ONE of the Center Parcs resorts is planning a huge overhaul of 120 holiday lodges.

The holiday park in the Lake District has submitted plans as part of its ‘second phase’ of an overhaul to improve accommodation at Whinfell Forest.

Center Parcs has put forward proposals to expand some of its existing accommodation with the extension of its outside patios.

Increasing the size of the outdoor areas means new pergolas will be added and means families can still enjoy the outdoors in rain, wind or shine.

The design and access statement said: “Center Parcs is a major local employer and has an obligation to continually improve its operation and building stock in order to maintain its position in the market.

“The proposed improvement to the external areas will help in the continuation of the popular holiday destination.

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“The proposal will improve tourism facilities within Whinfell Forest by providing betterment of the general facilities which are paramount in maintaining Center Parcs position as a great holiday destination.”

The upgrades are part of the second phase of a ‘lodge refurbishment project’ to improve guest accommodation at Whinfell.

The first phase of the Whinfell Forest lodge refurbishment was announced in August 2025.

This was when Woodland Premium and Grand Forest Lodges were upgraded to have modern interiors, smart technology, and improved outdoor spaces.

The Woodland Premium Lodges have fully equipped kitchen along with be a flame-effect electric fire, blackout curtains for a well-needed sleep after all the holiday park activities and a coffee machine.

The Grand Forest Lodge is “indulgent accommodation” suited more towards large groups or multi-generational families on a trip together.

There will be two, three or four-bedroom lodges available, and each will have ensuite bathrooms in every bedroom.

The standout feature of the Grand Forest Lodge is the heated outdoor pergola – so you can stay warm outdoors even in the cooler months.

It even has an indoor ‘snuggle pod’, a cosy retreat with an interactive games screen and colour-changing mood lighting.

Here are more of our favourite holiday parks…

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Park Holidays UK Sand le Mere, Yorkshire

This holiday park in Yorkshire is a thriving family resort, just steps from Tunstall Beach. Entertainment is what this resort does best, with costume character performances, Link-up Bingo and cabaret shows. Accommodation ranges from fully-equipped Gold Caravans to Platinum Lodges with sun decks and luxury bedding.

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St Ives Bay Beach Resort, Cornwall

This beachfront resort in St Ives, Cornwall is a true beach bum’s paradise – whether you want to laze out on the sand, or take to the waves for some surfing. Activities include disc golf, a Nerf challenge and an outdoor cinema, as well as indoor activities for the colder months like karaoke, bingo and DJ sets.

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Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, Northampton

This holiday park has loads of unique activities on offer, including TikTok dance classes, alpaca feeding, a pump track for BMX riding, and taking a ride on the resort’s very own miniature railway. Throw in bug hotel and den building, pond dipping, survival skills workshops and a lake for paddleboard and pedalo hire, and you’ve got yourself an action-packed park.

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Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands, Sussex
This beachfront resort is a classic family favourite. If you’re not up to swimming in the sea, there’s four fantastic pools here, as well as water flumes, underwater jets, inflatable jet skis and kayak races. Plus if you’ve got any little fans of Paw Patrol or Milkshake!, you’ll be glad to know there’s Milkshake! Mornings and Paw Patrol Mighty Missions to keep your tots entertained.

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In Scotland, work on its brand new Center Parcs is officially underway.

The new holiday park costing £450million will have its very own Subtropical Swimming Paradise, spa and treehouse lodges.

On March 18, work officially got started on Center Parcs’ new resort.

The site in Hawick called Scottish Borders, and is planned to open in summer 2029.

When it opens, this holiday park will be the first in Scotland, and the newest Center Parcs in over a decade.

In recent news, Center Parcs has scrapped a much-loved family service at all holiday parks.

And here’s now to have a Center Parcs-style holiday without actually staying there – and save nearly £1,000.

Netflix has shared an update on Love on the Spectrum’s fifth season

The future of Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum has been confirmed, but there’s good and bad news.

Fans have been following the dating show for six seasons overall, including two instalments of Love on the Spectrum: Australia. It centres around adults on the autism spectrum as they tackle the uncertain world of romance.

Season four was released on April 1st, coinciding with Autism Acceptance Month, and has already climbed Netflix’s most-watched charts.

This series shed light on couples viewers have become obsessed with over the last few years, as well as newcomers who want their own shot at love.

But what does the future hold for Love on the Spectrum?

Will Love on the Spectrum return for season 5?

Yes, Netflix has confirmed that the dating show will come back for a fifth series.

The streaming giant has also teased what’s in store. “In Season 5, Love on the Spectrum will follow a group of neurodivergent daters as they navigate the confusing world of relationships,” they shared.

“By learning the inexplicable rules of dating (rule No. 1: don’t say “I love you” on the first date) and embracing the many intricacies of communication styles and sensory sensitivities, the romantic hopefuls offer an unfiltered look at life and love on the spectrum.”

The news comes as fan favourite Connor Tomlinson shared his own major update.

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‘Dearest gentle reader’, as the fourth season of Bridgerton follows second son Benedict love story, there’s a way to watch this fairytale-like season for less.

Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan. This lets customers watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes the new season of Bridgerton.

Is Connor returning for Love on the Spectrum season 5?

Connor has confirmed that he will not return to the show for series five. He told Variety that three seasons were “enough to tell his story”.

“It is with humility and a heavy heart that I share I will not be partaking in season five,” he told the publication. Connor went on to joke: “I’ve chosen to pass the torch to the next person who can make it as big as me.”

But it probably won’t be the last time fans see the Netflix star as he is venturing into acting.

He explained: “Don’t worry about me — I’m still going to be in the acting business, especially voice work. I’ve always been a huge fan of animation and would love to be involved with a TV show.”

Love on the Spectrum is streaming now on Netflix.

WASHINGTON — President Trump warned that a “whole civilization will die” on Tuesday night if Iran does not meet his deadline to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions as diplomatic talks to end the war remain underway.

“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump wrote Tuesday morning on Truth Social. “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”

The extraordinary threat signaled Trump’s willingness to authorize U.S. military strikes on Iranian infrastructure — including bridges and power plants —- if the United States and Tehran are unable to reach a ceasefire deal by a Trump-imposed deadline of 5 p.m. PDT on Tuesday.

Trump has a history of issuing deadline in diplomatic standoffs, only to quietly walk them back when they pass without resolution. But Trump’s warning on Tuesday stood apart as it invoked apocalyptic language that goes well beyond his previous ultimatums.

The threat came a day after Trump indicated that a ceasefire proposal communicated by mediators in the Middle East ahead of the deadline was insufficient. He called the offer “not good enough,” but acknowledged it as a “significant step” in negotiations.

Trump declined to provide details on the ceasefire negotiations on Monday, but he has made clear that a core part of the negotiations hinges on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passes flows through daily.

On Tuesday morning, Iranian leaders remained defiant ahead of the looming deadline.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X that “more than 14 million proud Iranians have so far registered to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran.”

“I too have been, am, and will remain devoted to giving my life for Iran,” Pezeshkian wrote ahead of the looming deadline.

