servers in 100 countries including the US, Australia, plus in Europe and Asia.

Get Surfshark VPN for £1.49 per month

£331.83

£40.23

Surfshark

Get Surfshark VPN here

Surfshark has slashed up to 88% off its VPN plans, offering 27 months’ access for £1.49 per month.

Surfshark is compatible with devices running Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, and FireTV. The brand is currently offering its services for the discounted rate of £1.49 per month for its 24-month Surfshark Starter plan, which now comes with three extra months at the reduced rate.

This option costs a total of £40.23 over the 27-month term, a whopping 88% saving compared to the usual £331.83. With this, users get a secure VPN that lets them watch their favourite shows from outside the UK, with advert and cookie pop-up blockers, a constantly changing IP address and the ability to use Surfshark on unlimited devices simultaneously.

There’s also 24/7 customer support on live chat or email and a 30-day money back guarantee. However, Surfshark members on the Starter plan won’t receive antivirus protection, a feature included in the £1.89 Surfshark One plan.

This provides a range of security features, with 27 months of VPN, antivirus, alert, search, and alternative ID. It offers the same benefits as Surfshark Starter but with the added benefit of detecting and removing viruses and malware in real time, as well as preventing advertising companies and bots tracking online activity and sending alerts if an email address appears in breached online databases.

Other VPN services include NordVPN, which rivals Surfshark with more than double the amount of servers. However, this comes at a cost as it’s also more expensive at £2.69 per month for the Basic plan.

ExpressVPN is another alternative and is said to be easier to use than other services but is also more expensive at £4.04 on its 24-month plan. The Daily Express compared Surfshark, NordVPN and ExpressVPN and found Surfshark to be ‘great value for money’.

It said: “Surfshark offers great value for money and that’s one of the big attractions. It’s actually owned by the people behind NordVPN, but this is their budget offering – not that the features are lacking.

“There are apps for a wide range of devices, but Surfshark doesn’t put a limit on the number of devices on the same contract, so you can sign-in across all your devices, making sure your whole family is protected.”

However, Chris also found a potential downside, adding: “Surfshark has fewer servers than some of its rivals and can sometimes be a little slower, but unless you’re moving huge amounts of data around, that’s unlikely to be a problem.”

Surfshark users have awarded the service an average 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot, with many impressed with its customer service. One said: “So nice to talk to a human when tech issues arise.”

Another said: “I’m really happy with how easy it is to use on the app and TV, and also for how reliable the service is.”

However, this mixed review said: “It has trouble connecting on my iPhone 12. Ok on iPad but seems to slow everything down.”

The movie widely regarded as one of the best sci-fi films ever made and is an absolute must-watch for any fans of the dystopian genre

This year has seen a significant rise in dystopian thrillers, with series like The Last of Us gripping telly viewers and films such as 28 Years Later set to grace the big screen this June. With an abundance of options, it’s easy to feel swamped, but if you’re on the hunt for a true classic of the dystopian genre, I wholeheartedly suggest Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men.

I only recently had the pleasure of viewing Children of Men and was riveted from the opening scene. It swiftly climbed the ranks to become one of my all-time favourite films, and I was particularly taken by its peculiar optimism amidst the bleak post-apocalyptic setting.

What Children of Men is about

The world has descended into utter chaos as humanity grapples with impending extinction. The United Kingdom stands as one of the few remaining countries still operational, albeit under an authoritarian regime.

Theo Faron (Clive Owen), a disenchanted former activist, has ceased his resistance and now meanders through life as a civil servant. He’s so disconnected from the world that he barely registers the bombings, caged refugees, and public executions he encounters on his commute.

One day, Theo is abducted by his ex-wife Julian, who heads a rebel faction known as The Fishes, battling against the government for refugee rights. Julian implores Theo to safeguard Kee, a young African refugee, and assist her in escaping the country safely.

