A train driver has tragically died and dozens of passengers have been injured after two East Midlands Railway passenger trains collided near Bedford in Bedfordshire on Friday afternoon
Tannur Anders UK & World News Reporter and Callum Hoare
01:03, 20 Jun 2026
A train driver has died and scores of passengers were left with serious injuries after two passenger trains collided near Bedford.
The crash involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, with one rear-ending the other on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday.
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One passenger recalled being “flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke”.
The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed the train driver had been killed, with 11 people sustaining “very serious” injuries and a further 22 seriously hurt.
All those in the most critical condition have since been taken to hospital for treatment.
A further 56 people suffered minor injuries and were treated either at the scene or upon arrival at hospital.
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While the majority of carriages from both southbound trains remained on the tracks, at least one carriage came off the rails during the collision.
The two services involved were the 4.40pm departure from Corby and the 3.50pm service from Nottingham, both bound for London St Pancras.
Passenger Pete Knapp painted a harrowing picture of people “crying, screaming” and noted that some appeared to have sustained significant injuries.
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The 40 year old told the Press Association: “There was a moment of being flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke. People were crying, screaming, people were so scared and confused.
“I got up and I saw a lot of people who were unable to speak, had broken legs, and then I managed to get out of the train and because I’m quite thin I was able to squeeze out through the gap in the doors.”
Dr Knapp recounted seeing people with “life-threatening, major injuries, minor injuries” as well as “people with bandages, people who couldn’t see straight”, while others, including himself, remained standing.
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He said: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m all right.”
He noted that he had not felt the train slowing before the collision, although other passengers reported that they had.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the crash as “hugely concerning” and said he is “grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident”.
Air ambulance helicopters touched down at the scene following the collision, which took place just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6.
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A sizeable convoy of emergency vehicles lined a rural road as rescue crews and passengers gathered in a neighbouring field.
Members of the public were urged to keep away from the crash site, while both Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital appealed to people to avoid their emergency departments “unless they have a genuine medical emergency” as they managed the unfolding incident. EMR services to and from London remained cancelled for the rest of the day.
Digital train tracking systems confirmed that the rolling stock involved in the collision comprised a class 360 and a class 810, with the front of the former striking the rear of the latter.
EMR began introducing class 810 trains last December, while class 360 models have been in operation for at least two decades.
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A spokesperson for Network Rail, the body responsible for overseeing Britain’s railway infrastructure, said: “We are supporting the efforts of emergency services on scene and our thoughts are with everyone involved.”
Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), confirmed that the person who lost their life in the collision near Bedford was the driver of one of the trains.
He said: “We are devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT rep has tragically died as a result of today’s crash between Luton and Bedford. The thoughts of RMT are with their family, friends, colleagues and the Aslef trade union at this awful time.”
Dave Calfe, general secretary of the train drivers’ union Aslef, said: “Our thoughts tonight are with the family and friends of the driver who died in the crash near Bedford today and with the passengers who were injured in the accident.
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“We want to thank the emergency services who responded so quickly, to help those on board, and are still at the scene.”
Investigators from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch attended the scene to begin gathering evidence. This latest incident follows a collision between two trains in mid-Wales in October 2024, which claimed the life of one passenger and left four others with serious injuries.
That crash marked Britain’s first fatal multi-train accident in more than twenty-five years.
The beloved character was sexually assaulted by Doctor Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker) a few weeks ago. Prior to this attack taking place, Todd had discovered the truth about baby Leyla’s parentage and was blackmailing Charity for money in exchange for keeping her secret.
Doctor Todd wanted a massive £100k from Charity, causing her to rush around in a panic to try and find it all. In an attempt to put even more pressure on Charity, Caitlin told her that she’d reveal the secret at Sarah Sugden’s (Katie Hill) birthday party if the deadline wasn’t met.
Charity spiralled and turned to drinking alcohol to try and block out her problems. The booze made her bold though, and she took a stand and said that Caitlin should go right ahead and tell Sarah the truth.
This move made Doctor Todd feel as though she wasn’t in control of the situation, eventually leading to her attacking Charity. In the immediate aftermath, Charity took herself to the police station and reported the assault.
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A crisis point (Picture: ITV)
Charity gave birth to baby Leyla – who is her and Ross’ daughter – in April (Picture: ITV)
DS Reid (Angela Lonsdale) told Charity that Doctor Todd would be arrested. This happened, but she was released not long after her interview due to lack of evidence, and Caitlin claiming that the sex she had with Charity was consensual.
