Pope Leo XIV to have surgery after lump found on lung
Pope Leo XIV has announced he will be operated “in the coming days” after a lump was found on his lung during a medical check up.
“The doctors found an early, well-localised nodule on my lung,” he told the public during his weekly Sunday prayers in St Peter’s Square in Rome.
The 71-year-old pontiff said his medical team “believe it would be right to intervene” and he had agreed to the operation.
Pope Leo reassured pilgrims that the mass was “well-contained” and caught “at an early stage”.
He concluded his Angelus prayer by thanking everyone for their “spiritual closeness” and said he entrusted himself to their prayers.
Holy See Press Office spokesperson Matteo Bruni told the media that “the operation is scheduled for the first days of next week”.
Bruni added that the Pope is expected to take about a week to recover.
Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Provost, succeeded Pope Francis in 2025. He is the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter – and the first American.
He was ordained in 1982 and spent years as a missionary in Peru, where he is remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities and helped build bridges.
Scarlett Moffatt shares sweet family snaps of newborn son Clark as he meets his brother Jude for the first time
SCARLETT Moffatt has shared some adorable new photos of her son Jude meeting her newborn for the first time.
The star and her partner Scott Dobinson welcomed their second child – son Clark – earlier this week.
In the new photos, Scarlett is sitting up in her hospital bed surrounded by her expanded little family.
Clark is laying on one of Scarlett’s legs wearing a small cream coloured baby suit, while Jude is sitting between Scarlett’s legs.
Jude smiles widely at his little brother, who is partly resting on his lap.
Proud dad Scott is beaming by the bedside while the sweet moment unfolds, taking it all in.
Read more Scarlett Moffatt
Scarlett gushed in the post’s caption on Instagram: “The moment Jude met Clark.
“Watching the boy who first made me a mammy become a big brother is a moment I’ll treasure forever.
“And judging by the last slide, Clark did very well with his choice of Transformer toy for his big brother.”
Announcing news of the birth on October 9, Scarlett shared online: “Our beautiful boy is here! Clark Xander Dobinson.
“Arriving a little earlier than expected and not quite as straightforward as planned, our little family of four was made complete on Monday.
“Our hearts have never been so full, and I’d do it all again for you, Clark.”
The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star announced that she was expecting baby number two back in April by showing her fans and followers snaps of her baby scan in a short video.
In the clip, the expectant mum’s son Jude could be heard talking about being a “big brother“.
Scarlett beamed as she held up a pregnancy scan and posed alongside Scott.
She captioned her sweet reveal: “We honestly can’t believe we’re writing this…
“After everything, we feel unbelievably lucky to be able to say… our family is growing.
“One little miracle gave us Jude, and now he’s going to be a big brother.
“And if there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that he is going to be the most amazing big brother.
“We are so grateful, so excited, and still a little bit in shock…
“Our hearts are fuller than we ever thought possible.”
With Senate majority up for grabs, candidates fight for ‘kingmaker’ voters
WASHINGTON — With the midterm elections just over three weeks away, the fight for control of the U.S. Senate is intensifying in battleground states, as Democrats push into red regions and Republicans pour money into key contests.
Campaigns are entering a crucial stretch for persuading the independent voters who will probably determine outcomes in swing races. Nearly all of the most competitive Senate races are in states with significant swaths of people unaffiliated with either major party — the “kingmakers” in these high-stakes midterms, said Jeremy Gruber, an independent-voting expert.
“Independent voters are going to be deciding this election in every respect,” said Gruber, senior vice president of Open Primaries, an organization that advocates for states to open primary elections to unaffiliated voters.
The urgency around courting nonaligned voters has been on display at recent debates, in ads flooding the airwaves and in the campaign money pouring into key states. For Republicans, it has become an effort to put distance between themselves and President Trump; for Democrats, it’s often a rhetorical shift toward the center and away from the far left.
In Iowa, Republican Ashley Hinson used a Wednesday night debate to emphasize her willingness to break with Trump. In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton is circulating a video in which he describes himself as both liberal and conservative. In Alaska, a GOP-backed ad blitz launched last week aims to persuade voters that Democrat Mary Peltola isn’t independent-minded.
Mary Peltola, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate seat in Alaska, addresses supporters at an election watch party on Aug. 18 in Anchorage.
(Mark Thiessen / Associated Press)
Though many unaffiliated voters have made up their minds, those who remain undecided will begin making decisions soon, as mail ballots go out and early voting begins in some states.
“For Republicans who are running behind and are looking at a potentially devastating midterm election performance, what they really need to do is target the independents who lean Republican,” said Karen Kedrowski, an Iowa State University political scientist. “For Democrats in some place like Iowa … what they need to do is make it seem safe [to independents] to vote for a Democratic candidate.”
Unaffiliated constituents have long been key to victory in swing states, particularly where races are traditionally decided by small margins. They have been viewed as particularly persuadable this year, as public dissatisfaction with Trump’s economic policies puts the votes of swing voters who backed him in 2024 up for grabs.
Forecasters predict that Democrats are on track for the House majority and could hold a majority of gubernatorial seats for the first time since 2010. Though Senate control remains a toss-up, Democrats’ chances are viewed by forecasters to have significantly improved since the summer.
A set of New York Times/Siena polls reported last week showed Democratic candidates for the Senate ahead in Texas, Michigan, Alaska and Ohio and neck-and-neck in Kansas and Iowa — all states Trump carried in 2024. Republicans, meanwhile, are feeling increasingly bullish about their chances in Maine, New Hampshire and Minnesota, all states that went blue in the last presidential election.
Republicans hold a significant fundraising advantage, however, and party donors are pouring money into key races, hoping the spending can cut into the Democrats’ edge. By September’s end, GOP advertisers had more than doubled their spending compared with August, outstripping Democrats, according to tracker AdImpact. Among the nine Senate races considered the tightest by forecasters, Republicans have outspent Democrats in all, AdImpact reported.
But on Friday, the Cook Political Report, a leading election forecaster, moved 18 House races in Democrats’ direction, saying that heavy ad spending by Republicans has not begun to move the needle in their favor.
Democrats view themselves as in their “strongest position yet” to win the majority, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a statement last week.
“In this final stretch of the election, Democrats will continue to vigorously campaign and fight for every vote across the expanded map,” Gillibrand said.
Republicans are confident about their ability to persuade voters in key states, said Bernadette Breslin, a spokesperson for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
“Republicans will defend the Senate majority across key battlegrounds that have trended reliably red,” Breslin said, “with candidates like Mike Rogers [in Michigan] and Roger Marshall [in Kansas] winning over independents by exposing their Democratic opponents’ radical, unaffordable agendas.”
Along with the decisions of independent and swing voters, the midterm outcomes could also hinge on the level of turnout within each party, analysts say. If a portion of the party faithful stay home in a given place — for instance, disillusioned conservatives in Kansas or frustrated Black Democrats in Michigan — that could swing individual races, analysts said.
The number of independent voters reached a record high this year, with 45% of American adults identifying as political independents in Gallup polling. Equal shares identified as Republicans and Democrats, 27% for each party. The trend is partly driven by majorities of millennial and Gen Z voters choosing to be unaffiliated with either party, according to Gallup research.
Such voters make up a majority in Alaska and between 30% and 40% of all registered voters in Maine, Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Ohio. They account for about 29% in Kansas and about 16% in Texas and Michigan, according to state data compiled by the Independent Voter Project.
Across recent polls, independent voters have favored Democrats and expressed dissatisfaction with Trump. In a late September poll from Emerson College Polling, 66% of independents said Trump has done worse than expected during his second term in office.
State Rep. James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, listens at a food drive at the Frederick Douglass Human Services and Justice Center on Sept. 9 in Dallas.
(Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Associated Press)
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico led Republican Ken Paxton among independents by 32 points in a September poll by Texas Public Opinion Research. The Democratic candidate in Ohio, Sherrod Brown, led Republican Sen. Jon Husted by 27 points among independents in a CNN poll released Thursday.
In Kansas, where the Senate race has become unexpectedly close amid economic-driven anger with Trump, disapproval of the president’s performance among independents appears to be rubbing off on incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall, the Republican seeking reelection.
Fifty-two percent felt unfavorably toward Marshall and 62% disapproved of Trump’s performance, according to a recent Emerson College/Nexstar poll.
In those battleground red states, that creates a tough fight for both parties, analysts said. With control of the Senate hanging in the balance, candidates are duking it out in fundraising and on the campaign trail to win every last vote.
“Both campaigns are raking in ridiculous amounts of money … and they’re spending every penny because [they] have to,” said Wichita State University political science professor Alexandra Middlewood, referring to the Kansas Senate race. “We see that they’re really going to have to fight it out all the way to the end.”
Debates are another tool for candidates to reach independent voters, said Corwin Smidt, a political science professor at Michigan State University.
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, left, and Republican Mike Rogers meet in a Michigan Senate debate Thursday night in Grand Rapids.
