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Sydney news: Bus routes sell-off a 'betrayal', Sculpture by the Sea launches

MORNING BRIEFING: Plans to sell off the remaining bus routes have been slammed by the unions, and the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition adds colour to the eastern coastline.




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Google can give you AR science lessons right from the search page

Last year, Google launched an augmented reality feature within Search that lets you put virtual animals in the real world. Now, it’s adding more 3D objects you can view right from your Search results page on mobile, including Neil Armstrong’s spacesu...




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Justice Department Opens Investigation into the Seattle Police Department

The Justice Department announced today that it has opened a pattern or practice investigation into allegations of use of excessive force and discriminatory policing by members of the Seattle Police Department (SPD), pursuant to the pattern or practice provision of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, the anti-discrimination provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez of the Civil Rights Divison Speaks on the Justice Department’s Investigation into the Seattle Police Department

"Our goal with this investigation – as with all of our police pattern and practice investigations – is simple: to ensure that the community has an effective, accountable police department that controls crime, ensures respect for the Constitution, and earns the trust of the public it is charged with protecting."




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Justice Department Releases Investigative Findings on the Seattle Police Department

Following a comprehensive investigation, the Justice Department today announced its findings that the Seattle Police Department (SPD) has engaged in a pattern or practice of excessive force that violates the Constitution and federal law.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the Seattle Police Department Investigative Findings Announcement

"Our attorneys, investigators and experts conducted extensive interviews with command staff and rank-and-file officers; participated in ride-alongs with officers; and reviewed thousands of pages of documents," said Assistant Attorney General Perez.




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Opinion: Remdesivir helps beat COVID-19. But the search for a better drug goes on

The drug helped some coronavirus patients recover faster. But it's hardly everything we'd wished for.




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Commissioner Adam Silver tells NBA players that resuming the season remains fluid

Adam Silver told NBA players that a return to the court is up in the air but that games could be held in Las Vegas or Orlando, likely without fans.




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A better way to ‘squeeze the vacuum’ could speed the search for gravitational waves




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Demographic Transformation in the Seattle Metropolitan Area

Bruce Katz presented a speech on demographic shifts in the country's largest 100 metropolitan areas and how various leaders, including those in Seattle, will meet the policy challenges of a changing nation.

Introduction:
Today, I would like to present our findings from a major research initiative at the Metropolitan Policy Program, which is accompanied by an interactive website: the State of Metropolitan America. Our report examines the demographic trends that have affected the top 100 metropolitan areas so far this decade, covering the year 2000 through the year 2008. We find a nation in demographic transformation along five dimensions of change.

Watch video of the speech on the Seattle Channel »

We are a growing nation.  Our population exceeded 300 million back in 2006 and we are now on our way to hit 350 million around 2025.

We are diversifying.  An incredible 83 percent of our growth this decade was driven by racial and ethnic minorities. 

We are aging.  The number of seniors and boomers exceeded 100 million this decade.

We are selectively educating. Whites and Asians are now more than twice as likely to hold a bachelors degree as blacks and Hispanics.

We are a nation divided by income. Low-wage workers saw hourly earnings decline by 8 percent this decade; high wage workers saw an increase of 3 percent.  

With this background, I will make three main points today.

First, America’s top 100 metropolitan areas are on the front lines of our nation’s demographic transformation.  The trends I’ve identified—growth, diversity, aging, educational disparities, income inequities—are happening at a faster pace, a greater scale and a higher level of intensity in our major metropolitan areas.  

Second, the shape and scale of demographic transformation is profoundly uneven across metropolitan America.  This variation only partially reflects the traditional division of our country into regions like New England or the Middle Atlantic or the Mountain West. Rather a new “Metro Map” of the nation is emerging that unites far flung communities by their demographic realities rather than their physical proximity. 

Finally, demographic transformation requires action at both the macro and metro scale.  The federal government and the states need to lead where they must to address the super-sized challenges wrought by fast change.  Metropolitan areas must innovate where they should in ways that are tailored to their distinct challenges and opportunities.  And the geography of transformation at the metro scale requires new institutions and ways of governing.

These policy and institutional changes will not be easy.

But let’s remember one thing.  In the global context, the United States is a demographically blessed nation.  Established competitors like Japan, Britain and Germany are either growing slowly or actually declining; rising nations like China remain relatively homogenous. 

In a fiercely competitive world, our growth and diversity may be America’s ace in the hole.

