Latest news with #Saga
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The £2.25 cleaning cupboard staple that could be RUINING your pipes and land you with a £400 bill
Plus, find out the natural alternatives that work just as well PIPE DOWN The £2.25 cleaning cupboard staple that could be RUINING your pipes and land you with a £400 bill WE'VE all used it to get rid of annoying clogs in the drain. But did you know that using quick fix chemical drain cleaners could land you with a £400 bill? 2 Chemical pipe cleaners, which you can get cheaply from the supermarket, could lead to damage in your pipes Credit: Getty 2 Consider using baking soda and white vinegar instead, as a natural alternative Credit: Getty According to a new survey from Saga, around 58% of people confess to using one of the products - which work by creating a reaction that generates heat, dissolving blockages of grease, hair, and waste. However, Saga home insurance's product manager Anna Thunstrom warned that the cleaners, most of which contain strong alkaline or acidic chemicals, "can do more harm than good in the long run". "It can erode metal and plastic pipes, leading to pipe corrosion, and worsen blockages if it doesn't fully clear and hardens inside pipes," she said. And if you have to enlist the help of a professional to get rid of the blockage, you can expect to pay anything from £50 to a whopping £400. "The severity, location, and repair method that's needed to clear a blocked drain all influence how much it could cost," Anna explained. "Don't forget you'll also need to pay the call-out fee, which could be around £50, up to £200 for out of hours." The survey, in which Saga questioned 500 Brits, also revealed the five biggest culprits when it comes to what causes a drain blockage. And many of the problem items come from the kitchen - with oil and grease often leading to "fatbergs", a "hard rock-like accumulation of non-biodegradable waste that causes major blockages in drains and sewers". While research from Unblocktober - the world's first month-long national campaign and awareness month to improve the health of our drains - backs up Saga's survey. "Our own survey found that when asked to identify items that contribute to the formation of fatbergs, 78% of the UK public identified fat, oil, and grease from cooking, 66% identified sanitary towels, 56% identified wet wipes, 50% identified cooking sauces, and 50% identified tampons," Unblocktober's Jacob Larkin said. The cable-tie-scissor trick plumbers swear by to get hair clogs out of your drain & it's WAY better than pricey liquids And when it comes to toilets, it's best to stick to the 'three Ps rule'. 'Our number one piece of advice is to stick to the three Ps rule when it comes to flushing waste," Jacob said. "Only flush pee, poo, and paper!' After putting the chemical cleaners to one side, there are some natural alternatives you can try to get rid of drain blockages instead. 5 cleaning hacks Say goodbye to ironing Don't have time to smooth out the wrinkles of a shirt with an iron? Lenor's Crease Releaser makes wrinkles vanish - simply hang up creased items, give them a quick spritz and smooth against a hard surface. Teabags for trainers When trainers smell a little squiffy, pop a used (and still moist) tea bag inside and leave for about an hour. The tannins will seep into the sole of the shoe to fight nasty-smelling odours. Remove limescale without scrubbing When bathroom taps start looking a little grimy with limescale, slice a lemon in half and sprinkle on baking soda. Rub the fruit over the taps and with a gentle clean they will come up sparkling. Use a toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies. Streak-free mirrors and windows White vinegar is a handy secret weapon when it comes to keeping mirrors and windows streak-free. Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle. Squirt then wipe with a microfibre cloth and voilà, clean glass in an instant. Make your home smell amazing For dust-free skirting boards, pour some fabric softener onto a cloth and give them a quick wipe. It will stop dirt collecting so quickly and, as an added bonus, make your home smell amazing. For grease-based clogs, try boiling water - but avoid if you have PVC pipes, as they could melt or soften. Baking soda and white vinegar is a good choice as it causes a natural reaction that can help dissolve buildup. Drain snakes or plungers are effective for hair and solid debris, while enzyme-based cleaners are gentler on pipes, and work by 'digesting' the blockage.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
The £2.25 cleaning cupboard staple that could be RUINING your pipes and land you with a £400 bill
