Palestinians are turning to soup kitchens to feed their families as Gaza is gripped by a crippling food crisis because Israel is limiting the entry of aid trucks, despite the new ceasefire agreement.
There is also a small area for toddlers to explore.
The only bad news is that Hermit’s Cafe and on-site toilets which is located within the woodland playground will close.
It’s a popular spot for families, especially during the warmer weather with one mum writing on Tripadvisor that it’s the best place for a “perfect day out with the kids“.
Another said: “The walk is lovely not huge but the kids loved it, log walking, making dens, and they loved the woodland climbing.”
The climbing area is open between 10am until 4pm each day.
Aside from the climbing frame, there’s plenty to do in Coombe Abbey Park as it has plenty of woodland and lakeside walks as well as other activities, and even Go Ape.
There’s plenty to do on the 500 acres of Coombe Abbey ParkCredit: http://www.coombeabbey.comThere’s a hotel there too with pretty gardens and a pondCredit: Alamy
The adventure chain is found within the grounds and there’s plenty to do from Treetop challenges, to axe throwing, archery, drivingmini land rovers.
Or head closer to the huge Coombe Abbey Hotel where you can stroll around the pruned gardens and mazes.
Visitors can pop into Café in the Park at Coombe Abbey where they serve up breakfast offerings from the ‘Full Park Breakfast’.
There are as well as toasties, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, or main meals like fish and chips, chilli and there’s a dedicated kid’s menu.
Coventry itself has been labelled as an ‘underrated’ city in the UK, and it’s seeing an increase in the number of tourists.
Some of the biggest attractions there include The Wave in Coventry which is an enormous indoor waterpark with one of the biggest wave pools in the country.
It has six water slides, one being The Crestar, which has two giant spheres with lighting effects.
The Cascade is another ride at the waterpark, as is The Torrent, which is a ride where the floor drops from beneath – and is arguably one of the scariest rides.
The Rapids, which has been described as the “Big Dipper on water”, is the park’s water coaster, where powerful jets hurl riders uphill before dropping them down through tight corners and tunnels.
One writer reveals what his stay at the Coombe Abbey Hotel was like…
On 500 acres of renowned beauty, this historic hotel is in Coventry situated in Coombe Abbey’s Country Park, just off the M6.
What is it like?
Next time somebody wants to send you to Coventry, stay at this complex, which dates back to 1150 and has links to royalty, the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII and the Gunpowder plot. Enjoy a view of the moat, the lake and the courtyard to the Capability Brown designed gardens, depending on where you are in the hotel.
What is there to do at the hotel?
The corridors and communal rooms are packed with artefacts, art, history and heritage, that are well worth exploring as you wander from bar to room to
restaurant, while the scenic lake, gardens and grounds are perfect for a stroll.
Enjoy one of the many choices of afternoon tea, from Abbot’s Afternoon Tea to Sparkling Afternoon Tea as a post-walk treat. For kids, you can discover Go Ape in the woodlands.
What is there to eat and drink?
Unless you want to drive, you’d better eat here as it’s about a ten-minute walk to the edge of the grounds and some way beyond that to any restaurants. That being said, you really do want to eat here. The ambience is classy, the food is great, and the breakfast really sets you up for the day.
The dinner menu features meaty dishes of beef shin with fondant potato and confit duck leg with spiced braised cabbage, as well as vegan, vegetarian and fish options.
What are the rooms like?
The minimum standard in basic rooms is real quality and comfort, while the decor and design in the feature heritage rooms are charming and characterful. Rooms start from £149 a night based on two sharing.
Important changes to travel rules are coming in(Image: Getty)
People planning a trip abroad have been warned about major changes coming to travel rules. The European Union is bringing in its Entry/Exit System (EES) as it begins to roll out. You may need to register some details when going on a short trip or holiday to any Schengen area countries, such as France, Italy and Spain.
The Government has published guidance about what this will mean for travellers. This has been shared on the travel advice pages for the 29 countries affected by the changes.
The guidance states: “From 12 October 2025, the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin roll out. This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo.
“You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.” When you go on a trip to a Schengen country, you may need to register your details at a special booth before moving on the immigration desk.
The advice states: “Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area.
“Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but may need their photo taken.” The process will take a few extra minutes for each passenger, so there may be a longer wait than usual to get through the border checks.
The scheme is being rolled out gradually, and the number of passengers being registered at each port of entry will vary. At some destinations, it may take up to six months to fully roll out.
The guidance states: “Until EES is fully rolled out your passport will continue to be stamped, even if you’ve already been registered for EES. Once EES is fully rolled out, it will replace the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays and you will input biometric details every time you enter or exit.”
If you are going to a Schengen area through the Port of Dover, by the Eurotunnel at Folkestone or via the Eurostar at St Pancras International and you are asked to register, the information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK.
The EU is launching the Entry Exit System (EES) for UK and non-EU nationals who are visiting the Schengen zone but two countries not affected by the new rules
New rules are coming into force(Image: Andrii Marushchynets via Getty Images)
British holidaymakers will encounter tougher entry requirements when jetting off to the EU next month as fresh regulations take effect across 29 EU nations. Yet two destinations remain exempt.
The EU’s Entry Exit System (EES) launches on October 12 for UK and non-EU citizens making short visits to the border-free EU Schengen area. Brits must now register at borders by having passports scanned alongside fingerprint and photo capture under the updated system.
For departures and future border crossings to or from member countries, travellers need only scan passports and provide either fingerprints or photographs. The programme is being phased in gradually over six months, meaning holidaymakers may or may not encounter the fresh system depending on their chosen destination.
Passport stamping will continue throughout this transition period. The EU states the EES will become “fully operational” from April 10, 2026.
The UK Government has alerted travellers to these updated regulations, which will affect beloved holiday hotspots including France, Spain and Greece. The Schengen zone also includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
However, there’s two EU countries where the EES will not be required: Ireland and Cyprus. Neither of these countries are participating in the system as they are not part of the Schengen Area.
