Winter continues to grip the region with dry spells predicted but stubborn rain refusing to quit this weekend

If you’re out and about across Northern Ireland this weekend then – surprise surprise – you might want to consider taking wet weather gear with you.

Despite temperatures being a bit warmer and some dry spells predicted, the Met Office forecast for the next two days still shows a high likelihood of rain.

Saturday will see a generally dry start to the day according to meteorologists. Expected outbreaks of rain will reach the southwest later in the morning with the afternoon likely to be cloudy. Outbreaks of rain are anticipated for most places in the region with a maximum temperature of 12C.

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Sunday will remain unsettled with blustery heavy showers spreading eastwards. At times there will be longer periods of rain according to the Met Office.

However, the good news is there will still be some dry spells with occasional brightness and breezy periods throughout.

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The town council by-election candidate continued to be listed as a Conservative despite having changed his allegiance

Reform UK has secured victory in a Penarth Town Council by-election, despite the ballot paper listing winner Zak Weaver as a Conservative Party candidate. Mr Weaver, the former deputy chief of staff to Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar, won with 38% of the vote and will now represent the Plymouth ward.

He resigned from the Conservatives a week before the by-election meaning it was too late for the ballot papers to be altered. The results leaves the council with only one Conservative representative.

Speaking to The Cardiffian before the by-election, Mr Weaver said: “While my party may have changed, my dedication to our community has not changed. My focus has been on our town, not party politics.” For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

The defection was criticised in the run-up to election day by residents who described it as “totally outrageous”.

Penarth resident Conrad Bartlett said: “I really don’t see, if he did win, how he could possibly be allowed to keep his post.”

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru’s by-election candidate, Aled Thomas, said Mr Weaver had “betrayed the people”.

Returning officer Rob Thomas explained that there was no provision under Welsh law “to amend the ballot or halt the election due to a change in political affiliation”.

The by-election was triggered after former Councillor Ben Gray was automatically disqualified for failing to attend the town council for six months.

Independent Mr Gray had held the seat since 2017, having been elected as a Conservative. He walked away from the party two years later over political infighting on Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Campaign material released ahead of Mr Weaver’s defection described his priorities as campaigning against Penarth’s controversial parking charges, which have been suspended, and the now-defunct aqua park on Cosmeston Lake.

He also pledged to fix the area’s roads, pavements and car parks.

Mr Weaver came first with 546 votes, while the Green Party’s Todd Bailey came second with 452 votes followed by Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru who secured 221 and 204 votes respectively.

The full results can be found here.

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North Yorkshire Council has set out plans to increase parking charges by ten per cent from April 1, while fees will also be ‘rebalanced’ to ensure consistency across the county.

Council chiefs estimate the changes will give the authority a £3.563m boost in 2026/27

The changes will affect the council’s 170 car parks, as well as on-street parking and residents’ parking schemes.

The authority says the rebalancing is needed to ensure fairness and consistency, with parking previously overseen by North Yorkshire’s seven former borough and district councils.

The changes will see parking fees introduced on Sundays and evenings in areas of the county where parking is currently free at these times.

An additional cost is planned for second permits in existing residential zones to account for the increasing number of houses with multiple vehicles.

But the council has decided that blue badge parking will be free in all council-run car parks in future.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Councillor Malcolm Taylor, said: “The changes to parking charges are part of our vision for a unified system that is consistent for everyone.

“After positive discussions with disability groups, we are pleased to be able to offer free parking for blue badge holders, meaning some areas will see them removed altogether.

“We have carefully reviewed the charges to ensure they deliver the best possible value while enabling the service to remain financially self-sustaining.

“In many cases, our rates are more affordable than privately managed car parks and are competitive with those set by neighbouring authorities.”

The council says it has committed £2.4m into improving its car parks.

Of this, £2m will be used to replace the existing 430 pay-and-display machines, including new ticketless machines in 150 of its car parks.

Lighting and signage will also be improved.

Cllr Taylor added: “We strive to improve our parking services to provide a better customer experience.

“We are investing in replacing parking machines, which will be more environmentally friendly, to save money and be more reliable.”

But opposition councillors have spoken of their dismay at the proposed changes.

