Shower

Astronomers say viewing conditions promising for this year’s shower, and 50 to 100 meteors an hour may be visibleThe Perseid summer light show is back, and viewing conditions are especially promising across the northern hemisphere.The meteor shower’s is expected to peak on Wednesday night into Thursday morning, and coincides with a total solar eclipse across Spain, Iceland and Greenland and a six-planet parade – though the best time to view the fireballs will come after totality. Continue reading...

Chris Elliot was exposed to ‘lethal dose’ of bacteria while receiving chemotherapy from Gloucestershire NHS trustAn NHS trust has admitted to failing to provide safe care to a man who died after using a contaminated shower in a hospital while undergoing chemotherapy.Chris Elliot, 59, a father of two, died a fortnight after he was admitted to Cheltenham general hospital in Gloucestershire to be treated for leukaemia. Continue reading...

Following early showers, the UK braces for a sunny spell with temperatures reaching 24°C. April's extreme dryness in the east contrasts with heavy rain in the west and north, highlighting climatic imbalances. Warmer weather is expected midweek, with a shift to milder air by Thursday, potentially peaking at 24°C by Friday.

Labor says cuts to disability scheme mean elderly will get more help. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then Nick Visser will be your guide through the morning.Today the health minister, Mark Butler, will detail major changes to the NDIS including significant funding “savings”. The government says the savings, in part, from the national disability insurance scheme will go to funding improved aged care including showering and dressing. Continue reading...

First recorded in 687BC, the meteoroids were once part of the tail of a comet discovered in 1861This week, the annual Lyrid meteor shower returns to the spring skies. Although active since 16 April, the shower peaks during the late evening of Wednesday 22 April and early the next morning.The chart shows the view looking east from London at 00.01 (BST) on Thursday 23 April. The origin point of the meteors, known as the radiant, is labelled Lyrids. It sits in the constellation of Lyra, the Lyre, close to the bright star of Vega. Continue reading...