6 days agoNewsComments Off on Can I add someone on WhatsApp without a phone number?
Huge changes are coming to WhatsApp, which is part of the American multinational company Meta.
In a wave of changes, users will have a whole new way to add friends on the messaging platform in the update and will even be able to receive messages from other platforms, but there’s a big catch.
The app will soon be able to accept messages from other platformsAFPData laws aimed at preventing big companies from stifling competition will transform the digital landscapeReuters
A new way of connecting
One of the new changes is that users will be able to receive messages from other apps, including Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and iMessage.
There will be an option available to toggle this feature off though, if people want to keep things simpler.
Another change is that users will be also able to add friends by using their usernames in a game changing shift.
Previously WhatsApp users have only been able to add friends through their phone numbers.
The only other option available was using the app’s QR code feature.
A big catch
However, the ability to receive messages from other apps will only be available in the European Union because of the EU’s Digital Marketing Act (DMA).
One of the laws contained in the DMA bans “gatekeeper services”, which will force apps to able to accept messages from other platforms.
However, due to differences in UK law, WhatsApp won’t be required to offer this same ability in Britain.
Brits will be able to use the other new function though, which will allow them to add friends through their usernames.
That particular feature is expected to be rolled out “over the coming weeks”.
WhatsApp is owned by Meta, which also owns Instagram, Facebook and ThreadsGetty
A long wait
The cross-platform feature is only in its beta-testing phase which means EU users will have to wait to use this capability.
Cross-platform capabilities have been in development at WhatsApp for two years, but questions are being asked about how the new capabilities will work with WhatsApps encryption software.
WhatsApp has end-to-end encryption which makes it extremely difficult for hackers to interpret conversations between users.
A third party platform may not necessarily have this encryption.
That has raised eyebrows, because some people feel that it might make conversations more vulnerable to hacking.
Dick Brouwer, engineering director at WhatsApp, told Wired: “There’s real tension between offering an easy way to offer this interoperability to third parties whilst at the same time preserving the WhatsApp privacy, security, and integrity bar.”
The EU maintains that the new laws will ensure market fairness and argue that the new laws help create fresh competition.
6 days agoNewsComments Off on Megan Thee Stallion ‘left suicidal and terrified to perform’ after horrific shooting and endless troll attacks online
MEGAN THEE STALLION has revealed she fears playing live since being shot in 2020, saying she has been trolled so badly over it, she worries someone could target her again.
RexMegan Thee Stallion fears playing live since being shot in 2020, as she worries someone could target her again[/caption]
She says on her Prime Videodocumentary In Her Words: “Ever since being shot, I’ve had anxiety about performing. I always think somebody’s going to do something to me.
“So many guys online say, ‘You should have got shot in the head’, ‘He should’ve finished the job’, ‘He should have killed your ass’.
“I can’t separate trolling from real life. Am I safe to perform in front of thousands of people? I don’t know who’s in this crowd.”
Reflecting on her mental health before her shooter was found guilty, she continues: “I had a real breakdown.
“I didn’t feel like my life had any kind of value. I had to call 911 because I couldn’t breathe. I thought I was about to die.
“It was like three days in bed. I just cried every day. I never would have been a suicidal person . . . but I was feeling like that. I was like, I’d rather not live through this than to have to live with this.”
But thankfully she sought help.
Now the Wap rapper, whose mum died in 2019 just as she became famous, adds: “For the first time since my momma was alive, I’m taking care of myself.
“I do feel hopeful for what’s next for me. I’m manifesting happiness.”
ROYAL DATE FOR ’PHONICS
STEREOPHONICS have announced a huge show nextsummer, alongside special guests Jake Bugg and Blossoms.
And When Rivers Meet will headline Planet Rock radio station’s Blues Power Live concert next Thursday.
The British rock duo will play at the event at the Dingwalls in Camden Town, London, alongside Chantel McGregor and Xander & The Peace Pirates.
My friend, Bernard Doherty, host of the broadcaster’s Blues Power show, will host the night, which is a must-do for fans of the genre.
Tickets are on sale now on Planet Rock’s website.
Maya gets the ‘juice flowing
MAYA JAMA is more treat than trick as she leads a host of celebs dressed up for Halloween.
InstagramMyleene Klass posing as Wonder Woman for Halloween[/caption]
InstagramParis Hilton as Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction[/caption]
InstagramPerrie Edwards and son Axel recreate the cover art for Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ ’ Die With A Smile[/caption]
The Love Island presenter sported green hair and a striped suit with matching stockings as she transformed into a sexy version of Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice.
Myleene Klass also vamped up her look as appeared as Wonder Woman, complete with trusty lasso.