Councillor Peter Lacey, leader of the Liberal Democrats group on the council, said it was “strange” that the changes were implemented in advance of local engagement to develop town investment plans.

He added: “This cart-before-horse centralist approach by the Tory-led administration is becoming tiresome and flies in the face of its claim to aspire to become the most local large unitary.”

Councillor Arnold Warneken, from the Green Party, said: “The Greens don’t support a blanket increase of parking charges because it depends on location.

“In many cases, if you significantly increase car parking charges then it puts pressure on residential streets as we have seen in places like Wetherby.

Councillor Stuart Parsons, leader of the North Yorkshire Independents group, added: “If they’re going to be rebalancing the fees, they should be doing so downwards not upwards.

“They’re supposed to be encouraging people to visit our market towns but this does the opposite.”

North Yorkshire Council’s executive members have recently agreed to adopt a set of parking principles with the aim of ensuring a “consistent, fair, and forward-looking approach to parking”.

The principles would be implemented in stages, with a review of tariffs being the first. This will be followed by developing localised town parking strategies over the next year, recognising that one size doesn’t fit all.

The parking plans will be discussed at a meeting next between Cllr Taylor and the council’s corporate director of environment, Karl Battersby.

Police are appealing for witnesses

A man has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving after a crash near Cambridge. Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a man was left with serious injuries after a collision on the A1307.

Officers and paramedics were called at 5.25am on Friday (February 20) to reports of a crash on Cambridge Road, Babraham. It happened close to the junction with High Street and Chalky Lane.

A red Vauxhall Movano flatbed van was involved in a crash with a black Nissan Qashqai. The Qashqai driver, a 52-year-old man, from Newmarket, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries.

The Vauxhall van driver, a 45-year-old man, from Tilbury, Essex, was also taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for treatment for minor injuries. He has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He remains in custody.

A police spokesperson said that anyone who saw what happened or who has footage is asked to contact the force, with reference incident 49 of February 20.

The Only Way Is Essex are losing a popular character from the current series as they admit they have had to make a difficult decision and take a step back from the show

A star of The Only Way Is Essex has revealed they won’t be appearing in the latest series of the reality show. Freddie Bentley flew home from filming in Vietnam earlier in the month. Now, he has revealed he has made the decision to step back from the show for the rest of the current series. He admitted he found “peace” following his shock decision.

Freddie, 27, shared the update in a statement on Instagram. Alongside images of him looking happy with his decision, he wrote: “TOWIE UPDATE: Hey Everyone. A couple of weeks ago I shared that I’d be leaving TOWIE early while we were filming in Vietnam to take some time for myself before heading back to filming in Essex. Since then, I’ve done a lot of reflecting and work on myself, and I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from the rest of this series.

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“It hasn’t been an easy choice, but right now prioritising my peace and wellbeing has to come first. You’ll still see me on screen for most of this series, but I’ll be taking a step back before the end to focus on my own happiness and growth.”

He went on: “Also a huge thanks to the lovely TOWIE production team and ITV for always being so caring and understanding. This isn’t a goodbye forever, just goodbye for now. I’m sure you will see me on your screens again in the future. Thank you everyone for all your love and support. Freddie xxx”

Freddie had previously explained why he left Vietnam. He wrote at the time: “Hi guys, Would rather everyone heard from me first, but just to let you know I’ve left filming in Vietnam a couple of days early.

“Let’s just say a lot has happened already this series and I just needed to get back to Essex and have a breather before everyone else flies home, but don’t worry I’ll be back filming with everyone once they all return.

“As always all will be revealed on the show. Love you all, Freddie xx.” He went on to tag the show’s official Instagram account.

Freddie has been taking this year to focus more on himself and has regularly updated his online followers. In January he wrote: “2026 is the year I choose myself.

“Not out of ego. Not out of spite. But out of respect for the life I want to live. I’m choosing discipline over excuses. Training even when motivation dips.”

He added: “Eating clean because my body deserves fuel, not punishment. Showing up to the gym not just to change how I look – but to change how I feel, how I think, and how I move through the world.” This isn’t about perfection.

“It’s about consistency. About building strength physically and mentally. About being content, grounded, and genuinely happy – not chasing validation, but creating peace.”

