BBC Morning Live’s Rav Wilding has warned of WhatsApp username fraud risks because of the new rule and what to avoid

A BBC security expert has highlighted a significant change coming to WhatsApp users, warning that it could pose a considerable risk. WhatsApp is introducing a feature that will allow people to communicate without needing to disclose their phone number, instead exchanging unique usernames.

However, former detective Rav Wilding cautioned that this could leave people vulnerable by sharing keywords linked to their identity, potentially enabling fraudsters to impersonate them. Appearing on BBC Morning Live, he said: “This is about a rollout that’s coming out to users of WhatsApp where you can actually have a username rather than give out your number. So it could be unique to you a bit like an email address but you give that out.

“The problem that I could potentially see with this, though, is that scammers could use a username which is very similar to a business name, for example, perhaps with a few changes, such as an underscore or swapping an I for a number one or something, and they could use that in order to try and defraud people.

“So it’s just a bit of a word of warning when this is rolled out. Treat it like an email address. Like we say on Morning Live all the time, just really make sure it’s genuine before you react to anything you’ve been sent.”

WhatsApp confirmed the feature is being rolled out globally to the platform’s three billion account holders. The company added that users would be able to remove or change their usernames at any time.

Once fully rolled out, WhatsApp users will be able to connect with one another simply by exchanging usernames. Options to block or report unwanted messages will remain in place.

Usernames are capped at 35 characters and restrictions will be minimal, with the exception of certain high-profile officials and celebrities, whose names will not be made available for others to use.

Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s head of product, said she had heard from users that they didn’t always want to share their phone numbers in order to be in contact with others, particularly in group chats.

She added that she hoped the feature would “give users control over how they choose to show up” on the app.

According to Meta, users will receive a notification once their username has been activated. Those wishing to secure a username on WhatsApp can do so through their account or profile settings within the app.

The option to reserve a username will appear once it becomes available, though this cannot be done via WhatsApp Web or Desktop.

Meta has confirmed that creators, small businesses and organisations will have the opportunity to claim the same username they use on Instagram or Facebook, ensuring consistency across platforms.

However, anyone else wishing to align their WhatsApp username with those held on other Meta platforms will need to link it to their existing accounts through Accounts Centre. Carisa Veliz, a professor at Oxford University and author of Privacy is Power, has remarked: “It is a good feature, but even if it does offer more privacy, remember WhatsApp is not a privacy-friendly app overall.

“It collects much metadata about users for marketing purposes.

“We have to remember that WhatsApp is owned by Meta – one of the tech companies with the worst track records when it comes to privacy.”

Pupils watched on as the headteacher of the primary school in the North West was taken off in an ambulance

A headteacher of a North West primary school was rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack during an Ofsted inspection.

Sarah McFarlane, who leads Chapelhill Primary School in Moreton, Wirral, became unwell on Wednesday morning (September 16). The medical emergency happened on the second day of an Ofsted inspection at the school.

Worried pupils watched on as she was taken off in an ambulance. Following the headteacher falling ill, the inspection by the education regulator was suspended, reports the Liverpool Echo.

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The school, which forms part of the Leading Learners Trust, released a statement to parents and children regarding the incident. Trust leaders confirmed that Ms McFarlane was making good progress in hospital.

The message, issued by trust leaders Yvonne Brown and Sam Quigley, said: “We just wanted to write to you all to update you on our brilliant headteacher, Mrs McFarlane, and the Ofsted inspection. As many of you have already heard, Mrs McFarlane was taken ill at the start of the second morning of the inspection.

“She left the school in an ambulance, and is now being treated in a local hospital for a suspected heart attack. We have passed on the significant number of good wishes we have received for Mrs McFarlane. She is receiving lots of care and, from our early understanding, things are looking positive.”

The message said that several pupils witnessed Ms McFarlane departing the premises by ambulance. School leaders stated they had been doing ‘all they can to reassure them throughout the day’. The message went on: “However, we are conscious that there might be questions at home tonight – which is why we wanted to let you as much as we are able at this stage.”

