More than 50 people have reported symptoms of the highly contagious norovirus, with one dead following the suspected outbreak

Holidaymakers and crew aboard a cruise liner have been placed in quarantine following the death of an elderly passenger during a suspected norovirus outbreak – and the ship made a stop-off in Belfast earlier this month.

Over 50 individuals have experienced symptoms of the highly infectious virus while on the Ambassador Cruise Line vessel, called the Ambition, remains moored in Bordeaux. More than 1,700 passengers and crew on the vessel have been restricted to their quarters after the 90-year-old passenger passed away, according to health authorities.

The initial indications of symptoms amongst those travelling on the ship were documented on May 11, Bordeaux authorities confirmed. Approximately 50 people have displayed signs of the highly contagious norovirus, a type of gastroenteritis which triggers vomiting and diarrhoea, health authorities have confirmed, reports the Mirror.

The vessel had departed the Shetland Islands on May 6, before calling at Belfast, Liverpool and Brest in France and arriving in Bordeaux, from where it was due to set sail for Spain today.

The local Gironde prefecture announced in a statement today: “According to information relayed last night by the ship’s captain, up to fifty passengers experienced symptoms consistent with an acute gastrointestinal infection. These passengers were immediately attended to by the ship’s doctor and isolated in their cabins.

“A medical team, supervised by the maritime medical coordination service and under the authority of the maritime prefect, was dispatched on board to assess the health situation. Samples are currently being taken by the infectious diseases department of the Bordeaux University Hospital.”

Officials confirmed that health management procedures had been put in place, noting this virus bore no connection to the hantavirus outbreak which resulted in the deaths of multiple passengers on a different cruise. It remains uncertain how long those on board, believed to be predominantly British and Irish passengers, may remain stranded in France.

Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives… To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here.

If you’ve ever struggled to get that perfect roast potato with a crunchy exterior and tender interior, this ingredient will crisp them up properly.

Roast potatoes stand as the ultimate comfort food accompaniment, whether you’re serving them alongside pork chops during the week or preparing them for a Sunday roast. While making homemade roast potatoes is fairly straightforward, they can emerge soft, sodden, and oily if you fail to cook them with the proper ingredients.

Potatoes inherently hold substantial amounts of water which converts to steam while cooking in the oven, and should this dampness remain on the exterior then the oil cannot adequately crisp them. Nevertheless, Lindsay, a cook and creator of The Tasteful Pantry, has revealed there’s a remarkably simple method to guarantee potatoes that are “crunchy every time without fail” as you merely need to coat them with semolina.

Lindsay stated: “Semolina adds a gentle grainy texture that crisps up beautifully in the oven, giving the kind of crunch that ordinary roast potatoes rarely achieve.

“It’s the perfect trick if you’ve ever struggled to get that ideal roast – crispy exterior, tender interior, and just enough spice to keep things interesting.”

Semolina is a flour typically utilised for making pasta, bread or even pizza dough, though it’s also employed in roasting fish and potatoes as it’s renowned for creating a perfectly crispy skin.

Its very coarse nature means it performs exceptionally well on potatoes and is also highly absorbent, which enables it to draw considerable moisture from the surface.

Keeping the potatoes as dry as possible during oven cooking prevents them from steaming, allowing them to cook more effectively in the oil.

Using semolina not only stops the potatoes from turning soggy, but also begins to toast in the oven, resulting in a perfectly caramelised exterior with wonderfully crispy edges.

How to make crispier roast potatoes

You will need:

• 1kg of potatoes
• 120ml of oil
• Two tablespoons of semolina
• One teaspoon of salt
• Half a teaspoon of garlic powder
• Half a teaspoon of onion powder
• Hal a teaspoon of oregano
• Half a teaspoon of paprika
• A quarter teaspoon of pepper

While any oil of your choosing is suitable for roast potatoes, those with a high smoke point, such as sunflower, vegetable, or rapeseed oil, tend to yield the finest results. Alternatives such as duck fat, goose fat or beef drippings are equally acceptable.

Method:

Begin by preheating your oven to 210C, ensuring you have a deep roasting dish large enough to accommodate all the potatoes in a single layer.

Pour your chosen oil into the deep dish and place it in the oven for 10 minutes. It is crucial that the oil reaches a high temperature before the potatoes are added, as this forms a crust and delivers a crispier finish.

Meanwhile, peel and halve the potatoes. Transfer them to a large pot of water and bring to the boil. Allow them to cook for approximately 10 minutes until fork-tender, yet still firm in the centre.

Drain the potatoes thoroughly, then return them to the empty pot. Without applying any heat, use a fork or tongs to gently toss the potatoes around.

This process slightly roughens the surface of the potatoes, creating more edges once they enter the oven, ultimately producing an exceptionally crunchy exterior.

Next, combine the semolina, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle the semolina mixture over the potatoes, then give the pot a shake to coat them evenly.

Remove the baking dish from the oven, then carefully transfer the potatoes into it. Using tongs, turn each potato to ensure all sides are covered in oil, then tip any leftover seasoning from the pot into the dish.

