Latest news with #interior
Top Gear
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Skoda Enyaq Interior Layout & Technology
Interior What is it like on the inside? All very tasteful. And conventional too. It's less annoying than, say, the inside of an ID.4, chiefly because it has fewer of those infuriating touch sensitive buttons and sliders. For example, the steering wheel has a smattering of normal buttons and a clickwheel for volume: they're far easier to use than the VW's touchpads, and there's significantly less risk of accidentally muting the radio whenever you turn left. Ahead of the driver is an unusually small 5in screen – a far cry from some of the giant digital clusters we've become used to, it really only displays speed, charge, trip info and the status of the adaptive cruise control. But it's clear and easy to read, and useful info like satnav directions or radio station can be displayed on the head-up display. Advertisement - Page continues below What about the infotainment? The central screen is a generous 13 inches. It does take a little while to wake up when you switch the car on, which is annoying if you're in a rush. But after that it responds pretty quickly to your inputs and has a sensible UI. At the top of the screen sits a row of customisable shortcuts (to driver assist settings etc), while quick access to the climate controls/heated seats is via a band that runs across the bottom of the touchscreen – whether you're looking at the map, radio, Apple CarPlay or anything else. A touch slider directly under the screen does volume and temperature (a little awkwardly – don't rest your hand there to use the screen while you're driving). Meanwhile a row of proper physical buttons underneath the screens offers access to the driver assist modes (turning off the speed limit and lane keep assist is two presses away), drive modes, climate controls, de-mist functions and so on. Advertisement - Page continues below Will my passengers enjoy the ride? All the seats are comfortable and there's plenty of room for people and things. The flat floor means it's easy to sit three abreast in the back. Shame the rear bench doesn't slide about like it does in a Kodiaq, but there's decent legroom anyway. Up front the driving position is well judged. Clever Skoda-y touches include an umbrella secreted in the driver's door and an ice scraper hidden in the tailgate. There's no storage space under the bonnet like you get other EVs, but the big boot is 585 litres with the seats up and 1,710 litres with them all folded flat. That's more than you get in the VW ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-tron. Cable storage is under the boot floor with a compartment right by the lip, which means you don't have to empty out your clobber to get at your cables. But if you're fully loaded it still means shoving bits and pieces about. Hmm. Why no storage net under the parcel shelf like you get in the Elroq?
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
I'm a cleaning pro and hate when clients have this feature in their kitchens – it never looks clean even after scrubbing
IT'S no secret that certain items in your home need cleaning more often, but one cleaner has revealed the kitchen features she hates the most. Taking to social media, cleaning whizz Kate from @cleanlikeapro_ explained why your kitchen backsplash matters more than you might think. 2 2 Although it might be tempting to go with the design and material you like the look of most, that's not always the best option, Kate explained. In a viral video, the pro explained that a glass backsplash can be more of a pain to clean than most people realise. Although it's a better option than having lots of tiny tiles and grout to scrub, it's not the best option either. "And when cleaning them you do have to clean them well, wiping over multiple times to ensure no streaks." Not only that, but according to the pro every single streak and wipe from cleaning will still be visible in certain lights, making it an annoying choice for any cleaner or homeowner. So, what should you opt for instead? Although small tiles are even worse than glass, the cleaning whizz said the best option are large tiles. They're not reflective like glass, so won't show up every little mark and there's not as much grout to scrub like smaller tiles have. More items to avoid in your home In a clip shared to TikTok (@ the cleaning whizz revealed the worst offending items that she dreads coming across on her daily job - starting with silicone toilet brushes. I tried Zoflora's new carpet cleaner - it works in just 30 seconds and leaves your home smelling super fresh (1) The cleaner explained that while they're more hygienic, she said that you can't clean with them. Instead, she pointed out that it's best to use bristle toilet brushes only. Next up, the cleaning guru urged homeowners to avoid jumping on the black tap trend. "Builds a ridiculous amount of limescale, marks easily - just a no from me," she warned. And for anyone looking to give their kitchen a glow up any time soon, then you may just want to listen up…because there's a specific colour cupboard she advised steering clear of at all costs. The cleaning whizz explained that while she loves the look of black cupboards, it's best to avoid them "unless you want to spend the rest of your life wiping them 24/7." 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.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Third of Syrians were under observation by al-Assad's security forces
Around 8 million people in Syria, almost a third of the country's population, were under observation by long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad's security forces before his fall from power last year, according to a Syrian government official. "The number of people who were wanted by the former regime for political reasons exceeded 8 million," a spokesman for the Syrian Interior Ministry, Noureddine al-Baba, said on Saturday. "Nearly one-third of the Syrian people had security records at the intelligence service and other agencies," he added. In al-Assad's Syria, the term "wanted for security reasons" referred to persons accused mostly of terrorism for participating in anti-government activities. The accusation brought them under authorities' close surveillance, or led to their detention in notorious jails. Al-Baba made the remarks at a press conference in the Syrian capital Damascus, highlighting efforts to restructure the interior ministry that was dreaded under al-Assad's reign. "The Interior Ministry is making great efforts to restore these citizens' rights that were unjustly usurped from them," he added. In 2011, a pro-democracy peaceful uprising erupted against al-Assad's rule, demanding political change. However, his government responded with brutal oppression. The situation soon evolved into a full-blown conflict that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and massive devastation. Hundreds of thousands more ended up in prison, subjected to torture or disappearance, according to rights advocates. Al-Assad, who governed Syria for more than two decades, fled to Russia in December after an Islamist-led rebel alliance advanced on Damascus. Syria's new leadership is at pains to project a moderate image and respect for human rights as they seek economic support in rebuilding the war-shattered country.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sabrina Soto shares the 3 areas in your home that should be clutter-free to set you up for success
