Virgil van Dijk has branded Liverpool’s current campaign “unacceptable” following their disappointing 3-2 defeat by arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday, while also expressing bemusement at suggestions that players’ holiday time has contributed to their struggles this season.

The loss at Old Trafford has left Liverpool in fourth place, intensifying their battle for Champions League qualification.

Despite a significant injury list, which included key players such as Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and two goalkeepers, the Reds captain refused to use this as an excuse for their faltering title challenge.

“I’m not here to make excuses,” the Dutch international stated. “It’s been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season for us, and it’s tough. We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever.

“We have to work, we have to turn this around and make sure that next season these things don’t happen because it’s not Liverpool.”

Van Dijk, known for his forthrightness, addressed questions about players being pictured abroad before the United clash, dismissing the notion that this indicated excessive holiday.

“I’m not sure it’s a holiday,” he clarified. “It’s a city trip. But I think if you have one day off, and you don’t have many days off, they decide what they want to do with their families. We are not kids. Everyone is an adult.”

When confronted with the perception that the team might have too much time off, Van Dijk responded with surprise.

“Really? I wish we had a couple more days off at times because I think it works both ways. You see Pep Guardiola giving (Manchester City) three days off, for example, the last weeks in a row and they are doing pretty well. It is finding the right balance.”

He acknowledged public sentiment, adding: “But I can understand if people think that we’re not training and obviously the results aren’t there that it could be a reason for why we’re not getting results.”

The defender expressed a personal desire for improvement and a return to the club’s high standards.

“Like anyone else, obviously, personally I want this to be solved. I want us to be what I’ve experienced over my time here. I want to be successful. I want to be consistent with the team, winning games, fighting and getting the job done. At the moment, we are just disappointed.”

Emphasising the importance of sustained performance, Van Dijk concluded: “Consistency is the most difficult thing in any job, in anything you do, but it is the best way to be get results and also be successful. That’s what we have to try and find.

“But we have three more games now and then there will be a World Cup, there will be a rest and then we have to realise that next season this season we can’t repeat. It’s unacceptable.”

Attention now shifts to Saturday lunchtime’s crucial home fixture against managerless Chelsea, a match Van Dijk is determined to win.

“I will be ready for it. I’m looking forward to it and I am going to make sure we get this done.”

The Vinehouse Cafe at Helmsley Walled Garden is owned and run by siblings Mollie and Sam Chapman.

Some customers have said they had “the best food in a while” when stopping by, while others suggested it is “well worth a visit”.

Mollie and Sam aim to serve fresh food using quality ingredients from the walled garden where possible, according to the Helmsley Walled Garden website.

It explains: “This has proved a winning formula with the cafe being voted Visit England’s’ Visitor Experience Award winners in Yorkshire within the food and drink category.

“The seasonal menu includes dishes such as feta and green bean frittata; Yorkshire ham and mature cheddar melt with lashings of onion marmalade or lamb rump served on flatbread with salsa and a mint raita, accompanied by home-made salads.

“In the winter you will find hearty and warming food such as a tasty home-made soup or a pie on the menu.”

When it comes to the cafe’s sweet treats, it shares: “Our scones are freshly baked each morning and we always have a good selection of homemade cakes and slices which can be enjoyed with a cup of tea from our selection of speciality teas, or a mug of freshly ground coffee.

“With plenty of seating inside and out and fabulous views of the castle you can relax and enjoy your meal.”

‘Unique glasshouse cafe hidden by the North York Moors’

Over on TikTok, local content creator The Yorkshire Rose who “finds places in Yorkshire worth a detour” describes the foodie spot as a “unique glasshouse cafe hidden by the North York Moors”.

In a video exploring The Vinehouse Cafe, @theyorkshirerose_ adds: “A peaceful spot tucked away behind the beautiful Helmsley Walled Garden just a short stroll away from the town centre.

“Whether you’re stopping by for a coffee and cake, breakfast, lunch or an afternoon stroll in the gardens, this is the perfect setting for it.

“There’s outdoor and indoor seating, the latter of which is inside four Victorian glasshouses with grapevines trailing above the tables.

“Surrounded by flowers, fruit trees and the historic garden walls and outdoor seating, it is the perfect place on a sunny day.

