Iss Ishq Ka Rabb Rakha 15th February 2025 Written Episode, Written Update on TellyUpdates.com The Episode starts with Ranbir’s entire family gathered at the hospital. Meher breaks down, and both Balveer and Kamla try to console her. Meghla arrives at the hospital, but Meher questions her presence and scolds her. Kamla harshly criticizes Meghla, prompting [...]
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WATCHING my gorgeous husband walk topless around our bedroom I know I’ve hit the jackpot.
While our relationship has often raised eyebrows, I shrug at the haters, firm in the knowledge my sex life and happiness could not be better.
The controversy? The thing that has everyone clutching their pearls? I’m 44 and my man is 22. Outrageous, right?
But it turns out that I’m not alone in cougar-ville.
New research has found that women – in equal numbers to men – are now seeking younger partners.
As a mum-of-six who has dated her fair share of toyboys I’m confident in saying, ladies, you will not regret it.
Yes, people have mistaken me from my man’s mum. Yes, my own mother wasn’t that impressed at the start. And, yes, strangers stare. But, so what? I couldn’t be more loved up.
I’ve been wed three times and I know this time it’s for life.
I married my first husband in 2003, when I was 23. He was my childhood sweetheart, and we’d met when we were both just 15.
We divorced in 2009 when I was 29, and by then was a mum to my three oldest boys, now 22, 20 and 19.
It was only when I started dating again at 30 that I admitted to myself what I’d suspected for ages. I just wasn’t attracted to guys my own age, and definitely not to those who were older.
For years my girlfriends had gone for that kind of man, drawn to their maturity and money.
When they chatted me up though, I just saw boring guys who were already losing their hair, not ‘silver foxes’.
Then in 2010 a guy liked my picture on Facebook. I was 30, he was 24, and I was instantly drawn to his up-for-it attitude and energy.
We had two sons together, now 15 and 14, before marrying in February 2013. We then had a daughter, now 10, in July 2014. But by 2015 we were divorced.
The breakdown of our marriage wasn’t caused by our age gap, and the decade between me and my next boyfriend wasn’t a factor either. But when I was 40, and dating a 22-year-old, the raised eyebrows and comments were endless.
On holiday together in 2020 we were clubbing when a group of lads said kindly, ‘It’s so nice that you’ve come on holiday with your mum.’ I was mortified.
But still, I loved the energy that younger guys had. My sons were always telling me that I didn’t act my age, and to me that was a compliment.
I was 40 but still wanted to have fun, to make the most of every minute and found that it was the younger men who had that zest for life that matched mine.
Hearing he was 20 I felt a wave of panic. He was the same age as my eldest son.
Trish Hughes
Unlike the 50-year-old guy who messaged me on Instagram. When I tried to let him down gently, explaining that his uninvited topless pics didn’t do anything for me, he was furious.
He wrote that I’d never find a younger guy to take on me and my ‘baggage’. I thought, I’ll show him!
Me and the 22-year-old split but when I was back on Tinder in July 2022, I didn’t even set an age range.
When I saw that a gorgeous young guy called Byron had swiped me, I didn’t hesitate. He hadn’t listed his age, but that didn’t matter. He knew mine because I celebrated it, I wasn’t ashamed of being 42. In fact, I’d learned that for lots of young men, it was a huge attraction.
As our messages flew, I felt such a strong connection. He was a dad to a one-year-old daughter, had his own place and worked hard as a plumber, so I knew he was responsible. But he also had such an incredible, youthful vibe. I was just drawn to him.
Three weeks later we had Sunday lunch with his daughter at his house, and he was just as gorgeous in real life. When we said goodbye with a wave, I didn’t know if he liked me, and our second date at a street food festival with both of our daughters ended with a super awkward hug.
Then on our third date, this time on the beach without any children, his phone pinged with a message from his mum. She was asking how our date was going. He’d already told her everything! Seeing Byron’s confidence about me was amazing. That’s when I asked how old he was.
Hearing he was 20 I felt a wave of panic. He was the same age as my eldest son, they even had their birthdays the same week.
For a week I thought it over. Was the age gap just too big? But he was handsome, kind and fun. What did it matter if there were 22 years between us? When I told Byron I wanted us to be together he was thrilled.
My sons were amazing from the start. I didn’t have any nerves about them meeting Byron a few weeks after we got together, even once we’d realized that he’d been at the same college as my eldest. Thankfully they got on brilliantly and there wasn’t any weirdness.
It wasn’t quite so easy with my mum. A month into our relationship, I went on a girls’ holiday and Byron stayed at my house. Mum, who knew nothing about him, found him asleep in my bed. The poor guy woke up to her saying ‘who on earth are you?
She wasn’t happy and couldn’t understand why I kept going for younger men. I think she wanted to protect me from being hurt. Thankfully he won her over and soon she was telling me what a lovely, hardworking guy he was.
I was nervous about meeting his mum in October 2022, especially as we’re the same age. I wanted her to see the real me, to understand that I only wanted good things for her son. I was so relieved to hear from Byron that she liked me.
We’ve laughed when people assumed that I’m his daughter’s grandma.
Trish Hughes
When you’re with a younger guy you don’t have to be ‘sensible’ just because that’s how society expects a 40-something mother to behave. We drew up a bucket list of adventures and immediately started ticking them off.
We ran a 10k race and climbed a mountain, got matching tattoos and partied at festivals and concerts.
There was a beach holiday to Magaluf, clubbing in Ibiza and celebrating our one-year anniversary in Portugal. Sightseeing on scooters I felt so happy. I didn’t think about our ages, we were just two people in love with life and each other.
If strangers had a problem with it, we didn’t care. We’ve laughed when people thought Byron was my son or assumed that I’m his daughter’s grandma.
In fact, most comments were positive. Dancing on Byron’s shoulders and snogging at an N-Dubz concert, a woman commented on how cute we were, how she wished she could be with a younger guy. I told her to go for it and she’d never regret it!
Byron’s energy and enthusiasm are endless, in the bedroom and outside of it, and that gives me such a boost.
As for Byron, when we first got together my son’s friends would come over, shake his hand and say, ‘well played, mate!’ We both thought that was hilarious.
I’ve become an expert in being a cougar!
Trish Hughes
In April 2023 Byron and my son had a joint 21 st birthday party – at a soft play! We sipped cocktails, sped down slides, and played hide and seek in the big pits of brightly coloured balls.
I didn’t care if it seemed weird that I celebrated my boyfriend and my child being the same age. We were having too much fun!
I did have moments when I looked in the mirror and thought, I look old. But Byron constantly told me how beautiful I was. When I worried that younger women could be sliding into his DMs, he looked baffled, saying no one was as sexy as me.
