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UK health watchdog may investigate coronavirus deaths

Lawyers say failure to provide adequate PPE may amount to corporate manslaughter

The deaths of more than 50 hospital and care home workers have been reported to Britain’s health and safety regulator, which is considering launching criminal investigations, the Guardian has learned.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which investigates the breaking of safety at work laws, has received 54 formal reports of deaths in health and care settings “where the source of infection is recorded as Covid-19”. These are via the official reporting process, called Riddor: Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences.

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No 10 scientific advisers warned of black market in fake coronavirus test results

Sage told widespread use of antibody tests could lead to criminal behaviour, papers reveal

Downing Street’s scientific advisers feared people might intentionally seek to contract coronavirus and that a black market in fake test results could emerge if employers allowed workers to return only when they had a positive antibody test.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, known as Sage, was warned last month by its behavioural psychology subgroup that the widespread introduction of antibody tests could lead to a range of potentially dangerous and even criminal “negative behavioural responses” if not handled well.

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Widower seeks class-action lawsuit against N.S. gunman's estate

A man whose wife was killed in the April mass shooting in Nova Scotia is the plaintiff named in a proposed class-action lawsuit against the estate of the deceased gunman, denturist Gabriel Wortman.



  • News/Canada/Nova Scotia

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Lethbridge stormtrooper takedown now to be investigated by external police force

Lethbridge police are being investigated by an outside force after handcuffing a woman in a stormtrooper costume outside a Star Wars-themed business earlier this week. But still the force faces accusations that not enough is being done to investigate what happened.



  • News/Canada/Calgary

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COVID-19 expected to peak in world's poorest countries soon, UN says

The United Nations said a "smart strategy" is to contain coronavirus in the world's most vulnerable countries to stem a "further phase of the pandemic."





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VP Pence's press secretary tests positive for coronavirus

Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary has the coronavirus, the White House said Friday, making her the second person who works at the White House complex known to test positive for the virus this week. President Donald Trump, who publicly identified the affected Pence aide, said he was “not worried” about the virus spreading in the White House. Pence spokeswoman Katie Miller, who tested positive Friday, had been in recent contact with Pence but not with the president.





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Police drop investigation into Brexit campaigners accused of breaching spending rules

Police have dropped an investigation into two prominent Brexit campaigners accused of breaching spending rules during the referendum campaign. In 2018 the Electoral commission said that Alan Halsall, of Vote Leave, and Darren Grimes, founder of pro-Brexit youth group BeLeave, failed to declare a payment related to the campaign. The watchdog said that BeLeave "spent more than £675,000 with (Canadian data firm) Aggregate IQ under a common plan with Vote Leave". This spending took Vote Leave over its £7 million legal spending limit by almost £500,000. Vote Leave paid a £61,000 fine, but denied wrongdoing, while Mr Grimes won an appeal against his £20,000 fine in July. The Commission also referred the pair to the Metropolitan Police but on Friday it was revealed that the investigations had now been dropped. A spokesman for the Leave campaigners said: "The Metropolitan Police has written to Vote Leave board member Alan Halsall and BeLeave founder Darren Grimes to confirm that it will not be acting on allegations made against them by the Electoral Commission and various Remain campaigners. "This marks the end of a two-year ordeal for both individuals." Mr Grimes, 26, said the development called into question whether the Electoral Commission was "fit for purpose". He had insisted since the allegations were first made that he was "completely innocent" of making false declarations in relation to the £680,000 donation. In a statement, Mr Grimes, a former fashion student originally from County Durham, said: "The Metropolitan Police has found, after investigation and consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, that there is no case to be answered. "Once again the Electoral Commission has been found to be part of the mob, a quango out of control that isn't policing elections so much as punishing Leavers who have the temerity to win them. "My ordeal at the hands of the kangaroo court that is the Electoral Commission is now over, but questions must now be asked of whether that body is fit for purpose." Mr Halsall, the responsible person for Vote Leave, said he was "delighted to have been exonerated" and thanked the police for their "professional" investigation. "I was very disappointed that my colleagues at Vote Leave and myself were never given the opportunity of making our case in person to the Electoral Commission before being fined and reported to the police," he added. "It seems a rather unusual way of conducting an inquiry into such matters that only the so-called whistleblowers who made these allegations are interviewed by the regulator." A spokesman for the Met said an investigation into the Electoral Commission's allegations against Vote Leave and BeLeave, submitted on July 17 2018, was handed over in October to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). "On Tuesday, March 3 preliminary advice was received from the CPS," said the force spokesman. "This advice has now been duly considered and no further action will be taken."