Trump on Monday mused about taking control of the waterway and charging tolls for passage, as well as taking control of Iranian oil.

“If it were up to me, I’d take the oil, keep the oil and make plenty of money,” Trump told reporters at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

Iranian officials on Monday rejected a ceasefire proposal, calling American demands “both highly excessive and unusual, as well as illogical.”

The ceasefire proposals have been communicated through mediators from Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey, according to the Associated Press.

After Iranians rejected the American proposal, Trump said at a news briefing on Monday that the U.S. military was prepared to strike Iran’s vital infrastructure if a deal cannot be reached.

The president has also dismissed questions that targets to infrastructure would amount to war crimes because it would impact civilians.

“You know what’s a war crime? Allowing a sick country with demented leadership to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.

Mauricio Pochettino said last month that he plans to take the U.S. national team to the semifinals of this summer’s World Cup. If that’s the case, he’d better buy tickets because there’s no way the Americans are getting to that game on the field.

In its two March friendlies, the U.S. was blitzed by Belgium 5-2 and Portugal 2-0. By way of comparison, Mexico played the same two teams, in reverse order, to draws.

But wait, it gets worse. Because from the smoldering ruins of that mess, Pochettino has less than two months to choose a roster for the World Cup, a tournament U.S. Soccer has been pointing to for eight years.

Yet the March friendlies raised more questions than they answered — and it’s too late to start over.

“Right now, it’s just not enough,” DaMarcus Beasley, a four-time World Cup player, told TNT Sports. “We want to see these players compet[ing] and creating chances and being hard to play against every single match. Right now, it’s not happening.”

Pochettino ran the March training camp like an audition rather than settling on a starting 11 and trying to win games. He experimented with Tim Weah at outside back, where he has played for his club teams, and tried unsuccessfully to shake Christian Pulisic out of a career-long scoreless streak by playing him as a striker.

But he seems unable to solve some of the core issues plaguing the team. The U.S., which hasn’t posted a clean sheet since September, has become an error-prone mess on defense, with Pochettino’s wide, attack-minded approach revealing a structural fragility that has left the Americans’ thin back line exposed.

Consider the two goals in the Portugal loss. The first came after a turnover at midfield that led to a lightning-quick counterattack and the second on a poorly defended corner in which the Americans kept seven players in the six-yard box, leaving João Félix all alone at the top of the penalty area.

Behind the defense, no one has stepped up to seize the starting job in goal. Matt Turner, so spectacular four years ago in Qatar, gave up as many goals as he made saves against Belgium. And while Matt Freese was markedly better against Portugal, that was just his 14th international start.

Those are just the lowlights of the myriad issues facing Pochettino’s team.

Pulisic, the talisman who was supposed to carry the U.S., has gone cold. He hasn’t scored for the U.S. since November 2024 and hasn’t scored for his club team, AC Milan, this year. So Pochettino used him as a No. 9 against Portugal, a role Pulisic has made clear he does not like.

Christian Pulisic, left, controls the ball during an international friendly against Portugal on March 31.

(Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)

It didn’t work, with Pulisic extending his goal-less streak to 15 games for club and country.

Tyler Adams, the captain in Qatar, has been saddled by injury and hasn’t played for the national team since September; right back Sergiño Dest, who started all four games in Qatar, is also hurt; center back Tim Ream, at 38, suddenly looks his age; and Gio Reyna, who has been unable to win a starting job on three teams in two countries since Qatar, nonetheless keeps getting called to the national team with little affect.

In the middle of it all is Pochettino, the highest-paid coach in U.S. Soccer history, who, despite a stellar resume as a club coach, has failed to find a consistent winning formula on the international level. In its 18 months under Pochettino, the national team has gone 11-2-1 against teams outside the FIFA top 25 and just 2-7-1 against teams ranked 25th or higher, according to ESPN. It has also lost eight consecutive games to European rivals.

Guess which kinds of teams the U.S. will have to beat to get to the semifinals of the World Cup?

It wasn’t supposed to be this way, of course. After failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the U.S. team was ripped down to its foundation and built anew. Interim manager Dave Sarachan was tasked with reconstructing a roster that had grown old and stagnant, and in his 12 months in charge he gave a record 23 players — including nine who made the team for the last World Cup — their international debuts. With an average age of 25, the squad in Qatar was the second-youngest World Cup team in U.S. history.

But Qatar was just a trial run. The real goal was to have a mature, experienced team ready for this summer when the World Cup would be played at home. A deep run could fuel the kind of transformation the 1994 tournament in the U.S. achieved.

Instead, the U.S. team has regressed.

“It feels like four years have gone down the drain,” said ESPN’s Herculez Gomez, another former World Cup player.

Fortunately, the U.S. was drawn into a soft group for the World Cup. And because the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams means just 16 countries will be eliminated in the first round, even a poorly built American team should advance.

But the semifinals? Not this team and not in this tournament. To do that the U.S. would have to be better than at least four teams on a list that includes England, France, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Morocco, Brazil and the Netherlands. We already know it’s not better than Belgium or Portugal.

It might not even win its group now that Turkey, a top 25 team which beat the U.S. 2-1 last June, has qualified. And a stumble early in the tournament would make the kind of deep run Pochettino promised that much more difficult.

“We are so close to the World Cup,” Pochettino said after the Portugal loss. “But I think we are intelligent enough to know what we need to do.”

Buy tickets was not supposed to be the answer.

⚽ You have read the latest installment of On Soccer with Kevin Baxter. The weekly column takes you behind the scenes and shines a spotlight on unique stories. Listen to Baxter on this week’s episode of the “Corner of the Galaxy” podcast.

AFTER just one day of emergency scenario training and mastering the art of the trolley service, I’ve learnt more about life at 30,000ft than in all my years of flying.

It takes five weeks for Virgin Atlantic cabin crew to earn their wings (qualifying to fly as cabin crew) – I had less than eight hours.

Recently, I joined Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Group 1000’ – the landmark 1,000th cabin crew intake to train at the Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE) centre in Gatwick – which is part of the world’s largest civil aviation training network.

And across the day I discovered things I never knew about cabin crew and some brilliant tips for when you fly…

Dashing in red

For these recruits, getting their uniform isn’t like getting dressed for school: it’s a rite of passage.

One Group 1000 crew member even told me that getting your ‘red threads’ is like your unofficial graduation before getting your wings.

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Having explored Virgin Atlantic’s ‘uniform boutique,’ I knew exactly why.

It’s like stepping into a walk-in wardrobe drenched in two shades of red – bright and burgundy.

Pro tip: Next time you’re on board, look at the shoes.

Female cabin crew will be wearing red ballet flats during the flight for comfort and safety, but pop on their signature red heels when back on the solid ground.

In case of emergency

Donning the iconic Vivienne Westwood red uniform, I was ready to join Group 1000 for the day – though they had already been training for four-and-a-half weeks and had now been wearing their uniform for a few days.

Moving from glamour to grit, I got a sneak peak at what it is like to train for emergencies by sitting in on a scenario with trainees where the cabin filled with smoke.