We moved in together in May 2023 and, despite Byron constantly asking me to marry him, I brushed off the idea. I’d been married twice, we didn’t need that to be happy.
Then, in March 2024, we booked a holiday to Las Vegas for that May. The city had been on our holiday bucket list for ages.
A few days later, we were talking about all the amazing things we’d do. That’s when we looked at each other and at the same time said, ‘let’s get married!’
We decided to keep it a secret from everyone. We sneakily bought wedding clothes and chose a chapel, without saying a word to family or friends. It felt a bit naughty not to share the plan, but we just wanted to keep it to ourselves.
On May 26, we jumped in a taxi from our Las Vegas hotel and a few minutes later were walking down the aisle to the Ed Sheeran song For My Hand.
Just fifteen minutes later we were husband and wife. I was 44 and Byron was 22.
We’d decided not to tell anyone at home that we were married until July. That’s when we’d throw an ‘engagement party’ and spill the beans!
It was so hard to keep the secret for two months. We had to hide the rings and kept giggling when we looked at one another and remembered what we’d done.
Finally, at the party we’d arranged, we made the big announcement, and everyone was thrilled for us.
No one batted an eyelid that my new husband was 22 years younger than me. And why on earth should they?
As this new study has just found, both men and women are attracted to younger partners. I’m not surprised at all.
I’ve known for years that women love younger guys, but have just been too embarrassed to admit it.
For decades no one has cared if an older man has a much younger wife, but somehow it was shocking when the roles were reversed.
That taboo is almost gone and like me, celebs including Sienna Miller, Heidi Klum and Priyanka Chopra have no shame in admitting they find toyboys hot.
I tell women not to lie on the dating apps but to put their real age. You’d be amazed how many gorgeous young guys are desperate to hook up with an older woman.
I’ve seen it in my own friends and family. Last year a family member called me wanting advice. I had no idea what she’d ask until she said, ‘So, I’ve met this younger guy…’ I laughed. I’ve become an expert in being a cougar!
My advice is always the same. Just embrace it and have fun. They didn’t stay together for long, but she told me afterwards it was the most fun she’d had in months. Her confidence was sky high.
Then there was the close friend who always dated older guys, saying that she wanted someone to look after her. But in 2020 she started dated a much younger man and they’re still madly in love.
Let’s be honest, not every date with a twenty-something is going to turn into a long-term relationship. But between the great sex and the positive outlook that younger guys have, that can be more than enough.
I’m just lucky enough to have hit the jackpot. A gorgeous, fun-loving, committed man, who was desperate to make me his wife. I couldn’t care less how many candles are on his birthday cake.
Byron Hughes, 22, a plumber, lives with Trish and her six children. He says...
The second we matched on Tinder I dropped my tools in excitement. I couldn’t believe this stunning woman had swiped me back.
I’d never been with an older woman before but as soon as we started talking our connection was amazing. Becoming a dad at 19 made me more mature and Trish was so youthful. It was like we met in the middle.
I know people talk when they see us, but I don’t care, our age difference doesn’t define us.
Trish is the most incredibly, sexy woman I’ve ever met. She’s broadened my horizons and makes me happy. I’m just so lucky to have her in my life.
TEN days ago, I watched Arsenal get knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
During that semi-final second leg, I spotted Eddie Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall screaming at their centre-forward Alexander Isak to sprint back and help his team defend.
It must have happened five times and, on each occasion, Isak smiled at them and carried on jogging.
Howe and Tindall weren’t happy but they know that Isak is a proper goal-scorer and a match-winner.
It seems to me that the man in the opposing dug-out that night, Mikel Arteta, is frightened of signing a genuine No 9 like Isak.
True centre-forwards always have that element of selfishness, of single-mindedness.
They are often mavericks, they can often be disruptive, they usually have minds of their own and they live for scoring goals.
Arsene Wenger almost always had a world-class finisher, from Ian Wright to Nicolas Anelka to Thierry Henry to Robin Van Persie, right up to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in his final season.
But I believe Arteta is so wrapped up in his team ethos that he shies away from signing such players.
Fans paint murals of Arsenal’s set-piece coach when I’m sure they’d much rather be splashing the Dulux in homage to a world-class number nine.
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The policy of not signing a genuine centre forward backfired spectacularly after Kai Havertz suffered a season-ending injury on the club’s mid-season break to Dubai.
I know there was a £60million bid for Ollie Watkins in January but for me that just felt like a PR stunt. Watkins was never going to leave Aston Villa in mid-season.
But it meant Arsenal could tell their fans ‘at least we tried’. It didn’t feel as if the club tried too hard.
When Ivan Toney was available last summer, Arsenal didn’t do the deal because of finances – but it was a false economy.
Victor Osimhen was on the market too but Arteta didn’t go for him.
Back-up striker Eddie Nketiah was sold to Crystal Palace and no replacement was bought.
Arsenal have been transformed and greatly improved during five years under Arteta – but while they have spent big in defence and midfield, they have not invested anywhere near as much in their front line.
The summer was the time to strike. In the January window you are always going to be struggling – especially when other clubs know you are desperate.
Gabriel Jesus, Arteta’s other option at centre-forward, had already been ruled out for the season so the idea of a serious injury to Havertz was always the nightmare scenario.
Fans paint murals of Arsenal’s set-piece coach when I’m sure they’d much rather be splashing the Dulux in homage to a world-class number nine.
Neither Jesus nor Havertz is an out-and-out centre-forward but the German has done a really decent job there.
People are going to realise how effective he is in both boxes – and as an attacking focal point – now that he is on the sidelines.
Without Havertz, Arteta is now into ‘false nine’ territory – with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli also out, his only attacking options are Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and the 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.
Those might be enough to beat Leicester handsomely today but they are not going to allow the perfect 14-match run-in Arsenal will need to have any chance of hunting down Liverpool – which would have to include a win at Anfield.
As an old-school nine, I’m sceptical about the idea of false nines.
The only two clubs who have been consistently successful playing such a system were Barcelona, with Lionel Messi, and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, between Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland.
Those were two of the greatest teams in history.
To play that way, you have to pass teams to death, grind them down. Only the very best are good enough to do that.
ARSENAL were humbled by Newcastle at St James' Park as the Magpies beat them 2-0 to secure a spot in the League Cup final.
The North Londoners knew they needed to take an early advantage if they were to overturn the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates.
But Jacob Murphy was on hand to put the Magpies a goal ahead after Alexander Isak‘s shot rebounded off of the post and out to him.
Shortly after the break, Anthony Gordon doubled the lead to all but confirm a second League Cup final in three years for Eddie Howe.
Here’s how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated the Gunners.
David Raya – 5
Stitched Declan Rice right up for the second goal.
