safety

WHO doesn’t love a trip to the British seaside on a sunny day? That is, as long as the water is clean.

With temperatures hitting highs of 30C this weekend, Brits will be flocking to the coastline to enjoy the weather at some of our best beaches – but before you dive in headfirst, make sure it’s safe for swimming.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

While most beaches are absolutely fine to have a paddle – there are some that you absolutely do not want to swim in because of bad water quality and even sewage spills.

Swimming in polluted water or water of poor classification can leave people ill due to the likelihood of harmful bacteria, viruses, or pathogens like E. coli being present.

The most common illness associated with bathing in dirty water is gastroenteritis, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

In most cases these symptoms are mild and resolve on their own – but some cases can be severe and result in hospitalisation.

Channel 4 even did a recent three-part series called Dirty Business based on the investigation into England’s systemic sewage pollution crisis.

The series exposes widespread, illegal raw sewage discharges into UK waterways and the failure of privatised water companies to properly manage environmental regulation.

So, before you go swimming this weekend, and later this summer – it’s important to do some checks first.

Live sewage spills

The best place to check if bathing water has been recently affected by sewage spills is with Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).

The marine conservation and campaigning charity is fighting to keep our favourite swim spots clean.

On their website, you can see which bathing water has been recently affected by sewage as it updates a map with live discharge information.

Louise Reddy, Senior Policy Officer at Surfers Against Sewage told Sun Travel: “If you’re heading to the beach or planning on taking a dip in a lake or river, check the Safer Seas and Rivers Service app.

“This is the UK’s only real-time water quality information service ensuring thousands of water users around the UK can check for pollution alerts, and make an informed choice about entering the water. You can download the app, or view pollution alerts on the web version.

“We shouldn’t need to check for sewage alerts before diving in, however the grim reality is that rain or shine, water companies are dumping sewage into our wild waters, whilst paying out profits to shareholders.

“That’s why we are demanding that the Government takes the bold action needed to restructure the water industry, removing the profit motive and changing the system so it operates for people and the planet.”

Water quality

Swimfo on the government website allows you to look up details of a designated bathing water by name or location and see the quality of its waters.

These are then classified and from best to worst these are “excellent”, “good”, “sufficient” or “poor”.

Where water quality is poor, the water it has a marker along with the words, “Bathing is not advised”.

Be aware, however, that this is based on testing from last year.

Water testing for 2026 will be undertaken 20 times between May 15 and September 30.

If you’re heading to beaches not in England, information about bathing water quality in other countries in the UK can be found here: Scotland (SEPA), Wales (NRW), or Northern Ireland (DAERA)

Blue Flag beaches

Across the country, the ‘Blue Flag’ is awarded to swimming spots that are clean, safe, and well-managed.

These were announced two days ago with a total of 61 sites including beaches, a marina and an inland water bathing area have been awarded the accolade.

If you’re heading to a Blue Flag spot this weekend like Whitley Bay, Southwold or Botany Bay, the flag should be flying.

It’s recognisable as a vibrant blue flag with a distinct white circle in the middle and what looks like a blue wave inside.

But there are some instances in which the flag is revoked – for example if water quality drops below the strict standard.

So if you don’t see it on your trip to the seaside, check online to find out why.

Other flags

When you get to the beach, check around for other flags which will advise on safety.

If you visit a lifeguarded beach, there will be flags on the beach to show you where it’s safe to swim.

If you’re planning to swim or bodyboard, stay between the red-and-yellow flags as that is where lifeguards are on duty.

A solid red flags means ‘Dangerous conditions: do not enter the water.’

And of course if the beach or bathing water isn’t lifeguarded make sure to take extra safety precautions.

Check for further safety tips on the RNLI website.

Filming is underway for The Summer I Turned Pretty movie, but producers are facing unexpected ‘disruption’

The Summer I Turned Pretty producers have issued a two-word warning to fans after fearing for the safety of cast members.

It’s been less than a year since the final episode of the cherished romantic drama landed on Prime Video. Just as viewers thought the Fisher love triangle had reached its conclusion, the streaming service delivered the unexpected news that the franchise would wrap up with a feature-length film.

Production officially began on April 27 in Wilmington, North Carolina, the identical setting used for the previous three series. However, with merely one week of shooting underway, the show’s makers have squashed fans’ wishes to catch a glimpse behind the curtain of the production process.

Within the short filming period, crowds of viewers have already assembled at the shooting locations, catching sight of the leading cast members – Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno – as they slip back into character during boat scenes and intense exchanges, reports the Mirror US.

Showrunners have evidently had their fill and requested supporters not to attend the set or publicise filming whereabouts. On social media, the programme’s creators posted footage of the message “Privacy Please,” being inscribed into sand by production staff.

Alongside the seaside footage, they posted: “We love the excitement, but sharing locations and visiting set disrupts filming and creates real safety concerns for our cast and crew.

“We’re working hard to create a protected bubble to make the best movie possible. Please help us protect the magic of Cousins until it’s ready to be shared.”