However, Theo soon discovers that Kee is astonishingly pregnant, carrying the world’s sole known unborn child. Driven by the need to protect this miracle, he risks everything to keep Kee’s condition under wraps and get her safely to the enigmatic Human Project, scientists seeking a cure for the global fertility crisis.

So why should you watch Children of Men?

Despite its stark backdrop, the film’s protagonist embodies hopefulness in his unwavering dedication to the prospect of a rejuvenated world.

The outpouring of support for Kee amidst such turmoil underscores a compelling truth: even in the bleakest circumstances, human kindness endures, proving that we have not strayed from our compassionate nature.

One of the captivating aspects of Children of Men is how palpably real and weathered its universe feels, peppered with background information gleaned from transient news reports, advertisements, and leaflets—a testament to the environment’s rich storytelling texture.

Packed with nuances, Children of Men invites viewers to engage deeply, promising new discoveries upon every viewing.

What critics are saying about Children of Men

Boasting an impressive 92% Rotten Tomatoes rating from over 250 critic reviews, Children of Men was also in the Oscar race for three categories (Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing) back in 2007.

Brian Tallerico of UGO hailed it as “feels more relevant than almost every film set in the present day and is better than almost every other film made this year.”

Kathi Maio from The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction remarked: “This is one movie that will have a lasting impact even if you are forced to watch it on a ten-inch black and white Zenith.”

Peter Travers, writing for Rolling Stone at the time, placed it as the runner-up in his best films of the 2000s list, commenting: “No movie this decade was more redolent of sorrowful beauty and exhilarating action. You don’t just watch the car ambush scene (pure camera wizardry)-you live inside it. That’s Cuarón’s magic: He makes you believe.”

Where to watch Children of Men

The film can be streamed on Apple TV’s £8.99 monthly subscription or via Now TV’s £9.99 a month Cinema membership. You can also purchase Children of Men on Amazon Prime for £5.99.

June is Pride month, and what better thing to throw on your screen than some of the best LGBTQIA+ series out there, from reality shows to period dramas and romance?

Pride month is officially here, and for those days you’re not spent celebrating with friends at festivals and parades, you can still embrace the moment while cosied up at home. Turn on your TV, tuck into your blanket and allow these queer shows to add a touch of magic to your month.

Whether you’re wanting to see some familiar queer faces in a reality TV show or fall in love on screen, there’s so much great LGBTQIA+ storytelling waiting to be shared. To make life a little easier, we’ve compiled a quick list of what there is on offer, across all genres, that you may not have seen just yet.

Overcompensating (Amazon Prime)

This new addition from Amazon Prime is the talk of the town this month, as the comedy drama sees a guest appearance from Charli XCX. Not to mention, a whole load of cameos from online queer comedians, including the creator and lead actor, Benito Skinner, better known as Bennydrama.

Viewers can watch him star as a high school jock, fresh into college at Yates University, grappling with his sexuality. The popular kid is a closeted gay guy and finds himself in all kinds of situations to mask his true identity and fit in with his heterosexual classmates.

Feel Good (Netflix)

Feel Good is a semi-autobiographical comedy-drama created by and starring Mae Martin. The non-binary actor plays a fictionalised version of themself as they struggle to cope with addiction and their attachment to their girlfriend George.

Charlotte Richie, known for her roles in Fresh Meat and Call The Midwife, stars as Mae’s complicated partner whom they live with. In a series of hilarious, quintessentially British and awkward moments, George struggles to come out to her loved ones but falls madly in love with Mae. The touching TV show also stars none other than Friends actress Lisa Kudrow, who plays Mae’s over-the-top Canadian mother.

Queer Eye (Netflix)

The 2018 reboot of an old reality show saw Queer Eye turn into an impressive nine-season run, with its all-LGBTQ+ hosts gaining traction worldwide. Five experts in their fields – fashion, grooming, interiors, cooking, and lifestyle – transform the lives of everyday people in an attempt to improve their lives, using their years of experience and knowledge.