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Authors

Publication: Arctic Club Hotel
     
 
 




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Governing the Nile River Basin : The Search for a New Legal Regime


Brookings Institution Press 2015 150pp.

The effective and efficient management of water is a major problem, not just for economic growth and development in the Nile River basin, but also for the peaceful coexistence of the millions of people who live in the region. Of critical importance to the people of this part of Africa is the reasonable, equitable and sustainable management of the waters of the Nile River and its tributaries.

Written by scholars trained in economics and law, and with significant experience in African political economy, this book explores new ways to deal with conflict over the allocation of the waters of the Nile River and its tributaries. The monograph provides policymakers in the Nile River riparian states and other stakeholders with practical and effective policy options for dealing with what has become a very contentious problem—the effective management of the waters of the Nile River. The analysis is quite rigorous but also extremely accessible.

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Ordering Information:
  • {9ABF977A-E4A6-41C8-B030-0FD655E07DBF}, 9780815726555, $32.00 Add to Cart
      
 
 




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Governing the Nile River Basin: The Search for a New Legal Regime


The Nile River is one of the most important resources in Africa and supports the livelihoods of millions of people. Recently, though, efficient and equitable utilization of the waters of the Nile River has become an increasingly contentious issue, with many of the riparian countries demanding a revision of what they believe is an inappropriate legal regime. Currently, allocation and utilization of the waters of the Nile River is governed by the colonial-era Nile Waters Agreements, which were negotiated and entered into with the help of Great Britain, but without the participation of most of the river’s riparian states. These agreements allocated most of the waters of the Nile River to the downstream riparians—Egypt and Sudan—largely ignoring the development needs of the upstream riparians, like Ethiopia, whose highlands provide most of the water that flows into the Nile River. The upstream riparians contend that they were not party to the Nile Waters Agreements and thus should not be bound by them. As such, they want these agreements set aside and a new, more equitable legal regime. Egypt, however, considers the existing legal regime binding on all the Nile River riparian states and, thus, is opposed to any changes that might interfere with or reduce its “historically acquired rights.” Already the decision by Addis Ababa to proceed with the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile has caused significant deterioration in relations between Cairo and Addis Ababa.

With significant increases in population and pressure to deliver development, especially in the upstream riparian states, the demand for water has become a very important policy imperative in the region. In fact, earlier this year Egypt claimed that, in order to meet its growing water needs by 2050, it will need to add 21 billion cubic meters of water per year to its current water allocation of 55 billion cubic meters. Thus, there is a fear that if this issue is not fully resolved soon, it could morph into a military crisis.

In our new book, Governing the Nile River Basin: The Search for a New Legal Regime, we argue that the current legal regime governing the allocation and utilization of the waters of the Nile River is not tenable, and there is an urgent need for all the Nile River riparian states to enter into a mutually agreed upon legal regime. Issues pertaining to transboundary water resource management, the evolution of current agreements and the role and interests of colonial powers, theories of treaty succession, and the recent attempts by the riparian states to formulate a new legal agreement, are thoroughly examined. We conclude that the most effective way to deal with conflict arising from the allocation and utilization of the Nile River’s waters is for all the downstream and upstream riparians to engage in fresh negotiations to design and adopt a new legal regime. Through a fully consultative process, these countries can provide the Nile River Basin with a legal regime that enhances equitable allocation and utilization. 

      
 
 




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Inky the octopus escapes from aquarium through a drainpipe to the sea

In a tale of intrigue and derring-do, the crafty cephalopod slipped out of his enclosure and found his way to freedom.




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Hawaii flips switch on Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion plant, harvesting clean energy from the sea

It's the first plant plant of its kind in the states that generates electricity from the temperature differences in the ocean.




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Tiny entangled seahorse rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to the sea

Tangled in fishing line with things looking grim, the story of Frito's rescue is inspiring all around.




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Meet the sea sheep of Scotland's North Ronaldsay island

Semi-wild and isolated to a 270-acre stretch of shoreline, the North Ronaldsay sheep are one of only two land animals that live exclusively on seaweed.




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‘Tis the season to recycle your electronics: Project Reboot

Chances are, your holiday gifts may include an electronic gadget or two, and a new initiative aims to encourage and support the proper disposal and recycling of the old ones.




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After sightings, the search is on for extinct thylacine

The last of these dog-like animals, also known as Tasmanian tigers, was thought to have died in 1936. But might they still be lurking elusively in the wild?




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Beware the season of excess

The next two months represent the highest rate of consumption during the year, but it doesn't have to be that way.




