Toto Wolff has installed Red Bull as the new “benchmark” team for 2026, claiming Max Verstappen was able to go “a second a lap” faster than everyone else on the straights on the opening morning of testing in Bahrain on Tuesday.

Mercedes had been widely considered the favourites for the upcoming season based on the fact their power unit was said to be best in class, thanks to exploiting a ‘loophole’ in compression ratio rules. 

However, while the argument over those rules continues to rage – Wolff on Wednesday called on the FIA and FOM, who have to sign off on any changes, to avoid siding with the “gamesmanship” of rival manufacturers – the Austrian said he had revised his opinion on the pecking order, describing Red Bull as “very much the benchmark”.

Speaking during the lunch break in Bahrain testing, after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell had engaged in a long run head-to-head on the opening morning, Wolff said the compression ratio loophole was worth no more than “a few horsepower, maybe 2-3bhp”.

Red Bull’s superior energy deployment, on the other hand, was worth far more. “They [Red Bull] are able to deploy far more energy on the straights than everybody else,” Wolff said. “I mean, I’m speaking a second per lap, over consecutive laps.”

Authorities briefly detained a “person of interest” for questioning Tuesday in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 10 days after the 84-year-old vanished from her home in Tucson, Arizona, only to then release him in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Speaking to a local journalist afterwards, the man – who identified himself only as “Carlos” – said he was a delivery driver who had never heard of Guthrie .

“I might have delivered a package to their house but I never kidnapped anybody,” he said.

As the search continues, FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Tuesday evening: “We are looking at people who, as we say, are persons of interest.”

The development came shortly after new surveillance photos and video was released showing a masked person outside Guthrie’s Arizona home on the night she was abducted.

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Police believe Guthrie, the mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, was taken from her home in a quiet neighborhood near Tucson at some point between the night of January 31 and the morning of February 1.

The black-and-white images released by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department show the sinister figure apparently trying to tamper with Guthrie’s doorbell camera.

Police said it has been working to recover “lost, corrupted or inaccessible” footage related to Guthrie’s disappearance.

“Over the last eight days, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been working closely with our private sector partners to continue to recover any images or video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home that may have been lost, corrupted, or inaccessible due to a variety of factors – including the removal of recording devices,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement posted to X.

“The video was recovered from residual data located in backend systems.”

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“Working with our partners, as of this morning, law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance,” the statement continued.

Patel also released additional photos and videos recovered from the same door camera.

One video shows the masked suspect approaching the front door and messing with the camera with his gloved hand. The person then walks away and appears to pick up something off the ground. Another video shows the individual using what appears to be a branch with leaves to obstruct the camera as they tamper with it.

Savannah Guthrie shared the new footage on her Instagram, writing: “We believe she is still alive. Bring her home.” The new photos were released a day after she posted a video on Instagram on Monday, begging for the public’s help in finding her mother as an alleged ransom deadline passed.

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In the video, she said her family believed her mother was “still out there” and asked for the public’s help in finding her, saying that they were “at an hour of desperation, and we need your help.”

Guthrie’s family reported her missing around noon on February 1 after she did not show up for church. Her disappearance set off a massive search involving state and federal law enforcement agencies.

DNA tests showed blood on Guthrie’s front porch was a match to her, and her doorbell camera was disconnected in the early hours of Sunday morning, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said.

Multiple news outlets have received alleged ransom letters during the past week. Local CNN affiliate KGUN reports it received a ransom note demanding $6 million by Monday, a deadline that passed with no update. Meanwhile, the FBI has said it’s not aware of communication between the Guthrie family and the suspected abductors.

The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information.

Here’s what we know so far.

Who is Nancy Guthrie?

Nancy, 84, lives in Catalina Foothills, an affluent community adjacent to the desert just north of Tucson, Arizona.

She is described as a white female, approximately 5ft 5in tall, weighing about 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. It’s not known what clothing she might be wearing.

