Robin Swann said that the airport needs to compete with the likes of Dublin

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has said that the decision by Belfast International Airport to increase its drop-off charge is “regrettable.”

On Tuesday, Belfast International Airport confirmed that the cost of using their drop-off zone will increase from £3 to £5 from Monday, 9th March.

A spokesperson for the airport said the increase was due to “significant cost pressures” and that other drop-off options are available.

Ulster Unionist Party MP, Robin Swann, said: “This announcement reinforces my call for further and creative investment in increased public transport options, like reopening the Knockmore Railway Line, which would run from Antrim-Lisburn via Belfast International.

“This would mitigate much of the need for drop-off and short-stay parking and help save holidaymakers and commuters money.

“This is a regrettable decision as the aim should be for Belfast International Airport to be as attractive an offer as possible to help it compete with the likes of Dublin Airport. This price increase will not help make that case.”

“From Monday, 9th March, the tariff in our drop-off zone will increase from £3 to £5. The new pricing reflects significant cost pressures that many businesses across Northern Ireland are currently facing.

“Passengers are reminded that there is a free drop-off area within the long-stay car park. Those requiring additional time should use the short-stay car park, where blue badge holders will continue to receive 30 minutes free.

“We remain committed to transforming the airport and are progressing with our £100million investment programme that has already delivered a new terminal extension, security hall and enhanced duty-free experience.

“Further improvements to the exterior forecourt layout will commence shortly to support traffic flow and public transport access.”

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One councillor said people are “filling potholes with breeze blocks”

An emergency roads motion in Downpatrick council chamber has been blocked by Sinn Fein and the DUP despite claims the district has the “worst potholes in Northern Ireland”.

A majority of elected members of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council voted against the SDLP motion being heard at the monthly meeting with 22 against and 16 in favour.

The rejection of the emergency motion comes as a deadline on a public consultation came to a close on March 3, which could see a multi-year capital budget proposed for the Department of Infrastructure at £4bn.

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Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service Slieve Gullion SDLP councillor Pete Byrne said: “I wanted councillors to back me on the right for the Stormont Executive to implement the Independent Review of Road Maintenance Funding (Barton Report), including the need for a multi-year budget settlement and long-term asset management planning to prevent continued network decline.”

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He added: “NMDDC is the worst council area for potholes in the Northern Ireland with the lowest amount being fixed, a multi-year budget would go a long way to fix the problem.

“We have people in Crossmaglen filling potholes with breeze blocks, there is that much concern over damage being caused to cars as well as accidents on our roads. “

“I don’t care what party has the Minister’s post, even if it was our own party, there is a duty of care to make our roads safe.

“I thought that an emergency motion on the eve before the consultation of the draft on the multi year strategy ends, which is Tuesday March 3 at 5pm, that we as a council could write in a make a representation.

“But [on] March 2 it was deemed that the roads are not an emergency by Sinn Fein and the DUP and I find that absolutely disturbing.”

When an emergency motion is brought before council a vote is taken to decide if a majority of councillors agree to suspend standing orders to allow the details to be read out in chambers.

A regular motion requires about a week’s notice where as an emergency motion is brought with short notice and must gain support to be heard in open chamber to gain support. A chairperson may also allow the urgent business to be read out if they deem it of urgency, but this did not happen with deputy chairperson Geraldine Kearns presiding.

In January, Finance Minister John O’Dowd said a draft multi-year budget he published for 2026 to 2029/30 was “a way forward”.

A multi-year budget of three years could allow Stormont departments to plan longer-term spending. But the plan has not been agreed by the other executive parties with scrutiny of the public consultation now expected in the Assembly.

Outside of chambers, Sinn Féin group leader Councillor Valerie Harte said: “Our group received this motion less than two hours before the council meeting, as councillors were travelling to Downpatrick.

“Councillor Byrne had two full council meetings since the budget consultation launched, on January 12th and February 2nd, to submit a motion in good time. “It is irresponsible to expect councillors to pass a motion without proper scrutiny. Chronic underfunding and unprecedented rainfall have left our roads in poor condition. We share the frustration of local road users.

“As Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins has secured over £40 million since December in additional funding for road repairs, and is deploying all available resources to deliver urgent works as quickly as possible.