Travelling across the US, the Fab Five team are met with people from all walks of life, including those that may even have views against the queer community, where they face an even bigger task. It is emotional and heartwarming as you see people who don’t take the time for themselves be given the gift of compassion, care and, of course, a whole new makeover.

It’s A Sin (Channel 4)

One short series packs in a strong punch in what is a highly acclaimed show with an outstanding cast. It’s a Sin is set in 1980s London, during the AIDS crisis, and follows the lives of young men, who moved to the city in search of a new life and were met with tragedy.

While the series is a celebration of the queer community in the 80s, it retells a vital and heartbreaking story of the young homosexual men that lost their lives to AIDS. Not only that, but it deals with the prejudice the community faced as a result of the HIV virus at the time.

Killing Eve (BBC iPlayer)

Killing Eve is an unstoppable spy thriller that follows an investigator tasked with capturing an insane assassin, Villanelle. As she chases down her latest case, her obsession becomes stronger, and Villanelle enjoys the thrill of being wanted. Each episode sees their unusual connection grow into toxic mind games that leave you questioning what is genuine and what is all one big mind game.

The first two series were critically acclaimed, starring Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, who went on to win numerous BAFTA Awards and Golden Globes for their roles. The obsessive pair’s violent, emotional and sexual relationship grows and flows throughout the four seasons of the show, and all of them are available to binge-watch on BBC iPlayer and Netflix.

Heartstopper (Netflix)

This is a heart-warming coming-of-age show, based on a teen fiction novel with the same name, that tells the touching story of two young boys falling in love. It deals with a group of teenagers as they face coming out, friendship struggles, first times, sexuality and identity.

Heartstopper gained critical acclaim and high praise for its tasteful portrayal of LGBTQ+ people and went on to receive a number of Emmy nominations. Within just a few days of its release, it became one of the top ten most-watched English language shows on Netflix and remains a staple queer show for many TV fans.

Gentleman Jack (BBC iPlayer)

A period drama based around a 19th-century lesbian love affair, Gentleman Jack is seeped in history and makes for the perfect binge-watch. Set in the Yorkshire hills during the 1830s, it follows Anne Lister, an industrialist and landowner, whose real-life diaries helped to build the plot of the show.

Decades upon decades later, the diaries were discovered, many of which were written in a secret code that details a lifetime of the businesswoman’s lesbian relationships. Each episode takes you on a journey, based on these stories, in what becomes a sensual and steamy romance.

In this Tuesday’s Mirror Daily Digest, we’ve pulled together the biggest stories of the day from tributes following Kim Woodburn’s death to a ‘murder’ victim being found in an exploded house

Welcome to the Mirror’s Daily Digest, where we pull together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Sport teams and more. This Tuesday, we’re featuring everything from Kim Woodburn’s death after a short illness to a human rights lawyer being found ‘murdered’ in an exploded London house and a review of Jeremy Clarkson’s pub.

This morning, news broke that Kim Woodburn had died following a short illness. Shortly after, her beloved husband and former co-star shared their tributes to the Celebrity Big Brother icon. Elsewhere, a ‘murdered’ woman was found after a house exploded in Stoke Newington and our reporter went to visit Jeremy Clarkson’s pub to see whether it was worth the hype.

Kim Woodburn dies after short illness as beloved husband and co-star Aggie break silence

This morning, our showbiz team broke the heartbreaking news that Kim Woodburn had died aged 83. The Celebrity Big Brother and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here icon, who shot to stardom for her no-nonsense attitude and witticisms on Channel 4‘s How Clean Is Your House with Aggie MacKenzie, died on Monday.

Her beloved husband-of-46-years Peter, who she lived with in their Nantwich, Cheshire home, is “heartbroken” over the loss of his soulmate. She was described as an “incredibly kind, caring, charismatic and strong person” by her loved ones, who were “so proud” of what she achieved in her career.

A representative for Kim shared in a statement: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved Kim Woodburn passed away yesterday following a short illness.”