This means that even after October 12 Brits can visit them as usual without having their fingerprints or photographs taken. Recently, travel journalist Simon Calder urged Brits who possess an Irish passport to use it when they visit the Schengen Area from next month.
Responding to a question on which passports dual British-EU citizens should use, he said: “If you have the wisdom and fortune to have an Irish passport, use that at all times. It has a superpower no other document has: unfettered access to both the UK and the European Union, with no need to get an online permit in advance.”
Meanwhile British passport holders are warned of longer queues at the Schengen border as the EES is rolled out. In ports such as Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the Port of Dover the EES checks will be completed in the UK.
A government spokesperson said: “While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are in constant and close dialogue with our European partners to try and minimise the impact on the British public.
“While we have done everything we can to ensure the required infrastructure is in place, anyone who is planning a trip to the European mainland once these checks are introduced will still need to allow more time for their journey as the new EU systems bed in.”
Here’s the full list of countries implementing the EES scheme:
The National Television Awards were held at the O2 Arena last night and social commentator Narinder Kaur is said to have been refused entry to the red carpet at the event
Narinder Kaur is said to have been refused entry to the NTAs red carpet last night(Image: MattPapz)
Social commentator Narinder Kaur was refused entry to the red carpet of the National Television Awards last night. She was among the celebrities who had travelled to the O2 Arena in London for the televised awards ceremony.
Narinder, 53, who regularly appears on Jeremy Vine‘s panel show, is said to have been turned away from the red carpet after arriving at the venue in London. It’s claimed that it led to confusion among guests preparing to enter the event.
A spokesperson for Narinder told the Mirror that she was turned away from the red carpet, despite previously been told that she would be given access. They told us today: “She was refused entry onto the red carpet by one of the organisers, despite a network executive for the show confirming that she was allowed entry onto the red carpet.”
They continued: “Several celebrities came over to Narinder’s aid and also said the organiser’s behaviour was weird and asked why Narinder was the only person being asked [to show her tickets].” They added: “Narinder has previously won an NTA, back in 2002, which adds insult to injury.” A representative for the NTAs declined to comment when approached.
Narinder Kaur went to the National Television Awards 2025 in London last night(Image: MattPapz)
She’s however said to have been refused entry to the red carpet at the O2 Arena and then ended up going home(Image: MattPapz)
Narinder, who is said to have taken a boat down the Thames amid tube strikes to make it to the O2 Arena, had shared content on Instagram ahead of arriving. The broadcaster suggested in a post that she was running late, writing: “[My agent is] trying to calm me down at HOW LATE we are”.
She’s since issued a video message on X, in which she addressed the idea of having been “banned” from the NTAs. She said: “I wasn’t banned. I had an invite but when I got there they decided it wasn’t the right invite, security, and I had to wait. And it was like so one and half, two hours later, and then finally [they] were like ‘oh my god’ we’ve made a huge mistake. Of course come in’. It was too late. I was ready to go home.”
Narinder, who said that she hopes it was a “genuine mistake,” found it “humiliating” and “embarrassing,” adding: “I was really upset.” She also hit out at the prospect of it being due to her opinions on certain topics, saying that some people had suggested that to her. Dismissing the prospect, she said: “That doesn’t make sense. […] Then why would I be invited? What, then they decided when I got to the door that I’m too opinionated?”
She’s dismissed the suggestion that it was related to her being ‘opinionated,’ after sharing her thoughts on topics like Thomas Skinner being part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing recently(Image: BBC/PA Wire)
As reported at the time, she said in the caption of a video about his casting on X: “Apparently I was deemed too controversial for @bbcstrictly because they only hire quiet brown and black women that fit in a box. But you can be a white man AND be controversial and you’ll be hired on the spot! Hello Thomas Skinner!! #BBCStrictly your unconscious bias and prejudicial views against British brown women is disgraceful.”
The BBC’s director-general Tim Davie said at a Culture, Media and Sport Committee earlier this week that he had “never heard that” when asked about claims that Narinder was rejected for the show, whilst defending the controversial casting of Thomas. Tim said: “I’m not involved directly, that’s not disowning it, it’s just day to day.
“It’s for BBC Studios to propose to the commissioner of entertainment who they think they can get … one is who will take part, because it’s quite a commitment, three months in full training. And the second is, who are people that they think would make a good balance in terms of the cast, and my goodness, they’ve done a good job in terms of creating a phenomenal show.”
The 2025 Alaska meeting has served as a wake-up call, prompting Canada to undergo a strategic realignment in its foreign policy with a particular focus on strengthening ties with Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
On Ukraine’s Independence Day, Canada’s Prime Minister did more than just visit Kyiv. His presence sent a message of genuine solidarity and signalled to the world that Canada may be ready to move beyond symbolic gestures into the space of real security commitments.
To address the question, why is Canada recalibrating its global posture?
It is crucial to recognize that Trump’s meeting with Zelensky at the White House served as a stark reminder of the conditional and fragile nature of American support.
If Ukraine, a nation actively resisting military aggression, can be subjected to strategic indifference, then there is little assurance that Canada will be immune to similar treatment. The shifting tenor in Washington, illustrated by former President Trump’s imposition of tariffs and his dismissive rhetoric regarding Canadian sovereignty, signals a deeper recalibration in U.S. foreign policy. For Ottawa, the message is clear: it can no longer rely on the stability of its relationship with Washington. This shift threatens all U.S.allies, including Canada and European countries that have relied on the U.S.security umbrella for decades.
Alongside his visit, Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed support for Ukraine’s call for long-term security guarantees as part of any future peace deal with Russia. That support includes the possibility of deploying Canadian troops to Ukraine. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s words carry the weight of his intent:
The statement was not simply vague diplomatic language, but it has given a clear message to the hesitant European capitals, and NATO strategists in Brussels now have a concrete framework to build around. Berlin now has political cover to move forward, which has been cautious about postwar commitments. Paris, which has talked about troops but wavered on details, now has an ally willing to share the burden. London, navigating domestic pressure, has now been offered a lifeline.
