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We appear to have gotten our first look at a curious Chinese ship, which some have dubbed a ‘drone carrier,’ actually in use, supporting at-sea testing of the AR-500CJ uncrewed helicopter. The vessel is one of a number of unusual designs with open flight decks that have emerged in China in recent years as China’s drone ambitions have increasingly extended into the naval domain.

China’s state-run television station CCTV-7, which focuses on news related to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), broadcast clips of the AR-500CJ being tested at sea back on October 30. The AR-500CJ, a version of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s (AVIC) larger AR-500 family optimized for shipboard operations, first flew in 2022.

The CCTV-7 segment does not appear to name the ship the AR-500CJ is seen operating from, nor does it offer a full view of the vessel. However, the size and configuration of the flight deck, especially a trapezoidal section on the starboard side toward the stern, as well as its markings, match up directly with the design of a ship that was launched at the Jiangsu Dayang Marine shipyard back in 2022. Naval News was first to report in detail on that vessel, which is approximately 328 feet (100 meters) long and some 82 feet (25 meters) across, and has a small island on the starboard side toward the bow, last year.

It had been suggested that the ship seen in the CCTV-7 footage might be a mysterious Chinese vessel with a large open flight deck and three superstructures that TWZ was first to report on last year. That ship bears the logo of the state-run China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and may be named the Zhong Chuan Zi Hao, and could also be a first-of-its-kind ostensibly civilian research ship, as you can read more about here. However, the CSSC ‘carrier’ has a much larger and differently shaped flight deck that also has very distinct markings on it.

As mentioned, a number of unusual open-decked vessels have emerged in China in recent years. Jiangsu Dayang Marine, also known as the New Dayang shipyard, has become particularly notable in this regard. The yard has also produced at least two catamaran drone ‘motherships,’ which TWZ was also first to report on in detail, as well as various specialized barges. These all largely appear to be intended for use in training and/or testing, and to be particularly focused on replicating drone and/or electronic warfare threats. The first known imagery of one of the catamaran motherships in use also notably came from a CCTV-7 segment in 2022.

As TWZ has noted in the past, the maritime platforms that Jiangsu Dayang Marine has produced could potentially have roles in an actual operational context, including when paired with larger crewed warships. At the same time, the relatively small size and general configuration of the ‘mini drone carrier’ would limit its suitability for any kind of sustained employment in support of real-world operations.

An image from the ground of the reported Chinese experimental drone platform. If accurate, it illustrates the relatively modest proportions of the design. Via “斯文的土匪—”/Wb (H/t Temstar/SDF). pic.twitter.com/LAFHRqaGfK

— Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) May 18, 2024

Even without a secondary operational role, dedicated naval drone test and training platforms still offer value to the PLA, which has been steadily working to expand the scale and scope of its shipboard uncrewed aviation capabilities. AR-500CJ, which AVIC has said could be used as a surveillance asset or an aerial signal relay node, among other roles, is part of this evolving ecosystem. Another drone helicopter intended for shipboard operations, based on the larger AR-2000 design from China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), was among a host of new uncrewed aircraft designs showcased at a huge military parade in Beijing in September.

Chinese naval drone developments extend well beyond vertical takeoff and landing capable designs. Work on a navalized version of the stealthy flying-wing GJ-11 Sharp Sword uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) has become a particular centerpiece of these efforts. Imagery just recently emerged that offered the first clear look at one of those drones with its arrestor hook deployed. The naval GJ-11, also sometimes referred to as the GJ-21, is expected to fly from at least some of China’s growing fleet of aircraft carriers and big-deck amphibious assault ships.

As it seems, for the first time clear images of a GJ-21 in flight are posted and this one – based on the still installed pitots – has its tail hook down. pic.twitter.com/5h1nVZHzIe

— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) November 1, 2025

On a broader level, China continues to reinforce its position as a global leader in uncrewed aviation developments in the military and commercial domains, and there is often considerable overlap between the two. Just this year, TWZ was the first to report on the emergence of several previously unseen advanced drone designs, a number of which are also notably large. As we have reported in the past, flying-wing uncrewed aircraft designs also continue to be a particular area of focus for the Chinese aviation industry.

With all this in mind, China’s use of bespoke ships with open flight decks to support drone testing and training, as well as other purposes, only looks likely to grow.

Contact the author: [email protected]

IN A lesser-known corner of Europe is an amusement park with its own mini Colosseum, a nightclub on a plane… and a helicopter observation tower.

The park has no traditional rides, replacing thrilling rollercoasters and carousels with giant building bricks, a farming village and 18-metre high slides.

