TUI will offer city breaks to the Basque Country destination from Manchester Airport this spring, with flights taking under two hours

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has introduced a new city break destination to its spring line-up, located in a region of Spain that’s increasingly catching the attention of Brits and boasts a distinctive charm.

For those weary of the Spanish Costas and seeking to avoid the typical crowded tourist locales, Northern Spain is emerging as an alternative for Brits keen to explore a different side of the country. The Basque Country alone witnessed a 40% surge in visitors last year, although this still only equates to 182,000 tourists annually – a mere fraction compared to Southern Spain.

Bilbao, nestled in the heart of the Basque Country, serves as an excellent introduction to this part of Spain, offering a chance to immerse oneself in the area’s unique beauty and culture.

This spring, TUI will be providing city breaks to Bilbao from four major UK airports: Bristol, London-Gatwick, London-Heathrow, and Manchester. With flights from the UK clocking in at around two hours, it’s perfect for a long weekend or mini break.

In a Lonely Planet article, one travel writer wrote: “When your plane banks toward Bilbao Airport for the final approach, the lush forest passing below looks nothing like the Spain you thought you knew.”

This region’s climate and landscapes are vastly different from the arid, sun-drenched south, offering milder conditions that provide relief from summer heatwaves. Between March and April, daytime temperatures hover around 17C, whilst throughout summer months they reach approximately 26C, as the south frequently swelters in mid-30s heat.

The area also receives greater rainfall than its southern counterpart, lending the surroundings a vibrant green appearance.

Situated along the Nervión River’s banks, Bilbao’s most beloved area is its historic quarter, known locally as Casco Viejo. Featuring vibrant buildings from medieval periods, an impressive cathedral, and the stunning neoclassical Plaza Nueva, packed with bars and eateries, it makes for an ideal short break location.

By contrast, the Guggenheim Museum, with its distinctive Frank Gehry-designed facade, stands apart from everything else in the city, yet attracts visitors with its extensive contemporary art collection. Even without stepping inside, it’s worthwhile passing by to admire its titanium-covered exterior gleaming in the sunlight.

Beyond its cultural attractions, Bilbao is renowned for its vibrant culinary scene, and whilst exploring the streets, you’ll discover numerous pintxos bars. A northern variation on tapas, pintxos consist of bite-sized bread portions topped with ingredients ranging from jamón to seafood or cheese, secured together with a cocktail stick.

Another renowned product of Northern Spain is its Rioja wines, which perfectly complement a serving of pintxos. You can indulge in a day trip to nearby vineyards, or simply pop into one of the numerous wine bars for a tasting session.

TUI’s offers feature a 7-night stay at the 4T NYX Hotel Bilbao by Leonardo Hotels on a room only basis from £583 per person. The price is based on two adults sharing a Double or Twin Comfort Room, departing from London Gatwick on 14th April 2026 with hand luggage only.

Alternatively, you can reserve a seven-night holiday at Hotel Sirimiri on a room-only basis from £451 per person. The price is based on two adults sharing a Double or Twin Standard Room, departing from London Heathrow on 21st April 2026 with hand luggage only.

Prices are subject to availability and may vary. For more information, visit the TUI website or download the official app.

One of Cole Palmer’s friends has vowed to get the Chelsea star to Manchester United and claims he ‘belongs’ at Old Trafford.

Palmer, a United fan growing up, joined Chelsea in a £40m deal from Manchester City in 2023.

Despite supporting the Red Devils, it was the blue half of Manchester who poached Palmer at the age of eight and took him through the club’s academy to the first-team.

But Palmer only made 19 Premier League appearances for Man City before selling him to Chelsea, where he has become one of the biggest stars in world football.

Palmer enjoyed a sensational first season at Stamford Bridge, scoring 27 goals and making 15 assists – the most of any player in the Premier League.

England caps soon followed – Palmer scored in England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain – and he was named the Premier League Young Player of the Season.

Palmer was slightly less effective last season but still scored 18 goals in all competitions to help the Blues qualify for the Champions League, win the Europa Conference League and then lift the Club World Cup trophy.

The 23-year-old struggled with form and fitness earlier in the current season and reports claimed Palmer was missing Manchester.

It was even suggested Palmer would be ‘open’ to joining his beloved Manchester United, with a return to Man City out of the equation, especially while Pep Guardiola is still in charge.

Chelsea tried to dismiss speculation Palmer could leave the club, insisting he is one of three ‘untouchable’ members of Liam Rosenior’s squad.

But Palmer has continued to be linked with a move and one of his friends has made it his mission to get him to Manchester United.