For Moscow, the message is unambiguous: Western resolve will not be undermined by time and political maneuvering. Putin’s calculation has always been that Western resolve would crack, that domestic politics would eventually force Ukraine’s allies to abandon ship. But now the tables have turned, and a peacekeeping force backed by Canada, Britain, and France—with German support—isn’t a negotiating position Putin can simply outlast. It’s a permanent commitment he will be forced to reckon with.
“We are all working to ensure that the end of this war would mean the guarantee
of peace for Ukraine, so that neither war nor the threat of war is left for our
children to inherit,” Zelenskyy told a crowd of dignitaries.
He further added that he wants future security guarantees as part of a potential peace deal to be as close as possible to NATO’s Article 5, which considers an attack on one member state as an attack against all.
The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, and President Zelensky formalized a
$680 million drone co-production agreement, scheduled to commence imminently. Canada also joined the PURL initiative, a multilateral fund mechanism enhancing Ukraine’s access to advanced weaponry, coordinated by the U.S.
So far, Canada has pledged:
$680 million for drone co-production.
$500 million for the PURL initiative
$680 million for drone co-production
$320 million for armored vehicles and other resources
Readiness to join a postwar peacekeeping force
His leadership hasn’t stopped there. As holder of the G7 presidency, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced these measures during the 2025 G7 Summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.
“We are working with international partners to strengthen security commitments to Ukraine. While hosting the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced $2 billion in additional military assistance for Ukraine, as well as the disbursement of a
This marks a turning point, with Canada emerging as a key leader in NATO’s collective response, especially at a time when traditional allies have backed off or shown hesitation due to diplomatic pressures. The combination of military aid and
Economic reconstruction funding reflects a mature and comprehensive approach, underscoring Canada’s recognition that lasting peace depends on both strong defense and sustainable development. Moreover, Canada’s strategy aims to reduce reliance on U.S. markets without provoking retaliation—a delicate but necessary balancing act in today’s complex geopolitical landscape.
On August 24th, Carney changed the course. Had he not, Canada would still be making trips to Washington years from now, offering empty platitudes, clinging to diplomacy on thin ice, and watching its future partner in Europe be crushed by imperial aggression. Canada has realized it must help Europe, help Ukraine, and prove it can be counted on.
The arithmetic is brutal for Moscow. With over $20 billion already locked in for 2026 from just three nations, and Europe’s aid machinery now running independently of Washington’s whims, Putin faces a grim calculus. As Europe and Canada lead the charge, the West’s resolve hardens—and for Putin, the future looks increasingly untenable.
Thorpe Park is inviting students to mark this milestone with an unforgettable, thrill-fuelled experience. And with summer hours in full swing, the fun lasts until 7pm
Thorpe Park is packed full of thrills
Thorpe Park is turning GCSE results day into an A-grade celebration, with the first 25 students through the gates on Thursday, 21 August receiving free entry and Coaster Fastrack.
Come this Thursday, the brave GCSE exam takers of Britain will learn their fate. Will they be among the cheerful crew jumping for joy at their hard-earned top marks, or will their envelope contain disappointing news?
The rollercoaster is offering free entry to some GCSE students (Image: Getty Images)
Whether it’s launching into summer at 80mph on Stealth, getting a splash of excitement on Tidal Wave, or taking a victory lap on Hyperia, Thorpe Park is packed with enough stomach-churning drops and spine-tingling loops to make it the perfect post-exam escape.
Thorpe Park is inviting students to mark this milestone with an unforgettable, thrill-fuelled experience. And with summer hours in full swing, the fun lasts until 7pm. To qualify, students must show proof of their GCSE results at the gate.
A spokesperson for Thorpe Park said: “No matter what your results say, you’ve put in the hard work, and that deserves a celebration. We’re here to recognise your effort, applaud your achievements, and give you the ultimate day out to reward yourself in style.”
For those who haven’t just completed their GCSEs but still fancy both a day out and a bargain, then your’e in luck.
National Rail has an excellent, money-saving scheme which delivers big savings on attractions across the UK. There is money off close to 500 different venues and events, so there’s a really good chance that there’ll be a bargain on offer in your neck of the woods.
You can score savings including two-for-one deals and a third-off entry to top attractions in and around Great Britain. To claim, you just have to take the train. The scheme is designed to encourage people to get out of cars and onto the rails, a mode of transport that tends to be better for the environment.
To take advantage of the discounts on offer, head to the National Rail website and choose an attraction. Then, download and print the vouchers you find there and use them to buy a ticket at the attraction, or buy a ticket online. Just make sure you save your train ticket to show at the box office.
There are a huge number of attractions taking part, with two-for-one deals on offer at dozens. Including:
The Shards’ viewing gallery
The Beatles Story Museum
Tudor World
Howletts Wild Animal Park
Grand Pier Weston-super-Mare
The Household Cavalry Museum
Thinktank at Birmingham Science Museum
The Cartoon Museum
The Fashion and Textile Museum
Train travellers can also bag a third off many excellent days out. Theme park giant Merlin is taking part and is offering 33.3% off:
Alton Towers Resort
Chessington World of Adventures Resort
Thorpe Park
Legoland Windsor Resort
Warwick Castle
Cadbury World
The London Eye
Shrek’s Adventure! London
Madame Tussauds Blackpool
The Dungeons (York, Edinburgh, or Blackpool Tower
The Blackpool Tower Eye
LEGOLAND® Discovery Centres (Manchester or Birmingham)
SEA LIFE Aquariums & Centres (Birmingham, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, Blackpool, Brighton, Manchester, Scarborough, Hunstanton and Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park)
Los Angeles has many valleys, but only one is the Valley. You know it as soon as you crest over the 101, 405, 170 or 5 freeways, its bordering hills verdant or golden depending on the time of year. Pull off almost any exit and you’ll immediately be greeted by shopping centers, strip malls, mom-and-pop markets and fine-dining dens serving up some of the city’s most ambitious and heartfelt meals.
