Related closures will cause significant traffic disruption to the Cliftonville Road area moving into the morning, the PSNI has warned

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Police are at the scene of a security alert in North Belfast, following the search of a property during the early hours of Friday (July 17) morning, the PSNI has confirmed. Properties located in Rosapenna Parade and the surrounding areas are in the midst of being evacuated, with the Ardoyne Community Centre opened for local residents as a rest shelter as this situation continues to unfold. A PSNI spokesperson said: “Cordons are also in place, and we would ask that the public avoid the Rosapenna Street and Cliftonville Road areas at this time, as officers remain at the scene, with enquiries set to continue for some time. “In particular, it is anticipated that there will be significant traffic disruption to the Cliftonville Road area as we move into the morning, so we would ask that you please seek an alternative route for your journey.” The PSNI spokesperson said whilst police understand the disruption closures such as this can cause, “public safety is always our priority”.

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The Marvelous Mrs Maisel actor Josh Grisetti’s cause of death has been confirmed, six days after his passing aged just 44.

Grisetti’s friend and colleague Rob McClure on Sunday first announced the death of the entertainer, who had also performed in Broadway musicals such as Something Rotten! and It Shoulda Been You – revealing he had died by suicide the Friday prior.

The actor died from a gunshot wound, per a report from the California’s Orange County Sheriff’s Department obtained by Daily Mail.

The autopsy report listed associated injuries as ‘multiple bilateral temporal calvarial fractures and a brain injury.’

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for further comment. 

Announcing the death on Sunday, McClure wrote, ‘It is with a shattered heart that I share that the brilliant Josh Grisetti took his own life on Friday.

Grisetti (left) played Ralph Emerson over eight episodes of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel 

‘I’m not ready to even attempt to understand. My heart is with his wife and family as they try to deal with the reality of this.’

McClure said that ‘communities around the world will never be the same without him,’ calling Grisetti’s passing ‘a cataclysmic loss.’

He continued, ‘Some of my all-time favorite memories were by this man’s side, playing his brother onstage for years, watching him inspire students while transforming the Musical Theatre program at Cal State Fullerton… and having the honor of being the Best Man at his wedding.’

Grisetti’s representative Rick Ferrari told the Daily Mail Monday the late actor was ‘a tremendous talent’ who ‘shared his gift with everyone who wanted it.’

He added: ‘His students at Cal State Fullerton, theater program, cherished him … we are stunned and heartbroken.’

McClure added that he and his spouse were ‘beyond heartbroken,’ adding that details about a memorial would be released in time.

Grisetti played the role of Ralph Emerson over eight episodes of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel in 2023.

The Washington, DC-born creative also appeared on TV shows such as The Knights of Prosperity, Nurse Jackie and The Good Fight.

The Marvelous Mrs Maisel actor Josh Grisetti died by suicide aged 44 on Friday 

In what was his last post on Instagram, the beloved creative thanked the cast of Legally Blonde: The Musical for a tribute they did for him after he left the production 

Grisetti had been seen in Broadway productions such as Broadway Bound, Camelot in concert, with Off-Broadway credits in Rent, Enter Laughing, Candida, After the Ball and Red Eye of Love.

His film credits included motion pictures such as The Namesake, The Immigrant and Revolutionary Road.

Grisetti was also an educator, as he led California State University, Fullerton’s Musical Theatre program after prior stints at Southern California schools such as Loyola Marymount University and Fullerton College. 

Grisetti, who resided in Southern California at the time of his death, lived in Virginia growing up and was educated at North Carolina School of the Arts and the Boston Conservatory. 

In what was his last post on Instagram, the beloved performer thanked the cast of Legally Blonde: The Musical, which he was directing at the Trentino Music Festival in Italy, for a tribute they did for him as he alluded to departing the production ‘for personal reasons.’

Grisetti performing Something Rotten in NYC in August 2016 

The multitalented entertainer leaves behind a legacy on Broadway, in TV and film, and in education 

He said, ‘When you have to leave a production for personal reasons before getting to see the show open, and the cast and team do stuff like this… 

‘Literally cried on the plane… little gestures go a long way when your heart is hurting… Love this group of misfits right back!! Happy opening, Legally Blonde… I’m so proud of you all.’

Grisetti was warmly remembered by a number of his peers on Broadway.

Donna Murphy said news of Grisetti’s passing was ‘truly devastating & heartbreaking,’ calling him ‘a beautiful, gifted human & artist.’

Sierra Boggess, who worked with Grisetti on It Shoulda Been You, called her late friend ‘a BRILLIANT actor and director and writer.’ 

She added, ‘You have left such a space in all the lives of everyone who knows you and loves you.

‘We will have more details on celebration of life but for now, we love you Josh. If ‘whatever’ means ‘we love you’ then ‘I’ll take whatever, whenever with you.”