The announcement went on to say: “The Ofsted inspection has also been paused. Whilst it was understandably challenging, the comments from parents and the children were both uplifting and heartening.”

It concluded: “We will keep you updated, and your thoughts and well wishes are hugely appreciated.”

An Ofsted representative commented: “Our thoughts are with Mrs McFarlane and the school community. We wish Mrs McFarlane a speedy recovery.”

They added: “We began an inspection of Chapelhill primary school yesterday. Upon hearing the news this morning, we immediately paused the inspection.”

Participants are challenged to dodge the undead as they race through the dark.

Haigh Woodland Park, near Wigan, will host the “Night of the Undead” on Saturday, October 24, with runners, joggers and walkers invited to take on a spooky 5km course through woodland trails and park drives.

The over-18s event will see participants navigate two and a half laps of mixed terrain while attempting to protect three “lifelines” attached to their belts.

Actors dressed as zombies will be stationed in “infected zones” along the route, trying to snatch the flags as competitors make their way to the finish line.

Those who cross the line with at least one lifeline remaining will earn the title of “Survivor”.

Anyone who loses all three flags will be classed as “Infected”.

Organisers say the event is believed to be Wigan’s first dedicated zombie run and are promising a Halloween experience unlike anything previously held at the park.

All participants will receive manual race timing and an exclusive glow-in-the-dark finisher’s medal.

People who do not wish to take part in the run itself can still join the action by signing up to become part of the “Zombie Horde”.

Haigh Woodland Park, often known as Haigh Country Park, is a popular attraction just a short journey from Bolton and is home to around 250 acres of woodland, parkland and trails.

The event is due to begin at 6pm, with tickets now on sale through the organisers.

Tickets and further information are available online through the event organisers at https://www.nightoftheundead.co.uk/

A post from Haigh Woodland Park said: “Think you have what it takes to survive?

“Take on a thrilling 5km woodland course, dodge the Undead, protect your lifelines and battle your way to the finish line before the zombie apocalypse takes over.”

Stephen Cottrell will visit the Diocese of Sodor and Man from Friday, September 25, to Sunday, September 27, walking around 25 miles with Bishop Patricia Hillas and others as part of Faith in the North’s pilgrimage programme across the Province.

Archbishop Cottrell said: “There is massive interest in pilgrimage at the moment.

“I think it’s because in a fast-moving world in thrall to things shiny and new, many of us are looking for something slower and tested by time.

“Pilgrimage can’t be hurried. It doesn’t happen on a screen.

“It takes the time it takes.”

The pilgrimage will follow routes from the Sound Café to Cregneash, parts of the Triskelion Way and the route from Ramsey to Maughold.

There will be evening prayer on Friday and Saturday, followed by a special service at Cathedral Isle of Man in Peel at 10.30am on Sunday, where Archbishop Cottrell will preach and preside.

A drop-in reflection event will also be held at St Andrew’s URC Church on Saturday.

Concerns regarding safe staffing levels, appropriate training and policies at a mental health unit for children were raised in a report in the months prior to the death of a West Belfast teenager.

The second day of the inquest into the death of Annaleece McAlorum took place on Wednesday, September 16, at Banbridge Courthouse. She passed away on April 8, 2022, and had been receiving treatment at the Beechcroft Unit in South Belfast in the days prior to this.

In the afternoon session, Dr Sarah McGivern, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, gave evidence and said she had worked with Annaleece for a number of years prior to her admission to the unit in March 2022. She said she was aware of the teenager’s history of self-harm, trauma and complex needs, with her saying she also had a “turbulent homelife” and had been living in a children’s home at the time of her admission.

She said Annaleece’s behaviour and moods could be unpredictable with “rapid emotional shifts” with moods that were either elevated or depressed. Dr McGivern said this made care for Annaleece challenging but her behaviour was similar to that of other patients at the unit.

Dr McGivern said Annaleece had been anxious about the prospect of moving from children’s to adult mental health services, along with her future accommodation, as she would have to leave the children’s home when she turned 18. However, she was aware Annaleece was going to be getting news regarding her next steps in the coming days.