Bounded by mountains on all sides, the San Fernando Valley spans 260 square miles and is home to nearly half of L.A.’s population, around 1.8 million people. Across its expanse, it assumes many identities.
Our favorite places to eat and drink in the 818. From high-end sushi to burger shacks, tiki bars, dives and more.
Long before its peaks and basins were crisscrossed with highways and miles-long boulevards, the Tongva people lived along the water-rich and wooded areas of the Valley for more than 7,000 years. In the late 18th century, Spanish settlers by way of Mexico traversed over the Santa Monica Mountains into what is now known as Encino.
More than a century ago, the citrus orchards began to give way as Warner Bros., Walt Disney and Universal studios built out their filming lots. A tinge of Tinseltown and tourism followed, while room to grow brought a midcentury housing boom to the region. Themed restaurants and tiki haunts popped up to keep diners entertained. Now, it’s difficult to find a Valley establishment that hasn’t made a TV or film appearance.
As Valley dwellers began settling in — immigrants, suburban families, celebrities — its food scene flourished in step.
On Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, you’ll find Casa Vega, its dim interior practically untouched since Rafael “Ray” Vega first founded it in 1956. The son of Tijuana-born immigrants who ran popular Cafe Caliente on Olvera Street beginning in the 1930s, Vega introduced many Valley diners — including a flock of silver screen regulars — to Mexican-American staples such as fajitas and enchiladas.
Farther south in Studio City, take your pick from a parade of Japanese restaurants along Sushi Row. The stretch of Ventura Boulevard became a hub for high-end Japanese cuisine after pioneering chef Kazunori Nozawa opened his Edo-style sushi restaurant Nozawa in 1987. Though that location has since closed, Nozawa has spawned a global restaurant empire with his KazuNori, Nozawa Bar and Sugarfish chains.
Pull off the main drag and you’ll find hidden gem burger shacks, taquerias, hot dog joints, kebab shops and neighborhood delis. Meanwhile, Valley residents are spearheading new concepts.
“We’re born and bred Valley kids, so we had to do it in the Valley,” said Marissa Shammas on opening Yala Coffee, a Middle Eastern-inspired cafe, with her husband Zain Shammas in Studio City. “[People] commonly think [the Valley] is where things go to die — and we think that that’s where things go to be more.”
There’s more to discover than ever when it comes to dining in the 818 (or 747). Eight Times food writers spent months exploring the Valley in search of the best for this guide, reconnecting with old favorites and finding new surprises.
For me, it was also an exercise in nostalgia. Old shortcuts returned like muscle memory as I reacquainted myself with the Woodland Hills blocks where I navigated young adulthood. In North Hollywood, my home for several years into my early 30s, former standbys suddenly returned to the forefront of my mind: The tiki bar across the street from my old apartment, a hole-in-the-wall Puerto Rican restaurant where salsa music draws you in, a vibrant Jamaican bistro that now sits in Sherman Oaks. I found myself wishing I could linger in the Valley longer.
Here are our favorites, spanning Filipino-Mexican fusion in a Northridge car wash-turned-restaurant, a DMV-adjacent street-stand for lamb barbacoa in Arleta and a fast-growing mini chain of Sephardic pastries. It’s time to dig into the Valley. — Danielle Dorsey
A federal judge barred the Trump administration from using its ban on travelers from some countries to keep 80 already-vetted refugees from entering the United States.
In a decision late Monday, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead in Seattle said President Trump’s June order banning the entry of people from 12 countries “expressly states” that it does not limit the ability of people to seek refugee status.
“In other words, by its plain terms, the Proclamation excludes refugees from its scope,” the judge wrote.
Barring refugees from entering the U.S. would limit their ability to seek refugee status and therefore run counter to the Republican president’s order, the judge said.
He ordered the administration to immediately resume processing 80 “presumptively protected refugees” that were rejected based on the travel ban.
The State Department did not immediately have comment Tuesday.
Whitehead also set out a framework for the government to vet refugees from the countries covered by the travel ban and other countries who were denied entry when the president suspended the nation’s refugee admissions program within hours of taking office on Jan. 20.
The decision left thousands of refugees who had already gone through a sometimes years-long vetting process to start new lives in America stranded at various locations around the world, including relatives of active-duty U.S. military personnel and more than 1,600 Afghans who assisted America’s war efforts.
Some individual refugees sued, along with refugee aid organizations who said the administration froze their funding. They later asked the judge to make the case a class-action lawsuit so that the rulings could apply to other refugees facing similar circumstances.
In May, Whitehead said the suspension likely amounted to a nullification of congressional will, since Congress created and funded the refugee admissions program. He issued a preliminary injunction in February barring the federal government from suspending refugee processing and refugee aid funding.
But the 9th U.S. Circuit put most of that decision on hold in March, finding the administration was likely to win the case because the president has broad authority to determine who is allowed to enter the country.
Boone and Thanawala write for the Associated Press.
WASHINGTON — Foreign tourists are trickling back to China after the country loosened its visa policy to unprecedented levels. Citizens from 74 countries can now enter China for up to 30 days without a visa, a big jump from previous regulations.
The government has been steadily expanding visa-free entry in a bid to boost tourism, the economy and its soft power. More than 20 million foreign visitors entered without a visa in 2024 — almost one-third of the total and more than double from the previous year, according to the National Immigration Administration.
“This really helps people to travel because it is such a hassle to apply for a visa and go through the process,” Georgi Shavadze, a Georgian living in Austria, said on a recent visit to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
While most tourist sites are still packed with far more domestic tourists than foreigners, travel companies and tour guides are now bracing for a bigger influx in anticipation of summer holiday goers coming to China.
