BBC Breakfast announced the death of acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard at age 88, sharing tributes from King Charles and Queen Camilla

BBC Breakfast was paused as today’s presenter delivered devastating news of a death just minutes into the programme.

During Sunday’s (November 30) episode of the beloved breakfast show, hosts Rachel Burden and Ben Boulos were back on our screens delivering the day’s top headlines from Britain and around the world.

But mere moments into the broadcast, Rachel broke the news of Tom Stoppard‘s passing as she disclosed that the Royal Family were amongst the first to honour his memory.

The cherished playwright, who scooped an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Shakespeare In Love, was 88-years-old when he passed away.

Addressing audiences at home, Rachel announced: “The King and Queen have led tributes to the playwright Tom Stoppard, who has died at the age 88.”, reports the Express.

“They have described him as a ‘dear friend who wore his genius lightly’. Among the awards was an Oscar for the screenplay for the film Shakespeare in Love.”

The programme then switched to a dedicated tribute segment for the legend as entertainment correspondent Guy Lambert reflected on Tom’s extraordinary career.

Returning to the studio, Rachel noted: “Tributes have been pouring in to celebrate the life of Sir Tom Stoppard.”

Just before sharing the King and Queen’s complete statement, the television host remarked: “King Charles and Queen Camilla called him a dear friend.”

United Agents released a statement at the time, expressing: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved client and friend, Tom Stoppard, has died peacefully at home in Dorset, surrounded by his family.

“He will be remembered for his works, for their brilliance and humanity, and for his wit, his irreverence, his generosity of spirit and his profound love of the English language. It was an honour to work with Tom and to know him.”

King Charles paid tribute, stating: “My wife and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of one of our greatest writers, Sir Tom Stoppard. A dear friend who wore his genius lightly, he could, and did, turn his pen to any subject, challenging, moving and inspiring his audiences, borne from his own personal history.

“We send our most heartfelt sympathy to his beloved family. Let us all take comfort in his immortal line: ‘Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else’.”

Sir Tom’s illustrious career in entertainment spanned over six decades, during which he bagged numerous Tony and Olivier awards, as well as the Golden Globe and Academy Award alongside Marc Norman for their 1998 screenplay Shakespeare In Love – featuring fellow Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow.

BBC Breakfast is broadcast daily from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.

THE top bars across the globe have been named and in the top spot is one right here in the UK.

Now, you might think the world’s best bar would be in London but it’s actually in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The boozer called Panda & Sons secured the number one spot of the Top 500 Bars list this year.

Founded back in 2013, Panda & Sons is a ‘hidden’ Prohibition-style speakeasy, according to Time Out.

Top 500 Bars said: “Panda & Sons is the brainchild of famed Scottish bartender Iain McPherson.

“It’s a table service cocktail bar, that’s all about friendly Scottish service in an intimate and cosy surrounding. Their cocktail menu offers exciting drinks using the latest techniques, including their very own called ‘Switching’.

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“Their technique Switching is where you isolate the water from spirits and swap it with another non-alcoholic liquid.”

To get inside you have to find the secret door, which is behind a bookshelf underneath a barbers.

Once inside, you can find cool panda themed decorations throughout the place.

It won’t break the bank either with cocktails for around £9, but of course, you can go for a fancier drink with some costing up to £15.

It’s a popular spot having amassed a solid Tripadvisor rating of 4.5 out of 5 with lots of visitors complimenting its ‘super friendly’ staff and ‘unique’ drinks menu.

One visitor even said they were “literally the best drink I’ve ever had in my life” and that when they went to the bathroom the bartender kept their drink in the fridge so it would stay cold.

If Edinburgh isn’t your local spot – there were other UK bars hat also made the top 10.

Tayēr + Elementary in London came in seventh place, followed by The Connaught Bar in 13th place.

Also in London making the rankings was Scarfes Bar (21) and Satan’s Whiskers (22), while lower down was Kwant (108), Three Sheets Soho (115), Kol Mezcalería: London (118).

Along with Panda & Sons, Hey Palu, which is also in Edinburgh also made the list in 148th place.

The bar describes itself as an ‘intimate stylish cocktail bar in the heart of Edinburgh Old Town, accompanied by a killer playlist’.

The drinks menu focuses on Italian Aperitivo along with modern yet classic cocktails,

SCHOFIELD’S BAR in Manchester came in 224th and Lab 22 in Cardiff in 306th, while The Milk Thistle in Bristol in 315th.

Somehow, someway, Los Alamitos is your Southern Section Division 2 football champion. A team of overachievers filled with a roster of best friends combined chemistry, determination and toughness to overcome all odds.

Saturday night before an overflow crowd at San Clemente High, the Griffins recorded seven sacks and took advantage of one of the strangest touchdowns scored by a lineman to beat the Tritons 33-20. This same Los Alamitos team lost to San Clemente 28-9 in a league game on Oct. 24.

“I’m not smart enough to articulate how I feel and how proud I am of these guys,” said Los Alamitos coach Ray Fenton, who was hugging one player after another.

Los Alamitos (12-2) received a sensational performance from quarterback Colin Creason, who completed his final 13 passes and combined with the Griffins’ strong running back tandem of Kamden Tillis and Lenny Ibarra to generate enough offensive firepower to end San Clemente’s five-game winning streak and deliver the Griffins their first championship since 2002.

The game changed on consecutive plays late in the third quarter after San Clemente took a 20-17 lead on a 35-yard field goal by Ethan Miller. Creason completed a shovel pass to tight end Beckham Hofland inside the five-yard line, but he fumble the ball. It went off the leg of a San Clemente defender and was picked up by offensive guard Luke Wehner, a rugby player who knew exactly what to do to score his first high school touchdown — run toward the goal line. He went seven yards for a 24-20 lead.

