Messi’s US Open Cup final absence a reminder age always takes its toll

Lionel Messi reached his breaking point. At least for now. The Argentinian has been remarkably durable throughout his club and international career. However, at 36, 12 spellbinding games in two months for his new club – after a season with PSG sandwiched by the World Cup triumph where he played every single minute – has proved too much.

As such, Inter Miami were without their blockbuster acquisition for arguably the biggest game in the club’s history. In the US Open Cup final on Wednesday night a fatigued squad lost 2-1 to Houston Dynamo in Fort Lauderdale. Messi could only watch from the stands.

The absence wasn’t entirely unexpected. Messi hadn’t trained with his teammates on Tuesday and wasn’t on the team bus that arrived at the stadium. The hopes of a cameo began to fade and, 50 minutes before kick-off, the team sheet made it official – “10. L. Messi” wasn’t even among the subs. That put a dampener on the pre-game fireworks.

But an energetic Houston side, the surprise package in the MLS Western Conference this season, were buoyed and overpowered Miami from the first whistle. The Texans raced into a 2-0 first-half lead and looked more likely to extend it before a 92nd-minute Josef Martinez consolation that give Miami hope their performance did not merit.

Inter had been cagey about their star’s fitness all week, with boss Tata Martino publicly pondering the risk, despite the suspected hamstring issue the coach described only as “dealing with his old scar tissue.” This suggested the problem was wear and not a new ailment.

Perhaps the south Florida club didn’t to risk empty seats at the final by officially ruling out the seven-times Ballon d’Or winner. After the defeat, Martino said there had never been a chance Messi would play. He did, however, state the player will return before the season’s end.

“Well, it wasn’t prudent for [Messi] to play. Not even to consider it for a few minutes,” he said in post-match comments, where he attributed his team’s subpar performance to fatigue. “Yes, he will play before the league is over. We will go match-by-match defining how things are coming along with the medical department to see whether he can play without any further risks.”

There is still little clarity about the injury itself but on this evidence, if prolonged any longer, Messi’s absence would entirely diminish Miami’s chances of scraping into the MLS Cup Playoffs. While the former Barcelona player has scored 11 goals since joining the club and is yet to taste defeat, Miami have just one win in the four games he’s missed

Yet it’s surprising just how much Messi has been involved since arriving in Miami in July. The instant success brought Leagues Cup glory (Miami’s first-ever trophy), progress to the US Open Cup final, and the opportunity to clamber into postseason contention.

Perhaps the injury breakdown is that bill coming due.

Minutes clearly could have been managed more efficiently. Messi has completed 90 minutes eight times – and stretched to 120 minutes in the US Open Cup semi-final win against Cincinnati. He played 78 minutes in another start and 38 minutes on his famous debut against Cruz Azul of Liga MX on 21 July.

Eighty-nine more minutes were amassed in a World Cup qualifier for Argentina this month before he was “rested” for the second fixture. He has since missed the 5-2 MLS defeat in Atlanta, limped off against Toronto on 37 minutes, and sat out last weekend’s draw in Orlando. It’s unclear when he’ll return. It’s not just Messi that Miami need to think about either. Their two best players outside Messi are Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who are 35 and 34 respectively. Alba also missed Wednesday’s game with what Martino described as “muscle fatigue”.

Yet external demands have made an Inter Miami game without Messi unfeasible until he could no longer physically play. Fans around the US have paid hundreds of dollars over the odds for tickets. MLS, its other clubs, broadcasters, and sponsors all sought to capitalise on a signing that required unprecedented concessions or investment from all of them.

While it wouldn’t be popular among the many stakeholders, the prudent move may be to shut down Messi for the remainder of the campaign. His lucrative contract runs until December 2025. He’ll be in Miami for two more full seasons and well after his 38th birthday. His health must be safeguarded if he’s to see out that deal.

Securing a playoff berth world would require Inter to be near-perfect and, based on Wednesday night’s showing, that would require Messi to play lots more football in the next three weeks.

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Although Miami have games in hand over some of the teams above them, they have five regular season games to close a five-point gap and jump five places in the table from 14th to ninth – the last qualifying spot in the Eastern Conference. That’s currently occupied by Saturday’s visitors New York City. That result may go a long way to determining the plan moving forward.

In a way, Miami have fallen victim to Messi’s instant impact. Fans may not have traded the glorious memories of a whirlwind Leagues Cup success for this domestic triumph. However, the resulting glut of games has ultimately cost the club the temporary wellbeing of its remarkable acquisition and Wednesday night’s final.

