Al Jazeera’s Nils Adler @nilsadler1 reports on how far-right ‘Active Clubs’ use fitness and camaraderie to recruit young white men while masking extremist ideology. Experts warn the decentralized groups are preparing members for real-world violence.
Published On 6 Aug 20266 Aug 2026
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PARTY animals will quickly tell you there are two fiercely different sides to Ibiza.
Visitors to the holiday hotspot either descend for wild nights of debauchery at the hardcore superclubs or they are doing sunrise yoga and sipping green juices at high-priced wellness retreats.
Then there are people like me, who fancy the idea of dabbling in a little bit of both — and want to bring the kids along, too.
Luckily, all that is possible thanks to the arrival of the achingly cool hotel, Bless Ibiza The Site, which opened in June.
One of two Bless hotels on the beautiful Balearic island, the sprawling 5* resort is in the action-packed region of Playa D’en Bossa.
Less than a ten-minute hop from the airport, it is within easy reach of the traditional restaurants of the Old Town and some of the island’s famous nightclubs.
The best thing about it, though, is not its location. It’s that, unless you want to dance the night away, you do not need to leave the hotel.
The vibe is pure Ibiza: glamorous without trying too hard, stylish without taking itself too seriously, and well-equipped for sun-soaked days — and, of course, those famous late-night adventures.
And then there’s the delicious food, which is just the cherry on the ultra-decadent cake.
With six excellent restaurants on site, effortlessly chic cocktail bars, and views that made my phone camera work overtime, this resort really had predicted my every whim.
Children are well catered for, too, from the chocolate fountain — which sent them nuts at the breakfast buffet — to a fun-packed kids’ club where the activities extend well beyond the normal sporting fodder to quirky things like pasta making and pottery.
An army of professional nannies are also on hand to offer late-night babysitting in case Mum and Dad want to stay out past bedtime.
And, of course, there’s ample opportunity to do that.
Less than a 20-minute drive away is UNVRS — the largest club in the world, which only opened last year with a big promotion from superstar actor Will Smith.
There’s also the luxurious beach club Playa Soleil less than a ten- minute walk along the shore, which stays open until 3am most days and 4am on Saturdays.
But why splash extra cash when the hotel has its very own buzzing Palm Club?
Plush loungers are surrounded by tropical greenery, free for guests to use, or you can shell out for Balinese day beds or a private cabana, and cool off in the pool, which boasts a swim-up bar.
If you have had one too many margaritas the day before, the antidote is the resort’s spa where the treatments are accompanied by a relaxing water circuit.
While typical partygoers may not prioritise a good night’s kip, I do.
And let me tell you, each of the ultra-comfy 466 rooms will ensure you sleep soundly.
All are spacious and elegantly decorated — and some are even spread over two floors with private plunge pools.
The highlight of this plush resort, however, is undoubtedly the food.
Ibiza is not short of excellent dining options. It is home to three restaurants that have one Michelin star, as well as traditional fincas, serving up properly authentic grub in a rustic setting.
But you will find some of the best grub on the island right here at Bless Ibiza The Site.
My favourite (although it was a tough call) was Coya — a hip seafront Peruvian restaurant, which is an offshoot of the swanky celeb hangout in London.
Every table has a sea view from its perch on the sand and the mellow beats from the nearby DJ give the place a buzz.
Vibrant and fresh dishes include guacamole (which is whipped up tableside) and delicate seabass ceviche, washed down with a sangria that was dangerously delicious.
Our leisurely lunch here stretched into the early evening, and even though Bless is slap-bang between two of the island’s most iconic nightclubs, Ushuaia and Hi, I was far more tempted to stay put and watch the sun set from the hotel’s chic rooftop bar.
Cloud 9 has a collaboration with one of the world’s 50 best bars, Handshake Speakeasy, and it doesn’t do things by halves.
Despite mean competition, this spot has clawed its way right to the top of visitors’ wish lists thanks to an enviable drinks menu featuring classics with a twist.
Try the clarified piña colada, made with aged brandy, pineapple, coconut and micro-coriander, which has a clear and thin consistency — nothing like the thick and heavy traditional version you might expect.
If you are more of a daytime drinker, there’s also the gorgeous Lobito de Mar, where pitchers of champagne sangria are paired with traditional Spanish seafood dishes and delivered straight to your sun-lounger.
Or dine at Tatel, a more formal spot, or Leña — an elegant steakhouse that will draw you in with rich, buttery smells wafting from the wood-fired oven.
If money really is no object, head for Sublimotion by Paco Roncero.
This place is more of a performance than a meal, with room for just one table seating up to 12 guests — it definitely is one of the hottest tickets in town.
After visiting, I was so fit to burst that even the booms from the notorious nightclubs couldn’t drag me out of my food coma.
Perhaps a sunrise yoga session instead?
This really is the best of both worlds.
After winning their third league title in four years, Larne kick-start their European campaign with a trip to San Marino to face Tre Fiori in the first round of the Champions League qualifying matches on 7 July, before the home game the following week.
The San Marino Champions, who won the Campionato Sammarinese by one point last campaign, have had a busy off season with 11 players leaving the club and eight new signings.
