P&O Cruises says bring ‘mandatory’ item or risk being denied boarding
Need to know
P&O Cruises tells all passengers they must bring proof or they will be ‘denied boarding’ at their own expense
The cruise line has a reminder for passengers on its website (Image: Getty )
P&O Cruises has a crucial requirement: all passengers must be aware that they could be denied boarding without it – what you need to know.
- P&O Cruises says all passengers must bring crucial item with them or face being denied boarding. The cruise line has everything people need to know about the key document on its website.
- The UK cruise operator states it is “mandatory for all guests to have suitable cruise travel insurance cover in order to sail with us.” Passengers who cannot provide proof of insurance will be turned away “at your own expense,” the company warns.
- The policy applies across P&O’s entire fleet of seven ships, including family-friendly vessels like Arvia, Iona and Britannia, as well as adult-only ships Arcadia and Aurora. All vessels depart year-round from Southampton.
- P&O emphasises that standard travel insurance may not be sufficient for cruise holidays. The company states: “A cruise holiday requires more specialist cover, for example if there was a need to be medically evacuated at sea.”
- Passengers must bring either printed or digital copies of their insurance documentation. The cruise line warns that failing to declare pre-existing medical conditions could result in “extremely costly” medical bills or even refused treatment.
- The insurance requirement comes as peak travel season approaches, with many Brits having already booked their cruise holidays.
READ THE FULL STORY: P&O Cruises tells passengers they must pack item or be ‘denied boarding’
Rep. Frank Admits Employing Male Prostitute as Aide : Says He Fired Him After Learning Sex Was Being Sold Out of His Capitol Apartment
WASHINGTON — Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), one of two acknowledged homosexuals in the House of Representatives, admitted Friday that he had employed a male prostitute as a personal aide, but he said that he fired him after learning that the congressman’s Capitol Hill apartment was being used as a house of prostitution.
Frank said he met the man, whom he identified as Steve Gobie, through an ad in a Washington gay newspaper in 1985 and paid to have sex with him. The Massachusetts congressman, who at the time had not made his public acknowledgement that he was gay, said he later hired Gobie as a chauffeur and housekeeper with the hope of reforming a troubled young man with a history of petty crime and prostitution.
‘I Was Victimized’
“I hired him out of a charitable impulse. I thought I was going to be a liberal who got involved directly with an individual who needed help,” Frank told reporters in Boston on Friday. “ . . . I was victimized. I misjudged his character.”
Frank was responding to a front page story Friday in the Washington Times headlined, “Sex Sold Out of Congressman’s House,” that included the young man’s description of his former relationship with Frank.
Frank said he paid Gobie about $20,000 a year in his own funds. According to the newspaper, the congressman wrote letters on Gobie’s behalf to Virginia probation authorities. Gobie was on probation after being convicted in 1982 of four felonies, including cocaine possession and production of obscene items involving juveniles.
In August, 1987, Frank said he fired Gobie and ended their relationship after his landlady alerted him to the prostitution business being run out of his basement apartment several blocks from the Capitol.
House Democratic leaders were quick to come to Frank’s defense.
Foley Offers Backing
“There is no more able, articulate and effective member of the House of Representatives than Barney Frank,” House Speaker Thomas S. Foley (D-Wash.) said in a statement. “He has provided outstanding service to his constituency and the nation, and I’m absolutely confident he will continue to do so long after this matter has been forgotten.”
Despite Foley’s statement of support, several politicians raised the possibility that the House Ethics Committee may choose to investigate Frank’s conduct as unbecoming of a House member.
Just last month, Frank was one of three House members to ask the Ethics Committee to investigate sexual misconduct allegations against Rep. Gus Savage (D-Ill.). A Peace Corps worker has accused Savage of making sexual advances during an official trip to Zaire.
Frank said he intends to run for reelection next year and does not believe the Gobie incident would undermine his campaign. “I don’t believe it shows me as unethical,” he said. “I believe it shows me as gullible.”
Frank, who publicly acknowledged his homosexuality in 1987, has faced only token opposition in recent elections. Since 1980, he has represented a Massachusetts district that extends west from Boston’s Back Bay through the generally liberal, affluent suburbs of Brookline and Newton and then veers south to the blue collar, old textile towns such as Fall River.
In 1983, another Massachusetts Democratic congressman, Gerry E. Studds, admitted having sex with a male page employed by the House. His Cape Cod constituents also have continued to elect him overwhelmingly.
Dorothy Reichard, an aide to Frank in Boston, said the several dozen calls to his office have been overwhelmingly supportive. “I think people feel he’s an excellent congressman who’s done his job, even though he may have used poor judgment in this instance,” Reichard said.
L.A. hotels are still waiting for a World Cup boost
Hotel rooms in Los Angeles and other FIFA World Cup host cities could sit empty, despite high expectations that the global sporting event would be a boon to the city.
The soccer tournament, which has sold more than 5 million tickets so far, has historically triggered a surge of international and domestic tourism and infused host cities with an economic boost.
This year, however, 80% of hotels surveyed by the American Hotel and Lodging Assn. said bookings are lagging behind initial forecasts. The hotel association partly blames FIFA for the slowdown, saying the organization overbooked blocks of hotel rooms that did not reflect true demand.
Travel also is being hampered by higher airfares and gas prices due to the conflict in Iran. Visa barriers and broader geopolitical concerns are suppressing international travel demand, the report said.
“With just two months until kickoff, indicators suggest the anticipated economic lift may fall short of expectations,” the report said. The number of tickets sold for the tournament “has not yet translated into strong hotel bookings.”
In L.A., where World Cup games will be played next month at SoFi stadium, more than 65% of hotel respondents said room bookings were below estimated demand.
Many respondents said bookings were even lagging behind that of a typical summer.
Hotels in Los Angeles cited visa complications and long distances from the venue as obstacles to bookings. According to the report, FIFA booked thousands of rooms in downtown Los Angeles that it canceled.
Ahead of all World Cup tournaments, FIFA places large blocks of rooms on hold across various properties for FIFA staff, mediaand other stakeholders. As the tournament draws closer, FIFA will adjust its plans based on demand.
“All room releases were conducted in line with contractually agreed timelines with hotel partners, a standard practice for an event of this scale,” a FIFA spokesperson said in a statement. “Throughout the planning process, FIFA’s Accommodations team maintained consistent discussions with hotel stakeholders.”
The spokesperson added that global demand for the 2026 World Cup is unprecedented.
“FIFA room block over-commitment created an artificial early demand signal that has since unraveled,” the hotel association report said. “Many hotels indicate that early booking signals overstated true demand.”
About half of hotel respondents reported cancellations or releases of previously booked blocks of rooms, the report said.
The staggering price of World Cup tickets this year could also be keeping away fans, said journalist and author Simon Kuper, who writes about soccer economics. Face values for tickets have climbed as high as $7,875.
“All the ticket prices in this World Cup are inconceivable for previous World Cups,” Kuper said. “It’s very much a new phenomenon.”
FIFA is projecting revenue between $11 billion and $13 billion for the four-year World Cup cycle, which ends when the tournament does.
Nonetheless, L.A. is expecting a major jump in tourism for the World Cup in June and the 2028 Olympic Games.
That would be welcome for an industry that is coming off some tough times.
Last year, tourist spending in L.A. fell for the first time since the pandemic began as wildfires, raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and trade tensions discouraged people from visiting, including tourists from Canada who traditionally flock to Palm Springs and other cities in Southern California during the winter months.
International air arrivals to L.A. County fell more than 30% from August to November of 2025. In Los Angeles, current international arrivals are fewer than in previous months, though the state saw an overall 3% increase last year.
The L.A. market “faces several challenges that are tempering hotel performance expectations,” said Ralph Posner, chief communications officer for the American Hotel and Lodging Assn.
“L.A.’s purported hotel underperformance is compounded by a unique combination of early FIFA block over-commitment creating artificial demand, concerns about visa barriers and operating costs,” he said. “The market was positioned as a flagship host city but is now absorbing a gap between expectation and reality.”
Surging hotel room costs in host cities are also a deterrent. For example, the Renaissance Hotel in Seattle, within walking distance of Lumen Field, is renting a King guest room for less than $300 the weekend before the World Cup. For the weekend of the U.S. game there, the rate is more than $1,000 for the same room.
To save costs, some fans are choosing to stay farther from the venues or opting for alternative lodgings such as Airbnbs. Airbnb’s chief financial officer said the World Cup is expected to be the largest event in the company’s history.
The hotel association said that even though initial indications are bad, things could still get better.
“We are hopeful that momentum will build over the next few weeks in the lead up to the games,” Posner said.
Times staff writer Kevin Baxter contributed to this report.
The very walkable capital that’s one of Europe’s cheapest city breaks
ALBANIA’S capital Tirana has just been ranked the third cheapest city for a weekend break in 2026.
And when it comes to the accommodation, it pips the rest on the affordability scale.
But its low prices are just the start. It’s great for food, bars and quirky sightseeing . . .
WHY SHOULD I GO?
THE city is one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. It has a fascinating history, which has been marked by periods of occupation and a harsh dictatorship that lasted until the 1990s.