With noises of the plane grumbling and smoke weaving between rows of seats, it didn’t feel like a movie – it felt terrifyingly real.

Watching the crew spring into action, one shouted “I’m coordinator” while another shouted “I’m the firefighter”.

By defining roles, each cabin crew member knows their responsibilities in the emergency.

The coordinator got to work, ushering passengers away from the smoke; this is the person you must listen to.

The firefighter then calmly investigated the area, using the back of their hand to feel if the panels of the side of the plane were warm.

When they found a ‘burning’ iPad (which you might hear them calling a PED (Personal Electronic Device)) another member of the cabin crew opened a special lithium battery fire bag – a piece of kit not every airline has.

It allows cabin crew to seal off the device and the flight to continue as normal.

My biggest surprise, during another training exercise, is that you may not even know a fire is happening.

When a small fire emerged in the area cabin crew prepare food, it was dealt with quickly, without alarming passengers, and the flight was able to continue unaffected.

Cracking the codes

Whoever thought in-flight food service could be so complicated?

I certainly didn’t until I learnt that cabin crew actually have to memorise 14 different food options, each with a specific letter code.

For example, ‘VGML’ means Vegan Meal and ‘CHML’ means child’s meal and will usually be chicken nuggets or pasta.

Passengers can of course request a meal before flying, depending on their needs.

For flying with kids, this can be extremely useful to ensure picky kids get an easy meal or a baby gets fruit or veg pouches or a jar of baby food when ‘BBML’ is requested.

There’s even a ‘DBML’ Diet Balanced Meal, which is generally low in sugar, low in salt and low in fat.

Virgin Atlantic also caters for a variety of religions, including a ‘VJML’ Vegetarian Jain Meal, which is prepared according to strict Jain dietary customs and will be in a plastic bag that the passenger opens themselves.

Trolley service secrets

One of the best things about a long haul flight is the free alcohol.

On flights, it comes as a double measure (50ml) and you’ll get a can of mixer.

But don’t be afraid to ask for a second can of mixer if you don’t like your drink strong – they will be more than happy to give it to you.

Virgin Atlantic cabin crew will also make you a cocktail if they have the ingredients.

For example, they can make a Bloody Mary and even have Worcestershire sauce for you to add to it.

They can also make a Screwdriver (orange and vodka) and even have a pre-made Mojito mix that can be drunk on its own or with rum.

Note – they will never ‘lampshade’ (where the cup is placed upside down over the top of a can) as no one knows what might have come into contact with the top of the drinks can…

Avoiding jet lag

Another Pro Tip: If you are on a long-haul flight and want to avoid jet lag, it is best to eat in line with the times of your destination.

For example, say you normally eat lunch at 12pm.

You shouldn’t eat when it is 12pm in the place you have flown from, but instead when it is 12pm at the destination you are flying to.

This helps your body’s circadian rhythm (its internal 24-hour clock) to adjust to your destination’s time zone, helping to reduce jet lag.

Something I will definitely be doing on all my flights in the future is taking electrolytes with me on board.

Group 1000 informed me that flying is highly dehydrating, hence why you should always have water on a flight and remember to drink it.

As such, cabin crew swear by electrolytes as it helps give your body minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium that are essential for hydration, muscle function, nerve signalling and pH balance.

By keeping hydrated, you can also better manage jet lag.

For more cabin crew tips, one air steward has flown to thousands of destinations and here are three reasons why UK holidays beat them all.

Plus, a Jet2 cabin crew member shares the affordable holiday spot they go back to every year with highs of 18C in January.

A woman who moved to Valencia in June 2024 has shared the unexpected discovery about Spanish city life that ‘no one ever warns you about’ – but she insists it’s not necessarily a bad thing

An expat has shared the unexpected discovery she made after moving to Spain that “no one ever warns you about”, completely transforming her preconceptions of living overseas. The woman, who moved to Valencia in June 2024, has described how the actual experience fell somewhat short of her mental picture of a perpetually lively, thriving Spanish metropolis – though she insists it’s not entirely negative.

Sharing on TikTok under the handle @togethertowherever, she detailed how she was initially taken aback to discover substantial portions of the city appearing deserted during particular periods. She stated: “Valencia in August: one minute it’s buzzing… the next it’s a ghost town. Locals disappear, shops close, and suddenly you’ve got the whole city to yourself (and the tourists).”

The expat continued by clarifying that the scorching weather in Spain is a significant factor, with temperatures climbing so dramatically throughout the summer that numerous residents abandon the city entirely.

Valencia generally starts warming from approximately May, when temperatures sit around 23C on average.

This subsequently increases during early summer, hitting roughly 27C in June, before reaching its peak at about 29C throughout July and August.

After summer, temperatures steadily decline once more, with conditions becoming markedly cooler during autumn.

Throughout the winter period, from approximately November through April, the climate typically stabilises between about 19C and 14C, creating a considerably cooler yet still reasonably temperate environment when compared to numerous other European destinations.

She continued: “I just thought of something that was shocking to me when I first moved to Spain.

“I remember walking around thinking it was so quiet here. I thought I moved to a vibrant, energetic country and culture. I was walking around and realised the streets were really dead.

“As the summer starts and school is out, people start leaving town because it gets so hot and humid here. Slowly, starting in June, every day I notice more and more, the streets are quieter.

“In August, I notice tourists around and then September came about and everyone was back and it lively again and I was like, ‘Okay, that’s what I thought it was going to be like’.”

Baffled by this seasonal transformation, she questioned: “Anyone else feel that post-school exodus energy?”

Her clip generated discussion online, with one viewer responding: “Oh interesting because in winter it was busy!”

Someone else sought guidance, posting: “What area would you recommend for a family with kids of school age? Ideally we would love to live closer to school, we are starting the moving process for next summer and I’m so confused.”

The content creator answered: “There are lots of public schools as well as concertados. The international schools are the ones out of town a bit. I think on either side of Turia Gardens is great for families.”

Even if you don’t want to commit to island-life fulltime, it’s perfect for a weekend away

Picture your dream place to live. You may have conjured up images of an island with sandy beaches, clear waters and palm trees swaying in the breeze. If so, there is a slice of this island life closer to home than you might think (minus the palm trees).

Anglesey is the seventh largest island in the British Isles, covering an area of around 275 square miles. It’s known for its amazing beaches, which range from picturesque coves to vast sandy stretches. The island and many of its locations are frequently at the top of best-of travel lists and guides. Earlier this year, Time Out named Anglesey one of the best places to visit in the UK in 2026 and last year it was named the UK’s ‘best island’ by The Telegraph. Most recently, it was named one of the best places to live in the UK in 2026 by The Sunday Times, which described it as “a landscape of rolling greenery set against the cinematic, jagged backdrop of Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula”.

It goes on to mention that the town of Menai Bridge is home to the island’s best shops and restaurants with views that are a “delight”, while Beaumaris is the island’s “artistic anchor”. And it adds: “Aberffraw, Benllech and Trearddur Bay are lively seaside villages, and there’s wildness and warm community spirit to be found in more remote corners of the island.”