‘A peaceful spot tucked away behind the beautiful Helmsley Walled Garden’ (Image: Tripadvisor)

“On the menu, there’s a range of great homemade cakes, pastries, hot and cold sandwiches, buddha bowls, seasonal specials and more.

“There’s plenty of delicious drinks to choose from too including fresh juices, coffees, teas and even gin cocktails.”

The Yorkshire Rose continued: “We tried the iced elderflower, cappuccino and an oat milk latte.

“For our food we went for the broccoli and cheddar soup which was on special, and two of the hot sandwich plates, the cheddar and onion, and the Yorkshire butchers ham and cheddar.”

Meanwhile, The Vinehouse Cafe’s Tripadvisor profile details: “Our lovely cafe is based at Helmsley Walled Garden has over 170 outdoor seats and 100 inside.

“Set within four Victorian glasshouses it’s a chilled out quirky space.

“We pride ourselves on our freshly baked scones, fabulous fresh lunches and our gin cocktails! We are dog friendly inside and out.”

On the popular review and travel advice platform, it has a “very good” 4.4/5 rating at the time of writing, with 181 “excellent” reviews out of a possible 266.

A recent guest highlighted the gluten-free menu choices specifically, and commented: “Such a lovely place, lots of gluten free options in such a lovely environment.

“I had Brie and Bacon toastie that came with a great range of salads.

“3 GF cake options, we bought the brownie and pecan slice….both were delicious.”

Another happy customer complimented: “The best food i’ve had in a while!!!

‘Eat inside under a canopy of grapevines in a renovated beautiful glasshouse’ (Image: Tripadvisor)

“The sandwiches are amazing, same with the frittata and even the sides were stunning with each little salad bit seasoned and sauced.

“Lovely staff and such a stunning venue!”

This visitor wrote: “Fantastic experience, great place. Food great, experience great, lovely people, a hidden gem, well worth a visit.

“Quick service, great place. We will certainly be back.”

Someone who had a “memorable visit” at The Vinehouse Cafe put: “Great food – Buddha Bowl – a new discovery for me – eat inside under a canopy of grapevines in a renovated beautiful glasshouse or should I say vinery.

“Querky, and characterful. Or sit outside surrounded by beautiful walled garden. A very memorable visit for all our family. Thank you.”

The cafe’s opening hours for the 2026 season are currently Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm.

Have you discovered The Vinehouse Cafe at Helmsley Walled Garden? Let us know in the comments below.

After six years on the job the police dog retired by bringing down one last suspect – the last in a number of several significant arrests.

On his final shift, Bren demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the thin blue line by protecting his handler, PC Oram, during a critical moment

PC Oram had detained a man who then attempted to evade him and his colleague. Bren was deployed for a final time, re-detaining the man, who had been assaulted both PC Oram and his colleague in the process.

Bren’s journey with GMP began in 2018, when he joined as a puppy. He and PC Oram became operational the following year and have since made multiple arrests together

“I started working with Bren when he was 10 months old, while his siblings went to other handlers,” PC Oram said. “One of his key skills I noticed from being partnered with him was that he loved to jump. He was always bounding in the air – now he is eight, I’m glad he can rest his joints.”

PC Oram and PD Bren – Handler of the Year.

Their teamwork earned PC Oram the GMP Dog Handler of the Year in 2024, with the pair securing 48 arrests over a year period. A feat that saw them feature on BBC Crimewatch to discuss how important police dogs are to the force.

One of the reasons the duo won the award was due to Bren’s impressive tracking skills.

Crediting his German Shepherd’s ability, PC Oram said: “Tracking has been Bren’s go-to skill when locating people. Thanks to him, countless individuals were found in some of the most difficult surroundings and weather conditions.”

PD Bren

An example of Bren’s impressive tracking was in February 2024, when he located a man hiding under a car. He was then swiftly arrested by officers on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and cultivation of cannabis.

Away from tackling crime, Bren’s excellent mannerisms and obedience skills earned the duo a place at the National Dog Trials in Scotland last year, becoming the first representatives of GMP to do so in over a decade.

Now he has earned a well-deserved rest from tackling crime in Greater Manchester, PC Oram is looking forward to rewarding Bren for his tremendous career with a holiday.

“Bren will continue to live with me now he has retired,” PC Oram said. “He will be able to focus on being a family dog and enjoy caravan holidays.

“He is great with people when off-duty, but when called upon, switched instantly to knowing what he had to do.”