(Paul Sancya / Pool Photo)
In Michigan, where the Senate candidates sparred in their first debate Thursday evening, Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican Senate nominee, has distanced himself from Trump twice in recent weeks, first calling for an end to the war in Iran and then releasing an ad last week denouncing the tariffs against Canada. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, meanwhile, announced a rally with former President Obama, an appeal to mainstream voters.
“They’ve got to try to both win over people who have been paying attention, but also introduce themselves to the ones who haven’t been paying attention,” Smidt said.
Winning unaffiliated voters can require a tightrope walk for candidates who are faced with the dual tasks of appealing to their party base while persuading independent constituents.
In the final stretch of the campaign, candidates seeking independent votes should telegraph a willingness to admit their party’s flaws and an understanding that voters are turned off by partisan rhetoric, said Chad Peace, legal strategist at the Independent Voter Project, which advocates for open primaries.
“They have to communicate to those folks and try to meet them where they’re at,” Peace said. “[Independents] want the campaigns of persuasion, they don’t want to hear you tell me how bad the other candidate is.”
And, Gruber said, they want to be engaged with, not ignored.
“Independent voters,” he said, “are going to be responding to those candidates and parties that actually talk to them.”
MotoGP: Marco Bezzecchi wins Indonesian Grand Prix as Jorge Martin retakes championship lead
Marco Bezzecchi triumphed at the Indonesian Grand Prix, while Jorge Martin finished third to retake the lead from Marc Marquez in the MotoGP world championship.
Italian Bezzecchi made his move on pole-sitter Raul Fernandez with nine laps to go at a sweltering Mandalika International Circuit.
Fernandez finished second ahead of compatriot Martin, with the Spanish duo locking out the podium for Italian manufacturer Aprilia.
Ducati’s reigning seven-time world champion Marquez finished sixth, losing the championship lead he had taken for the first time this season by winning Saturday’s sprint race.
Fernandez and Bezzecchi had clashed and crashed out in that race, with the Spaniard needing to brake with his middle finger for the whole of Sunday’s race after fracturing his index finger.
Starting at the front of the grid, the pair negotiated the first turn and then surged away from the chasing pack.
Having initially looked comfortable, Fernandez began to fade and Bezzecchi seized an opportunity on lap 19 before putting distance on his rival.
The result for 2024 world champion Martin moves him up to 355 points at the top of the championship standings, with Marquez second on 353 and Bezzecchi third with 309.
There are five grands prix remaining in the 2026 season, with the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island the next meeting in the calendar in a fortnight’s time.
Russia’s Yandex says data centre in Vladimir shut down after drone attack | Russia-Ukraine war News
Third strike on Yandex facilities in a week comes as Russia and Ukraine escalate attacks on tech infrastructure.
Published On 11 Oct 2026
A Russian data centre run by technology and AI company Yandex has been shut down after it was hit in a drone attack.
No injuries were reported in the attack on the facility in the city of Vladimir, east of the capital, Moscow, the company said on Sunday.
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Emergency services were at the site and several of Yandex’s services were unavailable to users, the company said, as it evaluated ways to restore its systems.
“Operations at the data centre have been completely suspended,” Yandex said in a service alert on Telegram, advising users to activate disaster-recovery plans as the platform operated in emergency mode.
“The remaining resource configuration is considered unstable,” it added, warning that technical support communications could also be disrupted as teams assessed the damage.
It is the third attack on the company’s data centres in the last week, as Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate attacks on each other’s technology infrastructure.
On Friday, Yandex, which is heavily involved in Russia’s AI development and is sometimes referred to as “Russia’s Google”, said its data centre in the Kaluga region southwest of Moscow was struck by Ukrainian drones and partly put out of action.
A day earlier, a Ukrainian attack shut down Yandex’s data hub in Sasovo, southeast of Moscow, where two of the three supercomputers used to develop the company’s AI model are housed.
“We always respond in mirror-like fashion,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday, following the Sasovo strike. “You all know, they have been hitting and continue to hit our data centres. We are responding. I can’t share all the details.”
Russia has struck several Ukrainian data centres and telecommunications infrastructure facilities over the past month, including targets in central Kyiv, in an apparent effort to disrupt the country’s connectivity and digital commerce.
USS Abraham Lincoln Comes Home With Its Island Superstructure Covered In Kill Marks
Standing on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, Secretary Pete Hegseth looked up at the flattop’s superstructure and got a good indication of many of the targets the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) destroyed during its six-month fight with Iran. In a photograph shared by the Pentagon’s image distribution site, Hegseth is seen examining a wall of so-called kill marks stenciled onto the superstructure.
By our count from the image and a video taken during Hegseth’s visit, both of which you can see below, there are 103 one-way attack (OWA) drone kill marks and 34 ship kill marks. These represent the number of each the CSG took out. It is unclear whether there are other kill marks we can’t see.
Though they resemble Shahed-136s, which are the most notorious of Iranian OWA drones, these silhouettes would represent all types shot down, and Iran has many. The same holds true for the ships. The photograph shows stencils of frigates or corvettes but these would be a generic symbol for surface craft kills.
On board to welcome the ship and its crew as it headed back to its home port of San Diego after a tumultuous and historic deployment, Hegseth extolled the strike group’s accomplishments. Reading from the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the strike group for its work during Epic Fury, Hegseth noted that it shot down 77 one-way unmanned attack drones and sank 64 Iranian vessels between the start of Epic Fury on Feb. 28 until it departed the region on Aug. 22.
The Lincoln CSG also conducted 3,693 combat sorties, delivered 1.37 million pounds of ordnance, launched 450 Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAMs), destroyed 21 anti-ship cruise missiles and defended against four fast-attack craft and explosive-carrying wooden sailing vessels.
It is unclear at the moment why there are at least 26 more drone kill marks stenciled onto the Lincoln than the number of drones shot down listed in the unit citation and why there are 30 fewer ship kill marks than the tally noted in the citation. The Pentagon referred us to the Navy, and we are waiting for a response from the service.
There is a long tradition of kill marks being stenciled onto aircraft, vessels and other military equipment indicating the destruction of enemy equipment.
Kill marks on aircraft embarked aboard Lincoln indicate that the carrier strike group also destroyed several Iranian submarines and other weapons. These were not listed in the unit citation or in any kill marks stenciled onto the Lincoln that we could see.
An image provided to TWZ by aviation photographer Jeff Rojas, who goes by the handle @jro_photography on Instagram, shows a submarine kill mark on one of the F/A-18F Super Hornets of the U.S. Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron 41 (VFA-41), the “Black Aces.” That is one of the aviation squadrons embarked on the Lincoln during Epic Fury.
Iranian naval vessels, including the country’s Russian-made Kilo class and other submarines, were top-priority targets during Epic Fury. The U.S. military has previously confirmed that air-launched AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles (likely fired from MQ-9 Reaper drones) and ground-launched Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles were employed against submarines, specifically.
In total, VFA-41 alone launched 421 missiles and bombs during its time supporting Operation Epic Fury. You can find the details in our story about the squadron here.
In addition, an image published by The Aviationist showed “an extraordinary array of target markings on a VMFA-314 F-35C, apparently representing an oil tanker, three submarines, a surface combatant, a Shahed-type drone, an artillery piece, and several ground-based launchers.”
It should also be noted that some of the drone kill marks seen on the Lincoln could have been the result of shootdowns by the carrier’s escorts. The Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers USS Frank E. Petersen Jr, USS Spruance and USS Michael Murphy all serve as critical air defense platforms for the carrier strike group. Those vessels were also the ones launching the TLAMs, as well as potential submarine involvement.
Late Thursday morning local time, Lincoln finally returned home. The carrier departed San Diego on Nov. 21, 2025, and an arrival closed out a total deployment of 321 days, by our count. That’s just shy of the 326-day record USS Gerald R. Ford set in May, representing the second-longest deployment in the modern carrier era.
In addition to racking up successes against Iran, the marathon deployment drew scrutiny over the grueling conditions sailors and Marines experienced aboard. In August, crew families described supply shortages and difficult living arrangements, as TWZ reported at the time. The accounts led to widespread media coverage, which Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao called dishonest while also acknowledging that “a small number of mental health cases were treated with no loss of life, meal plans were adjusted when fresh resupply was unavailable, without a single meal being missed, calls home were limited when the operational threat was too high.” At least eight personnel across the strike group attempted suicide during the cruise, Cao wrote in a letter sent to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand that was obtained by CNN.
The kill mark stencils weren’t the only symbols of Lincoln’s deployment. On Wednesday, Hegseth used symbology to push back against concerns raised about the long journey.
“There were a few folks in the media who tried to turn the USS Abraham Lincoln into some sort of a symbol,” Hegseth said. “A symbol of dysfunction, or a symbol of low morale, or a symbol of a failed mission. And what I look out right here or when I talk to your leadership, and I haven’t had a chance to talk to a number of you, I know it’s the exact opposite.”
UPDATE: 5:59 PM Eastern –
After the Lincoln pulled into its home port, new images emerged. The following picture shows additional kill marks, including 10 of submarines.