“I was so scared,” Hofland said.

Said Wehner: “I was not expecting that at all.”

Then Los Alamitos forced a San Clemente fumble on the next offensive play that was recovered by Hunter Eligon. Tillis scored a 22-yard touchdown for a 30-20 lead. The momentum and the game had switched to Los Alamitos.

Individuals kept stepping forward to deliver big moments for the Griffins. Jackson Renger had two of his team’s seven sacks. Hofland had a 24-yard touchdown catch and two field goals. Tillis rushed for 141 yards. The versatile Ibarra had an interception, a 65-yard punt and rushed for 99 yards. And Los Alamitos’ offensive line kept creating opportunities for Creason and the running backs.

The first half ended in a 17-17 deadlock when Hofland made a touchdown catch for Los Alamitos with 39 seconds left. San Clemente had opened a 17-3 lead behind Jaxson Rex, who had a 25-yard catch, forced a fumble and made an interception. Colin Granite scored two touchdowns on short runs.

Los Alamitos’ no-huddle, up-tempo offense started to cause problems for San Clemente’s defense. Tillis had 100 yards rushing at halftime while Creason had 156 yards passing.

Los Alamitos won the Southern Section Division 2 championship with a 33-20 win over San Clemente.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

Los Alamitos started the season 8-0, then lost to San Clemente and Mission Viejo in consecutive Alpha League games. The Griffins regrouped and never stopped believing in themselves. They are expected to face San Diego Section champion Cathedral Catholic in a state playoff game next weekend.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will host Vancouver in the MLS Cup final after a dominant victory against New York City FC.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano hailed Lionel Messi as “extraordinary” after the Argentinian superstar steered the club into their first Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup final with a 5-1 thrashing of New York City FC on Saturday.

A Tadeo Allende hat-trick and goals from Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia sent a revitalised Miami roaring into the championship game next Saturday at their home field in Fort Lauderdale.

While Messi did not get on the scoresheet, the 38-year-old provided a crucial, classy assist for Miami’s third goal scored by Silvetti that killed off the game as New York chased an equaliser.

“Leo has accustomed us to the extraordinary,” Mascherano said of his former Barcelona and Argentina teammate.

“He’s someone extraordinary, someone we’ll never see again. Today, perhaps we’re surprised that he didn’t score, but he gave us peace of mind with the third goal, an assist that only he can see. He practically sealed the game.”

Miami will host the Vancouver Whitecaps in next Saturday’s MLS showpiece.

Vancouver, spearheaded by former Germany and Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller, advanced to the final with a superb 3-1 victory over San Diego in California on Saturday to claim the Western Conference crown.

Messi and his teammates will head into the final bristling with confidence after another ruthless, high-scoring demolition job that followed on from their 4-0 drubbing of FC Cincinnati in the previous round.

Allende – who scored twice in the victory over Cincinnati – was once again the focal point of the Miami attack.

The 26-year-old Argentinian forward opened the scoring in the 14th minute after cleverly springing the New York offside trap and then headed in a superb second to make it 2-0.

New York rallied back with a headed Justin Haak goal in the 37th minute and came within a whisker of an equaliser when Julian Fernandez forced a fine one-handed save from Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo in the 66th minute.

That near-miss was to prove crucial.

Miami immediately swept upfield and a flowing move saw Rodrigo De Paul and Jordi Alba combine before Messi slipped a pass to Silvetti who rifled home to make it 3-1.

‘Unbreakable’

Segovia then eliminated any doubt with Miami’s fourth goal in the 83rd minute before Allende completed his hat-trick a minute from time to prompt wild celebrations.

The victory leaves Miami just one win away from completing a remarkable transformation after a season that appeared to be unravelling in disarray earlier in the campaign, following a string of defeats.

“We strengthened as a group and reached the end of the season with a brotherhood within the team, where everyone pulls together, and it doesn’t matter who starts,” Mascherano said. “We are a group, and the power of a group is unbreakable.”

Meanwhile, Vancouver – who thumped Miami 5-1 on aggregrate when they met in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals in April – signalled that they will be ready to take on the star-studded Florida outfit with a masterful display to beat San Diego.

The Canadian club got off to a dream start with Brian White firing them into the lead after only eight minutes.

More relentless Vancouver pressure forced an own goal from San Diego goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega three minutes later, and a second White goal on the stroke of half-time made it 3-0.

San Diego raised hopes of an unlikely fightback when Mexico striker Hirving Lozano lashed in a long-range effort in the 60th minute.

But Vancouver continued to look the likelier team to score, and Sisniega was shown a red card for bringing down Ryan Gauld when the Whitecaps player rounded him to go in on goal.

At least four people have been killed in a mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in California.

Ten others were injured in the shooting at a restaurant on Saturday evening, in the state’s northern city of Stockton.

Local police say the victims include adults and children. The conditions of the injured have not been confirmed.

A suspect is still on the loose and police say they believe the shooting may have been “targeted”.

The San Joaquin county sheriff’s office said the shooting happened shortly before 18:00 local time (02:00 GMT Sunday), and is appealing to anyone with “information, video footage, or who may have witnessed any part of the incident” to come forward.

Spokesperson Heather Brent described the incident as “unfathomable”, adding: “This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited.

“Early indications suggest this may be a targeted incident, and investigators are exploring all possibilities.

Stockton’s Mayor Christina Fugazi called the shooting “unacceptable”.

“Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive.”

VANESSA Hudgens has given birth to her second child!

The High School Musical star, 36, is now a mom of two after going into labor and welcoming her second bundle of joy into the world.

She said it was a “wild ride labor” and also detailed how the labor caused blood vessels in her eyes to pop as she shared a graphic photo.

Taking to her Instagram, Vanessa shared a photo of her on a hospital bed.

She could be seen laying on her side in a black T-shirt while holding her husband Cole Tucker’s hand tightly.

“Well…. I did it. Had another baby!!! What a wild ride labor is.

WAIT A SEC…

Vanessa Hudgens’ fans think she subtly announced she gave birth to 2nd child

“Big shout out to all the moms.

“It’s truly incredible what our bodies can do,” she penned.

Fans and friends flocked to the comments to congratulate Vanessa and Cole on their new arrival.

“That is a very beautiful picture and a wonderful amazing woman she is going to be a great mother,” penned one person.

“Congratulations gorgeous mama bear. Well done. It’s truly a miracle,” said a second.

A third person wrote, “Congratulation’s Vanessa and Cole! So Happy for you both. Enjoy your new beautiful bundle of joy.”

Vanessa is yet to share a photo of the baby, or reveal it’s gender or date of birth.

Vanessa’s fans were left convinced that the star had previously welcomed the baby during the week when she shared a post on Instagram.

The actress shared a stunning photo of herself on the beach on Friday (November 28) saying she was “very grateful”- but fans noticed something was missing.

Vanessa‘s baby bump appeared to be gone as she wore a white dress.

Vanessa’s followers responded with confusion over her missing baby bump.

“Did Vanessa already give birth to baby number 2?” one fan asked.

Another noted a clue in her caption.

“In her last 2 posts she has said how tried she is – so I’m thinking she has had baby,” they said. “2 under 2 years would be hard!”

Vanessa and her husband Cole welcomed a son in July 2024.

The couple did not announce their baby boy’s name name, but she did hint that it started with the letter T.

The actress then announced her pregnancy with her second child one year later, posting “round two!” as she showed off her bare baby bump.

Vienna is a city that is perfect for a long weekend away, and as the nights draw in and the temperature drops, it could be the perfect time to visit the Austrian capital

Just over two hours from London lies a capital city boasting enchanting and romantic Christmas markets, perfect for a picturesque weekend getaway. As the temperature dips and evenings grow longer, a long weekend in Vienna, Austria’s bustling capital of nine million residents brimming with festive spirit, could be an ideal quick holiday.

Vienna is approximately two hours and 15 minutes by plane from London, and its compact layout coupled with excellent transport links make it easy to explore even when you’re feeling a bit knackered. MyLondon reports the top attractions in this Austrian gem.

What to do in Vienna

First on your list should undoubtedly be the Christmas Market at Rathausplatz. This historic square transforms into a winter wonderland that’s not to be missed.

The market is one of the most renowned in Europe, attracting millions of visitors annually. You’ll be dazzled by twinkling lights and festive decorations, creating a magical backdrop that’s sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.

With over 150 stalls, the market offers everything from handcrafted gifts to seasonal treats. You can indulge in traditional Austrian pastries like Vanillekipferl (vanilla cookies) and Lebkuchen (spiced cookies), as well as warming mugs of Glühwein (mulled wine).

You’ll also enjoy the cheerful sounds of carol singers and other live performances, adding to the festive atmosphere. The ice rink is another major draw for people of all ages.

A visit to Hundertwasser House is an absolute must. This creative masterpiece by renowned architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser was completed in 1985. The extraordinary apartment block features a kaleidoscope of colours, shapes and undulating lines.

Across from this striking building sits Hundertwasser Village, where stepping inside feels like entering an entirely different world that could easily be Willy Wonka’s residence. The area boasts red brick archways, vintage lamp posts, and charming alcoves housing petite boutiques.

After all that exploring in Vienna, you’re bound to build up quite an appetite, which is where Bier and Bierli comes in. Offering mouth-watering schnitzels, fresh salads, and a variety of beverages, it’s hardly surprising the establishment has earned 4.4 stars on Google.

One satisfied customer raved: “Such a lovely experience today! We had both lunch and dinner here and both times food and service deserved 5+*. Staff is very helpful and friendly. Service is quick and professional.”

Cheapest flights from London to Vienna

Multiple options exist for travelling from London to Vienna. However, the standout option is the Wizz Air flight which departs London Luton at 5.10pm, arriving at 8.25pm Vienna time.

At the time of writing, tickets cost just £20.59.

Flights can be reserved via Skyscanner, whilst lodging options are available on Booking.com.

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Nestled near Peak District National Park, this charming Derbyshire village is bursting with character and offers the perfect pit stop after a day of hiking around Mam Tor

Tucked away near the Peak District National Park, this picturesque rural village provides an ideal stopping point for ramblers exploring Derbyshire, with numerous welcoming pubs just a short stroll away.

Located next to the renowned Mam Tor, a 517-metre peak within the national park, Castleton ranks among the most spectacularly positioned villages in the region. The settlement is encircled by breathtaking vistas of limestone and gritstone escarpments, which regularly draw visitors from cities including Sheffield and Manchester.

Numerous visitors pause in the village either before or following a day’s trek up the hill, where a stone-paved footpath guides walkers along a circular route spanning roughly three miles. The moderately challenging ramble typically requires up to two hours – an expedition well worth rewarding with a refreshing beverage afterwards.

