sun

It was the kind of offense they’d been chasing all season.

Cuts darted through closing doors, warping the Connecticut’s defense into knots, and the Sparks’ monster frontcourt threw its weight around and pounded out a 57-point stampede.

Rickea Jackson, with her wiry strength and burst, knifed past defenders as Dearica Hamby mixed bruising post work with feather-soft finishes and Azurá Stevens — the most versatile of the bunch — filled every gap. And as Jackson and Hamby created real estate down low, the Sparks’ backcourt dished out 22 assists.

Kelsey Plum even caught a groove in the third. Rae Burrell clawed her way into the lane for jabs that jolted her Sparks back to life.

With touches flowing from sideline to baseline, the Sparks kept their half of the scoreboard flashing in a wire-to-wire 92-88 victory over a flailing Sun squad.

There wasn’t much time to breathe at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday afternoon, whether decked out in white and purple or black and orange.

Not when every possession felt like a pendulum swing — the Sparks (6-14) surging and the Sun (3-18) countering with Bria Hartley’s steady hand on the perimeter and Saniya Rivers’ muscle inside.

Clinging to a fragile five-point lead, Julie Allemand elevated what could’ve been the dagger with 48 seconds left — a shot that would’ve ballooned the lead to eight.

Instead, it went to a jump ball, Jackson got charged for a personal, and Rivers went to the free-throw line. Drowned in the noise of a frenzied Crypto.com Arena, the rookie scored on only one of her two shots, keeping it a two-possession game.

Hamby could only find iron on the next possession.

Coming out of a Connecticut timeout, Stevens rebounded a 26-foot heave from Hartley that clanged off the rim. Hartley fouled Stevens.

True to her steady hand, Stevens buried both free throws to secure the win.

Ryan Gosling puts the “not” in “Astronaut” in the new trailer for “Project Hail Mary.”

The upcoming sci-fi film, based on Andy Weir‘s novel of the same name, stars Gosling as middle school teacher turned reluctant astronaut Ryland Grace, who’s tasked with saving humanity from the effects of a dimming sun. However, when he wakes up from a coma as the sole survivor aboard a spaceship, he must overcome his amnesia to remember where he is and why he was sent there.

“It’s an insanely ambitious story that’s massive in scope and it seemed really hard to make, and that’s kind of our bag,” Gosling said of “Project Hail Mary” at CinemaCon in April, where he debuted footage from the film, according to Variety. “This is why we go to the movies. And I’m not just saying it because I’m in it. I’m also saying it because I’m a producer on the film.”

The trailer, released Monday by Amazon MGM Studios, opens with Gosling startling awake on the spacecraft, his hair and beard uncharacteristically long. “I’m several light-years from my apartment,” he proclaims, “and I’m not an astronaut.”

It then jolts back in time to show Grace pre-launch as he learns from Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) that if he does not journey into space, everything on Earth will go extinct. According to Stratt, who heads the mission, Grace is the only scientist who might understand what is happening to the sun and surrounding stars.

The trailer, which progresses through an intense montage set to Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times,” teases Gosling’s signature humor. “I can’t even moonwalk!” the “Barbie” actor declares at one point. (Gosling portrayed moonwalker Neil Armstrong in another recent space movie, Damien Chazelle’s “First Man.”)

Everything leads up to Grace meeting an alien, who isn’t shown in full — but fans of the book know it plays an integral role in saving planet Earth and beyond.

The film, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, marks the second book-to-movie adaptation for Weir, whose novel “The Martian” became an Oscar-nominated 2015 blockbuster starring Matt Damon. An adaptation for his book “Artemis” is also in development with the same directing team.

“Project Hail Mary” hits theaters March 20.

A travel consultant has shared the best times you should travel to Italy if you’re not bound by things like school holidays – and you may be shocked to hear when she recommends

A travel consultant has shared when the best time to go to Italy is if you “have control over your dates,” and it won’t be when you think. Jenna, who posts on TikTok as @italy.with.jenna, shared that the “best time to go to Italy is when you can,” but if you can choose the dates and want good weather with fewer crowds, she shared her intel.

First, she said that her “most favourite” time to go to Italy is “mid-September through early November, so basically in October or either end of that”. She also said that she loves Italy “well into November” but, for most people, the weather gets a bit “cool” for them to enjoy a holiday there.

“That being said, the other window I would look at is early to mid-March into mid-May,” she shared, saying that both of these time frames have “nice temperatures”.

Jenna said there was a “little risk of rain,” but at least most of the things you can do “would be open”.

She said if you’re “going to a main tourist destination like the Amalfi Coast,” it’s important that you note it “shuts down from the end of October through early April” so, if you go, expect lots of things to be closed.

“But Rome, Florence, Venice, any of the cities or any of the main areas, everything’s open for the bulk of it,” Jenna explained.

She then shared the “worst times” to go, in her opinion, because she “hates the heat” and also isn’t a fan of crowds. “So, for me, mid-June to early September is off the table unless I absolutely need to go,” Jenna said.

She continued: “I hate being in Italy in the summer, July and August, I think [are the worst months to go] August definitely being one of the worst months”.

Jenna also shared that Italians tend to take “their big holidays” during those months too, and this means that things can be “shut down”.