Grisetti’s friend and colleague, Rob McClure, announced his death on Sunday 

Sierra Boggess, who worked with Grisetti on It Shoulda Been You, paid tribute to the actor 

Erika Henningsen, who worked with Grisetti on the musical Diner, also spoke out

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Erika Henningsen, who worked with Grisetti on the musical Diner, wrote, ‘Oh Josh. I just loved you. I wish you were still here. Thank you for changing my life. For making me believe in myself. I know you did the same for so many others.

‘My heart is deeply with your loved ones and also students today. They were lucky to have known you and been led by you: your wit, your curiosity, and your indefatigable insistence that what we do as actors matters. I hope you know you mattered. So very, very much.’

Ariana Debose wrote, ‘My sincerest sympathies’ with a brokenhearted emoji, adding, ‘sending so much love and care to his nearest and dearest.’ 

Grisetti is survived by his wife Mackenzie, who he was wed to for six years.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.

Econ Engineering of Ripon has secured the order with Ringway Infrastructure Services in support of Ringway’s long-term highways contract with Kent County Council.

The vehicles are currently in production and will be delivered in the coming months.

Jonathan Lupton, managing director at Econ, said: “This significant supply contract with our long-standing partners at Ringway and Kent County Council reflects the trust our partners place in Econ to deliver robust, innovative and reliable vehicles nationwide.

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“We are proud to support Ringway and Kent County Council, delivering essential services for communities across the UK.”

The fleet includes mainly pre-wet spreaders for primary roads, with a smaller number of dry spreaders for secondary routes.

Other vehicles in the order include permanent mount hotboxes and units equipped with Econ’s quick-change body system, offering both spreader and insulated tipper body options.

All vehicles feature the distinctive Ringway yellow livery, an e-plough with market-leading hydraulic angling, and the Ringway logo on each plough frame.

Additional safety and operational features include the Motormax five-point camera system, Brigade BS8000 reverse radar, and side guard infill panels.

Built on DAF and Mercedes-Benz chassis, the vehicles are equipped with Spargo X controls and CRC Distributor technology.

The fleet will be supported by Econ’s repair and maintenance cover for eight years.

Pat Connolly, contract director – Kent, at Ringway Infrastructure Services, said: “We are delighted to be once again working with Econ to support our Kent County Council contract.

“Effective winter service plays a vital role in keeping our community moving.

“Working closely with Econ ensures our fleet is fully prepared to deliver safe and reliable precautionary treatments during the winter season, allied with the peace of mind the repair and maintenance package provides.”

Senior representatives from Kent County Council and Ringway visited Econ’s Ripon factory.

Peter Osborne, cabinet member for highways and transportation at Kent County Council, said: “I was seriously impressed by Econ Engineering.

“Both sites that I visited were absolutely fantastic and a great example of British engineering at its finest, from design to completion of the final product.”

Econ Engineering supplies 85 per cent of the winter maintenance vehicles to local councils and private contractors from its North Yorkshire-based factory in Ripon.

The company also operates engineering hubs in Alloa, Sowerby, Halesworth, and Cardiff.

Hopetown Heritage Railway, based at the 1861 Shed, is marking its second birthday with a programme of steam services running from July through September.

For the first time, passengers will be able to journey behind Replica Locomotion No.1, travelling in the Experiment coach that featured during the S&DR200 festival celebrations.

Organisers describe it as a “rare opportunity” to ride behind historic steam locomotives on a new heritage railway line celebrating Darlington’s pioneering railway story and the legacy of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

Earlier dates will see trains hauled by Andrew Barclay Works No.2134, known as W.T.T, pulling a restored 1910 luxury Edwardian-style London & South Western Railway No.1520 passenger carriage in salmon and brown livery.

Rides operate between 10.30am and 3.30pm on running days, with the last train departing at 3pm.

Stockton & Darlington Railway. (Image: The Northern Echo)

Services leave every 30 minutes, with each trip lasting around 20 minutes over a 2km stretch of track.

The celebrations build towards the 201st anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, with Replica Locomotion No.1 leading services on several September weekends.

On Sunday, September 27, one of the nation’s best-known steam locomotives, 60163 Tornado, will take charge of the train, with the modern icon expected to draw enthusiasts from across the region.

Tickets for rides behind W.T.T and Replica Locomotion No.1 are £7.50 per passenger, with a flat fare applying to all passengers including children, toddlers and carers.

There are no concessions, and prices for the Tornado rides are still to be confirmed.

Only guide and assistance dogs are permitted on board, and all passengers must carry a valid ticket and present it at the attraction entrance and again to the ride operator.

Steam rides are scheduled on selected dates from July 18 through to September 27, and visitors are advised to check the latest timetable and booking details before travelling, as arrangements are subject to change.

