He’d better be right.
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There’s only one bottom line that matters with Leon Rose’s Knicks decision
I visited the cheap African holiday island that feels like Mykonos and Santorini with new easyJet flights
TRAILING vibrant pink bougainvillaea frames white-washed buildings, spilling across blue window shutters and doors.
A confetti of tiny petals drifts in the breeze, dancing along the narrow, cobbled streets.
Around every corner comes another eye-catching piece of technicolour street art.
The walls and doors of the sleepy paths are a quirky, open-air gallery.
The resemblance to the alleyways of Mykonos and Santorini is striking and my arty stroll ends at a small cafe under a sprawling canopy of trees in a sunlit square.
But when I tell you a small cup of strong coffee here costs 25p, you’ll know I am nowhere near the trendy Greek isles.
The small town of Erriadh sits at the centre of the island of Djerba —which was used as a filming location for Star Wars — just off the south coast of Tunisia.
And at its heart is Djerbahood, the passion project of a famous French art gallery owner who convinced some of the world’s best street artists to travel to Djerba, and its inhabitants to allow their walls to be daubed.
Now, more than 250 murals and sculptures have transformed the heart of the neighbourhood.
Relatively undiscovered by us Brits, Djerba is a great-value option for those looking to explore beyond the Med favourites.
Low-cost giant easyJet has launched year-round flights to the island from both London Luton and Manchester, with fares from just £115 return, and easyJet holidays has packages from just £373pp.
The island’s compact size means it’s easy to explore its intoxicating mix of North African heritage and Mediterranean influences.
Sizzling in summer, temperatures remain high all the way through to November and rarely dip below the 20Cs, even in the depths of winter, making it ideal for out-of-season sunshine.
Hotels line the soft white-sand beaches on the island’s north coast, including our base, the 5H Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso.
The resorts’ vast pool, surrounded by loungers and cabanas, leads down to small sand dunes and a broad stretch of sparkling white sands dotted with straw parasols.
Its contemporary rooms are spacious and bright, with marble-clad bathrooms and balconies or terraces to soak up that sunshine.
With four restaurants, three bars and the biggest Thalasso spa on the island, you could be forgiven for not straying far.
But the island’s compact size means it’s easy to explore its intoxicating mix of North African heritage and Mediterranean influences.
Troglodyte dwellings
In the island’s capital Houmt Souk on the north coast, the minarets of mosques sit alongside the St Joseph’s Catholic church.
Jutting out on a headland surrounded by the Mediterranean sea, the fortress of Borj El Kebir has been protecting the island’s inhabitants from invading armies since the 13th century.
Today you can explore the impressive fortifications and admire the stunning sea views from its now thankfully peaceful ramparts.
Houmt Souk’s pedestrianised streets lined with shops and restaurants lead on to covered souks and a spice market, as well as a rather less fragrant fish market.
There’s plenty of opportunities for a bit of souvenir shopping, from local handi-crafts and clothes, to Pottery Square where you can buy colourful ceramics from just £2 with a little haggling.
If you’re in need of sustenance after all that shopping, look no further than El Fondouk.
This fabulous conversion of an 18th-century caravanserai, or travellers’ inn, is open daily for morning coffees and pastries in its sun-soaked courtyard – then fresh seafood with couscous, fish curries and meaty kebabs at lunch and dinner.
Prices are also excellent given the quality, with main dishes from £8 to £12.
Also worth a trip out from the excellent restaurants back at the hotel was Haroun, in the nearby marina.
Its outside terrace comes in the form of an actual ship’s deck, complete with rigging and ropes, and is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or two as the sun sets.
Inside, the dishes coming out of the kitchen include traditional Tunisian specialities such as brik — crispy filo pastry parcels filled with meat or fish — as well as fried calamari and fresh fish.
Luke Skywalker grew up in a troglodyte home in Tatooine (get it!) and you can visit locations from the smash-hit franchise.
Again, prices are very competitive, with main courses from £13.50.
And while Djerba has more than enough to keep a holidaymaker happy for a week, it would be a shame to come this far and not head over on to the mainland and into a galaxy far, far away.
EasyJet has multiple tours you can take from Djerba, over the ancient Roman Road that crosses the sea to southern Tunisia.
The centuries-old causeway is essentially a bridge, and as you travel the five miles you’re rewarded with stunning views of shimmering waters on both sides.