Place the potatoes in the oven for 20 minutes, then flip them over and cook for a further 10 minutes.

When you remove the potatoes from the oven, they should be sizzling, deep golden brown and boasting a wonderfully crispy skin.

This is despite local speculation that a man with a knife had been seen walking along Blackburn Road in Astley Bridge over recent days.

Officers say that they have been to the area to reassure people but they have not found anyone who seems to match the description of a suspicious knifeman.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of reports that a suspicious male, allegedly with a knife had been sighted on Blackburn Road, Bolton, earlier today.

“We can confirm that nothing has been directly reported to us, nor has any suspicious behaviour been identified.

“Officers who have attended the area for reassurance have additionally not located anyone.”

The Bolton News understands that children were brought indoors at nurseries along Blackburn Road to make sure that they were safe when reports circulated in the area.

But no one is believed to have been in any danger.

Members of the public with any information or concerns can call police on 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency.

Alternatively, they can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Reece Roberts was driving a Volvo XC90 when he struck Diane Jones as she crossed the A690 Durham Road in Sunderland at about 11pm.

The 27-year-old had no licence or insurance and drove off, leaving Diane fatally injured in the road.

Members of the public came to 59-year-old’s aid until emergency services attended, for which her family said they will remain eternally grateful.

Diane was sadly pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

Diane Jones (Image: Northumbria Police)

He handed himself in the next day after seeing a police appeal online, turning up at a police station with a bag of belongings.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was charged and admitted the charge plus driving while disqualified and without insurance when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court.

On Wednesday (May 13), Roberts, of Tudor Grove, Sunderland, appeared at the same court, and was sentenced to ten years and eight months in prison, plus a five-year extended licence.

Reece Roberts (Image: Northumbria Police)

In the days following her death, tributes flooded in for Diane, from Thorney Close, and a GoFundMe page was started to help pay for her send-off.

Inspector Steven Clare, of Northumbria Police’s Serious Collision Unit, said: “It is hard to imagine the pain Diane’s family has endured as they have tried to come to terms with what happened on February 14.

 “They have shown incredible strength throughout and have remained focused on our efforts to bring Diane’s killer to justice.

Floral tributes at the scene. (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

 “No-one should have to go through what they have – and it is because of one person’s reckless choices that this family has been left without their loved one.”

He added: “We would also like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who came forward with information following the collision – and supported our investigation.

“We’d ask the family’s privacy is respected as they continue to grieve the loss of Diane.”

The Philadelphia Eagles will play in London as part of the NFL’s international games next season.

The NFL will stage a record nine regular-season games overseas during 2026, with three in the UK while Australia and France are hosts for the first time.

The London series begins on 4 October with the Washington Commanders hosting the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will then host games on the following two Sundays against the Eagles at Tottenham then the Houston Texans at Wembley.

The first international game will take place during the first week of the season, with the Los Angeles Rams having a divisional match-up against the San Francisco 49ers at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The 49ers will also face the Minnesota Vikings as the NFL returns to Mexico, while the Baltimore Ravens meet the Dallas Cowboys in the league’s first game in Rio de Janeiro.

There will be three games in continental Europe, with the New Orleans Saints facing the Pittsburgh Steelers as Paris hosts its first game at the Stade de France.

The Cincinnati Bengals then face the Atlanta Falcons at the home of Real Madrid while the New England Patriots, who reached last season’s Super Bowl, will take on the Detroit Lions in Munich.

Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “The formal commitment to legislation to stamp out late payments is an historic moment for small firms, who have spent years battling a culture of poor payment practices by big businesses towards their smaller suppliers.

Openreach’s Stop Sell programme means households will no longer be able to sign up for traditional copper broadband and phone services

Whether you welcome it or not, the traditional copper landlines that criss-cross the UK are firmly on their way out. The nationwide transition to so-called “Digital Voice” services has been scheduled for January 2027, signalling the end of the ageing copper-wire telephone network.

Once the deadline comes into effect, households will make calls via their broadband connections instead. The shift represents one of the most significant overhauls to UK communications infrastructure in living memory, and in a bid to speed up the move away from outdated systems, BT’s Openreach network is pressing ahead with its “Stop Sell” programme.

Under these regulations, providers including BT, Sky, Plusnet, and TalkTalk are no longer permitted to offer new copper-based broadband and telephone services in affected areas.

Stop Sell notifications have already been rolled out across numerous parts of the UK in recent years, and Openreach has now confirmed a further expansion covering 238 exchange locations and approximately 1.69 million premises, reports the Mirror.

Once these changes come into force, customers looking to upgrade, switch, or take out new services will be required to move to full fibre broadband and digital telephone services, rather than the outdated copper network.

Openreach explained: “Stop Sell is triggered when a majority (75%) of premises connected to a particular exchange can access ultrafast Full Fibre. Customers wanting to switch, upgrade or re-grade their broadband or phone service will then need to take a new digital service over our Full Fibre network.” By early June, Stop Sell regulations will come into force across 1,432 exchanges throughout the country, affecting around 14.2 million properties.

