A spectacular Southern Lights display has been captured on camera from space.

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir filmed the timelapse from onboard the SpaceX Dragon shuttle.

The Southern Lights are just as common as the Northern Lights, and regularly take place over Antarctica, but relatively few people live in latitudes close to the South Pole, so they are not as well-known as their northern counterpart.

These lights occur near the poles because Earth’s magnetic field channels charged particles from the Sun toward those regions, where they collide with the atmosphere and create shimmering waves of colour.

Former Corrie actress Angela Lonsdale has appeared on Emmerdale in one of its recent episodes.

Lonsdale is best known for her portrayal of police officer Emma Watts (née Taylor) on Corrie, first appearing in April 2000 and leaving in 2003.

It comes as part of a new storyline involving one of the show’s mainstays, Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins).

Coronation Street star Angela Lonsdale joins Emmerdale 23 years after exit from show

In the devastating new storyline, viewers of the ITV soap saw Charity Dingle sexually assaulted by Dr Caitlin Todd.

It comes as Todd has been blackmailing Charity in recent episodes.

Emma Atkins said it is “one of the most demanding and significant storylines” she has been involved with as Charity, reports Digital Spy.

Emmerdale producer Sophie Roper said: “Charity’s storyline will explore the impact of sexual violence, and though this heinous act is fundamentally about power, we’ll explore the complexities of how Charity processes her trauma when the perpetrator is a woman.

“With little conversation surrounding female-on-female assault, we’ll explore the overwhelming feelings of isolation many survivors experience and will examine the disparity between the legal term sexual assault and the fact that many women in Charity’s position feel this minimises what’s happened to them, because they feel like they’ve been raped.

“Though difficult viewing at times, Charity’s resilience will inspire hope as she confronts what has happened to her.”

After the ordeal, Charity made the brave decision to report her ordeal to the police, with the officer she spoke to played by Lonsdale.

Angela Lonsdale has returned to ITV in its other soap Emmerdale, as part of a new storyline involving Charity Dingle (Image: ITV)

During her time as police officer Emma Watts on Corrie, her storylines included a long-lasting feud with neighbour Les Battersby and a tempestuous marriage to Curly Watts.

The character departed Weatherfield in September 2003 with Curly after securing a job promotion.

Lonsdale has also played DI Eva Moore in BBC drama Doctors, and had other credits on shows such as The Bill, Casualty, Holby City, and Hollyoaks.

Her role in Emmerdale is a guest role as DS Reid, a specialist police detective helping Charity through her ordeal.

Speaking previously about having a role in the soap, she told Inside Soap: “I wouldn’t say no!

“I’ve been up there a few times and been close to getting a few parts – I wouldn’t be opposed to joining another soap.

“It’s nice to be part of a family, that’s what I love about it.”

Second Coronation Street star making grand return after more than 2 decades

Lonsdale is not the only Corrie star who has returned to ITV for another run on one of their soaps.

Jake Parry, who originally played Simon Barlow on the ITV soap in 2003 alongside his twin brother Oscar, will make his comeback in a new role 23 years later.

He revealed the news in a TikTok post, sharing a brief clip from the show and writing: “Coronation Street trailer.

“Catch me as DAMO next week.”

Although Mr Parry’s return marks a return to the famous Weatherfield set, he has returned playing a new character.

After returning, he wrote: “Back where it all started 22 years ago, it’s a pleasure to be back on this show.

“Always had dreams about coming back onto the show so to actually fulfil that is crazy to me.

“Thank you to all of the people at Corrie and also my agent that made this happen.”

Emmerdale and Coronation Street schedule changes this week

Fans of both ITV soaps should be aware that their regular schedules will see several changes this week.

The first change is on Tuesday (June 9), in which neither show will air due to the Women’s World Cup Qualifier between England and Ukraine.

On Wednesday (June 10), both will air an hour earlier, with Emmerdale at 7pm and Corrie following at 7.30pm, due to England’s final warm-up game against Costa Rica.