Her daughter, Savannah, is a co-host on NBC’s Today show, and her mother has occasionally appeared on the program in segments alongside her.

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How long has she been missing?

Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:30 p.m. on the evening of Saturday, January 31, at her home near Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said.

She spent Saturday night eating dinner and playing games with family members before one of them dropped her off at her home that sits on hilly, desert terrain, the sheriff said.

She was reported missing the next day, on Sunday, February 1, after she didn’t attend her regular church service.

Sheriff Nanos revealed a more detailed timeline during the most recent press conference on Thursday.

He said Guthrie ordered an Uber and left her home at 5:32 p.m. Saturday to go to the family dinner. She returned at 9:48 p.m.

“We did speak to a driver, because Nancy, we learned, had been taken the Uber to the family residence, the daughter for dinner,” Nanos said. “And we located that driver and spoke with them.”

Her garage door opened at approximately 9:48 p.m. and closed two minutes later, which investigators believe marks the time she arrived home.

Her doorbell camera was disconnected at 1:47 a.m. Sunday. But Guthrie did not have an active subscription so the company was unable to recover any footage.

Software data recorded movement at the home minutes later, at 2:12, the sheriff said, acknowledging that the motion could have come from an animal.

At 2:28 a.m., Guthrie’s pacemaker disconnected from her phone.

Family members went to check on Guthrie at 11:56 a.m. Sunday and were unable to locate her. A 911 call was made at 12:03 p.m., and deputies arrived about 10 minutes later.

How is Nancy’s health?

Nancy Guthrie is considered a “vulnerable adult” due to her age, and Nanos said at a press conference just days after her disappearance that she was “very limited in mobility.”

“We know she didn’t just walk out there, that we know,” the sheriff said, adding that her health challenges were only physical.

“Nancy Guthrie is of great sound and mind, this is not dementia-related. She is as sharp as a tack. Her family wants everybody to know, this is not somebody that just wandered off.”

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She also takes medication that, if she does not have in 24 hours, “could be fatal,” Nanos said.

In a video shared last week, Savannah Guthrie said her mother’s health is “fragile.”

“Our mom is a kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light. She has grandchildren that adore her and crowd around her and cover her with kisses. Her health, her heart is fragile,” she said.

Police also flagged her health issues when she initially vanished, according to a 911 dispatch audio.

“Nancy has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and cardiac issues,” the dispatcher said.

What do authorities think happened?

Police believe that Nancy Guthrie was a victim of a crime.

“At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction,” Nanos said earlier this week.

There were signs of forced entry at the home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood.

NewsNation released video of dried droplets of blood on stone slabs outside her front door, leading away from the house. DNA tests later revealed belonged to Guthrie.

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Who might have abducted her?

On Tuesday it was reported that a “person of interest” had been detained for questioning over Guthrie’s disappearance.

The individual was detained by officers from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the FBI, sources briefed on the investigation told multiple outlets Tuesday.

Authorities are now preparing to search a location south of Tucson which is associated with the individual, the sources said, but added that the person had not been charged.

Speaking to Fox News Tuesday night, Kash Patel said the Bureau was looking into “persons of interest,” adding that authorities were undergoing a process of elimination with their investigations.

Patel added that “there might be persons of interest in and around the area related to this event,” and reiterated that the FBI’s first priority was finding Guthrie. “Right behind that is to find anyone and any others involved in this kidnapping case to make sure they’re brought to justice,” he said.

Despite his remarks, police have yet to publicly identify any potential suspects.

“We’ve submitted all kinds of samples for DNA, and we’ve gotten some back, but nothing to indicate any suspects,” Nanos told reporters Tuesday.

The sheriff said investigators have believed from the beginning that Guthrie was targeted, but they don’t know whether that was because her daughter is one of television’s most visible anchors.

Earlier this week, multiple media outlets reported receiving ransom notes demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin for Guthrie’s return.

FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke said Thursday there has been “no contact” since the ransom notes were sent to media outlets.

