It’s been a big week of song, dance and culture in the city as part of the world’s largest celebration of traditional Irish music.

It’s a mixed bag for Belfast’s weather this coming weekend as the city hosts the final days of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

It’s been a big week of song, dance and culture in the city as part of the world’s largest celebration of traditional Irish music.

More than 200 events and 180 traditional music competitions have been taking place across city venues, pubs, and streets throughout the week-long celebration that runs until this Sunday, August 9.

Weather-wise the weekend isn’t looking too bad despite some rain forecast for Saturday before conditions improve in the coming days.

Here’s what we can expect in Belfast on the weather front this coming weekend, according to the Met Office:

Today:

This morning will be dry across all parts with sunny spells. It will remain dry this afternoon with some bright or sunny spells. Warm, locally very warm across Down. Maximum temperature 20°C.

Tonight:

This evening will be dry with some late sunshine. Then it will become cloudy overnight with some light and patchy rain extending northeast for a time. Freshening southwesterly in the northwest. Minimum temperature 13°C.

Saturday:

Some hazy sunshine in the southeast at first; otherwise rather cloudy with some rain at times in the north and west, drier elsewhere. Maximum temperature 21°C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Outbreaks of rain on Sunday, turning drier later. Dry with some sunshine on Monday and Tuesday.

UK long range weather forecast: Tuesday 11 August – Thursday 20 August

A settled start, with mainly dry conditions on Tuesday, although with scattered showers across western areas.

Then through the week, more changeable conditions are likely across northern parts, with some spells of rain or showers and stronger winds, interspersed by drier periods. Whilst southern areas will generally see more settled, drier conditions where it will become very warm or hot.

Further into August, lower pressure may start to track further south or east. This means there is a greater chance of frontal systems or thundery interludes affecting southern and eastern areas compared to recent weeks, though rainfall amounts could be quite variable with some areas still seeing relatively little.

Temperatures look to remain above average, especially in the south, where it may be very warm or hot.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Kit Green has made it clear that he’s plotting to pin Theo Silverton’s murder on Gary Windass in Corrie

Coronation Street fans have demanded that Kit Green is ‘brought down a peg or two’ as he plots to pin Theo Silverton’s murder on Gary Windass.

It’s fair to say that fans of the ITV soap, which is filmed in Salford, have taken sides after copper Kit was seen issuing Gary with an ultimatum in a bid to get his partner, Sarah Platt, out of prison for killing the abusive builder.

As viewers will recall, the builder’s lifeless body was found by a horrified Betsy Swain on the night of her mum, Lisa Swain’s, wedding to Carla Connor, but it wasn’t until a week after the wedding aired that it was confirmed Theo had died after the murder was teased to be him and four other Weatherfield villains.

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A murder investigation quickly got underway, with Corrie confirming Theo’s husband, Todd Grimshaw, as a suspect, along with his loved ones, George Shuttleworth, Summer Spellman, Christina Boyd, as well as Theo’s friend-turned enemy, Gary Windass, and Theo’s ex-wife, Danielle Silverton.

But it was eventually revealed to Corrie viewers, in scenes aired in June, that it wasn’t any of the six, as it was Sarah who appeared to deal the blow that sent a drunk Theo tumbling off the scaffolding outside his flat and plummeting to the ground – before she called on her former flame, Gary, for help.

Unable to keep her secret for any longer, Sarah ended up confessing to Todd, who ended their friendship shortly after, and eventually told her detective beau the truth, when he dropped to one knee to pop the question. Despite his job, Kit vowed to help Sarah and as she didn’t want Gary to get into trouble either, he reluctantly agreed to help him too.

However, last month, Sarah was arrested on suspicion of killing Theo. She was later charged as the evidence stacked against her, and Sarah ended up admitting to the murder, telling DS Lisa Connor-Swain it was in self-defence.

Kit is now determined to get Sarah off the hook and during Thursday’s (August 6) visit to Weatherfield, which comes as a number of Corrie stars are filming what appears to be Sarah’s court case, having been spotted filming on location at Bolton Crown Court, he continued to search the data scrubbed from Gary’s phone after getting a favour from a mate.

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After he and Bethany Platt trawled Gary’s GPS data, he planned to search the waste ground for the metal pipe used to kill Theo. Later, Kit found Gary in the Rovers, where Kit told him he’d had “an interesting day” and to pop over to his and Sarah’s flat later.

When he did, Kit told Gary he knew where the murder weapon was and that the GPS data he found would be enough to place Gary there, even if the mental pole didn’t carry his DNA. Gary tried to fight back, but in the end, Kit issued him an ultimatum – he either confesses to Theo’s murder, or Kit will hand over what he knows.

