By FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 19:48 BST, 24 July 2026 | Updated: 20:01 BST, 24 July 2026

A huge explosion has rocked homes across Essex after a huge blaze erupted at an industrial unit.

More than 100 firefighters are currently at the scene tackling the inferno in Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, as thick black billowing smoke can be seen across the county.

Residents described hearing a loud boom in the area just before 6pm on Friday and have been warned by emergency services to keep their doors and windows closed.

According to some reports, the explosion was heard up to nearly 14 miles away from the scene of the fire. One resident stated on social media that they had heard the blast in Southend, around a 30-minute drive away. 

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Essex Fire and Rescue Service has advised people to avoid travelling to the area.

A huge explosion has rocked homes across Essex after a huge blaze erupted at an industrial unit in Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon

An aerial image of the site shows the extent of the blaze, with more than 100 firefighters now on the scene

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The main road between Rettendon Turnpike and South Hanningfield Road is closed while emergency services remain at the scene.

Local resident Steven Whan, 58, from Bicknacre, near Danbury, told BBC: ‘The police have blocked off everything. You can’t get nowhere near it.’

‘I thought it was a sonic boom because we’ve experienced that before.’

A spokesman for Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Over 100 firefighters are working to extinguish the fire in Southend Road. 

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‘Please continue to avoid area, and keep your windows and doors closed if you live nearby.’ 

There have not yet been any confirmed reports of injuries.

This is breaking news, more follows. 

The Palestinian foreign ministry said it “condemns in the strongest terms the massacre” in Tal.

It said “the escalation of settler terrorism is a direct consequence of the protection, political backing, and complete impunity granted by the Israeli government and occupation forces”.

“Official Israeli incitement continues to fuel and encourage these crimes, creating an environment in which settler violence flourishes without accountability,” it added.

An AFP reporter at the site, south-west of Nablus, said roadblocks had been set up and troops were searching for additional suspects.

The IDF later said it raided a hospital in Nablus and “apprehended two terrorists who took part in the shooting attack” and who had gone to the hospital for treatment.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to act “with full force against the terrorists and those who orchestrate and sponsor them”.

He called an emergency meeting with security officials, and reinforcements have been sent to the area, close to the settlement of Havat Gilad.

Netanyahu’s office issued a joint statement with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying the home of the Palestinian shooter in Tal would be demolished and that the legalisation of unauthorised settler outposts and the establishment of new ones would be speeded up.

Outposts are wildcat settlements, often just a cluster of caravans set up on a hilltop. They are illegal under international law and also Israeli law when they are built without official approval.

On X, Yair Golan, the leader of Israel’s Democrats Party – who is a reserve major general in the IDF – described the joint statement from Netanyahu and Katz as “a clear intent to set the area ablaze”.

After the attack in Tal, there have been reports of violent confrontations between dozens of armed settlers and Palestinians in other nearby villages in the northern West Bank. A number of Palestinians have been wounded with one shot in the head in Farata, local medics say.

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the villages of “the murderers” must be treated in the same way as Gaza.

“For every Jew murdered, the enemy must suffer the loss of land and homes,” he said.

While Palestinians are routinely killed and injured during confrontations with Israeli settlers, the killing of Israelis by Palestinians has tipped the West Bank into a dangerous moment.

Since October 2023, 1,114 Palestinians have been killed there, the vast majority by the IDF, the UN says. It says at least 35 of the deaths have involved attacks by settlers.

The UN says 41 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war.

Israel has built hundreds settlements housing 700,000 Jews since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem – land Palestinians want, along with Gaza, for a hoped-for future state – during the 1967 Middle East war. An estimated 3.3 million Palestinians live alongside them. The settlements are illegal under international law.

“You were loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.”

A young mum who was killed in a crash last weekend has been remembered for her “bubbly, vibrant personality.”

Natasha (Tash) Gove from the Ballyclare area passed away following a single-vehicle collision near Ballymena on Saturday, July 18. The 31-year-old was the passenger in a silver Ford Transit Custom van that crashed on the Glenariffe Road.