As you travel through the arid desert landscapes of the mainland, huge rock formations rise dramatically from the flat plains.
The rugged mountains are home to the Berber people, and at Chenini we peek into the unique troglodyte dwellings carved into the rocky hillsides and admire the palm trees and olive trees growing around the oasis by the Chenini Canyon.
Strolling the streets of Tataouine, you can easily see how George Lucas was inspired to use the location for Star Wars.
Luke Skywalker grew up in a troglodyte home in Tatooine (get it!) and you can visit locations from the smash-hit franchise on the tour, including the Hotel Sidi Idriss and Ksar Hadada, an other-worldly Berber granary store that served as a key setting in The Phantom Menace.
LISA MINOT
GO: DJERBA
GETTING / STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5* Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso is from £844pp including flights from Luton, 23kg luggage and transfers, departing November 1.
For a June 21 departure, prices are from £1,249pp.
OUT & ABOUT: EasyJet Holidays has a tour of Tataouine and Chenini, with lunch, from Djerba from £58pp.
For details, check out experiences.easyjet.com/uk/djerba.
Crystal Palace set to learn Europa League fate this week as co-owner looks to buy out John Textor
JOSH HARRIS wants to buy out John Textor in the latest tug of war at Crystal Palace.
Textor owns around 45 per cent of the club and was planning to make a move on Harris and David Blitzer — who have 18 per cent each — to purchase their shares.
But that has failed so far — with Textor now willing to sell up to avoid Palace being booted out of the Europa League due to Uefa’s rules on multi-club ownership.
The European governing body’s regulations mean Textor, majority owner of Lyon, cannot have influence at two clubs in the same competition.
But a sale is unlikely to be quick and will not impact the decision of Uefa chiefs.
And Harris is looking to pay a smaller sum than his US compatriot wants.
Textor, whose Palace club won entry to the Europa League through winning the FA Cup, does not have a majority stake and only 25 per cent of voting rights.
Palace hope that relatively low figure will help their case with Uefa, who are expected to deliver a verdict next week.
Lyon are also set to feature in the competition having finished higher than Palace domestically, with a sixth-placed finish in the Ligue 1 last season.
Uefa rules prohibit anyone from “simultaneously be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration, and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition.”
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
The prospect of Palace dropping into the Conference League is also nigh-on impossible too.
This is because other shareholder David Blizter also has a stake in Danish oufit Brondby, who are set to play in European football‘s tertiary club competition next season.
In a desperate bid to see the Eagles fly across Europe next season and comply with Uefa rules, Textor and Blizter offered to put their shares in a blind trust.
But Uefa chiefs have REJECTED the offer, leaving Palace’s proposed European adventure next season in limbo.
Manchester City and Manchester United utilised blind trusts last season as sister clubs Girona and Nice both qualified for the Champions League and Europa League respectively.
Поєднувала крислатий капелюх і сукню з рукавами-кльош: королева Матильда відвідала Брюгге (фото)
Королева Бельгії Матильда / © Getty Images Бегінаж — поселення-община для самотніх бегінок (релігійний рух) у Фландрії та Нідерландах. Протягом століть бегінаж Брюгге було населено винятково жінками. Сьогодні там мешкають деякі черниці з ордена Святого Бенедикта. 1998 року бегінаж Брюгге був визнаний об’єктом Всесвітньої спадщини ЮНЕСКО, разом з 12 із 26 бегінажів у Фландрії. Королева відвідала виставку «800 років бегінажу» та сад монастиря, який вперше відкривається […]The underrated French city that has a ‘bit of everything’ with picturesque beaches and new cheap hotels
WITH relaxing beaches and super sightseeing – plus just a two-hour flight away – Nice on France’s stunning Cote d’Azur makes for an easy sunny getaway.
While it may happily soak up the glamorous associations of nearby Cannes and St-Tropez, this spot on the Med needn’t break the bank.
WHY SHOULD I GO?
NICE has a bit of everything. Great food, scenery and swimming.
But it never feels like you need to elbow your way through its quaint streets.
It is also one of France’s brightest cities, with a reported 147 days of sunshine a year making it a great choice if you want to bask in the rays while also getting a top-notch culture fix.
STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?
ONE of the best things about Nice is just how walkable it is, the piece de resistance being a stroll along the seafront Promenade des Anglais.
As you get your steps in alongside the palm trees, look out for the iconic hotel Le Negresco, which hosted Elizabeth Taylor and The Beatles.