This has left its mark on the city skyline, which is a striking mix of brutalist, communist-era buildings and quirky architecture, including Tirana’s Rock — a 26-storey building uniquely shaped like a face.
Plus, with round-trip flights from just over £30 — and only taking three hours — and temperatures that reach 34C in summer time, visiting is a no-brainer.
STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?
THE centre is very walkable, with wide, tree-lined boulevards that criss-cross the main squares and key attractions.
For a comprehensive introduction to the city, join the on-foot Tirana Free Tour, which departs five times a day from outside the Opera House.
You will likely begin at Skanderbeg Square — the city’s main central plaza, named after Albania’s national hero.
From here, you will be within easy reach of several attractions — The National Historical Museum, Et’hem Bej Mosque and Opera House.
If you want to venture farther afield, Kruje is an historic town 12 miles north of Tirana. Buses from the main terminal cost less than £1, or you can get a taxi for around £25.
The town is home to medieval castle ruins and has a bazaar packed with beautiful Albanian rugs and cashmere, which make perfect souvenirs.
The mountain backdrop is a showstopper, too.
ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?
A MUST-visit is the House of Leaves — former HQ of the country’s secret police.
It is now a museum exploring the extensive surveillance and spying that Albanians endured during the dictatorship.
And for cracking views, don’t miss a cable-car ride through Dajti National Park, a short taxi ride north of the city centre.
There are a wide array of activities at the top of the mountain, including mini-golf and a shooting gallery, but those seeking a more relaxing experience should visit just before sunset to witness the stunning golden hour.
For some proper R&R, head to Ritual Spa and Hammam.
Hidden behind an unassuming door on the second floor of an apartment building, the space opens up into a beautifully curated sanctuary complete with wellness areas, including a sauna, steam room and salt room.
Treatments are cheap, too, with facials from £22 and hour-long massages for under £40.
WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
ALBANIAN food is a hearty, homely blend of Mediterranean and Balkan flavours.
Oda restaurant in the Zona 1 area of the city is properly authentic, serving stuffed peppers, slow-baked lamb with yoghurt and flaky homemade pastries filled with cheese and spinach.
You can dine outdoors under the shade of pomegranate and lemon trees while a roaming folk band brings the garden to life with traditional music.
For budget-friendly bites, try the street-food stalls at the New Bazaar in the Pazari i Ri neighbourhood.
Be sure to get your hands on a byrek — a filo pastry stuffed with meat or cheese that you can pick up for less than £1.
I FANCY A DRINK…
A WANDER through the lively streets of the Blloku neighbourhood will reward visitors with stylish speakeasy-style bars.
During the dictatorship, this area was reserved for the communist elite and ordinary Albanians were not allowed to enter.
But today, it’s the epicentre of nightlife in Tirana — and everyone is welcome.
Start at Mugo, a chic bar with a low-lit, leafy garden, serving cocktails dressed with sugared fruit and edible flowers, all for under £10. Nunu, just across the road, is equally indulgent.
Then continue along Pjeter Bogdani Street for a ready-made bar crawl, where casual drinking spots spill out on to the pavement and pints come in at under £4.
For a proper Albanian night out, head to Ava Club, where DJs mix Balkan tracks with electronic beats and crowds whip white handkerchiefs through the air — a lively tradition that gets the whole place buzzing.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
FOR a central base, stay in the Tregu Cam district, or Blloku if you want somewhere a bit livelier. Budget, mid-range and boutique options are available in both districts.
But for something basic yet reliable and very well located, look to the Tirana International Hotel, which has affordable rooms, an on-site casino, two restaurants and a bar.
GO: TIRANA
GETTING THERE: Wizz Air flies from London Luton to Tirana from £31.80 return. See wizzair.com.
STAYING THERE: The 4H Tirana International Hotel has double and twin rooms from around £80 per night on a B&B basis. See tiranainternational.com.
One civilian, dozens of first responders injured in NYC shipyard explosions
May 22 (UPI) — One civilian has died and 36 others — many of whom were first responders — were injured on Friday after a series of explosions in a New York City shipyard.
Two explosions occurred on a barge Friday afternoon along the North Shore of Staten Island, roughly an hour apart, with firefighters and another civilian also injured.
That area of the North Shore is mostly populated with industrial businesses, including various boating and barge companies, The New York Times and WPIX reported.
“What unfolded was a fast-moving emergency that claimed one life and left more than 30 civilians and first responders injured,” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a statement on X.
“The fire is now under control,” he said. “We mourn the life that was lost today, and we hold their family in our hearts.”
The first explosion was heard just before 3:30 p.m. EDT, which saw more than 200 firefighters and medical personnel respond to the dry-docked barge.
The New York Post reported that people were trapped in confined spaces aboard the barge and, minutes before the second explosion, fire officials called for assistance for those already trapped.
In addition to the civilian who died and the injured civilian, CBS News reported that at least 34 Fire Department of New York firefighters had been injured, two of whom were significantly injured.
In his statement, Mamdani asked New Yorkers to keep the injured and their families in their thoughts and noted the sacrifices of firefighters who responded to the emergency.
“To the first responders who rushed toward danger without hesitation: thank you,” Mamdani said.
“As you do every day, you put yourselves in harm’s way so others could escape,” he said. “Our city owes you a debt of gratitude.”
Senegal’s President Faye sacks PM Sonko and dissolves government | News
The renewed instability could complicate bailout negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
Published On 23 May 2026
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government, a move that risks deepening uncertainty in a country grappling with a debt crisis and ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
A statement read out by a presidential aide on state media on Friday informed the nation that all ministers were dismissed, with the outgoing government tasked with handling day-to-day affairs.
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The decision follows months of growing tensions between Faye and Sonko. Sonko, a charismatic figure with a strong youth following, had backed Faye in the 2024 election after being barred from running himself due to a defamation conviction, but the two allies became increasingly estranged.
The split comes as Senegal faces mounting economic pressure. The IMF froze a $1.8bn lending programme following the discovery of misreported debt hidden by the previous government, pushing the country’s end-2024 debt level to 132 percent of its economic output.
Faye’s move raises the risk of further delays in reaching a new agreement with the IMF.
Earlier on Friday, before Sonko’s dismissal, Finance Minister Cheikh Diba told parliament that the government expects to resume talks with the IMF in the week of June 8 and hopes to reach an agreement on key points by June 30.
Sonko was a popular opposition leader under the previous administration of President Macky Sall, whose decision to delay the 2024 election spurred unrest.
Both Faye and Sonko are former tax officials who were jailed ahead of the 2024 election. They were released 10 days before the rescheduled contest, which Faye went on to win with 54 percent of the vote.
Faye then appointed Sonko as prime minister.
Now that Sonko is out of that job, it is unclear what his next steps will be. In March, he said he would be willing to take his Pastef party out of the government and return to opposition if Faye departed from the party’s agenda.
Pastef dominates the National Assembly, meaning it could complicate governance and the passage of reforms needed to secure IMF support. Last month, politicians overwhelmingly approved electoral code changes that could pave the way for Sonko to run for president in 2029.
Brooklyn Beckham posts gushing tribute to wife Nicola over her new film
BROOKLYN Beckham has posted a gushing tribute to his wife Nicola Peltz over her new film Prima.
The aspiring chef, 27, took to Instagram to share a series of pictures with his wife and the movie’s team as they celebrated with a get together.
The couple beamed from ear to ear in the snaps, as Brooklyn wore a buttoned up blue shirt with black trousers and a flat cap.
Meanwhile, Nicola, 31, looked chic in a halter-neck cream top and black jeans, as she had her hair tied up in a stylish bun.
Proud husband Brooklyn penned: “I am so proud of you @nicolaannepeltzbeckham you have been working so hard on Prima and I can’t be more proud of you.
“I can’t wait for everyone to see what an amazing job you have done. I love you with all my heart.
READ MORE ON THE BECKHAMS
“Thank you so much @eastwestbank.us and Linda May for hosting such a wonderful night. Congratulations on your directorial debut @morellibrothers I love the film so much.”
Nicola responded in the comments: “Thank you. I love you.”
The actress plays a ballerina in the upcoming Indie drama film and she underwent rigorous ballet training to prepare for the physically demanding role.
Brooklyn’s tribute for his wife comes after he was noticeably absent at his grandfather Tony’s 80th birthday celebrations.
His mum Victoria, 52, put on a lavish celebration for her dad at Hotel Café Royal in Central London last weekend.
Victoria, who wore a white dress at the party, said as her father turned 80: “Happy birthday, Daddy, we love you so so much!
“Thank you to all our friends and family who helped to make it so special! Such an amazing night celebrating my wonderful dad.”
Victoria and her husband David, 51, posed for a family photo with her parents Tony and Jackie and their children, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21 and 14-year-old Harper.
Sir David gave Tony a leg of Monte Nevado ham as a gift and called him “the best father-in-law I could ask for”.
Despite not attending the celebrations, he did take to Instagram to send a birthday wish to his grandfather.
Posting a sweet snap of the pair, he penned: “Happy 80th papa x I love you so much.”
He is said to still be close to his grandparents despite not seeing them for months amid his feud with his family.