Contact the author: howard@twz.com
‘Home of the Future’ at LACMA explores dark side of American dream
The slogan of the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, which plays a prominent role in the new LACMA exhibition “Home of the Future, 1925–1985: Designing Domestic Utopias,” was blunt: “Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms.”
Those words capture a central tension in the sprawling show, which occupies interconnected galleries at the far end of the museum’s Resnick Pavilion. Many of the beautiful, sometimes ingenious products and technologies developed with the rise of the modern era gripped the popular imagination and made life easier, healthier and more connected. But they didn’t free people from domestic labor or deliver the prosperity and security heralded by their promoters. They instead often raised expectations, forced dependency and gave rise to a vision of progress that reinforced social exclusion, bred anxieties about status, and concealed the environmental costs of a culture built on consumption.
Sound familiar?
The desire for these transformative products was never innate, and LACMA’s exhibition zeroes in on that idea from the start. “Good design is seldom accepted. It has to be sold,” Midcentury photographer Julius Shulman is quoted as saying in the catalog.
The show traces the hard sell of a domestic utopia via world’s fair posters, model home catalogs, magazine advertisements, television specials and science-fiction imagery — along with close to 200 physical objects of every sort, including kitchen appliances, electronics and furniture. In each of its four documented eras — pre- and post-Depression, post-World War II, the height of the Cold War, and the counterculture ’60s and ’70s — promoters dressed the same promise in new terms, whether through cleanliness, leisure, security or freedom.
Arthur Radebaugh, “Closer Than We Think! Robot Housemaid,” 1959.
(Chicago Tribune / TCA, photo courtesy San Francisco Academy of Comic Art Collection, Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, Ohio State University)
At every turn a vision of a better life was made to seem desirable and, just as important, inevitable. Like any good advertising, it worked best when soothing our anxieties and tapping into our fantasies.
In the 1920s and ’30s, new discoveries about hygiene inspired products by soaring talents in the nascent field of industrial design who set out to create clean, easily maintained homes — laboratories for healthy living in an age still ravaged by diseases like polio and tuberculosis. Mathias J. Weber and Russell E. Vanderhoff’s seductively streamlined Health-o-Meter scale gave the illusion that homeowners could be scientists, for the first time monitoring their own weight and growth. Kohler’s Integra, introduced as “the toilet of the future” at the Chicago fair, had a dramatic black finish made to equate sanitation with modern design. And Bruce Goff’s gleaming Vitrolite kitchen for Libbey-Owens-Ford glass company, shown in Charles Turzak’s rendering, integrated pigmented structural glass counters and cabinets into a polished, easily cleaned whole.
American Stove Co., Magic Chef stove, series 1400, introduced 1935.
(Lynton Gardiner / The Wolfsonian–Florida International University )
Vast expansions in electricity, telecommunications and production promised to connect the country and ease the tedious work of cooking, washing and cleaning. The American Stove Co.’s Magic Chef stove, one of the first ovens to be equipped with a clock, recast kitchen work as something that could be measured and controlled. Frank G. Brotz’s Kohler Electric Sink, which incorporated a motorized dishwasher into the familiar basin, promised release from the “thrice-daily drudgery” of washing dishes. Western Electric’s clear-cased Model 302 telephone enticed gawkers with an impressively complex system of wires and mechanisms.
George R. Lum for Western Electric Co., Telephone, model 302, desk set 1938.
(AT&T Archives and History Center)
Many of the names who dreamed up these wonders are now etched in design history. Isamu Noguchi created a baby monitor before baby monitors were a thing: the Radio Nurse, a dark Bakelite receiver resembling an abstract face. Walter Dorwin Teague gave corporate products a precise, machine-age polish, while Raymond Loewy brought the same sleek optimism to objects like the globe-shaped New World radio for Colonial Radio Corp., molded in glossy, heat-resistant Catalin and embodying quite literally the new reach of communications.
Lester Beall’s Rural Electrification Administration poster.
(The Resnick Collection)
Selling this promise of a technological future to those clinging to the dream of American prosperity was an especially potent exercise during the Depression. In his illustrated 1932 manifesto “Horizons,” Norman Bel Geddes cast “new design” as a path toward “economy, efficiency, comfort and happiness.” As the economy faltered, an orderly, healthy home could be sold as a form of salvation, with prosperity seemingly within reach. At the Chicago fair, corporations sponsored full-scale model homes and filled them with products already available or soon to be. For rural households still without electricity, Lester Beall’s 1937 Rural Electrification Administration poster “Wash Day” turns federal infrastructure into a household fantasy. Inside the black silhouette of a farmhouse, a pristine white washing machine appears at an almost monumental scale, set against flat fields of saturated color.
Irving Harper of George Nelson and Co. for Herman Miller Inc., Marshmallow Love Seat, model 5670, designed 1956, this example made c. 1960s.
(Jonathan Urban / Museum Associates / LACMA)
By the ‘40s and ‘50s, the postwar home and its many accouterments — powered by wartime advancements, growing abundance and an ethos of “buy now, pay later” — amplified the promise. Plastic, prefabrication and push-button convenience suggested that mass production could bring elegant, futuristic living — and freedom from drudgery — within reach of the masses. George Nelson treated furniture as a flexible system, producing (with designer Irving Harper) the candy-colored Marshmallow Love Seat; replacing conventional upholstery with 18 brightly colored circular cushions mounted on a spare steel frame. Eero Saarinen produced the molded-fiberglass Pedestal chair, sweeping the seat and stem into a single sculptural form intended to eliminate what he called the “slum of legs” beneath tables and chairs.
Eero Aarnio for Asko Oy, Ball Chair, designed 1963.
(Jonathan Urban / Museum Associates / LACMA)
Architects attempted to make the home itself into a sexy product. At Disneyland, Monsanto’s House of the Future, designed by architects Richard Hamilton and Marvin Goody, was a gleaming, cross-shaped structure of molded plastic, raised above the ground on cantilevered supports and partnered (in renderings) with a plastic heliport. Its kitchen featured molded surfaces and electric appliances. Promotional images and films conjured a playful, adaptable and benevolent house — plastic as the building block of family happiness.
Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion house was an aluminum, factory-made “dwelling machine” that could be delivered by air and assembled almost anywhere. Its unified form, modular furnishings, water-recycling system and labor-saving technology promised a more efficient life, less tied to conventional building and household routines.
Hamilton & Goody Architects, Monsanto House of the Future, 1956.
(MIT Museum)
Institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and magazines like Arts & Architecture promoted prototype homes from now legendary industrial designers and modernist architects like Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, Marcel Breuer, Albert Frey, Gregory Ain and even Frank Lloyd Wright.
Effective pitches could turn a product, whatever size, into a fantasy of freedom. In the General Motors film “Design for Dreaming” (1956), directed by William Beaudine, a woman enters a fabulous kitchen as if in a magical dream. The promise, said curator Wendy Kaplan, was that the fictional woman would have more time for “tennis and hanging with … friends.” The dream even hinted at a life beyond domesticity — perhaps even freedom to “actually have a profession,” Kaplan added.
But the housewife in these displays was still expected to remain responsible for the home. Liberation came through a more efficient kitchen, not a change in who cooked. And appliances that reduced some labor often raised the bar: more frequent washing, more cleaning, more elaborate meals, as University of Chicago home economics professor Hazel Kyrk described in “Economic Problems of the Family.”
Frank G. Brotz for Kohler Co., Electric Sink, introduced 1926, this example 1928, Kohler Co.
(Kohler Archives)
That universal “everyone” did not, however, include everyone. Government-backed home ownership and the suburban boom excluded many Black, Latino and Asian Americans through redlining, restrictive covenants and discriminatory lending — a fact reflected in the almost complete absence of minorities in these vast selling campaigns.
A few welcome exceptions on the creators’ side are architect Paul R. Williams’ “Small Home of Tomorrow,” which proposed a simple, well-designed home fitted with gee-whiz appliances; Arthur Elrod and William C. Raiser’s swirling, vivid orange Ebony test kitchen, which treated cooking as creative craft; and the proposed multiracial community of Soul City, founded by Floyd McKissick, which imagined homeownership as a claim to economic autonomy that segregation denied.
The vision of a utopian domestic future took a strange turn during the Cold War, marrying the breathless excitement of the space age with the existential dread of nuclear annihilation. The same scientific power that had transformed lives now produced weapons capable of destroying humanity. The home was imagined as both shelter and command center.
Office of Donald Deskey Associates. Drawing, design for Undersea Lounge: Scheme 3 Interior Perspective, ca. 1960s. Designed by Russell Heston (b. 1929).
(The Estate of Donald Deskey, courtesy Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum / Art Resource, NY)
As the age’s potent mix of terror and delirium spun on, designers and illustrators proposed ways to live comfortably in space, underwater or in underground bunkers. Paul László’s “Atomville, U.S.A.,” a vision of suburbia half a century in the future, buried the family home beneath an earthen shell that doubled as a helicopter landing pad. Its sunken gardens and swimming pool promised comfort, while a blast door, escape hatches and air filtration protected against nuclear fallout. Donald Deskey Associates imagined a hypnotic “Undersea Lounge,” a self-contained interior for living beneath the water, while NASA illustrator Rick Guidice vividly depicted physicist Gerard K. O’Neill’s proposed Stanford Torus — an enormous, wheel-shaped suburb in space.