She said that this advice was just for “general travel in Italy,” saying that “these are really nice ranges for people”.

In the comments, someone wrote: “Winter, I spent the best time in Italy, going to several different cities. No tourists! You should’ve seen Piazza San Marco , not a soul in sight. It was heaven.”

Another added: “I’m flying out tomorrow. Unfortunately, with my sister being bound to school holidays, this was about the only time. Hopefully won’t be a problem next year though”.

“I went during March this year, and it was PERFECT. So much less busy,” a woman gushed in agreement.

Of course, when you decide to go to Italy is completely personal, and depends on the weather you prefer, and whether or not you mind the crowds.

BBC

No ‘safe tan’

Tips for keeping kids sun safe

Spending lots of time in the garden right now? A Dunelm sun lounger has dropped in price, and it’s great for kicking back on sunny days.

Usually, the lounger would come with a £79 price tag, but the deal cuts it to £55.30.

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Amsterdam Charcoal Lounger
£55.30 (was £79)

Several weeks of consistent hot weather in the UK means Brits have had the chance to spend more time outdoors soaking up the sun.

If you’re lucky enough to own a garden, that could mean simply stepping outside your back door without having to traipse to a park.

To fully make the most of your space this summer you’ll need some furniture, and a sun lounger is ideal for relaxing.

This Dunelm lounger is a comfortable option if you’re having a drink or reading, but you can also recline it for sunbathing or even to enjoy a mid-afternoon snooze.

The removable head pillow gives some raised support for the neck, making it that extra bit more comfortable, especially if you’ll be spending a couple of hours relaxing in it.

The Amsterdam Charcoal Lounger is great for having in the garden, but it’s also versatile enough to take with you on days out.

Thanks to the lightweight mesh material and foldable design, you could pop the chair in the car to take camping or to the beach.

Dunelm had a home and garden sale that ended this weekend, but the sun lounger is one of multiple items still on sale amongst the full price garden furniture.

As it’s not part of a timed sale, it’s not clear how long the £23.50 saving will last, but as with many Dunelm deals, there is always a risk of selling out.

With a 4.7 star rating, shoppers are full of praise for the garden bargain.

One shopper wrote: ‘’Another superb garden chair.’’

‘’Comfortable, adjustable – no assembly needed and a hugely satisfying price.’’

Another was impressed with the practical features, commenting: ‘’Very comfortable reclining lounger, well constructed, with an all weather covering.’’

 ‘’Perfect for relaxing in garden – tempted to buy a second one.’’

A third felt the chair was good value, saying: ‘’Better, smarter and cheaper than the expensive ones at the garden centre.’’

However, they did note the size of the chair, describing it as: ‘’very wide so takes up more space.’’

Amsterdam Charcoal Lounger
£55.30 (was £79)

As much as Brits love the sun, a heatwave can be uncomfortable, and if the current weather’s got you searching for a quick fix, it might be worth taking a look at the best portable air conditioners.

The heat can make sleep difficult too, and investing in one of the best cooling pillows could really help with getting a solid night’s rest.

There’s also a great deal on a popular fan right now – the Shark Flexbreeze fan is now under £100, and has a handy cordless option.

Research by consumer group Which? found two sun creams that failed its safety checks – plus others that others, including budget brands that passed with flying colours

A popular sun cream aimed at families with a £28 price tag has failed safety tests.

Consumer group Which? urged shoppers to avoid the product – Ultrasun Family SPF30 – while also revealing supermarket alternatives at a fraction of the price had passed with flying colours.

The results are especially timely, given Britain is in the grip of a heatwave and people will be rushing to buy sun block. Which? found the Ultrasun product – which comes in a 150ml bottle and is marketed as being “perfect for the whole family” and “especially suitable for children and those with sensitive skin” – failed to meet minimum UVA (ultraviolet A) protection levels. Ultrasun’s UVA score was 9.1 and 9.5 in a retest.

It needed to be 10 or more to pass. It did, however, pass for the alternative UVB protection. Another sun block that failed was Morrisons’ Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30 at £3.75 for a 200ml bottle.

It passed for UVA protection but came up short for SPF (sun protection factor) against UVB. Like the Ultrasun product, Which? labelled it a “don’t buy”.

As part of an annual exercise, the group carried out lab tests on 15 popular sun creams using what it says were industry-recognised methods. If a product failed on a first test, it was repeated. If it passed the second time, a third test will be done. But if a product failed the SPF or UVA twice overall, it became a ‘don’t buy’.

Among those that passed was budget supermarket Aldi’s Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+, which costs just £2.99 for 200ml. Researchers found it protected skin from both UVA and UVB rays, as claimed.

At £1.50 per 100ml – six times less than Ultrasun – the product also earned a Which? Great Value badge. Another given the same rating was rival Lidl’s Cien Sun Spray 30 SPF High, at £3.79 for 200ml.

Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: “It’s really concerning that widely available sunscreens could be putting families at risk by failing to offer the level of sun protection claimed on the packaging.

While shoppers should avoid buying our Don’t Buys, our results prove that there’s no need to splash out to keep you and your loved ones safe in the sun as we’ve found cheap reliable options at Aldi and Lidl.”