Supporters rushed to the comments section with apologies, with one writing: “Sorry girl we got excited.”

Amazon replied to the fan: “Just as excited as you and we want the wait to be worth it. We appreciate everyone who keeps it calm for our cast and crew!”

Devotees have been eagerly awaiting a peek at production since the final episode broadcast on September 17. The series concluded with Lola’s character Belly and Christopher’s Conrad heading back to his Cousins Beach property as a couple.

The season initially kicked off with Belly starting university while in a relationship with Conrad’s brother Jeremiah, played by Gavin. Throughout the episodes, Belly discovers her then-partner had been unfaithful, sparking a brief split which ultimately culminates in an engagement.

On the eve of Belly and Jeremiah’s nuptials, Conrad admits he still harbours feelings for her years after they were together.

Consumed by conflicting emotions, Belly flees the country mere hours before she was due to marry his brother. She subsequently spends several months residing in Paris, before an unexpected guest arrives: Conrad.

Following a brief reunion in the French capital on her birthday, old feelings are reignited and the pair decide to give their romance another chance.

Belly remains in Paris before ultimately heading back to Cousins Beach with Conrad, where the couple are due to tie the knot — provided the film stays true to the epilogue of author Jenny Han’s final instalment in the series, We’ll Always Have Summer.

The Summer I Turned Pretty movie is anticipated to be released in 2027. The series is streaming now on Prime Video.

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday pledged unwavering commitment to workplace safety in his address to mark Labor Day at Cheong Wa Dae.

“I will neither compromise nor make concessions on workplace safety,” he said, vowing to build a “normal” country where no worker ever has to risk their life at work.

“Safeguarding workers is the most basic responsibility of any nation and any business,” he said.

The president also pushed back against the notion that worker welfare and business growth are incompatible, stressing the two are mutually dependent.

“We can only move forward by breaking free from the outdated thinking that being pro-business means being anti-worker,” he said. “Growth has a future only when labor stands behind it” he said.

Amid growing concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) threatens jobs, the president sought to reassure the public that the government prioritizes people over productivity.

“As technologies advance, the prevailing view is that machines powered by artificial intelligence will largely replace human labor,” he said. “But it is not right to ask workers to sacrifice themselves in the name of productivity,” he said, adding that growth that leaves workers behind is not growth at all.

Lee called workers “the backbone of our economy,” who keep things running on the ground and drive the spending that fuels growth.

It marked the first time a Labor Day event has been held at Cheong Wa Dae. The event brought together some 130 participants, including key figures from labor, management and government, as well as workers from diverse occupations, to mark the occasion.

It also marked the first time two major umbrella labor unions — the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions — that are said to hold different political views both took part in such an event.

South Korea had initially observed Labor Day on May 1 before it was renamed “Workers’ Day” in 1963. The government restored the name to Labor Day last year and designated it as a national holiday earlier this year, allowing all workers to take the day off.

In celebration of Labor Day, a variety of events took place across the country, highlighting the value of work and its role in improving quality of life and driving economic growth.

Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.

BRIAN May has been banned from planting daffodils on his village green after the local council said they could pose a safety risk.

The former Queen rocker planned to donate bulbs for his village green in Elstead, Surrey, but the local council have blocked him.

Elstead parish council said the yellow flowers would obstruct the line of sight of nearby traffic.

The authority added that the daffodils would prevent locals crossing the green and disrupt accessibility.

The 78-year-old’s request was therefore rejected as the council said it had “a responsibility to balance community initiatives with safety”.

Speaking to the Farnham Herald, Sir Brian said: “We’re struggling to imagine how 18-inch stalks could [obstruct] anyone’s view, especially when the green is normally surrounded by parked vehicles including a 7ft-high ice cream van.”

The guitarist hoped the village green would be another success after he previously planted 3,000 bulbs on the green outside St James’s Church.

Jeremy Hunt, the Conservative MP for Godalming and Ash praised “Elstead’s most famous resident Sir Brian May and his brilliant team of planters for supplying and planting the stunning daffodils for Elstead green”.

The council countered that the village green and the church green were “two very different areas”.

It added that the church green was “more amenable to daffodil planting”.

Jenny Littledale, a local resident, said: “How sad that something so lovely has been turned down for such a ridiculous reason.”

Jenny Else, another Elstead resident and former Waverley borough councillor, said the locals wishes hadn’t been considered.

She continued: “Perhaps a vote should have been taken. There has been so much interest in the proposal.”

Ms Else said that when she had seen a sketch of the proposed area for the flowers, she didn’t think sight lines were under threat.

“There is a large area for any community gatherings during the daffodil season and good pedestrian access,” she added.

Sir Brian shared the news on a blog post, he wrote: “I’ve been quite thrilled to get so many happy comments from the village about this year’s display.

“Probably the best part of it all has been the friends I’ve made here in Elstead.

“And of course thanks to our parish council for giving me the permission to donate spring beauty to our community!

“We were all hoping to adorn the main village green for next spring… But sadly the parish council last night rejected my plan.”