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Virus restrictions reimposed amid patchwork re-openings

As coronavirus-induced economic pain grew around the world, some U.S. states moved forward Friday with plans to reopen their economies, while European countries held muted commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II on the continent. Around the U.K., residents were encouraged to stand on their doorsteps and sing together while socially distanced to commemorate the Allies' victory over Nazi Germany. Meanwhile, South Korea, seen as a model for containing COVID-19, ordered nightclubs closed for a month and considered delaying a school restart after an uptick in coronavirus cases.





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Lawyers: Investigators recommend whistleblower is reinstated

Federal investigators have found “reasonable grounds” that a government whistleblower was punished for speaking out against widespread use of an unproven drug that President Donald Trump touted as a remedy for COVID-19, his lawyers said. Dr. Rick Bright headed the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, a unit of Department of Health and Human Services that focuses on countermeasures to infectious diseases and bioterrorism. The OSC is an agency that investigates allegations of egregious personnel practices in government.





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NY's Cuomo criticized over highest nursing home death toll

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has won bipartisan praise for rallying supplies for his ravaged hospitals and helping slow the coronavirus, is coming under increasing criticism for not bringing that same level of commitment to a problem that has so far stymied him: nursing homes. In part-lecture, part-cheerleading briefings that have made him a Democratic counter to President Donald Trump, Cuomo has often seemed dismissive and resigned to defeat when asked about his state leading the nation in nursing home deaths. “We’ve tried everything to keep it out of a nursing home, but it’s virtually impossible,” Cuomo told reporters.





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Comcast resists call to open home Wi-Fi hotspots, cites potential congestion

"Comcast's excuse simply does not add up," three US senators say.





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New discovery suggests London's story goes back more than 3,000 years longer than previously thought

Evidence points to London being a ceremonial site from the fourth millennium BC




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Exercise may directly protect against liver cancer, study suggests

Experiment in mice indicates exercise provides high level of protection from cancer, even among those with diabetes and obesity




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Electricity usage suggests we're living every day like a perpetual weekend

As people retreat to their homes, a group of analysts have seen a significant decrease in fuel consumption in the UK's largest sectors as transport reduces and offices and businesses close




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Genes could affect body's coronavirus response, research on twins suggests

DNA blueprint 50-per-cent responsible for presentation of key coronavirus symptoms, study finds




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Microplastics prevent hermit crabs from choosing the best shells

Ocean pollution 'threatening biodiversity more than is currently recognised', warn researchers




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Science news in brief: From a deep-space mystery to the longest creature in the ocean

And other stories from around the world




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UK's largest bird of prey returns to England for first time in 240 years

White-tailed eagles last seen on Isle of Wight in 1780





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RiteAid BonusCash rewards for Apr 5-11, 2020 ... 20% ROI on Xbox, GameStop, Apple, Google, Netflix, Nike, Panera, Fandango, AMC, & Regal GC's

It's a bumper crop of BonusCash at your local Rite-Aid this week, with not 1, 2, 3, but 4 gaming GC's, and 1 of those gives you even more options!

  • Nike, GameStop, Netflix ... $5 BonusCash when you buy $25 of these items.*
  • Google Play, AMC Theatres, Apple AppStore/iTunes, Fandango, XBOX, Panera Bread, Regal Theatres ... $6 BonusCash when you buy $30 of these items.*

FYI, "GameStop" is a big win, because not only can you purchase (additional) XBOX, PSN, Nintendo, and Steam credit there, but you order the GC credit from their website, and get a redemption code instantly after checkout.
 
For those who are new to the "Rite-Aid wellness+ reward BonusCash" program, you'll receive the $$$ amount when you purchase the minimum amount specified. Gift-cards within the same bullet-point share the same "limit 2 offers per customer", but you can earn rewards on the other bullet-point lines as well. For example, you can purchase $25 each of GameStop & Netflix (or $50 of GameStop) ... and still be able to purchase another $60 mix of Google & Apple & XBOX, and can stagger your 4 GC purchases throughout the week.

Screenshot of 2 separate GC offers (bullet points) included here:

Spoiler


Small print (at bottom of weekly ad) and BonusCash T&C's included here:
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FYI ... the limit of "2 offers per customer" is tracked by your "wellness+ rewards" account, so you'll need to limit yourself to 2 offers per line item throughout the week, and not just "2 per transaction" or "2 per day". At the time of purchase, your printed receipt will indicate how many of the "limit 2" you've met, but neither the website nor register will indicate ...

  • if you've met the limit of 2 items per BonusCash group with the current transaction, or
  • if the transaction you're about to complete exceeds the limit of 2 per week, or
  • when your BonusCash rewards will expire.

Luckily the mobile RiteAid app (and website) list your individual accumulation & cashing out on a per transaction basis, so that's a good way to keep tabs on the expiration dates, since you only get 30 days to spend the BonusCash once earned. Good luck!

