The Lyrid meteor shower will peak on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and will be visible across the UK – here’s everything you need to know to catch the display

The oldest-recorded meteor shower is set to light up the night sky next week, as Earth passes through debris left in the wake of comet Thatcher during its journey around the sun centuries ago.

Stargazers can expect between 10 and 15 meteors per hour at the shower’s peak, though those particularly fortunate may witness an outburst potentially producing up to 100 meteors per hour.

Named after the constellation Lyra, from which the meteors appear to originate, the shower will run from April 16 to April 26 and reach its peak next Tuesday, April 21. With the moon in a waning crescent phase and setting late in the evening, conditions for viewing should be ideal.

People living in Peterborough may be lucky to see it, as it is set to appear over the city. For those wanting to see it, it’s advised they head to darker places to experience it at its best. The clearer the sky, the higher the number of meteors you are likely to spot, reports the Irish Mirror.

The constellation is generally straightforward to locate as it contains Vega, one of the brightest stars visible in the night sky. While the radiant point marks where the meteors appear to stem from, they will streak across the entire sky, lighting it up brilliantly. For the best experience, allow your eyes sufficient time to adjust to the darkness; this will ensure you can pick them out immediately.

The Lyrid meteors will be strikingly bright and may on occasion even outshine the planet Venus at their most dazzling. The vivid colours are produced by minuscule dust particles, no bigger than a grain of sand, as they interact with the molecules and ions present in Earth’s atmosphere. The luminous display becomes visible as these fragments heat up and ionise, with the characteristic streak appearing as the meteor cools and fades from view.

While the shower originates from debris left behind by Comet Thatcher, it is in fact impossible to observe the long-period comet itself.

First identified by scientists in 1861, the comet takes roughly 415 years to complete a single orbit around the sun. It will reach its furthest point from the sun at around 2070, before making its return to our skies sometime in the vicinity of the year 2283.

“While Booth’s imprisonment cannot change what happened that night, I hope it brings some comfort to Dylan’s loved ones.”

A man has been jailed for live over the “shocking and violent” murder of another man in Aberdeen. Dylan Geddes died after being found seriously injured in Tillydrone on Thursday July 10, 2025.

The 24-year-old had been involved in a disturbance at a property on Coningham Terrace with Brandon Booth, 25, who pled guilty to his murder at the High Court in Glasgow. Detectives described the incident as “shocking and violent”.

Dylan was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after he was found seriously injured nearby on Pennan Road but was pronounced dead a short time after arriving. In a statement released after his death, his family said: “Dylan was a much-loved son, grandson, brother and nephew.

“He will be sorely missed every day by all who knew him. The family is absolutely devastated by what has happened and would like privacy at this difficult time.”

Detective Inspector James Callander said: “This was a shocking and violent incident and the impact on Dylan’s family and friends has been devastating. While Booth’s imprisonment cannot change what happened that night, I hope it brings some comfort to Dylan’s loved ones.

“I’d like to thank the local community for their assistance throughout this investigation. I want to reassure the public that violent incidents such as this will not be tolerated in our communities, and our officers will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland: “A man has been jailed for life in connection with the murder of Dylan Geddes in Aberdeen. Brandon Booth, aged 25, pled guilty to murder at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, April 17. He received a life sentence.

“In the early hours of Thursday, July 10, 2025, 24-year-old Dylan Geddes was found seriously injured in the Pennan Road area, following a disturbance at a property in Coningham Terrace. He was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.“

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What is “Japanese walking”?

I’ve never found walking easier or more fun

Homelessness charity Centrepoint has said it has ‘no plans’ to work with Sharon Osbourne again after she expressed support for a rally being organised by Tommy Robinson.

The former X Factor judge used her official Instagram account to leave a comment saying, ‘See you at the march’ in response to a post on the social media site about the event planned for next month.