“The family wants to be contacted,” Janke said. “They know time is of the essence. And if those that may have Nancy are watching this, the family is ready to talk, get proof of life, because there has been no contact after that ransom note went to the media.”

However, none of the letters contained proof of life, he said. Janke said the notes contained references to a deadline and a monetary demand, as well as mentions of “an Apple Watch” and “a floodlight,” but declined to provide further details.

On Thursday, a man was arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly texting Guthrie’s family members asking about the Bitcoin that was demanded in a ransom letter sent to media outlets, according to NBC News.

This comes after an FBI agent announced officials had arrested one person in connection with an “imposter” ransom demand.

The criminal complaint, which was reviewed by NBC News, says Derrick Callella sent the family members messages after hearing about Nancy’s disappearance on TV. Callella allegedly told officials he was just “trying to see if the family would respond,” according to the complaint.

Former FBI special agent Nicole Parker, a Fox News contributor, told Hannity that Nancy had likely been taken by someone with a “deep grievance”.

“I do believe that it was someone who likely knows her, knows her very well, or knows the structure of the home very well, knows that she lived alone, had their eye on her, and had the entry and exit points of the home, and is quite familiar,” Parker said.

It was clear, Parker added, that “the home itself is the crime scene,” and investigators were withholding some details to avoid compromising the ongoing case.

“There is something about it that is very strongly driving this investigation. Law enforcement has kept that quite confidential and quiet, but there is something that they have seen that is driving the sense of urgency on this.”

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On February 10, the sheriff’s department released several photos and videos from surveillance footage obtained from the doorbell camera outside Nancy Guthrie’s home.

The photos were of an “armed” suspect who appeared to have tampered with Nancy Guthrie’s doorbell camera.

FBI Director Kash Patel then released additional photos and videos recovered from the same camera.

The first video is 27 seconds long and shows the masked suspect — who police have said was “armed” — approaching the front door and interacting with the camera with his gloved hand. The individual then walks away and appears to pick up an object off the ground nearby.

Another 14-second video shows the individual using what appears to be a branch with leaves to obstruct the camera.

President Donald Trump reacted with “pure disgust” when he viewed the newly-released surveillance footage, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

“His initial reaction, of course, as all Americans, is just pure disgust. And again, it’s heartbreaking to see now this footage really bring to life a story we’ve all been reading about,” Leavitt said.

“Again, we’re just praying for the safety of Nancy Guthrie and that she will return home soon, and the president directed me to please encourage all Americans with any information to call the FBI. We hope that this case will come to a positive resolution as soon as possible,” she added.

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A massive search effort

Initial search efforts covered the Catalina Foothills area, using drones, aircraft, ground crews and dog teams. The sheriff’s department said the FBI had offered assistance on the case and the U.S. Border Patrol had also assisted with dogs.

The area has seen sunny weather in recent days, though temperatures have dropped to between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night, according to AccuWeather.

Nancy’s $1 million home, located on a residential street, appears to be in a secluded area. Photos of her home show it’s surrounded by shrubbery on all sides, and some plants appear to partially block the view of her front door from the street. Her property also has a large outdoor area and a pool.

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But after just two days, large-scale search efforts were called off, with Nanos noting: “Right now, we don’t see this as a search mission, as much as we do a crime scene.”

Nanos said Nancy lives in an area that’s “not well lit.” He described it as a “very suburban, rural area of the Tucson area, in a very mountainous side of town where vegetation is extremely thick.”

Deputies returned to the house multiple times in the past week for what the sheriff called a “follow-up” after the property had already been released back to the family.

What are neighbors saying?

Locals have reacted with shock and rallied to help search for Nancy.

“I just saw her two days ago [on Saturday] checking her mail,” one neighbor told Us Weekly. “She was always smiling and always asking about our family and neighbors. She was very engaged with the community. … It’s very concerning.”

Another neighbor, Morgan Brown, told the magazine that there had been “a lot of dark vans with blacked out windows” in the suburb since Nancy’s disappearance.