Irrland in Kevelaer, Germany is a huge hit with families – with one parent who goes by thestrongmamaphysio on Instagram describing it as a “kids’ dream” and one of the “best days out we’ve ever done”.

At the park, her kids helped to build an enormous mountain with over-sized Lego-style bricks, and had a rave in a disused plane.

They also enjoyed enormous slides, sand and water play, mazes and a go-karting track.

Plenty of other parents agreed, with one saying: “Best place we have ever been to – we managed to go in the summer and spend two full days at the park.

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“I genuinely think you’ll struggle to find anywhere as good as this and for £10 per head is ridiculously cheap.”

Irrland i park is split into three parts – Irrland-West, North and South, with more than 90 different attractions.

In the West part of the park is where you’ll find the Disco Plane, it also has a huge Trojan Horse climbing frame and jumping pillows.

There’s also a waterslide and an Airport Tower with 18-metre tall slides.

Irrland North has a helicopter observation tower, a toddler play barn, and a huge treehouse.

It’s also home to the world’s largest building construction site – with enormous Lego-style bricks.

In the South is a toddlers’ farming village with pedal tractors and petting zoo, bamboo mazes, even a mini-colosseum, and a small splash park called ‘South Sea’.

The cut off in the park is for children who are 12 years old.

An online day ticket is €12 (£10.53) per person, children under two years old won’t need a ticket.

Any child’s whose birthday it is on the day of their visit can also enter for free – but they will need a form of ID to prove this.

If you’re in a large group and want to spend time together during the day, there are on-site villas which have lockable rooms and fenced areas – perfect for outdoor picnics.

These are available for the day only as the park doesn’t offer overnight stays – you can enter from 10am with the key needs to be handed in by 5.30pm.

During the summer, barbecue areas are available to book too – the cheapest spot being €25 (£21.94).

Before you look at booking a ticket, the park is closed for the winter season.

Currently, it looks like it will reopen on Saturday March 14, 2026. But check back nearer the time as it’s likely to be weather dependent.

The closest airport to Irrland is Weeze, but you can’t get direct flights to there.

For direct flights, head to Eindhoven in the Netherlands and from there it’s just an hour away by car.

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For more theme park inspo, check out the one in Europe that’s less than three hours from the UK named the best in the world – beating Disney and Universal.

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SELENA Gomez showed off her sweet side at the 2025 Rare Impact Fund Benefit.

The US singer and actress, 33, looked effortless in a purple satin mini dress at the the third annual event in Los Angeles.

The former Disney star, who recently celebrated one month of marriage to music producer and songwritter Benny Blanco, launched the Rare Impact Fund in 2020 to raise funds and awareness for youth mental health globally.

According to Vogue, the event, hosted by US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, raised more than $600,000.

Earlier in the week, Selena’s ‘unnecessarily cruel’ comments landed her in hot water.

The star came under fire for boasting that her billion-dollar brand doesn’t “use real models” for its beauty campaigns. 

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While Selena, was attempting to deliver a positive message about how Rare Beauty highlights real, natural features, many took offence to the comments. 

The company had used hundreds of different models since it launched in September 2020 – making many feel Selena’s comments disregard their talents and professions. 

Her remarks caught the eye of one Rare Beauty model who spoke exclusively to The U.S. Sun about hearing Selena’s comments. 

The model, who did not wish to be named due to fear of not being hired for future campaigns, has been working with the brand since 2024. 

“I actually cried when I heard Selena’s comments,” the model claimed, who then added: “I was already having a bad day and was feeling really sensitive and emotional.”

She continued: “I was feeling nervous about some career stuff, and then I saw that video of her saying I’m not even a real model. 

“It hit me at the worst time because now I’m like… ‘what am I even doing?’ 

“I thought this would be a big break for me, and to be told by the founder of the company that I look up to that I am not ‘real’ at my job? 

“It’s degrading and embarrassing. The number of family and friends who sent me that clip after was mortifying.” 

FORGET forking out hundreds for a European city break – you could hop on a cruise for a fraction of the price.

P&O has mini cruises for as little as £65pp, which includes two nights onboard and travel over to Amsterdam or Rotterdam.

Setting sail from Hull, the ship sails overnight to arrive in one of the cities.

You can hop off in the morning and catch the coach into the city centre for a full day exploring.

If you fancy Amsterdam, Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski has shared her top tips.

She said: “Head to the ‘brown bars’, so named because of their dark, wooden interiors, for a local beer and some bitterballen.

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“The artsy, bohemian neighbourhood of De Pijp is much loved by locals and not very well known among tourists but has quirky cafes and artisan shops.

“And the best views are found at the 100-metre-tall A’DAM Lookout with a 360-degree sky deck and giant rooftop swing.”

