Data security plan

THE NEW Covid vaccine app is being trialled in the next two weeks on routes between London and Singapore, with hopes to launch more widely soon after. Created by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the app, which will store evidence of a negative coronavirus test as well as proof of vaccinations, has raised hopes of summer holidays resuming. Nick Careen, the industry trade body's senior vice president for airport passenger cargo and security, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that "quite a few" governments have shown an interest in the app. Asked whether UK passengers would be able to use paper records as proof of vaccination or would need to upload digital evidence, Mr Careen said: "The chances are it will be a combination of the two. "Speaking specifically for the UK, there have been discussions and there have been some announcements in terms of digitising, and there is a digital record through the NHS of your vaccination regardless of how it is being … [Read more...] about Boost for holidays as new vaccine passport app for international travel launches in next two weeks

German health officials have U-turned on the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and recommended it is safe for use on over-65s. The German health ministry said on Thursday that its independent vaccine committee has now formally approved the COVID-19 jab for use in that age group. It comes after disproved claims in Europe that the jab was as little as 8% effective among the elderly. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world German health officials have also said that delaying the second dose of the Oxford jab by 12 weeks - as the UK is doing - increases its efficacy. Advertisement Health minister Jens Spahn said the change in position is "good news for older people who are waiting for a vaccination", adding: "They will get vaccinated faster." Germany had previously claimed that there was not enough reliable efficacy data to allow the AstraZeneca jab to be used on the over-65s. More from Covid-19 COVID-19: 'Light at … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Germany U-turns on Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and recommends it for over-65s

Their messiah is no longer in power, but some followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory believe that Donald Trump will return to the throne today. Followers of the wide-ranging movement think the former president is waging a secret war against elite Satan-worshipping paedophiles and will eventually be restored to high office. But why on 4 March? Well, that date was, until the 20th amendment was passed in 1933, the inauguration date for presidents. The fringe belief that is still the rightful date comes from the unfounded claim among some QAnon followers that the US turned from a country to a corporation after the District of Columbia Organic Act in 1871. Advertisement Some claim that any president sworn in before that date is therefore illegitimate. March the 4th began spreading among QAnon followers only days after Joe Biden was sworn in on 20 January. More from US COVID-19: San Diego Zoo's great apes given experimental coronavirus … [Read more...] about Followers of ‘doomsday cult’ QAnon believe Donald Trump will retake power today

According to a global food waste index released on Thursday, some 931 million tons of food waste were generated across the world in 2019. The report, published by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and UK charity WRAP, equates that to 17% of all food available to consumers. At 61%, the majority was created in households. The retail and food service sectors performed better, generating 13% and 26% respectively. The index does not factor in food loss which differs from food waste in that it occurs during production, storage or processing and never reaches the consumer. "If we want to get serious about tackling climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and pollution and waste, businesses, governments and citizens around the world have to do their part to reduce food waste." UNEP Executive Director, Inger Anderson said in a press release. The majority of food waste is generated in the home Food still fit for consumption is often thrown away Six … [Read more...] about True scale of global food waste remains unclear