The Sunday Times guide is designed to showcase places to live and highlights the average house price on the island is £270,500 but for those who just fancy a taste of island life, then a holiday in Anglesey — or even a day or weekend trip — does the job. And the aforementioned Menai Bridge is a great place to stay if you fancy the hustle and bustle of town life.

In fact, this year the Menai Suspension Bridge celebrates its 200th anniversary so there’s no better time to visit. Designed by Thomas Telford, the bridge reaches 1,265ft long with a central span of 579ft and is an impressive sight to behold.

In Beaumaris you’ll find pastel-coloured buildings and the impressive Beaumaris Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Edward I with his architect James of St George, it followed on from the castles of Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech. The fortress was huge with near-perfect symmetry but a lack of money and trouble in Scotland meant the castle was abandoned. But its magnificent walls still stand.

Anglesey’s beaches are a must for any visitor. In fact, given the coastline stretches for 125 miles, it’s pretty hard to avoid them. Close to the village of Aberffraw in the south west, you’ll find Traeth Mawr, a vast sandy beach backed by powdery dunes with gorgeous views over the mainland.

The beach connects to the Anglesey Coastal Path, a long distance coastal path which, as you’ve guessed, follows much of the island’s coastline. It takes around 12 days to complete, but obviously you can select shorter sections to do.

Of course, The Sunday Times does shine a light on one of Anglesey’s most scenic locations: Newborough Beach and the tidal Llanddwyn Island with its rolling sand dunes and rock outcrops. This “stunning spot” is a place steeped in legend and home to the remains of St Dwynwen’s Church, named after the Welsh patron saint of lovers, who fled to the island after she was forbidden to marry the man she loved.

Newborough Forest is a spectacular site in itself with towering corian pines growing beside the sand dunes of Newborough Warren. It’s also the perfect spot to see red squirrels, after they were introduced in 2004.

FROM beautiful islands and incredible beaches, Italy has everything you need for a summer holiday – which is why it welcomes around 70million tourists in peak season.

Now, it’s cracking down on overtourism and is putting in place new rules that could affect your next break, from day trip fees to a lack of outdoor dining.

Tourist taxes

Plenty of Brits will flock to Venice this summer to see its incredible waterways.

For anyone taking a day trip to the city from other Italian hotspots, you will have to pay a tourist charge.

In 2026, day trippers will have to pay a fee if they visit from Friday to Sunday in April, May, June, and July.

The day trip access fee is €5 (£4.36) per person for anyone over age 14, if booked in advance.

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If a trip is booked less than four days in advance this increases to €10 (£8.72) – visitors can ‘reserve’ a day in Venice here.

You don’t have to pay the day trip tax if you’ve booked an overnight stay.

Another spot that has introduced tourist tax is the lower area of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

The fountain in the heart of the city is known to be a beloved influencer spot, and to combat overcrowding, it’s introduced a Rome a €2 (£1.75) charge.

This charge applies daily from 9AM to 10PM (or 9PM depending on official updates) for access to the steps nearest the water.

But if you head to the upper piazza, viewing the fountain remains free.

Outdoor dining bans

While you can still enjoy eating outside in the sunshine, Florence has seriously cut down on the amount of outdoor dining.

In streets around Ponte Vecchio like Piazzale degli Uffizi and Via Roma, you won’t find any outdoor dining spaces whatsoever.

And around 73 other surrounding streets, there’s a restriction on the number of seats on the pathways in an effort to combat congestion.

While some restaurateurs aren’t happy with the new rules, locals have said the new rules are needed as the narrow streets can’t cope with the outdoor terraces.

Some said it had made roads unliveable, and like an “obstacle course”.

From April 1, 2026, Florence will also ban rental e-scooters in the city center.

For more summer breaks – here are our favourite TUI holidays…

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Globales Montemar, Ibiza

This hotel sits on a quieter side of Ibiza, so you can soak up the island’s natural beauty away from the party crowds. This family-friendly option has a large pool that curves around the resort, surrounded by plenty of sunbeds, plus a kids zone. Here you’re just a 10-minute stroll from a horseshoe-shaped bay with clear waters.

BOOK HERE

Hotel Club Jandia Princess, Fuerteventura

This resort is set up like a small village, with low-rise buildings set among palm trees and six different swimming pools. Entertainment spans from DJ nights to bingo and live sports screenings, plus sports on offer include water polo, rifle shooting and shuffleboard.

BOOK HERE

Gavimar Cala Gran Costa Del Sur, Majorca

This hotel sits on Majorca‘s Cala Gran Beach, a beautiful cove just a short drive away from the coastal town centre, with its trinket shops and relaxed bars. The hotel itself has all the activities and entertainment you’d expect, including bingo and live music – as well as some unique extras like mini golf and archery. Week-long breaks start from £478pp.

BOOK HERE 

Riu Baobab, Senegal

The Riu Baobab is the only TUI hotel in the country, situated on the Pointe Sarane coastline. There are the four huge pools overlooking the beach, swim up pool bars and a copious amount of sunloungers to choose from. The sushi at the Asian Dorayaki and the pasta dishes at Veneto are the highlight meals of this standout hotel. Week-long breaks start from £883pp.

BOOK HERE

Tourist caps

The island of Capri is incredibly busy during the summer, seeing as many as 50,000 visitors each day during July and August.

To minimise disruption to locals, it’s introducing some new rules.

In order not to block the narrow streets on the island, etiquette similar to travelling on the tube has been requested for large groups – stay on the right on the way up and left on the way down.

When it comes to tour groups, each must be a maximum of 40 people in an attempt to control overcrowding.

And tour guides that lead more than 20 tourists at a time use wireless earpieces rather than loudspeakers.

It’s not just Capri cracking down on the amount of tourists visiting at one time.

In the Dolomites, a ski resort called Madonna di Campiglio, has been limiting daily passes to 15,000 – rather than the usual 23,000.

In other places, a time slot is must be booked before entry, like the Via dell’Amore hiking path at Cinque Terre in the Liguria region.

Here’s more on Italy from one Sun Writer that visited one of Italy’s busiest towns off season.

And here are the insider tips from one writer who lives in Europe’s biggest tourist-trap cities.

In July 1943, Allied troops landed in Sicily. Mussolini was overthrown and imprisoned by his former colleagues in the Fascist government. In September, Italy signed an armistice with the Allies. The German army began the occupation of Italy and Mussolini was rescued by German commandos. He was installed as the leader of a new government, but had little power. As the Allies advanced northwards through Italy, Mussolini fled towards Switzerland. He was captured by Italian partisans and shot on 28 April 1945.

Loose Women’s Penny Lancaster shared insights into her marriage to Sir Rod Stewart and revealed how they keep their spark alive after 26 years together

Penny Lancaster has opened up about the secret behind her successful marriage to Rod Stewart. The couple have been together for 26 years, tying the knot in 2007 and going on to welcome two sons, Alastair Stewart and Aiden Stewart.