Manchester-based rapper Tunde spent some time with Palmer during his holiday to Dubai this week as some Chelsea players were given time off ahead of the business end of the season.

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Tunde uploaded two pictures of him and Palmer together with the Instagram caption: ‘Bro from early.

‘1 day I will get CP to UTD back home where he belongs. Go ask him who his favourite team is.’

Following a frustrating start to the season, Palmer has looked back to his best in recent weeks, scoring a first-half hat-trick against Wolves.

Asked about Palmer’s future at Stamford Bridge last month, new Chelsea boss Rosenior said: ‘Is he untouchable, is he happy? Yes and yes.

‘It’s simple, Cole Palmer is an incredible player like many players in the group. Cole is here, he’s very happy and I can’t wait to see him back on the pitch.

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‘Cole is very happy. I’ve had numerous conversations with him. Our thoughts are on how we can make this team better, how he can improve and how I can help him.

‘He loves being here and he wants to be a Chelsea player.’

Former Chelsea captain Ruud Gullit certainly hopes Palmer stays put, telling Gambling Insider earlier this week: ‘I don’t know what’s going on with Cole Palmer. Nobody seems to know.

‘If he continues to be in and out of the Chelsea team, then that suggests that something is going on behind the scenes and it’s not just his fitness issues.

‘It’s possible that he’s still a little bit injured and that’s affecting his form, but only Liam Rosenior and the medical staff know the true story.

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‘We haven’t heard Cole’s side of the story yet, so we’re in the dark with what’s going on with him.

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‘I really hope he doesn’t leave Chelsea in the summer – I want him to have his chance to win big trophies at Stamford Bridge.

‘We can only speculate at the moment, so let’s see what happens between now and the end of the season.’

But there are those who would like Palmer to be on the move, with Louis Saha insisting he would be a brilliant signing for his former club Manchester United.

‘It would be incredibly exciting to see Cole Palmer at Manchester United,’ Saha told CasinoHawks. ‘He is just a terrific player.

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‘If he does think about going back to Manchester again, I’m sure that he’s going to be exciting for United fans.’

For now, Palmer will hope to help Chelsea finish in the top-four – they arefifth with 12 games remaining – and enjoy a deep run in the Champions League.

Chelsea, who thumped Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup last time out, return to Premier League action on Saturday against Burnley.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market ticked higher on Wednesday, led by its most influential stock, Nvidia.

The S&P 500 rose 0.6% and pulled a bit closer to its all-time high set late last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 129 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.8%.

Nvidia helped lift the market and climbed 1.6% after Meta Platforms announced a long-term partnership where it will use millions of chips and other equipment from Nvidia for its artificial-intelligence data centers.

“No one deploys AI at Meta’s scale,” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said. Because his company is the most valuable on Wall Street, Nvidia’s stock was the single most powerful force pulling the S&P 500 higher.

That performance demonstrated the upside of AI development for the U.S. stock market. But investors have also focused on the potential downsides recently, which has led to sharp swings for Wall Street. Worries are rising, for example, about how much companies like Meta are spending on AI and whether they can make back their huge investments through higher profits and productivity in the future.

Meta’s stock fell as much as 1.7% before recovering and rising 0.6%.

Another worry is that if AI succeeds in creating tools to do complicated tasks more cheaply, companies in industries as far flung as software and legal services and trucking logistics could see their businesses get undercut. That has pushed investors to suddenly and aggressively punish stocks of companies seen as under threat, and analysts have likened it to a “shoot first-ask questions later” mentality.

Several profit reports from companies helped to lift stocks Wednesday. They continued what’s been a strong reporting season for the big U.S. companies in the S&P 500.

Cadence Design Systems climbed 7.6% after delivering both profit and revenue for the latest quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. CEO Anirudh Devgan credited what he called “the essential nature of Cadence’s engineering software,” even as investors worry about AI threatening to remake the industry.

Analog Devices rose 2.6% after likewise topping analysts’ estimates for profit and revenue. The chip company said it saw record orders during the quarter for its data center business.

Outside of earnings reports, Moderna jumped 6.1% after saying regulators at the Food and Drug Administration will review its flu vaccine candidate after earlier refusing to consider it.

They helped offset a 6.8% drop for Palo Alto Networks. The cybersecurity company reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected, but it gave profit forecasts for the current quarter and the remainder of its fiscal year that fell short of their estimates.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 38.09 points to 6,881.31. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 129.47 to 49,662.66, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 175.25 to 22,753.63.

In the bond market, Treasury yields ticked higher following reports on the U.S. economy that came in better than economists expected. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.08% from 4.05% late Tuesday.