At a service of celebration for Tash’s life, mourners heard she was a loving mummy, much loved daughter, and loyal friend with an infectious laugh. The young mum was described as living “wildly, fully, and beautifully.”

Ahead of the service, her family asked mourners to wear bright colours or leopard print to reflect Tash as the bubbly woman they all knew and loved.

Affectionately known as “pocket rocket” by those who loved her, celebrant Allie Ford explained how Tash was “a wild one with a big appetite for life” even from a young age.

“At school, she was part of different friendship groups which she loved to make sure she would never miss out on anything. Her bubbly, vibrant personality always made Tash very popular,” Allie added.

A tribute from Tash’s godmother heard how she had loved helping to bring her up. She added: “I watched you grow from a little child full of curiosity and mischief into the most beautiful young lady with your own hopes and dreams. You were loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.”

In 2017, Tash gave birth to her baby boy, S-Jay. “She was an amazing mum and for years she and S-Jay were inseparable,” celebrant Allie added. “Tash was incredibly proud of the wonderful boy S-Jay is.”

Allie said Tash was the “archetypal party girl”, with a love for leopard print, fashion and bright colours, dyeing her hair many colours over the years.

Despite her small size, mourners heard how Tash was also tough and strong. Allie said: “She was into the gym and at every party she would challenge someone to an arm wrestle, and she’d win. Despite being four foot nothing, she would love to squat people on her back.”

Tash’s friend, Shannon, said she left “a massive mark on our lives.” She added: “She was the first person there for all of us and the one we could count on for anything. If I could describe her in one word it would be a firecracker.

“She had the biggest heart, anytime she would see you she would run at you – she was full of love and laughter. She had the loudest laugh you ever heard.

“She never called me Shannon, always Shaz. We had to be twinning on nights out, we were always the last ones standing.”

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The hand-written short story has been studied for the first time by a professor at Cambridge University

A story written by Second World War codebreaker Alan Turing shows a man with playful humour embracing his homosexuality, new analysis suggests.

The six-page, hand-written short story known as Pryce’s Buoy has been transcribed and studied for the first time by Sarah Dillon, professor of literature at Cambridge University. She says the story offers new insights that challenge the view of Turing as an isolated, lonely genius.

She said: “We’ve distilled a version of Turing that is a two-dimensional stereotype. He’s come to be seen as socially unaware, entirely concerned with logic and numbers, and pretty isolated.

“His short story reveals a very different man: playful, funny, cheeky, literary, and someone who really liked sex.”

Turing is known as a founding figure in computer science, cognitive science and artificial intelligence. During the Second World War, he was instrumental in breaking Germany’s Enigma code, helping the Allies to win the war.

Despite these groundbreaking achievements, Turing was convicted of gross indecency for homosexuality in 1952 and forced by authorities to take hormones. He died in June 1954 from cyanide poisoning and an inquest ruled he had committed suicide. However, many scholars and friends have disputed this finding and said his death was from accidental poisoning.

In the new research, Pryce’s Buoy, which was previously unpublished, has been printed in full, with Prof Dillon believing Turing wrote it in late 1952 or early 1953. The tale involves Ron Miller, a working-class rent boy, and Alec Pryce, a homosexual scientist famed for an invention in his 20s known as ‘Pryce’s buoy’.

The parallel with Turing’s work is clear, according to Prof Dillon, who said she believes the story is a direct fictionalisation of the late 1951 sexual encounter which led to Turing’s arrest.

In the story, Alec feels he’s earned some fun after Christmas shopping and goes looking for a young man. The narrator then switches from Alec’s mind to Ron’s.

Ron is broke, unemployed and looking to make some money from sex. Ron thinks to himself: “If he let someone take him under the arches for 10 minutes he might get five bob.”

Turing then writes: “Ron caught Alec’s eye and gave him a half-hearted smile. It was enough though.”

