phone

Coronation Street phone call scene ‘gives away Cassie’s secret link to Becky’

Coronation Street fans are convinced Cassie Plummer and Becky Swain are linked in some way, and now a scene on the ITV soap featuring a phone call has added fuel to the theory

Fans think there’s a secret link between two Coronation Street characters, and the latest episode may have ‘confirmed’ this.

Cassie Plummer spoke about helping someone with business in Spain, before speaking in Spanish on the phone. With fans already suspecting prior to this that Cassie could be somehow linked to villain Becky Swain, this scene left fans wondering if it was a given now.

After all, Becky returned from the dead months ago and it was revealed for the past four years, she has been hiding out in Spain. She’s now being told she has to return there to stop her cover being blown, with Becky wanting daughter Betsy to go with her, as well as her ex Lisa Swain.

All the sudden talk about Spain, and a scene last week that involved both Cassie and Becky, has sparked a theory that they secretly know each other. So when Cassie spoke in Spanish and revealed all about her link to the country, fans wondered if this was proof that she and Becky know each other, and that Cassie knows all about her dodgy dealings.

READ MORE: Coronation Street fans ‘work out’ Glenda’s new love interest – and he’s a familiar faceREAD MORE: Coronation Street’s Jodie Prenger promises more comedy after criticism over dark scenes

Taking to social media, one fan said: “Cassie speaking Spanish and knowing someone in Spain… helped him with his business… she must know Becky!! The links are starting to link.”

Another fan agreed: “If this isn’t a clue to Cassie knowing or recognising dodgy business in Spain *couch* Becky I don’t know what is. Surely this isn’t coincidence.”

A third fan added: “So Cassie can speak Spanish and helped an ex out with his ‘business’ in Spain. Oh she is so gonna be the one to reveal backhand Becky’s dodgy dealings!”

A final comment read: “So, Cassie’s talking about a Spanish boyfriend, Peter’s name being dropped recently, and Becky’s been living in Alicante. Is this all a coincidence??”

It follows another theory suggesting Cassie might know Becky, and could trigger her downfall. Fans noted her watching as Carla Connor confronted Becky for kissing Lisa Swain, and she seemed very interested.

Viewers may recall Cassie was sleeping rough while she was taking drugs. She’s now in recovery, but could Cassie and Becky have crossed paths when Cassie was on drugs?

One theory is that Becky was her dealer as others wondered if she arrested her. A fan commented: “Cassie looked like she thinks she’s seen Becky somewhere before!”

Another said: “Right it can’t just be me, it’s going to transpire Cassie knows Becky somehow isn’t it? ISN’T IT?!” A third fan wrote: “That was a look of recognition for Cassie surely. Has Becky arrested her in the past?”

A theory suggested: “Oh she’s come across her before in her past… drugs?” as another read: “I reckon she was a mate of that Tia and was in the shadows and witnessed her murder/death.” A further tweet said: “Sold her drugs is more like it.”

The theories kept on coming with one reading: “Has Becky arrested her at some point?” as someone suggested they met in Spain. A final tweet said: “I’m thinking Cassie may have had some dealings with Rebecca in the past.”

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .



Source link

Retro UK village ‘trapped in time’ has amazing chippy and ‘no phone signal’

A village in the UK has been hailed for its “insane” chippy and for providing visitors with an accurate taste of life in the past thanks to its “trapped in time” aesthetic and feel

A village in the north of England has been praised for its “insane” chip shop and its ability to transport visitors back in time with its “trapped in time” atmosphere. The UK is home to a wealth of scenic and historical locations that are well worth a visit.

One such place is Beamish, an open-air museum village located in County Durham, England – north-east of Stanley. It offers 350 acres of rural countryside, as well as being a “living” museum, complete with vintage shops and restaurants, Georgian gardens, historic modes of transport like trams and buses, and much more. This charming and fascinating destination has been designed to give visitors a realistic glimpse into the history of northern England, attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year who come to experience it first-hand.

The official Beamish website states: “Step into the past at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North.

“Beamish is a world famous open air museum which brings the history of North East England to life at its 1820s Pockerley, 1900s Town, 1900s Pit Village, 1940s Farm, 1950s Town and 1950s Spain’s Field Farm exhibit areas.”

It’s a mix of original buildings, replicas, and relocated structures that together create a functional “living museum” that visitors can experience as if it were the real thing.

Food content creator Callum recently embarked on a journey to the village, which look like a seemingly untouched, historic British town.

He made a stop at the renowned Davy’s Fish and Chips, known for its traditional cooking methods.

