Conservatives

Loyalist paramilitary organizations in Northern Ireland were on Thursday reported to have told London they are temporarily withdrawing support for the 1998 peace agreement, often called the Good Friday Agreement. The decision was taken amid concerns over the UK's Brexit deal with the European Union, Northern Irish newspaper the Belfast Telegraph reported . A letter from an umbrella body representing loyalist groups said its opposition was because of the Northern Irish Protocol — part of the Brexit divorce deal. They oppose the additional checks and paperwork for goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland — implemented to prevent the need for a hard border on the island of Ireland. What did the letter say? The communication — sent to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson — said the opposition should remain "peaceful and democratic." However, it will raise fears about the future of the loyalist ceasefire. The letter, from the Loyalist Communities Council, claimed … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland loyalists pull support for Good Friday peace deal

Their messiah is no longer in power, but some followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory believe that Donald Trump will return to the throne today. Followers of the wide-ranging movement think the former president is waging a secret war against elite Satan-worshipping paedophiles and will eventually be restored to high office. But why on 4 March? Well, that date was, until the 20th amendment was passed in 1933, the inauguration date for presidents. The fringe belief that is still the rightful date comes from the unfounded claim among some QAnon followers that the US turned from a country to a corporation after the District of Columbia Organic Act in 1871. Advertisement Some claim that any president sworn in before that date is therefore illegitimate. March the 4th began spreading among QAnon followers only days after Joe Biden was sworn in on 20 January. More from US COVID-19: San Diego Zoo's great apes given experimental coronavirus … [Read more...] about Followers of ‘doomsday cult’ QAnon believe Donald Trump will retake power today

A number of great apes have been given an experimental COVID-19 vaccine following an outbreak of the virus at a zoo in California. Four orangutans and five bonobos have each received two doses of a jab developed by Zoetis, a veterinary pharmaceutical company, National Geographic reported. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world Among those jabbed is Karen, who became the first orangutan in the world to have open-heart surgery in 1994. There have been no adverse reactions to the jabs and the apes are doing well, said San Diego Zoo's chief conservation and wildlife health officer, Nadine Lamberski. Advertisement Blood taken from Karen and one of the bonobos should soon show whether they are developing antibodies, indicating that the vaccine is working. Ms Lamberski told National Geographic that she decided to go ahead with immunisation despite the vaccine having only previously been tested on cats and dogs. More from Covid-19 … [Read more...] about COVID-19: San Diego Zoo’s great apes given experimental coronavirus vaccine after becoming infected

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to "get on with the job" after answering eight hours' of questions over her government's handling of harassment claims against her predecessor Alex Salmond. A day after her lengthy evidence session before a Scottish parliament committee, Ms Sturgeon said she would now "rest on that". Mr Salmond, who was first minister from 2007 until 2014, was awarded a pay-out of more than £500,000 by the Court of Session after it ruled in January 2019 that the Scottish government had acted unlawfully. He was acquitted of 13 charges in March 2020 following a criminal trial. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sturgeon 'sorry' to women and taxpayers As well as the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints investigation, a separate inquiry is under way to consider if Ms Sturgeon breached the ministerial code in any way. Advertisement Speaking at … [Read more...] about Nicola Sturgeon vows to ‘get on with the job’ as she awaits Alex Salmond inquiry ruling