A council spokesperson said: “Elstead parish council welcomes and proactively supports community planting and is extremely grateful to the volunteers who put time and care into projects like this.

“The parish council has a duty to balance the practical usage of our green along with the views of our residents.

“The main village green is used in several ways throughout the year. It hosts key community events, is crossed regularly on foot and is valued by some as an open space.

“As a council, we have said that we very much welcome further discussion about these options and thank everyone involved for their enthusiasm and ideas.”

The spokesman told The Telegraph that the issue had been “portrayed in one way when it’s not actually that at all”. The negative response to the ruling got “out of hand” they added.

WASHINGTON — President Trump railed against a federal judge’s decision on Thursday that continues to block above-ground construction of a $400-million White House ballroom, allowing only below-ground work on a bunker and other “national security facilities” at the site.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon’s latest ruling comes in response to an appeals court’s instruction to clarify an earlier decision on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom planned for the site where the East Wing of the White House once stood.

Trump on social media called Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, a “Trump Hating” judge who “has gone out of his way to undermine National Security, and to make sure that this Great Gift to America gets delayed, or doesn’t get built.”

The administration filed a notice that it will ask the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review Leon’s latest decision, too.

Carol Quillen, president and chief executive of National Trust for Historic Preservation, whose group sued to challenge the project, said in a statement that the group is pleased with the court’s ruling.

Leon said that below-ground work on security measures is exempt from his order suspending above-ground construction. Government lawyers have argued that the project includes critical security features to guard against a range of possible threats, such as drones, ballistic missiles and biohazards.

Leon’s latest ruling comes several days after a three-judge panel from the D.C. appeals court instructed him to reconsider the possible national security implications of stopping construction.

In his previous order, Leon barred above-ground work on the ballroom from proceeding without congressional approval. The judge also ruled on March 31 that any construction work that’s necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House is exempt from the scope of the injunction. Leon said he reviewed material that the government privately submitted to him before concluding that halting construction wouldn’t jeopardize national security.

Leon had suspended his March 31 order for two weeks. He stayed his latest decision for another week, which gives the administration more time to seek Supreme Court review.

Leon said he is ordering a stop only to the above-ground construction of the planned ballroom, apart from any work needed to cover or secure that part of the project. Otherwise, the Trump administration is free to proceed with the construction of any excavations, bunkers, military installations, and medical facilities below the ballroom.

“Defendants argue that the entire ballroom construction project, from tip to tail, falls within the safety-and-security exception and therefore may proceed unabated,” the judge wrote. “That is neither a reasonable nor a correct reading of my Order!”

On Saturday, the appeals court panel said it didn’t have enough information to decide how much of the project can be suspended without jeopardizing the safety of the president, his family or the White House staff.

Leon said he recognizes the safety implications of the case, but stressed that “national security is not a blank check to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity.” He also said he has “no desire or intention to be dragooned into the role of construction manager.”

On April 2, two days after Leon’s previous ruling, Trump’s ballroom won final approval from the 12-member National Capital Planning Commission, which is charged with approving construction on federal property in the Washington region.

The preservation group sued in December, a week after the White House finished demolishing the East Wing to make way for a ballroom that Trump said would fit 999 people. Trump says the project is funded by private donations, although public money is paying for the bunker construction and security upgrades.

Kunzelman writes for the Associated Press.

1 of 3 | Andrew Ferguson, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, delivers remarks during a White House fraud task force meeting March 27 in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House in Washington, D.C. Three U.S. ad companies settled with the FTC on Wednesday over alleged collusion. File Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | License Photo

April 15 (UPI) — U.S. advertising companies Dentsu, Publicis and WPP settled Wednesday with the Federal Trade Commission, which claimed they colluded over anti-misinformation policies that affected ad money for conservative publishers. The companies did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

In a press release, the FTC said the agencies “distorted America’s modern public square” and worked together to establish “brand safety” policies that limited the ads that could run on sites with content designated as misinformation. This affected ad revenues for conservative political websites and made it more difficult for them to make money from “disfavored political viewpoints,” the FTC release said. The commission filed a complaint Wednesday in the U.S.District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

A court must approve the settlement. The companies agreed not to collude to restrict ad-buying services over “news and political and social commentary content,” the FTC said.

The New York Times reported that a representative for Dentsu said the company was “fully committed to operating transparently, with integrity and in strict compliance with all applicable laws.” A representative for WPP told that Times the agreement “reflects our existing and ongoing commitment to provide our clients with unbiased advice as they decide where to place their media.” The companies own multiple ad agencies and buy digital ads on behalf of advertisers.

FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said in the release that the agencies’ brand safety policies “turned competition in the market for ad-buying services on its head.” The collusion, he said, “distorted the marketplace of ideas by discriminating against speech and ideas that fell below the unlawfully agreed-on floor.”

This follows a longstanding claim by the Trump administration that the media and websites treat conservatives unfairly. Ferguson and the FTC in 2025 also opened other inquiries into alleged anti-conservative censorship through online content moderation.