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Oliver Blume: Porsche CEO on electric revolution

Can the sports car maker compete with Tesla as it moves into its territory?




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The Fast Lane: blinded by the light

Eurostar’s new on-board lighting makes me think of an operating theatre lit for intricate surgery




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Macro blogroll for the morning meeting






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Campaigners oppose plans for skyscraper that 'would block view of the Tower of London'

Historic Royal Palaces has argued that the project will block protected views of the tower which is part of a system introduced in 1938 to also guard views of St Paul's vistas and the Palace of Westminster.




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Vulnerable Britons stripped of social care during Covid-19 lockdown

Single parent Beverley Cohen, 55, from Brighton, pictured with her seriously disabled daughter Liora, left, has felt abandoned by the care system since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak.




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Cardboard hospital beds that double as COFFINS are unveiled by Colombian ad company

A advertising company from Bogotá, Colombia, created hospital beds with metal railings that designers say can double as a casket if a patient dies.




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Piers Morgan admits he has probably 'taken things a bit too far' with his criticism of Meghan Markle

The Good Morning Britain presenter has previously accused the Duchess of Sussex of having 'ditched' her own relatives and splitting her husband Prince Harry from the Royal Family.




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Diary of an NHS doctor: my blood boils when I think of hypocrite Neil Ferguson

The worst may now be over, but as one frontline doctor reveals in her latest diary, traumatised medics now have time to reflect on the life-and-death decisions taken in the heat of battle… 




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Ministers fear 'The Blob' - made up of political opponents - will sabotage reopening of schools

Ministers believe 'The Blob' - an army made up of political opponents and union barons - is colluding to politicise the coronavirus outbreak, The Mail on Sunday has learned.




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Campaigners demand Boris Johnson launches public inquiry into deaths in BAME communities

In a letter to Mr Johnson on Sunday, campaigners said only an independent inquiry could get the 'critical' answers needed to explain the 'outsized effect' Covid-19 was having on BAME communities.




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President Trump drinks bleach, gives commencement speech to 'the class of COVID-19' in SNL cold open

Alec Baldwin reprised his imitation of President Trump on the season finale of Saturday Night Live - this time with the Commander in Chief giving a commencement speech via Zoom.




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Boris Johnson will tell public to 'stay alert, control the virus and save lives'

Boris Johnson is expected to drop the 'stay at home' slogan during a televised address to Britain on Sunday at 7pm in an effort to reopen parts of the economy damaged during the coronavirus crisis.




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Exploring The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Iceland's ultimate hideaway

The Mail on Sunday's Sarah Turner checked into The Retreat, which takes Iceland's most seminal experience - bathing in the milky waters of the Blue Lagoon - and raises it to new levels.




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Metropolitan police officers' spokesman blasts coronavirus response as 'wishy washy'

The Metropolitan Police Federation's Ken Marsh said British authorities 'needed to be firmer right from the beginning'. Pictured: Sunbathers in Greenwich Park, London yesterday.




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Qantas CEO Alan Joyce is blasted for helping government to deport asylum seekers

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has been blasted for hypocrisy, having been outspoken on some social issues while helping the Australian government deport asylum seekers. 




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The Black Eyed Pea's will.i.am labels a Qantas staff member a 'racist flight attendant'

International singer will.i.am has accused a Qantas flight attendant of racism while on board a flight from Brisbane to Sydney.




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Qantas 'racism' row with will.i.am: Airline says legal action against Black Eyed Peas star possible

A spokesman for the Australian flag carrier said Qantas 'completely' rejected the suggestion that race was a factor in the incident involving will.i.am.




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Qantas manager blames increasing flight delays at Sydney airport on climate change

Above ­average wind strengths in recent months have contributed to a slight decline in flights departing and arriving on time at Sydney Airport, according to the latest federal government aviation data.




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Terrified Qantas passengers describe flying through a thick fire cloud in 'pitch black' conditions

Terrified Qantas passengers have spoken about the moment their fight entered a massive cloud created by the NSW bushfires which turned the cabin from daylight to midnight in seconds.




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Qantas will DOUBLE flights between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island after Regional Express pulled out

Qantas will more than double the number of flights between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island after a decision by Regional Express to withdraw from the route.




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Alan Jones blasts Qantas and CEO Alan Joyce for not stopping the planes to China earlier

The 2GB morning show host slammed the airline boss as Qantas continues international flights before they're suspended next week, despite the outbreak growing to 2,675 cases in Australia and 11 deaths.




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Thousands of Australian workers are told they're NOT eligible for $1500 JobKeeper payment

5,500 workers at Dnata, which supplies frozen meals to businesses like Qantas received the news they were no longer eligible for the $1500/fortnight payment on Monday.




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Polar Vortex blasts the northeastern US as latest snow ever is recorded in New York's Central Park

Polar Vortex has blasted into the northeast with record low temperatures, winds and snow. Mt. Washington has a low of just 10 degrees, while Death Valley, California, is could reach 110 degrees.




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Piers Morgan admits he has probably 'taken things a bit too far' with his criticism of Meghan Markle

The Good Morning Britain presenter has previously accused the Duchess of Sussex of having 'ditched' her own relatives and splitting her husband Prince Harry from the Royal Family.