Sitting on a park bench, the men assess the situation and each other. Ron thinks Alec is shabbily dressed but wealthyish. Alec’s impression of Ron is that he is “not a real beauty, but had a certain appeal. Beggars couldn’t be choosers.”

The pair then walk to a restaurant. Turing writes that Ron “didn’t go in for lah-di-dah ways of talking. It’d come to the same anyway. Bed’s bed whatever way you get into it. Alec thought otherwise.”

Prof Dillon said: “I love the hesitancy, the way it evokes the uncertainty of potential sexual encounter, the ‘am I reading this situation wrong?’ worry, ‘am I going to put my foot in it?’ ‘Am I going to go too far?’ ‘What did they want?’ ‘What do I want?’ ‘Can I back out?’ Turing gets those tensions, the leaning in and backing out. He does it really well.”

The story then abruptly cuts off in the restaurant, mid-sentence at the bottom-right of a page, with the words ‘Ron wouldn’t’.

Prof Dillon said: “There was clearly more and that’s so frustrating. We don’t know where the rest of it went. We don’t know if Turing’s mum censored it. Did it get more sexually explicit? How did it end? That’s frustrating but everything else is so exciting.

“Turing died when he was only 41, and in those years running up to his death, he was trying to understand himself and his world. Literature offered him a really powerful way of doing that. This was the moment when he really felt a release, a chance to be more creative and playful.”

Prof Dillon also found that Turing copied the style of a gay novel, Hemlock And After, by fellow Bletchley Park veteran Angus Wilson. Dillon also argues that Hemlock and After was the novel Turing needed to read at a pivotal moment in his life.

“Wilson showed that homosexuality was normal and an integrated part of many people’s psychological and social lives,” she said. “He also made the law against it look increasingly outlandish.

“Imagine being Turing. You’re a homosexual man, you’ve been prosecuted, you’ve been forced to take hormone treatment. And then just months later, you read this novel. It must have been such a powerful moment for Turing amid so much trauma.”

Turing also added a layer to the story in which Ron thinks about how well his more effeminate-looking acquaintance Eric does with “toffs”, Prof Dillon said. “I love Turing’s shifting focalisation,” she added. “He gets this from Wilson, of course, who gives us access to both his characters’ minds too.

“But in the Turing story that access goes a step further, taking us out into their thoughts about their wider professional lives and social networks. When Turing does this with Ron, he starts to challenge some dominant narratives around interclass pick-ups at that time.”

Prof Dillon’s analysis is published in the Review Of English Studies.

Bernadin Dedic, 48, was found guilty of repeatedly raping a woman he held at knifepoint before fleeing to Bosnia

A “cowardly” rapist who absconded following his mistaken release from prison has been handed an 18-year sentence in his absence.

Bernadin Dedic, 48, was convicted last month of repeatedly raping a woman he had held at knifepoint and threatened to kill, during a horrifying ordeal spanning several hours. Dedic had been remanded at HMP Wormwood Scrubs awaiting trial, but was wrongly freed in February after a court official mistakenly recorded that bail had been granted.

Following his release, Dedic fled to his native Bosnia and has refused to return to Britain to face trial. The court was told that Dedic had drunk wine and taken cocaine before holding the victim at knifepoint, cutting off her clothes, and threatening to kill both her and himself.

On Friday, Dedic received his sentence in absentia at Isleworth Crown Court, with Judge Hannah Duncan noting he is “refusing to return to the UK for his sentencing, just as he refused to return to the UK for his trial”.

She confirmed that it was Dedic’s choice not to have legal representation and no defence counsel was present.

The judge acknowledged the official position is “will not confirm nor deny as far as extradition is concerned”, but requested an update from the prosecution. She also called for a blue notice – the Interpol request issued to law enforcement agencies across the globe seeking assistance in gathering information about an individual’s identity, whereabouts, or activities – to be put in place.

Simon Sandford, prosecuting, stated: “I know the CPS position seems to be that they don’t say anything about it, but I understand that the officer is still pursuing the matter.”