James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Director, said: “Our Stop Sell programme is a vital step in accelerating the UK’s transition to a modern full fibre future. As copper’s ability to support modern communications declines, the immediate focus is moving people onto newer, future-proof technologies.

“By phasing out legacy copper-based services in areas where fibre is widely available, we’re helping customers and providers migrate to faster, more reliable digital infrastructure. This also reduces the cost and complexity of maintaining both old and new networks ahead of the nationwide shutdown of the legacy copper-based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which is now less than eight months away.”

Full list of locations

Farnsfield • Quor • Sileby • Tibshelf • Layton • Hetton Le Hole • Marton • Pinxton • Spofforth • Cudworth • New Ollerton • Rottingdean • Castle Donington • Blidworth • North Carlton • Jarrow Bilsthorpe • Illingworth • Strensall • Harefield • Cosham • Donnington • Ramsbottom • Shettleston • Brediland • Filton • Dudley • Cheetham • Dinsdale • Garston • New Oakley • Bingley • Maltby • Upton Park • Markyate • Potters Bar • Churchdown • Pollok • Shawbury • Polmont Brierley Hill • Epping • Cowley • Wembley • Strood • Scotstoun • Dunfermline • Headington • Halifax • Parsons Green • Haworth • Darwen • Radcliffe On Trent • Cuckoo Oak • Newton Mearns• Farnworth • East Herrington • Earl Shilton • Atherstone • Winterbourne • Braunstone • Kenilworth • Collyhurst • Wigton •Jedburgh • Wester Hailes • Langside • Godalming • Norwich City • Aberdeen Kingswells • Welwyn • Hurley • Wareham • Maryport • Cleator Moor • Mold West

Braintree • Ridgewell • Saint Osyth • Moreton Morrell (MXL) Lighthorne • Slade Green • Gravesend • Repton • Castle Douglas • Annan • Lanchester • Cockfield • Rushyford • Epworth • Finningley • Ranskill • Keadby • Bewdley • North Berwick • Walkerburn • Drymen Killearn • Falfield • Coleford • Bredon • Alton • Southwold • Mauchline • Lochgelly • Kirkby • Kirkby Lonsdale • Oakham • Narborough • Wrexham North • Ruthin (RGH) • Tynygongl • Stow • Barwick In Elmet • Bearsted • Woburn Sands • Great Barford • Forth • Tinto • Burnopfield

• Ebchester • Bedlington • Dudley (DYE) • Corbridge • Tuxford • West Haddon • Bozeat • Machen • Swanton Morley • Martham • Terrington St John • Warboys • St. Michaels • Burghfield Common • Stocksbridge • Bishopston • Glantawe • Crynant • Pencader • Pembroke • Knebworth • Wilmslow Chapel En Le Frith • Corsham • Borth • Henlade • Hawick • Heathfield • Castleham • Camborne Wychbold (WYG) • Whitby • Needham • Watton Dummy • Holme On Spalding Moor • Holbrook • Hightown Caerleon • Cockermouth • Hebden Bridge • Otham (OTM) • Gourock (GHU) • Folkestone • Harrington • Pentyrch • Ferndale • Scartho • Birchwood • Corby • Bloxham • Clydach • Keswick • Nelson • Measham • Ambleside • Cinderford • Treharris • Llanfairfechan • Amble • Mundesley • Broseley • Flookburgh • Brackley • Penclawdd • Hassocks • Braithwaite • Cardigan • Tenbury Wells • Waltham • Hexham Swanage • Washingborough • Norwich West • Tiptree • Leabrooks • Belper • Welwyn Garden • Mablethorpe • Heckington • Stottesdon • Penybont • Machrie • Pilling • Trefeglwys •

Tummelbridge • Capel • Cotheridge • Hanmer • Bratton Clovelly • Temple • Auchengray • Kilcreggan • Pilning • Menmuir (MUR) • Auchenmalg • Buchlyvie • Aberfoyle • Arden • Canon Pyon • Back • Dalchreichart • Craigie • Crosshill • Latheron • Llanfairtalhaiarn • Great Whittington • Hartburn • Penhow • Nantyderry • Madderty • Cairngorm • Plaistow • Dormans Park • Llangennith • Cynghordy • Hilderstone • Cressage • Cleehillstone • Dunscore

What is Digital Voice?

Digital Voice is BT’s next-generation home telephone service. This digital calling system, which connects households via broadband technology, provides modern features unavailable on traditional landline services, including Multi Call, three-way conference calling, and call diversion to any other phone number, including mobile phones.

Call quality should also be significantly enhanced with Digital Voice, although you will require a compatible Digital Home phone to benefit from these improvements.

For the majority of households, switching to Digital Voice will make no difference to how they use their telephone. The cost of the new Digital Voice and broadband service is incorporated within a single package price, with no additional charge for Digital Voice.