Paris

France says arrest of Hicham Harb, 42 years after attack, made possible by upcoming recognition of Palestinian state.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has arrested a key suspect in a deadly 1982 attack on a Jewish restaurant in Paris in a move that comes amid France’s preparations to recognise a Palestinian state.

The terror attack on the Jo Goldenberg restaurant in the Jewish quarter of Le Marais on August 9, 1982, killed six and left 22 others injured.

France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement on Friday that Interpol had informed it of the arrest of Hicham Harb by Palestinian authorities under a 2015 international warrant.

President Emmanuel Macron said that the suspect had been arrested in the occupied West Bank and that his country was now working with the PA to ensure his “swift extradition” to France.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on X that the arrest had been made possible by Macron’s decision to recognise an independent Palestinian state, “enabling us to request extradition”.

Macron is expected to make the landmark announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, with about 10 other countries, including Australia, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Canada.

Wanted man

Harb, whose real name is Mahmoud Khader Abed Adra, was one of France’s most-wanted men and had been the subject of an international arrest warrant for the past 10 years.

The 70-year-old is suspected of leading five other attackers in the gun assault on the restaurant, which was considered the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in France since the second world war.

The assault, blamed on the Palestinian Abu Nidal Organisation, began around midday when a grenade was tossed into the dining room by attackers who then entered the restaurant and opened fire with Polish-made machineguns.

Harb is suspected of having supervised the assault and also of being one of the gunmen who opened fire on diners and passersby.

He was formally indicted by French judges in July on charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with the attack. Harb and five other men in the case were referred to trial.

Another suspect, Abou Zayed, a 66-year-old Norwegian of Palestinian origin, has been in French custody since his 2020 extradition from Norway. He has denied the charges.

Bruno Gendrin and Romain Ruiz, lawyers for Zayed, see the arrest of his alleged accomplice as proof that “the investigation was not complete”.

“As usual, the anti-terrorism courts wanted to rush things, and we are now seeing the consequences,” they told the news agency AFP in a statement.

The Abu Nidal Organisation is categorised as a terror group by the US and Europe.

When it comes to making travel plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, you may still be crouched at the starting blocks. But the race for flights, hotel reservations and event tickets will begin in 2026, long before the Games commence.

The Los Angeles Times is your guide to the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. Follow us for expert coverage of every aspect of the LA28 Games.

If you’re planning to visit Southern California for LA28, preparation will be crucial. And a little positive thinking wouldn’t hurt. As Winnipeg-based sports tour operator Dave Guenther of Roadtrips says, the Olympic cycle often feels like “two or three years of cynicism followed by two weeks of unbridled joy.”

As the days tick down to the L.A. Olympics (July 14-30, 2028) and Paralympics (Aug. 15-27, 2008), we’ll be answering the most important travel questions. We’ll be adding updates as new information comes in, so be sure to bookmark this guide.

Getting tickets to the Games

The Coliseum during the opening ceremonies for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

(Los Angeles Times)

When will tickets for the Olympic Games go on sale?

Beginning in January, fans can register to enter the lottery for Olympic tickets at the organizing committee’s website, la28.org. If selected in the random draw, organizers say, fans will receive a purchase time and date for when ticket drops begin in spring 2026. Organizers say those in communities near Games venues will get early access. See a broader outline of LA28’s ticket schedule here.

Also in early 2026, LA28 will start offering hospitality packages that combine event tickets with overnight accommodations, transportation and/or special events. Tickets for the Paralympic Games will go on sale in 2027.

More details are expected later this year. Anyone interested can sign up to receive announcements through the LA28 newsletter.

What will tickets cost?

Organizers say Olympic and Paralympic competition tickets will start at $28, about $2 more than they did in Paris in 2024. We don’t know the high end yet. If Paris is a fair guide, most-coveted seats for the most popular events could be as high as $800 or more. The official vendors are also expected to manage a channel for resales of tickets, as they did in Paris.

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The two most costly events are likely to be the opening and closing ceremonies. In Paris, per-ticket prices reached more than $2,900 for the opening, and more than $1,700 for the closing. In Los Angeles — for the first time — the opening ceremonies will be split between two venues, the L.A. Coliseum and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

Some of the toughest tickets, Guenther said, are gymnastics, swimming, track and field, and beach volleyball. “If you are super keen on seeing the women’s gymnastics finals, you might be on a path to disappointment,” Guenther said. “But if you’re flexible, there are a lot of things that are going to be options.”

The finish of the 400-meter hurdles at the 1932 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

(Associated Press)

Can I volunteer at the Games?

You can try. Recent Summer Olympics have relied upon tens of thousands of volunteers, who must meet language and training requirements. (Not every aspiring volunteer in Paris got assigned.) To stay in touch with volunteer opportunities, sign up for the LA28 newsletter.

Where will the Games happen?

The 2028 festivities will include 36 Olympic sports and 23 Paralympic sports, spread over about 40 venues. The lion’s share of Olympic events will take place in downtown L.A. and Exposition Park (which together have 10 venues); Long Beach (seven venues); Carson; Inglewood; the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.

But events are also scheduled in San Clemente, Venice, Anaheim, Pacific Palisades, Pomona and the City of Industry. The Paralympics will use many of the same venues. Indeed, this could be a learning experience for out-of-towners who don’t realize just how broadly Greater Los Angeles sprawls.

The softball and canoe slalom events will be held in Oklahoma City.

Flights, hotels and Airbnbs

The $300-million Kali Hotel across from SoFi Stadium is expected to be completed before the 2028 L.A. Games.

(William Liang / For The Times)

How far ahead can I book flights?

Most airlines usually start accepting bookings 330 days (or 11 months) before the flight date. At Southwest Airlines, lead time can be eight to 10 months.

How far ahead can I book a hotel?

Ordinarily, hotels start accepting bookings 365 days ahead, so if you’re just looking for a room (and not a ticket-and-hotel package), set a reminder for around July 2027. Many hotels in Greater Los Angeles — especially those unaffiliated with global brands — are likely to follow their usual timetables. If you’re interested in a hotel-ticket combo deal, those will be offered in early 2026, as previously mentioned.

Industry veterans say most major hotels around Los Angeles have probably already made deals allotting blocks of 2028 rooms to organizers of the Games or independent tour operators like Roadtrips. For example, the Queen Mary in Long Beach already has 300 rooms and suites under contract with LA28, according to managing director Steve Caloca.

Another opportunity may arise even later: Typically, organizers and tour operators often return unsold room-nights to hotel control 60 or 90 days ahead of the event, which may give consumers a chance to book those “leftovers” directly, perhaps at a lower cost.

What will hotel rooms cost?

Nothing boosts hotel prices like the Olympics, and experts say the most luxurious hotels tend to hike their prices the most. Analyzing figures from Paris, hotel industry consultants CoStar found that average hotel rates — $342-$393 in the summer of 2023 — more than doubled to $731-$939 for the 2024 Games.

L.A.’s starting hotel rates are lower than those in Paris were. CoStar found that average daily hotel rates for greater L.A. from July 14-30, 2024, were $193-$231.

What about short-term rentals?

Again, expect prices to soar. Airbnb reported a 40% jump in accommodations inventory and a 400% jump in Paris-area bookings during the 2024 Games. On the eve of the Games, property management website Hostify.com reported that asking prices for short-term rentals in Paris had quintupled from $154 nightly to $772.

Do note that at every Games, it seems, there are reports of astronomical prices, followed by later reports of 11th-hour discounts because some people got too greedy earlier on.

Los Angeles seems to be starting out with higher short-term rental rates than those in Paris. The vacation rental website Airroi.com estimates the average Airbnb rate in greater Los Angeles for the year ended August 2025 was $283.

But of course, you can spend plenty more. One broker told The Times he has already rented out an L.A. mansion for $300,000 a month in 2028.

How far ahead can I book a short-term rental?

Airbnb allows bookings up to two years in advance, which is also VRBO’s default setting.

Will tensions between major L.A. hotels and union workers surface during the Olympics?

Hard to say. The L.A. City Council in May approved a measure requiring many hotels to raise their minimum wage to $30 hourly by July 2028. A business group started a petition drive seeking to undo the measure but fell short earlier this month.

Could President Trump’s immigration policies affect the Games?

That’s anybody’s guess. Heads of state in host countries usually play a ceremonial role, standing mostly in the background. Trump may have other ideas. In early August, he announced that he would chair a task force in charge of Olympic safety, border security and transportation.

Some foreign sports fans might stay away to signal opposition to the Trump Administration, as many Canadian travelers have been doing this year. But domestic travelers, not foreign visitors, fill most seats at the Olympics. Paris tourism statistics show U.S. visitors to that city during the 2024 “Olympic fortnight” were up a relatively modest 13% over the previous year.

Why do people go through so much trouble to see the Games?

“There is a tremendous magic,” Guenther said. “It really is quite something how people enjoy the time together with people from all over the world. … You find yourself welling up for an athlete in a sport you’ve never thought about.”

Times staff writer Thuc Nhi Nguyen contributed to this report.