And Corrie fans have made their feelings clear that, despite Gary’s dodgy past, they seemingly don’t want to see him go down for Theo’s death. @sam_fletcher78 said: “Team Gary! Kit needs to be brought down a peg or two!” @julie49parkinson commented: “Kit needs to do one. Team Gary!”

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@anoif_9090 posted: “Kit needs to be found out and punished!!” @bigabiggsy argued: “Kit n Gary together would be an unstoppable duo. Need as mates not rivals.” @riojuniperj wrote: “Can’t stand Kit! Please send him off with Jodie . Team Gary any day.”

@NoniFlax101 shared: “Kit thinks he’s so clever, but I doubt Sarah will forgive him for this – his vendetta against Gary is fuelled by nothing but jealousy. And Sarah would never betray Gary. #Corrie.” @SouthernCazza1 added: “Disliking Kit more and more. Liking Gary more and more. Praying that Bethany’s going to go to Gary and Sarah and snitch #Corrie.”

Donald Munro has been diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer and has been placed on palliative care.

A terminally ill man is facing a race against time to fulfil his dying wish to see Bon Jovi live in concert. Donald Munro, 45, from the Highlands, has lived with the incurable muscle condition idiopathic torsion dystonia since childhood.

Despite spending most of his life in a wheelchair and facing significant physical challenges, he has refused to let his illness define him – even after being diagnosed with a small-cell carcinoma of the bladder, a rare, incurable cancer.

He has since been placed on palliative care. Donald, who now lives in Inverness, says his final wish is to see his music icons Bon Jovi, whose music has helped him through “good times and bad”. He was delighted when the rockers announced a show at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on August 28, but sadly failed to secure accessible tickets.

As time has become precious to him and his family, he is more determined than ever to make his wish come true – to attend the concert or even receive a short personal video message or video call from Jon Bon Jovi himself.

Donald told Edinburgh Live: “If I could see Bon Jovi one last time at Murrayfield, it would mean the world to me.

“If that’s not possible, a short video message or a quick video call would be something I’ll treasure forever.

“I tried to see Bon Jovi under my own steam and was disappointed to miss out.

“But I never imagined that, only a short time later, my circumstances would change so dramatically.

“I did everything I could to make seeing Bon Jovi live again happen. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.

“The right medication and Bon Jovi’s music and has helped me build a life for myself I never imagined possible.”

Donald started experiencing muscle spasms in his arm aged eight which gradually spread to the rest of his body.

By the time he was diagnosed aged 10, his legs were too weak to support him and he used a wheelchair full time.

Music became his passion, particularly Bon Jovi. He says the band has provided the “soundtrack to his life”.

He was able to see them in concert at London’s Hyde Park in 2003, but has never had the opportunity again.

Donald said: “Bon Jovi allowed my body respond to music without me worrying about what anyone thought.

“For the first time in a long time, I felt like myself again.”

Donald’s friends have created a short documentary sharing Donald’s extraordinary story to help his wish come true.

They are inviting people to help spread the word in the hope that it reaches Jon Bon Jovi and his team.

Abi Macdonald, who has been helping coordinate the campaign, said: “Donald has faced challenges that most of us can’t begin to imagine, but anyone who meets him is struck by his warmth, humour and positivity.

“This campaign isn’t about sympathy—it’s about helping a genuinely remarkable man achieve one final dream. If enough people share his story, you never know where it might end up.”

The M29 7HN postcode that covers Avon Road in Tyldesley was one of 20 of the most recent winners announced on Friday, August 7.

Ticket holders who live in the postcode are entitled to a prize of £1,000.

They won today alongside 19 other postcodes nationwide.

The postcode around Avon Road in Tyldesley was one of the winners (Image: Google Maps)

Postcode Lottery is a subscription-based lottery which raises money for charities.

Not only do players win cash prizes, but good causes also receive essential support.

A participant’s postcode works as your ticket.

For £12.50 a month, participants are entered into every prize draw and there are guaranteed winners every day.

People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.

Prizes include the weekly Millionaire Street prize and monthly £250,000 or Postcode Millions prizes.

If a postcode gets picked in the £250,000 prize, for example, every ticket in that postcode wins £250,000.

Every day, there are £1,000 prizes to be won for every ticket in 20 postcodes.

Anyone who plays with two tickets will receive double the winning prize amount.

Players have raised more than £1.8 billion for thousands of good causes in Britain and internationally, funding charities including Maggie’s, Alzheimer’s Society, Dogs Trust, Mind, NSPCC, and many others, as well as thousands of small local community projects.

While most runners are chasing after a new goal or a personal best, some are chasing after something slightly more elusive: a runner’s high.

Some describe it as euphoria. Others as calm, clarity or even a sense of being completely absorbed in the moment. Many people experience some version of it after a long run or a spin class.