In a victim personal statement read to the court by the prosecution, the victim said she “can’t begin to recover” while extradition remains unresolved and Dedic continues to evade justice abroad.

‘Too cowardly to face consequences’.

She said: “While on remand the offender was released in error and left the country. I can’t put into words what that did to me.

“How is a man accused of raping allowed to leave the country unnoticed while on remand? I was relieved the truth was recognised but the man who raped me never had to stand in that courtroom, may never be sentenced in person and remains abroad.”

She went on to describe how she withdrew from almost everyone around her, lost all trust in others, and her sense of self was fundamentally altered.

She said: “I can’t begin to recover while sentencing and extradition remain unresolved and he remains abroad.”

Judge Duncan handed down a sentence of 18 years in prison in Dedic’s absence, with a five-year extension. She stated: “I am sure that he knows his sentence today is listed, he has still refused to return. It’s quite clear he is too cowardly to face the consequence of his disgusting behaviour.”

Following his convictions last month, Dedic informed the Press Association during a telephone conversation from Bosnia that he had no plans to come back to the UK for sentencing.

He maintained his trial had been unfair, said he now had a medical condition preventing him from being in confined spaces – including aircraft – and indicated he’d be prepared to drive to the UK, but only if allowed a fresh trial.

Regarding his assertions about returning for a second trial, Judge Duncan remarked: “I don’t believe that for a moment, and in any event he has been convicted, I have no power to order a retrial.”

Dedic’s freedom came about following a pre-trial hearing at Isleworth Crown Court in February, when an administrator accidentally confused digital case documents and dispatched a message to the prison indicating he’d been given bail.

When his trial arrived, Dedic said he’d sustained a skiing injury preventing travel, suggested visa difficulties, and claimed he’d felt chest pains while heading to the airport. Despite his absence, the jury convicted Dedic of four rape charges, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, threatening a person with a knife while in a private place, and making a threat to kill.

Demi Moore has made a surprise cameo in the new KATSEYE music video.

The actress, 63, stars in the raunchy video for the global girl group’s brand new single Animal.

She appears in a memorable scene, acting as a stylist as the members feverishly change clothes backstage before a performance. 

Once she perfects the group’s outfits, Moore looks into the camera and says, ‘Alright, let’s get wild!’

Animal is the first music video that Moore has appeared in since Bon Jovi’s Ugly back in 1998.

Despite the Oscar nominee lending her star power to the visual, a large portion of KATSEYE’s young fanbase didn’t seem to recognize Moore.

Animal is the first music video that Moore has appeared in since Bon Jovi’s Ugly back in 1997

‘Why no one is talking about THE Demi Moore being in the music video?!?!’ asked one puzzled fan.

‘You know you’re old and in different generation when you check the comments and almost nobody gives a damn about a Demi Moore cameo. I was like, “Whoa, that’s THE Demi Moore!”‘ wrote another. 

One fan who did manage to recognize the A-lister wrote, ‘I seriously found her so pretty in Ghost and she’s still so beautiful.’ 

KATSEYE – marketed as the world’s first ‘global girl group’ given that their members hail from the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland and the United States – rose to prominence in 2024 after forming on the reality competition show, The Debut: Dream Academy, created by South Korean record label Hybe and American label Geffen Records.

The group is comprised of members Daniela Avanzini, 21; Yoonchae Jeung, 18; Sophia Laforteza, 23; Lara Raj, 20; and Megan Skiendiel, 20. A sixth member, Manon Bannerman, has been on an extended hiatus all year. 

Given that most of KATSEYE’s fanbase are on the younger side or are K-pop fans, it might explain why many didn’t recognize the 63-year-old Moore. 

Moore hasn’t appeared in a family-friendly film since 2012’s LOL with Miley Cyrus. 

Nevertheless, her role in KATSEYE’s Animal music video may expose her to a whole new audience given the group’s popularity. 