Paris Hilton ditched her famous blonde locks for a black do as she dressed up as Uma Thurman‘s Pulp Fiction character Mia Wallace.
Kylie Jenner was seeing stars as she went all out to transform into Barbarella (Queen of the Galaxy).
She brandished a silver space gun and large wig on her Instagram page. But fans were left baffled, as within minutes she deleted the sultry shot.
Kylie Jenner transforms into Barbarella (Queen of the Galaxy)instagram/nicolaannepeltzbeckhamBrooklyn Beckham’s wife Nicola poses as a sexy Playboy Bunny[/caption]
GRANDE, FILM IS WICKED
I WAS doubtful about the upcoming film Wicked but it sounds like Ariana Grande has well and truly pulled it out of the bag – and is now even being tipped to win an Oscar.
AlamyAriana Grande is being tipped to win an Oscar for upcoming film Wicked[/caption]
It is the first major movie from the former child star-turned-singer, but the musical had its initial screening in the US on Wednesday night to rave reviews.
One viewer said it was “well worth the 20-year wait” while another said it is “everything cinema should be”.
Top US film reviewer Scott Menzel wrote: “Wicked is a cinematic spectacle that serves as one of the very best big screen adaptations of a Broadway musical ever.
“Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo completely knock it out of the park as Elphaba and Galinda.
“Wicked is hands down one of the year’s best films.”
There are still three weeks until it arrives in cinemas, but I am raring to watch it now.
ANOTHER DAY FOR E17’S STAY
FORGET Mariah Carey, when I hear East 17’s Stay Another Day, I know Christmas really is just around the corner.
AlamyEast 17 are re-releasing track Stay Another Day on vinyl to mark 30 years since its original release[/caption]
And 30 years after it was released, the band are re-releasing the track on vinyl.
Lead singer Tony Mortimer has teamed up with music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins.
As well as putting the song into the race for Christmas No1, with the vinyl coming out on December 13, Tony will be performing it at Nordoff and Robbins’ carol service in London on December 10, alongside acts including Lemar and Jamie Cullum.
Fans who buy the vinyl will get a previously unreleased live version from East 17’s Letting Off Steam tour in 1995.
Tony told me: “Through this collaboration, I really want to raise awareness of how music can offer hope, expression and healing to people everywhere.”
I’m off to buy a fluffy white coat in homage to Tony and the lads.
6 days agoNewsComments Off on First look at Paultons Park’s new interactive attraction opening at the theme park next year
PAULTONS Park has revealed the official opening date of their new ride next year.
First announced earlier this year, Ghostly Manor will replace the park’s old 4D cinema.
AlamyPaultons Park – known for Peppa Pig World – is opening a new ride next year[/caption]
Paultons ParkWork has already started on the ride[/caption]
The theme park has since confirmed it will open on May 17, 2025.
The ride will be both interactive and family-friendly, so good for younger visitors.
Guests will have to capture ghosts that have “escaped the house of renowned ghost hunter Dr Kinley”.
Ghosts will be caught using “phantom phasers”.
Also coming to Paultons Park is a new viking themed land, set to open in 2026.
Little else is known about it currently, but it will replace the log flume and karting track.
The theme park’s marketing and technology director, Lawrence Mancey, told us: “Brace yourselves! Vikings are set to raid England once again and establish a new world for our guests to explore in 2026.”
And the theme park is also one of the best value in the country when it comes to ticket prices and food costs.
Not only that, but it is good value because of the short queue times, meaning you get a chance to go on lots of rides.
Theme Parks Direct’s Michael Dean told Sun Travel this summer: “Paultons Park in Hampshire’s New Forest is the best theme park in terms of value for money.
“It has entry from £68.75 for a family of five if you book ahead.
“The queues are usually short, which means you can get on many rides in one day, and the food is also a reasonable price too.”
Insights from website queue-times.com found that the average ride queue time at Paultons Park is at least half what it is at other UK parks.
As a mum of a five year old, it’s by far my favourite theme park and the short waits are a massive part of that.
A lot of the time, we’d wait about two minutes to get on a really great attraction – and that was on a weekend too.
The only place in the park where you can expect to wait in line for up to 40 minutes (although that’s rare) is Peppa Pig World.
It’s undoubtedly the big draw of the park and everyone, myself included, heads straight there when they first arrive.
But I’d recommend getting out of there after a couple of rides and checking out the rest of the park where the attractions are just as good and the lines are much, much shorter.
Paultons is still family-owned and aside from queue times, it feels very much like a park that has been built by parents for parents.