Content cannot be displayed without consent

In a video tour of the chippy and the town, Callum said in a voiceover: “This is the fish and chip shop trapped in time – one of the last in the world that uses coal to heat the original 1950s fryers, with fish and chips cooked in beef dripping.”

He added: “The sweet shop makes candy by hand, the bakery makes the same cakes as a century ago. There’s no mobile phone reception up here so people actually have to talk to each other.

“A slice of England unchanged. It’s one of the most incredible fish and chips, it’s Davy’s in Beamish.”

In the caption alongside the video, he added: “Insane chippy stuck in history. Absolute scenes. Davys Fish and Chips, Beamish”.

TikTok users were quick to share their thoughts in the comments section. One user enthused: “Beamish museum if you’ve not yet been then go, it’s brilliant, them chips and fish best ever”.

Another reminisced: “We went on a school trip to Beamish when I was about 10. Loved it! I’m 57 now”.

A third said: “Wonder if no mobile reception is a specific tactic. What a world with no mobiles and social media.”

One enthusiastic fan shared: “I’ll just tell ya right now fish in beef dripping from that shop heated by coal is the BEST fried fish you will ever eat in your f***ing life”.

Another declared Beamish’s fish and chips the “best fish and chips [they] have ever had.”

While another user pleaded: “Make the WHOLE of the UK like this”.

A final commenter confessed: “Not me Googling if people live here, in attempt to escape modern society”.

Source link

Why you should never use a USB port to charge your phone in airports, planes and hotel rooms

PLUGS with USB ports feel like a godsend when travelling abroad, as you don’t have to worry with adapters.

But it turns out that they risk doing more harm than good – and could end up costing you a fortune.

Person's hands holding a smartphone while plugging in a charger, with a green battery icon visible on the phone screen.
Travellers have been warned to not use USB ports at airports as it could lead to ‘juice jacking’Credit: Getty

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has warned passengers that using USB ports in airports can potentially make your phone vulnerable to a cyber attack.

In a Facebook post, TSA said: “Hackers can install malware at USB ports (we’ve been told that’s called ‘juice/port jacking’).

“So, when you’re at an airport do not plug your phone directly into a USB port.

“Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there.”

CLASS ACT

From travel times to subtle triggers – flight attendant’s guide for free upgrade


HOLS HACK

My little-known tricks for cheap tickets that top UK attractions DON’T advertise

Juice jacking is essentially a form of cyber attack, where public USB ports are used to steal data from or install malware on a device.

The issue isn’t just limited to airports either, as any sockets with USB ports in a public place could be at risk – on board the plane, at train stations, in hotels and in coffee shops.

Through juice jacking, hackers can gain access to sensitive information such as passwords, emails and financial information.

Malware could also be installed, which allows hackers to track online activities – or even fully take over your device.

Firmware could also be impacted, meaning that the security measures on a device could be rendered useless.

The TSA also warned that travellers should not use public Wi-Fi, especially if planning to make online purchases.

So how do you protect your device?

According to cybersecurity company McAfee, “the most straightforward way to avoid juice jacking is to use your own charging cables, plugs and adapters.

They said: “By plugging into a standard electrical outlet rather than a public USB port, you eliminate the risk of data theft or malware installation through compromised USB ports.”

You could also carry a battery pack with you, but make sure to check your airline’s regulations as some do not allow power banks on board planes.

You can also use a USB data blocker, which is a small adapter that attaches to the end of your wire and blocks any transmission for a USB port.

This then only allows power to go through the cable to your phone.

WHAT IS JUICE JACKING AND WHY IS IT A DANGER?

By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun

So-called “juice jacking” has long been a known risk that applies to any USB port you hook your phone up to.

The humble USB can be used for two things – powering up and transferring data.

And it’s the latter that is a cause for concern.

Cyber fraudsters can pull this off pretty easily, using a modified USB port or cable to infect the port.

Once someone plugs in, they can sneakily pass on a virus to your phone, which is capable of spying and more.

The problem is serious enough that even the FBI has warned people against using public USB ports.

However, there have been no known cases reported of it affecting members of the public.

All examples demonstrated by experts have been in controlled environments.

If you want to err on the side of caution, use a traditional electrical outlet instead.

If you are looking to buy a portable charger, here are eight of the best power banks UK for 2025 that have been tried and tested.

Plus, here’s how to charge your phone if you forget an adaptor on your next holiday.

