BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Rules on free lateral flow and PCR Covid tests published
Free Covid tests will still be available for some groups, including NHS staff caring directly for patients, the government has confirmed as it winds down the service for the public. From 1 April, most people will have to pay for a lateral flow test in England. It is part of the government's 'living with Covid' plan, although levels of the virus are high, with an estimated one in 16 people infect ... Read more
2022-03-29 20:14:47
More must reconsider Russian anti-virus software use, UK warns
The National Cyber Security Centre has said more organisations should reconsider the risk of using Russian technology, including anti-virus software. But in a blog post published today, it said that for most individual users it is safe to use Kaspersky's software. Germany recently suggested replacing Kaspersky anti-virus. The Russia-headquartered firm said the German warnings were "made on ... Read more
2022-03-29 20:13:44
Covid: Free parking for NHS hospital staff in England to end this week
Free parking for NHS hospital staff in England introduced as a result of the pandemic will end on Friday, the government says. Parking fees were waived in March 2020, but Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the pandemic had moved to a new stage. He said over 93% of NHS trusts charging for parking have implemented free parking "for those in greatest need", including NHS staff working over ... Read more
2022-03-29 20:13:19
TikTok hit by another lawsuit over working conditions for its content moderators
New York (CNN Business)TikTok has been hit with another lawsuit from former content moderators who claim the job traumatized them. Ashley Velez and Reece Young, former contract content moderators for TikTok, allege that their work involved reviewing "unfiltered, disgusting and offensive content," including "child sexual abuse, rape, torture, bestiality, beheadings, suicide, and mur ... Read more
2022-03-28 20:50:03
InnoView 15.8″ Portable Display: More Screen Space for Small Devices
The InnoView 15.8″ portable monitor is one of the latest entries in the China-based manufacturer’s growing inventory of affordable, lightweight monitors. Carry-around monitors can be a frustrating accessory. Too many variables risk product dissatisfaction. Performance and features can be lacking, and they might be compatible with only some of your devices. The growing use of smartphones and tabl ... Read more
2022-03-28 20:49:01
Apple reportedly cuts production of its new iPhone SE by 20%
Apple is scaling back production of its new budget iPhone SE due to weaker-than-expected demand, Nikkei Asia reported Monday. The company has reportedly asked suppliers to cut production of the iPhone SE, its new $429 budget 5G phone, by about 2 million units to 3 million units, or about 20% of the initial orders, according to the publication. Apple also reduced orders for AirPods by about 10 mil ... Read more
2022-03-28 20:48:20
Partygate: Met Police to issue first fines, sources say
The first fines for breaches of Covid-19 lockdown rules as part of a police inquiry into government parties will be issued soon, the BBC has been told. The Metropolitan Police will issue at least 15 fixed-penalty fines initially and could start on Tuesday, Westminster sources suggest. The investigation of 12 events held across government began in January. It came after an internal inquiry passe ... Read more
2022-03-28 20:39:32
Ukraine war: Major internet provider suffers cyber-attack
Ukraine's national telecoms operator Ukrtelecom is restoring internet services after driving back a major cyber-attack. The company said it restricted customer access to protect military users and critical infrastructure. Global internet monitor Netblocks said it was the most severe disruption to affect Ukrtelecom since Russia's invasion of Ukraine started last month. Netblocks said it saw a co ... Read more
2022-03-28 20:38:46
P&O Ferries sackings: Ferry operators face minimum wage law change
Ministers plan to force all ferry operators operating from UK ports pay at least the National Minimum Wage, in a bid to persuade P&O Ferries to reinstate 800 workers it has sacked. Legislation will be introduced in the Commons later this week. A source says Transport Secretary Grant Shapps hopes the company will "see reason and step back". But unions have said workers should be re ... Read more
2022-03-27 20:19:24
Gruinard Island: Fire on island used for Anthrax experiments
An uninhabited Scottish island where government scientists once conducted experiments with Anthrax has been hit by a fire. People who saw the fire on Gruinard Island from the mainland described the scene as "apocalyptic". They said the uninhabited island off Scotland's north-west coast was ablaze from "one end to the other" on Saturday evening. The island was used for germ w ... Read more
2022-03-27 20:18:58