Bob Lerner for LOOK Magazine, Anne Anderson in RCA Whirlpool Miracle Kitchen, 1959, kitchen designed 1956.
(Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, LOOK Magazine, Photograph Collection / Robert S. Lerner Photography, LLC)
An endless array of products leaned into the public’s awe at the age’s sci-fi possibilities. This included prescient pieces ahead of their time, like the video-enabled AT&T Picturephone, and those that would never come to pass, such as the RCA Whirlpool Miracle Kitchen. The latter’s spread in Look Magazine (displayed for crowds at the 1959 American National Exhibition in Moscow) showcases a Roomba-like vacuum and other astonishing appliances that seem to work by themselves. But men hidden behind two-way mirrors actually operated them. Others, like the two-wheeled Ford Gyron Remote Control Car of the Future, only managed to come to life as children’s toys; and some were just plain ridiculous, like Honeywell’s H316 Kitchen Computer, which required a two-week training course just to retrieve a recipe.
Honeywell Inc.; Computer Control Division; Neiman Marcus, H316 Kitchen Computer, 1969.
(Mark Richards / the Computer History Museum)
By the late 1960s, confidence in technological progress was fraying. Environmental damage, plastic waste and the conformity of suburbia prompted designers and countercultural communities to imagine other ways of living — up to a point. The residents of Drop City, a Colorado artists’ community, built domes from the curved steel tops of salvaged cars. Architects Barry Simpson and Charles Hosford made a folding stool that could serve as a seat, stepstool or side table. Small, portable, multipurpose designs, from inflatables to cardboard furniture offered a life with fewer possessions. The Whole Earth Catalog, founded by writer and editor Stewart Brand, promoted ecological knowledge and self-sufficiency, but was still a compendium of things to buy.
Companies, too, found ways to sell all natural products, flexibility and individual expression. Zanotta advertised the first beanbag chair, the polystyrene-filled “Sacco,” as “A Big Bag, a Soft Seat.” Its formless body accommodated slouching, lounging or lying down, selling freedom from both conventional posture and the bourgeois living room. Even resistance to consumerism could be packaged as a new consumer ideal.
The pairing of objects with their promotional campaigns is the show’s most illuminating contribution, shedding light on the massive, often strange apparatus needed to drive these incredible designs — some icons, some welcome surprises — forward in each age. It reveals how the country’s 20th century manufacturing prowess expanded into the production of dreams. Corporations, government and the media taught consumers what progress should look like, which anxieties a product might soothe, and what kind of future to desire.
Isamu Noguchi; Zenith Radio Corporation, Radio Nurse receiver and Guardian Ear transmitter with original box, 1937.
( Museum Associates / LACMA)
But the sheer abundance of objects — I haven’t even mentioned the fascinating companion show-within-the-show, “The Kitchen and Its Discontents” — leaves less room for examining those campaigns and the work they performed. The excellent catalog follows those connections further, tracing how often hypnotic visions of the future home both reflected and shaped ideas about lifestyle, progress, gender, race, labor and consumption; in the galleries, those ideas remain largely suggestive.
Still, the exhibition offers a revelatory history — and a telling roadmap to our present. While the future imagined here made life easier, cleaner, more beautiful and more exciting, it did not arrive as advertised. The plastic home didn’t remake housing; the automated kitchen didn’t free women from domestic work; the self-sufficient home gave way to new forms of reliance. Yet a similar techno-utopian pitch survives in today’s smart homes and domestic technologies, from assistants like Alexa to artificial intelligence marketed as a way to make life easier. These tools may offer real benefits even as they addict and distract us. And while the systems sustaining our comfortable, consumption-driven lives launch us toward climate disaster.
These rooms powerfully evoke what Kaplan in the catalog calls America’s “restless forward motion, powered by the conviction that tomorrow’s design would solve today’s problems.” That ingenuity is worth celebrating. But its promises deserve open-eyed scrutiny.
Sunday 11 October White Sunday in American Samoa
The provided text details the cultural celebration of White Sunday, a special holiday dedicated to honoring children in Samoan congregations around the globe. Introduced by Christian missionaries during the nineteenth century, the tradition features communities dressing in white attire while youngsters receive special privileges, new clothing, and baptismal rites. Because of their positioning relative to the International Dateline, American Samoa observes this festive occasion simultaneously with neighboring Samoa’s Monday holiday known as Lotu a Tamaiti. Furthermore, families celebrate the day with special meals called toana’i where children are permitted to enjoy their favorite foods. Ultimately, the occasion serves as an important cultural and religious cornerstone that deeply highlights the younger generation throughout the islands.
Kings fall in overtime to Golden Knights to remain winless
LAS VEGAS — Mitch Marner scored a power-play goal from the high slot at 2:41 of overtime to give Vegas a 2-1 victory over the Kings on Saturday on a night in which the Golden Knights paid tribute to their past.
Trevor Connelly scored the other goal for the Golden Knights. Connelly, Marner and Mark Stone each had two points, with Stone getting both of his on assists. Carter Hart made 26 saves.
Artemi Panarin scored for the Kings and Darcy Kuemper made 30 saves.
Vegas (5-1) is off to a quick start this season, and the Kings (0-2-2) are still searching for their first victory.
Each club swapped power-play goals in the second period, with the 20-year-old rookie Connelly scoring after Stone’s pinpoint cross-ice pass. Panarin answered with a shot from the high slot later in the period.
In overtime, the Golden Knights quickly took advantage of a tripping penalty on Kings center Scott Laughton. Marner skated from near the blue line toward the slot, scoring just seven seconds into the penalty.
The Golden Knights, in their 10th season, paid tribute throughout the game to their inaugural “Misfits” team that reached the Stanley Cup Final. Gerard Gallant, who coached that team, was in attendance along with several players from that squad. Fan-favorite Ryan Reaves, who retired last month after 16 NHL seasons, cranked the pregame siren.
Referee Furman South briefly went down to the ice early in the third period when Vegas center Nic Dowd collided with him. South got up holding his midsection, but remained in the game.
Up next for the Kings: vs. Edmonton at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night.
What can Man City expect against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday? | Football
Man City face Liverpool in their first game since being found guilty of serious EPL financial breaches.
Red flares, smoke-filled pyrotechnics, strongly worded banners and trenchant chants.
Manchester City can expect a raucous and hostile reception when they arrive at Anfield for their Premier League match against Liverpool on Sunday.
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Liverpool supporters are angry, and they are planning to parade their emotions for City as the league leaders play their first match since being found guilty of breaking more than 100 financial rules.
In a decision that could have a drastic effect on the future of the English top flight, an independent commission found that City and their Emirati owners had arranged “sham” deals to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs by more than 900 million pounds ($1.2bn) from 2009 to 2018.
City, who deny any wrongdoing, have appealed against the devastating verdict.
The multiple breaches of Premier League regulations came during a period when City won three league titles and a clutch of other trophies while Liverpool struggled to break City’s stranglehold on the game in England.
City were given a taste of the resentment that awaits them when Manchester United fans goaded them during their 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Man City’s players and manager Enzo Maresca will get the full taste of a potentially fiery reception from Liverpool fans, who have also waited three weeks to watch their team back in action after the extended international break.
Social media posts and video reactions have made no secret of the anger that will be directed towards City by Liverpool’s supporters.
Spion Kop 1906, a Liverpool supporters group that organises flag and banner displays on The Kop, the famous single-tier south stand at Anfield, urged attendees to come prepared to show their support when the Reds host Man City.
“There’s loads riding on Sunday’s game on and off the pitch, but it’s down to us as a collective to bring the noise and get behind the team,” Spion Kop said on X.
“Bring your flags, bring your scarves and be at it from the very first minute.”
‘LFC vs Cheats’
A social media post promoting a “Bus greeting”, urging Liverpool supporters to gather near the stadium several hours before kickoff ahead of the arrival of the City players’ bus, is also making the rounds on X.
Another post about the bus greeting took a dig at Man City, describing the match as “LFC vs Cheats”.
Merseyside Police said there would be an appropriate policing operation in place on the day of the match.
Liverpool fans are no strangers to creating a hostile welcome for City.
In 2018 during a Champions League quarterfinal tie, City’s team bus was attacked with bottles and flares when it arrived at Anfield. Liverpool were subsequently fined 20,000 euros ($22,400) by UEFA, European football’s governing body.
Dom Farrell, author of the book Glory Days for the Waifs and Strays, which chronicled City’s rise from the third tier to European champions, expected Sunday’s showdown to be “massively hostile”.
“If they were to win against Liverpool and then beat an off-form Paris Saint-Germain [in the Champions League on Wednesday], you really get a siege mentality going,” Farrell told the AFP news agency.
