Bookings are up as holidaymakers continue to plan summer getaways

A leading local travel agent says Easter marks the start of a busy holiday booking season, with demand for spring getaways remaining strong despite wider global uncertainties.

At present, rising fuel prices have not had an impact on the cost of holidays, with many holidaymakers booking now while availability and choice remain high. Selected suppliers have also introduced extra promotional savings, including attractive offers such as free child places on key school holiday dates, helping families secure excellent value.

Barrhead Travel reports that Northern Ireland holidaymakers are continuing to book their summer holidays, with many customers keen to secure something they can look forward to.

READ MORE: Consumer Council issues important advice for those travelling from Northern Ireland this EasterREAD MORE: Everything you need to know on your travel rights amid Middle East flight chaos

Short-haul European breaks remain a firm favourite for their great weather and convenient travel times, with firm favourites including Turkey; Majorca; Tenerife; Portugal and Benidorm performing particularly well.

Many holidaymakers are choosing package holidays, which offer additional protection and peace of mind when booking their trips.

Cruising is also maintaining strong momentum, with healthy demand for fly-Mediterranean and river cruises, alongside growing popularity for UK sailings. Long-haul destinations such as the Caribbean, Canada and Florida are selling really well – Japan and Hong Kong are amongst the fastest growing destinations.

Lisa Hammill, Regional Sales Manager at Barrhead Travel said: “While there has been some short-term disruption to certain flight routes, the vast majority of holidays for customers here in Northern Ireland are continuing as planned. Airlines are simply adjusting routes where needed, and for most people, it really is business as usual.

“We encourage everyone to trust your travel agent. Our expertise ensures you are fully supported, and we are committed to keeping you fully informed with accurate, up-to-date and factual advice at all times. Staying in touch with your agent and remaining flexible are key to enjoying your holiday stress-free. Only rely on official and verified sources for guidance.”

Lisa says Northern Ireland customers are showing strong demand for a mix of holidays: “European destinations remain popular, with Spain, Greece, Portugal and the Canaries performing particularly well.

“Cruising is also growing, with both flights from the UK and sailings departing directly from UK ports providing choice and convenience for our local travellers. Long-haul travel continues to attract interest too, with destinations such as the Caribbean, Canada, Florida seeing lots of bookings.

“Ultimately, the travel industry is very strong and resilient. Time and again, we’ve seen destinations bounce back quickly after periods of uncertainty. The message for Northern Ireland is positive – people are still booking, travelling and prioritising their holidays, and we are here to ensure every customer feels confident, informed and fully supported every step of the way.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Declan Berry is believed to have been driving a car containing four other teenagers when it entered the River Nene

A helicopter has been used to help with the search for Declan Berry after a car entered the River Nene at North Brink a week ago. Declan and four other teenagers crashed into the River Nene outside Wisbech St Mary at around 8.20pm on Tuesday, March 17.

Two 16-year-old girls and one 18-year-old boy were able to get out of the vehicle and were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The body of a 16-year-old girl, Eden Bunn, was recovered by the police from the river on Wednesday, March 18.

The blue Volkswagen Polo that they had been driving in was recovered by police on Sunday, March 22, with help from specialist dive teams. The police confirmed that no further people were found inside the car.

The police are continuing to search for Declan, 18. People have spotted a helicopter over the area that headed towards Guyhirn that police are using to help with the search.

People have placed flowers along the road in tribute to the two teenagers. Eden’s family have paid tribute her, describing her as “the kindest, most loving girl”.

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NHS dentists will be incentivised to treat urgent cases

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Patients across Peterborough will be able to get urgent dentist appointments more easily due to an upcoming nationwide overhaul of NHS dentistry.

That was the view shared by Pam Green, Director of Neighbourhood Health, Places and Partnerships at a meeting of the Prevention, Independence and Resilience Scrutiny Committee at Sand Martin House on Monday night (March 23).