And that absolutely killed this as a contest for his side.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Tried to get forward and support the attack early but soon found himself dropping deeper to avoid being caught on the counter.
Tough night for the Dutchman up against Gordon in front of the red-hot home crowd.
William Saliba – 4
Let frustration get the better of him when he got himself booked for grabbing Anthony Gordon’s shirt.
And the winger almost embarrassed him again at the start of the second period when he caught the defender sleeping, nicked the ball from him, but could only shoot wide.
The usually assured star will be having nightmares of Gordon and Isak.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
Another who struggled to contain Toon’s two pacey attacking threats but did fair slightly better than his usually formidable partner.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
Another assured performance from the full-back in a raucous atmosphere.
Could not be faulted for any of the goals and showed flashes off his potential despite the humbling.
Martin Odegaard – 6
Everything Arsenal did try came through the skipper.
Although he loses a mark as things could have been a very different story if he had finished his first half effort had hit the inside rather than outside of the post.
Thomas Partey – 6
Plenty of running about but very little to show or product for his efforts.
Declan Rice – 6
Looked to take a knock late in the first half and continued to struggle on after the restart.
Was hung out to dry by his goalie for the second goal and he did keep pushing until the very end.
But it was a disappointing night for the England star and his partner Partey as they came up short against Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Struggled to get past big Dan Burn during his brief time on the pitch.
And his night was brought to an abrupt end when he limped off before the break.
Kai Havertz – 4
Outmuscled, outbattled and outthought but Svan Botman and Fabian Schar.
Produced zilch on an evening when he and his team-mates lacked creativity and ideas.
Leandro Trossard – 5
Many will have been fancying him to cause some problems for the 34-year-old Kieran Trippier but the veteran had him in his pocket all night.
Arteta had seen enough by the hour mark and opted to let Raheem Sterling have a go instead.
Subs used
Ethan Nwaneri (37 mins for Martinelli) – 6
Desperately tried to inject some pace and threat into the faltering Arsenal attack but the task proved too much for the young Gunn.
He should have plenty more big occasions to look forward to though in his career.
Mikel Merino (70 mins for Odegaard) – 5
The game was already done and dusted when he entered the fray for battle.
Some nice touches, but like those before him, he couldn’t produce anything for the visitors.
Raheem Sterling (61 mins for Trossard) – 4
Got half an hour to try and get at Trippier but, just like Trossard before him, he was not given an ounce of joy.
Riccardo Calafiori (78 mins for Timber) – 4
Was brought on simply to get some minutes in his legs.
Jorginho (78 mins for Partey) – 4
See above. Little chance to make an impact with the game well and truly over.
In the last two seasons, Arsenal could argue that City were a truly great team, more experienced and more expensive than them.
But when they miss out on the title again, this one is all on Arsenal – and their failure to sign a goalscorer.
Liverpool have only signed one player in the last year and they have overtaken Arteta’s team.
City have fallen off a cliff and Arsenal haven’t been able to capitalise.
I know there was a £60million bid for Ollie Watkins in January but for me that just felt like a PR stunt. Watkins was never going to leave Aston Villa in mid-season.
The Gunners don’t have a single player with ten league goals to his name this season – while Chris Wood, a veteran who has been around the block, has 17 for Nottingham Forest.
The other day, I was talking to a proven Premier League goalscorer, a centre-forward who is likely to be on the move this summer.
I told him that Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and perhaps Tottenham could all be options – because there aren’t many good young centre-forwards around.
This player could easily have done a job for Arsenal for the next few months had they come in for him.
Now Arsenal will be relying even more on set-pieces, meaning opposing teams will be extra determined not to concede corners against them.
Yet without Havertz Arsenal lack one of their prime targets from set-pieces too.
It seems crazy to me that they have allowed themselves to get into this situation.
Maybe it’s arrogance, maybe it’s tactical pigheadedness.
But for me it’s more a case of a manager too afraid to sign a striker with a one-track mind.
WHAT on Earth were Manchester City thinking of with that giant banner and those posters of Rodri with the Ballon d’Or before their Champions League clash with Real Madrid?
Real boycotted the awards ceremony, believing their man Vinicius Junior should have won the prize rather than Rodri.
If that was a bit childish, then City’s response before a match against the 15-time European champions was sillier still.
Why would you want to go out of your way to wind up Vinicius and his team-mates?
City are in no position right now to be taking the p*** out of the greatest club in the world.
I’m sure City’s own players wouldn’t have appreciated it.
The closest thing I can remember from my career was when
Watford’s mascot Harry the Hornet dived to ridicule Wilf Zaha during a match against Crystal Palace.
And I think the bloke inside the big wasp’s costume got sacked for that!
A WOMAN who accused Jay Z and Diddy of raping her after an MTV party has dropped her lawsuit.
Jay Z – real name Shawn Carter – hailed the legal withdrawal as a “victory” after previously blasting the lawsuit as “blackmail”.
The anonymous victim accused the two rappers of raping her at a party following the MTV Video Music Awards in September of 2000.
Documents filed with in New York said the accuser had “volunteraily dismissed” the case “with prejudice” – meaning it cannot be refiled.
It was not immediately clear if the stars had reached a settlement with the woman, who has not been identified.
But 55-year-old billionaire Jay-Z welcomed the closure of the case, which he slammed as “frivolous, fictitious and appalling.”
He said: “This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere. The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims.”
“I would not wish this experience on anyone.
“The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.”
Jay-Z’s attorney, Alex Spiro, emphasised in a separate statement that the case “never should have been brought”.
He said: “By standing up in the face of heinous and false allegations, Jay has done what few can – he pushed back, he never settled, he never paid one red penny, he triumphed and cleared his name.”
The complaint said Combs and Carter — who is married to pop superstar Beyonce — took turns assaulting the plaintiff as another celebrity stood by and watched.
“Many others were present at the after party, but did nothing to stop the assault,” it went on.
“Carter has been with Combs during many such instances described herein. Both perpetrators must face justice.”
Combs, also 55, has separately been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering. Federal prosecutors allege that he sexually abused women and coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties using threats and violence.
He has denied all charges, and his criminal trial is currently slated to begin on May 5.
Diddy also faces a wave of sexual assault lawsuits, many of which were filed by the plaintiffs lawyer, Tony Buzbee, a Texas attorney who says his firm represents over 150 people, both men and women, who allege sexual abuse and exploitation by Combs.
Lawyers for Combs said dismissal of the lawsuit without a settlement confirmed that other lawsuits he is facing are built on falsehoods.
In a statement, his legal team said: “For months, we have seen case after case filed by individuals hiding behind anonymity, pushed forward by an attorney more focused on media headlines than legal merit.