“But there’s also a decent chance they get turned over, and then it just starts to feel like you’re in this sort of dead zone waiting for the verdict.”
‘Brutal day’
Former Manchester United captain and England defender Gary Neville expected Sunday to be a “brutal day” for visiting Man City, who lead the standings with a 100 percent record and are six points ahead of Liverpool.
“If they want an understanding of how angry the game is going to be, then Anfield will tell them like you would never believe,” Neville said on The Overlap podcast.
“I suspect there may be banners. There will certainly be chanting. There will be a reception like you have never seen for them at Anfield.”
CJP at Jantar Mantar: Delhi sees more protests as ‘Cockroach’ group’s arrested leaders freed
A court in Indian capital Delhi has released the top leaders of the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) as the city sees more protests for a second day with thousands of security personnel deployed and roads barricaded.
Abhijeet Dipke – who began the movement in May after India’s Chief Justice likened some jobless young people to “cockroaches” – and other leaders were arrested on arrival in Delhi on Saturday to lead protests seeking electoral reforms.
In his first comments after his release, Dipke said “the CJP will neither back down nor be intimidated”.
On Saturday, media reports said, 7,000 demonstrators were detained and released late at night.
The CJP – which is not registered as a political party in India – is seeking electoral reforms just months before crucial state elections.
It has also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of manipulating voters’ lists – which the Election Commission has denied.
On Sunday morning, the CJP lawyer Ratna Singh said she had been informed by the police that Dipke and two other senior CJP leaders – Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka – would be produced before the magistrate by the police seeking their remand “to maintain public peace”.
She subsequently posted on X that the three had been set free by the court “on the condition that they will not engage in breach of peace for one year” – she later deleted the post about the condition and it’s not clear what that means and whether the CJP leaders can take part in protests.
After his release, Dipke posted on X, external, saying: “Modi, as PM, is an embarrassment to India.”
In another post, external, he said he was going to his village to attend his grandmother’s funeral who died around the time of his arrest yesterday.
“Heading back to my village to be with my family during this moment of grief,” he posted, adding that Das and Ranka would address a press conference in Delhi.
“The CJP will neither back down nor be intimidated,” he added.
Saturday saw dramatic scenes as police officials boarded the flight to detain Dipke, Das and Ranka as their plane landed.
Unbelievably cheap UK staycation packages costing as little as £2.50pp a NIGHT… bargain Butlin’s trips & manor stays
CONSIDERING an all-inclusive break with drinks on tap or looking for a cheap midweek staycations that include theme park tickets?
Well, we’ve found some of the best package deals in the UK that you might not have even known existed – with breaks that start from an unbelievably low £2.43 per person, per night.
Short Break Deals
Many holiday parks will drop the prices of midweek breaks and offer deals on outstanding dates they want to fill which make it perfect for a break if you have leftover annual leave.
Hoseasons has its own specific tab for breaks under £150 with holidays still on offer from now through December.
In Exmouth at Devon Cliffs, a family of four can stay in a Saver 2 Caravan between November 9 -16 for £89 – or £3.17pp per night.
The holiday park has direct access to an award-winning beach as well as a heated indoor swimming pool, arcade, climbing wall, as well as a bar, restaurant and Wetherspoons pub.
For those who want some added thrills, it’s very near Crealy Theme Park which has over 60 rides and attractions.
Away Resorts has a ‘Midweek Breaks 2026’ tab where you can select three or four night holidays – some of which are also under £150.
The cheapest is a four-night break to Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight between October 12-16.
A family of four can stay in a Value Chalet from £80 – or £5pp a night. The accommodation has everything you need including a kitchen with all the essentials, a TV and comfy beds.
From the holiday park, it’s a short walk to the beach, there’s an indoor swimming pool with a flume, and plenty of activities like crazy golf and adventure playground.
There’s entertainment aplenty with shows for kids as well as karaoke, late DJs, quizzes and outdoor cinemas.
Butlin’s
Butlin’s is renowned for cracking deals for less and those taking advantage of its ‘showtime term-time midweek’ will be even more enthralled by the price.
Midweek holidays start from just £39 – we found a family of four can stay at the Bognor Regis Resort for four-nights between November 2-6 in a Comfort Room for this price, which works out as £2.43pp per night.
That price doesn’t just cover accommodation either – included in the price are the live shows, daytime activities, fairground rides and waterparks.
There are restaurants and bars on-site too – but if families want to stay in control of their food and drink, Butlin’s also offers dining packages.
The cheapest is the food court dining plan which includes buffet breakfast and dinner from £25.95 per adult per day.
Prices for those age 6-14 start from £25.95 and children 2-5 can eat from £7.25, those under two years old can go free.
Check out the all-inclusive drinks package too which start from £25.95 per adult per day and £10.50 per child per day.
This includes use of the new self-serve bars which have than 20 drinks options including popular brands, including Madri, Guinness, Smirnoff and Butlin’s own cocktails.
UK Breakaways
UKBreakaways.com offers ‘Sensational Value Superbreaks’ which start from £59.95 per person.
These can be across the UK ranging from seaside resorts to rural breaks.
Currently there’s an offer for a two-night break at Adamton Country House Hotel in Ayrshire from £79.95 per person.
This includes a three-course evening meal at the hotel restaurant each evening and full English breakfast in the morning.
The hotel itself is an 11th- century manor and sits just outside of Prestwick and is a 15-minute drive from Ayr.
The resort town has a stretching sandy beach and a mile-long promenade where on a sunny day visitors can see across to the Isle of Arran.
It’s also possible to add on an excursion to the Christmas market in Glasgow with a two-night stay available from December 11.
With the Christmas market addition, the break would start from £129pp.
Great Little Breaks
For anyone who wants a staycation with extras that make the break all-inclusive, Great Little Breaks has over 100 options.
For anyone who fancies a short stay in Harrogate, one break offers a bed and breakfast stay with dinner at The Old Swan Hotel.
On arrival there will be a chilled bottle of sparkling wine waiting for you, and enjoy dinner at the hotel (with a £30pp allowance).
This can be booked from £76.50pp with breaks available from now until December 17.
Other popular breaks include a two-night bed and breakfast holiday at Netherwood Hotel and Spa in the Lake District.
This includes dinner on the first night (£35pp allowance), access to the thermal suite for 90-minutes, a 25-minute treatment each, and late check out from £169pp.
The hotel is set in Grange-over-Sands and Morecambe Bay is steps away too.
Myhotelbreak
Myhotelbreak specialises in packages across the country – it has some where breakfast is included every morning, as is dinner on at least one evening of the stay.
One of the best deals is a two-night dinner, bed and breakfast stay from £129.50pp at the Peebles Hydro Hotel & Spa in Scotland.
This includes a two-night stay in a double room, £30pp allowance towards dinner on the second night, a full Scottish breakfast each morning and full access to the pool and sauna.
The hotel is set in 30 acres of grounds, it also has a swimming pool, spa bath, sauna and steam room, along with games like table tennis and pool.
The Scottish hotel is set in amongst plenty of countryside so it’s the perfect spot for hikes and even mountain biking, or stay in the hotel and relax at the spa.
Another offer is at the Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa where you can enjoy a two-night stay bed and breakfast with dinner on the first night from £130pp.
Included in this is a £25pp allowance towards dinner, two-nights’ accommodation, full breakfast each morning and complimentary use of the facilities.
These leisure facilities include a fitness suite, Himalayan salt sauna, steam room, relaxation area, indoor swimming pool, ice fountain, experience showers and heated loungers.
Virgin Experience Days
Sometimes a Virgin Experience day means skydiving, hot air ballooning or spa breaks – but did you know it can also include hotel stays?
We’ve found a couple that could really tickle your fancy – for those who want to combine the joys of the seaside with theme parks -there’s an offer for a one -night stay for £162 for two – or £81pp.
It includes an overnight stay at The Big Blue Hotel in Blackpool with breakfast in the morning, a three-course dinner at Blues Brasserie and access to Pleasure Beach Park.
For rail enthusiasts, check out the one-night break with a Heritage Railway trip for two for £194 – or £97 each.
The experience includes an overnight stay at the Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel, along with a £50 dinner allowance, a full English breakfast and a day out on the Spa Valley Railway.
Along the way, it stops at Eridge, Groombridge, High Rocks or Royal Tunbridge Wells.
If you fancy more of an experience along with an overnight stay rolled into one, Virgin offers a Sunday Night Manchester Dining Break and The Coronation Street Experience for £225 – or £112pp.
It includes a stay at Trafford Hall, a two-course dinner at the restaurant, and the following morning, a full breakfast.
During the day, head to Coronation Street for a 90-minute tour of the sets and see the likes of Roy’s Rolls and The Rovers Return for yourself.
Britannia Hotels
As part of its packages, Britannia Hotels offers Relax & Refresh Breaks from £45pp.
It includes a one or two-night stay, full English breakfast each morning, three-course buffet meal for one evening.
There’s also a bottle of sparkling wine in the room and guests taking advantage of the offer will also have access to its leisure facilities.