This article contains spoilers for the Season 3 finale of “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”

Isabel “Belly” Conklin and Conrad Fisher had a très romantique reunion in Paris in the highly anticipated series finale of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” this week — but that’s not the end of their love story.

Hours after Prime Video dropped the series finale of the hit show on Wednesday, the streamer announced a feature film continuation to be written and directed by author, creator and co-showrunner Jenny Han.

“There is another big milestone left in Belly’s journey, and I thought only a movie could give it its proper due,” Han said in a press release. The surprise announcement was made during the red carpet finale premiere in the City of Love, with Han and the stars of the series, including Lola Tung, Christopher Briney and Gavin Casalegno, in attendance.

Story and production details for the untitled “Summer I Turned Pretty” movie are under wraps, as is the release date. But fans of Han’s bestselling book series of the same name have already guessed which major milestone a “Summer” movie is likely to reveal: Belly’s wedding to Conrad.

The wedding, an ultimate happy ending for the couple after their tumultuous three-season journey of first love and heartbreak, was originally revealed in the epilogue of Han’s third “Summer” novel, “We’ll Always Have Summer.” Curiously for the series, in which Han has shown meticulous creative control with well-curated book moments, music and visual details, Belly and Conrad’s onscreen love story comes to an open-ended conclusion when they return together to the Cousins summer house, with Belly narrating an ambiguous forward jump in time.

Additionally, a credits montage titled “Christmas in Paris” shows snapshots of them spending the holiday together and an onscreen letter from Han thanking fans that appears to open the door to more of Belly and Conrad’s story: “Maybe we’ll meet again one summer in Cousins.”

Belly and Conrad’s onscreen love story comes to an open-ended conclusion when they return together to the Cousins summer house in the series finale.

(Eddy Chen / Prime)

The final three episodes of the global hit series expand on the book’s epilogue, switching the setting from Spain to Paris, where Belly (Tung) finishes college abroad after a love confession from Conrad (Briney) upends her would-be nuptials to his brother, Jeremiah (Casalegno). The penultimate episode included the handwritten letters from the book that Conrad begins sending Belly during their time apart, leading to their eventual romantic reconnection.

In the 79-minute series finale, written by Han and co-showrunner Sarah Kucserka and directed by Jesse Peretz, Conrad arrives in Paris a year later to surprise Belly on her birthday. They clear the air and rekindle their spark during a “Before Sunrise”-esque day together. A passionate night is followed by a tearful goodbye, an emotional revelation, a dramatic dash to the train station, and the return of the infinity necklace that has symbolized their love since Season 1.

The episode also checks in on the folks back home in Cousins, including Steven (Sean Kaufman) and Taylor (Rain Spencer), who are navigating the next steps of their own relationship, and Jeremiah, now an up-and-coming chef, who has moved on from his breakup with Belly and is forging a romantic connection with former co-worker Denise (Isabella Briggs).

After watching the finale, some fans on social media felt that Belly and Conrad’s love story was incomplete, wanting to see more of the couple together, and that it missed book moments like their wedding, closure for other characters, and a reunion of the whole Cousins crew.

Avid fans had already begun poring over the episode for hints of more “Summer” to come. Eagle-eyed viewers like TikTok creator @bookbeedani noted that the numbers “12” and “14” appearing throughout the episodes and holiday hints, including a red and green dress worn by Han in a promo revealing the finale title, support speculation that a Dec. 14 Christmas special might be in the works.

Those details could hint at what’s to come in a “Summer” feature film, including what we didn’t see in the series finale, like the letter Susannah wrote to Belly before her death, a “Bonrad” wedding — and first dance to “Stay” by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs — and a final scene with the pair on the beach that has been witness to several of their important moments together.

“I’m definitely open to doing more stories in the universe,” Han told The Times in an interview ahead of the finale. The film, which will mark Han’s feature directorial debut after making her first foray into directing with a Season 3 episode told from Conrad’s perspective, could also tie up loose ends or tee up spin-off potential for other beloved characters, including Steven and Taylor in California; Laurel, John and Adam on that singles cruise; or Jeremiah and Denise in … love?

A travel expert has provided a list of several important travel tips to make your trip to Paris run more smoothly, claiming ‘no-one tells you’ about them elsewhere

If your debating whether to take a trip to Paris , an expert claims there are a number of things “no-one tells you” about the City of Love that may help sway your decision. Tonya Bullock of Crossroads Travel Agency, who has visited the French capital on eight occasions, took to TikTok to share her advice.

She began by pointing out that whilst Parisian shops and restaurants take card payments, you should still take Euros in cash “just in case”. Tonya added that unlike some countries, tipping is optional as a service charge is usually included in the cost within a bill.

No doubt if you are heading to Paris, you will be keen to snap up some authentic French breads and pastries – and if that’s the case, Tonya suggests avoiding any “Instagram hype” and instead look for local, independent boulangeries.

When it comes to the city’s many museums, meanwhile, Tonya advised that entry to these is free of charge on the first Sunday of every month, whilst EU residents under the age of 26 can take advantage of not having to pay whatsoever. “Many museums offer evening hours – smaller crowds and magical light,” she added.

Of course Paris’ most famous sight and attraction is the Eifel Tower – another “magical” experience Tonya suggests, advising that it “sparkles every hour after sunset – but only for five minutes”.

As an alternative, however, Tonya recommends visiting the “less crowded” Notre Dame Cathedral towers or those of Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre to get that perfect city view.

In addition, you take in the cityscape free of charge from the rooftop at Galeries Lafayette – an upmarket department store found on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.

As for the Arc de Triomphe monument, meanwhile, the expert urges visitors to “use the walkway tunnel” and avoid trying to cross the Champs-Élysées avenue street.

More tourism tips followed in the form of Louvre Museum – where queues can be “skipped” should you use the “lesser-known” Carrousel entrance underground, according to Tonya.

When dining out, meanwhile, she has a simple suggestion to save you more money. “Water is free in most restaurants and cafes,” she said. “As for ‘une carafe d’eau’ [a carafe of water]’.”

However, she continued: “Coffee culture is different – espresso is standard, whereas cappuccinos are “mostly for tourists”. And when it comes to your meal, you are better off dining inside any restaurant as outside seats tend to be “pricier”.

Writing in response, one TikTok user sought further advice from Tonya, asking: “What is the best thing to carry your money/ID/ cards to prevent pickpocketing?”

To which she revealed: “The biggest thing is try to keep items on your front! NEVER wear your backpack on back or have a basic purse on shoulder. Keep things out of your back pockets too.”

Whilst a second person asked: “How do I tell who are locals? I’m totally clueless. I’ve seen multiple posts saying they dress to blend in and not stand out.”

Tonya explained: “I’d say fashion is a big one. We always like to play a game while sitting outside at a brasserie to identify if the person walking in front of us was Parisian or an American tourist. Not hard and fast rules but: no shorts/capris no athleisure layers – scarves, blazers, heavy jackets, etc.

“Especially when temperatures start to get a little cooler it’s crazy how they bundle up. For where to eat, I’d avoid anything near a major tourist attraction – all the restaurants will mark up and not good. Find a boulangerie off the beaten path that is literally just a counter – the best ones will typically be busy in the morning and mostly speaking in French.”

RENAULT’S beloved Clio has been reinvented for its sixth generation – and drivers in France have been left “dumbstruck” by its surprising new look. 

The new Renault Clio 6, unveiled this week in Munich, has sparked outrage in France, with some claiming the car is unrecognisable.

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One critic said it looked like Ford, another likened it to a Nissan and a third claimed it assembled a seat. 

Several compared it to a Mazda, while others thought they spotted hints of Alfa Romeo or Peugeot. 

Yet they all seemed to agree the Clio 6 does not look like a Renault and in a country with a 126-year attachment to the brand, the absence of its typical features has gone down badly. 

“The discovery of this new Renault has left us dumbstruck,” said Caradisac, the car website. 

“Unrecognisable,” said Capital, the financial magazine. “You can detect a bit of Peugeot, a pinch of Ford, a touch of Mazda and a hint of Seat.” It warned the design “risks disappointing” car-loving readers.

“You don’t change a winning team,” said Les Echos, the financial daily. “However, that is what Renault has done with its new Clio.”

Social media erupted with debate, especially over comparisons to Mazda. One Mazda owner joked: “The new Renault 6 does remind me … of a Mazda 3. This can’t be a bad thing, right?”

The row highlights Renault’s cultural and economic significance in France.

The Clio may not match the legendary Renault 4L or Citroën 2CV, but it has been a modern industrial success story and a familiar sight on French roads.

Over 17 million Clios have been sold since its 1989 launch. 

It was Europe’s second best-selling car last year, behind the Dacia Sandero, another Renault group vehicle, and the top-selling model in France in the first half of 2025. 

“It’s an old love story,” said Challenges, the financial website.

The Clio has even inspired clubs, online forums, and, controversially, a survey in 2023 found 25% of respondents had had sex in their car at least once – the Clio topping the list ahead of the BMW 3 and Audi A4.