The meeting saw NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care Board (ICB) update the committee on dentistry, outlining actions taken to improve access to NHS dentist appointments.

Ms Green explained that a major overhaul to the contracts the government agrees with NHS dentistry providers means that, from April, urgent care will be prioritised over regular care:

“The fundamental change to the contract is the pricing,” she said. “The national pricing has changed, and the incentives, too.”

She went on: “It’s a more logical way to incentivise on-the-day access and not constantly seeing six-month reviews – the previous contract encouraged reviews as opposed to that urgent access.”

Going forward, NHS dentists will be financially incentivised to carry out fewer check-ups and instead use that time to treat urgent cases like severe tooth pain, dental infections, trauma to teeth, or other conditions that need rapid treatment.

“The model… was so linked to six-month reviews that actually it stopped people being able to get [NHS dental] access,” Ms Green summarised. This new approach, she said, would help “free up capacity”.

Councillor Asim Mahmood (Lab) and Councillor Heather Skibsted (Greens) both asked Ms Green why routine general access to NHS dentists – akin to going to see your local GP – was not available in the way that it used to be three or four decades ago.

“Dentistry absolutely is there for everyone but it’s never been the same offer as General Practice (GP),” she replied. “It’s a perception that everyone is registered with an NHS dentist and that just isn’t the case. What our urgent dental access is saying is that, irrespective of whether you’re registered, you should be able to access care.”

Following question a from Cllr Skibstead enquiring about the ICB’s “vision” for dentistry in the city, Ms Green acknowledged that it will take time for the new ways of working to become established.

“We will see a change in the way access is derived,” she said, “[but] we’ve got to work that through. We want people to be able to access [NHS] dentistry on the frequency that is appropriate… [and] offer, where there is need, the right level of service.

“That is the vision. I promise you that the dental contract changes will help us get there.”

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Kevin Cash isn’t worried that manager ejections will become a relic of baseball’s past just because robot umpires have arrived to settle some debates.

“You only get two challenges, right? That can come up in the first inning,” the Tampa Bay Rays manager said.

Manager tantrums at umpires have long delighted fans: the Yankees’ Billy Martin kicking and throwing dirt on Dale Scott in 1988, Cincinnati’s Lou Piniella heaving first base into right field in anger at Dutch Rennert in 1990 and the Orioles’ Earl Weaver going face to face with Bill Haller in 1980, each profanely calling the other a liar.

But Major League Baseball has given managers less to gripe about in the past two decades. Video reviews began for home run calls in August 2008 and were widely expanded to many decisions for the 2014 season. The Automated Ball-Strike System starts this year to allow challenges to human strike zone calls, dubbed robot umpires.

“Manager ejections have been down for a while now because of the replay system,” said Hall of Famer Jim Leyland, a three-time Manager of the Year tossed 73 times over 22 seasons. “I really like the ABS. I think it’s going to be great for the game.”

Last year, 61.5% of ejections among players, managers and coaches (99 of 161) were related to ball/strike calls, according to MLB, up slightly from 60.3% (114 of 189) in 2024. The figure included what MLB counted as inappropriate comments and conduct, and throwing equipment in protest.

“I’m in favor of anything that allows our technology to play in this game,” Cash said. “We have so much of it. Why not use it?”

Each team gets two challenges per game, and a club keeps its challenge if successful. A team out of challenges gets an additional one in each extra inning.

“You’re going to take out the argument of balls and strikes initially,” Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “I think the challenge is going to be after the challenges go away, how managers are and what they do? But I do think that there is going to be probably less general complaining about balls and strikes in the early going.”

Aaron Boone of the Yankees has led or tied for the most ejections in four straight seasons, and his nine in 2022 were the most since Atlanta’s Bobby Cox was tossed 10 times in 2007.

Cox was thrown out a record 162 times, followed by John McGraw (121), Leo Durocher (100), Weaver (96), Tony La Russa (93) and Bruce Bochy (89).

