Fortuna

Pressure mounts on Michael Martin as Clegg breaks ranks and calls on him to go

The Lib Dem leader has broken ranks today by urging Michael Martin to quit as Speaker. Read more from the original source:  Pressure mounts on Michael Martin as Clegg breaks ranks and calls on him to go

Justice Minister axed just minutes after refusing to hand back lavish expenses claims

Gordon Brown forced Shahid Malik to step down as Justice Minister after it emerged he paid only a peppercorn rent on his constituency house while claiming £66,827 for his second home. Here is the original post: Justice Minister axed just minutes after refusing to hand back lavish expenses claims

Slurred by the adoption Nazis: Critics of gay parenting are branded ‘retarded homophobes’

People who have concerns about the adoption of children by gay couples are 'retarded homophobes', the state-funded national adoption agency said yesterday. See original here:  Slurred by the adoption Nazis: Critics of gay parenting are branded 'retarded homophobes'

Volcano Boarding

No shame: Top Tory MPs claim expenses for swimming pools, helipad, chandelier… and even a moat

A string of wealthy Tory grandees submitted an extraordinary list of claims to maintain their stately homes. They included the maintenance of a helipad, the cost of hanging a chandelier and bags of horse manure. Originally posted here: No shame: Top Tory MPs claim expenses for swimming pools, helipad, chandelier... and even a moat

The Speaker’s scapegoat: Official who signed off MPs’ expenses didn’t even have accountancy qualification

Andrew Walker feared he would be sacked when he warned the Commons Speaker the system was being abused. Here is the original:  The Speaker's scapegoat: Official who signed off MPs' expenses didn't even have accountancy qualification

Don’t blame us! As expenses scandal rocks Westminster, the all-too predictable response from our rulers

All the Cabinet ministers accused of milking their allowances have denied any wrongdoing, with many instead accusing the Press of a smear campaign. See the original post: Don't blame us! As expenses scandal rocks Westminster, the all-too predictable response from our rulers

I’ll put women in charge of banks: Harriet Harman’s plans to use equality laws to challenge macho City culture

Labour's deputy leader is determined to boost the proportion of female workers in the financial sector and end what she calls 'pay discrimination' in the City. See original here: I'll put women in charge of banks: Harriet Harman's plans to use equality laws to challenge macho City culture

Now nursery closes due to swine flu: Just how many more schools will have to follow?

The latest closure is likely to heighten parents' fears that more schools could be forced to close as the disease spreads and is transmitted between siblings. More: Now nursery closes due to swine flu: Just how many more schools will have to follow?

7-step Ninja mask lesson !!!

Step 1. Pick a t-shirt that you know the other ninjas will not bother you about. I choose one of my "Clerks" shirts because "Clerks" is ninja in itself. Step 2. Turn the shirt inside-out and put over your head normally but with the tag down (so backwards) and hold the sleeves out to the sides. Step 3. Tie the sleeves in a single knot in the middle of your head. Very Simple. (Pull it tight so the mask does not become loose during battle.) Step 4. Front...