Big picture, Miami are in decent fettle. A US Open Cup triumph would have been significant for the fourth-year franchise. However, the prize of Concacaf Champions League qualification for next season was already sealed by the Leagues Cup. Miami will head straight for the last 16, where Messi will be asked to deliver again.

The experienced coach Martino – formerly Messi’s boss with Barcelona and Argentina and a former MLS Cup winner with Atlanta – is a hugely significant upgrade on Phil Neville, who was fired in June with Inter sitting dead last in the conference.

Martino’s possession-based approach is more suited to the Florida heat and summer MLS play. Busquets remains a midfield puppet master and Alba has impressed. Underperforming forwards Leo Campana and Robert Taylor have raised their levels. Goalkeeper Drake Callender has been in tremendous form, and homegrown 18-year-old teenager Benjamin Cremaschi earned a recent debut for the US national team. The forthcoming offseason will provide the club’s sporting director, Chris Henderson, with a chance to build further, now as the most attractive destination in MLS.

In the run-up to the final, talented Dynamo coach Ben Olsen said his club felt “invisible” amid Messi Mania. Indeed, Houston have crept up the league almost unnoticed this season, smartly anchoring the team around the superb veteran Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera. They are playoff-bound, just two points off the Western Conference summit.

On Wednesday night, as his team paraded the US Open Cup around Messi’s home ground, Olsen’s team were extremely visible when the star attraction was absent. “They were missing a player or two, but I don’t really care,” Olsen remarked afterwards. Nor should he.

As indispensable and in-demand as Messi is, Miami must now handle him with care.

Lionel Messi will ‘surely play again’, says Inter Miami manager after Argentina star’s absence in US Open Cup final loss

Lionel Messi failed to take part in Inter Miami’s U.S. Open Cup final match due to injury issues. Messi’s absence proved to be costly as Inter Miami conceded a 1-2 defeat to Houston Dynamo at the DRV PNK Stadium in Florida. Following the defeat, Inter Miami manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino said that Messi will return to action this season.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi looks through the glass wall of a private box at the start of the team’s U.S. Open Cup final (AP)

“It was clearly not prudent for him to play, not even for a few minutes. We couldn’t take the risk. But he will surely play again before the end of the season. His participation will be determined game by game based on the medical team’s feedback,” Martino was quoted as saying by ESPN.

This was Inter Miami’s fourth fixture without Lionel Messi. The Argentine superstar had previously missed two of Inter Miami’s matches due to his international duty. Later, he missed one more game for the Herons because of injury.

Lionel Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba also did not take part in the U.S. Open Cup final match. The Spaniard sat out the defeat due to his own injury issues. The Inter Miami duo were substituted in the first half of the Major League Soccer (MLS) game against Toronto FC last week. Both Messi and Alba were spotted in the stands during the U.S. Open Cup summit clash.

Houston Dynamo made full use of the absence of the two big names as they earned a lead in the 24th minute of the game. Houston Dynamo doubled their lead just nine minutes later. Inter Miami’s Josef Martinez brought the deficit down to goal in the 92nd minute. But it was too late as Inter Miami conceded a 2-1 defeat. Houston Dynamo claimed their second U.S. Open Cup trophy after lifting it five years back.

“Today, I saw a worn-out and tired team. We were also limited by the injuries, so our performance was affected by those circumstances,” Martino said after the game.

Lionel Messi’s summer transfer move to Inter Miami has so far proved to be quite fruitful. Since arriving in Miami in July, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has till now netted 11 goals having made 12 appearances for Inter Miami. He has already guided Inter Miami to Leagues Cup triumph this season.

Having missed out on the U.S. Open Cup title, Inter Miami will now be aiming to confirm a playoff berth in the MLS. They are currently placed in 14th position in the Eastern Conference of the MLS standings. Inter Miami are right now five points behind New York City, who claim the final playoff spot on the points table. In their next fixture, Inter Miami will be up against New York City in the MLS.

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Islanders keeping Kyle Palmieri’s camp absence a mystery

Kyle Palmieri has yet to be seen in training camp and it is not clear whether he will be on the ice when the Islanders open the regular season on Oct. 14 against the Sabres.

“It’s hard to say,” coach Lane Lambert said of Palmieri’s status for the opener. “I don’t know that I could answer that question today. He’s skating. And so he’s day-to-day right now and we’ll just wait to see what happens.”