Cincinnati’s Terry Francona, starting his 25th season in a big league dugout, leads active managers with 54. Boone, beginning his ninth season, is second with 46.

Boone is less concerned over whether his dugout dissents will dwindle and more focused on keeping his players locked in if a challenge goes against them. If an umpire calls strike three to strand the bases loaded and the pitcher pumps a fist and bounds off the mound, how will the pitcher quickly regain composure if ABS reverses the call and forces a 3-2 offering?

“It’s a whole new thing that pitchers have never dealt with. That’s an emotional thing you’ve got to deal with,” Boone said. “That’s something we’ve already addressed, same with the hitters to a lesser degree: that reset. How do you clear the mechanism?”

Bobby Valentine, who managed three major league teams over 16 seasons, will be honored by the New York Mets this May with a giveaway promotion commemorating one of his 44 ejections. After he was tossed by Randy Marsh on June 9, 1999, Valentine returned to the dugout with a fake mustache fashioned from eye black and sunglasses.

Valentine thinks players have evolved past the point where a manager could spark his team with a histrionic argument.

“I found that by the end of my career that that was only entertainment,” he said. “It didn’t fire anyone up except for my wife, who was worried about the fine that I was going to get.”

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Benjamin Sesko has been mainly used off the bench by Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick in recent weeks.

Benjamin Sesko’s agent has revealed that he doesn’t ‘like’ the striker being referred to as a ‘super sub’. The Manchester United forward has been a regular off the bench this season, but is now pushing for more starts.

Sesko has scored 10 goals in all competitions for United this season after his £74 million move from RB Leipzig in the summer. Four of those goals have come after he entered the pitch as a second-half substitute, including winners against Fulham and Everton and a late equaliser vs West Ham.

It’s led to the Slovenia international being labelled as a ‘super sub’ for interim manager Michael Carrick. But the player’s agent Elvis Basanovic would rather his client be given another nickname.

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“If you ask me about this name, I don’t like it. I like ‘super striker’ much more,” he told Arena Sport. “I think Benjamin is a super striker.

“He has started 13 games this year, coming off the bench in 13 games. He scored half of his goals when he started the game and half when he came off the bench.

“We can see that he is a complete striker and Benjamin is someone who deserves the name ‘super striker.’”

There have been calls for Sesko to be in the starting line-up more often. However, speaking back in February, the forward hinted that he was quite happy with his current role as he continues to settle into Premier League football.

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“We are talking, of course, but he [Carrick] believes in me, everyone believes in me,” he said. “They are getting me ready to start as soon as possible. It’s more about me showing up when it’s important, no matter how many minutes I’m getting, I’m focusing on delivering and trying to help the team secure the wins.”

He added: “I’m getting settled in the league from game to game. Again, I’m not even thinking about ‘I have to start, I have to start.’

“For me it’s just whenever coach decides to put me there one time or not I’m just going to be there.

“If I get the next minutes, five minutes, I’m going to use them and for me it’s just about trying to enjoy and delivering for the team.”

Sesko came off the bench to play the final 19 minutes for United’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Friday night. It was revealed by the club on Monday that the striker has been managing an injury.

That has led to him pulling out of the Slovenia squad over the international break to aid his recovery. Sesko will hope to be available when United return to action on Monday, 13 April, when they host rivals Leeds United at Old Trafford.

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: ENGFREEDEL

You’ll need the travel document to visit countries outside of the UK, so it’s important you have a valid one before you try to plan a trip.

Booking a trip involves lots of research, packing and organisation, and it’s easy to forget to check your passport is still valid for travel, so if you need one at the last minute – here’s how you can get yours fast.

Need to renew your passport in a hurry? Our Premium service means you can collect your new passport just 4 hours after your appointment.
Check if you can apply at: https://t.co/KzuNNUAeHt #UseTheRightService pic.twitter.com/2DwqQzWpto

— His Majesty’s Passport Office (@HM_Passport) March 23, 2026

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How long does it take to get an urgent passport?