Prefer Rotterdam? The Sun’s Adam Sonin explains: “Head to the nearby, futuristic-looking Markthal, a giant food hall packed with vendors selling grub from around the world.

“Or there is The Depot, calling itself the ‘world’s first publicly accessible art storage facility,’ which is a collection of hundreds or artworks.”

Once back onboard, all the live entertainment is included on the ship before another overnight sailing, before arriving back in the UK the next morning.

Each of the P&O mini breaks include the return ferry travel as well as a private cabin.

You can pay extra for meal packages onboard or for coach transfers to and from the UK port.

But when you factor in the price of return flights and a hotel, you could easily spend hundreds more.

According to Skyscanner, the cheapest return flights to Amsterdam can be found for £64 – just £1 less than the cruise.

This doesn’t factor in the cost of a hotel, which are on average around £118 a night, according to Kayak.

You can also book P&O’s Mini Cruise Live for £129pp, which also has live performances onboard.

This includes Kimberly Wyatt, Tinchy Stryder, T’Pau and The Overtones.

Running from October 11 to December 12, there is even a unique Halloween sailing for £99pp.

Louisa Bell, Managing Director of Passenger, P&O Ferries said: “Mini Cruise Live is our way of making the travel experiences unforgettable and not just about great destinations – no airports, no hassle, just music, mates and a mini adventure at sea.”

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REALITY TV star Olivia Bowen has wowed the crowds in a striking outfit – just weeks after giving birth.

Mum-of-two Olivia looked sensational as she posed on the red carpet ahead of a screening for her and husband Alex’s new reality TV show.

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The former Love Island star dazzled in a short black dress and diamond-encrusted heels for the special occasion.

With her hair pinned up and sporting glamorous make-up, she accessorised with a black designer handbag and big smile as she posed alongside her husband.

She wrote on social media: “Not. Over. It. Our very special evening for our very special new show with @itv @itvxofficial.

“Thank you so so much to everyone who came & watched & supported our launch – we are so grateful & loved spending the evening with you all.

“And a huge thank you @angeleyemedia & our amazing sponsor @glade_uk.

“We had the most fabulous evening & are feeling so lucky – I just cannot wait for you guys to watch the first ep on Sunday.”

The mum shares three-year-old son Abel and daughter Siena, who was born in August, with husband Alex.

The ex islanders are set to star in their own ITV reality show called Olivia and Alex: Parenthood.

The series will offer intimate access to the couple’s real-life journey as they grow their young family from three to four, whilst dealing with the emotional aftermath of losing one of their twins during early pregnancy. 

Love Island 2016 star Alex told heatworld what to expect from the new series.

He said: “Before, being on Love Island, I was the serious one, and that’s really not me.

“Hopefully the new series will change people’s perception.”

He added: “When I’m on my Instagram, I’m quite serious when it comes to all my coaching and stuff and all that kind of jazz.

“I’m actually really immature and just daft. I’m quite a jokey person.”

In March, Olivia opened up to The Sun’s Fabulous magazine about finding out she was expecting twins, but then learning she had sadly lost one of the babies at eight weeks.

She revealed how she had miscarried after suffering from vanishing twin syndrome.

It occurs in the early stages, when one of the babies stops developing and is absorbed by the mother’s body, or the surviving twin.

Olivia and Alex first met on Love Island in 2016, coming second place to Cara De la Hoyde and Nathan Massey.

They married in 2018, and welcomed their baby boy Abel in June 2022.

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If you live in a house that’s prone to damp, the problem can get worse over the colder months, especially if it’s not tackled. 

A dehumidifier can help, but you don’t have to splurge to buy one – Amazon has slashed the set of 12 Nyxi dehumidifiers from £13.49 to £11.46, working out at 89p each.

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Nyxi Dehumidifier Set of 12,
£11.46 (was £13.49)

Condensation on windows might be a common occurrence in the autumn and winter, but it can lead to problems.

Dehumidifiers are a solution that many households turn to for the latter part of the year.

They work by taking moisture from the air, which soaks into the beads and collects as water at the bottom.

Each one can hold up to 500ml, lasting 3-5 weeks depending how much moisture there is, but with 12 replacements, it could end up as an entire year’s supply.

Thanks to the small size, each one can fit in any area, which can prove difficult with a large dehumidifier.

This means you could place them on windowsills to collect condensation, or in wardrobes to ensure clothes don’t get damp or mouldy.

Utility rooms and bathrooms naturally get super damp, so these are also good places to use the dehumidifiers to reduce humidity.

If left alone, damp can progress and cause damage to walls and also lead to mould, which creates an unhealthy living environment.

