A SUPERMARKET giant with over 900 locations wants to make a big security change to combat a "very real threat". Iceland boss, Richard Walker confirmed on LinkedIn he would "happily" give facial recognition a trial in his stores. 1 Bosses at Iceland are looking at ways to combat shoplifting Credit: alamy Mr Walker added, provided the use of facial recognition was "legal and proportionate". In March this year, over 443,000 incidents of shop theft were recorded by police, the House of Lords revealed. Footage of staff and security struggling to put a stop to such incidents have also gone viral on social media. Now bosses at Iceland are looking at more impactful ways of stopping it. read more in iceland FESTIVE FEAST Best Christmas canapes and party food including cute festive bao buns SWEET TOOTH Shoppers rush to buy 'fab' dupe snack scanning for less than the original In a letter to the Home Office, published on November 5, the House of Lords set out recommendations to "help tackle the problem and help keep the public and our economy safer.” The list included improved reporting systems for retailers and the creation of a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker. Plus, guidance for the use of facial recognition technology by private companies. In response to this report, Mr Walker said: “I make no apologies for putting the safety of Iceland colleagues and customers first. Most read in Business SUNEMPLOYMENT How to take control of your career and future by being your own boss STAMP LOOTY Royal Mail warns stamp prices could rise AGAIN after £120m hit from Budget FORD PULLS PLUG Ford set to axe 800 British jobs - blaming slow electric vehicle sales RATES OF ATTRITION BoE boss says Budget risks job losses and interest rates staying higher "We urgently need further reform to address the growing severity of this issue. "I won’t post on here some of the pictures and details of the serious incidents from the report that I receive every week - but safe to say they are really upsetting. How supermarket chain Iceland is filling its stores with CRIMINALS in major drive to cut reoffending “Right now, security guards are very limited in their ability to act against brazen, professional criminals who operate without fear of consequence. "Enhanced legal powers - to search and safely detain offenders - would create a stronger deterrent for criminals and help restore safer high streets for everyone. “And as I’ve been saying for a while now, we need confirmation from the Information Commissioner's Office that we should be able to share images of perpetrators on social media groups. "The safety of my colleagues is more important than the data protection rights of known offenders. “Lastly...whilst we don’t yet use it, I will happily trial and use legal, proportionate facial recognition technology as an effective response to the very real threat my colleagues face.” The House of Lord's report revealed that around 17 million shoplifting incidents take place every year, costing retailers a whopping £2billion.Despite the lack of official statements or confirmation from Liu Yuning's representatives, the paparazzi images and videos capturing her hospital visit have caused a frenzy on social media platforms. Fans have been expressing their concerns and sending well-wishes to the actress, hoping for her swift recovery or the well-being of her loved ones.Minnesota looks to stop skid vs. Bethune-Cookman
Children and their parents are being told in an Usborne book that refugees “enrich our country”. Usborne has published a book for ages seven and up called Lift the Flap: Questions and Answers About Refugees, which informs readers that “we all have roots in other countries”. Teaching material has been provided alongside the book which sets out classroom activities including having children write to MPs to express how much refugees “enrich our countries”. Further guidance seeks to educate mothers and fathers on the importance of their children learning about the “array of multicultural foods” and “population numbers” provided by refugees who also drive “growth”. The book, which has been branded “indoctrination” by critics, has been stocked by local council libraries, and free copies have been distributed to schools following its release in 2023. The children’s book was created with help from the Refugee Council, and contains 14 illustrated pages with lifting flaps providing answers to questions about issues . One page covers the “big risks” faced by those in small boats, while another page is titled “Refugees Welcome”, and shows a crowd with placards stating “our home is your home” and “bridges not borders”. The final page urges children to talk about how “we all have roots in other countries”, and how refugees “enrich our countries”. Usborne teaching resources paired with the book outline lesson objectives, including “to know that positive action is possible”, with one activity stating: “People in power can do a lot to help – but they don’t always choose to. “Governments want to be