The doctor said she was made aware of an incident on April 4 where Annaleece had snatched medication from a nurse, which prompted a search of her room the following day. The hearing heard Annaleece was upset about this but was cooperative with staff.

Dr McGivern had her last formal discussion with Annaleece later that day on April 5, where Annaleece told her that she had batteries hidden but was “calm, pleasant and future orientated”.

The doctor was asked why Annaleece was kept on general observation, where she would be checked by staff every 15 minutes, following the admission about the batteries and the medication incident instead of moving to 1-1 observation. She said that despite these incidents, Annaleece’s wider behaviour did not lead to increased concern as she was engaging with staff and exhibited high-risk behaviour openly in front of them in the past.

The doctor said Annaleece has been deemed a high risk of self-harm or suicide throughout her admission on the ward in risk assessments.

Dr McGivern was also asked about a RQIA report that was released following an inspection in March 2021 which raised significant concerns regarding the Beechcroft Unit. This noted concerns about staffing levels, staff training and knowledge, restraint practices and unit policies.

The doctor told the hearing that at the time of Annaleece’s admission in 2022, she did not have any concerns regarding staff levels or their training.

She was asked if there was anything she would have done differently with regards to Annaleece’s care on April 5 and she said she would not. Dr McGivern was also asked if she believed Annaleece intended to take her own life and she said she could not say what her intention was.

With regards to Annaleece’s observations, Dr McGivern was asked if someone with experience of the mental health unit would be able to know the times they are likely to be checked on every 15 minutes, which would give them a window to harm themselves.

She said this could be the case and it is now policy on the ward to constantly change checking times during general observation.

The hearing continues.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Turton School posted a message on its social media channels just minutes ago warning parents the school was unable to open.

Due to the leak the school had been left without gas as it’s turned off.

It stated:”Turton School is closed to students today. We have had a gas leak and have no gas currently. We expect this to be sorted today and intend to reopen tomorrow.”

Since Covid schools are geared up to work virtually in case of emergencies or snow days.

More information to follow

The mother of 16 children discovered in an Ohio ‘House of Horrors’ looked to be nursing a protruding bump as she appeared in court on shock charges that she sexually abused a child.

Clad in baggy orange prison garb, Elizabeth Siders, 34, seemed to shield her stomach as she entered the court led by her attorney Tommy Stolley, and flanked by sheriff’s officers.

Siders, who has been pregnant for most of the last two decades, appeared downcast as she clutched her belly and used the arm of a chair for balance as she faced Judge Laina Fetherolf in Vinton County Common Pleas Court in Hamden.

Stolley declined to comment when asked if his client was pregnant, saying: ‘I can’t address that at this time.’

He said she married her husband, Gary Jr., 36, aged 15, and that she had given birth to 18 children since then, including a pair of conjoined twins who died at birth.

Her noticeable bump comes months after she was booked into jail, where she told officers she wasn’t pregnant, contrary to online speculation at the time.

The young mom was arraigned on felony sex charges that she and her husband, Gary Jr., sexually abused a child in their care between January and September 2022, according to indictments seen by the Daily Mail.

The child – who is more than a decade younger than them – is alleged to be their niece or nephew, according to the indictment.

Siders, who has been pregnant for most of the last two decades, appeared downcast as she clutched her belly and used the arm of a chair for balance

She pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexual battery and two of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Gary Jr., who remains incarcerated, pleaded not guilty to the sex charges at his arraignment last month and was handed an extra $250,000 onto his jail bond, taking it to $550,000.

Elizabeth remains behind bars on a $500,000 bond, after the judge added a further $250,000 following today’s hearing. 

Both have pleaded not guilty to the separate 19 counts of child endangerment concerning their own children.

Elizabeth is due to undergo a competency evaluation to determine if she can assist in her own defense and stand trial.

Her father-in-law, Gary Siders Sr., 73, was ruled incompetent and unlikely to be restored to competency by a judge. His attorney anticipates the charges will be dropped against him.

Attorneys for Gary Jr. and his mother, Christina Siders, 68, have also sought competency evaluations, the results of which are pending.

On Friday, Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer said that the case that led to the discovery of the 16 children ‘began as an investigation into family child sex abuse.’

