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‘Major outbreak’ on UK cruise ship as 200 passengers struck by serious sickness bug

Published

2 months ago

30 January 2026

Guests onboard Fred Olsen’s The Balmoral reported the outbreak

Passengers on a cruise ship have fallen ill as ‘hundreds’ are hit by a serious stomach bug. The Scottish cruise ship was due to dock in Lerwick, Shetland, on Tuesday (January 7), but stormy weather meant the visit was cancelled.

However, guests onboard Fred Olsen’s The Balmoral reported an outbreak of gastroenteritis, commonly known as the ‘stomach flu’. The highly contagious infection causes diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps, and fever.

Some passengers were forced into isolation as a result of the outbreak, the Daily Record reports. The ship can carry more than 1,200 passengers, with one passenger reporting that around 200 people had fallen ill.

Daily announcements reportedly warned that the ship was ‘experiencing increasing cases of people presenting with symptoms of gastroenteritis’. However, some passengers said the reports had been exaggerated, claiming that most cases were simply seasickness caused by the rough crossing from Norway.

The company’s director of health services, Kate Bunyan, confirmed that several guests had reported gastrointestinal symptoms. She said: “We have immediately implemented measures to help reduce transmission, and our medical team is on hand to provide support to anyone who should feel unwell during the cruise.

“Balmoral will be returning to Southampton tomorrow, where she will set sail a little later than planned to allow for a deep clean of the ship and cruise terminal. The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew is our highest priority, and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has robust health, hygiene, and safety protocols in place at all times.”

Passengers booked on the cruise liner departing from Southampton on Thursday (January 29) reported delays. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has reportedly contacted guests due to board Balmoral in Southampton on Friday (January 30) to explain that an enhanced deep clean of the ship is needed when it arrives in port.

The company said the change is a precautionary measure aimed at protecting the health and wellbeing of passengers and crew. In a message sent to customers, the cruise operator said there was “no cause for concern” and stressed that the adjustment was part of its robust health protocols.

The cancelled stop in Lerwick also meant some passengers missed the world-famous Up-Helly-Aa fire festival, Shetland’s annual celebration of its Norse heritage, held every year on the last Tuesday of January.

Fred Olsen Cruises said the forecast made docking unsafe. A spokesperson told The Shetland Times: “While we understand the disappointment of missing the much-anticipated Up-Helly-Aa festival, the safety of our guests and crew must always remain our highest priority.”

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Irish Grand National start time today – When does the 2026 race get underway?

Published

3 seconds ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The Grand National 2026 is just around the corner, with the world-famous Aintree racecourse set to host three days of racing across April 9-11.

Standard and hospitality tickets start at £33.50 at The Jockey Club, with VIP and hospitality packages also available from £249 at Seat Unique.

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Northern Echo’s Best Restaurant 2026 top ten finalists revealed

Published

6 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Northern Echo's Best Restaurant 2026 top ten finalists revealed

It’s no secret that there are some fantastic spots to get some great grub across the region, a place home to so many talented and dedicated restaurants.

And this year we’ve once again been looking to shine a spotlight on the best of the best, along with the help of our readers.

We can now reveal the top ten finalists in our competition – and we want you to now vote for your favourite.

This year’s top ten are:

Burtree Inn – Burtree Gate, Darlington, DL2 2XZ
Stable Hearth – 33-35 Duke Street, Darlington, DL3 7RX
Taipan Asia – 10 Crown Street, Darlington, DL1 1LU
Tawny Owl – Neasham Road, Hurworth Moor, Darlington, DL3 1QE
The Bay Horse – 45 The Green, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, DL2 2AA
The Bridge Inn – The Green, Stapleton, DL2 2QQ
The Crown at Mickleton – Mickleton, Barnard Castle, DL12 0JZ
The Ivy Tree – Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3RY
The Loft Steakhouse & Grill – 10 Crown Street, Darlington, DL1 1LU
The Talbot – 47–49 The Green, Bishopton, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 1HE

To vote, you simply need to cut out a coupon printed in The Northern Echo this week and next. You have until Wednesday, April 22 to vote for your favourite.

In the meantime, we’ll be highlighting each of the restaurants and gastropubs in our top ten to help you decide which one to vote for.

The Northern Echo editor Gavin Foster said: “We have some fantastic restaurants across Darlington and County Durham and our best restaurant or gastropub competition is the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on that.

“We are delighted to once again be launching our search for the best of the best. Get your votes in now!”