popular with their own people, so one way to encourage them to support refugees is by showing them how important refugees’ safety is to you.” It adds: “You could also write a letter to your local MP or councillor. Try to include some facts about why refugees need our help and how they can enrich our countries.” Usborne has also created “notes for grown-ups to help explain why it’s important to talk to children about refugees”. These notes urge parents to drill home to their children the point that “without migration we would not have access to the vast array of multicultural foods that we are lucky to enjoy”. Parents are assured that there are “so many” positives to the arrival of refugees, who “fill gaps in the labour market”. The material claims it is cheaper to recruit foreign doctors than train British medical staff. Low-skilled arrivals additionally “do dirty, difficult, dangerous or dull jobs that locals do not wish to do”, adding that “ageing societies with a shrinking native working-age population benefit from the arrival of younger refugees” who “support population numbers, and thus investment and growth”. Around via small boats in 2024, most of whom claim asylum. The total cost for maintaining the system of migrant hotels is now estimated at £5.4 billion a year. The notes further claim that “people who have been uprooted from one culture and exposed to another tend to be more creative” and they can “help spark new ideas and technologies”. The Arts Council-backed Books Trust has since supported a promotion which promised to distribute 500 copies to UK schools to mark an occasion called “Empathy Day”. The children’s book and the accompanying material has been criticised by Rupert Lowe, the Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, who has pushed for transparency on the costs of migration. He said: “This is disgraceful indoctrination, which is sadly widespread in schools across the country. “Parents need to be incredibly cautious about what is being shown to their children in schools - I would advise parents to take a far more proactive role in monitoring their school’s curriculum where possible. “We need to remove activist teachers, remove activist material and remove all political activism from British schools. Teach children how to think, not what to think.” Usborne has been contacted for comment.Giants of Donegal politics discuss impending Dáil return
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OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC Makes New $206,000 Investment in Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX)Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston named an expanded 21-member cabinet Thursday during a ceremony in downtown Halifax that excluded reporters in a departure from a long-standing tradition of open coverage. In an address that was livestreamed, Houston said his newly re-elected government would continue to deal with issues that matter to Nova Scotians, including health care, housing and affordability. “This term will also be very focused on growing our economy and continuing to lower taxes,” the premier said. “We have to grow our economy to be better able to support the services that Nova Scotians have a right to expect.” Before the election, in which the Tories won 43 of the legislature’s 55 seats, Houston led a 17-member cabinet. The government allowed only one television outlet to have a pool camera at the ceremony held at the Halifax Convention Centre, citing “limited capacity” inside the building that occupies a full city block. Journalists who tried to enter Thursday were turned away by building security. Houston was asked by reporters as he arrived why the media were not being given access to the new cabinet members. “It’s all live streamed ... It’s a really exciting day, you guys have lots of access, and you guys know that,” he said. Reporters were allowed to attend the swearing-in ceremony held at the same venue after the Tories were first elected in 2021, although it was during the COVID-19 pandemic and they were placed in a separate room to monitor the event before interviewing ministers. In the new cabinet, Houston will be joined by veterans John Lohr, who becomes finance minister, Becky Druhan, who moves from education to justice, and Michelle Thompson, who continues as minister of health. There are five new members, including political newcomer Leah Martin as minister of Communications Nova Scotia and L’ nu affairs and Fred Tilley, a former Liberal who crossed the floor just before the Nov. 26 election and becomes minister of public works. The other new ministers are Dave Ritcey in the tourism portfolio, Nolan Young, who is minister of labour, and Scott Armstrong as minister of opportunities and social development — formerly the Department of Community Services. In another departmental change, veteran minister Colton LeBlanc will head the new Department of Growth and Development, which was formerly known as economic development and will now also oversee housing. Composed