Governments

There's a lot of news going around today about the French Government's new policy to allow police to remotely take over a suspect's devices, with access to cameras, microphones and GPS data. But if you think that's uncommon, you'd be very mistaken.

A new KFF survey has found 78 percent of Americans believe, or are uncertain about, at least one piece of COVID-19 misinformation. The survey also found more than one third of those polled believe the government is exaggerating the number of COVID-19 deaths.

The European Medicines Agency has issued a broad approval for all adults over the age of 18 to be allowed a third Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose at least six months after a second dose. The advice follows similar recommendations in the United States.

How do rapid antigen COVID-19 tests work? Why did the US government just pledge to buy 280 million of them? And is that even enough to help curb the spread of the virus?

The WHO has called for a global halt on vaccine boosters until at least the end of September to prioritize supplies for poorer nations with unvaccinated vulnerable populations. The goal is to have 10 percent of every country vaccinated within two months.

As England removes all pandemic-related protections experts are warning the decision is “a dangerous and unethical experiment” that may put the health of millions of unvaccinated citizens at risk and provide fertile ground for new SARS-CoV-2 variants.

A five-year trial in Iceland exploring the effects of a shorter working week is reporting positive outcomes. The results suggest cutting just four or five hours from a work week can lead to increases in worker well-being and improvements in productivity.

A study has found a CIA plot to capture Osama Bin Laden led to significant drops in vaccination rates in Pakistan. The plot, a fake vaccination campaign designed to capture children’s DNA samples, was used in anti-vaccine propaganda in the following years.

The UK government has announced a legally binding commitment to hit a 78 percent emissions reduction target by 2035, as compared to 1990 levels, on the way to net zero emissions by 2050. For the first time, this target includes aviation and shipping.

Results from the first year of a small basic income trial in California show those receiving monthly unconditional payments report increased rates of employment and improved mental health. Full results of the 24 month trial will be released next year.

A broad reform bill has been proposed in California that would see the possession and use of a number of psychedelic drugs decriminalized. The bill proposes to expunge all psychedelic-related criminal convictions and allow “social sharing” of the drugs.

New US President Joe Biden has committed to replace the entire 650,000-strong federal fleet with American-made electric vehicles, kicking off what could be a seismic transformation in the US automotive industry. But will it even be possible?