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Wintermarket Wonderland at the Seaport

Hundreds of people weathered the blizzard last Sunday to support New Amsterdam's Wintermarket in lower Manhattan. The New Amsterdam Market is not your




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The Arctic coastline is falling into the sea

In 40 days over the summer, the coast had retreated by 14.5 meters, sometimes more than a meter a day.




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Photo: Beautiful batwing slug flies through the sea

Our photo of the day comes from the watery wilds of Wilsons Promontory in southern Australia.




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See all the seasons at Rocky Mountain National Park in 4 breathtaking minutes

As part of their More Than Just Parks project, Will and Jim Pattiz spent two years filming in the majestic Colorado mountains.




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NIH doesn't expect the coronavirus to rapidly mutate like the seasonal flu

"We don't think it will have this very rapid seasonal change that we have to deal with influenza," the head of the NIH tells Congress.




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Jo-Ann “Celebrate the Season” Turkey Napkin Basket DIY

The folks at Jo-ann asked me to create a DIY project for the Thanksgiving holiday, and sent me a Jo-Ann gift card to buy supplies. This time the theme was “turkey tablescapes”. I decided early on that I wanted to come up with something that was both decorative & functional. … Continue reading




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Jo-Ann “Celebrate The Season” Santa Favor Cup DIY

I’m back with my third and final DIY for Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft’s Celebrate The Season. This time the theme was “fabulously festive”. These santa favor cups can not only be used to hold small treats, but you could also add tiny flags with names to use them as place … Continue reading




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Metapost: As the seasons change (?), the COTWs continue

Comics Curmudgeon readers! Do you love this blog and yearn for a novel written by its creator? Well, good news: Josh Fruhlinger's The Enthusiast is that novel! It's even about newspaper comic strips, partly. Check it out! Hey y’all: it’s your comment … of … the WEEK! “If we do have to accept a more […]




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AI can search satellite data to find plastic floating in the sea

AI can check satellite images of the ocean and distinguish between floating materials such as seaweed or plastics, which could help clean-up efforts




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Birthday Special: How Arijit Singh has proven to be a singer of all the seasons

In 3 idiots, Boman Irani claimed that nobody remembered the man who came second. Birthday boy Arijit Singh could counter that. He participated in the singing reality show, Fame Gurukul, but was eliminated rather early. Today, over 15 years later, his voice has transcended boundaries and borders and the man has been charming one and all with his sensational and soothing singing skills.

His birthday would be the aptest occasion to revisit some of his best and most memorable songs that not only got permanently etched in people's minds but also showcased his unfairly overlooked versatility. Contrary to the memes and opinions, there's a lot more to his voice than pain and anguish. He has nearly nailed all possible kinds of songs in all genres that need to be highlighted and quick.

Here we go:

Love

1. Phir Mohabbat- Murder 2 (2011)

Emraan Hashmi and chartbuster music seem to be a match made in heaven. Music directors and singers always reserve their best, or at least one of their best works, for this star. Murder 2 was the first time the nation heard of Arijit Singh, and the way the song was crooned and captured, there was something haunting about his voice and the titillating chemistry between the actors. Always trust the Bhatts to pull off both!

2. Tum Hi Ho (2013)

What Aashiqui was to Kumar Sanu, the sequel was to Singh. Both Sanu and Singh became overnight stars and sensations post the historic success of these two films. Mahesh Bhatt and Mohit Suri's Aashiquis weren't as much about the plot and performances as much as they were about their iconic soundtrack. So if 1990 gave us Saanson Ki Zaroorat, 2013 gave us the love anthem of that year- Tum Hi Ho. Again, a deep melody that can hardly fade away. Couples that love to revel in their PDA would unabashedly embrace the track and romanticise about its melody, making it one of the most celebrated songs of the decade. A star was born!

Longing

Kabira- Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)

Kabir aka Bunny from Ayan Mukerji's Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani wasn't exactly a likeable character. His ambitions and aspirations may have been relatable and contagious, his callousness wasn't. Kabir wasn't exactly a loner, but preferred to stay in his own world that comprises of everything and anything that gives him an adrenaline rush, or as Salman Khan said- Kick! In a film where everyone around him wants him to come back and be with people who love him, there couldn't have been a better song than Kabira to perfectly describe this protagonist. The lyrics were- "Ae Kabira Yun Na Jaa", and rightly so since all the characters in the film, right from his parents to friends to Naina, wanted him to stay. The song sums up how the feeling of longing looks and feels like.

