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British Columbia business owner Joe Chaput will spend $5,500 a month on security guards during the holiday season and plans on upgrading his store’s video camera system for around $5,000 more. He’s not selling luxury brands or expensive jewels. Chaput sells cheese, and at Christmas, cheese is a hot commodity. He is the co-owner of specialty cheese store les amis du Fromage, with two locations in Vancouver. While cheeselifting is rare in their Kitsilano store, the outlet in East Vancouver is hit in waves, with nothing happening for a month, then three of four people trying to steal their inventory within a week. “Sometimes, you miss it. Sometimes, you catch it. The way shoplifters behave ... they tend to gravitate toward expensive things,” said Chaput. Expensive cheese is on shoplifters’ Christmas list, he said. “They tend to do the classic examples of staying away from customer service and trying to go to a different part of the store so they can be left alone to steal.” Chaput isn’t alone. Police say food-related crimes on are the rise in Canada and as prices climb for items such as cheese and butter, they become lucrative on the black market for organized crime groups, not to mention theft for local resale. Sylvain Charlebois, the director of Dalhousie University’s Agri-food Analytics Lab, said a black market tends to emerge as soon as food prices surge. “Organized crime will steal anything (if) they know they can sell it and so, they probably would have known who their clients are before even stealing anything at all, and that’s how a black market is organized,” said Charlebois. He said he believes there are two categories of people shoplifting — those who do so out of desperation because they can’t afford the food, or organized criminals, profiting from sales on the black market. Mounties in North Vancouver made cheesy headlines when they ran into a man with a cart of stolen cheese in the middle of the night in September. The cheese, valued at $12,800, was from a nearby Whole Foods Store. While the cheese was recovered, it had to be disposed of because it hadn’t been refrigerated. Const. Mansoor Sahak, with the North Vancouver RCMP, said officers believe cheese is targeted because it’s “profitable to resell.” “If they are drug addicts, they will commit further crimes with that or feed their drug habits. It’s a vicious cycle,” said Sahak. Sahak said meat is also a top target for grocery thieves, with store losses sometimes in the thousands. “So, we’re not surprised that this happened,” said Sahak. Police in Ontario have been chasing down slippery shoplifters going after butter. Scott Tracey, a spokesman with Guelph Police Service, said there have been eight or nine butter thefts over the last year, including one theft last December worth $1,000. In October, two men walked into a local grocer and filled their carts with cases of butter valued at $936, and four days later a Guelph grocer lost four cases valued at $958. Tracey said he has looked at online marketplaces and found listings by people selling 20 or 30 pounds of butter at a time. “Clearly, somebody didn’t accidentally buy 30 extra pounds of butter. So, they must have come from somewhere,” said Tracey, “I think at this point it appears to be the black market is where it’s headed.” He said the thefts seem to be organized, with two or three people working together in each case. Police in Brantford, Ont., are also investigating the theft of about $1,200 worth of butter from a store on Nov. 4. Charlebois said retailers could invest in prevention technologies like electronic tags, but putting them on butter or cheese is rare. He said up until recently grocery store theft has been a “taboo subject for many years.” Stores didn’t wanted to talk about thefts because they didn’t want to alarm people but now they feel they need to build awareness about what is “becoming a huge problem,” said Charlebois. Chaput, the cheese store owner, said he had been running the East Vancouver store for 15 years while managing the store in Kitsilano for 30 years, and he loves his customers. “It’s really one of the best parts of our businesses, seeing familiar faces and making new customers. It’s why we come to work, really. Partly it’s the cheese, and partly it’s the people,” said Chaput. He said his strategy to combat would-be thieves is to give them extra customer service to make it harder for them to steal. He admits, however, that the shoplifting causes him stress. “It’s challenging. You’re busy trying to run your business day to day and take care of customers and take care of employees. Having to deal with criminals, just kind of scratches away. It can be a bit exhausting,” said Chaput.Global Piston Market Set For 5.6% Growth, Reaching $4.44 Billion By 202820 jili slot 。

