Politics

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

Pakistani Premier Imran Khan will seek a vote of confidence in the National Assembly (lower house of parliament) following a major setback in the upper house elections on Wednesday. The move is aimed at restoring confidence in Khan's leadership after his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party failed to win a majority in the 100-member Senate, despite having a numerical advantage in the lower house. Members of the National Assembly in the capital Islamabad and four provincial assemblies vote for the Senate members. Upper house lawmakers are elected for six years, however, all of them are not elected at the same time. On Wednesday, elections were held for 37 Senate seats. After the vote, opposition parties – mainly former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (N) and former president Asif Ali Zardari's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) – now enjoy the support of 53 members, and the ruling alliance of 47 members. Ruling parties generally secure a majority in the Senate. … [Read more...] about Pakistan: Senate election deals a blow to Imran Khan

When something is really dirty and disgusting, it can be incredibly satisfying to watch it get cleaned and return to its proper state. Brandon Anderson, who helps professional cleaners find clients, recently showed off a video of someone doing just this to a filthy carpet. However, viewers who saw the clip on TikTok were horrified - as they initially just assumed that the carpet was a chic dark grey colour. But as the expert went at the fabric with a steam cleaner, the carpet can be seen to completely transform back to its original shade. And it wasn't meant to be grey at all - it was in fact beige. The carpet had so much dirt and grime in it that it had darkened over time due to lack of care. Thousands of people have watched the clip, mesmerised by the cleaning process. One person replied: "But HOW?!" Another said: "This is why I HATE carpet." Sign up to our newsletter to get the day's biggest news straight to your inbox The Mirror's newsletter brings you … [Read more...] about Homeowner thought carpet was chic grey colour until house was professionally cleaned

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has delivered the biggest Budget since the Covid crisis emerged, with almost every single person in the UK set to be affected by today's announcements. New changes will affect up to six million Universal Credit claimants, homeowners, first time buyers, and even apprentices with a £126m pledge to get 40,000 more young people on job schemes over the next 12 months. Elsewhere, there are new tax thresholds and minimum wage rates coming into force in the new tax year. One of the biggest announcements for workers, however, is the extension of furlough, which will carry millions of people through to the end of the year. The scheme - which pays 80% of employees' wages for the hours they cannot work in the pandemic - has been extended until September. Find out how the Budget affects you below with our calculator Around 4.5million people are still on the job retentions scheme. Young and lower-paid people have been among the most likely to have been … [Read more...] about Budget 2021 tax calculator – find out exactly how much better or worse off you will be

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