Close-up of a woman using her smartphone while charging it at a public charging station in an airport.
‘Juice jacking’ is where a USB port is used to steal data from or install malware on a deviceCredit: Getty

Source link

Met Police phone theft lead says London ‘deserves better’

Jessica UreBBC London Investigations

BBC A CCTV image showing a black moped being driven along a pavement by two people wearing all black, snatching a mobile phone from a pedestrian walking along the pavement. One of the people on the moped can be seen holding the phone in their hand moments after snatching it, as the pedestrian recoils.BBC

Phone snatchers often use e-bikes or mopeds to make off at speed

The Metropolitan Police’s newly appointed lead on phone theft says its work in tackling the crime has not been “good enough”.

Just over 1% of phone thefts in London result in a charge or conviction, according to the force’s data, compared with 11% for robberies.

London Assembly member Neil Garratt urged more to be done to tackle the issue of phone theft, which he compared to an “epidemic” in the city.

Appointed two months ago to focus on phone theft at the Met, Cdr Andy Featherstone said the force’s revised strategy, which involves targeting organised crime, was making a difference.

Police officer in uniform sits in front of a window looking off to his right. He is bald with a grey beard

Cdr Andy Featherstone said involvement of the serious crime directorate signalled how “seriously” phone theft was now being taken

Cdr Featherstone said the issue of phone thefts had been an “outlier” for the Met.

“But the bottom line is that isn’t good enough,” he said. “The public deserve better.”

Earlier this month the force made 18 arrests and seized 2,000 handsets in what the Met claimed to be the UK’s largest-ever operation targeting phone thefts.

“We think they are responsible for approximately 40% of all phone thefts in London,” Cdr Featherstone said.

“Our serious crime directorate has been involved in these operations, which they wouldn’t normally be. They would normally be involved in firearms offences, drug importation, et cetera.”

He said the involvement of the directorate signalled how “seriously” phone theft was now being taken, adding: “We’re putting our very best resources and assets pointed at this crime type.”

Christian is standing in front of gym equipment looking off to his right. He looks serious as though he is listening intently to something being said. He is a white man with blue eyes, brown hair and has stubble. He is wearing a light blue tee shirt and a silver necklace

Christian D’ippolito lost tens of thousands of pounds as a result of having his phone stolen

Christian D’ippolito, was in Hackney when he had his phone stolen by a group of four men while it was unlocked.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Mr D’ippolito said. “I could not believe that had just happened.

“You see, never in a million years did I expect this to happen to me,” said Mr D’ippolito, who is founder of the Spartan Project, a charity supporting vulnerable young people.

Police in helmets raiding a property in London

Earlier this month the force made 18 arrests and seized 2,000 handsets in what the Met claimed to be the UK’s largest-ever operation targeting phone thefts

He said his digital wallet, PayPal account and business banking details were compromised and the thieves even tried to take out loans in his name.

“It’s quite incredible, actually, to see how, when given the opportunity, individuals can literally clear you out for everything you have in a very relentless way,” he said.

He lost tens of thousands of pounds as a result.

Mr D’ippolito added: “The general public tends to view phone theft as the loss of a valuable piece of hardware, whereas the criminal mind would take that for granted and view what lies beyond the value of the phone as the real opportunity.”

The Met Police said organised crime groups have pivoted to dealing in stolen phones because of how lucrative it can be.

The force said a phone-snatcher could make up to £400 per stolen phone, with devices fetching up to £4,000 when sold in China, given they are internet-enabled and therefore attractive to those trying to bypass censorship.

According to Met Police figures, 117,211 phones were stolen during 2024, up 25% on the 2019 figure of 91,481.

Neil Garratt, who represents Croydon and Sutton on the London Assembly, has repeatedly called for more action to deal with the rising numbers of mobile phone thefts in the city.

“I challenged the mayor (Sir Sadiq Khan) to show leadership last year, but he refused,” Mr Garratt, a Conservative group member, said.

“So I produced a report showing how to tackle phone theft without breaking the bank.”

That report, published in February, recommended targeting a “small group” of criminals which was “committing the most crime”.

“News that more will be done by the Met is extremely welcome,” Mr Garratt told the BBC. “But I am disappointed that the mayor has yet to take political leadership on this issue and has abdicated responsibility to an overstretched and underfunded police force.

“If Khan had pulled his finger out, how many thousands of phones may have not been stolen since?”

In response, a spokesperson for the Sir Sadiq said: “Nothing is more important to the mayor than keeping Londoners safe and Sadiq is supporting the Met to double down on every level of mobile phone crime, with operations to tackle street robbers as well as the handlers and organised criminal groups driving criminality in our communities.

“Last month the mayor backed the biggest-ever Met campaign to tackle mobile phone crime, successfully disrupting an international major criminal network linked to 40% of all phones stolen in London.

“This work is happening in tandem with record funding from City Hall boosting visible neighbourhood policing and deploying specialist operations in hotspot areas like Westminster and the West End.