“I’m practically overwhelmed with tours and struggling to keep up,” says Gao Jun, a veteran English-speaking tour guide with over 20 years of experience. To meet growing demand, he launched a new business to train anyone interested in becoming an English-speaking tour guide. “I just can’t handle them all on my own,” he said.
After lifting tough COVID-19 restrictions, China reopened its borders to tourists in early 2023, but only 13.8 million people visited in that year, less than half the 31.9 million in 2019, the last year before the pandemic.
30 days for many in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Mideast
In December 2023, China announced visa-free entry for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. Almost all of Europe has been added since then. Travelers from five Latin American countries and Uzbekistan became eligible last month, followed by four in the Middle East. The total will grow to 75 on July 16 with the addition of Azerbaijan.
About two-thirds of the countries have been granted visa-free entry on a one-year trial basis.
For Norwegian traveler Øystein Sporsheim, this means his family would no longer need to make two round-trip visits to the Chinese embassy in Oslo to apply for a tourist visa, a time-consuming and costly process with two children in tow. “They don’t very often open, so it was much harder,” he said.
“The new visa policies are 100% beneficial to us,” said Jenny Zhao, a managing director of WildChina, which specializes in boutique and luxury routes for international travelers. She said business is up 50% compared with before the pandemic.
While the U.S. remains their largest source market, accounting for around 30% of their current business, European travelers now make up 15% to 20% of their clients, a sharp increase from less than 5% before 2019, according to Zhao. “We’re quite optimistic,” Zhao said, “we hope these benefits will continue.”
Trip.com Group, a Shanghai-based online travel agency, said the visa-free policy has significantly boosted tourism. Air, hotel and other bookings on their website for travel to China doubled in the first three months of this year compared with the same period last year, with 75% of the visitors from visa-free regions.
No major African country is eligible for visa-free entry, despite the continent’s relatively close ties with China.
North Americans and some others in transit can enter for 10 days
Those from 10 countries not in the visa-free scheme have another option: entering China for up to 10 days if they depart for a different country than the one they came from. The policy is limited to 60 ports of entry, according to the country’s National Immigration Administration.
The transit policy applies to 55 countries, but most are also on the 30-day visa-free entry list. It does offer a more restrictive option for citizens of the 10 countries that aren’t: the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Sweden, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Indonesia, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
Aside from the U.K., Sweden is the only other high-income European country that didn’t make the 30-day list. Ties with China have frayed since the ruling Chinese Communist Party sentenced a Swedish book seller, Gui Minhai, to prison for 10 years in 2020. Gui disappeared in 2015 from his seaside home in Thailand but turned up months later in police custody in mainland China.
Ting writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Ken Moritsugu and video producer Liu Zheng in Beijing contributed to this report.
Fearne Cotton is enjoying the single life – and unearthing a refreshingly different side to party Island Ibiza – and we’ve tried and tested it just for you….
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Fearne gets her zen on with GetYourGuide in Ibiza
Most of us have jetted off to Ibiza for a holiday to remember (and some cracking stories to bring home) – or at least had pals heading to the famous White Isle for some serious clubbing, probably followed by quite the hangover the following morning as they languish poolside.
But TV presenter and former radio DJ Fearn Cotton is hoping to open travellers’ eyes to a very different side to beautiful Ibiza – an island she’s loved and visited each year for a long time now – which you can sample in less than a day. The perfect, chilled-out accompaniment to any holiday to the party hotspot.
The former radio DJ looked radiant during her boat trip
The 43-year-old mum-of-two, who is positively glowing and clearly enjoying the single life following her recently split from ex-husband Jesse Woods after 10 years of marriage, wants travellers to the party island to think about alternative days out when they’re there, as research reveals that over a third of British travellers would actually avoid bars and clubs while visiting the beloved Spanish island.
As gorgeous Fearne says “Trust me, we’ve all had some Ibiza experiences we can’t quite remember. That’s why I’m back to experience another side of the White Isle with GetYourGuide. And I promise you, I won’t forget it.”
Having now followed in the star’s footsteps, we can confirm that yes, it absolutely is possible to hit up Ushuaia Ibiza for a superstar DJ set one day, and find yourself indulging in a spot of yoga in a magically unspoilt location the next. In fact, it’s a must.
Enter Ibiza: Unplugged wellness experiences – a genius collaboration between Happy Place founder Ferne and GetYourGuide which, at a remarkably reasonable 40 euros – a price which would just about get you into one of Ibiza’s top clubs, you can step away from the madness for a day and try something refreshingly different.
Local guide Pablo is a fountain of knowledge on everything from the best clubs to the best secret covers
The experience, which is a half-day itinerary, includes a beautiful sunrise hike, a boat trip (or a relaxing ‘snooze cruise’ as Fearne puts it) with a stop off for swimming in the most crystal clear waters you’ll ever experience, where the views across the Formentera are nothing short of spectacular, a yoga class in the cool pine forest overlooking a secluded cove and a zen-inducing sound bath. Heaven..
During our escape to the sun-soaked isle, where we also sampled the chic vibes of 5 star hotel The Mondrian Ibiza, perched above the stunning turquoise waters of Cala Llonga, we tested out Fearne’s lush itinerary ourselves. And yes, we can tell you, it’s the perfect anecdote to the buzzing party spots, even if you’re ready to hit the town the next day.
Kicking off with an easy to moderate hike – which sets off at around 6am so you’re not trekking in baking temperatures, takes you up the mountain to a spot where you have a stunning view of tiny uninhabited island Es Vedrà at sunrise. Perfect golden light for the Gram, if you really must!
The sunrise hike offers views like no other, as Fearne discovered
A tiny, rocky island which stands at roughly 400 metres high, Es Vedrà is seen as a mystical location by locals and travellers alike – one that’s associated with a magnetic, positive energy which many, sceptics included, have said pulls them back to the island, time and again.