The children were found living in a 12-by-12 room inside the home (pictured)

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She pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexual battery and two of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor

Archer specifically thanked ‘diligent Dollar General clerks,’ who were the first to call authorities ‘with concerns over children they observed.’  

Law enforcement had sought the DNA of Gary Jr. in relation to the child sex abuse case, executing search warrants to secure his DNA for genetic testing, Archer explained. 

When authorities served the search warrants for the alleged sex abuse, they discovered the ‘existence and condition’ of the Siders’ decrepit home on the 180 block of Ohmer Street. 

The children were found living in a 12-by-12 room inside the home. 

The alleged child sex abuse involved ‘intrafamily relations’ and did not pose a risk to the general public, according to Archer.

He also noted that the situation was not a case of human trafficking.

An investigation into the squalid home was launched last December when the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Special Victims Unit began looking into allegations of sexual abuse involving two children, which led to two indictments against two South Bloomingville men.

Joshua David Saunders, 23, was indicted on three counts of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition.

Brandon Scott Henderson Sr., 40, was indicted on a total of 21 charges involving endangering children, gross sexual imposition, sexual battery, and endangering children.

Saunders and Henderson Sr. were arrested by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), as well as the Vinton and Ross County Sheriff’s Offices.

Henderson Sr. is the partner of Saunders’ mother, according to the Columbus Dispatch.  

Saunders’ mom is Virginia Siders Saunders, and he is Siders Jr.’s nephew, per the outlet. 

She married Joshua D. Saunders, who is locked up for murder at incarcerated at the Chillicothe Correctional Center, in May 2003.

Gary Siders Sr. (top left), Christine Siders (top right), Elizabeth Siders (bottom left) and Gary Siders Jr. (bottom right)

Joshua David Saunders, 23, and Brandon Scott Henderson Sr., 40, were indicted after the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation began probing into alleged sex abuse involving two children

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Authorities have said the children lived in a home covered with human feces, calling what they discovered inside the property ‘pure evil.’

State Attorney General Andy Wilson said that the children were forced to endure ‘unimaginable conditions’ that were arduous, especially for kids. 

Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain described a small room where investigators believe the kids were kept for about four years.

‘Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children,’ Cain said

A 40-year-old intelligence officer has died in a road collision in Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

Major Paul Wilks was killed in a traffic accident away from the front lines on Saturday 12 September.

Having commissioned from Sandhurst in 2012, he spent his entire military career serving in the Intelligence Corps.

His Commanding Officer described him as a “man of great intellect”, who frequently spoke of his deep love for his wife and two sons.

Major Wilks completed multiple operational tours, including to Afghanistan, receiving two Operational Service Medals.

He was also awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 7 May 2026.

His Commanding Officer said: “It is with profound sadness that we honour the memory of Major Paul Wilks.

“Even in high-pressure environments, Paul maintained a sharp sense of humour and a genuine warmth that connected him to everyone in this unit. He was a man of great intellect, yet he remained a mate to those he served with.

“He spoke often of his love for his wife and two sons, expressing his deep gratitude for the support they provided, which allowed him to serve with such distinction.

“It is because of that foundation that he was able to meet the challenges of his role, and it is in the course of his devotion to duty that he made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Major Wilks represented the finest traditions of UK Defence. It was a privilege to serve alongside him. We will miss him.”

Lieutenant General Matthew Jones, Colonel Commandant Intelligence Corps, described Major Wilks as “one of the most talented intelligence officers of his generation”.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Major Wilks served this country with pride and dedication. His loss will be deeply felt by those around him.

“The tributes paid by those who worked with Paul illustrate his exceptional talent and ability, underscored by genuine warmth, compassion and a desire to support others.

“His loss is a poignant reminder of the enormous sacrifice that our Armed Forces and their families make in the service of our country.

“My thoughts remain with his family, loved ones and colleagues.”

There is a small number of British personnel in Ukraine who provide security to diplomats and support the country’s armed forces.

British paratrooper George Hooley, 28, was killed in Ukraine in December when he watched Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability.