Brooklyn and Nicola cut off all ties with his family and he claimed in his bombshell statement in January that they cared more about “Brand Beckham”.
David, Victoria and his brothers have put out plenty of olive branches but to no avail.
I’m a Kent local – here’s my ultimate guide to the UK county with the coolest seaside towns
I’VE lived on Kent’s trendy coastline for more than five years, so I think I can legitimately call myself a local now.
After ditching London in my late twenties, I’ve lived in both Margate and Folkestone, while spending my weekends exploring the other seaside towns.
In the last 15 years, Kent’s seaside towns have arguably seen the biggest transformations of the whole British coast.
That’s due to a combination of new investment, an influx of ‘down from Londoners’ moving in and a reignited love of the traditional seaside break among Millennials.
But which town you should visit depends on what type of trip you’re looking for.
So here are my top tips for seven of the best Kent beach towns and villages, from what to do and where to eat, to the best hotel and things to do under a fiver.
Whitstable
One of the more established Kent seaside towns, Whitstable is famous for its annual Oyster festival and has been a popular tourist destination for the last few decades – long before towns like Margate saw a resurgence.
Eat and drink in Whitstable
Blueprint Coffee and Books is the kind of place where you’ll go in for a cappuccino but come out with magazines and a candle.
The pastel pink Wheelers Oyster Bar is where everyone goes for their seafood (and for good reason) but if you fancy something other than fish, Harbour Street Tapas is the place for Spanish sharing plates.
In the summer months, the Old Neptune pub is a must, where the pub garden is right on the beach. Or try Porto Wine Bar, tucked a bit further down for staff who really know their wines.
Don’t forget an ice-cream – Bear’s Ice Cream Imaginarium has everything from classics to more unusual flavours like celeriac and wasabi. Yes, really.
Best things to do in Whitstable
Harbour Street is home to some fantastic vintage shops to explore. I picked up a jumper worth £69 for a fiver, so it has some treasures if you look hard enough.
There’s also Whitstable Harbour, still a working harbour, to explore as well as the free-to-visit Whitstable Castle with beautiful gardens and a kids’ play area.
Really fancy a dip? Brave the water with the other cold water swimmers but make sure to warm up in the Sea Scrub Sauna, one of many around Kent.
Where to stay in Whitstable
The Marine Hotel is a classic coastal B&B, with big chunky king size beds and windows thick enough to keep out the sea breeze.
The restaurant is where you will join the locals on a Friday night with a classic but hearty menu making you grateful for the proximity of your room.
Rooms from £125. See marinewhitstable.com.
Under £5 in Whitstable
Why not test your crabbing skills?
Head to the end of the harbour and pick up a crabbing net from one of the stalls which are usually under a fiver and see what you can catch.
Margate
Nicknamed Shoreditch-on-Sea, Margate is known for being one of the trendiest beach towns in the country.
As well as having one of Kent’s rare sandy beaches (most are shingle) this has also seen a huge increase in cool wine bars and restaurants.
Eat and drink in Margate
Start your day at Big Shot Diner for a cup of tea while looking out over the beach, or the Bus Cafe for a great full English breakfast.
When it comes to fish, the best chippies in town are Peter’s Fish Factory and Beach Buoys, so expect queues out the door, or for a fancier sit down affair, head to Angela’s.
Pizza by the slice is best at Palm’s Pizzeria, best chased by a pickleback shot (whisky and pickle juice).
There are some great wine bars too but my favourite place to go are the pubs in Margate.
Try Rose in June for fun food and drink pop ups or the 18th century George & Heart House, which also has rooms above if you fancy staying the night.
Best things to do in Margate
The beach itself is beautiful but for more adrenaline-fuelled fun, head to the free-to-visit Dreamland.
You can pay for rides, or just take in the retro-style attraction – come in the summer for the fantastic live music line up ranging from Lovebox to Bastille.
Or did you know Margate is home to Europe’s only Crab Museum? It’s certainly quirky but one to visit as its free, although they rely on donations.
And of course there is the free Turner Contemporary art gallery as well, which is reopening on May 23 with a new exhibit.
Where to stay in Margate
Lots of boutique hotels have opened in Margate in recent years, and one of the best is Guesthouse No.42.
One of just four in the UK, it even has the town’s only rooftop bar, which overlooks the beach.
Rooms start from £141. See guesthousehotels.co.uk.
Under £5 in Margate
The bizarre Shell Grotto remains a mystery as to why or how it was built – but its a beauty to see.
Concession tickets start from £5, kids tickets are £2.
Folkestone
Named one of the best places to live in the UK last year, Folkestone has seen a huge rise in popularity in recent years, partly because of its speedy, 52-minute train from London.
There are some new openings to be excited about too, including the Lower Leas Cliff funicular.
Eat and drink in Folkestone
After it’s success in Margate, Pomus opened their second small plate restaurant in Folkestone. It’s one of the smarter places in town, but service is just as friendly with a rotating menu of locally caught produce.
Award-winning Rocksalt is the place for fish lovers, overlooking the harbour (and the oysters are a must).
Or for something more low-key, there is the local-loved Morley’s which has a small but classic menu – think burgers and pastas.
If there is one thing Folkestone isn’t short of, it’s pubs – try the Harbour Inn or The Pullman for friendly staff and local ciders.
And splash out for the evening by heading to the end of the harbour for a glass of fizz at The Lighthouse Champagne Bar, or a cocktail at Gaia Studios.
Best things to do in Folkestone
The Harbour Arm celebrated 10 years this year, and you can easily spend a day in the shipping container yard.
Along with food and drink stalls, there are independent shops selling everything from locally-made wine to clothing and dog treats. It also has lots of live music throughout the year and live screenings of films and sports.
Also nearby is The Boardroom for darts and shuffleboard (currently closed for a renovation), while the new Sea Scrub Sauna is the largest of its kind in the UK. Otherwise go for a wander along to the Lower Leas Coastal Park, which is getting a huge new playground too.
Where to stay in Folkestone
The London & Paris Hotel is one of the few boutique hotels in town, where every room overlooks the harbour.
Each room is coastal chic – think blue striped walls and vintage bathtubs – and they come with little touches such as complimentary binoculars and breakfasts delivered by hamper.
Rooms start from £71. See londonandparishotel.co.uk.
Under £5 in Folkestone
Grab an ice cream from Herbert’s Gelato with a rotating menu of interesting flavours such as hot cross bun or malted milk. From £3.90.
Ramsgate
From welcoming Queen Victoria in the 1800s to having the UK’s only Royal Harbour, Ramsgate has a rather regal history.
Now, it is a popular seaside town still slightly overlooked by its trendier neighbours Margate and traditional Broadstairs, but it is a great weekend break.
Eat and drink in Ramsgate
Get your morning coffee at Staple (along with an irresistible cruffin to go) with cafes also open in Westgate and Broadstairs.
But for the best places to eat, there are two top choices. First up is Marc-Pierre’s Kitchen restaurant where you will find some of the best seafood in town (with enough awards to show for it).
Otherwise curry fans should head straight to Flavours by Kumar.
It’s tucked down a tiny hidden side street but with big restaurants under his belt, including London’s famous Cinnamon Club, you’re in good hands (make sure to save room for the chocolate samosas).
End your evening at Noa Rooftop, which opened last year, for a crisp glass of wine to watch the sunset.
Best things to do in Ramsgate
Ramsgate has the UK’s only Royal Harbour, so it is the best place to spot the boats coming in and out for the day.
But its wartime history is best learned about at the Ramsgate Tunnels.
There are daily tours of the underground system that is also the largest UK network of wartime tunnels.
Search the knick-knacks of Petticoat Emporium, one of Kent’s biggest indoor markets with 200 traders and where you can pick up everything from vintage spoons to huge wicker chairs.
Where to stay in Ramsgate
Ramsgate is more B&Bs than boutique hotels, but one of the best in town is the The House at Ramsgate which dates back to 1780. With just 14 rooms which are cosy but modern, choose the Queen Victoria Room where she spent three months in 1835. Make sure to stay for the roast dinners too…
Rooms from £90. See thehouseatramsgate.co.uk.
Under £5 in Ramsgate
Of course, a visit to Ramsgate isn’t complete with a trip to the Victorian Pavilion – the UK’s (and technically) the world’s biggest Wetherspoons pub, so spend around £4.50 for a pint of Corona and head to the rooftop for views over the beach.
Broadstairs
With strong connections to Charles Dickens (who raved about the place while holidaying there), Broadstairs is your more traditional seaside town.
It has seven sandy beaches to choose from, so you’re spoilt for choice.
Eat and drink in Broadstairs
If you love a good coffee, you’re in luck – there’s Giant Coffee, who do unique hot drinks like cloud matchas (and are also in Ramsgate and Margate) to Forts who are known for their great coffees across Kent.
Fish and chips are a must at the beach and everyone heads to The Mermaid who do very large portions.
Chase it with an ice cream at Morelli’s Gelato which dates back to 1907, they sell huge towering sundae with all the trimmings.
But for dinner, you can’t go wrong with the award-winning Bar Ingo, a tiny restaurant with just a few tables but serving small plates inspired by basque dishes.
I’m still dreaming of the miso mushrooms after my last visit.