Opinion: Significance of Putin’s visitNone

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Bennett Stirtz scored 20 points as Drake beat Belmont 65-46 on Sunday night. Stirtz added three steals for the Bulldogs (12-0, 2-0 Missouri Valley Conference). Daniel Abreu scored 15 points while shooting 5 for 11, including 3 for 9 from beyond the arc and added five rebounds. Mitch Mascari had nine points and shot 3 for 7, including 3 for 6 from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs prolonged their winning streak to 12 games. Sam Orme led the Bruins (9-4, 1-1) in scoring, finishing with 11 points. Brody Peebles added 10 points for Belmont. Jonathan Pierre had nine points. Drake took the lead with 10:21 left in the first half and never looked back. Stirtz led their team in scoring with 13 points in the first half to help put them up 39-21 at the break. Drake outscored Belmont in the second half by one point, with Abreu scoring a team-high eight points after intermission. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated PressFive Counties Children’s Centre is striving to help families ensure their holidays are happy by offering tips to keep spirits bright and stress under wraps this season. The anxiety and upheaval of extra demands and different routines can make the holidays challenging for parents and children alike, according to a media release from Five Counties, which provides therapy services for children with special needs in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Northumberland, However, “celebrating the season can still be merry and bright when it’s managed right.” “The holidays can mean a drastic change in schedules and a lot of disruption to routine — which as any parent will tell you, can impact the rhythm of family life,” Five Counties spokesperson Bill Eekhof told kawarthaNOW. “There’s also added excitement and anticipation that come with the holidays, especially for kids, given what awaits them under the tree and where or whom they will visit. Parents and caregivers may also feel pressured to ensure their family has an enjoyable holiday season.” Eekhof added that, while managing the stress of the holidays can be especially challenging for parents and caregivers of children with special needs, it applies to all families. Nicole Captain, an occupational therapist with Five Counties, has some tips for helping families manage the extra pressure of the holiday season and helping children cope with the excitement, anticipation, and altered routines that come with the holidays. Tips includes creating a visual schedule or calendar so children can see what is being planned for holiday time (including breaks or downtime), using photos or maps to help prepare children before travelling to visit family or friends for the holidays, and discussing holiday plans as a family to help manage change and expectations and to choose activities that everyone would like to do together. “Parents and caregivers often feel guilty and pressured to have the picture-perfect holiday that they see on social media or in the movies, but that isn’t always the reality,” Captain said. “The fact is we can still enjoy happy holidays if we keep things simple, stick to structure, go back to basics, and are flexible.” Captain, who works in school-based rehabilitation services at Five Counties, provides occupational therapy support to students and often discusses self-regulation in her classes. “I always tell parents to put on your oxygen mask first, to meet your own regulation needs and support your nervous system so that you can support your child’s needs.” Captain said it’s important to manage the variables that are within control. This including getting enough rest and sticking to sleep schedules, selecting a quiet space where family members can rejuvenate, and eating well and staying well-hydrated. “It’s really going back to the basics,” Captain noted. “We’re optimizing our bodies on the inside to cope with all the stress and changes that go on outside and around us.” Another tip is to unplug from technology as much as possible and make meaningful connections by spending time together as a family. “While being together doesn’t require a lot of preparation, make it quality time to really forge that connection,” Captain said. According to Captain, too much screen time during the holidays can affect a child’s sleep, behaviour, routine, and anxiety levels. If spending time in front of a screen, do it together as a family, but avoid screen time too close to bedtime as children can get overstimulated and their sleep can be affected. Another tip is to make sure you spend time outdoors having fun as a family. “I know going outdoors in the winter months in Canada isn’t something we all like to do, but the importance of sunlight, fresh air, and activity are important for everyone to feel their best,” Captain said. In choosing outdoor activities to do together, families can be purposeful and organized. “There’s time to run around in the snow, but planning a scavenger hunt, designing a snow fort, building a snowman, or trying to see how many animals you can spot in 10 minutes can maximize that outdoor experience,” she explained. If the weather precludes outdoor fun, indoor games are a good alternative. These could include creating an obstacle course, doing a puzzle, or trying out a fun and interactive activity like Cosmic Kids Yoga. “Pick what works for your family and do what you can,” Captain said, “and happy holidays can be within our reach.”By BIANCA VÁZQUEZ TONESS After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey , U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government hasn’t offered clear explanations as to who is operating the drones, and has not stopped them. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Fox News Sunday. “The answer ‘We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer.” President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media last week: “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down.” Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said, without saying exactly how. The drones don’t appear to be linked to foreign governments, Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter,” Mayorkas said. Last year, federal aviation rules began requiring certain drones to broadcast their identities. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is operating the drones swarming locations in New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t immediately respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability. Schumer is calling for recently declassified radar technology to be used to help determine whether an object is a drone or a bird, identify its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday said federal officials were sending a drone detection system to the state. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details, including where the system will be deployed. Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility and over Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified.