“But the police can’t defeat this on their own.

“The mayor has long been clear we need decisive and co-ordinated action to halt the global trade of stolen phones and he will continue to push the mobile phone industry to go much further in preventing stolen phones being used, sold and repurposed, to build a safer London for all.”

More from the London and East Investigations team

Source link

‘Black Phone 2’ review: Dull horror sequel never comes to life

It’s clear from the existence and execution of “Black Phone 2” that Universal and Blumhouse never expected 2021’s “The Black Phone” to be a hit. If there was ever an inkling that the first film might have been more than a quick and dirty ’70s-style riff on a boogeyman tale, there’s no way those in charge would have let their big baddie, the Grabber, be killed off at the end of the movie.

But a hit it was and so, for a sequel, supernatural elements must be spun out and ’80s slasher classics consulted, especially since it’s now four years later, in 1982. Masked serial killer the Grabber, played by Ethan Hawke (we never really see his face, though we do hear his voice), continues to haunt, torment and maim children, despite the inconvenience of death.

Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill co-wrote both films, with Derrickson behind the camera as director. The first was based on a short story by Joe Hill (the son of Stephen King) and is set in 1978 Denver, where plucky Finney Blake (Mason Thames) had to escape the clutches of kidnapper the Grabber while fielding phone calls from the ghosts of his previous victims, offering tips and tricks. What distinguished “The Black Phone” was its shocking approach to violence with its young characters, who all sported entertainingly profane potty mouths. While it was daring in its hard-R riskiness and played on our basest fears, it didn’t reinvent the wheel, or even try to. However, the film’s phone conceit played well enough and young star Thames was outstanding.

In “Black Phone 2,” Finney’s now a high school student, drowning his trauma in weed and schoolyard fights, sometimes the bully himself. He’s protective of his sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), who has the gift of psychic sight, but mostly he just wants to check out from his own brain. The sequel is primarily Gwen’s movie. She starts lucid dreaming and sleepwalking, receiving phone calls from beyond — like from their dead mother when she was a teenager beyond.

The messages bring Gwen, Finney and her crush, Ernesto (Miguel Mora), to a winter retreat for Christian youth, Camp Alpine, now run by Mando (Demián Bichir) and his niece, Mustang (Arianna Rivas). As it turns out, this camp is rife with the ghosts of young dead boys — the phone keeps ringing and it won’t stop until Finney picks it up.

If “The Black Phone” dabbles in crimes that are taboo and is even unforgivable in its depiction of brutality against innocent children, “Black Phone 2” commits its own unforgivable crime of being dreadfully boring. This movie is a snooze, not just because all of the action takes place entirely during Gwen’s dreams.

The film can’t shake its lingering scent of “Stranger Things,” but the filmmakers have also turned for inspiration to another iconic ’80s-set property: The whole movie is a “Nightmare on Elm Street” ripoff, with a disfigured killer stalking his prey through their subconscious. Those sequences are fine, action-packed if not entirely scary, but at least it’s something more rousing than the awake scenes, where the characters stand in one place and make speeches to each other about their trauma and backstories. The entire affair is monotonously one-note and dour, with only a few pops of unintentional humor.

You realize almost immediately what the deal is with these ghost boys, but the film takes its sweet time explaining it all. It’s a fairly simple story, so you do understand why Derrickson gussies it up with grainy dream sequences and shaky 8mm flashbacks, and a pretty terrific electronic score composed by his son, Atticus Derrickson.

It’s also a bit surprising that “Black Phone 2” turns out to be so pious and deeply Christian, which is a bit of an odd mix. For a film about Jesus and the power of prayer, it also features a scene in which a kid’s face gets sliced in half by a windowpane. Then again, horror’s trend toward the faith-based isn’t a surprise when you take a look at the success of the Bible-thumping “Conjuring” franchise.

However, it seems like this might be the Grabber’s last hurrah. You’ll root for the characters to vanquish him only because then the drudgery might finally end. Who knows, maybe it’ll be a hit and they’ll figure out another way to reanimate this utterly uninspiring horror villain. Personally, I’ve had my fill of the Grabber’s grabbing.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

‘Black Phone 2’

Rated: R, for strong violent content, gore, teen drug use and language

Running time: 1 hour, 54 minutes

Playing: In wide release Friday, Oct. 17

Source link

Prince William reveals the ‘strict’ phone rule he has set for his royal kids

Prince William has revealed his strict parenting rules when it comes to his kids – Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte – and mobile phones

Prince William has revealed his stern parenting when it comes to his kids and mobile phones. The future King revealed Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte are banned from owning a device by himself and his wife, Princess Kate.