of 14 men and seven women, the cabinet will see Barbara Adams return as minister of seniors and long-term care and serve as deputy premier. Tim Halman retains the environment portfolio and Tory Rushton stays on in natural resources, while Kim Masland moves from public works to the Department of Emergency Management. The former community services minister, Brendan Maguire, takes over education and also assumes the duties of advanced education from Brian Wong, who was dropped from cabinet along with Susan Corkum-Greek, the former minister of economic development. Alex Marland, a political scientist at Acadia University, said the government could have found room for reporters had it wanted to. “This isn’t a new government, so there are some experienced hands who at a minimum could have been made available,” Marland said. He added that in general, there are governments that feel the need to control their message, and that also tend to be cautious with newer ministers who lack media training. “If this is a pattern and it persists, that’s going to be a problem for the Houston government,” he said. “But if this is a one off and by January things are a little different because people have gone through media training, then a lot of it will be forgotten.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. — With files from Lyndsay Armstrong
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Ten yards into a scramble, Patrick Mahomes could have easily slid for a first down or simply ducked out of bounds and moved on to the next play. Instead, the three-time Super Bowl MVP cut back inside and raced another 23 yards up the field, helping to set up Spencer Schrader's 31-yard field goal as time expired as the Chiefs held on to beat the Carolina Panthers 30-27 on Sunday. “At that point, yards are more important than getting out of bounds,” Mahomes said. “With three timeouts, I just tried to just cut through and Justin Watson had a great block and was able to get down the field and get out of bounds.” The game-winning drive was the 21st of Mahomes' career, and the Chiefs won a game decided in the final seconds for the fifth time this season. Eight of the Chiefs' wins have come by one-score margins. “You always want to have some blowouts and be a little calmer in the fourth quarter, but I've always said it could be a good thing when you get to the playoffs later in the season knowing that you have been in those moments before, and knowing how to attack it play by play not making it too big of a moment,” Mahomes said. Then he smiled and said: “But I would say this more than anybody, I would love to win a game not by the very last play.” Mahomes completed 27 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns in his first game at Bank of America Stadium and ran for 60 yards — including 33 on that last-minute play — as the Chiefs (10-1) scored on six of their eight possessions. Noah Gray caught four passes for 66 yards and scored two touchdowns for the second straight week, and DeAndre Hopkins also found the end zone for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. Kareem Hunt ran for 68 yards on 16 carries and caught three passes for 19 yards. Bryce Young played well for Carolina (3-8), finishing 21 of 35 for 262 yards and a touchdown while leading the Panthers back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game on Chuba Hubbard's 1-yard touchdown run and 2-point conversion with 1:46 remaining. Panthers coach Dave Canales, who benched Young earlier this season for veteran Andy Dalton, said last year's No. 1 overall draft pick “absolutely” will remain the team's starting QB next week. That's a break from Canales' recent pattern of waiting a few days to name a starter. “Bryce is certainly making the most of his opportunities,” Canales said. “And he is making a statement to all of us. Showing us he can make plays in critical areas. He did a great job extending today.” Said Young: “For me, I just want to focus on what I can control. Regardless, I always have the same mindset and preparation, wanting to be better throughout the week. I am definitely grateful for confidence.” Still, there is room for improvement. The Panthers moved the ball well but struggled in the red zone, resulting in field goals of 30, 32, 29 and 33 yards for Eddy Pineiro, the most accurate kicker in NFL history. The Chiefs wasted no time setting the tone as Samaje Perine returned the opening kickoff 56 yards and Mahomes found Gray for a 35-yard touchdown strike on the third play of scrimmage for a 7-0 lead. Gray went nine games without a TD catch before hauling in two last week against Buffalo. His 11-yard score late in the second quarter gave him two more against the Panthers . Chiefs coach Andy Reid praised Mahomes' poise but said he was concerned about his team's nine penalties for 90 yards. Kansas City's Travis Kelce had six catches for 62 yards and moved into third place in career yards receiving by a tight end. He ranks behind only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. However, Kelce