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Lawyer: Deputy led armed group to black teen's home

An armed group of white people knocked on the door of Monica Shepard. The group demanded to know information about a young missing girl. Among the mob was an off-duty Sheriff's deputy.




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Metropolitan police officers' spokesman blasts coronavirus response as 'wishy washy'

The Metropolitan Police Federation's Ken Marsh said British authorities 'needed to be firmer right from the beginning'. Pictured: Sunbathers in Greenwich Park, London yesterday.




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Boris Johnson will tell public to 'stay alert, control the virus and save lives'

Boris Johnson is expected to drop the 'stay at home' slogan during a televised address to Britain on Sunday at 7pm in an effort to reopen parts of the economy damaged during the coronavirus crisis.




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Gtpl Hathway Ltd vs Om Cable And Network on 10 January, 2020

2. The petition was filed on 16.08.2019 against an order dated 11.07.2019 (Annexure N) whereby the petitioner's application for migration of CMTS Licence effective from 31.12.1998 for Tamil Nadu Service Area to Unitied Licence (UL) was rejected for the second time by the respondent. Before adverting to the issues, it will be useful to take note of some significant and relevant facts.

3. The historical facts relating to the petitioner company; its wholly owned subsidiary, Aircel Cellular Ltd. (ACL); the details of its licences and also subsequent allocation of spectrum which came to be bundled with the said licence are not in dispute. The petitioner's CMTS Licence for Tamil Nadu Circle was for a period of 10 years and due to expire on 30.12.2008. In terms of National Telecom Policy of 1999, DoT offered a migration package. The migration package, inter alia, changed the "Fixed Fee" policy for Indian Telecom Licences to a "Revenue Share" regime. The period of licence got extended upto 20 years and as a result petitioner's licence was to be valid till 30.12.2018. In 2010, the petitioner acquired 5 + 5 MHz of 2100 MHz (3G) and 20 MHz of 2300 MHz spectrum (BWA) in the Tamil Nadu Telecom Circle through auction. These are fully paid for and the validity of allotment is of 20 years i.e. till 2030. In 2015, the petitioner further acquired 10 + 10 MHz of 1800 MHz spectrum in the Tamil Nadu Telecom Circle through auction. Petitioner has the right to use the said spectrum for a period of 20 years Le. till 26.05.2035 and under a deferred payment plan, it claims to have paid 33% of its price.




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Papers Laid On The Table Of The House By Ministers/Members. on 5 December, 2019

माननीय अध्यक्ष: अब पत्र सभा पटल पर रखे जाएंगे । श्री अर्जुन राम मेघवाल ।

संसदीय कार्य मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री तथा भारी उद्योग और लोक उद्यम मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री अर्जुन राम मेघवाल): महोदय, श्री किरेन रिजीजू की ओर से  मैं निम्नलिखित पत्र सभा पटल पर रखता हूं:

1.  (एक)     दादरा और नागर हवेली वक्फ बोर्ड, सिलवासा के वर्ष 2018-2019 के वार्षिक       प्रतिवेदन की एक प्रति (हिन्दी तथा अंग्रेजी संस्करण) तथा लेखापरीक्षित लेखे ।

(दो) दादरा और नागर हवेली वक्फ बोर्ड, सिलवासा के वर्ष 2018-2019 के कार्यकरण की सरकार द्वारा समीक्षा की एक प्रति (हिन्दी तथा अंग्रेजी संस्करण) ।

[Placed in Library, See No. LT 1092/17/19]  

2.  (एक) वक्फ बोर्ड अंडमान और निकोबार द्वीपसमूह, पोर्ट ब्लेयर के वर्ष 2018-2019के वार्षिक प्रतिवेदन की एक प्रति (हिन्दी तथा अंग्रेजी संस्करण) तथा लेखापरीक्षित लेखे ।




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Papers Laid On The Table By The Ministers/Members. on 6 December, 2019

माननीय अध्यक्ष: अब पत्र सभा पटल पर रखे जाएंगे ।           श्रीमती स्मृति जूबिन ईरानी ।

  THE MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI): Sir, I beg to lay on the Table of the House:

1.              (i)        A copy of the Annual Report (Hindi and English versions) of the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, New Delhi, for the year 2018-2019, alongwith Audited Accounts.

         (ii)         A copy of the Review (Hindi and English versions) by the Government of the working of the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, New Delhi, for the year 2018-2019. [Placed in Library, See No. LT 1124/17/19]

2.              (i)        A copy of the Annual Report (Hindi and English versions) of the Wool Research Association, Thane, for the year 2018-2019, alongwith Audited Accounts.