Pack comfy shoes to walk 30 minutes up to the Colline du Chateau — a park from which you can get the best views of the city.
It’s smart to hop on a tram (€10, or £8.39, return) outside the airport to get into the centre after landing — it takes just over half an hour.
BUCKET LIST ATTRACTIONS?
THE cute Old Town comprises a series of winding alleys that have hardly changed from the 1700s and are made for wandering, complete with colourful, shuttered facades.
Between the many historic squares and churches, you will find plenty of adorable shops selling handbags, jewellery and other stylish items.
Or head to the flea market Les Puces de Nice, a treasure trove of affordable designer clothing.
Need an energy boost? Stop off at the Frisson coffee shop which serves dainty pastries and ice cream.
Enjoy art at the Matisse Museum (€10, or £8.39, entry), before a free walk through the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre in the Jardin des Arenes de Cimiez.
WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
LUNCH on delicious Mediterranean cuisine beneath a chic, striped parasol at the laidback Hotel Amour Plage (part of Hotel Amour Nice) in a prime position on the promenade.
Then retreat to the beach club’s sunloungers beside the beach.
For a dinner you can dress up for, head to Taulissa above the five-star Le Victoria hotel.
Dine on mouthwatering Provencal dishes — including plenty of fish and seafood options — with panoramic views of the city.
For more of a local feel, try the friendly Rouge wine bar, whose small Mediterranean sharing plates are just as unmissable as the contents of its cellar.
I FANCY A DRINK
EASE into the evening with a sunset visit to Babel Babel, for a range of natural wines and a sea view.
Later, Place du Pin and the adjacent Rue Bonaparte are full of bustling cocktail bars with terraces.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
THE Old Town is arguably best, not only for its charm but for practical reasons too — it’s close to all the key sites you’ll want to visit.
EasyHotel Nice Old Town has had a multi-million pound refurb, and is a stone’s throw from all the action.
There is an all-you-can-eat continental breakfast buffet (£10.49, per person) — including croissants, of course — and the handy option to store luggage at €5 (£4.20) per item for up to 12 hours before or after your stay.
GO: NICE
GETTING THERE: EasyJet flies from Gatwick to Nice from £38.99pp.
See easyjet.com.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at EasyHotel Nice Old Town is from £85 per night on a room-only basis.
See easyhotel.com.
MORE INFO: See france.fr.
Three ways to improve your health by boosting your daily dose of fibre
HAVING fibre in your diet can help digestion, blood sugar control and managing weight by making you feel full.
It can also cut the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer.
Yet fewer than one in ten people get the recommended 30g a day.
The best way to up your fibre is with your diet.
But today, I look at ways you can boost your daily dose.
GUMMIES
THIS one is a clever idea – Novomins fibre gummies provide 4g of fibre through inulin, which comes from the chicory plant.
Inulin is found in prebiotic foods like garlic, onion and bananas.
As a supplement, you can get inulin powder. But for convenience these gummies are great.
They also contain calcium, vitamin D, B12 and chromium, have a lovely orange flavour and contain no sugar.
Very chewy, they last for ages. A bit of a sweet treat to keep your bowels healthy.
£15.99 for 60, novomins.com.
POWDER DRINK
IN the past there have been fibre drinks that were thick, gloopy and tough to swallow.
But this new one, from the Fast 800, isn’t.
The powders are a blend of inulin, acacia fibre and green banana resistant starch, which mixes to a smooth drink.
The Sleep Blend also contains minerals, amino acids and other natural sleep support ingredients such as magnesium, chamomile, lemon balm extract and passionflower.
There is 5.6g of fibre per serving and just 18 calories. You take 10g of the powder and mix with water, warm or cold, up to three hours before bed.
It does have a mild lemon flavour, which I didn’t love, but it wasn’t unpleasant.
£22.99 for 30 servings, thefast800.com.
FOOD
A SUGARY biscuit that is good for your gut health sounds bonkers, but JNCK Bakery’s new cookies are formulated to have five times more fibre than standard ones.
They also include other health-focused improvements, such as 90 per cent less sugar and 50 cent less saturated fat.
This has been achieved by incorporating pea protein, prebiotic fibre and a low-sugar, protein-rich chocolate.
They come in three flavours – Milky Chocolate, Trippple Chocolate and White Gold Chocolate, and each cookie has around 9g of fibre, 185 calories and 1.5g of sugar.