“There were a lot of cop cars there at first, and then it was vans, so I assumed that maybe they came across something.”

One neighbor told The Arizona Republic that officers went door to door to talk to people, asking to see any surveillance videos they had and to look through people’s backyards.

Resident Jan Henry, who lives nearby, serves as neighborhood watch lead and has been coordinating a volunteer rescue group.

“We sent out an alert to all the neighbors in our neighborhood so we could be looking for her,” Henry told local news channel KGUN 9.

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Who is her daughter, Savannah?

Nancy’s daughter, 54-year-old Savannah Guthrie, is a co-host on NBC’s Today show and was previously a White House correspondent.

Savannah was born in Victoria, Australia, where the family was living at the time while her father worked for an Arizona-based mining company. They returned to the U.S. two years later and settled in Tucson. Savannah’s father died when she was entering her senior year at high school.

She attended the University of Arizona thanks to her mom, who had taken a job there in order to secure tuition-free education for her children.

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Savannah has spoken often about how her mother supported her in her dreams of parenthood, reassuring her that it would happen when the time was right. She now has a daughter, Vale, and a son, Charley, with her husband, Michael Feldman, whom she married in 2014.

How is the family coping?

Savannah Guthrie has asked for help to “bring her home” in the wake of her mother’s disappearance, posting a faith-based message on Instagram on February 2 to her 1.2 million followers.

“Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant,” she wrote. “Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.”

In a video posted two days later, Savannah and her siblings – Annie and Camron Guthrie – acknowledged the reports of a ransom note and made a direct plea for proof their mother is alive. They said they were “ready to talk” and asked whoever has their mother to provide evidence of life.

“We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us,” Savannah Guthrie said while fighting off tears.

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With her voice cracking, she addressed her mother directly, saying the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.

“Mamma, if you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Annie Guthrie added.

One day later, Camron posted his own video on behalf of his family asking the suspected kidnappers to contact them.

“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We haven’t heard anything directly,” he said in the video. “We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first, we have to know that you have our mom. We want to talk to you and we are waiting for contact.”

Then, on Friday, the family posted another message acknowledging that contact had been made with a suspected kidnapper.

In the video, Savannah Guthrie says that her family has “received your message” and “will pay” for their mother’s safe return.

“We received your message and we understand,” the Today anchor said.

“We beg you now to return our mother to us, so that we can celebrate with her,” Guthrie said. She added that her mother is “very valuable to us” and “we will pay.”

Annie is a writer and jeweler living in Tucson, according to her biography on the Arizona Commission on the Arts website. She published Instant Gratification, a book on jewelry making, in 2001. Fourteen years later, she published The Good Dark, a book of poems.

Camron is a retired military pilot, according to a social media post Savannah shared in 2018.

“I have never been more proud of my big brother. He has flown for our country for 26 years, and continues to serve proudly in the ‘Green Mountain Boys’ – the Vermont Air National Guard,” she wrote at the time.

Savannah has been absent from the Today show all week and will not be traveling to Milan, Italy, to host the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

She had also reportedly planned to stay in Italy for a week to record NBC’s morning program with her former co-host Hoda Kotb. The Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are set to run from February 6 to 26.

An NBC Sports spokesperson said in a statement shared with The Independent, “Savannah will not be joining us at the Olympics as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time. Our hearts are with her and the entire Guthrie family as the search continues for their mother.”

Craig Melvin, who was also supposed to host Olympic Late Night from Milan from Saturday to Monday, will be staying in the U.S. as well.

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What is the public reaction?

People across the U.S. are voicing their support for Savannah Guthrie and her family.

President Donald Trump spoke to Savannah Guthrie directly, offering his support. He shared a Truth Social post last week detailing his phone call.

“I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY. We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP,” he wrote.

New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan also offered words of support during an appearance on the Today show.

“Savannah, I am asking the Good Shepherd to find this lost sheep,” he said.

Current and former colleagues of Savannah have also offered their support, with Today co-host Al Roker urging the public to help find Nancy.

