NHS hospitals use blockchain technology to track and monitor vaccines January 19, 2021 Two NHS hospitals are utilising blockchain technology to track Covid-19 vaccines in a ‘world’s first’ initiative revealed this morning. Monitoring the storage and supply of the temperature-sensitive vaccine, Everyware and Hedera Hashgraph are working to strengthen record-keeping and data-sharing across the supply chains. The hospitals, based in Stratford-upon Avon and Warwick, expanded their use of [...]
Lotus owner Geely to develop smart car technology with Tencent January 19, 2021 Lotus and Volvo owner Geely announced this morning it has signed an agreement with Tencent to develop smart vehicle technology. The company said it aims to transform car cockpits to enable more mobility service applications, alongside testing autonomous driving. The Geely and Tencent partnership is the latest in a series of tech and auto companies [...]
Chinese regulator approves Cisco acquisition of Acacia January 19, 2021 China’s market regulator has approved the acquisition of Acacia Communications by Cisco Systems. China’s market regulator, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), said that, provided both companies comply with a ‘set of conditions’, the sale can go ahead.
British Army to establish 80 new vaccine centres in Scotland January 18, 2021 British Army soldiers will help to launch 80 new Covid-19 vaccine centres throughout Scotland over the next four weeks. The deployment follows a ‘patchy’ vaccine roll-out in Scotland, according to the British Medical Association. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) said it had deployed 98 soldiers to identify suitable sites and support vaccine deliveries. Matt Hancock [...]
Govt gets 123 complaints over tendering of public procurement contracts January 18, 2021 The government has received 123 official complaints over the tendering of public procurement contracts, commercial law firm EMW said this morning. The research follows scrutiny of government procurement practices throughout the pandemic, with questions being raised over how PPE contracts have been awarded during Covid-19. Principal at EMW James Geary said: “Covid PPE contracts have [...]
Meggitt posts revenue fall but hopes vaccine roll-out will boost air travel January 15, 2021 Aerospace engineer Meggitt is “well placed” for recovery after it secured £1.7bn in revenue, in one of the toughest years for air travel. Despite a revenue fall of £500m compared to last year, a spokesperson for Meggitt said that it remained “well placed” for recovery. The vaccine roll-out, coupled with cabin fever, has provided Meggitt [...]
Babcock shares plunge nearly 20 per cent before profitability review January 15, 2021 Babcock shares sank this morning after it said £100m had been shaved from its profit.
Home Office: 150,000 fingerprint, DNA and arrest history records accidentally deleted January 15, 2021 Priti Patel is facing a backlash after the Home Office accidentally lost 150,000 fingerprint, DNA and arrest history records. The mistake on the Police National Computer (PNC) may mean that offenders could go free due to evidence not being flagged in connection to fingerprints or DNA, according to multiple reports. The PNC reportedly suffered an [...]
Aveva enjoys strong third quarter as OSIsoft deal nears completion January 15, 2021 Aveva has enjoyed a strong third quarter which saw its revenue grow 1.5 per cent in the first nine months ahead of OSIsoft deal closure. The industrial software company also ended the year with no debt and £2.7b in cash. Aveva’s approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for the [...]
Post-Brexit delays are ‘teething problems’, says minister January 14, 2021 Environmental secretary George Eustice told the House of Commons earlier today that post-Brexit customs delays, currently heavily impacting Scottish fishing exports, are only “teething problems”. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called the backlog “shameful” on Twitter last night, in a push for compensation for Scottish fishermen. Eustice said that the government will ‘remain open’ to [...]
