17 minutes ago Bedford house explosion leaves one dead and a house in flames as locals report hearing 'loud bang'

Neighbours reported hearing a loud 'bang' and a shock wave at around 7.30am this morning as a fireball erupted at a house in Bedford.

Events

21 minutes ago Strictly Come Dancing week 5 leaderboard as stars fight to avoid dance

Strictly Come Dancing has reached week five and once again, two celebrities will face the dreaded dance off as one will be sent home

Politics

40 minutes ago BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans convinced star will exit as they're 'set up' by bosses

Strictly Come Dancing viewers are convinced one star will be leaving the show this week after they were 'set up' by BBC bosses with their running order

Politics

40 minutes ago The moment I knew: he took a bus, a train and a ferry to Paris just to see me – and meet my parents

A fire in the Eurostar train tunnel scuppered Jess Granata’s plans of spending a final weekend with Adam – or so she thoughtIn 2007, I was 22 years old, had just finished uni, and had a huge European adventure planned. The day after my graduation ceremony I got on a plane, landed in Rome, and travelled around Italy. After a few months I washed up broke in London, ready to start my work holiday visa.It was the classic Aussie plan: do some temp work, live cheaply and travel as often as possible. By mid-2008, I’d been in London for a year and had saved up enough money for one last big Euro summer jaunt before heading home to Australia. Continue reading...

Politics

40 minutes ago King Charles is not the adversary of an Australian republic – but hasn’t the time of the crown gone?

Our monarch is gracing his dominion to see us, his subjects, in a land that still pretends we are not a republic at heartCharles the Third has rather selflessly come to see you, Australians. Your Sovereign. Of whom we are all subjects.Subjects. If you don’t like that word then you can change it in the constitution. Probably best to wait for him to go home first. Because he didn’t ask for that, and may be a bit embarrassed if you make a fuss about it.Thomas Keneally is a novelist. He is the author of more than 40 books, including the Booker prize-winning novel Schindler’s Ark Continue reading...

Politics

43 minutes ago Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks and Jowita 'near kiss' leaves fans asking one question

Strictly Come Dancing stars Pete Wicks and Jowita Pryzstal sent fans pulses racing as they 'almost' kissed during their sensual rumba

Politics

57 minutes ago Demonstrators in France praise Gisèle Pélicot's courage in harrowing drug and rape trial

Women and men have demonstrated together in Paris and other French cities in support of Gisèle Pélicot and against sexual violence

Events

67 minutes ago Neil Critchley admits Hearts debut was 'almost too good to be true' as he ends slump with St Mirren demolition

The Blackpool boss has made a winning start in the capital after taking up the reins in midweek

Politics

72 minutes ago One person killed and homes evacuated after explosion and fire at house in Bedford

People advised to avoid Cleat Hill area of Bedford as investigation into cause of fatal blast continues

Events

75 minutes ago Netanyahu’s house hit by drone as Israel and Hezbollah trade blows in Lebanon

Shia group has not claimed responsibility for attack on PM’s home but says it fired several barrages of rocketsBenjamin Netanyahu’s house in the seaside town of Caesarea was hit by a drone on Saturday, causing superficial damage and no casualties, as Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon rage unabated following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.The Israeli government said that one of the prime minister’s three homes was targeted by three drones, two of which were intercepted, and that neither Netanyahu nor his wife, Sara, were home at the time. Continue reading...

Events