“We are praying for Savannah and her family and the return of their beloved Mom, Nancy,” Roker wrote on Instagram.

NBC News’ Kristen Welker has said she is “praying” for the family. Hoda Kotb, Savannah’s former Today co-host, shared a photo of Nancy on Instagram, including the sheriff’s department’s phone number, writing: “If you know anything.. pls help.”

NBC Sports Anchor Mike Tirico similarly voiced his support for the family, adding that “this is a time for caring about the people in your family, and we are holding Savannah near and dear to our heart, and we are praying for all of them.”

Fans also sent Savannah love on Instagram after she made her emotional plea for help.

“Praying for your lovely mom and your family. God is Almighty. Almighty is God,” one fan wrote.

Another wrote: “Sending you so much love and prayers.”

“We’re all praying for your beautiful Mom to return safely. Sending you and your family strength. We love you, Savannah,” a third said.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said anyone with information should contact 1-800-CALL-FBI, 520-351-4900, 88-CRIME or visit tips.fbi.gov.

The A1 60163 Tornado, built in 2008 following an original design by Arthur Peppercorn, will visit the East Lancashire Railway (ELR).

It will journey to the station for its third Legends of Steam event from April 10 to 12.

The Tornado is the only member of its class in existence.

Lee Kenny, general manager of the ELR, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Tornado to the East Lancashire Railway for Legends of Steam.

“It is a truly iconic locomotive and one that always draws huge interest from enthusiasts and families alike.

“We are extremely grateful to the A1 Locomotive Trust for allowing this remarkable engine to visit and share in what promises to be a fantastic celebration of steam.

“We would also like to thank the Swanage Railway and Southern Locomotives Ltd for their support in allowing No. 34070 Manston to visit us.”

Tornado will be joined by fellow guest locomotive Battle of Britain class No. 34070 Manston, courtesy of the Swanage Railway and Southern Locomotives Ltd.

This will be alongside other mainstays from the ELR’s operational fleet.

Completed in 2008, Tornado was the first new-build steam locomotive for the British main line since 1960.

It serves as a tribute to the past while incorporating modern manufacturing techniques.

Visitors will have the opportunity to ride behind Tornado.

There will also be a limited number of seats available in the brake van for a more immersive experience.

You can book tickets here: https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/legends-of-steam

David Dickinson was forced to step in on his ITV programme Dickinson’s Real Deal following a major show first

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A guest on Dickinson’s Real Deal was left wiping away the tears following an emotional moment on the ITV programme.

The beloved show returned to screen on Thursday afternoon (February 5) with David Dickinson back at the helm. For the instalment, the programme paid a visit to Cirencester.

Plenty of members of the public were quick to show off their prized possessions to be valued by the programme’s dealers before deciding whether to accept their offer or go to auction.

But things took an emotional turn when a guest broke down in tears following a show first. On the programme, Anna and Rachel brought in a huge meat platter to show dealer Henry Nicholls, to see how much it was worth.

When asked how they acquired the item, the guests – who work at the Dogs Trust charity – explained: “It came two years ago to the charity. It was very difficult to sell in the shop, so we decided to bring it here to you and see how much we can get.”

Henry Nicholls replied: “You’ve brought it to the right person because it’s my favourite charity!” The guests added: “So many dogs need rehoming. We’re trying to help with behaviour training and vet assistance.”

Henry then looked over the 200-year-old item and explained: “It was made by a very famous manufacturer called Spode. Now, Josiah Spode started the factory in the late 18th century and they produced all manner of different types of patterns, depicting different scenes, neoclassical scenes etc.

“This one is a standard Spode what they call Blue Italian. But there is one thing that puts this into a different league from any other Spode piece you will see from this period.”

He said: “And there we go,” before turning the platter over to reveal a mark that confirmed it was printed in August 1816. Henry added: “The mark on the back here is probably the rarest Spode mark that you will ever get.”