The offer is available across 21 of its hotels with the cheapest being Europa Gatwick Hotel and Norbreck Castle Hotel Blackpool which start from £45pp.
This is available until December 22, 2026.
Potters Resorts
Potters Resorts prides itself on having ‘UK’s only Fully Inclusive Family Breaks’ where everything is included from food and drinks to activities and entertainment.
The five-star retreat has two UK resorts, Hopton-on-Sea is in Norfolk and Five Lakes is in Essex.
For a four-night midweek stay at Hopton-on-Sea from October 19, adults can book from £649pp – and this includes absolutely everything.
It’s full board dining involving four meals a day, accommodation and West End entertainment with musicals, and live music.
There’s a full schedule of activities including archery or laser clays, golf, go-karting, use of the heated indoor pool, sauna, climbing wall, table tennis, badminton, snooker, darts and bowls.
Drinks are fully included too like coffees, soft drinks after an activity, a glass of wine with lunch or a gin and tonic.
After a family break? It has all-inclusive over half-term too and at the moment there are October savings.
Rather than £719 per adult, half-term breaks can be booked for £649. Breaks for children between 10-17 will cost £489 and three to nine year olds start from £389 – those under three cost £30.
Just like with the adults midweek breaks, everything is included and kids can enjoy activities like the VR experiences, Cliffhanger Climbing Wall, assault course, quizzes and games.
The Cumberland, Bournemouth
Heading down the seaside? The Cumberland in Bournemouth has deals to take advantage of including dinner, bed and breakfast from £98.
It includes a buffet-style breakfast with both full English and continental available as well as a three-course dinner and an overnight stay.
The hotel has a spa too for those wanting a little extra with treatments and massages available to book.
The Cumberland is minutes away from the seafront, so it’s the perfect spot to take an autumn walk along the beach or head into the town.
For more to do in Bournemouth, one local has all the best bars, restaurants and attractions to visit.
The offers with The Cumberland are valid until April 2027.
There are lots of other deals too like the sea view winter escape two- night deal from £134.50 per night – this includes accommodation for two, a two-course dinner, breakfast and hot chocolate on arrival.
Best Westerns
Best Western has around 200 hotels in the UK – and many of them offer overnight stay packages too whether you’re after a weekend getaway or midweek break.
One stay Sun Travel found is for two adults and one child at the Best Western Plus Centurion Hotel from October 1-2 from £137 per night.
It not only includes an overnight stay with breakfast – but also included in the price is Planet Volt Soft Play Tickets.
This is the hotel’s own soft play and inflatable centre with lots of slides, tunnels, and interactive fun for all ages.
For an adult weekend, head to the Kings Court Hotel which includes a guided gin tasting at Shakespeare Distillery from £85.35 per night.
The deal includes an English breakfast buffet, guided gin tasting tour, a welcome gin and tonic – and of course, the overnight stay.
Love Island star Hayley Hughes gives birth to second child and reveals adorable traditional name and first picture
LOVE Island star Hayley Hughes has given birth to her second baby.
The reality star, 30, announced the arrival of her “dream girl” on Instagram this morning and shared her sweet name.
Hayley wrote: “Our dream girl is here & we are obsessed. welcome to this little life my little girl, we love you so much Etta x x x.”
Her delighted friends and fans rushed to congratulate her.
Danielle Lloyd wrote: “Congratulations babe she is gorgeous.”
Kendall Rae Knight said: “Congratulations gorgeous girl.”
READ MORE ON HAYLEY HUGHES
Rosie Williams posted: “Congratulations beautiful family.”
Hayley revealed she was pregnant on her birthday in June and told her Instagram followers the news was “the best birthday gift I could wish for”.
The villa girl welcomed her first child, son Cody, three years ago. She said he was going to be “the best big brother in the world”.
Hayley keeps her partner out of the public eye, with the rare social media posts they do share not showing his face.
I went on a Christmas Butlin’s weekend with all my entire family
A PICTURE tells a thousand words. But how about a thousand pictures?
If the camera roll from our trip to Butlin’s is anything to go by, it tells of a jam-packed, non-stop, rip-roaring, grin-inducing, memory-filled festive-as-anything time of it.
My two pre-teen daughters, husband and I hadn’t been to Butlin’s before but we were keen to hurl ourselves stocking-first into the resort’s Christmas spirit.
We decided that whatever the weather (pouring rain was forecast all weekend) we were going to have as much sparkly, festive Santa-filled fun as one still-believing family could in a single weekend.
And boy, did we meet our match at Butlin’s Bognor Regis. Arriving on a Friday after a long day, our Christmas spirits were a little on the low side.
But after the all-inclusive buffet, the magical call of the Bingo Bango hosts at the Reds venue (and a welcome glass of wine) I could feel my shoulders loosening and a smile spreading across my face.
And once the Silent Disco got going — with a choice of hard house or Christmas hits — I couldn’t stop beaming.
And judging by the hols snaps, it stayed there the whole time.
We quickly discovered you could almost divide the resort into two.
There were the non-Christmassy activities — an incredible VR arcade, escape rooms of various types and the excitement of Laser Quest where we all shot each other repeatedly.
And then everything else.
Christmas arts and crafts? Tick. Puppet Castle’s Christmouse Wonderland? Shockingly blue panto Snow White And Her Magnificent Friends? A skyline ‘snowstorm’ involving singing reindeer? Tick, tick, tick.
And when you’ve raised a couple of true believers — expectations at Christmas events tend to be high.
But Father Christmas’ Express Delivery didn’t disappoint.
The world’s most famous Redcoat was ready to meet and greet our two in a grotto that could’ve been in a high-end department store.
There was a naughty or nice wheel, children’s letters to Santa whirring round the ceiling and elves busily spreading Christmas cheer.
Once the girls’ handwritten letters to Santa had been delivered through suction tubes, we were whizzed up in a lift through the snow to meet the big man himself — who had twinkly eyes and decent bants.
After more festive fun in the North Pool (the huge indoor swimming pool), it was a short walk back to our home, Butlin’s Ocean Hotel. Our family room was a decent size with a balcony. It was clean, comfortable and had a good bed.
We’d opted for the hotel dining plan, giving us breakfast and dinner in the Kaleidoscope restaurant.
It goes without saying my girls were delighted by the beige buffet — hoovering up pizzas, hot dogs and chips.
There were pastas, curries, a roast and themed nights — and a salad bar for something lighter.
For lunch, you’ll find more high street faves from Burger King and Papa Johns to SOHO Coffee.
And there was just as much variety when it came to entertainment.
From gameshow bonanzas to tribute acts and singalongs, it never stopped.
And if you need some fresh air, the fairground stays open with bumper cars, an old fashioned helter skelter, waltzer and a chair-o-plane.
The best part? The fairground is all free. And our take home after the festive weekend?
We went into Butlin’s blind, but now we have seen the twinkling, tinselly light.
GO: BUTLINS
GETTING/STAYING THERE: A four-night Christmas Festive Wonderland break is from £41.
Four nights at Ocean Hotel start at £77, from Nov 23.
EATING/DRINKING THERE: All-inclusive drinks packages £25.95 per adult and £10.50 per child (age six to 14) per day.
Unlimited breakfast and dinner £25.95 per adult, per day, £15.50 per child (age six to 14) and £7.25 (two to five) per day.
Ulster Rugby: We need honest conversations after winless start – Tom Stewart
Ulster hooker Tom Stewart admits “I don’t think I’ve come to the party well enough” and says the squad must have “honest conversations” after an underwhelming start to the season.
Successive draws with Glasgow and Munster after a loss to Edinburgh leaves Ulster winless in the United Rugby Championship before starting their Challenge Cup campaign away to Zebre next week.
Head coach Richie Murphy said he was “bitterly disappointed” after his side were forced to fight back for a 26-26 draw with Munster, while Stewart questioned his own contributions to the game in Belfast.
“From a personal point of view, I’m not happy with my performances about it. I don’t think I’ve come to the party well enough, I don’t know if it’s my preparation or the mental side to the game,” said Stewart, who captained Ulster against Glasgow and Munster in the injured Iain Henderson’s absence.
“It’s something I really need to have a look at and plan better or whatever it is, but I need to start understanding why that is the case.”
Stewart, who marked his seventh Ireland cap with a try against Japan over the summer, added: “From my own point of view, I need to properly watch back my intent in some of the collisions and my actual process around what I’m doing.
“Then I think we need to have some honest conversations this week within ourselves, with the team, players and coaches to see where we’re at.”
Ulster travel to Zebre on Saturday (15:15 BST) before travelling to South Africa for difficult URC assignments against the Bulls and Stormers.
For Stewart, Ulster “can’t shy away” from the shortcomings in their performances as they strive to kick-start their season.
“It’s hard, when you have a game like that you don’t want to watch it back,” added the 25-year-old.
“You don’t want to review yourself properly, you don’t want to look at the hard stuff, the nitty-gritty that you haven’t done well, but that’s where you find the fixes, the learnings.