If you think using the standard passport renewal service will take too long, the government advises paying for the quicker premium service.

It shared how Brits can benefit from the service on X today (March 24).

The online service allows you to book your appointment at a passport office, as well as apply and pay for your new passport.

Appointments can be booked up to three weeks ahead and they last up to 10 minutes.

If you choose the fast track service, which is another way to get an urgent passport, you should expect it to arrive a week after your appointment.

How much does an urgent passport cost?

An urgent passport application using the premium service costs £222 for a standard adult passport or £235 for a 54-page frequent traveller adult passport.

Currently, before passport prices are set to increase in April, a standard adult passport applied for online costs £94.50, while a postal application will set you back £107.

A 54-page frequent traveller adult passport applied for online costs £107.50 while a paper application costs £120.

Take your old passport to the appointment with you so you can hand it in.

Four hours after your appointment, your new passport will be ready to collect.

The service cannot be used to renew a child’s passport, however, an urgent child’s passport can be applied for through the one week fast track service.

What you need to apply for ETIAS

The government warns: “If you’ve already applied for a passport and have not received it yet, do not pay for an urgent passport.

“You will not get your passport sooner and you will be charged a £32 admin fee for each additional application.”

How is fast track different to a premium urgent passport?

Using the fast track service, you can renew a passport, change personal details on your passport, replace a passport or get a passport for a child.

You can expect to pay £178 for an adult passport (or £191 for the frequent traveller option) and £145 for a child passport (or £158 for a frequent traveller passport).

The government website adds: “The earliest you can get an appointment is the next day after you apply.

“Your new passport will be delivered to you by courier 1 week after your appointment.”

It’s worth knowing that urgent passports cannot be issued to adults who want to buy their first adult passport.

You will need to be in the UK to apply for an urgent passport.

To avoid delays, send us the requested documents as soon as you can to the address we provide. When you apply online, it tells you exactly what documents you need. https://t.co/6yQGPyv0bS #MyPassportDocuments pic.twitter.com/s3KUjPmqvt

— His Majesty’s Passport Office (@HM_Passport) March 24, 2026

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Can you change or cancel your appointment? See if someone can attend for you

If you have booked an appointment, you can no longer attend, you can either cancel or rearrange it.

Your confirmation email will give instructions on how to change it but if you need to cancel your appointment, you’ll need to do so at least 48 hours before or pay £32.

No refunds will be given if you miss your appointment, and to get a passport, you’ll need to book another and pay again.

The government explained that someone else can attend the appointment for you: “You can ask someone else to go to your appointment for you.

“They’ll need to bring your application reference number, which starts with ‘PEX’.

“You’ll find this on your confirmation email and in any text messages you get about your appointment.”

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If you used the premium service, the person you nominate will need to make sure they also have your old passport and a letter that is signed and dated by you – it needs to name them and give them permission to collect the new passport for you.

They will also need a form of ID for themselves, like a passport or driving licence.

If you used the fast track service, the person you nominate to collect your new passport will need your old passport and any documents the service said to bring.

This is in addition to your application reference number starting with ‘PEX’.

Where are you travelling to in 2026? Tell us your plans in the comments below.

There was a heated exchange over the law in what was one of the the last sitting plenary session before the Senedd elections in May

A senior Welsh Government figure has defended the Welsh Government’s 20mph law in Wales. Julie James told Conservative Tom Giffard that by opposing the law, his party was putting lives at risk.

She told him: “The idea you want to drive faster at the risk of a child’s life should be something you should be ashamed of”. In a heated exchanged, on the second to last sitting of plenary ahead of the Senedd being dissolved for the election campaigns to begin in earnest ahead of the Welsh election on May 7, the pair clashed over the policy.

Labour introduced the policy which came into force in September 2023.

Deeply unpopular, the party has watered it down since, but it remains the default speed limit. The Conservatives have said they will “reverse Labour’s unnecessary 20mph speed limits” in their manifesto. Labour is yet to publish its manifesto.