Caitlin left the village to begin her new job in Sheffield. She’s escaped justice for now, and it’s left Charity completely beside herself.
Charity believes that she cannot tell anyone about what Doctor Todd did because she feels as though she’d have to tell them about baby Leyla as well. Her mental health is struggling under the weight of these secrets, and Charity’s loved ones have now picked up on something being wrong.
She decided to tell Sarah and Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) that she has post-natal depression.It’s a lie within a lie, and it’s made the situation so much worse because Sarah is now blaming herself for Charity’s poor state of mind.
Things become so unbearable for Charity in next week’s episodes, she climbs into her car and leaves the village.
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In this new video, we see Charity at her most fragile, standing at the edge of a lake and ignoring calls from Mackenzie.
At home, Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick), Sarah, Noah Dingle (Jack Downham) and Mack are all panicking about where Charity has gone.
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She assures Charity she can trust her and Charity is on the verge of opening up. But could it be a mistake? Could she open up to this stranger, only for them to turn out to be a newbie in the village with no loyalty to keep Charity’s information a secret?
Elsewhere, there’s a danger as Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) is on the verge of cracking too as Mack leans on her. One way or another, is Charity about to be set free by the truth?
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Councillor Caroline Sargent said: “Anti-social driving is incredibly dangerous, and we do not want it in Westminster. This ruling is a fantastic result for the Council and its partners which will make our streets safer whilst offering residents respite from the excessive noise.”
The Soho Society seems to hope by curtailing clubs’ operating hours and objecting to any venue opening after 11pm, it’ll grind Soho’s streets into submission. But Soho’s circadian rhythm isn’t so easily interrupted. It begins with beeping binmen, the call of delivery drivers, the bustle of market traders and shopkeepers unshuttering, followed by the buzz of incoming office workers, excitable tourists, restaurant and bar staff and — as the crowds on the streets swell — the late lunchers clashing with the early-evening din outside the John Snow, the Coach and Horses and the French House. Dating couples arrive, along with cackling girls and gay boys, screaming, caterwauling, disappearing in and out of bars, catching the tail end of their karaoke, giggling as they enter sex shops, staggering out of Trisha’s, screaming joy and anger.
Manchester City transfer news with Claudio Echeverri facing pivotal summer after difficult 12 months
A little over a year ago Claudio Echeverri made a surprise Manchester City debut off the bench in the FA Cup final.
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Twelve months on and it’s hard to see the 20-year-old being involved in the first team picture come the new season.
Echeverri joined City in 2024 before returning to former club River Plate on loan. He arrived in Manchester in January 2025 amid great fanfare given his talent and the excitement around what the future held.
Guardiola gave the Argentine his debut ahead of far more senior options at Wembley against Crystal Palace and the playmaker then scored a superb free kick in the Club World Cup before injury ended his tournament.
Echeverri moved to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on loan last summer but struggled for minutes in Germany and, speaking in November, Guardiola referenced Echeverri’s agent, Enzo Montepaone, when asked about the possibility of recalling him in January, delivering a short response that hinted at frustration at the way things had gone wrong for the Argentina Under-23 international.
“It is a question for his beautiful agent,” Guardiola said when asked if City might bring him back in January.
As it was the loan was cancelled with neither City or Leverkusen pleased with how it went, and Echeverri went to Girona, who badly wanted him last summer and where City would have ideally sent him.
He featured more frequently in Spain, making 17 appearances in La Liga as opposed to the six league matches he played for Leverkusen, but he was unable to force his way into the first choice XI and as a result was not really in the conversation when Argentina announced their World Cup squad.
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Echeverri will now be back at City for pre-season and could well tour with the Blues and be given minutes in Asia with so many senior stars at the World Cup. That will offer the youngster a chance to stake his claim but another loan currently seems the more likely option for the promising playmaker.
It’s one that needs to be right if City and Echeverri are able to build on that Wembley debut.
Philadelphia was painted yellow as Brazil fans flooded into the city in their tens of thousands.
There were many ticketless supporters who travelled large distances to watch the game on television in bars, just happy to be in the same city as their heroes played on the World Cup stage.
Ancelotti struck a defiant tone at his post-match news conference, where the first question was: This was an improvement on Morocco, but what didn’t you like about the match?