The Islanders, who scored a 2-1 preseason win over the Sabres, have called Palmieri day-to-day since the start of camp, when they said his absence was due to a knock suffered during an informal, pre-camp skate.

The day-to-day designation, though, is relatively meaningless given the Islanders used it last year for injuries in which players were out for weeks at a time.

Lambert on Wednesday declined to say whether Palmieri is dealing with an upper- or lower-body injury.


Kyle Palmieri
Paul J. Bereswill

Palmieri missed 27 games last season with what was presumed to be concussions, as he took a hit from Morgan Reilly on Nov. 21, then another from Nick Ritchie upon his Dec. 16 return to the lineup.

He has not played a full season since being traded to the Islanders, missing 13 games in 2021-22 as well.

Being without Palmieri, who scored 16 goals with 17 assists last season, would be an early blow to a team that does not have much offensive firepower to begin with.

The second line of Pierre Engvall, Brock Nelson and Palmieri was the Isles’ best towards the end of last season.

There is plenty of time between now and opening night. But the lack of definitive answer is not a good sign.


Alexander Romanov (shoulder surgery) was held out of the Islanders’ first two preseason games, but has been a full participant in intrasquad scrimmages during camp.

Lambert left it an open question as to whether Romanov will play on Friday at home against the Rangers, but said, “he’s getting into that area where he could be getting close.”


Alexander Romanov
Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

Romanov, for his part, seems ready and eager to get going.

“No issues, no pain,” he said Tuesday. “Everything’s good.”


Isaiah George (maintenance) did not practice Wednesday. He returned to Tuesday’s game after missing a chunk of the first period following a big hit courtesy of Rangers forward Matt Rempe.

Sebastian Aho skated to Ryan Pulock’s left — where George has been for most of camp — during the scrimmage. (Adam Pelech, Pulock’s usual partner on the top pair, played in the preseason match against the Flyers).


In his first game action following a knee injury that took him out of the last four months of last season, Oliver Wahlstrom skated for 17:20 against the Flyers, the lone snag being a boarding penalty, which he called a timing misjudgment on his part.

“I felt great,” Wahlstrom said. “Obviously towards the end, the lungs, you just gotta keep playing more games. But I couldn’t have put in a better nine months in my life. It prepared me really well for this preseason.”

Ron DeSantis blisters Trump’s GOP debate absence: ‘Missing in action’

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis latched onto former President Donald Trump’s debate absence Wednesday evening.

“Where’s Joe Biden? He’s completely missing an action from leadership, and you know who else is missing an action: Donald Trump,” DeSantis chided.

DeSantis’ dig at Trump came during a riff on the looming government shutdown fight raging in Washington, DC.

For months in the run-up to the 2024 campaign, DeSantis had been somewhat restrained in the face of Trump’s steady stream of slings and arrows his way.

But on Wednesday, the governor took the gloves off a bit.

“[Trump] should be on this stage tonight. He owes it to you to defend his record, where they added $7.8 trillion to the debt that sets the stage for the inflation that we have,” DeSantis said.

The Florida governor crowed about how he ran budget surpluses in the Sunshine State, vetoed “wasteful spending” and “paid down over 25% of our state debt.”

Trump skipped the second GOP debate like he did the first, citing his overwhelming lead in the polls.

The 77-year-old former president has a 42.2 percentage point edge over DeSantis, his closest rival, per the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate.


Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis latched onto former President Donald Trump’s debate absence Wednesday evening, saying he’s “missing in action.”
AFP via Getty Images

Given his second place standing in the polls, DeSantis stood in the center of the stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.

DeSantis also blamed politicians in Washington for the shutdown row.

“People in Washington are shutting down the American dream with their reckless behavior. They borrowed, they printed they spent and now you’re paying more for everything,” he said.

Warning over ‘grossly inadequate’ mental health support for schools that could make high absence levels ‘the new norm’

Mental health support for children struggling to attend school is “grossly inadequate”, a report by a committee of cross-party MPs has said.

The number of children absent from school has more than doubled since the pandemic and a report by the Education Select Committee says ministers are not acting fast enough to get numbers down.

A “major cross-government review on how to overcome this challenge” is needed, the committee chair has said.

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The children are asked to write about how they are feeling

One senior teacher has told Sky News she fears high levels of absence could become the “new norm” inflicting long-term damage on thousands of children.