“Whilst the SDLP attempt to engage in political point-scoring, Sinn Féin remains focused on solutions to the problem.”

The LDRS contacted the DUP for comment.

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Celebrity outfits and endorsements often dominate social media, but Elton John recently drew attention for a very different reason. The musician has been spotted wearing jewellery made from his own kneecaps.

After a double knee replacement in 2024, he asked his surgeon if he could keep his patellae, the bones at the front of the knee, and later worked with jeweller Theo Fennell to turn them into wearable pieces.

While jewellery made from kneecaps is unusual, it raises a broader question: what happens to tissue once it leaves the body, and why do some people want to keep it?

Elton is not alone in wanting to hold on to parts of the body. Many people keep baby teeth or their children’s first lost tooth as sentimental objects. Social media is also full of stories about people preserving removed tonsils, adenoids, an appendix, or a newborn’s umbilical stump. Some of these are biologically inert keepsakes. Others carry medical and safety considerations.

In most cases, tissue removed during surgery is handled very differently. It is usually sent to a laboratory for testing, known as pathology, to confirm a diagnosis or check for disease. After that, it must be disposed of safely as clinical waste because it can carry biological risks. It is now relatively uncommon for patients to keep surgically removed tissue.

Handling human tissue can pose risks, especially for professionals working in operating theatres or pathology labs with unfixed tissue. “Unfixed” means the tissue has not been treated with chemicals to preserve it and kill microbes. Healthcare staff who use needles or sharp instruments are particularly vulnerable to exposure to blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis or HIV. Depending on the source, other pathogens may also be present, for example respiratory microbes in lung tissue.

Some keepsakes fall somewhere between harmless and medically relevant. Parents sometimes keep the umbilical stump after a baby is born. This small piece of tissue dries up and falls off naturally, usually within the first couple of weeks. If it is not kept clean and dry, it can become infected with a condition called omphalitis, meaning inflammation and infection of the stump.

Placenta

The most debated example of keeping human tissue comes after childbirth. Following delivery of the baby, the placenta is also delivered. This temporary organ connects the developing foetus to the uterus and acts as an interface for exchange of oxygen, nutrients and waste products between mother and baby, while keeping their blood supplies separate to prevent immune rejection and blood incompatibility.

Some people choose not only to keep the placenta but to consume it, a practice known as placentophagy. The idea comes from the belief that because the placenta nourishes the foetus during pregnancy, it must contain nutrients that can help the mother recover after birth. During pregnancy, nutrients such as calcium are transferred to the developing baby, and mothers can lose close to 4% of their bone mineral density. However, most nutrients stored in the placenta have already been passed to the foetus before birth.

Claims about the benefits of placentophagy are not strongly supported by scientific evidence. The nutrients present in placental tissue can generally be obtained through a balanced meal. Research in animal models has shown some positive effects, and similar findings have been reported in those studies, but these results have not been reproduced in humans.

People consume the placenta in various ways. It may be blended raw into smoothies, cooked into foods such as lasagne, steeped in high-strength alcohol to create a tincture, or dried and made into capsules, which is the most common approach, known as encapsulation.

Health risks

But there are also potential health risks. The placenta contains elevated levels of oestrogen, and high concentrations of this hormone in the bloodstream can increase the risk of thromboembolism, a condition in which blood clots form and travel through the circulation.

The placenta also acts as a filter during pregnancy, limiting the transfer of certain substances to the baby. Studies show that some heavy metals and other ions can accumulate in placental tissue, meaning levels may be higher in the placenta than elsewhere in the body.

In 2017, the CDC reported a case in which a baby developed repeated infections with group B Streptococcus agalactiae, a bacterium commonly found in the gut or vagina. Investigators traced the source of the infection to the mother consuming placenta capsules contaminated with the same bacterium. The process used to produce capsules reduces bacterial levels but does not completely remove them in all cases. Eating the placenta raw carries even greater risks, including exposure to bacteria such as E.coli.

Many animals eat their placentas after giving birth, largely to remove evidence that could attract predators and to reclaim nutrients. For humans, those same nutrients are easily obtained from a normal diet, and the medical benefits remain uncertain. At present, more robust studies are needed to determine whether placentophagy offers any genuine health advantages.