Loneliness

1. Tum Saath Ho- Tamasha (2015)

Imtiaz Ali knows how to create a moment between his hero and heroine, especially with a good script and on a good day. Tamasha must have happened in his life during the best phase of his life. Just like Bunny, it was difficult to understand Ved, and his unpredictable outbursts were both shocking and scary. Tara begins to feel she has lost him forever and wants him back, but his stubbornness won't just allow him to hold her hand. In the filmmaker's own words, the emotions were real, and so were Arijit Singh and Alka Yagnik's enchanting vocals that powered what is one of the best songs to describe and depict loneliness.

2. Channa Mereya- Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)

Is there any other actor who can show sadness as seamlessly as Ranbir Kapoor? Even he has begun to joke about it now. And Singh's voice, often described as solemn and sombre, perfectly fits Kapoor's on-screen demeanour. Channa Mereya is what you call a song that's been made for people who have been through the feeling of one-sided love. It still is the unlikeliest wedding song ever to exist in a Dharma Production film. And very similar to Tum Hi Ho, this made musical history too!

Lounges

1. Palat- Main Tera Hero (2014)

There are certain songs that can arouse the dancer inside you once you play them, especially in lounges. Palat from Main Tera Hero gave us a very different side of the singer. For someone who was always called to make people cry, was making us dance to his voice. This title track was infectiously choreographed and energetically crooned by the singer that it is a personal favourite even today!

2. Sooraj Dooba Hai- Roy (2015)

Not many people have seen Roy, and those who have, may not remember what exactly they saw. But they do remember what they heard. They heard the song Sooraj Dooba Hai, which became a rage when it came out. Singh's voice can hook and hypnotise you, both. And it's very rare to find a voice as versatile as his. So why don't we just end those jokes and memes that suggest Arijit Singh does not smile and nor do his songs?

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Mumbai: Fishermen rescue three who get stranded in the sea while taking selfie

Local fishermen yesterday rescued three teenagers who had got stranded in the sea off Uttan while taking selfies. Sources said the three, residents of Bhayander, had gone for a picnic to Bhati Bandar village beach near Uttan last morning and got engrossed clicking selfies on the rocks.

They'd failed to pay attention to the high tide, and before any one of them realised, they were surrounded by water from all sides. Scared, they'd then started screaming for help.


Fishermen rescued the three teenagers who had got stranded near Uttan while taking selfies. Pics/Azim Tamboli

The fisherfolk from the village heard their cries and rushed to their aid, while a villager called up the fire brigade. By the time fire officials reached the spot, the fishermen had rescued the boys — Sachin Waghmare, 16, Vishal Minde, 19, and Sumit Fatpara, 18 — studying in Stds XI and XII.

Chief Fire Officer Prakash Borade from Mira-Bhayander fire station said, "We received the call and rushed to the spot around 11.30 am. But when we reached, we saw that the local fishermen had already helped the youngsters out. Later, we called their parents and handed them over."

Also Read: Travel: Go camping to tranquil Uttan in Bhayander

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates





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Bani J brings the sea to her; as she can't go to the beach due to lockdown

She can't go to the beach, so Bani J did the next best thing. The VJ has coloured her tresses ocean blue with a streak of sea green and a hint of lavender. The Four More Shots Please actor couldn't just post a plain photograph as it 'did not feel creatively satisfying'.

She shared her new look on Insta and captioned it, "The picture has morphed into a supremely intense mixed media project. I always get to know myself better through this process. I realise again how much I like minute details. How there must be meaning hidden or obvious. I like layers. I like shadows, I love depth. Can't have a flat image (sic)."

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by âš¡Lady RocknRolla ♥ (@banij) onApr 27, 2020 at 4:13am PDT

The reason Bani turned her new hairdo into a 'work of art' was because "when I look back a few months down the line, I will always see more. One of the many great wonderful things about life (sic)." The details are what draw Bani in.

On the professional front, Bani Judge was last seen playing a homosexual character in Four More Shots Please! The second season of the series launched on April 17 on Amazon Prime Video in India.

The story picked up from the previous season's cliffhanger ending, bringing backstories of four unapologetically flawed ladies who live, love, blunder and discover what it really takes to build everlasting friendships in Mumbai.

Produced by Pritish Nandy Communications Ltd, the show is created by Rangita Pritish Nandy.