The World Cup then begins on Thursday (June 11), with the opening ceremony taking place, meaning neither Emmerdale nor Coronation Street will air on that day.

The biggest change, however, comes on Friday (June 12), with the format changing for both.

Emmerdale will air for an hour from 8pm to 9pm, before Corrie following at 9pm to 10pm.

Who is your favourite character on Emmerdale and/or Coronation Street? Let us know in the comments.

One fire engine from Bolton Central Fire Station attended the incident on Smethurst Lane.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just after 11.30am this morning, one fire engine from Bolton Central fire station was called to reports of a vehicle fire involving a car battery.

“The crew arrived quickly at the scene.

“Firefighters carried out safety checks and are continuing to cool the battery and monitor the temperature with a thermal imaging camera.

 “Firefighters have been in attendance throughout the day carrying out safety checks on the vehicle.”

Footage shared with The Bolton News showed traffic moving freely past the incident.

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA Finals are back in New York and the hype is unavoidable.

The Knicks are two wins from their first championship since 1973 and it seems everyone in the city wants the chance to see it. Even President Donald Trump will be on hand Monday night at Madison Square Garden for Game 3, along with fans who will pay exorbitant prices and endure lengthy lines to get in.

It feels like more of a major event than any basketball game, and Victor Wembanyama was asked if the chaos could be a distraction for his San Antonio Spurs.

“Not really,” he said. “I think it could be, but isolating myself is something I’ve practiced over the years. I think I’m good at it. So it’s not a problem.”

The Spurs have a big enough problem with their 2-0 deficit.

No team has recovered to win the championship after losing the first two games of the NBA Finals at home, and no team in the 80-year history of the league has won any series after falling behind 3-0. So the Spurs need to win Monday.

They had good chances in both games at home. San Antonio led by 14 points midway through the third quarter of Game 1, then erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take the lead in the final minute of Game 2 before the Knicks rallied for a 105-104 victory.

That was New York’s 13th consecutive victory, the second-longest winning streak in postseason history.

Back at home, even the Knicks don’t know quite what to expect of the atmosphere for the first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden since 1999. But they know what to expect from the Spurs.

“I mean, their best,” center Karl-Anthony Towns said. “Every single game you expect their best. That’s how you don’t get caught in a way lacking. You go out there and you expect their best, so you want to bring your best. This is the NBA Finals. There’s no time to take any game easy or to take any game lightly.”

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

“Amazing. 10x better than my Samsung watch.”

Just a couple of weeks remain until Father’s Day, with people across the UK keeping an eye out for the perfect gift. While there are plenty of options out there, getting a catered gift for Father’s Day is easier said than done.

Fortunately, a versatile gift can cover all bases, such as this Garmin Forerunner 55 Smartwatch, which is currently on sale for 25% off on Amazon. Dropping from £149.99 to £112, now could be the perfect opportunity to get your dad a handy smartwatch that is easy to use for even those who aren’t tech-savvy.

The watch can be paired with both iPhones and Android phones and helps track a wide variety of health metrics. This includes step tracking, calorie count, sleep, and more.

READ MORE: I put Dyson’s new clever fan to the test in the heatwave and slept like a baby

READ MORE: Argos shoppers race to buy £23 LEGO Back to the Future sets for £1.50 each online ahead of Father’s Day

If your dad’s the sporty type or simply enjoys going on a walk or hike, all they have to do with the watch is press one button and it will immediately begin tracking their relevant workout. The watch also comes with Garmin’s on-screen Coach, which can provide curated guidance for exercise.

The watch also comes with a black case and a black watch strap, providing a more subtle style and making it much easier to pair with a variety of outfits without clashing. However, if Garmin’s watch doesn’t seem right for your dad, there are plenty of other options out there.

For example, you could opt for the Motast Smart Watch, which is currently on offer from £79.99 to £29.99 on Amazon. This smart watch can be connected on Android phones and iPhones and is capable of heart rate tracking and more while also being IP68 waterproof rated.