“The hardest stuff you watch will be the most impactful stuff going forward.”
US bombs cargo vessel in Gulf of Oman ‘trying to run Iran blockade’ | US-Israel war on Iran
A US fighter jet bombed a commercial cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, according to CENTCOM. The US military says the ship’s crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to ‘breach its blockade’ of Iranian ports.
Published On 11 Oct 2026
Musk vows ‘affordable’ Starlink in India as he escalates feud with Ambani | Business and Economy News
Elon Musk’s latest comments come days before Mukesh Ambani’s low-cost Reliance Jio’s parent launches India’s largest-ever initial public offering.
Published On 11 Oct 2026
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has said he would price his Starlink satellite internet service affordably in India to take on Mukesh Ambani’s low-cost Reliance Jio, escalating his attacks on the rival tycoon days before Jio’s parent launches the country’s largest-ever initial public offering (IPO).
Jio Platforms, which owns the telecom arm, is targeting a valuation of $106bn in the offering. Much like SpaceX-owned Starlink, Jio’s satellite venture is also awaiting final security clearance to launch.
Cheap data is the playbook that built Jio in India, and the one Musk has used in markets like Kenya to unsettle local telecom players. SpaceX now plans to enter the mobile carrier market itself, starting in the United States.
Musk did not specify prices for India, where mobile data costs about rupees 7.74 ($0.08) per gigabyte, among the lowest in the world.
“Obviously, if Starlink is too expensive in India, no one will buy it, so SpaceX will need to make pricing affordable,” he said in a post on his social media platform X on Saturday.
“The reality is that competition would greatly benefit the average citizen in India by giving them more choices, as it always does. Ambani’s profits will be lower, but he is not going out of business,” Musk added.
‘Prime Minister Ambani’
Musk’s remarks were the latest in a series of X posts in which he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and Ambani of stalling Starlink’s entry into one of the world’s biggest internet markets to favour market leader Jio.
The posts have marked a sharp turn for Musk, who has long enjoyed a warm public rapport with Modi.
India’s government has denied any bias in its approval process, noting that the three satellite ventures seeking to launch, including Starlink’s and Jio’s, are all awaiting final security clearance.
Late on Friday, Musk taunted Ambani directly, addressing him as “Prime Minister Ambani” and asking whether he would “consider allowing Starlink to compete”.
Reliance has not responded to Musk’s remarks.
Kelly Osbourne, Ashley James and Nadiya Bychkova look incredible in glamorous gowns at star-studded London gala
KELLY Osbourne, Ashley James and Nadiya Bychkova looked incredible in their glamorous gowns at star-studded London gala.
Kelly looked stunning in a sleek off‑the‑shoulder black dress, finished with layered necklaces and a striking cross pendant.
Broacaster and DJ Ashley looked gorgeous in a glossy turquoise satin gown, paired with a matching scarf draped softly around her shoulders.
Meanwhile, Strictly professional dancer, Nadiya stunned in a sleek satin slip dress with thin spaghetti straps, pairing the look with black heels and a small matching handbag.
Nadiya also performed in a dramatic pink gown, complete with a high slit that showed off her toned legs.
The stars turned out to support the MODE EPS gala in aid of Anna Freud, which was held inside the opulent Spencer House in Mayfair.
Anna Freud is a mental health charity transforming care for children and young people through science, collaboration and clinical innovation.
Attendee Kelly opened up about her own struggles in The Sun this weekend, telling us it has been the worst year of her life following dad Ozzy’s death and her split from DJ Sid Wilson.
She said: “It’s been the worst year of my life. In so many ways, I can’t even explain to you. But it’s also been really beautiful because I’ve learned that my grief is an honour, as I truly love someone that much.”
“It’s been the worst year of my life,” she says. “In so many ways, I can’t even explain to you. But it’s also been really beautiful because I’ve learned that my grief is an honour, as I truly love someone that much.
London-born Kelly has since moved permanently back to England from LA, not only to be closer to her dad’s grave, but also to give her son a stable childhood.
And she has gained 2st in weight since an appearance at the Brit Awards earlier this year sparked concern about her well-being.
“I didn’t know that I looked like that until I saw the pictures,” she said. “When I saw them, I couldn’t f**king believe it. I was as shocked as everyone else.”
Kelly, who battled her weight in her teens before having gastric sleeve surgery in 2018, admits that it’s hard to have your body up for discussion.
The beachfront city break destination with 300 sunshine days, wild sea lions and champagne vending machines
OUR Spotlight On column uncovers the top things to see and do in the best holiday destinations, as well as lesser-known spots, in the UK and abroad.
This week, we’re shining the light on the already well-lit destination of San Diego, which sees more than 300 days of sunshine a year.
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited, and said: “I love exploring Belmont theme park, which dates back to 1925, which felt like going back to the 50s with wooden rollercoasters and spinning ice cream rides.
“Then hop over to South Mission Beach for some insane sushi at Cannonball overlooking the ocean, before a drink in Part Time Lover, a very cosy listening bar with a vinyl shop at the back.
“Save time for Barrio Logan too, named one of the best neighborhoods in the world with fantastic independent stores and street art.”
Here are some of our other top tips.
MUST SEE/DO
You’ll want to take advantage of that glorious weather.
So head to La Jolla Cove which was recently named the best beach in the USA in the Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards.
The shoreline is home to crystal-clear waters that are ideal for snorkelling in – keep your eyes peeled for wild sea lions slouched on the rocks and sand, too.
If you’re not much of a snorkeller, grab yourself a kayak from one of the many rental stores or indulge in one of the gorgeous clifftop hiking trails that will take you along the coast.
HIDDEN GEM
Ditch the tourist attractions and crowded shores. Instead you should make a beeline for North Park, where the locals and creatives hang out.
Make sure you come thirsty as this area is crammed with independent coffee shops and some of the best craft beer in the States.
Make sure to admire the colourful murals splattered along the streets and pop into the vintage stores for a souvenir.
Take a look at the historic Observatory North Park ahead of your visit as you may time if perfectly to catch one of the regular gigs,
BEST VIEW
Take a stroll from Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, just south of Ocean Beach.
This dramatic 1.5-mile stretch of rugged coastline is one of San Diego’s most spectacular viewpoints, where you can watch the Pacific waves crashing into rock arches while the sun sets beyond the horizon.
If you’re not one for a nature walk, then Mister A’s is a cracking rooftop restaurant perched high above downtown with sweeping panoramic views across San Diego, the bay and the flight path into the city’s airport.
Cocktails are being continually shaken and the atmosphere is warm and buzzy.
RATED RESTAURANT
Exciting new openings are cropping up all over the city, including Ikaria in La Jolla which is due to open towards the end of this year.
The restaurant is inspired by the Greek island which shares its name and will feature a vibrant Mediterranean menu alongside wine tastings session and cooking classes.
For a slap-up brunch, Morning Glory is set a few streets back from the waterfront, near the Harbor View area, and stars in the Michelin guide for good reason.
Decorated in hues of candy floss pink, with mirrored furniture and a champagne vending machine, it’s got an air of Palm Springs about it.
Star dishes include the indulgent souffle pancakes and fried chicken and waffles.
BEST BARS
Swap your cocktail for a pint from one of San Diego’s independent breweries – after all, this city is known as the IPA capital of the world.
Mujeres Brew House in Barrio Logan is run entirely by women and offers a whole host of craft pours including crisp lagers and bold West Coast IPAs.
It hosts regular events, live music sessions and pop-up food stalls in a casual but lively setting.
HOTEL PICK:
The 4* Pearl Hotel in Point Loma is affordable and elegant, with retro-inspired furniture and decor that make it feel like its from another era.
It’s quickly become one of San Diego’s coolest places to stay with stylish rooms, excellent cocktails and easy access to both downtown and the beach.
Rooms cost from £115 per night based on two people sharing a double. See thepearlsd.com.
‘Travel tummy’ symptoms ‘improve’ with gastroenterologist’s ‘simple’ method
More than a third of British holidaymakers have experienced ‘travel tummy’ in the past 12 months
If you’ve ever felt bloated or sick on a plane, you’re not alone(Image: Nansan Houn via Getty Images)
More than a third of British holidaymakers (36%) have suffered from ‘travel tummy’ over the past year, new research has revealed. The term describes stomach upset or illness experienced while on holiday.
Safa noted the findings indicated that digestive problems were a widespread concern amongst travellers, often having a detrimental effect on overseas trips. The Saga Travel Insurance study, which surveyed 500 UK holidaymakers, discovered that half (49%) had endured diarrhoea while away, with nearly one in 10 (8%) battling gut troubles on every single trip.
Those with pre-existing conditions, such as IBS, may face a heightened risk of digestive complications when abroad, as travel can worsen symptoms. Local chemists are the first stop for most holidaymakers grappling with travel tummy overseas (35%), while almost a third (30%) resort to Google and one in 12 (8%) consult AI to assess their symptoms before seeking professional advice.