It’s with this stunning view that GetYourGuide travellers can then settle in under a beautiful sun-dappled pines to indulge in some yoga with a brilliant local teacher. Ours was incredible, she located exactly where my back problems lay and offered me a mini-massage, as we attempted our downward dogs.
That’s another thing – like the hike, the yoga session is perfect for beginners and pros alike. Everything can be done at your own pace – with the help of hunky guide Pablo Leonard, co-founder of travel company Into The Island.
Pablo is more than happy to chat about life on Ibiza, throw in some local restaurant recommendations (we visited Monkey Ibiza with its outdoor pools and boho food-to-table Aubergine with its beautiful garden on his recommendation and both get our vote). Hell, he’ll even rustle you up a nifty mango-based sangria during your boat-trip, if you play your cards right.
Fearne shares her best secret spots on the curated experience
Wellness advocate Fearne, who admits Ibiza is her ‘happy place’, says:: ‘I first visited Ibiza 20 years ago and fell in love with the island’s energy and people. There’s something truly magical about this place and however hectic my life gets, a trip here will always bring me back to myself.
“Over the last two decades I’ve discovered the best secret spots for sunrise hikes, chilly dips and soulful yoga sessions. And this summer I’m going to let you in on some of my hidden gems.
“With GetYourGuide I’ve curated the perfect way to unplug and spend a chilled day in Ibiza, guided by true experts that know the island like the back of their hand. And the best thing about it? It’s all for the price of a club entry. So treat yourself to a night off!”
And mental health advocate Fearne’s love of a more low-key vibe on occasion seems to be reflected in the habits of a whole lot of discerning holidaymakers these days.
According to a survey by GetYourGuide and YouGov, around 1 in 30 British travellers avoid clubbing and hangovers – to make sure they’re getting the greatest benefit out of their holiday activities.
It’s not hard to see why Ibiza is Fearne’s happy place
It would seem it’s also the hefty price of drinks (32%) and club entry (32%) which are putting more than a third of club-loving British from hitting the clubs when abroad – with British travellers three times more likely to pick a holiday because it has a well-known spa (13%) as opposed to a banging nightclub (4%).
After experiencing GetYourGuide ambassador Fearne’s carefully curated Ibiza activities for ourselves we are converted to the idea that you can go wild one night, find your inner zen and take in some jaw-dropping scenery the next. Ibiza, you’re a special place. We will be back…
Ibiza Unplugged is running on selected dates throughout August, and has been co-created with trusted GetYourGuide partner, Into The Island.
Bookings are live now for ‘Ibiza: Unplugged’ on the GetYourGuide website and app www.getyourguide.com– available on a first-come-first-serve basis on 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd August 2025.
Department of Homeland Security vehicles with masked agents were stationed Thursday morning outside Dodger Stadium, in another sign of the raids sweeping Southern California.
It is unclear what operation the federal agents were carrying out or whether anyone in the area was arrested. Images of the government vehicles immediately played out on social media and fueled speculation about their activities. The agents declined to say why they were at the stadium when asked by a Times reporter.
The vehicles appeared to be staging near the downtown parking lot entrance to the stadium, which was empty Thursday morning except for a small contingent of local media.
According to multiple people with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly, agents were denied entry to the Dodger Stadium grounds when they attempted to enter the parking lots.
The parking lot is not owned by the Dodgers, but is considered Dodgers property by the team. It is owned by the team’s former owner, billionaire Frank McCourt. The team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Dodgers have been under pressure since the raids began earlier this month to make a statement in support of immigrants. On Wednesday, the team said it intended to announce plans Thursday to assist the immigrant communities recently affected in Los Angeles.
Singer and social media personality Nezza sang a Spanish version of the national anthem at Dodger Stadium, in an act of protest against the immigration raids, despite being asked by a team employee to sing in English.
Harvard University has broadened its existing lawsuit against the administration of President Donald Trump to fight a new action that attempts to stop its international students from entering the United States.
On Thursday, the prestigious Ivy League school filed an amended complaint that alleges Trump’s latest executive order violates the rights of the school and its students.
Just one day earlier, Trump published an executive order claiming that “it is necessary to restrict the entry of foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States solely or principally” to attend Harvard.
He called Harvard’s international students a “class of aliens” whose arrival “would be detrimental to the interests of the United States”. As a result, he said that he had the right under the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny them entry into the country.
But in Thursday’s court filing, Harvard dismissed that argument as the latest salvo in Trump’s months-long campaign to harm the school.
“The President’s actions thus are not undertaken to protect the ‘interests of the United States,’ but instead to pursue a government vendetta against Harvard,” the amended complaint says.
It further alleged that, by issuing a new executive order to restrict students’ entry, the Trump administration was attempting to circumvent an existing court order that blocked it from preventing Harvard’s registration of foreign students.
The complaint called upon US District Judge Allison Burroughs in Massachusetts to extend her temporary restraining order to include Trump’s latest attack on Harvard’s foreign students.
“Harvard’s more than 7,000 F-1 and J-1 visa holders — and their dependents — have become pawns in the government’s escalating campaign of retaliation,” Harvard wrote.
Trump began his campaign against Harvard and other prominent schools earlier this year, after taking office for a second term as president. He blamed the universities for failing to take sterner action against the Palestinian solidarity protests that cropped up on their campuses in the wake of Israel’s war on Gaza.
The president called the demonstrations anti-Semitic and pledged to remove foreign students from the US who participated. Protest organisers, meanwhile, have argued that their aims were non-violent and that the actions of a few have been used to tar the movement overall.
Critics have also accused Trump of using the protests as leverage to exert greater control over the country’s universities, including private schools like Harvard and its fellow Ivy League school, Columbia University.
In early March, Columbia — whose protest encampments were emulated at campuses across the country — saw $400m in federal funding stripped from its budget.