Whether transformed into jewellery, kept in a memory box or blended into a smoothie, once tissue leaves the body it moves from the personal and sentimental into the medical and biological. The meanings people attach to it vary widely, but the scientific questions about safety, benefit and risk remain the same.

Econ Engineering supplies 85 per cent of the UK’s gritters, instantly recognisable for their iconic yellow bodies.

However, Term Maintenance Contractor Marlborough requested bright red to emphasise its ‘we are bold’ values.

The new gritters will support winter service deliver across Havering and Southend, with further vehicles to follow for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead ahead of next season.

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The four new red gritters are named Snowflake, Snowblast, Snowsafe and Snowflare, following a local competition.

Steve Sinnott, Econ Sales Director, said: ““While Econ is famous for its iconic yellow gritters, we’ve genuinely loved working with Marlborough Highways to bring these striking red vehicles to life.

“They perfectly reflect Marlborough’s bold identity, and we’re proud to support them with equipment, technology and aftercare that will perform reliably throughout the winter season and beyond.”

Matt Hoiles, Head of Transport & Plant, Marlborough Highways, said: “We’re proud to see these new gritters join our fleet as we head into the winter season. They reflect our commitment to investing in high-quality, reliable equipment that supports our teams to deliver for our clients and communities.”

The latest performance report, using 2024–25 data and national statistics published in December 2025, shows that children and young people in North Lanarkshire are performing in line with, and in some areas above, national averages.

Schools across North Lanarkshire are showing positive signs of progress, with new figures highlighting improvements in attainment, reduced exclusions and continued success in inspections.

The latest performance report, using 2024–25 data and national statistics published in December 2025, shows that children and young people in North Lanarkshire are performing in line with, and in some areas above, national averages.

“It’s part of a co-ordinated effort over many years by this authority to raise attainment and skills, enhance opportunities and choices, and support all young people to realise their full potential,” explains Councillor Michael McBride, convener of the council’s Education, Children and Families Committee.

In primary schools, combined P1, P4 and P7 results in literacy and numeracy remain strong overall, with numeracy continuing to be a particular strength.

Children in P1 have consistently achieved above national averages in both literacy and numeracy over the past five years.

While P4 results dipped slightly this year, long-term trends remain positive, and P7 literacy continues to outperform national levels.

At secondary stage, S3 attainment has reached its highest levels on record. Third level literacy is now above the national average, while fourth level literacy has increased sharply, significantly closing the gap with national performance. Fourth level numeracy has also risen strongly and is now close to the national figure.

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The report also shows continued progress in closing the poverty-related attainment gap. Across primary and secondary stages, gaps in literacy and numeracy remain below national levels and are now at their lowest points on record in several areas.

North Lanarkshire Council has also exceeded the national teacher workforce target, with pupil–teacher ratios remaining stable and favourable.

Inspection outcomes remain a key strength, with most inspections graded “Good” or better. Early years settings, in particular, have seen a clear shift towards consistently good ratings.

Councillor Michael McBride welcomed the findings, adding: “This report shows the real impact of the hard work taking place every day in our schools and early years settings. “We are seeing our strongest ever S3 results, narrowing attainment gaps and continued positive inspection outcomes.

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“We are determined to build on this success, with a particular focus on targeted support in P4 numeracy and writing, further work to tackle persistent absence, and continued action to reduce inequality.

“Overall, this a very positive picture of progress for our children and young people.”

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Patients are being left in ‘sheer panic’ as some pharmacies are starting to say ‘everything else is gone’.

Many Brits are currently being impacted by a worrying medication shortage in the UK, with pharmacies starting to run out of supply to meet patient prescriptions. Worryingly, some pharmacies in the country only have a “trickle” of aspirin left, which is used by millions of Brits.

As a result, the UK Government has put the pain relieving drug on its export ban list in a bid to protect the UK’s already limited supplies. The current shortage is surrounding the 75mg aspirin, which is taken by people who have a history of strokes, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, and by some people with diabetes.

Used by Brits up and down the country, pharmacies running out of the drug is extremely worrying as by law they are not allowed to move patients onto another variation of the medication without it being signed off by their GP. This means that while the 300mg aspirin is not running out, patients can’t just be given the medication.