A spokesperson from Ultrasun told Which? it was fully confident in its testing protocols and that its detailed testing processes continued to not only meet, but surpass industry standards.

It stated that its chosen testing protocol is one of the strictest available. Morrisons told Which? that it’s looking closely at the data and working with its supplier to carry out additional independent testing.

Full list

‘Don’t Buys’

• Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30, £3.75/200ml
• Ultrasun Family SPF30, £28/150ml

Passes

SPF30 sunscreens

• Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Lotion, £5.50/200ml
• Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Spray SPF30, £5.50/200ml
• Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lotion SPF30, £7.90/200ml
• Lidl Cien Sun Protect Spray SPF30 High, £3.79/200ml
• Sainsbury’s Sun Protect Moisturising Lotion SPF30, £5.50/200ml
• Superdrug Solait Sun Spray SPF30, £5.50/200ml

SPF50/50+ sunscreens

• Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Sun Spray SPF 50+, £11/150ml
• Sainsbury’s Sun ProtectMoisturising Spray Lotion SPF50+, £5.75/200ml
• Aldi Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+, £2.99/200ml
• Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Lotion SPF50+, £5.50/200ml
• Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Spray SPF50+, £7.90/200ml

SPF50/50+ kids sunscreens

• Childs Farm Sun Cream Fragrance-Free SPF50+, £12/200ml
• Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF50+, £5.50/200ml

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark got hit in the eye and knocked to the ground, while also doing some shoving of her own, during a testy and physical game against the Connecticut Sun on Monday night in Indianapolis.

The Fever emerged with an 88-71 win after a game that featured a pair of skirmishes, including a fight in the final minute that led to three ejections.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Indiana coach Stephanie White blamed “bad officiating,” which she said is a league-wide issue.

“This is what happens,” White said. “You’ve got competitive women who are the best in the world at what they do, right? And when you allow them to play physical and you allow these things to happen, they’re going to compete. And they’re going to have their teammates’ backs. It’s exactly what you expect out of fierce competition.

“So I started talking to the officials in the first quarter. And we knew this was going to happen. You could tell it was gonna happen. So they’ve got to get control of it. They’ve got to be better.”

Things appeared to be chippy between Clark and Connecticut’s Jacy Sheldon throughout the game, with ESPN cameras showing Clark giving Sheldon a bit of a shove as the two were exchanging words during the second quarter.

Then, during a play midway through the third quarter, Clark got poked in the eye by Sheldon and responded by giving the Sun star another shove. Connecticut’s Tina Charles stepped in and wagged her finger toward Clark, then the Sun’s Marina Mabrey pushed Clark to the ground.

Sheldon was called for a flagrant 1 foul, while Clark, Mabrey and Tina Charles each received a technical foul. When Clark was asked about the technical foul during the postgame news conference, White jumped in and said she’d handle questions about the officiating.

Clark and Charles each led their teams with 20 points apiece.

Later, with less than a minute left in the game and the Fever up by 17, Sheldon made a steal and was taken down hard by Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham. A scuffle ensued, with Cunningham, Sheldon and Connecticut’s Lindsay Allen eventually being ejected.

After the game, Sun coach Rachid Meziane said Cunningham’s foul on Sheldon was “disrespectful.”

“When you are winning a game by 17 points, and you doing this … for me, [it’s] a stupid foul,” Meziane said.

Asked about the same play, White said, “It was a flagrant foul.” When pressed on whether Cunningham might have made the move in defense of Clark or the team, White simply repeated, “It was a flagrant foul.”

With the win, the Fever earned a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game against the Minnesota Lynx on July 1.

THE mother of a 21-year-old student who was murdered by a vile sex offender has slammed a ridiculous legal loophole that allows pervs to dodge the sex offenders register.

Lisa Squire’s daughter Libby was killed in Hull in 2019 by a prolific sex offender leaving Lisa heartbroken.

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Lisa was horrified to learn that men who commit indecent exposure can avoid being put on the sex offenders register.

The loophole that prevents pervs from being put on the register means those who commit indecent exposure can avoid being monitored by police.

Pawel Relowicz, the vile sex offender who murdered Libby, had a history of indecent exposure.

Evil police officer Wayne Couzens who murdered Sarah Everard in 2021 also had a history of indecent exposure.

Ministers have been pushing for stronger legislation with mounting evidence showing those who commit indecent exposure go on to commit violent offences.

A landmark Bill making sure offenders can’t slip through the net is set to make its way back through the commons this week.

Libby’s mother, Lisa, branded the Bill Libby’s Law Part One and told The Mirror: “It’s a perfect legacy for Libby.

“Her death was so preventable, it shouldn’t have happened, but she’s making a difference.

“If we can learn from her death that’s perfect, it makes it a bit less senseless.”

Current laws require prosecutors to prove an offender caused alarm or distress with their actions to get a conviction for exposure.

Commonly offenders are charged with outraging public decency instead which does not result in them being added to the sex offenders register and allows them to dodge police monitoring.

Soon after Libby’s killer Relowicz was arrested Lisa was told by cops that he had a history of committing sexual offences.

The evil killer plead guilty to nine sexual offences unrelated to Libby’s murder, including voyeurism and outraging public decency.

Lisa said: “If more people had come forward and reported their experiences, and if police had been able to join the dots there might have been a different situation.”