He made the revelation while speaking with Eugene Levy, shortly after Kate had confirmed the pair try to limit their children’s screen time. And he also admitted they regularly sit down for dinner together no matter how busy his schedule gets, labelling their chats “really important’.

“None of our children have phones, which we’re very strict about,” he confessed before revealing the kids’ other obsessions. “Louis loves the trampoline,” he admitted. “He’s obsessed. And Charlotte loves it too.

READ MORE: Prince William reveals how he and Kate told their children about her cancer battleREAD MORE: Prince William – ‘I’m going to change the monarchy for the better to make my children proud’

“As far as I can tell they just end up jumping up and down, beating each other up, most of the time. Apparently, there is an art to it.”

As well as enjoying the trampoline, William, 43, says daughter Charlotte, 10, takes part in netball and ballet. William claimed both he and Kate think it’s really important to ensure their kids are involved in sports and outdoor activities.

As for 12-year-old George, William says his eldest is a staunch football fan, like himself. He said he is also keen on hockey.

William also opened up on the pain he felt as he watched both his father, King Charles III, and his wife be diagnosed with cancer. The Royal Family were left devastated by the double cancer diagnosis last year. They came just months apart.

Buckingham Palace announced in February 2024 that the King had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer following a prostate exam. Then in March, the Princess of Wales confirmed she too had been diagnosed with cancer following tests that were conducted after major abdominal surgery in January.

Speaking to Eugene for his The Reluctant Traveler series, William described having his father and wife sick at the same time was like “having the rug pulled from underneath you”.

He candidly admitted: “We’ve been very lucky, we hadn’t had many illnesses in the family for a very long time. My grandparents lived until they were in the high 90s.

“So, they were the vision of fitness, and stoicism, and resilience if you like. So we’ve been very lucky as a family.” He then went on to reference his father King Charles ‘ cancer diagnosis and his wife Kate’s diagnosis.

“But I think, when you suddenly realise that the rug if you were, the metaphorical rug can be pulled from under your feet quite quick at any point. You maybe think to yourself ‘It won’t happen to us, we’ll be okay.’

“Because I think everyone has a positive outlook, you’ve got to be positive. But when it does happen to you, then it takes you into some pretty not great places.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.



Source link

Lightning-fast mega mobiles that ‘think with you’ on the way from 15 of the world’s biggest phone brands

A HUGE tech upgrade that allows phones to “think with you in real time” is coming from some of the world’s biggest mobile makers.

The latest kit claims to not only enable highly intelligent AI tools, but also lightning-fast multitasking and better battery.

Illustration of a transparent smartphone showing the internal Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.

2

The tech is used by the likes of Samsung, OnePlus and more on their best phonesCredit: Qualcomm
Illustration of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip embedded in a red and black circuit board.

2

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will enable phones to be even more powerfulCredit: Qualcomm

Snapdragon, the tech brand millions will be familiar with as the front-of-shirt sponsor for Manchester United, has just announced some mega improvements.

The chips – made by US firm Qualcomm – are already among the most powerful around, used in phones by Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi and more.

These are essential for the smooth running of devices and power consumption among other things.

Every year, Qualcomm announces start-of-the-art chip enhancements at a huge Snapdragon Summit event in Hawaii.

We were invited along to see what’s in store and for 2025 bosses revealed the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

Qualcomm says it is the fastest mobile system on-a-chip.

It means users can expect “lightning-fast” multitasking and seamless app switching so you can have loads open at once without causing major sluggish performance.

The upgrade is also good news for gamers, with “incredible performance and power efficiency”.

And in a mobile landscape increasingly filled with AI apps and tools, the new chip can better understand and learn from your habits to provide more useful personalised recommendations – and better still, it’s all handled on the device, so no data is sent off.

Qualcomm claims the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 boosts performance by 20 per cent compared to its last Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.

“With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, you are at the center of your mobile experience,” said Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile handset, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

“It enables personalized AI agents to see what you see, hear what you hear and think with you in real time.

“Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 pushes the boundaries of personal AI, allowing you to experience the future of mobile technology today.”

The new chip is expected to appear on flagship smartphones from a number of huge names, including:

  • Honor
  • iQOO
  • Nubia
  • OnePlus
  • OPPO
  • POCO
  • Realme
  • REDMI
  • RedMagic
  • ROG
  • Samsung
  • Sony
  • Vivo
  • Xiaomi
  • ZTE

Qualcomm teased that new devices will be launched with the chip in the coming days.

Must-know Android tips to boost your phone

Get the most out of your Android smartphone with these little-known hacks:

Source link