Balaji, a former employee at the AI giant OpenAI, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26. OpenAI has expressed condolences following the death of former researcher Suchir Balaji , who was found dead in his San Francisco apartment earlier this month. The company released a statement Thursday, December 26, confirming they are supporting Balaji's family during this difficult time. The statement on OpenAI newsroom comes exactly a month after Balaji's death on November 26. "We were devastated to learn of this tragic news and have been in touch with Suchir's family to offer our full support," the statement read. "Our priority is to continue to do everything we can to assist them." Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on Nov. 26 in what police said “appeared to be a suicide. No evidence of foul play was found during the initial investigation.” Balaji worked at OpenAI for nearly four years before quitting in August this year. Oone of his first projects at OpenAI, called WebGPT, is said to have helped pave the way for ChatGPT . Balaji had publicly raised concerns about potential copyright infringement by OpenAI and other AI companies, particularly regarding the use of copyrighted material to train generative AI models like ChatGPT. His concerns gained attention amidst numerous lawsuits from writers, programmers, and journalists alleging unauthorized use of their work. OpenAI stated they first became aware of Balaji's concerns through his comments published in The New York Times and that there has been no subsequent interaction. In the NYT interview, Balaji explained his growing interest in copyright law, sparked by the increasing number of lawsuits against AI companies. He also shared his skepticism about "fair use" as a viable defense for many generative AI products in a widely circulated post on X. Elon Musk , currently engaged in legal disputes with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman , reacted to Balaji's death with a brief "hmm" post on X.EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on injured reserve after hurting his hamstring Sunday in a 30-27 overtime victory over the Chicago Bears. The move announced Tuesday means that Pace must miss at least the Vikings next four games. The Vikings also activated outside linebacker Gabriel Murphy from injured reserve and signed linebacker Jamin Davis off the Green Bay Packers practice squad. Pace, 23, had started each of the Vikings nine games this season. The 2023 undrafted free agent from Cincinnati had 56 tackles — including six for loss — and three sacks. Murphy, 24, signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent this spring. He was placed on injured reserve Aug. 27. Davis had joined the Packers practice squad Oct. 29 after getting released by the Washington Commanders a week earlier. Washington selected him out of Kentucky with the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft. Story continues below video The 25-year-old Davis has 282 tackles, seven sacks, one interception, two forced fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in his NFL career. He led the Commanders with a career-high 104 tackles in 2022. The Vikings (9-2) host the Arizona Cardinals (6-5) on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLVikings place LB Ivan Pace on injured reserve and sign LB Jamin Davis off Packers practice squad

Holiday shopping doesn't have to be stressfulNestlé partners ALFT to pave way for sustainable future in flexible packaging

Halifax security forum gathers as Trump's support for Taiwan, Ukraine in question

Seahawks place running back Kenneth Walker III on injured reserve

Halifax security forum gathers as Trump's support for Taiwan, Ukraine in questionHow families can keep the 'happy' in the holidays by avoiding stress and upheaval

The year 2025 is just a day away! The countdown has officially started. New Year’s celebrations are filled with parties, games, traditions, drinks, food, and gatherings. Of course, no celebration is complete without the famous countdown to midnight. One of the most iconic New Year’s Eve traditions is the ball drop at Times Square in New York City. This dazzling event has been capturing the attention of audiences all around the globe. During the New Year’s Eve ball drop, a giant crystal ball lit up with LED lights is lowered from the top of One Time Square, marking the final seconds of the year. The New Year’s Eve ball is 12 feet wide, made of Waterford crystal triangles, and shines as it welcomes the New Year. This tradition began in 1907 and has evolved over the years. New Year 2025 Lucky Food: From Grapes to Long Noodles, Bring Good Fortune to Your Table With These 5 Foods. Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Date The Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop will start on December 31, 2024, and conclude on January 1, 2025. Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Timing The iconic New Year’s Eve tradition in New York City will begin at 6:00 PM on December 31, which is 04:30 AM IST on January 1, 2025. The ball will be raised to the top of the flagpole at One Times Square. At 11:59 PM, it will begin its 60-second descent down the flagpole, marking the start of the New Year 2025. Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Live Streaming Several broadcasting companies will air the New Year’s Eve celebrations live on their TV channels and streaming platforms. To watch the Times Square ball drop, you can tune in to the live stream on the official Times Square website or simply view the video below. Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will host the event live from Times Square. The celebrations will feature performances by Lenny Kravitz, Carrie Underwood, the Jonas Brothers, De La Ghetto, Mickey Guyton, and more. Happy New Year 2025 Wishes, Greetings, Quotes and HD Images: WhatsApp Stickers, GIFs, SMS, Wallpapers and Facebook Messages To Share and Celebrate New Year. The idea of a ball dropping to show time is older than the New Year’s celebration. The first ‘time ball’ was set up in 1833 at England’s Royal Observatory in Greenwich. It helped ship captains set their clocks. Today, this tradition continues and is watched by billions around the world. It is more than just a celebration. It stands for hope, unity, and a fresh start as people come together to welcome the future. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2024 09:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).CHICAGO (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks placed running back Kenneth Walker III on injured reserve prior to their game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday because of an ankle injury. Walker hurt his ankle in last week's loss to Minnesota and left that game after sitting out the previous two because of a calf problem. He also missed two weeks in September with an oblique issue. Walker has run for 573 yards and seven touchdowns on 153 carries. A second-round draft pick by Seattle in 2022, he has 2,528 yards rushing and 24 TDs in his career. Walker could, in theory, return if the Seahawks win two playoff games, though their postseason hopes were slim entering the game against Chicago. Seattle (8-7) trailed the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams (9-6) by one game with two to play. The Seahawks' best path to the postseason was to win the final two regular-season games and have Los Angeles lose to Arizona on Saturday. Seattle visits the Rams to close the regular season. With Walker out, Seattle signed rookie running back George Holani off the practice squad. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL The Associated Press