WE'VE all used it to get rid of annoying clogs in the drain. But did you know that using quick fix chemical drain cleaners could land you with a £400 bill? 2 Chemical pipe cleaners, which you can get cheaply from the supermarket, could lead to damage in your pipes Credit: Getty 2 Consider using baking soda and white vinegar instead, as a natural alternative Credit: Getty According to a new survey from Saga, around 58% of people confess to using one of the products - which work by creating a reaction that generates heat, dissolving blockages of grease, hair, and waste. However, "It can erode metal and plastic pipes, leading to pipe corrosion, and worsen blockages if it doesn't fully clear and hardens inside pipes," she said. And if you have to enlist the help of a professional to get rid of the blockage, you can expect to pay anything from £50 to a whopping £400. "The severity, location, and repair method that's needed to clear a blocked drain all influence how much it could cost," Anna explained. "Don't forget you'll also need to pay the call-out fee, which could be around £50, up to £200 for out of hours." The survey, in which Saga questioned 500 Brits, also revealed the five biggest culprits when it comes to what causes a drain blockage. And many of the problem items come from the kitchen - with oil and grease often leading to "fatbergs", a "hard rock-like accumulation of non-biodegradable waste that causes major blockages in drains and sewers". Most read in Fabulous While research from "Our own survey found that when asked to identify items that contribute to the formation of fatbergs, 78% of the UK public identified fat, oil, and grease from cooking, 66% identified sanitary towels, 56% identified wet wipes, 50% identified cooking sauces, and 50% identified tampons," Unblocktober's Jacob Larkin said. The cable-tie-scissor trick plumbers swear by to get hair clogs out of your drain & it's WAY better than pricey liquids And when it comes to toilets, it's best to stick to the 'three Ps rule'. 'Our number one piece of advice is to stick to the three Ps rule when it comes to flushing waste," Jacob said. "Only flush pee, poo, and paper!' After putting the chemical cleaners to one side, there are some natural alternatives you can try to get rid of drain blockages instead. 5 cleaning hacks Say goodbye to ironing Don't have time to smooth out the wrinkles of a shirt with an iron? Teabags for trainers When trainers smell a little squiffy, pop a used (and still moist) tea bag inside and leave for about an hour. The tannins will seep into the sole of the shoe to fight nasty-smelling odours. Remove limescale without scrubbing When bathroom taps start looking a little grimy with limescale, slice a lemon in half and sprinkle on baking soda. Rub the fruit over the taps and with a gentle clean they will come up sparkling. Use a toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies. Streak-free mirrors and windows White vinegar is a handy secret weapon when it comes to keeping mirrors and windows streak-free. Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle. Squirt then wipe with a microfibre cloth and voilà, clean glass in an instant. Make your home smell amazing For dust-free skirting boards, pour some fabric softener onto a cloth and give them a quick wipe. It will stop dirt collecting so quickly and, as an added bonus, make your home smell amazing. For grease-based clogs, try boiling water - but avoid if you have PVC pipes, as they could melt or soften. Baking soda and white vinegar is a good choice as it causes a natural reaction that can help dissolve buildup. Drain snakes or plungers are effective for hair and solid debris, while enzyme-based cleaners are gentler on pipes, and work by 'digesting' the blockage.
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Express
AWP Martial Art crowned champions
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: GL Oh Text Size: All the winners and officials after the prize presentations. Kota Kinabalu: AWP Martial Art Academy were crowned overall champions in the Sabah Muaythai Heritage and Cultural Challenge 2025 held at the Revolution Combat Gym (State Muaythai Training Centre) in Penampang last weekend. They took home six golds to top the medal tally and the winners were Bella Shynella Javier (wai kru female 9-12), Jane Bernadett Japius (wai kry female 13-15), Addy Ardryga (wai kru male 13-15), Stanly Poong Chung Ann (wai kru male 16-20), Stacy Poong Dai Hee and Abby Arrysqa (mai muay female 15-20), Stanly Poong Chung Ann and Otniel Owen Neo (mai muay male 16-20). The runners-up spot went to Tambuakar Martial Art with one gold, four silver and two bronze medals followed by Revolution Muaythai Combat with one gold and three bronzes. A total of 44 athletes aged 9-20 took part in the competition initiated by State muaythai head coach Cyrille Dhillon Tahing and wai kru/mai muay coach Mardiana Maulana. It was organised by Sabah Muaythai Association in collaboration with Sabah Sports Council. Cyrille said the competition dedicated exclusively to the traditional and cultural disciplines of wai kru and mai muay, first to be held in the country, has provided the platform for these athletes to showcase their skills and also to have deeper respect for muaythai's rich heritage. Advertisement 'Unlike typical muaythai tournaments focused solely on combat, this competition highlighted the artistry, rhythm and ritual that form the cultural backbone of the sport. 