Osbourne, whose husband, Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, died last July aged 76, has previously supported Centrepoint on its Omaze campaign to raise money by encouraging the public to enter a sweepstake to win a luxury house, filming ads with her daughter, Kelly Osbourne.

A spokesman for Centrepoint has now said: ‘Sharon supported us on this campaign, and, while she is referred to as an ambassador in that context, she was not an official ambassador for Centrepoint.

‘We have no plans to work together in the future.

‘Political activity like this runs counter to our values and our long history of supporting young people regardless of their background, religion or ethnicity.

‘If we want young people to thrive in this country, then we need to ensure our society continues to allow them to live without fear and to access the opportunities they need to start education or work and leave homelessness behind.’

The Unite the Kingdom rally, planned to happen in London on May 16, follows right-wing activist Robinson’s September protest, which was attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people.

It was the largest far-right rally of its type in British history.

As well as the presence of Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – the event included a remote address by Elon Musk.

‘Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you. You either fight back, or you die; that’s the truth, I think,’ he said.

Downing Street later condemned the message for ‘dangerous and inflammatory’ language.

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As Dulcie Thirling turned 100 today (Friday, April 17), her family shared the story of her life as she marked the milestone at Sandringham Care Home in Bishop Auckland, where she has lived for the past four years.

Dulcie was born on April 17, 1926, at The Hare and Greyhounds pub in Bowburn. She grew up there with her parents, sisters and brother.

Former Bishop Auckland teacher Dulcie Thirling, 100 (Image: PROVIDED)

She later married the love of her life, Charles Thirling. Dulcie went on to become a school teacher and worked at Wolsingham Junior School, near Bishop Auckland, until she retired at the age of 55.

Her family said the couple enjoyed many happy years together after retirement. They loved walking and often travelled to the Lake District with their caravan, spending weeks there at a time.

Sandringham Care Home has celebrated resident Dulcie Thirling’s 100th birthday (Image: PROVIDED)

Sandringham Care Home has celebrated resident Dulcie Thirling’s 100th birthday (Image: PROVIDED)

Dulcie and Charles lived in Howden le Wear for more than 60 years. Sadly, Charles died more than 20 years ago.

For the last four years Dulcie has lived at Sandringham Care Home in Bishop Auckland, where her family say she has been very well cared for.

Sandringham Care Home has celebrated resident Dulcie Thirling’s 100th birthday (Image: PROVIDED)

They said the staff at the home have looked after her wonderfully and helped make her 100th birthday a special occasion.

A parent with children at Ralph Butterfield Primary School, in Station Road, Haxby, started an online petition after she said she had become “deeply concerned” for the safety of her children and others at the school.

She was joined by local parents in calling for a well-marked and signed pedestrian, along with traffic calming measures near the school entrance.

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The petition statement read: “Every day, as we approach the school gates, what should be a safe zone turns into a hazard zone.

“The absence of a safe crossing not only endangers the lives of the students but also causes significant stress to parents, guardians, and school staff.

“We need immediate action to ensure that our children can arrive and leave school safely.”

A spokesperson for the school said that it welcomed measures that help improve pedestrian safety in Station Road – particularly during key drop-off and pick-up times.

They added: “Ensuring the wellbeing of our children, families and wider community is extremely important to us and we are supportive of actions that contribute to a safer environment around our school.”

The petition had been signed by 367 people at the time of publication.

Cllr Kate Ravilious, executive member for transport at City of York Council, said that the council shared the concerns raised by pupils and their families to create safer streets.

‘Subject to approval at this meeting, the works at Ralph Butterfield will take place before the end of the school year.’

She said: “Late last year we held a statutory consultation in Haxby towards installing new single yellow lines (enforceable during school drop-off and pick-up times) near Ralph Butterfield school to reduce parking immediately outside the school gates and at neighbouring junctions.

“This proposal is now one of 43 similar projects across York progressing to executive on April 28.

“Subject to approval at this meeting, the works at Ralph Butterfield will take place before the end of the school year.”

Members of the community, the petition read, had suggested chicanes, railings and zebra crossings.