Latest figures show that in 2021/2022 more than 1.7m children were persistently absent, meaning they missed 10% or more of school.

Image:
Furness Academy

Around 125,000 spent more time out of class than in, according to Department for Education figures.

The report is critical of the government’s approach, saying there has been “no significant improvement in the speed and scale” of reducing absence rates.

One of the authors’ biggest concerns is the rising rates of children struggling with their mental health.

Education Committee chair Robin Walker MP told Sky News: “It’s clear that since the pandemic there have been a growing number of children citing mental health reasons for being out of school.

“This is deeply troubling and it is evident that our health service can’t meet this growing demand, leaving schools to fill the gaps.

“A major cross-government review of how to overcome this challenge is needed and greater resources both inside and outside schools will be required.”

In Cumbria, teaching staff at Furness Academy in Barrow-in-Furness have been trying to reduce their absence rates by holding specialist mental health sessions with children struggling with school.

Sky News was given access to one of the sessions as students spoke openly about these struggles.

Josh, 13, said: “I felt like I was just one of the non-smart kids in school. I just felt useless.”

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Josh said he ‘felt useless’

And another 13-year-old, Brooke, who has struggled with attendance, said: “I missed out a lot on the lessons. So I fell behind. I would just refuse to come in. I’d feel sick with anxiety in the morning before coming to school.”

John, also 13, said the sessions “have helped me improve my confidence. Maybe in the future I’ll be able to speak more instead of trying to hide myself away.”

The pilot scheme, funded by the government and run in conjunction with Westmorland and Furness Council, Furness Academy and the charity Family Action, has improved attendance for all of the children. But sessions like these are rare.

Diane McSharry, education officer at Westmoreland and Furness Council, said the authority was under “huge pressure” to tackle low attendance.

Image:
Furness Academy, staff have been trying to reduce
their absence rates

Read more:
Inside a pupil welfare unit trying to track down missing children

Number of children missing school soars
How COVID made ‘ghost children’ problem worse

Sunak ponders British baccalaureate

“We have to come up with ways to support children and families to get over whatever the barrier is. It’s a constant battle but you have to think outside the box.”

Funding for schemes like this is often ad hoc and inconsistent, assistant head teacher Linzi Stanway said, and she doesn’t think Whitehall fully grasps the challenges they and others face.

Image:
Student Brooke speaks at a session

“I think one of the things that’s missing at the moment is an understanding of just how difficult a process this is.

“I’m really worried that this is going to go on for a long period of time. And if we don’t do something quickly, I think it is going to become the new norm and that’s not going to be good for anybody.”

ANALYSIS: How Sky News has reported the national crisis of children missing from school

The Education Select Committee report has made a series of recommendations it says will help solve the national crisis in low attendance. Many of these issues have been highlighted by Sky News as part of a long-running investigation into the crisis.

TEDDY’S STORY

The report says the rising costs of transport and uniforms was a major barrier to attendance, particularly affecting pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Last May, Sky News featured the story of Sammy and her six-year-old son Teddy, who were living in a homeless hostel after their landlord evicted them through no fault of their own.

Sammy told Sky News she could not afford transport costs to get her son to school and he was slipping behind on his education.

The report said that while low-income families can apply for extra support for costs like transport, anecdotal evidence suggests take-up is low.

You can read Teddy’s story here.

CHARLIE’S STORY

The committee heavily focuses on mental health as a barrier to attendance.

In June we reported on 13-year-old Charlie, who hasn’t been to school for the past three years. His dad James said his son was struggling with anxiety and that even though authorities had fined him thousands of pounds, he was “willing to go to prison” rather than force his son to school.

Today’s report said there is a “lack of consistency between England’s local authorities in their approach to issuing fines. Schools Minister Nick Gibb recently told the committee fines can be suitable, “if families are not prepared to engage” with support.

You can read Charlie’s story here

GEORGE’S STORY

The select committee also raises the problems faced by children with special educational needs (SEND). Absence rates are significantly higher among pupils with SEND and there’s a shortage of special school places in many parts of the country

In July, Sky News spoke to 10-year-old George and his mum Rachel.

He has a complex speech disorder that makes it hard for him to learn, and he has been waiting years for a diagnosis to see if he has autism.

We revealed how thousands of children with special educational needs or disabilities are missing out on the education they are entitled to because of huge delays in the system designed to support them.

