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Brits urged not to flout coronavirus lockdown over Bank Holiday weekend as temperatures set to soar

Brits have been urged to stick to the coronavirus lockdown rules over the Bank Holiday weekend as temperatures are set to soar.




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Boris Johnson pays respects to fallen soldiers to mark VE Day on visit to Westminster Abbey

Boris Johnson has paid his respects to fallen soldiers ahead of the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on a visit to Westminster Abbey.




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How to celebrate VE Day at home: From DIY bunting and banners to toasting war heroes

This year is the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which marked the end of the Second World War on the continent.




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VE Day 2020 LIVE: Queen to make historic address to the nation as Brits prepare to celebrate 75th anniversary

The nation is preparing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day , with the Queen set to make a historic address to mark the occasion.




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Stars pay tribute to Mercury Prize-nominated rapper Ty who died after contracting coronavirus

Stars have paid tribute to Mercury Prize-nominated rapper Ty who has died aged 47 after contracting coronavirus.




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What time is the Red Arrows flypast on VE Day?

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, or the Red Arrows, is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force.




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400,000 people in the UK could have coronavirus with 20,000 falling ill every day, say experts

Around 400,000 people in the UK could currently have coronavirus, according to a new official study, while experts say 20,000 more could be infected with the virus every day.




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VE Day at 75: Stunning Red Arrows and RAF Typhoons soar across Britain to mark WW2 victory

The Red Arrows soared through London's skies this morning to mark the 75th anniversary VE Day.




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Captain Tom recalls 'very, very happy day' 75 years ago when 'fearsome' war in Europe ended

Second World War veteran and NHS fundraising champion Captain Tom Moore has recalled the day the "fearsome war in Europe" ended 75 years ago.




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Rail chiefs 'plan to hike rail services to 70 per cent of normal timetable' in days




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Boris Johnson issues stirring VE Day statement calling for 'same spirit of national endeavour' during coronavirus pandemic

Boris Johnson has issued a stirring statement as the UK comes together to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, calling for Brits to show the "same spirit of national endeavor" during the coronavirus pandemic.




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Police complain they are 'villains of pandemic' as they prepare for Bank Holiday weekend crackdown

Cabinet Secretary Oliver Dowden admitted on Friday morning that the lockdown is facing a major test from the sunny weekend ahead.




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Battle of Britain veteran Terry Clark dies on the eve of VE Day at the age of 101

Longtime friend pays tribute to war hero, who was involved in six kills, saying he was a "true gentleman"




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Brits should expect 'limited changes' to lockdown next week, says minister

British people should not expect major new freedoms on Monday, with "limited changes" expected to the coronavirus lockdown, a minister has said.




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Queen recalls being 'swept along on a tide of happiness and relief' during VE Day celebrations

The Queen's memories of her VE Day celebrations have been shared by Buckingham Palace to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe.




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Government misses coronavirus testing target for sixth day running

The Government has missed its testing target of 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April for the sixth day running.




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Coronavirus pandemic leading to a 'tsunami of hate' and 'contemptible memes', UN chief says

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has called for an "all-out effort to end hate speech globally" amid what he called a "tsunami of hate and xenophobia, scapegoating and scare-mongering" unleashed during the coronavirus pandemic.




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Plans to ramp up rail services to start next Monday, claims Union

Plans to ramp up rail services have been brought forward by a week and will start from next Monday, a union is claiming.




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Thousands tune in to watch Katherine Jenkins sing wartime favourites in an empty Royal Albert Hall to mark VE Day

Thousands have tuned in to watch Katherine Jenkins' stunning performance in front of an empty Royal Albert Hall as she marked the 75th anniversary of VE Day.




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Brexit trade timeline 'virtually impossible', says Deputy Irish Premier

Deputy Irish Premier Simon Coveney has said the Covid-19 pandemic has made the timeline for a UK-EU trade deal "virtually impossible".




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McDonald's Drive-Thru 'made for social distancing' and are safe to reopen, says Environment Secretary George Eustice

Drive-thru restaurants such as McDonald's are "made for social distancing", Environment Secretary George Eustice has said.




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Kate and Will hear WWII stories as they video call veterans to mark VE Day's 75th anniversary

Prince William and Kate heard stories about Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill's "secret" birthday message his son when they chatted veterans about their VE Day memories.




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VE Day 2020 LIVE: Royals pay tribute to WWII veterans as they mark 75th anniversary of victory in Europe

The Queen has addressed the nation to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, saying veterans would have recognised the "love and care" of people during the coronavirus pandemic.




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Boris Johnson to announce reopening of garden centres in England from Wednesday

Garden centres in England will be allowed to reopen next week as part of the Government's first-step measures to ease the coronavirus lockdown.