“Just like this claim, the others will fall apart because there is no truth to them.”
Jay-Z and Combs are part of a generation of hip-hop titans who rose to prominence in the 2000s, emerging as wide-ranging entrepreneurs and two of the worlds wealthiest rappers.
Carter is also married to pop sensation Beyonce – and they are one of the biggest power couples in the history of the music industy.
The artists have collaborated over the years, with Jay-Z being featured on Combs debut album, No Way Out and Combs appearing on Jay-Zs sophomore album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.
Diddy launched his Bad Boy Records around the same time Jay-Z launched his Roc-A-Fella record label. The pair pair has been frequently photographed together at events.
Jay-Z has won 25 Grammys while Diddy has collected three trophies.
Sean Combs was hit with a wave of lawsuits in late 2023 and 2024 with allegations of sex trafficking and sexual assault. He has denied all claims against him.
JAMIE CARRAGHER was left in awe as Kaoru Mitoma produced a moment of magic during Brighton’s 3-0 dismantling of Chelsea on Friday night.
Mitoma, 27, opened up the scoring for the Seagulls with a superb goal that saw him pull off a sensational first touch to bring down a long ball and get the better of Trevoh Chalobah.
"A touch from the heavens"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 14, 2025
Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma puts the hosts in front with an OUTRAGEOUS goalpic.twitter.com/Q35NdQcj5R
The goal seemingly came from nothing as goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen lumped the ball up the pitch towards the front line.
It was that lofty clearance-cum-pass that was plucked out of the air like an apple off a tree by Mitoma, opening up the chance to curl an effort past Chelsea keeper Filip Jorgensen.
Mitoma did just that, guiding the ball into the bottom corner and putting the Seagulls in front at the Amex.
Commentator Jamie Carragher was amongst those blown away by the sensational touch and finish.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of the match, he said: “What have we just seen? That was outrageous from Mitoma.”
Adding: “The touch is as good as anything you will see in the Premier League this season. Wow. And the finish isn’t bad either.”
Supporters watching on from home were just as taken aback by the silky move and took to social media to wax lyrical about the goal – with loads comparing it to Dennis Bergkamp‘s stunning flick against Newcastle back in 2002.
One fan wrote: “That Mitoma touch. Sexiest PL moment since Bergkamp.”
https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/860620943936368643
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While another agreed: “That Kaoru Mitoma goal needs to be treated alongside the Van Basten’s and Bergkamp’s of this world, technically you cannot better that! Absolutely unworldly!”
And third posted: “Just saw Mitoma’s goal, even Dennis Bergkamp would be proud of that.”
And a fourth gushed: “Mitoma just painted a masterpiece with his boots.”
Mitoma is well on track to have his best goalscoring return in the Premier League since his debut in 2022, having scored six goals and registered three assists in 25 league appearances this season so far.
The Japanese international has been catching the eye of potential suitors too.
Brighton turned down a stunning bid worth around £75MILLION from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in January.
The Seagulls are flying high in the league after going on to beat Chelsea 3-0 thanks to a double from Yankuba Minteh after Mitoma’s moment to remember.
Fabian Hurzeler‘s side are now just four points off fifth place, and only six points off Chelsea in the top four heading into the remaining Premier League fixtures this weekend.
EVER since the invention of the atomic bomb, we’ve lived with the terrifying spectre of one being dropped on Britain.
And since the invasion of Ukraine Putin has repeatedly threatened to deploy Russia’s nuclear arsenal – but what would happen if he sent a bomb flying to London at 9,000 miles an hour?
Death and destruction on an unfathomable scale are just the flick of a button away.
Should Russian warheads be loaded and fired at the West, a doomsday protocol would be chillingly put into action.
What was once unthinkable, would now suddenly become reality.
While experts say a nuclear attack is still unlikely, the repercussions would be catastrophic.
Here, we reveal what would happen if Putin did push the red button, minute-by-agonising-minute…
From his nuclear bunker deep inside the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin gives the order. He is most likely to strike at night, when our response time will be compromised.
Military officers confirm the command, and within moments, the launch codes are relayed to missile silos and submarines primed for war.
Russia’s doomsday protocol swings into action as nuclear warheads begin their final countdown.
Across the West, intelligence satellites detect the launch, triggering instant alerts among world leaders and military chiefs.
Within minutes, encrypted warnings are transmitted to the UK’s top security officials.
The Prime Minister is woken from sleep and, still in his pyjamas, rushes to the Pindar – a bunker five floors under the Ministry of Defence which will become the heart of what remains of government.
Above ground, the rest of Britain sleeps on.
Across the UK, an emergency government alert flashes on mobile phone screens, waking up millions of Brits in the middle of the night.
“National Emergency. Seek immediate shelter. Nuclear strike imminent,” the warning would read across people’s phones.
As panic spreads like wildfire, those in major cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester barely have time to process the message before hell is unleashed.
In the capital, some know they have no chance of survival and hold each other close, choosing not to wake their sleeping children.
Others panic and hide in bathtubs and under door frames, futile gestures which will be no protection from a nuclear bomb.
Meanwhile, NATO scrambles its forces. A warning is raised across allied nations, with military leaders convening emergency calls to assess the scale of the threat.
The skies above Europe are flooded with surveillance aircraft as NATO’s missile defence systems go on high alert, though their ability to intercept Russia’s arsenal is woefully inadequate – nothing can be done to stop this.
Within minutes of the alert, Russian hypersonic missiles travelling at 9,000 miles an hour hit their targets.
The first strike is London, the Houses of Parliament.
A fireball one kilometre wide erupts over the city, instantly incinerating everything in its path.
Entire neighbourhoods vanish in a flash, and more than a million lives are snuffed out in seconds.
Anyone within the M25 will go blind if they witness the explosion – and it’s worse for those wearing glasses, for whom the flash will be magnified.
Seconds later a pressure wave of air from the bomb will travel miles, bursting eardrums of anyone left alive in the vicinity.
“London has a vast network of underground tunnels, so we could see the government trying to command the country from underground, and the Royals being able to shelter in these tunnels as well,” reveals Professor Anthony Glees, security and intelligence expert from the University of Buckingham.
“But the majority of civilians would have nowhere to go. There are no underground bunkers for the masses, and the infrastructure would collapse instantly.
The destruction is total: buildings are flattened, the government is gone, and London is reduced to ashes.
Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces an unimaginable decision: retaliate or accept annihilation.
The UK’s four nuclear-armed Trident submarines are stationed halfway through their patrol in the North Atlantic.
As the Commander of one submarine receives word of the London strike, the crew scrambles to make contact with Downing Street.
But as much as the UK has reason to fear the immediate devastation, Glees said the country’s key asset lies beneath the waves.
