Latest news with #MITC
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Moderna opens UK vaccine manufacturing lab
Covid vaccine manufacturer Moderna has completed a new site in the UK, which it says will help prepare the the country against future pandemics. The Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC) in Harwell, Oxfordshire, is now fully operational and has its manufacturer's license by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Moderna's UK general manager Darius Hughes calls it an "an important pillar of our pandemic preparedness". US company Moderna became a household name during the Covid pandemic, creating successful vaccines using a new technology called mRNA. It used genetic code to create an immune response by giving the body the instructions to protect against the virus. It proved to be one of the fastest routes to developing vaccines during the pandemic, and experts believe the technology could help in other areas such as cancer, flu, and heart disease. Mr Hughes describes the new set up as an "onshore supply chain manufacturing process" that will "really enable us to scale up within 100 days to make British vaccines for the UK public". He adds: "We are working very closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and with other government agencies to make sure we are learning from the previous pandemic, and applying those learnings, and getting ourselves a little bit better prepared should another pandemic be declared." One of the key features of the facility is speed. It is set up to react quickly so manufacturing can change from one vaccine to another as the country needs it. Mr Hughes says: "One week we could be making a couple of million Covid vaccines, the next week we could be making a couple of million norovirus vaccines. It's that level of flexibility. "And even within a season, if the virus might change or mutate... we could get a new code, a new set of messages, and make a new vaccine within weeks." Aside from vaccine production, labs will also process samples from clinical trials working on the development of new drugs, and scientists have already starting looking at the effectiveness of new protections against norovirus. Previously a government-funded facility, known as the Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC), was based in Harwell. It ended up being sold to pharmaceutical company Catalent in 2022 before it was finished. The VMIC had been set up as a not-for-profit company with the aim of combining vaccine research and manufacturing in one place. The establishment of the MITC is part of a ten-year strategic partnership between Moderna and the government, managed by the UKHSA. The government will buy the vaccines made here as part of the deal. The first priority is a new covid vaccine for the NHS for next winter. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Science park chosen for new Moderna vaccine base New vaccine centre sold to company Moderna United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Ya Biladi
09-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Technopark : 24 years of championing Moroccan innovation
Launched at a time when Morocco's entrepreneurial ecosystem was still in its infancy, the Technopark has emerged as a true catalyst for innovation. From the outset, it adopted a holistic support approach, going beyond office space to foster a vibrant ecosystem built on mentorship, networking, and institutional backing. «Here, we embody the dynamic and creative spirit of our community, driving ambition and innovation at the heart of every project», emphasizes Lamiae Benmakhlouf, General Manager of MITC, the company that manages the Technopark. Over the years, the Technopark has evolved into a robust public-private model, backed by a range of institutional and financial partners. This structure has allowed it to deliver services tailored to the evolving needs of entrepreneurs, while maintaining the operational independence crucial to its continued Regional Expansion While Casablanca was home to the first Technopark, its success quickly paved the way for expansion into other strategic regions across Morocco: - Rabat (2012): Located in the heart of the capital, this branch benefits from strong synergies with public institutions and universities, nurturing startups in public services and government tech. Technopark of Rabat - Tangier (2015): Positioned at the gateway to Europe, Tangier's Technopark supports startups specializing in logistics, Industry 4.0, and mobility solutions. Technopark of Tangier - Agadir (2019): In a region known for agriculture and tourism, this site drives innovation in agritech and sustainable development. Technopark of Agadir - Essaouira (2023): The latest addition focuses on digital nomads and the creative industries, drawing on the city's unique cultural appeal. This regional network has allowed the Technopark to meet local needs while fostering a national innovation Ecosystem Serving Startups. A major strength of the Technopark lies in the breadth and synergy of its services : - Flexible workspaces & networking: Fully equipped offices, coworking areas, and 24/7 access, complemented by events that spark collaboration. - Targeted support: Mentoring, training in innovation and management, and fundraising assistance help startups scale effectively. - Global market access: Through partnerships with international incubators, Moroccan startups gain entry to foreign markets. - Technology support: Guidance on intellectual property, R&D access, and cutting-edge tools help entrepreneurs innovate with confidence. These efforts are bearing fruit. In 2023 alone, 130 Technopark-affiliated startups were exporting their solutions internationally, with 30 having already opened foreign branches. A Measurable Economic Impact In just over two decades, the Technopark has delivered tangible results: - More than 15,000 jobs created in the tech and innovation sectors. - Over 3,000 startups, including 1,800 directly supported, generating an annual turnover of 900 million dirhams (approx. €85 million). - A startup survival rate above the national average, thanks to its strong support system and collaborative network. These numbers confirm the Technopark's pivotal role in building a resilient, tech-driven Moroccan economy. Looking Ahead to 2027 To meet the challenges of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the green transition, the Technopark has set a new strategic roadmap for 2022–2027 with three key priorities: 1. Expand sector-specific programs in emerging fields like greentech, fintech, cybersecurity, and AI. 2. Foster collaboration between startups, corporates, and investors to drive open innovation. 3. Further regional expansion, adapting the model to local contexts and creating new centers of excellence. «Today, rooted in multiple cities across Morocco, our model is thriving and expanding, nurturing a flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem», says Lamiae Benmakhlouf. A Continental Vision Looking beyond Morocco, the Technopark aspires to play a leading role in Africa's digital transformation. With its experience, networks, and pool of high-potential startups, it positions itself as a key player in supporting innovation across the continent. After 24 years, the Technopark remains a powerful launchpad for Moroccan startups and a strategic lever for positioning Morocco as a regional tech hub.