Since the horror loss of her daughter Lisa has campaigned for victims to report non-contact sex offences to police, saying doing so will prevent more cases like her daughter’s.

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The distraught mum was shocked to learn that offenders charged with outraging public decency can avoid being put on the register.

She said: “I never even imagined that they wouldn’t be. When I found out they weren’t I thought it was ridiculous. These are people that we should be watching.”

Lisa has demanded compulsory treatment programmes to stop those charged with indecent exposure’s behaviour escalating to more violent crimes and called for jail terms for those convicted of non-contact sex offences like exposure and voyeurism.

She reportedly believes her daughters death could have been prevented if more serious action was taken against vile Relowicz at an earlier stage.

Lisa believes that lives could be saved with the loophole closed and has campaigned tirelessly to make that a reality.

The Mirror reveal data showing the number of indecent exposure cases reported to police has skyrocketed since 2019.

Data from 37 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales shows a 15% rise in five years, while arrests have gone up by around 35%.

Dame Diana Johnson, Labour’s Policing Minister, told MPs last year that in five years almost 250 men found guilty of indecent exposure were later found guilty of rape.

She told the Commons: “Indecent exposure and non-contact sexual offences are gateway crimes that are still not taken seriously enough.”

The Home Office has now commissioned research into the link between non-contact sex offences and more violent crimes.

A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesman said: “Sexual exposure is an incredibly serious crime which can be invasive and distressing for victims.

“We have been working hard to improve our response to sexual exposure and other non-contact sexual offences.”

Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones said: “Exposure is a degrading and cowardly crime, which can often escalate into serious offending.

“We’re strengthening the law to bolster protection for victims, meaning offenders with a broader range of motivations, such as the intention to cause humiliation or for the purpose of sexual gratification, can be prosecuted – and added to the sex offender register where necessary.

“I am grateful to Libby’s family, and other victims and survivors, who have bravely campaigned for change in this area.”

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WE may well be seeing lower slug and snail numbers this summer thanks to colder weather in winter and the recent dry spells.

But mother nature never makes it easy for us. Instead – of course – there’s a new pest in town.

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Aphid levels have rocketed this year – and the RHS reckons it’s top of the list of gardening queries to their hotline.

There’s over 500 different species found in the UK – and can be red, yellow, black, green, brown or pink.

They feed by sucking sap from plants – and can cause severe damage – including distorted growth, sooty mould and plant viruses – and sometimes plant death.

Chelsea award winning gardener Adam Woolcott – and Webb ambassador – gave Sun Gardening some top tips on how to tackle the most common early summer pests.

APHIDS

Physically remove the aphids from the stems and leaves.
Use natural insecticidal soaps.
Blast off with water jets.
Encourage predators such as ladybirds, lacewings, and hoverflies

VINE WEEVIL

Both the adult vine weevil beetles and their larvae cause damage.
Adults — all female — chew distinctive ‘U-shaped’ notches in leaves, particularly on evergreen shrubs like rhododendrons, escallonias, and viburnums.
Underground: larvae feed on plant roots and can kill container plants like Heucheras.
Remove adults at night when they’re most active
Break the life cycle with biological controls such as nematodes (apply in spring and autumn when grubs are active) Chemical treatments are a last resort, but offer longer-term control

LILY BEETLE

The bright red beetles and their larvae are both covered in their excrement. They can strip a plant in days, affecting flowering and bulb health.

Remove beetles by hand where practical
Encourage wildlife into the garden. Birds and ground beetles will eat the larvae
Grow a resistant variety.
Tolerate some damage if you can — total eradication isn’t always necessary.

CATERPILLARS

Especially troublesome in veg patches. Cabbage white butterfly caterpillars love brassicas, while box tree caterpillars are spreading rapidly across the UK, stripping foliage as they go.

Remove the caterpillars by hand if you can and destroy any badly affected plants (if practical) to stop the infestation from spreading.
Use biological sprays like nematodes.
In some cases, hot water and a mild detergent can help. Ecover is on sale at Dunelm for £2.45.
As a last resort, chemical controls can be effective

Also in Veronica’s Column this week…

Top tips, Gardening news, and a competition to win a £250 lawnmower

NEWS KING Charles made a surprise visit to Windsor Flower Show last Saturday. Celebrities including Alex Jones and Kirsty Gallacher were at the one-day show – which had wonderful village fair vibes, vegetable and cake competitions and fantastic floral displays.

TOP TIP JUNE is actually a good time to take Hydrangea cuttings – and get your own plants for free. They’ll have produced some soft green growth – which is what you want. Choose healthy, non flowering shoots that are 10-15cm long and cut just below the node (the leaf joint). Don’t collect cuttings from plants with leaves that are turning brown. And try to collect in the morning if you can.
Remove the lower leaves – leaving just one or two at the top.
Then dip the end in rooting powder or gel – then pop it straight in a pot. You could splash out on seeding and cutting compost – but multi purpose will do – just add a bit of grit or perlite. Then keep them out of direct sunlight and keep moist. They should have rooted within about a month.