You can find more information here: Hopetown – Steam Rides

US President Donald Trump has delivered a primetime address in which he accused China of interfering in the 2020 election and alleged “shocking vulnerabilities” in American voting systems.

Trump, who spoke from the White House on Thursday, has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud and foreign meddling in the 2020 election which he lost to Joe Biden.

In the half-hour speech, delivered three months before the midterm elections, he said he had declassified hundreds of intelligence files which supported his claims that Beijing had tried to sway the election in Biden’s favour.

The US intelligence community has previously concluded China did not interfere in the 2020 election.

Trump spoke in front of several members of his top team as he gave his address, but journalists were unable to put questions to the president.

In his remarks, he accused China of the “illicit acquisition” of 220 million voter files including personal information.

Trump said voter data in 18 states was “bought, stolen or hacked by China” and accused “those responsible for sounding the alarm” of not disclosing the discovery to government officials or Congress.

Trump did not present evidence that China had used the information it allegedly gathered to alter voting systems or to influence election outcomes.

In response to his speech, the Chinese Embassy in Washington told Reuters that Beijing “has never and will never interfere in the presidential elections”. The BBC has approached the Chinese foreign ministry for comment.

Democrats, meanwhile, accused Trump of attempting to sow doubts about the security of the upcoming November midterms which will decide control of Congress for the remainder of his presidency.

“Let’s be clear – in America, voters choose their leaders, not the other way around,” top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer posted on social media after the speech.

“Democrats will fight like hell to make sure every American voter can cast their ballot freely, without obstruction or interference from Donald Trump,” he added.

The president’s comments contradict previous US intelligence assessments. A 2021 report by the US National Intelligence Council said it had “high confidence” that China did not interfere in the 2020 presidential election.

“We assess that China did not deploy interference efforts and considered but did not deploy influence efforts intended to change the outcome of the US presidential election,” the report stated.

It said this was probably because China “did not view either election outcome as being advantageous enough for China to risk blowback if caught”.

Trump delivered the White House address after the release of a new poll from Washington Post-Ipsos, which indicated his approval rating had dropped to 37% with many voters pessimistic about the cost of living and the ongoing war with Iran.

Elsewhere in the speech, the president alleged that US voting machines are “extremely exposed” to interference by foreign adversaries, including Russia, China and Iran.

Shortcomings of US election infrastructure have been well-documented. Some were addressed after the 2016 election which Trump won, after the US intelligence community found that Russia had engaged in a concerted election meddling campaign that included hacking, social media influencing and funding of on-the-ground electioneering activities.

During the address, Trump also alleged that a state investigation by Michigan law enforcement discovered a voter registration fraud scheme by a Democratic-affiliated group, but was constrained by the FBI from taking action before the statute of limitations expired.

“It was pay, play and cheat,” he said, although he provided no evidence of votes or tabulations being changed or voting machines hacked.

Separately, Trump said that the Department of Homeland Security had identified 278,000 non-citizens were registered to vote. He did not say whether any of those people had voted or had an impact on any election outcome.

At the end of his speech, Trump again called for the passing the of the SAVE America Act, which bans most mail voting, requires proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID to cast a ballot.

That legislation has been stalled in the Senate for months.

The council leader argued that “the people of Fenland should have as much of a voice in change as the people of Makerfield”

Fenland District Council has accused the government of using local councils as a “scapegoat” for failing to deliver on their housing target. Council leader Chris Boden brought forward a motion asking the government to change course on three “particularly egregious” decisions.

He said: “We are all told that we’re about to have a significant change in leadership in the country and we’re about to have a new prime minister. A person who is all things to all men and all women it appears and who is going to solve many of the problems which we have in this country.

“We all look forward to that being successful but when that actually conflicts against the need to make hard decisions I fear that some people may be disappointed.” Cllr Boden said the leadership of Andy Burnham, widely expected to become prime minister on Monday (July 20), could be a “new start” for the government.

He asked the former Manchester mayor to stop local government reorganisation in its current form, reverse the decision to take some planning decisions away from local councils, and reconsider abolishing care partnerships between the NHS and local authorities.

The Conservative councillor said 80 per cent of local government finances go to county council responsibilities such as social services and SEND provision. He said Cambridgeshire County Council is able to achieve “a lot of efficiencies” through “economies of scale” and abolishing the higher-level council makes “no economic sense” and “no democratic sense”.

Cllr Boden said delegating planning decisions to council officers “removes the democratic accountability that is required as part of the planning process”.

He said: “I believe the government is looking to local government as a scapegoat for its own failure to build the 1.5 million houses they said they would in this Parliament. The problem doesn’t lie with local authorities – the problem overwhelmingly lies with developers and the way in which they do business.”