Larne will take confidence that, in 2020, Linfield faced Tre Fiori with the Blues progressing to the next round of Champions League qualifiers with a 2-0 win in Nyon.
The Inver Reds have now competed in Europe for the last six years and, two seasons ago, made history by beating Lincoln Red Imps to qualify into the Conference League.
“The players want to get back there and experience it again, as the six individual games are a fantastic experience,” Gary Haveron said.
“When you are in the knockout stages, the next game could be your last one and there is a lot at stake but, once you make group stages, you could plan your schedule around the individual games. Every single one of the games was a huge event and a big moment in the club’s history.
“Every time you step foot on the pitch in Europe, you are trying to create history for the club and the country and I think Larne have done that really well.”
If they lose this tie, Larne’s European adventure will not be over as they will drop into the third round of the Uefa Conference League.
The 52 clubs involved have outlined in the letter an agenda they hope to discuss at the meeting with the FA.
Among the issues they raise are:
Whether the process adopted by the board “complies” with the constitutional rights of the member clubs
The use of “anonymous” surveys instead of a formal voting procedure
The “incentive of financial distributions” to press for an agreement
“Concerns” regarding the independence of decision-making on the board
A need for “transparency and accountability”
The letter asks that the FA is bound by a notice period to agree the meeting and confirm an agenda, which is believed to be between seven and 14 working days.
Anthony Shaw, operations manager at Hashtag United FC, pulled the 52 clubs together and signed the letter on their behalf.
All clubs were listed. Among them were Middlesbrough, Derby County, Halifax, Doncaster Belles and Hull City.
Former Women’s National League chair Carol West has strongly opposed the proposals, writing on social media: “The damage being done here should not be underestimated. I can’t quite believe it’s being allowed to happen.
“The overriding issue with all of this is that the vast majority of clubs do not want PGA (Professional Game Academy) teams in their league but have repeatedly been denied their democratic right to vote to formalise this once and for all.
“Instead, they’ve been told it’s happening regardless which isn’t right.”
The salary cap – a £6.4m limit on squad spending, albeit with ‘credits’ on offer for home-grown talent and other factors which stretch the restriction to £7.8m – will remain the same.
Fly-half remains the highest paid position in the Prem on £260,000, with back row second at £192,000.
The lowest paid position is wing on £132,000, with prop on slightly more on £144,000.
Like Russell, Sale’s George Ford, Marcus Smith at Harlequins and Saracens’ Maro Itoje are among the excluded players, with their average salary £533,000.
Bottom side Newcastle spent the least of all clubs and failed to reach £4m overall.
“The cap continues to be supported by all and it is central to driving the competitiveness of the Prem,” chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor said.
“With six different winners in as many years, we should all be proud of our system that ensures that any club, on any given day, can compete for the biggest prize in English rugby.”
Together with their first league title since 1996, Bath lifted the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup last year.
A MAJOR cruise line is launching a new ship later this year and it will have a first-of-its-kind outdoor theme park onboard.
MSC World Asia is the third ship in the ‘World Class’ series, and will start sailings in December.
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Called The Harbour, the ‘open air’ theme park will be found on the top deck in the Family Aventura District – and it’s the first ship in Europe to have one.
Here is where guests can try out the Adventure Trail rope course and the longest dry slide at sea.
It will also have Europe‘s first over-water swing called Cliffhanger which will hang over the ocean.
Families can also try out both the Twin Racer dueling waterslides and U Drop too.
For younger guests, there’s the a new playground called The Play Deck which is a relaxed space with comfy seating.
Rides can be enjoyed well into the evening as when it’s time for sunset as The Harbour lights up in the dark.
Luna Park is an interactive area with immersive game experiences – which isn’t found on any other MSC cruise ship.
It has three original game shows, Code Breakers, Labrinth and Chart Toppers.
The Family Aventura District also has The ClubHouse and Doremiland, a 10,000-square-foot kids club with dedicated spaces for each age group.
Inside Doremiland are two rooms dedicated to LEGO and another that’s Formula 1-themed.
MSC Cruises Vice President of Entertainment Steve Leatham said: “As a family-owned company, MSC Cruises knows what it takes to keep the whole family happy on holiday, with tailored family entertainment activities and facilities for guests of all ages.
“On board MSC World Asia, family entertainment will reach new heights – bigger, bolder and more innovative than ever.
“Featuring our widest range of programs yet, alongside immersive, interactive and personalized experiences for everyone from toddlers to teens, families can expect truly extraordinary moments at sea.”
MSC World Asia is expected to enter service in December 2026, offering 7-night itineraries to Mediterranean destinations across Italy, France and Malta.
Around the ship will be seven themed neighbourhoods, like the AquaDeck, Family Aventura, Galleria, MSC Yacht Club, Promenade, The Terraces and Zen Area.
On the Aqua Deck will be seven pools and 13 whirlpool baths, including two newly designed pools; the outdoor Manila Bay pool and the indoor Coral Cove pool.
MSC World Asia is part of the ‘World Class’ series – the first two ships were MSC World Europa, delivered in 2022 and MSC World America in 2025.
MSC Cruises is the world’s third-largest cruise line with 23 ships that sail across five continents and over 300 destinations.