“We were much better first half. In the second half, they had little bit more control, but we had opportunities to score more goals. All in all it was a good match,” said the Italian, who was appointed in May 2025 to end Brazil’s long wait for a sixth world title.
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It was followed by a question about Manchester United’s Cunha: Having scored twice against Haiti, would he remain in the centre-forward role for the next match against Scotland in Miami next Wednesday?
“We’ll see,” added the Italian.
“I think that Matheus’ position was a good position for creating problems for the defence. And he filtered his passes very well, and his position was a good position to be effective at the front.
“It can be an option. We discussed this yesterday. I don’t want a clear identity. Maybe we will change this on the next match.”
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After answering a question about tactics and then Vinicius Jr – who now has six goal involvements in six World Cup appearances (three goals, three assists) – Ancelotti was asked about the performance once more.
“It was what I expected for this match,” he said.
“There were less mistakes [than against Morocco], more effectiveness going forward, this was a good match.”
Speaking about the next match against Scotland, Ancelotti added: “We don’t think about knocking out [Scotland]. We think about playing well and improving, and we analyse the match.
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“If we can reach the first position of the group, that would be important for the future. So we want to prepare well for that match.
“Scotland can create a problem. They created problems to Morocco. And so we have to focus on the match and be calm and keep on working to improve.”
There’s a lot of softness under the crab’s tough outer shell (Picture: Getty/Metro)
Cancer season lands June 21 and brings with it the nurturing, mothering, loving and caring nature of the star sign.
It’s like being allowed to stay home from school, wrapped up on the sofa with your favourite toy, snack and TV show. Remember? Sometimes it was nice just to be given a time out and taken care of.
Modern life is hard. Adulting is unrelenting. The world is a little crazy.
So, let this tarot reading tell you where you need a time out this Cancer season, and how to restore your battery to full charge so you feel ready to go again (just in time for Leo season).
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Aries
March 21 to April 20
Burning the candle at both ends never ends well (Picture: Getty/Metro)
Tarot card for Aries for Cancer season: Eight of Coins
Meaning: The Eight of Coins reveals your burnout potential is centred on working too hard, burning the candle at both ends, investing enormous amounts of energy as if you’re running a 100m dash, rather a marathon.
You need to slow down, stop doing some stuff, take a break, enforce physical limits and boundaries to how much time and energy you’re spending on something. You can’t pour from an empty jug, Aries. Your body will give way before your will. Do not get to that point. Make this June/July a more restful, relaxing, streamlined and stress-free zone. Make some decisions that facilitate that. Now.
Sometimes forcing things only makes it harder (Picture: Getty/Metro)
Tarot card for Taurus for Cancer season: Ten of Coins
Meaning: You have felt impatient lately and it has pushed you into pressured and stressful places that you do not like being at. Pushing to go harder, faster doesn’t always work. And it’s not working now.
Everything has its own pace and time. Realise that. Let things, people, events, tasks and ambitions flow around you in their own natural way. Accept folk as they are. Extend the timescale you wanted something done by. Don’t enforce false deadlines that don’t really matter. You have time. Let things unfold in their own time.
Tarot card for Gemini forCancer season: Ace of Wands
Meaning: The greatest cause of burnout for Gemini folk is boredom. You can literally go half mad through inactivity, stalemates, and dead ends. You need stimulus… of the right kind!
This Cancer season, activate a wholesome hobby, pastime, class, friendship or lifestyle ritual that feels inspiring and authentically ‘you’. Maybe this is a childhood thing you reinvent, or a new trend in town, or a return to what you once loved doing but ran out of time/money/inclination. Do something fresh, uplifting and fun. It will boost your mood and recharge your spirits.
Look out for signs from the Universe (Picture: Getty/Metro)
Tarot card for Cancer for Cancer season: Three of Wands
Meaning: As you step into your sign’s season, you feel fantastic, in control, and like you know were you’re heading. You already put a great deal of effort into your own self care and fulfilment. The Three of Wands is a wonderful blessing that the cosmic forces are swirling and aligning around you.
This will manifest as many signs and omens nudging you towards the gifts, rewards and surprises the cosmos has lined up for your birthday phase! Follow the signs. Notice de ja vu, vivid dreams, coincidences and serendipitous comments, visions or conversations. Literal cosmic energy is propelling you this Cancer season, tune in and flow.
Meaning: You have been worrying about what other folk think or are saying about you, and it’s seeped into your psyche, your selfhood, your confidence levels. But other people’s opinions is not your reality, nor is it your responsibility.