In a final tribute to his trusty companion, PC Oram praised Bren’s dedication to him over the years and protecting others from potential danger, even on his final shift. He said: “On his last shift, when I was trying to restrain a suspect who was a lot bigger and more powerful than myself, Bren came to my aid and quickly subdued the suspect – a true partner to the end.”

This charming UK city has often been overlooked, yet it’s brimming with character, with a 900-year-old outdoor market, thriving independent scene and narrow cobbled lanes

Just a short train ride from London, I found myself whisked away to a stunning city that’s frequently overlooked, yet is genuinely worth considering for your next day trip or weekend getaway.

Under two hours on a direct train from London, an hour from Cambridge, and merely a 30-minute drive from the scenic Norfolk coastline, lies the delightful city of Norwich. I spent the day exploring the historic location, dubbed the ‘City of Stories’, characterised by its meandering cobbled streets, medieval buildings, timber-framed structures, 900-year-old outdoor market, and a flourishing independent scene comprising around 500 businesses.

However, despite its excellent transport connections and distinctive attractions, residents say the city is ‘forgotten about’ and ‘people miss it’, a sentiment frequently linked to its East Anglian location. “We are a bit out on a limb, and we do get bypassed a lot. People skip it because when people go north to south, they just go straight up and straight down, ” Karen Williams, owner of For the Love of Norfolk, explained to me.

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Leanne Fridd, who runs the independent children’s bookshop, Bookbugs and Dragon Tales, shares this view: “We do get forgotten about because of our location.” She added: “It’s not on the way to anything”.

After visiting the historic city myself, which was recently crowned the best place to live in the UK for 2026 by the Sunday Times, I was immediately struck by how much there was to discover, and just how straightforward it was to reach. A brief train journey and a 15-minute stroll into the centre, and suddenly I found myself in the heart of a city bursting with character and charm, as though I had stepped straight into the pages of a fairytale.

Its most impressive highlight was undoubtedly Norwich Lanes, a sprawling maze of winding alleyways, courtyards, and cobbled streets, lined with more than 300 independent shops, traditional tearooms, cosy bookshops, restaurants, pubs, and bars. This largely pedestrian-friendly area also hosts an independent cinema, galleries, a community theatre, music venues, and two museums, reports MyLondon.

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Another remarkable feature of this underrated city is its iconic outdoor market, buzzing with independent food vendors and shops across around 200 vibrant stalls. As one of the oldest and largest covered open-air markets in the UK, it offers an extraordinary variety of food from every corner of the globe, and by lunchtime is heaving with locals.

However, no trip to Norwich would be complete without wandering through the enchanting setting of Elm Hill, with its stone-paved streets and breathtaking medieval buildings. Elsewhere, I stood in awe of the 12th-century Norman castle, two striking cathedrals, and the vivid street art adorning the city – all of which confirm that it truly deserves its title as the ‘City of Stories’.

While residents may feel somewhat overlooked and off the beaten track, they couldn’t be more proud to call the city home, which topped The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026 guide. And it seems they hardly needed an accolade to tell them that.

“When we were named as the best place to live in the UK, I would say most people in Norfolk went ‘well yeah’. We already know it,” Leanne said. “There are so many independent businesses in Norwich that it creates more of a community feel. So I do think that’s a large part of it.”

She added: “It wasn’t cool growing up, but it’s become cool and actually, I’m incredibly proud of Norwich and being part of it because I think we have this real rebel spirit. But no one’s in a rush – it’s the Norfolk way”.

Karen, whose shop is situated in the 900-year-old Norwich market, also shared: “We’re so close to the coast, and we’ve got the Broads National Park, so within a matter of minutes, you can be out in nature. Norwich itself is quite compact, so we’ve got everything here, but it’s all actually within a 10-minute walk, and it’s so historical as well.”

Whether you fancy a day exploring a medieval city steeped in rich history, perusing its wealth of independent shops or soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of its thriving outdoor market, Norwich is well worth a visit. And with the coastline just a stone’s throw away, it could well be the ultimate weekend getaway, offering a refreshing blend of sea air and city break all in one.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Michael Carrick is on course to keep his job as Man Utd head coach and club bosses should be wary of changing course now.

They won’t get six points for it, but Sunday was a match that needed winning twice for Manchester United. That they did so, after the body blow of gifting Liverpool a way back in, said more about what Michael Carrick has built than any interview possibly could.