The affordable Amazon buy has gained thousands of reviews, with shoppers praising how affordable and effective the dehumidifiers are.

One shopper said: ‘’I bought these dehumidifiers as I live in a ground-floor flat, and during the wet weather I cannot hang out my laundry, so I have to hand it on a clothes horse next to the radiators.

‘’As we all know this will cause dampness, so these dehumidifiers are ideal – they suck up all the moisture in the air and store it in the lower section.

‘’After about 3 months I can throw them away, and replace them with new ones, helping me keep my flat free from mould and dampness.’’

Another shopper commented: ‘’I find these to be quite useful for small rooms.

‘’I live in Devon and near the sea which means I have double the amount of humidity than other places.

‘’High electric bill prevented me from using a dehumidifier so this is the next best thing.

‘’They usually last about 6-8 weeks in my house.’’

A third shopper added: ”This product is brilliant for keeping condensation away from windows in the cold months.”

Nyxi Dehumidifier Set of 12,
£11.46 (was £13.49)

If you’re still making up your mind on which dehumidifier to buy – check out our list of the best dehumidifiers to see what we thought of some of the top brands.

We’ve put the best air purifiers to the test too, trying 11 devices that clean, filter and remove odours from your home.

MY DINING table doubles up as my workspace, which means I’m no stranger to a dusting of toast crumbs on my desk.

When I spotted Lakeland’s super-cute countertop vacuum, which costs just £9.99, I was seriously intrigued.

As long as the compact gadget worked well enough, I thought it had potential to be a game-changing cleaning hack.

Mini Countertop Vacuum, £9.99 from Lakeland

On first glance, the Lakeland vacuum is small and sleek. It’s also super easy to use, with a single setting — you press the button to fire it into action, and then you simply move it across any surface to suck up the crumbs.

Technically, that’s something you could do with a normal cordless vacuum cleaner, but, being honest, that feels like too much effort.

Plus, this feels more hygienic, as you can restrict its use to just surfaces and not floors.

Performance

I would usually grab a cloth or a piece of kitchen towel to wipe down the dining table after a meal, but keeping the vacuum nearby presents a much more convenient alternative.

It’s got bristles underneath, which help guide crumbs to underneath the vacuum.

I found the best method was to use it to sweep the crumbs into a corner (while switched off) before turning it on, and then sucking them up.

Mini Countertop Vacuum, £9.99 from Lakeland

Another handy use for the Mini Countertop Vacuum is in the kitchen, when you’re preparing food and creating a mess — I found it particularly useful to have on hand when making toast.

The suction isn’t going to rival a normal vacuum, but it’s easily powerful enough for crumbs, so it definitely does what it claims to — and at £9.99, you’ve got to class that as a win.

I’d recommend it for those quick clean-ups in between proper household cleans.

If you have kids, I can only imagine how much use you’d get out of it — especially since the description says it’ll even suck up glitter!

If you have kids, I can only imagine how much use you’d get out of it — especially since the description says it’ll even suck up glitter!

I might live in an adult-only household, but as a fiend for messy help-yourself meals, I’ve found myself reaching for the countertop vacuum often.

If you work in an office, the device would be useful to keep in a drawer for when you need to do a swift cleanup of your workspace.

It’s not too noisy (although you’re only likely to use it for a few seconds anyway), and it’s also cordless, charging up via a USB cable. 

The small and lightweight design means you could even take it away with you if you’re staying somewhere self-catered.

The only thing it won’t help with is wet spills, so drips and splashes from drinks or sauces will still need to be wiped up.

Mini Countertop Vacuum, £9.99 from LakelandVacuum £9.99

While we’re on the topic of handy household gadgets, I swear by an Amazon clothes steamer that costs £21.99 and helps me avoid ironing.

I also recently tested out one of the most compact cooking devices money can buy, in my Ninja Crispi air fryer review.

It is renowned for its Roman ruins and medieval architecture, and is often described as a ‘mini Rome’ without the bustling crowds

A stunning town famed for its Roman remains and medieval structures resembles a “mini Rome” but without the masses of tourists. Gubbio, a delightful town nestled in Italy’s lush Umbria region, whisks visitors back through the centuries. This ancient settlement is acknowledged as one of Italy’s largest and best-preserved medieval towns.

Tracing its roots back to 1000 AD, it occupies a crucial place in the country’s heritage and boasts historic landmarks alongside a fascinating past. Despite being Umbria’s oldest town, Gubbio remains extraordinarily well-maintained.

Tourists can witness structures that have endured for centuries, perhaps even millennia, scattered throughout the settlement.