Best things to do in Broadstairs
Broadstairs has the beautiful curved Viking Bay sandy beach, so hanging out there is a must. Grab a paddleboard or rent a deckchair; you can do what you like to while away the day.
There are also the retro arcades at the top of the hill, which are a surefire hit with the kids.
Or you can explore some of the independent shops selling trinkets and gifts on the high street (my favourites are Home by SP and Arrowsmiths).
Where to stay in Broadstairs
One of the newest hotels in Broadstairs is Smith’s Townhouse, with just six bedrooms in the Georgian building. Stylish east London interiors are across the downstairs cafe and the rooms – Room Five even has Elton John’s former wardrobe.
They have some of the best coffee in town – perfect for a breakfast pick me up – but stay for a vibe in the evening where you can get cocktails and nibbles too.
Rooms start from £140. See smithstownhouse.co.uk.
Under £5 in Broadstairs
Broadstairs was once raved about by Charles Dickens, so a visit to the Dickens House Museum is a must.
Inside is the inspiration for Betsey Trotwood’s home from the novel David Copperfield.
Tickets cost £5 for adults of £2.50 for kids.
Deal
The town of Deal is quickly becoming a foodie hub, with some critically-rated restaurants popping up.
It also has a great art scene, with numerous galleries and frequent exhibitions from local artists.
It’s on the smaller side than Whitstable or Folkestone, but also makes it far more walkable.
Eat and drink in Deal
Popup Cafe is, despite it’s name, not a pop-up but a fantastic coffee shop where you’ll be hanging with young families and coworkers on their laptops.
Mostly known only to locals, the local Jenkins & Son Fishmongers opens at certain days to offer street food dishes; I regularly make a trip for the Monkfish Tacos.
For pubs, try the Caribbean style roast at The Port Arms, which shares an outdoor seating area with the nearby Kings Head pub – also worth a drink in.
The recently revamped Le Pinardier wine bar will transport you to a French bistro (without the snobby staff when you ask for a Pinot Grigio, however).
Best things to do in Deal
The high street is full of art galleries and independent sellers, my favourites being The Hoxton Store, Mileage and 123 High Street for gifts.
Explore the brutalist Deal Pier, restored twice in its history and now one of the last remaining of its kind, where you can weave between the fishermen for some of the best views in town.
Kids will love Deal Castle where they can explore the hidden tunnels and even play pretend with wooden muskets.
Otherwise try and visit on a Saturday morning to catch the local market that dates back to 1699 – and fill your pockets with antiques and cinnamon buns.
Where to stay in Deal
The Rose Hotel is one of the UK’s best boutique hotels, with just nine cosy rooms. Make sure to try the restaurant too, its one of the finest in town with a previous menu highlight being the chicken shnitzel.
Rooms from £110. See therosedeal.com.
Under £5 in Deal
Grab a bottle of beer at the stunning Deal Pier Kitchen to get beautiful ocean views, while being protected from the sea winds.
Hythe
The military history of Hythe shapes it, being one of the UK Cinque Ports.
Now, its a sleepy seaside town, less crowded due to it being off the beaten track and having no major train station.
Eat and drink in Hythe
Arrive early and get a coffee from the tiny, locally-run Mit Milche Coffee although expect queues out the door by mid-morning.
Gorge on some moules mariniere at The Waterfront with a table outside by the promenade, where you can expect a range of live jazz and DJ music on certain days.
If you’re in the mood for something fancier, just on the outskirts is Hide & Fox which gained a second Michelin star last year.
Just come hungry if you opt for the eight-course menu.
If the sea air is a little brisk, warm up in the Kings Head pub, one of the oldest and cosiest in town dating back to 1583.
Best things to do in Hythe
The Royal Military Canal is prime for low-key strolling, running for 28 miles and made as an anti-invasion defence again Napoleon in 1803 (although it was never used.)
There are also the Hythe Sound Mirrors which were huge structures build to “listen” for enemy planes and have now been left abandoned – but worth a visit to see the sheer scale of them.
Make sure to take kids to the famous Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, with small train carriages running a small route via Dungeness.
Want to get your shopping kicks? Head to Malthouse Arcade on Fridays and Saturdays with trinkets galore across two floors.
Where to stay in Hythe
You don’t get much grander than the Hythe Imperial Hotel, overlooking the English Channel. Inside an 18th manor house, there are 92 rooms to choose from. Save time for a cuppa in the Snug or a trip to its Moet & Chandon Bar.
Rooms from £146. See hytheimperial.co.uk.
Under £5 in Hythe
Why not have a free game of tennis, with five courts open to the public at South Road Sports Facility (although save a few quid to buy some more tennis balls for any rogue hits).
Leaked files, ‘nuclear verdicts’: Inside the L.A. city attorney race
The Los Angeles city attorney is often described as the most powerful elected official almost no one’s ever heard of.
The office prosecutes most misdemeanor crimes, defends the city against costly lawsuits and serves as the public’s chief lawyer at a time when L.A. faces frequent attacks from a hostile White House. Races for the office tend to be sleepy affairs, but this year’s contest has featured last-minute entrants, a whopping influx of cash and defections among the incumbent’s key supporters.
City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto’s first term was marked by an explosion in costly litigation against the city and allegations of misconduct and mistreatment of employees. She has denied wrongdoing and defended her record, but now two well-funded opponents are flanking her from different sides of the political spectrum.
The race began to heat up last month after a data breach that saw a massive trove of LAPD records leaked onto the internet. That spurred the city’s police union to withdraw its endorsement of Feldstein Soto and tell its members to vote instead for John McKinney, a Los Angeles County prosecutor who has received a massive influx of corporate cash to support his campaign in recent weeks.
The progressive challenger is Marissa Roy, a deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice. Roy, 34, has said she would run the office as a sprawling “public interest law firm” that sues to fight wage theft and renter harassment, champions a care-first approach to homelessness and stands as a legal bulwark against the Trump administration.
Roy Behr, a veteran political consultant in the city, said Roy and McKinney have clear brands and target audiences, whereas Feldstein Soto may now be a candidate without a constituency.
“It wouldn’t surprise me at all if she didn’t make the runoff. What she’s facing are two people with pretty clear critiques from different directions,” he said of the incumbent. “All she’s left with is ‘I did an OK job in an office that people don’t really understand.’”
Feldstein Soto, 67, says she’s the steady hand the city needs as it faces a budget crisis and gears up to host the Olympics in two years. She scoffed at her opponents’ lack of experience in a recent interview, dismissing Roy’s campaign promises as “insane,” and noting that McKinney’s history as a felony trial prosecutor has little overlap with the city attorney’s job.
“This is not the time for on-the-job training,” she said.
A former corporate lawyer, Feldstein Soto squeaked through the primary before sailing to victory in her bid for the position in 2022. She has since taken heat for defending aggressive LAPD crowd control tactics, and also for her refusal to prosecute hundreds involved in 2024 campus protests against the war in Gaza.
Although Feldstein Soto has received endorsements from Mayor Karen Bass and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), critics say frequent personality clashes have alienated her from the city’s Democratic kingmakers. McKinney called her a “bully” in a recent interview and said her behavior has demoralized her staff.
Feldstein Soto pushed back on those criticisms, touting steps she has taken to modernize the office and enhance public safety. She argued many of the allegations against her stem from a 2024 lawsuit filed by a disgruntled employee, who claimed they were subjected to a “barrage of retaliatory actions” after reporting issues within the office, including mishandling of grant funds, discriminatory treatment of co-workers and “inappropriate alcohol consumption” in the workplace. The case remains pending. Feldstein Soto said the employee was fired for having improper outside employment.
Los Angeles City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto hosts a May 12 news conference to discuss the recent prosecution and conviction of a UCLA early childhood teacher charged with sexual abuse.
(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)
Explaining her decision to drop most charges in the campus protest cases, Feldstein Soto pointed out many lacked enough evidence for prosecution.
The city’s legal payouts have exploded under her watch — jumping from $64 million in the mid-2010s to $294 million in the last fiscal year. Feldstein Soto said the rising costs reflect an increase in “nuclear verdicts” in civil courts nationwide.
Feldstein Soto noted the city’s payouts were inflated by a “cascade of horrible” cases that were pending when she took office. She said she could only mitigate the damages, citing as examples cases that involved the city’s misuse of federal housing grants and a massive sewage spill.
“I’ve protected the city at every turn,” she said. “I’m the only candidate in my race who has the receipts to prove that I can do this.”
Roy said the biggest challenge may be convincing Angelenos to cast a vote at all in what has historically been a low-turnout, down-ballot contest.
“It’s where we always start, to be honest,” she said. “It is one of the most important, least understood positions.”
In a city where 60% of residents are renters and many feel under siege by the Trump administration, Roy has campaigned as a civil rights avenger ready to spar with landlords or the White House on behalf of working-class Angelenos.
She recently hit the streets sporting a crisp purple blazer, violet chrome manicure and a battered pair of black Rothy’s flats, evidence of the shoe-leather she and her army of volunteers have already invested in the race.
Roy typically starts her pitch by explaining what the city attorney actually does, then delivers her vision for the post.