The first 10 minutes of the second half were the kind of spell from which recent United teams wouldn’t have been able to recover, and the supporters would have known it too.

But this was evidence of everything that Carrick has built in his 111 days as head coach. The players needed a moment to clear their heads, but they stuck together on the pitch. Off it, the fans didn’t let spirits drop either.

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It would have been easy to fear the worst, but both parties were unified. Liverpool had their spell in the ascendancy, but the noise inside Old Trafford didn’t dim, and that support can give the players something to hold on to.

United got those errors from Amad and Senne Lammens out of their system, and the introduction of Patrick Dorgu tilted the balance their way. Kobbie Mainoo’s winner almost brought the house down.

United could have strolled to victory, going through the motions in the second half to earn a 2-0 or 3-0 win, maybe. It would have been impressive and another tick in the box for Carrick. In a way, winning the game the way they did told us so much more about what has been built since mid-January.

“I have to say the way the supporters got behind us after the two goals, it’s easy after that point to get frustrated, to go the other way a little bit,” Carrick said after the game.

“I thought that again, spirit and your character show when it’s a little bit of a challenging time, so I think to feel like we’ve kind of built that and we’re in a position where we’ll all stick together has really pleased me a lot.

“The pleasing thing is to see that camaraderie looking after each other, it was tested obviously at 2-2 and seeing them sticking in and fighting for each other is what we want, we want a team to be proud of and the boys have certainly given us that.”

The question now is, can United officials risk ripping that up and starting again? It has reached the point where it feels like a bigger gamble to do just that than to appoint a head coach with limited experience at the highest level.

Carrick said the job felt “natural” to him on Sunday and you can see what he means. He has taken it all in his stride and he has the unequivocal backing of his players. Can Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and co really ignore those noises?

The 44-year-old wrapped a protective arm around Amad and Lammens after the game, after their errors handed Liverpool a way back in. Carrick was quick to point out that they had both “offered so much within the group” to help United to reach this position.

Ruben Amorim had started to build that togetherness and spirit that Carrick lauded on Sunday, but the Portuguese could also be brutal with his players. From calling them possibly the worst team in Manchester United’s history to criticising individual players, he sometimes undermined what he was attempting to build.

Carrick has taken on a very different approach, and even on Sunday, when he gave the impression he had done enough to earn a shot at next season, he continually turned the praise back onto his players. Take this when asked about how he had gone about building that togetherness during his time in charge.

“I can only say from what I’ve kind of faced and seen from my own eyes really and ever since we came back through the doors I think the boys have responded really well to it,” he said.

“I think it comes through trust as well and how you treat each other and the trust between us and the belief certainly that I’ve got in them and the staff have got in them.

“We spoke about that before the game, about how much belief we’ve got in them, and so trying to give them that confidence to not play really good players, and it can be a really good team when we put things in place, and that’s proved to be the case over recent months.”

The case should now be closed. United need look no further than the man currently occupying that office at Carrington for a head coach.

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Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the First Minister is only talking to one half of Scotland with his indyref2 call.

John Swinney’s call for immediate indyref2 talks if the SNP wins an outright majority is a high stakes gamble that could easily backfire.

Most opinion polls show the SNP falling short of their leader’s aim, with some snapshots showing him hitting the magic number of 65 MSPs.

Senior SNP sources believe they are within the margin of error for a majority and are focusing their efforts on a small number of seats.

Swinney’s strategy is based on motivating his core vote by squeezing them as hard as possible.

The SNP are not as popular among the pro-indy contingent as he would like and he sees value in making outlandish promises about what will happen after polling day.

The First Minister’s team also believes there is limited value over the three remaining campaign days to woo soft Unionists who are scunnered with Keir Starmer.

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Swinney’s problem is that making further progress with pro-independence voters may be outweighed by losses caused by an inevitable backlash.

Scotland has a sophisticated electorate that knows how to play Holyrood’s voting system.

Pro-UK tactical voting deprived Nicola Sturgeon of a majority in 2021 and could also be the undoing of Swinney

The central concern for Scots is the cost of living crisis, not a second referendum.

They want to feel better off now and would reward any Government for making life more affordable.

Despite this fact, Swinney says he wants an immediate summit with Downing Street on indyref and a day one vote at Holyrood.

His top priority – and you can see this in his first 100 days plan – is constitutional conflict with Westminster.