A record half a million pupils now have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) – a legal document setting out a child or young person’s special educational needs, the support they require, and the outcomes they would like to achieve.

The plans must be issued within 20 weeks of being applied for, but analysis of government data by Sky News reveals this deadline is missed in a staggering half of all cases, meaning thousands of children are having to wait. In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan was forced to admit that children like George “won’t be helped as much as we want to, as quickly as we want to”.

You can read George’s story here

THE MISSING CHILDREN

The report urges the government to bring into law a national register of children missing education.

We reported how thousands of children vanished from school and authorities often had no idea where they were.

On a single day in spring this year, local authorities in England reported an estimated 24,700 children as missing education – a worrying snapshot of the crisis facing schools.

A Sky News FOI revealed that Education Welfare Officers have been cut by half in the last decade.

The report recommends that the Department for Education urgently looks at the funding available for these jobs.

You can read the story here

Bright slams VAR absence in Women’s Nations League after England loss

MILLIE BRIGHT slammed the absence of VAR absence in the Women’s Nations League after England’s 2-1 loss to the Netherlands following a goal that looked offside. 

Renate Jansen’s shot saw Sarina Wiegman endure a tough welcome home with the sub’s late strike ruining the visitors’ hopes of a draw. 

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Millie Bright called out the lack of consistency in the use of VAR in women’s international tournament fixturesCredit: Getty

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Lieke Martens gave the hosts a 34th-minute lead despite Danielle van de Donk appearing to be offsideCredit: Getty

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Renate Jansen clinched the win in stoppage time for the Netherlands during their Women’s Nations League duel with EnglandCredit: Getty

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The result saw them move up to second behind Belgium in their Women’s Nations League group with England dropping to thirdCredit: Getty

But the Netherlands’ first-half opener on Tuesday night left their former head coach fuming.

Officials failed to spot Danielle van de Donk in what looked an offside position in the build-up to the goal. 

And there was no video assistant referee (VAR) to aid them during the clash at Stadion Galgenwaard. 

Defeat in Utrecht for the World Cup finalists put a dent in their bid to seal Team GB qualification for next year’s Olympics

It also saw them register their third loss this year and their third in 41 games under Wiegman. 

England skipper Bright said: “It is always frustrating [to not have VAR]. 

“I think we push the level of the game to be so high and professional, yet we sometimes have VAR, sometimes don’t, sometimes have goal-line technology. There is no consistency. 

“But, by no means is that an excuse. We put ourselves in that position – not clearing the ball, not getting out of pressure. 

“But these are the differences in games as well and it is really unfortunate that these are still huge decisions that are incorrect. 

“But that’s where we as players have to keep speaking about it, we have to step up, we have to demand better and demand more. 

“This is international football and we do not have VAR in a competitive international game, which is mind-blowing.”

The Netherlands’ controversial opener came in the 34th minute with England coming under pressure from the hosts pressing high up the pitch. 

Bright found herself having to clear a hopeful long ball forward to Lineth Beerensteyn early in the game. 

And the England captain blocked a shot from Victoria Pelova who was among her side’s most threatening players on the counter. 

Bright added: “We put ourselves in that position in the first couple of phases where we aren’t clearing the ball, it ricochets off and she (Van de Donk) is clearly offside.

“But I never want to make excuses in the game. 

“For both goals we put ourselves in positions to give them the opportunity to put the ball in the back of the net. 

“So for us it is being a little bit tidier and also being better in the final third. 

“No excuses off the back of a heavy summer. 

“Unfortunately that is the schedule we are in and we have to keep moving forward, but we have to find ways to win.”

Martens gave the hosts a 34th minute-lead after England weathered pressure in the first half hour. 

Her goal came after Jackie Groenen charged down Georgia Stanway’s attempt to clear with the ball ricocheting off Van de Donk who appeared offside before a shot was slammed home. 

When asked about officials failing to chalk off Marten’s strike given Van de Donk’s positioning, Wiegman said: “I’m very frustrated that the goal was [given] onside. 

“First of all I thought our build wasn’t necessary to do it that way but it was so obvious it was offside. 

“I think the whole stadium thought it was offside so I’m really disappointed about that.

“When you talk about VAR, of course it would have taken away that goal. 

“We need consistency in VAR. Either you have VAR or you don’t have VAR.

“Not have it in one game and then in another game you don’t have VAR.”

The clash between England and their Dutch opponents was the first time Wiegman had overseen the Lionesses in a match against her compatriots in her homeland.