NEWS A RARE ‘sheep-eating’ South American plant has flowered in an English primary school for the first time. The Puya Chilensis, with its iconic spike pattern, is normally found in the Andes in Chile. But after it was planted 10 years ago by school horticulturalist Louise Moreton, it has sent out a 10ft spike at Wicor Primary School in Portchester, Hants. It’s called a Sheep Catcher as it would normally entangle wildlife, hold onto it – and then when the animal died – would take the nutrients. Ms Moreton said it was exciting but a worrying sign of global warming.

WIN! Keep your lawn looking its best this summer by winning a Webb Classic Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower worth £249.99. To enter visit www.thesun.co.uk/WEBBCOMP or write to Sun Webb competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. July 5, 2025. T&Cs apply.

TOP TIP IF you want to get more flowers from your sedums (now called Hylotelephiums) and prevent them from collapsing – pinch them out around now. Pinch off around four sets of leaves down – which will make them bushier.

JOB OF THE WEEK Weeds thrive this month – keep on top of them by hoeing. Tie in sweet peas, and give your plants a good feed – liquid seaweed feed is great – and Tomorite works with nearly everything. Give agapanthus a high-potash feed every couple of weeks.

For more top tips and gardening news, follow me @biros_and_bloom

A SCHOOLBOY has been killed and an e-bike rider was left seriously injured after a “serious” hit-and-run.

Cops have arrested two people in their 40s after Grey Audi failed to stop following the horror smash in Sheffield on Wednesday afternoon.

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A man and a woman in their 40s have been arrested on suspicion of aiding an offender.

Sunbed wars are heating up at hotels everywhere – as holidaymakers race to reserve loungers with nothing but a towel. But is it a clever strategy – or just plain rude?

It’s the classic holiday debate: whether or not to reserve a sun lounger with a towel. We’ve all seen it – or maybe even done it ourselves. It’s early morning, the sun’s barely up, and there’s already a row of chairs by the pool completely ‘claimed’ with a towel or anything else a forward-thinking holidaymaker can think of.

But the people are nowhere to be seen. And we want to know if you think it’s ok to claim your spot in such a way. Scroll down to take our poll.

Some say it’s just part of holiday life – the ‘you snooze you lose’ mentality. While others argue it’s deeply inconsiderate. After all, if you’re not actually using the lounger, should you really be blocking someone else from enjoying it?

Hotels and resorts are starting to take notice, too. Some have gone so far as to implement “towel patrols” that remove items from unused beds after a certain time. But still, the great sunbed stand-off continues. Do you use a towel to reserve a sun lounger? Take our poll below. If you can’t see it, click here

The age-old issue has reared its head again after a holidaying couple defended putting towels on their sunbeds while nipping for breakfast – sparking a furious reaction online.

Rachel McGuigan and her husband David stayed at The Residence Hotel in the resort of Fethiye, west of Antalya in Turkey. But the holidaymakers divided opinion after she placed towels on their poolside beds for half an hour while they visited the resort’s restaurant. One angry holidaymaker, Harry Crumb, said: “I just remove them, if full. I don’t care and the hotel doesn’t care.”

Another added: “Just throw the towels in the pool. It’s not allowed to do this in most hotels and resorts.” But another person leapt to their defence, saying: “I don’t understand. I thought it was normal to get up, grab your towels, pop them on your bed then go for breakfast.”

“I just thought it was crazy that people were so upset about leaving a towel for half an hour to go for breakfast,” Rachel told What’s The Jam. “They accused me of being selfish and all sorts.”

Rachel then posted about it on her ‘Holidays & Hangovers’ TikTok page. She then decided to stoke the fires further by posting a joke about leaving one of her towels on a lounger at 5.30am to go on a series of fake excursions that lasted until bedtime.

The punchline was that they never got to spend a minute on the sunbeds they reserved at dawn.

In the footage, she shared a screenshot of an angry user’s message that read: “Really annoys me that people put towels on sunbeds then go away somewhere? Why? Everyone wants to enjoy their holiday.”

Rachel captioned her clip: “Fine, you’ve all caught me out, this is how our day really looked…”

However, many furious Brits took the joke literally and flooded her comments section for a second time. One riled tourist said: “So you reserved the beds and didn’t use them but wouldn’t let anyone else use them? Have you ever thought that you may be the problem?”

Another raged: “You go on holiday for a rest but end up getting up early like you do at home just to put towels out. Hotels are not for me, that’s why I Airbnb, not having a go, just saying.”

“The most council estate thing ever!” said a third, while Craig remarked: “Some people ain’t getting the joke, love it!”

After ruffling a few feathers, Rachel explained: “After the first time, I thought it would be funny to play up to it.

“It was a joke and I didn’t expect anyone to take it seriously, but I ended up opening a can of worms about sunbed reservations!”

She added: “There wasn’t a lack of sunbeds so putting our towels down before going for breakfast wasn’t an issue for anyone. I was surprised with everyone commenting about it.”

Rachel admitted it can be “annoying” when some tourists leave their towels on sunbeds “for hours on end”. But she doesn’t see it as a problem if it’s “only for half an hour and someone stays with them”.

Do you use a towel to reserve a sun lounger? Take our poll above and expand on your feelings in the comments below

A BRIT former flight attendant accused of smuggling £1.2 million worth of cannabis today appeared in front of a  Sri Lankan court.