One recent rambler shared on TripAdvisor: “I finally decided to pay Mam Tor a visit to walk up to rather than just driving past it. It’s so dominating on the horizon as you drive through Castleton. Now, you can walk up to it from a variety of paths. The tourist path from the official Mam Tor car park is a popular one; however, you pay for car parking there, and it usually gets busy.”

At its core sits a thoroughly English village, packed with pubs, tearooms, bakeries and shops, ideal for leisurely browsing. Highly-rated drinking establishments in the village include The George, Ye Olde Nags Head, 1530 The Restaurant and the Bulls Head. All within a stone’s throw of each other, these pubs provide the perfect haven after a hard day and maintain a cracking atmosphere throughout the year. Ye Olde Nags Head, believed to be the oldest in the area, has been serving pints since the 17th century. One satisfied punter left a review, stating: “The pub is lovely, warm and welcoming. The staff were very friendly. The building is old and tired in places, but it’s part of the character of the place.”

In addition to the beer selection, the village boasts a high number of cafes for its size, offering passers-by a cuppa and a sweet treat. Regardless of the weather, both locals and tourists pack the rooms for a hot beverage and their locally baked cakes, biscuits and other treats – delicious and totally Instagram-worthy.

Castleton is believed to be the only place on earth that possesses the precious Blue John stone, found within several of its hidden gem caverns. There are four caves in total, open for anyone to explore, including Peak Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Mine. The most frequented is the Peak Cavern, nestled beneath Peveril Castle and amusingly dubbed ‘the devil’s arse’. Eager explorers flock to the site for tours lasting over an hour, detailing its history and showcasing the intricacies of the underground hidden gem.

What is it really like behind-the-scenes at a big boxing event?

With boxing back on BBC linear television after 20 years, we were given exclusive access to fight night, from pre-fight preparations, to ringwalks, a ringside view and dressing room celebrations with the teams.

READ MORE: TKV stuns Clarke to win British title

Available to UK users only.

Authorities have not yet released information about the attacker’s identity or motive behind the attack on a family gathering.

At least four people have been killed and 10 wounded after a shooting during a family gathering in northern California’s Stockton, local authorities said.

The shooting took place at a child’s birthday party, Stockton’s Vice Mayor Jason Lee said in a Facebook post late on Saturday.

“I am in contact with staff and public safety officials to understand exactly what happened, and I will be pushing for answers,” he said.

Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County sheriff’s office, said the victims included both children and adults.

The shooting occurred inside the banquet hall, which shares a car park with other businesses.

“We can confirm at this time that approximately 14 individuals were struck by gunfire, and four victims have been confirmed deceased,” San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on X.

“This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited. Early indications suggest this may be a targeted incident, and investigators are exploring all possibilities.”

Police said they received reports shortly before 6pm (02:00 GMT) of a shooting that occurred near the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton.

The authorities have not yet released information about the identity or the motive of the attacker. They did not immediately provide information on the severity of the injuries of the surviving victims.

The office of Governor Gavin Newsom said he has been briefed on the “horrific shooting” in Stockton and will be following up on the evolving situation.

The Houthi attack on merchant ships in the Red Sea shows that asymmetric strategies have become one of the most disruptive forces in international security, often more effective than conventional state military power. The operations of these non-state groups not only disrupt global trade routes but also expose fundamental weaknesses in the international maritime security architecture. This phenomenon marks a major shift in the character of modern conflict: war is no longer the monopoly of states, and non-state actors are now capable of altering global strategic calculations at a much lower cost. This article argues that the Houthi operations reflect the failure of the traditional security paradigm and underscore the urgency of understanding irregular threats as a determining factor in contemporary geopolitical dynamics.

The Houthis’ success is rooted in the use of asymmetric strategies that combine low cost, high flexibility, and significant strategic impact. Unlike 20th-century insurgencies that relied on guerrilla tactics, the Houthis have increased the scale of the threat by utilizing kamikaze drones, ballistic missiles, and inexpensive surveillance systems. They direct these low-cost weapons at commercial vessels worth billions of dollars. When a single drone damages or threatens a merchant ship, dozens of global companies are forced to reroute, increase logistics costs, and face widespread economic risks. Asymmetric strategies work by avoiding the opponent’s main strengths and attacking points that render those strengths irrelevant. This is what is happening in the Red Sea: the superiority of modern warships is useless when the threat comes from small drones that are difficult to track and cheap to replace (Baylis and Wirtz, 2016).

The limitations of the navies of major countries in responding to these attacks highlight problems in traditional defense doctrine. The United States and Britain have deployed advanced combat fleets, but Houthi attacks continue and hit strategic targets. Major powers designed defense systems to deal with interstate threats, not irregular attacks from irregular actors who have no diplomatic obligations and do not submit to international norms. Modern insurgencies thrive by exploiting institutional gaps and the unpreparedness of states to respond to rapidly changing conflict dynamics. The Houthis are a case in point: they operate in a grey area that is not accounted for in conventional defense frameworks (Kilcullen, 2009).

The Houthis’ strategic strength stems not only from their military capabilities but also from their ability to exploit global economic interdependence. The Suez–Red Sea route is one of the world’s logistics hubs. When this region is disrupted, the consequences immediately affect the global energy market, European and Asian supply chains, and logistics costs for almost all sectors of international trade. Houthi attacks, although physically limited, have a huge psychological effect. When an attack occurs, dozens of international companies immediately review their navigation routes. This fear has a much greater economic impact than the physical damage to the ships that are targeted. In a strategic context, the Houthis have understood that creating uncertainty is a very cheap and very effective strategic weapon.