The new Clio 6 advertising slogan, “Love redesigned,” hints at the “more spacious and generous” interior Capital mentioned.

Politics and economics also loom large. Renault is France’s only remaining national carmaker, with the state holding 15% to ward off takeover attempts. 

Meanwhile, rivals Peugeot and Citroën are now part of Stellantis, headquartered in the Netherlands.

Conservative voices have criticised Renault’s decision to make the Clio 6 in Turkey, while environmentalists are unimpressed by the hybrid, rather than fully electric, engine option.

Renault insists the car is aimed at a fast-changing market. CEO François Provost said his aim was to rival Chinese carmakers, whom he described as “the best.”

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DRIVERS of SUVs in England may soon face more stringent parking rules under a law inspired by the European Union.

Earlier this year, reports revealed that SUVs have become the most popular type of car in the UK – with sales data showing they accounted for a third of all new car registrations.

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Given their growing presence on UK roads, many believe stricter regulations are needed to address their impact on safety, air pollution and public space.

According to Birmingham Live, experts and campaigners are calling for measures similar to those introduced in European cities, such as Paris, where parking costs for SUVs have been significantly increased to discourage their use and reduce pollution.

An hour of parking for SUVs in the Paris city centre now costs €18 instead of the usual €6, whilst in the outskirts the cost is €12 instead of €4.

For six hours, SUVs will be charged a whopping €225 – around £195 – instead of the previous €75.

French newspaper Le Parisien reported that the new parking rates for larger vehicles in Paris had reduced the number of SUVs using surface parking by two-thirds.

The French cities of Lyon and Grenoble have similar rules, as does Tubingen in Germany.

Dr Anna Goodman, an academic transport researcher and director of Transport for Quality of Life, said: “SUVs increasingly dominate our streets. In just two decades, the share of SUVs in English cities has grown tenfold.

“In London alone, the number of SUVs has swelled by around 720,000. This has important implications for congestion, public space, and road safety.

“The evidence is clear that SUVs increase road danger for people walking and cycling, particularly for children.”

Oliver Lord, UK Head of Clean Cities, added: “The sheer scale of car-spreading is staggering.

“These oversized vehicles are not just swallowing our public space; they’re also far more dangerous, especially for children.

“If we want cities that are safe, breathable, and accessible, we have to get serious about tackling the rise of these urban land-hogs.”

SUVs are often criticised for their size, higher fronts and reduced visibility from the driver’s seat, making them more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.

They are also blamed for contributing to air pollution and climate breakdown due to their heavier, more polluting nature.

The UK’s current best-selling cars, the Ford Puma, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai are all classed as crossover SUVs.

But even bigger are the likes of the Range Rover, Skoda Kodiaq and BMW X5.

Barbara Stoll, senior director of T&E’s Clean Cities campaign, added: “A child is killed every day on our roads, yet cars are being made so large that children are invisible from the driver’s seat. How is that acceptable?”

“Thankfully, more and more city leaders are pushing back against car-spreading, standing up for what citizens actually want: safe, green streets without monster vehicles.”

Saint-Denis, who was born in Nimes, southern France, formed part of the French Army Special Forces when he joined aged 18.

“Most of my work as a Special Force operator was in the sub-Saharan area. So Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger. I was mostly there against Boko Haram,” says Saint-Denis.

Boko Haram is a militant Islamist group, designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Kingdom, which operates in countries such as Nigeria, Niger and Mali.

Saint-Denis’ work largely involved working in counter-terrorism to combat the threat of groups like Boko Haram.

“When we are talking about counter-terrorism, it’s going to be the arrest or the destruction of terrorist threats. Or stopping terrorist extractions in cities like Timbuktu, for example,” Saint-Denis says.

His team were also tasked with protecting important members of the French government, like Hollande, during foreign visits.

Saint-Denis looks back on his time in the French military fondly.

“It was long and fatiguing and demanding, and after this I think I was a man – I was disciplined, and I knew how to work to get things done,” he says.

“It was very adventurous, and I loved it.”

Fighting terrorism and competing in the UFC are vastly different worlds with pressures of their own, but Saint-Denis does not have to dwell for long when deciding which is tougher.

“It depends on the occasion, but globally, I would say being a UFC fighter,” he adds.

SIR Keir Starmer was under fresh fire last night after it emerged 3,567 dinghy migrants have arrived since he signed a “one-in, one-out” deal with France — but NONE have been kicked out.

The news overshadowed the Government’s latest attempt to get a grip on the illegal migration crisis.

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Yesterday, ministers put a temporary halt on refugees bringing in partners and children.

Sir Keir also said he wanted to bring forward his 2029 deadline for closing asylum hotels because he “completely gets” the public’s anger.

But his positive slant was derailed by the news of the failure of the “one-in, one-out” deal with France’s Emmanuel Macron.

More than 100 people are understood to have been detained — with videos shared by No10 showing people being escorted by staff after arriving across the Channel.

Yet none has actually gone yet, officials confirmed.

The PM and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had gone on the offensive yesterday after a summer of dismal headlines.

Sir Keir slammed Reform leader Nigel Farage’s sweeping deportation plans.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five, the PM said: “It’s a really serious issue. We have to have control of our borders, and I completely get it.

“I’m determined that whether it’s people crossing in the first place, people in asylum hotels, or it’s returning people, we absolutely have to deal with this.”

Pressed on when illegal migrant hotels will finally shut, Sir Keir replied: “We’ve said we’ll get rid of them by the end of the Parliament. I would like to bring that forward, I think it is a good challenge.”

Nationwide protests over the summer pushed the PM to finally act as public anger over hotel use reached boiling point.

The Home Office currently houses around 32,000 asylum seekers in over 200 hotels across Britain.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said accommodation for illegal migrants would be dealt with “not just by shifting individuals from hotels to other sites, but by driving down the numbers in supported accommodation overall”.

Hotels would be “reconfigured” to increase room-sharing and the test for accommodation would be “tightened”.

She said the Home Office would try to “identify alternative cheaper and more appropriate accommodation”.

Last month, Mr Farage unveiled his radical mass deportation blueprint, dubbed “Operation Restoring Justice”, aiming to expel up to 600,000 undocumented migrants over five years.

Scrap ECHR

His plan includes withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights and scrapping the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.

He also wants to establish detention centres with compulsory deportations, even for women and children.

Sir Keir said: “The difference here is between an orderly sensible way of actually fixing a problem we inherited from the Tories or fanciful arrangements that are just not going to work.

“Nigel Farage and Reform are just the politics of grievance. They feed on grievance. They don’t want the problem solved because they’ve got no reason to exist if the problems are solved.”

The PM added that Mr Farage’s plan is “not fair to put forward to the public” because it is an idea that “just isn’t going to work”.

It came as Ms Cooper announced refugees will be banned from bringing their families to the UK as part of “radical” asylum reforms announced by the Home Secretary yesterday.

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The Home Secretary vowed that new immigration rules will temporarily suspend new applications from dependents of refugees already in Britain.

She also said that the controversial Article 8 of the ECHR — which guarantees a right to family life — should be interpreted differently.

Around 20,000 people come to the UK on refugee family reunion visas per year, according to Home Office figures.

Ms Cooper told the House of Commons yesterday: “Our reforms will also address the overly complex system for family migration, including changes to the way Article 8 of the ECHR is interpreted.

“We should be clear that international law is important.

“But we also need the interpretation of international law to keep up with the realities and challenges of today’s world.”

‘Living in a parallel universe’

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused Ms Cooper of “living in a parallel universe”.

Labour’s own Graham Stringer said the measures “don’t really deal with the fact that many migrants are not coming from war-torn countries, they’re coming from France, which isn’t persecuting them”.

And Reform MP Lee Anderson said: “Starmer continues to open the floodgates for hundreds of illegals each day.”

The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, became a flash point for discontent this summer after two of its guests were charged with sexual offences.

Epping Forest District Council won a bid at the High Court to block migrants from being housed at the hotel.

But the Court of Appeal last week overturned the injunction after an Home Office appeal.

Lee Anderson added: “Starmer makes hollow claims while refusing to close Epping. Hypocrite.”

Carpenter Jimmy Hillard, 52, of Loughton, Essex, has been handed an eight-week suspended prison sentence by Chelmsford JPs after admitting assaulting a police officer at a Bell Hotel demo on Friday.

PM’S ‘PRIDE’ IN FLAG

PM SIR Keir Starmer yesterday declared himself a “supporter of flags” — and revealed he still proudly displays a St George’s Cross in his flat.

He dismissed claims that showing off England’s ensign should be seen as racist, telling BBC Five Live: “I am the leader of the Labour Party who put the Union Jack on membership cards.

“I always sit in front of the Union Jack. I’ve been doing it for years, and it attracted a lot of comment when I started doing it.” He said he bought his England flag for last year’s Euros football.

The flag debate reignited after councils in the West Midlands and Tower Hamlets tried to remove the St George’s Cross from lamp posts and motorway bridges over claims they intimidated minorities.

The PM added: “They’re patriotic and a great symbol of our nation. I don’t think they should be devalued and belittled.”