If you would prefer something more rugged, you could opt for the Blackview Military Smart Watch, which is discounted on Amazon from £39.99 to £25.46. The watch is built with aerospace aluminium and is designed to meet military standards for both shock and scratch resistance.

The Garmin Forerunner has earned a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with over 11,000 reviews, with one happy customer writing: “What can I say. Well, definitely cheaper and better than a Samsung. I have been using a Samsung for many years and have not got on well with them. Started to use this Garmin, which is their cheapest one, but it’s fantastic and works perfectly with Strava.”

Another added: “Pleased with it, having had a Garmin before, I knew my way around it and didn’t want to pay a lot of money either and this was a good price for what I need it for.” A third added: “Amazing. 10x better than my Samsung watch. Nobody needs a touch-screen watch, and this one is brilliant for just having buttons.”

A fourth said: “Great fitness tool, easy to use app is really good and easy to set up. The watch is very light but well-made. I’ve had a Fitbit, and this is miles better.”

A fifth added: “Fantastic watch with so many different modes and gadgets, I still haven’t worked out everything. Very accurate for a runner like me, but clocks walks, swimming, running, treadmill running, weights, and cardio. If you know someone else with a Garmin watch, you can set up an alert if you have an abnormal heartbeat or something’s wrong, it will alert whoever you decide to send it to. Very clever watch at a great price.”

However, one slightly less pleased customer added: “Seems accurate, but takes ages to connect to GPS, which is annoying.” While another added: “Smartwatch allows tracking your heartbeat during exercise.

“Very lightweight and comfortable to wear. A bit expensive compared to other similar products.”

England were criticised for their off-field conduct during the 4-1 defeat in Australia, particularly a boozy mid-series holiday to the coastal town of Noosa.

In the aftermath of the trip to Noosa, a video of Ben Duckett was posted on social media, with the opener appearing to be intoxicated.

Director of cricket Rob Key investigated the time in Noosa, but denied the team had a drinking culture.

At the end of the Ashes series in January, details of the incident involving Brook in October were revealed.

Brook initially claimed to have been alone at the nightclub in Wellington, only for it to emerge that he was alongside team-mates Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue.

The midnight curfew was first imposed for the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka in January and the T20 World Cup that followed, both when Brook was captain.

It has remained in place for the start of the Test summer, when Stokes, 35, has returned to lead the side.

After the conclusion of England’s win at Lord’s on Sunday, Stokes said: “I’m not going to lie, I’m very, very happy that we’ve won this week. I knew how big this game was in terms of the result and how it was going to be perceived externally if it didn’t go well.

“I won’t be really happy until I get to share a beer with the boys.”

In 2017, Stokes was involved in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub that resulted in him being charged with affray.

He subsequently missed the Ashes tour of 2017-18 before he was cleared of the charge the following summer.

England are due to name a squad for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, beginning on 17 June.

But the result of the investigation could have an impact on the squad, including the possible omission of Stokes and Atkinson.

Atkinson, 28, took seven wickets in the match, including 5-30 in the second innings as England completed a 115-run win.

Stokes, however, suffered a frustrating Test with the bat – scoring 12 in his first innings before a three-ball duck in the second.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

The UK could be set to see another heatwave

The Met Office has issued a verdict on when the UK could see its next heatwave, with the weather agency warning that temperatures could reach, or soar past, 30C towards the end of the week.

Following record-breaking temperatures during late May’s heatwave, the UK has been experiencing a spell of unsettled weather, with rain and showers expected to continue through to Friday (June 12) for most of the country. However we could see a sharp change in the weather as we approach the weekend, as the Met Office forecasts “much warmer” temperatures.