To vote, you simply need to cut out a coupon printed in The Northern Echo this week and next. You have until

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The White House Easter Egg Roll explained

Published

13 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The White House Easter Egg Roll explained

Last year’s activities included a Best Hopscotch competition, play garden, a reading nook, Best Military Card Writing Station and more.

But the crown jewel of the event every year in the White House Easter Egg Roll and Egg Hunt. First Lady Melania Trump announced the details for the 148th White House Easter Egg Roll which is set to take place on Monday, April 6 in Washington.

This year, the White House Easter Egg Roll will honor America’s 250th birthday by incorporating patriotic themes throughout the event and each year there is a ticket lottery for people to apply to join in.

The event sees children given wooden eggs to partake in a host of games and activities from rolling competitions to egg races on the lawns of the White House.

Here’s everything we know about the tradition.

What is the White House Easter Egg Roll?

The White House Easter Egg Roll is a historic annual event held on the South Lawn on Easter Monday for children aged 13 and younger, featuring egg rolling races, games, and entertainment.

It is one of the oldest annual events at the White House. Newspaper accounts from as early as 1872 recount stories of children of all ages joining together to roll eggs on the west side of the Presidential Capitol grounds.

But it all came to an end when families and their children apparently caused such a ruckus on the congressional grounds in 1876 that the Turf Protection Law was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant citing landscape concerns and stopping the grounds from being used for egg rolling fun.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, stand with the Easter bunny as they participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The egg rolling party was rained out in 1876 and in 1878 notice was posted that children would not be allowed to roll eggs at the Capitol.

In 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes instructed his guards to let the youngsters through the gates again after becoming aware of their disappointment.

From then – and barring times of war – an annual egg rolling event has been held on the South Lawn.

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The supplements to take this spring (and the ones to ditch)

Published

26 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The supplements to take this spring (and the ones to ditch)

Just when you thought you’d nailed your supplement routine, we’re here to tell you that you might need to shake things up for spring.

After what feels like the longest winter, the days are finally getting lighter and brighter, and with the change in weather comes the perfect time to kickstart a path to a healthier life. You might already feel like you’re striving to do everything right — racking up your plant points each week, working out consistently, getting your sleep hygiene in place and trying your best to keep a lid on stress, but taking a seasonal approach to wellness can give your efforts an extra boost.

Supplements can play a part in supporting your health, but rather than viewing them as a quick fix, think of streamlining your routine to sync with the seasons. That said, it’s always wise to consult a registered healthcare professional, such as a nutritionist, before introducing new supplements. And remember, supplements should complement (not replace) a balanced diet, since nourishing your body through whole foods should always come first. As winter fades and we welcome spring, certain nutrients may become more important — here’s an overview of what to consider.

The change in seasons naturally brings with it a fluctuations in the microbiome as your diet, environment, and activities change. Longer days often mean more travel, al fresco dining, and shifts in routine, all of which can temporarily disrupt gut balance. A probiotic during these months may help maintain healthy gut flora, support digestion, and keep your immune system strong. It’s always worth choosing formulations that contain multiple well-studied strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, to maximise the benefits across your digestive system.

The noise around collagen has been loud for a while now, and with good reason. This protein (which is the most abundant protein in the body) supports skin elasticity, hydration, and overall firmness. During spring and summer, increased sun exposure and higher temperatures (they don’t have to be that high to cause an effect) can accelerate moisture loss and the breakdown of collagen in the skin. Supplementing with collagen (especially hydrolysed collagen peptides) may help maintain skin hydration, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and support natural repair processes. Combining collagen with vitamin C-rich foods can further enhance collagen synthesis and help protect skin from seasonal environmental stressors. Most collagen supplements contain animal derivatives, however, there are vegan alternatives available, meaning you can easily find an option that works for you.

You don’t have to be an athlete or even a seasoned gym-goer to benefit from including electrolytes in your routine. Crucial for maintaining fluid balance, muscle function, and nerve signalling, these minerals are lost through sweat. Even modest increases in temperature can leave you feeling fatigued, sluggish, or prone to cramps — which is when the benefits of electrolytes shines.

While UK summers aren’t exactly Dubai-esque, the Met Office predicts 2026 will be among the four warmest years on record, with March already experiencing unusually high temperatures. Replenishing electrolytes through hydration on these hotter than usual days with mineral-rich foods, or targeted supplements can help sustain energy levels, support workout performance, and keep your body functioning at its best during the warmer weather. Electrolytes usually come in powder sachets or dissolvable tabs, making them easy to add to water to stay hydrated on the go.