Read the full story here.

‘Murder’ victim found in exploded house named as ‘lovely’ human rights lawyer

A beloved mother-of-two and human rights lawyer has been identified as the woman found with fatal stab wounds after a house explosion this morning. A huge emergency response including six fire engines and 40 firefighters raced to the two-storey terraced house where an explosion had torn through the basement and ground floor of the east London residence.

The victim has been formally identified as 46-year-old mother and human rights lawyer Annabel Rook, whose body was found with knife wound injuries after the explosion. Police arrested an as yet unidentified 44-year-old male on suspicion of murder before taking him to a major trauma centre in London for slash wound treatment. His injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

Neighbours told The Mirror: “She was a lovely lady – a very doting mother. I would always see her walking to school with her children. They go to school just around the corner.”

Read the full story here.

‘I drove 90 minutes to eat at Jeremy Clarkson’s pub — two words summed it up’

Nobody could have quite imagined the success Amazon would see after releasing Clarkson’s Farm. However, fast forward to 2025, the former Top Gear star’s agriculture show has just finished its fourth series, with a fifth series already on the way.

This season saw Jeremy Clarkson invest in a pub, The Farmer’s Dog, so our Deputy Content Hub Director, Steffan Rhys, went to go and check it out. He wrote: “There was a full-blown security and parking operation guiding arrivals into an enormous adjacent field with hundreds, if not thousands, of cars already parked in it. Visitors streamed like ants in formation between car park and pub and the stunned “bloody hell!” I heard from a fellow visitor pretty much sums up what I was thinking too.

“I’d naively thought that, given I had a lunch reservation (secured easily, several weeks earlier, on the pub website) it would be a quiet affair. After all, only so many people can fit in a pub, right? Wrong. Oh, so wrong.”

Read the full story here.

Killer who stabbed his partner, neighbour and dog on Christmas Day learns fate

A man who murdered his partner and neighbour and tried to kill his own son in an unprovoked and “frenzied” attack after taking cocaine on Christmas Day has been jailed for life. Jazwell Brown attacked his partner Joanne Pearson with a kitchen knife at their home in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, at around 6.30pm on December 25 last year.

He stabbed her 31 times before turning the knife and a baseball bat on his son Jake Brown, with the youngster remarkably surviving his injuries. Brown went on to repeatedly stab Jo’s dog Tilly, a Staffordshire bull terrier, who was later spotted on CCTV limping from the scene.

Brown then headed next door to another flat and began attacking Teohna Grant. He also stabbed Teohna’s boyfriend 29-year-old Bradley Latter who survived, while Teohna was also pronounced dead at the scene. Police previously said the dog had died, but they have since been informed Tilly survived.

Read the full story here.

‘LEAKED’ Premier League fixtures for 2025-26 season – but fans spot major issues

As many football fans await the Premier League‘s return, our sports team got their hands on a reportedly ‘leaked’ list of Premier League fixtures for the 2025-26 season. However, the list – which has been leaked and widely shared on social media platforms – is not as it seems.

As is the case at this time of year, amid growing anticipation among supporters, social media has been awash with claims and fixtures coming to light early. One set in particular have been gaining quite a bit of traction. On the face of it, they look pretty legit. The usual font and layout used when the fixtures are actually released is certainly present.

But dig a little deeper and issues arise. Most notable among them are a number of admin errors which, perhaps if you’re only casting a casual glance and looking at the opening weekend, or even just for your club’s full list, you wouldn’t see.

Read the full story here.

READ MORE: Boots’ No7 serum that ‘reverses’ signs of skin damage sold every 7 seconds

SLUGS are the bane of every gardener’s life.

But Britain’s favourite gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has one method that he swears by for combating the slimy slitherers.

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Writing in County Life, the 76-year-old spoke about his lifelong battle with the garden pests – and his resistance to the idea that ‘slugs are our friend’.

The Gardening Club star says he favours copper rings that sit around the base of the plant.