“Of course it’s the lawyer for the city, but what people don’t realize is it’s also the lawyer for the people,” she said to one would-be voter in Silver Lake.
John McKinney, a county prosecutor running for L.A. city attorney, speaks at a May 5 news conference where he received endorsements from Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman and the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union for rank-and-file LAPD officers.
(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)
McKinney, 58, said he wants more “aggressive” prosecutions for misdemeanor gun crimes, and believes the city attorney has the power to “leverage” homeless people into mental health or addiction treatment after they’ve been arrested.
Despite having no experience as a civil litigator, the deputy L.A. County district attorney also thinks he can help drive down lawsuit costs for the city.
McKinney told The Times he envisions himself as “a protector, as the local prosecutor, and a defender, as the general counsel of the city.”
“I think public safety is the number one priority, or should be, of all elected officials,” he said.
While Feldstein Soto and Roy have raised considerable war chests, McKinney has received just $72,000 in direct contributions, according to campaign finance records. But independent expenditures supporting his bid have supercharged his finances in the last two weeks, pouring $1.7 million into the race.
The vast majority of those funds have come from a political action committee backed by Airbnb, which Feldstein Soto sued last year for violating price-gouging laws in the wake of the wildfires. The city attorney has aggressively prosecuted and sued those seeking to profit off wildfire victims, winning a $1.2-million settlement against another rental company in a price-gouging suit this week.
Feldstein Soto said both of her challengers are financially beholden to special interests, pointing to McKinney’s Airbnb windfall money Roy has taken from a political action committee bankrolled by an organization whose attorneys often sue the city.
“They’re not investing millions of dollars for fun and for free because they think these candidates are going to be great city attorneys … they are expecting a return on investment,” Feldstein Soto said.
McKinney said Airbnb simply believes in his campaign to clean up the city, which would improve tourism and the company’s profits in the city.
Roy said she has received broad support from across the legal profession and is committed to reducing lawsuit payouts that have “spiraled out of control.”
Dan Schnur, a USC professor and former advisor to Republican politicians in California, said Feldstein Soto’s biggest obstacle might not be her opponents, but voters themselves fed up with elected officials citywide.
“The challenges she faces are very similar to what Bass is going on in the mayor’s race,” he said. “This is a very impatient and angry electorate that wants change now.”
High school softball: City Section playoff scores and updated schedule
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
CITY SECTION PLAYOFFS
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Quarterfinals
OPEN DIVISION
#1 Granada Hills 3, #8 Granada Hills Kennedy 2
DIVISION I
#1 Venice 2, #9 San Fernando 0
#4 Chatsworth 1, #5 Chavez 0
#6 Eagle Rock 5, #3 Port of LA 2
#10 Verdugo Hills 1, #2 Marquez 0
DIVISION II
#1 LA Marshall 10, #9 Northridge Academy 4
#5 Sylmar 12, #20 Cleveland 1
#6 Arleta 11, #19 North Hollywood 3
#18 Taft 14, #10 Sun Valley Poly 5
DIVISION III
#9 Palisades 18, #16 Van Nuys 6
#5 South East 22, #4 Maywood Academy 4
#10 Westchester 10, #14 VAAS 0
#15 Reseda 15, #7 LACES 8
DIVISION IV
#16 Vaughn 17, #9 Smidt Tech 5
#4 Huntington Park 16, #12 Downtown Magnets 2
#14 Franklin 7, #11 Bernstein 2
#18 Diego Rivera 11, #7 CALS Early College 1
WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Games at 3 p.m. unless noted)
Semifinals
OPEN DIVISION
#4 San Pedro at #1 Granada Hills
#3 Birmingham at #2 Carson
DIVISION I
#4 Chatsworth at #1 Venice
#10 Verdugo Hills at #6 Eagle Rock
DIVISION II
#5 Sylmar at #1 LA Marshall
#18 Taft at #6 Arleta
DIVISION III
#9 Palisades at #5 South East
#15 Reseda at #11 Westchester
DIVISION IV
#16 Vaughn at #4 Huntington Park
#18 Diego Rivera at #14 Franklin
Note: Finals in all divisions May 29-30 at TBD.
Mexico beat Ghana as World Cup cohosts excel despite FIFA sanctions | World Cup 2026 News
Parts of the Puebla stadium for high-profile warm-up for 2026 edition were closed to spectators due to FIFA sanctions.
Published On 23 May 2026
Mexico have beaten Ghana 2-0 in Puebla in a World Cup warm-up that offered a glimpse of the excitement building less than three weeks before the country opens the tournament.
While Puebla is not among Mexico’s World Cup host cities, fans in green shirts at Cuauhtemoc Stadium created an electric atmosphere throughout the night on Friday.
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Repeated Mexican waves rolled around the stadium despite visible empty sections closed under FIFA sanctions linked to discriminatory chants at previous national team matches.
Brian Gutierrez set the tone immediately, curling home from the edge of the box after two minutes.
Teenage Liga MX sensation Gil Mora struck the post in the first half, and Alexis Vega had a header ruled out for offside before the break.
“He’s a different player, we’ve always said that,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said of Mora, who made his first appearance for Mexico since November after returning from injury.
“He’s brave, direct, vertical … he gives us great joy because he’s Mexican and because he’s back without pain.”
Ghana, with recently appointed coach Carlos Queiroz absent and assistants leading from the bench, threatened an equaliser early in the second half after forcing a pair of saves from the Mexican goalkeeper and hitting the crossbar.
But substitute Guillermo Martinez ended the visitors’ hopes in the 54th minute, finishing off a counterattack to double Mexico’s lead.
Coach Aguirre used the friendly to continue evaluating players ahead of naming Mexico’s final World Cup squad on June 1, with Europe-based players Luis Chavez, Edson Alvarez and Jorge Sanchez making second-half appearances after recently joining training camp.
The coach praised the effort shown by players battling for places in the final squad, saying: “The fact they tried and gave their best effort, for me, that’s already worthwhile.
“It’s not easy (to pick the team), it’s the most complex part of my job … It’s a bit about trying to see all the possible scenarios with my coaching staff.”
Israel attacks southern Lebanon and near Syrian border despite ‘ceasefire’ | Israel attacks Lebanon News
People in southern Lebanon are living under “psychological terror” from Israeli air attacks and displacement orders.
Published On 23 May 2026
Israeli forces launched a new wave of air attacks in Lebanon on Saturday after earlier raids killed 10 people, targeting an area near the Syrian border and several villages in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s National News Agency said there were five Israeli air attacks shortly before midnight in the mountainous Nabi Sreij area on the outskirts of Brital, which had been spared from attacks since April 17. On Saturday, the agency reported large explosions in the towns of Yohmor al-Shaqif in Nabatieh and Taybeh in the Marjayoun district, both in southern Lebanon.
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On Thursday, an Israeli attack near the Tebnine Hospital in southern Lebanon damaged all three floors of the building, including the emergency room, intensive care unit, surgical ward, and ambulances parked outside, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
Israel’s military had issued two forced displacement warnings since Friday night via its Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee, for the southern Lebanese village of Burj Rahal and the areas of Tyre and Zqouq al-Mufdi.
Al Jazeera’s Obaida Hitto, reporting from Tyre, southern Lebanon, at the edge of the 500-metre (550-yard) perimeter that Israel has designated as the danger zone, said: “There are ambulances here. There are also rescue teams and people who have fled their homes this evening following this forced [displacement] order.”
Many left in fear and panic, he said, seeing these orders as threats while being unsure of when they could return home.
“People are here with their families and their children,” Hitto said. “This is the kind of psychological terror that Israel is forcing people to live in, here in southern Lebanon.”
More than 3,100 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israeli forces escalated attacks on the country on March 2, and attacks have continued despite a ceasefire announced by United States President Donald Trump on April 16. The dead include 123 medics, more than 210 children and nearly 300 women, according to statistics shared by Lebanon’s Health Ministry on Friday.
‘He touched himself then touched my face’: MAFS UK bride’s disturbing claims
A former MAFS UK bride has alleged she was left traumatised after her on-screen husband performed a lewd act and controlled her behaviour as she criticises welfare team
A bride (not pictured) has revealed the moment her on-screen husband allegedly committed a ‘lewd’ act
A former Married At First Sight UK bride says she was traumatised for years after appearing on the show and alleges her co-star restricted her movements, leaving her isolated.
Speaking to the Mirror following Panorama: The Dark Side of Married At First Sight, which aired on BBC One on Monday night, the bride alleged: “He performed a lewd act and then touched my face without consent. He banned me from drinking or speaking to production staff without him.”
She claims to have reported it to welfare staff and that production staff were aware of incidents but she was encouraged to continue with the show. She alleged: “They [production] would say, ‘It’s going to be OK’. Staff bought me a drink to help smooth things over after I complained.”
READ MORE: Two more Married At First Sight UK brides and a groom make fresh abuse claims
Describing the welfare team, she alleged: “They present as your best friend. I thought they were somebody you could talk to about anything. But if I look back on it now, I would say it’s more like grooming.”
The bride alleged she felt pressured into intimacy by her partner and does not believe enough safeguarding existed once couples returned to their apartments off camera.
