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World

Handshakes and hugs are good for you — it’s vital they make a comeback after the pandemic

We shouldn’t underestimate the power of touch (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)When was the last time you shook someone’s hand, or kissed them on the cheek to say hello? The pandemic has put a stop to these simple gestures, while social distancing and strict hygiene practices have become part of our everyday lives as a necessary way of minimising the spread of the virus. But should this new way of interacting be permanent? Some experts say that we might not, or even should not, return to the old ways once the pandemic is over. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to the US president, has said, ‘I don’t think we should ever shake hands ever again’. He argues that it would reduce the spread of not only Covid-19 but also other viruses such as influenza. We disagree. As soo

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World

Gyms reopening: New rules and can classes resume?

Gyms have had to close their doors once again (Picture: Getty)Millions of fitness fanatics across the UK have been without their gyms since the start of the year, following the latest coronavirus lockdown. Gyms and leisure centres were among the businesses to close their doors in a bid to control the coronavirus pandemic – but with case numbers dropping as the vaccination programme is rolled out, they are among the places which can now re-open. But just what are the new rules surrounding gyms as they open their doors once more – and will you need to work out alone or will classes start once again? Here’s all you need to know. When will gyms reopen in England? Non-essential businesses – including gyms – are opening again from Monday April 12, as confirmed by Boris Johnson in

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World

10 soap spoilers this week: Coronation Street Peter tragedy, EastEnders naked shock, Emmerdale collapse, Hollyoaks cancer trauma

Wedding drama, a shock return and a devastating collapse are just a few of the unmissable moments you’ve got to look forward to in the soaps this week (Picture: ITV/BBC)If, like many, you were missing your soap fix on Friday night, then fear not, as your favourite serial dramas are back in action from tonight, with a couple of extra helpings in store throughout the week too! Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) prepares to tie the knot with Carla Connor (Alison King) in Coronation Street but will he make it down the aisle? Meanwhile, EastEnders’ Mick and Linda Carter (Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright) are left in shock when Nancy (Maddy Hill) returns home unannounced. Over in Emmerdale, Kim Tate (Claire King) suffers a shock collapse, while Hollyoaks’ Martine Deveraux (Kelle Bryan) makes a d

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Business

Soviet cosmonaut made pioneering spaceflight 60 years ago

Crushed into the pilot's seat by heavy G-forces, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin saw flames outside his spacecraft and prepared to die. His voice broke the tense silence at ground control: “I’m burning. Goodbye, comrades.” Gagarin didn’t know that the blazing inferno he observed through a porthole was a cloud of plasma engulfing Vostok 1 during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, and he was still on track to return safely. It was his quiet composure under pressure that helped make him the first human in space 60 years ago. Gagarin’s steely self-control was a key factor behind the success of his pioneering 108-minute flight. The April 12, 1961, mission encountered glitches and emergencies — from a capsule hatch failing to shut properly just before blastoff to parachute problems in the

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World

Neighbour’s fury as man ‘advertises cottage as illegal rubbish dump’

The owner is setting rubbish alight to dispose of it, locals say (Picture: East News)Angry neighbours are getting the hump after a man allegedly advertised his cottage garden as a dump — creating a mountainous tip on his doorstep. Tons of waste — up to 6ft tall in places — is piled high outside the 120-year-old terraced home. And the owner is setting rubbish alight to dispose of it, locals say. Fed-up neighbours have called police, firefighters and council officials to get the dump removed. But items — including a sofa, bed, fridge, digger tyre and mounds of building waste — remain outside the property. Neighbour Ken Lees, 76, of Upminster, east London, told The Sun ‘huge’ fires are lit once a fortnight to burn the waste. Locals have called the police and the fire s...

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Business

Leader of Merkel’s party seeks backing in bid for chancellor

The new leader of Chancellor Angela Merkel's party says he's confident of securing his party's support to become the center-right candidate for Germany's next leader, after he and a rival both declared their ambitions. The Union bloc aims to decide quickly on its candidate after months of shadow-boxing between Armin Laschet, the head of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, and Markus Soeder, who leads its smaller Bavaria-only sister party, the Christian Social Union. Laschet and Soeder — the governors of Germany's two most populous states, North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria respectively — both officially declared on Sunday that they're prepared to run, but insisted that they will quickly find a harmonious solution. They didn't specify how they will do so. The leaderships of the CDU and th...

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World

Drinkers brave freezing cold for midnight pints as pub gardens reopen in England

Some queued up ahead of midnight to get in their first pint in months at their local (Picture: Getty/SWNS)Thirsty Britons have been queueing up since the early hours outside their locals anxiously awaiting the reopening of pubs. Under the Government’s ‘road map’ to freedom, restaurants and pubs in England were allowed to welcome back customers from midnight. Despite freezing temperatures sweeping across the country, it did not deter many from getting dressed up and braving the cold for their first night out in months. Some drinkers were so keen to sink their first pub pint since December that they queued up long before pubs reopened at the stroke of midnight. A lengthy line of excited punters was seen outside The Oak Inn in Coventry moments before the Covid-19 restrictions le...