The statement added: “Local residents also expressed that bay parking or drive installation to the residents opposite school would help with the flow of traffic.”

The council explained that in addition to the road plans, the authority had recently recruited a new crossing patroller for the school – who will begin their role in late June.

Cllr Ravilious said: “We welcome a continued discussion with both residents and the school community to build on these improvements and create an environment where everyone feels safe and supported when choosing to walk, wheel or cycle to school.”

Harrogate Spring Water and its parent company Danone have been denied permission to increase the size of their plant in Harlow Moor Road, Harrogate.

Ahead of the meeting, Dame Judi Dench and Dame Joanna Lumley had urged councillors to reject the application.

The decision was taken by members of North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area planning committee following objections from residents, campaign groups and local politicians over the loss of around 500 trees in Rotary Wood, an area of community woodland in the Pinewoods area of the town.

Impassioned pleas not to grant the planning application were made at the meeting today (FRIDAY) at Harrogate Civic Centre.

Sarah Gibbs, from the Save Rotary Woods campaign group, told councillors: “Pinewoods are the lungs of Harrogate, Rotary Wood its beating heart.

“Please do not underestimate the value of our woodland. Rotary Wood was planted for a more sustainable future. It is hope, community, belonging, connection, peace and prosperity of body and mind.”

She added: “This has gone on for so long that you may have pressure on you to push this through.

“But I implore you to do what is right, not what is easy, to recognise a failing, undemocratic planning system and make a stand against it.”

Harrogate town councillor Josie Caven also spoke out against the plan.

Rotary Wood. Photo: Caught Light Photography (Image: Caught Light Photography)

She said: “We believe that the application should be rejected on the grounds of the arguments presented, the volume of public opposition, the irreversible loss of valuable green space and a failure to achieve sustainable development in line with national and local planning policy.”

The committee voted unanimously against the reserved matters application despite a recommendation from officers to approve the plans.

Members were also instructed that the principle of development had already been established by an earlier outline planning application and issues such as the loss of trees should not be considered.

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Committee member Councillor Peter Lacey proposed that the application be rejected.

He said: “I think there are several things that make me uneasy about this development.

“First, we’ve talked about the ecological argument. I was concerned to read that the ecological survey was undertaken in August rather than springtime, for example.

“The second area is scale. There is still, for me, something about a doubling in size of an industrial unit within a sensitive area that makes me feel uneasy.”

Cllr Lacey said he was concerned that the water supply could run out, which fed the factory.

Councillor Hannah Goslow said: “The policies require us to protect and enhance landscape heritage and green space, and I don’t believe this scheme does either.

“The design simply isn’t good enough for Harrogate or for our climate commitments.”

After the meeting, Richard Hall, managing director of Harrogate Spring Water, said the company was disappointed by the committee’s decision and was considering its next step.

“Our plans have been recommended for approval by the council and we have addressed the two reasons given for deferring this decision at the previous meeting.

“Throughout this process, we have worked constructively with officers and the local community to strike the right balance between sustainable development and economic growth.

 “We feel our proposal represents a significant investment in Harrogate – creating over 50 new jobs, delivering an annual £2.3 million boost to the local economy, and a commitment to protecting the local environment. “

Critics of the scheme, however, welcomed the outcome.

Councillor Mike Schofield, Green Party member for the Harlow and St George’s division, said: “This was never about opposing development in principle—it was about ensuring that the details of this proposal were properly evidenced and acceptable for our community.

“Residents raised clear and legitimate concerns around landscaping, drainage, access, and the overall scale of the scheme. Crucially, too many of those issues remained unresolved.”

Ms Gibbs, who spoke during the meeting, afterwards said she was “thrilled and overjoyed”.

“Our beautiful asset of community value woodland, Rotary Wood, is safe again for now, though this will likely go to appeal.

“We need to keep up the pressure. We have so much celebrity support and hope that those amazing people will stand with us and keep the pressure on.”