The school later agreed to a list of demands issued by the Trump administration, including changes to its disciplinary policies and a review of its Middle East studies programme.
Harvard University was also given a list of demands to comply with. But unlike Columbia, it refused, citing concerns that the restrictions would limit its academic freedom.
The Trump administration’s demands included ending Harvard’s diversity programmes and allowing the federal government to audit its hiring and admissions processes to “establish viewpoint diversity”. When those demands were not met, it proceeded to strip Harvard of its federal funding, to the tune of billions of dollars.
Trump also threatened to revoke the school’s tax-exempt status and barred it from receiving future federal research grants.
But the attack on Harvard’s international students has threatened to drive away tuition revenue as well. Nearly a quarter of Harvard’s overall student body is from overseas.
In May, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would revoke Harvard’s access to a system, the Student Exchange Visitor Program, where it is required to log information about its foreign students.
That would have forced currently enrolled Harvard students to transfer to another school, if they were in the country on a student visa. It would have also prevented Harvard from accepting any further international students.
On May 23, Judge Burroughs granted Harvard’s emergency petition for a restraining order to stop the restriction from taking effect. But since then, the Trump administration has continued to exert pressure on Harvard and other schools.
Earlier this week, for example, the Trump administration wrote a letter to Columbia University’s accreditor, accusing the New York City school of falling short of federal civil rights laws.
On 1 December, Netflix began streaming Farha (2021) worldwide, despite immense pressure directed at the platform to prevent its debut. The film is director Darin J. Sallam’s first full-length feature and chronicles the coming-of-age story of its heroine, Farha, a 14-year-old Palestinian teenager who possesses a voracious appetite for books and learning. Farha’s cultural background is that of a villager – her Arabic dialect infused with the authenticity often associated with Palestinian grandparents, particularly the generation born in the decade just before or that of the Nakba itself. Yet, what makes Farha a distinguished heroine isn’t necessarily her linguistic veracity, it is her bravery and her desire to pursue her education at a school in the neighbouring city. At the start of the film, she is seen at one with the land, collecting water from the local spring, eating figs straight from the communal trees and collecting almonds in her satchel, still intact and unpeeled. She goes through the motions of her chores in the village, but her mind often wanders into the literary worlds of the books she reads, novels gifted to her by her best friend Fareeda, who is from a city-dwelling family not far from the village from which Farha hails.
The first scenes of the film show Farha as a dreamer, a girl who urges her father, a man of mayoral standing, to register her in the city’s school. Her father is hesitant as he believes her economic livelihood is best secured through the arrangement of marriage and that the local Quran recitation learning groups provided by the Sheikh are a sufficient education. Still, Farha fights for her desire to learn and secures the support of many an ally in her extended family and community to finally convince her father. On the eve of the Nakba, he signs her enrolment certificate. Throughout the film, there are peripheral present-absent signifiers of just how troubling the situation in Palestine has become. Talk of resistance tactics and meetings between rebels and the officials hint that the historical events of the Nakba and its tragedy are on the cusp of eruption. These more politicised characters weave in and out of frames of the film, infiltrating the scenes with reminders, only to give way to Farha’s experience, which remains at the centre. Slowly but surely, the viewer’s understanding expands organically with Farha’s, and we see that this curious girl, who had very little understanding of the depth of this dire situation, is forced to contend with its brutality as a witness and as a survivor of violence, loss and dispossession. In fact, Farha’s father hides her in a closet where she remains trapped throughout the most violent moments that befall her village, and she is left alone to deal with the aftermath.
The film was produced by TaleBox, a production company co-founded by Sallam and producer Deema Azar. Ayah Jardaneh also served as the producer of the film. The film likewise received support from Laika Film & Television, Chimney, The Jordan Film Fund – Royal Film Commission, the Swedish Film Institute and the Red Sea Film Fund (an initiative of the Red Sea Film Festival). It remains a largely Jordanian-based initiative, highlighting the lived experience of Palestine and Palestinians, with support from European-based organisations. On a political level, Farha has depicted the tragedy of the Nakba for the first time through film and employs what the late Palestinian American scholar, Edward Said, has called the “permission to narrate” the Palestinian experience against many odds.
In response to the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and its aftermath, Said penned “Permission to Narrate” for the Journal of Palestine Studies in 1984. In it, he notes: “A disciplinary communications apparatus exists in the West both for overlooking most of the basic things that might present Israel in a bad light and for punishing those who try to tell the truth.” In short, Said’s argument can be summed up as such: despite declassified archives, countless human rights reports, international organisation inquiries and both official and ethnographic accounts of Palestinian plight and dispossession from Nakba to diaspora and from Nakba to military occupation, the Palestinians have been denied the right to narrate their own stories. They have also been denied the privilege of seeing their experience reflected back at them through film and literature and, by extension, preventing them from experiencing the catharsis that comes with artistic acknowledgement and representation. Farha has granted the Palestinian diaspora permission to narrate this story on one of the world’s largest entertainment streaming platforms. More importantly, Farha’s story has been recounted, in numerous iterations and manifestations, 700,000 times by the first generation of the dispossessed. The trauma of that memory remains forever fixed in the minds of the descendants of those who were forcibly displaced – a global diasporic population of nearly six million people and counting – approximately half of the total population of 12 million Palestinians across the historical homeland and outside of it. This population has been classified by the international community, despite its many failures towards it, as ipso facto stateless.