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Business

Unusual treatment shows promise for kids with brain tumors

For decades, a deadly type of childhood cancer has eluded science’s best tools. Now doctors have made progress with an unusual treatment: Dripping millions of copies of a virus directly into kids’ brains to infect their tumors and spur an immune system attack. A dozen children treated this way lived more than twice as long as similar patients have in the past, doctors reported Saturday at an American Association for Cancer Research conference and in the New England Journal of Medicine. Although most of them eventually died of their disease, a few are alive and well several years after treatment -- something virtually unheard of in this situation. “This is the first step, a critical step,” said the study’s leader, Dr. Gregory Friedman, a childhood cancer specialist at the University of Ala

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World

Five fashion and beauty collections to get excited about for summer

Take your pick of the latest fashion and beauty drops (Picture: Metro.co.uk)We all love it when our fave brands come out with something new, but when it’s an entire collection, it’s even better. After all, you get not just one, but a whole range of products to choose from. We’ve rounded up the best specially curated edits, new product ranges, and innovative launches for your shopping pleasure. Keep reading to discover everything from fundraising t-shirts to oh-so-delicate florals. Albaray edit Putting ethical into stylish easy wearLook out for new ethical fashion label Albaray, born out of the pandemic. The leading women behind clothing brand Warehouse have created a compact edit of effortless style staples from statement dresses and broderie anglaise blouses to every

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World

EastEnders spoilers: Whitney Dean’s life destroyed by Kush Kazemi?

A sad end? (Picture: BBC)Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) is on cloud nine after embarking on a relationship with Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami), but is the EastEnders favourite set to have her heart broken once more? Whitney and Kush succumbed to temptation on Valentine’s Day, as they shared a passionate kiss, before spending the night together. Their newfound relationship has developed into something rather special, and Whitney, knowing what she wanted, ultimately popped the question! Kush said yes, and next week, the young man is hellbent on tying the knot, as he sets in motion a surprise wedding for his other half. Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith), however, is determined to sour the mood, as he reminds Kush that he’s going away for a very long time, what with him having ac...

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World

A coma, a kiss and a plan: 8 huge Home and Away spoilers

(Picture: Endemol Shine)This week in Home and Away, the Paratas’ luck only gets worse in the aftermath of the kidnapping when a car mows down Ari (Rob Kipa-Williams) in the middle of the road. Left battling for his life, Mia (Anna Samson), Tane (Ethan Browne) and Nikau (Kawakawa Fox-Reo) are told that if he does wake up, he may have suffered from permanent brain damage.  Elsewhere, Mackenzie (Emily Weir) is battling with indecision over her pregnancy, but makes a choice after an encounter with Ari. Plus, Ryder (Lukas Radovich) is left confused after Chloe (Sam Barrett) exhibits some behaviour which is completely out of the ordinary. Here’s what’s coming up over the next week on Home and Away. Ari’s life on the line after being hit by a car (Picture: Endemol Shine)Ari has been ...

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News

Two men rescued from Valley Glen home explosion

Two men were rescued in Valley Glen on Sunday night, April 11, after a single-family home was severely damaged in an explosion on West Archwood Street, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. One man was transported to a local hospital with critical burn injuries while the second man was reportedly conscious and talking with firefighters, according to Margaret Stewart with LAFD. The incident at 12739 West Archwood Street was first reported by LAFD at 9:48 p.m. Firefighters were also working to access and shut off a gas leak detectable in the air, LAFD said. Information on the cause was not immediately available. Related Articles See how fire engulfed 18-wheeler cab on 5 Freeway in San Fernando Valley 2 hospitalized with smoke exposure in Eagle Ro...

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Business

Dubai parts with curtain covers for restaurants in Ramadan

Dubai is parting with a longstanding requirement that restaurants be covered by curtains in the daytime during Ramadan to shield the sight of food from people fasting. The move, announced Sunday by the city-state's Economic Development Department, is the latest change aimed at boosting tourism in the autocratically ruled Muslim nation. “Restaurants will be allowed to serve customers without putting in place curtains, dividers or facades as has been the mandatory practice previously,” the state-run WAM news agency said. “The new circular replaces circulars issued in previous years that have required restaurants to block dining areas from the sight of those who are fasting.” The new rules also don't require restaurants to obtain special permits to serve food during sunlight hours as well....

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World

Horoscope for Monday, April 12, 2021

Moon Alert Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chicago time. After that, the moon moves from Aries into Taurus. Aries (March 21-April 19) This is a feel-good day! Nevertheless, be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert. This is a creative morning for you. However, after the moon alert is over, your attention turns to money, money, money. Ka-ching! Taurus (April 20-May 20) This morning, be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert. But after it’s over, the moon moves into your sign, which gives you an edge over all the other signs. (Yay!) This means you will take charge when talking to others. Gemini (May 21-June 20) This is a social, fun-loving day, especially in the morning. It’s a creative time; however, during the moon alert, it’s a poor time to sp

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World

Discover the UK’s most amazing self-catering holiday spots now that staycations are back

You can stay in your very own windmill (Picture: Joe Lenton)Rejoice – we can go on holiday again! Today’s rule change means that self-catering staycations are back and better than ever after a very, very long break. Okay, so you might still have to cook for yourself, but with breathtaking, quirky, and luxurious holiday homes like these available to book, that doesn’t seem like such a hardship. From windmills to giant conkers, let’s see where you could be staying. Red Kite Conker, Black Mountains World conker-ingThere’s glamping and there’s this. On a hillside in a pastoral pocket of Mid Wales north of the Black Mountains, the futuristic Red Kite Conker reckons to be a world first – and probably is. You’d certainly do well to find another off-grid spherical pod made fro

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