The last encounter between two teams Wiegman led to Euros glory  saw her current side thrash her former one 5-1 in a friendly last June. 

This time round the Netherlands took the fight to England with Martens giving them a first half lead. 

And the visitors looked to hit back with Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze prompting two stunning saves from Daphne van Domselaar with the Aston Villa summer signing shining in goal. 

This was shortly before Lineth Beerensteyn hit the woodwork close to half time after jetting into the box with Jess Carter hot on her heels. 

The second spell saw England battle their way back with a Hemp effort cleared off the line before Alessia Russo nabbed a leveller with 26 minutes of normal time remaining.

But Jansen dealt a blow to Lionesses’ hopes of grabbing a draw pouncing

The super sub, who came on close to the final whistle, pounced on a misplaced pass from Alex Greenwood to net a stoppage time winner. 

The loss for the Lionesses saw them drop to third behind the Netherlands in group A1 with Scotland clinching a  1-1 draw with leaders Belgium. 

England will hope to return to winning ways when they face Belgium home and away in their next two Women’s Nations League fixtures in October. 

Last night’s result brought an end to a busy period of international fixtures for England the with team returning to action next month.

The Lionesses have played ten games in three months with little time for a break over the summer due to the World Cup and warm-up games prior to the tournament.

And Wiegman expressed concern over players being left fatigued due to a busy international fixture schedule. 

She added: “What we said before on the schedule was that it was very overloaded.

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Sarina Wiegman says the women’s game’s international schedules need to be looked at so players can have more rest timeCredit: PA

“What all the coaches say here in Europe is that we have to look at that schedule. 

“The players need to have some rest, they are not robots.

“There’s a little lack of rhythm but I don’t think that was the problem of why we didn’t win today but it’s an issue that’s ongoing.”

Fine parents for school absence in England only as last resort, MPs urge

Mental health difficulties should be a valid reason for children to miss school while fines aimed at parents should be kept as a “last resort”, according to MPs on the Commons education committee.

The committee’s report into rising levels of persistent absence among disadvantaged families in England warns that fining parents for absences may be less of a deterrent since the Covid pandemic, and even counterproductive among low-income families with financial struggles.

“We heard that fines do not address the barriers that low-income families face and can be counterproductive by adding to difficult financial circumstances. Families are struggling with high school costs and in some cases, fining is not an appropriate, compassionate, or helpful response,” the MPs reported.

The committee urged the Department for Education (DfE) to do more to help disadvantaged students return to the classroom, after accusing the government of “grossly inadequate” mental health support for children as well as cuts affecting after-school activities.

The MPs want the DfE to create a new category of authorised pupil absences due to mental health difficulties, without requiring families to provide medical evidence. The DfE does not currently record pupil absences for mental health reasons.

Robin Walker, the Conservative MP who chairs the committee, said there had been “worrying changes” in parents’ attitudes, with recent research showing that parents have become more sceptical about the need for their children to regularly attend school.

He said: “Sky-high waiting lists for children’s mental health services, and some children with special needs not getting the right support quickly enough, are also putting incredible pressure on families and schools.

“The increase in children suffering from mental health problems is deeply troubling and it is evident that our health service can’t meet this growing demand, leaving schools to fill the gaps.”

The select committee’s report chimes with research published last week, which found that some parents no longer believed it was their responsibility to ensure that their child was in school every day. Persistent absence – when pupils miss 10% or more of sessions – has more than doubled since before the pandemic.

The criticisms of the use of fines – usually fixed penalty notices of £60 per child levied by local authorities – were supported by Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, who said it was “becoming clear” that fines were ineffective in tackling widespread absences.

“Unless more is done to find out the reasons behind continual periods of absence and tackle the root causes behind persistent absenteeism, fining families is unlikely to solve the underlying issues,” Whiteman said.

The use of fines was complicated by the DfE’s failure to set a national policy, leading to wide variations among local authorities over which families are fined and for what reasons.

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The committee said: “We recommend the [DfE] instruct schools and local authorities to explore methods of support for pupils and families before the use of fines or prosecution, ensuring that legal intervention is a last resort only.”

Louise Gittins, the chair of the Local Government Association’s children and young people board, said councils lacked alternative powers to improve school attendance rates, such as being able to meet face-to-face with children, or by directing academies to accept pupils who were unable to secure a school place.

The committee also cited the need for free school meals provision to be widened to include children from struggling families who are currently ineligible. It also identified other barriers, such as transport and school uniform costs.