Moreover, Houthi operations are not merely military actions but part of broader geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East. They function as non-state actors and instruments in regional competition, particularly between Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. With technological and logistical support from patron states such as Iran, the Houthis play a role in a larger regional strategy. This blurs the line between state and non-state actor strategies. Attacks on merchant ships are an effective way to put pressure on major countries without the political risks that usually accompany direct military action.

The involvement of non-state actors in the architecture of modern conflict reveals that the conventional concept of international security is no longer adequate. The doctrine of global maritime security was designed on the assumption that the main threat comes from rival states. However, the greatest threats today come from groups that do not have official navies, do not hold sovereign territory, and are not accountable to the international community. While states remain fixated on traditional threats, groups such as the Houthis are able to move quickly, flexibly, and effectively, exploiting every available opportunity. This is why international stability is increasingly vulnerable, even as the military power of major states continues to advance technologically.

The Red Sea crisis highlights the need for a major paradigm shift in global security strategy. Countries can no longer rely on interstate deterrence as the main pillar. A new model is needed that combines counter-drones, supply chain security, regional diplomacy, and conflict stabilization policies on land. Without a multidimensional approach, countries will continue to be stuck in short-term reactions rather than long-term strategies.

Ultimately, the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are not merely a disruption to international trade but a warning that the global security order is undergoing a fundamental repositioning. The arguments in this paper show that asymmetric strategies have eroded state dominance and revealed the unpreparedness of international security structures to deal with irregular threats. If states fail to update their paradigms, the future of global stability will increasingly be determined by actors who have no international obligations, are not subject to the norms of war, and are able to maximize their power at minimal cost. The world is entering a new era of strategy, and the Red Sea is proof that state dominance is no longer the mainstay of contemporary warfare.

The imposing Beaux-Arts mansion at the Huntington in San Marino, designed at the start of the 20th century by architects Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey, first opened to the public in 1928, just for a few weekday afternoon hours, following the deaths of founders Arabella and Henry E. Huntington. (They’re buried out on the lawn.) The railroad, shipbuilding and real estate tycoon (1850-1927) and his wife (1850-1924) were sometimes said to be America’s wealthiest couple, equivalent to billionaires today when their fortune is adjusted for inflation, and they had been spending lavishly on art for two decades. Their nonprofit was founded in 1919, partly to take advantage of brand new income tax deductions for charities, a government novelty lessening what was surely a hefty annual federal assessment, plus eventual estate taxes. For more than 30 years after it opened, their grand house-museum held the best art collection — by far — that the suburban Los Angeles public could see.

The Huntington’s Art Museum, once home to Henry and Arabella Huntington, boasts a large collection of European, American and East Asian art.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

L.A. has seen various major art museums blossom since the 1960s, but the Huntington collection is still enormously impressive. The centerpiece is European paintings, sculptures and decorative arts — especially 18th century British and, secondarily, French — while American art claims maturing depth. (Chinese and Japanese art holdings are modest.) A 2021 acquisitions partnership with the Ahmanson Foundation is bringing major additions, so far including exceptional paintings by Francisco Goya and Thomas Cole.

What follows is a selection of 22 works, chosen from the mansion and the Virginia Scott Steele Galleries for American Art, a short walk away. (The art’s locations are noted as “M1” or “M2” for the mansion’s two floors, or “S” for the Steele.) Note, however, that this is most definitely not a “best of” list. Some works would surely turn up on such a selection, but the aim here is instead to give an idea of the diverse pleasures that will be found throughout the place. The list is in chronological order.

I sat stock-still on a bench fashioned from a fallen silver birch, scanning the woods for a sudden movement or a flash of blue. Deer and kingfisher visit this secluded copse and its stream, and I hoped to spot at least one of them. There was a rustle in the undergrowth, but it was only a more familiar winter visitor: a cheery robin.

It was a chilly day for wildlife-watching, but that didn’t matter to me – I was inside a sizzling sauna, gazing out of a large picture window. In fact, I was soon sweating so much, I nipped out to the icy-cold shower to cool off. The next time I overheated, I braved a plunge in the cold-water tub.

There’s something about December that seems to charm equity markets into a year-end flourish.

For decades, investors have noted how the final month of the calendar tends to bring tidings of green screens and positive returns, fuelling what has become known as the Santa Claus rally.

But behind the festive metaphor lies a consistent, data-backed pattern.

Over the past four decades, the S&P 500 has gained in December about 74% of the time, with an average monthly return of 1.44% –– second only to November.

This seasonal cheer is echoed across European markets, with some indices showing even stronger performances.

Since its inception in 1987, the EURO STOXX 50, the region’s blue-chip benchmark, has posted an average December gain of 1.87%. That makes the Christmas period the second-best month of the year after November’s 1.95%.

More striking, however, is its winning frequency. December closes in positive territory 71% of the time — higher than any other month.

The best December for the index came in 1999, when it surged 13.68%, while the worst was in 2002, when it fell 10.2%.

Rally gathers steam in late December

Zooming in on country-level indices further reinforces the seasonal trend.

The DAX, Germany’s flagship index, has shown an average December return of 2.18% over the past 40 years, trailing only April’s 2.43%. It finishes the month higher 73% of the time, again tying with April for the best track record.

France’s CAC 40 follows a similar pattern, gaining on average 1.57% in December with a 70% win rate, also ranking it among the top three months.

Spain’s IBEX 35 and Italy’s FTSE MIB are more moderate but still show consistent strength, with December gains of 1.12% and 1.13% respectively.

But the magic of December doesn’t usually kick off at the start of the month. Instead, the real momentum tends to build in the second half.