Murder accused can stay

EXCLUSIVE by MIKE SULLIVAN

A CAKE shop owner can remain in Britain despite being wanted for murder in his home country.

Carlos Kassimo Dos Santos, 33, was jailed for 14 years in his absence in 2016 over a gang killing in Portugal.

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An extradition bid failed when the High Court upheld a decision by a district judge to allow Santos to remain here.

It was deemed Santos, who denies involvement in the 2010 murder, could not be guaranteed a retrial and it could not be proved he fled justice to come here.

He is now co-owner of Kings & Queens Dessert outlet, set up three years ago in Leeds.

It recently won The Best Dessert Shop in West Yorkshire award.

Santos was 18 when he was accused of being part of a group who killed a gang rival near Lisbon.

He then spent two years in the army before coming to Britain, where his dad lives.

He said he was unaware he was jailed and did not know he had to notify authorities of his address change.

He refused to comment when approached.

A SUSPECT has been arrested in connection with four bodies which were found mysteriously floating in the River Seine in Paris last week.

It comes after a horrified train passenger spotted a corpse in the water before police rushed to the scene and found another three bodies.

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A 24-year-old Algerian man has now been taken into custody and accused of committing several murders.

The bodies were found in the French capital on August 13 in Choisy-le-Roi.

One of the victims died from strangulation while another had suffered “violent injuries”, the local prosecutor said on Saturday.

It is currently unclear how many of the four victims the man is accused of killing.

The first body which was reportedly submerged for a shorter time than the others was identified as a man aged around 40 who lived in the local area.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

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Everyone can use an editor, and Shakespeare is no exception. Fortunately, he married one.

Tired of being cooped up with the kids in Stratford-upon-Avon, Anne (Teal Wicks), wife of the great playwright, pops down to London to see the first performance of “Romeo and Juliet.” The new tragic ending that Shakespeare (Corey Mach) proudly previews to the company strikes her as completely wrongheaded.

“What if … Juliet doesn’t kill herself?” she proposes. As strong-willed as her husband, she doesn’t wish to argue the point. She merely wants to put her idea to the test.

Behold the premise of “& Juliet,” the euphoric dance party of a musical that updates Shakespeare with a dose of 21st century female empowerment. The production, which opened Friday at the Ahmanson Theatre under the fizzy direction of Luke Sheppard, reimagines a new post-Romeo life for Juliet while riding a magic carpet of chart-toppers from juggernaut Swedish producer Max Martin, who has spun gold with Katy Perry, Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys, among other pop titans.

Teal Wicks, left, and Rachel Webb in the North American Tour of “& Juliet.”

(Matthew Murphy)

This good-time jukebox musical relies as much on its wit as on its catalog of pop hits. The show’s music and lyrics are credited to Max Martin and friends — which sounds like a low-key cool table at the Grammy Awards. The clever book by Emmy winner David West Read (“Schitt’s Creek”) creates a world that can contain the show’s musical riches without having to shoehorn in songs in the shameless fashion of “Mamma Mia!”

Take, for instance, one of the early numbers, “I Want It That Way,” a pop ballad made famous by the Backstreet Boys. Anne starts singing the song when Shakespeare initially resists her idea of giving Juliet back her life. She wants him to go along with her suggested changes not because she’s sure she’s right but because she wants him to trust her as an equal partner. The song is redeployed in a way that has little bearing on the lyrics but somehow feels coherent with the original emotion.

Obviously, this is a commercial musical and not a literary masterpiece on par with Shakespeare’s tragedy of ill-starred lovers. “& Juliet” would have trouble withstanding detailed scrutiny of its plot or probing interrogation of Juliet’s character arc. But Read smartly establishes just the right party atmosphere.

Juliet (a vibrant Rachel Webb), having survived the tragedy once scripted for her, travels from Verona to Paris with an entourage to escape her parents, who want to send her to a nunnery for having married Romeo behind their backs. Her clique includes Angélique (Kathryn Allison), her nurse and confidant; May (Nick Drake), her nonbinary bestie; and April, her newbie sidekick out for fun who Anne plays in disguise. Shakespeare casts himself as the carriage driver, allowing him to tag along and keep tabs on the cockeyed direction his play is going.

In Paris, the crew heads directly to the Renaissance Ball, which has the look and feel of a modern-day mega-club. Entry is barred to Juliet, but not because she’s ridiculously underage. Her name isn’t on the exclusive guest list. So through the back door, Juliet and her traveling companions sashay as the production erupts in “Blow,” the Kesha song that encourages everyone to get their drink on and let loose.

Rachel Webb and the North American Tour Company of “& Juliet.”

(Matthew Murphy)

The dance setting — kinetically envisioned by scenic designer Soutra Gilmour, lighting designer Howard Hudson, sound designer Gareth Owen and video and projection designer Andrzej Goulding into a Dionysian video paradise — provides the all-purpose license for Martin’s music. It’s the atmosphere and the energy that matter most. Paloma Young’s extravagant costumes raise the level of decadent hedonism.

In this welcoming new context — imagine “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” suffused with girl power — there’s never anything odd about the characters grinding and wailing like karaoke superstars. The ecstatic motion of Jennifer Weber’s choreography renders dramatic logic irrelevant.

But love is the name of the game, and both Juliet and May fall for François (Mateus Leite Cardoso), a young musician with a geeky sense of humor who’s still figuring out his identity. May doesn’t expect romance to be part of their fate. In the Spears song “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman,” they give powerful expression to an inner confusion this musical romance is determined to sort out with an appropriate partner.

Unlike for the original characters, a happy ending is no longer off-limits. Shakespeare and Anne wrestle to get the upper hand of a plot that seems to have a mind of its own. Shakespeare pulls a coup at the end of the first act that I won’t spoil except to say that what’s good for the goose proves dramaturgically viable for the gander.

Teal Wicks, left, Rachel Webb, Nick Drake and Kathryn Allison in the North American Tour of “& Juliet.”

(Matthew Murphy)

This spirited competition stays in the background, but their marital happiness matters to us. Mach’s Shakespeare has the cocky strut of a rapper-producer with a long list of colossal hits. Wicks gives Anne the heartfelt complexity of one of her husband’s bright comic heroines. There’s a quality of intelligent feeling redolent of Rosalind in “As You Like It” in Wicks’ affecting characterization and luscious singing.

But the musical belongs to Juliet, and Webb has the vocal prowess to hijack the stage whenever she’s soaring in song. If Juliet’s character is still a work in progress, Webb endows her with a maturity beyond her years. She makes us grateful that the Capulet daughter is getting another crack at life. When the big musical guns are brought out late in the second act (“Stronger,” “Roar”), she delivers them as emancipatory anthems, fueled by hard-won epiphanies.

Allison’s Angélique is just as much a standout, renewing the bawdy earthiness of Shakespeare’s nurse with contemporary sass and rousing singing. If the supporting cast of men doesn’t make as deep an impression, the festive comic universe is nonetheless boldly brought to life.

“& Juliet” bestows the alternative ending everyone wishes they could script for themselves — a second chance to get it right. This feel-good musical is just what the doctor ordered in these far less carefree times.

Government source says recent Kurdish-led conference ‘dealt blow’ to talks on implementing a March integration deal.

Syria’s new government will not take part in planned meetings with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Paris, Syria’s state news agency has reported, as tensions mount between the two sides.

SANA’s report on Saturday cast doubt over an integration deal signed this year by the armed group and Syria’s interim government, which took over after the overthrow of longtime President Bashar al-Assad in December.

Quoting an unnamed government source, the news agency said the government wants future negotiations to be held in the Syrian capital, Damascus, “as it is the legitimate and national address for dialogue among Syrians”.

The SDF was the main force allied with the United States in Syria during fighting that defeated ISIL (ISIS) in 2019. In March, the SDF signed a deal with the new government to join Syria’s state institutions.

The deal aims to stitch back together a country fractured by 14 years of war, paving the way for Kurdish-led forces that hold a quarter of Syria and regional Kurdish governing bodies to integrate with Damascus.

However, the agreement did not specify how the SDF will be merged with Syria’s armed forces. The group has previously said its forces must join as a bloc while the government wants them to join as individuals.

Saturday’s report comes a day after the Kurdish administration held a conference involving several Syrian minority communities, the first such event since al-Assad’s removal from power.

The conference’s final statement called for “a democratic constitution that … establishes a decentralised state” and guarantees the participation of all components of Syrian society.

Damascus has previously rejected calls for decentralisation.

In its report on Saturday, SANA said the government “stresses that the SDF conference dealt a blow to the ongoing negotiation efforts” towards implementing the March agreement.

“Accordingly, the government will not participate in any meetings scheduled in Paris, nor will it sit at the negotiating table with any side seeking to revive the era of the deposed regime under any name or cover,” the report said.

Participants in the Kurdish-organised conference also criticised the government over sectarian clashes in Syria’s southern province of Suwayda and the coastal region.

“The current constitutional declaration does not meet the aspirations of the Syrian people. … It should be reviewed to ensure a wider participatory process and a fair representation in the transitional period,” the conference’s final statement read.