Palestinian’s culture and heritage is the best weapon against the Occupation – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]
While on the one hand, Farha has been hailed by many viewers as an incredible feat, it comes as no surprise that the film has been targeted by Israeli officials and has caused outrage. Israel’s Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman issued a statement condemning Netflix, stating his belief that: “It’s crazy that Netflix decided to stream a movie whose whole purpose is to create a false pretence and cite against Israeli soldiers.” Though Farha has been screened globally in many film festivals and series since its debut in 2021, at venues such as Dubai-based Cinema Akil and intentional film festivals, including the Toronto Film Festival, the Red Sea Film Festival and others, it is its recent reincarnation on Netflix and its screening at Saraya, a theatre in Jaffa that has caused the most outrage towards the film. The Israeli government has threatened to act against Saraya and has encouraged a mass exodus of subscribers to Netflix. While many regional and international news networks hail the film for its artistic and historical merits, there is also a cacophony of discordant opinions about it, with publications like Fox News and The Times of Israel labelling the film as “terrible” or as “lies and libels”, whilst other major publishers such as The New York Times tiptoe around the film’s representations, selecting its words carefully to maintain its readership. Sites such as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes have seen an onslaught of divided reviews: either five-star glowing recommendations from the film’s supporters or comments of rage and disbelief from its detractors.
In all the opinions emerging in the now global conversation surrounding this film, there has been no mention of Sallam’s other smaller work, The Parrot, a 2016 short film she co-directed with Amjad Al-Rasheed. In eighteen powerful minutes, The Parrot follows the story of a Tunisian Jewish family who arrives in Haifa and takes up residence in a home belonging to a Palestinian Greek-Orthodox family. Their clothing, blue-tinted walls and Christian iconography, which borrow heavily from the aesthetic and colour-scape of local churches, are left behind by the displaced family. The breakfast and tea on the table are still hot, and the new occupants, played by Tunisian actress Hend Sabry as Rachel and Palestinian citizen of Israel Ashraf Barhom as Mousa, are haunted by the spectre of the family that once lived there and by the constant echoes of the parrot that was left behind and calls out after the Palestinian boy who owned him asking for a kiss. The parrot also repeats “where are you?” and “why are you looking at me like that” incessantly.
Yet, for viewers who are unaware of the Nakba, this imagery and the story of Palestinian displacement remain subliminal. Instead, what takes centre stage is the othering of Eastern Jews who find themselves in Euro-Israeli modernity, one that they can’t quite figure out. As such, by the end of the short film, many viewers would engage in a conversation about the depiction of an intense encounter between the Tunisian Jewish family and their Ashkenazi neighbours, who look at the architecture and structure of the house in Haifa with envy, bewildered at how Eastern Jews, othered and orientalised, had acquired such luck. The film is as much a critique of ethnic relations among Israelis as it is about the Palestinian exodus, and, like Farha, it tells a tragic tale through beautifully directed cinematography and crafted set and costume designs. The pleasing nature of Sallam’s use of pastels, verdure and white stone almost works as an antidote to the harsh emotional blow to the nerves that her cinematic tales have delivered thus far and will continue to do in the future.
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.
Eurovision country trio Remember Monday’s are not new to the stage, as they actually competed in The Voice back in 2019
20:18, 15 May 2025Updated 20:18, 15 May 2025
All three members of Remember Monday have a background in musical theatre(Image: Zuma Press/PA Images)
As the UK’s Eurovision 2025 hopefuls gear up for their big moment on the Grand Final stage, fans are learning more about Remember Monday and their surprising showbiz roots. The country trio is comprised of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele.
The three women have known each other since their teenage years, when they became friends while studying at The Sixth Form College Farnborough in Hampshire. The trio originally performed under the name Houston, but rebranded as Remember Monday in 2018 as a tribute to the day they all had free periods at college and would spend time singing together.
All three members of Remember Monday have a background in musical theatre(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Long before preparing to take to the stage for Eurovision, all three members had already become acquainted with the world of entertainment. Charlotte was just a child when she played Jane Bank in Mary Poppins on the West End stage.
Meanwhile, Lauren took on the role of Miss Honey in Matilda, and Holly performed in both Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera.
Their big break came in 2019 when the trio auditioned for The Voice UK, stunning judges with their powerful harmonies on Seal’s Kiss from a Rose.
All four coaches turned their chairs, but the band ultimately chose to join Team Jennifer Hudson after being swayed by the chance to be mentored by the only female judge on the panel.
The trio went on to win their Battle Round but were knocked out during the Knockout stage after performing their original track Jailbreaker. Despite the early exit from the competition, the group went on to build a loyal fanbase in the UK.
The trio previously appeared on The Voice UK(Image: Rachel Joseph/ITV/Shutterstock)
In September 2023 they took a leap of faith and quit their day jobs to pursue music full time. In early 2024 they were reunited with Hudson on her US talk show, where they gave a soulful performance of Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morissette.
That same year, Remember Monday was announced as the UK’s Eurovision act for 2025, becoming the first girl band to represent the nation in 26 years.
Their entry What The Hell Just Happened? is a track with bold 80s influences inspired by the chaos of a wild night out. BBC Radio commentators admitted to being “nervous” before they heard the band perform, but were quickly “blown away” after watching Remember Monday’s rehearsals.
Richie Anderson shared: “I was a little bit nervous. It’s like when a family member is about to do a school assembly performance – you’re excited, but also so protective. But as soon as they started singing, their vocals were just incredible.”
He went on to say that the girls’ background in musical theatre prepared them well for putting on a show of this magnitude. He added: “They hit every camera, so it feels like they’re performing just for you – it’s very intimate.”
The Eurovision Song Contest continues with the second semi-final on Thursday, May 15 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The Grand Final will take place on Saturday, May 17 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
BEIJING — China will allow visa-free entry for nationals of five Latin American countries for one year to boost closer connections with the region.
Starting June 1, citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay will be allowed to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa, China’s Foreign Ministry announced Thursday. The trial program will be in effect for one year.
“We welcome more foreign friends to visit China, to experience the colorful and vibrant China,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily briefing.
Beijing hosted the China-CELAC, or Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Forum earlier this week, aiming at strengthening its alliances in the region as a counterweight to U.S. influence.
China has been opening up to dozens of countries including most of the European nations, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia to boost the economy after strict pandemic travel measures. China and Uzbekistan will also begin mutual visa-free entry for up to 30 days starting June 1, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