Saga Travel Insurance consulted Dr Nick Burr, a gastroenterologist at healthcare provider LivingCare, to explore why travel tummy happens and what holidaymakers can do to prevent problems on future getaways.
Bacteria often the cause of travel tummy
Travellers’ diarrhoea is a frequent problem among holidaymakers, especially when heading to destinations where food hygiene standards differ.
Dr Burr said: “Traveller’s diarrhoea is usually caused by bacteria, most commonly E. coli, picked up from contaminated food or water, particularly in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central or South America. Symptoms can include loose stools, cramping, bloating and nausea, often within the first week of travel.”
Tap water standards differ significantly from one country to another. Numerous countries have updated plumbing infrastructure, which typically means tap water is safe for consumption.
In other nations, it may be wiser to opt for bottled water, as unsafe drinking water can harbour dangerous bacteria, parasites and chemicals.
According to the NHS, boiling water is the most dependable method to purify it and eliminate any bacteria or viruses. Chemical disinfectants, such as iodine or chlorine, can also be employed, but may prove less effective than thoroughly boiling water and allowing it to cool in a sterile container.
Water filters ranging from 0.2 to 1 micron can also be utilised to remove dirt or parasites from water before applying chemical disinfection.
Two-fifths of Brits reckon their symptoms were triggered by local food
Local cuisine emerged as one of the most frequently mentioned causes of travel tummy amongst holidaymakers in Saga Travel Insurance’s survey, with 44% of respondents blaming their holiday stomach troubles on this. Dr Burr explained: “Common sources [of infection] include untreated water, ice cubes, buffets, shellfish, undercooked meat and food left sitting in the heat. Exploring local food is one of the joys of travel and most people can do so safely as long as they apply common sense. For example, freshly cooked, piping hot food in a busy restaurant is usually OK.”
Dehydration poses one of the greatest threats to your wellbeing while travelling
Diarrhoea was the most frequently reported symptom of holiday tummy among UK travellers, with more than a quarter (28%) of individuals suffering from it while abroad over the past 12 months, according to Saga Travel Insurance’s survey. Loose and watery stools can lead to dehydration as your body is losing more fluids and electrolytes than you’re capable of replenishing.
Dr Burr said: “Dehydration [can be serious], especially in hot climates. Alcohol and caffeine can both worsen dehydration and have a laxative effect, so it’s best to limit these while symptoms are severe. Intense exercise while dehydrated or unwell may also slow recovery, so it’s usually best to rest, drink fluids, and stick to simple foods until symptoms improve.”
Rehydration solutions are an effective method to prevent dehydration and support recovery. If you’re unable to obtain rehydration sachets, Dr Burr points out that you can prepare your own from scratch.
He said: “If oral rehydration sachets are unavailable, a homemade solution can be made using six level teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt in one litre of clean water.”
Routine disruption
While bacteria and infection remain the most frequent culprits behind traveller’s diarrhoea and stomach complaints, there may be more environmental factors at play when holidaymakers feel under the weather.
Dr Burr explained: “[In other cases], symptoms are not due to infection, but are related to changes in routine. Prolonged disruption to normal routines, including sleep patterns, hydration, alcohol intake, stress and diet, can make the digestive system more sensitive, particularly in people prone to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional gut symptoms.”
The survey by Saga Travel Insurance revealed that a third of holidaymakers (34%) said travel-related stress played a part in their travel tummy, while over a quarter (27%) pointed to long journeys as a contributing factor.
Dr Burr said: “For those who experience an upset tummy when flying, this is often linked to cabin pressure changes, dehydration, reduced movement, disrupted sleep, stress and unfamiliar foods. Staying hydrated, moving around during flights and eating lighter meals can help reduce discomfort.”
Michelle Cooper, director of Saga Travel Insurance, added: “If you’re on a longer flight, try to walk up and down the aisle every two hours to help with your circulation and digestion.”
Travellers with pre-existing conditions could be at greater risk
‘Travel tummy’ can present heightened dangers for those with underlying health conditions.
Dr Burr said: “People with diabetes, kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or weakened immune systems may become unwell more quickly.”
For individuals with pre-existing conditions, advance preparation is particularly crucial – not only regarding health matters, but also in making certain adequate travel insurance protection is arranged.
Michelle explained: “Many insurers offer cover for pre-existing medical conditions, however, it’s essential to declare them when taking out your policy. If you have an underlying health condition, becoming unwell abroad can be more serious and may require quicker access to medical care or more specialised treatment. Making sure you have the right cover in place means you can get the support you need without facing unexpected costs while you’re away.”
Most travel tummy is mild, but severe cases need treatment
While a dodgy stomach abroad might amount to little more than mild discomfort, it can occasionally prove more serious and necessitate a trip to a local doctor – or a call to your insurer’s 24-hour travel GP, if it provides one.
Michelle said: “Getting sick abroad is never ideal and you may be tempted to wait until you’ve returned to the UK to get checked by your doctor. However, it’s important that you seek out medical attention as soon as possible if you think you might be ill.
“Treatment costs abroad can add up quickly, particularly in countries where healthcare is private. Call your insurance provider’s 24-hour emergency number to check if they cover everything you need, including medical translation services. Travel insurance can help provide both financial protection and peace of mind if the unexpected happens.
“Having the right cover in place means you can get the care you need without worrying about the cost, so you can focus on recovering and enjoying the rest of your trip with confidence. Taking simple precautions before and during your trip could be the difference between a disrupted holiday and a smooth, stress-free getaway.”
Should you fall ill while overseas, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office holds a comprehensive list of English-speaking doctors, medical facilities and practitioners across the globe. In an emergency situation, don’t hesitate to contact the local emergency services in the country you’re visiting.
High school flag football: Friday and Saturday scores
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
City Section
Arleta 45, Monroe 0
GALA 21, Verdugo Hills 0
Granada Hills Kennedy 57, Sylmar 0
Jefferson 28, Santee 6
Los Ángeles 28, Lincoln 10
North Hollywood 53, Sun Valley Poly 0
Panorama 27, San Fernando 0
San Fernando Arroyo 8, Grant 0
Southern Section
Aquinas 14, Yucaipa 6
Bishop Montgomery 45, Compton Early College 0
Chaminade 45, Immaculate Heart 0
Edison 25, Corona del Mar 7
Hueneme 35, Bishop Diego 0
Peninsula 32, Chadwick 0
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 41, Louisville 0
Sierra Canyon 19, Harvard-Westlake 12
St. Mary’s Academy 21, Environmental Charter 0
Whitney 20, Oxford Academy 19
Intersectional
JSerra 44, Campo Verde 14
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Southern Section
Adelanto 19, Arroyo Valley 0
Bloomington 6, Colton 2
Chaminade 32, Flintridge Sacred Heart 7
Kaiser 47, Rialto 8
Murrieta Valley 12, Temecula Prep 0
Rosary 15, Sunny Hills 13
San Dimas 42, Corona 28
Serrano 38, Arrowhead Christian 12
St. Bonaventure 41, Cate 6
Summit 25, San Gorgonio 0
Windward 7, Burbank Providence 0
Intersectional
Gilbert (Ariz.) 20, Channel Islands 19
Vinicius apologises for hair-pull red card but could miss El Clasico | Football
Real Madrid forward has a goal disallowed, is sent off for the hair-pull offence and could miss the next three games.
Published On 11 Oct 2026
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr has apologised to his teammates and the club’s fans after being sent off in the 1-0 win over Villarreal in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu but now faces a nervous wait for a ruling by the disciplinary committee, which could see him miss Real’s fixture with rivals Barcelona in two weeks.
The Brazilian thought he had scored Real’s second goal in the match on Saturday, but his effort was disallowed after a video assistant referee (VAR) review found he should be dismissed for pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair in the build-up.
After the match, Vinicius, who came on in the 52nd minute and was red-carded 20 minutes later, posted on social media, saying, “sorry to the team and the fans”.
Vinicius was celebrating after scoring when referee Isidro Diaz de Mera was called by the VAR to review the moments before his goal. The referee waved off the goal and pulled out a red card for Vinicius.
When he thought Vinicius had doubled the lead, Real manager Jose Mourinho ran to join the celebrations with his players.
But moments later, Vinicius was left livid by the referee’s decision. He screamed at Diaz de Mera while his teammates tried to calm him down as he left the field.
“I don’t think he meant to hurt anyone, but it is a red card,” Villarreal defender Juan Foyth said about the hair yank of Saliba.
Diaz de Mera wrote in his match report that after being shown the red card, Vinicius “protested my decision, raising his voice, toward where I was standing in an aggressive manner, and being held back by teammates”.
Royal Spanish Football Federation regulations state that pulling an opponent’s hair is regarded as violent conduct.
The sanction for violent conduct without causing injury to an opponent, according to Article 130 of the league’s rules, is a ban of one to three matches.
Real’s next three La Liga games are against Sevilla, Barca and Racing Santander, but missing El Clasico would be a bitter blow for the 26-year-old Brazil international.
Mourinho did not appear at the mandatory post-game news conference.