Latest news with #Hillside
IOL News
3 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
As a nation, we need to choose partners over politics
Two-faced Eskom punishes solar users Eskom is so much part of our lives. Homes and industries are heavily reliant on it for their power and lights, but in recent years it has become inefficient, corrupt and plundered by the greedy, often leaving the country without power. Many businesses and homes have been forced to seek alternative sources of power. Most popular of these is solar power. Although the sun's energy is clean and free, harnessing it to power our homes and industries comes at a hefty initial outlay. But as more and more homes and businesses ditch Eskom and switch to solar power, Eskom has been getting worried because fewer customers means less revenue. To offset this, it wants to punish customers who have went solar. They must be registered with Eskom and pay a fee either upfront and/or a monthly basis. How nasty can Eskom be, to punish consumers who have opted for an alternative source of energy when this problem is of its own doing? What is even more alarming is its 'gift' to Hillside Aluminium in Richards Bay. The giant aluminium company enjoys a roughly R10-billion-a-year discount, amounting to R92bn over the 10-year deal. How could the power utility grant an industrial company a discount when it is struggling to stay afloat? It doesn't make sense to punish the solar user but give a R92bn discount to Hillside! Eskom is two-faced, just like the government. | Thyagaraj Markandan Kloof The world is on a very slippery slope When good men do nothing, evil flourishes, is a fairly common quote most commonly attributed to Edmund Burke, an 18th-century Irish statesman and philosopher (although it's more likely a paraphrase of some of his writings). This is exactly what we see unfolding in the world. The recent genocidal activities by brutal Islamic Jihadi groups in Syria paint a grim picture of the sheer ignorance, hypocrisy and depravity of those who only seem to care about 'Palestinians' or what is going on in Gaza! Dissturbing clips, which are not AI generated, show demonic radical Islamists gleefully displaying decapitated heads. I understand this is very graphic to even imagine, but it is happening right now, and the world remains silent. Druze communities, along with some Christians, are subjected to the most heinous acts, but the world only condemns Israel for its efforts to deal with terrorism, while also fighting a major PR war, funded by the likes of George Soros and the UN. The more we see mobs around the world displaying the Palestinian flag, yelling death to Jews and America while our people stay silent in the face of what's happening in Syria, the more I come to the conclusion that we are in deep trouble as a global community. The lack of coverage for Christians being martyred and slaughtered like animals by what can only be described as barbaric, bloodthirsty Jihadist psychopaths is disturbing. Why is Naledi Pandor, the eloquent, yet self-righteous, former minister of foreign affairs not condemning this? Well, it's easy to understand why: She simply doesn't care about being brainwashed and used as useful idiots for Iran and its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah!. Another very worrisome issue, is the issue of lack of consent when it comes to unelected organisations, such as the World Economic Forum and the World Health organisation, and vaccines or medical treatment. During the Covid-19 fiasco, we saw global leaders take the stage and demand that we all wear masks and be vaccinated, without allowing for any public debate, alternative medicinal ideas or without listening to extreme concerns from the public with regards to the impact of lock downs on mental health and the irreversible side effects of the vaccines they hurriedly produced. Again, why are we not speaking up about these scary issues? Are we too tired to care, or are we scared of being cancelled or publicly shamed by the pro-Palestine mobs or the vaxxers, who call us the anti-vaxxers, or conspiracy theorists? If we continue down this path of ignorance, sticking our heads in the sand like ostriches while the world falls apart, we won't have much to leave for our children and grand-children, It's all coming apart at the seams. Who will stand up and resist all this evil? | L Oosthuizen Durban ANC fails as it slides into political oblivion The unbelievable view expressed by Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa that electricity is becoming a luxury (IOL, July 22) should mark another milestone in the terminal descent of the ANC into political oblivion. Those milestones are in the ANC's much-revered Freedom Charter. But, one by one, the ANC has failed them. ■ 'There shall be work and security' Instead, joblessness has become the norm under the ANC. Rampant crime has made insecurity another norm as the police service has become impotent and corrupt. ■ 'There shall be houses and comfort; no one shall go hungry' Instead, homelessness, hunger, malnutrition and informal settlements are hallmarks of the ANC's tenure. Now with electricity at unaffordable prices – when it is available – cold comfort is the norm for millions.. ■ 'The people shall share in the country's wealth' Instead, unprecedented levels of impoverishment prevail, attested to by the dependence of 20 million on social grants. Instead, an elite enjoys obscene levels of affluence, while large tranches of our resources are now foreign owned. ■ 'All shall be equal before the law' Flouting the law does not apply to those in high office. Instead they are allowed to 'step aside' or be redeployed within the corrupt party which prioritises party loyalty above respect for the law and 'the will of the people". ■ 'The colour bar shall be abolished' Under B-BBEE and racial quotas the colour bar has been reinstated and reinforced in ways far more discriminatory than under apartheid .