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Seed now has three locations across Northern Ireland

If you’ve ever made your lunch and thought its so good that people would pay for this, then listen up.

Seed Salads is looking for people who are passionate about food across Northern Ireland to come up with a new menu item.

Seed is a health food restaurant and takeaway that was started in Dungannon in Co Tyrone before opening two locations in Belfast, one on the Lisburn Road in South Belfast and one in the city centre.

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In 2025, they were named by Deliveroo as ‘Independent Restaurant of the Year’ across the island of Ireland, the top spot at the annual food awards.

They have launched its ‘Salad Open’ competition to give customers a chance to freshen up their menu and also be in with the chance of winning £2,000.

A spokesperson said: “Ever dreamed of seeing your own dish on a restaurant menu? This is your moment.

“We’re inviting passionate food lovers (home cooks, trained chefs, and everyone in between) to create our next big menu item.

“The selected creation won’t just earn bragging rights! It will be featured on our menu for an entire season and win a £2,000 cash prize.”

Those who make it into the competition will also be part of an exclusive behind-the-scenes mini social series, documenting the journey from concept to final judging.

The competition will take place on March 3 in Belfast, where the competitor will have 1.5 hours to prepare and serve their dish.

Judging criteria includes menu selection, taste, appearance, presentation and judges Q&A after cooking and you must explain the ingredients and a rationale for their use.

Owner Peter Coleman told Belfast Live: “The Salad Open is a fun new campaign from Seed, and we’re buzzing to get everyone involved. Whether you’re a home cook, have a go to signature dish, or just think your salad deserves a spot on our Spring menu, this is your moment.

“It’s something totally different for Belfast, and we’re really excited to see what salads the contestants bring to the table.”

To enter or find out more see here

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A statement from Chelsea read: “Chelsea Football Club today announces a multi-year global partnership with IFS, the world’s leading provider of Industrial AI. As part of this commitment, IFS will be elevated to Principal Partner with immediate effect, featuring on Chelsea’s front of shirt for the remainder of the 25/26 season — marking the beginning of a long-term collaboration that places advanced AI at the heart of football performance, operational excellence and fan engagement.

NASA is planning to send astronauts to the moon next month for the first time in more than half a century. 

The Artemis ⁠II mission, which aims to send four crew members to orbit around the moon and then return home, could launch as early as 6 March, it was announced on Friday.

Jared Isaacman, an administrator at the space agency, said it would be “a big step toward America’s return to the lunar environment”.

However, the planned launch, from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, could be pushed back depending on final checks.

The crew would become the first astronauts to fly to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, but there are no plans for them to land on its surface.

A first rehearsal for the launch earlier this month was disrupted after a hydrogen leak was discovered.

But a second test was completed on Thursday without any leaks identified after technicians replaced two seals.

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From earlier this month: Artemis II mission delayed

The 50-hour rehearsal involved fuelling the rocket ​with some 730,000 ​gallons of propellant.

The Artemis missions are part of NASA’s long-term plans to build a space station – called the Lunar Gateway – where astronauts would be able to live and work, and prepare for missions to Mars.

All truckers and pass drivers will have to take their commercial driver’s license tests in English as the Trump administration expands its aggressive campaign to improve safety in the industry and get unqualified drivers off the road.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the latest effort Friday to ensure that drivers understand English well enough to read road signs and communicate with law enforcement officers. Florida already started administering its tests in English.

Currently, many states allow drivers to take their license tests in other languages even though they are required to demonstrate English proficiency. California offered tests in 20 other languages. And Duffy said that a number of states have hired other companies to administer commercial driver’s licenses tests, and those companies aren’t enforcing the standards that drivers are supposed to meet.

“And the third party tester is participating in the scam because they are not adequately testing the people who went through a sham school,” Duffy said.

He said every American wants drivers who get behind the wheel of a big rig to be well-qualified to handle those vehicles.

The campaign will also now expand to go prevent fraudulent trucking companies from getting into the business while continuing to go after questionable schools and ensure states are complying with all the regulations for handing out commercial licenses.

Earlier this week, the Transportation Department said 557 driving schools should close because they failed to meet basic safety standards. And the department has been aggressively going after states that handed out commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants who shouldn’t have qualified for them ever since a fatal crash in August.