The copper rings are more expensive as they can be reused multiple times – they typically retail for between £25 and £30.

However, those who are greenfingered on a budget can instead invest in copper tape – which works in the same fashion and is available for only £4.99 on Amazon for a 25-metre roll.

Titchmarsh said: “The only things that have worked for me are those rings of copper that resemble a vicar’s clerical collar and which can be pushed into the ground around individual plants to discourage the molluscs from coming any closer.

“They are reputed (if kept clean) to impart a kind of electric shock to any slug or snail attempting to scale their dizzying height of 1in.”

How does copper tape work?

The copper tape works by imparting an electrical charge that gives the slug a small static shock.

The tape can be trimmed to size and wound around the lips of lower pots and planners – creating an uncrossable barrier.

Other slug deterrent methods

The veteran presenter has tried a number of other methods for tackling the slug menace over the years – with limited results.

Titchmarsh says he long ago stopped using slug pellets, which cause the slugs to convulse but also pose a poisoning threat to hedgehods and birds.

The CBE has also tried various products that create a sharp or uncomfortable texture for the slugs to crawl over.

However, crushed eggshells, holly leaves, sharp grit, gravel and even sheep’s wool were all ‘at best, unreliable and more often than not totally ineffective’, according to Titchmarsh.

Coffee grounds are another foodstuff often touted as a slug repellent, but Titchmarsh says he doesn’t drink enough of it – plus he prefers that his garden doesn’t smell of Starbucks.

That leaves hand-picking them off plants by hand in the evening, a time-intensive procedure that also requires gloves if you want to avoid slimy hands.

Titchmarsh says he has had some sucess with pot feet, which only allow the more acrobatic slugs to gain access to your prized blooms.

Gardeners could be forgiven for feeling confused about how best to combat slugs given the array of techniques floated for dealing with this in recent years.

One gardening fan claimed that garlic helped to repel slugs and snails – even posting a recipe for a garlic spray.

Another intriguing possibility suggested as a natural pest deterrent is foxgloves, whose purple flowers contain toxic compounds such as digitalis glycosides, which can be very harmful for slugs. 

BARGAIN hunters are rushing to Amazon to claim a deal on Calgon Washing Machine tablets that slashes the price of each tab to just 19p.

The retail giant has discounted a 75-tablet ‘Mega Pack’ from £28 to just £14.49, a 48% discount.

Calgon Power Tabs x75, £28 £14.49 from Amazon

The limited-time deal has already caused a rush to buy the tablets, with 7,000 people heading to Amazon to take advantage in the last month alone.

If you’re meticulous about keeping your washing machine in tip-top condition, this is a steal you won’t want to miss.

The deal becomes even more impressive when you compare it to supermarket prices.

Tesco’s largest pack of Calgon is a 30-tablet box for £10.50, which works out to 35p per tablet.

Asda offers a slightly larger 45-pack for £15.98, making each tablet 35.5p.

At just 19p per tablet, Amazon’s mega-pack deal is unbeatable.

Those who remember Calgon’s famous jingle — “washing machines live longer with Calgon” — know that this product is nothing short of essential for those living in hard water areas like London, the South East and East Anglia.

Hard water can cause limescale to build up in your washing machine, leading to unpleasant odours, reduced efficiency, and costly repairs.

Calgon tablets help your washing machine in four ways:

• They remove limescale and other harmful hard water deposits
• They soften water, protecting your washing machine and clothes
• They prevent rust
• They neutralise bad odours

Reviewers have highlighted how effective Calgon is at keeping their washing machines in working order.

One Amazon customer wrote: “Third time ordering. UK water is hard so it makes your drum in your [washing machine] smell, this helps a lot and it also softens the water for softer washing. Good value for money”.

Another wrote: “[I] bought a new Bosch washing machine in January 2011, have used a Calgon tab in every wash for the last 15 years and it’s never missed a beat, still going strong — brilliant price for 75 tabs, can’t be beaten anywhere.”