Amanda Seyfried surprised fans this week when she announced her split from husband Thomas Sadoski after nine years of marriage. 

The couple, who share daughter Nina, nine, and son Thomas, five, broke the news in a joint statement that read: ‘We have been separated for a while, and it’s proven to be the right move for us and our family unit. We’ve got each other forever – and it’s GOOD.’

Hammering home that the split was amicable, Amanda then took to Instagram to share a snap of Thomas, 50, posing with a bearded dragon on his shoulder, that she captioned: ‘#reptiledad.’ 

Yet hinting that she’s also been experiencing a period of reflection, Amanda, 40, went on to share a poignant quote about living fully, forgiving others and keeping your heart open.

‘Defend your heart, do whatever it takes to keep it open despite what it has been through. Forgive, not just others, but yourself, as well,’ part of the quote read. ‘Yes yes yes,’ she wrote underneath.

Amanda has no doubt been doing a lot of introspection recently after navigating a turbulent few months in which there have been calls for her to be cancelled. 

Hinting she’s also been experiencing a period of reflection, Amanda shared a poignant quote about living fully, forgiving others and keeping your heart open

While the actress has been busier than ever, throwing herself into several work projects that have been critically acclaimed, her views and comments on the promo tours have landed her in hot water. 

Amanda – who told Vogue at the start of the year that her husband ‘sacrifices a lot for me’ amid her busy career – has starred in four films and a TV series since last year, with two more movies currently in post production. 

Yet last July, the Mean Girls star made headlines for reasons other than her work, when she was accused of making ‘tone deaf’ remarks about disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein.

The actress was joined by Adam Brody for Variety’s Actors On Actors series when the pair discussed their knowledge of the Weinstein ‘rumours’ that plagued Hollywood. 

In a snippet shared to Variety’s Instagram, Amanda claimed she ‘didn’t know the extent’ of Weinstein’s abuses while Adam said he ‘knew he was scary’ but ‘hadn’t heard anything sexual’ until Weinstein was exposed in 2017.

The conversation then took a bizarre turn as Amanda recalled her own past encounter with Weinstein, with both her and Brody smiling and laughing throughout.

She recalled being awestruck by Weinstein, who she described as the ‘big papa of the room’, when he agreed to attend the premiere of her 2013 film Lovelace, saying she shuddered as she remembered ‘giving him the biggest hug’ at the event.

The episode was released on June 9 amid Weinstein’s highly-publicised rape and sexual assault retrial in New York City.

Two days later, Weinstein was found guilty of sexually assaulting his former assistant but not guilty of forcing oral sex on a teenage model. The judge declared a mistrial on a third charge of rape after the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision.

Fans were left outraged by Amanda and Adam ‘laughing’ during the Weinstein discussion, with many calling them out in the comment section of Variety’s post. 

Neither Amanda nor Adam publicly addressed the backlash. 

Just three months later there were calls to cancel Amanda when she described Charlie Kirk as ‘hateful’, days after the MAGA influencer was shot and killed on September 10 at the age of 31, during one of his famous on-campus debates at Utah Valley University.

As well as commenting that he was ‘hateful’ under a social media post about his death, the actress went on to reshare a meme that alluded Kirk’s death had been expected.

The meme read: ‘You can’t invite violence to the dinner table and be shocked when it starts eating.’

Last July, Amanda made headlines for reasons other than her work, when she was accused of making ‘tone deaf’ remarks about disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein (pictured in 2011)

Three months later there were calls to cancel Amanda when she described Charlie Kirk as ‘hateful’, days after the MAGA influencer was shot and killed (Kirk pictured in 2019) 

Social media erupted with fury at her reaction to the crime, and she addressed the blowback in a subsequent statement. 

‘We’re forgetting the nuance of humanity,’ she wrote in a text post on her Instagram. 

‘I can get angry about misogyny and racist rhetoric and ALSO very much agree that Charlie Kirk’s murder was absolutely disturbing and deplorable in every way imaginable. No one should have to experience this level of violence.’

She continued: ‘This country is grieving too many senseless and violent deaths and shootings. Can we agree on that at least?’