Penny, 55, Rod’s third wife and his longest marriage to date, shared what has helped keep their relationship strong – and the main reason might come as a surprise.

According to the former model, spending weeks apart has played a huge role in keeping things exciting. She told Best Magazine: “We don’t [live in each other’s pockets] and time apart helps keep the spark alive.”

At the time of the interview, the pair had been apart for three weeks and were planning on reuniting.

She told the publication: “We’re desperately missing each other and have been counting down the days. Rod generally has a driver pick him up from the airport, but I’m meeting him because we can’t wait to see each other. Right from the start of our 26 years together, we’ve spent time apart.”

Reflecting on the first year of their relationship, Penny said she had been studying photography in the UK while Rod was based in the US, meaning much of their time together was spent communicating through a screen.

“We’d spend hours and hours on the phone talking about everything, including photography and paintings,” she revealed.

Sharing more about her husband away from the spotlight, she added: “Rod has a deeply, spiritual, sensitive and artistic side. That’s what he’s like underneath it all.

“That’s the real man. He can be quite demanding and he does require a lot of attention, but that’s fine because I’m good at giving it,” she added.

In the same interview, the Loose Women star said effort was key to their relationship, revealing the pair make sure to have regular date nights – whether that’s going to the theatre or enjoying “long romantic walks” together.

She also said the couple still “flirt with each other and make each other laugh” to keep the intimacy alive. “We don’t take each other for granted,” she added.

Penny is Rod’s third wife, following his marriages to Rachel Hunter and Alana Stewart.

Alongside the two sons he shares with Penny, Rod is also father to six other children – Sarah, Kimberly, Ruby, Renee, Sean and Liam.

Previously opening up about fatherhood, the Maggie May hitmaker admitted he has had to be “several different fathers” due to the large age gaps between his children.

His eldest daughter, Sarah Streeter, whom he shares with a former partner, is 62, while his youngest child with Penny is 14.

According to MailOnline, he added: “You really have to treat all of them as individuals with individual problems. As a dad, I’ve learned to listen and not blow my top.”

A look at the top 20 high school softball teams in the Southland as ranked by CalHiSports.com for The Times.

Rk.; Last ranking; School; Record

1. (1) Murrieta Mesa, 15-0

2. (3) Norco, 14-2

3. (2) Fullerton, 16-2

4. (8) Etiwanda, 15-1

5. (5) La Mirada, 18-2

6. (NR) Ganesha,11-2

7. (7) Orange Lutheran,10-5

8. (4) JSerra, 14-2

9. (6) Oaks Christian, 13-1

10. (9) M.L. King, 14-4

11. (12) Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 12-3

12. (NR) Downey, 16-4

13.(10) Chino Hills, 13-6

14. (NR) Cypress, 13-5

15. (NR) California, 14-3

16. (11) Chaminade, 10-2-1

17. (18) Garden Grove Pacifica, 12-6

18. (14) La Habra, 14-5

19. (20) Anaheim Canyon, 12-8

20. (19) Westlake, 12-3-1

The finance expert has said these could help make travelling much smoother

Martin Lewis has said that Brits going abroad should have up to five essential items in their dedicated ‘holiday wallet’. These important items could make travelling much easier, and in some cases, cheaper, through one simple money-saving technique.

According to the Money Saving Expert (MSE) website, founded by Martin Lewis, he has previously suggested that people set aside a separate wallet or purse for use only when abroad. He recommends keeping five items inside at all times, even when you get back to the UK, to make future holidays ‘easier’.

The financial broadcaster calls this his ‘overseas wallet or purse‘, and he has followed this advice for decades. In the 2013 blog post, the ITV regular said: “I genuinely have a second wallet I pick up when I go abroad. Not to better match my overseas shoes, but as a MoneySaving arsenal to ensure that when I am away, I get more bang for my buck.”

Starting with some of the most common and relevant to the average traveller. Martin suggested that this wallet should have a specific bank card for overseas use.

He said: “Everyone who regularly travels abroad should hold a specialist overseas credit card. This isn’t about borrowing, it’s simply an easy vehicle to get the best exchange rates in every country.

“Spending abroad on most plastic should be avoided. While banks and building societies themselves get the nigh-on perfect Visa/Mastercard wholesale rate, they then add a 3% load to what they charge us.” If you can’t get a credit card or don’t want one, prepay cards are effectively an electronic traveller’s cheque.

Martin wrote: “Load it up with cash in advance and use it while away. If you lose it, no problem, pay a replacement fee and the cash is re-credited.”

If you frequent the same country or region often, cash leftover from previous trips. Although it can be tempting to swap anything back into pounds straight away, it could be a welcome surprise for future trips – whether that be a few months, a year or more later.

If people are often travelling in European countries, such as Spain, France, Italy, and Greece, it might be worth keeping a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) in their travel wallet for emergency medical care . It is free on the official NHS site and lets UK travellers access state-run healthcare in EU countries and Switzerland for certain medical costs, often at the same price locals pay.

These cards don’t replace travel insurance, which you’ll need for things such as cancellations, private hospitals or repatriation. Check the expiry date at the bottom right of your card now, as many could be travelling with expired cards.

For anyone who drives abroad, keep your original driving license handy (and remember to swap it out of any physical travel wallets before packing them away). Martin said: “As well as the obvious car hire advantages, it’s also useful as ID, which is often demanded when paying by card.”

For those planning to drive outside the European Union, it’s either recommended or compulsory in 140 countries to have an International Driving Permit as well as your UK licence. The AA has a country-by-country guide to what’s needed here.

When travelling further afield, and over to the United States, a copy of your ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) number will be handy to keep close. An ESTA lasts for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Once it runs out, you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Although you don’t need to present the reference number at Border Protection when you land in the US, print or screenshot it and bring it to the airport. That’s because some airlines may require it at check-in, so check with yours.

Martin also said: “My wallet’s also packed with unspent small euro and dollar notes. After all, why pay to change back £30 or £40 of foreign currency? Leave it sitting for next time.” Martin also recommends keeping a photocopy of your passport. He said: “Just in case my passport goes missing, the key details can be very useful.”

Global affairs journalist Tara Kangarlou notes a growing shift, as some Iranians who initially believed that the US and its allies could bring stability are now rejecting that idea after over a month of attacks.

With Gustavo Dudamel’s final season as music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic reaching its homestretch, the orchestra has announced the appointment of its latest not music director. Anna Handler, a former Dudamel fellow and rapidly rising young conductor, will be given the new title of conductor-in-residence for the next three seasons.

She will spend three weeks each season conducting the orchestra at Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, as well as working with students at the Beckmen YOLA Center in Inglewood. In a phone call from Boston, where she serves as assistant conductor at the Boston Symphony, she says she is also strongly driven by technology and wants to explore all kinds of projects with the latest devises.

“The sky is the limit,” Handler exclaims with the boundless enthusiasm that is said to have won over the orchestra and the administration.

That might include, she further fantasizes, a technology tool you don’t even notice but that focuses your attention to sound vibrations the way glasses give clarity to blurry vision. “Why not glasses for the ears?” she excitedly asks.