It was then time for Henry to offer some cash for the meat platter. His first offer was £200, but he continued to put down the notes on the table. Eventually, he made his final offer of £500.

“We’re getting close,” the guest cheekily quipped before Henry got David in to hear his thoughts. David said: “I’ve just been having a word with our experts and this is a very rare piece of Spode with that mark on the back. The estimation from my independent values is £150 to £300.”

David then shared that they have had a look at two Spode items that previously sold in an auction, in which one went for an eye-watering £900. David said: “It really is an antique collector specialist piece, so it could do quite well. But it’s all ‘could’ and ‘maybe’.”

Henry added: “I think pretty much that’s what it’s worth,” while David declared: “Come on, out a bit more!” Henry then revealed his plan: “What I’m wanting them to do is to accept my £500.

“Then, because it’s my favourite charity, I’m going to do something that people would consider me mad to do. If you accept my £500, as a donation to the Dogs Trust I’m going to match that £500. I will be donating £500 to my favourite charity.”

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**

The guests were left over the moon at Henry’s offer. David said: “I think that’s a done deal,” as one of the guests immediately went to shake Henry’s hand and said: “Thank you!” A stunned David added: “An extraordinary offer! Never been known on the show before.”

Henry then started putting down the extra £500 down on the table while one of the guests broke down in tears, before wiping her eyes. David quipped: “I tell you what, I think you deserve a kiss here for that one,” before stepping on to kiss Henry on the forehead.

After, the guests said: “Just thank you so much, that was an amazing deal!” Meanwhile, Henry shared: “I am over the moon to own this platter. It’s so rare and what a delightful deal that was. Everyone’s a winner!”

Dickinson’s Real Deal airs Monday to Friday at 2pm on ITV1.

However, fatigue is most prevalent in our 40′s

It’s not all bad news, though

Nearly 6,700 penalty notices were issued to parents in Cambridgeshire last year, down from 10,300 the previous year, bucking the national trend

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CambridgeshireLive readers have heard that the number of fines issued to parents for term time holidays fell sharply in Cambridgeshire last year, bucking the national trend of rising penalties across England.

In 2024 to 25, almost 6,700 notices were issued in the county, mainly for unauthorised family holidays. That equates to 556 fines per 10,000 pupils, a 35 percent drop from the 10,300 issued the previous year. The figure is also down from 9,500 in 2022 to 23 and lower than the 8,700 recorded in 2018 to 19 before the pandemic.

Parents in the wider Cambridgeshire council area were slightly more likely to be fined than those in Peterborough, with 560 fines per 10,000 pupils compared with 549.

Nationally, however, fines continue to climb. A record 459,000 penalty notices were issued across England in 2024 to 25, equal to more than 620 per 10,000 pupils. That compares with 116,000 in 2016 to 17, rising to 288,000 in 2018 to 19, 356,000 in 2022 to 23 and 443,000 in 2023 to 24.

The highest rates are in the North of England, where councils issued 817 fines per 10,000 pupils last year, compared with 665 in the Midlands and 550 in the South. Barnsley recorded the highest rate in the country at 1,700 per 10,000 pupils, followed by Oldham, Blackpool, Hartlepool, Leicester, Rotherham and St Helens.

Penalty notices are issued when parents fail to ensure their child attends school. In 2024 to 25 the fine was £80 if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 after that. A second notice within three years is charged at £160. Most fines, around 93 percent, are for unauthorised term time holidays.

Commenter Terry B says: “Teachers can strike or hold scheduled training days through the authority or union, and those days still affect pupils’ learning. If a teacher or student is off sick for a period, learning is disrupted too, yet pupils still manage to achieve. I understand the need in some cases, but is it really essential?

Marty S agrees: “Yet no fines are imposed on teachers when strike action forces parents to keep their children at home from school.”

Liz D asks: “Are the fines actually lower than the steep price hikes during school holidays that cash in on families? It almost feels like the school calendar creates a guaranteed stream of business.”

