happy

I hope all our American readers, have a great weekend enjoying the 250th birthday of the United States of America! Sit back, have a brew and a dog, smoke a cigar, enjoy the fireworks! And, above all else, watch tomorrow’s flyby!

Have a great weekend everyone and happy bday Lady Liberty!

This week’s caption reads:

A F-117 Stealth Fighter from the 49th Fighter Wing, based at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, shows off its paint job during a March 12 refueling mission flown by the Columbus-based 121st Air Refueling Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard. (Photo/Senior Master Sgt. Kim Frey)

Prime Directives:

• If you want to talk politics, do so respectfully and know that there’s always somebody that isn’t going to agree with you. 
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• So unless you have something of quality to say, know how to treat people with respect, understand that everyone isn’t going to subscribe to your exact same worldview, and have come to terms with the reality that there is no perfect solution when it comes to moderation of a community like this, it’s probably best to just move on. 
• Finally, as always, report offenders, please. This doesn’t mean reporting people who don’t share your political views, but we really need your help in this regard.

The United States’ head of homeland security said he “danced a happy dance” when Iran were eliminated from the World Cup.

Iran missed out on qualifying from the group stage on goal difference after having a stoppage-time winner against Egypt disallowed for a marginal offside.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team were the “most oppressed” at the tournament amid the backdrop of the country’s conflict with the US and Israel.

Iran’s training base was switched from Arizona to Tijuana in Mexico before the World Cup began and they faced travel restrictions throughout.

Despite Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Egypt, Iran still had a chance of qualifying as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

But their elimination was confirmed when Algeria and Austria played out a dramatic 3-3 draw on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said: “I’m just glad they’re done, and they’re not coming back.

“I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave the US soil, and I might’ve sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance.”

He added: “There wasn’t a single team that we had to spend more time dealing with than Iran.”

Iran were only permitted to enter the US the day before their first two matches and had to leave on the same day as the game, under the terms of their visas.

Those restrictions were eased for their final group game in Seattle, allowing them to arrive two days early, but they again had to return to Tijuana after Saturday’s match.

Iran coach Ghalenoei said that the US, co-hosts of the World Cup with Canada and Mexico, had “treated us very unfairly” and that his squad had been given “less than half” the training window it needed to prepare.

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi added: “This kind of tension undermines the joy of the World Cup. I felt the tension from the first moment we arrived.”

OUR Spotlight On column takes an in-depth look at the best things to see and do in popular holiday destinations, as well as shining a light on some lesser-known spots.

This week we’re highlighting the best of the Sicilian coastal resort of Cefalu.

The Sun’s Head Of Travel, Lisa Minot said: “The seaside town of Cefalu is perfect for a weekend break.

“You can spend several happy hours wandering along the promenade by the wide, sandy beach and into the old town, passing the many shops and restaurants in the tiny alleyways.

“We couldn’t resist taking our obligatory Instagram shots at medieval sea gate Porta Pescara, before wandering past the quirky Lavatoio Medievale — an ancient wash house fed by a river that falls into the sea.

“The 12th-century cathedral with its soaring twin towers and elaborate Byzantine mosaics is well worth a visit, with a reviving drink in the square below it just as delightful.

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“The Porta Ossuna restaurant and pizzeria is perfect for a lunch on the seafront, we had a table right above the beach for us to enjoy the freshest of salads with burrata and prawns.”

MUST SEE/DO

While its broad, sandy beaches are an obvious draw, the winding cobbled streets of this medieval gem are a major part of its charm.

And all roads lead to the cathedral, the Duomo di Cefalu – a masterpiece of Arab-Norman architecture.

Don’t miss the 12th century Byzantine mosaics inside but for a real behind-the-scenes look, pre-book the Red Itinerary (£11.30) that includes the chance to climb the Norman towers for a fantastic view over the Piazza del Duomo.

Just off the Via Vittorio Emanuele is a quirky piece of history – a medieval laundry where local women washed clothes for centuries on stepped stones, fed by a natural spring.

HIDDEN GEM

The main beach can get crowded in summer but a little effort – and a 20minute walk east – and the Spiaggia di Kalura is a quieter pebble cove with crystal-clear water and dramatic rock formations, perfect for snorkelling.

For fabulous sunset views of Cefalu itself and its dramatic cliff-face backdrop head to the village of Sant’ Ambrogio which offers a snapshot of Sicilian village life without the crowds.

BEST VIEW

It takes a little effort and is best completed early in the day or later in the afternoon in the summer.

But it’s so worth the climb to the top of La Rocca – a huge limestone cliff that looms 268 metres over the town.