Swinney is giving an incentive to the anti-SNP majority in every constituency to unite behind the party best placed to stop his indyref2 plan.

His call in today’s Record for talks with Starmer will help the Lib Dems in the Highlands and Labour across the central belt.

It will fire up the Tories in the south of Scotland and encourage a ‘lend your vote’ strategy across the country.

Swinney has insisted he will fight the 2031 election, but even his allies believe this is bluster.

This is his last shot at moving the dial indyref2 and he is resembling like a man in a hurry.

He has given his opponents another reason to stop him in his tracks on Thursday.

There was a major change of direction in the Premier League relegation battle this weekend and emotions are running high.

West Ham’s 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Brentford on Saturday opened the door for Tottenham and they accepted the invitation. Roberto De Zerbi’s side came out swinging on Sunday, racing into a 2-0 lead at Aston Villa before conceding a late consolation goal.

Spurs’ second straight win moved them one point ahead of the Hammers into 17th place with three games left to play. Tottenham were full of energy and good value for their win, yet Villa’s flat performance and third straight loss raised eyebrows.

With Villa fairly comfortable in fifth place and prioritising the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest, Unai Emery made seven changes to his side. That decision perhaps played into the hands of Spurs and, for some, raised questions of sporting integrity.

So was there something untoward about the scenes at Villa Park on Sunday? Or was it a simple case of squad rotation? Here the Mirror Football writers give their take on the issue.

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John Cross

Let’s be absolutely clear: Aston Villa’s so-called “performance” on Sunday night was probably the worst I’ve seen from a Premier League team this season. And yes, I’ve watched a lot of games. And if I’m Nottingham Forest or West Ham then I would be screaming: that stinks.

Tottenham were excellent. The best I’ve seen them play by far. They thoroughly deserved to win. But Villa did make it easy for them. They made seven changes. Would Spurs have won if Villa had not been playing the stiffs? Maybe. But the fact is we’ll never know.

We’ll never know whether in the second half a first teamer would be caught offside in Sunday League fashion at a short corner routine. Or whether they would have chased the ball Jadon Sancho gave up on. It’s clear he won’t be playing Thursday.

Here’s the thing. There’s more onus on relegation-threatened Forest to get a result at Chelsea on Monday. And that’s three days ahead of Forest’s Europa League semi final second leg at… you’ve guessed it: Aston Villa. Forest can’t rest any players. That’s why we’re using the word integrity.

West Ham sank into the bottom three after Villa rested seven players. How can that be right? During the game a contact from another club – with absolutely no skin in the game – messaged me about it. Could see it a mile off. Afterwards, an ex-player got in touch. “What about Forest?”

People in the game know the score. Emery will argue he’s within his rights to make changes. But my God, he’d be moaning if he was Forest boss. It’s not right.

Jeremy Cross

Unai Emery is the manager of Aston Villa. Which means he can pick whatever side he wants, for whatever game he wants. He is paid the big bucks to make decisions which are in the best interests of his team.

And if he thinks resting some of his stars will give Villa a better chance of overcoming Nottingham Forest in the semi finals of the Europa League this week, then so be it. Because if Villa can go on and win the Europa League, it will be a much bigger achievement than finishing in the top four.

Villa will have another European trophy to boast about, not to mention be in the Champions League. Emery is being selfish. Which makes all those complaining about him damaging the integrity of the Premier League, one of the greatest ironies of all. Because when it comes to the top flight of English football, every club takes care of itself at all costs.

James Whaling

Villa were awful. Abject. It happens. But the fact they made seven changes makes it seems a whole lot worse. Unai Emery picked a team flooded with internationals that was more than capable of beating a Spurs side languishing at the wrong end of the table.

Those who perhaps haven’t seen as much game time as they’d have liked this season had an opportunity to stake a claim and they wasted it. Emery knows what he’s doing. He’s won the Europa League four times before and Villa are favourites to give him a fifth.

The wider debate should probably be on the over saturation of football that made Emery deem it necessary to make such sweeping changes. This has only been brought into sharper focus because it affected Spurs and their bid to stay in the division and avoid what would be the biggest relegation in the history of the Premier League.

Emery doubtless did them a favour. But he shouldn’t have to answer to anybody.