Having been criticised for the policy by Mr Giffard, Julie James, the current counsel general but who was climate change minister when the policy was introduced, told him the policy had saved lives.

“The 20mph shibboleth a policy that has cleaned up our air, saved the lives of children, stopped countless families from suffering the misery of extreme injury and death, has lowered the insurance costs of most people across Wales,” she said. “And saved the NHS a lot of money by any measure, is one you should be embracing.

“Let me tell you this, because the Tories don’t know anything about social justice, 20mph is a real social justice issue. It makes streets safer for women and children, it makes them safer to walk on without you suffering poor air, makes people safer in our cities and towns

“The idea you want to drive faster at the risk of a child’s life should be something you should be ashamed of”.

The final list of parties standing in the election on May 7 will be published in full on April 10.

There has been a significant development in Welsh rugby, with the Ospreys now set to play at St Helen’s next season

Swansea Council and the Ospreys are set to go ahead with new plans to redevelop St Helen’s in time for next season in a dramatic Welsh rugby twist.

The move comes despite a lack of certainty surrounding the region’s future and months of angry exchanges between Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart and senior Ospreys and Y11 figures.

The redevelopment of St Helen’s had initially been put on hold due to the Welsh Rugby Union’s controversial plans to reduce the number of professional clubs in Wales from four to three, with the governing body refusing to give assurances the Ospreys would survive as they look to rubberstamp Y11’s deal to buy Cardiff.

Up until this point the council has refused to release the full funding to redevelop the ground unless the Ospreys’ future is guaranteed, but an unexpected announcement on Tuesday evening has seen them join forces with the Ospreys with new plans to push ahead with work at the iconic ground.

A couple of weeks ago, minutes were released of a meeting between WRU CEO Abi Tierney, Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley and Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, which appeared to show Bradley suggesting the Ospreys would cease to exist as a professional rugby side beyond the end of next season if Y11’s bid to buy Cardiff succeeded. The WRU and Bradley have insisted the claims are inaccurate.

In a bid to prevent Y11 buying Cardiff, Swansea Council have taken legal action against the WRU while they have formally asked the Competitions and Markets Authority to investigate the deal.

Nevertheless, relations appear to have eased between the council and the club, with long time Ospreys director Rob Davies now conspicuous with his involvement.

The initial plan was for the council to pay for the full development with the Ospreys paying rent, but the club will now invest a significant sum of money themselves to ensure St Helen’s is ready for the 2026/27 season.

Central to the plans is a new state‑of‑the‑art 4G playing surface, which would be used by the Ospreys for match days and weekly team run‑outs, Swansea RFC and opened to schools, clubs and community groups for the rest of the week.

Under the joint investment model, Swansea Council would fund key community‑focused upgrades including the pitch and floodlights, while the Ospreys would deliver professional‑level enhancements such as a new stand, fan zone and broadcast facilities.

The proposals will be discussed by the council’s cabinet on Wednesday, March 24, and follow positive talks with the Ospreys.

If agreed, works could start in April so that the Ospreys can use the stadium next season.

A new Swansea Rugby Community Board is also proposed to ensure the redevelopment delivers maximum benefit for local people.

Alun Wyn Jones, the former Ospreys, Wales and British and Irish Lions captain, has agreed to work with the council to ensure the collaboration maximises the benefits for grassroots rugby and the community.

“The future of St Helen’s has been on hold due to ongoing discussions about regional rugby in Wales which are unlikely to end anytime soon,” said Council leader Rob Stewart.

“The WRU is not giving us the answers we need to move forward despite our requests, such as how Y11 can own two teams for a long period of time. In light of the impending EGM, I doubt the WRU knows where it is going.

“We must break that deadlock in the meantime and find how we can move forward as a city despite the WRU’s lack of answers. We propose to create a new model that strengthens both professional and grassroots rugby across Swansea and the Ospreys region.

“Our joint investment would give the Ospreys a home worthy of professional rugby while opening up this iconic ground to the community like never before.