It’s a 45minute hike to the top where you’ll find the Temple of Diana, a megalithic structure from the 9th century BC as well as the ruins of a Norman castle.

It also offers fabulous views over the city and the sparkling Mediterranean beyond.

RATED RESTAURANT

It’s hard to get a bad meal in Cefalu with hundreds to choose from in the winding alleys.

On the seafront, the Porta Ossuna restaurant serves up pizzas, pasta and delicious salads with a terrace directly on the beach.

Also ideal for dining by the sea, Lo Scoglio Ubriaco is perched over the sea and is a must for seafood pastas.

And for stand-out pasta dishes, try Pasta e Pasti, legendary for its handmade offerings – go for the Pasta alla Norma or anything made with local pistachios.

BEST BAR

For sunset sips, head to the Jureka Wine Bar on Via Giudecca. There’s a wide choice of tipples with cocktails starting from £9.50.

And for fabulous views over La Rocca and the whole the town, head to the rooftop bar Dokeio at the Hotel La Giara with its multiple roof terraces and late night music.

For day drinking by the Med waves, head to the Bordomari Sea Lounge Bar with great views and cocktails from £9.

HOTEL PICK

Beach babes will love the 4* Astro Suite Hotel, right on Cefalu’s sands and with panoramic sea views.

It’s just a short walk from the historic centre and features an elevated terrace with pool and loungers as well as rooms with balconies, sea views and kitchenettes.

Six nights’ B&B is from £934 including flights from Stansted. See tui.co.uk.

Arbeloa has also faced criticism from France striker Kylian Mbappe after he was left out of the starting line-up for Los Blancos’ 2-0 win over Real Oviedo.

Mbappe had missed his side’s two previous games, including last weekend’s El Clasico which Barcelona won to secure the league title, with a thigh injury and was whistled by his own fans when he came on.

The World Cup winner has faced scrutiny over his commitment to the club in recent weeks while an online petition calling for ‘Mbappe Out’ attracted tens of millions of signatures.

But the manager played down the incident on Saturday.

“I’ve just bumped into him, I told him to stay calm. I understand that these kinds of things make headlines, but it’s something much more normal than you think,” Arbeloa said.

“I used to be a player, I know what they can feel in these situations – playing every day, then playing less or not at all.

“I totally understand that Kylian wasn’t happy about not playing on Thursday, and I like that.

“I wouldn’t understand it if he didn’t want to play. My relationship with him remains the same.”

The zoo is very clean and well looked after, with friendly staff and good food

Chester Zoo, located in Cheshire, has been crowned the UK’s best-rated zoo on Tripadvisor. The park, which is home to 30,000 animals and 500 species, topped the national rankings based on visitor reviews, boasting an impressive 11,666 excellent ratings.

Chester Zoo also featured amongst Europe’s top 10 zoos and aquariums for 2026. The park recently underwent an expansion with the opening of Heart of Africa, the largest zoo habitat ever created in the UK, housing 57 iconic African species. Last year, the zoo launched The Reserve, a premium safari experience giving guests the opportunity to spend the night in one of 51 luxury African-themed lodges.

One of the most recent reviews on Tripadvisor says: “Absolutely incredible zoo! Best I’ve ever been to! All the animals look so happy and everything is so clean and well looked after. We stayed in one of the lakeside lodges and went to the zoo over two days as it is massive because all of the enclosures are very spacious. All the staff were happy, helpful, and polite; the food was good. The whole place just had a very positive vibe. Would 1,000% recommend.”

Another visitor told the Express: “It’s a very nice zoo, great for a day trip. We saw a baby rhino when we went, which was awesome. We’ll be back!”

Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, said: “We’re over the moon to be named the UK’s top zoo by Tripadvisor. This recognition is built entirely on genuine reviews from our visitors – and that means the world to us. I’m very proud of everyone who makes our national conservation zoo such a special place.

“Every visit to Chester Zoo directly supports our vital conservation work, both here at home and around the world, and the past year alone is a reminder of just how much that work matters. We’ve developed the world’s first vaccine for a deadly virus that threatens Asian elephants globally, we’ve officially pulled a tiny species of snail back from the brink of extinction, and right here on our doorstep we’ve been planting thousands of new trees to create important new woodland habitat. None of that happens without the people who come through our gates – and we’re enormously grateful to every one of them.”

Full list of best zoos in the UK for 2026

1. Chester zoo
2. Yorkshire Wildlife Park
3. Hoo Zoo And Dinosaur World
4. West Midlands Safari Park
5. Whipsnade Zoo
6. Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park
7. London Zoo
8. The Deep
9. Colchester Zoo
10. Folly Farm