Mint
02-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
What is the credit card minimum amount due? Should you pay it and carry forward the balance
In a credit card monthly statement, you will see two amounts due. One is the minimum amount due (MAD), and the second is the total amount due (TAD). While making the monthly bill payment, the bank usually gives you three payment options: MAD, TAD, and any other amount. Which out of these three should you pay? Each has its own pros and cons. In this article, we will understand what is the minimum amount due and whether you should pay the MAD and carry forward the balance. In a credit card bill, the minimum amount due or MAD is the smallest/least amount that you can pay to keep your account in good standing. By paying the MAD, you avoid the levy of late payment fees. Your account will not be classified as a delinquent account/defaulter. The MAD is a small percentage of the overall outstanding amount you have spent using the credit card in a monthly billing cycle. For example, for Axis Bank credit cards, the MAD is 2% of the purchases made in a billing cycle. In the case of ICICI Bank and American Express, the MAD is 5% of the outstanding amount. Similarly, for other bank credit cards, you can check the Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) document to know the MAD percentage of the outstanding amount. The MAD payment is subject to a minimum amount. For example, for Axis Bank credit cards, the MAD is 2% of the outstanding balance, subject to a minimum payment of Rs. 100. Similarly, ICICI Bank and American Express also, the MAD is subject to a minimum payment of Rs. 100. In the earlier section, we understood how the MAD includes a small percentage of the purchases made using the card during a monthly billing cycle. Apart from that, the MAD includes the following. The card joining and annual fees Any interest charges Any EMIs Any other charges The taxes on all the above charges While the purchases on the card are charged at a small percentage (2 to 5%) in the MAD, the remaining amounts are charged at 100%. For example, suppose the purchases made using the credit card in a monthly billing cycle are Rs. 10,000 and the card annual fee is Rs. 1,000. The MAD will include Rs. 500 (5% of the Rs. 10,000 purchases), Rs. 1,000 (100% of the annual fee), and Rs. 180 (100% of the 18% GST on the Rs. 1,000 annual fee). When you pay only the MAD, you postpone paying the balance amount and do not eliminate it. Paying only the MAD gives you flexibility with the payment of the balance amount. However, this flexibility comes at a huge interest cost. Suppose your monthly credit card bill is Rs. 20,000, and you are facing a cash crunch. You decide to pay the 5% MAD, i.e., Rs. 1,000. The balance of Rs. 19,000 will be carried forward to the next monthly bill cycle. The bank will charge you interest on this Rs. 19,000. Most banks charge a monthly interest rate in the range of 3 to 4%. It translates into a huge annual interest rate of 36 to 48%, making it one of the costliest loans. Suppose your credit card bill is Rs. 5,000, and you pay only the 5% MAD (minimum Rs. 100) every month. In such a scenario, as per the American Express website, it will take you up to 44 months to pay back the entire outstanding amount in full. As per the Axis Bank website, paying the 2% MAD (minimum Rs. 100) every month will take up to seven years to pay back the total amount in the same scenario. So, as explained above, if you pay only the MAD every month, you will incur huge interest charges till you clear the entire outstanding amount. These interest charges can drain your personal finances. They can also make you divert money meant for your financial goals. Some of the pros of paying the MAD include the following. Your account remains regular. In other words, it will not be classified as a default. As the MAD has been paid, the bank will not charge late payment fees. As your account remains regular, it will not be reported to credit information companies (CICs) like CIBIL as a delayed account. Your credit score will not be hit. Some of the cons of paying the MAD include the following. You will start incurring huge monthly interest charges of 3 to 4% of the outstanding amount. It may take many months or a few years to clear the entire outstanding amount when you pay only the MAD every month. There is a risk of falling into a debt trap. The huge monthly interest charges, when carried forward for a few months, can quickly add up to an unsustainable amount and spiral out of control. A higher credit utilisation ratio (CUR) can contribute towards impacting your credit score negatively. If you keep paying the MAD every month, the remaining outstanding amount will be carried forward every month. If the outstanding amount exceeds 30% of the total credit limit available, it will result in a higher CUR. If the CUR is consistently higher than 30%, it will impact the credit score negatively. If you keep rolling over