failed to find the end zone for the ninth time in 11 games this season. Running back Jonathan Brooks made his NFL debut for Carolina, but the second-round pick was limited to 7 yards on two carries. Panthers: Rookie TE Ja'Tavion Sanders was taken to a hospital, where he was evaluated for a neck injury and released . He landed awkwardly on his head after making a catch near the end of the second quarter. Chiefs: Host Las Vegas on Friday. Panthers: Host Tampa Bay next Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLOpportunity Enterprises clients craft art from cassette tapes Opportunity Enterprises clients recently completed an art project made from upcycled cassette tapes, which they donated to Mixtape Social Kitchen, 55 Franklin St., Valparaiso, according to a release. The piece was received recently by Cory Muro, chef and owner of Mixtape and a longtime supporter of OE. The artwork, a 34-by-44-inch framed piece, was a collaborative effort by OE clients who participate in the Daily Living Skills Day Program and Ben Dunn, OE’s curriculum imagineer, the release said. Through OE’s art programs, clients develop and showcase their talents, often sharing their work with the local community through different exhibits, mainly as a result of OE’s partnership with the Art Barn School of Art, the release said. Individuals who participate in OE’s Daily Living Skills Day Program help present their cassette tape art piece to Chef Cory Muro at his Mixtape piece. Pictured from left, back row, include: Stephanie Anderson, Francisco, Muro, Ben Dunn and Lisa Barrios. Seated are Karl and Veronica. (Photo courtesy of OE) Sixth female firefighter joins city department MAAC Foundation graduate Audrey Govert is expected to join the Valparaiso Fire Department on Dec. 1, a release said. Govert will be the sixth female firefighter for the department, the release said. She began working at the MAAC Foundation in June 2023 and completed the MAAC Fire and Rescue Academy (2022-2023) and earned her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification in October, the release said. She has also served on the Union Township Volunteer Fire Department. MAAC Foundation graduate Audrey Govert joined the Valparaiso Fire Department on Dec. 1, making her the department’s sixth female firefighter. (Photo courtesy of MAAC Foundation) Franciscan Health hosting free AFib webinar Franciscan Health is hosting a free, live webinar aimed at helping patients and their caregivers learn more about atrial fibrillation, commonly known as AFib, according to a release. When the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, it may signal AFib. Arrhythmias like AFib can cause lightheadedness or the feeling of butterflies in the chest and can increase the risk of stroke, the release said. Dr. Philip George, a Franciscan Physician Network electrophysiologist practicing at Franciscan Health Indiana Heart Physicians in Indianapolis, will lead the 6 p.m. Dec. 3 webinar. Registration is available online at fran.care/afibwebinar. IU vendor information fair scheduled Local businesses and organizations are invited to attend a workshop from 9-11 a.m. Dec. 6 aimed at learning how to become certified suppliers for Indiana University, according to a release. Hosted by the IU Bloomington Diversity Supplier Office at Bergland Auditorium on the Gary campus, this event is designed to provide essential tools and resources for businesses seeking to collaborate with IU. The workshop is open to all business owners interested in supplying goods and services to the university. Advance registration is strongly encouraged, the release said. For information, call 219-980-6601. Northwest Health-Porter donates food in Porter Township Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy’s appeal to provide turkeys for holiday meals was met once again, thanks to Northwest Health-Porter, according to a release. Northwest Health Porter recently donated 80 turkeys to the township, the release said. Distribution is through the Portage Township Food Pantry. Eligible clients can visit the food pantry twice a month. Distribution takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on the first, second and fourth Thursday of the month and from 4-6 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month. To learn more about distribution and eligibility, visit www.portagetrustee.org. Purdue Extension welcomes new 4-H educator After a six-month search, Purdue University has appointed Kasey Wilhoit as the new 4-H Youth Development Educator in Lake County, according to a release. Wilhoit will provide innovative, hands-on learning experiences for local youth through 4-H clubs, events, and community initiatives, the release said. Wilhoit joins the team of six Lake County Extension Educators, including 4-H educators Jennifer Haynes and Julie Jones. For more information about 4-H and other Purdue Extension programs visit https://extension.purdue.edu/county/lake/ or contact the Extension Office at 219-755-3240.