One of my favourite little details is that they have a load of those very annoying stationary rides that you find outside supermarkets, which your child will inevitably pester you to spend £3 on – but at Paultons they’re free!
But if you can wait a bit longer, a new theme park is set to open in the UK.
French theme park, Puy du Fou, revealed its interest in building a UK version of the resort last year.
And Universal has revealed plans to open in one of their theme parks in Bedford, the first of its kind for the UK.
Little else is known about it, and it wouldn’t open until the 2030s.
Paultons ParkThe official opening date is May 2025[/caption]
6 days agoNewsComments Off on Heart-stopping moment man desperately clings to MOVING CAR as it barrels down dual carriageway terrifying onlookers
THIS is the shocking moment a man desperately clings on to a moving car as it barrels down a dual carriageway.
Disturbing dashcam footage taken on the A48 into Cardiff revealed a man laying across the windscreen and bonnet of a black vehicle.
WalesOnlineA man was seen desperately clinging onto the windscreen[/caption]
WalesOnlineCops confirmed the driver, a 74-year-old man, was arrested[/caption]
Horrified onlookers told Wales Online they had to “triple take” as the incident unfolded at around 2pm on Wednesday.
CCTV showed the motor crawling through heavy traffic as a man sits on top.
The video clip also shows how the windshield has been smashed.
Cops confirmed the 74-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of assault.
He remains at Cardiff Bay police station while investigations are ongoing.
A South Wales Police spokesman said: “At around 2.45pm yesterday, police in Cardiff were called to an incident on the westbound carriageway of the A48 approaching the University Hospital of Wales following a report of a man holding onto the front of a car as it travelled along the road.
“The 74-year-old male driver of the car was arrested on suspicion of assault and is currently at Cardiff Bay police station.
“The matter remains under investigation.”
This comes as other horrifying moments have been caught on camera.
The black Robinson R44 helicopter span out of control as it approached its garage and tried to land.
Meanwhile, another terrifying encounter on camera showed how a schoolboy was pinned to the ground and savaged by a “pitbull-type” dog as the owner battled to pull the hound off.
Disturbing footage showed how Abdul Waheed Akhtar, 14, desperately fought the muscular canine as it tore into him on Monday.
WalesOnlineHorrified onlookers had to ‘triple take’[/caption]
Madelene Wright wowed with a sexy Halloween costumeInstagram @madelene_wrightShe showed off her angel and devil sidesInstagram @madelene_wrightThe ace delighted fans on social mediaInstagram @madelene_wright
But the blonde bombshell left little to the imagination on Instagram this week.
With tricks and treats aplenty on Thursday evening, Madelene turned up the heat with a sexy costume.
The ace dressed in all-white lingerie to give off the appearance of being an angel.
But she also showed her naughty side as a devil by donning some horns on her head.
Madelene also completed the look with red gloves and shoes.
And she even cradled a skull as she sat on a flowing white blanket.
She captioned the pictures: “Angel fan, devil thoughts…”
Fans were certainly left delighted with Madelene’s spooky surprise.
One said: “Well that’s certainly a treat.”
Another declared: “Beautiful devil.”
One noted: “Absolutely gorgeous.”
Another added: “The queen of England.”
Inside Madelene’s glamorous life as influencer, footballer and OnlyFans star…
Wright lives a glamourous lifestyleShe often wows her fans with raunchy picturesInstagramInstagram @madelene_wrightMadelene has over 300k followers on Instagram[/caption]
Instagram / @madelene_wrightShe recently celebrated her birthday[/caption]
Instagram / @madelene_wrightThe football also has an OnlyFans account[/caption]
Instagram @madelene_wrightShe claimed to have made over £500,000 from the platform[/caption]
Instagram/@madelene_wrightThe footballer has recently signed for Chesham[/caption]
twitter @MaddieMadeleneShe has continued her OnlyFans[/caption]
InstagramShe often dresses in revealing outfits[/caption]
Instagram @Madelene_WrightMadelene used to play for Charlton[/caption]
6 days agoNewsComments Off on I went through the training for celeb stars on World’s Most Dangerous Roads, and it’s harder than it looks on TV
ANOTHER batch of celebrities are heading off to try their hand at tackling the World’s Most Dangerous Roads this weekend.
But not without first getting their comprehensive training to drive the mammoth 4x4s – on a farm site in Surrey.
UKTV/THE SUNI headed down to the training day in Surrey[/caption]
DaveThe celebs on the series get put through the same training[/caption]
UKTV/THE SUNI was put through my paces behind the wheel with the help of an expert[/caption]
Despite jetting off to Montenegro and Zambia for the new series, which airs on Sunday at 8pm on U&DAVE, all the celebrity guests are first sent to the course to learn how to operate the motors.