One report said that industrial production improved last month by more than economists expected. Another said orders for computers, fabricated metal products and other long-lasting manufactured goods rose more in December than economists expected, when not including airplanes and other transportation equipment. A third report said homebuilders broke ground on more new homes in December than expected.

Such strong data could encourage the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates steady.

The Fed has put its cuts to interest rates on hold, but many on Wall Street expect it to resume later this year. The widespread forecast is that will come during the summer, after a new chair is scheduled to step in atop the Fed.

Minutes released Wednesday from the Fed’s last meeting, though, showed many officials want to see inflation fall further before they would support additional interest rate cuts this year.

Lower rates can give a boost to the economy and prices for investments, but that comes at the cost of potentially worsening inflation.

In stock markets abroad, London’s FTSE 100 climbed 1.2% after the latest update on U.K. inflation bolstered expectations that the Bank of England may soon cut interest rates.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1% as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was reappointed by the parliament following a landslide victory for her ruling Liberal Democrats in a Feb. 8 election. The expectation is that she will push through policies to help the economy and markets.

Elsewhere in Asia, several markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.

___

AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

Plan 2 loans apply to students who started courses in England and Wales between September 2012 and July 2023.

Graduates from Northern Ireland will not be impacted by the UK Government’s freeze on the student loan repayment threshold, the Economy Minister has confirmed.

In the Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the salary at which Plan 2 student loans must be paid back would be frozen at £29,385 for three years starting from April 2027.

Plan 2 loans apply to students who started courses in England and Wales between September 2012 and July 2023.

The repayment threshold is currently £28,470 for this plan, and a freeze would mean those earning above that amount will be making larger repayments on their student loans than if the thresholds had risen in line with inflation.

Graduates repay nine per cent of the amount earned above the threshold outlined in their plan, and Plan 2 loans are charged a rate of interest equal to Retail Prices Index inflation, plus up to 3 per cent on top based on earnings.

Responding to a question from the SDLP’s Sinéad McLaughlin, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: “The policy in respect of student loan repayment is a devolved matter. I can confirm that the proposal to freeze repayment thresholds in England will not apply to borrowers from here.

“The repayment threshold here will see an inflationary increase from £26,095 to £26,900 in April 2026.”

SDLP Opposition Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA said: “Graduates across the water have been hit hard by the Chancellor’s decision to freeze repayment thresholds. I welcome the Minister’s commitment here not to follow suit with this damaging approach.

“Yet the impact of student debt still hangs over the heads of too many graduates. We need a university system that is fit for the future, one that properly invests in our universities and fully supports students.

“In that context, it is disappointing that the Minister’s higher education funding review will not conclude before the end of the mandate, effectively passing the buck on big decisions to a future Economy Minister. We need much more ambition and a better approach from the Executive, to ensure every young person has the fair future they deserve.”

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A man has been stabbed to death with a teenager left with life-threatening injuries after an altercation in broad daylight at a skate park as police launch murder probe

A murder probe has been launched after a man in his 20s died at a skate park with a teenager also suffering life-threatening injuries.

Police have launched the murder investigation following the stabbing in Northampton on Wednesday, February 18.

Emergency services were called to the skate park in Ringway, Briar Hill following reports that two people had been stabbed during an altercation in the park.

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A man in his 20s sadly died at the scene and a teenage boy remains in critical condition in hospital due to his injuries.

Northamptonshire Police have confirmed that four people have been arrested following the altercation and remain in police custody.

Two teenage boys, a man and a woman all from Northampton.

The incident took place in broad daylight at around 3.45pm on Wednesday and a police cordon is expected to remain in place at the park as the investigation continues.

Several roads are also affected by the incident and members of public are being urged to avoid the area, where possible.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “This is a tragic incident in which a man has sadly lost his life, and a teenage boy is in a critical condition. Our thoughts are firmly with both their families at this difficult time.

“We know incidents of this nature can be a cause of concern within the neighbourhood and wider community, and I would like to offer our reassurance that we have a team of dedicated officers working at pace to establish what has happened.

“High-visibility police patrols will be taking place in the area to reassure the local community, and I would encourage anyone with concerns in the area to approach one of our officers who will be happy to help.

“Arrests were promptly made, and enquiries are continuing to move at a fast pace however I would still appeal for any witnesses or anyone with information who has not yet come forward, to please do so.”

Police have confirmed that there will be an increased police presence in the area following the alleged murder.

The force are urging anyone with more details to contact them, especially with CCTV, doorbell, or mobile phone footage.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Please quote incident number 26000098294 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.