your debt month after month for a long time, it can affect your credit worthiness. Getting new credit cards or loans can be challenging as banks will look at you as a high-risk customer. You must always aim to pay the entire monthly credit card bill before or by the due date. If you fall short by some amount, pay whatever is available over and above the MAD. Also, you must try and arrange for the remaining amount at the earliest and clear the entire outstanding amount as soon as possible. Paying only the MAD is not recommended. If you pay the MAD, you will incur huge monthly interest charges. The outstanding amount and interest charges can quickly add up and become unsustainable. It can put you in a debt trap and ruin your financial life. The MAD flexibility should be used as an exception during a financial difficulty. Paying only the MAD should not be the norm. When you use the MAD flexibility during times of financial difficulty, it can be a lifesaver. However, when you make paying the MAD a norm, it can ruin your financial life. You should use credit cards for the features and benefits they provide and pay the entire outstanding every month on time. Gopal Gidwani is a freelance personal finance content writer with 15+ years of experience. He can be reached at LinkedIn. First Published: 2 May 2025, 10:35 AM IST
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pesticide levels found in Stanislaus County air — but far below danger limits
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation shared early findings from a seasonal air monitoring study conducted last year in Stanislaus County. The central question driving the study: Are pesticide levels in the air high enough to pose health risks? While the three pesticides monitored were detected in some samples, all concentrations remained below health-based safety thresholds. Preliminary data showed that both short- and medium-term levels of the fumigants were very low — none exceeded DPR's regulatory limits. 'From the start, this project has been about transparency, community involvement and working together to understand what's in the air during the peak months of pesticide use,' Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner Linda Pinfold said in a statement. 'We're all committed to protecting the health and safety of our residents, supporting our farmworkers and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our farming operations.' Yvan Delgaro, senior environmental scientist with the DPR's Air Program, gave a presentation Friday at the Grayson Community Center, where about 40 people gathered to hear the findings. As part of DPR's ongoing efforts to evaluate pesticide safety, the agency collects air samples to measure pesticide levels, uses computer models to analyze the data and determines whether action is needed to reduce potential health risks from exposure. If a risk is found, DPR can recommend measures including limiting how much pesticide can be used, who can apply it, how and when it's applied — such as during certain weather conditions — and how close applications can be to homes, schools, or the size of the treated area. These rules are enforced by county agricultural commissioners. DPR's Air Program conducted a 15-week monitoring study from Jan. 20 to May 10, 2024, testing four days a week for three specific pesticides in the air. The study period was chosen based on past pesticide application patterns. Air monitors were placed in Grayson, the Monterey Park Tract west of Turlock, and Hughson — locations chosen due to both community interest and local pesticide use. This marked the first time DPR conducted a multi-community air study in Stanislaus County, which was selected because of its high pesticide use between 2019 and 2021 and concerns raised by residents. The air samples were tested for three soil fumigants: 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), chloropicrin and methyl isothiocyanate (MITC). These pesticides turn into gas after being applied to soil to kill pests and can drift from the application site into the air. All three monitoring sites showed similar detection patterns, with more frequent detection in April. The highest levels were found in Grayson that month, with 1,3-D reaching 1.5% of DPR's regulatory target — a level still well below what is considered harmful. Regulatory targets are the levels of pesticides in the air that are considered safe for everyone, with no expected health effects. Of the three pesticides, 1,3-D was detected in 19% of samples, MITC in 34% and chloropicrin not at all. Overall, the concentrations found were low compared to safety thresholds. All three pesticides are classified as toxic air contaminants and restricted materials, meaning they can pose serious health risks if people are exposed to high levels. Because of these risks, a permit is required to apply them. Each pesticide is used on different crops common in the region. 