A DfE spokesperson said: “Attendance rates since the pandemic have improved and the vast majority of children are now in school and learning but we remain focused on ensuring no child falls through the cracks.

“We recently announced an expansion to our attendance hubs and mentors programme and we are also working closely with schools, trusts, governing bodies and local authorities to identify pupils in need of additional support.”

Who is Luisa Villa? Squatter arrested for falsely claiming to be owner of Florida beach house in the absence of homeowner

A thought vagrant who purportedly moved into a multimillion-dollar home in Bonita Springs, Florida, was captured
Lee Area Sheriff’s Office delegates captured Luisa Estate, 54, on Monday evening while the mortgage holder was away
Delegates encompassed the home prior to advancing inside, where they supposedly found Manor eating a sandwich

A thought vagrant in Bonita Springs, Florida, wound up in cuffs after specialists found her residing in a multimillion-dollar home, wearing the property holder’s clothing, and partaking in a sandwich.

Who is Luisa Manor?

The Lee Region Sheriff’s Office caught Luisa Manor, 54, on a Monday evening while the genuine mortgage holder was missing, as revealed by NBC 2. The strange circumstance became known when an upkeep specialist taking care of the home saw a bag in the kitchen and heard a canine woofing inside, provoking a call to specialists.

Agents immediately merged on the upscale ocean front land situated along Hickory Avenue and mindfully entered the premises. Inside, they coincidentally found Estate, who was obviously enjoying a sandwich. Adding to the strange scene, she was wearing an Athleta dress having a place with the mortgage holder and had her own little canine with her.

The homes in the area order a weighty cost, with Zillow postings checked on by Fox News Computerized demonstrating costs around $1 million for lofts. The sheriff’s office portrayed the property where the occurrence happened as a multimillion-dollar home.

Estate, who purportedly dwells in Post Myers, endeavored to persuade agents that she legitimately owned the ocean side house and, surprisingly, introduced manufactured archives asserting she had as of late bought the property. Her dauntlessness left neighbors befuddled, given the ordinarily protected nature of the region and the way that houses there are consistently checked.

One inhabitant, Bruce Bro, communicated his amazement at the police presence and the daring endeavor to deceitfully possess the house, noticing the regular checking of properties in the area. The instance of the sandwich-eating vagrant in the lavish ocean front home remaining parts a surprising and perplexing occurrence in the generally quiet local area.

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Priyanka Chopra’s Mom Madhu Explains Absence From Parineeti-Raghav Wedding: “She’s Working”

Image was shared on Instagram. (Courtesy: parineetichopra)

Congratulations, Parineeti Chopra and AAP leader Raghav Chadha. The couple got married on Sunday. The ceremony took place in the presence of their families and close friends in Rajasthan’s Udaipur. Well, it was a big fat Punjabi wedding. From 90s-themed sangeet night to yummy food spreads, everything was perfect. The only thing missing was Parineeti’s superstar sister Priyanka Chopra. She couldn’t attend the wedding festivities. As per Priyanka’s mother Dr Madhu Chopra, the actress has been keeping busy. In a video, she said, “Woh [Priyanka Chopra] kam kar rahe hain, kam karrhe hain abhi wahan pe. [Priyanka Chopra has some work commitments].” When asked about the wedding,  Dr Madhu Chopra said, “Bahut badhiya [Very good]”. 

Dr Madhu Chopra was also asked about the gift she gave to the newlyweds. To this, she said, “Unlogo ne sab mana kardiya tha. Koi lena dena nahi. Bas bahot sara ashirwaad diya. [They had a no-gift policy. Only love and blessings.]” For bride Parineeti Chopra, she said, “Waise hi khoobsurat hai aur acchi lag rahi thi. [She was looking beautiful.]”

Now, Priyanka Chopra has reacted to the first set of official wedding pictures shared by Parineeti Chopra on Instagram. Congratulating the newlyweds, she said, “ My blessings always.” Priyanka has also added a bunch of emojis to her comment. 

A day before Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha’s wedding festivities kick-started in Udaipur, Priyanka Chopra shared an adorable note all the way from Los Angeles. Priyanka dropped a super cool picture of Parineeti on her Instagram Stories and said, “I hope you are as happy and as content as this on your big day little one…Always wishing you so much love…” She ended the note with the hashtag, “New beginnings.” 