The dispute is the latest in a recent conflict between the Syrian administration and the SDF after clashes between the group and government forces this month.

The SDF on Saturday accused government-backed factions of attacking areas in northeastern Syria more than 22 times.

It said it had exercised restraint during such “aggressions” but the continuation of attacks “threatens mutual trust and undermines understandings”.

I’m recently returned from two weeks in Paris for vacation (planned for the window right before so many restaurants close for a break in August), and I didn’t even pretend I intended to give myself a break from the business of dining. It’s Paris. Of course I was going all in, particularly since I hadn’t been to France in over a decade.

The research — the brooding over all the possibilities — is always part of the fun. Beyond suggestions from Parisian friends, there was much triangulating of recommendations, especially among the Paris By Mouth newsletter, Lindsey Tramuta (who writes for many English language publications and wrote the “Eater Guide to Paris” book released in April) and David Lebovitz’s very popular newsletter.

Nothing about the following list is complete, but as inspirations for your own travels I pared two weeks down to a dozen Paris suggestions, plus thoughts on a few of the city’s geekiest coffee bars.

The one Paris meal I can’t stop thinking about

Over the year and a half I traveled through our state to write the 101 Best Restaurants in California guide, I kept wishing to experience a tasting-menu restaurant that thrillingly centers vegetables on the plate. Excellent places like Kismet and RVR include intricately composed dishes on their menus that roll with the seasons. I’m thinking, though, of a kitchen with a revolutionary streak, where the emphasis on plant-based cooking not only feels unapologetic but galvanizing, rattling diners awake to the delicious, sustainable-minded possibilities of decentering meat in one of the world’s great growing climates.

That restaurant doesn’t exist yet in California. But it does in Paris.

Manon Fleury opened Datil, a 33-seat railroad-style space in the 3rd arrondissement, in September 2023. Her restaurant’s website details commitments that will sound familiar to Californian restaurant obsessives: how the staff (predominantly women) foster close relationships to producers, how the menu strictly reflects what’s coming from the meals, the low-waste approach.

Zucchini mille-feuille with skate wing, buerre blanc and sorrel sauce at Datil restaurant in Paris.

(Bill Addison / Los Angeles Times)

So maybe, in my jadedness, I was caught off-guard by the lyricism of the five-course lunch. Beautiful in its garden colors and juxtaposing crunchy and yielding textures, but not showy or pushy. The kind of food where I found myself leaning toward what I was eating, like bending closer to catch what my smartest friend was saying at a party.

To describe the heart of the meal: After crackery nibbles, and a lovely flan whose flavors brought to mind white gazpacho, came porridge made using white rice from the coastal southern region of Camargue, where the grain (including a famous red strain) has been grown since the 13th century. It was crowned with an improvisational arrangement of tomatoes and other summery fruits and vegetables, and a gloss of herb oil. It was filling and comforting and also, given all the pointy vegetals flavors, enthralling.

Manon Fleury, center, the chef and owner of Datil in Paris.

(Bill Addison / Los Angeles Times)

Then came a stunning savory play on a mille-feuille formed from sinewy, perfectly salted blanched zucchini. Its layers hid flaked morsels of skate wing — the kitchen is roughly 85 percent plant-based but seafood or meat might be used sparingly — with a brunoise of zucchini, parsley and shallots. Servers swooped in with two sauces poured from metal carafes: a warm beurre blanc tensed with juiced kumquat and cider vinaigrette, and a cool sorrel sauce that clung to the butter in swirls. Another sauce made from plums already lurked underneath. So many harmonies to discern.

Lastly, some straight-up indulgence: a boozy, plush savarin, about the size of a Krispy Kreme doughnut, domed with half of a poached and lightly charred apricot.

Apricot savarin at Datil in Paris.

(Bill Addison / Los Angeles Times)

All the reasons to travel — to know a place while better seeing ourselves, and who and what we might be — came to bear in this emotionally intelligent meal. Chefs in California could, and should, be cooking like this.

Where to eat in Paris

Two fantastic bistros: Friends urged that while Le Bistrot Paul Bert has become a de-facto option for visitors over the last decade (and I have, in the past, sopped up its île flottante until I indeed floated away), I should check out Bistrot des Tournelles in the 4th for a more intimate, relaxed but still bullseye bistro dinner. They were right. Surprise hit? The gushing, textbook chicken Cordon bleu.

Harder to book but worth the effort: Chez Georges at 1 Rue du Mail. (I mention the address specifically because there other similarly named restaurants, but this is the one you want.) Jean-Gabriel de Bueil leads a suave cast of characters in a rowdy, cramped, exhilarating room. Squint at the menu written in tiny handwritten cursive and pick out salade frisée, ris de veau, cote d’agneau grillé and the must-have tarte tatin.

My favorite Lebanese meal: If you read my work, you know I’m looking out for Lebanese restaurants wherever I go in the world. Part of my time in Paris was with my Lebanese crew, and among several meals we agreed hands-down the best was Kubri, the deservedly lauded draw in the 11th run by Ingrid and Mayfrid Chehlaoui and chef Rita Higgins Akar. So, so rarely does a Lebanese kitchen find balance between the traditional dishes (many of which have simple ingredients that demand technique) and innovation (which often produces aberrations that have no relation to the original). This one nails the midpoint, with wonders like a charred wedge of cabbage rubbed in Aleppo pepper butter and pummeled with diced pickled apricot, shanklish (crumbly aged cheese) and salty-sugary peanuts modeled after a snack in Lebanon called Cri-Cri. The only restaurant to which I circled back for a second meal.

Hispi cabbage with pickled apricots and many other garnishes at Lebanese restaurant Kubri in Paris.

(Bill Addison / Los Angeles Times)

Seafood for a casual lunch: Septime, the modern bastion of bistronomy, rides on its fame and is so difficult to book. Show up for lunch at its next-door seafood restaurant, Clamato, which doesn’t take reservations. I’d been warned about long waits, but we managed to walk right in on a summer weekday at 1:15 p.m. Beautiful plates of fish and shellfish from the French coast, most seasoned with restraint and a nod to Japan here and there. Loved the take on the bountiful Provençal grand aioli with a slab of pollock and big hunks of blanched fennel, carrots and zucchini. (I was continually reminded that Parisians could teach us how to blanch vegetables to just-tender, properly seasoned deliciousness.)

Seafood for a fancier night out: Restaurant Le Duc, in the 14th and around since the late 1960s, personifies midcentury Parisian elegance: rich wood paneling, career servers with sly humor, simple and impeccable seafood. A lovely crab salad, cleaned entirely of shell, segued to a gorgeous, finely textured sole meunière presented in a copper pan before filleting. Among desserts displayed on a roving cart, home in on crunching, gorgeously proportioned mille-feuille.

The three-star blowout: Plan half a year ahead to score a reservation at Plénitude, the ne-plus-ultra splurge (as in €345 per person) in the Cheval Blanc hotel, with its almost comically scenic perch at the edge of the Seine overlooking the Pont-Neuf bridge. Arnaud Donckele is a chef of the moment; Plénitude has all the global accolades. For fine-dining devotees, I say it’s worth the investment. Much has already been written about Donckele’s mastery over sauces, and I love how servers present both a side of the sauce to taste on its own — which I sometimes prized even more than with other elements on the plate — and a booklet that details the dizzying number of ingredients they contain. (So many wild vinegars!) The staff move as one, with the synchronized precision of a Rolex. As is expected during the loftiest modern tasting-menu dinners, a little fun comes into play: Diners might move location for one course, and those who opt for a cheese course rise from their chairs to make selections from a walk-in cabinet that opens at the end of one room. The whole experiences feels at once very worldly and very Parisian.

Composing a plate in the “cheese cupboard” at Plénitude in the Cheval Blanc hotel in Paris.

(Bill Addison / Los Angeles Times)

Speaking of cheese: Plenty of people visit Paris for the patisseries. I’m with y’all (the apricot tart at Du Pain et Des Idées forever), but I come even more for the fromageries. A group of us signed up for a cheese tasting experience, via Paris by Mouth, with Jennifer Greco, an American who has lived in France for decades and dedicated her curiosity to all things fromage. We begin at Laurent Dubois, her favorite cheese shop in Paris, and Greco is excellent about adapting a selection to the group’s interests and knowledge levels. I like bloomy rinds (like Brie de Meaux and the runnier, funkier specimens, and she obliged — while steering us towards the sublimely nutty Comtés the shop is known for carrying. We walked a few minutes to a space where we slowly tasted through our loot, with plenty of bread and appropriate wines. What an incredible afternoon, and believe me, it counts as a meal.

France meets Japan: Japan has been a major influence on aspects of French dining for over 50 years, and chefs in Paris, more than ever it feels like, graft the two cultures and cuisines. One newer great: Maison by Sota Atsumi in the 11th, also known as Maison and Maison Sota. Atsumi earned fan as the chef at Clown Bar, and his own tasting-menu restaurant is warm and communal: Most diners sit either along the counter or at a comfortable, room-length table. The air smells of woodsmoke, a fascinating counterpoint (in a way that particular fragrance usually engenders casual and rustic) to the meticulous compositions in large ceramics that define the aesthetic. But all the foams and saucy dots and tiny flowers trick the mind after all: The flavors are shockingly soulful.