■ 'The government shall encourage national talent for the enhancement of life' Instead, education standards have plummeted and the best talents have emigrated. To cap it all, the ANC has totally reneged on and failed its own election slogan: 'A better life for all.' In a normal society there would be overwhelming public pressure for a government that has failed so profoundly to resign. But instead, the ANC seeks a diversion in the form of a 'national dialogue' in an attempt to keep itself in power. For how much longer and how much further will this fiasco be allowed to continue? | DR DUNCAN DU BOIS Bluff Choose partnership over politics It's rare to speak from the heart without backlash, but South Africa remains a troubled country. Crime, corruption, and unemployment prevails, while government leaders promote a R700-million National Dialogue, yet fail to act against the corrupt in their own ranks. Ordinary South Africans want renewal through peaceful evolution to a united, prosperous nation. But our political leadership chooses self-sabotage, jeopardising key relationships, such as our government's pursuit of an ICJ case against Israel, souring relations with a natural ally whose values and strengths mirror our own. Israel and South Africa are both beacons of democracy, rooted in Judeo-Christian values. South Africa's transition from apartheid and Israel's resilience offer beneficial lessons in reconciliation, innovation, and economic development. While Israel has emerged as a global leader in tech, water security, and food innovation, we remain stuck with dysfunctional government departments and poor service delivery. Israel reclaims 86% of wastewater, leads in desalination, and boasts low unemployment, even amid conflict. In contrast, South Africa's official unemployment rate sits at 32.9%. Why reject potential partnerships that could uplift our economy and society? Voters denied any party a majority in 2024, a clear sign they reject our country's current trajectory, yet the government pours more funds into the ICJ case, despite no genocide ruling. This isn't leadership. It's political ideology that undermines our future. We need pragmatic diplomacy that puts South Africans first. Israel is not our enemy. It can be our greatest ally. It's time to choose partnership over politics. | Daniel Jacobi Executive Director at the South African Friends of Israel Beat app fatigue and earn your space Every year, over 250 000 mobile apps are launched across Apple and Google's app stores. Yet average smartphone users interact with only nine apps per day. WhatsApp is almost always one of them, boasting over 2.8 billion users globally and a 93% penetration rate in South Africa. Despite this, companies continue to invest in standalone apps that most users simply avoid, or delete after a single use. This growing app fatigue demonstrates ineffective business strategies that are disconnected to the customer behavioural economy of today, and refuses to meet customers where its most convenient for them. Enter WhatsApp smartbots. These AI-powered chat interfaces are fundamentally reshaping how brands engage consumers by offering numerous services: Like buying tickets, applying for loans, or searching for properties, all within the familiar WhatsApp interface. No downloads, logins, or clunky interfaces. Beyond customer convenience, smartbots also enable real-time behavioural insight for South African businesses. Every click, pause, or query becomes golden data that local companies can leverage to improve services, build trust, and personalise the experience. For industries like financial services and real estate, this infrastructure results in faster processes and more insightful interactions with customers. Businesses need to stop contributing to app fatigue and start earning their space in our conversations. In a world oversaturated with apps, the path forward lies in simplicity, relevance, and meaningful engagement. | Jonathan Elcock Co-founder and CEO at DAILY NEWS
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
UPDATE -- HT Vet Survey Reveals HT Vista's Ability to Increase Revenue for Veterinary Clinics