The UK’s Trident-equipped submarines could fire back with devastating force – ensuring Russia wouldn’t escape unscathed.
“The UK’s second-strike capability remains our lifeline, p a second strike,” says Glees.
As the nuclear explosion’s electromagnetic pulse (EMP) renders communication lines useless, mobile phones and radios die.
Emergency calls go unanswered, leaving people in the dark and cut off from help.
Cities are left without power, and transportation is at a standstill.
People in the south outside the immediate blast radius take to the roads in their millions, desperate to escape the imminent fallout.
In countries like Russia, especially during Soviet times, emergency systems like steam trains have been prepared for such an eventuality.
But in the UK, the lack of such backstops means that roads are clogged and electric cars fail to start, adding to the nationwide chaos.
Radioactive debris begins to fall, raining down on London and its surrounding areas.
Buildings, earth, and even vaporised human flesh are carried on the wind, spreading a toxic cloud.
In five minutes the cloud has travelled beyond London, threatening East Anglia with deadly radiation.
Anyone outside would inhale plutonium, leading to an agonising death just hours later.
Survivors would face long-term suffering, from radiation sickness to deadly cancers.
And another 10 minutes later, London’s Underground becomes no safe refuge either.
As survivors huddle in the overcrowded tunnels, chaos reigns and fights break out.
The city has now effectively become a radioactive wasteland.
Around half an hour after exposure to radiation, people outside the capital – now a barren waste land with no survivors above ground – begin vomiting in agony. Death is not far away.
Carried on a north-easterly wind, the cloud of plutonium travels further up the country, soon reaching the midlands.
The government moves to seal the perimeter of London.
What remains of the army is deployed to the edge of the capital with strict orders- ‘shoot-to-kill’. This is to prevent the escape of radioactive survivors, as military personnel wear protective masks.
Iodine tablets are also distributed in unaffected regions, offering protection against radioactive iodine, which can cause thyroid cancer.
However, for those already exposed, the pills are useless.
By 4am, the BBC’s crisis broadcast system in areas such as Worcestershire begin transmission with a simple but chilling message: “Go in. Stay in. Tune in.”
The government’s priority shifts to managing the consequences of the strike, establishing response centres across the UK for radiation cleansing and survivor evacuation.
With the death toll aleady in the millions, the government enacts plans for pop up “Nightingale” Hospitals like those used in Covid to treat the millions of people suffering radiation sickness.
“The physical toll on the population would be catastrophic,” says Glees, “and even if survivors managed to find shelter, they would live with the horrific consequences of radiation exposure for years.”
After hours of failed communication with the Prime Minister, the crew of a Trident submarine initiates the retaliatory strike, as authorised by the “letter of last resort.”
The attack sends a message to Moscow: Russia will not escape unscathed.
The repercussions would ripple worldwide.
NATO members will mobilise quickly, with the UK and France holding the fort in Western Europe with the biggest nuclear arsenal.
Seth Baum, a catastrophic risk expert highlights the complexities of retaliation.
He said: “NATO’s response would have to be carefully calibrated to avoid an all-out nuclear war.
“The policy challenge for NATO becomes, how do you make a response that is appropriate given the horrible attack that was just committed and that punishes Russia appropriately without avoiding an escalation that nobody wants?
“And that’s a tricky thing to do.”
Two weeks later, the UK remains a desolate wasteland.
The death toll surpassed a million, and London’s remnants are buried under layers of radioactive dust.
Survivors in rural areas struggle to find food and clean water, as supplies dwindle and aid is non-existent.
The government, operating from remote bunkers, can do little to restore order.
In the aftermath of this unprecedented attack, the world has irrevocably changed.
Russia’s allies would waste no time in pursuing their own goals.
China would push to seize Taiwan amid the chaos, seeing an opportunity to expand its influence.
Iran would be busy recalculating its strategy and focusing on its internal weakness caused by Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israeli forces.
“Iran has been weakened in recent years by Israeli military successes in Gaza and Lebanon,” Glees says.
“The Ayatollahs’ regime is teetering on the brink, and a nuclear confrontation would only accelerate its demise.”
Meanwhile, North Korea would have the “perfect timing” to take control of turmoil-hit South Korea as impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol was finally arrested.
“Kim Jong-un will see this as an opportunity to move south,” Glees explains.
“With the West distracted, he’ll try to take control of South Korea and its wealth, destabilising the entire region.”
And this would trigger a global arms race, with nations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East scrambling to arm themselves with nuclear capabilities, Baum said.
The world would fall into a new era of military escalation, as weakened Britain desperately tries to rebuild itself.
By Sayan Bose, Foreign News Reporter
IT is believed the world is closer to a full-fledged global war than it ever was since World War Two.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 initially raised questions but ongoing conflicts involving Iran and the Middle East, China and Taiwan, and North Korea have the world holding its breath.
It’s been almost two years since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine and tensions between Russia and the West continue to rise.
Many fear the crisis in Ukraine could still develop into a wider armed conflict, with officials warning that further escalation could see the bloodiest conflict in Europe since WW2 if resulting in nuclear war.
North Korea is also ready to pounce on the West as Putin’s alliance with deranged leader Kim Jong-Un continues to grow.
Putin has already unleashed North Korean rockets in Ukraine, killing hundreds in an unprecedented development.
But Kim has also threatened to start a war of his own after labelling South Korea his “principal enemy” – adding that the nuclear weapons at his disposal are not to be ignored.
This came just days after his sister and prominent ally – Kim Yo-Jong – vowed to unleash an “immediate military strike” on neighbouring South Korea over the “slightest provocation”.
Meanwhile, the Middle East has become a tinderbox ready to be sparked at any minute.
What started as an Israeli retaliation against evil Hamas has now spilt to become a major regional conflict.
Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon have all been dragged into the conflict as have the UK and US.
Across the Asian continent, fears continue to mount over a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Beijing has already threatened to spark “uncontrolled escalation” and all-out warfare over one “misunderstanding”, as President Xi Jinping looks to stamp his authority.
Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party swept to victory in their elections – meaning there will now be at least four more years of limited to zero dialogue with Beijing.
The result has sparked concerns that there might be conflict with China if the DPP refuses to resume tense peace talks.
Chinese officials described the 2024 election as a choice “between war and peace” in a chilling warning shot to Taiwanese voters.
The nation is feared to be a major flashpoint between the US and Beijing – with a potential invasion forcing the US to abandon the island or face a full-scale war with China, which could have devastating consequences.
Amid the backdrop of China’s imperialistic behaviour in the South China Sea, Xi may also leverage India’s territorial disputes with Pakistan to strong-arm New Delhi.