Speaking on BBC Radio Four’s Inside Health programme, National Pharmacy Association chair Olivier Picard has described how the current shortage is impacting patients in the UK. With his own pharmacies experiencing problems sourcing the drug, this is also a worrying time for his pharmacists, reports the Express.

Picard said: “It is hit and miss with pharmacies at the moment. I have one pharmacy with a trickle. I was in a pharmacy earlier where I asked ‘do you have any aspirin’ and my pharmacy said ‘I have 16 tablets left in a pack of 100 everything else has gone.’”

He added: “I have another pharmacy which has a few packs of 28 which will probably keep us going for a couple of days and then that is that.” While these stroke prevention drugs are usually readily available, Picard has shared that patients have been left in “sheer panic”.

Picard explained: “You look at sheer panic on their face primarily because they know the importance of taking aspirin and they’ve never had a supply issue.

“That person is saying ‘I’m about to run out what am I going to do then’ and that is really the difficult question to answer because pharmacies are not able to change a prescription and therefore by law even if I have a different strength of a medication or an equivalent medication on the shelf I have to send the patient back to the doctor to have something else prescribed.”

According to Picard, the supply chain shortage is “complicated” as manufacturers aren’t only UK companies but are European-wide, with the UK having some of the cheapest generic prices. These prices have come down further as the Government is preventing too much spending on drugs while prescriptions numbers have risen.

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As a result, the manufacturers are now saying they don’t get a good enough return from the UK and are instead beginning to concentrate on other EU markets such as France, Italy and Germany as they are paying a lot more for aspirin.

Picard added: “Unfortunately today we have a list of over 250 items, of course aspirin is on that list, there are some blood pressure medications and also antidepressants.

“Lots of medications are affected and the list is growing simply because the prices that we are offering manufacturers in this country have come to be so low that the manufacturers are pulling out of the UK market. It’s as simple as that.”

Picard said that a temporary solution would be to give pharmacies the power to change prescriptions as this would allow people to get the medication they need while they head back to their GP to find an alternative solution.

Dr Zubir Ahmen, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department of Health and Social Care, said: “The Department is aware of a recent disruption to the supply of aspirin dispersible tablets and are working with suppliers to understand the causes and aid a return to normal supply as soon as possible.

“Supply issues have been addressed, and stock is regularly being made available for pharmacies to order. We are working with all partners in the supply chain, including manufacturers and United Kingdom distributors, to ensure maximum accessibility to pharmacies and hospitals irrespective of where they are in the country.

“The Department will continue to monitor the situation and expects supplies to return to normal over the coming weeks.”

For the Democrats, state representative James Talarico defeated Dallas-based US Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and will advance to the general election. The Republican race was not decided on Tuesday, as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and US Senator John Cornyn, the incumbent, each finished with less than 50% of the overall vote. The two men will advance to a run-off election on 26 May.

The actor rose to fame on the hit Stephen Graham Netflix series Adolescence last year

Owen Cooper has made history by becoming the youngest Soccer Aid participant in the event’s history as players for its 2026 installment were revealed.

The 16-year-old actor rose to fame last year when he starred alongside Stephen Graham in Netflix sensation Adolescence. The series followed Graham as a father struggling to deal with what his teenage son, played by Cooper, is capable of after he’s charged with the murder of a teenage girl.

Consisting of four episodes, each one was filmed using the one-shot technique. Praised for how it handles themes of toxic masculinity and social media, Adolescence was made available to all secondary schools across the UK. On top of this, it was a big winner this awards season, with Cooper winning an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

Since starring in one of the most-watched UK programmes of all time, Cooper has gone on to appear in a Sam Fender music video and made an appearance in Emerald Fennell’s hit adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.

It was announced on Tuesday (March 3) that Cooper will make his debut at Soccer Aid as part of the England team, becoming the youngest player to participate in the charity event in the process.

Despite not being born when the first Soccer Aid took place, Cooper said that he’s a ‘big fan’ of the fundraising event and thinks making history with his age is a ‘real honour’. Other debutants playing at the London Stadium in May to raise money for UNICEF include F1 star Damson Idris and internet personality GK Barry.