Harrogate MP Tom Gordon said: “Common sense has finally prevailed. Swapping a cherished woodland for a plastic water bottling plant should never have been on the table.

“We still need to be wary of future attempts to destroy our cherished woodland, today’s decision represents a welcome but temporary reprieve.”

The MP had previously asked the government to intervene on the scheme, but ministers refused.

We had to get special dispensation for Alex to get a Premier League winners medal in 1998. Back then, you needed 10 appearances to get one – he had only made seven.

Everyone at the club thought he fully deserved it, though, and the Arsenal fans took to Alex too, because of how brilliantly he played.

They had a song for him, roughly to the tune of the nursery rhyme Three Blind Mice.

Alex Manninger, Alex Manninger

Got a sore finger, got a sore finger

Loves Arsene Wenger, loves Arsene Wenger

We would sing it to him too, whenever he came into the room. He loved it. Alex was a shy guy initially, but that changed when he was part of the group.

You always get to know some players better than others at any club you are at, but there was a real togetherness in our squad at the time. Everyone would mix together.

I roomed with Stephen Hughes that season but Matt Upson and Alex would come to our room to play PlayStation games when we were in hotels for away matches. I was a few years older, so they kept me young really.

Alex’s character was quite a contrast on and off the pitch – on it, he was fiercely competitive. He always trained incredibly hard and he was very driven.

He could sometimes be very critical of himself if he made a mistake, but it was very clear he just did not want to be beaten. As a senior player, I loved that mentality.

Off the pitch, he was a huge personality too. Someone who was great fun to be around but also very calm – unless he was playing on the PlayStation.

Looking at photos of him now reminds me of how he was, and of those days, but it is something more than that. When I think of Alex, I can still picture the connection we had in my mind’s eye.

He left Arsenal in 2002 and I had not seen him for a number of years before he passed away, but whenever you win things together, like we did – we went through some really big nights together – then there is a bond there that keeps you together forever.

That 1997-98 season was the first in my career where I tasted real success – it was my first league title, and first FA Cup – and I will never forget he played a major part in that.

BBC Sport and ITV have once again split the matches between them, with two of England’s group matches on ITV (the first against Croatia and third against Panama) and one on BBC (the second match against Ghana). The final will be shown on both channels simultaneously.

Since the 1998 World Cup, England’s win percentage at major tournaments is considerably better on BBC, leading to fears of an “ITV curse”.

Scotland’s group games follow the reverse pattern, with their group-stage opener against Haiti and third match against Brazil on BBC and the middle game against Morocco on ITV.

For the first time, parts of the World Cup will be free to watch on YouTube after Fifa struck an agreement with the streaming platform. The first 10 minutes of every game will be streamed live on YouTube, with broadcasters sharing a select number of full matches on the website. “Content creators” will be part of the coverage as Fifa seeks to attract a new generation of fans.

Fan groups demanded an immediate halt to World Cup ticket sales last December, accusing Fifa of charging “extortionate” prices to the most dedicated supporters.

Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which represents groups across the continent, called for sales via the likes of the Football Association to be suspended when it emerged that watching England at next summer’s tournament could end up costing at least £5,000.

According to FSE, the minimum $6,900 (£5,143) fans would have to pay to follow their country from their first match until the final was nearly five times as much as during the last World Cup.

In response to growing public pressure, Fifa announced a cheaper band of £45 tickets would be made available, but only for a small percentage of seats.

In the latter stages of the tournament, the majority of the cheapest tickets are £686 for the semi-final and £3,119 for the final, pricing condemned by the Football Supporters Association’s Fan Embassy.

“Surprise surprise Fifa are finding out that supporters will turn their backs on ludicrous prices, however prestigious the game. Thousands of pounds for any football match is beyond greedy,” a statement said.

“The most loyal fans, be they English supporters or those of any other nationality, are being priced out.