Calgon Power Tabs x75, £28 £14.49 from Amazon

AMAZON is now weeks away from shutting down an app that’s been used by hundreds of millions of people.

There are major downsides for affected users – and you might even be owed a big refund.

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Millions of people using the Amazon Appstore will be cut off in mid-August.

The closure affects anyone using the app on Android phones.

Amazon’s Appstore is a rival to the default Google Play Store, letting you download apps and games. It launched on Android all the way back in March 2011.

But on August 20, the Amazon Appstore will close – and any apps downloaded from it will no longer receive updates.

That means support will end for all apps you’ve downloaded via the Amazon Appstore.

They may become buggy or stop work entirely, and won’t be able to receive any important security fixes either.

In an FAQ, Amazon warned that these apps “will not be guaranteed to operate on Android devices”.

Amazon has already begun killing the Appstore off by blocking developers from uploading new apps to it.

That change kicked in on February 20 this year.

ALL CHANGE

Amazon first revealed the closure earlier this year in a dry statement uploaded to its website.

“In our ongoing effort to streamline and improve our services and programs, we are making some changes to Amazon Appstore for Android devices and Amazon Coins program,” Amazon explained.

“We will be discontinuing support of Amazon Appstore for Android devices on August 20, 2025. As of February 20, 2025, developers will no longer have the option to submit new apps targeting Android devices.

“However, developers will have the option to submit updates to their existing live apps on Amazon Appstore for Android devices until August 20, 2025.”

Amazon added: “All existing apps on Amazon Appstore for Android devices will continue to be available to customers until August 20, 2025. Developers can continue to submit app updates until August 20, 2025.”

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It’s worth noting that the Amazon Appstore is only shutting down on Android phones.

The Amazon Appstore was never available on iOS for iPhone, so it can’t disappear because it was never there.

And the Amazon Appstore will still be available on Amazon’s own Fire TVs and Fire Tablets.

ACTION STATIONS

One important step you’ll want to take is reviewing your Amazon Appstore subscriptions.

HOW TO CHECK YOUR AMAZON APPSTORE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Here’s the official advice from Amazon…

Manage Your Appstore Subscriptions from the Amazon Appstore App

Change, update, cancel, or turn off auto-renewals for subscriptions purchased from the Amazon Appstore app.

• 1. Open the Amazon Appstore app
• 2. Tap My Apps
• 3. Tap Subscriptions
• 4. Update your subscription as needed

Manage Your Appstore Subscriptions from the Website

Change, update, cancel, or turn off auto-renewals for subscriptions purchased from the Amazon Appstore app.

• 1. Go to Your Account
• 2. Select Your Apps under Digital content and devices.
• 3. Select Your Subscriptions under Manage.
• 4. Update your subscription as needed.

Picture Credit: Amazon

Make sure to cancel them before the Appstore shuts down on your Android phone.

Just go into the Amazon Appstore app, then choose My Apps > Subscriptions and kill off any remaining memberships you have.

Amazon Coins are also being sunsetted.

These were a special currency used to make purchases on certain apps in the Amazon Appstore.

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You’ll need to use any remaining Amazon Coins by August 20, 2025.

If you have any left over after that date, they’ll be refunded.

Amazon hasn’t said exactly how long this will take, but promised “additional details” at a later date.

You can see your Coins balance by logging into the Amazon Appstore and checking the homepage.

I PUSHED the order button on my phone and then 10 minutes later my groceries were at my door. 

I often find I’m missing an ingredient for a recipe and with two kids at home it’s easier to get the items delivered. 

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But how much extra am I paying?

Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements puts 60-minute delivery services to the test.

To my home in Maidenhead I can get Tesco Whoosh, Sainsbury’s Chop Chop, Morrisons via Amazon, Waitrose via Uber Eats and Co-op via Deliveroo.

I ordered the same basket from each shop.