Marinated tomato with paprika, sardine broth and chervil oil at Maison Sota in Paris.

(Bill Addison / Los Angeles Times)

A standout Moroccan restaurant: Marie-Jose Mimoun waves you to a table at Le Tagine in the 11th, and for a few hours you sort of absorb into the living entity of her dining room, flowing with the pace. I was sad that, pre-vacation, she had stopped making a special lamb and peach tagine advertised on a placard, but a variation with the meat flavored with raisins, onions, honey and almonds was still among the best tagines I’ve tasted outside Morocco. Ditto the couscous, served with plenty of broth and smoky harissa full of tightly knotted spices. Great natural-leaning wine list too.

The dependable crêpe destination: Breizh Cafe has 13 locations around Paris, a chain by any standard, but it was recommended in so many publications it felt like the right recommendation for a group outing one night. We gathered at the location in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and we had the reliable experience we needed. The savory galette with ham, egg and Comté delivered lacy texture and deep buckwheat flavor (as is traditional in Brittany, where the company originates), and a sweet crêpes Suzette, flambéed with Grand Marnier, flickered with a taut dash of yuzu as well. To drink: dry pear cider.

Perfect end-of-the-trip pizza: So many friends mentioned Oobatz, a pizza restaurant by Maine native Dan Pearson in collaboration with the owners of Le Rigmarole (roundly lauded but not open during my trip). I thought that the last thing I wanted in Paris was pizza. And then, after two weeks of nonstop eating and drinking, my partner and I looked at each other the evening after a wine-soaked lunch and said, “Yeah, let’s go have pizza.” So good. Pearson uses a sourdough base for his bready crusts; they’d be well regarded anywhere in America. Bonus that the menu lists a “chef du surprise” pie; ours was a white pie dotted with meaty splotches of duck ragu.

Pizza with duck ragu at Oobatz in Paris

(Bill Addison / Los Angeles Times)

… and a few coffee notes

I recommend the list that Lindsey Trumata co-wrote for Conde Nast Traveler for a broader perspective on drinking coffee in Paris, but these three coffee bars stood out for me:

Emily Wilson of The Angel newsletter has a very trustworthy list of Paris recommendations. She directed me to Téléscope Cafe, presided over by Nicolas Clerc, regarded by many as the (still young) godfather of Paris’s fourth-wave coffee movement — by which I’ll define as bars dedicated to working with roasters (or roasting their own beans) with direct relationships to farmers and an emphasis on unusually expressive coffees. Wilson loves Clerc’s iced coffee; I admire his long list of pour over options listed by growing region and tasting notes in order of intensity. It was my first coffee stop on the trip, and the place to which I most returned. His banana bread with salted butter was, most days, the only breakfast I needed.

The most dedicated coffee nerds should plan ahead for Substance Café, a reservations-only bar run by barista Joachim Morceau and his wife Alexandrine. Joachim has showmanship, charming customers from behind the counter but he’s intensely serious about his craft. (The couple roasts their own beans.) He often encourages every person to start with one featured coffee to grasp individual tastes, and then he starts making excellent suggestions, equally compelling for pour overs or milky espresso drinks.

Joachim Morceau, who runs the reservations-only coffee bar Substance Café in Paris with his wife, Alexandrine.

(Bill Addison / Los Angeles Times)

Substance is one of those places where customers compare notes on where else they’re drinking coffee in Paris, and based on those conversations I ended up at Tiba, a tiny shop that gets intensely busy on the weekends. Kevin Cerqueira, as friendly as he is passionate, mans the place by himself. He wasn’t brewing a variety of Colombian beans roasted by local company Datura, but based on my very specific predlictions in coffee (notes dried fruits and booze) I bought them from his supply … and I already have an order in for four more boxes.

Also …

• Above I mentioned RVR, the reincarnation of Travis Lett’s California izakaya in Venice. This week I have a long-in-coming review of the restaurant. If you haven’t been to RVR since it opened last fall, two things: Summer is peak vegetables (which is where the kitchen truly excels), and it might be time to return for brunch (which launched in the last few months) on the rooftop patio.
• Jenn Harris weighs in on the buzzy San Gabriel restaurant that specializes in a single meat: lamb.
• Stephanie Breijo and Danielle Dorsey have a guide to L.A.’s bar boom, with 21 recommendations for vibes and cocktails.
• Lauren Ng reports on Mid East Eats, a fast-casual destination for homestyle Palestinian cuisine that’s also the first legally permitted home kitchen in Watts.
• Daniel Miller has a story on how local culinary students seem undeterred by the ongoing challenges of L.A.’s restaurant industry: Los Angeles Trade-Technical College’s saw enrollment in its culinary program grow by 13% last academic year, and it is up nearly 30% since 2019.

One of the most iconic EU cities is under pressure to increase its tourist tax following outrage from locals – who argue their home is being turned into a theme park

Fed-up locals in one of Europe’s most famous cities are calling for tough measures following a surge in tourism. Last year, a staggering 48.7 million visitors flocked to Paris – lured in by iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and of course those mouthwatering pastries.

Around 11 million of these selfie-stick-waving tourists headed over to Montmartre, a historic district home to the ethereal Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Instantly recognisable by its narrow cobbled streets and vibrant nightlife – Montmatre was catapulted to fame thanks to its famous cabaret venue, The Moulin Rouge, and was once a haven for artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Renoir.

However, with narrow streets so crowded with large tour groups, residents say their home has turned into Disneyland, and are calling for drastic change. It comes after Spanish islands fear Brits won’t return as tourists are dealt another blow.

READ MORE: Huge blow as beautiful country with 3m visitors unveils £17 tourist charge

Anne Renaudie has lived in the area for almost three decades, and manages the Vivre à Montmartre association. Speaking to Reuters, she argued the historic quarter has turned into a theme park after being cast into the tourist spotlight thanks to the 2011 hit film Amelie.

“People come for three hours, have fun, buy a beret or a crepe, and leave – as if they were in an amusement park,” she said. As a result, many of the essential food shops catering to locals have been replaced with tourist-targeted snack stands and souvenir shops.

“We’re down to two or three butchers [and] two cheese shops. They’re disappearing one after the other,” Anne added. “Now, it’s a lot of ice cream, crepes, and taco places.”

Along with other members of the association, Anne is urging the town hall to impose similar clampdowns to other European hotspots including Barcelona and Venice. This includes limiting tour groups to just 25 people, banning loudspeakers and increasing the tourist tax.

Sky-high tourist taxes have become common practice across the continent in recent years, with swathes of destinations struggling to keep up with soaring demand. Take Italy’s Venice, for example, which has extended its day-tripper tourist tax to 2025 and doubled the price for certain visitors.

Those wanting to roam the endless network of canals on a gondola, or eat their body weight in pizza, will now have to pay €5 for the Venice Access Fee if they’re visiting for the day from April 18 to July 27. For last-minute visitors, this doubles to €10.

Cruise passengers heading to insufferably busy Greek islands such as Santorini and Mykonos will also be charged €20 for disembarking at the harbour, while tourists in Portugal are subject to a €1-€4 charge per night depending on the accommodation and area they’re staying in. For some, the unexpected costs come prior to flying – like one woman who was charged £75 for her luggage.

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Europe is packed with amazing city break destinations but there’s one destination that gets overlooked despite its laidback vibes and spectacular natural beauty

One European destination offers a city break for those looking to seek adventure and reconnect with nature in a way that other cities don’t.

I’ll be honest, while I was desperate to visit Switzerland, Geneva itself was not at the top of my list. Although, with the help of Geneva Tourism’s immersive itinerary, I was able to see it for exactly what it is: a breath of fresh air.

The global city has acted as an international centre for diplomacy for decades and hosts the highest number of international organisations in the world, which is why it is known as the ‘peace capital’. This idea of peace extends beyond the bounds of bureaucracy into the lifestyle of the locals and the kind of getaways it offers to tourists.

Unlike other city breaks, a weekend away in Geneva is spent surrounded by the mountains, with ample opportunity to tuck into Swiss favourites from the local vineyards and that world-famous chocolate. The whole trip felt incredibly wholesome. It’s not necessarily the cheapest of city breaks, but it does offer a quiet luxury that rivals the likes of Monaco or Paris.

To make exploring as seamless as possible, Geneva offers a City Pass, starting at £28, giving you access to over 60 attractions for free or at a discounted price. This one pass works as your key to the city; whether you use it to travel from place to place, unwind with a vineyard tour, go sailing along the lake, or visit a museum, there’s plenty on offer.

I used it to travel around the city on the bus and tram systems, which I found easy to use and locate, and even on a less ordinary mode of transport – the Mont Salève cable carts. Sitting on the outskirts of Geneva, accessible by bus, the cable cars, within minutes, take you to the highest heights, offering panoramic views of the city and the French Alps.