Part-time beautician Charlotte May Lee was arrested last week after cops found two suitcases stuffed with 46kg of synthetic drug kush — which is 25 times more potent than opioid fentanyl.

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If found guilty, South Londoner Charlotte could face a 25-year sentence.

The Brit appeared in front of a court today after languishing in a “hell-hole” prison for days.

Charlotte from Surrey was stopped by Sri Lankan customs officials after stepping off a flight from Thailand on Monday last week.

Speaking from behind bars Charlotte said she had “no idea” that there were drugs in her luggage when she left Bangkok.

She claimed: “I had never seen them before. I didn’t expect it all when they pulled me over at the airport. I thought it was going to be filled with all my stuff.

“I had been in Bangkok the night before and had already packed my clothes because my flight was really early.

“So I left my bags in the hotel room and headed for the night out. As they were already packed I didn’t check them again in the morning.”

The young Brit believes the huge amount of illegal substances were planted in her luggage in a planned move by dangerous dealers in Southeast Asia.

Kush, a highly addictive synthetic drug, has claimed the lives of thousands in West Africa where it first appeared in 2022 – and is spreading globally at an alarming rate.

The dirt-cheap drug is cut with an array of additives including acetone, the opioid tramadol and formalin, a toxic chemical commonly used to preserve bodies in mortuaries.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.

A DESPERATE hunt has been launched to find a missing Brit who suddenly disappeared in Peru just days after Hannah Almond was found in the country.

Jamie Cooke, 39, was last seen in the city of Miraflores on Monday.

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His family has now launched a desperate appeal to find the missing Brit in the South American country.

It comes as Brit backpacker Hannah Almond, who also disappeared in Peru, was found sleeping rough on the streets.

Sister Jade McKay said she flew out to Peru with her partner in a bid to find her missing brother.

In a public posting urging people to help find Jamie, she wrote: “My brother, Jamie Cooke, 39 years old, is missing in Peru.

“I have travelled from the UK to search for him and am currently in Miraflores with my partner.

“We are very worried and would appreciate any information from UK citizens travelling in the area.

“Please share and contact us if you have any news.”

Ms McKay shared two pictures of Jamie as part of her appeal to find him.

And anyone with information about the Brit’s disappearance has been urged to come forward as soon as possible.

An FCDO spokesperson told The Sun: “We are supporting the family of a British man reported as missing in Peru and are in contact with his local authorities.”

The Sun has reached out to Jamie’s family for further details.

It comes as Brit woman Hannah Almond continues to live on the streets after she became too terrified to trust anyone.

Ms Almond, 32, disappeared after a violent robbery left her without a passport, phone, or money – and sparked a terrifying mental health spiral.

The yoga-loving fashion graduate from Grimsby had travelled to Cusco in March for a spiritual retreat to “find herself”, but ended up living under a bridge with an elderly homeless man.

Locals torched her few remaining belongings in a sickening attack.

After three days without contact, friends feared the worst.

But a man she met briefly in Lima caught a flight to Cusco and “just started wandering the streets asking after her” until he found her slumped on the pavement.

Despite being located, Ms Almond is still sleeping rough and refusing support – including food, shelter, and help from the British embassy – due to trauma from the robbery that’s left her terrified of strangers.

One of her pals has now flown from the UK in a desperate bid to persuade her to return home before she disappears again.

Piero Villanueva, the man who found the Brit,  revealed their emotional reunion and said she immediately recognised him and began crying.

He told local media: “I have just found her. She is safe and well.

“Hannah recognised me and approached me crying and I asked her to leave with me. Thanks God she’s safe.”

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Piero, who met Hannah briefly in Lima earlier in her trip, travelled to Cusco after seeing news of her disappearance on social media.

“I decided to travel to Cusco at the request of her friends and family,” he said.

“I wanted to come and help find her and assist her because she didn’t have money or her passport and other documents because she had been robbed.”

He confirmed he is in touch with Hannah’s family, the British Consul, and a friend flying in from the UK.

“A friend of Hannah is arriving in Cusco today and I’m talking with him to be able to assist her,” he said.

“We have to see now what’s going to happen, talk with Hannah’s mum and see what she wants to do,” he added.

“Hannah and her mum haven’t spoken yet. I’m talking with her mum but she’s an elderly lady and we don’t want to worry her anymore.”

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THE horrified wife of the Liverpool parade suspect was said to have only found out about the chaotic rampage when she saw her car on TV.

A 53-year-old suspect, a white British dad of three, remains in custody after cops were granted more time to quiz him.

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Neighbours of the suspect said he was “quiet” and “didn’t go out partying”.

He is believed to be a business man who ran a now-dissolved firm.

Yesterday a neighbour in the city’s West Derby suburb revealed the suspect’s wife’s shock “when she saw her car on the TV news”.

The neighbour added: “The wife is a really nice woman and they have children.

“No one can believe this has happened.

“She first realised when she saw it was her car on the telly, when she saw it being driven at the parade.

“The normal police cars turned up at teatime then Matrix vans turned up later that night.

“Everyone’s just in shock. I genuinely don’t know what’s happened.

“They seem like a nice family.”

The neighbour described the suspect as a “regular family man” and a “bit of a complainer”, adding: “I wish I knew more.”