Take this heavy load off your shoulders. Simply refuse to let your mind wander into assumption or projection. Distract yourself when those imagining start up. Play music, phone a friend, flick on a movie, make a meal, go walking. You are fabulous and fierce, beloved and admired. Don’t be your own worst enemy to yourself.
Unleash your inner child this Cancer season (Picture: Getty/Metro)
Tarot card for Virgo for Cancer season: Page of Wands
Meaning: Cancer season often brings a great deal of nostalgia, not only because of the mothering energy it drives but the fact it heralds the start of summer, which we all build fond memories of over the years. Be playful, be youthful, be silly. Heal your burnouts and strains by letting go of responsibility in short bursts and just being playful.
Join a team, play a sport, buy jigsaws or childhood books or games you once loved, reunite with school friends, visit places and shops or cafes that once captured your imagination. Returning to a childhood self’s realm can be restorative and healing. Enjoy this step out of ‘adulting’ and return to a simpler time this Cancer season.
Be proud of how far you’ve come (Picture: Getty/Metro)
Tarot card for Libra for Cancer season: Strength
Meaning: While Cancer folk always celebrate their friends’ successes wholly and deeply, the Strength card emerges because the cosmos wants you to celebrate yourself this Cancer season. Take a pause to reflect on your progress in life this last few years — what you’ve done, overcome, made happen, fought against, achieved, and learned.
Perhaps the most important thing is what you’ve learned. Medals aren’t handed out for living life… but wisdom is a prize, and one that no one can take away from you. Write down your life lessons and values. Toast and treat yourself for having made such wonderful progress. You’re doing great.
All give and no take makes Scorpio understandably angry (Picture: Getty/Metro)
Tarot card for Scorpio for Cancer season: Knight of Coins
Meaning: You have a big engine and you’re mentally robust — but you’re not invincible. Your burnouts, rare though they are, come when your efforts are not rewarded, when you get trapped in draining or one-way-street dynamics and roles. You expect and deserve recognition and returns for your hard work. So hen it’s not forthcoming, you can spiral into resentment, frustration and even rage, which is draining.
Notice where things are looking a bit one-sided or unrewarding and adjust your efforts. Withdraw or scale back. Protect your interests, take steps to set boundaries. This will side-step any further issues.
If you can strike a balance, why not? (Picture: Getty/Metro)
Tarot card for Sagittarius for Cancer season: The Sun
Meaning: What burnout? Sagittarius, you thrive on activity, action and even overwhelm. It feels natural for you to be overburdened, it’s the ‘edge’ you like living on. So, enjoy it. There are no rules here.
Live your life as you see fit, and if you like the feeling of sailing close to the edges of physical and mental fatigue to fit everything in, then do. We are long time dead, right? The Sun blesses your Cancer season with romance, success, travel, good times, and prosperity. It’s a time to shine, bloom and blossom. Get out there and live large!
Small jobs can really mount up if you don’t tackle them (Picture: Getty/Metro)
Tarot card for Capricorn for Cancer season: Page of Coins
Meaning: Cancer is your opposite sign, so they’re very attractive to you. In fact, some call you pair ‘the mother and father of the zodiac’ so this season feels like home. Use this energy to tick off little tasks and projects in and around your foundations, home and work, that need attention and will feel so good to get ticked off.
Nothing expensive, onerous or life changing… just the little bits and bobs that mount up and never seem to warrant overtaking the day’s big emergency or priority. Do this favour for yourself and feel clearer and calmer. ‘Adulting’ is actually pretty enjoyable to Capricorn souls!
A little magic goes a long way (Picture: Getty/Metro)
Tarot card for Aquarius for Cancer season: The Magician
Meaning: Cancer folk are incredibly artistic and creative, and this Magician card plants that powerful energy in your realm, so use it well! You are a great intellect and a logical, rational thinker. Cancer adds the splash of imagination and inventiveness to your mental realm, which means you can innovate and create something really special.
Design, draw, write, sing, dance, bake, engineer, invent and sculpt. Bring creative energy to every area of your home, appearance, work life and social circle. Feast on new stimulus and ideas. Try new techniques and skills. You are going to hit upon something magical.
Tarot card for Pisces for Cancer season: King of Cups
Meaning: Ah, the King of all the Water signs, the ultimate emotionally intelligent archetype and the bringer of caring wisdom, kind truths, and hopeful comfort — the King of Cups. He is your archetype and a good omen that Cancer season will heal and restore you fully, in ways you perhaps don’t yet realise you’ve become fatigued by.