The final phase of ticket sales will be last-minute general sales, where any remaining tickets are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. This phase will begin in April, and you can access the ticket portal on Fifa’s website here.

There are fears that this World Cup could prove the most expensive ever for supporters, with Fifa operating “dynamic pricing” and taking a 15 per cent fee on resale tickets from both buyer and seller.

Thursday, June 11, 2026
Mexico vs South Africa, 8pm UK time (ITV)

Friday, June 12, 2026
South Korea vs Czech Republic, 3am UK time (ITV)
Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina 8pm UK time (BBC)

Saturday, June 13, 2026
USA vs Paraguay, 2am UK time (BBC)
Qatar vs Switzerland, 8pm UK time (ITV)
Brazil vs Morocco, 11pm UK time (BBC)

Sunday, June 14, 2026
Haiti vs Scotland, 2am UK time (BBC)
Australia vs Turkey, 5am UK time (ITV)
Germany vs Curacao, 6pm UK time (ITV)
Netherlands vs Japan, 9pm UK time (ITV)

Monday, June 15, 2026 
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, 12am UK time (BBC)
Sweden vs Tunisia, 3am UK time (ITV)
Spain vs Cape Verde, 5pm UK time (ITV)
Belgium vs Egypt, 8pm UK time (BBC)
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay, 11pm UK time (ITV)

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 
Iran vs New Zealand, 2am UK time (BBC)
France vs Senegal, 8pm UK time (BBC)
Iraq vs Norway, 11pm UK time (BBC)

Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Argentina vs Algeria, 2am UK time (ITV)
Austria vs Jordan, 5am UK time (BBC)
Portugal vs DR Congo, 6pm UK time (BBC)
England vs Croatia, 9pm UK time (ITV)

Thursday, June 18, 2026 
Ghana vs Panama, 12am UK time (ITV)
Uzbekistan vs Colombia, 3am UK time (BBC)
Czech Republic vs South Africa, 5pm UK time (BBC)
Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina 8pm UK time (ITV)
Canada vs Qatar, 11pm UK time (ITV)

Friday, June 19, 2026 
Mexico vs South Korea, 2am UK time (BBC)
USA vs Australia, 8pm UK time (BBC)
Scotland vs Morocco, 11pm UK time (ITV)

Saturday, June 20, 2026
Brazil vs Haiti, 2am UK time (ITV)
Turkey vs Paraguay, 5am UK time (ITV)
Netherlands vs Sweden, 6pm UK time (BBC)
Germany vs Ivory Coast, 9pm UK time (ITV)

Sunday, June 21, 2026 
Ecuador vs Curacao, 1am UK time (BBC)
Tunisia vs Japan, 5am UK time (BBC)
Spain vs Saudi Arabia, 5pm UK time (BBC)
Belgium vs Iran, 8pm UK time (ITV)
Uruguay vs Cape Verde, 11pm UK time (BBC)

Monday, June 22, 2026
New Zealand vs Egypt, 2am UK time (ITV)
Argentina vs Austria, 6pm UK time (BBC)
France vs Iraq, 10pm UK time (BBC)

Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Norway vs Senegal, 1am UK time (ITV)
Jordan vs Algeria, 4am UK time (ITV)
Portugal vs Uzbekistan, 6pm UK time (ITV)
England vs Ghana, 9pm UK time (BBC)

Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Panama vs Croatia, 12am UK time (BBC)
Colombia vs DR Congo, 3am UK time (ITV)
Switzerland vs Canada, 8pm UK time (ITV)
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar, 8pm UK time (ITV)
Morocco vs Haiti, 11pm UK time (BBC)
Scotland vs Brazil, 11pm UK time (BBC)

Thursday, June 25, 2026
South Africa vs South Korea, 2am UK time (BBC)
Czech Republic vs Mexico, 2am UK time (BBC)
Curacao vs Ivory Coast, 9pm UK time (BBC)
Ecuador vs Germany, 9pm UK time (BBC)