Amyalan1958 replies: “It’s cheaper to pay the fines than to pay peak school holiday prices; other sanctions are needed.”

Tomasz D complains: “This is a pure penalisation of parents for their parental duties. How many other countries have those fines in place? Answers anyone?”

Rhodabike thinks: “This is just another excuse for schools to extort money off parents. Our education system has numerous issues, but kids missing a few days a year for a holiday isn’t one of them.”

WelcomeToTheFuture writes: “We never did it when my kids were at school, but I can understand it makes sense, the prices go up wildly in the summer holidays so paying a fine is a drop in the ocean compared to the savings you would make for a family of 4, it could easily be thousands of pounds saved.”

Timbiscuit suggests: “Expel them. Then watch as the parents discover how difficult it is to find a placement. Going on holiday during term time is ridiculous!”

With fines falling locally but rising sharply nationwide, is the current approach to term time holidays really working? Have your say in our comments section.

According to a Canadian website on gun ownership, which obtained statistics from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or RCMP, there were 355,678 gun licences in British Columbia as of 2023, or about 6,240 gun licenses per 100,000 people. But the website cautioned that many people own guns without a licence, which is illegal.

The Ballymena woman was murdered in June 2023, and the trial into her death was planned for this month

The family of Chloe Mitchell have said the “ongoing uncertainty” on a decision regarding the trial date is “taking an unbearable toll” on them.

The Ballymena woman was murdered in June 2023 aged just 21, with her remains discovered in a flat in the James Street area eight days after she went missing.

Her family, and local political representatives in the North Antrim area, are calling for barristers to grant a derogation to allow her trial to begin despite ongoing strike action.

READ MORE: MLAs and MP make joint statement on Chloe Mitchell case as family meet Justice MinisterREAD MORE: Justice minister urges exemption for Chloe Mitchell trial amid barrister strike

They are asking the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) to grant the same dispensation in regard to their strike action in the Chloe Mitchell case as in the Natalie McNally case, to allow the trial to go ahead this month as planned.

Chloe Mitchell’s family has sent the CBA an urgent plea to allow the trial to proceed this month as normal. Her sister, Nadine, said: “This ongoing uncertainty is taking an unbearable toll on us. Every single day we wake up with knots in our stomachs, living with constant anxiety, waiting for one answer — a simple yes or no — on whether this trial will be allowed to proceed.

“This is not how it should be. No family, no loved ones, should have to endure such prolonged uncertainty. We are mentally drained. We are emotionally exhausted. We feel as though our lives are on hold, suspended in limbo, unable to move forward while we wait for a decision that will determine whether justice can finally begin to take its course.”

Barristers withdrew from all legal aid-funded crown court trials on January 5 in a dispute over pay, with the strike action effectively halting crown court cases involving those who require legal aid. Last month, the CBA confirmed that it would make an exception in the Natalie McNally case so that it could proceed.

Brandon John Rainey, 29, who is currently housed in HMP Maghaberry and is formerly of James Street in Ballymena, is due to stand trial for the murder of Ms Mitchell, with the trial listed to start on February 23. He has been charged with murder and attempting to prevent ‘the lawful and decent burial of a deceased body.’

Nadine said her family need justice for her sister, now almost three years on from her death. She said: “We are begging you — please make a decision. Please understand the weight of this delay and what it is doing to us.

“The waiting is not neutral; it is painful. It reopens wounds every single day. We need clarity. We need resolution. We need hope.

“Most of all, we need justice for Chloe Mitchell. She deserves her day in court. She deserves for the process to move forward. And we, as those who love her, deserve the chance to see that justice is being pursued.

“We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for fairness, for progress, for the opportunity for this trial to go ahead so that the truth can be heard. Please do not let this continue to drag on without an answer. The emotional cost is immense.

“We are tired. We are worn down. But we will continue to stand and speak for Chloe. Today, we are simply asking — please let this trial proceed. Please give us the decision we have been waiting for. Please allow justice to move forward.”

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