This, of course, is a very visible symptom of a vital public institution overwhelmed by the population growth of York, the traffic situation, of course, being made worse by the lunatic anti-car policies of City of York Council pursued for many years no matter which colour rosette has been in power.

Application of common sense could alleviate much of the traffic issue. Unfortunately that is a commodity sadly lacking at City of York Council.

However, the overwhelmed nature of the hospital behind the doors is of much greater concern. A point I have made many times, including at the Local Plan hearings, is that despite thousands more houses destined to be built in York and surrounding areas, there is no proposal for a new hospital to be built. It’s madness.

Speaking to a resident this weekend I was horrified to learn that their very elderly father taken there in an ambulance then waited for five hours in the foyer on a trolley with doors opening and closing (at this time of year!) for the ‘privilege’ of getting fully inside to then wait in the corridor for a further four hours to get a cubicle to be attended to.

This is seemingly the norm?

Where is the investment in basic infrastructure to support the false, inflated population growth of York?

Whether it is healthcare, highways and transport, water and sewage, schools, police, council services, all will become ever more strained in the future.

Cllr Mark Warters, Osbaldwick & Derwent Ward

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What gobbledegook!

What gobbledegook Garry Taylor of City of York Council spouts, a typical sort of reply from a bureaucrat that has not got a clue.

Because of the traffic congestion he says we should use other or alternative means of getting to the District Hospital. I would be obliged if he could provide that ‘alternative’ to my partner when she goes for her chemotherapy appointment next week !!!!

I do not often agree with Laverack, but his solution to the problem is apt, and the right one, and smacks of common sense and logic……………something that City of York Council officials seem to lack.

Phill Thomas, Brecksfields, Skelton, York

What do you think?

Send your views to: letters@thepress.co.uk. Write no more than 250 words and please provide your full name, address and mobile number

​A by-election will be held in the Stakesby division in Whitby to elect a new councillor to Whitby Town Council.

​North Yorkshire Council said it had received “sufficient requests for an election” in the Stakesby Ward caused by Anne Brown’s resignation, according to the town clerk.

​The date of the byelection will be Thursday, April 2, and the official Notice of Election, the timetable, and the nomination pack will be available on North Yorkshire Council’s website on Thursday, February 26.

​However, Whitby Town Council has said it will not cover the cost of polling cards in the byelection.

​Holding the by-election is set to cost £4,000, and councillors were asked to decide whether the authority should also cover the cost of polling cards.

​At a meeting earlier this month, members “considered the costs associated with a potential by-election for Stakesby Ward, including estimated election costs of £4,000 and an additional discretionary cost of £1,800 for the issue of polling cards”.

​Following a discussion on whether the council would meet the polling card costs, a motion was put forward proposing that WTC would not pay for them, and the motion was approved.

After blowing a two-goal lead to draw against the Premier League’s bottom club Wolves, there will be no dodging the questions on whether Arsenal are mentally ready to end their 22-year wait to become champions.

For the first time really this season, the title race is not completely in the control of Mikel Arteta and his players.

If Manchester City – five points behind in second place – win all of their remaining 12 games, which includes a home meeting against Arsenal, they will finish first.

The same, though, can be said for the Gunners, who have 11 matches left – and they win the April encounter at Etihad Stadium.

But after dropping four crucial points in successive draws against Brentford and Wolves, they are in danger of being haunted by the ghost of past failures.

Three successive runners-up finishes, two of them to Pep Guardiola’s men, provide a constant reminder.

Former Arsenal forward Alan Smith admitted “that word bottle will be used quite a bit in the next few days”.

The scenario seemed a lot different when Piero Hincapie slotted home his first goal for the club in the 56th minute, adding to Bukayo Saka’s fifth-minute opener.

But the Gunners lacked the control and ruthlessness to finish off a Wolves side that had lost their nine previous meetings and are heading for the Championship.

The hosts showed remarkable spirit to fight back with Hugo Bueno’s 20-yard curler giving them hope. Then, in the fourth minute of added time, 19-year-old Tom Edozie – off the bench for his senior debut – pounced on a mix-up between Arsenal pair David Raya and Gabriel and his shot went in off Riccardo Calafiori for a dramatic, dreamy leveller.

Arsenal next face London derbies with Tottenham and Chelsea and they have worryingly started to wobble at a decisive stage in the season.

Arteta knows his side will come under fire and scrutiny.

“Any opinion you have to take it on the chin,” he said. “Any bullet, take it, because we didn’t perform at the level required.

“Anything anyone says can be right because we didn’t do what we had to do. The way to do it is on the pitch on Sunday [against Spurs].”