For years, scientists believed the phenomenon was caused by endorphins, the body’s natural opioids. But more recent neuroscientific research now indicates that this might not wholly be the case.

Instead, a runner’s high appears to emerge from several brain systems working together. This explains why a runner’s high has so many far-reaching effects – and why these effects can often persist long after the initial experience of euphoria.

The brain’s own cannabis system

Endorphins are naturally-occurring brain chemicals which are released during periods of physical stress help to reduce pain.

Aerobic exercise increases circulating endorphins. Numerous studies have demonstrated higher levels of the endorphin beta-endorphin following prolonged aerobic exercise, such as running. This is why endorphins were long believed to be the sole cause of a runner’s high.

But there’s a key problem with the endorphin theory. This is because endorphins circulating in the blood struggle to cross the blood-brain barrier – the tightly regulated system that protects the brain from substances in the bloodstream.

So while endorphins may well contribute to pain relief elsewhere in the body, they cannot fully explain the feelings of euphoria and emotional wellbeing generated by a runner’s high within the brain itself.

So scientists began searching for another explanation.

The breakthrough came with the discovery that exercise also activates the endocannabinoid system.

Endocannabinoids are naturally produced by our bodies. They help with functions such as pleasure, memory and stress regulation.

One of the most important chemicals produced by the endocannabinoid system is anandamide, one of the brain’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. It helps to reduce anxiety, ease pain and create feelings of calm and wellbeing. And, unlike endorphins, anandamide crosses the blood-brain barrier with ease.

After a long bout of aerobic exercise, blood concentrations of anandamide rise substantially. Once inside the brain, it activates cannabinoid receptors in regions involved in emotion, motivation, reward and pain perception.

The resulting effects are remarkably similar to many features of the runner’s high – including reduced anxiety, better movement, less pain and feelings of calm.

This isn’t to suggest that endorphins play no role in a runner’s high. Modern neuroscience suggests endorphins and endocannabinoids work together – with endocannabinoids probably playing the larger role in producing the emotional aspects of the experience.

Several other neurotransmitters also play a part in a runner’s high.

Dopamine, which is central to motivation and reward, helps reinforce actions that are beneficial for survival. Rather than simply producing pleasure, dopamine encourages us to repeat a behaviour that the brain considers valuable.

Serotonin contributes to emotional stability and wellbeing, while noradrenaline enhances alertness and focus.

Exercise also stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports the growth of new and existing brain connections and plays a vital role in learning and memory

Although BDNF probably doesn’t produce the immediate euphoria associated with runner’s high, it may help explain why regular running can improve various aspects of wellbeing.

The benefits of a runner’s high

A runner’s high is about far more than pleasure chemicals.

Running changes how different brain networks communicate. During prolonged, rhythmic exercise (such as running), activity within the default mode network – the collection of brain regions associated with self-reflection, worry and thinking – appears to decrease.

At the same time, brain regions involved in attention, movement and sensory processing become more coordinated. This shift may help explain why running often produces feelings of mental clarity or being completely immersed in the present moment.

For many people, the mental benefits of a runner’s high even outlast the run itself.

Exercise influences stress regulation, inflammation, neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt and change), sleep quality and emotional processing. This combination of benefits is something which few medical interventions achieve.

Importantly, scientists are increasingly recognising that the mental health benefits of exercise extend well beyond the runner’s high itself. Even people who never experience the euphoria of a runner’s high still show meaningful improvements in mood, cognition and resilience with regular physical activity.

But for those who still want to chase after a runner’s high, research suggests there’s a sweet spot to achieving it – and it doesn’t require long-distance, extreme endurance.

Most studies report increases in endocannabinoids after approximately 30 to 60 minutes of continuous aerobic exercise performed at moderate to vigorous intensity – so roughly 70-85% of maximum heart rate. The key is that the physiological stress is high enough to trigger these neurochemical responses without overwhelming the body.

That said, there is considerable individual variation. Although one survey found that around two-thirds of recreational runners had experienced a runner’s high at least once, it didn’t necessarily happen on every run.

Some people also appear naturally more responsive to exercise-induced endocannabinoid release. Genetics, sex, fitness level, sleep quality, psychological state and even expectations may all influence whether someone experiences runner’s high on any given day, too.

TransPennine Express (TPE) said a reduced service will run until 10am today.

A spokesperson for the train operator also said trains across the network may be delayed or cancelled at short notice until noon.

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Around 2pm yesterday, electricity cut out in the main control hub for North West England’s railways – the Manchester rail operating centre – near Ashburys station in the city’s east.

National Rail said the severity of the disruption means a number of trains and crew are in the wrong locations for the start of today’s planned services.

Passengers are being advised to check their journeys before travelling.