Kim Noltemy, the L.A. Phil president and chief executive, says Handler’s appointment does not necessarily imply the orchestra won’t ultimately find a music director who can oversee the bigger picture of the world’s most artistically diverse, expansive and wealthy orchestra. But the L.A. Phil has so many fingers in so many pies that no one person can do it all.

Meanwhile, the L.A. Phil now adds what it has been missing in what the institution calls its team of creative collaborators. As creative director, former music director Esa-Pekka Salonen will spend six weeks a season helping envision what a 21st century symphony orchestra might look like. John Adams continues his role as creative chair as do early music specialist Emmanuelle Haïm (artist collaborator), Herbie Hancock (creative chair for jazz) and Zubin Mehta (conductor emeritus). None, however, is younger than 60. Handler turns 30 this month.

Born in France, she grew up in Germany and is Colombian German. Both her parents are electrical engineers, whom she says her love for technology come from. And she notes that her roots also make her feel at home with the L.A. Phil. She connects with Salonen’s pioneering fascination with technology and the orchestra. With a Colombian mom, she is readily attuned to Dudamel’s Venezuelan heritage. Like her, Salonen, Dudamel and Mehta first began working with the L.A. Phil in their 20s.

Handler’s appointment came, she says, as a surprise. It was after her conducting the L.A. Phil at Disney last month that the orchestra suddenly sprang the idea of a residency beginning almost immediately with the 2026-27 season, even though the Bowl and fall seasons are already planned. Noltemy puts it to the fact that Handler and the orchestra simply got caught up in her energy.

Handler says she jumped at the chance to return to L.A. even though she would be beginning her first season of her first music director job at the Ulster Orchestra in Ireland. A pianist who loves chamber music (which she says will make part of her L.A. residencies), she also becomes artist in residence of the Beethoven House in Bonn, Germany. But, she excitedly exclaims, “At the L.A. Phil you can dream big. And if you have any big ideas, please tell me about them.”

He excitement over music education and community outreach also proved a draw. At 17, she formed her own student orchestra, which performed in schools, old age homes, prisons, all over. And she points out that she is young enough to feel relatively close in age to the students at YOLA, or Youth Orchestra Los Angeles. She describes one of her missions in life as getting young people involved with classical music.

“My long-term dream,” she proclaims, “is to build a Disney World for classical music.” There could be a Beethoven’s Fifth ride. She imagines melody, rhythm, harmony and form as little creatures whom we follow on their journey through the piece. “I’m all about decoding the rhythms of the music,” she adds.

Tellingly, Handler had already been scheduled to be the first conductor to follow Dudamel’s final Hollywood Bowl concert as L.A. Phil music director this summer at the iconic L.A. venue. It features Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Her two programs at Disney next season include West Coast premieres of Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 15 (“Lincoln”), which the composer recently withdrew from the Kennedy Center, and John Williams’ recent Piano Concerto.

Sorry, Orlando. Southern California is the theme park capital of the world. Yes, I believe that.

A brief history: Knott’s Berry Farm created a framework that allowed Disneyland to invent the theme park, which Universal Studios tweaked. SoCal innovations, all of them — and the industry remains centered here.

Theme parks are integral to SoCal life. They’re institutions, as familiar as Dodger Stadium, Griffith Park or the Getty. Many of us grew up going to the parks and have archives of fading photos to prove it.

That’s why The Times is launching its first-ever theme park newsletter, a weekly guide to what matters and how to best experience these themed wonderlands. Welcome to Mr. Todd’s Wild Ride, where I’ll take you on my adventures in make-believe, share news and tips, and go deep on the hidden artistry behind SoCal’s most beloved attractions. (Sign up, and we’ll be in your inbox soon.)

Why theme parks are magical

Maybe you haven’t been to a theme park in a while. And maybe that’s intentional. Yes, ticket prices increase every year, crowds frustrate and your ankle will probably be struck by a stroller. But theme parks are art. They’re meticulously designed, as real as our ability to pretend. Few spaces exist in which so many artistic endeavors collide: architecture, costuming, landscaping, animation, engineering, urban design and more. The delight is in the details.

Theme parks are more than an escape — they reflect and respond to culture. Maybe these are simply the ramblings of a Disney adult and fan of all theme parks, but I won’t apologize for seeking joy, wonder and play. It’s what’s needed right now.

I visit theme parks regularly — probably too often by some people’s standards — but I’m excited every time. The key is to stop viewing them as a checklist of activities. So as we enter the busy spring break and summer seasons, here are some ways to develop a deeper appreciation (and simply have more fun) at our most iconic parks.

Embrace the Disneyland classics

I received pushback when I declared It’s a Small World the best attraction at the Anaheim resort, but hear me out. The ride is designed in the look of animator turned theme park artist Mary Blair, reflective of her color clashes and childlike whimsy. It’s akin to a boat trip through an art gallery. No other attraction is so reflective of a singular art style. The facade, designed by renown Disney Imagineer Rolly Crump and inspired by Blair, mixes glistening white metals and fiberglass with gold leaf accents that nod to the Eiffel Tower, Tower of Pisa, a Dutch windmill and more. How many more landmarks can you spot amid the jagged edges and byzantine shapes?

Fun fact: Legend tells that Disneyland used the entire U.S. supply of gold leaf to make the facade. Germany, apparently, came to the rescue.

Don’t skip a ride on the greatest tram tour ever built

Visitors enter the set of Jupiter’s Claim from the movie “Nope” while taking the Universal Studios tram tour in May 2023.

(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Universal Studios’ World-Famous Tram Tour, as it is officially designated, is the most important modern theme park attraction in America. The slow-moving backlot trek existed long before Universal Studios had a theme park, but it changed the industry.

In 1976, one year after Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” opened, the studio put guests face-to-face with a 24-foot shark. Never before had a cultural phenomenon like “Jaws” been so quickly replicated in a theme park. “Ride the movies” is a phrase coined by Spielberg, and it’s an industrywide trend that hasn’t stopped.

Fun fact: Universal consulted submarine builders General Dynamics to construct a shark that could survive long term under water.

Spend an afternoon in America’s first theme park

Knott’s Berry Farm’s entrance as parkgoers ride the Silver Bullet roller coaster behind it in May 2021.

(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

There are times I go to Knott’s Berry Farm and never leave its Ghost Town area, which predates Disneyland and is filled with oddities. A toy shop, for instance, sells actual puppets, and a train ride still features a staged robbery. The park also just remodeled its 72-year-old Bird Cage Theatre, home to outrageous vaudeville-style shows, where a young Steve Martin once performed. It’s a rarity these days to have live theater at a theme park.

Fun fact: The theater’s facade is a replica of the original Bird Cage in Tombstone, Ariz., which has long had a bawdy reputation.

So I hope you’ll sign up for Mr. Todd’s Wild Ride, where we’ll geek out on the history, the artistry and the future of these spaces. Have a theme park question? Email me, and I hope to answer it in an upcoming edition of the newsletter. Life is tough. We can all use more fun.

