Welsh government policy is that parents should not normally take pupils on holiday during term time but schools have the discretion to grant up to 10 days authorised absence for this purpose.

BBC: Warning over school term holidays in Wales by NAHT Cymru

This week, key states are playing leapfrog in the skirmish for early primary dates, some personal questions for presidential candidates, world leaders take a holiday, but not the leaders of Iraq and Iran.

NPR: Week in Review: Primaries Play Leapfrog

The levy itself will not take effect until Tuesday, following a public holiday, but action is being taken to control electronic money transfers over the weekend.

BBC: Cyprus bailout: Parliament postpones debate

Offsetting this is a trend to multi-use tablets and since Kindle devices have particular strength from holiday sales it will take at least a few quarters if not a few years to determine how much share they can take.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

Sentencing may not take place until December 31st, when Russia shuts down for a ten-day holiday.

ECONOMIST: The Khodorkovsky verdict

As for David Cameron, the rampant Conservative leader, who earlier in the week had mischievously pointed out that his party does not hold a single seat as statistically safe as Glasgow East, he advised Mr Brown to take his holiday (in Suffolk) and then hold a general election.

ECONOMIST: British politics

Ms Dorries insists she was given permission to take a holiday by the former chief whip Andrew Mitchell, although Mr Mitchell has insisted he was not told what she was planning to do with her time off.

BBC: Nadine Dorries returning from Australia