Conor Mummery

This is not the first time a team has made changes for a Premier League game ahead of a big European tie, and it won’t be the last. It is, however, the first time a team with the opportunity to have a big hand in sending Tottenham Hotspur down to the Championship has done so.

West Ham fans are naturally unhappy about Emery’s selections given the result sent them back into the bottom three, but they were more understanding when David Moyes made six changes for the Hammers’ 2-1 defeat at Leicester back in 2023, 10 days before their Conference League triumph in Prague.

If Aston Villa had made similar changes for a match against Crystal Palace or Sunderland, it would’ve gone largely unnoticed in comparison. But fans want Spurs down. And it’s understandable. Seeing a ‘Big Six’ side in genuine danger of being relegated to the Championship is unprecedented and opposition supporters are naturally revelling in it.

Villa fielded as many regular starters in their line-up as Spurs did. The difference being the decision was taken out of Roberto De Zerbi’s hands given Tottenham’s ludicrous injury crisis. If fans want to criticise Emery’s players for a perceived lack of effort and having one eye on Thursday’s huge semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest, that’s another debate. But to question the Villa manager’s integrity for rotating his team four days out from one of the club’s biggest games in the modern era is disingenuous at best.

Felix Keith

Oliver Glasner made five changes to his Crystal Palace side to face Bournemouth on Sunday. They were thrashed 3-0 and no-one seemed to mind, given the second leg of their Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk is around the corner. “Bournemouth’s semi-final was today. Ours is Thursday,” Glasner admitted afterwards.

To my mind, the situation is exactly the same, it’s just that Palace weren’t playing a side involved in the relegation battle. But what makes it even more ridiculous is that, as Emery himself pointed out in his post-match interview, Villa had lost their last two matches ahead of facing Spurs.

Why shouldn’t Emery change things up after watching back-to-back 1-0 losses against Fulham in the league and Forest in the Europa League? It’s not like he put out a team of academy players. It’s a complete non-issue.

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Nathan Ridley

I can understand why West Ham and Nottingham Forest fans might feel frustrated, but Aston Villa did nothing wrong. Unai Emery’s side have earned the right to prioritise the Europa League by giving themselves breathing room in fifth place.

If they get knocked out by Forest on Thursday and finish outside of the Champions League places, then questions can be asked. But not in relation to the relegation battle.

Whoever Villa were scheduled to play on Sunday would’ve faced a rotated team. The opposition happened to be Tottenham – just like when it was Brentford who got the benefit of facing a weakened West Ham XI between the Irons’ Conference League semi-final fixtures in 2023. It’s just how the cookie crumbles.

The only problem West Ham and Forest supporters should have is with their own results over the course of the whole season.

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Three people have died amid a suspected Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship anchored off Cape Verde. The rare disease is typically contracted by inhaling infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva.

The company operating a cruise ship where three passengers have lost their lives during a suspected Hantavirus outbreak – which has also left a British tourist critically ill – has confirmed that two crew members require “urgent medical care”.

Oceanwide Expeditions has revealed it is dealing with “a serious medical situation” aboard the MV Hondius following the deaths of three Dutch passengers, including a married couple aged 69 and 70.

A British national remains in critical condition at a Johannesburg hospital, while two crew members aboard the ship are in need of immediate medical attention.

Hantavirus is usually transmitted through breathing in infected rodent urine, faeces or saliva. Although uncommon, human-to-human transmission can occur, potentially causing severe and life-threatening respiratory failure.

Oceanwide released a statement saying: “During this voyage, three passengers have passed away. In addition, one passenger is currently being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg, and two crew members on board require urgent medical care.”, reports the Mirror.

“As of 23:00hrs CET on 3 May 2026, no authorization from Cape Verdean authorities has been given to disembark guests requiring medical care or to support with medical screening.”

The company explained that Cape Verdean health authorities have yet to reach a decision on transferring the two unwell individuals to medical facilities in Cape Verde.

The statement continues: “Dutch authorities have agreed to lead a joint effort in organizing the repatriation of the two symptomatic individuals on board m/v Hondius from Cape Verde to the Netherlands.

“The body of the deceased individual is also planned to be included in this repatriation, along with a guest closely associated with the deceased. This individual is not symptomatic.

“This repatriation depends on many factors, including the authorization and support of local Cape Verdean health authorities for the transfer of individuals requiring medical attention from m/v Hondius.”

Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed it is collaborating closely with both local and international authorities, amongst them the WHO, RIVM, relevant embassies, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We are currently establishing the full facts and working on appropriate medical care, screening, and next steps. We will provide a further update as soon as more information becomes available,” the statement adds.

Hantavirus is the very same illness that claimed the life of Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, in February last year.

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Nests and dead rodents were discovered in outbuildings at the property where Ms Arakawa resided with her Oscar-winning husband, according to records held by the New Mexico Department of Public Health.

US authorities confirmed that Ms Arakawa, 65, passed away from a respiratory illness connected to hantavirus, a week prior to her husband, 95, who had been in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The couple were discovered at their home in February last year. A message delivered to travellers aboard the MV Hondius has revealed they are essentially trapped on the ship as it remains “anchored offshore of Cape Verde and awaiting approval […] to disembark.”

Staff have acknowledged there remains no certainty about when assistance will arrive, according to MailOnline. “At this stage, we do not have any information regarding the timeline moving forward,” the letter says.

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Lots of people suffer with hay fever at this time of year, but they’ve been urged to stop making a common mistake when taking their medication. It’s vital they take the advice on board

Millions of people across the country struggle with hay fever, and there are straightforward methods available to help ease symptoms effectively. However, what many may not realise is that taking medication incorrectly can have a significant impact, potentially leaving sufferers feeling gloomy.

Timing is more important than you might think, and there are several things worth knowing when it comes to getting the most out of your medication for the benefit of your health. If you have been reaching for your hay fever tablets only once the sneezing begins, you are already too late, according to pharmacist Seema Khatri at Roseway Labs.

This is not the first piece of expert guidance of this nature to have emerged recently either. Just weeks ago, sufferers were also encouraged to avoid making another error.

“Antihistamines work best when taken preventatively, not reactively,” said Seema. “Many people assume one pill gives instant relief, but the reality is, timing and technique really matter.”

For those who are out and about during the day, taking your medication in the morning allows it sufficient time to take effect before pollen levels peak, which typically occurs between late morning and midday. Non-drowsy options such as loratadine or cetirizine generally take between 30 and 60 minutes to begin working, with their effects lasting for 24 hours.

Sneezing, itchy eyes or congestion during the night can be triggered by indoor allergens such as dust mites or pollen drifting in through open windows. If this sounds familiar, taking an antihistamine at bedtime — particularly mildly sedating varieties such as chlorphenamine — can prevent symptoms from disturbing your sleep.

Taking hay fever medication at the incorrect time can hinder symptoms from being adequately managed. This may lead to heightened symptom levels throughout the day, potentially leaving you feeling considerably worse.

She added: “Food can delay absorption. Unless your medicine says otherwise, take it with water at least an hour before or two hours after food for faster relief.”

Many people only reach for antihistamines when symptoms flare up, but by that point your histamine response is already well under way. Taking them daily throughout allergy season helps maintain consistent levels, blocking histamine before it has the chance to cause problems.

Reactions such as bloating, rashes or itching may in fact be caused by excipients — the inactive fillers, binders or dyes used in tablets — rather than the active ingredient itself.

“Sometimes people assume they’re reacting to the medicine, when they’re actually reacting to additives,” Seema said. “A compounding pharmacy can create antihistamines without lactose, dyes or other triggers.”

Persistent or deteriorating allergies may indicate an overactive immune system, fuelled by stress, inadequate sleep, digestive problems or inflammation. Watch for fatigue, brain fog, skin flare-ups or food sensitivities, and consult your pharmacist or GP to explore the underlying cause.

Seema continued: “The immune system is complex, and if it’s overreactive, antihistamines can only do so much. Understanding why your body is reacting more than usual is the key.”

How to identify the root cause

Begin by maintaining a symptom and lifestyle diary. Monitor your sleep, diet, stress levels and any other persistent symptoms such as bloating, skin rashes or low energy. This can help identify patterns or triggers beyond pollen exposure.

Functional tests, including gut health panels, nutrient screenings or hormonal assessments may also prove useful in determining whether deeper imbalances are contributing to histamine sensitivity. Consult a medical professional to establish what might be appropriate in your case.

Seema noted: “You don’t have to just put up with seasonal symptoms. When we look beyond the surface, we often find answers that make a real difference.”

If you are struggling with hay fever, or your health in any other respect, contact your GP. This is the best place to go to for medical advice.