They are rich and chocolatey and taste amazing. My six-year-old loves them and I would buy them knowing that they are slightly healthier than your average cookie.
From £1.08 each at Tesco.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Shares Sweet Reaction to Catching a Fan Watching ‘Veep’
Veep fans are everywhere — and sometimes, so are the show’s stars! Julia Louis-Dreyfus shared an Instagram Story on Friday, June 6, revealing the moment she caught a fellow passenger on a flight watching the hit series, which aired on HBO from 2012 to 2019, without a clue that its star actress was seated nearby. […]
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IDF airstrike kills head of Palestinian jihadist group that helped Hamas kidnap, murder on Oct. 7
The leader of a Palestinian jihadist group that was involved in Oct. 7 kidnappings and murders was killed in an Israeli airstrike, the Israel Defense Forces announced Saturday.
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I can’t shift pink marks on my skin – they keep popping up but I can’t get a GP appointment
OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice.
Today, Dr Zoe helps a reader who has noticed marks on their skin.
Q) I HAVE some skin marks that I first noticed last year. I tried to see my doctor but could only get a phone consultation which, as you can imagine, was useless.
They wanted me to email a picture, but I couldn’t access the site.
I’ve used a steroid cream, which I had for a different issue, and found it makes the marks go, but after a while, more appear elsewhere.
They aren’t sore or itchy, but this is really getting me down. Can you help?
A) Thank you for sending the images of the rash, which appear to show oval salmon-pink-coloured patches on your torso.
While seeing images of skin is helpful, we doctors usually need to get a history from the patient in order to make a diagnosis.
I would like to know if, prior to the rash appearing, there was a single larger patch that came up first.
If this was the case, then that would likely be the herald patch – a sign of the harmless skin condition pityriasis rosea.
It usually gets better on its own over the course of around four to ten weeks.
You say you first noticed skin marks a year ago, but I’m unsure if there was a period in between where it cleared. This could be a second episode of it.
If this sounds likely, it will resolve on its own and a mild steroid cream can alleviate any discomfort if there is any. If you do not think it is this, then you need a consultation with a GP.
TIP: As we enjoy the summer, try to refrain from wearing sandals and flip-flops too often.
Their lack of support can lead to calluses, corns and issues like plantar fasciitis, which causes heel pain.
- Send your questions for Dr Zoe to: health@thesun.co.uk
Lydia Bright shares message of support from mum Debbie after James Argent’s ex Nicolline slammed Towie star & her family
LYDIA Bright has admitted it’s been a “whirlwind week” after James Argent’s ex Nicoline slammed the Towie star and her family.
Yesterday James’ ex-girlfriend Nicoline Artursson hit out at his “controlling ex” for causing major issues with their ill-fated relationship.
In an 800-word statement, Nicoline finally spoke in depth about the domestic abuse she suffered at the hands of James, 37, last month.
The Swedish beauty. 32, queen was injured after being pushed down steps outside the home they shared in Spain.
He was arrested and spent several hours in police cells before admitting a charge of domestic violence in court.
Nicoline has claimed former Towie star Lydia – who dated Arg on/off between 2007 to 2016 – was an unwelcome, interfering presence during their year together.
Earlier today, Lydia, 34, took to Instagram to share a card that she received from her parents Debbie Douglas and Dave Bright.
The message read: “We are so proud of you. Keep your face to the sun and keep shining. Mummy and Daddy.”
In front of the card, it said: “Keep shining bright.”
Lydia captioned it: “After a whirlwind week, this is exactly what I needed, a slow morning.
“Banana pancakes, Disney on the sofa and a catch up with mum and dad.”
She also shared a photo of a sunflower that her mum bought her and said it’s “a burst of sunshine, positivity and happiness.”
Lydia’s supportive message from her parents comes just hours after James’ ex Nicoline issued a social media statement.
The model said: “I felt there were too many people in our relationship: me, my boyfriend and his ex. ‘Three’s a crowd’, they say.
“I asked so many times if we could be just the two of us, but the answer was a strong NO.
“I experienced what I can only describe as targeted emotional distress which he allowed to continue.”
Nicoline continued: “After being together for one year my boyfriend finally promised me that he would have boundaries.
“He would put a stop to all that had been going on for months.
“But he didn’t. Instead he broke the promise and her controlling behaviour continued. The rest is history.”