She said: “I had sex with my partner and whilst I wasn’t forced, I felt pressured.” She added: “The couch ceremonies are supposed to be a safe space where you can speak honestly. But you go back to your apartment afterwards and there are no cameras there and nobody to protect you.”
She told how much of the alleged behaviour took place away from cameras and claimed she repeatedly raised concerns with welfare and production teams throughout filming.
She had months of psychological assessments, interviews and background checks, which she believed were designed to protect participants.
But she said: “I told them everything about myself – that I’d been in controlling relationships before, that I struggled speaking up for myself and that I fall in love very quickly. But now I feel like I gave them the blueprint on how to expose me and use me.
“They knew I had a history of abusive, controlling relationships and paired me with someone who controlled my every move.”
She believes the intense filming conditions heightened emotions. She said: “I’ve never cried more in my life. “You aren’t sleeping enough, you’re filming 14, 15, sometimes 20-hour days and when you’re not filming, you’re isolated in an apartment.
“At the dinner parties you’d be picked up at 8am in full hair and make-up then left sitting in a shipping container for six or seven hours before filming. The worse your situation was with your partner, the longer they seemed to leave you in the room.”
She questioned how much information relationship experts Paul C. Brunson, Charlene Douglas and the late Mel Schilling had received. The contestant said: “The experts had zero idea what was going on. They gave good advice based on the information they had.”
After watching the Panorama episode, the bride believes the worst is yet to come. She added: “They need to properly safeguard people instead of just creating drama. This Panorama story is only the beginning of hearing the nightmares people have had.”
The bombshell claims come as Channel 4 removed all ten series from its platforms and scrapped the series due to air in September following a BBC Panorama investigation that revealed two women claim they were raped by their on-screen “husbands” during filming, while another made allegations of sexual assault against her partner.
The Metropolitan Police has now urged potential victims to come forward, stating they will be “making approaches to the relevant production teams” to ensure anyone affected knows how to report criminal allegations.
The scandal has blown open the production practices used in dating reality shows which have been growing in popularity over recent years.
Monday’s documentary sparked a political row, with Channel 4 CEO Priya Dogra telling MPs the broadcaster was “not an adjudicator” on the serious allegations. But it is feared this is just the tip of the iceberg for dating reality shows and these new claims put pressure on producers and broadcasters to clean up their act.
Channel 4 has commissioned an external review while insisting their welfare protocols are “some of the most comprehensive and robust in the industry”. Industry sources say the show is unlikely to ever air in the UK again.
The Mirror put these allegations to CPL and to Channel 4 who directed us to their statement in full. Part of this includes: “MAFS UK is produced under some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry. These include the most thorough background checks available, a Code of Conduct which clearly sets out behavioural standards, daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team and access to additional support before, during and after filming. The physical and psychological wellbeing of all contributors is of paramount importance throughout the process. All duty of care processes are regularly reviewed and, where appropriate, strengthened.”
Another section of the statement reads: “Channel 4 believes that when concerns related to contributor welfare were raised through existing welfare and production protocols, prompt and appropriate action was taken, based on the information available at the time. Channel 4 strongly refutes any claim to the contrary.”
READ MORE: ‘Serious concerns’ raised with Channel 4 and Ofcom over Married At First Sight rape claims
I visited the ‘all inclusive’ holiday park on the UK’s Sunshine Coast
WITH three boisterous boys who like to keep busy on seaside staycays, we were spoilt for choice at Parkdean’s Highfield Grange.
It’s a balancing act finding fun for all the family when you’ve got a six-year-old daredevil, a tween who’s too cool for school and a teen moving towards late nights and lie-ins.
But thanks to £5million of investment at the family resort in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, Parkdean offers something for everyone.
You can’t miss the new outdoor activities complex — the high-ropes course towers above its surroundings and you’ve got a sports dome, playground, bounce park, Off-Road Rangers, Bear Grylls escape rooms and an al-fresco eating area below.
Inside, a fairground-themed adventure golf course has been created in one corner of Hat Tricks sports bar and interactive darts and shuffleboard have been added, as well as a soft play area for under-fives.
We stayed midweek over the Easter holiday and I was wowed by how many activities were on offer — we could have done something different every day and still not have tried everything.
On the entertainment front, the highlights included live wrestling, a panto and a guest talent show, as well as bingo, gameshows, children’s discos and live music.
As a family, we thought the indoor golf was the best we’ve been to, thanks to the clever theming around fairground favourites like the ghost train, helter skelter and ferris wheel.
We tackled both the high and low ropes — it’s great that you can book them separately or together, particularly if you have no head for heights.
It meant I could try out the lower course first then decide whether to head up higher — although I found the low ropes more challenging than the upper course.
My six-year-old completed both, with a little bit of help from his dad.
If you’re after holiday staples like pedalling around the park on a kart or splashing in the pool, Parkdean has kept the core caravan-site classics and added lots of exciting new experiences on top.
As a mum with an eye on the budget, I liked the range of activity passes that Parkdean had to offer.
The best value is the £100 Ultimate bundle, which covers 16 paid-for activities and can be shared by friends and family in the same holiday party, bringing the cost of each session down to £6.25.
Other activity passes sre also available.
There’s a big choice of accommodation, too, from value two or three-bedroom caravans to luxury lodges.
If your staycay style is using your caravan as a base and being out and about exploring all day, this could be the perfect park for you.
The bright lights of Clacton Pier, with rides, arcades and attractions galore, are just five minutes away by car, 20 minutes by bus or a 45- minute stroll.
And from here, the beaches all the way up the Essex Sunshine Coast are easily accessible.
We enjoyed a swim or an activity in the morning, before heading out for the day then going back to the site to watch a show, grab some food or enjoy the arcade of an evening.
There are loads of food options for those who fancy giving cooking a miss, including Scoop for sweet treats and the Thunderbird Strip Shack for fried chicken, with its outdoor seating under cover in the new activity hub.
But we stumbled across the best fish and chips we’ve had in a while on our way back from the pier.
Skinners — on a parade of shops just round the corner from Highfield Grange — was packed with locals and there were a couple of picnic benches outside where you could eat your chippy tea.
If you’re visiting during school term time, take a look at the all- inclusive offer Parkdean launched at the end of last year at some of its sites, including Highfield Grange.
For £100 per adult and £40 per child, you can order three meals a day at the on-site restaurant on a four-night midweek break, plus unlimited soft and hot drinks.
Even though alcohol, starters and puddings aren’t included, it’s great value for money.
Parkdean certainly packs a punch when it comes to offering affordable family fun and food on a best-of-British break.
GO: CLACTON-ON-SEA
STAYING THERE: Four nights’ self-catering in a Bronze two-bed caravan sleeping four at Parkdean Resorts’ Highfield Grange Holiday Park is from £158. See parkdeanresorts.co.uk.
World Cup 2026: DR Congo squad told to isolate before entering US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has banned entry from non-Americans who have been in the DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days.
All DR Congo’s players are based outside the country and will not be affected by the restrictions now the training camp has been cancelled.
“If there are other people that are going to be coming in, they need to have a separate bubble from that team,” Giuliani said.
“If they end up coming, and any of those people end up symptomatic, they are risking the entire team being able to come and compete in this World Cup.”
On Friday the public health risk from the Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo was raised from “high” to “very high” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the risk in the wider region in Africa was “high” but that it remained “low” globally.
Dr Congo are due to play friendlies against Denmark on 3 June in Belgium and Chile on 9 June in Spain.
The World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July, and DR Congo play Portugal in their opening game on 17 June.
On This Day, May 23: Accordion receives patent
On this date in history:
In 1701, Capt. William Kidd was hanged in London for piracy and murder.
In 1829, Cyrill Demian was granted a patent for his musical instrument called the accordion.
In 1900, U.S. Army Sgt. William H. Carney became the first African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor. He was cited for his efforts during the Civil War battle of Fort Wagner, S.C., in June 1863.
In 1934, Clyde Barrow and his cigar-smoking sweetheart, Bonnie Parker, who lived by violence, died by violence after being ambushed by police in Bienville Parish, La.
File Photo courtesy of the FBI
In 1939, the U.S. Navy submarine Squalus went down off New Hampshire in 240 feet of water. Twenty-six men died. Thirty-three were saved in a daring rescue with a diving bell. The submarine was raised in September 1939 and recommissioned the USS Sailfish.
In 1945, Heinrich Himmler, the former Gestapo chief, killed himself in a British military prison in Luneburg, Germany.
In 1960, Israeli agents captured Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Argentina and spirited him to Israel. He was tried, convicted and hanged.
In 1963, the Alabama Supreme Court ousted Birmingham Mayor Art Hanes and two city commissioners, including segregationist Police Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Conner.
In 1991, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld federal regulations prohibiting federally funded women’s clinics from discussing or advising abortion with patients.
In 1992, President George H.W. Bush instituted a new Haitian refugee policy, permitting the Coast Guard to immediately return U.S.-bound boat people to their troubled homeland.
File Photo by Martin Jeong/UPI
In 2009, police said South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, 62, linked to a corruption investigation, died in a leap from a cliff near his home after leaving a suicide note.