At the heart of the city is Lake Geneva, which has breathtakingly clear water. The city is built around the lake, meaning the best way to explore Geneva is to take to the lake. There are water sports opportunities and boat trips galore. The Geneva Tour cruise is free with a City Pass and allows you to set sail for a one-hour getaway along the water. After leaving the harbour, this boat tour offers unparalleled views of Mont Blanc and surrounding mountains, local monuments and picturesque villas.

I set out to make waves with Genevaboat, on a small but luxurious – and most impressively private – motor that took us far and wide across the vastness of the deep blue. For those wanting to experience the true freshness of its turquoise blue waters, this boating experience offered a wakeboard and skis, or you could simply hop off for a dip on your own in the serene setting.

One highlight not to be missed is the River Rhône. From barbecues to picnics, sunbathing and a quick swim, it’s popular with locals looking to reconnect with nature and soak up the translucent water. My way of enjoying the river was slightly more adventurous and had me hammering down the rapids in a raft.

If you’re a seasoned city breaker, you’ve most likely done your fair share of boat trips. As beautiful as they can be, it can be a slightly predictable way to see a place. Not so with this activity, which was provided by Rafting Loisir. Not only do you get to have some peaceful moments floating along the water with the tip of Mont Blanc as your backdrop, but you also get the adrenaline-fuelled chaos of the dams as you get drenched with water.

That said, if your instructor is half as fun as ours was, they’ll use any excuse to get you into the water, or simply resort to playfully pushing you in. Geneva is a city that lets you embrace the great outdoors, in whichever way you feel most comfortable: quite literally in the deep end, or from your comfort zone.

As for exploring a little further afield? I never considered a biking tour while on a trip, but my god, it was the best way to see the hidden hills of the countryside in Geneva. And to make life even more easy-going, just like the Swiss, Welo bike tours offered electric bikes, so you’re only really doing half of the work.

The quiet life can be found just 20 minutes or so outside of the city, just a stones throw away from the French border in a patch of dream-like countryside. We made a pit stop to one of the local family-run vineyards for a wine tasting session which is an absolute must if you want a real taste of Switzerland, or if you’re just looking for a bit of a buzz.

From a tourist perspective, the Swiss are all about a casual glass (or bottle) of wine with dinner, and less so a rowdy round of beers in a bar. Throughout the three days I spent there, I didn’t spot a single patch that was bustling with punters, despite the plentiful euros and the gorgeous sunshine.

As for foodies, the city offers an impressive selection of spots for real fine dining. It’s knowing where to find them that is the tricky part in a city that feels incredibly compact. Geneva Tourism makes it a lot easier with their numerous food guides which are available online, listing the top spots for whatever vibe you’re after.

The most impressive of the food came when we paid a visit to L‘Auberge D‘Hermance, a quaint restaurant buried in a mediaeval village by the lakeside. I tasted fresh local vegetable dishes, while the others tucked into their famous chicken, and the table was met with plenty of satisfying ‘hmmm’ sounds with each bite.

Alongside that, I can’t help but mention the brand new Ottolenghi that just opened in the city centre, making the perfect work lunch spot for those attending Geneva on business. Hand on heart, I haven’t tasted food that good in years. While the dishes seemed simple, the flavours hidden within were unreal.

What Geneva does so effortlessly is blend a wide range of cultures, whether that’s through its food, wines, languages, or lifestyle, and a visit gives you the chance to experience it all while offering something entirely new.

Book the holiday

• Welo bike tours start from Adult 49 CHF / Child 40 CHF for three hours. Find out more on www.welo.swiss/en/.
• The Geneva CityPass starts from 30 CHF for 24 hours. Find out more on www.geneve.com.
• Genevaboats tours start from 400 CHF for an hour. Find out more on www.genevaboats.com.
• A number of airlines offer direct flights to Geneva from the UK including easyJet, British Airways and Jet2.

Europe can become incredibly busy during the peak holiday season and according to a travel expert, one of Italy’s top attractions is among those that have become too overcrowded

Europe’s top holiday spots are becoming unbearably crowded during peak season, warns a travel expert, with Italy’s most popular attractions among the worst offenders. World-renowned destinations like Barcelona have even hiked up their tourist taxes in an attempt to curb visitor numbers.

Research by Holidu reveals that Dubrovnik takes the crown as the world’s most overcrowded tourist hotspot, boasting 30 visitors for every local resident. But which other locations are bursting at the seams come summertime?

Speaking previously to Express.co.uk, Sara Rodriguez, a seasoned traveller and blogger at Madrid Travelling, revealed four places she found overwhelmingly busy.

Positano, Italy

Considered a gem of southern Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the picturesque landscape in Positano is nothing short of iconic. Colourful buildings are perched on cliffs that overlook the Mediterranean, giving Positano its name as the “vertical village”.

Despite its reputation as one of the most picturesque seaside villages on the coastline, Sara described the atmosphere as far too “hectic”. She elaborated: “While undeniably beautiful with its colourful buildings and seaside views, the narrow streets were packed shoulder to shoulder with other sightseers.”

She added: “The atmosphere felt more hectic than idyllic, and prices were inflated for tourists. I left feeling like I never got to experience the real Positano beyond the chaotic surface.”

Paris, France

The ‘City of Love’ is one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations, but Sara is just one of many visitors who are left less than impressed by the iconic French city.

She detailed: “The congested boulevards of Paris and the never-ending lineups at attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre strained my patience. I didn’t really enjoy the atmosphere as much as I was waiting to take shots.”

TripAdvisor reviewers are in agreement, with one Louvre Museum visitor stating: “The art is crazy, but the queues are insane. Two hours to access the museum and then you can barely walk due to the quantity of tourists. They should regulate this.”

Excessive tourism has been widespread this year, with the Olympics and Paralympics taking place in the city. This occurs despite Paris City Hall’s decision to triple the tourist tax by 200 per cent for 2024.

The move was implemented to assist Île-de-France Mobilités, which oversees public transport, including the metro and bus services, in managing the increased passenger numbers anticipated for the international sporting spectacle.

Mykonos, Greece

The busy tourist period in Mykonos is generally from Greek Easter (April) to the end of October, with peak season from mid-July to late August. During this time, the island attracts visitors of all ages.

Holidaymakers fork out top prices for accommodation on the picturesque Greek isle, which costs considerably more than neighbouring spots such as Syros. However, the masses prove disappointing, according to Sara.

She explained: “When I finally went to the Greek island, I thought it would be a tranquil haven. Even while it was breathtakingly gorgeous, I felt that partygoers and inebriated vacationers overshadowed it. The restaurants were expensive and the beaches were noisy.”

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is renowned for its lively culture, fascinating heritage and stunning waterways, with the 17th-century canal network having developed into one of the most distinctive cityscapes globally. That said, its hordes of visitors make it incredibly busy considering the city is only an eighth of the size of London.

In addition to overnight stays, Amsterdam welcomed 15.1 million day visitors last year, with approximately 60 percent of them coming from within the Netherlands, according to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.

Sara’s own experience was marred by congested streets, claiming: “The city centre was overrun with rowdy bachelor parties riding bikes through crowded streets. The museums were packed, and reservations at restaurants were impossible to get.”

MIGRANTS arriving in Britain by small boat were immediately detained yesterday under the new “one in, one out” deal with France.

The first to be held under the pilot scheme were picked up in Dover on Wednesday – just hours after the new treaty kicked in.

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Photos showed arrivals in life jackets being led off Border Force vessels at the Western Jet Foil facility.

An unspecified number were held on the spot and taken to immigration removal centres — with swift deportation to France now expected.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Yesterday, under the terms of this groundbreaking new treaty, the first group of people to cross the Channel were detained after their arrival at Western Jet Foil and will now be held in detention until they can be returned to France.

“That sends a message to every migrant currently thinking of paying organised crime gangs to go to the UK that they will be risking their lives and throwing away their money if they get into a small boat.”

The Home Office says it will not be disclosing figures at this stage for fear it would be exploited by smugglers.

But just around 50 people a week are expected to be returned under the deal,  a tiny number compared to the 25,436 who have already crossed this year.

LABOUR’s migrant deal with France is already unravelling — as dinghies keep crossing and confusion erupts over how it is meant to work.

Just days after the “one-in, one-out” scheme came into force, footage shared by the Tories shows French warships escorting small boats packed with migrants across the Channel.

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Ministers are also at odds how the deal is even meant to work, with conflicting statements on whether deportations can go ahead if migrants lodge human rights claims.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, filming off Calais, said: “I’m on the Channel today just off Calais to see if the Government’s new deal with France is working. It isn’t.

“There is a boat full of illegal immigrants crossing right in front of me.

“The French warship is escorting it and & making no attempt at all to stop it.”

At the same time, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy sparked fresh confusion by claiming migrants removed under the scheme could still have their human rights claims heard – but in France.

Asked whether human rights claims presented a loophole to the returns deal, she told Sky News: “That’s not the case at all … the deal that we’ve struck will allow people with us to send people back to France who have human rights claims.

“Those claims will be heard in France.

“I know that the Conservative Party has been saying that this is a loophole. It isn’t and we’re really confident about that.”