Clinics using the device empower their clinicians with precise cancer risk scoring, driving better outcomes and clinic efficiency HILLSIDE, N.J., July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HT Vet, the veterinary health technology company behind HT Vista, the only non-invasive, first-line cancer detection tool for dogs, today announced survey results showing that veterinary practices using the device experienced a 40% increase in mass removal surgeries. The data, collected from ten veterinary practices across the US, UK, and Israel, tracked the number of lumpectomies performed three to six months before and after the introduction of HT Vista. Despite consistent caseloads, all clinics reported an increase in mass removals and biopsies following the device's adoption. Some clinics reported increases as high as 200%, without any corresponding rise in the number of dogs needing lump investigations. This increase in lumpectomies is directly correlated with increased revenue for these clinics. 'I use HT Vista to tell me what to do next,' said Dr. Ohad Barnea, Clinical Director and Co-owner, Tenafly Veterinary Center. 'If I get a high cancer risk result, I recommend diagnostics or removal more urgently, and I will aspirate to check what it is. This helps determine the [surgical] margins I'll need. If it's a low cancer risk result, we might do a minor surgical removal with local anesthesia, preventing benign tumors from becoming problematic. HT Vista provides critical guidance for the next steps, and the clients love the clarity and assurance it gives them.' Outside of the group studied, most clinics reported achieving a positive ROI within four to six months after adopting HT Vista. This is largely due to HT Vista's ability to provide clinicians with a Cancer Risk Score featuring 90% sensitivity and 98% negative predictive value, along with a diagnostic alert when cancer detection specificity exceeds 90%. A 40-second scan with HT Vista's heat diffusion imaging flags masses that require further investigation, eliminating the uncertainty of the 'wait and see' approach. As a result, more dogs receive the diagnostic and surgical care they need. Veterinarians can discuss treatment options with greater confidence, making faster and more informed decisions. 'These results confirm what we've long believed, that giving veterinary teams access to fast, non-invasive cancer screening leads to more confident decision-making and better use of clinic resources,' said Shani Toledano, CEO of HT Vet. 'HT Vista isn't just helping detect potential cancers earlier, it shortens the time between detection and treatment, improving outcomes for dogs, providing peace of mind for their owners, and empowering clinicians to deliver greater value to both patients and the clinic's bottom line.' HT Vet aims to bring HT Vista into every veterinary clinic worldwide. Earlier this year, the company partnered with Patterson Veterinary, one of North America's largest veterinary product distributors, to increase accessibility of HT Vista across the U.S. This partnership, combined with ongoing strategic initiatives, expands access so more veterinary practices worldwide can benefit from HT Vista's proven ability to improve patient outcomes and increase returns. To see detailed survey results, click here. About HT Vet HT Vet is an Israeli-based company aiming to increase early detection of dermal and subcutaneous cancer in dogs. Its revolutionary, patented medical imaging technology, Heat Diffusion Imaging, was developed by a team of experts in the fields of AI, signal analysis, and computer vision, together with top researchers in heat transfer and thermodynamics, oncologists, and radiologists. For more information about the HT Vista device or to schedule a demonstration, please visit HT Vet's website. Media Contact Shahni Ben-HaimSBH Media Relationsshahni@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Hamilton Spectator
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Are you heading to Hillside Festival 2025 in Guelph? Here's what you need to know
Hillside is back and it's time to get ready for the annual celebration of music and community at Guelph Lake Island. The festival runs from Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20 and will have five stages for shows, all kinds of body and mind workshops, a food bazaar, artisan market, children's area and more. Artistic director Samir Baijal said there will be performers from across Canada as well as from all over the world. 'I hope you enjoy the weekend on the island, discover some artists who you have never seen or heard before, and make some new friends,' Baijal said in a press release. Here's the Hillside Festival lineup for 2025. And for the first time, guest curator Classic Roots — an Indigenous DJ, producer and performer from Thunder Bay, representing the Long Lake 58 First Nation, selected some artists, too. Those featured are Celeigh Cardinal, Drezus, Joel Wood & Tonia Jo Hall and Sebastian Gaskin. 