TPE said tickets dated for August 6 can be used on any of its trains on the booked route today, August 7, without additional charges.

🎥 #Manchester – The visual disruption map video has been updated#DisruptionVideos

ℹ️ Full video can be found here: https://t.co/W9hvWNiTWc pic.twitter.com/M4498fL8qz

— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) August 7, 2026

Advance Purchase tickets for today will have relaxed restrictions, allowing travel on any TPE train on the booked route.

Refunds are available for cancelled journeys or if TPE passengers are unable to complete their travel.

Affected TPE passengers can also use their tickets at no extra cost on Avanti West Coast services between Edinburgh/Glasgow Central and Preston, CrossCountry services between Leeds, York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh, and LNER services between York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh, up until 12:00 today.

East Midlands Railway services between Liverpool Lime Street and Sheffield, Metrolink services between Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly, and Manchester Victoria, and all Bee Network buses are also accepting these TPE tickets up until 12:00 today.

The main services through York to the North West area terminate at Manchester Airport and Liverpool.

By JANE DENTON, MONEY REPORTER

Updated: 08:16 BST, 7 August 2026

The business that owns iconic Nottingham bike manufacturer Raleigh has begun insolvency proceedings.  

Accell, based in the Netherlands, acquired Raleigh for $100million in 2012 but said this week it had ‘exhausted all the available options’ and was ‘no longer able to meet its financial obligations’.

The fate of the Raleigh brand will now be decided by administrators. 

Raleigh confirmed a loss of £30.1million before tax in 2023 in its annual financial statement published in January 2025, against losses of £6.8million in 2022. 

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Raleigh previously confirmed redundancies in Nottingham in 2024 following a review of the company at the end of 2023 and left its headquarters in Church Street, Eastwood, to move to new premises. 

Raleigh was founded in 1887 and grew to be the largest bike manufacturer in the world. 

Downfall of an icon: The fate of Raleigh is now in the hands of administrators 

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At its peak, Raleigh was making 1million bikes a year at its factory in Nottingham and employed more than 8,000 people. 

Raleigh created the popular Chopper bike, with extended handlebars and seat with a backrest, in the 1970s. 

Jonas Nilsson, chief executive of Accell, said it was ‘a deeply sad and frustrating situation’.

Accell underwent a restructuring in February 2026, securing additional funding from shareholders and lenders, and reducing debts. 

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Accell said it had held discussions with several interested potential buyers, scrutinised multiple offers and looked at getting regulatory approval for a potential merger to help ensure Raleigh stayed viable. 

Nilsson said: ‘It is an especially difficult moment for our employees, creditors, customers, suppliers, and partners. 

‘Every realistic option for the future of the business has been tirelessly explored, and none have resulted in a solution to continue the Group in its current form. 

‘Our immediate focus is to support an orderly process, provide clarity wherever possible, and work with the relevant court-appointed administrators to preserve viable activities and employment where circumstances allow.’

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European bike and parts makers have come under pressure from Chinese rivals in recent decades, leading to fewer survivors in the sector. 

Accell was bought in 2022 in a £1.2billion buyout by the US private equity firm KKR. 

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Residents living in the shadow of the Llanwonno wildfire have described the fear of watching flames and smoke creep towards their homes, coming within just yards of their gardens.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) said on Thursday that the major incident had been stood down following days after helicopters releasing water onto the scorched earth. The fire covers 400 hectares – the equivalent to about 560 football pitches. On Sunday afternoon the scale was equivalent to 28 football pitches.

Residents in the nearby village of Blaenllechau say they have been living with smoke, road closures and fears they could be forced to leave their homes over the last few days. Read more here.

Ben, 47, from is believed to have been intending to go rock climbing when he was reported missing on Wednesday, August 5

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A body has been discovered during the search for a missing man.

Ben, from St Davids, in Pembrokeshire, wales, is believed to have been planning a rock climbing trip before he was reported missing on Wednesday, August 5.

Dyfed Powys Police confirmed that on Thursday, a body was recovered in the coastal area of Caer Bwdy.

In a statement released on Thursday evening, the force said: “Formal identification has not yet taken place, and while the family have been informed of this development, we are not in a position to confirm the identity of the deceased at this time. They are being supported by specially trained officers.

“We ask that the family’s privacy is respected while enquiries continue.”

Ben, 47, is thought to have set out from his St Davids home on Wednesday, August 5 at around midday with the intention of going rock climbing, reports Wales Online.

It is understood he was heading to either the Carreg y Barcud area, near Trelerw, or Caer Bwdy Bay, on the outskirts of St Davids in Pembrokeshire.

Concern grew amongst Ben’s family and friends after hours passed without any contact, prompting them to raise the alarm and call the emergency services.

Both a Coastguard vessel and helicopter were deployed as part of the search operation.