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news




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Nick Kyrgios claims second ATP title of the season with Citi Open win

The Australian was at his exuberant best in a semi-final win over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday and followed that up with a tight 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-4) triumph against third seed Medvedev.




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Borussia Dortmund's Mario Gotze confirms he will leave the Bundesliga club at the end of the season

Mario Gotze has confirmed he is ready to consider a move away from Borussia Dortmund this summer. The exciting 27-year old midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season.




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Celebrity Christmas on Twitter: Liz Hurley and Louis Smith join the season's tweetings

Liz Hurley and Louis Smith have joined Coleen Rooney, Nigella Lawson and legions of other stars in posting pictures of their festive celebrations on Twitter.




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Barcelona 4-0 Sevilla: Lionel Messi bags his first goal of the season

PETE JENSON: Barcelona eased to a 4-0 win against Sevilla on Sunday night with Lionel Messi scoring his first goal of the season. The injury-hit forward scored a late free-kick.




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Barcelona 'make bid to sign Valencia striker Rodrigo on loan until the end of the season'

Barcelona's efforts to sign Valencia striker on loan until the end of the season still have some way to go, with the Spanish giants baulking at a huge £50million obligation to buy clause.




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FC Utrecht prepare for legal action over decision to scrap the season

Dutch top-flight club FC Utrecht are preparing for legal action to fight the Royal Netherlands Football Association's decision to cancel the remainder of the league season.




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St Helens coach Justin Holbrook set to join Gold Coast Titans at end of the season 

St Helens have begun the search for a new head coach following confirmation that Justin Holbrook will join Gold Coast Titans at the end of the season.




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Emilia Clarke looks fresh-faced as she arrives at theatre ahead of her debut in play The Seagull

She earned herself countless fans through her stint as Daenerys Targaryen in the hugely popular fantasy drama Game Of Thrones.




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Emilia Clarke kisses her co-star Daniel Monks as she makes her West End debut in The Seagull

The Game Of Thrones star, 33, passionately kissed her co-star Daniel Monks as she made her West End debut in The Seagull at London's Playhouse Theatre on Thursday.




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German football is losing touch with reality as they target finishing the season by June 30

KIT HOLDEN: For days on end, the manicured lawns at Bayern Munich's training ground lay empty. Not a ball in sight, not a Qatar Airways-branded tracksuit to be seen.




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Barcelona would be champions if the season stopped now but want it to finish like everyone

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: LaLiga was heading for its most exciting conclusion in years. Even those who would benefit from drawing a line under the season with the table left as it is want it finishing properly.




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Broadcasters 'want to keep relegation' in the Premier League when the season resumes

Sky and BT Sport are anticipated to oppose any proposals to scrap relegation from the Premier League this season. They want the jeopardy of the drop zone.




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OLIVER HOLT: To void the season would be absurd, an idea peddled to weaponise a pandemic

OLIVER HOLT - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: For the first time in 30 years, Liverpool are the champions. We knew that already and it looks now as though the coronavirus has confirmed it.




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Binky Felstead overhauls her make-up bag for autumn and shows how to get the season's must-have hair do

This week Binky shares her top tips for autumn skincare and refreshing dried summer skin. The MIC star also shows you how to achieve the perfect Hollywood wave.




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Angel di Maria, Mario Balotelli and Radamel Falcao have struggled... but who is the worst signing of the season?

Every transfer window, clubs scramble to pick up the best bargains, and fans argue over who their side really need. But who have been the worst signings of the season so far? Sportsmail takes a look.




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Radamel Falcao and Mario Balotelli the biggest losers while Eden Hazard and Harry Kane shine as Sportsmail reporters review the season

Chelsea were crowned champions at the end of another season of engrossing action that saw the Blues lift the Barclays Premier League title for the fourth time.




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Glenn Hoddle's expectations for the season: I'm looking forward to seeing the real Radamel Falcao this season... But I don't think Manchester United can win the title

GLENN HODDLE: With the new season here at last, Sportsmail's columnist looks ahead to the fates of Radamel Falcao, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Petr Cech and Eddie Howe for the new campaign.




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Bukayo Saka continues to thrive as Arsenal's converted full-back provides 10th assist of the season

DANIEL MATTHEWS AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM: As Eddie Nketiah wheeled away towards the corner flag, the Arsenal forward dialled a few numbers into an imaginary phone.




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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United's Marcus Rashford will return for the end of the season

Marcus Rashford is due to return from injury before the end of the season. The Manchester United striker, 22, suffered a stress fracture in his back in January.