According to data from Seasonax, the EURO STOXX 50 posts a 2.12% average return from 15 December through year-end, rising 76% of the time.

The DAX performs similarly, gaining 1.87% on average with a 73% win rate, while the CAC 40 shows even stronger second-half returns of 1.95%, ending positive in 79% of cases.

What’s behind the rally? It’s not just Christmas spirit

So what exactly drives this December seasonal phenomenon? Part of the answer lies in fund managers’ behaviour.

Christoph Geyer, an analyst at Seasonax, believes the rally is closely tied to the behaviour of institutional investors. As the year draws to a close, many fund managers make final portfolio adjustments to lock in performance figures that will be reported to clients and shareholders.

This so-called “price maintenance” often leads to increased buying, especially of stocks that have already done well or are poised to benefit from short-term momentum.

This behavioural pattern gains importance in years when indices such as the DAX trade within a sideways range — as has been the case since May this year. A sideways market is one where asset prices fluctuate within a tight range, lacking a clear trend.

According to Geyer, a breakout from this sideways range for the DAX appears increasingly likely as December kicks in.

From mid-November to early January, historical patterns suggest a favourable outcome, with a ratio of 34 positive years versus 12 negative for the German index — and average gains exceeding 6% in the positive years.

While past performance does not guarantee future returns, December’s track record across major global and European indices provides a compelling narrative for investors.

In short, December’s strength is not just about festive optimism. It’s a convergence of seasonal statistics, institutional dynamics, and technical positioning.

Disclaimer: This information does not constitute financial advice, always do your own research to ensure investments are right for your specific circumstances. We are a journalistic website and aim to provide the best guidance from experts. If you rely on the information on this page, then you do so entirely at your own risk.

A wealthy young Silicon Valley venture capitalist hopes to recruit statewide and congressional candidates and launch an affordable-housing ballot measure in 2018 because he says California’s leaders are failing to address flaws in the state’s governance that are killing opportunities for future generations.

Sam Altman, 32, said in May that he was considering a run for governor. But he said in an interview with The Times this week that he has no plans to run for office — at the moment — and will instead roll out an effort Wednesday to enlist candidates around a shared set of policy priorities — including tackling how automation is going to affect the economy and the cost of housing in California — and is willing to put his own money behind the effort.

“I think we have a fundamental breakdown of the American social contract and it’s desperately important that we fix it,” he said. “Even if we had a very well-functioning government, it would be a challenge, and our current government functions so badly it is an extra challenge.”

Altman is the president of Y Combinator, a technology incubator that has provided start-up funding to hundreds of Silicon Valley companies, notably Airbnb, Dropbox and Stripe. He first made his mark by co-founding a social media app called Loopt when he was 19 that later sold for $43 million.

He said he hopes to recruit a slate of four candidates to run for office — possibly for governor, lieutenant governor, mayor of a major city in California and Congress — and could provide technology platforms and seed money for their campaigns.

Though Altman said he is not specifically targeting Democratic politicians, he made clear he is not happy with incumbents such as Sen. Dianne Feinstein or the current gubernatorial field, which includes Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

“I’m not satisfied with the current choices,” Altman said. “I don’t want to make this about dumping on specific people, [but] I don’t think any of the current candidates are the best we could do.”

He would not be the first wealthy Silicon Valley entrepreneur to try to shake up California politics based on his tech resume. Among them are former eBay chief Meg Whitman, who spent $144 million of her own money on an unsuccessful gubernatorial run in 2010, and former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina, who ran for Senate in 2010 before running for president in 2016.

In recent years, tech industry executives have played notable roles helping candidates get elected to top office, including Google parent company Alphabet Inc. CEO Eric Schmidt, who backed former President Obama, and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, who supported President Trump.

Altman declined to say how much he was willing to spend on his effort but said he would prefer to invest heavily on a cause rather than underwriting individual campaigns.

“That’s always felt gross to me,” he said. “I’m happy to spend a lot of money supporting the movement.”

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Over the years, Altman has been registered as a Democrat and as having no party preference, and his political donations swing between liberal and center-left.

Last year, he donated $100,000 to a San Francisco group working to elect moderates to the county Board of Supervisors, and $50,000 to an Airbnb committee that backed an increase in the city sales tax. He has also spent thousands of dollars backing Obama and national and local Democratic groups, as well as congressional, legislative and local candidates.

On a website that launches Wednesday, Altman lays out his concerns and policy goals. He argues that the state’s priorities have become unbalanced, resulting in inequality, stalled growth and declining opportunity. And it will only become worse because of an upcoming economic shift driven by automation, he says.

“We need to figure out a new social contract, and to ensure that everyone benefits from the coming changes,” Altman writes on the site.

Altman lays out 10 principles including lowering the cost of housing, creating single-payer healthcare, increasing clean energy use, improving education, reforming taxes and rebuilding infrastructure.

He has few specific policy edicts, and floats proposals that will generate controversy, such as creating a universal basic income for all Americans in an effort to equalize opportunity, public funding for the media and increasing taxes on property that is owned by foreigners, is unoccupied or has been “flipped” by investors seeking a quick return on an investment.

Altman said he recognizes he faces an uphill battle.

“Maybe this will go nowhere,” he said. “There’s always the possibility I put this out and there’s exactly one person who believes in this stuff and it’s me.”

[email protected]

For the latest on national and California politics, follow @LATSeema on Twitter.

Updates on California politics

So much can happen in seven minutes of football.

Carson proved that on Saturday night in the City Section Open Division championship game, scoring five touchdowns in a 7:05 span of the second quarter to produce a 36-0 shutout of Crenshaw at Southwest College.