Today’s top stories

Billionaire Tom Steyer speaks during Jewish California: Governor 2026 Candidate Forum at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 26.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

Billionaire candidate for California governor faces criticism

• Tom Steyer, a Democratic candidate for California governor, faces mounting criticism over his former hedge fund’s prior investments in private prisons now housing undocumented immigrants.
• Steyer says he deeply regrets the investment and left his hedge fund 14 years ago and has since spent hundreds of millions on Democratic causes, particularly efforts to fight climate change.

Artemis II crew flies past the moon

• NASA’s Artemis II crew flew past the moon Monday, traveling farther from Earth than any humans in history and becoming the first to see some sections of the moon’s far side in the sunlight with the naked eye.
• The four astronauts described the far side in eloquent detail: Geometric patterns of browns, blues and greens amid the moon’s typical shades of gray.

L.A.-based relatives of a deceased Iranian leader were arrested

• The niece and grand-niece of an Iranian general have been arrested by immigration agents after the niece celebrated the Iranian leadership and denigrated the U.S.
• The general’s daughter has disputed the family connection, according to Iranian media, which has quoted a statement attributed to her saying that the two women bear no relation to the general.

What else is going on

Commentary and opinions

This morning’s must read

For your downtime

State Route 78.

(Josh Jackson)

Going out

Staying in

And finally … your photo of the day

The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne travels over the Coachella 2004 crowd in an inflated plastic bubble.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Today’s great photo is from Times photographer Robert Gauthier during 2004 Coachella. Here’s a look at The Times’ photos from every year of the festival, including its origins in 1999, legendary performances from Daft Punk, Prince and Beyoncé, and the iconic art installations the festival has hosted over the years.

Have a great day, from the Essential California team

Jim Rainey, staff reporter
Hugo Martín, assistant editor, fast break desk
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
Andrew Campa, weekend writer
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters

How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com. Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on latimes.com.

Welcome back to The Times’ Lakers newsletter, where life comes at you fast.

Only a week ago, the Lakers were winning games and flying high. Quite literally. Remember when Luka Doncic dunked?

Happier times.

Now Doncic and Austin Reaves are both sidelined at least for the rest of the regular season and likely through the first round of the playoffs. The injury updates that came on consecutive days following Thursday’s 43-point loss to Oklahoma City felt like a devastating series of gut punches. Coach JJ Redick often talks about “not letting go of the rope.” The Lakers will have to white-knuckle their way through the next few weeks without their two stars.

Why is Luka Doncic in Europe?

Lakers star Luka Doncic reacts after sustaining a hamstring injury against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2.

(Cooper Neill / Getty Images)

He knows magic. Now Luka Doncic needs medicine to help pull off his next stunning trick.

With the playoffs approaching, Doncic traveled to Europe to seek treatment for his strained left hamstring, his agent, Bill Duffy, confirmed to The Times’ Broderick Turner. The hope is that with specialized treatments, Doncic can speed up what is typically a four- to six-week recovery process and get back in time for at least part of the Lakers postseason, which begins April 18.

Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and stem cell injections are the most common treatments for injuries of this nature, said Kenton Fibel, a primary care sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics.

The biologic injections can speed up healing of injured tissue. PRP injections use the natural growth and anti-inflammatory factors in platelets to promote healing while stem cells harvested from a patient’s bone marrow or adipose tissue similarly help with the regeneration and turnover of the healing tissue into normal muscle tendon tissue, Fibel said.

Top U.S. athletes have gone to Europe to seek the treatments for decades. Kobe Bryant, former Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are among those who’ve crossed the pond for solutions to chronic injuries. But similar treatments are also available in the United States.

In the U.S., only PRP and stem cell injections coming from a patient’s own body are allowed and the cells are not allowed to be manipulated, Fibel said. With looser regulations in Europe, doctors can attempt to increase the concentration of anti-inflammatory factors in a single PRP sample or culture stem cells over days to increase the number of them with hopes of speeding up healing even more.

Whether there is a significant increase in efficacy between the cutting-edge European treatments compared to the U.S. methods is unclear, Fibel said, but an athlete’s decision to pursue treatment often comes down to individual comfort level or prior experiences.

Lakers star Luka Doncic shoots over Brooklyn Nets guard Drake Powell during a Lakers win on March 27.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The ubiquity of degenerative conditions or recurring soft tissue injuries in sports have turned European countries, including Germany and Switzerland, into hot spots for top athletes searching for help.

“These are injuries that are not always that easy to completely prevent, and it’s also not the easiest to always prevent reaggravation,” Fibel said. “And so I think [the new treatments] also comes from a frustration of doing a lot of the treatments and modalities that were used in prior injuries and still having an issue afterwards [so] that they’re searching for something new and different.”

Doncic knows the routine when it comes to hamstring injuries. As a player who thrives on his shifty change of pace, Doncic’s quick start and stop motions put extra load on his hamstrings and put him at risk of reinjury. Another left hamstring strain sidelined him for four games earlier this season.

Now with a Grade 2 injury, Doncic’s timeline for recovery would typically be four to six weeks. A Grade 2 injury shows “true disruption” that involves about 50% of the tissue, Fibel said. The most severe Grade 3 is used to describe a more significant, if not complete, tear of the muscle or tendon. The Lakers have suffered several Grade 2 injuries this season, including Austin Reaves’ latest left oblique strain.

The timing of the injuries couldn’t be worse for the Lakers. Not only do the playoffs begin in less than two weeks, but the Lakers were playing their best basketball of the season before the injuries to Doncic and Reaves. They appeared to be legitimate contenders in the playoffs. Now they must wait to see if Doncic’s super serum turns him into a superhero capable of saving their postseason.

“[Doncic is] going to go through all the necessary things to be back at some point,” Redick said, “and it’s our job again to extend the season so both those guys can get back.”

Scoreboard watching

Lakers star LeBron James reacts during a game against the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 28.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

It’s true what they say: No lead is safe in the NBA.

Just when it looked like the Lakers were likely to finish third in the West, the Nuggets found a rhythm, the Lakers got bitten by the injury bug and the Rockets refused to relent.

Reeling from the loss of their two leading scorers, the Lakers have fallen to fourth in the West with Denver surging on a nine-game winning streak. After an overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, the Nuggets (51-28) have a half-game advantage over the Lakers for the No. 3 seed.

The good news: The Lakers can’t drop below the fifth seed, thanks to Minnesota’s recent slide. They also have an additional cushion from their exceptional March, which gave them head-to-head tiebreakers against Denver and Houston.

I won’t repeat the obvious injury-related bad news.

To drop to fifth, the Lakers have to be 2-2 (or worse) in their last four games, while the Nuggets, who have the head-to-head tiebreaker against Houston, go at least 2-1 and the Rockets (49-29) run the table. The Nuggets have the tougher schedule between the three teams, though, playing both Oklahoma City and San Antonio in the final three games.

Here’s a look at the remaining games for the teams fighting for third, fourth and fifth in the West:

(Thuc Nhi Nguyen / Los Angeles Times)

On tap

Tuesday vs. Thunder (62-16) 7:30 p.m. PDT

The Lakers won’t be able to undo last week’s 43-point loss in Oklahoma City, but a competitive showing in the rematch could at least offer a much-needed confidence boost entering the postseason.