“This continues our support for the Ospreys remaining as a professional rugby region based in Swansea.”

Crucially, despite the new agreement, the council’s legal action against the Welsh Rugby Union’s proposed deal for Y11 to buy Cardiff Rugby continues.

If approved, the Ospreys would significantly expand their community programme, offering club nights, school sessions, open training events and coaching development opportunities. Year‑round access would support junior and youth rugby, schools, Swansea RFC and local clubs.

The proposals aims to reconnect the professional and community game in Swansea, boost participation among children and young people, strengthen coach and volunteer development, improve health and wellbeing and create inclusive rugby opportunities for all ages and backgrounds.

“We have been working with Swansea Council for many months on the redevelopment of the iconic St Helen’s ground,” said Ospreys director Rob Davies.

“We’re delighted that we’ve found a way to not only progress our plans to play back in Swansea from next season, but also to further enhance the work we’ve always done in our community.”

The developers want to “meet the needs of the residents”

A Cambridgeshire village could get 80 new homes if plans go ahead. Martin Grant Land Limited proposes to build up to 80 homes on land at Pendrick Close in Coton, approximately two miles west of Cambridge.

The plans, submitted by Stantec, on behalf of Martin Grant Land Limited also propose a new public open space as well as a play area. They want to build the homes to help “meet the needs of the residents which would also be of benefit to existing local residents”.

If approved, the development would create over 200 jobs, including apprenticeship opportunities. Local businesses are also expected to benefit from the development.

The application said: “Future residents would also contribute towards local spending to the benefit of business in Cambridge. The site would therefore contribute to expansion of the local economy.”

The outline form does not provide house types at this stage. The developer added: “Future house types will be guided by the existing vernacular in the area to ensure it assimilates into the village.”

Of the homes, half would be made available as affordable housing, which the plans say would benefit people moving to the area “by offering a varied housing mix”.

The 64-year-old plays the disgraced BBC News presenter in Channel 5’s new two-part drama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards.

Clunes said that one of the main reasons he went for the part was due to the script.

Speaking to the Radio Times, he shared: “The script is always the most important thing and I thought it was really powerful and compelling – it’s always good when drama tackles difficult stories, especially when it does so as intelligently as this project.

“Beyond the salacious curiosity around this story, I really thought there was another story worth telling, that of ‘Ryan’ and his family.

“Obviously the press and the media have focused on the fallen big man, Huw Edwards, which, of course, is a big story.

“But behind that, there’s this lad and his family whose lives got turned upside down and rather spoiled.”

The drama is based on interviews with key individuals connected to the case, but not with Edwards himself, who was not involved in the project.

Clunes appears alongside Osian Mrogan, who plays ‘Ryan’ – not his real name – the young man at the centre of the story, who was 17 years old when he came into contact with the broadcaster.

“I thought he was out of my reach as far as directors go”

Another major factor behind Clunes’ involvement was the opportunity to work with director Martin Samuels.

He said: “I’m also a massive fan of the director, Michael Samuels, and I never thought I’d get to work with him.

“I thought he was out of my reach as far as directors go, so I was really thrilled about the chance to work with him on this.”

Samuels has been involved with plenty of TV films and series, including Any Human Heart, The Fear, The Windermere Children and Man in an Orange Shirt.

Edwards has since publicly criticised Wonderhood, the production company behind the drama.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, he said: “[They] made no attempt to check with me the truth of any aspect of their narrative before going ahead with the production.

“They belatedly asked for a response after the drama had been made, while reserving the right to edit any such response.

“They also refused to disclose whether any of those making allegations had been paid for their contributions.

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“Channel 5’s ‘factual drama’ is hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened.”

The broadcaster has defended the drama, insisting it gives a voice to Edwards’ alleged victim so that “no one who has been silenced feels they are alone”.

Edwards received a six-month sentence, suspended for two years and was placed on the sex offenders register for seven years in September 2024 after pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.