First real world covid-19 vaccine studies show ‘spectacular’ results

One dose of coronavirus vaccine cut hospitalisations in Scotland by up to 94 per cent, while further analysis shows a significant drop in death rates in the over-80s Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2268769-first-real-world-covid-19-vaccine-studies-show-spectacular-results/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Authorities Arrest SIM Swapping Gang that Targeted Celebrities

Eight men were arrested across England and Scotland this week as part of a coordinated crackdown against a SIM swapping gang that has hijacked the identities and social media profiles of US celebrities. From a report: The UK National Crime Agency, which made the arrests on Tuesday, said the gang targeted well-known sports stars, musicians, and influencers, primarily located in the…

Ransomware Attackers Try Publishing 4,000 Scottish Government Agency Files

Threatpost reports:
On the heels of a ransomware attack against the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), attackers have now reportedly published more than 4,000 files stolen from the agency — including contracts and strategy documents. After hitting SEPA on Christmas Eve with the attack, cybercriminals encrypted 1.2GB of information. The attack has affected SEPA’s email systems, which remain offline as of Thursday,…

People in Scotland to be asked about reintroducing lynx to the country

Conservationists are taking the first step towards a potential reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx to Scotland, with the launch of a year-long study into public attitudes Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2265214-people-in-scotland-to-be-asked-about-reintroducing-lynx-to-the-country/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

The myths behind the southern and northern lights

For millennia, humans have viewed the northern and southern lights – aurora borealis and aurora australis – and created myths and folklore to explain the dancing lights they saw in the sky. Source: https://earthsky.org/human-world/legends-folklore-myths-northern-southern-lights-auroras…

New Era for UK as It Completes Separation From European Union

A new era has begun for the United Kingdom after it completed its formal separation from the European Union. From a report: The UK stopped following EU rules at 23:00 GMT, as replacement arrangements for travel, trade, immigration and security co-operation came into force.
Boris Johnson said the UK had “freedom in our hands” and the ability to do things “differently and…

UK Use of Software Linked To Russia-Hack Runs Deep

The little-known Texas software company that’s been attacked by suspected Russian hackers has a sprawling reach among U.K. government agencies, potentially putting clients from the National Health Service to police forces at risk. From a report: SolarWinds, which fell victim to hackers who put a “backdoor” in the software giving them access to users’ computer networks, has been deployed by the…

UK Becomes the First Country To Approve Pfizer/BioNTech Coronavirus Vaccine, Roll Out To Start Next Week

Hope Thelps shares a report: The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, paving the way for mass vaccination. Britain’s medicines regulator, the MHRA, says the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19 illness, is safe to be rolled out. The first doses are already on their way to the UK,…