Friday, June 26, 2026
Tunisia vs Netherlands, 12am UK time (BBC)
Japan vs Sweden, 12am UK time (BBC)
Turkey vs USA, 3am UK time (ITV)
Paraguay vs Australia, 3am UK time (ITV)
Norway vs France, 8pm UK time (ITV)
Senegal vs Iraq, 8pm UK time (ITV)

Saturday, June 27, 2026
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia, 1am UK time (ITV)
Uruguay vs Spain, 1am UK time (ITV)
New Zealand vs Belgium, 4am UK time (BBC)
Egypt vs Iran, 4am UK time (BBC)
Panama vs England, 10pm UK time (ITV)
Croatia vs Ghana, 10pm UK time (ITV)

Sunday, June 28, 2026
Colombia vs Portugal, 12.30am UK time (BBC)
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan, 12.30am UK time 
Algeria vs Austria, 3am UK time (BBC)
Jordan vs Argentina, 3am UK time (BBC)

Round of 32
Sunday, June 28 to Saturday, July 4
England’s match in this round would be on BBC

Round of 16
Saturday, July 4 to Tuesday, July 7
England’s match in this round would be on BBC

Quarter-finals
Thursday, July 9 to Sunday, July 12
England’s match in this round would be on ITV

Semi-finals
Tuesday, July 14 to Wednesday, July 15
England’s match in this round would be on BBC

Third-place play-off
Saturday, July 18

Final
Sunday, July 19, 10pm UK time
World Cup final will be shown on both BBC and ITV

Luc Phuc Nguyen, a Vietnamese national, is now starting his second prison sentence for cannabis cultivation, only 18 months after his release from prison.

But a judge said the 51-year-old should now be subject to deportation procedure to return him to his homeland prior to the conclusion of his sentence.

Appearing at a Durham Crown Court on Thursday, Nguyen, who was assisted by a Vietnamese interpreter, admitted producing a class B drug.

Cannabis farmer Luc Phuc Nguyen jailed for the second time for producing a class B drug (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Cainan Lonsdale, prosecuting, said that acting on the suspicions of residents, due to the smell of cannabis, police attended the former pizza shop, in Willington, on March 17.

Officers had to snap off a lock on the front door and use a hammer to smash through plaster board to gain access to the High Street premises.

Mr Lonsdale said it became apparent the defendant was in the property and he was arrested when the officers drew their tasers.

It emerged that Nguyen had been locked into the premises as there were padlocked shutters at the back entrance, albeit food was provided.

198 plants were found in various stages of growth, including 118 in the loft, with their cultivation aided by lighting and fans.

A mobile phone in a box was also recovered by police who also found a well-stocked fridge and cooking facilities in the living area.

Mr Lonsdale said the officers did their best to communicate with Nguyen by using a translation app.

He told them he was brought there in a truck, but could not be certain how long ago, although it may have been about a month.

The defendant also indicated he had been “tricked” by “them” – the people who took him there – and struck in the head.

He said he now just wants to return to Vietnam as he has “no-one” here in the UK.

Mr Lonsdale said expert valuation estimated between £11,000 and £64,000 could be made per yield.

The court heard the defendant has a similar conviction, from January 2024, for which he received a one-year sentence at Teesside Crown Court.

Charlie Thompson, in mitigation, said the defendant was told he was to be taken to a restaurant to work as a cleaner, but then, when he arrived, he was made to water the plants and was, “effectively”, locked into the premises.

He added that the defendant is “clearly a vulnerable person and has been subject to exploitation”.

But the court heard two assessments did not consider him to be the victim of modern-day slavery.

Read next … more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

Passing another one-year prison sentence, Judge Richard Bennett said he did not know why the defendant was not deported after his last conviction but added that he should be, this time.

He also ordered forfeiture and destruction of the seized cannabis plants and paraphernalia.

The judge told Nguyen: “I hope, on this occasion, for your sake and the sake of the public, you are deported on completion of the sentence.”