And China may use the opportunity to try and capture Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin – a region that the communist regime wrongly claims to be its own – from India.
What would happen if World War 3 started?
With the advancement of technology and modern weaponry, World War 3 could be the deadliest of all wars ever fought in the history of mankind.
We could see unparalleled levels of suffering, the displacement of millions, severe food insecurity, and disruption to essential services.
It is predicted that in the event of a nuclear war between the US and Russia, an estimated 99 per cent of the population in the belligerent countries, as well as Europe and China, would die.
Other attacks across the globe could result in catastrophic events – upending the structure of society completely.
DEAR DEIDRE: MY unusual fetish for women with their arms in slings has become so obsessive, I’ve started wearing one myself.
My wife has no idea I get a sexual kick out of it — she thinks I’ve injured my arm.
If she found out, I know my marriage would be over.
I’m 52 and my wife is 50. We have two grown-up children.
I’ve had a sexual fascination for women wearing slings since I was a child.
I’ve never come across anyone with the same fetish, which makes me feel so perverted and alone.
I think it started when my babysitter — who I had a crush on — broke her arm.
One evening, she let me try on her sling.
A few years later, I started fashioning my own slings and wearing them when I was alone. I would even pleasure myself while wearing one.
Since then, I have found myself attracted to any woman I see with her arm in plaster and/or a sling.
I know it’s strange, and I can’t explain it. I don’t enjoy seeing women who have been hurt or are in pain — it’s purely the sling that does it for me.
When an ex-girlfriend broke her arm, my libido went through the roof.
She couldn’t work out why all of a sudden I was unable to keep my hands off her and, of course, I didn’t tell her.
We broke up soon after her arm healed up.
I once visited a prostitute and asked her to wear a sling. I could tell she thought I was a total weirdo.
Recently, I’ve taken to wearing one myself when I’m on my own. But my wife caught me and I had to make up a story about hurting my arm in the garage when I fixed the car.
She believed me — why wouldn’t she? But part of me longs to be honest with her.
I don’t know how to deal with this. Please help.
READ MORE FROM DEAR DEIDRE
DEIDRE SAYS: People have all kinds of weird and wonderful fetishes.
While yours may be uncommon, it doesn’t make you a pervert.
As you say, it’s likely this stems from your childhood experience.
Perhaps your sexual awakening occurred simultaneously, forever linking sexual arousal with slings in your mind.
You aren’t harming anybody. But this is negatively affecting your life, so it is good you’ve asked for help.
My support pack, Fetish Worries, should explain more and tell you where to go for help.
It may benefit you to have some psycho-sexual counselling.
Think about talking to your wife. She may be more understanding than you think, and it will be a weight off your mind.
Every problem gets a personal reply, usually within 24 hours weekdays.
Send an email to [email protected]
You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page.
DEAR DEIDRE: I’VE been played for a fool by my narcissistic ex, but now I’m worried about him and don’t feel I can abandon him.
Unusually, he hasn’t been in touch for months and I’m scared something has happened to him. Then again, it could just be one of his mind games.
I’m a woman of 31 and he’s 34.
We had an on-off relationship for several years. He was a textbook narcissist – often charming, but controlling with no empathy, arrogant and sometimes cruel.
He was a gaslighter who messed me around, making me feel I needed him.
And he would never introduce me to friends or family. I felt like his dirty little secret – not good enough for a proper relationship.
After I finally managed to walk away, he’d message from time to time, but I was strong and resisted getting back with him.
But then he contacted me to tell me he had a serious health problem.
He told me how much he missed me and hinted that he wanted to get serious.
I think he just wanted someone to look after him. And when he realised I wasn’t going to jump back into his arms, he ghosted me.
But now I haven’t heard from him in six months, and I’m starting to worry he may be really sick or worse.
Should I contact him? Or is he just playing another game to control me?
DEIDRE SAYS: You have no obligation to look after this man, have a relationship with him or even be in contact. Please don’t feel guilty.
Even if he is genuinely ill now – and he may not be – he has spent years manipulating you and taking advantage of your kind nature.
Narcissists don’t change, even ill ones.
You deserve so much better.
Please don’t allow yourself to get sucked back in.
My support packs, Abusive Partners and Addictive Relationships, have lots of information about this type of relationship, which you may find helpful.
DEAR DEIDRE: AS a child, my mum always put me down and compared me unfavourably to my sisters, telling me they were prettier and more intelligent.
I would always get into trouble with my dad, because she would blame me for their bad behaviour.
I’m now 45, and my relationship with her is very complicated.
She only calls when she needs something and is never there for me.
I decided I needed to put my own mental health first – but I felt guilty.
You told me my mother sounded needy, and reassured me I had no reason to feel guilty.
You advised me to talk to a counsellor, suggested I read your support pack on counselling, and recommended standalone.org.uk, for people estranged from family members.
And you even wrote back to check to see how I was doing.
I decided to set boundaries, as you had suggested, messaging Mum once a week and not letting her mess me around.
Taking a stand and keeping contact to a bare minimum worked. She is now treating me differently – like an equal for the first time.
Thank you so much for all your advice and for giving me hope.
DEIDRE SAYS: I am glad you have realised you’re a strong, capable woman and that things are so much more positive. I’m always here.
DEAR DEIDRE: MY boyfriend stopped talking to me because I went out with my best mate instead of him.
Now I’ve dumped him, but I feel guilty and keep wondering if I’ve done the right thing.
We’re both 19 and have been together a year. He wants to see me all the time – he doesn’t like me seeing friends alone sometimes, but says it’s because he loves me so much.
But it was my best mate’s birthday and I wanted to spend time with her.
His response was to sulk and block me. It made me so mad I broke up with him.
Have I made a big mistake?
DEIDRE SAYS: Your boyfriend sounds very immature, insecure and possessive, and you have nothing to feel guilty about.
A partnership shouldn’t be all-consuming – it’s not healthy for anyone. You’d be better off with someone who doesn’t want to control you.
See my support pack, How To Deal With Jealousy.
DEAR DEIDRE: I’M so sick of being single, but the only type of woman I’ll go for is beautiful, tall, curvy and red-headed.
No other women seem attractive to me, so I don’t see the point of dating them.
I’m a man of 48, and have been divorced for ten years.
My ex-wife fitted my criteria – but cheated on me. Since then I’ve been on dating sites and lots of first dates, but if the women don’t look right, I don’t take it any further.
It’s amazing how many women look nothing like their pictures or are much older than they claim.
I’ve always fantasised about redheads and only watch porn featuring them. Other women just don’t do it for me.
My friends keep trying to set me up with their single female friends.
Some are objectively attractive, but I know they’re not for me.
Where can I find the scarlet woman of my dreams?
