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As former first minister Alex Salmond waved to photographers on his exit from Holyrood, something else left the building. An email sent by the Scottish Parliament's harassment committee that might yet breach the evidence impasse. For as long, detailed and explosive as six hours of testimony was from Mr Salmond, it's not underpinned by available paperwork. And therein lies its inherent weakness. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Will Salmond inquiry damage the SNP? He's been taunted by his one-time friend now big-time enemy Nicola Sturgeon , who was calling for "the evidence" before his witness appearance and, minutes afterwards, her spokesperson was repeating her demands in its wake. Mr Salmond says it's not his fault that little evidence has been produced. He insists he is "severely hampered" by an inability to access a range of documents supporting a number of occasions, partly because of government obstruction. … [Read more...] about As Alex Salmond waved to photographers on his exit from Holyrood, something else left the building too

ALONGSIDE hiking boots, a waterproof hiking jacket is one of the best pieces of kit you can invest in if you’re planning on going walking regularly year-round. Unlike a normal coat, a women's waterproof hiking jacket is designed with the conditions you’re likely to encounter when exploring footpaths and hillsides in mind. A good jacket is waterproof, rather than simply water-resistant. The difference is that a waterproof jacket can withstand wet conditions for a long duration, and will continue to deflect rain long after a water-resistant alternative has started to absorb moisture. A waterproof hiking jacket is also highly breathable – essential when you need to carry on walking even when the weather changes and you want to have to choose between turning into a sweaty mess or getting wet. Key features to look out for include an adjustable hood, cuffs and hems, while more premium jackets will be made from highly technical materials such as the waterproof fabric Gore-Tex. Not … [Read more...] about The best waterproof hiking jackets for women you can buy in 2021

A SAVVY couple managed to double the value of their house with a smart renovation - and it’s now worth £2 million. Mum Tracey Gill and her husband bought the house in a small village near East Sussex in 2016, and have been transforming it ever since. Tracey says her husband gave her a fairly wide brief when house-hunting, explaining he said: “Find a house ripe for transformation in the prettiest location. I knew I could change any house we bought so the important factor was the land and location.” The house, which they bought for £1.25million, dates back to 1730 in places and had low ceilings - not great for Tracey's 6ft4ins husband. Describing the state they bought it in, the mum-of-two said: “It was covered in cream pebble dash with concrete roof tiles, a north facing conservatory on the front of the house, modern leaded light windows, low ceilings, dark rooms, artexed walls, cheap fittings, decades old carpets, pink shag pile in the bathroom and an unimaginative … [Read more...] about Couple double the value of their house with stunning renovation and it’s now worth £2million

A UN climate change report has found that global efforts to reduce CO2 emissions "fall far short of what is required" and that nations must "step up" to fulfil promises made under the Paris agreement. In a stark warning ahead of a make or break COP26 climate conference in Glasgow later this year, countries were criticised over their emission reduction plans - known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - and urged to make "more ambitious" commitments. Following a legally binding international treaty on climate change signed in Paris in 2015, almost 200 countries set a goal of limiting global temperature rise by 2C - or ideally 1.5C - by the end of the century. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 'It's too late to avoid climate change' The Initial NDC Synthesis Report looked at how close 75 of those countries - representing approximately 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions - were to meeting those targets. But UN … [Read more...] about UN report warns governments ‘nowhere close’ to climate targets

BRITS can celebrate the warmer weather with a barbecue, with prices starting at £2 for a disposable one. If you're thinking of eating al fresco this weekend when England is supposed to be hotter than Rome , we've got you covered with the cheapest barbecues on the market. Remember though, households in England are banned from mixing under the current coronavirus lockdown restrictions. But from March 29, the rule of six will be reintroduced and small gatherings in private gardens will be given the green light under plans to unlock the country. We've rounded up the best barbecues available to buy on the high street so you're ready to unite with friends and family again. Before splashing your cash though, you should use price comparison sites such as PriceSpy and Google Shopping to make sure you really are getting the best deal. Here's what we found for the best disposable, charcoal, gas and dual fuel barbecues to sizzel up your summer. Disposable BBQs - From £2 … [Read more...] about Cheapest BBQs including charcoal, gas and disposible