Latest news with #SANews
Herald Sun
3 days ago
- Herald Sun
Victorian woman Samiksha Arora, 24, charged with 101 counts of deception
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News. A young Victorian woman has just faced court in South Australia charged with over 100 counts of deception. On Tuesday afternoon, 24-year-old Samiksha Arora, from Officer in Victoria, was released from the Adelaide Magistrates Court on bail after her arrest for alleged deception crimes. SA Police said detectives from the Anti-Corruption Section arrested Ms Arora and charged her with 101 counts of deception. She has been further charged with 26 counts of attempted deception. Police said the arrest came after a 'lengthy investigation'. Court records revealed Ms Arora's alleged offending took place between October 15, 2022 and May 23, 2023. Police allege in court documents that Ms Arora knowingly deceived Shared Services SA. On Tuesday, she was released on bail and will next appear in court again in September. She has, however, been granted permission to appear via phone. Originally published as Victorian woman Samiksha Arora, 24, charged with 101 counts of deception, 26 counts of attempted deception
Herald Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
SA Premier's Business and Export Awards
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News. The company behind a revolutionary skate-like rehabilitation device – founded by former Adelaide Crows club champion Matthew Liptak – is among the finalists in this year's South Australian Premier's Business and Export Awards. MAXM Skate is one of more than 50 finalists in this year's awards, which recognise the contribution of local businesses to the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of the state. It is one of four companies named as finalists in both the business and export categories, putting it in the running for the two major awards – the South Australian Business of the Year and the South Australian Exporter of the Year. Almondco Australia, Mayne Pharma and payments start-up MyVenue – which recently secured a multimillion-dollar investment from US venture capital firm Greater Sum Ventures – are also finalists in both the business and export categories. The MAXM Skate product is a rehabilitation device and digital program for those recovering from knee surgery and injury. The Adelaide-based company already supports patients in more than 26 countries and recently launched a $5m capital raise. This year's 28 award categories celebrate the achievements of a variety of businesses including emerging, regional, family and Indigenous enterprises. Winners across 13 business award categories and 15 export categories will be announced at a gala event in August, with winners of the export categories entered as finalists in the Australian Exporter Awards held in Canberra in November. Last year's major award winners were artificial intelligence-based risk analysis company Fivecast and QuantX Labs – a developer of high-precision timing devices used in major defence and space projects. South Australian Business Chamber chief executive Andrew Kay said the calibre of nominations was 'exceptionally strong' again this year. 'It is always a challenge for the judges to select the finalists from so many high quality applications,' he said. 'It reflects the breadth of high achieving businesses operating here in South Australia and reinforces why the Premier's Business and Export Awards has quickly built a reputation as the pinnacle of business awards in our state.' The awards will be presented at a gala dinner on August 29. Adelaide start-up's massive US payday Originally published as SA Premier's Business and Export Awards - finalists revealed
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Eskom warns against illegal connections as power system remains stable
As the power system operates reliably with reduced unplanned outages, Eskom says an additional 3 330 megawatts (MW) of capacity is expected to return today. SA News reports that, according to Eskom, the power system is showing ongoing resilience in meeting winter electricity demand. 'This sustained performance is largely due to ongoing structural improvements in the generation fleet. Since May 15, there has been no load-shedding, with only 26 hours recorded between April 1 and July 17. 'With 44 days of Eskom's winter outlook period still remaining, the system remains well-positioned to maintain stability and meet demand effectively. 'When occasional system constraints arise, they are effectively managed through the strategic deployment of emergency reserves during morning and evening peak periods,' Eskom said on Friday. Lower diesel usage and outages From April 1 and July 17, diesel consumption was 48.4% lower compared to the same period in 2024 and remains within the budget allocated for April 1 to July 31, helping maintain operational efficiency when needed. As of Friday, unplanned outages reduced to 10 846MW, while available generation capacity was at 31 818MW. 'During the week of July 11 to 17, planned maintenance averaged 4 467MW. Over the same period, the Energy Availability Factor ranged between 60% and 65%, with the month-to-date average further increasing to 62.31%. 'To further strengthen grid stability, Eskom is planning to return a total of 3 330MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on July 21, and throughout the coming week,' the power utility said. Encouraging responsible electricity use SA News reports that Eskom has encouraged all South Africans to use electricity efficiently throughout the rest of winter and to avoid illegal connections as well as meter bypassing. 'With load-shedding suspended and electricity demand rising during the winter period, Eskom has urged all customers to act responsibly and help safeguard the power system,' the utility said. Illegal connections and meter bypassing not only constitute theft but also place immense strain on the network, often leading to transformer overloads, equipment damage, and in severe cases, explosions and extended outages. 'To protect critical infrastructure, Eskom is compelled to implement load reduction by switching off power during peak hours in high-risk, isolated areas to prevent potential damage. 'To help maintain a stable and uninterrupted electricity supply, customers are strongly urged to avoid bypassing meters and refrain from illegal connections,' Eskom said. Electricity should be purchased only through Eskom-accredited vendors, and users are encouraged to regularise their electricity usage. 'These steps are essential to ensuring safe, reliable, and fair access to electricity for all. Eligible households are encouraged to register for free basic electricity with their local municipalities,' Eskom said. The public has been urged to report any illegal activity impacting Eskom's infrastructure by contacting the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp on 081 333 3323. To help manage household electricity consumption, Eskom customers are encouraged to use the Eskom Residential Calculator, a convenient tool for tracking and optimising energy usage: Eskom Residential Calculator Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Herald Sun