In 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that California’s overcrowded prisons violated the Eighth Amendment banning “cruel and unusual punishment.”
In 2013, the Boy Scouts of America ended a century-old ban on openly gay scouts but still prohibited gay adult scout leaders.
In 2018, the National Football League approved a new policy requiring all players to stand for the national anthem or remain in the locker room. Under the new rule, the league planned to fine teams if players kneel during the anthem.
In 2023, the Illinois attorney general announced that an investigation found that 451 Catholic priests in the state had allegedly abused nearly 2,000 children since 1950.
Pool photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
A-10 Warthog’s New Aerial Refueling Probe Is Now Operational In The Middle East
Recently published imagery confirms that the A-10C attack jet is now operating in the Middle East with its new refueling probe fitted, something that has been achieved remarkably fast. As we reported at the time, the Warthog’s probe-type aerial refueling capability was first demonstrated in early April, and the adaptation comes as the jet cruises into the twilight of its career after it got a small reprieve from final retirement.
The U.S. Air Force has released images showing an A-10C using its Probe Refueling Adapter to take on fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II earlier this month, somewhere in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. The Warthogs in question belong to the 107th Fighter Squadron from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, which deployed to the Middle East in early April.
As we discussed in the past, the Probe Refueling Adapter could be of significant importance to the A-10 and the wider Air Force, during a future fight in the Pacific. Clearly, however, it is equally applicable to ongoing operations in the CENTCOM theater.
Indeed, the Air Force previously confirmed that the Probe Refueling Adapter effort was in response to an urgent combatant command requirement.
Adding the Probe Refueling Adapter is also relatively straightforward, since it makes use of the existing air refueling receptacle on the nose of the A-10. In turn, this means that the A-10 loses its regular nose-mounted receptacle.
As of April, the non-probe-equipped A-10 was only able to refuel from the KC-135, since the KC-10 had been retired, and the KC-46 was not yet certified to refuel the Warthog. This last issue is due to a long-running “stiff boom” problem, which runs the risk of damaging the receiving aircraft. The addition of the probe also means that the A-10s can now refuel from KC-46s too, which have a built in hose and drogue system, as well as a boom.
However, the A-10 can now take on fuel from Air Force HC-130s and MC-130s, or even Marine Corps KC-130s, as well as KC-130Js from other operators. Initial tests of the Probe Refueling Adapter involved an HC-130J from the 418th Flight Test Squadron.
These refuelers can operate from shorter runways and can offload fuel at very low altitudes, something the KC-135 is not able to do. Pairing the A-10 with these kinds of tankers, which can routinely operate from shorter fields and do so with far more flexibility, provides expanded aerial refueling flexibility for mission planners.
Working with the HC-130 and MC-130 is especially relevant for the A-10, bearing in mind its combat search and rescue ‘Sandy’ mission. This involves the jets providing escort and close air support for special operations helicopters working to retrieve personnel from highly contested territory. A-10s have flown this very mission over Iran. Already, HC-130s and MC-130s provide fuel to rotary-wing aircraft during these kinds of operations, and a probe-equipped A-10 would provide extended endurance and range in such scenarios.
The Probe Refueling Adapter also comes with a degree of flexibility. The Air Force describes it as “a field-configurable solution designed for installation by operational flight line personnel.”
“Units can install or remove the adapter in a matter of hours, allowing aircraft to be reconfigured between boom and probe refueling capability based on mission requirements,” the service says.
It is also notable that the Air Force imagery shows that the A-10s in CENTCOM are now also using the Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod.
The Angry Kitten had previously been test flown on the A-10, but had not been seen in an operational context. The store is also used operationally by Air Force F-16s and HC-130s and Navy F/A-18E/Fs. Angry Kitten was originally developed to replicate hostile electronic warfare threats during testing and training, as part of a cooperative effort between the Air Force and the Navy, but was so effective that it was adapted to operational use.
Using advanced Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology, Angry Kitten detects and ‘captures’ radio frequency (RF) signals. Those signals are then manipulated and retransmitted. For example, RF signals from an enemy air defense radar can be recorded and sent back in a way that creates false or otherwise confusing tracks. The same data can also be used for broader intelligence-gathering purposes. You can read more about the capabilities of the pod here.
As well as the Angry Kitten pod, the A-10C seen in the accompanying imagery carries a Litening targeting pod and a pair of 500-pound-series Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM).
Returning to the Probe Refueling Adapter, the A-10 is now putting it through its paces in an operational context in the Middle East.
But as we have discussed in the past, equipping A-10s and other combat jets with probes makes a good deal of sense for Pacific contingencies, too. They could also be operated alongside smaller tactical tankers, which could also play a very important role in that kind of conflict.
Simply put, the receptacle and boom mode of aerial refueling is optimized for plugging in at higher altitudes, for maximum efficiency and safety. However, in the Pacific, combat operations are likely to require fighters to take off with heavy loads from short runways, potentially battle-damaged ones, then immediately hook up to a tanker. Lower-level refueling using a probe is much more appropriate here and, indeed, is entirely in line with the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) strategy. This envisages fighters hopping from one austere forward airfield to another, keeping them close to the action, but farther away from the enemy’s strikes. Such airfields can also be accessed by standard C-130 transports, which can also help support tactical jets with spares, weapons, crews, etc.
There is also the fact that higher-level aerial refueling puts the tanker and receiver at higher risk of detection and engagement by the enemy. Aerial refueling assets, in particular, will be among the highest-priority targets for China in any confrontation in the Pacific. Indeed, there is a whole Chinese development thread focused on air defenses to engage aircraft like these, and other critical force-multipliers. Having refueling operations and tankers operate at a lower altitude puts them below the radar horizon, providing another layer of survivability, especially when working from islands closer to major target areas.
While the A-10 continues to evolve, the Air Force is still committed to its plans to retire the type for good before the end of the decade. For the time being, however, the Warthog is still in demand in combat theaters.
If the Probe Refueling Adapter concept could be extended to fighters like the F-16 and F-15, and potentially even future versions of the F-35A, these aircraft could rely more heavily on C-130 tankers, which are, at least in some cases, better suited to the ACE concept. Meanwhile, the larger KC-46s and KC-135s could operate somewhat further from the battlespace, including dragging tactical aircraft to and from the theater of operations, as well as supporting bombers and transports.
For some time now, the Air Force has also been looking at the possibility of acquiring the kinds of tankers that would be better suited to the kinds of mission likely to be encountered in the Pacific theater, albeit retaining the boom and receptacle method.
Now that the Probe Refueling Adapter is being proven in a combat theater, its success there could help keep the A-10 relevant throughout the last few years of its service, and perhaps even longer.
Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Britain’s Got Talent’s first ever winner warns the ITV show ‘needs to adapt’
The first-ever winner of Britain’s Got Talent has spoken out about the ITV show’s format and says it needs to change to survive.
Paul Potts tells GMB how he feels watching his Britain’s Got Talent audition back
Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts has spoken out about the iconic talent show and its current format.
The 55-year-old, who claimed the inaugural title on the ITV programme back in 2007, has voiced his concerns about international acts who have already reached the semi-final stages on other Got Talent franchises subsequently competing in the British version.
While making clear he has “no problem” with overseas performers appearing on the show, Paul insisted the programme must “adapt” to remain relevant.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Vegas, he said: “I’ve got no problem with international acts because British people have won America’s Got Talent before. Paul Zerdin won America’s Got Talent, so it works both ways. Some of the international acts this year have been fantastic and they bring real quality to the competition.”
He continued: “But I don’t think people who’ve already made a Got Talent final anywhere in the world should then be allowed to compete in another regular Got Talent series. Otherwise, it just becomes the same people endlessly auditioning across the franchise.”
“For me, if somebody has already reached a live semi-final, they should maybe get one more shot and that’s it. It’s not just meant for amateurs and complete novices. Professionals can absolutely compete, but it can’t just become a revolving door of career talent show contestants.”
Paul also suggested that the programme needs to venture across the UK in search of potential performers. He went on: “The format of Britain’s Got Talent needs to adapt.
“I think they need to start going around the country again like they used to instead of concentrating everything into one or two locations. Go out to seven or eight cities and really search for more homegrown talent. That would encourage more people from around the UK to audition.
“They also need to focus purely on quality once it gets to the semi-finals and finals. Bring novelty acts back to perform in the live shows for entertainment, but don’t have them there as actual semi-finalists because it feels a little disrespectful to the contestants who genuinely have a realistic chance of winning.”
Paul further noted that he believes the Golden Buzzer is ineffective in the semi-finals and that Piers Morgan ought to make a comeback to the programme, reports the Daily Star.
He continued: “I think it’s good to have diversity on the panel. KSI brings energy, and I don’t think there’s really anything wrong with the judging panel itself. The issue for me is more about the structure – you either need one more judge or one fewer judge, so you don’t keep ending up in deadlock situations.
“If they were going to add another judge, I’d say bring Piers Morgan back. I’m sure he’d shake things up a bit. I’m not sure he’d do it again, but it would certainly make things interesting.”
Britain’s Got Talent continues Saturday, 23rd May at 7pm on ITV1.