Selecting the cheapest, pint of semi-skimmed milk, six-pack of eggs, punnet of strawberries, three-pack of Solero ice creams, loaf of white bread and two-pack of burgers. 

TESCO WHOOSH

• MIN SPEND: No minimum spend but baskets under £15 incur an extra £2 charge.
• BASKET COST: £16.55
• FEES: £2.99
• TOTAL COST: £19.54

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Tesco claims deliveries come in 20 minutes to 70 per cent of the UK from 1,500 stores. 

It was easy to order through the Clubcard app.

I did find the choice of items were fairly limited and more premium products on offer than basic ones. 

For example, only Tesco’s finest burgers and strawberries were available, plus the smallest carton of milk available was two pints as opposed to one.  

This pushed up the overall cost of the basket.

Although, it does have a low delivery fee compared to other supermarkets. 

My order arrived in 12 minutes, which was pretty speedy.

The strawberries did have a short best before date, which is annoying. 

RATING: 3/5

SAINSBURY’S CHOP CHOP 

• MIN SPEND: £15
• BASKET COST: £15.20 
• FEES: £4.99, plus carrier bag fee 30p
• TOTAL COST: £20.49

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It claims to deliver within an hour less from 800 stores.

You need to download the Chop Chop app. 

The choice of products was good and I was able to order everything I needed and keep costs relatively low.

For example, I was offered three different packs of strawberries to choose from. 

This means the basket cost was lower than rival Tesco, however, the fees were more than £2 higher and included a carrier bag fee making it more expensive overall.  

The order came exactly 10 minutes after placing it making it the fastest in the test.

And I can’t complain about the food which was all in great condition. 

You can also order Sainsbury’s through Uber Eats and Deliveroo but you can earn Nectar points when ordering through Chop Chop.

This was the quickest delivery and there was a great choice of food but the fee was at the higher end of the scale. 

RATING: 4/5

MORRISONS VIA AMAZON

• MIN SPEND: £15 for Amazon Prime members, £40 for non-members
• BASKET COST: £15.48 ( plus the extra sausages)
• FEES: Orders over £60 are free for Prime members, £2 for between £40 and £60, and £4 under £40. For non-members, fees are £3 for orders over £60 and £5 between £40 and £60.
• TOTAL COST: £19.48

Same-day deliveries within two-hour timeslots. 

When I logged on at 9.30am in the morning, I had the choice of three slots available with the earliest being 2-4pm, the next 4-6pm and then 6-8pm. 

I picked the later slot to make sure I didn’t miss the delivery while on the school run.

The choice of products was fantastic and the cheapest prices. 

I needed to meet a minimum spend of £15, as I’m an Amazon Prime member. I added on a pack of sausages to bring the total order up to £15.48.

By 8pm nothing had arrived. 

Then at 8.09pm I received a text message to say the order had been cancelled and that I would be refunded.

There was no reason given for the cancellation. 

Luckily we didn’t go hungry as the other orders were arriving – but I was not impressed.

The fees and minimum spends are offputting too. 

RATING: 0/5

WAITROSE VIA UBER EATS

• MIN SPEND: No min spend over £15, but under £15 it’s £3.
• BASKET COST: £13.11 (after discounts)
• FEES: £3.93 Made of three parts:
  *Service fee (10% of your subtotal capped at £2.99) £1.64 for my order  
  *Delivery fee (depends on variables including location and availability of drivers) £1.79 for my order.
  *Bag fee (depends on retailer) 50p for my order
• TOTAL COST:  £17.64

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On Uber Eats I can get Sainsbury’s and Co-op delivered as well as Waitrose.

The selection from Waitrose was great and my order arrived within 26 minutes. 

I also got 50 per cent off selected fruit and veg as there was an offer running, which knocked off £2.69 off my total bill.

The fees seem excessive as you’re charged for service, delivery and bags separately.

My order was also split into two bags, pushing up the cost. 

Good choice of food and it arrived in reasonable time and condition. 