In her caption, she added: ‘I don’t want to add fuel to a fire. I just want to be able to give clarity to something so irresponsibly (but understandably) taken out of context. 

‘Spirited discourse- isn’t that what we should be having?’

Despite the backlash she faced, Amanda refused to apologise for the comment and instead hired a bodyguard to accompany her until the furore died down. 

Following her comments, former fans took to X/Twitter to claim they would be boycotting her future work. 

Ironically, Amanda was promoting The Housemaid at the time, which co-starred Sydney Sweeney, who has also caused ire with her political beliefs. 

Yet she continued to throw herself into her work and soon enough the start of 2026 rolled around, and with it, awards season. 

At the Golden Globes in January, Amanda was nominated twice, for her work on the film The Testament Of Ann Lee, and the TV series, Long Bright River. 

Yet she raised eyebrows with her behaviour at the ceremony – where she lost out twice – looking bored as the awards were announced.

The actress then appeared visibly disappointed when she lost the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture to If I Had Legs I’d Kick You star Rose Byrne.

In a viral clip from the evening, the Emmy-winning star was caught grimacing briefly before forcing a smile and clapping.

Amanda’s fans then claimed she behaved in such a manner because she ‘knew she wasn’t about to win’, adding that the actress was ‘robbed’ of the accolades, following the backlash over her political beliefs. 

Amanda raised eyebrows at January’s Golden Globes after cameras caught a series of awkward reactions she made during the night’s major announcements

Tragedy struck in July this year when her beloved dog Finn died at the age of 16. She previously said her ‘pets keep her balanced’ and gave her ‘purpose’ 

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Amid the drama, Amanda confessed that she had been pushed to her limit while trying to juggle motherhood on top of her acting career and running her toy company, Make It Cute.

While explaining the workload she’d taken on lately had been unlike anything she’s handled since becoming a parent, the actress admitted she’s been struggling. 

‘Honestly, right now, it’s really hard,’ Amanda told Us Weekly. ‘This is the most I’ve ever worked with two kids, and I’ve never had two movies [The Housemaid and The Testament of Ann Lee] come out at the same time. And so, I’m a little bit bananas right now.

‘Oh, my God, they couldn’t be more different,’ she said of the two projects. ‘I’m very equally proud of both. I’ll be honest, The Housemaid is … do not read [the book] until you’ve seen the movie because then it will ruin the twists for you.’

As awards season went by without Amanda scooping any major accolades she then retreated to her farm in the upstate New York hamlet of Stone Ridge.

She bought the home with Thomas in 2013 so their children could go to local schools and grow up outside of the spotlight of their famous parents.

Amanda previously told Forbes: ‘Staying here was the best decision for privacy, peace and nature. It offers a more balanced life than the city does.’

The grounds also allowed Amanda, who said her ‘pets keep her balanced’, to rescue animals. 

Amanda said: ‘I think all pets give us purpose. And because they do so much to enrich our lives, we are responsible for theirs – which includes managing their health and wellness.’ 

The most famous of her animals was her Australian shepherd Finn, who would frequently appear in her social media posts. 

Yet tragedy struck in July this year when Finn died at the age of 16. 

Amanda, who adopted the dog while working on the set of the HBO series Big Love, paid tribute on social media, sharing a gallery of snaps captioned: ‘This one’s forever and ever.’ 

Amanda and Thomas have not revealed when they split, merely saying it had been ‘a while’, but they looked smitten during their last public appearance together on January 9 (pictured) 

Now it’s emerged that as well as grieving the loss of her beloved dog, Amanda was also mourning the end of her marriage. 

Amanda has not revealed exactly when she split from Thomas, merely saying it had been ‘a while’, but the couple looked smitten during their last public appearance together at a Golden Globes party on January 9. 

The duo first met in 2015 while starring together in the off-Broadway play The Way We Get By, with Amanda previously sharing that they were both in ‘bad relationships’ when they first met.

But they crossed paths again while filming The Last Word, where they played love interests and just months later, they were dating in real life.

They tied the knot during a private ceremony in California in March 2017, just days before the birth of their daughter.