NASA has awarded the University of Washington a $499,864 grant to develop a competition that calls on students to turn a simulated lava tube into a habitat suitable for harboring humans on the moon or Mars. The exploration and habitation skills competition will be funded as part of NASA's Artemis Student Challenges program, which plays off the themes of the Artemis moon program to inspire the next generation of explorers and engineers. The competition will involve navigating a rover through a facsimile lava tube and surface structures, generating maps, identifying valuable resources and deploying an airtight barrier to seal the… Read More

As Elon Musk's Starlink and Jeff Bezos's Project Kuiper race to create high-speed internet using satellites orbiting Earth, there's a small problem that could get in the way: debris. From dead spacecraft that have been around since the dawn of the space age to flecks of paint smashing windows on the International Space Station, rubbish is clogging up our orbits. And with objects moving as fast as 15,500mph (25,000 kmph), the satellite services we've come to depend on are at constant risk of collision. So how to fix the problem with junk in space? Ian Anderson investigates

Exclusive: report criticising government lockdown proposals heavily redacted before release

• Coronavirus – latest updates
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Government scientific advisers are furious at what they see as an attempt to censor their advice on government proposals during the Covid-19 lockdown by heavily redacting an official report before it was released to the public, the Guardian can reveal.

The report was one of a series of documents published by the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (Sage) this week to mollify growing criticism about the lack of transparency over the advice given to ministers responding to the coronavirus.

Letter seeks to dispel view that Prof Neil Ferguson was single architect of lockdown idea

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A group of leading UK scientists have insisted that the scientific basis for the coronavirus lockdown is the work of a large group of experts, and that epidemiologist Prof Neil Ferguson is just one voice among many.

In a letter co-ordinated by Dr Thibaut Jombart, an associate professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, more than 25 prominent scientists said debates after Ferguson’s “individual error” – in which he flouted lockdown rules by receiving visits at home from his lover – had amplified a misconception that he alone persuaded the government to change policy.

Airport’s boss says global standard for screening is crucial to restoring confidence

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Heathrow will start using thermal cameras to carry out temperature checks on passengers within the next fortnight, as it called for common health screening standards around the world for air travellers.

The UK’s busiest airport said it would trial thermal cameras capable of monitoring the temperature of people in the immigration halls, initially in Terminal 2.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford dropped by his cottage last month, days after asking the province’s residents to stay away from theirs. His office says Ford "drove alone" and was there for less than an hour to check on construction.

Alberta's police watchdog have released new details about an armed confrontation that left one person dead and a police officer seriously injured.

The mother of a newborn wants to see her own mother cuddle the baby, while adult children must rely on virtual connections with their elderly mother. COVID-19 proves challenging physically and emotionally for many this Mother's Day.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Israel next week for a brief visit amid the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, a trip that’s expected to focus on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to annex portions of the West Bank, the State Department said Friday. Pompeo will make the lightning trip to Jerusalem to see Netanyahu and his new coalition partner Benny Gantz on Wednesday as the Trump administration tries to return to business as normal by resuming governmental travel and reopening an economy devastated by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Kenyans are afraid that money set aside to tackle the virus is being misspent, writes Waihiga Mwaura.

Comcast hasn't enforced data cap since March 13 because of pandemic.

Pandemic disrupts broadband progress as cities halt construction.

Data can be retrieved even after owners perform a factory reset, researcher says.

Canada's chief public health officer Theresa Tam was quick to shut down the approach during the daily ministerial update on Monday.

The agreement would be the latest effort to cultivate allies around NASA’s plan to put humans and space stations on the moon within the next decade, and comes as the civilian space agency plays a growing role in implementing American foreign policy.

About this Episode On Episode 110 of Voices in AI, Byron speaks with Didem Un Ates, the Senior Director of AI…

These are trying times, not least because corporate life needs to go on, which for millions of businesses means delivering compute resources…

What is Value Stream Management? Value Stream Management (VSM) is the TLA du jour among software development tools, so is it relevant…

A video interview with Canada’s AI secretary general on crisis and opportunity. 

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Other researchers have rejected the findings and say dog owners do not need to be concerned

'This is the first time we've ever looked inside a comet from outside our solar system, and it is dramatically different from most other comets we've seen before'

A set of asteroids that came from outside our solar system have been hiding in plain sight, according to scientists.

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The social media site says it has removed over 4.5 million reblogs in an attempt to rid the site of hateful content on the platform.

EA Access 12 Month Xbox One Membership Card Global $22.99

https://www.bcdkey.com/ea-access-12-month-xbox-one-membership-card-global.html

Not sure if it was a glitch or intentional, but I got a notice this morning saying that my copy of Final Fantasy Remake Standard Edition had shipped.  That made me happy enough, as I was afraid it might be delayed - had it pre-ordered on Amazon but it shifted to delivery unknown earlier in the week so I canceled it.  But, back on topic - about 3 hours later I got a message that I had a 25 dollar reward.  I did not have anywhere near that many points before so I looked for where they came from.  When I clicked on the Final Fantasy VII Remake purchase, this is what it said:

Total Points: 1142

My Best Buy Visa Purchase Bonus - 83

$10 Dollar Certificate for Final Fantasy VII Preorder - 500

$10 Dollar Certificate for Final Fantasy VII Preorder - 500

Base Points - 59

Did this happen to anyone else?  Considering I preordered it when I still had Gamers Club - so got it for 51.23 ... this has been an especially Cheap Ass Gamer type of purchase.

P.S.  Sigh, I really miss Gamers Club.  Hate spending 64.04 on new releases (that includes local tax).

https://www.gamestop.com/video-games/playstation-4/games/products/final-fantasy-vii-remake-deluxe-edition/11094733.html

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Xbox-One-X-1TB-Black-Console-as-is-for-repair-or-parts-only/264227168298

YMMV obviously--I ordered two of these a month ago and they have been running fine for me.  All I had to do was reinstall the newest system update and they have both been fine with no issues.  One system's issue noted was "freezes" and the other was "no video". 

It says he has only 2 in stock, but I bought two a while back and the listing has remained active for the entire time with stock available, so he probably leaves the number low to keep demand going. This is probably a bulk buyer who doesn't extensively troubleshoot the systems.  I am not affiliated with the seller.  Cosmetically, the systems are nice enough to trade in without taking a refurb fee when stores re-open for business.

GameStop’s Pro Day Sale

Note:

For 4/18 only, Pro Deals for ALL at GameStop.com. 

On Saturday only, if you aren't a Pro Member, score 5,000 bonus points when you become a Power Up Rewards member and Pro Members score 2x points per dollar spent. See some of the top offers below!

Top Offers:

• Save $70 on a Pre-Owned 1TB PlayStation 4 Pro System only $269.99
• Save $100 on the limited edition Xbox One X 1TB NBA 2K20 Console only $299.99
• Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle only $16.99 (over 70% off)
• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint only $14.99 (75% off)
• Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order only $38.99 (35% off)
• $10 off Madden 20 only $19.99
• $40 off NBA 2K20 only $19.99
• Mortal Kombat only $18.99 (52% off)
• $40 off Borderlands 3 only $19.99
• Buy 2 Get 1 Free All $11.99 Pop! Figures
• Save $30 on Red Dead Redemption II now only $29.99
• Save $80 on Arcade1Up Mortal Kombat Arcade Cabinet with Riser now only $299.99
• Just Dance 2020 only $18.99 (52% off)
• Only $10 all T-Shirts (Excludes Clearance)
• Save up to $35 on select games

GameStop’s Pro Day Sale