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    Slay the Spire (PS4) - $8.99, (Switch) - $21.99 at Best Buy

    I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet since its been going on for a few days now.  Great game.  Price before GCU.

     

    Slay the Spire (PS4) - $8.99

    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/slay-the-spire-standard-edition-playstation-4/6379879.p?skuId=6379879

     

    Slay the Spire (Switch) - $21.99

    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/slay-the-spire-standard-edition-nintendo-switch/6379876.p?skuId=6379876












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    GameStop Pro Day - 4/18 - Not Just for Pro Members Anymore

    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

     

     

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    Best Buy Deal of the Day $7.99 Games and amiibo Figures

    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/promo/save-select-collectibles

     

    Xbox One

    Shadow of the Tomb Raider

    Dragon Ball FighterZ

    Vampyr

    Battlefield 1 Revolution

    Monster Energy Supercross 2

    We Happy Few

    NBA 2K19

    WWE 2K19

    Shaq Fu

    LA Noire

    Middle Earth Shadow of War

    PUBG

     

    PS4

    Vampyr

    Battlefield 1 Revolution

    Monster Energy Supercross 2

    Yakuza Kiwami

    Banner Saga Trilogy Bonus Edition

    Titanfall 2

    Shaq Fu

    Middle Earth Shadow of War

     

    Switch

    Banner Saga Trilogy

     

    amiibo

    Wii Fit Trainer

    Zero Suit Samus

     

    PC

    Dishonored 2




    est

    Fortnite Darkfire Bundle (PS4/XB1/Switch) $14.99 & BOGO Fortnite Figures at Best Buy - DotD

    Fortnite Darkfire Bundle (PS4/XB1/Switch) $14.99  msrp $29.99

    Amazon has the PS4 version for the same price.

     

    BOGO Fortnite Figures

     

    Other Fornite deals:

    Buy any v-bucks card, get the SteelSeries - Arctis 1 Wireless Stereo Gaming Headset for PC for $59.99

     

     

    Here's what the Darkfire Bundle includes:

    https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/darkfire

    Spoiler
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    Doom Eternal $39.99 at Best Buy

    First time I’ve seen it discounted. With return windows extended until May 31st, you may be eligible for price match even if you bought it at launch.

    Xbox One https://www.bestbuy.com/site/doom-eternal-standard-edition-xbox-one/6255282.p?skuId=6255282

    PS4 https://www.bestbuy.com/site/doom-eternal-standard-edition-playstation-4/6255267.p?skuId=6255267

    Windows https://www.bestbuy.com/site/doom-eternal-standard-edition-windows/6255255.p?skuId=6255255






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    Gamestop 20%/30%/40%/50% Off, One Day Flash Sale - Update Extended through 5/9




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    Two Men Are Arrested And Charged With A Murder Of Ahmaud Arbery

    Georgia State Bureau of Investigation has arrested suspects in the shooting death of an unarmed black jogger, Ahmaud Arbery. It would have been Arbery's 26th birthday on Friday.




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    Tyson's Largest Pork Plant Reopens As Tests Show Surge In Coronavirus Cases

    The Tyson Foods plant in Waterloo, Iowa, reopened Thursday after a coronavirus outbreak there. Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson says he'd support a second shutdown if the changes aren't enough.




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    What Happened Today: Health Care System Crumbles, Testing Questions

    Marc Lipsitch, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, answers questions about access to testing for COVID-19, false-negative results and the challenges of mass testing.




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    Boris Johnson to act with ‘maximum caution’ in easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions

    Boris Johnson has insisted he will act with “maximum caution” in any measures aimed at easing the lockdown




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    Bank of England warns UK faces deepest recession for centuries

    The UK is facing the deepest recession not just in living memory but for centuries, the Bank of England has warned




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    ‘The pain and cost of rebuilding must be borne by those with the broadest shoulders not with another 10 years of austerity’ -Justin Welby on dealing with aftermath of Covid-19

    Tomorrow marks 75 since the nation celebrated VE day - the end of fighting against Nazi Germany in Europe.




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    4 Best Epoxy for Plastic in 2020

    Plastic is one of the commonest materials suited to be used for a wide array of home appliances. This is a material that can be both highly durable and highly flexible. At the same time, it can be really tough to find the right kind of glue for it since many of the products that […]

    The post 4 Best Epoxy for Plastic in 2020 appeared first on Chart Attack.





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    Google data suggests Canadians following COVID-19 rules, but experts wary over privacy

    While location-tracking technology is nothing new, privacy and ethics experts have been wary about its use on such a large scale — especially by governments.




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    First at-home saliva test to detect coronavirus authorized by U.S. FDA

    Rutgers received the U.S. FDA's permission last month to collect saliva samples from patients at test sites and Friday's decision expands the permission to sample collection at the convenience of people's homes.