Sabrina Soto made her name transforming homes. Now she wants to transform lives. Our homes are closely linked to our mental health, well-being, and success. To set ourselves up, she believes our kitchens, offices, and bedrooms should be clutter-free. Growing up as a "latchkey kid," home became incredibly important to Sabrina Soto. "Home sort of became my best friend," she told Business Insider. "I had this unspoken agreement with the house: If I'm going to be home alone with you, I'll take care of you if you take care of me." Soto believes our home environment profoundly impacts mental health and well-being and that little adjustments can make a big difference in our self-development. She said we should ensure three clutter-free spaces in our homes to set us up for success: our kitchen, bedroom, and office. "If you are overwhelmed, but you look around and there's constant visual clutter, just start there," Soto said. "The old junk papers, the junk mail, just the piles of stuff that are getting in the way — clearing your desk space up will free up your mind a lot." Soto told BI it sounds "woo-woo," but homes hold energy. "Our homes hold our lives and our memories. You should be proud of that space and look forward to being in that space. So whether that means a spring cleaning, decluttering, or moving furniture to refresh, it's a mutual relationship. Those small changes can go a long way." Soto said cleaning windows and mirrors is another small but effective way of improving our environment. "I notice in people's bathrooms, if they have a full-length mirror, there's toothpaste on there," Soto said. "When you're getting ready in the morning, having a clear vision of yourself is key." Her secret, she said, is 70% rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle: "It's streak-free, every single time." It also works on windows, which we "look through every day." "Natural light brings joy into your life," Soto said. "People who are in a dark mental space usually have their curtains closed, and it's darker in the house. But opening up your curtains, letting the sunlight in could bring a little bit more joy into your life." The next thing you can tackle is getting rid of the stuff you don't need, such as clothes you've never worn, because it's all "holding space and holding dust, too," Soto said. "The more stuff you have, the harder it is for your space to be clean," she said. Soto built her career by helping people curate a home they loved on HGTV. She's now presenting "The Sabrina Soto Show" on The Design Network, where she digs deeper and helps people find new routines and habits. On her new show, which premiered in March, Soto speaks with experts to merge home improvement and wellness. She saw on her previous shows how people's lives and mental health would improve when she helped them transform their physical spaces, and wanted to go further than just fixing a room's aesthetics. Soto finds it ironic that she makes people's homes beautiful because her parents went through a tough financial time when she was younger and were evicted from their house. "It just goes to show that even when you think you're in a rut or a breakup or loss of a job or whatever the case may be, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel," she said. Soto, 48, is also divorced and now in what she describes as her first "really healthy relationship." "Because of my background and having gone through a lot of different changes in my life, I wanted to hold people's hands who are going through the same," she said. "And realize that no matter where you are in your life, the smallest little shifts can impact the much bigger picture." Read the original article on Business Insider
Euronews
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Ukraine's pro-Russian leader Yanukovych's adviser shot dead in Madrid
Former Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov was shot dead on Wednesday morning outside a US school in a wealthy suburb of Madrid, Spanish authorities said. Police received a call about the shooting at the American School of Madrid in the Pozuelo area at 9:15 am, and rushed to the scene, according to Spain's interior ministry. Radio station Cadena SER said the 52-year-old was taking his children to school when he was shot several times. El Mundo newspaper said no one else was injured. Witnesses reported that Portnov was shot "several times" in the head and body by more than one gunman when he was getting into a vehicle, according to Spanish police. The assailants then fled on foot into a nearby wooded area, the police said. Portnov was a senior aide to Ukraine's former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, who notoriously withdrew from signing the Ukrainian association agreement with the EU, sparking the bloody Euromaidan protests in 2013-2014. During Yanukovych's presidency, Portnov was widely viewed as a pro-Kremlin figure and was involved in drafting legislation aimed at persecuting participants of the 2014 revolution. After Yanukovych fled Ukraine for Russia in February 2014 following months of unrest that ended in scores of protesters killed by his forces in Kyiv, Portnov was placed on several sanctions lists by the West, including the EU and Canada, for his actions as part of the former administration. Portnov, who had challenged the sanctions placed upon him, was removed from the EU blacklist of people whose funds were frozen for misappropriation of state funds or human rights violations in Ukraine in 2015. Having also fled Ukraine in 2014, Portnov reportedly lived in Russia in 2015 before relocating to Austria. It was not immediately clear when he moved to Spain. In 2018, Ukraine's Security Service, or SBU, opened an investigation against him on suspicion of state treason, alleging his involvement in Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The criminal case was closed in 2019. In 2021, Portnov was placed on the US sanctions list for "using his influence to buy access and decisions in Ukraine's courts and undermining reform efforts", according to the US embassy in Kyiv. Following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, several crimes involving Russia have occurred in Spain. In one such recent incident, a man who was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in the parking garage of his apartment block near Alicante in February 2024 was identified as Maksim Kuzminov, a Russian pilot who had defected to Ukraine in his army helicopter.