Domestic abuse - how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
- The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night
- Men who are being abused can call Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244
- Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428
- If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Argent and Lydia’s love story started off screen nearly two decades ago when they were teens and their drama-filled romance made legendary TV on the ITVBe show – gripping viewers with its constant twists and turns.
They split in 2012, and Argent was accused of calling her a “sl*t” in text messages after learning she’d slept with someone else following their separation.
Despite this, they have maintained a close friendship and Lydia views Argent as an uncle to her daughter, Loretta, five.
She has stuck by her ex and close friend following his arrest and insists he’s not a violent man.
A friend who knows both Lydia and Arg very well tells The Sun: “When it comes to what happened with Arg and Nicoline, Lydia would never condone violence and has made that very clear to James, but she doesn’t think that he is a violent man and she knows he deeply regrets the events of that night.
“She has stuck by him, even though she doesn’t agree with his actions – just as his other mates like Mark Wright have.”
Lydia was also there for Argent when his weight ballooned to nearly 30 stone amid drug and food addiction.
Nicoline Artursson's statement in full
It’s now been a month. I still can’t believe it.
My fractures on my body have finally healed but I’m wounded inside. I’ve been quiet long enough. Silence protects no one – and it almost destroyed me.
What started as a love story sadly turned into something else. Behind the pictures, promises and the plans for a life together – the beautiful days – changed into something into sadness with emotional manipulation and eventually physical harm.
I loved deeply, believed in our future and stood by someone I thought would protect me and instead I was left alone and harmed in ways I never imagined.
I was not only failed by him but deeply affected by the presence of unresolved ties to his past.
Yes I posted an Instagram story with a simple yes or no question about if your ex should be a part of your present relationship. I felt there were too many people in our relationship: me, my boyfriend and his ex. ‘Three’s a crowd’, they say.
I asked so many times if we could be just the two of us, but the answer was a strong NO. I experienced what I can only describe as targeted emotional distress which he allowed to continue.
The ex and her family put us through so much misery and false accusations, I won’t go into details. They had no reason whatsoever to do what they did to us, but for some reason they wouldn’t let go and let us enjoy our love.
Everybody knows that real friends support you and want to see you happy.
So I posted a story on Instagram.
After being together for one year my boyfriend finally promised me that he would have boundaries.
He would put a stop to all that had been going on for months.
But he didn’t. Instead he broke the promise and her controlling behaviour continued. The rest is history.
I was brutally thrown out of our new home in the middle of the night wearing only my pyjamas. I opened the door to let him in and only minutes after I found myself laying down on the stairs outside our house.
My clothes and belongings were being thrown out from the balcony down on me. I was injured.
Thanks to incredible neighbours who heard and saw what happened and acted, I got help. They called police, brought me to safety and ensured the incident was taken seriously.
A gentleman does not abuse you and end up in jail and call you the love of his life. A gentleman does not blame you for his actions. A gentleman will confide in his partner, family and close circle of friends, keeping them close and safe. A gentleman chooses you always and leaves the past in the past – including exes.
Life is to be lived together and not to please people who want to take advantage of you. At the end of the day, fame can only do so much – it’s all about being strong and growing together.
Life is simply not a reality TV show, life is real.
I have tried to understand why. I have cried so many tears thinking about the way he chose to hurt me. He said he loved me and I believed him and here we are.
There is now a legal record of what happened. Violence has no excuse – no matter how much love preceded it.
To those who questioned me for staying as long as I did: I stayed because I believed in love. I believed he and we could grow, could heal, could choose peace. But love doesn’t survive in chaos. And it cannot survive where violence lives.
To every woman reading this: if you’ve ever questioned your worth, your safety or your sanity in a relationship – this is your sign. You deserved to be loved with care and integrity. And you are not alone.
To the men: real strength is protection. Real love is safe. Be the kind of man who lifts women up – not one who breaks them down, neither by violence or silence.
To the future: never say never. I will get the little family I’ve always dreamed of and have my dream wedding to symbolise and celebrate true love in front of my dear family and friends.
I’m healing now. Slowly, bravely and unapologetically. I will rise and I will use my voice – not for vengeance but for truth. For every woman who’s been silenced by someone who said ‘I love you’ and then proved otherwise.
This is not just my story. It’s a reminder: abuse – whether emotional, psychological or physical – has no place in love.