Indeed, a Roman theatre stands here, constructed around 20BC, which ranked as the second largest in the Roman Empire under Emperor Augustus’ rule, reports the Express.

The remnants of Gubbio’s Roman Theatre remain visible on the town’s periphery.

Essential sights include the Palazzo dei Consoli and the Duomo di Gubbio, which proves immensely popular amongst visitors who have experienced the area.

Travellers can also discover the collections within the Palazzo dei Consoli, featuring artefacts from Gubbio’s past, archaeological discoveries, and artistic treasures.

Since Gubbio lacks the fame of other destinations in Italy’s central regions, holidaymakers can savour exploring its historic attractions without the typical throngs.

This presents a rare chance given Italy’s enormous popularity amongst globetrotters. The picturesque town is a stone’s throw away from central Italy’s hotspots, nestled just an hour’s drive from Perugia and a mere two hours from the Renaissance city of Florence.

Both cities are well-connected, with direct flights available from numerous UK airports and across Europe.

A travel guru has dubbed it a “historic marvel”. Ed Maughan, Managing Director of GroupAccommodation.com, describes the town as a “historic marvel that is brimming with impressive ancient sites” that leave visitors spellbound amidst its serpentine, cobblestone streets.

Adding to the town’s allure is the eerie “bird cage” cable car, known locally as the Funivia. The journey begins at the Basilica di Sant’Ubaldo on Monte Ingino, immortalised by Dante in his 11th-century works.

The two-seater cable cars are constantly on the go, so you’ll need to be nimble to hop aboard for the ride down to the town.

Labelled as “unique” by many, the town’s enchanting beauty has captivated travellers.

One TripAdvisor review said: “We were staying at a resort nearby and drove to Gubbio for the day. A small town, but very upscale. Apparently, the wealth is held by a few families. One of them makes cement and has factories around the world. Don’t miss the caged ride to the top for a great view.”

Another user expressed: “Being able to orient myself to Gubbio. Beautiful medieval city. Very informative. Train ran continuously over the course of the day.”

This Andalusian village is considered a “mini-Britain”. But while Brits have long lived in harmony with locals in the area, the country’s housing crisis is taking a toll

While crackdowns on properties escalate across Spain, thousands of UK expats continue to call this Andalusian town home.

The Brits that settle in this area have been lauded for their contributions to the local economy but their high purchasing power has been the source of some friction. The small mountain village of Albanchez has been home to couples like Clare Shirley and her husband for over two decades, as reported by The Express. The couple told the publication they had “no problems with integration” when they arrived in the region.

Shirley and her husband are among the more than 92,000 Britons that moved to Andalusia, turning the region into a “mini Britain” which houses more Brits than Bath and Chester. Andalusia in southern Spain has long been a holiday hotspot for Brits, with popular destinations including Seville, Malaga, and the resort haven of the Costa del Sol.

Albanchez sits in the south of the province, between olive groves and gentle hills. The village belongs to the Sierra Magina Natural Park, known for its scenic and diverse landscapes.

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Albanchez is a semi-desert town, a landscape that will look familiar to anyone that’s seen Clint Eastwood’s famous western The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (which was filmed not too far away).

The quiet town is immediately identifiable by its white-washed houses, which stand out in the shade of the surrounding hills. It is also home to a few key architectural landmarks, including the Albanchez de Magina Castle which stands above the town on the first crag in Sierra de los Castillejos Mountains.

The castle was built at the beginning of the 14th century and was declared a site of Cultural Interest in 1985. Another architectural gem is the Torre del Reloj: the 19th-century square tower in the village that was built in 1883. The nearby Canava Pine Wood – comprising Aleppo pines – also adds to the picturesque and tranquil atmosphere that has drawn so many UK citizens to settle in the area.

While Brits like Shirley have enjoyed a relatively peaceful life in Albanchez and been embraced by locals, Andalusians are not immune from the country’s housing crisis. The issue of rising housing costs – due in part to foreigners relocating to Spain – has been a growing sore spot.

‘Total ban’ of property sales to non-Spanish residents

This past April, mass demonstrations overtook 42 cities across Spain as protestors sought to spotlight the housing shortage and soaring rental prices. Following the protests, the Malaga City Council reportedly cancelled plans to build 1,300 tourist homes in the city.

The new Malaga city strategy will reportedly veer away from property sales to non-Spaniards, considering a “total ban” altogether. Malaga City Council has already worked to curb the construction and acquisition of tourist housing after growing animosity from locals in recent years.

But after the most recent protest and the projected plans for a summer of tourist disruption, Malaga’s mayor Francisco de la Torre said “a global moratorium” is under consideration.