Magnesium is an ‘all rounder’ mineral that supports everything from stress to sleep, so generally speaking, it’s one of those supplements that you could probably do with topping up. Magnesium is utilised by the body to support hundred of day-to-day processes and it’s readily available in foods like dark green leafy veg, nuts, seeds and legumes. Yet even with a balanced diet, many people don’t get enough, especially during periods of stress when the body uses more. Certain medications such as some antibiotics, and acid reflux proton pump inhibitors can lower absorption rates, and even taking GLP-1 medications can also lower levels due to reduced appetite. Magnesium bisglycinate or citrate are two of the highly absorbable forms to choose when it comes to supplementing.

In the spring and summer months Vitamin C can be obtained from eating well

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The supplements you might no longer need

The nutrients that may be less essential during spring…

We need vitamin D for brain health and bone health, and unlike most other vitamins, which are readily absorbed from our diets, our main source of vitamin D comes from sunlight. From March to September, the sun’s UVB rays are high enough in the sky to penetrate through our skin, so unless you fall into a category of people that might need to supplement all year round (such as people with darker skin, shift workers and the elderly), you are probably ok to ditch the bottle over the spring and summer months.

In winter, vitamin C supplements are often used as a buffer against colds and infections. By spring, exposure to sunlight, more activity, and fewer circulating viruses reduce that pressure. That’s not to say vitamin C isn’t important, but you’ll be able to obtain it from seasonal fruits and vegetables like strawberries, citrus, spinach, and peppers which the body is generally able to absorb well.

Energy levels often slump in winter, which is why CoQ10, a compound that facilitates cellular energy production is a popular supplement to take during the darker, colder months when fatigue can feel more pronounced. In summer, however, your energy naturally benefits from longer daylight hours, increased physical activity, and given that your body usually produces enough on its own when you’re active and eating well, you might be able to sidestep supplementing with an energy-boosting supplement such as CoQ10 and include lots of CoQ10 foods such as oily fish including salmon and sardines, nuts and seeds, chicken and spinach in your diet.

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Former North Yorkshire foster child praises Harrogate family

Published

32 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Former North Yorkshire foster child praises Harrogate family

Ashley Smith, 23, spent 13 years in care from age eight, alongside his twin brother Nathan, for nine of those years.

Mr Smith is one of four siblings and lived with three different foster families during his time in care.

He said: “I would ask more local families to think about fostering and offering a safe and loving home to a child who needs one, and I would especially ask for brothers and sisters to be kept together whenever possible.”

He credits his progress to his final foster carers, Diane and Stuart Kelly from Harrogate.

Ashley with his final foster parents Diane and Stuart Kelly from Harrogate (Image: North Yorkshire Council)

He added: “They offered a warm and loving home where I felt I belonged.

“Diane and Stuart have done a lot for me emotionally and financially too.

“Truly caring and treating a young person as part of the family makes all the difference.”

Ashley now lives in York and is studying children, young people, and society at university, where he then hopes to become a social worker.

Cllr Janet Sanderson, executive member for children and families at North Yorkshire Council, said: “We are incredibly proud of Ashley and everything he has achieved.”

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The healing power of a multi-generational stay at Lakes by Yoo

Published

45 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The healing power of a multi-generational stay at Lakes by Yoo

Hotel rooms, cabins and apartments are all available for rent and included in the price are the endless lakes, woodlands and meadows to romp in. It would be impossible to get bored here, with paddleboarding, fresh-water wild swimming, cycling, kayaking, zip wire, archery, bushcraft and tennis all on the menu.

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York Green Party activist recognised for Ukraine work

Published

59 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

York Green Party activist recognised for Ukraine work

Mike Kearney, a National Education Union (NEU) representative, received the award at the NEU’s national conference in Brighton for his solidarity work supporting teachers in Ukraine.

Daniel Kebede, president of the union, said: “Congratulations to Michael for his exemplary international solidarity work.

“Michael’s commitments to Ukraine’s teachers and pupils have been unwavering.”

Mr Kearney is travelling with support from the NEU Ukraine Solidarity Network (Image: York Green Party)

Mr Kearney was honoured for his ongoing efforts to support Ukrainian teachers and students, and is travelling with support from the NEU Ukraine Solidarity Network.

On April 2, he set off from Brighton in a van delivering aid to Ukraine.

The van included educational materials donated by York schools, along with Easter eggs for children and families.

He will leave the van in Ukraine to assist with ongoing aid delivery.

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