Let life bring you hope, truth and comfort. Let folk take care of you. Be good to yourself. Don’t engage in things you know bring you down. Seek out the things that inspire you. Live well, live using all of the life lessons you’ve accrued and you will feel fantastic! You already know how to do this.
Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron became the first player to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent during his side’s World Cup group match against Turkey in San Francisco.
Almiron, 32, obscured his mouth with his hand while speaking to Turkey’s Mert Muldur, who immediately informed an official standing next to him.
Following a check by the video assistant referee (VAR), referee Ivan Barton from El Salvador announced to the crowd that he was sending off the former Newcastle United winger.
The incident occurred just before half-time with Paraguay leading 1-0.
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Commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live, former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison said: “If you know the rules, you shouldn’t do it. You’ve got to credit the referee and the VAR for making that decision.
“Not everyone would agree with it, but if those are the rules, you’ve got to stick by the rules.”
Here’s a deep dive into the life of Keely Hodgkinson ahead of the Olympic champion aiming to add another gold medal to her ever-growing list of honours
Keely Hodgkinson aims to become the woman to beat in the 400m event at the UK Athletics Championship.
The reigning Olympic champion in the 800m is set to compete at her favoured distance but admitted testing herself at 400m is an exciting prospect. She said: “The 400m, for me, is a bit of fun as well as something different. I’ve really thrown myself in the deep end and I’m looking forward to challenging myself in that environment.
“I’ve always considered myself a 400-800-type athlete. I don’t think I’ve shown all my potential in the and I got a bit of a glimpse of what I could do at the Indoor Championships, so I’m really excited to bring that outdoors. I’m still very much learning the event. I am still not quite sure how to bring it.”
Embracing the challenge of winning in two events, Wales Online takes a closer look at Hodgkinson’s life away from the track.
“He lived in Texas for a bit, then in Italy, then London. There was always a distance and, because I do what I do and put that first, we could go weeks, months and not see each other,” she told The Times in October 2024. “I’m not really interested in dating right now. I’ve never been on the apps. I like meeting people in real life.”
Friendship with Manchester United star
Not only does Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley boast Hodgkinson as an alumna, but England and Manchester United star Ella Toone too. Despite the footballer being two years older than the runner, the pair struck up a close friendship.
Opening up about their bond in 2022, Hodgkinson said: “We are just two young girls living their dreams. Ella and I went to school together. She was two years older but somehow we ended up getting on really well.
“I was always referred to as the ‘mini Ella’ growing up at school. So we kept in touch from that and she was in Tokyo last year as well. We are just two young girls living their dreams.”
Speaking on the UNTAPPED podcast, Coe praised the humbleness of the 24-year-old, as he said: “What I love about Keely is she is probably the most, forget athletics, she’s probably the most authentic person I currently know.
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“What you see with Keely is what you get. She is very funny, she’s totally driven, but she puts things in perspective. I was up in Manchester not that long ago and I bumped into her one night going into a restaurant.
“I was on my way out. I’d sort of done the early shift and she turned up and it was her birthday. It was a couple of weeks… I mean she’d only just broken the indoor world record.
“She was only literally a few days away from destroying the field and winning her world indoor title and she was just out celebrating her birthday. She’s just completely normal, but she is incredibly well talented.
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“She’s got a great coaching team around her. I’m probably going to lose whatever fan base I’ve got left in the south of England, but she’s absolutely rooted to the north of England and that for me counts for a lot in life.”
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Developer Rockstar Games confirmed that pre-orders for the game will soon go live and dropped new screenshots, but fans have noticed a few issues with what they’ve seen
In an announcement this week, Rockstar said that pre-orders for GTA 6 will finally go live in a matter of days. Excited gamers will be able to pre-order GTA 6 next week, beginning on Thursday, June 25.
GTA 6 is due for release later this year after 18 months of delays. Having been planned to originally land in May 2025, it’ll now come out on November 19.
New screenshots and the game’s official cover art have been unveiled as part of the pre-order news. However, while many are excited for a fresh look at the game, eagle-eyed fans have spotted the same three problems with new teasers, reports the Express.
One of which is that a screenshot showing off Vice City “looks exactly like GTA V“, the predecessor released 13 years prior to GTA 6’s new launch date. After a Reddit user shared the image from the game’s official site, responses appeared to indicate widespread agreement.