RATING 3/5

CO-OP VIA DELIVEROO 

• MIN SPEND: No min spend
• BASKET COST: £13.55 (no eggs) changed to £8.10 after substitutions (no eggs, no strawberries) 
• FEES: £1.95
  *Service fee: £1.36
  *Delivery fee: 49p
  *Bag fee: 10p 
• TOTAL COST: £10.05 

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Through Deliveroo I can get Waitrose and Sainsbury’s delivered but I tested Co-Op.

Unfortunately, it was not long after the supermarket suffered from cyber attacks impacting its stock levels and product availability. 

However, I was still able to order burgers, milk, bread and ice lollies – and raspberries instead of strawberries. But there were no eggs at all. 

The original order total came to £15.50.

However, the raspberries were out of stock when it came to packing and my one pint of milk was changed to a two-pint carton, while the lollies were changed to Co-Op own brand. 

The order arrived in a reasonable 17 minutes. 

Unlike all the other deliveries, my Co-Op shopping arrived in a green compostable bag. 

This didn’t seem to offer the food as much protection as the brown paper bags from the other supermarkets. 

As a result, I wasn’t too happy with my loaf of bread which arrived seriously squished. 

Fees are split in a similar way to Uber Eats and made up of three parts.

The order arrived in good time but I wasn’t happy with my squashed bread and the choice also let down the experience but this seemed like bad timing.  

RATING: 2/5

OTHER SUPERMARKETS 

Asda and Ocado both offer speedy grocery deliveries.

Asda offers between an hour and four hours from 330 stores.

My closest branch is five miles away but I couldn’t get it delivered.

There’s no minimum spend and fees are £8.50 to £8.99. 

Ocado’s Zoom delivery is between 6am and 10pm.

It currently only covers parts of West and East London.

Minimum spend is £15 and fees start from £1.49. 

Shoppers are currently racing to Amazon to buy a window-cleaning gadget that’s 43% less than usual.

The retailer has slashed the cost of the Kärcher Window Vac WV 2 Plus from £79.99 to £45.99.

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Kärcher Window Vac WV 2 Plus, £45.99 (was £79.99)

Summer is fast approaching. Rejoice!

But if the sunshine is showing up all those pesky smears and strains in your windows? Head to Amazon.

The retail giant has slashed a huge range of window vacs by Kärcher, the leading brand on the market.

Amazon often slashes prices on household appliances, making it a great place to shop for labour-saving gadgets like electric spin scrubbers and fence paint sprayers.

This clever little window vacuum is designed to make cleaning windows, mirrors, tiles and shower screens an absolute breeze.

It’s lightweight, quiet, and easy to handle, so you can get the job done without breaking a sweat.

Karcher says its leave surfaces streak- and drip-free, giving you sparkling results every time (though some Amazon shoppers say a lint-free rag might be needed to finish the job).

The VW 2 Plus comes with two suction nozzles, one wide and one narrow, so you can clean big areas and smaller, hard-to-reach places.

The vacuum also sucks up dirty water without leaving any residue behind and lets you empty it hygienically without touching the mess.

The set includes everything you need to get started: a spray bottle, a microfibre cloth, two nozzles, and 20 ml of Kärcher window cleaner concentrate.

Amazon shoppers have given the Kärcher WV 2 Plus N an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 from over 9,000 reviews.

“It’s literally a game-changer when it comes to quick cleaning,” one shopper wrote.

Another said: “Outstanding results! I was inspired to clean every window inside and out, the shower and mirrors.”

A third reviewer called it “the best way to clean windows you will find,” while another said “it performs like a dream”.

If you want to save time and effort, this could be the tool for you.

The next big Amazon sale will come in July, when Prime Day is making a confirmed return – it’s not impossible that prices might drop further on the Kärcher range.

But the question is: can your streaky windows wait until then?

Kärcher Window Vac WV 2 Plus, £45.99 (was £79.99)

Head to The Sun’s cleaning hacks hub for more tips to get your home sparkling this summer.