DEIDRE SAYS: By lusting after this “ideal” of womanhood, you are missing out on a chance to find a loving relationship with someone wonderful.
Most people have a type – features they find particularly appealing. But it sounds like you are fetishising redheads.
I wonder if you had a formative sexual experience involving a red-head, which is why you have become so fixated on them. Talking to a sex therapist could help.
If you really want to meet someone, you need to be more open-minded and focus on personality, not just looks.
Read my support pack, Finding The Love Of Your Life, which will help you see what you need to do.
NETFLIX is set to hike bills by £24 a year, but millions of customers could avoid the fee increase with four little-known tricks.
Was revealed last week that the streaming service had quietly increased the price of its UK subscription plans by up to £2 per month.
The most expensive premium plan will now cost users £18.99, an extra £1 a month.
And the cheapest ad-supported tier has seen its first price hike too, also going up by £1 from £4.99 to £5.99.
Meanwhile, the standard plan will increase in price by £2 from £10.99 to £12.99.
Those who have added extra accounts outside their households will see bills increase by a further £1 with the price for additional users on the premium plan or the ad-free standard plan, rising from £4.99 to £5.99.
An extra account on the standard plan with adverts will also see the price rise from £3.99 to £4.99.
However there are ways you can avoid the price hike and Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert has revealed these top tips.
Firstly, if you’re on a standard or premium plan you can consider downgrading.
The ad-supported plan is significantly cheaper than others, so if you don’t mind the odd commercial break it’s worth considering.
And, by changing, you could end up paying less than you did before the price change came in.
If downgrading doesn’t appeal, you could look at sharing an account with a friend or family member living in the same household.
Netflix’s standard plans allows two users to watch on separate screens at the same time, while the premium plan allows you to watch on four devices at the same time.
If you were to split the cost of the premium plan between four you’d be paying £4.75 a month each, less than even the cheapest, ad-supported tier.
If you don’t have others to share with in your household you can ask a friend or family member to add you as an extra member.
This allows you to share an account even if you don’t live in the same house.
Under the new prices it costs £5.99 to add an extra person to an ad-free plan.
If a person was added to the standard plan the total cost would be £18.98 a month – or £9.49 if the price was split between two.
If none of these solutions work for you, then you can always consider ending your subscription.
You can cancel a Netflix subscription at anytime without being penalised.
So, if you’re not desperate to watch Netflix-only programming you could consider one of the cheaper streaming services.
For example Disney + Standard with ads is £4.99 a month, Amazon Prime with ads is £5.99 and Apple+ TV is £8.99 a month.
Remember, you can also use free trials to access services without paying – but remember to cancel before the trial period ends.
Netflix last overhauled prices in the UK in December 2023.
Experts had warned that a price surge was imminent in the UK after new higher fees were announced in the US, Canada, Argentina and Portugal.
Many users were angry to find out about the increase and some threatened to cancel their subscriptions.
“Blimey, another price hike? They must think we’ve all got money trees in the garden!” one person wrote on X.
“That’s my @NetflixUK cancelled…” another commented.
“I dumped Netflix,” a third viewer added.
HERE'S how to save money on your broadband and TV bills:
Audit your subscriptions
If you’ve got multiple subscriptions to various on-demand services, such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Sky consider whether you need them all.
Could you even just get by with Freeview, which couldn’t cost you anything extra each month for TV.
Also make sure you’re not paying for Netflix twice via Sky and directly.
Haggle for a discount
If you want to stay with your provider, check prices elsewhere to set a benchmark and then call its customer services and threaten to leave unless it price matches or lowers your bill.
Switch and save
If you don’t want to stay with your current provider check if you can cancel your contract penalty free and switch to a cheaper provider.
A comparison site, such as BroadbandChoices or Uswitch, will help you find the best deal for free.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
SOME girls dream of being influencers, others of being vets, or lawyers.
At the age of 14, Nequela Whittaker wanted to be the biggest drug dealer in South London.
The ambition led to being targeted and recruited by a drug gang which then used her as a mule to traffic narcotics across the UK.
“I thought that if I was going to be bad, I might as well be good at being bad,” Nequela, 35, tells Fabulous.
Eventually, she was caught and jailed.
Today she has turned her life around and now helps other young people who are groomed and trafficked by gangs in what are known as ‘county lines’ dealing operations.
Eloquent, open and smart, she is a perfect example of how people can turn their lives around if they’re given the right opportunities.
Nequela had a tough start in life.
She grew up on an estate in Brixton and although as youngster she enjoyed football, dance, performing arts, athletics and even played the violin, she fell in with a bad crowd when she was a teenager, started her own gang and was lured by the easy money of drug dealing.
“We started a criminal enterprise,” she admits. “I wanted nicer things and more expensive stuff, so I started to sell crack and heroin to users I befriended on the estate where I lived.
“It expanded to where I was recruited by a drug gang at the age of 16 and started transporting drugs up and down the country in a typical county lines operation.”
The phrase ‘county lines’ describes the business model organised crime gangs (OCGs) use to transport and sell drugs outside their territory.
The ‘county line’ is the name given to the mobile phone line used to take orders for drugs.
In county lines operations, children as young as 12 are coerced and manipulated to work in these distribution networks.
Teenagers are commonly enticed with expensive phones or trainers or given drugs until they are indebted to the gang, which then often uses violence and fear to control them.
Teenage girls and young women are increasingly targeted for recruitment into county lines operations because they attract less attention from police.
The gangs use devious and manipulative methods to befriend victims.
Some offer girls beauty treatments such as Botox, false lashes, nails and lip filler as a way to groom them and gain their trust.
St Giles Trust is a charity which helps vulnerable young people.
Last year, its SOS project supported 382 young people to leave or reduce their involvement in county lines and other exploitative activities.
Project founder Junior Smart OBE warns that girls and young women often fall off the radar of official bodies because resources are mainly focused on boys.
He explains: “Young women are often targeted because they are perceived as a lower risk, being seen as less likely to attract attention from the police or other authorities.
“Criminals exploit vulnerabilities such as poverty, trauma, or isolation, knowing these individuals may be more susceptible to manipulation.
“Girls and young women are increasingly at risk of criminal exploitation.”
Indeed, girls and young women accounted for nearly a third of the new child criminal exploitation cases seen by St Giles last year.
Some signs to look out for include:
And although it’s often assumed that girls are groomed by men, Nequela’s introduction to county lines came through a female friend’s sister.
“I was homeless at the time, moving from place to place and having a tough time and she was someone I looked up to,” she explains.
Once recruited the gang sent her all over the UK with consignments of cannabis, heroin, cocaine and ecstasy.
She travelled to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham and made between £43,000 and £63,000 during her teenage years.