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Downing Street says JustGiving will want to 'reflect' on '£300K fee' for Captain Tom Moore's fundraiser

Downing Street has said JustGiving will want to "reflect" on fees taken for processing Captain Tom Moore's £32 million fundraiser for NHS charities.




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Unions say teachers will not return to schools in June without full 'test and trace' scheme




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UK weather forecast: Stay at home warning as temperatures set to soar to 26C

Britain is set for another day of sunshine, with temperatures expected to soar to 26C before cooler weather tomorrow.




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Boris Johnson urges Russian President Vladimir Putin to help world find Covid-19 vaccine in VE Day phone call

Boris Johnson has asked Vladimir Putin if Russia would help play a more integrated role in global efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine.




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Coastguard records highest number of call-outs since lockdown began as people 'ignore' stay-at-home advice




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Fury as VE Day revellers dance conga at street party near Warrington in 'breach of social distancing rules'

A group of VE Day revellers have sparked fury by performing a conga dance in an apparent breach of social distancing rules.




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Government fails to hit Matt Hancock's 100,000 testing target for seventh day in a row







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Seinfeld stand-up special suffers from a pandemic of bad timing, says Chris Knight

Comedian takes on air travel, restaurants, ball games and other pastimes of the distant past that was 2019






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'Stood up for liberty and common sense'! Guess where Sen. Ted Cruz got a haircut today [video]





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Washington Post: Hey, maybe President Trump isn't a Florida resident after all?




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California Sues Uber And Lyft For 'Cheating' Drivers And Taxpayers

The state accuses the ride-hailing apps of flouting a labor law by classifying drivers as independent contractors instead of employees.




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Why Fake Video, Audio May Not Be As Powerful In Spreading Disinformation As Feared

"Deepfakes" have received a lot of attention as a way to potentially spread misleading or false information and influence public opinion. But two specialists say that might not be a huge concern.




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Your Boss May Soon Track You At Work For Coronavirus Safety

Companies around the country are figuring out how to safely reopen office during the pandemic. The new normal might involve smartphone apps and badges to track employees.




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Google Says Most Of Its Employees Will Likely Work Remotely Through End of Year

The tech giant announces it is extending its previous work-from-home plans for most of its staff and will begin reopening offices this summer.




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NASA planning to launch an integrated Lunar Gateway in 2023

NASA has already assessed the viability of the Falcon Heavy for the task.




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Incredible video shows Hayabusa2 pogo-bouncing off asteroid

A new paper analyzes what we know about the sample the probe grabbed last year.




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10 of the best ways to travel by Dervla Murphy

In this age of mobile phones, cybercafes and satellite links, it's harder than ever to truly escape ... but not impossible. Dervla Murphy, who has ventured to the ends of the earth with only the most basic provisions, explains how

The individual traveller's "age of adventure" has long since been ended by "S&T" (science and technology: an abbreviation that dates me). Now our planet's few remaining undeveloped expanses are accessible only to well-funded expeditions protected by mobile phones and helicopters - enterprises unattractive to the temperamental descendents of Mungo Park, Mary Kingsley et al. Happily, it's still possible for such individuals to embark on solo journeys through little-known regions where they can imagine how real explorers used to feel.

Reviewers tend to describe my most exhilarating journeys as "adventures", though to me they are a form of escapism - a concept unfairly tainted with negative connotations. If journeys are designed as alternatives to one's everyday routine, why shouldn't they be escapist? Why not move in time as well as space, and live for a few weeks or months at the slow pace enjoyed by our ancestors? In recent decades everything has become quicker and easier: transport, communications, heating, cooking, cleaning, dressing, shopping, entertaining. "S&T" have reduced physical effort to the minimum - but are we genetically equipped to cope with our effortless new world? The stats show increasing numbers of us developing ulcers, having nervous breakdowns, eating too much or too little, taking to drink and/or drugs, retreating from our own reality in plastic surgery clinics. It's surely time to promote the therapeutic value of slow travel.

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The jewellers of Jaipur's Johari Bazaar – a photo essay

Unesco has named the capital of Rajasthan, India, a world heritage site, partly for its jewellery and artisanal traditions, which continue to thrive on one of its main commercial streets

‘Sir, want precious stones?” a man asks me, quietly. I am on the Johari Bazaar, one of Jaipur’s most notable thoroughfares, a straight colonnade screened above by the facades of adjoining houses. Everything is painted orange, terracotta and burnt pink. The man wears white shalwar kameez, and an air of indifference. He unfolds white paper, revealing colourful stones. “Emeralds, sapphires, rubies …” he says. He is among one of several groups of men gathered in this area; they’re local dealers, discussing prices. The avenue, whose name means gem shop road, is lined with dozens of shops displaying magnificent necklaces, bracelets and rings.

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