'Let the festival be a space where cultures collide, spirits soar, and our shared rhythm leads us forward,' Roots said. Festival goers enjoy the beach and lake. Here are a few more things you might need to know. The weather this weekend won't be as steamy — but the Weather Network is calling for some rain. The high of 26 degrees will be a welcome cool-down for folks spending the weekend outdoors. Pack your umbrella for Saturday night and Sunday, because they are calling for some showers. You can still get day passes for all three days of the festival. Organizers said as of July 15, the festival was 85 per cent sold out overall, so you might want to grab your tickets online now. There are youth and senior options, and children under 12 get in for free with an adult. The food pavilion will have local and regional chefs and artisans creating locally sourced, organic, sustainable menus. But don't worry, there will be ice cream from Mapleton's Organic Dairy and your favourite popsicles from Laza Food and Beverages Inc. A full list of vendors is also available online. The complete line up and schedule of performances on all the stages is available now so you can plan ahead. Some main stage shows over the weekend include sets by Ruby Waters, Tim Baker, the Devin Cuddy Band, Son Rompe Pera, Femi Kuti & the Positive Force, Hurray for Riff Raff, and Lucius. You can drive and park, especially if you are camping, but if you're coming from Guelph, there is a shuttle bus to and from downtown. You can even exchange your ticket for a wristband when you board the bus and stay on it the whole way to the island entrance. Otherwise, you will have to stop at the main gate tent to get your wristband or badge. Bring your bike and you can park it in Henry Kock's Bike Lot. Volunteers will show you where to lock it up and can even help with tools if you need them. The Guelph Off Road Bicycling Association conducts rides leaving the festival from the bike area. Don't forget to bring your reusable water bottles to fill at the Water Wagon. At the festival you will also be able to use reusable dishes that are washed by volunteers. Hillside is a green festival leader in the country and around the world, and it's important we leave the conservation area the way we found it (or better!) The Hillside Festival welcome sign shines in the sun by Guelph Lake. Learn more at You can also download the app on your phone to navigate and plan your experience. Happy Hillside, everyone!
CTV News
03-07-2025
- CTV News
Highway 11 closure during manhunt posed safety risks, stranded commuter says
Six suspects are in custody after an armed home invasion in Hillside early Tuesday. Mike Lang has the latest on the events. A driver who was stuck on a major highway in Ontario's cottage country on Canada Day as police searched for suspects in a home invasion says the situation put stranded commuters at risk. Nancy Turley said the decision to keep people waiting in their cars for hours on a stretch of Highway 11 was far riskier than letting them go because it could have led to a hostage situation during the manhunt. 'I thought it was a little bit ridiculous because if, in fact, these (suspects) are running around with guns like we were told and (police) were trying to catch them, I think the drivers were far more at risk just sitting there for four hours in their cars,' she said. Turley said she was driving on Highway 11 after leaving her home in Milford Bay, Ont., at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday for training at a Salvation Army camp in Georgina when she came upon hundreds of vehicles at a standstill. She initially thought there was an accident but then found out a manhunt was underway after she called her husband and her son searched online to find out what was happening in the area. 'We were really in the dark and nobody came and told us what was going on,' she said in a phone interview Wednesday. 'We were supposed to shelter in place and if you were in your car, to stay in your car with your doors locked, which I thought was a little bit bizarre.' Police had blocked a stretch of the highway after an armed home invasion in the Hillside East area, east of Huntsville, at around 5 a.m. Ontario Provincial Police also issued an advisory on social media asking drivers stuck on Highway 11 to stay in their vehicles and lock their doors during the hunt for the suspects. Police later said they arrested six people. An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patch is seen in Ottawa, on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patch is seen in Ottawa, on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby OPP did not respond Wednesday to a request for comment about criticism of the highway closure. Turley said she and other people started getting out of their vehicles after a while to chat since the internet connection on that part of the highway wasn't good enough to check the latest news online and they didn't want to run their cars for four hours. She said she spent most of the time listening to music, praying, and speaking with friends and family members on the phone until police reopened the highway. 'When they finally let us go through, you could see where everything had happened, where the suspect's car was off in the ditch and the doors were wide open and there was all sorts of mess on the road and skid marks,' she said, adding that it was 'unnerving' to see a police officer with an automatic weapon. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025. Sharif Hassan, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'To take from kids is really the lowest': Hillside Little League suffers major equipment theft
"To take from kids is is really the the lowest I think you can get," said Al Monaco, the president of Hillside Little League.