The Met Office has suggested that the weekend could bring temperatures which exceed the seasonal average, which is placed at around 21C for southern England. With the UK expected to see warmer conditions across Saturday (June 13) and Sunday (June 14), forecasters have added that there is potential for the country to see another heatwave.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

Dan Stroud, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “We’re looking at temperatures climbing into the weekend, particularly on Saturday and Sunday, so feeling much warmer than recent days, with temperatures quite widely above average, especially across the south come Saturday, and even more so on Sunday.”

Mr Stroud added that current indicators suggest temperatures may hit, or exceed, 30C in some places. He said: “How high the temperatures gets is still open to a fair amount of debate. There is growing signal that temperatures will be heading comfortably into the high 20s, perhaps breaking 30 degrees again.

“There is definitely a chance of temperatures scraping into the above 30 degrees on Sunday, and then more so on Monday. We keep close tabs on it because there is always the potential for hitting heatwave criteria again.”

He continued: “End of this week, high pressure starts to build from the south, with clearing skies and rising temperatures over the continent. It’s just a perfect recipe for temperatures to actually start climbing.”

Temperatures are expected to be highest in the south and across South East England, according to the Met Office. However in the run up to the weekend, conditions are expected to remain unsettled.

Tuesday (June 9) is set to bring sunny spells and showers for most, with Thursday (June 11) set to be wet and windy for many. From Friday, conditions are expected to turn drier and increasingly settled.

Mr Stroud said: “Thursday is likely the wettest day of the week, with an organised band of rain moving across us. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Curtis Rogerson, 45, has now been jailed

A driver who pepper sprayed two men after a row over a parking space in a leafy Cheshire village has been jailed. Curtis Rogerson, 45, left his victims with ‘burning’ faces after launching the ‘terrifying’ attack in Lymm last Autumn.

The men were in a van which had begun reversing into a parking space near Eagle Brow, in the centre of the village, when Rogerson drove his car into it first. One of the men ‘shouted his annoyance’, police said, prompting Rogerson to fly into a rage.

The men were were still the in the van, which had now found another space, when Rogerson pulled his car up alongside them, hitting the driver’s side wing mirror.

Click here to hear the latest from Manchester’s courts in our newsletter

He then sprayed a then unknown substance through the open window into the men’s faces before driving off. “Both men felt burning to their faces and were helped by passers-by” Cheshire Police said.

The substance was tested and identified as Capsaicinoids, which are typically found in pepper sprays. The two men have thankfully since made a full recovery, the force added.

An investigation was launched and Rogerson’s car was identified before he was traced and arrested.

He pleaded guilty to administering a noxious thing with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy, possession of a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid/gas, and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was also sentenced for two offences of intimidating a witness, which were committed in Trafford and which police said were unrelated to the Cheshire case.

Rogerson, of Chaise Meadow, Lymm, was sentenced to three years and four months by a judge at in prison at Chester Crown Court on Thursday (June 4).

In a statement issued following the hearing, Detective Constable Kelsie Sherratt from Cheshire Police said: “Rogerson let a small annoyance over a car parking space spiral out of control, purposefully spraying a substance into the faces of the two victims with the intent of causing them harm.

“The victims were merely sat inside their vehicle, and this must have been terrifying to suddenly be in pain with no knowledge of what they had been sprayed with and if they would be left with any lasting damage.

“Thankfully, both made a full recovery and Rogerson was held accountable for his actions and is now facing time behind bars.”

Guards at HMP Lindholme near Doncaster found the device when Peter Harris, 45, was detained there on October 9 last year, York Magistrates Court heard.

Harris, of James Street, central York, was also before the court for other offences committed following his release from the prison.

He pleaded guilty to having a forbidden item while in prison, having a bag of cannabis at St Saviourgate in central York and stealing four cans of Martini from the Co-op in Stonebow worth £16, both on May 2, theft of items worth Marks and Spencer in York on May 24, and theft of items worth £151.85 from a Spar shop in York on May 31.

He was jailed for six weeks and ordered to pay £151.85 compensation to the Spar shop, £16 to the C-op and a £154 statutory surcharge.