'It was much more than a competition. It served as a vital platform for athlete development, helping young fighters build confidence, sharpen their skills, and strengthen their connection to their cultural roots. 'For many local youths, this was also their first experience performing in front of an audience, making it an invaluable step in their journey, especially as they prepare to represent Sabah at the upcoming Sabah Games 2025 (Saga), where wai kru and mai muay will be contested officially for the first time,' he said. He also said the competition played an important role in further strengthening Sabah's reputation in the two disciplines. 'Sabah Muaythai Association remains committed to developing young talents. Our strength in these disciplines is well-known. Our athletes have consistently excelled at national and international levels, achieving numerous medals and recognition. 'Their dedication has placed Sabah firmly on the map as a muaythai powerhouse and highlights the importance of us nurturing these unique cultural aspects of the sport.' The closing ceremony was officiated by Sabah Muaythai Association president Haji Nazri Abd Razak and also present was vice president Ahmad Ridwan Ghazali, as well as community leaders Kapitan David Chong, Cyril Liew and Chin Yuk Pin. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Naga Munchetty's husband said 'she cannot move' after BBC star collapsed in pain
BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has revealed how her husband reacted the moment she was struck by an excruciating health issue BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty has opened up about how her husband was forced to react to her health emergency that left her in excruciating pain. Th 50-year-old presenter had just returned from the theatre and was at home with her husband James Haggar when she suddenly collapsed in bed, writhing in agony due to intense abdominal pain. Hours into the ordeal, with James unable to drive as he'd been drinking, they were forced to call an ambulance. Recounting the incident to Saga Magazine, she relayed her husband's three heartbreaking words to the emergency operator. Naga said he simply stated: "She cannot move." Naga sought help from a private gynaecologist and received a diagnosis of adenomyosis, a painful condition where the inner lining of the uterus breaks through the muscle wall. Suffering symptoms like heavy bleeding and the kind of debilitating pain she experienced that night, Naga's condition is not uncommon, affecting around one in 10 UK women, particularly those in their 40s and 50s. In her interview with Saga, Naga praised her husband's support throughout her struggle with adenomyosis, reports Bristol Live. She said James has been "really understanding" and reflected on the importance of timing when discussing personal health issues with a partner. She told Saga: "I'm very lucky because you have to pick your moments with partners to tell them about everything you go through - you don't want to do it on the first date or the first time you sleep together. "Many of the women I speak to have wonderful husbands, but they'd had to learn as adults about what their partners were going through, because we're not taught any of it in school." Naga also shared that she underwent surgical sterilisation as she and her husband made an early decision not to have children. The BBC Breakfast star confessed they "liked the life" they led and her mother eventually understood her choice. Naga has been a familiar face on the BBC Breakfast sofa since 2014. She also took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, where she was eliminated in week four after being partnered with Pasha Kovalev. Born in London to parents from India and Mauritius, the presenter's birth name is Subha Nagalakshmi Munchetty-Chendriah. However, her mother began calling her Naga - Sanskrit for 'cobra' - due to a dream about snakes during her pregnancy with Naga. The telly star confessed she disliked her name growing up but has since learned to "embrace" it. However she also revealed that she faced "racist" comments from people about her name. Speaking to Saga, she said: "I've embraced it now, but when I was younger it was all about assimilation and it was an unusual name. I'd get a lot of people asking: 'Oh, does she nag a lot?' all the time and there were some awful racist variations as well."
NHK
26-05-2025
- Sport
- NHK
A Multicultural Team Dreams of Victory - Where We Call Home
We meet two men who moved to Saga Prefecture. Indonesian Rizki Ramadhan plays for a multicultural baseball team in a pro-indie league, and Nepalese Kanchha Lama grows a variety of produce in Karatsu. Rizki Ramadhan is a pro baseball player from Indonesia. Indonesians living in Saga cheer for the Saga Asia Dreams. Rizki enjoys a relaxing open-air footbath with his teammates. Kanchha Lama is a farmer from Nepal.