It’s a two-day car-jargon packed extravaganza that comes with instructions to bring a notepad, a licence, and a pair of wellies.
I headed down for the day – to do a speed-run version of the course – and see how I would fare up against the celebrity newcomers.
Given some of them have never been behind the wheel of a 4×4 before, I felt quietly confident I might just have the edge.
Gareth Jex, who runs the training course in Farnham, told me before getting behind the wheel: “The Land Rovers are very different to the cars that the average person will drive, with all their posh gadgets.
“We get a real range of expertise with the celebs turning up to the course – some of them have only had provisional licences.
“There are some stars who take it very seriously, for example, Jack Dee came along with a notepad, but others – well, we had one who came along and crashed straight into a tree.
“The cars certainly do go through their fair share – it’s safe to say not everyone is a natural behind the wheel.”
Avoiding crashing with a tree, therefore, meant I was already doing better than some of their famous guests.
Driving one of these motoring beasts is definitely harder than it looks, given you first have to forget “everything you know” about driving in the first step to success.
Former test driver Kevin Man warns me from the passenger seat as we hop in, surveying the muddy course ahead: “Just forget everything you know, and let the car do the work.
“You don’t need to put your foot on the break for this course, and let the car go where it wants to go in the grooves of the mud.
“And stop steering into every motion that you feel – aim for where you want to end up, not where you immediately want to be taken.
“Driving off-road is completely different to being on the tarmac.”
Confused? That’s normal, I’m told.
But, the advice works, and I’m soon navigating the mucky dips of ‘Hippo’s Bottom’, and the slippery slopes between the trees.
And despite a minor collision with a tree stump under the wheel, knocking the car into a slippy spin, I’m given a solid score of 8/10.
A second and third trip round the course only solidifies my confidence – bar one stall at the bottom of a mucky hill.
I’m soon whizzing round at speed and, confident in my ability, with a car full of passengers keen to be thrown around like kids at the fair taking a ride on the Waltzers.
Would it be possible in my Fiat500 at home? Highly unlikely, but at least I know what to do if I ever make a very, VERY wrong turn.
The new series of World’s Most Dangerous Roads starts Sunday 3rd November, 8pm on U&Dave. Stream every episode now on U.
UKTV/THE SUNThe course involved muddy dips and hidden tree stumps[/caption]
UKTV/THE SUNThe car was unlike anything I’ve driven before[/caption]
It remains to be seen whether Palace’s other three general partners — chairman Parish and fellow U.S. businessmen Josh Harris and David Blitzer – are prepared to sell their own stakes.
Harris and Blitzer, who are both 18 per cent shareholders, could in theory decide to match Sportsbank’s bid but have no automatic right to.
The ownership has a general partnership structure where different investors run the business together.
Eagle Football Group also own other clubs around the world, including French side Lyon, Brazilian league competitors Botafogo, Belgian club RWD Molenbeek and FC Florida in the U.S.
Textor first announced his plans to sell his stake in Crystal Palace and an interest in buying Everton in May.
But that fell through and The Friedkin Group reached an agreement in principle to buy Farhad Moshiri’s majority 94 per cent stake at Goodison Park.
The 58-year-old digital entrepreneur made his name in virtual reality studios and the streaming platform FuboTV.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
6 days agoNewsComments Off on Scissor Sisters first festival gig after shock reunion ‘worked out’ by fans – and tickets are onsale NOW
SCISSOR Sisters fans have put two and two together to work out that the Feel Like Dancin’ hitmakers will be playing at next year’s Mighty Hoopla festival.
The group, who last released a song in 2012, have been teasing a potential reunion by beaming their logo onto various UK arenas recently, and have now confirmed a new UK and Ireland tour.
FascinationThe Scissor Sisters have just announced a UK and Ireland tour[/caption]
And Scissor Sisters aficionados say they’ve deciphered that the band will be performing at Mighty Hoopla, which runs from May 31- June 1, at Brockwell Park in London.
Mighty Hoopla’s website has almost the entire 2025 line-up confirmed already, minus one space TBA on Saturday night, which many believe will be filled by the native New Yorkers.
One says on X: “That Hoopla TBA is 100% Scissor Sisters”, while another proudly announces: “I’ve cracked the code…Scissor Sisters are Mighty Hoopla TBA…mark my words”.
Tickets are on sale via Mighty Hoopla’s website, priced at £149 per person, for both days.
The Scissor Sisters, made up of vocalists Jake Shears and Ana Matronic, bassist and keyboard player Babydaddy, drummer Randy Real and guitarist Del Marquis were formed in the US in 2000.