03-07-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
SA flu cases increased 70 per cent
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Flu cases sweeping through South Australia are packing emergency departments with suffering patients and creating 'a perfect storm' in GP clinics as numbers surge 70 per cent higher than last year. New figures released by Health Minister Chris Picton show across the state there have been 10,569 flu cases reported so far this year – 70 per cent more than the 6212 cases at the same time last year. In the past week alone, SA health authorities had recorded a sharp rise in numbers with 1627 new cases, a 28 per cent increase on the 1268 new cases reported the week before and 918 cases two weeks ago. Australian Medical Association SA president Peter Subramaniam said doctors were telling the industry group that the SA's escalating flu case numbers meant GP practice appointment schedules were fully booked days in advance. This meant doctor surgeries across the state were struggling to accommodate patients at short notice. 'We're seeing a perfect storm of increased patient presentations and reduced practice capacity due to healthcare workers falling ill,' Associate Professor Subramaniam said. Mr Picton reported the high number of flu patients was putting intense pressure on medical emergency departments. Friday's figures showed that 1,042 South Australians had been hospitalised with flu this year compared to 673 at the same time last year, a massive 55 per cent increase. As presentations increased, Mr Picton urged South Australians to get vaccinated to reduce their own health risk and to help stop the spread. 'Those of particular concern are children under five and older South Australians, especially those in residential care. They are most at risk of flu complications,' he said. Common complications of flu in children include ear infections, pneumonia and croup. The latest figures showed that SA had currently reached almost the equal highest number of weekly flu cases of any year in the past five years – the highest number was 1653 in August, 2024. Despite SA having the highest uptake of the flu vaccine on mainland Australia at 32.1 per cent, Mr Picton said 'we still need more people to roll up their sleeves'. SA Health chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier said there were several reasons why flu cases were so high. Every influenza season was different with some more severe than others with Ms Spurrier blaming aspects of human behaviour, circulating strains and the 'closeness of vaccine match' impacting figures. The AMA said the surge in reported cases reinforced why annual influenza vaccination was critical. It wanted the state to have co-ordinated action across government, healthcare providers and the community to protect SA's most vulnerable and to support 'our stretched healthcare workforce'. Flu vaccinations were free for those most likely to end up in hospital including children aged under five years of age, those aged over 65 years, pregnant women, Aboriginal people and those with underlying health conditions. Originally published as Health Minister Chris Picton releases latest flu figures showing skyrocketing cases are causing a 'perfect storm' for GP surgeries and hospitals
Herald Sun
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Herald Sun
Australian Army chief identifies problems with troop training in leaked letter
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australian Army recruits are 'not up to scratch' and lack the mental strength to take on criticism or be 'yelled at', a unit commander has claimed. The criticism comes as a leaked letter – written in December by Deputy Chief of the Army Major General Christopher Smith – identified a range of deficiencies in the force's troop training. Support units were particularly affected, with the letter claiming personnel lacked 'competency in foundational soldiering skills [including] navigation, digging pits, putting up wire, patrolling and air sentry duties'. The result: 'non-arms corp units are finding it necessary to expend valuable time teaching foundational skills rather than on collective training, inhibiting the value troops draw from exercises'. Major Smith's letter urged commanders to shift their priorities and focus on improving the physical, psychological and social conditioning (or group cohesion) of troops, representing a broader philosophical change in the army's approach to training – to ensure the army can meet the nation's 'changing situation'. A defence spokesman confirmed General Smith wrote the letter to all army commanders in December, saying it was 'intended to reflect on the force's posture changes and strategic circumstances as outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy'. But one commander, speaking under anonymity, suggests the letter speaks to his own deeper concerns about troop standards claiming some were simply 'not up to scratch'. They claim cadets lacked the mental fortitude expected of a soldier, being unable to take on criticism or withstand 'being yelled at'. The letter also flagged remote training as a problem, being at odds with the army's philosophical shift, stating in-person experiences were preferable as they built 'camaraderie, resilience, and readiness in ways that remote learning cannot replicate'. The letter emphasised on multiple occasions the need to change immediately, with General Smith explaining that he took 'the unusual step' of issuing the letter to all commanders rather than following a standard top-down process, 'because the requirement to adapt is urgent'. 'Army Headquarters is leading the development of doctrine for the essential physical, psychological, and social conditioning we seek to instil across the force,' the letter says. 'That work is important however, action cannot wait for top-down directives. 'In the interim, I encourage you to take immediate steps to reflect this change in the bias of our training to the extent you are able and to the extent resources and staffing allows. 'Time is the critical resource for conditioning our soldiers and officers. Exploit it fully.' Defence would not clarify why General Smith's letter reiterated a sense of urgency, but a spokeswoman said there have already been changes within the army over the last six months since the letter was sent – including an increase in the number of weeks troops spent going through basic training. Minister for Defence Richard Marles declined to comment. Originally published as Deputy Chief of the Army instructs commanders to fix 'deficiencies' with troop training as some units lack basic soldier skills