A truck driver who Duffy says wasn’t authorized to be in the U.S. made an illegal U-turn and caused a crash in Florida that killed three people. Other fatal crashes since then, including one in Indiana that killed four earlier this month, have only heightened concerns.

Duffy said that the registration system and requirements for trucking companies will be strengthened while Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration inspectors conduct more spot checks of trucks and commercial driver’s license schools.

Currently, companies only have to pay a few hundred dollars and show proof of insurance to get registered to operate, and then they might not be audited until a year or more later.

That has made it easy for fraudulent companies that are known in the industry as chameleon carriers to register multiple times under different names and then simply switch names and registration numbers to avoid any consequences after crashes or other violations.

Officials are also trying to make sure that the electronic logging devices drivers use are accurate, and that states are following all the regulations to ensure drivers are qualified to get commercial licenses.

After that Indiana crash, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration knocked the company that employed the driver out of service and pulled the DOT numbers assigned to two other companies that were linked to AJ Partners. Tutash Express and Sam Express in the Chicago area were also disqualified, and the Aydana driving school that the trucker involved in the crash attended lost its certification.

Immigration authorities arrested that driver, Bekzhan Beishekeev from Kyrgystan because the 30-year old entered the country illegally. Authorities say he pulled out and tried to go around a truck that had slowed in front of him and his truck slammed into an oncoming van.

In December, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration took action to decertify up to 7,500 of the 16,000 schools nationwide but that included many defunct operations.

Duffy said the companies involved in that Indiana crash were all registered at the same apartment. In other cases there might be hundreds of companies registered at a single address.

Norovirus cases in NHS hospitals have risen to their highest level so far this winter, with an average of 1,012 patients in hospital beds each day.

NHS bosses have called on the public to do everything possible to prevent a “second surge” of the widespread norovirus that can prove to be “very unpleasant”. Cases are already occupying more than 1,000 hospital beds across England.

A spokesperson for NHS England said: “Norovirus cases in NHS hospitals have risen to their highest level so far this winter, with an average of 1,012 patients in hospital each day. These numbers have more than doubled since early January and have risen for the second week in a row.”

The health service is preparing for what has been described as a “second surge” of norovirus, commonly referred to as the vomiting bug. Figures released this week reveal that the average daily number of patients hospitalised with norovirus climbed above 1,000 for the first time this winter (1,012).

NHS national medical director Dr Claire Fuller said: “It’s vital that we do all we can to avoid a second surge in norovirus at a time when the NHS remains flat out coping with winter pressures. The public has a huge role to play in stopping the spread of this bug by taking some simple precautions, like good hand hygiene with regular handwashing with soap and water.

“If you have symptoms, stay home, rest and drink fluids, and please don’t go to places like schools, workplaces, hospitals, and care homes until you have been symptom-free for at least two days. If you have any concerns about norovirus symptoms, local pharmacies can provide support and advice and remedies, or please contact 111 or use 111 online.”

What are the warning signs of norovirus?

Norovirus is an extremely contagious illness that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. While anybody can contract norovirus, children under the age of five, elderly adults, and those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe infections, reports the Mirror.

The principal symptoms of norovirus typically come on suddenly and may include nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea. Additional symptoms can include a high temperature, headache, and aching limbs and stomach. Health experts note that, although it is unpleasant, the majority of sufferers tend to recover within around two days.

How to treat norovirus

In most instances, norovirus does not necessitate hospital treatment and can ordinarily be managed from home. The NHS recommends:

• Stay at home and get plenty of rest
• Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash – take small sips if you feel sick
• Carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby – if they’re being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual
• Give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds
• Eat when you feel able to. It may help to avoid foods that are fatty or spicy
• Take paracetamol if you are in discomfort. Check the leaflet before giving it to your child.

Should symptoms persist beyond three days, or if there are indications of severe dehydration, such as dizziness, confusion, little or no urine output, or a reduced level of consciousness, medical attention should be sought quickly.

In the first instance, call 111 where an operator will advise you on the appropriate course of action. If necessary, they are able to arrange a call back from a nurse or doctor.