After a scoreless first quarter, Zach Brock broke several tackles on a 12-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter, opening the floodgates for the No. 1-seeded Colts (10-3).

Chris Fields III connected with Royal Moore on a 46-yard touchdown and the two-point conversion made it 15-0 at the 7:32 mark. Darren Panton returned a punt 28 yards for another touchdown with 6:20 left in the stanza and recovered a fumble at the Crenshaw 22 two plays later, setting up Craig Walker’s reverse that made it 29-0. Panton ended the scoring barrage with a 23-yard interception return 4:46 before halftime.

“We saw in the first quarter that they were overly aggressive and if we gave them a fake, they’d bite on it,” said Fields, who completed eight of 15 passes for 147 yards with an interception and ran seven times for 38 yards. “I just took advantage of what the defense gave me. Darren’s punt return sealed the deal.”

Carson sacked Cougars quarterback Danniel Flowers four times in the first half — two of those by end Kingston Sula and one each by Derric Myers and Xavier Allen — and forced him into several other hurried throws. Flowers, who made several clutch throws in the semifinals at Birmingham, was held to four-of-10 passing for 37 yards in the first half Saturday while running back Joshua Jones had 11 yards in five carries by intermission.

Carson High receiver Royal Moore sprints down the sideline on his way to a 46-yard touchdown against Crenshaw in the City Section Open Division final Saturday night.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Eric Myers finished with 88 yards in 18 carries to keep the chains moving for the Colts, who claimed their 12th City crown and first since winning Division I in 2003 under coach John Aguirre, who later became City Section commissioner.

Carson moved to within one of second-place Banning on the all-time titles list. Manual Arts holds the record with 17.

“This is a testament to these kids and how hard they work,” first-year coach William Lowe said. “They have good practice habits on the field and in the weight room and are mentally tough. Any play can win or lose a game and when good things happen we try to build on that.”

The sixth-seeded Cougars (10-2) were vying for their seventh City title since 1991. Terrence Whitehead has served as interim head coach all season in the absence of longtime coach Robert Garrett (the winningest football coach in section history with 300 wins to his credit), who is on administrative leave.

“Chris has grown in leaps and bounds,” Lowe said of Fields. “I credit all of my coaches. Our defensive alignment allows the kids to play fast and physical and we were battle-tested despite some tough losses early in the year.”

Israeli army carried out attacks east of Rafah city, demolitions east of Khan Younis; arrests reported during Israeli raid in occupied West Bank.

Kurdish authorities say one killed, several wounded in riots in Erbil’s Gwer, as authorities try to restore power after attack on Khor Mor.

A group of “rioters” have opened fire at fuel tanker trucks in the northern Iraqi governorate of Erbil, killing at least one person and wounding several others, Kurdish authorities said, days after a rocket attack on the region’s Khor Mor gas field.

In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency late on Saturday, the Ministry of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) linked the shooting to the Khor Mor attack.

The rocket attack hit a storage tank at the gas field, which is one of the region’s largest facilities, late on Wednesday, leading to production shutdown and extensive power cuts.

The ministry said the KRG sent liquid fuel to supply power plants following the Khor Mor attack, but that “a group of rioters blocked the road used by fuel tankers and civilians in Gwer, opening fire on passersby and travellers”.

The shooting “resulted in the death of one citizen and injuries to several others”, it said.

The ministry pledged action against the “riots”, saying “we will put an end to these acts of sabotage”.

The ministry statement followed an earlier report by the Iraqi News Agency in which it said there had been armed clashes between the Harkiya tribe and security forces in Erbil, near the village of Lajan on the Erbil-Gwer road.

The agency cited security forces as saying that the clashes, adjacent to the Lanaz Company refinery, had “resulted in fatalities and injuries”.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has announced that the KRG has agreed with the company operating the Khor Mor gas field to restart production within hours to restore electricity.

The attack on Thursday on Khor Mor was the most significant violence since a series of drone attacks in July that cut production by about 150,000 barrels per day.

“I have spoken with the company’s [Dana Gas] leadership to thank them and their workforce for their extraordinary resilience and determination amid eleven attacks on the Khor Mor field,” Barzani said in a statement posted in English.

“I have urged [Iraqi] Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to hold the perpetrators of this attack accountable to the full extent of the law, whoever they may be and wherever they are,” Barzani added.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack on Khor Mor, and authorities have not said who was behind the attack.

Abdulkhaliq Talaat, a military expert and former official from the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, however, told the Rudaw news channel that the drone attack on the Khor Mor gas field was launched from an area under the control of Iraqi forces.

The storage tank at Khor Mor is part of new facilities partially financed by the US and built by a US contractor, an industry source told the Reuters news agency earlier this week.

The KRG exercises autonomy in parts of northern Iraq, where US companies have significant investments in energy.

Benedict Hardie, Alex Dimitriades and Darren Gilshenan are joining Marta Dusseldorp for season two of Bay Of Fires

Bay Of Fires is returning to ITVX with series two. The Australian drama will see Marta Dusseldorp reprise her role as Stella alongside Toby Leonard Moore, Nicholas Bell, and Bob Franklin.

However, the new series, which will continue to showcase Tasmania’s rugged west coast will also introduce some new cast members, including Benedict Hardie, Alex Dimitriades and Darren Gilshenan.

The second season opens with Stella now the leader of the Mystery Bay residents while also juggling solo parenting and keeping her criminal bosses at bay. As synopsis for series two reads: “Mystery Bay is prospering under Stella’s guidance – albeit in a somewhat chaotic fiscal manner.