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Dinesh Kumar Gupta vs The Honble High Court For ... on 29 April, 2020

1. These Writ Petitions broadly fall in following three categories:-

A] Writ Petition (Civil) No. 936 of 2018 filed by four petitioners, prays for appropriate directions that after the promulgation of Rajasthan Judicial Service Rules, 2010 (“2010 Rules”, for short), all appointments ought to be in conformity with 2010 Rules and allocation of seniority must be in accordance with the Cyclic Order provided in Schedule VII to 2010 Rules. In terms of 2010 Rules, posts in the cadre of District Judges in the Higher Judicial Service in State of Rajasthan were required to be filled up in accordance with quota of 50% for Promotees, 25% for Direct Recruits and 25% by way of Limited Competitive Examination Writ Petition (Civil) No.936 of 2018 etc etc. Dinesh Kumar Gupta & Ors. v. Hon. High Court for Judicature of Rajasthan and Anr.




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Bablu @ Balveer vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh on 8 May, 2020

In the wake of unprecedented and uncertain situations due to the outbreak of Novel Corona Virus COVID-19 and considering the advisories issued by the Government of India, this application is being heard and decided through video conferencing to maintain social distancing. The parties are being represented through their respective counsels through VC and therefore, norms of social distancing/physical distancing were followed in letter and spirit.

Present appeal has been filed under Section 14-A(2) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (hereinafter would be referred as "the Act") against the order dated 16.3.2020 passed by Special Judge (Atrocities Act) Gwalior whereby the application of the appellant under Section 439 of Cr.P.C seeking bail has been rejected. Appellant is in custody since 7.3.2020 in connection with Crime No. 14 of 2020 registered at Police Station Hastinapur district Gwalior for the offence punishable under Sections 363, 366, 376 and 34 of IPC and 3 (1) (w) (ii), 3 (2) (va) of the Atrocities Act.




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Hablu Bag @ Bhatuk vs Unknown on 28 April, 2020

04. 2020 b.

CRM No. 2996 of 2020 (Via Video Conference) In Re:- An application for bail under section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in connection with Lalgarh Police Station Case No. 117/2019 dated 22.10.2019 registered for investigation into offences punishable under Sections 302/201/120B/34 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 25/27 of the Arms Act.

And In the matter of : Hablu Bag @ Bhatuk ... Petitioner Mr. Soumyajit Das Mahapatra .. for the petitioner Mr. Neguive Ahmed ..for the State The petitioner undertakes to affirm and stamp the petition as per the Rules within 48 hours of resumption of normal functioning of the court. The petition is taken up through video conference on the basis of such undertaking.




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The Spice Girls prepare for their first reunion gig in Dublin

The Spice Girls have been gearing up for their hotly-anticipated reunion tour, set to kick off in Dublin in just a matter of hours.




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BRITs 2020: Charli XCX oozes Gothic chic in a black tulle gown

The singer, 27, looked stunning in a Fendi black tulle gown, which was fitted around her midriff before fanning out into a dramatic skirt.




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BRITs 2020 red carpet: Iris Law, 19, wears black cut-out dress

The model, 19, wowed in a black cut-out caged gown with metallic button detailing on it.




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BRITs 2020: Maya Jama wears black gown as ex Stormzy wins

The presenter looked stunning in a sweeping black gown as she made her way into London's O2 Arena ahead of the star-studded ceremony.




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Charli XCX wows in VERY daring black feathered mini dress

The songstress, 27, left almost nothing to the imagination as she arrived at the glitzy bash in a skin-baring racy black feathered mini dress.




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BRITs 2020: Ellie Goulding shows off her gym-honed figure in plunging black latex dress

The singer showed off her incredible figure in a racy black latex dress from Galvan London as she partied the night away. 




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BRITs 2020: Mel C channels Posh Spice in a plunging black gown

The singer, 46, channeled Posh Spice as she joined the slew of stars on the BRIT Awards red carpet at The O2 Arena on Tuesday.




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Mabel shows off quirky blue-rinsed locks as she steps out holding puppy Imani

Mabel was every inch the superstar as she displayed some edgy new locks while stepping out in London on  Thursday.




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Vauxhall Zafira and diesel Audi A3 among the least reliable cars

A poll of motorists by What Car? magazine found that the Vauxhall Zafira was among the least reliable in the UK while Japanese cars dominated the top ten list of the most reliable cars.




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The most reliable second-hand family large SUVs

Large SUVs often loaded with equipment and electronic systems that can go wrong - resulting in high repair bills if you need to get issues fixed. These are the older models to search for - and avoid.




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Covidiot leads police on 151mph chase up the M1 as chief warns offences have doubled under lockdown

Drivers were caught driving at 'extreme speeds' on quiet roads over the Easter weekend, including a man who was clocked at 151mph on the M1 near London as he led police on a high-speed chase.




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The most reliable new cars, according to the motorists who own them

Owners were asked to rate both the build quality and reliability of their cars to give an overall score out of 100%. The data also includes the percentage of cars that drivers said have gone wrong recently.




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Will you be able to bag a deal on a new car once lockdown lifts?

Experts said that as soon as demand outstrips supply, motor dealers will 'look to reduce incentives and discounts'




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The 14 car makers that haven't introduced measures to block keyless car crime

Only two brands, Mercedes and Tesla, told the consumer association that they had issued a fix across their entire range of new and existing cars.




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Ford publishes 64-page 'playbook' for car factories following Covid-19

The document outlines new measures, including temperature scans for all staff, requirements to wear face masks, working stations separated by 6 feet, and the closure of on-site gyms and canteens.