Many of KATSEYE’s young fanbase didn’t seem to know who the iconic actress was

‘Why no one is talking about THE Demi Moore being in the music video?!?!’ asked one puzzled fan

Moore appears in a memorable scene, acting as a stylist as the members feverishly change clothes backstage before a performance

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KATSEYE showed off their incredible dance moves after their styling session with Moore

In February this year, they performed their hit song Gnarly at the Grammy Awards and earned two nominations – Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. 

In April, the group took the stage for a smashing set at Coachella, scoring the most-streamed performance during the first weekend of the festival.

Then, at the American Music Awards in May, they delivered a jaw-dropping performance of their hit Pinky Up and took home three awards at the ceremony, including New Artist of the Year.

Pinky Up marked their first single without Bannerman and reached No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s also the longest-charting song on the Hot 100 from a female group this year. 

They followed it up with another hit, Iconic By Mistake, which debuted at No. 38 on the Hot 100. 

The group are pictured in May after sweeping the American Music Awards

KATSEYE have also been added to the lineup of Olivia Rodrigo’s all-female Daisy Chain Fields music festival, which will see them take the stage alongside music icons like Stevie Nicks, Karen O, Chappell Roan, and Rodrigo. 

The group’s upcoming EP, Wild, is slated for release on August 14, with the record already becoming one of Spotify’s most pre-saved albums.

Two days before the release of the album, the group’s documentary film Katseye: Wild Hearts will hit theatres for limited screenings.

The film promises to contain ‘never-before-seen footage’ and will explore the connection between the group and their diehard fans. 

Former Emmerdale star Adam Thomas, who won I’m A Celebrity South Africa earlier this year, has candidly discussed his battle with arthritis with an emotional post on social media,

Adam Thomas has candidly discussed his struggles with arthritis. The actor, 37, who is best known for his roles in Emmerdale and Waterloo Road, received an official diagnosis for the autoimmune condition which can cause pain in the joins, almost three years ago, and much was made about it during his time on I’m A Celebrity earlier this year.

On Friday afternoon, Adam took to social media where he admitted that the condition had led him to becoming out of shape but now that he has managed to get his health under control, things are looking up.

He wrote on Instagram: “Arthritis had stopped me training for years. I was out of shape, stuck in bad habits and honestly felt like a shadow of the person I used to be.

“6 months later, after finally getting my autoimmune disease under control, eating better, moving more and staying consistent, everything started to change. “It wasn’t easy. There were plenty of tough days, but I refused to give up.” The actor, who is the brother of former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas and ex-Love Island contestant Scott Thomas, urged his followers who may be in a similar situation to never let any sort of health issue hold them back.

He said: “I’m still working on my confidence and still have a long way to go, but this journey has shown me what’s possible. If you’re living with an autoimmune disease, don’t give up on yourself. Keep fighting. You’ve got more in you than you think. “

Earlier this year, viewers watched the explosive live final of I’m A Celebrity…South Africa play out and, whilst Adam eventually won, it came after a much-discussed feud between himself and fellow contestant David Haye, with the boxer having accused him of not trying hard enough in camp.

Whilst the pre-recorded series was on air and playing out to the nation, Adam took to social media to discuss how sad he was to see it all on screen.

He said: “Not going to lie,this picture breaks my heart, as I know on the inside what I was dealing with and truth be told I thought it was all my fault. I now know that’s not the reality… My time in I’m a Celebrity South Africa was one of the toughest things I’ve ever been through, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

“Watching it back hasn’t been easy at all. There were moments I felt pushed to my absolute limit, and if I’m honest, times I didn’t even recognise myself. Living with arthritis is something I don’t really talk about, as much as I should do…but in there it really took its toll.

“My biggest fight was pretending to put on a brave face and trying to hide the pain! that can be exhausting within itself. There were days my body just didn’t want to keep going, but I did.

“I won’t sit here and say I handled everything perfectly, because I didn’t. I wish I spoke up for myself sooner. I wish I stood my ground instead of trying to keep the peace, but I’ve learned that being kind doesn’t mean being weak, and sometimes it takes going through tough moments to find your voice.