Thursday at Warriors (36-42), 7 p.m.

The Warriors are in position to eke into the play-in tournament as the 10th seed. Believe it or not, this could be the last meeting between LeBron James and Stephen Curry in their illustrious careers as the 41-year-old James enters unrestricted free agency this summer.

Friday vs. Suns (43-35), 7:30 p.m.

Phoenix is currently seventh in the West with a chance to chase down sixth-place Minnesota for a playoff berth. Dillon Brooks recently returned from a fractured left hand that kept him out for about six weeks. The Suns went 9-9 during his absence.

Sunday vs. Jazz (21-58), 5:30 p.m.

The Jazz and the Kings are in a heated race to the bottom of the conference. Losers of nine straight, the Jazz are primarily hoping to keep their top-eight protected draft pick, which was at risk of conveying to Oklahoma City.

Status report

Luka Doncic: left hamstring strain

The Lakers have ruled Doncic out for at least the remainder of the regular season. Doncic previously missed four games with another left hamstring strain, but that same timeline won’t apply because the absence rolled into All-Star weekend, when he made a token appearance in the All-Star Game.

Austin Reaves: left oblique strain

Reaves played through the injury he suffered in the first quarter against the Thunder last week, but was ruled out for the rest of the regular season and he likely will miss the first round of the playoffs. He was injured while reaching for a loose ball.

Marcus Smart: right ankle contusion

Smart will miss his eighth consecutive game Tuesday against the Thunder as his ankle injury has lingered for more than two weeks since he got tangled up with Orlando’s Goga Bitadze. While Smart has worked out with staff members on the court before games, he is still day-to-day for his return.

Favorite thing I ate this week

(Thuc Nhi Nguyen / Los Angeles Times)

When in doubt, consult the L.A. Times. For all the news you need to know, yes, but also about your local food needs. This dinner was brought to you by the L.A. Times’ best 101 restaurants list, which recommended Lalibela on Fairfax for an Ethiopian feast. We started with the lentil sambusa (not pictured), which came with a perfectly spiced herb sauce, and shared the veggie utopia, which hits every note with the restaurant’s most popular vegetarian dishes.

In case you missed it

Injury-riddled Lakers lose to Dallas; Luka Doncic to have medical treatment in Europe

Lakers’ Austin Reaves out for rest of regular season with oblique strain

Luka Doncic’s hamstring strain will keep him out for remainder of the regular season

Lakers star Luka Doncic suffers hamstring injury in reality-check loss to Thunder

After a sizzling March, Lakers face a big playoff test against equally hot Oklahoma City

Luka Doncic matches Michael Jordan for the most magical March in NBA history

LeBron James achieves his 125th career triple-double in Lakers’ win over Wizards

Until next time…

As always, pass along your thoughts to me at thucnhi.nguyen@latimes.com, and please consider subscribing if you like our work!

Passengers must not bring any of these on board planes or pack them in their luggage

People who use budget airline Ryanair for their 2026 travel plans will need to be aware that dozens of items are not allowed on board. Ignoring the list when packing your suitcase or carry-on could mean holidays never make it past the airport.

By now, most people know the basics of what is and is not allowed when heading abroad. These items are usually banned for good reason, such as to keep everyone, including yourself, as well as the staff and other passengers on the plane, safe.

Ryanair has published a full list of items staff will flag as too dangerous to bring on board in any kind of luggage. People who pack these items will likely be stopped by security teams during baggage screening.

People will usually be given the choice to surrender the item if they want to continue with their holiday, provided it is only a minor item, such as liquids over 100ml or certain small tools. Some airports provide bins at security for you to dump items before screening.

Depending on the item and situation, you may be allowed to pay for a postal return service, dispose of it, or face fines and prosecution if it is illegal. Police will be called, and you may be detained. According to the Ryanair website, the following items are strictly prohibited on board and in checked baggage.

Ryanair’s full list of

Guns, firearms and other devices that discharge projectiles. This also covers devices capable of, or appearing capable of, causing serious injury by discharging a projectile. Examples include:

• firearms of all types (such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns)
• toy guns (including recreational guns such as paintball guns)
• replicas and imitation firearms (capable of being mistaken for real weapons)
• component parts of firearms (excluding telescopic sights)
• compressed air and CO2 guns (such as pistols, pellet guns, rifles and ball bearing guns)
• signal flare pistols and starter pistols
• bows, crossbows and arrows
• harpoon guns, spear guns and nail guns
• slingshots and catapults

Stunning devices, designed specifically to stun or immobilise, including:

• devices for shocking (such as stun guns, tasers and stun batons)
• animal stunners and animal killers
• disabling and incapacitating chemicals, gases and gas containers, sprays (including tear gas, mace, pepper sprays, capsicum sprays, acid sprays and animal repellent sprays)

Explosives, incendiary substances and devices used to cause serious injury or to pose a threat to the safety of aircraft (or those appearing capable), such as:

• Ammunition
• Blasting caps
• Detonators and fuses
• Replica or imitation explosive devices
• Mines, grenades and other explosive military stores
• Fireworks and other pyrotechnics
• Smoke-generating canisters and smoke-generating cartridges
• Dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives
• Flammable liquids, flammable solids and substances that cause a chemical reaction
• Paint, turpentine, white spirit and paint thinner
• Alcohol with an ABV of more than 70% (140% proof)
• Toxic or infectious substances (for example, acids and alkalis, ‘wet’ batteries, bleach, poisons, infected blood, and bacteria and viruses)
• Radioactive material (including medicinal or commercial isotopes)
• Corrosives (including mercury, vehicle batteries, and parts which have contained fuel)
• More than one litre in total of edible oil (for example, olive oil)
• Lithium ion battery-powered vehicles (including segways and hoverboards), other than any wheelchair or mobility equipment that meets our regulations
• Smart bags in which the lithium battery has not been removed
• Fire extinguishers (except as authorised by fire procedures and as emergency equipment on the plane)
• Lighters and firelighters with a flammable liquid reservoir containing unabsorbed liquid fuel (other than liquefied gas), lighter fuel and lighter refills
• “Strike anywhere” matches
• Christmas crackers
• Energy-saving light bulbs
• Items with internal combustion engines

Items which Ryanair staff have good reason to believe are “unsuitable for carriage” because they are “dangerous or unsafe”. Staff can also refuse items due to their “weight, size, shape or character” and if they appear “fragile or perishable”.

Ryanair also adds to its ‘ban list’ that “fish, birds or any animals killed and kept as hunting trophies” cannot be carried on board or in checked baggage. These bans are intended to make it more difficult for the trophy hunting industry to ship remains—such as skins, heads, or tusks—back to a hunter’s home country.

Certain items that are not allowed in the main cabin can be packed in suitcases, such as “sharp objects, workmen’s tools, and blunt instruments”. See the full list here and how to safely let airlines know if you intend to bring one.