1,3-D is often applied before planting almonds and sweet potatoes, chloropicrin is used for almonds and transplanting other crops, and MITC is commonly used on tomatoes, melons and watermelons. Exposure to these pesticides can cause a range of symptoms, including skin and nose irritation, chest pain, difficulty breathing, watery or burning eyes, coughing, headache, nausea, sore throat and excessive salivation. MITC, in particular, can lead to additional issues like numbness or tingling in the limbs, memory problems, headaches and behavioral changes. Long-term exposure to 1,3-D has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. DPR advises anyone who may have been exposed to a pesticide to seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or going to the nearest hospital — and to make sure medical staff are aware that pesticide exposure is suspected. Grayson resident John Mataka urged community members to advocate for themselves at medical appointments. He noted that symptoms can sometimes be brushed off as allergies, so it's important to ask doctors to report the exposure. 'You gotta push the doctor,' Mataka said. New regulations on 1,3-D went into effect at the start of 2024, making this the first focused study of the pesticide under the new rules. DPR is currently working with the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to develop additional restrictions on 1,3-D use. The full dataset from this air monitoring study will be released in June as part of DPR's Pesticide Air Monitoring Results. A full report is expected later this year or early next year. Residents can track local pesticide applications by visiting the Spray Days website, where they can view an interactive map and sign up for notifications. Low-income households in disadvantaged communities may also qualify for a free home air filtration unit through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's Clean Air Rooms Program. To be eligible, residents must live within the district and not have previously received a unit. To report a pesticide exposure or misuse, contact the County Agricultural Commissioner's Office. Reports can also be submitted anonymously using the CASPIR app. Additional community presentations will be held Monday at 4:30 p.m. at the Monterey Park Tract Community Center, 7655 Foy Ave., and Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the United Samaritan Community Center in Hughson, 2314 Third St. Snacks, interpretation and childcare activities will be provided, courtesy of Valley Improvement Projects. 'I'm grateful for the partnerships that made this study possible — they showed a strong commitment to finding balance: protecting our environment and communities while also supporting our vital agricultural industry. This is a powerful example of what we can accomplish when science, local knowledge, and community voices come together,' Pinfold stated.
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Melaka will continue to honour Tun Abdullah's legacy, contributions
MELAKA: Melaka will continue to honour the legacy and contributions made by Malaysia's fifth Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, particularly in relation to the development of the state. Governor Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam said that Tun Abdullah will be remembered as a leader with a people's spirit, calm in his approach, and always prioritising the nation's interests and the welfare of the people. 'On behalf of the state government, the state assembly, and the people of Melaka, I express my deepest condolences to the entire family of the late Tun Abdullah following his passing on April 14. 'The death of Tun Abdullah is a great loss to the nation, as throughout his life, the statesman had made invaluable contributions to Malaysia's development, particularly in fostering moderation, transparency, and unity among races both domestically and internationally.' He said this in his address when opening the First Meeting of the Fourth Term of the 15th Melaka State Assembly at Seri Negeri today. The current state assembly sitting will take place over three days, from today until April 29. In his address, Tun Mohd Ali also highlighted the numerous initiatives spearheaded by the late former prime minister, including addressing flood issues by upgrading the drainage system to alleviate flash floods in the Melaka city area and securing funding for the beautification and cleaning of the Melaka River. 'Taking into account the iconic slogan of Tun Abdullah - Cemerlang, Gemilang, and Terbilang - the state government has also built and named a building 'Kota Cemerlang' at MITC, Ayer Keroh,' he said. He also recalled the late Tun Abdullah's deep interest in handicrafts, often stopping by handicraft stalls in Simpang Ampat, which he described as one of his cherished memories with the former premier. Tun Abdullah passed away on April 14 at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur and was laid to rest at the Heroes' Mausoleum near the National Mosque.