Despite the controversy, David stuck to his guns and explained to Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard during an appearance on This Morning: “Whenever there was a trial, his sickness popped up and I just called that out, I’m the type of person who sees something and says ‘Nah, you’re full of it.’

“It flares up at convenient times and I just called that out. He’s a super sweet guy but he’s a professional victim, he is a professional victim. I sat next to him on the plane for 10 hours and actually explained to him what banter is. “

Even though Adam is bitching and moaning now, he’s a nice guy. We’re cool but it wasn’t the worst time of his life. If he thinks it’s the hardest time of his life, we’ve got other campmates who can tell him it wasn’t.

“Because that wasn’t shown, he can milk it, and he’ll probably win it off the strength of all the old biddies going ‘Oh, poor Adam!’ That’s the narrative, it’s a TV show, they cut it how they want to cut it. But don’t take my word for it, watch the live show, listen to what the other campmates say

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Man United won 5-0 against Rosenborg in their second pre-season friendly and here are how the players rated in Trondheim.

Manchester United secured a comfortable 5-0 win against Rosenborg in Trondheim on Friday evening.

United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Wrexham in their opening friendly of the summer last weekend, but the Reds delivered a much-improved performance, albeit against a weakened Rosenborg side.

Here are how United’s players rated at the Lerkendal Stadion:

Radek Vitek

Made his first start of pre-season after coming on at half-time against Wrexham. The goalkeeper had nothing to do, though. 7

Leny Yoro

Settled into playing at right-back well during pre-season. He played a few good passes and appears to be developing an understanding of the correct positioning for the role. Hit the crossbar with a header. 7

Harry Maguire

Has always been a valuable asset for playing out from the back, and he made an impressive line-breaking pass to start a move. He wore the armband again and was vocal to his younger teammates on either side of him. 8

Ayden Heaven

Is developing a strong understanding with Maguire and dealt with some aerial balls from Rosenborg. 6

Luke Shaw

Not much came down his flank while he was on the pitch but he could have offered more going forward. 6

Andrey Santos

Created a great chance in the first half by playing a clever pass to Dorgu in a pocket of space in the box. It demonstrated his vision, and showed he is more than just a ‘win it and kick it’ midfielder. 7

Mason Mount

Looked to have benefited from last weekend’s game against Wrexham, which blew away the cobwebs. He was sharp, making crisp passes in the centre of the pitch, and was industrious with his running. 7

Joshua Zirkzee

The Dutchman started up front but regularly dropped into deep positions where he is most comfortable. Linked up with his teammates well and recorded the assist for Lacey’s opening goal before scoring an excellent one himself. 8

Shea Lacey

Received the nod to start after coming off the bench last weekend and grabbed his chance with both hands. Pressed aggressively and sent United on their way to a comfortable win with a great opening goal. 8

Bryan Mbeumo

Skipped beyond two players within the first 10 minutes, but he could have done better with a chance shortly after that. Made a few uncharacteristic sloppy touches, which will inevitably be ironed out as pre-season goes on. 5

Patrick Dorgu

Although Dorgu was released down the wing by Lacey in the 14th minute, he failed to clear the first Rosenborg defender with his cross. He has admitted he still has more to improve to play there permanently. 5

Mother and son Cecilia Lusevic, 56, and Mateo Bilis-Lusevic, 12, said they heard a loud bang when the police boat crashed into Westminster Bridge and then watched as the officers were rescued from the Thames.

The visitors from Chile were on a river tour boat on the north side of the central London bridge when they saw the incident. They were evacuated from their vessel shortly after.

Mateo said: “Two boats were riding extremely fast through the water.

“Suddenly, I heard a boom. I was looking towards the boat, and I heard a boom.

“Then three people went flying into the water and one of the people was really hurt.”

He said the officers were in the water for about 10 minutes and a life ring was thrown for one of them.

A black rigid inflatable boat arrived to help them out of the water – the same boat that witnesses said they saw paramedics treating the casualties aboard.

Mateo said emergency services then also arrived.

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