Cooper said: “I’m incredibly proud to be playing at Soccer Aid for UNICEF in its 20th anniversary year. I wasn’t even born when the first Soccer Aid took place but I’m a big fan! Becoming the youngest player to take part is a real honour and I’m excited to step out at the London Stadium on May 31.

“This event raises vital funds to help children grow up safe, healthy and able to play – and I’m grateful to be part of such an important cause.”

Also among the debutants this year are former rugby player Joe Marler, Radio DJ Jordan North and Gladiator Nitro, whose real name is Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. The latter was seen competing on Strictly Come Dancing last year.

Making reference to his stint on the Celebrity Traitors last autumn, Marler joked that he will be ‘faithful’ to an ‘amazing cause’ as he swaps the rugby pitch for the football pitch. While North noted that he’s ‘excited and slightly terrified’ to take part.

Those returning to Soccer Aid to play in the England team include former England footballer Jill Scott, TV presenter Paddy McGuinness, singer Olly Murs and actor Tom Hiddleston. They will be joined by singer-songwriter Tom Grennan and reality TV star Sam Thompson.

Stars returning to play in the Soccer Aid World XI FC team include Olympic runner Usain Bolt, comedian Maisie Adam, rapper Big Zuu, Scottish actor Richard Gadd and The Last Leg’s Alex Brooker.

Music star Robbie Williams, who co-founded the concept which raises money for children around the world, will also return to the pitch and be a part of this year’s England management team.

This year’s show will be hosted by Unicef UK ambassador and This Morning presenter Dermot O’Leary, who will be joined by sports presenter and former footballer Alex Scott, while broadcaster Sam Matterface returns as commentator.

To commemorate 60 years since England won the World Cup, the England team will take to the pitch in the white home kit from the 1966 match, while the Soccer Aid World XI FC will wear a bespoke Adidas kit.

The game will be played with the same footballs being used in the World Cup this summer. More famous participants will be revealed in the coming weeks and a 20th anniversary half-time entertainment show will also be announced.

Soccer Aid will be broadcast on ITV1, STV and ITVX on May 31.

Football has become so bonkers that a player can be booked for taking his shirt off – but escape punishment for cheating in a bid to influence a referee

Harry Maguire was supposed to be one of the last bastions of honesty and decency when it came to footballers deserving of our respect.

But with one cretinous moment – he left his reputation in ruins. Going viral on social media and trending on X is never a good place to be for footballers like Maguire.

It tends to mean the person in question has done something mindless. And so it was that the England and Manchester United defender found himself at the centre of peoples’ attention, in the wake of his decision to claim he’d been kicked in the head during his side’s home win over Crystal Palace.

He then made a bad situation worse, when reacting like he’d been assaulted. The problem was, Jorgen Strand Larsen had never touched him. Not even close. Who’d have thought fresh air could be so dangerous?

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Maguire won a free kick, but not satisfied with his astonishing moment of deception, he remonstrated with the linesman, to complain it had been the second time Larsen had booted him in the bonce.

Having spent time in Maguire’s company while covering England and United, it has to be said he has always come across as a thoroughly likeable chap.

Engaging, polite, helpful and genuine. Which makes his moment of madness even more difficult to fathom. Football has enough liars and cheats in it, without someone like Maguire adding to the numbers.

But how can it be right that someone like Maguire can do something like this – and escape punishment?

How can we find ourselves living in a world in which a footballer can be booked for the heinous crime of removing his shirt, but escape caution for blatant cheating?

Earlier this season, Everton manager David Moyes got booked for celebrating a late goal at Brighton. His offence had been to run onto the pitch. Yet Maguire is allowed to use foul means in a bid to influence a referee, and isn’t punished.

And we wonder why the behaviour of footballers continues to leave right-minded people shaking their heads in despair. Maguire should have been charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

What example is this to set to young supporters, or future generations of players? No doubt Maguire will regret what he did. He will feel embarrassed, if he has the stomach to watch replays of the incident.

But perhaps the most stupid mistake of all he made, was to think he could do what he did without the cameras picking it up and exposing him.

Enhancing the belief that the propensity of footballers to be unimaginably stupid continues to know no bounds.

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