“But such joys are short-lived when she and her kids find themselves sandwiched between an unhinged apiarist drug lord, a maniacal millenarian doomsday cult, the resurrection of her nemesis, Russia, and a growing civil war in the town.

“Slowly it dawns on Stella that she may be the cause of much of this nightmare. Perhaps the only way out is to go back to the source and blow it sky high.” Here’s what you need to know about the cast list.

Bay Of Fires returning cast

Marta is reprising her role as Stella Heikkinen. Viewers will recognise Marta from A Place to Call Home, Jack Irish, Janet King and The Twelve.

Also reprising their roles are Toby Leonard Moore (Billions), Nicholas Bell (Scrublands), Bob Franklin (Please Like Me), Kim Ko (Utopia), Matt Nable (Plum), Roz Hammond (Irreverent), Pamela Rabe (Wentworth), Kerry Fox (The Dressmaker) Andre de Vanny (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries), Ilai Swindells (Retrograde).

As well as Imi Mbedla (Australia ’s Got Talent), Ava Caryofyllis (The Twelve), Emily Milledge (Fires), Elle Mandalis (The Twelve) and Ben Knight (White Fever).

Bay Of Fires new cast members

Benedict Hardie as Neil Roebuck

Benedict is known for his roles in Total Control, The Survivors, NCIS: Sydney, as well as films Upgrade and Hacksaw Ridge.

Alex Dimitriades as Allesandro

Alex has starred in Strife, The Tourist, Total Control, Amazing Grace and The End.

Darren Gilshenan as Joel

Darren Gilshenan is known for Dark City (1998), A Moody Christmas (2012) and No Activity (2015). He has also starred in Colin from Accounts, Harrow and No Activity.

The brand new second season will be available on ITVX from Sunday, November 30, with the first series available on the streaming site now.

EXCLUSIVE: Kelly Williams and her family spent an adrenaline-inducing four days at PortAventura World as the Costa Dorada theme park celebrated its 30th anniversary

There’s something special about a really good theme park that makes it feel timeless. Places where parents get to be kids again, and children’s laughter (and screams) fill the air.

So when PortAventura World in Spain announced its 30th anniversary celebrations, it seemed like it was the perfect excuse for an autumn escape. With our three children – aged 15, 11 and three in tow – my partner and I packed our sense of adventure and set off for a few unforgettable days of rollercoasters, shows, and sunshine.

Our base for the trip was Hotel Gold River, one of PortAventura’s on-site themed hotels. Stepping into the lobby felt like walking onto a film set where we half expected John Wayne to burst through the saloon doors at any moment.

Our room overlooked a Wild West “main street,” and each morning we’d wander past the clapboard façades to reach the park entrance. The convenience of staying on-site made all the difference – no parking wars or traffic jams, just an easy stroll to the day’s adventure. Plus, it helped that the plentiful breakfast buffets ensured we were well-fuelled and ready for the day ahead.

PortAventura is divided into several themed lands that celebrate different parts of the world, and exploring them felt like a global journey without the jet lag. Dining here is half the fun, too, as each “continent” offers a different culinary world. Even the snacks feel part of the story.

We began in Mediterrània, where Spanish music floated across the waterfront and the scent of paella drifted from the restaurants. From there, we crossed over into Mexico, where we celebrated the Day of the Dead before braving the towering Hurakan Condor drop tower.

In China, we took on the legendary Dragon Khan, a twisting roller coaster that roars through the air, weaving around our park favourite – Shambhala. If there’s anywhere to start rollercoaster training your kids, it’s definitely here. Thanks to our Express Passes, we were able to skip the ride queues – perfect for keeping the excitement high and the meltdowns low.

But if fast rides aren’t your thing, there’s still plenty else to do. Over in the Far West, the kids delighted in the old-fashioned shooting galleries and funfair games. The log flumes and water rapids are also a giggle (if you don’t mind getting drenched).

There are parades and shows aplenty for people who prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground. Not to mention meet-and-greets with characters from the past, including Woody Woodpecker and Bert and Ernie. The little one was mesmerised by the Sesame Street characters and the 3D dark ride – Street Mission where he kicked butt at shooting at 3D cookies – even beating me!

The park’s newest attraction, Uncharted: The Enigma of Penitence, was a highlight for the older two. Inspired by the action-packed film, this is no ordinary coaster.

It’s a fully enclosed, multi-directional ride that hurls you into darkness with sudden twists, drops, and reversals you never see coming. We screamed, laughed, and stumbled out slightly dizzy but exhilarated, unanimously declaring it among our top five favourite rides of the trip.

This year, the entire resort buzzed with celebration, adorned with banners marking 30 years of thrills and family fun, along with themed menus to boot. But no visit to PortAventura World is complete without a detour to Ferrari Land, we couldn’t wait to test Red Force – Europe’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, which rockets from 0 to 180 km/h in just five seconds.

The kids’ faces when they climbed off said it all – pure, speechless awe. We spent time exploring the interactive exhibits, racing, simulators, and child-friendly driving zones, where even our three-year-old braved Junior Red Force.

Each evening we returned to Gold River, dusty, sun-warmed and grinning. From our window, we could see the distant glow of the park lights fading into the night – a perfect backdrop to the hum of tired excitement that only a day at a theme park can bring.

PortAventura’s 30th anniversary turned out to be more than just a milestone for the park, it became a celebration for our family too. A few days of laughter, adventure, and shared memories that reminded us how good it feels to play, to explore, and to be together. Our only regret was that we couldn’t be there for longer.