Wolves boss Rob Edwards said his side “knew there is a massive pressure” on Arsenal at the minute – and they capitalised on that.

The Gunners have not been performing at their best since the start of 2026 and won only two of their last seven league matches, with victories against Leeds and Sunderland.

Arteta added: “Certain basics we have to do, we did them so poorly, one after the other.

“It is better not to judge it. We are all too emotional about it. You have to take the hit because we deserve it. It is very easy with emotion to say things that can damage the team. Everyone wants to do their best.”

Only Crystal Palace and West Ham (both eight) have dropped more points from winning positions in the league in 2026 than Arsenal (seven) and the Gunners have now failed to win from a leading position in three of their last five league games.

This was also the first time in Premier League history that a side starting the day bottom of the table avoided defeat to the leaders, despite trailing by two or more goals.

“It feels like a pivotal moment, a vital one, maybe a turning point,” Smith added on Sky Sports.

“It’s in Manchester City‘s hands now. With their experience and Guardiola’s experience they will really fancy it now. They can almost feel the nerves of the Arsenal team watching that.

“Having been 2-0 up against the team rock bottom on nine points is just not good enough for the team hoping to win the title. It doesn’t bode well for Arsenal to be able to handle the pressure.”

Adrian Chamberlain broke into the house before stealing the car’s keys and driving it away while the owner’s mother was asleep upstairs in their home.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 39-year-old was arrested shortly after the burglary on August 10, 2023, in Billingham.

Nicci Horton, prosecuting, said: “The victim was woken by the dog whining, went downstairs and noticed the door was ajar and the keys for the Audi and another vehicle were missing as well as a purse and bank cards.

“When she went outside, she noticed the Audi had gone.

“The police located the vehicle on August 16 in Thornaby, and it had been burned out.”

The court heard how police arrested the defendant for an unrelated incident the following day and recovered a mobile phone containing videos and photographs showing him trying to sell it.

Chamberlain, of Woodcock Close in Middlesbrough, initially denied the charges of burglary and theft of a vehicle but eventually pleaded guilty ahead of a trial.

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Chris Morrison, mitigating, urged the judge to pass a suspended sentence as his client was working on turning his life around and is now in a stable relationship.

He added: “I would submit that is a powerful influence away from the malign lifestyle and influences that were a feature of his life when these offences occurred.”

Judge Jonathan Carroll passed a 94-week sentence suspended for two years and ordered him to attend 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

He said: “You made attempts to sell the car for profit, that failed so you just burned the car out causing a significant financial loss the victims.”

The family of an elderly Massachusetts couple is grieving after a tragic weekend accident on Cape Cod.

The high school sweethearts had been on a “normal” walk on Saturday before seemingly encountering trouble. Kathleen “Kit” Boucher, 71, died after being spotted half-submerged in the ice on Bee’s River. Two police officers also fell through the ice trying to rescue her, but managed to get to safety. Their dog had been spotted loose and wet on a nearby beach, officials said.

Her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Boucher, 72, remains missing.

Rescuers searched for Jerry over the weekend but stopped due to dangerous ice conditions. The search resumed Tuesday using divers, drones, and helicopters, with authorities hoping to continue Thursday or Friday, depending on the weather.

The couple’s daughters, Katy Boucher and Amy Lawson, said in a joint statement Tuesday to NBC Boston, “Our family is devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved parents, Kit and Jerry Boucher. We are deeply grateful for the heroic efforts of the first responders in Eastham. We are thankful for the outpouring of love, and appreciate the privacy and discretion the community is extending to our family during this unimaginably difficult time.”

“They walk all the beaches, all the time. They loved being on Cape Cod, they loved living here. This was their place,” said Dawn Varnum, who knew the Bouchers well, told the outlet,

Kit and Jerry celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year, Lawson told the New Haven Register.

“They have been together since they were 15 and died together on Valentine’s Day,” Lawson said. “They were best friends throughout life. They were fiercely dedicated to family and friends, and made everyone they met feel loved and important.”

Boucher said her parents took their dog for a walk on Valentine’s Day, a daily routine for her mother, likely joined by her father due to the holiday.

“When I arrived at their home after hearing the news,” Boucher said about their disappearances, “I could see their Valentine cards and chocolates on the kitchen table. They were just going to do their normal thing. My sister keeps saying, ‘They died alive.’ ”

Massachusetts State Representative Steve Xiarhos also sent his condolences to the family, posting on Facebook, “We are absolutely heartbroken over the tragic loss of Kit Boucher and the ongoing search for her husband Jerry in Eastham,” sharing a photo of the couple.