To celebrate the big day, Priyanka Chopra has shared a happy picture featuring herself and daughter Malti Marie. The photo is from their pool time. Here, Priyanka is seen playing with her little bundle of joy.

Congratulations to the newlyweds. 

Parineeti-Raghav Wedding: Priyanka`s mother talks about her absence

Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra and politician Raghav Chadha got married in a beautiful ceremony on Sunday evening at the Leela Palace in Udaipur. The couple ho got engaged in May this year exchanged vows in front of family and friends. Several high profile people like Punjab CM Bhagwat Mann and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attended the wedding. However, Parineeti`s cousin and superstar Priyanka Chopra did not attend the wedding. 

Priyanka Chopra lives in Los Angeles with her husband Nick Jonas and daughter Malti Marie. Ahead of the wedding, Priyanka had shared a picture of Parineeti and wished her `little one` happiness as they began a new phase in her life. This confirmed that the actress was not going to attend the wedding. Earlier, it was reported that Priyanka would be attending the wedding without Nick Jonas as he was touring with his brothers, Joe and Kevin. 

After the wedding, on Monday morning, Priyanka Chopra` smother Madhu Chopra was spotted by the paparazzi at the Udaipur airport. As she waited for her luggage, she sweetly engaged with the paparazzi who had some questions for her. When asked how the wedding ceremony was, with a smile, Chopra said that it was lovely. 

Further when the paparazzi asked her about Priyanka`s absence at the wedding, Chopra said,”Kaam kar rahi hai (She is busy with work)”. The paparazzi also asked her about how the bride looked at the wedding. “Waise hi khoobsurat hai, aur acchi lagi (She already looks beautiful but looked even more beautiful at the ceremony)”.  She also revealed that the couple had a strict no gift policy at the wedding. 

Earlier reports had also suggested that Priyanka had prior work commitments. Reportedly, due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strik in Hollywood, Priyanak`s schedule has gone for a toss. Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar who is set to direct Priyanka in her next Hindi film with Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif had also cited the same reason for the delay behind the film`s making. During an interview with Variety, Farhan Akhtar claimed that the dates were an issue behind the delay. He told the publication, “We just have issues with dates, and the actor’s strike that’s happened has put Priyanka’s dates into a huge tizzy with what can happen and what can’t, so I’ve started genuinely believing that that film now has a destiny of its own. It’ll happen when it has to, we’ll see.”

Priyanka Chopra’s Mom Madhu Explains Absence From Parineeti-Raghav Wedding: “She’s Working”

Image was shared on Instagram. (Courtesy: parineetichopra)

Congratulations, Parineeti Chopra and AAP leader Raghav Chadha. The couple got married on Sunday. The ceremony took place in the presence of their families and close friends in Rajasthan’s Udaipur. Well, it was a big fat Punjabi wedding. From 90s-themed sangeet night to yummy food spreads, everything was perfect. The only thing missing was Parineeti’s superstar sister Priyanka Chopra. She couldn’t attend the wedding festivities. As per Priyanka’s mother Dr Madhu Chopra, the actress has been keeping busy. In a video, she said, “Woh [Priyanka Chopra] We are doing less, we are doing less on the vehicle now. [Priyanka Chopra has some work commitments], When asked about the wedding, Dr Madhu Chopra said, “Bahut badhiya [Very good]”.

Dr Madhu Chopra was also asked about the gift she gave to the newlyweds. To this, she said, “He had eaten everything. No one wants to give. Bas gave a lot of blessings. [They had a no-gift policy. Only love and blessings.]” For bride Parineeti Chopra, she said, “By the way, she is beautiful and looks beautiful.. [She was looking beautiful.]”

Now, Priyanka Chopra has reacted to the first set of official wedding pictures shared by Parineeti Chopra on Instagram. Congratulating the newlyweds, she said, “ My blessings always.” Priyanka has also added a bunch of emojis to her comment.

A day before Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha’s wedding festivities kick-started in Udaipur, Priyanka Chopra shared an adorable note all the way from Los Angeles. Priyanka dropped a super cool picture of Parineeti on her Instagram Stories and said, “I hope you are as happy and as content as this on your big day little one…Always wishing you so much love…” She ended the note with the hashtag, “New beginnings.”

To celebrate the big day, Priyanka Chopra has shared a happy picture featuring herself and daughter Malti Marie. The photo is from their pool time. Here, Priyanka is seen playing with her little bundle of joy.

Congratulations to the newlyweds.