Vans from elite police unit Matrix have been at the £250,000 four-bed house since Monday’s incident.

Police confirmed yesterday the number of injured had risen from 65 to 79, including at least four children.

Seven people remained in hospital in a stable condition.

The driver was arrested on Monday at the scene — in Water Street — on suspicion of attempted murder, driving while unfit through drugs, and dangerous driving.

Police have until today to either bring charges, release him, or apply for a further extension.

They were scouring the dashcam content and CCTV to piece together the driver’s movements.

Officers believe he gained access to the packed street, which had been blocked off, by tailgating an ambulance as paramedics entered to treat a man suspected of suffering a heart attack.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will be out at least two weeks with a left quad strain, the team announced Monday.

The Fever did not say when Clark suffered the injury. The team said further updates will be provided after she gets another evaluation.

Clark played 37:52 and had 18 points and 10 assists in a 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty on Saturday.

The Fever are 2-2 this season and could be without Clark for at least the next four games against the Mystics (twice), Sun and Sky. All the opponents sit below the Fever in the Eastern Conference.

Clark is averaging 19.0 points, 9.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds this season.

LIVERPOOL fans who lined the streets to celebrate the club’s Premier League triumph have spoken out after a car ploughed into a crowd.

A 53-year-old white British man from Liverpool was arrested at the scene on Water Street just after 6pm and is thought to have been the driver of the car, police said.

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Some 27 injured people were rushed to hospital – two with serious injuries – and 20 were treated at the scene, with more patients self-presenting later on, the North West Ambulance Service said.

A survivor of the Manchester Arena bombing was one of those knocked to the floor by the car.

Frankie, 24, told the Mail: “I was at the Manchester Arena incident. I don’t want to go out again.

They continued: “The side of the car went into me and I fell to the floor. It’s all a blur.

“I’ve got cuts and bruises and I’ll be fine but there’s loads who have got more severe injuries.”

Meanwhile, supporter Harry Rashid, 48, was a stone’s throw away from the swerving vehicle during the terrifying scene.

“It happened about 10 feet away from us,” he said.

“We were just in a crowd and we had no control over where we would be, because it was a very narrow street. 

“The vehicle came to our right. It emerged from just right next to an ambulance, which was parked up.

“This grey people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us.

“It was travelling south, down Water Street, straight towards this strand, which is where the docks are.

“It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car.”

Merseyside Police are leading the investigation and were initially supported by counter-terrorism police.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected.”

He later praised the “remarkable bravery” shown by the emergency services in Liverpool and added: “Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the scenes as “truly shocking” and thanked the emergency services for their “swift response”.

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MATALAN shoppers can snap up a ‘luxury’-looking bedding set for just 50p in a limited-time deal.

The White Butterfly Duvet Cover, normally priced at £21, is available for less than £1 when new customers sign up to Top Cashback.

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The deal is available online across the UK and applies to the double size set, which includes the duvet cover and matching pillowcases, both featuring a delicate embossed butterfly pattern.

New Top Cashback members can get the set for just 50p after claiming a £2 cashback bonus, while existing members can still enjoy a hefty saving, picking it up for £15.50 with the same bonus.

Offers are also available on the single and king sizes.

The single size, usually £16, is completely free after cashback for new members, or £11.33 for existing ones.

One happy customer wrote: “Outstanding in quality and style. Even more stunning than l was expecting.

So reasonably priced in fact l will be purchasing a second set.

I would 100 per cent recommend this product.”

Over at Dunelm, shoppers can find up to 50 per cent off selected duvet sets in a seasonal sale.

One popular waffle set now ranges from £25.60 to £41.60, down from £32 to £52, and comes in a choice of colours including sage green, black, grey, blue and white.

Meanwhile, Dusk is offering up to 25 per cent off bedding, including the 200 thread count Portofino Waffle Duvet Cover, reduced to between £27.50 and £49.50.

Matching pillowcases, usually £22, are now £11 for a pair.

Back at Matalan, more glowing reviews have poured in for the White Butterfly set.

One buyer said: “Beautiful butterfly design, excellent quality and great value. Looks like luxury item.”

Another added: “Looks good, feels good, just adds a bit of luxury.” A third commented: “Just gorgeous. Embossed butterflies on it.

“Feels nice too, very comfy feeling…..love it.”

A fifth review simply read: “Excellent value for money.”

However, potential buyers should note a couple of small drawbacks.

The set is machine washable, but there’s no mention of whether it’s suitable for tumble drying—something to consider for busy households.

And with the fabric’s raised design, pet owners may need to be cautious as claws could potentially snag the material.

For those looking to refresh their home on a budget, Dunelm is also offering significant discounts on various homeware items.

Shoppers can find up to 75 per cent off in their clearance sale, including items like curtains, bedding, and rugs .

Additionally, Dunelm’s outlet stores across the UK offer up to 75 per cent off stylish home items, including boucle chairs, sofas, cabinets, and lighting.

In the kitchenware department, Dunelm has launched a promotional offer, cutting the price of a 12-piece dinner set from £25 to just £12.50.

This floral-designed set includes four dinner plates, four side plates, and four bowls, and is both dishwasher and microwave safe.