Paddy Boom previously played drums for the band up until 2008 but neither he nor Ana Matronic will be returning for the reunion.
They announced a hiatus after the release of 2012 album, Magic Hour, which remains the last album they made.
Jake just confirmed next year’s UK and Ireland tour, which kicks off in May, and coincides with the 20th anniversary of the release of their chart-topping eponymous first album, Scissor Sisters.
The 46-year-old, who has released two solo albums and starred in Cabaret in London’s West End since the band’s split, spoke to BBC News about their success.
At the height of which saw the group pick up five Brit Awards, including three in one year in 2005.
He said: “It feels like yesterday, and then it also feels like a really long time ago.”
The Mighty Hoopla, is one of London’s biggest LGBTQ+ festivals. This year 60,000 people attended the event in Brixton, making it the UK’s biggest pop festival of 2024.
The Scissor Sisters tour starts in Nottingham on May 16 and finishes off in Dublin on May 28.
Interestingly the band currently have no gigs officially scheduled for May 31 or June 1.
InstagramFans are excited that the band will be playing again for the first time since 2012[/caption]
AP:Associated PressThe group in their early days with the now departed Ana Matronic[/caption]
InstagramThe band’s tour schedule- with no gig yet scheduled for May 31 or June 1[/caption]
GettyJake Shears and Ana Matronic had great on stage chemistry[/caption]
6 days agoNewsComments Off on Strictly’s Nadiya is ‘forcing smiles’ – while ex Kai has ‘made himself invisible’ amid backstage feud
Strictly’s Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington are “uncomfortable” in each other’s presence, according to a body language expert.
The Sun revealed that dancers Nadiya, 35, and ex Kai, 29 are avoiding each other behind the scenes following their break-up.
bbcStrictly’s Nadiya and Kai are said to be ‘uncomfortable’ in each other’s presence[/caption]
A body language expert said a ‘frustrated’ Nadiya is ‘forcing smiles’ for the cameraPADoug Seeburg/News Group Newspapers LtdThe pro dancers ended their romance in July after two years together[/caption]
Things are so frosty between the former couple that they are standing on opposite sides of the set during live broadcasts.
There are tell-tale signs that the pair are happy, with Nadiya
Now a body language expert believes that Kai is “making himself invisible” by standing at the back of the clauditorium.
While Nadiya is remaining civil by “forcing a smile” when the cameras are on her, but is finding the process “frustrating”.
Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, Darren Stanton said: “Kai and Nadiya are doing their best to remain professional and civil with each other as they are still colleagues, but we can see from Nadiya’s facial expressions and body language, that she is finding this frustrating and hard to navigate.
“As well as physically distancing herself from Kai, Nadiya’s smiles are slightly forced, which reveals she feels tense.
“She is trying to put on a brave face in an attempt to hide how she’s feeling.”
Darren pointed out that the “levels of awkwardness” are clear to see by them distancing themselves from each other.
He continued: “It’s an awkward situation for both of them. Kai almost made himself invisible by standing at the other side of the room and far at the back.
“He’s almost hiding behind the other dancers, too. It’s telling us that he wants to be out of the way and to remove himself from the situation.
“One of the biggest signs that two people aren’t comfortable in a situation is the distance between them. It’s a massive indicator of how people truly feel about each other.
“The fact they aren’t close together in the same room suggests there is some level of awkwardness.”
The Sun have reached out to a Strictly rep for comment.
Every Saturday night, the pros and celebrities are required to gather in the ‘Clauditorium’ after each Strictly pairing has performed.
But when Claudia Winkleman is interviewing the contestants, Kai and Nadiya purposely stand on opposite sides.
A source told The Sun: “It’s painfully obvious Nadiya and Kai are in the awkward post-break up phase and struggling to be near one another.
“Obviously that’s the risk that comes with dating someone at work, so they’re both trying their best to steer clear of each other.
“When the pair are in the Clauditorium, they’re always on opposite sides. Although they may have big smiles on their faces when the cameras are running, it’s been very tense between them.
“They refuse to be near each other at all on set- but there’s not much room up there with all the professionals.
“They just have to do their best to avoid each other every weekend.”
Strictly insiders insist the exes remain “completely professional and cordial” behind the scenes – despite the bitter break up.
6 days agoNewsComments Off on Diagnostic tampon can detect STIs, UTIs and yeast infections without office visit
Women's health startup Daye is selling a "vaginal microbiome test" in the form of a tampon that users wear and mail back for screening — and it can detect everything from infections to fertility issues.