She became a trusted member of the gang and was never scared of being targeted by rival gangs.
“I had a very big ego. I didn’t walk with fear,” she says.
But eventually in 2007 when she was 17, she was caught.
“I was on my way to Aberdeen to do a job and I got caught at the train station. I was arrested and put in the cells for five days.
“Then I got bail and came back to London where I went on the run. I knew I was facing a jail sentence but at that age I couldn’t face prison mentally,” she says.
“I went under the radar and got my mind right before it was time for me to go.”
Nequela managed to evade arrest for a year before she was finally caught and arrested in London and then taken back to Scotland to stand trial.
In October 2008 she pled guilty to intent to supply crack, heroin and class B drugs and was given a four-year sentence, of which she served just under a year.
She admits that prison did nothing to rehabilitate her.
“I came out in 2009 and I tried to get work, but I was struggling to find a good job. It felt like going one step forward and ten steps back.
“I needed money so I went back to dealing, but that life was leading me to risky situations,” she explains.
One day, Nequela was with a friend in a drug den in London selling drugs when two men locked them both in a room and started to beat her male friend.
Nequela managed to call a cousin who was part of a respected street gang in the 1980s and he rushed over and used his influence to get her out.
“It was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced,” she shivers. “That was the day I turned my whole life around.
“It was too close; it could have ended very differently. I needed to go all in and get myself a job and navigate the right pathway.”
But as many young people trying to break from drug gangs discover, it was not easy going straight.
Nequela had to cut herself off from most of the people she knew.
“You have to get rid of all the friends who are involved in that lifestyle. You’ve got to be mindful of the people that you’re meeting and any partners who may be involved in that kind of life,” she explains.
“Not everybody has the tenacity to keep going. It is hard to find a job and be accepted because there is so much stigma against people who have been involved in that life.”
It is believed that at least 27,000 children are county lines gang members, according to a statement made in Parliament in 2023.
And a staggering 120,000 children are also estimated to experience other risks associated with child criminal exploitation, such as emotional and physical harm and sexual violence.
There are reports that some gangs even brand the children they exploit.
The Home Office established a County Lines programme in 2019 and since then more than 5,000 drug lines have closed and, as of March 2023, more than 8,817 individuals had been referred by police to safeguarding.
Nequela now helps young people at risk of being lured in by these drug gangs.
She signed up to the Youth Leadership Apprentice Programme and in 2013 went to Goldsmiths University to study a degree in applied social science, community development and youth work.
She now runs her own business called Committed Empowered Original and has also written a memoir about her experiences, Street Girl, which has been turned into a theatre production.
She’s noticed that the gangs are evolving, and that social media is now increasingly used as a recruitment tool.
“I’ve seen how easy it is for young people to be lured in,” she warns. “There are group chats where somebody anonymously offers the opportunity to make money, and kids jump at the chance.
Simon Harding, Professor of Criminology at the University of West London explains...
1. The evolution of street gangs
According to his research, the most significant change is in the average age of gang members. Previously, members older than 21/22 would leave the gang. Now, gang members are staying on and attracting younger members – the groups are getting increasingly crowded. This also means there is more and more competition for those who want to get to the top.
2. County lines and the drug market
County Lines are drug distribution and supply networks that run from large cities to provincial towns, smaller cities and seaside resorts. The National Crime Agency reports 800 lines running from London and approximately 2500 county lines running nationally.
Behind the operations of these county lines, urban street gangs are engaging in criminal exploitation. Through the grooming and recruiting of young people, groups employ children and youths to operate for them in localised areas.
3) The impact of social media
In Simon’s opinion, the influence of social media is pervasive and exacerbates the severity of the situation.
“Social media acts as what I would call ‘an accelerant’ and pours petrol on the flames” of drugs and country lines, he says.
4) The ‘Landscape of Fear’
A mixture of all these elements can lead to a ‘landscape of fear’ for young people who live in deprived communities. Even if they are not in a gang it can lead to young people feeling that they need self-protection and thus the need for a knife.
Information taken from Government Events.
“We may not see the recruiters on the street, at the chicken shop or in the parks anymore, but they’re on the phones of these young people.”
For parents worried that their children are being targeted, there are signs to look out for.
These include changes in a child’s behaviour, the appearance of unexplained money or possessions beyond the child’s means, increased secrecy, changes in friend groups and routines, truancy and the use of multiple phones or SIM cards.
“Early intervention is key, so parents should maintain open communication with their children and seek professional support if concerned,” advises Junior.
“Breaking free from county lines is challenging but possible with the right support. We advise reaching out for help from trusted organisations like St Giles.”
And as Nequela proves, there is life beyond the gangs.
AMAZON’S Alexa devices are dotted around millions of homes worldwide.
But many folks could be keeping their Amazon Echo and Dot gadgets in risky positions.
Experts say you should keep your Amazon Echo speakers away from all the windows in your house.
It can give crooks easy access to the speaker and all its connected devices.
For example, if your car is connected to your smart speaker, someone may be able to unlock and start it, CNET reported.
An attacker may also be able to transfer money from your bank account to theirs via the Alexa PayPal skill – if they manage to guess your four-digit pin correctly, according to The Times.
Storing your Alexa under the TV is also a no-go, if you want to limit how often the gadget tunes into your conversations.
If the device hears “Alexa” – or even just similar sounding names and commands – it can be activated unnecessarily.
Not only could this interrupt the film you’re watching, but it also starts recording what’s said directly after the command.
So, if you’re having a private conversation in that moment, your privacy might be at risk.
Therefore, putting it on a side table or bookshelf makes more sense.
As with any tech gadget, your Alexa shouldn’t be exposed to heat sources, according to Amazon.
That includes space heaters, heater vents, radiators, open fires or stoves.
At best, heat will slow the gadget down. And at worst, could potentially cause a fire or damage to your Echo.
All Alexa gadgets should be kept out of private spaces, like the bedroom and bathroom, experts have cautioned.
Amazon says that Alexa will only record speech after the wake word, “Alexa,” is said.
Unless the device is triggered accidentally.
Amazon says a small number of conversations are reviewed by staff, for the purposes of improving the device’s understanding of human speech.
But you still might not want your bedroom talk to be included in these reviews.
Instead, it’s best to leave your Alexa in spaces where you’d be more likely to host guests, such as the living room or kitchen.
Dr Hannah Fry, a mathematician and expert on tech company algorithms at University College London, said: “I think there are some spaces in your home, like the bedroom and bathroom, which should remain completely private.
“This technology is activated by a trigger word but it keeps recording for a short period afterwards.
“People accept that, but we should all spend more time thinking about what it means for us.”
If you've never heard of Alexa, here's what you need to know...