Spain rules – everything you may need to show at passport control
Major rule changes have come into force
Millions of Brits visit Spain each year(Image: Getty/Isabel Pavía)
Millions of holidaymakers head to Spain each year, with the nation being a firm favourite with those from the UK. Prior to Brexit, British travellers could enter Spain fairly easily.
However, since the UK left the European Union, new rules have come into force. For instance, your passport must display a ‘date of issue’ that falls within 10 years of your arrival date, and if you renewed your passport prior to October 1, 2018, it could carry a date of issue exceeding 10 years, rendering it invalid for entering the Schengen zone (which includes Spain).
As well as this, those travelling on a British passport can only visit the Schengen area for 90 days in any 180-day period. And if you’re entering Spain you’ll need to scan your passport, have a photo taken of your face, and scan four of your fingerprints, under the new Entry/Exit System (EES).
Once you have registered for travel under the EES, your digital EES record is valid for three years or until your passport expires if this is within the three year window. According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), alongside a valid passport, UK visitors may also be required to produce a return or onward ticket and/or proof of valid travel insurance at border control.
You may also need to prove you have enough money for your stay, and show proof of accommodation. This could be a hotel booking, or the address of a property you own. Alternatively, this could be an invitation if staying with friends, family, or a third party, such as a ‘carta de invitation’ completed by your hosts.
Award-winning English farm attraction launches kids-go-FREE deal but you don’t have long
EVERYONE loves a family day out, but let’s face it, everything is better when it’s free.
The much-loved Cotswold Farm Park run by Countryfile’s Adam Henson, has scooped up a Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Award for the last 15 years.
Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.
To celebrate, the attraction is offering free tickets to children, toddlers and babies.
The T&Cs are that it’s one complimentary ticket to each paying adult and or senior guest, and the offer is only running until the end of May.
Families can take advantage of the offer through May half-term and on the bank holiday (but make sure to book in advance).
The farm park is open seven days a week with plenty of activities to enjoy from feeding time with lambs and baby goats to jumping on its bouncy castle and trying out the zip wire.
When it comes to animals, visitors can get up close and personal with lots of breeds.
There’s Gillie the Jersey Cow, Marge the Middle White Pig, and Attenborough the Highland bull calf.
Feeding sessions with some of the youngest animals happen twice daily at 11.30AM and 3.30PM with lambs and baby goats.
There’s also a chance to watch chicks hatch as well as meet guinea pigs, rabbits and ducklings.
When it comes to playtime, children can head into the Adventure Barn – which is perfect for rainy days with didi cars and soft play.
Outside children can jump up and down on bouncy pillows, go on swings, zip wire, pedal tractors, explore the sandpit and climbing frame.
There’s a wooded area for bird-spotting and bee hive to take a look at too.
Between May 23 and May 31 the farm is celebrating Bee Wild Week with new activities like daily talks from the farm’s beekeeper-in-training.
When it’s time to eat, head to The Ox Shed Restaurant for all-day dining from breakfast to dinner, and pizza evenings every Saturday night.
Families from further afield can book to stay on-site at the campsites.
It has tent pitches to glamping tents, luxury lodges and new cabins.
A one-night stay on a grass tent pitch with electric starts from £67.
Head of Sun Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire visited the farm park last year, she said: “Spring is easily the best time to visit any farm in the UK, as new lambs, chicks, calves and piglets all arrive noisily on the scene.
“Inside the Discovery Barn, which teaches children all about farm animals, my five-year-old son petted chicks and baby rabbits, and was lucky enough to see a lamb being born.
“We refuelled at the on-site Ox Shed restaurant, dining on burgers and loaded salads, washed down with apple juice and a glass of Adam Henson’s own pale ale for me.”
City Section baseball finals: Friday scores, Saturday schedule
CITY SECTION BASEBALL FINALS
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
At Stengel Field
DIVISION II
#5 LA Roosevelt 5, #6 South East 3
At Fremont
DIVISION III
#7 Fremont 2, LA Hamilton 0
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
At Dodger Stadium
FINALS
OPEN DIVISION
#2 El Camino Real (21-9) vs. #1 Birmingham (26-4), 1 p.m.
DIVISION I
#10 Taft (13-17) vs. #13 Verdugo Hills (13-18), 10 a.m.
World Cup 2026: Which star players will miss the tournament? | World Cup 2026 News
The world’s best football players will travel to North America this summer for the most anticipated sporting event of the year: the FIFA World Cup 2026.
While the 48-team tournament will feature young prodigies and veterans alike, some stars will not be at the tournament, having missed out due to injuries or because their nations failed to qualify.
Al Jazeera takes a look at the top stars who will not be at the World Cup:
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)
One of the most feared wingers in European football, Kvaratskhelia will not be on the plane to North America as his country, Georgia, failed to qualify for the finals in June and July.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger, the standout player in the Champions League this season, is yet to play at a World Cup. His last major tournament with Georgia ended in a round-of-16 run at Euro 2024.
Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
A teary-eyed Lewandowski left the pitch after Poland’s final World Cup qualifier on March 31 as the nation narrowly missed out on the 2026 edition. The 37-year-old Barcelona striker even hinted at international retirement after the failure to qualify but has yet to confirm the decision.
Lewandowski has played a record 165 games for Poland, beginning with a goal on his debut against San Marino in 2008 when he was 20. His 89 goals are nearly twice as many as any other Polish player, but he has played at the World Cup only twice with a last-16 finish in 2022 being the best result.
Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sandro Tonali (Italy)
Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time means the tournament will be devoid of some of the finest Azzurri talents, including star goalkeeper Donnarumma and midfielder Tonali.
After suffering a shock penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoffs, Italy became the first former champions to miss three World Cup finals in a row. The last time the Italians played at a World Cup was in 2014 when they crashed out in the group stage in Brazil.
“The World Cup curse”, as described by the Italian media, will keep Donnarumma – one of the best goalkeepers in the world – and Tonali away from playing at the world’s biggest football tournament.
Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
After Italy, Nigeria are the biggest nation to miss out on a ticket to the World Cup 2026, thanks to an abysmal qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles had dreamed of soaring high in North America, but their wings were clipped after a shock penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the African playoffs.
Nigeria’s failure to make it to the World Cup means fans will miss out on watching Lookman, arguably their best player at AFCON 2025, and Osimhen, one of the most feared strikers in Africa.
The dynamic duo of Lookman and Osimhen has often brought joy to Nigerian fans, whose team is missing successive World Cup finals for the first time in 36 years.
Hugo Ekitike (France)
France forward Ekitike’s dreams of making his World Cup debut were shattered when he ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for Liverpool against PSG in April.
The injury, which could sideline him until January 2027, saw the 23-year-old leave the pitch in tears on a stretcher during the second leg of a Champions League quarterfinal tie at Anfield.
At the start of the 2025-2026 season, Ekitike was far behind in the France pecking order, but an impressive season at Liverpool, which saw him score 17 goals in all competitions until his injury, had put him in the running to be picked by coach Didier Deschamps for the World Cup.
Estevao and Rodrygo (Brazil)
One of the brightest talents in global football, winger Estevao was set for his much-awaited World Cup debut until a hamstring injury crushed his dream. The 19-year-old suffered a grade four hamstring injury while playing for his club, Chelsea, in April, which ultimately kept him out of Brazil’s World Cup squad.
Joining Chelsea from Palmeiras in May 2024, Estevao’s eight goals and four assists in his debut season in England caught everyone’s attention. The teenage sensation had also established himself as a regular member of Brazil’s squad under Carlo Ancelotti.
Alongside Estevao, Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, who made five appearances for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup, will not be at this year’s edition after suffering a torn meniscus and ACL in his right knee.
The 25-year-old picked up the injury while playing for Madrid in March and is expected to be out until the end of 2026.
Xavi Simons (Netherlands)
Attacking midfielder Simons will not be with the Netherlands at the World Cup 2026 after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while playing for his club, Tottenham Hotspur, against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a Premier League game.
Simons, 23, was expected to be a key figure in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad for what would have been his second World Cup after his debut in 2022.
He has earned 34 caps, most recently featuring in friendlies in March.
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
Cameroon’s failure to qualify for the World Cup came as a surprise as the Indomitable Lions hold the African record for the most appearances with eight overall.
After losing to DR Congo in the semifinals of the African playoffs, Cameroon’s World Cup dreams died and, with them, Mbeumo’s chances of playing in North America.
Mbeumo has had a decent season at Manchester United, scoring 10 goals and bagging three assists across all competitions.
Honourable mentions
A few other high-profile players will also miss the tournament.
Spain midfielder Fermin Lopez misses out after requiring surgery on a fracture in his right foot while Germany’s Serge Gnabry has been ruled out with a torn adductor muscle in his right thigh.
England have omitted Cole Palmer and Phil Foden from their squad after both had disappointing seasons.
Japan’s Takumi Minamino was left out after suffering an ACL tear while Kaoru Mitoma also misses out after suffering a hamstring injury.
Defender Eder Militao was dropped from Brazil’s squad after undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury while Ancelotti also dropped forwards Joao Pedro and Richarlison.
Slovenia goalkeeper and captain Jan Oblak will be absent after they failed to qualify, and central midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai faces a similar fate after Hungary missed out too.