Cllr Dr Haq Nawaz said: “The government appears to have a severe linguistic or conceptual difficulty with the word devolution. Devolution to most people is the transfer of power, of funding, of decision making and of governance from central government to local communities.

“And that the communities are best placed to make decisions tailor-made to their needs in health, education or social services because they know what they need.”

The Conservative councillor said Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals would reduce the number of councillors and wards in Fenland making communication “more difficult”.

He said: “This, chairman, I believe is a missed golden opportunity – an opportunity to address the issues of Fenland, an opportunity to level up Fenland. Fenland is currently 80th most deprived of the 317 local authority districts – the bottom 25%.

“Fenland as it exists should be given more powers to address their particular issues than be drowned into a much bigger authority.”

Cllr Matthew Summers said: “It won’t surprise Cllr Boden that I don’t think this is the right thing to do.” The independent councillor continued: “Mr Burnham, let’s assume he does become Prime Minister – I don’t think this is going to be high on his agenda if I’m honest.

“I think we should spend our time focusing on what we can do to make the best of the situation. The tone just feels a little bit, almost desperate, to try and stop the freight train if you like.”

Cllr Steve Tierney said: “I’d rather try and stop it than just ignore it – if a freight train is coming for your constituents you should try to stop it.”

The Conservative councillor continued: “What we are about to face is the most destructive thing that’s happened to local government in 50 years. It’s going to lead to a much worse, much more expensive, much slower and much less responsive council in every place it’s done. That’s because bigger councils are more remote and less responsive, and that’s just fact.”

Cllr Boden said: “We’re promised there’s going to be change and it is entirely appropriate that the people of Fenland have as much of a voice in that change as the people of Makerfield.”

The council voted to support the motion with 28 votes in favour, five against, and two abstentions.

An application lodged with York Council would see a pergola installed in the courtyard of La Piazza Antica, in Goodramgate.

The Italian restaurant’s plans stated it would enhance the restaurant’s operations by providing weather protection to its outdoor dining space.

Plans lodged with the council would see the aluminium pergola installed to cover its courtyard, allowing it to be used throughout the year.

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It would be equipped with an LED lighting system.

The restaurant’s home, 45 Goodramgate, is a Grade I-listed timber-framed Tudor building dating from the late 15th Century.

Plans stated the changes would respect the character of the building and the surrounding area.

The application stated: “In our view, the impact of the proposed interventions to the existing building are not affecting any of the valuable features of this beautiful, listed site and will not have a detrimental impact to the character of the area considering the location is not visible from the external road.

An impression showing how the pergola at La Piazza Antica, in Goodramgate, York, could look (Image: La Piazza Antica)

“They will only increase the functionality, without harming the aesthetics.

“We feel that this intervention will be a positive addition to the building as it will enhance the functionality of the restaurant.”

La Piazza Antica opened in Goodramgate in 2023.

Its menu features a range of Italian dishes including various raviolis, pastas, spaghettis and pizzas such as Formaggio di Capri, Porchetta e Funghi and Calzone Diavola.

Seating is in its front room looking out onto Goodramgate, a timbered hall in the heart of the restaurant’s Tudor townhouse and a function room, along with its courtyard.

Lucy-Jo Hudson, who played Katy Harris in Coronation Street from 2002 to 2005, has been added to the cast of The Good Ship Murder for its fourth series.

The programme first aired in 2023 and follows a retired detective who has become a cabaret singer on a luxury Mediterranean cruise ship.

Shayne Ward plays Jack Grayling, the cruise ship singer, as he goes around solving murders on board.

Who is in the cast of The Good Ship Murder?

Ross Adams, who used to play Scott Drinkwell in Hollyoaks, will be returning to the show as cruise director Colin Smallwood.

Ross shared a photo on Instagram of him next to Lucy-Jo in Malta, where the show is filmed.

Tillie Amartey, who played Stace Neville in Waterloo Road, has also hinted at joining the cast in a vlog she posted to her social media.

Her caption said: “Cruise ship chronicles day 1.

“When I started acting at 7 years old as a hobby I never thought it would make my adult life so unpredictably amazing.

“Feeling lucky, blessed and claustrophobic Darren all at once but how fab I can say my job has required me to set sail.”

Catherine Tyldesley is another Coronation Street star who appeared in the first three series as Kate Woods, the ship’s first officer.

However, she has stepped down from the role to return to the soap as Eva Price but is set to make a guest appearance in series four to finish her storyline.

On the fourth series, Greg Barnett, commissioning editor, 5, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing The Good Ship Murder back for a fourth series.

“Audiences have truly embraced the show’s unique combination of mystery, music and escapism, and we are excited to continue Jack’s journey with even more surprises and new faces in store.”

Are you excited for the fourth series of The Good Ship Murder? Let us know in the comments.