But the terms of scheme published on Tuesday suggest the opposite.

It states that the UK confirms that at the time of their transfer that person will not have an outstanding human rights claim.

And it also makes clear France will not participate in UK legal proceedings.

The Tories also argue the wording opens the door for lawyers to delay or block removals with last-minute claims.

But Home Office officials insist have they prepared for judicial review challenges against certification of a human rights decisions to be heard by UK courts from France.

Ministers hope the new route –  where migrants in France apply online – will offer a “safe and legal” alternative to the boats.

But those who have already crossed are not eligible, meaning thousands already here won’t be affected.

Only around 50 people a week are expected to be returned under the deal, which would equate to only one in every 17 small boat arrivals.

The new legal route to Britain only applies to people already in France who have not tried to cross illegally.

To qualify, they must apply online and prove they have close family in the UK, come from a country that is likely to get asylum, or are at risk of being trafficked or exploited.

Unaccompanied children, people with criminal records, and anyone who has previously been deported from the UK are banned from applying.

The deal also reveals that Britain is picking up the tab for both directions of travel – paying for the transport of migrants we send back to France and those we bring in legally.

Alp Mehmet from Migration Watch told The Sun: “This Starmer/Macron wheeze has zero chance of working. It won’t discourage migrants, while smugglers will be tempted to pile in even more people into flimsy vessels. It will have the opposite effect to the one intended.”

The deal will remain in force until June 2026 – but the legal route can be paused automatically if France slows down on taking people back.

Despite Labour’s promise to stop the boats, this year is already on track for a record number of arrivals.

More than 25,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats so far in 2025 – up 49 per cent on the same point last year.

A NEW road side in France this summer is threatening to impose a huge fine for holidaymakers if they break its key rule.

Travellers to the country’s capital may come across the sign when driving in Paris, and it should not be ignored.

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A fine of £118 awaits motorists breaking the rules of the sign, which features a white diamond on a blue background.

The sign can be seen on the eight lane Boulevard Périphérique around Paris, which is used by around one million vehicles each day.

The symbol on it signifies that the left-hand lane can only be used for vehicles with passengers.

Motorists caught driving alone in these lanes on the road’s cameras will be issued automatic fines.

It is being used in a bid to restrict car use in the capital, following changes in recent years to the Boulevard by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

Another measure was introduced last year, which reduced the speed limit to 30mph on the 22-mile motorway.

Four filling stations along the stretch of road were also banned from selling diesel fuel.

However, the latest road rule incurs a costly bill if not followed, requiring a payment €135, equating to around £117.50.

A new control system was installed on May 2, and put live to ensure compliance with the rules.

The system involves hi-tech computer-assisted video enforcement (VAO) which monitors vehicles in the far left lanes at all times.

It can capture the number of people in each car through artificial intelligence cameras.

The recordings of vehicles considered to be breach the rules are then sent to a human agent for verification, who can then issue motorists abusing the rules with a fine.

Signs and enforcement for the new carpool only lanes on the ring road also started at the beginning of May.

They aim to encourage commuters to travel into the city in groups of at least two, hoping to reduce congestion and emissions from vehicles.

The car sharing lanes are on the far left of the four-lane carriageway in both directions of what is one of the busiest ring roads in Europe.

These exclusive lanes were initially introduced for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games last summer, designated for athletes and staff to use as priority vehicles accessing the city.

Hidalgo, who has launched various anti-car measures for the city, confirmed they would remain after the conclusion of the games, and instead be used for car sharing in peak congestion hours.

These hours 7am to 10:30am and 4pm to 8pm on weekdays.

On weekends and public holidays, all lanes are open to any vehicle.

Public transport operators, emergency service vehicles, taxis, and cars for people with reduced mobility are also permitted to use the carpool lanes at any time.

President of Automobile Association, Edmund King, told the Daily Mail: “Britons driving to Paris this summer might be forgiven for not understanding a new addition to French road signs – the diamond with a blue background. 

“Some might think it is a sign to the ‘diamond district’ in Paris, which is around Place Vendôme and Rue de la Paix, but it is not – it is a sign denoting a car sharing lane.”

A SUPERCHARGED pre-war Alfa Romeo “classic sportscar” Torpedo is being put up for auction and could sell for more than £3.75m.

This could make it among the world’s most expensive cars, when aligned with pre-auction estimates.

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The Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 is a sports car that dominated in racing during its time in the 1930s, establishing new standards for high-performance cars.

It captured multiple wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 1000 Miglia, leading the Alfa Romeo to sell a street version of the vehicle.

The 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Torpédo will be up for grabs at the Gooding Christie’s Pebble Beach Auctions from August 15 to 16.

This one features original open coachwork by famed Parisian coachbuilder Joseph Figoni, with desirable Monza cowl.

As a bare chassis, these vehicles were available on the road in both short and long-wheelbase models, with coachwork that could be commissioned by the customer.

It could be done through firms such as Touring, Zagato, and lesser known Carrosserie Figoni, that provided a high quality build, fine woodwork, luxurious interiors and elegant styling.

Figoni is said to have outfitted seven road-going 8C 2300s between 1932 and 1935 on a built-to-order basis.

The striking two-seater Torpedo that is displayed on the 1933 vehicle was ordered to Paris by Alfa Romeo’s first owner, Louis Jeantet.

It includes a rare Alfa Romeo Paris badge, a folding soft top with exposed bows, long fenders, a separate trunk, and dual-mounted spares.

French luxury car authors, Peter M. Larsen and Ben Erickson, described the car as having: “A body that would be plain from the hand of any other carrossier, but its austerity is alleviated by handsome and perfectly balanced proportions that achieve an understated yet exciting look…

“It is a classic sportscar style conceived at the cusp in time just before aerodynamic thinking changed car design forever.”

There are no side windows on the cars vody, or curtains, beltine or other ornamentation.

Nevertheless, the 8C 2300 boasts an all-aluminium 2.3L twin-cam straight eight that is supercharged to produce 138 horsepower.

It has been dubbed the “premier prewar Italian sports car”, with 140 BHP at 4,800 RPM.

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Last year, another iconic Le Mans racing car hit auctions, and was expected to sell for an eye-popping £7million.

It was a 1954 Jaguar D-Type, that clocked a blistering 172.97 miles per hour.

And earlier this year, another rare Alfa Romeo supercar was bought by a British man to impress his wife on their 1956 honeymoon.

He bought an Alfa Romeo 8C from 1932, for £3million at auction.

Tourists visiting Paris have been urged to check their suitcases for one item of clothing after a woman was banned from entering several clubs because of what she was wearing

If you’re planning a trip to Paris this summer, you might want to double-check your luggage to make sure the clothes you’re taking adhere to a little-known rule about fashion in the French capital. The balmy summer weather we’ve been experiencing means most of us have been living in shorts, T-shirts, and sandals for the past few weeks.

Anyone heading off to parts of Europe, such as Spain, France, and Italy this summer will probably also be packing very similar clothes into their suitcases, as the warm weather is set to continue. But if your summer holiday includes Paris, one woman who recently visited the city has a stark warning about what outfits you should pack.

Laney Tucker, from the US, recently spent time in Paris with some friends, and took to Instagram after her trip to tell other women to make sure they’ve packed the right footwear in their suitcase before they fly out to the city.

She claimed she was turned away from multiple nightclubs while trying to enjoy a Parisian night out because she was wearing sandals, and the dress code for the clubs stated she needed to be wearing heels.

The woman claimed she eventually got into a club by claiming that her sandals were a designer brand, but she wished she had packed a pair of heels to save herself the hassle.

She said: “Important note to all the girlies coming to Paris: We didn’t get into a couple of clubs last night because we were wearing sandals. Almost everywhere requires heels.

“I did get us into one club by telling the bouncer my sandals were Valentino, and to be honest, I hate myself for that. Take me straight to jail.”

In the caption, she wrote: “The self-loathing I feel right now … but a girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do to get into the club.”

Commenters on the post were split. Some people believed Laney lacked “common sense” for trying to get into a club with sandals on, while others argued that the heels-only rule is “outdated” and “nonsense”.

One French national wrote: “As a French [person], I hoped this nonsense heels in clubs [rule] was over. Seriously. Men enter clubs wearing sports gear, and we have to break our feet on the dancefloor.”

But someone else argued: “What kind of adult wears sandals to a club in Paris, or anywhere that’s not on a beach?”

Others pointed out that the rule likely doesn’t require women to wear heels, but instead simply requires all people to wear closed-toed shoes for health and safety reasons.

Dress codes in Paris

For the most part, you can wear whatever you want when travelling around the city of Paris itself. However, some evening restaurants and nightclubs have far stricter rules about what you can and can’t wear.

According to Clubbable, women should look to wear “elegant” short dresses, leather jackets and trousers, or “fashionable” jeans. Women should not wear big jumpers, trainers, sportswear, or beachwear.

Clubbable claims men should always wear a shirt on a night out in Paris, whether it’s a casual floral number or a proper dress shirt. This can be paired with casual jeans or trousers.