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A POPULAR burger branch has finally reopened its doors after nearly two years – and locals couldn’t be happier to see it back.

Wimpy has returned to Tufton Street in Ashford, Kent, after shutting in late 2023 when the previous franchisee stepped down following 30 years in charge.

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The iconic burger spot was originally expected to reopen at the start of 2024, but a series of delays, including unforeseen issues before Christmas, left customers fearing the restaurant might never return.

Now, to the delight of fans, the branch is back in business, with customers already queuing up for their fix of Wimpy classics.

The company, famous for menu staples like the Bender in a Bun and thick shakes, confirmed: “Wimpy Ashford is now open under new ownership with a fresh team and great vibe.

“We will still be serving your favourite Wimpy burgers, chips and thick shakes.”

News of the reopening has spread quickly among locals, with many taking to social media to share their excitement and memories of the eatery.

Several residents said the restaurant had been a regular haunt in their youth, and they were eager to return with their own children.

One customer wrote: “So glad Wimpy is back! Nothing beats a proper burger and chips with that classic taste. We’ve really missed it.”

Another added: “Ashford just hasn’t been the same without it. It’s not just the food, it’s the memories that come with it.”

Wimpy, once a major player on the UK’s fast-food scene, has been undergoing a gradual revival in recent years, with several branches refurbished or reopened under new management.

The Ashford branch’s relaunch is seen as a positive step for the town centre, which has faced a number of retail closures in recent years.

The new owners say they’re committed to maintaining the traditional feel of the restaurant while bringing in modern touches to enhance the customer experience.

Early visitors have already praised the updated décor and friendly atmosphere, saying it retains the charm of the old Wimpy while feeling fresh and inviting.

Staff say they’ve been overwhelmed by the warm welcome and steady flow of diners since opening, and hope to build on that momentum in the months ahead.

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A HUGE coffee chain with more than 1,300 UK branches has shuttered one of its high street shops.

Starbucks abruptly pulled the plug on its coffee house in Headington, Oxford.

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The location on the town’s London Road notified punters that the “shop is now closed” on a store window sign.

The coffee giant first waved in customers in October 2007.

It is unknown why Starbucks decided to close down the location.

Starbucks now has two remaining locations in Oxford, according to its website, which are located on Cornmarket Street and Westgate Shopping Centre.

The Sun Online has reached out to Starbucks for comment.

In April last year, Starbucks announced the closure of one of its Reading cafes, leaving some shoppers “shocked”.

And in March 2024, locals were saddened to hear their Dalton Park store, in Murton, Country Durham, would be closing down in hours.

RETAIL APOCALYPSE

Both independent and industry giants have been struggling with rising costs and reduced footfall over the past few years.

Dozens of shops are set to close across the country before the end of the month in the latest blow to UK high streets.

Just a few months into 2025 and it’s already proving to be another tough year for many major brands.

Rising living costs – which mean shoppers have less cash to burn – and an increase in online shopping has battered retail in recent years.

In some cases, landlords are either unwilling or unable to invest in keeping shops open, further speeding up the closures.

Smiggle isn’t the only stationary shop shutting its doors, more WHSmiths stores are set to close in the next few months.

The huge sports retailer, Sports Direct is axed its Newmarket Road store in Cambridge on April 18.

Whilst, Red Menswear in Chatham in Medway, Kent, shut for the final time on Saturday, March 29, after selling men’s clothing since 1999.

A couple months ago, Essential Vintage told followers on social that it would be closing down after they had been “priced out” because of bigger players in the market such as Vinted.

Jewellery brand Beaverbrooks is also shutting three shops early this month.

New Look bosses made the decision to axe nearly 100 branches as they battle challenges linked to Autumn Budget tax changes.

Approximately a quarter of the retailer’s 364 stores are at risk when their leases expire.

This equates to about 91 stores, with a significant impact on New Look’s 8,000-strong workforce.

It’s understood the latest drive to accelerate closures is driven by the upcoming increase in National Insurance contributions for employers.

The move, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October, is hitting retailers hard – and the British Retail Consortium has predicted these changes will create a £2.3billion bill for the sector.

ACTRESS Madeline Brewer makes a splash — in a dress made from a Sun front page.

Redhead Madeline, 33, star of Netflix hit You, wore it for Behind the Blinds magazine.

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It features a January 1986 edition of The Sun — the first printed at Wapping.

The style resembles the John Galliano newspaper dress worn by Sex and The City star Sarah Jessica Parker in the popular series.

Madeline starred alongside actor Penn Badgley in popular series You.

In the fifth and final series, which is now streaming, viewers will see Joe embarking on an affair with a young woman named Bronte, played by Madeline.

They meet after she gains employment at his bookstore but it soon becomes clear that she has an ulterior motive after she developed suspicions that Joe was responsible for the death of her close friend.

Penn has led the show since its inception on the streaming service but has shied away from getting down and dirty on-camera for the past two series.

However, he has since decided that in order to give the show a “proper conclusion,” he needs to head back to the bedroom to spice things up for the final series.

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• @behindtheblinds. Madeline is wearing @vetements_official on the cover. She’s captured by @foxhunter & styled by @orettac. Shot for Behind The Blinds Magazine.