London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."

British actor Callum Turner and pop superstar Dua Lipa have captured public attention with their whirlwind romance that began in January 2024 and culminated in an engagement confirmed in June. The couple's relationship timeline includes key public milestones, from being spotted together after the 'Masters of the Air' premiere in London to making their red carpet debut at the 2025 Met Gala. Their journey from initial meeting to engagement has unfolded over approximately 18 months, with both stars navigating demanding careers while building their personal connection.

The couple's first encounter reads like something from a romantic screenplay. Turner, 35, revealed to The Times that they finally met at a mutual friend's birthday party in Los Angeles after experiencing several 'near-misses' where their paths almost crossed but didn't. The most remarkable aspect of their initial meeting occurred when they sat next to each other and discovered they were both reading the same book, Hernán Díaz's 'Trust,' and had both just finished the first chapter. Turner described the moment as cinematic, noting that they realized they were 'on the same page' both literally and figuratively.

Maintaining a relationship between two high-profile careers requires strategic effort, and Turner has shared insights into how they manage the challenges of long-distance dating. The actor emphasized the importance of making time for each other regardless of busy schedules, stating their motto is 'it's never not worth it.' He recounted a recent instance where he flew to Boston for just two days to see Lipa between her tour commitments and his filming schedule, despite feeling exhausted. The couple relies heavily on FaceTime to stay connected and prioritizes creating meaningful memories during their limited time together.

Before their fateful meeting, Turner and Lipa experienced what he describes as multiple 'sliding doors' moments that nearly prevented their connection. The actor detailed one specific instance where Lipa left a party at 1:45 AM and he arrived at 2:00 AM, missing each other by mere minutes. These near-misses spanned several occasions involving mutual friends and shared social circles. Turner expressed gratitude that when they finally did meet under the right circumstances, he immediately recognized Lipa as 'the most beautiful woman in the world,' setting the stage for a relationship that would quickly progress from dating to engagement.