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One Redditor commented: “Could have said it’s GTA 5 and I wouldn’t have questioned it.” Another remarked: “Kinda GTA5 with the same lightings.”
A third Reddit user noted: “Lol looks exactly like V with the ferris wheel and layout.” Another issue spotted by fans relates to that very same ferris wheel.
Members of the r/Gaming subreddit noticed that its reflection was missing from the water below in Vice City. After one user pointed it out, another joking replied: “Delay it again.”
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Another concern united Reddit users, as many demanded more content. One user fumed: “Gameplay. Gameplay. Where’s the damn gameplay.”
Another chimed in: “I don’t think anyone was debating whether the game would look nice or not. Rockstar needs a gameplay trailer or something like that.”
One frustrated fan urged Rockstar to “give us a reason to open our wallets”, adding: “Pre-orders are in a week and I’m expected to drop money on a game that has nothing to show other than some flashy pre-rendered cutscenes that may or may not be in engine.
“What is going on. The name alone will carry it but I am still on the fence.”
Making light and fluffy homemade scones has never been easier – you don’t need to be adding a few common ingredients to bake the perfect scone at home.
Scones are a quintessentially British treat best enjoyed with a generous dollop of good jam and clotted cream. Irresistibly sweet and indulgent, they’re the sort of delight that makes abandoning a diet entirely worthwhile.
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They’re remarkably straightforward to make, meaning you needn’t wait for a formal afternoon tea to indulge. Summer provides the ideal backdrop for a leisurely, decadent afternoon tea, whether you’re relaxing in the cool shade or soaking up the sunshine.
If you’ve been inspired by The Great British Bake Off and fancy having a go at baking, scones are an excellent place to start.
Scone-making is relatively uncomplicated — you simply combine all the ingredients in a single bowl and mix — but if you’d like to streamline the process even further, experts recommend using just three basic ingredients.
Baking enthusiast Georgie, who runs the food blog The Home Cook’s Kitchen, has shared an “easy” recipe for scones that are like “biting into a piece of heaven”.
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She said, “These scones are really easy to make and only require three simple ingredients – lemonade (Sprite), cream and self-raising flour.” For this recipe you needn’t require eggs, sugar or butter.
Georgie emphasised that using self-raising flour is absolutely crucial, as it acts as the raising agent, while the lemonade will render them “light, fluffy and just a little bit sweet”.
By swapping butter for double cream, you’ll achieve a softer, more moist scone. This also reduces the effort involved in preparing your dough, allowing you to bypass the tiresome step of rubbing butter and flour together by hand.
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Lemonade is the secret ingredient that delivers a light texture to your scones. The fizz in the carbonated drink produces bubbles, which get trapped within the dough.
These minuscule air pockets expand while baking, aerating the mixture and prompting the scones to rise. This process eventually delivers that wonderful light and fluffy outcome you’re after.
Alongside using lemonade to achieve supremely fluffy scones, it’s equally crucial not to overwork the dough.
Georgie instructed, “To make the dough come together, you want to ‘cut’ or mix the dough with a knife. This will help you avoid overkneading.”
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Three-ingredient scones recipe
Ingredients
4 1/2 cups of self-raising flour
1 1/4 cups of double cream
1 1/2 cups of lemonade
One tablespoon of milk, for glazing the top of the scones
Method
Begin by preheating your oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas Mark 6 before sieving flour into a large bowl and incorporating cream and lemonade.
Using a knife, gently “mix” or “cut” the dough until combined. Generously flour a work surface, and with floured hands, tip the dough onto your floured surface.
The dough will be tacky, so it’s advisable to have a well-floured surface and hands when rolling it out.
Should you discover it’s too sticky to handle, return the dough to the bowl and incorporate a little extra flour until it becomes manageable. The dough ought to be sticky, but not so much that you cannot actually work with it.
Form the dough into a rectangle roughly 4cm thick, then dip a wine glass in flour and use it to cut out rounds. Arrange these on a lined baking tray, reshaping the remaining dough and continuing to cut until none is left.
Lightly coat the tops of the scones with a small amount of milk, which will help achieve a golden finish. A gentle brush is all that’s needed.
Pop them in the oven for 25 to 35 minutes until they turn a rich golden brown on top. The scones should have a light, fluffy centre with a delicately browned exterior. Finish by serving with whipped cream and fresh raspberry jam.
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