Author: Staff Writer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it cleared Pfizer’s antiviral pill, Paxlovid, to treat COVID-19. Paxlovid can be used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and paediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg [88 lbs]) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalisation or death. This is the first pill authorised to treat the virus in the midst of infection. “Today’s authorization of Paxlovid represents another tremendous example of how science will help us ultimately defeat this…
The US Army says it is testing a COVID-19 vaccine it believes could work against any and all coronavirus variants, including Omicron. A series of recently published preclinical study results show that the Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle (SpFN) COVID-19 vaccine developed by researchers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) not only elicits a potent immune response. The jab may also provide broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern as well as other coronaviruses. The SpFN nanoparticle vaccine is developed from the ferritin platform. Pre-clinical studies published today in Science Translational Medicine indicate that the SpFN vaccine protects non-human…
LG Electronics’ (LG) new CEO William Cho announced the company’s priorities for 2022, communicating the importance of being even more strategic in the new year to increase customer value and strengthen existing businesses while preparing for all future possibilities. In his end-of-year employee address, CEO Cho also voiced his appreciation to all staff for a successful 2021 that saw much change and growth amidst the challenges of an evolving global market. “We will do what needs to be done to make management more agile and have the courage to implement new ways to meet the demands of a fast-changing business…
Inspiring stories have the power to ignite a flame of hope in our lives that lights up the future. They help us explain our shared experiences of perseverance, triumph and change, and offer meaning and community in darker days. Planned to go into production towards the end of February 2022, Rocket Boy is a story so inspiring it is sure to capture the hearts of the world. Produced by founder, executive producer and owner of Coal Stove Pictures – Wandile Molebatsi – Rocket Boy follows the uniquely African narrative of an exciting young black scientist Siyabulela Xuza who won The…
Professor Herman Singh has been appointed as an independent non-executive director of the African Bank. His appointment was with effect from 21 December 2021. “We are extremely excited about Herman’s appointment as a non-executive director,” said Thabo Dloti, the Chairman of the African Bank Board. “His passion for technology and digital evolution together with his strong business and finance experience will add immense value to the Board and its committees.” Singh holds a Degree in Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits), a Post Graduate qualification in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He served as an…
Many of us leave shopping for the last minute during the holiday season, only to find ourselves scrambling around a busy shopping mall panic-buying things we don’t really need. But in today’s digital age, there’s a much more convenient way to cross items off our shopping lists. A 2020 survey by Mastercard revealed that more than half of South Africans are now shopping online, opting for the safety of contactless transactions due to COVID-19. Online shopping has undoubtedly revolutionised the retail sector, allowing consumers to browse a much wider variety of products and services and find exactly what they’re looking…
Captain Fresh, a tech-enabled B2B seafood marketplace, announced today that it has raised $40 million or R842 million in a Series B investment round co-led by Tiger Global and Prosus Ventures. Existing investors Matrix Partners India, Accel India, Ankur Capital, and Incubate Fund have also participated in the round. “For centuries, the fish and seafood industry has stayed the same with very little innovation and we have a unique opportunity to revolutionise the sector utilising technology,” Utham Gowda, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Captain Fresh. “We are thrilled to have investors like Tiger, Prosus Ventures, Accel and Matrix believe in…
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, tomorrow will switch off the analogue transmitter in the North-West (NW) Province. The minister and Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, the chairman of communications regulator ICASA, will travel to Zeerust in North West to oversee the switching off of the last analogue transmitter in the province. The event, taking place at the Zeerust Transmitter Site in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality,. The switching off of the last analogue transmitter in the NW Province will make way for the continued implementation of the digital migration process. “We are indeed grateful to be part of…
MTN in partnership with ayoba, Africa’s Super App, has reached an exciting milestone of over 10 million monthly active users. 2021 has been a fast-paced year so far for ayoba, who celebrated its second year in operation in May 2021. The ayoba platform aims to harness growth in the African digital economy by breaking down barriers such as limited access to the internet and digital services, low smartphone penetration, lack of locally relevant content, and affordability. “We celebrate this milestone and are pleased that through ayoba we can provide access to affordable communications, so that millions of people across our…
The first-ever BMW iX, the new technology flagship, is available for sale in South Africa and is retailing from R1.65 million. The BMW iX is a modern Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) that has been designed from the inside out and redefines the idea of interior spaciousness and luxury. Prices: BMW iX xDrive40 – R1,650,000 BMW iX xDrive50 – R2,175,000 BMW iX prices in South Africa include a complimentary Wallbox charger and installation*, free charging at any BMW-branded charging stations, free insurance for the first year, and a year’s subscription to the Charge Point Operator’s network portal. The BMW iX redefines…